Are you planning a cookout next weekend? Many people use the Labor Day holiday as an opportunity for an end of the summer celebration. The grocery stores will have special sales this week in an effort to entice people to stock up for the holiday weekend. Are you a union member who will be going to a large labor picnic? Or will it just be the family getting together, maybe at the beach or a lake cottage for a final summer plunge in the water? In any event, we all probably have a pretty good idea of who will be at our tables. It's unlikely that there will be uninvited guests—except for the ants or mosquitoes that seem to plague any outdoor event this time of year.

In the Gospel today Jesus lays down the challenge of who should be invited to the banquet. The poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind are the ones that are on his guest list. These were the individuals who were often excluded from society in Jesus' time. They were the folks that were on the fringe. Today, there are righteous people who have made a point of welcoming the unwanted. They've taken literally the message of the Gospel, and have gone out of their way to invite to dinner the homeless or the poor.

There are many who exercise a very concrete response to Jesus' call through their support of a meal program or food pantry, whether they donate food, or their time, or cash to support the good work. We tend to think of the poor at Thanksgiving or Christmas, times when we're often more generous toward those in need. But with back–to–school costs right now, many families are suffering. It may not be possible to invite someone who is hungry or poor to your cookout next weekend, but you can still help them through a gift to a charity that feeds the hungry.

©2010 Liturgical Publications, Inc.

Consider This...   “You must ask God to give you power to fight against the sin of pride which is your greatest enemy - the root of all that is evil, and the failure of all that is good. For God resists the proud.”

2010-2011 Parish Budget Now Available

In an effort to provide transparency in our parish, the Finance Board has made the annual budget available to our parishioners. Copies are also available in the Parish Office and on the bulletin board in Holy Family Hall. Please contact Father John with any questions regarding the budget.

Debt Reduced!

To date, our friends and parishioners have contributed more than a quarter of a million dollars towards paying off our mortgage! Please consider a tax-deductable contribution to this worthy cause. You can securely make your contribution right now by clicking here. Thank you for your generosity.

The Most Holy Eucharist:

Please read more about the importance and role of the Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass through this letter from our own Most Reverend Bishop Matano.

POPE BENEDICT XVI PRAYER INTENTIONS:

August 2010

General Intention:That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties.

Missionary Intention:That the Church may be a “home” for all people, ready to open its doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger, or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries.