Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 17, 2020
MASS TIMES:

Sunday............. 9:00am
Sunday............. 11:45am Spanish
Monday............. TBD (Facebook Live)
Tuesday............ 9:00am
Wednesday....... 9:00am
Thursday........... 9:00am
Friday................ 9:00am
Saturday ...........9:00am (Facebook Live)
FOR SACRAMENTAL EMERGENCIES
Please contact
Fr. Michael at (770) 750-5796 and leave a message.

TO SEE LIVESTREAMED OR TAPED DAILY MASSES THROUGH OUR WEB PAGE OR VIA FACEBOOK:
GO TO COKAS.ORG and SCROLL TO SEE ALL THE TAPED FACEBOOK TRANSMISSIONS .
United in Christ, All for the Glory of God
CHRIST OUR KING AND SAVIOR CATHOLIC CHURCH
6341 Lake Oconee Parkway
Greensboro, Georgia 30642
Tel: (706) 453-7292; Fax: (706) 453-7095

WWW.COKAS.ORG

Administrator: Father Michael Silloway, STL
cokas.frmichael@gmail.com

FOR SACRAMENTAL EMERGENCIES
please contact Fr. Michael at (770) 750-5796 and leave a message.

PARISH OFFICE: Due to the state-wide "stay-in-place" order, our hours have become irregular. Please email us at the addresses below.

Business Manager
John Steadman
cokas.business@gmail.com

Accountant 
Millie Browning
cokas.finance@gmail.com

Director of Religious Education
Anne Bared
cokas.dre@gmail.com

Director of Youth Ministry
Laura Brennan
cokas.dym@gmail.com

Pastoral Administration
Lily Vaughn
cokas.office@gmail.com

Office Reception
Tamara Prendergast
cokas.reception@gmail.com

Maintenance  
Clarence Drinkwine
cokas.maintenance@gmail.com  
MASS INTENTIONS
SATURDAY, MAY 16
9AM

SUNDAY, MAY 17
9AM PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
11:45AM CARLOS RODRIGUEZ ESPINOSA ( )

MONDAY, MAY 18
9AM

TUESDAY, MAY 19
9AM GEROME DEJNO ( )

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
9AM VINCENT FARELLI ( )

THURSDAY, MAY 21
9AM PEOPLE OF THE PARISH

FRIDAY, MAY 22
9AM BETTY STATHAS ( )

SATURDAY, MAY 23
9AM

SUNDAY, MAY 24
9AM DAVID AND MILLIE BROWNING
11:45AM PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
PRAYER REQUESTS
Military Personnel
Tarah Thompson
Barbara Koch
Deborah Stritt
Sean Scott
Sonya Stephenson
Christopher Stephenson
James Hause
Jeffery Crane
Isabel Montiagudo
Jacob King
Linda Chelena
Helen Sweeny
Amanda Parker
Harriet Thompson
Vicky Abbott
Abby Tucker
Carolyn Cates
Elaine Hicks
Klinton Rickert
Ricky Thompson
Kevin Ward
Jim Braun
Diane O'Keefe
Joan Stultz
Kara Stultz
Jim Toner
Barbara Toner
Alan Snyder
Ernie Pollitzer
Dorothy Hardy
Mary Ruff
Dick Beatty
Adrienne Vanasco
Joseph Kuehmeier
Gay Rickenbacker
MESSAGE FROM FR. MICHAEL
As of this moment, there is nothing new from the Archdiocese, so we will continue doing what we've been doing. Stay strong, keep praying, keep reaching out to your loved ones and your neighbors!
Memo

Date: April 23, 2020
To: Priests, deacons, brothers, sisters and parish communicators
From: The Most Rev. Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM, Conv.; The Most Rev. Joel M. Konzen, S.M.; The Most Rev. Bernard Shlesinger, III
Re: Bishops of Georgia respond to Governor Kemp's April 20 order


