November 10, 2019 – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

I.  Am I Growing Spiritually? Like Zacchaeus in last week’s Scripture passage (Luke 19:1–10), I sometimes have to TAKE THE INITIATIVE for God to work in my life. Do I have that kind of “curiosity” within my heart that Zacchaeus had—to “climb a tree” and “go out on a limb” to see Jesus? Perhaps I need the courage to get out of my “comfort zone” to enrich my faith. Why not commit to coming to the Tri-Parish Mission Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights of this week. See the front of this bulletin for more details.

II.  Anointing of the Sick and Community:  Moments of mental or physical illness can be times of crisis. They can be a time of loss and pain, a time of insight and growth, or anything in between (CCC #1501). Regardless, our loving God wants to be part of our experience. God wants to share our lives with us, the bad and the good (cf. CCC #1503). But God’s presence and support often comes in and through the Church—our faith community. The kind words, cards, food, phone calls, texts, visits, and help that we receive from others are part of this, for God works through human means. Do not forget that our Stephen Ministers are also available to walk with you during a difficult time.  Many have found the Gennesaret Retreat spiritually uplifting and inspiringly healing. We need to pay attention to how God works through others. We will offer the sacrament of healing and support on Friday, November 15 at the noon Mass, followed by a light lunch.

III.  Ninth (9th) Annual Faith Fest Owensboro:  “The problems we face today—violent conflicts, destruction of nature, poverty, hunger and so on—are human-created problems which can be resolved through human effort, understanding and the development of a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood.  We need to cultivate a universal responsibility for one another and the planet we share” (His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech). Note the activities of Faith Fest this week: Intersection of Anger and Forgiveness,  Tri-parish Mission, Introduction to Hinduism and AARTI, Torah study, Sacred Text Exhibit. Brochures are at the doors of the church.

IV.  As a Catholic May I Be CREMATED? Yes. The Church’s definite preference is for burial of the body. However, since 1963 cremation has been permitted, although the cremated remains were not allowed to be present during the funeral Mass (the Mass of Christian burial). The US bishops petitioned Rome to allow the cremains to be present for the funeral Mass because of financial and stewardship (in larger cities cemetery land is diminishing) reasons. In 1997 the Vatican gave the bishops of the United States permission to allow the celebration of the funeral Mass with the cremated remains (cremains) present, provided the local bishop permits it, and Bishop Medley does.

V. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917) on Wednesday, November 13: An Italian immigrants to the United States, “Mother Cabrini” was the first American citizen to be canonized a saint. As a girl, Frances dreamed of sailing to China as a missionary.  In 1880, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and her community’s work/ministry drew the attention of Pope Leo XIII, who sent her, instead, to New York City in 1889 to minister to Italian immigrants. She founded 67 institutions— hospitals, orphanages, schools— throughout the United States, Europe and South America. Did you know that we have a stained-glass window in our Cathedral honoring this strong woman of faith? Here’s a hint—look north over the choir area. St. Frances Cabrini, patron of immigrants, pray for us.