THE CATHOLIC PARISHES of

Saint Joseph · Saint Juan Diego

Saint Padre Pio · Saint Scholastica

July 26, 2020

Fr. Dale DeNinno Pastor/Administrator 412-963-8885 x 304

Fr. Michael Decewicz Parochial Vicar 412-784-8700

Fr. William Siple Parochial Vicar 412-781-0186

Deacon Robert Wertz, Jr. 412-784-8700

In Residence:

Fr. Hyeong Cheol Lee Saint Juan Diego Parish Korean Catholic Community

Fr. John Mark Ogu Saint Juan Diego Parish Student, Duquesne University

Fr. Dozie Egbe Saint Padre Pio Parish Chaplain, Presbyterian Hospital

CLERGY FAITH FORMATION & YOUTH MINISTRY

Delia Barr Director of Faith Formation 412-963-8885 x301 ccd@stjosephohara.com

Meredith Troyan Youth Ministry Leader 412-781-0186 x20 meredithtroyan@ saintscholastica.com

SAINT JOSEPH PARISH

342 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 Phone: 412-963-8885 | Fax: 412-963-1945

Email: parishoffice@stjosephohara.com Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Friday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Live Streamed Mass: www.LAVCatholic.org/mass-videos

Lori McKinniss Business Manager 412-963-8885 x303 bmgr@stjosephohara.com

Kathi Sterling Parish Secretary 412-963-8885 x306 parishoffice@stjosephohara.com

Thomas Octave Music Minister 412-867-5032 tomoctave@gmail.com

Nancy Whistler Director of Preschool 412-963-8885 x302

Terri Weir Administrative Assistant 412-963-8885 x302 terri@stjosephohara.com

George Cavlovich Facilities Maintenance

SAINT JUAN DIEGO PARISH

Madonna of Jerusalem Church in Sharpsburg Saint John Cantius Church in Sharpsburg

Saint Mary Church in Sharpsburg

201 9th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 Phone: 412-784-8700 | Fax: 412-781-1101

Food Pantry: 412-781-2866 Email: saintjuandiegopgh@comcast.net

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Rosemarie Haas Administrative Assistant

Simon Vullo Underiner Music Minister

Jerry Auen, Scott Auen, Franco Ferraro, & Henry Sacco Facilities Maintenance

SAINT PADRE PIO PARISH

Saint Edward Church in Blawnox Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Harmar

450 Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 Phone: 412-828-4066 | Email: sted-fran@verizon.net Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Marilyn Welsh Administrative Assistant sted-fran@verizon.net

David Volcheck Music Minister

Todd Daigneau and Rada Karlusic Facilities Maintenance

SAINT SCHOLASTICA PARISH 309 Brilliant Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 Phone: 412-781-0186 | Fax: 412-781-4316

Email: parish@saintscholastica.com Office Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Debbie VanDemark Administrative Assistant 412-781-0186 xl0 parish@saintscholastica.com

Andrew Bechman Adult Faith Formation 412-781-0186 x18 andybechman@ saintscholastica.com

Ginny Ambrose Music Minister 412-781-0186 x17 ginnyambrose@ saintscholastica.com Bruce Hassing and David Urso Facilities Maintenance

Website: www.LAVCatholic.org

Diocesan Victim Assistance Hotline: 1-888-808-1235

PA Child Line: 1-800-932-0313

Submit items for bulletin publication no later than Monday at noon to parish@saintscholastica.com.

SATURDAY July 25—17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Madonna Church 4:30 pm † Frank Sacco (Wife & Children)

SUNDAY July 26—17th

Sunday in Ordinary Time Saint Mary Church 11:30 am † Mary Ann Grzandziel (Rudy & Nancy Milcic)

MONDAY July 27—Weekday in Ordinary Time Madonna Church 9:00 am † Bob, Richard & Marie Myers (Sophie & Family)

TUESDAY July 28—Weekday in Ordinary Time Madonna Church 9:00 am † Mary Jon & Carmella Lyons (Family)

WEDNESDAY July 29—Saint Martha Madonna Church 9:00 am † Judy Heim (Husband & Family)

SATURDAY August 1—18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Saint Mary Church 3:00 pm Wedding of Ryan Walker & Allie Hoffman Madonna Church 4:30 pm † Peter & Stella Subasic (Family)

