May 10th, 2021
Godly Mothers Show No Partiality
You would assume, from the title above that this reflection is about Mary, the Mother of God. After all, why not, as yesterday was Mother’s Day!
Moreover, the scriptures literally refer to God often as Father which leads us to hardly think of God outside the “Father God” box. However, I invite you to honor all the motherly gifts, values, and sacrifices that have nurtured us. By seeing God as our Mother too, I ask us to make and include motherliness as Godly, coming from God. On this Sixth Sunday of Easter, the word of God helps us to discover and identify the Motherliness of God.
In the first reading from yesterday’s service, Peter discovers something new about God…something outside the box. Peter learns through his experience to “see that God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). Inside the box, Peter and the Jewish Christians have known God who privileges Israelites only. For them, God gives the Holy Spirit to only those baptized and circumcised. But God breaks their labels and breaks out of their “partiality God” box. This time around, God gives the Holy Spirit to Gentiles, non-Israelite and non-circumcised. God did even more than that, God gives the Spirit to the so-called “outsiders” even before they are baptized.
As a child, I believed I was my mom’s favorite child. However, in my adult life and in thinking outside the box, I realized my other siblings claimed the same special experience. I just did not listen to them. Listening to “other” and diverse views and experiences teach me more about my mom than I ever knew inside my relationship with her.
In their Godly (best) version, mothers show no partiality. They treat every human child equally special, beginning with those they call their own.
The second and gospel readings deepen this knowledge that God is motherly too. We are told that to love God means God loving us (see 1 John 4:9). The message here is that loving God means receiving love from God because God is love. And the gospel reading concretely expresses how God loves us. God’s love is Greater, it involves “laying down one’s life for one’s friend” (John 15:13).
I do not know about your experience but again, growing up, I cannot count the many times my mom told me “here, take mine…” when I needed anything. She literally offered what is hers, her life! I have come to understand that, in their Godly (best) version, Mothers show Greater Love by laying down their lives for every human child, beginning with the ones they call their own.
My friends, God knows how badly our nation and our world need Greater Motherly love and care. Most especially, as a Church of Christ, we are blessed to discover that the God we worship is impartial and therefore we too are called to reject all partisanship and discrimination. This includes nationality, culture, religion, denomination, politics, sexual orientation, race, ability, etc. May the celebration we enjoyed on Mother’s Day help us to acknowledge and further experience the motherly side of God.
Finally, may all mothers and all those who nurture humanity receive God’s gracious blessings and continue uniting us in diversity. Happy Mother’s Day!
Fr. Kwame
We would like to Congratulate the second group of children
who received First Communion on Saturday!
May
11
Tuesday Evening COME AND SEE on Zoom
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Adult Faith Formation Zoom Meeting
"COME AND SEE"
Topic: Proof of the Resurrection
We welcome all who are interested in walking with Jesus
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
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 Our 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 danielgca@comcast.net
—Please join us—
Interfaith Interconnect Virtual Religion Chat!
Wednesday, May 12, 2021,
5 PM-6:15 PM
The meeting room opens at 4:45 PM.
The program begins at 5:00 PM
Topic: In what ways, positive and negative, has the pandemic affected your ability to practice your faith? Participants who wish to share a brief (under 3 minutes) response to the topic is invited to do so.
Interfaith Interconnect comprises over twenty Tri-Valley congregations, including St. Charles. Its mission is, “To enrich, inform and educate ourselves and others about the great diversity of faiths and cultures in our valley.”
For more information contact Marcia at:
925-321-0730 or interfaith.interconnect@gmail.com
May
13
Thursday Evening ADULT BIBLE STUDY on ZOOM
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Fr. Kwame's Adult Bible Study Program
Topic:
Jesus’ Teachings in Sumeria
A handout will be included in Thursday's flocknote.
Join us on Zoom Meeting on Thursday at 7:00 pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81477930965?
pwd=Qm1VODJsK2taa29Yd3k4MU5QQnE2QT09
Meeting ID: 814 7793 0965
Passcode: 294899
Passcode: 294899
Dial by phone:
(669) 900-6833
You May View VIDEOS of Previous
Adult Bible Study Sessions
Adult Bible Study Sessions
May
14
Young Adult Ministry
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Young Adult Ministry ~ YAM ~
Friday, May 14th & Friday, May 28th
Come be a part of this fun ministry!
The Young Adult Ministry welcomes all young adults between the ages of 18-35. We discuss topics in the faith as a way to strengthen our relationship with Jesus and our community.
On May 14th we will be watching a short video. After the video, we will talk about how the video impacted you.
On May 28th it's time to dust off your Bibles and find those scriptures that may be confusing, inspiring, or shocking. We'll discuss what God reveals to each of us.
Meeting ID: 869 5340 9723
Passcode: 834287
May
15
Saturday, May 15th,8:00am MEN of FAITH BIKE RIDE!
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Attention all men of St Charles:
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 8:00 am
7-15 MILES+ BIKE RIDE!
The Men of Faith invites you to join us for a bicycle ride on Saturday, May 15th. at 8:00 am.
We'll meet at the St Charles parking lot at 8:00 am then head out for a loop through the neighborhoods and scenic hills of Holdener Park. Riders looking for a longer workout are welcome to continue down Mines Rd as far as they like, so this route will allow for folks to join for anywhere from 7mi to 15mi+.
See you there!
Contact SteveCampell for more information.
May
17
Monday Evening WALKING WITH PURPOSE on ZOOM
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Walking with Purpose
Bible Study Program
Opening Your Heart
by Lisa Brenninkmeyer
1.) Order Your Book HERE
2.) To Join Zoom Meeting, Click HERE at 7:00 PM
Questions? Contact:
Angela Layton
602-799-6648
wwpstcharleslivermore@gmail.com
~ Rest in Peace ~
Karen Miller
Services will be held at
St. Augustine Church in Pleasanton
May, 20th 7:00 PM
RSVP Mandatory
YouTube - Video Available Live & After the Mass
Facebook - Video Available Live & After the Mass
Jesus Boost Podcast
Episode 33
Spirituality vs. Spiritual Abundance
Experience the abundance of God's blessings with an openness of heart, mind, body, and soul. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord like never before. Learn, grow and live more fully by being open and ready to receive.
The Magnificent Month of Mary
Here are just some of the songs our parish sings based on the Magnificat, the greeting Mary exchanges with Elizabeth at the Visitation:
Holy is His Name
Canticle of the Turning
My Soul Rejoices
~ What do the setting and wording of some of these hymns tell you about the prayer?
~ What do they tell you about what Mary was expecting of her child?
~ What does it tell you about Israel’s expectation of a Savior?
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
