Monday, March 22nd, 2021
Come Out of the Grave… Get Vaccinated!
Last year, you could hardly find anyone who did not pray or even aspire that a COVID-19 vaccine and/or a cure would be found. These days, at least for believers, God has is answering our prayer: Through science and not magic we have vaccines being made available to inoculate many. But the answer to our prayer is far from complete without our cooperation. We have a role to play for God’s grace to work in our lives. Like Lazarus, we must hear the command to “come out” of the grave, get untied, and let go – Get vaccinated!
The gospel story of Jesus raising Lazarus from death aims mainly at generating and strengthening faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus commands a truly dead man – he was in the grave for four days – to come out. First of all, the Elect who prepare for baptism needs to believe in Jesus Christ enough to adopt Jesus’ lifestyle. The story then presents Jesus as the one who has power over humanity’s greatest fear – death. It somehow says to the Elect: “this is what you can expect if you go on to give your life to Jesus Christ and accept baptism.”
Secondly, for Christians - those who are already baptized - this story strengthens, renews, confirms, and rekindles our faith in Jesus in order to handle any life-threatening situation of our humanity. The story literally says that Jesus Christ is the answer to everything because physical death ends everything we care about in life. This includes marriage, school, country, family, science, economics, technology, politics, transportation, medicine, vacation, and more. You name it, and death puts an end to it.
Therefore, it makes perfect sense that we seek Jesus first before everything else and that we should have no doubts about following the “RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE” (John 11:25).
Furthermore, death here does not only mean physical and material death. Spiritual death results from ideas, interpretations, views, emotions, and so on, that are hostile to human flourishing, progress, and goodness. Spiritual death describes situations without virtues such as agape love, patience, non-violence, kindness, righteousness or justice, generosity, unity, diversity, and peacemaking. Sometimes hostile views against these virtues bind us and keep us spiritually dead in tombs, just like Lazarus.
Thus, the word of God during the Fifth Sunday of Lent addresses our current situation as well. Jesus commands Lazarus from death, but he also commands the community to untie him and let him go (free). God has commanded us out of this deadly disease by showing the way for scientists to find vaccines.
God created human knowledge to flourish, increase, multiply and dominate the world. So, science is in the domain of God’s revelation and miracle. Our faith cannot but interpret what’s happening: God is answering our prayer.
However, we also need to cooperate and accept to be vaccinated. Do not choose against vaccination, for it is God’s grace to us at this point in time. Untie yourself, loved ones, and others from the views and interpretations that would keep us all in the graves. Get vaccinated as a sign of your rolling away the stone covering your and our tombs.
May God banish all fears from our minds and hearts, reveal to us the way of the resurrection and life, and give us the courage to follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life.
-- Fr. Kwame
Jesus Boost Podcast
This week's episodes are about MERCY
Episode 26:
Episode 26:
Time to open our hearts,
count our blessings, give thanks,
and focus on how we can become
a blessing to others.
count our blessings, give thanks,
and focus on how we can become
a blessing to others.
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.
Mar
23
Tuesday Evening: COME and See on ZOOM
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
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
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
Mar
25
Thursday Morning Weekly WINGS on ZOOM Mtg.
Our Session Begins at 9:45 am
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going.
not going.
might be going.
This Week With WINGS
Guest Speaker:
Frances Chamberlin
Presentation:
DIVINE TRUST through the eyes of St. Monica
Frances Chamberlin
Presentation:
DIVINE TRUST through the eyes of St. Monica
We will follow Frances' prayerful quest to get St. Augustine baptized; but not until she has a conversion of TRUST first - a story we can see in our lives today!
Frances Chamberlin O.C.D.S. M.Ed. comes to us for the PRAYING COLLEGE MOMS Catholic Group in Northern Virginia. She is a founding member and Board Member of this non-profit organization which brings fellowship support and prayer to Mothers in their transitional time when their young adults (ages 18-27) leave home...and return home. She has been a speaker and facilitator for Praying College Moms for several years on various subjects for the Catholic Mom.
