St. Mary Catholic Church www.stmary-wc.org 925-891-8900

JULY 14, 2019

Our God is about relationships. In the first reading, Moses reminds the Israelites that the laws, which are already in their hearts, keep them in right relationship with the God who loves them so much that they always find forgiveness. Centuries later, along comes Jesus, whom Paul describes to the Colossians as the image of the invisible God, the very embodiment of this God of love. In his parable about the good Samari-tan, Jesus explains how the law of love overrules the letter of the law. Instead of answering the question “Who is my neigh-bor?”, Jesus demonstrates that it is not about who is worthy of being loved, but rather loving as God loves--about being neighbor, about being the good Samaritan. Jesus wants us to continue his work as images of this God of love by loving all people, even those who seem to be our enemies. LAW AND ORDER.- Have you ever listened to someone giving a specific person a dose of reality and realized that you were also intended to get it? In today’s Gospel, Jesus is speaking to a know-it-all who seems to be baiting him, trying to see if Jesus has the theological wherewithal to be the great teacher he was said to be, asking about the requirements in the Law to gain eternal life. Jesus turns the tables and asks this lawyer, this expert, how he himself would answer the question. The lawyer states the obvious answer from the Law about loving God and one’s neighbor. But Jesus asks for more: Who is my neighbor? Does the Law answer this question? In Deuteronomy, Moses spoke to the Israelites about the new Law, the Ten Com-mandments. At the time of Jesus, those ten laws had bloated into more than six hundred, requiring interpretation so that people could be obedient but unencum-bered by the inevitable inconsistencies of such a vast set of regulations. Instead of the Law, Jesus answers with one of the most famous stories of all time: the good Samaritan. Here is where the plot thickens. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?- On his way to Jerusalem, to the cross, Jesus and his disciples had recently passed through Samaria and found no welcome there, due to animosity between the two peoples. Jesus’ disciples wanted vengeance. So Je-sus tells the story of how two strict adherents to the Law ignored the man who needed help, probably because of a slavish interpretation of the Law. A stranger from Samaria, who was seemingly little more than a heathen, treated the man with kindness and compassion. (Hey, disciples, did you hear that?) Moses tried to tell the Israelites that the Law was already in their hearts. Jesus wanted the lawyer and the disciples--and us--to realize that the heart of the Law is a matter of our own hearts. That is where we know our neighbor--everyone. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Today is the Peter's Pence Collection, a worldwide collection that supports the charitable works of Pope Francis. Funds from this collection help victims of war, oppression, and natural disasters. Take this opportunity to join with Pope Francis and be a witness of charity to our suffering brothers and sisters. Please be generous today.

ORGANIZATIONS CYO, Jerry Florence stmarycyo.wc@gmail.com 510-504-5954 Charismatic Prayer Group, Jim Crowley 944-0359 Catholic Divorced, Widowed & Separated, Char Buckman 932-5054 Eucharistic Adoration, Mary Johnstone 954-7205 Finance Council, Brian Mulligan 210-1031 Homebound Ministry, Helene Vizcarra 891-8936 Hospital Ministry, Angeles Ron 640-8146 Knights of Columbus, Todd Conway 510-908-1316 Respect Life Ministry, Jim Crowley 944-0359 Rosary Makers, Ana Lau 256-4428 St. Vincent de Paul, Brian Kavanagh 937-2817 Walking with Purpose, Laura Lencioni 997-4379

MASS TIMES Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. & 12:05 p.m.

Saturday 8:30 a.m.

Saturday Vigil Mass 4:30 p.m.

Sundays 6:30 a.m. * 8:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m. * 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Spanish

6:00 p.m.

Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

DEVOTIONS

Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fridays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (First Fridays all night)

Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturdays 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Fatima Devotion: First Saturday Hispanic Holy Hour: Other Saturdays

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Saturdays 9:00 a.m.

(at the end of 8:30 Mass)

PARISH OFFICE

2051 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94596

OFFICE HOURS

8:30 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday

DATE TIME MASS INTENTION

07/13 4:30 pm Antoinette Ochotorene 07/14 6:30 am For our benefactors 8:00 am The People of St. Mary Parish 9:30 am Michael McLoughlin 11:00 am The People of St. Mary Parish 1:00 pm The People of St. Mary Parish 6:00 pm For our benefactors 07/15 6:30 am Gloria Silva 12:05 pm Nicole Howell 07/16 6:30 am Bernadette Putthoff 12:05 pm Michael Baker (L) B’D’ 07/17 6:30 am Trisha 12:05 pm Peter & Lucille Vlahutin 07/18 6:30 am Mary, John & Larry D’Addabbo (L) 12:05 pm Elena Gaoiran (L) B’D’ 07/19 6:30 am Aurora Sabater 12:05 pm Erin Garcia 07/20 8:30 am Ruth Kelly

