TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME August 23/24, 2008   What image of God’s kingdom speaks to you?   Gospel Reflection (Matthew 16:13-20): Jesus challenges his disciples with the question “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter, the spokesman of the group, replies, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” As soon as Simon confesses this deep faith, Jesus changes his name to Peter, which means “rock.” Peter is to be the firm foundation on which Jesus will build his Church. Jesus also gives him the symbolic “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Peter would have the authority of leadership in the Church after Jesus’ ascension. Today, the Pope with the bishops, the successors of Peter and the apostles, exercise that same authority. Discussion Points for Gospel: Jesus challenges his disciples with the question “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter, the spokesman of the group, replies, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” As soon as Simon confesses this deep faith, Jesus changes his name to Peter, which means “rock.” Peter is to be the firm foundation on which Jesus will build his Church. Jesus also gives him the symbolic “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Peter would have the authority of leadership in the Church after Jesus’ ascension. Today, the Pope with the bishops, the successors of Peter and the apostles, exercise that same authority. (--Sadlier “We Believe” www.webelieve.web.com)     MASSES FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY          5:15 pm     Cliff Wasko - Billie Jo & Joe Essman SUNDAY               8:30 am     Salvatore & Teresa Davoli - the Bray family                             10:30 am     James Rodgers - Pauline Rodgers MONDAY            12:15 pm     People of Our Parish TUESDAY             5:15 pm      Tony Udvardy WEDNESDAY      12:15 pm     Reine & Hamilton Kline - Mary Kline THURSDAY          5:15 pm      Beulah Udvardy FRIDAY               12:15 pm     Special Intention - Yolanda Moncayo SATURDAY          5:15 pm      Chris Schreck - the Schreck family SUNDAY               8:30 am      Frieda Shields - the Essmans  22nd Sunday             10:30 am      People of Our Parish       of Ordinary Time PARISH CALENDAR: August 24 - 31   SUNDAY               Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time                                9:30 am     Rosary                              11:30 am     Prayers for Peace                               5:00 pm      Vespers @ St. Paul’s THURSDAY                               1:00 pm      “Needlers” discussion group SATURDAY                            end O.U. second summer session                               4:15 pm      Reconciliation SUNDAY              Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time                               9:30 am      Rosary                             11:30 am      Prayers for Peace                               5:00 pm      Vespers @ St. Paul’s
Sunday Scripture Readings      Reflection on the Scriptures has become more and more a part of basic Christian spirituality. At times we would like to return to the Sunday Scriptures at home, but we do not have the missalette with us. At other times we may be interested in seeing just what came before or immediately after the reading for the day to gain more insights.      To encourage this encounter with the Scriptures, we will be including in the bulletin the scripture reading references for the current Sunday and the following Sunday. In addition, in our on-line bulletin we will have the actual links to the readings.	New American Bible Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time Isaiah 22:19-23 Psalms 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8 Romans 11:33-36 Matthew 16:13-20 Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Jeremiah 20:7-9 Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 Romans 12:1-2 Matthew 16:21-27
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary time      Jesus placed an awesome question before his disciples in today’s Gospel. We can ask ourselves the same question. Adults: In my heart, who do I say that Jesus is? Children: What stories do I know about St. Peter, and what can I learn from them? FALL MINISTRY SCHEDULE    Nancy Sand is working on the ministry schedule for this Fall which starts September 20/21 runs through December 20/21. Please check your calendars and email Nancy with any dates you CANNOT minister: nsand@ctkathens.org or phone 592-2711. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION    Are you a faith-filled person who loves children? Perhaps you are being called to be a person who “echoes God’s Word” as a catechist. The Religious Education Program has openings for catechists at all grade levels (pre-K through 8). We meet on Sundays at 12:15 or Tuesdays at 6:30 during the school year. If you are interested and would like to know more about how you can contribute, please contact Nancy Denhart, Director of Religious Education 590-3302 or 592-2711 or ndenhart@ctkathens.org for an appointment. We do provide in-service and help for all in the catechetical program.    Classes begin Sunday, September 7, and Tuesday, September 9. RCIA    This past Thursday we had our “Come and See” session at St. Paul’s Church for people who are thinking about becoming Catholic. It was a very-well attended session with a lot of discussion.    Please continue to consider and pray for ways in which you can support our RCIA team and candidates this year. And encourage people who are interested in knowing more about the Catholic faith to contact us. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY    Many thanks to all the volunteers who gathered this past Wednesday to prepare 30 boxes and 30 bags of food for distribution. Each month our VDP Society prepares food bags and boxes which are given to area needy. This distribution is in addition to the daily food deliveries made by VDP volunteers. LABOR DAY Monday, September 1 Mass 9:00 am @ CTK office closed SACRED HEART RETREAT HOUSE EVENT    Don’t miss him! Have your family meet Paul, the great Apostle, on Saturday, August 30, from 10:00 till 2:30 at Sacred Heart Retreat House. Learn who some of his helpers were, how he traveled, how he kept in touch with all the Christian communities he started, how these communities made Jesus the center of their lives. Then, ask yourself, “How can I (we) imitate Paul in today’s world?” Call 740-667-0100 to register by Wednesday, August 27.    To all who came to share our joy... We are deeply grateful to all who came to the SHRH last Saturday to volunteer your help or just enjoy the day and celebrate Sister Henrita’s Golden Jubilee. It was a fun, restful, and peace-filled day. WOMEN’S RETREAT: “HEALING FAITH”    September 5-7 marks the date of the 2nd Sisters on the River retreat. Registration begins Friday the 5th at 6:00 pm and the retreat ends Sunday at noon. It will be held at the home of Pat Moore in Racine, Ohio. Check out the bulletin boards in church and the PC for registration forms and the flyer. BASILICA AND NATIONAL SHRINE EVENTS    Our Lady of Consolation Shrine in Carey, Ohio, will be hosting a Family Day on Sunday, September 28th. We welcome families to come and pray together. Mass will be celebrated at noon followed with lunch and games for the family. The day concludes with Devotions at 2:30 pm and individual family blessings. For more info, go to the web page at www.olcshrine.com LITURGY BITS AND BYTES Our Response      Our response to “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ” is “Amen.” This is a sign of our assent to the true nature of what is being received and to who we are as well. It is a statement of agreement and of faith and should be enthusiastically affirmative. Copyright © 2008 Resource Publications, San Jose, CA	“...But who do you say that I am?” BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES August 25 - 31 Birthdays: Gwendolyn Ashworth, Francis Astrom, Roseann Boll, Natalia Cueto, Hope Dalrymple, Dale Dalrymple, Amanda Denhart, Shaun Hecker, Christopher Lee, Eric Masson, Diane Matters, Barb Moran, Carmen Sabraw, and Julieta Snediker. Anniversaries: Beth & Bradley Graham (30th), Marcia & Denny Dalen (45th!), Chris & Bob Brannon (32nd), Linda & Brian Shapiro (26th), and Tricia & Chris Smith (16th). Congratulations! Prayers for the Sick    Let's be one in hope and prayerful presence to all on our prayer list and continue to pray for Paul Reininga, Pat Lambert, and Bill Rader. (Remembered in the petitions) RESPECT LIFE    While secular science continues to insist that embryonic stem cells are essential to medical progress, new discoveries of non-lethal stem cell sources continue to appear, the latest being a type of stem cell found in menstrual blood that can turn into nine different tissue types in the body. This discovery was made by Medistem Laboratories partly based in San Diego --San Diego Union-Tribune, March, 2008, p.1 VOTE HEALTH    On August 27, Kathie McClure from Vote Health care will drive her purple school bus into Athens to focus the public’s attention on health care reform. Come out, meet Kathie and hear her story. Maybe tell a story of your own!    SEO Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage is sponsoring the event to be held in the University Mall Parking Lot, adjacent to the Farmer’s Market, from 10am-1pm on Wednesday August 27th. Learn more about the purple bus and the stories people are telling by going to www.votehealthcare.org Locally, any questions can be asked to Margaret Demko, SEO OCHC coordinator at 740-818-8460 or margaretdemko@gmail.com HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S Faith Build Coalition will dedicate its fifth house (the affiliate’s 23rd) this Sunday at 3 p.m. Habitat and the Cassel family invite you to the event at 210 St. John Street in Nelsonville. Directions are posted on the Faith Build page under “local coalitions” at www.athenshabitat.org/ (George Bain, 592-3828) NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING INFO    Want to lose some weight? Hoping to control your blood sugar or blood pressure better through diet? If so, consider becoming client for the Adult Treatment Nutritional Counseling Program at Ohio University. Under the supervision of a registered dietitian /OU faculty member, senior dietetic students provide clients with a comprehensive nutrient analysis and personalized nutrition education/counseling for $25.00. Clients receive 4 one hour sessions scheduled at their convenience. We are welcoming clients for fall, winter, and spring quarters. Please contact Deb Murray at murrayd1@ohio.edu to inquire further. HOUSING NEED    Jim Krempasky, 44 year old Catholic non-traditional post graduate student, is looking for housing (apartment, room, or house) beginning this September when he will arrive to study medicine at OU. He is married and has a 3 year old son. He will be in town during the week and will travel back to the Cincinnati area on weekends so his housing needs are minimal: quiet, safe place to study and sleep! Jim is a responsible individual and is and very good around senior citizens. If you can help, email Jim at james.krempasky@fuse.net