SUNDAY August 2—18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Saint Mary Church 11:30 am † Mario D. Ferraro (Franco & Aunt Maria Ferraro)

SAINT JOSEPH PARISH

SUNDAY July 26—17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Saint Francis of Assisi Church 8:00 am The people of Saint Padre Pio Parish Saint Edward Church 10:00 am † Ursula Ostrowski (John Ostrowski)

THURSDAY July 30—Weekday in Ordinary Time Saint Edward Church 9:00 am † Ed Brown (Mae)

FRIDAY July 31—Saint Ignatius of Loyola Saint Edward Church 9:00 am † The Eibel & Walmsley Families (Wanda & Family)

SATURDAY August 1—Saint Alphonsus Liguori Saint Edward Church 9:00 am † Lou Petraglia (Family)

SUNDAY August 2—18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Saint Francis of Assisi Church 8:00 am † Julia Marie Janoski (The Olzewski Family) Saint Edward Church 10:00 am † Harry Bougher (Family)

SAINT PADRE PIO PARISH

SAINT JUAN DIEGO PARISH

SATURDAY July 25—17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:00 pm † Patricia Szelc (Maureen Griffith)

SUNDAY July 26—17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:30 am † Natalie Certo (Tish Marsico) 12:00 Noon Mrs Ann & † Mr. Edward McLaughlin (Mary Grace McLaughlin)

MONDAY July 27—Weekday in Ordinary Time 10:00 am † Douglas Arturo, anniversary (Renee Arturo Kleiner)

TUESDAY July 28—Weekday in Ordinary Time 10:00 am † Natalie Certo (Jo Certo)

WEDNESDAY July 29—Saint Martha 10:00 am † Sharon Arnone (The Arnone Family)

THURSDAY July 30—Weekday in Ordinary Time 10:00 am † Rosemarie Boley, anniversary (Children)

FRIDAY July 31—Saint Ignatius of Loyola 10:00 am † Jan Anselm (The Scanlon Family)

SATURDAY August 1—18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:00 pm † Henry J. Martone (Louis & Christine Martone and Family)

SUNDAY August 2—18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:30 am † Flo Fairley, birthday (daughter, Kathleen Piper) 12:00 Noon The people of Saint Scholastica Parish

SAINT SCHOLASTICA PARISH

REST IN PEACE Saint Padre Pio

† Ralph Arlotti July 17, 2020

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Saint Joseph

Clyde Abati July 18, 2020

Jack Wickerham July 19, 2020 TABERNACLE VIGIL CANDLE

Week of July 26 Saint Scholastica: Prayers for the development of a vaccine (Kathleen McAndrews) Madonna: In Thanksgiving

SATURDAY July 25—17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 pm † Eugene Gallenz (Rose Stegman)

SUNDAY July 26—17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:00 am † Irene Gallo (Gino, Giulio & Brunilde Cavaliere) 11:00 am † Elsie & August Iurlano (Anita Iurlano & Maria Kitay)

MONDAY July 27—Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:00 am † Connie Stemm (Joe Stemm)

TUESDAY July 28—Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:00 am † Marjorie Crosson (Fr. Michael Decewicz)

WEDNESDAY July 29—Saint Martha 8:00 am Special Intention for the Weidner Family (Delia Barr)

THURSDAY July 30—Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:00 am † Matthew Elder (Family)

FRIDAY July 31—Saint Ignatius of Loyola 8:00 am † Arlene Cullins (Pete & Carolyn Schepis)

SATURDAY August 1—18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 pm The people of Saint Joseph Parish

SUNDAY August 2—18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9:00 am † Guy Carricato (Marie Warrene) 11:00 am † Daniel Gerardi (Linda Coen Eckert & Family)

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Sunday—July 26 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 Romans 8:28-30 Matthew 13:44-52

Monday—July 27 Jeremiah 13:1-11 Matthew 13:31-35

Tuesday—July 28 Jeremiah 14:17-22 Matthew 13:36-43

Wednesday—July 29 Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21 John 11:19-27

Thursday—July 30 Jeremiah 18:1-6 Matthew 13:47-53

Friday—July 31 Jeremiah 26:1-9 Matthew 13:54-58

Saturday—August 1 Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24 Matthew 14:1-12

Sunday—August 2 Isaiah 55:1-3 Romans 8:35, 37-39 Matthew 14:13-21

Baptisms: Celebrated during any of the weekend liturgies or after the last Sunday liturgy (11:00am at Saint Joseph, 11:30am at Saint Mary, 12:00pm at Saint Scholastica). First time parents must complete a baptism preparation class. Contact the parish office of the appropriate church for details.

Weddings: Celebrated at 2:00pm on Saturdays. Contact the parish office of the appropriate church at least six months before the desired date.

Funerals: Offered at 10:00am, Monday through Saturday. Contact the parish office of the appropriate church for details.

Anointing of the Sick: Please contact the appropriate parish office.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: See the bulletin schedule for times and locations.

Mass Intentions: Offered at each Mass for deceased loved ones or for other special intentions. Please call the parish office to schedule.

Faith Formation: Offered for grades K-8 at Saint Scholastica on Sundays and at Saint Joseph on Monday and Tuesday evenings, September through April. Contact the Faith Formation Office at 412-963-8885 for details or to register.

Volunteer Opportunities: All parishioners are encouraged to contribute their time and talents to the church. We have opportunities to serve at Mass as lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, ushers, music ministers and altar servers. Please contact the parish office for information on all our volunteer opportunities. All staff and volunteers in the Diocese of Pittsburgh are required to obtain clearances and training to comply with the Safe Environment Policy. See diopitt.org/compliance or contact the parish office for details.

Membership: To register at one of the Lower Allegheny Valley Catholic parishes, update your contact information, or let us know if you or a family member is homebound or has moved to a nursing home, please use the form at the end of this bulletin or contact the appropriate parish office.

SACRAMENTS and MORE DAILY MASSES WEEK JULY 27 8:00 am Saint Joseph Church Fr. Mike Decewicz Monday through Friday

9:00 am Madonna of Jerusalem Church Fr. Bill Siple Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Saint Edward Church Thursday, Friday, Saturday

10:00 am Saint Scholastica Church Fr. Dale DeNinno Monday through Friday

SATURDAY VIGIL MASSES—AUGUST 1 4:00 pm Saint Joseph Church Fr. Mike Decewicz

4:30 pm Madonna of Jerusalem Church Fr. Bill Siple

5:00 pm Saint Scholastica Church Fr. Dale DeNinno

SUNDAY MASSES—AUGUST 2 8:00 am Saint Francis of Assisi Church Fr. Dale DeNinno

9:00 am Saint Joseph Church Fr. Mike Decewicz

9:30 am Saint Scholastica Church Fr. Bill Siple

10:00 am Saint Edward Church Fr. Dale DeNinno

11:00 am Saint Joseph Church Fr. Mike Decewicz

11:00 am Saint John Cantius Church Fr. Lee (Korean Mass)

11:30 am Saint Mary Church Fr. Bill Siple

12:00 noon Saint Scholastica Church Fr. Dale DeNinno

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Every Saturday

9:30-10:00 am Saint Edward Church

11:30-12:00 noon Saint Joseph Church

3:30-4:00 pm Madonna of Jerusalem Church

Every Thursday

6:30-7:00 pm Saint Scholastica Church

Collection for July 18 & 19:

Saint Joseph Parish: Needed each week:

$7,317

$10,500

Saint Juan Diego Parish: Needed each week:

$5,144

$7,550

Saint Padre Pio Parish: Needed each week:

$3,620

$6,950

Saint Scholastica Parish: Needed each week:

$7,329

$7,950

Fulfilling Desire It sounds like a fairy tale. God appears to

Solomon in a dream and offers to give him anything he desires. In the fairy tales, there's always a price connected with wishes granted. Sometimes it's terrible, sometimes comic, but it always entails coming to grips with the truth of one's life.

For example, a peasant couple was offered three wishes. Without thinking, the woman says, “I wish I had a sausage.” It appears. Her husband, furious that she wasted a wish on one little sausage, thunders, “I wish it were stuck to your nose.” Voila, it happened. Much as they might have wanted something extravagant for their third wish, they finally agreed that she couldn't live the rest of her life behind that sausage. They wished the sausage away and everything went back to normal, except that they understood their love for one another much better. The moral? “Be careful what you wish or pray for.”

It seems that Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, could well have gotten inspiration from the Book of Kings. Dorothy and her companions on the yellow brick road were each seeking what they already had without being aware of it. When God came to Solomon, the young king took stock of who he was and his vocation. His request for wisdom was ultimately a request to be the kind of king God wanted him to be.

Solomon eventually failed because he lost touch with what he desired to become and followed his cravings for pleasure and power. If he had asked for faithfulness, perhaps his relationship with God would have given him the wisdom and self-control he needed. He might have forgone accumulating the women and weapons that led to his downfall.

Solomon's history leads into today's Gospel. As Jesus comes to the end of the parable discourse we've been hearing for a few weeks, he changes perspective. Now, instead of describing the kingdom's irrepressible dynamism, he talks about its value and what it costs those who desire it. Note the key word: desire. So often the morality police assume that desire is wicked, and almost always (watch out for another bad word!) carnal.

On July 31, we will celebrate the feast day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, a champion of paying attention to our desires as a way to discover God's will and to grow closer to God.

Jesuit Fr. Mark Thibodeaux comments that Ignatius believed that we sin, not because we follow

our desires, but because we allow petty or superficial wants or cravings to entice us away from “the great big desires that God has placed in our hearts.”

Ignatius would tell us that desire is not wicked, but it is tricky. Look at the first two parables of today's Gospel, where Jesus presents two approaches to the kingdom of heaven.

In the first parable, someone discovered a treasure no one else had noticed. Note what Jesus said about his motivation: “Out of joy,” he sold everything he had and bought the field. He hadn't been combing the beach with a metal detector, but stumbled on something that could fulfill his desires more than everything else he already had.

In the second case, we're dealing with a connoisseur; somebody who knows his pearls and comes upon one that is absolutely incomparable. He is willing to give up everything else for this one pearl.

These stories describe the vocation to discipleship, what it's worth and what it costs. Jesus never hid the truth that following him is an all-or-nothing deal that will cost us our lives. But the secret ingredient in these stories is joy. The treasure finder and the pearl merchant were anxious to give up possessions they had relished and even their occupations because they discovered something more valuable than everything they had ever acquired or accomplished.

We see their contemporary parallels in the people who make it their vocation to help others during the pandemic. That vocation is the pearl they value more than plans, safety and comfort. It has cost some their lives. It has been fulfilling for all of them.

The pandemic experience may shake many others out of a fairy-tale, consumerist world. It challenges all of us to face the question of the truth of our lives. God may not appear to us in a dream, but contemporary experience gives us a vivid reminder that the life we have received is God's gift of opportunity to fulfill our potential, to do and become what we most desire.

Let us seek wisdom and faithfulness, lest we waste it mindlessly on the equivalent of a sausage.

Editor's Note: This article was written for CELEBRATION magazine by Sister Mary McGlone.

Mother Hubbard's Cupboard now has shelves that are full. Thank you to everyone who so generously donated non-perishable food items to the Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry that operates out of the basement of Saint Mary's Church in Sharpsburg. An astounding collection!

Baptism preparation classes are offered on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 pm for first-time parents who wish to baptize their child at one of the LAV Catholic parishes. To register, please contact the office of the church where the baptism will be celebrated.

Introducing Walking with Purpose, Women’s Catholic Bible Study: Do you desire to grow in your Catholic faith? Would you like to connect with other women in our parish community? Are you searching for something more in your life? We invite you to consider joining Walking with Purpose at the LAV Catholic parishes. Weekly group sessions are starting on Thursday, July 30th.

Living in the Father’s Love, a six-week study of God the Father, reveals how deeply relevant the Gospels are to our relationships, both with God and those we love. No previous Bible study experience is necessary; come as you are as we discover just how

much God loves us.