Dear Friends in Christ,
Knowing how much Catholics everywhere are yearning to return to the Eucharist and to gather once again in our churches, we must communicate that, having struggled with our decision, we believe that we must yet maintain the current practice of sheltering in place. With input and support from the priests of both the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Savannah, we are, for the safety of all Georgia residents, not authorizing the return to congregating at churches or making our churches available for devotions. This determination extends through the month of May. If the sheltering-in-place and social distancing guidelines are altered significantly during this time, we will reexamine the possibility of congregating at churches.
We took many factors into account in coming to this conclusion. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has been updating data daily and providing guidance on when next steps might be safe. Their current report on Georgia indicates that waiting until June to shift social distancing strategies would be the best course of action.
Many of our priests fall into the high-risk category for this virus, as do a good number of the faithful. In addition to that, priests are reluctant to put their congregations at risk. With more than 200 churches and more than one million Catholics in the state of Georgia, in a great variety of circumstances, we are not able to offer a workable strategy that could apply throughout our diverse population.
If one church offers a unique liturgy or devotion, it might be flooded with attendees. Normally that would be a welcome response, but in the current environment this would not respect the need to remain, for safety’s sake, in place. The same is true for drive-through services and devotions. Parishes that could accommodate a drive-through service or reconciliation for their own members would not be able to safely accommodate the additional people from surrounding communities.
We will take the time from now until we do resume regular liturgies and sacraments to carefully plot the conditions--including matters of numerical management, required spacing, and sanitation--under which churches may safely return to offering regular gatherings. The dispensation from Saturday or Sunday Mass attendance is, of course, still applicable, although Catholics are expected to avail themselves of the virtual Mass each week.
Preserving the bonds of parish life is particularly important, even as we see evidence of the strengthening of family worship and devotion in our homes. Parishes are reaching out to the elderly and homebound, which we heartily endorse. Providing encouragement, especially in light of the protracted absence from normal activities, is a proper work of mercy.
Parish catechetical activities such as Parish Schools of Religion or other faith formation opportunities should be offered digitally. Both Arch/Diocesan staff and Parish staff have put together resources for both catechetical leaders and families to use, and they are updating their website resource pages almost daily.
The employees of the Chanceries will continue their working remotely and parishes are strongly encouraged to do likewise.
This is an unprecedented time in history, and we hardly imagined a time when we would have to weigh our Church’s spiritual progress against the brute necessities of general health and survival. But, we live in the reality of Easter, and even now we rejoice in the goodness of God and the saving grace of the Risen Lord. May the ever-new and ever-wondrous Paraclete, the Spirit of all truth, sustain us in hope and keep us united in the confession of our Catholic belief.
Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM, Conv.
Bishop of Savannah/Archbishop-designate of Atlanta
 
Bishop Joel M. Konzen, S.M.
Diocesan Administrator
Bishop Bernard Shlesinger, III
Auxiliary Bishop
Stewardship Scripture Reflection
Sixth Sunday of Easter

"For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:17)

The old line says “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Many of us are diligent in our planning and making sure things are progressing smoothly. Then disaster strikes, we don’t get the result that was intended or an unforeseen problem arises. Many times we may respond negatively and ask, “Why me? I did everything right!” Here’s the thing – adversity humbles us and reminds us of our dependence on God and not on our own self-reliance. Rest assured, God has a better plan in store for you.

GIVING
The shepherd calls his own sheep by name. (John 10:3) Jesus, help me lay down my life for your sheep today.

Offertory – At Masses & Online Giving
(Weekend of 5/10/20)  $10,160.

A most sincere thank you to all families who choose to continue supporting the church through your giving. Your support is crucial and heartfelt. Words fall short in expressing our gratitude. May God bless you for your generosity.

If you are one of the many families who have switched to online giving, and you plan to continue it when we return to attending masses, please email Millie ( cokas.finance@gmail.com ) to discontinue your envelope mailings. Since there are fees for both online giving and envelopes, it would be most helpful to choose which you prefer to use in an effort to save costs.  

May Second Collections
May 5 – St Vincent dePaul
May 24 – Catholic Communications
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you or a parishioner you know is in need of assistance, please keep in mind the following organizations that may be able to help:

Greene County Food Pantry
10 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Greensboro, GA 30642
706-453-1380
OPEN: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
from 10am – 1pm (Hours may vary)

Golden Harvest Food Pantry
Hancock Helping Hands
75 LS Inghram Road
Sparta, GA 31087
OPEN : First 2 nd , 3 rd , and 4 th  Tuesday of each month
from 8am – 12pm
(Each visitor is allowed to come once per month)

St. Vincent de Paul
706-453-4744 – Please leave a detailed message and someone will return your call within 24 hours.

COKAS Support
706-431-8202 – Please leave a detailed message and someone will return your call.

