Monday, February 22nd, 2021
Return, Back to Humanity
I have often made comparisons between Christmas and Easter solely to inspire people’s participation in the Lent-Easter event. Essentially, however, Christmas and Easter tell one and the same story – the salvation of humanity. Christmas tells the beginning, inaugural, and opening part of the story while Easter tells the fulfillment, climax, and ending part of the story. This is why, in today’s gospel, Jesus says “This is the time of fulfillment.”
If someone approaches you in the grocery store, for instance, and tells you “this is the time of fulfillment” or “it’s time”, I bet your response would be: “fulfillment of what?” or “time for what?” or simply, “so?”. The point is, you would like to know what the deal is that is being fulfilled. And for Christians, that deal is humanity in its best version.
It is that time to assess how far we have gone away from our true God-made human selves… a time to turn around or return to original human(e) living. This is the time of dying and rising from death to new life. Jesus Christ gave us that tradition of dying and rising: his death means the death of our old, selfish, unjust, inhumane lifestyle, while his resurrection is the birth of our new, selfless, generous, loving, just, inclusive, and uniting living. That’s what we celebrate at Easter, the time of fulfillment and the time of new and fresh life.
In Lent, the Church leads Christians to assess how short we have fallen from that original, new and fresh lifestyle of Christ. During yesterday's liturgy for the First Sunday of Lent, we were reminded that God has been renewing humanity throughout history, for example, in the story of Noah and the flood. The first letter of Peter tells us that baptism is the Christian way of renewing our humanity because, in baptism, we die with Christ in the water, and we rise with Christ into copies of Christ – Christ-like living.
It may be coincidental that we are now allowed to return to in-person worship, just in time for this year’s Lent-Easter season. And, I am mindful that not all of us can or are willing to return to in-person worship at this time. Yet, although we all don’t return physically, it is certain that all of us must RE-TURN, spiritually. It means that this return is repentance and it transcends physical structures. Whether we come in-person or not to Church, and wherever we find ourselves, we can and must renew our minds and hearts.
In other words, the return is to be better human beings than we are right now. Lent is the time for closing the gap in our spiritual relationships, which means the practice of virtues, doing better in our prayer life, reaching out more to others, renewal of our minds and hearts through reflections. And for some of us, this is time to help those who are not baptized to get to know Jesus and prepare to accept baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist.
“MY SOUL IS THIRSTING FOR JUSTICE.” Here at Saint Charles Borromeo, we plan to renew our minds and hearts on the question of justice. We want the word “justice” to define our return, repentance, fasting, prayer, and service of the needy in this period of our salvation. I invite all families, small groups, and individuals to make “justice” your topic for discussion and find ways to inject into this word its biblical, spiritual, and divine meaning and power.
In the end, let us practice Christian justice to make human life fresh and new again. We pray that each one of us spends these 40 days of lent to return to the best and divine version of our humanity.
Have a blessed Lent-Easter season full of justice and of peace!
Fr. Kwame
PS During our 9:30 am Mass Next Sunday, we will celebrate the Rite of Election for our candidates preparing for baptism. We will also introduce to you all our candidates for the sacraments at Easter.
On Sunday afternoon, be on the lookout for a special flocknote that will contain a video in which I will deliver the State of the Parish Address.
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at least 24 hours in advance
WEEKDAY In-person Mass in the Church:
Tuesday through Friday at 9:00 am - SIGN UP
February 27th, from 4:00 - 4:30 pm
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February 27th at 5:00 pm
SUNDAY In-Person Mass in the Church:
Option 1: February 28th at 9:30 am - SIGN UP
SUNDAY In-Person Mass in the Church:
Option 1: February 28th at 9:30 am - SIGN UP
Option 2: February 28th at 11:30 am - SIGN UP
View Our COVID-19
Jesus Boost Podcast
Friends are the liferaft when the waves come crashing, and our best, first, and forever friend is Jesus. Listen now about the value of true friends.
Episode 20 - FRIENDSHIP
Christian sisters on fire for the Lord.
A chat with a member of the God Squad...
Be inspired and empowered each week! Jesus Boost invites you to connect with and tap into the infinite strength and unconditional love of God, available to everyone. There is so much beauty, joy, and power in knowing you are never alone and that Jesus is by your side on this journey. Jesus Boost is your reminder with honest, insightful commentary about modern-day situations, supported by scripture and words of wisdom from renowned leaders. Come away with a fresh perspective, a smile, and a wonderful, unique spiritual lift to help you greet life with renewed hope and strength.
Feb
23
COME and See on ZOOM
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might be going.
Adult Faith Formation Zoom Meeting
"COME AND SEE"
We welcome all who are interested in walking with Jesus
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
This Week's Topic:
This Week's Topic:
STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH
Each meeting lasts about 40 minutes and includes a brief discussion on a topic basic to the Catholic faith. You don't have to go to one meeting to be able to go to another. The meeting format will accommodate discussion, so please bring your questions.
If you have a friend or family member who wants to learn more about the Catholic faith we invite you all to “come and see”.
To Join Zoom Meeting, Click HERE
Meeting ID: 321 832 6812
Password: Jesus2020
Meeting ID: 321 832 6812
Password: Jesus2020
We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, contact
Daniel Goodman at gotfordtires@gmail.com.
For more information, contact
Daniel Goodman at gotfordtires@gmail.com.
