November 8, 2009 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to prayer: Almighty God, you have given us all good things through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Grant us the gratitude to give to others what we ourselves have received from your bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 12:38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,
“Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Focus: The widow giving everything she had is in sharp contrast to the rich people who gave from their surplus. The widow now has only God and God’s people to lean on.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases are most important to you in this gospel?
2. By giving from her “want” the widow shows her trust in God. How often do we let go and put our trust in God?
3. From your experience, what are some practical ways to contribute to the church besides giving money?

Concluding prayer: All loving God, strong is your justice and great is your mercy. Help us to become more aware of your loving design so that we may more willingly give our lives in service to others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

November 1, 2009 Solemnity of All Saints

Call to prayer: O God, the source of all our good, empty us of our self-seeking, that we may be filled with Christ and live lives of self-giving in him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew Mt 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”

The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Focus: This is a bneautiful reading . How many Blessings have you received from God?
Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases stand out for you?
2. What Blessing have you received?

Concluding prayer: All-loving and gracious God, you show your almighty power in your mercy and forgiveness. Continue to fill us with your gifts of love. Help us to live as though we belong to Christ. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

October 25, 2009 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to prayer: All-powerful God, there is no power for good which does not come from you and no promise to hope in, that your love has not offered. Strengthen our faith and give us the love that we may always follow you. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Focus: Bartimaeus became the new disciple of Jesus. Note the last line. The disciples who walked with Jesus for three years did not know who Jesus was but the blind man Bartimeaus did.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases stand out for you in this reading?

2. What do you need to see in order to follow Jesus better in your life?

3. What do you like most about the story of Bartimeaus and why?

Concluding prayer: Almighty and ever-living God, strengthen our faith, hope, and love. May we do with loving hearts what you ask of us and come to share the life you promise. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

October 18, 2009 Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to prayer: O God, the source of all our strength, you nourish us with the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus. Through this gift strengthen us to walk the way of the cross that leads into your kingdom, through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10:35-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?”
They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
They said to him, “We can.”
Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Focus: Jesus predicts his suffering, death and resurrection for a third time and the disciples still fail to understand. They get caught up in the glory promised; Jesus points out that true greatness is in serving the needs of others.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases are important to you in this reading?
2. Do you think you might have understood that Jesus was predicting his suffering, death and resurrection if you had been a disciple?
3. What effect does this reading have on your pursuit of prominence in your community?

Concluding prayer: Almighty and ever-living God, our source of power and inspiration, give us strength and joy in serving you as followers of Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

October 11, 2009 Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to prayer: All-loving God, our help and guide, make your love the foundation of our lives. By imitating Jesus, may we grow ever closer to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10:17-30 or 10: 17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother.”
He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad,
for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said,
“For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.”

The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Focus: There are three parts to this gospel, a dialogue between Jesus and the rich man, Jesus teaching the disciples and their perplexity at his message and the exchange between Peter and Jesus. The three parts are related by the issue of what one needs to abandon in order to follow one’s call.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases are important to you in this reading?
2. What might we need to abandon in order to follow our call to be a disciple of Jesus?
3. How can the pleasures and comforts of this world become barriers to our relationship with God?

Concluding prayer: All-powerful God, the hand of your loving kindness powerfully yet gently guides all the moments of our day. Go before us in the pilgrimage of our life, anticipate our needs and prevent our falling. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

October 4, 2009 Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to prayer: God of all the living, you sent your only Son to deliver us from the power of sin and death through the mystery of the cross. Raise us up so we may grow in the holiness he won for us by our participation in the paschal mystery. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10:2-16

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”
They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.”
But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
“Let the children come to me;
do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”
Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Focus: This gospel has two parts. The first is the basic teaching of the church on marriage and the second is a tender message about Jesus’ love for children.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases are important for you in this gospel?
2. In marriage, the two shall become one. Can you share any experiences, your own or another, of two people becoming one?
3. What might Jesus be trying to teach us when he says, “Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it?”