The mission of Walking with Purpose is to help every Catholic woman and girl in America to open her heart to Jesus Christ. Prayerfully consider bringing a friend to meet us at St. Joseph Parish, John Paul II Hall downstairs at Thursday, July 30th at 10:00 am or at 7:00 pm. The study will go for six weeks concluding on Thursday, September 3rd. For questions or to RSVP, contact Delia Barr 412-963-8885 ext. 301 or ccd@stjosephohara.com or visit lavcatholic.org or walkingwithpurpose.com for more information and to order your book for the study Living in the Father’s Love. We hope to see you!

Update for the October 20/21, 2020 LAV Sight & Sound Theater Tour: We have received word from Wendt Touring that the Lancaster Sight & Sound Theater is now open. To ensure safety, the Theater has the following: Seating capacity is limited, ionized air purification systems and other precautions have been installed, frequent sanitizing of high traffic areas, seating modifications, a safety team focused on following CDC recommendations and government guidelines is now in place. If you would like to reserve a place, there are still spaces available and you may contact Ruth Gee at 412-828-4718. We

will keep you updated as we receive more information.

ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA

This week we celebrate a spiritual master! Not only is St. Ignatius Loyola the founder of the Jesuits, but the legacy of his life of prayer, now called Ignatian spiritualty, inspired believers the world over. Injured as a young soldier, Ignatius spent his time in recovery reading the lives of the saints. They inspired his soul to holy heroism, changing his life forever. Ignatius gathered a group of friends who also desired to be "contemplatives in action," finding God in all circumstances. This became the Jesuits, a great missionary and teaching order. Ignatius himself was constantly attuned to his own inner promptings. This self-knowledge, open to the movements of the Holy Spirit, led him to be an incredibly astute spiritual director. For Ignatius, recognizing God as the first principle of one's life determined everything. How has God changed you?

“He who carries God in his heart bears heaven with

him wherever he goes.” —St. Ignatius of Loyola

Question: Why do Catholics light candles in church?

Answer:

Candles have been part of the Church’s worship from the earliest times. In the days before electricity, candles and oil lamps were the ways that people lighted buildings. Even today, we often still depend on candles during power outages, relying on their flickering flames to bring light into the dark.

Like our ancestors, we also light candles on special occasions. Think about a festive family meal or a romantic dinner for two — there will often be candles on the table, special objects for a special event. We light candles on birthday cakes and carry them in processions. We also place candles at makeshift memorials that appear when there has been an accident or act of violence. In these moments, their light casts aside a different kind of darkness — the darkness of grief, fear, and death.

The custom of the early Christians lighting candles and lamps at the tombs of the martyrs gave way to the practice of having candles at Mass, honoring the sacredness of the celebration. As Christians decorated their worship spaces with statues and icons, they would burn candles in front of sacred images and the relics of the saints, basically “shining a light” on what they held to be sacred. When pilgrims would visit these shrines, they would often bring candles to light before the image or relic. These candles came to be a symbol of the person, and their prayer and the burning these candles came to be understood as an extension and continuation of the prayer that was offered. What began as a practical way to provide light has come to be a symbol of the hopes, desires, loves, losses, fears, and faith of everyday Christians offering their prayers to God and his saints. ©LPi

205 Brilliant Ave, Aspinwall PA 15215

412-781-7927

Email: office@cdtca.org

Website: www.cdtca.org

Mark Grgurich, Principal

2020 Lottery Calendars are now available for $10! Contact the school office at 412-781-7927 or office@cdtca.org if you’d like to purchase one. Payouts every day on the daily lottery number!

Check One:

St. Joseph Parish

St. Juan Diego Parish

St. Padre Pio Parish

St. Scholastica Parish

Check One:

New Registration

Change of Address

Moving out of Parish

Requesting Envelopes

Membership Form Name:

Address:

City: Zip:

Phone: Email:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

Saturday, July 25, 6:15 pm Men's Shelter Meal St. Joseph, upper parking lot

Thursday, July 30, 10:00 am Women's Bible Study: Walking with Purpose St. Joseph, John Paul II Hall

Thursday, July 30, 7:00 pm Women's Bible Study: Walking with Purpose St. Joseph, John Paul II Hall

Monday, August 3 7:00 pm Baptism Preparation Class St. Scholastica, Parish Hall

Wednesday, August 5 5:15 pm Women's Shelter Meal St. Joseph, upper parking lot

Thursday, August 6 10:00 am Women's Bible Study: Walking with Purpose St. Joseph, John Paul II Hall

Thursday, August 6 7:00 pm Women's Bible Study: Walking with Purpose St. Joseph, John Paul II Hall

Monday, August 10 7:00 pm CALIX Holy Hour Madonna of Jerusalem Church

Members of our community who are in need of short-term assistance can contact the LAV Saint Vincent de Paul Society at loweralleghenyvalleysvdp@gmail.com or 412-254-4446.

