October 28 2018

Saints

Peter & Paul C AT H O L I C C H U R C H 902 East Ninth Street • Hopkinsville, KY 42240 Established 1872 OUR MISSION STATEMENT We are a Roman Catholic Community of Christians called to be a priestly people, a household of faith, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a beacon of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church shining for Jesus Christ in the heart of Christian County. Rev. Fr. Richard Meredith, Pastor [email protected] Rev. Fr. Michael Charles Abiero, Parochial Vicar [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Barnes [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Mr. Roberto Cruz [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Schlueter [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Dr. Bill Sweet [email protected] PARISH OFFICE PHONE: (270) 885-8522 PARISH FAX: (270) 885-5296 PARISH WEBSITE: www.stsppchurch.org DIOCESAN WEBSITE: www.owensborodiocese.org VATICAN WEBSITE: www.vatican.va PARISH OFFICE HOURS: 8 AM-12 Noon • 1pm-5 PM Monday – Friday SCHOOL TELEPHONE: (270) 886-0172 SCHOOL FAX: (270) 887-9924 SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.stsppschool.org Tru†h Radio WSPP 93.5 FM (Local Catholic Radio) Saints Peter and Paul Assistance: 270-886-6027 Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store: 270-962-7008

MEMBERSHIP IN THE PARISH We give a sincere welcome to all new families moving into our Parish. Please register with the Parish Office as soon as possible. Families who plan to move from our parish community are asked to let us know.

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday evening .................................... 5:00 PM Sunday ................................. 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM Misa en Español ............... 2:00 PM, 10:30 PM Monday - Saturday ................................ 8:00 AM Wednesday ......................................... 5:30 PM Thursday MISA EN ESPAÑOL ..................... 5:30 PM

October 28, 2018 • Thirtieth Sunday In Ordinary Time

2 SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY MINISTRY TO THE SICK PARISH STAFF Please notify the Parish Office upon admission of a family Tom Buehrle ([email protected])...............Director Of Stewardship member into any hospital or nursing home. Any parishioner Brenda Chaudoin ([email protected])…. Parish Office Mgr. who is ill or infirm may request anointing by calling the Parish Libby Downs ([email protected])............Pastoral Associate Office, 270-885-8522. Jennifer Groves ([email protected])…… School Secretary Leigh Ann Johnson …………………Parish Assistance Coordinator PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Steve Kinnard ([email protected])...Maintenance Foreman This is a devotion whereby members of the parish unite in taking hours of Adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament dur- Donna Pfeufer ([email protected])……...Thrift Store Gen. Mgr. Angie Phillips ([email protected])……...Thrift Store Mgr. ing the day and throughout the night, seven days a week. Mayra Tirado ([email protected])...Hispanic Ministry Asst. (Code required.) There is a regular schedule of adorers but all Sue Wassmer ([email protected])............Parish Secretary are welcome to stop in for a visit. Parishioners are encouraged Dan Wilkinson([email protected])...Parish Music Director to sign up for a scheduled weekly Adoration time. Please conKatie Wyatt ([email protected])...................School Principal tact Bill & Jenny Rush at 270-885-2888, if you are interested in adopting an hour or if you can be a substitute or prayer The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual abuse of any person is a partner. Available hours: Sunday 12 am (midnight) & 5 pm, grave moral evil. To report any instance of sexual abuse by anyone Wednesday 2 pm, Thursday 10 am, Saturday 3 am, & 1 pm -Need acting in the name of the Catholic Church, (priests, deacon, employee prayer partners Friday 9am, Saturday 8am and 9 am & 8 pm. or volunteer), please call the Diocesan Pastoral Assistance CoordinaNeed Hourly Captain- 4 am. Please help!! tor, using the dedicated confidential phone-line (270-852-8380) as

Parish Pastoral Council Vicky Barnes, Education……..……...………[email protected] Dee Dailey, Worship …………..…....……[email protected] Libby Downs, Pastoral Associate ….………[email protected] Gary Harden, Chair, Administration…………[email protected] Mike Hughson, Family Life…………………[email protected] Hilda Linares, Social Concerns…………… [email protected] Fran Marko, Secretary ………………………[email protected] Morgan Murray,Vice-Chair, Spiritual Life [email protected] Katie Wyatt, Principal …………………[email protected]

well as the Diocesan web site (www.owensborodiocese.org/safe). † SACRAMENTS † † Reconciliation: Confessions will be heard Saturday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (English and Spanish), Wednesday at 4:30 PM. (ENGLISH and SPANISH) Confessions will be heard any time by appointment. † Baptism: Baptismal Preparation Class is usually held the first Sunday of each month. Our next class will be Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 4:00 pm. Please call the Parish Office to register. † Marriage: Contact the Office six months prior to the desired date.

OCTOBER 28, 2018 • THE THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Priesthood Sunday – October 28th: Priesthood Sunday celebrates and affirms the men who commit their lives to Christ and to the Church in the Sacrament of Holy Orders. This is an opportunity to pray for all Priests, especially our own: Fr. Richard and Fr. Michael Charles. Parishioners are encouraged to thank, affirm, and share your support and love for our priests. It is also a time to pray for vocations to priesthood and to encourage young men to courageously seek God’s will and follow his call. Lord of Miracles – Sunday, October 28th: (in Spanish: Señor de los Milagros de Nazarenas) is the main Catholic festivity in Peru and one of the largest processions around the world. Our Hispanic Community has been gathering to pray the “Novena to the Lord of Miracles” which culminates with Mass on the tenth day at the 2:00 p.m. Spanish Mass THIS Sunday, October 28th. In addition to Mass there will be an outdoor procession. Come and join them for this celebration. Franciscan Sisters of the Third Order Regular (TOR) Visit: Once again two Franciscan sisters are here visiting our parish from Mexico THIS weekend, October 27th and 28th. The sisters are here selling their cookies and sweet breads. All monies received will be used to continue building their chapel at their Motherhouse. Let us support them with prayers and according to our possibilities, support them with the purchase of their cookies and sweetbreads. Anything you can do to help them will be gratefully appreciated

Adults Save the Date – Saturday, November, 17th. Trivia Night 8 Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Trivia Starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale this weekend in the narthex!

Fulfilling the Promise, Renewing the Pledge - Listening Sessions with Bishop William F. Medley: You are invited to join Bishop Medley and a few members of the Diocesan Review Board, for an opportunity to share your concerns and thoughts regarding the recent clergy abuse scandals. Monday, October 29th at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish in Hopkinsville from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in our parish hall. Thursday, November 8th at Thomas More Parish in Paducah from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

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Parish Mission - “Why Be Catholic”: We are grateful to Fr. Ken and the Fathers of Mercy for his witness and leading us in this Parish Mission. We are grateful for Fr. Richard and Fr. Michael Charles’ support, we thank our Parish Mission Committee who include: Lana Bastin, Kathy Buehrle, JoAshley Hall, Morgan Murray, Pam Quitter, Dan Wilkinson and Libby Downs; to those who provided meals for Fr. Ken and our priests – Murray Family, John and Cathy Soldo, Tom and Sheila O’Hagan, Bob and Lana Bastin; for those who provided food for our receptions each night – Women’s Group, Thrift Store Volunteers, Choir Members, PSR Teachers, Middle School/High School Teachers and RCIA members. We thank those who helped clean up each night and sold CDs for Fr. Ken. We have been given a truly beautiful experience through this parish mission. May we be encouraged and recharged to love our faith, share our faith, and live our faith. Thanksgiving Baskets – The Knights of Columbus will once again be sponsoring Thanksgiving Baskets to those in our community who are in need. In order that our parish can help with this worthy project, this weekend, October 27th/28th, grocery bags will be handed out at all Masses. Each family is asked to fill the bag (a list of food items is attached to each bag with one side in English and one side in Spanish). These grocery bags can be returned when you come to Mass and placed in the cloak room. All donations need to be at the parish no later than Thursday, November 15th. In addition, if you want to help the Knights of Columbus with the purchase of turkeys for these baskets, please place your monetary donation in the basket in the Narthex or give your donation to a Knight. These Thanksgiving Baskets will be distributed on Saturday, November 17th. Please know that the Knights of Columbus are only one of two organizations in Hopkinsville that provides Thanksgiving Baskets so your help is greatly needed.

