July 13, 2008 - Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understand it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty fold." - Mt 13:22-23

WEDDING BANS - First
Sandra Borges - Lady of Fatima Church, Newark
David Loia - St. Mary's-Stony Hill

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Teaching opportunities are still available!  Catechists are needed for Grade 5 on Monday afternoons, and Grades 1, 2 and 4 on Wednesday afternoons.

If you are thinking of becoming a Catechist but are not sure what is involved, please give Pat Dorsi a call (908) 756-0038.

Echoes of Faith, an informative and thought provoking video series will be offered on July 17 and 24th at 7:00pm in the Parish Center.   Some of the topics will include Creating the Physical Environment, Nurturing the Social Environment, Using Creative Activities, and Planning for Success.  This series will benefit both current and new catechists, Please call Pat to register even if you can only attend one or two sessions.

Raffle-Raffle-50-50 Cash Raffle Coming UP
Tickets go on sale next weekend after all Masses.
$ 20 per ticket/$ 100 per book
Click here to download an order form

OFFICE OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY 
Invites you to come to Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, on Monday, August 11 @ 10:00am. Tickets paid for by Friday, July 26th, cost $ 38.00 (under 4’ tall ticket is $ 25.00) For tickets call Ann Smith @ 732 562-1990 x1627 or e-mail asmith@diometuchen.org      

 
THEOLOGY OF THE BODY
Wednesday, August 6th, 7-9:00 pm, Diocesan Center, Piscataway
A mini-workshop is basic introduction to Pope John Paul II’s teachings as they relate to marital love, sexual union, and the human body.  If you are searching for a clearer understanding of the Church’s teaching on marriage and sexuality, this workshop is for you. Registration required (732) 562-1990x1624

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE FOR VOCATIONS
October 18, 2008
Bishop Bootkoski extends a cordial invitation to the people of our Diocese to join with him on a Diocesan Pilgrimage for Vocations to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 18, 2008.  More details will be forthcoming about a parish bus.  In the meantime, mark you calendars.

PILGRIMAGE YOUTH CHOIR - GRADES 7-12
You are invited to sing with the Diocesan Pilgrimage Youth Choir at Mass and in concert during the October 18th pilgrimage.  Fall rehearsals will be held at the Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway:
Tues., Sept 30 7-8:30pm,
Tues., Oct 7: 7-8:30pm,
Sun., Oct. 12 2-4pm,
Tues, Oct 14 7-8:30pm

Contact Lisa Mary Andrade: (732) 562-1990 x1634 or  landrade@diometuchen.org
 

Retrouvaille- A Lifeline for Troubled Marriages
Sponsored by the Family Life Office/Diocese of Metuchen consists of a weekend experience for couples (no group discussions) with six follow up sessions.
Next program will be Sept. 19-21, 2008.
Call Family Life Office (732) 562-1990x1624 or Tom and Pat McTague (732) 583-4468.
 
Retreat for Separated or Divorced
September 12-14, 2008
Retreat will be in Newton, NJ, given by a Franciscan Retreat Team. For more information call Father Tom Kelly, OFM (973) 985-9736 or Deacon Milt (973) 271-5097.
 
Pilgrimage to Italy
November 10-20, 2008
Visit Venice, Florence, Assisi, Padua and Rome.
$2499.00 includes airfare/most meals/daily Mass/sightseeing/tour escort and Papal Audience.
For brouchure and reservations call:
Father David Kosmoski, St. Andrew Church, Avenel
(732) 634-4355

FROM POPE BENEDICT XVI
Invites Faithful to "Intensely Invoke" Holy Spirit

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, JULY 6, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The upcoming World Youth Day will be a new Pentecost, Benedict XVI says. And he is asking the whole Church to participate, at least spiritually, if not physically.

The Pope made this invitation today before he prayed the midday Angelus with crowds gathered at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. He emphasized the importance of Catholics worldwide joining in prayer for the July 15-20 event, to be held in Sydney, Australia.

"I invite the whole Church to share in this new stage of the great pilgrimage of young people across the world, begun in 1985 by the Servant of God John Paul II," he exhorted. "I am certain that from all the corners of the earth Catholics will be united with me and with all the young people gathered -- as in the Cenacle -- in Sydney, intensely invoking the Holy Spirit so that he will flood hearts with the inner light of love of God and of brothers, and of courageous initiative to introduce Jesus' eternal message in the diversity of languages and cultures."

The Holy Father referred to the theme of his message for the meeting, "You Will Receive Power When the Holy Spirit Has Come Upon You; and You Will Be My Witnesses," with which Christian communities have been preparing over the past year for the event.
He said: "This is the promise Jesus made to his disciples after the resurrection, and which remains always valid and actual in the Church: The Holy Spirit, awaited and received in prayer, infuses in believers the capacity to be witnesses of Jesus and his Gospel.
"Blowing on the Church's sail, the divine Spirit pushes her to 'go into the deep,' always anew, from generation to generation, to take to everyone the Good News of the love of God, revealed fully in Jesus Christ, dead and resurrected for us."