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Finance Committee Corner
Last Sunday $6,400 was received in the offertory
baskets at Mass and $7,548 was received through WeShare, for a total of $13,948. Thank you for so generously giving to our regular collection. The second collection in support of the Church in Africa totaled $1,585.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Sunday School will begin again on September 9. Registration Packets have been emailed to the parents of current students and posted on the Sunday School website (www, blessedsacramentsundayschool.org).
Paper copies will also be available at the rectory. You must register your child each year. Register by August 1.
If your child is not a current student please email me at tina@blessedsacramentsundayschool. org so I can send you a packet via email or stop by the rectory to pick up a paper copy of the registration packet.
If you need additional information please call Tina Silvestro at 212-877-3111 or email the above address.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OUR SUNDAY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
We need Catechists !
Due to family and professional obligations, several our Sunday Catechists will be leaving us this year. We are so very grateful for the time they have given to provide religious instruction for our Parish children each Sunday. It is a vital ministry that paves the way for our future church. A successful program depends on many volunteers. Consider you gifts and talents ....... can you be a Catechist or an Assistant?
All who work with children must complete a screening process as provided by the Archdiocese. It consists of a background check and attending an abuse awareness and prevention class here at Blessed Sacrament or online.
If you have questions about our Religious Education Program and wish to volunteer please call Tina Silvestro at 212-877-3111.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)
Thinking of becoming a Catholic? Are you Baptized Catholic but have not received Communion or Confirmation? Inquiry discussions for adults will begin on Monday, September 24 at 6:30 pm. Please call Tina Silvestro at the parish office (212-877-3111) to register or seek information.
Centering Prayer Group
The Monday night Centering Prayer Group will not hold meetings From August 1 through Labor Day. Contact person: Mary Jebara 973-714-1409
Sunday’s readings point out several things that may not always seem obvious: One, it’s not easy to be a prophet. Another, Jesus was seen as an ordinary person in his home community who wasn’t expected to be wise and prophetic and wasn’t appreciated as such. Third, you need to be open to great things (have faith) for them to happen.
So how do these points apply to us? Most of us don’t think of ourselves as prophets and might not want to be after hearing these readings, but, in fact, prophets we may be as long as we realize that being a prophet doesn’t mean being a fortune-teller or seeing into the future. People who address the issue of climate change are prophetic. People who work to abolish nuclear weapons are prophetic. People who stand with refugees, victims of domestic violence, and Muslims suspected of terrorism simply because of their faith are also being prophetic. And if you do any of these things, you know you are likely to be criticized, insulted, denied, or ignored at least in some circles just like prophets before you. You don’t have to be seen as special any more than Jesus’s neighbors wanted to see him as special, but you do have to be willing to accept your vulnerability like St. Paul. And, you need to allow that others who may seem as ordinary as you also have the potential to be prophets. Only when we are open to the gifts of each other can they bear fruit, and why wouldn’t we want that?
~Pax Christi Metro New York
PALS (PREGNANCY AFTER LOSS) MEET UP GROUP NEW YORK NY
Want to find other moms who are going through the emotional journey of pregnancy after loss? Are you in need of a community that meets in person and seems like old friends that you can talk to about the grief and the joys that come with being pregnant again after your other baby died? Then join a local PALS (Pregnancy After Loss Support) Meet-Up. Please contact Megan Brandow-Faller at PALSMeetUpManhattan@gmail.com for more information.
SPIRIT IN ACTION GROUP
Spirit in Action is a group sponsored by the church of St. John the Baptist in New York City. It is a club for mature Catholics over 50 years of age who are interested in getting together for spiritual, cultural, and social activities. Members receive newsletters concerning upcoming events. If you are interested in joining, please call our Hotline: 212-560-2366 and leave a message after the beep.