Monday Evening - June 1st, 2020:
Special Announcement:
As you can see, my picture does not say "Join Me on Zoom" today. Due to the curfew that is now in place for Alameda County, we will temporarily make a few changes. For instance, we may pre-record Bible Study videos or reschedule the Zoom meetings to an earlier time, so that Jim and Joe of our Tech Team can get home before curfew begins.
For now, we will postpone this Tuesday's Q&A session and topic to a later date. Regarding the timing for Thursday's Adult Bible Study Session, I will send a flocknote by Wednesday evening that will include this information.
Meanwhile, it was wonderful to see those of you who joined us in Communion after Mass on Pentecost Sunday! The entire process ran very smoothly, thanks to our Hospitality and Eucharistic Ministries, along with our Liturgy Committee.
Remember, the same Communion opportunity will be available next Sunday. However, instead of arriving at pre-determined times, you may arrive at any time between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.
Blessings to all of you!
-- Fr. Kwame
Celebrating Our High School and College Graduates
St. Charles is blessed with so many graduates this year, that the lists are too large to include in this flocknote. However, you can Click Here to see our bulletin, where the High School and College lists are on pages #4 and #5.
Fr. Kwame's Adult Bible Study Program
PREVIOUS VIDEOS
Video #6: May 28th Video Will Be Ready in a Few Days
Video #5: May 21st Bible Study Session
Stories in the Book of Deuteronomy
Stories in the Books of Leviticus and Numbers
Video #3: May 7th Bible Study Session
Stories in the Book of Exodus
Video #2: April 30th Bible Study Session
New Wednesday Evening Zoom Sessions
From Adult Faith Formation:
"Come and See"
Hello to all who are interested to Walk With Jesus:
In the Gospel of John chapter one, as Jesus walks by, John the Baptist says, “Look, see God’s lamb”. Immediately two of his followers get up and ask Jesus, “Teacher, where are you going”? Jesus replies to them, “Come and see”.
The adult faith formation group is asking you to “come and see”. Beginning on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7:00 pm we will be hosting a Zoom meeting called: “Walking with Jesus” an introductory discussion on what it is and means to be Catholic.
These meetings will be held every Wednesday at 7:00 pm. You don’t have to go to one to be able to go to another. Each meeting will last about 40 minutes and includes a brief discussion on a topic basic to the Catholic faith. The meeting format will accommodate discussion, so please bring your questions.
"Come and See" is targeted at various groups of people:
- Catholics who feel their spiritual formation has stopped and are not sure how to get it growing again
- Non-Catholics who are curious about our faith
- A first step for those who wish to explore becoming Catholic
- Those Catholics who wish to complete the sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation.
If you have a friend or family member who wants to learn more about our Catholic faith we invite you all to “come and see”.
Please join us in participating in one of our Wednesday evenings at 7 PM.
To receive your ZOOM meeting invitation...
(or if you have questions)
Contact:
Daniel Goodman at gotfordtires@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Angela Layton's Zoom Invitation:
Walking with Purpose
Monday Mornings at 10:00 am.
Meeting ID: 782 7094 3952
Password: jesuslives
Landline telephones can call this number:
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Jun
11
Thursday WINGS on ZOOM ft. Margaret Riley
"Exploring Ways to be Hope-Filled in the Middle of a Challenging Time"
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
WINGS Zoom Meeting Featuring Margaret Riley
Exploring Ways to be Hope-Filled in the Middle of a Challenging Time
Thursday, June 11, 2020, at 10:30 AM
To Join Zoom Meeting, Click HERE
Meeting ID: 893 5095 9504
Password: 2sMBgd
Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2020
Bulletin Message from Fr. Kwame
“Receive the Holy Spirit” for the Forgiveness of Sins
(cf. John 20:22-23)
(cf. John 20:22-23)
Happy Birthday, Church! Yes, Pentecost – the fiftieth day after the resurrection - is the day Jesus’ companions began to fearlessly preach that “Jesus is Lord.” This was possible only because, on this day, the disciples experienced the Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit – that drove them out of their fears and their hiding place into the open, and they made new followers and believers of Christ. So, a “Happy Birthday!” to the Christian Church is perfectly in order.
