Dear St. Gabriel Parishioners:
- Mark's Gospel on this 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time is the story of Jesus' encounter with the man seeking eternal life is essentially a vocation story (Mark 10:17-30). It is the only story in Mark in which the individual called responds not by following, but by going away.
Jesus uses the rich man's departure as a teaching moment to instruct his disciples about the dangerous snare that earthly possessions, success and prosperity can have. Total detachment from one's possessions is required of every authentic disciple. Jesus saw the danger of material possessions. They can fix our heart to the world and make us think of everything in terms of price rather than value.
Jesus’ teaching on wealth and richness was incomprehensible to the listeners. When Jesus said, "how hard it would be for rich people to enter the Kingdom of God" the Gospel says, "The disciples, were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, 'Then who can be saved?'" Anyone of us would naturally ask the same question!
Jesus reminded them that salvation is purely a gift from God. Grace is God's gift and only those whose arms and hands are empty of self can stretch out to receive the gift of grace. The achievement of salvation is beyond human capability and depends solely on the goodness of God who offers it as a gift.
- It’s not too late to register your children for Elementary religious education classes on Wednesday afternoon or Sunday morning; or Confirmation Classes on every other Sunday evening. Please check with the Religious Education Office or Parish Office for more information.
For RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adult) who explores the Catholic Faith which meeting on Tuesday evening from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the Community Room as our Parish Community prepares for another “Liturgical Year” with our Catholic Life.
- We are called to this Eucharistic celebration – along with Catholics in every parish and the whole church through the world – to fulfill the call we first heard at Baptism, the call to be missionaries, to share our faith. “Mission is a passion for Jesus and at the same time, a passion for his people” Pope Francis said in his Pentecost remark. In Jesus’ command to “go forth”, we see the scenarios and ever-present new challenges of the Church’s evangelizing mission. All her members are called to proclaim the Gospel by their witness of life.
So, World Mission Sunday will be celebrated next weekend October 16 & 17, we are invited to “celebrate the hope that saves” through prayer and participation in the Eucharist for the work of the whole church. Please generously support the Mission of the Church next weekend.
- October is the Respect for Life (from the womb to the tomb), there are opportunities to learn about the Church teaching on the Sacred Gift of Life, Defending of Life and Prayer for Life. October, also, a Month of the Rosary. There are opportunities to pray the Rosary before each Mass on the weekend; come early before Mass and join with other parishioners to pray this beautiful traditional prayer for Life and Peace. Also, remember to pray the Rosary with your family for Life and Peace in the World throughout this month of October.
Living still under Covid-19 protocols, our parish traditional “Living Rosary” is being simplify – everyone comes early before Mass is invited to participates in this event on Saturday and Sunday, October 30 & 31 is “a bead” of this Living Rosary. Everyone present is invited to come to the microphone to say a “Hail Mary” in any language that you speak and we will all response in the second part of the “Hail Mary” in English together (the traditional style in Fatima, Portugal).
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang