Bulletin: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 7/30/23
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Mt. 13:44
SAINT CHRISTOPHER CATHOLIC CHURCH
39 West 200 South, Kanab UT 84741
Office: (435) 644-3414 [Please leave a message and we will respond as quickly as possible]
stccc@kanab.net
WEBSITE: kanabcatholicchurch.org
Sacramental Minister: Rev. Richard T. Sherman, Kanab, UT
SATURDAY VIGIL MASS 5:30 PM (Suspended Indefinitely)
SUNDAY MASS: 9:00 AM
MASS DURING THE WEEK: MONDAY – SATURDAY 8:00 AM
CONFESSIONS BY APPOINTMENT
NOTE: If you have a sacramental emergency after parish office hours, please call 435-673-2604 for assistance.
5th Sunday Collection this week for local Community Outreach Account.
Our next OPEN-DOOR SATURDAY is August 5, 2023 from 10:00 AM-Noon. If you have friends or relatives that are interested in the Catholic faith, or are thinking of returning to the Church, please tell them about us and have them stop by. We would love to meet with them! OPEN DOOR is scheduled every first and third Saturday of the month.
NOTE: If you have a sacramental emergency after parish office hours, please call 435-673-2604 for assistance.
Please pick up a free copy of Bishop Robert Barron’s Book, This is My Body, A Call to Eucharistic Revival. We will likely begin a parish discussion later in August.
FINANCIAL REPORT July 23, 2023 – Offertory: $1663; Donation Mail: $200; R&I: $20; Altered Attitudes: $540. THANK YOU!!
You can also donate on-line at kanabcatholicchurch.org
Diocesan Development Drive –. Our parish goal this year is $8,800 and we have already paid in $4232 with an additional $1122 pledged: 61%. 12 out of a total 57 households have participated. Thank you!
PRAY FOR HEALING: Pam Grant, Doug Ingram, Ethel Sherwood, Kristine Owens, Caroline Harvey, Jose Hernandez, Theresa Hollar, Victims of Natural Disasters. Our Wounded Veterans. If you have specific prayer requests, please leave us a phone message or send us an email. We will get your intentions on the list. We also remember all the sick and infirm at our daily Masses.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Thursday from 4 to 5:00 PM.
Community Rosary: After the Monday morning Mass
Social Hour after Sunday Mass – Coffee, juice and bagels or muffins are served up along with some fabulous conversation.
Ignatian Spirituality Parish Retreat: ‘Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord.’ Walk in the living presence of the Lord. This retreat will provide an intro and explanation of this time-honored spiritual exercise.
St. George Parish, August 5th, 8:45 AM to 4:00 PM. See flyer at the entry of the church and in the social hall.
Fiscal Year-End Statements
Our fiscal year-end has ended as of June 30, 2023. We have had another good year with income remaining steady and operating expenses kept at a minimum amidst rate increases in property insurance, electricity and water. Our overall savings are up 32%.
We are currently seeking bids for resurfacing the asphalt in front of the rectory and around the church. Ballpark estimate so far is $50K. We are also requesting an estimate for asphalting the gravel parking area to ensure a safer entry and exit, especially for folks having mobility issues. We will likely launch a short capital campaign to help cover some of these costs.
The FYE Statements of Financial Position and Activities are posted on the bulletin board in the social hall for your perusal. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Noel Poe, Jim Pashia, Meredith Langely or Fr. Rick. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!
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Homily Reflections:
Perhaps most of us ‘elders of the tribe’ are increasingly surprised by the unexpected changes in our culture over the past 10 or 20 years. Which changes or trends surprised us the most? More and more it seems likely that our grandchildren will inherit a less stable and prosperous world than the one we have enjoyed (more or less) the past 50 years. Since we know that God was/is always with us, and we are good people, what went wrong? Since we have always been part of God’s plan, which clues or instructions might we have missed? Which guides were sent to us but went unnoticed or unheeded?
For instance, did we think we had the nuclear standoff solved when the Berlin wall and the Iron Curtain came down? What happened to the ‘peace dividend’ (all the money we would NOT have to spend on weapons)? Did we think that relations with China and Eastern Europe would only improve since the 1990’s?
Or for instance, was the problem of racism basically solved except for some isolated regional pockets here and there? Especially since we had elected a half-black president? How are we able to contribute to a better conversation about racism?
What expectations did we have that modern technology could simplify our lives and make ‘good information’ available to everyone? How have our expectations changed?
What was our ‘pearl of great price’ when we were teenagers? What were we willing to commit our lives to? When we were in our 20’s? 30’s? 40’s? 50’s? 60’s? 70’s? What prompted the different changes in our priorities?
How did we discern God’s will in our many decisions over the decades? Like Solomon in today’s first reading, how might we have asked the Lord for “an understanding heart to judge … and to distinguish right from wrong”?
Who did we trust to “rule over God’s vast people” during the past few decades? How did their priorities resemble the purpose that God has for His people, as described today in Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
At this particular point in time, how do we understand God’s purpose for our lives? Who is helping us discern God’s purpose?
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“Whoever does not trust the Lord in small matters is quite clearly an unbeliever in things of greater importance.” St. Basil the Great