Frances has been a Secular Discalced Carmelite for 19 years and Formation Director for her Carmel Community for 9 years and growing. She's presently designed and is giving a series of Zoom Seminars on the "Understanding and Practice of St Teresa of Avila's Prayer of Recollection:
Contemplative Prayer for Everyone not just Monks and Religious". Frances lives in Northern Virginia.
Contemplative Prayer for Everyone not just Monks and Religious". Frances lives in Northern Virginia.
Join Our Zoom Meeting at 9:45 am:
Meeting ID: 893 8250 3274
Passcode: 840697
Dial by phone:
+1 408 638 0968
Mar
25
Thursday Evening Adult Bible Study on Zoom
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No
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going.
not going.
might be going.
Fr. Kwame's Adult Bible Study Program
Thursday Evening at 7:00 pm on Zoom
Topic:
The Gospels 6.9
(A link to the handout will be included in Thursday's flocknote.)
Join Our Zoom Meeting at 7:00 pm:
Meeting ID: 841 4679 8365
Passcode: 243980
Dial by Phone
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 841 4679 8365
Passcode: 243980
Watch Videos of Fr. Kwame's Previous
Adult Bible Study Sessions
Adult Bible Study Sessions
Mar
26
Young Adult Ministry - Friday Evening
Are you going?
Yes
No
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going.
not going.
might be going.
Friday, March 26th - 7-8 pm:
Bible Sharing
Break out those bibles and bring some passages to the group for us all to discuss. Personally meaningful verses are appreciated, as are confusing or challenging ones. Let's see what God is telling us!
Zoom URL:
As always, people are welcome to follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/LivermoreYoungAdult.
Young Adult Ministry
The St. Charles Young Adult Ministry
welcomes all young adult parishioners
from 18-35+ to come and discuss topics
in the faith, get to know each other and
Jesus better, and make the St. Charles
community a bit more personal.
We’re currently holding events via Zoom
on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.
Questions? Feel Free to Contact Me at Any Time:
Mar
27
Saturday Morning: Short Hike with the Men of Faith
Are you going?
Yes
No
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going.
not going.
might be going.
At 8:00 am on Saturday morning March 27, St. Charles' Men of Faith Ministry invites you to join us for a short hike along Del Valle's East Shore trail. We'll start at the Arroyo staging area (free parking!) and head up over the hill down closer to the water and back, with some great views of the lake at the top.
This hike will be steep in places, so we'll take our time doing the relatively short 2.5 or so miles round trip. Expect it to take less than 90 minutes. Remember to bring a face mask, a bottle of drinking water, and snacks if you'd like.
We'll meet at the Arroyo Road staging area at 8:00 AM Saturday morning. The hike will start with a prayer and we will proceed to enjoy God's creation. See you there!
Matt Breneman
(925) 550-4501
Mar
29
Monday Evening - WALKING WITH PURPOSE on Zoom
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Walking with Purpose
Bible Study Program
Opening Your Heart
by Lisa Brenninkmeyer
Questions? Contact:
Angela Layton
602-799-6648
wwpstcharleslivermore@gmail.com
Holy Week Sign-up Reservations will be available
on our website by March 28th.
on our website by March 28th.
The Sacraments at Home
As we begin approaching Holy Week this year, we approach with anticipation caution, and courage. Some of us will come to church and use this day of New Life to inaugurate the next step into normalcy. However, many of us are not quite across the threshold. We may be on waiting lists for vaccines or not even that far along.
Therefore, if you will be celebrating Holy Week at Home we encourage you to truly CELEBRATE. Pour yourself and your loved ones a pitcher of water and put out a few towels for Holy Thursday.
Perhaps you can take down your well-loved Cross from the wall and prepare your own Veneration for Good Friday.
On Holy Saturday, you can get dressed up. Find your Baptismal Candle (if you have it) or a taper and light a candle during the service.