Trunk or Treat Wednesday, October 31st Beginning at 5:00 p.m. Until all candy is gone. School Upper Parking Lot

For families seeking a fun, safe, memorable trick-or-treat experience. What is Trunk or Treat? Parishioners decorate their trunks/ cars/vans/trucks in the spirit of Halloween for children dressed in costume to collect candy and treats. All are welcome to decorate your vehicle and hand out treats to the children. Here’s what to do: • Bring candy to hand out! • Deck out your vehicle with kid-friendly decorations, even dress in costume to match your theme, if you want. (Continued on page 4)

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SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY

(Continued from page 3)

Arrive by 4:30 pm to set-up trunks before kids arrive. HAVE FUN! Want to participate, But Don’t want to decorate?? BRING plenty of individually wrapped CANDY! Trunk or Treat is open to the children of our parish and school. Children are invited to wear costumes, bring their buckets and visit each car to collect candy. Parents/ adults are asked to help supervise. Book of Life – During the month of November, we remember those who have gone before us in faith. • We remember in order to celebrate their lives of faithfulness. • We remember in order to find strength for our continuing journey. • We remember in order to allow God to heal us of our grief for those whom we miss here on earth. The Book of Life in which we write names of our loved ones reminds us to pray for them. Beginning this weekend and during the month of November, the Book of Life will be placed in the Church here at Saints Peter and Paul. Please feel free to enter the names of those you would like to have remembered in prayer. All Saints’ Day, or the Solemnity of All Saints, is celebrated every year on November 1st in honor of all Saints, known and unknown. During the persecution of Christian in the early church, the number of martyrs grew so great that a separate day could not be assigned for each, so the Church, feeling all martyrs should be venerated, appointed one common day. The first known church-wide celebration of All Saints’ Day was on May 13, 609, when Pope Boniface IV consecrated Rome’s Pantheon as a Church. The Feast of All Saints’ Day, on its current date, is traced to the foundation by Pope Gregory III (731–741) of an oratory in St. Peter’s Square for the relics “of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors, of all the just made perfect who are at rest throughout the world”. By decree of Pope Gregory IV, All Saints’ Day became a Holy Day of Obligation in 835 - meaning the faithful had permission to take off work to go to church just like Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost and other holy days (from which the word “holiday” was eventually coined). Holy day customs vary around the world. In Mexico, this is the same day as “Dide los Innocentes”, a day dedicated to deceased infants and children. In Europe, the day is commemorated with offerings of flowers or candles lit on the graves of the dead. In the Philippines graves are painted and repaired by family members.

Remember All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses offered on this Holy Day here at Saints Peter and Paul include:

Vigil Mass – Wednesday, October 31st at 7:00 p.m. (English) Thursday, November 1st Mass at 8:00 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. in English and 5:30 p.m. in Spanish. As we will be participating in TRUNK or TREAT, there will be NO MASS at 5:30 p.m. nor will the Sacrament of Reconciliation be available at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31st. Wednesday, October 31st at 7:00 p.m. Altar Servers: Rebecca Lee/Cole Stevens Cross Bearer: Colleen Allen Commentator: Mary Moehlman Lectors: Robin Bilan/Franco Cincotti Ministers of Holy Communion: Dana Nethery/Julie Tiell Lori and Dan Gardner Choir Loft: Frank Raber/Bob Stites Ushers: See Libby in the Sacristy Thursday, November 1st at 8:00 a.m. Altar Servers: School Students Cross Bearer: School Student Commentator: School Students Lectors: School Students Ministers of Holy Communion: Arsha Battah/Maria Creighton Wendy Anderson/Jane Irwin Choir Loft: Deana Holdman/Vicki Luckey Ushers: See Libby in the Sacristy st Thursday, November 1 at 12:05 p.m. Altar Servers: School Students Cross Bearer: School Student Commentator: Fran Marko Lectors: Chuck Puckett/Pam Sweet Ministers of Holy Communion: Joyce Wiedmer/Sandy Doyon Sue Wassmer/Don McCowan Choir Loft: JoAshley Hall/Tony Esposito Ushers: See Libby in the Sacristy Blood Drive: Saints Peter and Paul will be sponsoring a Blood Drive on Thursday, November 1st from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. in our gym. The Regional Blood Center is in need of your help in saving lives. Can you assist by donating a pint of blood? If you would like to assist with this blood drive by greeting and registering donors or by bringing treats for the day, please see Libby. Daylight Savings Time Ends: Fall Back! Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. NEXT Sunday, November 4. Set your clocks back one hour at bedtime on Saturday night!

OCTOBER 28, 2018 • THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH • OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4

Mon: Listening Session with Bishop Medley-6:30 pm, MH Wed: Rosary Makers-8:45 am, HFR No M.S./H.S. Religious Ed Choirs: Spanish 5:30 pm Thur: Blood Drive-3 pm-7 pm, Gym Women’s Group-6:30 pm, OA RCIA-7 pm, MH Fri: Education Council Mtg. 11:30 am, OA Sat: Christmas Bazaar-8:30 am-2 pm, OA Sun: PSR-9am Parish Holy Hour-4 pm • Baptism Class-4 pm, HFR Readings for the Week of October 28, 2018 Sunday: Jer 31:7-9/Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6/Heb 5:1-6/ Mk 10:46-52 Monday: Eph 4:32--5:8/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Lk 13:10-17 Tuesday: Eph 5:21-33 or 5:2a, 25-32/Ps 128:1-2, 3, 45/Lk 13:18-21 Wednesday: Eph 6:1-9/Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14/ Lk 13:22-30 Thursday: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6/1 Jn 3:1-3/ Mt 5:1-12a Friday: Wis 3:1-9/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6/Rom 5:5-11 or Rom 6:3-9/Jn 6:37-40 Saturday: Phil 1:18b-26/Ps 42:2, 3, 5cdef/Lk 14:1, 7-11 ©Liturgical Publications Inc.

Budget News

October 14, 2018 Contributing Households

Envelopes Online Donations/EFT Loose collection Cash Loose collection Checks Weekly Total Weekly Parish Budget Needs

$8,641 $7,830 $828 21 $2,060 153 $19,359 $20,500 47 $2,938 Capital Campaign/Legacy Donations Next: Nov. 3/4 1st Sunday of Month 2nd collection $3,169 Monthly Payment Due on 15th-$35,373 Balance Past due Diocesan Assessment 17/18 $23,857 Past due Prop. Ins. & Priest Medical Ins. Payments to Diocese $50,364 2018/19 Diocesan Assessment due 6/2018 $74,036 Budget News

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October 21, 2018 Contributing Households

Envelopes Online Donations/EFT Loose collection Cash Loose collection Checks Weekly Total Weekly Parish Budget Needs

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$9,839 $150 $992 20 $1,335 125 $12,316 $20,500 31 $1,395 Capital Campaign/Legacy Donations Next: Nov. 3/4 1st Sunday of Month 2nd collection $4,564 Monthly Payment Due on 15th-$35,373 Balance Past due Diocesan Assessment 17/18 $23,857 Past due Prop. Ins. & Priest Medical Ins. Payments to Diocese $50,364 2018/19 Diocesan Assessment due 6/2018 $74,036

Monday, October 29 8:00 AM † ETHEL CREIGHTON Tuesday, October 30 8:00 AM † SCOTT BURNSIDE Wednesday, October 31 8:00 AM BETH MUELLER 7:00 PM ENGLISH VIGIL † JOSHUA B. DADISMAN Thursday, November 1 All Saints Day 8:00 AM ENGLISH † GEORGE SPURR 12:05 PM ENGLISH FOR ALL PARISHIONERS 5:30 PM SPANISH † BOBBY RODRIGUEZ Friday, November 2 All Souls Day 8:00 AM RAED BATTAH 6:00 PM † OUR DECEASED PARISHIONERS Saturday, November 3 St. Martin de Porres 8:00 AM PAUL RUSH 5:00 PM † ANDY BELLAND Sunday, November 4 31st Sunday In Ordinary Time 8:00 AM † SCOTT BURNSIDE 10:30 AM ALAYNA KING 2:00 PM Spanish FOR ALL PARISHIONERS 10:30 PM Spanish † POOR SOULS † Indicates Requiem Mass SANCTUARY LAMP

In Memory of William ‘Bill’ Jones ADORATION CHAPEL CANDLES

In Honor of Father John Thomas Trivia Night: We have an upcoming Adults Only (21 and over) Night called “Battle of the Brains Trivia Night” scheduled for Saturday, November 17th with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. and Trivia beginning at 7:00 p.m. A person can sign up as a table or as an individual. Teams consist of 2 to 8 people with 8 being the maximum number on any team. The contest will consist of ten (10) rounds of ten questions each for a total of 100 questions. Categories include a wide range of trivia. Team members submit only one answer per table – and all answers are written. At the end of the night the top three teams will receive 1st Place $100.00 Gift Card; 2nd Place - $50.00 Gift Card; 3rd Place - $25.00 Gift Card. Tickets are $20.00 each which include Trivia and Dinner consisting of soup (Chili or Potato), hotdogs, chips, drink and dessert or $15.00 for Trivia only. (If you are going to purchase the Ticket for Trivia and Dinner you must do so by Wednesday, November 14th so we know how many dinners to order.) Tables are encouraged to bring their own snacks to share with their table. We will have a Cash Bar of Beer (no outside alcoholic beverages) and we will provide light snacks and paper products. For fun, we invite you to decorate your table. A prize will be awarded for the Best Table Decorations. Tickets are available this weekend in the Narthex.

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SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY

In Need of Prayers… Bradford Heights –Melnora Altshuler, Carriage Way Assisted Living- Eleanor Rogers, Albert Weakly Covington Convalescent–Pat Chesnut, Friendship House- Christine Mills Western State Nursing Facility- Debbie Dickerson, Ellen Jones Christian Health Center- Alice Chuhralya, Lillian Cotthoff, Norma Downs, Barbara Holubecki - Others.. Betty Aberle, Vonnie Adams, Clarence & Helen Allard, Mary Armstrong, Jackie Arnold, Cassidy & Makenna Arnold, Fred Anderson, Trudy Anhalt, Diane Bailey, Jean Baker, Sabrina Petty Baker, Norma Boyd, Madison Boren, Ruth Britt, Joan Brockman, Judy Brummett, Pam Carrico, Sam Chesnut, Lynda Combs, Laura Crawford, Ken & Peggy Cunningham, Hugh Davenport, Franki Durbin, Glenn Finch, Terry Flanders, Bill Folz, Connie Fowler, Martha Fowler, Caiti Louanne Godot, Stacey Godot, Bobbie Goulet, John Goulet, Janie Hudspeth, Heather Jeffries, Leigh Ann Johnson, Betty Johnston, Jim Gorman, Mike Grabner, Beth Hancock, William Hancock, Chester Jackson, Tony Jones, Doug Kahre, Avalynn Kent, ‘Buzz’ Langhi, Christopher Lytle, Larry & Kathy Lytle, James McGillivray, Joe Mezzoni Sr., Mike Moseley, Diane Mumme, Greg Nester, Mason Nickles, Cecelia Omundson, Theresa Payne, Teresa Pazin, Jason Pool, Emily Thomas Pyle, Zoe Raber, Evelyn Rainey, Martha Reed, Edwin Roeder, Caroline, Emma & Gabriela Schiller, Frank Selph, Ruby Sholar, Kristian Shouse, Mike & Marilyn Stocker, Georgiann Svestka, Ken Swicicki, Judy Sowell, Jerry & Bernie Thomas, Carolyn Thorpe, Wilma Villinger, Linda West, Charles Whitmer, Helen Winstead, James Wittschack. Please Pray for our Deployed Military & Families Trey Johnston, Jake Means, John O’Conner, Quin Perry and Dom Pifko All Souls’ Day, or the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, is the day set aside to remember the souls of the faithful departed and deceased relatives on November 2nd. All Souls’ Day honors the souls in Purgatory, whereas All Saints’ Day is meant to honor all the Saints in Heaven. In many traditions and customs throughout the world, the lighting of candles is meant to kindle a light for dead souls languishing in darkness. Out of this grew the tradition of baking special bread or cakes, and “going souling”, where the poor went from house-to-house asking for food, and in exchange, they promised to say prayers for the dead. Today, this has become a special day for lighting candles in remembrance of our loved ones who have died. Prayer for Our Beloved Dead Almighty God and Father, it is our certain faith that your son, who died on the cross, was raised from the dead, the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Grant that through this mystery, your servants, who have gone to their rest in Christ, may share in the joy of his resurrection. I ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. St. John’s Abbey

LAY MINISTERS NOVEMBER 3/4 • 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Saturday, 5:00 pm Altar Servers ........................ Rebecca Lee, Ruben Quiñonez Cross Bearer ....................................................... Gabe Kessler Commentator.......................................................... Fran Marko Lectors ......................... Imelda Gorman, Mary Moehlman Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: .................Arsha Battah, ..............................Patty Goode, Sherry Viall, Pam Carlton Choir Loft ........................ Deana Holdman, Tony Esposito Ushers .........................................................Julie Tiell, Ken Tiell ............................................... Bob Marko, Ivan Viall Vocational Cross ..................................... Bill Schaefer Family Sunday, 8:00 am Altar Servers ................................. Ellie Groves, Josh Groves Cross Bearer ...............................................................Faith Folz Commentator.................................................. Jennifer Groves Lectors ................................. Jennifer Groves, Will Groves Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: ............... Jim Creighton, .............................. Maria Creighton, Lana Bastin, Julie Folz Choir Loft ....................................... Bob Stites, Tom Folz Ushers .................................................... Tony Folz, James Folz ......................................................................... Bill Folz, Eli Folz Vocational Cross ..................................Rich Hornbeak Family Sunday, 10:30 am Altar Servers ........................... Mason Malone, Ryan Luckey Cross Bearer ............................................................. Nic Luckey Commentator......................................................... Vicki Luckey Lectors: ..................................Russell Malone, Leigh Malone Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: ................. Vicky Barnes, ................ Connie Schlueter, Sue Wassmer, Don McCowan Choir Loft ...............Sarah Covington, Marlee Thomas Ushers .......................................John Soldo, Steve Greenwell .......................................... Bruce Wilcox, Kelly King Vocational Cross .................................... Bruce Wilcox Family Domingo 2:00 pm Comentarista:........................................................... Lupita Rosas 1-2 Lectura: ........................... Tomasa Montiel, Emanuel Ixcol Ministro E: ............................. Juanita Montejos, Ana Ethridge Hospitalidad: ........................... Victor Hernández, Erick Gines Monaguillos: ............................. Bryan Linares, Michelle Salas All Souls Day – Friday, November 2nd at 6:00 p.m. Altar Servers: Ashley Stevens, Jackie Ginez Cross Bearer: Michelle Salas Commentator: Vicky Barnes Lectors: Imelda Gorman/Trinidad Soriano Ministers of Holy Communion: Robert Cruz/Mayra Tirado Jim and Maria Creighton Choir Loft: Julie Tiell/Deana Holdman Ushers: See Libby in the Sacristy Tune In to Catholic Radio: WSPP 93.5 FM is a radio ministry of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. WSPP accepts tax-deductible financial contributions for its support. WSPP—Broadcasting Saints Peter and Paul’s 10:30 a.m. Mass as well as our 2:00 p.m. Spanish Mass live each Sunday.

OCTOBER 28, 2018 • THE THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Pastors Greeting Between Jesus blessing the children and his third and last instruction on his death and resurrection, Mark has the scene of the rich man who is seeking the Kingdom of God. It is no accident that Jesus’ references to children, his instruction on marriage and this encounter with the rich man are all interposed with the doctrine of the Cross. Jesus is giving all of himself. His treasure is in heaven. He is the child of the Father who trusts the heavenly Father absolutely. He has come to restore the covenant bond broken in Eden. All of this is for our redemption, that we might also receive the Kingdom and live as children of the Heavenly Father. For this, we are invited to follow Jesus through the Cross to the Resurrection. Before I was approved for ordination, I had to be recommended by the seminary and pass an interview with the seminary Rector. The Rector’s office passed the word to my deacon class before the interviews began that at some point in our interviews each of us would have to say that we accepted the celibate life for the sake of God’s kingdom. Upon hearing this, I marveled at the game which was being played. Authenticity and integrity was not required, each of us just had to say the right code words to be approved. Then I reflected, it is actually true that I do accept the celibate life and do so life-long and it is in fact for the sake of God’s kingdom now and for ever in the eternal kingdom. I could say the words with a free heart, but I was troubled by the way this was being done. Did anyone other than God know that I truly meant the words? I went to my interview and at the right prompt I said the code words and I was passed through for Holy Orders. I don’t think that I have told you this story before. I was consciously living out my version of Mark 10:17-31 then and have been doing so for forty years. All that I am and all that I had was being asked of me in order that I might follow Jesus in the ministerial priesthood. I was not giving up claim to all property as the Franciscans do, but I was dedicating all that I was and might ever have in my care to the service of the Lord and of his people. The man in the Gospel was more possessed that day by his stuff than he had possession of it. I had the benefit of his story and made a different choice. I knew then and was convinced through prayer that the Lord in his love promised me the joy of his Kingdom if I should follow him. I knew very deeply that the Lord looked upon me with love. I knew that I wanted to respond to his love by following and serving him. I still do today. The Diocese of Owensboro has asked that in every Parish the priest speak of the Disciple’s Response Fund drive with this Gospel text today. You may know that I am conflicted about doing this. Without any hesitation I do advocate that we all support the Church and that we do so with all that God entrusts to us. As a priest I have intended to demonstrate this support for forty years, giving my time, my talents, and more than 10% of my income. All that I have and am does belong to God and I am its steward in time. God has more than blessed me all these years. It was and is my intention to serve Christ as generously as I can until the

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day I die. For example: This month I began to receive Social Security benefits. So, I am increasing my monetary donations to the Parish by $100 a month, contributing it specifically to the pay-down of the Parish’s diocesan assessment. While I pay to the Diocese the annual costs of my continuing education, I do not personally contribute to the DRF. Given our debts to the Diocese, all my support for the Church goes through this Parish. Assessments and DRF all together go to the same goal of the support of the Church. Because I am striving to live the Gospel response to the invitation of Jesus, I can challenge you also to consider it. The Lord is the giver of everything you have. Out of his love for you, dedicate yourself and all that he has entrusted to you to the pursuit of his Kingdom. Build up treasure in Heaven and follow Jesus Christ on the way that leads you there. Fr. Richard