All are welcome
to tune in!
to tune in!
Questions:
Janet Schott
925-373-9346
or
Cindy Kline
925-724-7636
View Our
PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
Feb
25
WINGS on ZOOM
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This Week With WINGS
Guest Speaker:
Sister Marilyn Morgan RSM
Back on March 31, 2019, Sister Marilyn Morgan, a Sister of Mercy, left for McAllen Texas to join nine others for a Border Witness Program sponsored by the Institute for Justice team. She spent a week at the Border with her home base at the different sites of ARISE, a ministry co-sponsored by Mercy that helps immigrants in the area become self-sufficient.
Join us this week for:
A Look at the Situation of Migrants at the Border
Sister Marilyn is a Liturgical Design Consultant who works out of her San Francisco office. As a Liturgical Design Consultant, Marilyn works with parishes, hospitals, and schools that are renovating an existing worship space or building a new worship space, chapel, or meditation space.
She also works with parishes as a Liturgical Consultant, working with individual liturgy committees or giving workshops on liturgical ministry and art and environment.
Sister Marilyn holds an M.A. in Liturgy from the University of Notre Dame, IN, and has completed the program at the Institute for Liturgical Consultants at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago
Join Our Zoom Meeting at 9:45 am:
Meeting ID: 884 7608 7441
Passcode: 793113
Dial by phone
+1 669 900 6833
Feb
25
Thursday Evening Adult Bible Study on Zoom
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Fr. Kwame's Adult Bible Study Program
Thursday Evening at 7:00 pm on Zoom
Topic:
Sermon on the Mount
(A link to the handout will be included in Thursday's flocknote.)
Join Zoom Meeting at 7:00 pm:
Meeting ID: 867 9242 6016
Passcode: p7ZzTk
Dial by Phone
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 867 9242 6016
Passcode: 873014
Watch Videos of Fr. Kwame's Previous
Adult Bible Study Sessions
Adult Bible Study Sessions
Mar
1
Monday Evening - WALKING WITH PURPOSE on Zoom
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Walking with Purpose
Bible Study Program
Opening Your Heart
by Lisa Brenninkmeyer
Questions? Contact:
Angela Layton
602-799-6648
wwpstcharleslivermore@gmail.com
St. Charles Social Concerns Committee
Lenten Collections - February 17 through April 1, 2021
One of the many important activities of the St. Charles Social Concerns Committee (SCC) is to sponsor the Lenten Collection starting on Ash Wednesday and continuing through Holy Thursday. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the collections in 2021will be monetary only. Parishioners have the opportunity to donate much-needed funding to the organizations supported by the SCC. 100% of your donation will support these agencies and directly benefit people most in need.
Receiving your support in 2021 through the Lenten Collection are:
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
- Livermore Homeless Refuge
- Interfaith Sharing Food Pantry
- Oakland Catholic Worker
- Tri-Valley Haven Food Pantry
- Open Heart Kitchen
- Elizabeth House
Monetary donations in the form of check or on-line donation can be made by mailing your donation to:
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
1315 Lomitas Ave, Livermore, CA 94550,
or on-line at www.stcharleslivermore.org/give.
Please note: Checks payable to St. Charles designated “Lenten Collection” will be divided equally among the seven charities. If you wish to have your check go to a specific organization, please write the name of the organization in the memo line of your check. We cannot accept checks payable directly to the agencies.
If you have any questions, please call:
Linda Nidever-Galles
Lenten Collection Coordinator
(925) 443-4943
Health Ministry News
FEBRUARY IS HEART HEALTH MONTH
FEBRUARY IS HEART HEALTH MONTH
HEART ATTACK VS CARDIAC ARREST
By Joanne Berven, RN
This second topic addresses the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest. These two terms are often interchanged, but they differ greatly on what happens in your body. Simply put, a heart attack is caused by a “circulation” problem, whereas a cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem.
A heart attack is when an artery in the heart occludes or gets plugged up, thus preventing oxygen-rich blood from getting to the cells. As a result, the cells which make up our heart tissue, stop working causing a heart attack. What causes the occlusion? It is called plaque, which is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances. It marks the presence of atherosclerosis. Over time, plaque builds up, thus compromising blood flow to heart tissue. It becomes starved for oxygen and nutrients, and as a result, chest pain can occur. Not everyone experiences chest pain in the same way. The typical scenario around chest pain (pain at the center of the chest, left arm pain/numbness, shortness of breath) was developed by studying men. With more studies, it was found that women can differ in heart attack symptoms, such as back pressure, pain in the abdomen, fatigue.
Cardiac Arrest occurs suddenly and often without warning. It is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat. With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs, and other organs. Seconds later, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. A heart attack can trigger an electrical disturbance that leads to cardiac arrest. Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment. Immediate treatment is CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), followed by the use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
Ignored pain can be fatal! Call 911 if you experience any of the symptoms above. Get your annual medical exam, get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, alcohol in moderation, stop smoking, and eat a heart-healthy diet. These are some of the modifiable risk factors that can be changed towards a healthier you! For more information about your heart, visit the American Heart Association website at www.heart.org.
AED and CPR will be discussed in the next episode. The Health Ministry and the Men’s Club at St. Charles Borromeo partnered to obtain two AED’s which are the treatment of choice for a cardiac arrest along with CPR. One AED is in the Keeley Center and the other is in the church on the wall behind the confessional.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