MASS SCHEDULE

PRAY FOR THE SICK

Staff and Administration

Parish Office 891-8900 Fax 934-1358 Fr. Fred Riccio, friccio@stmary-wc.org Pastor 891-8900 Fr. Dante Tamayo , frdante@stmary-wc.org Parochial Vicar 891-8900 Fr. John Blaker, 891-8900 In residence Ana Lau, alau@stmary-wc.org Office Manager 891-8908 Aileen Baker, abaker@stmary-wc.org Bookkeeper 891-8911

Faith Formation

Mary Kerfs, lifeteen@stmary-wc.org Administrative Assistant 891-8939 Tim Mannix, RCIA & tmannix@stmary-wc.org Liturgy Coordinator 891-8921 Austin Pisciotto apisciotto@stmary-wc.org Grades 4-8 891-8944 Maureen Tiffany mtiffany@stmary-wc.org Grades K-3 891-8942 Heather Abraham, habraham@stmary-wc.org Confirmation 891-8934

School

Office 935-5054 stmary@st-mary.net Website: www.st-mary.net Alumni: stmaryalumni@st-mary.net Garrett Padia, Principal 935-5054 Advisory Council Joel Williams, President 768-6711 Parents Club Shannon Crvarich, Co-President 949-973-8046 Lisa Kavanagh, Co-President 768-9890

Nancie Campi Witold Pokorski Aimee Kwiatowski Marina de Castilla Allison Flamez Michael Dunbar Jenny Schneider Maritess Ingco Aurora Sanchez Maria Teresa Granda Martha Martinez Margarita Caracas Leticia Gomez Elsa de Rossi Monica Jara Ana Alvarez Isabel Castillo Susana Jaime Maria Vargas Anthony De Cristoforo

Rosalinda Reyes Annabelle Semira

Joseph Suta Jeanine Gordon

Christine Pollnow Wayne Alba

Mary Alba Jake Johnston

Bill Clark Art Coombes

Diane Hewson Tyler Coolie

Clarissa Gutierrez Julia Rodriguez

Fred & Emilia Sohn Raul Gonzalez

Helen Budde Raquel Zittel

Dominador Hontucan Ruth Niedzwicki

What does the weekly Holy Hour mean to me?

My name is Bill Johnstone and my wife Mary and I have been parishioners here at St. Mary’s since 1998. I have been a regular participant in the weekly Eucha-ristic Adoration devotion for the last eleven years, starting during the height of the recession. Honestly, it was my wife’s prayers, prodding and influence that resulted in my initial commitment to weekly adoration. At first I resisted, rationalizing that I’m just too busy, too tired, “how is this one hour a week going to help me?” And lastly, I couldn’t help but wonder what I would do in adoration for an hour. Let me share what I have found that works for me. My hour is Thursday evening, 7 to 8 PM, and I commute directly from my office in San Carlos arriving tense and haggard from the normal rush hour traffic. The Adoration Chapel is usually occupied by 2 to 4 ador-ers, and is a silent, peaceful atmosphere in which to unwind and relax. I fell back on my early Catholic edu-cation by using the decades of the rosary as a tool to thank Jesus and Mary for the individual successes of the last week as well as to specifically ask for divine assistance and healing for my family and friends and special intentions for our community, world and work issues. I truly believe that my weekly hour with Jesus over these years has resulted in much greater successes for my family and me personally and I know that it can have the same effect on others who choose to participate.

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR July 15-21

FF = Faith Formation Center SA = St. Anthony Rm. (near parish hall) SE = St. Elizabeth Hall (Conf. Rm.) SJ = St. Joseph Room SM= St. Michael Room SP = St. Peter Room ST = St. Therese Room

MONDAY, JULY 15

TUESDAY, JULY 16 7:00 AM Men of St. Joseph/SA 6:30 PM Hispanic Prayer Group/SA 7:30 PM Choir Practice/Church

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 7:00 PM Charismatic Prayer/FF-SM

THURSDAY, JULY 18 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP 7:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group/Church 7:00 PM Young Adults/FF

FRIDAY, JULY 19 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP 7:00 PM Hisp. Choir Practice/Church

SATURDAY, JULY 20 8:00 AM Men’s Prayer Group/ 9:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP 9:30 AM Rosary Makers/FF-ST

SUNDAY, JULY 21 10:30 AM RCIA/FF-SJ 3:30 PM Summer Confirmation/SJ 4:00 PM Band Practice/Church

July 21, 3:30 to 6 pm: Snack, Sips, and Jazz. Join us for our 3rd annual afternoon of New Orleans fare, wine, and live music featuring the CoolTones Big Band. Entry is $35.

