23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (A) | Sept 6, 2020
Would Jesus ever excommunicate someone? It seems like a silly question. To be excommunicated is to be declared outside of communion with the Church, and by extension with God. It is the harshest punishment the Church can inflict. When we think of Jesus' ministry, it is all about reconciliation and union, teaching us to love God and neighbor. Excommunication seems like the opposite of that. But in this Sunday's gospel (Mt 18:15-20), Jesus tells the disciples that if someone refuses to be reconciled to the Church they should be treated as an outsider. How is this teaching compatible with Christ's call to love one another? That's what we explore in this week's video reflection.

Other announcements:
  • I want to thank all our students for being so good about wearing your masks and social distancing when at CCM. Thanks especially to our student peer ministers who have been disinfecting all of our high-touch surfaces twice each day since the semester began.
  • There is still time to join a small group! Click here for more information.
  • Did you know we have a special prayer request group on GroupMe? Click here to join.
  • Stop by CCM to pick up your free copy of The Word Among Us with meditations and scripture readings for each day of the month, available both in English and Spanish. We also have other prayer books for give-away on the table inside the front door to the chapel -- free while supplies last!

In Christ's Peace,
Deacon Matt
This Week's Schedule
SUNDAY | Sept 6
  • CONFESSIONS | 3:00 PM
  • ROSARY | 3:30 PM
  • MASS | 4:00 PM
  • CREDO | 5:15 PM

Sunday Masses this semester are celebrated at Hillside Grind on the lawn (or inside if raining). Social distancing and face coverings required (more info). Mass will also be live streamed on our Facebook Page.

CREDO TOPIC: Our Credo discussions after Mass continue as we look at the object of our faith - God. So much of our concept of "God" is taken for granted. What do we really believe about who and what God is? Is the Christian concept of God any different from that of other religions? Come with questions and join in the discussion!
MONDAY | Sept 7
TUESDAY | Sept 8
  • SILENT ADORATION | 12-1 PM
  • Face masks required in the chapel.
  • SMALL GROUP | 6:00 PM (click for info)
WEDNESDAY | Sept 9
  • SMALL GROUP | 5:30 PM (click for info)
  • CCM CONNECT! | 7:00 PM
  • Jesse, one of our student peer ministers, shares with us his conversion story this week. What was it that brought this country baptist into the Catholic Church? Watch on:
  • IGTV
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • ADORATION & EVENING PRAYER | 8:00 PM
  • live streamed on Facebook.
THURSDAY | Sept 10
FRIDAY | Sept 11
  • MASS | 12:15 PM
  • Face masks required in the chapel
  • CCM CLEAN UP | 1:00 PM
  • ROSARY for CAMPUS | 3:00 PM

After Mass each Friday this semester, we invite you to grab a to-go lunch on campus and bring it back to CCM to enjoy. We'll spend the afternoon doing light yard work and cleaning indoors to help keep our center beautiful. At 3:00 pm we will stop our work and pray the rosary together for the intentions of the students, staff and faculty at WCU.
Celebrate Your Love of the Eucharist!
The annual diocesan Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19. But our bishop is encouraging each parish to celebrate our love for Christ in the Eucharist in a special way locally on the same dates. Next week, on Sept 11-12, join St. Mary's in a special Eucharistic celebration.

  • Friday Sept 11
  • Mass at 9:00 am with Adoration after Mass until midnight
  • Saturday Sept 12
  • Holy Hour of Reparation at 8:00 am
  • Mass at 9:00 am followed by keynote talk on Eucharistic Miracles and a Eucharistic Procession around the parish neighborhood concluding with Benediction in the church at 11:00 am.
Thank you for your support!
Catholic Campus Ministry at WCU
Deacon Matthew Newsome, MTh, campus minister
828-293-9374