Tuesday, August 24th, 2021
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS!
On the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, we come to the end of the “Bread of Life” teachings, the end of chapter 6 of John’s Gospel. We have accompanied the followers of Jesus as they listened to his explanation of what it means to feed them. Here is Jesus’ teaching, the physical bread you eat is a sign (sacrament) of the flesh of Jesus. The flesh of Jesus is his human life and the relationship with which he lived among humans.
Mary is a primary example. Therefore, the bread of life is the lifestyle, relationship, and culture of Christ. Eating the bread of life means adopting the culture of Christ. At the conclusion of these teachings the disciples, like us, are asked to choose either this culture of Christ or follow their own personal opinions and cultures. It is time to make that decision. The question is, how do we decide?
In the gospel reading, many of Jesus’ followers said his teachings were hard, and for that reason, they left him, stopped following, and went their own individual and personal ways. They found it hard to embrace the new culture of the bread of life. They could not let go of their old ways of living that were familiar, selfish, legalistic, materialistic, settled. They were afraid to allow the bread of life to transform their minds and hearts.
The bible says Jesus then turned to his very close disciples, apostles, and asked them if they too wished to leave him. Peter led the apostles and decided to stay with Jesus: “to whom shall we go? … you have the words of eternal life” said Peter. He seemed to say they trust Jesus and, although, they don’t know everything for certain, they have some limited reason to decide to follow Jesus.
We cannot choose to accept and live the new culture of Jesus except by faith. To decide to fall in love with the ways of Jesus you must make a leap of faith. And a leap of faith involves trust. You may not have full knowledge of God’s life and culture, but God will always give you enough knowledge to make the choice.
This is what the Israelites did in the first reading. Joshua asked them, “are you going to follow the God of our ancestors or the foreign gods of the Amorites?” He continued and told them to make their choice, because, “as for me and my house, we will follow Yahweh God.” Then the people answered they will also choose Yahweh God because they said “this is the God that brought us out of Egypt.” And that’s the evidence, the limited knowledge, the reason for which they chose Yahweh God.
Married people also make a leap of faith when they marry, to choose a partner for life. When you set out to marry, you don’t have all the clarity about who your partner-to-be really is; but you still go on to marry and say “I do.” After you have made your limited research to learn about a person, you then trust God with what you don’t know – the leap of faith – that God will carry you through to success.
I know it is hard for many to move away from the old and familiar cultures and perspectives we have learned in the past about church teachings, life, humanity, morality, our bodies, science, society, disease, spirituality, religion, and so on. Many find it hard to accept transformative change. But, without cultural transformation, we will be wasting the gifts of the Eucharist, the bread of life.
Let go of the old culture; accept the freshness, living, and 21st-century revelations the Eucharist gives you, and you will live forever. Decide to love as Jesus loved, as he loves you. Choose a new lens to interpret your life in a better way.
Fr. Kwame
Ps.
I invite you to join me tonight at 6:30 pm here at St. Charles. "Come & See" is hosting a pizza dinner and presentation by yours truly. View this evening's handout HERE. If you are not able to physically make it to the presentation. Please join us on Zoom. See you tonight!
Join us on Zoom at 7:00 pm:
Meeting ID: 886 1309 9065
Passcode: 611622
Dial by phone: (669) 900-6833
Aug
26
SECOND SESSION August 26TH @ 7:00 PM Why We Do What We Do At Mass
Featuring Fr. Kwame on Zoom at 7:00 pm
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Why We Do What We Do At Mass...
Presented by:
Father Kwame on Zoom
When:
Four Thursday Evenings at 7:00 PM
(August 26th; September 2nd & 9th)
1.) Join us on Zoom at 7:00 pm:
Meeting ID: 870 3397 4447
Passcode: 671280
Dial by phone: (669) 900-6833
Reconciliation Appointments
SIGN UP for ten-minute appointments
on Saturday, August 28th
between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm
We are excited to bring this "Latest News" section to the Flocknote.
Here you will find the latest news from
St. Charles Borromeo!
• Our 11:30 am Family Mass on the back lawn has been a huge success. We invite all parishioners and guests to come and spend time with God. You are welcome to bring your own chairs or picnic blankets. However, we will have chairs available if needed.
• We would like to thank Steve Cambell for updating the flowers around the cross at the front of the church. Bringing in this new life helps up to stay focused on the beauty our Lord provides us daily.
• Mary Hengl will be on vacation from August 24th to September 1st. If you need immediate assistance please contact Carmela Chy or Holly O'Hagan.
• Diane Saunders, Learning Director, would like to introduce the Learning team to the parish. Along with us, please welcome the newest members to her team: Amanda Swinkels, Children's Program Coordinator, and Debi Rose, Sacrament Coordinator. They will be joining Diane, Carmela Chy, Learning Office Manager, and Justin Swinkels, HS Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator to ensure a thriving learning pillar here at St. Charles Borromeo.
• Our information center is still awaiting the backing board to arrive. We have contacted the manufacturer and have been informed that this item is currently on backorder. Please pray that it will arrive soon.
Aug
29
Help Fill Hygiene Kits for the Homeless
The unsheltered clients served by Open Heart Kitchen need basic hygiene products and we need your help!
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
HOW TO HELP:
Please consider donating a hygiene kit (or kits) filled
with the items listed below.
with the items listed below.
To make a hygiene kit, fill A gallon size Ziploc bag with:
Toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, travel wipes for bathing,
travel size lotion, hand sanitizer, chapstick,
Kleenex, and a pair of socks.
travel size lotion, hand sanitizer, chapstick,
Kleenex, and a pair of socks.
Filled hygiene bags are due by Sunday, August 29th
Collection bins will be set up in the following locations:
Vestibule, Rectory, and Faith Formation Office
Hygiene Kits will be delivered to Open Heart Kitchen
the week of August 30th.
If you have any questions, please email
Mark Kotch, Director of Living, at mark@stcharlesborrome.org.
Diane Saunders, our Director of Learning, invites you to
participate in a questionnaire!
participate in a questionnaire!
This questionnaire asks "What Would You Like To Learn About?"
Click HERE to participate in the questionnaire.
Sep
3
Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament
In the Chapel from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Reserve your hour for Adoration
Please contact Tree Gorman regarding Liturgy questions.
Please contact Tree Gorman regarding Liturgy questions.
Please Join Us
Interfaith Interconnect Religion Chat
Wednesday, September 8, 2021, 5:00–6:15 p.m.
The meeting room opens at 4:45.
The program begins at 5:00.
Topic: How Does Your Faith Approach Health Issues?
Caryl Shill will represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Learn about the different religions’ beliefs, traditions, practices, and rituals that address topics such as nutrition, addiction, mental health, and contagion.
Afterward, there will be time for questions.
All are welcome!
Click HERE to view the video from the August 11 Religion Chat
with Rabbi Larry Milder and Dr. Abdul-Mun'im Jitmoud
The topic of forgiveness in Judaism and Islam.
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.”
Contact Marcia at Interfaith.interconnect@gmail.com.
Sep
13
Come listen to an inspiring presentation by Richard Murray, of The Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Antioch, CA is a teacher, writer, and a former Carmaldolese monk.
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Monday, September 13th
from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Reserve your meal HERE.
Richard Murray, of The Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Antioch, CA 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 as he walks us through Three Theories of Atonement that give us several perspectives on the meaning of Christ’s earthly death.
Dinner will be provided. Join us in the Keeley Center Hall or on Zoom. A free-will offering will be available at the event.
Click HERE to join the meeting, starting at 7:00 pm.
Meeting ID: 814 3347 5456
Passcode: 228996
Handouts, Prestudy, and Bio available HERE
For more information please contact:
Jim Lucas
(925) 980-7871
CLICK HERE
For Details and Registration
For Details and Registration
CLICK HERE
For Details and Registration
For Details and Registration
Calling all Parishioners!
"Not a Place Where, But a People Who...!"
Please contact the leaders of your former ministries
to discuss coming home.
You can also contact Tree Gorman, Director of Liturgy,
to determine if your ministry has returned.
We welcome and encourage you to look into joining one of
a number of ministries at St. Charles Borromeo.
We are here to answer any questions you may have.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
"Not a Place Where...But a People Who"
