Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
On New Year's Eve, 1999, a large crowd
had gathered in Vatican Square. They
were hoping John Paul II would come to
the balcony and address the crowd giving some inspiration for the new millennium. His
health was not great at this time, and yet he came to
the window and spoke one brief line to the crowd. "Be
not afraid." I do not think anyone could have offered
any better advice.
I have been hearing a lot of talk about fear
lately. People talk about fear of what will be happening in our country. People talk about fear about what
will be happening in the world. Some people are
afraid of the future of our Church. For me, I see a
great deal of change coming to some of our parishes in
the future, and that makes me uneasy. It is in our nature to resist change.
I think it is somewhat ironic, that while we instinctively fear change, it is something that will always
happen no matter what we do to stop it. There is one
thing I try to keep in mind when I think of the fear that
is inspired by the changes in our world. One thing
never changes. Jesus Christ is the savior of the world
and is always present in his Church. He said to his disciples, "Upon this rock I will build my Church and the
gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."
There is indeed evil in our world. There are
many things that cause fear, and yet we are reminded
that we should not fear. Jesus Christ promised us that
his Church would endure and that it would stand
against all the evil present in our world. In fact, the
Body of Christ is the ONLY thing that can stand
against the evil we encounter in our world.
What does this mean for us, and what does it
mean we should do in the face of evil? We should
definitely take a stand for what we believe, and we
should encourage others to do the same. Above all
these things, we should seek the will of Christ and seek
refuge in his Church. How can any of us expect to
stand against the evil present in our world if we do not
first seek refuge in the Body of Christ? Many people
are worried about what will happen to them and those
they care about. If we attempt to take on the world
ourselves, then we have reason to fear. The words of
St. John Paul II still carry great truth for us, because no
one who seeks refuge in the Body of Christ has any
reason to fear.
Fr. Chris
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown
mercy.” As we reflect upon the beatitudes, let us
explore how to understand our spouse better. The
next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend is
Mar 31 - Apr 2 in Herndon, VA. Early sign up is recommended. For more information visit our website at:
https://renewmarriage-vasouth.org/ or contact us
at [email protected] or
757-690-1369.
January 29, 2017
EVANGELIZATION
“THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME”
What a great turnout we had on January 17th for our second session on “Catholicism”. In our next session “Our
Tainted Nature’s Solitary Boast: Mary, The Mother of
God.” This lesson correlates the Catholic Faith’s testimony to the revelation of God in Christ with the vivid
practices of reverence offered to his Mother. Mary is
explained as “an on-going presence, an actor in the life of
the Church. Please join us as we explore Rev. Robert
Barron’s “The Journey Of A Lifetime”. We will continue this ten-part documentary on Tuesday evening
January 31, 2017 at The Church of the Sacred Heart. We
will meet in the Parish Center following the 6:30 Mass to
view each lesson followed by a brief discussion. Please
join us for “The Journey of a Lifetime”, a fun and educational evening on the history of our faith and explanations on how it has developed over the last 2,000 plus
years.
10 Jan – Amazed and Afraid: The Revelation of God
Becoming Man.
17 Jan – Happy Are We: The Teachings of Jesus.
24 Jan – The Ineffable Mystery of God: That Than
Which Nothing Greater can be Thought.
31 Jan – Our Tainted Nature’s Solitary Boast:
Mary, The Mother of God.
7 Feb - The Indispensable Men: Peter, Paul and the
Missionary Adventure.
14 Feb – A Body Both Suffering and Glorious: The
Mystical Union of Christ and the Church.
21 Feb – Word Made Flesh, True Bread of Heaven:
The Mystery of the Liturgy and the Eucharist.
28 Feb – A Vast Company of Witnesses: the Communion of Saints.
7 Mar – The First of His Love: Prayer and the Life of
the Spirit.
14 Mar – World Without End: The Last Things.
All are welcome, please join us for one, any or all sessions. This presentation is brought to you by “The Unified Parish’s Evangelization Team”.
VOCATIONS
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 29, 2017
“God chose the foolish of the world to shame
the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame
the strong.” God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the
called. Could He be calling you? Contact Father Michael G.
Boehling, Vicar for Vocations, at (804) 359-5661 or email
[email protected]
World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated in the
Church on Thursday, February 2, 2017 and in parishes on
the weekend of February 4-5, 2017. Please pray for all
those who have made commitments in the consecrated
life, and be sure to thank them on their special day. May
they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond
generously to God’s gift of their vocation.
