Monday Evening Flocknote - September 7th, 2020
Dear St. Charles Family:
"Voting is a way of contributing to the wellbeing of our society, and therefore is a sacred and prayerful duty. If we don’t vote, we neglect our Christian responsibility. If we vote carelessly, or flavor our vote with discrimination, racial injustice, nationalism, exclusion, and other selfish sentiments, the consequences will include immense human suffering in our country and the entire world."
If the statement above piques your interest, be sure to read my entire message for Sunday's bulletin, which is included below.
This Week's Activities
- Tomorrow morning (Tuesday) we will be celebrating the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary with our Livestream Mass at 9:00 am. Because online classes for nearby students appear to be causing internet issues for us on weekdays, we may experience interruptions. If any are significant, a backup recording will be uploaded and available for viewing later in the day.
- This Wednesday, September 9th, our 9:00 am Mass will be the Memorial for St. Peter Claver. In the 17th century, St. Peter Claver ministered to enslaved Africans in present-day Columbia, and called himself a “slave of the enslaved”. This year, all Churches in the Diocese of Oakland are celebrating this day in a special way, as the feast of St. Peter Claver, through the Sacrifice of the Mass in reparation for sins against racial justice. Therefore, I invite all parishioners to view our Livestream Mass at 9:00 am, and those interested may sign-up below to view the Mass outside, on our west lawn.
After Wednesday's Livestream Mass, everyone is invited to receive communion at the church, just as on Sundays, but between 9:45 am and 11:00 am. - On Thursday, September 10th, please note that our Livestream Mass will be held at 6:00 pm instead of 9:00 am. Thursday evening's special Livestream will be a Mass of Remembrance, sponsored by the Grief Support Ministry of the St. Charles and St. Michael parishes. This will be an opportunity to celebrate the lives of departed loved ones and to pray for their eternal happiness.
Have a blessed week, everyone!
-- Fr. Kwame
Make Your Reservations by
Clicking on the Appropriate "Sign-Up" Button
At Least 24 Hours in Advance
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 9th @ 9:00 AM: FEAST of St. PETER CLAVER Mass - Outdoor Seating on West Lawn
Arrive no later than 8:45 am
9:00 am WEDNESDAY MASS
Friday, September 11th: 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
Sunday, September 13th: 9:30 Seating on West Lawn CANCELED Due to Poor Air Quality
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.
Fr. Richard McCafferty's Memorial Scholarship application for 2020 is available here and in the parish rectory.
Fr. Richard Memorial Scholarship
Applications are due on September 25th
The Fr. Richard Honorary Scholarship was established in 2010 in celebration of Fr. Richard McCafferty’s 85th Birthday and his devoted and long-time service to the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community.
Following his death in March 2013, the scholarship became the Fr. Richard Memorial Scholarship. To honor Fr. Richard’s ordination in the Jesuit order, the scholarship is awarded annually to a student attending one of the West Coast Jesuit universities. Applicants must be a staff member or registered parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo.
Applications are due Friday, September 25, 2020.
Adult Faith Formation Zoom Meeting
"COME AND SEE"
Is on a short break and will return on September 23rd
Sep
14
Monday Evening - MEN OF FAITH on Zoom
7:00 PM
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Men of Faith Zoom Encounter!
Speaker: Matthew Kelly
(A Recorded Talk from Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance Virtual Summit 6-27-20)
Topic: Having Daily Prayer as Your Foundation
Meeting ID: 818 7792 3036
Passcode: 628426
Regular Phones Dial:
+1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 818 7792 3036
Passcode: 628426
All are welcome. lease tell your friends and come for a great message and fellowship. We are looking forward to seeing you!
Steve Campbell
(925) 858-3833
steveplants@gmail.com
Sep
21
Monday Evening - WALKING WITH PURPOSE on Zoom
Series Begins on September 21st
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Walking with Purpose
Bible Study Program
Opening Your Heart
by Lisa Brenninkmeyer
Monday Evenings, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Starting September 21st
Questions? Contact:
Angela Layton
602-799-6648
wwpstcharleslivermore@gmail.com
Enrollment for Our
Faith Formation 2020-2021 School Year
is Open Now, But Closes on Sept. 13th!
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
My Bulletin Message for Sunday, September 6, 2020:
“Love is the Fulfillment of the Law”
(Romans 13:10)
We American Christians face a difficult challenged today - much more than people of faith in other nations. This is because the United States has been - for many years now - a superpower in many aspects of human life such as economy, military, and politics.
With this wealth and power also comes the central teaching of Christ, which is Love. Thus, a truthful and serious American Christian recognizes that she or he must be a Christian through being American. And this is what is meant by Saint Paul’s message today when he says “love is the fulfillment of the law”.
To be truly Christian and American, a person must flavor the American constitution (law) with the Christian central value of unconditional love. This is THE challenge, and what a challenge it is!
In the midst of our toxic partisan political climate, many American Christians feel lost about being both Christian and American. Some have gone as far as to abandon their Christian values and now follow the lead of political and cultic personalities. This is instead of being followers (disciples) of the Christian values of justice, love, peace, forgiveness, and generosity.
The election season is here again, and that means that it is now time to exercise our God-given rights and blessings.
Voting is a way of contributing to the wellbeing of our society, and therefore is a sacred and prayerful duty. If we don’t vote, we neglect our Christian responsibility. If we vote carelessly, or flavor our vote with discrimination, racial injustice, nationalism, exclusion, and other selfish sentiments, the consequences will include immense human suffering in our country and the entire world.
Our way out of this challenge is to vote based on Love.
Saint Paul tells us that “Love is the fulfillment of the Law.” This statement is deeply instructive for every Christian who lives in our challenging times. The “Law” here specifically refers to the (Ten) Commandments in the Old Testament. So, the teaching of Saint Paul (and of Christ) is that, if you want to keep the Laws, you must use Love as your guide.
We should not keep any Law that has no Love in it. In other words, we must not observe laws for the sake of the laws, for that would mean we are merely robots, and it means we are enslaved by those laws.
Keeping laws and constitutions for their own sake would lead to a society and an environment of wickedness, immorality, abuse, hostility, and inhumanity. In this case, we would war with other nations, live selfishly, deport vulnerable “strangers”, build walls around ourselves, divide our community, and respond to violence with violence. In time, we would destroy ourselves and our nation.
It is in this light that Jesus says in the Gospel reading, “treat him as a gentile or tax collector.” Some might misunderstand Jesus as asking us to give up on our offenders or even treat them in a wicked way if they are unrepentant. However, we only need to ask ourselves, how did Jesus himself treat tax collectors and so-called sinners in his own life? Ah, there is the answer! He treated them with greater Love, kindness, and dignity, with much more breathing space and time for the offenders to get it right.
Legally, if you follow the laws, you must abandon the unrepentant and people with a different opinion. However, in the Christian way, in the way of love, when someone goes rogue, it means that much more of your love, time, and talent are required to relate with this person!
Friends in Christ, let us not be confused about how we are to live in our current times of challenge. The way of Christ is difficult, sacrificial, and passionate, but it is clear: The way of Christ is the way of Love.
Hence, let us pray for the courage to stand for Love over and above laws, partisan politics, and selfish nationalism. Set aside the view that “to withhold love will stop hurt". Instead, it is the other way around.
"As water soaks scars, love soothes our wounds,” says the spiritual poet Mark Nepo. For at the end of everything - including Law, only Love remains.
This election season, may God bless our politics, give us wisdom, and infuse us with divine love so that we may vote on that love.
-- Kwame Assenyoh
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