I have begun to read the messages on my birthday cards with much joy and appreciation. In doing so, I realized that most of the messages referred to who I am and the way I minister as reasons to celebrate. I think one way to celebrate the birthday of the Church is to recount who or what the Church is and how the Church works. Basically, let us ask ourselves, “what makes the Church tick?” Who are we, both as a community and individuals?
Enter the Holy Spirit! Luke tells us in the Acts of the Apostles that it was God the Spirit who gave birth to the body of Christ. So, there wouldn’t be a Church without the Spirit, which is the life-force that preaches, teaches, serves, and worships in the community and individuals. Concretely, how does this work in us?
We all know the popular saying: “to err is human but to forgive is divine.” This saying underlines the fact that human beings are limited when it comes to magnanimous and life-giving values such as being selfless, forgiving, generous, or peacemakers. It means that left on our own, we err or make mistakes.
Furthermore, forgiveness does not come to us naturally. Instead, we instinctually payback and strike back, with violence for violence. To forgive is not a human quality, it is a divine quality. To be able to forgive, you and I need Godly assistance, grace, and power. Also, forgiving has two dimensions that are experienced at the same time. If I forgive someone, it implies that I have forgiveness to give. If I don’t forgive, it means I don’t have it. Therefore, we experience forgiveness when we are in the act of forgiving others.
The gospel reading tells us that the divine quality of forgiveness is made possible by the Holy Spirit. Thus, Jesus says “receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you forgive are forgiven them…” John 20:22). Saint Paul says that it is not possible to say “Jesus is Lord” without the help of the Holy Spirit. The act of forgiveness goes beyond forgiving someone for their wrongdoing against us. Forgiveness also means allowing for flaws and mistakes made by humans like us.
The gospel reading tells us that the divine quality of forgiveness is made possible by the Holy Spirit. Thus, Jesus says “receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you forgive are forgiven them…” John 20:22). Saint Paul says that it is not possible to say “Jesus is Lord” without the help of the Holy Spirit. The act of forgiveness goes beyond forgiving someone for their wrongdoing against us. Forgiveness also means allowing for flaws and mistakes made by humans like us.
This means being patient with the mistakes of others and giving them enough room to get things right. Forgiveness has more to do with patience than it has to do with giving people a free pass. This is how the early Christians made disciples of all nations… they were accepting of these people in spite of their flaws and inadequacies; they preached forgiveness of sins; they welcomed with open arms sinners and those who were spiritually lost, just like their own Master Jesus who forgave people. Additionally, they associated with tax-collectors, prostitutes, and sinners.
It is the Holy Spirit that makes it possible for Christians to be patient with any person and any situation in their lives. Being forgiving in the sense of being patient, we can win souls for Christ in order to continuously give birth to the Church.
As we celebrate Pentecost, this birthday of the Church, let our Church of St. Charles continue to experience the Holy Spirit to win more souls for Christ in our communal and individual actions.
As we celebrate Pentecost, this birthday of the Church, let our Church of St. Charles continue to experience the Holy Spirit to win more souls for Christ in our communal and individual actions.
Most notably, let us give thanks to God that exactly a year ago, our community came together to raise a large sum of money for our international justice work – renovation of the Suba Orphanage in Kenya. That was a practical and wonderful demonstration of the Holy Spirit at work in our community. Let this Pentecost celebrate this work of kindness the Holy Spirit continues to inspire in our own lives.
Come, Holy Spirit; Fill our hearts afresh with love, patience, and forgiveness!
Come, Holy Spirit; Fill our hearts afresh with love, patience, and forgiveness!
-- Fr. Kwame
In Case You Missed Sunday's Mass...
How Are You Remaining Physically Fit These Days?
St. Charles parishioner Wendy McGee has just released "Fitfannie", her new fitness app for iPhone, and she is currently offering it at no charge for our parishioners. For more information, click here.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
