Monday Evening Flocknote - August 31, 2020
The Cross: A New Way of Living in the World
First came the coronavirus pandemic that led to our sheltering-in-place at home. Then came the truth of racial injustice in our society by showing its ugly head in the killing of George Floyd.
We are not faring better on the political front either, as our nation continues to sow seeds of division rather than unity. Nature adds even more to our woes with hurricanes, earthquakes, lightning, and wildfires that claim human lives and property, pollute the air we breathe, and displace many from their homes.
These are the facts of our living, not to mention their economic, spiritual, and psychological toll on human life.
For Christians, these events of life reveal the naked truth - our human world is imperfect, unjust, and sometimes evil.
But if God’s creation was good in the beginning, from where did all these adversities come?
The human heart! That’s the answer. Hence, the purpose of Christ, and Christian mission, is to save humanity by showing us a new way of living which is The Way of the Cross.
Here’s what God’s word said yesterday: The cross is Christ’s offer for all human beings to right every wrong of human history. In today’s gospel, Peter receives a name that is directly opposite to the name he received in last Sunday’s gospel. Peter was called “blessed” last week, and now he is called “Satan”. What went wrong? How did Peter go from being Blessed to being Satan?
The Cross!
The Cross is what it takes to save us. It not only represents doing something good just one time, but it also represents a way of living. The cross is an entire system and culture – a way of perception, thought, and action.
As Jesus tells Peter, “... you are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” The cross is the Godly way of thinking – a Godly culture by which the world would be healed of all diseases, all injustices, bullies, physical and natural events.
The cross is a way of life that sacrifices. Jesus told the disciples that he must go down to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and then rise from the dead. That’s the way he teaches us to get out of these deadly conditions we face in our world today.
Each Christian must learn to sacrifice ourselves as a normal, cultural, order of life. Saint Paul says it unequivocally in our second reading, “... offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” and let that be your spiritual worship. In the first reading, Jeremiah endured torture, torment, and distress only because he had to speak “in the stead of God.” He is a prophet – God’s spokesperson – so he had to suffer to bring God’s word to people.
In our days, sacrificing and Christian suffering does not mean crawling on your naked knees praying; it does not mean flagellating one’s self; it does not stop at reading the bible from cover to cover or completing a number of prayers; it does not stop at “attending” Mass and receiving communion.
All these may assist in carrying your cross as a sacrifice in following Jesus, but they only assist. Your sacrifice of the cross has to come to a LIVING SACRIFICE. Your sacrifice must contribute to justice, love, and peace in the lives of human beings no matter where they come from and whoever they are or look like.
The cross - sacrifice - is the way to save our families, marriages, countries, and our world. Let us commit ourselves, as Christians, to follow Jesus and be like Christ in the way he saved us.
Let us who have lost the commitment to sacrifice open our hearts and be reinspired to enter the troubled places of the world, and be Christ to all who are in trouble.
-- Fr. Kwame
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ADORATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT - Friday, Sept 4th, 2020
Hourly Appointments
9:30 am - 10:30 am ADORATION
10:30 am - 11:30 am ADORATION
11:30 am - 12:30 pm ADORATION
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm ADORATION
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm ADORATION
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm ADORATION
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm ADORATION
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm ADORATION
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm ADORATION
6:30 pm - 6:45 pm BENEDICTION
Friday, September 4th: RECONCILIATION (Ten Minute Appointments)
Friday Individual Reconciliation - Lawn Area. The reservation deadline is 9:00 PM on Thursday evening.
10:00 - 10:10 AM Reconciliation Appointment
10:10 - 10:20 AM Reconciliation Appointment
10:20 - 10:30 AM Reconciliation Appointment
10:30 - 10:40 AM Reconciliation Appointment
10:40 - 10:50 AM Reconciliation Appointment
10:50 - 11:00 AM Reconciliation Appointment
September 6th: 9:30 AM SUNDAY MASS - Outdoor Seating on West Lawn
Arrive no later than 9:15 am
Sunday 9:30 am Mass
If You Missed Sunday's Video...
Please Note - Fr. Kwame's weekly announcements now occur at the very beginning of our Sunday Mass videos, which start early. Therefore, if you began viewing at 9:30 or later yesterday, here is your opportunity to view this week's announcements.
Sep
2
WEDNESDAY Evening: "Come and See"
Adult Faith Formation Zoom Meeting
Are you going?
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No
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going.
not going.
might be going.
Adult Faith Formation Zoom Meeting
"COME AND SEE"
We welcome all who are interested in walking with Jesus
Wednesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
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” - Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM.
To Join Zoom Meeting, Click HERE
Meeting ID: 321 832 6812
Password: Jesus2020
Password: Jesus2020
Questions? Contact Daniel Goodman at gotfordtires@gmail.com.
NOTE - SOON, WE WILL TAKE A SHORT TWO-WEEK BREAK and WILL NOT BE MEETING on Sept. 9th and 16th.
Sep
7
MONDAY Evening - Walking with Purpose
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going.
not going.
might be going.
Angela Layton's Zoom Invitation:
Walking with Purpose
Bible Study Program
Monday Evenings at 7:00 PM
To Join Zoom Meeting, Click HERE
Meeting ID: 821 4834 5945
Password: WWP2020
Regular Telephone?
+1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 821 4834 5945
Password: 6033117
Enrollment for Our
Faith Formation 2020-2021 School Year
is Now Open!
REGISTER HERE
Class Format
Classes will start out with online courses. Please note that our Faith Formation format for the entire 2020-2021 season is still undetermined and may include virtual classes, a modified classroom setting, or both. Class days and times have yet to be finalized.
Classes will start out with online courses. Please note that our Faith Formation format for the entire 2020-2021 season is still undetermined and may include virtual classes, a modified classroom setting, or both. Class days and times have yet to be finalized.
Sacraments
Be sure to re-enroll your child(ren) for sacramental preparation (First Communion, First Reconciliation, Confirmation, or RCIC/T).
Sacrament fees are charged only once. If you have paid fees last year, you do not need to pay for this year.
Be sure to re-enroll your child(ren) for sacramental preparation (First Communion, First Reconciliation, Confirmation, or RCIC/T).
Sacrament fees are charged only once. If you have paid fees last year, you do not need to pay for this year.
Download Brochure
Early Bird Discount
Take advantage of our $25 off Early Bird discount for registering your child(ren) before Thursday, October 1, 2020. After October 1, fees go up to $125 per child (excl. Pre-School).
Take advantage of our $25 off Early Bird discount for registering your child(ren) before Thursday, October 1, 2020. After October 1, fees go up to $125 per child (excl. Pre-School).
Financial Aid
Due to the hardship that COVID has brought to some families, scholarships are available. Do not hesitate to contact us if you require financial assistance. All cases will be handled in a discreet and confidential manner
Due to the hardship that COVID has brought to some families, scholarships are available. Do not hesitate to contact us if you require financial assistance. All cases will be handled in a discreet and confidential manner
Please reach out to our Faith Formation office for more information:
Carmela Chy: (925) 447-4545 ext.115
carmela@stcharlesborromeo.org
carmela@stcharlesborromeo.org
News from St. Charles' Health Ministry:
CDC RECOMMENDS FLU VACCINATIONS
When we established our Health Ministry in 2016, we created the vision statement of “A blessed life and good health for all of God’s children”. That vision is meaningful and as applicable as ever, particularly in the days of this pandemic which has affected us all – in mind, body, and spirit!
We in the Health Ministry continue to embrace this vision to help us strategize methods and programs that can assist you in making decisions for your health and your family’s health.
And by making those healthy choices, you also affect the health of others in the community! We, as a community during COVID-19, have demonstrated that by using facemasks, washing hands, and maintaining social bubbles helps to lessen the spread of this disease. The rise of a healthy community, therefore, starts with you!
So, how can you help to sustain a healthy community during the pandemic, aside from continuing to practice COVID-19 social mandates? As most of you are aware, we are approaching the flu season, which is placed in a different context than recent ones. The bandwidth and capacity of hospitals, clinics, and health care resources will continue to be stretched during the pandemic. Therefore, the less strain we can impart on the healthcare system, the better for our community as a whole. Getting a flu vaccine can help.
From the Center for Disease Control (CDC): “Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, like flu, this fall and winter is more important than ever. CDC has worked with vaccine manufacturers to have extra flu vaccine available this flu season.
CDC recommends getting the flu vaccination in September or October but getting vaccinated anytime during the flu season can help protect you…”
Some groups are more likely to get flu complications that can result in hospitalization and sometimes deaths, and therefore, are recommended to get the flu vaccine.
These groups are:
Adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, young children, asthmatics, those suffering from heart disease/stroke, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and children with neurologic conditions.
For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/flu
The St. Charles Health Ministry will continue to bring information to you about the flu vaccine, and other ways you can help yourself, your family, and the community stay healthy throughout the pandemic.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