July 22-27: Becoming a Mystic in To-day’s World, five-day silent contem-plative retreat with Sr. Celeste Crine, OSF and Fr. Rusty Shaughnessy, OFM

July 27: Christian Meditation Day with Donna Lack, Claire La Scola and June Pangelinan

Please contact San Damiano Retreat Center for registration and infor-mation: 925-837-9141, ext. 315 katerik@sandamiano.org, or visit www.sandamiano.org. 710 Highland Dr., Danville

Recognizing God In Your Ordinary Moments

So many times in my life, I have failed to start something because I had not yet adequately prepared. I would have started working out or going for a jog, but I needed to get the right shoes. I would have started eating right if only I could find the time and money to buy the right foods. I would have started that jour-naling project, but I couldn't without a really nice leather-bound journal. I would have, I would have, and I would have! I know many people can relate. We offer up excuses for so many things. Sometimes we even get to the point where we do start something, but by then, we have already lost so much time. Some of us are thinking about taking a stewardship way of life seriously, but we are just not ready yet. We would be more generous if we can first get out of debt. We would give of our time, but we have to wait until the kids get older or until we fully research our options. The truth is, we don't have to be in any particular state of life or have any specific fi-nancial portfolio to start giving our very selves to God. God takes us as we are now. No resume needed. Why waste so much time thinking about getting started and becoming serious? Time is a gift given to all of us. As we think and prepare endless-ly, we are practicing poor steward-ship. The time to start is today. Who wants to answer God one day at the gates of Heaven saying, "I would have."? -Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

The origins of this feast reach all the way back to the Old Testament. In the book of Kings, we read the story of

the prophet Elijah. Much of his prayer, fasting, and public ministry occurred from Carmel, a mountain in Israel. Christian hermits -- seeking solitude -- made their homes on the mountain during the first millennium. Over time, the hermits assembled into a communi-ty and were given a Rule of Life. They named their church after Mary -- Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Political up-heaval forced the Carmelite order out of the Holy Land and into Europe, where they established monasteries for both men and women across the continent. Many great saints and doc-tors of the Church have come from the Carmelite order, including St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Edith Stein. Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Pray for us!

Teaching Job Opportunities The Diocese of Oakland Catholic elementary and high schools are hiring for next school year! If you are looking to make a difference in a child’s life either as a teacher or instructional assistant, check out the listings on the diocesan website at www.oakdiocese.org/offices/humanresources/employment/school-job-listings. If you are interested in substitute teaching either on occasion or long-term, we would love to have you on our substitute list! Please contact the Department of Human Resources at 510-267-8363 or gespinoza@oakdiocese.org.

Quo Vadis: Where are You Going? Gathering for Young Men, July 22

The seminarians of the Diocese of Oakland present a one-day gathering to journey with young men in discern-ing their Christian vocation. There will be music, play, Mass, prayer and talk. Young men ages 13 – 18 are invited to join us on July 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the diocesan Youth Re-treat Center, 1977 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette. Registration is $20 and space is limited. Registration form is available at www.oakdiocese.org/vocations. For additional info, see your parish priest or contact Cielo Branco at cbranco@oakdiocse.org or 510-267-8356.

2019-2020 St. Mary

Faith Formation Registration Opens

Monday, 8/1/19!

Visit us at: STMARY-WC.ORG and click on: “Grow In Faith”

You will find information about all Faith Formation Ministries from

Kindergarten to High School!

Sunday, July 14, 2019

THE VINEYARD St. Mary Church

YOUTH MINISTRY (K-12)

This week at Confirmation, candidates and parents will be learning more about the Church.

Lord Jesus, you prayed that your people would be one; forgive us Lord and take away the pride and arrogance which divides your Church. Break down the walls which separate us; unite us with your bonds of love and accomplish your will. We pray that by the power of your Spirit your healing would work in the body of your Church and through all of us to bring about the purpose of your will.

AMEN

“ Faith Formation is more than a subject to be taught, it is an invitation to a way of life.”

- Joe Paprocki • Do you feel inspired to share your Faith with others? • Do you love working with the youth? • Do you want to strengthen your Faith? If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, we are calling on YOU! Our Faith Formation Programs need people like you to assist in leading the Children of our Parish to know Christ better and to make Him better known. If you are interested in finding out more about how YOU can help, please contact the SMC Faith Formation Office at (925) 891-8939.

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS: Mon. -Thurs. 9:00am - 3:00pm

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Ex 1:8-14, 22; Sal 124 (123):1b-8; Mt 10:34 — 11:1 Martes: Ex 2:1-15a; Sal 69 (68):3, 14, 30-31, 33-34; Mt 11:20-24 Miércoles: Ex 3:1-6, 9-12; Sal 103 (102):1b-4, 6-7; Mt 11:25-27 Jueves: Ex 3:13-20; Sal 105 (104):1, 5, 8-9; 24-27; Mt 11:28-30 Viernes: Ex 11:10 — 12:14; Sal 116 (115):12-13, 15, 16bc, 17-18; Mt 12:1-8 Sábado: Ex 12:37-42; Sal 136 (135):1, 23-24, 10-15; Mt 12:14-21 Domingo: Gn 18:1-10a; Sal 15 (14):2-5; Col 1:24-28; Lc 10:38-42

LEY Y ORDEN ¿Alguna vez oíste a alguien explicarle a otro la realidad y te diste cuenta de que a ti también te tocaba entender? En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús está hablando con un sabeloto-do que parece estar desafiándolo, intentando ver si Jesús tiene el conocimiento teológico para ser el maestro excep-cional que dicen que es, preguntándole lo que la Ley estipula para obtener la vida eterna. Jesús entonces a su vez le pregunta a este experto doctor de la Ley, cómo respondería él a esa pregunta. El doctor de la Ley men-ciona la respuesta obvia, que proviene de la parte de la Ley que menciona amar a Dios y al prójimo. Pero Jesús sigue preguntando: ¿quién es mi prójimo? ¿La Ley da respuesta a esta pregunta? En el libro del Deuteronomio, Moisés habla a los israelitas acerca de la nueva Ley, los Diez Mandamientos. En tiem-pos de Jesús, esas diez leyes habían aumentado a más de seiscientas, requiriendo que fueran interpretadas para que las personas pudieran obedecer sin las trabas de las inevi-tables inconsistencias de tan gran número de regulaciones. En lugar de la Ley, Jesús responde con una historia de las más famosas de todos los tiempos: el buen samaritano. Aquí es donde la trama se complica. ¿YA ME PUEDES ESCUCHAR? En su camino hacia Jerusalén, hacia la cruz, Jesús y sus discípulos acababan de pasar por Samaria y ahí nadie les dio un saludo de bienvenida, debido a la enemistad entre esos dos pueblos. Los discípu-los de Jesús querían venganza. Así que Jesús les cuenta la historia de cómo dos personas muy obedientes a la Ley ignoraron a un hombre que necesitaba ayuda, probable-mente por una interpretación servil a la Ley. Un extranjero de Samaria, quien era practicamente pagano, se compa-deció y trató al hombre con bondad y compasión. (Oigan, ustedes, los discípulos, ¿oyeron eso?) Moisés intentó decirles a los israelitas que la Ley estaba ya en sus corazones. Jesús quería que el doctor de la Ley y los discípulos, y también nosotros, nos diéramos cuenta de que el corazón de la Ley es es una cosa del corazón. Ahí es donde conocemos a nuestro vecino, al prójimo. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

TRADICIONES DE NUESTRA FE Desde 1913, en la ciudad de Punta-renas, Costa Rica, la Virgen del Car-men es reconocida como la Virgen del Mar. En aquel año un barco lla-mado el Galileo naufraga en una tempestad y el pueblo angustiado por sus seres queridos recurrió al templo de la Virgen para pedir au-xilio. Algunos días después todos los tripulantes fueron rescatados y lleva-dos a Puntarenas. Según los tripulan-tes, mientras las lluvias y vientos amenazaban al Galileo, una mujer los animó a que se echasen al agua y nadaran a tierra firme. Allí ella los ali-mentó y los acompañó hasta que fueron rescatados. Llenos de alegría, el pueblo llevó a los rescatados a la iglesia para dar gracias. Estos reconocieron a la Virgen del Carmen como la mujer que los había ayudado. Desde entonces el sábado más cercano al 16 de julio, el pueblo celebra en grande la fiesta del Carmen con grandes des-files de barcos y yates. Entre música y fuegos artificiales los costarricenses vienen en embarcaciones adornadas desde toda la nación a celebrar con la Virgen del Mar que también se encuentra en una embarcación. —Fray Gilberto Cavazos-Glz, OFM, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Este domingo realizaremos la Co-lecta de Peter's Pence, la cual le proporciona al papa Francisco los fondos necesarios para llevar a cabo sus obras de caridad en el mundo. Lo recaudado beneficia a nuestros hermanos que viven en la periferia de la sociedad, incluyen-do las víctimas de la guerra, la opresión y los desastres naturales. Les agradecemos que sean generosos.