TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page 1.        REFLECTIONS; THE TALE OF UNMERITED GIFT

 

Page 2.        ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH BULLETIN: 25TH. SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, 9/20/20.

 

 

 

Page 1.

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: YEAR A.

(Is.55:6-9; Phil. 1:20-24, 27; Mt. 20:1-16)

THEME: THE TALE OF UNMERITED GIFT

BY REV. FR. ANSELM CHIGOZIE AMADI

 

INTRODUCTION: God’s ways and thoughts are quite different from ours. Humans operate with the parameter of justice that gives only what is due to a person. Again, our standard of wage is commensurate with input and output. But God relates with us on the basis of grace which finds expression in his extravagant generosity. If God were to deal with us on the basis of justice, no one would be saved.

 

DIFFERENT GROUPS OF BELIEVERS: In the different groups of hired workers we can observe the different classes of believers that populate the church. St. Louis De Montfort identifies different types of devotees in the book: The True Devotion to Mary. Among others, only two suit our interest here; namely, “interested” and “disinterested” devotees. Interested devotees are those that seek God from the motive of self-interest. Simply put, they seek God for what God can do for them. These are false devotees. In the dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena, Christ calls this group mercenary Christians. They complain when their desire fails to come by, and in the process grow cold in their devotion. They are wanting in pure love of God.

On the contrary, disinterested devotees are those who serve God, not from the motive of self interest, but only seek to do his will. Those in this group serve God, not for any gain but exclusively because he deserves to be served and is worthy of love.

Observe that the first group was hired on contract basis, with a clearly spelt out wage. They went to work with a target in view: day’s wage. It could be said that this first group of laborers worked for gain. They could be taken to represent interested devotees. Those are Christians who serve God chiefly from the motive of self-interest. Likewise, many Christians serve God from the motive of fear and hope; that is, fear of punishment or hope of material and spiritual gain. This motive is not bad, but imperfect.

There is on the contrary, a more perfect motive that is inspired chiefly by the love of God, the desire to please him and readiness to do his will. This is what distinguishes the first group of hired workers from the subsequent ones. The first group has an eye on their own advantage. No one should seek his own will in working for God.

 

THE LAST GROUP: When the landowner met the last group, he only ordered them to go into the vineyard without any specified contract terms. These men obediently and quietly went into the vineyard without hesitation. They were not motivated by any gain, since none was agreed upon. They represent the right disposition for the service of God. They want nothing and love nothing except God himself. They did not set their eyes on any gain but on the glory and honor of God, and that his gracious will be accomplished.

These people found peace in working for no gain but abandoned themselves to the will of the master. They work in the vineyard of God for no other purpose but to do the will of God. Like Christ, their food is to do the will of God (Jn. 4:34).

 

THE FIRST WILL BE THE LAST: In the economy of salvation, the law came first and grace came at last. The first comers were the Jews while gentiles were later arrivals. The Jews sought salvation through the works of the law; while in the order of grace, salvation is by faith working through love. Those who try to earn the gift of salvation will be disappointed, but those who seek God in faith and love will be fulfilled.

Also, between Esau and Jacob the evidence of “first will be the last” is made manifest. Esau was the first in the order of law and nature. He worked by hunting to earn the father’s blessing but came back disappointed. In this case he represents the pharisaic Jews. Jacob obtained the blessing and took the first position, not by work. He was simply dressed in the garment of his senior brother; a type of the grace of Christ, “the eldest of the many brothers” (Rom. 8:29). This foreshadowed what was to come in the order of grace.

 

CONCLUSION: The denarius, which was paid to the hired workers like any other coin, bore the imprint or image of the king; that is to say, the image and likeness of God. This is the highest gift ever. It is the gift of salvation, which consists in possessing God forever. God alone is enough for the soul. Those who complained after receiving this great gift were those who served God with ulterior motive. We risk our salvation by doing so.

 

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Page 2.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 20, 2020

 

 

 

MASS INTENTIONS:

 

9/20/20 thru 9/25/20

 

   SUNDAY:

 

   ENGLISH MASS:

   9:00am. Sanchez Family.

 

   SPANISH MASS:

   11:00am. +Violet Baca Mills.

 

   WEEKDAY MASS INTENTIONS:

 

   MONDAY:

   9:00am. +Steve & Marie Tevens.

 

   TUESDAY:

   9:00am. +Dr. Robert Cospito.

 

   WEDNESDAY:

   9:00am. +David Copeland.

 

   THURSDAY:

   9:00am. +Tom & Annabel Jeffrey.

 

   FRIDAY:

   9:00am. Marie Funk.

 

 

   FINANCIAL REPORT FROM WEEK 9/13/2020

 

YOUR GIFTS TO THE LORD:

 

 

   Sunday Offering……………………..…$1392.12

   Children’s Fund…………………...……………N/A

   Capital Fund………………………………$3740.00

   Other……………………………………...……$193.60

 

                            EXPENSES

 

   General Fund:…………………..…….$1551.27

   Capital Fund:……………………………...$00.00

   Children’s Fund:…………………………$00.00

 

The Quarterly Financial Report is Available in

The Church Office for Review

 

 

Church Secretary; Eileen Furman

Office Telephone: 928-333-4423

 

 

PRAYER TREE:

 

Please contact Monica Boehning at 333-5539 for prayer requests. Leave a message if no answer, include your name and phone number, with info.

 

THIS WEEK PLEASE PRAY FOR:

 

   Jason Pittman, Eileen Tyrrell, Rebeka Talbot,

   Charles Rand, Roxanne Chavez, Ricky Barraza,

   Lily Hill, Susie Apodaca, Confie LeSuer,

   Pat  & Victor Rubalcaba, Bernice Chavez,

   Maria Morales,Teresa Barbier, Richard Pena,

   Clara Archuletta, Judy Bragg, Dolores Jackson,

   Jessica Williams, Eva Orona,

   Sophie Montoya, Joe Tapia,

   Juanito Quevedo, Krystna Kocol,

   Irene Moya, Lydia Gonzalez.

 

GIFT SHOP:

 

   Gift Shop is open every Sunday after the

   9:00 am Mass or Contact;

   Dean Smith at 928-853-6307

 

 

Office Hours;

   Weekdays from 7:45am-8:45am and

   10:00am-12:30pm

 

Closed,

Tuesday and during daily mass times.

 

CALENDAR OF WEEKLY EVENTS:

 

 

WEEKLY EVENTS:

 

Weekly Events

Currently Suspended

Due to COVID

 

Baptism Preparation Classes to be Determined.

 

 SUNDAY:

 Sacrament of Reconciliation:

 8:00am – 8:50am.

 Rosary before Mass.

 CCD classes after 9:00am Mass.

 

 ENGLISH MASS, 9:00am

 SPANISH MASS: 11:00am

 

 MONDAY:

 Rosary before mass.

 9:00am Mass

 C.C.D. Classes 4:00pm.

 RCIA Classes: 7:00pm.

 

 TUESDAY:

 9:00am Mass

 Church Cleaning.

 Spanish Choir Practice, 7:00pm 8:30pm.

 

 WEDNESDAY:

 Rosary before mass.

 9:00am Mass

 6:30pm English Choir practice in church

 

 THURSDAY:

 Rosary before mass.

 7:00pm Mass.

 7:00pm Baptism classes in Spanish, 2nd Thursday

 of the month.

 

 FRIDAY:

 Rosary before mass.

 9:00am Mass

 7:00pm Stations of the Cross every Friday During Lent.

 Eucharistic Adoration; First Friday of the Month.

 

 SATURDAY:

 9:00am Mass.

 

   St. Helena Parish, Alpine, Az.

 

 SATURDAY:

 Confessions, 3:30pm

 Mass 4:00 pm

 

       ----------------------------------------------

 

PASTORAL ADMINSTRATOR

               Rev. Fr. Anselm Amadi

Rectory Telephone: 928-333-4707

Emergencies Only; 505-906-8421

 

 

Pastoral Council:

Chairperson:

Lora Harrison          - (928) 333-0148

Secretary:

Esmerelda Ontiveros         - (928) 812-0049

 

Building Committee:

Chairperson:

Jackielyn Harrington

 

Finance Council:

Chairperson:

Jackielyn Harrington

Finance Secretary:

Ed Fritz - (928) 333-5919

 

PARISH MINISTRIES:

 

Altar Servers: Tasheena James…….

Eucharistic Ministers:

Charles Rand………………………….…..….(928) 333-3541

Church Cleaning: Vacant.

Funeral Director: Diane Fritz………….(928) 333-5919

Lectors: Mary DiFilippo……….………….(928) 333-3338

Maintenance: Vacant.

Music Director: Bob Dyson………….…(928) 333-2809

RCIA: Deacon Jorge Campos………….(928) 333-2150

Religious Ed. Devon Ditmore………….(928) 333-0148

Ushers: Jim Morrison……………………...(928) 333-0928

Sacristans: Elizabeth Ketring,………...(928) 551-6003

St. Vincent De Paul Org…………………..(928) 333-4879

Prayer Tree: Monica Boehning……..…(928) 333-5539

 

 

MINISTRY SCHEDULES FOR September 27th.

 

Altar Servers:

 

   9:00am. No Servers Assigned

                Due to Phase One

                Reopening.

 

 

Lectors:

 

  9:00am. Brooke Becker.

11:00am. To be appt.

 

 

Eucharistic Ministers:

 

   9:00am. No Eucharist Ministers

                Assigned Due to

                Phase One Reopening.

 

 

PLEASE JOIN US IN OUR STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM OF TIME, TREASURE & TALENT, VISIT OUR WEB AT

 

www.stpeterchurch-az.com

 

 

Holy Father’s Prayer Intention:

 

SEPTEMBER, 2020

 

RESPECT FOR THE PLANET’S RESOURCES

 

We pray that the planet’s resources will not be plundered,

but shared in a just and respectful manner.

 

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OUR PARISH:

 

 

 

·       R.C.I.A. CLASS OF 2020: Reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation will occur on Sunday 9/27/2020 at the 9:00am Mass.

 

·       VORTEX OPTICS RAFFLE FOR NEW RECTORY FUND: Ticket Sales are completed. The drawing will occur today Sunday, September 20, 2020 immediately following the 9:00am mass.

We wish to thank Craig Shepherd for his hard work, dedication and leadership in completing this project.

 

·       GOOD SHEPHERD’S PRIEST’S RETIREMENT COLLECTION: Donations are gratefully accepted through 9/30/2020.  As you prayerfully consider your donation please note the following facts:

o      There are approximately 30 active Diocesan priests in our Diocese who will have no, or very little, retirement support by 2030.

o      There is no designated home for retired clergy in the Diocese of Gallup.

o      Every cent of this Collection will go to the support of these priests who have spent their lives in service to their flock and parishioners.

§       Please deposit your special envelope along with your regular donation in the Sunday 1st collection or mail to the Church office at PO Box 1566, Springerville, AZ 85938.

§       We wish to thank all who have already submitted their donation.

 

·       ST. VINCENT DE PAUL HOURS:  Please note current hours are:

o      Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00am-1:00pm

o      For questions related to St. Vincent’s please call their direct line at: (928)-333-4879

 

 

OUR COMMUNITY:

 

·       THE TOWN OF SPRINGERVILLE COMMUNITY Services Department provides service for the residents of Springerville, Eagar, Alpine, Nutrioso and Greer.

o       RESOURCES are Available for times of challenge:

§       Many support services are available.

§       For further information please call the Community Services Department at

 

EVENT 10/03/20 - Heritage Center Pumpkin Carving Contest. springervilleaz.gov/community/heritage-center