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
MASS INTENTIONS
Church of the Sacred Heart
Saturday, 28th 5:00pm Timothy McCoermick req
by His Sisters and Brothers
Sunday, 29th
8:00am Elsa Veronica Cruz req by
Aurora Mebrahtu
11:00am Armand Gagne req by
Phyllis Gagne
1:00pm Deceased members of the
Parish
Monday, 30th 6:30pm Holy Hour
Tuesday, 31st 6:30pm Peter So Van Cao req by
Sang Cessna
Wednesday,1st 10:00am Sick & Homebound
Friday, 3rd
10:00pm Sick & Homebound
7:00pm Rosary
Saturday, 4th
5:00pm Lidia Balladares req by
The Family
Sunday, 5th
8:00am John Kvasnicka req by
Doris Labelle & Carol
Robertson & Family
11:00am in honor of Donna Sarver
& the Deceased Joe
Wharton req by Virginia
Wharton
1:00pm Deceased Members of the
Parish
Saint James Church
Saturday, 28th 5:30pm Betty Ruiz
Sunday, 29th 11:00am Julia Kain
Thursday, 2nd 12:00pm Charlie Ferrer
Saturday, 4th
5:30pm Betty Ruiz
Sunday, 5th
11:00am Peter Michael Kain
Saint Johns Church
Saturday,28th 4:00pm For deceased parishioners
Sunday, 29th 9:00am For deceased parishioners
January 29, 2017
Foods to boost your
immune system
To maintain your brain, muscle, bone,
nerves, skin, blood circulation, and immune system,
your body requires a steady supply of many different
macronutrients and micronutrients. You need large
amounts of macronutrients — proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. And while you only need a small number of
micronutrients — vitamins and minerals — failing to
get even those small quantities virtually guarantees
disease. Six micronutrients — vitamin B6, vitamin C,
vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc — play roles in maintaining immune function. Rather than popping pills to
get these micronutrients, you're wiser to eat these various foods to boost your immune system.
Choosing foods to boost your immune system
Five micronutrients—vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin
E, magnesium, and zinc—play roles in maintaining
immune function, and supplements containing them
are often sold as immune boosters in doses that greatly
exceed the recommended daily allowance. However,
there is no evidence that such supplements have more
benefits than merely following a healthy diet. Rather
than popping pills to get these micronutrients, you're
wiser to use various foods to boost your immune system.
Foods to boost your immune system
Micronutrient
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Magnesium
Right to Life:
The prayer to “End Abortion” below was offered by Father
Loyd D. Morris at a Christ Child Luncheon in Dallas Texas
in November 2016.
Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life,
and for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.
I know there is nothing that destroys more life than
abortion. Yet I rejoice that you have conquered
death by the Resurrection of Your Son.
I am ready to do my part in ending abortion. Today
I commit myself
Never to be silent,
Never to be passive,
Never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement, and never to stop defending life,
Until all my brothers and sisters are protected.
And our nation once again becomes a nation with
liberty and justice not just for some, but for all.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Zinc
Food sources
Chicken, cereals, bananas,
pork loin, potatoes with skin
Tomatoes, citrus fruit, sweet
peppers, broccoli, kiwi fruit
Sunflower seeds and oil,
almonds, safflower oil, peanut
butter
Whole wheat, legumes, nuts,
seeds
Oysters, beef shank, Alaskan
king crab, turkey (dark meat)
RACHEL’S VINEYARD RETREAT FOR HEALING AFTER ABORTION: A Rachel’s Vineyard
Weekend Retreat will be held February 17-19 at The
Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center in Toano, VA
sponsored by St. Joan of Arc Church. The weekend retreat includes: spiritual exercises, the sacrament of reconciliation, a Memorial Service and a Mass of Entrustment and is available to women, men and any person
who may have been adversely impacted by an abortion.
Participation is strictly confidential and offers a beautiful opportunity to experience God’s love, forgiveness
and compassion. To register, contact Linda Riva at
757-887-3144 or email [email protected]. The cost
is $185 for meals, room and all retreat materials. Financial Assistance is available.