Concluding prayer: All-caring God, your love for us surpasses all our hopes and desires. Keep us in your peace and lead us in the way of salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

September 27, 2009 Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to prayer: O God, the source of all our good, empty us of our self-seeking, that we may be filled with Christ and live lives of self-giving in him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed
in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’”

The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Focus: This is a harsh reading but the verse to live with is “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.” Any sacrifice is worth the effort to belong to Christ.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases stand out for you?
2. What does it mean to belong to Christ?
3. When do you feel you belong to Christ?
4. What kinds of sacrifices have people made in years past to belong to Christ?

Concluding prayer: All-loving and gracious God, you show your almighty power in your mercy and forgiveness. Continue to fill us with your gifts of love. Help us to live as though we belong to Christ. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Connections Update Iowa City

Connections is an avenue for high school youth from Iowa City public, private and home schools to gather together as a faith community.

Connections is a Catholic youth formational group that bridges the gap between faith and everyday life through belief in, and the love of, the Eucharist – the source and summit of our faith. Our goal is to build a community of faithful youth by providing a place for high school students to be strengthened in prayer, develop a deeper love for the Eucharist, provide service to the Church and Iowa City communities, understand Catholic teachings, apply current events to our faith, seek new friendships, and of course enjoy good food & music.

October 4th – Davenport Diocese High School Rally
“Jesus Christ: King of Heart & Soul” is the theme of our diocesan rally for youth in grades 9-12 to be held Sunday, Oct. 4 at the Coralville Marriott Conference Center. Our keynoter is ValLimar Jansen, a Catholic storyteller and singer who brings the Gospel to life. The day also includes breakout sessions, Mass with Bishop Amos, lunch, dinner, games, a dance and much more! Attached you fill find the registration forms!

October 6th – CORE TEAM MEETING at the SHARP HOUSE! 6:30PM
Parents, please come and participate because your honest input is valuable to ensure Connections continues to be a quality group. Please come ready to discuss, rather evaluate, our first meeting with suggestions on what we changes can be made- both from a parental (background) perspective regarding food preparation/set-up to marketing, i.e., youth inviting youth – to youth leadership. Further discussion will include our upcoming October events!

October 11th – Life’s Decisions (St. Wenc. 6:30PM)
Life’s Decisions is an exciting night with many guest speakers including our host, the fun and dynamic speaker, Fr. Marty Goetz.

October 31st – Halloween Party (All Hallow’s Eve Celebration)
Mark your calendars! Invite your friends! Get ziked cause you’re in for some fun! More information to follow soon!

 

September 20, 2009 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to prayer: O God of truth and love, deliver us from all self-seeking that we may seek about all else the fulfillment of your will in the coming of your reign of peace and justice among us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Focus: The apostles struggle among themselves for position and power. Jesus responds with a symbolic action that is stronger than words. “Let the little children come to me.” He directs them not to build up a power structure but to embrace powerlessness.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases speak most to you?
2. Can you think of a time when you had no power or control over a situation? When you were powerless?
3. Relate a situation when you tried to control another’s life or situation.

Concluding prayer: All-loving God, the perfection of justice is found in your love and all of us are in need of you. Help us to find this love in each other that justice may be attained among us and through you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

September 13, 2009 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 13, 2009
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Call to prayer: O God and giver of all good gifts, through the gift of life you bestowed on us, strengthen our faith to do good works of love with a generous heart. We ask this through the same Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.”
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it.”

The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Focus: Jesus speaks about the suffering he will experience when He carries out his mission as our Savior. He gives a lesson in discipleship, that following Jesus means suffering with him through a life of selfless love.

Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases have special meaning for you in this gospel?
2. What qualities of a faithful disciple are in today’s gospel?
3. How do you view the relationship between faith and good works?

Concluding prayer: Almighty God, our creator and guide, may we serve you with all our heart and know your forgiveness in our lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Savior. Amen.