The Aspinwall Homeless Ministry has temporar ily suspended delivering items to the homeless downtown and are currently not accepting donations of clothing. However, they are currently supporting 17 needy local families and are in need of non-perishable food items such as canned soup, canned beans and vegetables,

macaroni and cheese, and canned chicken. They are particularly in need of peanut butter. Please leave donations in plastic bags. Gray bins are in the Saint Scholastica church entrance.

The LAV parishes provide a hot meal for the women’s shelter at Bethlehem Haven on the first Wednesday of each month and the men’s shelter at Community House on the fourth Saturday of each month. For details on how you can participate in this ministry, go to lavcatholic.org/homeless-ministry.

ADDICTION RECOVERY MINISTRY NEWS 412-218-5410 rhaasarm@gmail.com addictionrecoveryministrypittsburgh.org

Reflections from Fr. Michael

Way back in the early days of TV, there was a comedy duo named, “Burns and Allen,” made up of George Burns and Gracie Allen. Gracie was portrayed as a bit of a dimwit and yet just below the surface, Gracie possessed a profound and simple wisdom. One of her best lines was, “Never put a period where God puts a comma.” As I reread that line and thought about it, I have been obsessed by the wisdom and insight of this thought. It made me really think about my own life and how often I tried to put periods where God was putting commas.

Let me share with you a few personal examples. When I first become aware that my drinking was getting out of hand, I tried many ways to stop or at least control my drinking such as never drinking before 4:00 p.m., changing from scotch to wine, giving up booze for Lent or at least no booze on Good Friday, and limiting the number of drinks. All of these attempts failed, and I began to believe that just like my dad, I was a drunk and just couldn’t quit. I was putting a period on my struggle with alcohol. But then I was confronted by the Diocese and met an incredible human being who became my sponsor and saved not just my life but my priesthood, Bill D. I began going to AA meetings, got sober and began a whole new and wonderful life. You see, I was going to put a period where God was putting a comma.

Another moment occurred years ago when I was diagnosed with “end-stage kidney disease.” That phrase, “end stage,” ain’t never good, and I was scared. My treatment began with dialysis – first 6 months of dialysis where you go to the dialysis center 3 times a week for treatments, 4 hours each treatment, and three years of peritoneal, which you do at home on a machine for 8 hours every day. At the end of 3 years, I was getting weaker and was preparing for my death. My quality of life was diminishing. I was putting a period, but God was not. Out of nowhere, a lady in my parish came to me, said she had been tested and we were compatible and would I take her kidney. WOW! I was overwhelmed. That was 3 ½ years ago; I am still here and my life is great. Thankfully, I was not able to put a period where God insisted in putting a comma.

I share these personal stories to remind you that so many of the obstacles, challenges and even perceived failures in life are not the end. Often, that is where God puts the comma. Many who are struggling with addiction try desperately to “get sober.” They go to 12-step meetings, rehab, work the program, but still have relapses and go to multiple rehabs. They feel stuck in the muck; they want to give up. They want to put a period; however, maybe God is putting a comma, and that comma is hope! Saying: Don’t give up! Believe in yourself, even in the midst of your struggles and failures because God believes in and loves you, and that love can never be lost.

The idea of “never putting a period where God puts a comma” applies to almost everything in life. Sometimes we want to stop! Give up! Move on! However, God may be saying to us that in this time of pain, crisis, confusion and failure, there is an abundance of grace! Now, faith is living a mystery; it is being able to live in the question so that you may never know until after the fact if God was putting either a period or a comma, but that is not up to you. Trust God enough to let God decide where to put the comma and where to put the period.

Remember, “Never put a period where God puts a comma.”

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

The Gloria

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12

The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: “O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”

The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this— not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right— I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30

Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52

Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.

[Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”]