OFFICE DROP-OFFS OR PICK UPS

Out of concern for the safety and well-being of everyone, if you have anything to drop off in the office or at the mail slots in the office, please drop it off in the box at the Office door  from Monday to Friday ONLY. Please don't drop off on the weekend. 

We will check that box periodically and distribute as appropriate. If you need your Ministry Mail Slot checked and want to pickup please let us know via email and we will pull it and place the contents in a sealed envelope outside the office door and let you know via email when it is ready for pickup. 

If you have any questions or specific issues please call or email the office.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work our way through these difficult times. 

(706) 453-7292
cokas.office@gmail.com
cokas.reception@gmail.com

If you need to get in touch with any of the staff members, please email them at the email addresses listed above.

 Please click below to see our Parish Calendar for schedule of events.
DAILY HOLY MASSES
Until the "shelter in place" is lifted, Father Michael will be privately celebrating Mass, with the live-stream broadcasting on our COKAS website or Facebook Live as follows:


 Monday TBD via Facebook live
 Tuesday at 9:00AM COKAS website
 Wednesday at 9:00AM COKAS website
 Thursday at 9:00AM COKAS website
 Friday at 9:00AM COKAS website
 Saturday at 9:00AM Facebook live
 Sunday at 9:00AM COKAS website
 Sunday at 11:45AM COKAS website (in Spanish)



"The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue,"
On Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we hear the Suffering Servant of Isaiah declare, “The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.” Now more than ever, we, too, are called to speak to the weary the words of life, faith, and mercy, the Word who is Jesus. This is the inspiration for this month’s issue of Impact. Written in a time when many dioceses have suspended public liturgies through Easter, this issue of Impact invites people to reflect on the Paschal Mystery now, at this moment, and to ask themselves how they might allow Christ to speak to them, and how they may speak Christ to others. Blessings to you and your people - Leisa Anslinger 
Prayer of Petition: In our journey as a faith-filled community during our Year of Service, may we all heed Jesus’ call to love one another. May we show our love by sacrificial acts of service in our families, parish and communities.   Let us pray to the Lord…

How can we serve each other during the self-isolation? Some ideas:
·         Pray for first responders.
·         Pray for our church and government leaders.
·         Thank employees of essential services.
·         Contribute to a food bank.
·         Wear a mask when you go out in public.
·         Check in on those who live alone.
·         Evangelize: Tell others about live stream options at COKAS.org!
EASTER SEASON

What Is the Octave of Easter?
The period from Easter Sunday through  Divine Mercy Sunday  (the Sunday after Easter Sunday) is an especially joyful time. The Catholic Church refers to these eight days (counting both Easter Sunday and Divine Mercy Sunday) as the Octave of Easter. ( Octave  is also sometimes used to indicate the eighth day, that is, Divine Mercy Sunday, rather than the entire eight-day period.)

Every day in the Octave of Easter is so important that it is treated as a continuation of Easter Sunday itself. For that reason, no  fasting  is allowed during the Octave of Easter (since fasting has always been forbidden on Sundays), and on the Friday after Easter, the normal obligation to abstain from meat on Fridays is waived.

How Many Days Does the Easter Season Last?
But the Easter season doesn't end after the Octave of Easter: Because Easter is the most important feast in the Christian calendar, even more important than Christmas, the Easter season continues on for 50 days, through the  Ascension of Our Lord  to  Pentecost Sunday , seven full weeks after Easter Sunday! Indeed, for the purpose of fulfilling our Easter Duty (the requirement to receive  Communion  at least once during the Easter season), the Easter season extends a bit further, until  Trinity Sunday , the first Sunday after Pentecost. That final week isn't counted in the regular Easter season, though.

How Many Days Are Between Easter and Pentecost?
If Pentecost Sunday is the seventh Sunday after Easter Sunday, shouldn't that mean that the Easter season is only 49 days long? After all, seven weeks times seven days is 49 days, right?
There's no problem with your math. But just as we count both Easter Sunday and Divine Mercy Sunday in the Octave of Easter, so, too, we count both Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday in the 50 days of the Easter season.

Have a Happy Easter
So even after Easter Sunday has passed, and the Octave of Easter has passed, keep on celebrating and wishing your friends a happy Easter. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us in his famous Easter homily, read in Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches on Easter, Christ has destroyed death, and now is the "feast of faith."
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