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READINGS FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2009

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary Number: 113B

First Reading: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 God’s Chosen People fear they will die in the desert. But God gives them bread from heaven to sustain them on their journey.
Second Reading: Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 Paul calls us to give up a life of sin and selfishness.
Gospel: John 6:24-35 Jesus declares that He is the Bread of Life. He is the real bread that comes down from heaven.

OUR SICK: Betty Hacker, Cindy Holmes, John Holmes, Larry Lavender, Paul Monnig, Pat Payton, Dick Rice, Margaret Schwab, Jimmy Joe Sheridan, Donald Wheeler and all others recovering from illness or surgery.

BELOVED DECEASED: In your Christian charity please remember the repose of the soul of RUTH O’KEEFE. Ruth died at Bryant’s Nursing Home last week and was buried from Phillips Funeral Home on Thursday with burial at our Sacred Heart Cemetery. May Ruth rest in the eternal embrace of our risen Lord.

FAREWELL TO OUR SEMINARIAN: Next weekend (August 1 & 2) after all three weekend Masses in Ironton, we are planning to serve refreshments in the church basement or outside our church’s main entrance to give each of you an opportunity to give your best wishes to JONAS SHELL as he completes his ten weeks with us. It would be appropriate to give him a card expressing your appreciation and promising your continued prayers and support. We have benefited from his stay with us and have enjoyed his kind, generous spirit.

BANDS OF MARRIAGE: Please pray for all couples married this weekend and all those preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage:

Friday, July 24 Aaron Tulencik & Jennifer Rudmann, Columbus, Ohio.
Saturday, July 25 Anthony Huffman (nephew) & Jessica Pickens, St. Mary Church, Marietta, Ohio. Benjamin Wooten & Ashlee Williams, St. Lawrence Church, Ironton (Msgr. Lawrence Luciana)
Saturday, August 1 Eric Barrett & Leslie Cebula, St. Mary Church, Marietta, Ohio.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!

Our churches, schools, cemeteries and shrine need constant care. Much needs to be done; however, I am impressed by all the people who continue to step forward to apply their many talents and abilities to get the work done. The 300 feet of fencing around the reflecting pond at our Fatima Shrine has been painted by our parishioner and his crew. Apparently others are noticing the good results of your work. Last Tuesday when I was at our Fatima Shrine I found the following note: “Since my childhood I have grown up here. I have brought my small children, now grown, here many times. I’ve seen this place deteriorate before my very eyes. My prayer was answered as I see many improvements here. I thank you for them.” (signed Jennifer Sweeney)

Your donations to the Fatima Memorial Fund are being put to good use. The wall in the reflecting pool is being patched and will be painted... then refilled and a fountain added. (The fountain has already been purchased and is ready to be installed!) Reminder: You will find a special, small envelope for your donation for shrine renovation at the main entrances of our three churches.

Cleaning, scraping and painting continued last week at our new St. Lawrence Elementary School. The old playground equipment has been hauled away and our playground equipment from our previous school is being installed. A separate playground for the three and four year olds is being enclosed by a separate fence. May God bless all our wonderful volunteers who have helped.

Cleaning, scraping, patching and painting are well underway at St. Joseph High School. Volunteers are welcome to continue to help with this work. We appreciate your help in the past and seek your help in getting all our high school rooms painted.

Thank you for your patience. With many announcements beforehand, I hope and pray that no one was confused by the change in the place of the Saturday evening Mass this weekend (July 25) to St. Joseph Church. I am concerned with a lack of parking at St. Lawrence Church during our weekend Masses. Would some change in the place of a weekend Mass be helpful due to parking needs? NO CHANGES ARE BEING MADE IMMEDIATELY! Do you have any suggestions? Talk to your Pastoral Council members. (I thought the ground breaking ceremony last Friday, the 24th, was well done and reflected well on our Catholic Community and all those who have worked to make this endeavor a reality.)

(signed Fr. David L. Huffman)

GOLF TOURNAMENT: Diamond Links Golf Course, Catlettsburg,

KY, Saturday, August 1, 8:30 a.m. Registration, 9:00 a.m. Shotgun start. Four person scramble, $50.00 per player. Cash prizes awarded, lunch provided. All proceeds go to our Home and School Association. Monetary donations will be graciously accepted. Any questions, please call Julie Roach, 532-3484 or cell#534-2384

LOCAL STORE WITH CATHOLIC ITEMS: A store is opening next weekend (August 1) in Ashland, KY, and will have a good selection of religious items. Eric’s Candles & Curios will open in the Camayo Arcade Building, 1536 Winchester Avenue, Suite 17, Ashland @ (606) 393-5864.

SOCCER CLINIC: The 4th Annual Youth Soccer Clinic sponsored by the St. Joseph High School Soccer Team will be held July 27, 28 and 29. Location: Ironton Soccer Field on Lorain Street from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Registration forms can be picked up at the main entrances to our churches or at SJ High School office or at Bob Linn’s Sporting Goods.

CONGRATULATIONS & PRAYERS YOUTH: Five of our Catholic boys, ages 9 & 10, are great baseball players and play together on a team that finished second in the district tournament of 16 teams at Wheelersburg. Our future major league stars are: Jacob Isaac, Zach McGraw, Tre’ Neal, Chase Walters and Mitchell Weisgarber. We enjoy seeing your talents and your good sportsmanship.

Four more of our Catholic young men (Justin Mahlmeister, Tanner Riley, Tommy Waginger and T.J. Young) have won their local tournaments for 15-16 year olds. This weekend they begin their quest for a state baseball championship in Painesville, Ohio. May their sports activities bring them much joy and help build their strong Christian character.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Applications are being accepted for the position of part-time certified Physical Education teacher at St. Lawrence Elementary. Applications are available in the school office at St. Joseph High School.

Year for Priests PLENARY INDULGENCES: In honor of the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict XVI has granted Plenary Indulgences for the lay faithful. The indulgences may be obtained on the first and last days of the Year for Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, which is celebrated on August 4, and on the first Thursdays of the month. The lay faithful may receive a plenary indulgence by performing the following steps: 1. Attend Mass: 2. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation; 3. Pray for priests; and 4. Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.

The Plenary Indulgence will likewise be granted to the elderly, the sick and all those who for any legitimate reason are confined to their homes who, with a mind detached from sin and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, at home or wherever their impediment detains them, provided that on the above-mentioned days they recite prayers for the sanctification of priests and confidently offer the illnesses and hardships of their lives to God through Mary Queen of Apostles.

The Partial is granted to all the faithful every time they devoutly recite five Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias, or another expressly approved prayer, in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to obtain that priests be preserved in purity and holiness of life. (Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary - 4/25/2009.)