Perhaps you are one of the few who have a fireplace in which you can light an actual fire.
Whatever you choose to do, be sure to make this week feel Holy. If you start preparing now it may make getting there that much more satisfying.
Apr
12
Monday Evening: Men of Faith - Monthly Zoom Mtg.
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Please join us!
Men of Faith will hold their next monthly Zoom meeting on Monday, April 12th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Richard Murray of The Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Antioch, CA. Richard is a teacher, writer, and a former Carmaldolese monk currently working on his first book on the Bible and the spiritual evolution of humanity.
Men of Faith will hold their next monthly Zoom meeting on Monday, April 12th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Richard Murray of The Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Antioch, CA. Richard is a teacher, writer, and a former Carmaldolese monk currently working on his first book on the Bible and the spiritual evolution of humanity.
Please join us for his talk on the Lord’s Prayer and some surprising and inspiring secrets it holds for us. Read his bio and a short treatment of his talk HERE.
Join our Zoom session at 7:00 pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83474917333?pwd=SUZPRVBRbUwraHUrTTdaTGRtUEt1dz09
Meeting ID: 834 7491 7333
Passcode: 097186
Jim Lucas
(925) 980-7871
gojimlucas@gmail.com
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83474917333?pwd=SUZPRVBRbUwraHUrTTdaTGRtUEt1dz09
Meeting ID: 834 7491 7333
Passcode: 097186
Jim Lucas
(925) 980-7871
gojimlucas@gmail.com
Health Ministry News
STROKE
By Joanne Berven, RN
Stroke, even by name, can be scary. It can be deadly, or it can leave one with a myriad of problems and the inability to function normally.
There are basically three kinds of stroke.
1.) Hemorrhagic stroke is bleeding into the brain. A classic sign is experiencing suddenly “the worst headache of your life”.
There are basically three kinds of stroke.
1.) Hemorrhagic stroke is bleeding into the brain. A classic sign is experiencing suddenly “the worst headache of your life”.
The best thing to do when this occurs is to call 911 to be transported to a nearby stroke center for specialized and immediate treatment.
2.) Ischemic stroke is a clot that shuts down blood flow to the brain. This type of stroke is more common. Like a heart attack, the clot blocks the blood flow to the tissues beyond it. Symptoms depend on what tissues are involved.
3.) A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), or a mini-stroke, is one where there are symptoms, but they go away in a short period of time. However, it is a warning sign of a possible bigger stroke.
Symptoms of stroke include balance issues, trouble seeing out of one for both eyes, facial droop, weakness or paralysis of arms, trouble speaking, and not making sense. Be aware of when symptoms start or when was the person last seen in a normal state. This will be one of the first things you will be asked when calling for help.
Treatment depends on what kind of stroke (this is determined at the hospital) and what the symptoms are and how long the person has had symptoms.
Use this acronym BEFAST to remember the symptoms:
- Balance: sudden loss of coordination
- Eyes (visual disturbances): trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
- Facial droop: Ask the person to smile; is the smile normal or does it droop to one side?
- Arm or leg weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms; does one arm drift downward and is the person not able to lift his or her arm?
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase; is the speech slurred or strange?
- Time to call 911.
The longer one goes without treatment, the worse the outcome.
All stroke symptoms are a medical emergency therefore call 911 immediately. For our area, the Stanford-ValleyCare (Pleasanton) is our nearby stroke center. Do not drive to the hospital. Paramedics may be able to start treatment when they get to you. Or, while in transport to the hospital, they can alert medical staff of your symptoms and be better prepared for treatment upon arrival. (Trust me – I have 20 years of experience in the ER!)
Stroke risks: High blood pressure, smoking, overweight, diabetes, too much alcohol, sedentary lifestyle.
Lifestyle changes to help prevent stroke: control your blood pressure, manage your cholesterol, stop smoking, eat healthy, regular physical exercise; diabetes and blood pressure management
Here are some helpful resources to learn more about stroke:
- Stroke: Signs and Symptoms
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
