Outdoor Procession to Celebrate Mary's Assumption
Join Us Friday, August 14, at 7:30pm
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From the Desk of Fr. William
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Church is getting ready to celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption on August 15. Although this year, because it falls on a Saturday, it is not a ‘holy day of obligation’—a day when the faithful are “obliged” (for the love of Christ!) to attend Mass; even more so during this time of the Corona virus when the Bishop has left Mass attendance to the prudence of each individual and household—let’s not let this feast-day pass by without meditating and celebrating this AWESOME truth of our faith!
What does the Church believe about Mary’s Assumption? “When the course of her earthly life was finished, [Mary] was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory…[in] an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians” (CCC, #966). OK…but is it in the Bible? Yes and no. No in the literal sense: nowhere in scripture do we have an account of this event. However, this teaching has been a part of the constant tradition of the church, supported by evidence from early liturgical documents, and we can see beautifully how this event was foreshadowed in the Old Testament.
Just as Mary is called the “new Eve,” because of the parallels of her work in undoing Adam’s sin through Jesus, so too many Fathers of the Church referred to Mary as the “ark of the covenant.” She was the one who bore Jesus to the world, holding his body and blood of the new covenant in her womb, just as the old “ark of the covenant” carried the tablets of the Ten Commandments of the “old covenant” (or the “Old Testament”) for the armies of Israel. And so we hear in the vigil Mass of the Assumption “Lord, go up to the place of your rest, you and the ark of your holiness.” In the New Testament, we have a strong allusion to Mary’s Assumption in book of Revelation: a woman clothed with the sun (Rev 12:1) appears in the sky…along with the ark of the covenant! (Rev 11:19).
The Assumption is something to ponder and strengthen our hope that one day our human nature, created in God’s image as male and female—will be resurrected.
Come and join our outdoor procession to celebrate Mary’s Assumption at 7:30 pm on Friday, August 14 at the front entrance of the Church! May she increase our wonder at the awesome work of her Son.
Under her protection, Fr. William
2020 Parish Festival Cancelled
Alternative Event to be Announced Soon
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Dear Parishioners,
Peace to you from the rectory. Since this past spring, when the coronavirus crisis began to impact our area, there have been wavering thoughts about having the parish festival this year. In May, hosting the festival seemed impossible; more recently, there was hope, but with continued discernment, we have decided that it is simply not feasible.
Under the circumstances, this is not surprising, and in fact is part of a discouraging pattern during this pandemic of events being either postponed or cancelled altogether. What was surprising in this discernment was the unified sense that we should not let our festival date pass without doing something. And it seemed that this something should take a two-fold form: 1) spiritual - as in prayer and outreach for the many afflicted by this world-wide health crisis, and 2) fun - for obvious reasons, but on a smaller scale and in keeping with the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of infection.
Right now, we are working on a plan, which should be ready in the near future. That plan includes a T-shirt - with a most appropriate Scripture quote: "Do not be afraid, only believe." (Mk 5:36) As we wrap up these items, I ask for your prayers that we develop just the right combination of safe activities for volunteers and participants alike. We are also seeking volunteers to make this modified event happen. Already we have been in touch with some volunteers; if you have not yet been contacted and are interested in volunteering, give the rectory a call or email, and we will be in touch.
In keeping with the parish tradition of holding the festival on the last Saturday of September, this year our event will be on September 26, the feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Among other things, these Third Century martyrs were both physicians, and are now patron saints for doctors, surgeons and pharmacists. Someone told me they are also invoked against plagues! Asking these holy men for their intercession at this time will surely help. St. Philip the Apostle - pray for us! St. Cosmas and St. Damian - pray for us!
Your servant in Christ, Fr. Donahue
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Take Note
Food Pantry Hours Change
Starting Saturday, August 1, 2020, the St. Philip Food Pantry will be open from 8:30-10:00am on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month. We anticipate doing contactless pick up for the foreseeable future. If you have any questions, please email stphilipfoodpantry@gmail.com. Thank you to everyone that has continued to support the Food Pantry. The Food Pantry is in need of cereal, jelly, oil, peanut butter, and reusable bags.
Horario de despensa de alimentos que cambia
A partir del sábado 1 de agosto de 2020, la despensa de alimentos de St. Philip estará abierta de 8:30-10:00 am el primer y tercer sábado de cada mes. Anticipamos realizar recogidas sin contacto en el futuro previsible. Si tiene alguna pregunta, envíe un correo electrónico a stphilipfoodpantry@gmail.com. Gracias a todos losque han continuado apoyando la despensa de alimentos. La despensa de alimentos necesita cereales, gelatina, aceite, mantequilla de maní y bolsas reutilizables.
Bishop Burbidge Encourages Everyone to Participate in the 2020 Census
Find more information in English and Spanish.
Please Support Our New Weekly Bulletin
Please pick up a print version of the new Bulletin in the vestibule. (Please take your copy with you.) Or get it online here (updated every Friday). If you or your business would like to be part of this new publication and get noticed in our bulletin, now is the time to reserve your space. Contact our bulletin representative, Marsha Haney, at 941-445-0778 (direct) or mhaney@jppc.net to be part of the new and improved publication. And don't forget to support the local businesses that support St. Philip by advertising in our Bulletin, and let them know where you saw their ad!
Knights of Columbus Membership
The Knights of Columbus - the largest lay men's organization in the Church - invites you to join our council. Although we are living through tough times, the Knights have streamlined the membership process and have scheduled virtual ceremonies to welcome you to our order. Meetings (both virtual and in real) are on the 3rd Monday of the month at 8pm. For further information, please email Terence J Smith, Grand Knight, at tjmorrill@hotmail.com.
Formed: Free Catholic Content for the Whole Family
Have you signed up for your free Formed.org account? Formed has movies and videos, online books, podcasts, Bible studies, material for children, all with a Catholic view, in English and Spanish. You can watch it on your computer, phone, or smart TV. Go to Formed.org to sign up for your free account.
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