Parent Teacher Talk
October 20, 2019
29th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Luke 18: 1 - 8
Under attack int he first reading, Moses commands the Israelite army to fight back. Upon his dedication swung the balance of the battle. While his arms were up, they won. As they grew weary, he didn't give up - her persevered, trusted God, and asked for help. Others held up his arms and the battle was won. Rather than cry out to God that he needed his arms made stronger, He yielded to God's way of resolving the issue and God won the day for Israel.

The Psalms calls upon God with confidence! They turn to Him with the same faith as does Peter in John 6:68, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Our help is from the Lord and only from Him. Entertainment, food, drink, drugs - these can dull our longings, but ultimately the hole that only God can fill remains empty until we turn everything over to Him.

St. Paul encourages his readers to never give up on their faith, persevering in believing what they have been taught from the Scriptures and had explained to them through the Apostles.
If something is truth, it is always truth and, being baptized, we are charged with sharing that truth with those who don't have it in the same way we share food with someone standing before us who is starving.

The Gospel
If a callous human judge will yield to the pleadings of an insignificant person (which is how society would view an "old widow"), how much more quickly and thoroughly will we be answered by our loving and caring God, He Who tells us to call Him, "Abba, Father."
We might not always understand the answer or like it, but He always responds with the best possible intervention on behalf of those for whom we pray. NEVER give up on prayer!
Through our pleadings and His answers we grow in understanding.
October ___________________________________________________PDH = Parish Dining Hall
19th........... Catechist Day of Reflection held at St. Veronica Parish (Receive 2 Vocare credits!)
22nd.......... Memorial Service for Children Born and Unborn (including failed adoptions)
 24th............ First Reconciliation Gathering - Special Guest: Fr. Bill! Reconciliation re-enactment
November______________________________________________________________________
3rd............ All Soul's Reception after the Noon Mass, PDH
.................. Daylight Savings - An extra hour of sleep!
9th............ Parish Address: Fr. Bill comments on Letters to a Suffering Church that addresses .................. the church abuse scandal. See below.
20th........... First Reconciliation Celebration!! WEDNESDAY, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm in Church
24th........... RCIA Rite of Acceptance
28th........... Happy Thanksgiving! Remember to Whom we owe thanks on this day
December______________________________________________________________________
1 st............ No PSR, RCIA, or CLOW - Thanksgiving break
7th........... 8th Confirmation Retreat - Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford
8th........... Baptism Preparation for parents expecting a child (through pregnancy or ................. adoption) or already have their blessing home and wish to have them baptized
22nd - ...... Christmas Break! Celebrate our Lord's birth Dec 25th and honor Him by
- Jan 3rd... Celebrating the Solemnity of Mary on Jan 1, 2020
Newsy Notes

Memorial Service for the Born and Unborn
For those who have lost a child,
including through miscarriage, abortion, failed adoption.
We will let our hearts lift them up to God!
This is open to anyone, including non-parishioners!
Oct. 22, 7:00 pm in Church

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JOIN US and ASK Fr. Bill
Have questions or concerns about the Church abuse scandal?
Join us November 9th when we will watch helpful videos addressing the scandals, then Fr. Bill will
share thoughts and answer questions.
Using Bishop Barron's book "
Letters to to A Suffering Church ,"
as a starting point, come share a frank look at what has happened, is happening, and how we can respond.
Lunch included!
Learn more at the button below.
***********************************************************************Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)

Held during the 10:00 am Mass for ages 6 - 5th grade
Participants can assist with the readings - watch for the flyer through school, PSR, and CLOW for details and to sign up.
Meditation

"Go courageously to God,
along the way He has traced out for you,
steadfastly embracing the means He offers you.”

--St. Margaret Mary Alacoque,
to whom Jesus revealed the Sacred Heart devotion
Greetings Parents,

Today was a day during which I was busy from the moment I woke (well, form the moment I last hit the snooze and got out of bed), until the wee hours of the night during which I write this. There was a long list of "things needing to be done TODAY." I think all of 2 were fully resolved. I was, however, chauffeur for 3.5 hours, attentive parent for 2.5 hours on school tour, cook for 2 hours, volunteer for 1 hour, administrative assistant for 2.5 hour, income provider for 3 hours, parent at 2 meals with children for 1.5 hours, maid for 1 hour, drill sergeant regarding chores for 30 minutes, teacher for 1.5 hour, and navigation and planning for 1 hour. If I added correctly, that's 19.5 hours.

Activities NOT on the list, but that did get done were: quality time and conversation with teenage sons when they were both in good moods; lighthearted joking around with 3rd son; listening ear for husband regarding events needing coordination; communications to a group for a major upcoming event; and trying to find a new doctor for a symptom we've not treated before, but won't go away.

According to my task list, it as not a successful day. If I asked my family, though, I think they would say I did pretty well today. I was there when they needed me. They mentioned new "true" needs and saw action for getting them addressed, and they had a home cooked meal too (no longer a given in this household!).

Tomorrow I try to knock out task items again. Either I can be frustrated or I can see the good that came and figure that was God's answer to prayers for a good day and for helping me do for my family what needed doing. Not MY vision for how it would best be done, but we're all home safe and happy with one another and tomorrow is a new day for accomplishing. Like the old widow in the Gospel, I do nag for some (most) things. May I be like St. Paul and persevere in not just my asking, but in trusting in the faith I profess to believe and be confident that God is answering those pleas.

Remind your children to ask their guardian angel's advice for how best to pray today! May God's blessing pour upon your family in abundance!

- Linda Bader, CRE, St. Thomas More

P.S. Did you know you should NOT name your guardian angel? Naming implies authority over the one being named. Only 3 angelic names are revealed to us, we are not to know or use the others this side of heaven.
During an exorcism, the exorcists seek to know a demon's name because then it is weakened and can be more easily cast out. NEVER seek out ANY spirit's name - unless you become ordained AND have been instructed in exorcisms and therefore know what is safe and what is not. St. Michael, protect us!
Articles for Parents: This section his no longer included for lack of interest.