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 29, 2017
MEETINGS€THIS€WEEK:€
Church of the Sacred Heart
Sunday, 29th
9:15am Christian Formation pk-5th
5:30pm Confirmation Class @ SH
Monday, 30th
7:30pm Music Planning
Tuesday, 31st
7:00pm Catholicism Series
Wednesday,1st 10:30am Bible Study
6:30pm Spanish Choir Practice
Thursday, 2nd 7:00pm English Choir Practice
Sunday, 5th
8:00am Monthly Breakfast in Hall
9:15am Religious Formation Pk-5
9:30am First Communion Parent
meeting in Hall
5:30pm Formation for 6-12th grades
OBC NEWS: The Diocese of Richmond Office for
Black Catholics will host its 1st Black Catholic
Leadership Awards Dinner on Saturday, March
25, 2017, 6:00pm at the Hilton Richmond Hotel &
Spa/Short Pump in Richmond, VA. The purpose of
this event is to recognize Black Catholic leadership
within our Diocese. Funds raised for this event are
given in the form of scholarships to assist Black Catholic youth in continuing their Catholic education. Tickets: $65. Table of 10 is available upon request. Please
also consider purchasing an ad for this event. For
more information and to purchase tickets please contact Pam Harris, Director, Office for Black Catholics,
[email protected] or (804) 622-5262.
Saint James Church
6:00pm Hopewell community meal @
Knights of Columbus Hall
6:30pm Mass in Parish Hall
Wednesday, 1st 5:30pm Reconciliation-In Parish Hall
6:30pm Mass (in Parish Hall)
Thursday, 2nd 12:00pm Mass in Parish Hall
2:00pm Finance Council meeting
Saint Johns Church
All are invited to join us every Wednesday at 6:00pm
for an hour of adoration and prayer
CURSILLO: Want to be part of the new diocesan plan
for evangelization but don't know what to do or where to
start? Consider participating on a Cursillo weekend.
So what is Cursillo - you've heard of it but aren't
sure? Cursillo is 3 day weekend that is fully sanctioned
by the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Richmond.
The weekends are put on by lay Catholics with the assistance of ordained priests and deacons. Anyone in good
standing with the church is eligible to attend.
If you are interested in learning more about Cursillo or participating in a weekend, ask a parish member
that has been on a Cursillo. Don't know someone who
has been on a Cursillo? Contact the Central Virginia Coordinating Committee at 804-739-8095.
The next Cursillo men’s weekend in the Central
Virginia area is scheduled for February 23 -February 26,
2017 at the Shalom House. The next Cursillo women’s
weekend in the Central Virginia area is scheduled
for May 18—May 21, 2017 at Shalom House.
Cursillo - es un retiro de 3 días que está completamente aprobado por la Iglesia Católica y la Diócesis de
Richmond. Hay cursillo para hombres y hay cursillo para
mujeres por separado. Los retiros son organizados por
laicos católicos que ya han hecho el cursillo con la asistencia del clero. Cualquier persona en buen estatus con la
iglesia es elegible para asistir. Si usted está interesado en
aprender más acerca de Cursillo o en participar en un fin
de semana, pregúntele a un miembro de su parroquia que
haya hecho el cursillo o comuníquese con el Comité de
Coordinación de la región Central de Virginia llamando
al 804-739-8095.
El próximo fin de semana para los hombres está
programado para ser en el Shalom House, un centro de
retiro en Ashland. El Cursillo está programada del 23
febrero— 26 febrero 2017.
El próximo fin de semana para las mujeres está
programado para ser en el Shalom House, un centro de
retiro en Ashland. El Cursillo está programada del 18
mayo - 21 mayo 2017.
€
Monday, 30th
CLUSTER PRAYER LIST
Those who bear the burden of years and
those who have asked for our prayers:
Sacred Heart: 2/5/17—Deborah Hanzlik, Janet
Beaudet, Sharla Kirk, Anh Cao, Binh Cao, Phyllis
Gagne, Donna Sarver, Robert Butt, Thomas Bird, Carl
Hall, John Mertz, Mike O’Hare, Helen Tres, Evelyn
Rivera, Kathy Marr, Debbie Stidfole Agurwal, Nancy
Clemons, Anna Liszeski, David Paden, Mickey Fried,
Dot Miller, Eileen Mozucha, Barbara Kirk, Deacon
Bob Baker, Jerry Chambers, Delores Daniel, Raul
Rosa Viera, Joseph & Emily Chudoba, Thelma Herrera
Lara
St. James: Osvaldo Javier Abreu, Jimmy Carter,
Russ Vergara, Dante Fratarcangelo, Mary Kain, Jim
Knoontz, Audrey Keith, Elisa Carraway, Anita Anthony,
Wayne Whitehead, Bill Brown, Casey McQuillan, Gary
Mier, Glenn Toenniges, Tomas Rose, Jimmy Clark,
John Seckora, Robert McGough, Phuc Trong Dinh
St. Johns: Carolyn Belliveau, Barbara Togger, Dick
Clark, Mary Stech, John Stech, Ernest & Sheree Cerny,
Danny Wiegratz, Joan Bertrand, Dorothy Kohout,
Etna and Woody Traylor, Steve Kofron, Hollie Casey,
Joan Lonnemann
Sponsor of the Week
We would like to thank
“CatholicMatch Virginia”
this week for sponsoring an ad in our weekly bulletin.
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 29, 2017
Unified Pastoral Council Minutes Summary
18 JANUARY 2017-7 PM, St. James
I. Call to Order/Opening Prayer- The meeting was called to order at 7PM followed by the opening prayer.
II. Roll Call and Quorum Status- The following members were present: Father Chris, Father Jugene,
Steve McDonough, Alberto DelRosario, (Sacred Heart); Ron Franzyshen (St. John), Sam Jones (St.
James). Absent: Bob Amirault (Sacred Heart). and Rose Gouyer (St. John).
III. Approval of 10 November 2016 Minutes- (Bob Amirault non-concurs on item B.1 underlined
portion) .Minutes were approved after item B.1 was rescinded.
IV. Father Hess Report:
1) Father Chris said the religious education program and youth ministries continue to be re-evaluated
for efficiencies and diversity.
2) Work is currently being done on the Roof of the Admin building at St James to change the pitch in
order to regulate water flow and to prevent flooding at ground and basement level.
3) Fr Chris will update St. James parish on the projected renovation plans. Currently, decisions need
to be made with regards to the asbestos found beneath the carpet in the Church. He said he
would rather do abatement than cover over it. This will involve completely moving the organ
as well which will add to the renovation expenses.
V. Old Business/Follow-up actionsBob Armirault said he planned on speaking about evangelization during the St. James and St. John
Masses. These presentations will be done at a future date: Bob suggested that Dick Commander
might be invited to speak to St. James about evangelization. Sam said he sent Dick an e-mail on this.
Fr Chris said Bob Amirault said he wanted to give a presentation. Sam will coordinate this with Bob
and Dick.
VI. New BusinessA. The Way Ahead: Examine our Mission, Priorities/goals in conjunction with the
evangelization mission. Determine how future success of goals can be measured
B. Discussion on Priority #4 Adult Formation.
1...Summary of 13 July 2016 discussion on Adult Formation: “Sam began the discussion by
saying he believed Adult Formation was primarily formed around adult education programs.
Bob mentioned that Deacon Ed Christ was actively involved in Adult Formation over the years
and has much to offer. Additionally, the Evangelization process covers many Adult formation
related processes. Seminarian Riley commented that Adult formation was more than intellect
tual content but spiritual content as well, such as private/group readings, rosary/spiritual read
ings etc.”
2... Evangelization Plan Discussion: ----- Links to the United Parish Council Priority #4, Adult
Formation: Certain paragraphs from the National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States were discussed mainly focusing on ways to foster conversion in our
communities.
VII. New Input from Council Members/Open Discussion:
Alberto recommended that our parish meetings be held every other month now that we are finishing
up discussions on our five priorities, Infrastructure being the last one to discuss next month which
should not take up the entire meeting. Sam mentioned that the “way ahead” after completing our
priority discussions was discussed at the 10 November meeting, one in which he could not attend.
Sam said that there was still more than enough work to be done and that our meetings should continue to be monthly. Our future meetings will focus on brainstorming and consolidating ideas into a
vision statement. We will review all five priorities and goals established, and our Mission Statement in
order to set the stage for developing a vision statement.
VIII. Next Unified Parish Council Meeting: Sacred Heart, 7-8 PM, 21 February 2017
IX. Closing Prayer/Adjournment- Fr Jugene gave the closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at
750PM.