August 17, 2008

Reverend Paul Pecchie, Pastor

Reverend Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

Deacon Richard Brady,

Deacon Kenneth Spaulding (Seasonal)

Deacon Ralph Bufano (Seasonal)

Retired Assisting Priests

Reverend Monsignor Richard Cahill

Reverend Kenneth Bonadies

Reverend Bernard MacAdam (Seasonal)

Music Director:

Mrs. Paulette King ................................................. x 316

Sacristans:

Sr. Castissima Masambo, CDNK .......................... x 304

Directors of Religious Education:

K-8th grade: M/M Joseph & Julie Blum................ x 320

Adult: Sr. Kathleen Luger, OSC............................ x 321

Outreach Ministries:

Sr. Rosamunda Massawe, CDNK.......................... x 321

Ms. Claire Obordo ................................................. x 302

Youth Ministry:

H.S.: M/M Pete & Marie O'Shea .......................... x 322

Jr. High: M/M Robert & Sue Tassinari ................ x 322

Twentieth Sunday

in Ordinary Time

August 17, 2008 A.D.

Confessions are heard on Saturdays, 3:30 & 5:30 PM

(also Thursdays before First Friday at 8:30 AM).

Baptisms are arranged at least two months in advance

by calling the parish office.

Marriages are scheduled with the priest at least six

months ahead of time.

Anointing of the Sick: If you anticipate a hospital stay,

please ask to be anointed prior to hospitalization at one

of the daily Masses. In case of an emergency, please

call at any hour. The infirm may call the parish office to

arrange for a priest to anoint them at home.

Visits to the Homebound: Our Eucharistic Ministers

bring Holy Communion to our homebound

parishioners, usually on a weekly basis. Please call the

parish office if you are not able to attend Mass.

Parish Registration is done by attending a Welcome

Meeting and Breakfast. Please call the parish office for

details.

St. Patrick School, founded in 1959, provides an

excellent academic program (grades preK-8) in a

Christ-centered environment, nurturing each student in

mind, body and soul.

Principal: Sr. Veronica Visceglia, SSND ....... 581-4865

MASS SCHEDULE

Daily Mass (Monday thru Saturday morning): 8:00 AM

Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM; Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM.

Please note: NO 5:30 PM in the summer.

1507 Trotter Road, Largo, FL 33770

Mailing Address: 2121 - 16th Ave. SW, Largo, FL 33770

Parish Office: (727) 584-2318; Fax: (727) 586-5413

Website: www.stpatrick-largo.org

Summer Office Hours

Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 1:30 pm

Friday: 9 am - 12 noon

AVE

PITY

, L

ORD

, S

AVID

Page 2 - Sunday, August 17, 2008

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Friends in Christ,

Today we hear how God's time is not our time, reminding us that we are in this

for the long haul. This long-term perspective is very hard for us to live by,

because our modern world has such a short-term culture.

New products come onto the market every day.

New headlines grab our attention every day.

New secrets-to-happiness come out on TV talk shows every day.

But immediate gratification and the quick fix are not God's style.

God's perspective includes eternity, and he wants us to share that perspective.

This comes across clearly in the First Reading from the Prophet Isaiah.

That prophecy speaks of God's plan to bring salvation to the Gentiles as well as the Jews.

But the Good News of that plan didn't reach the Gentile nations until St. Paul started preaching it to them

five-hundred-years later.

That's long-term planning! But that's how God thinks.

It wasn't easy for Christ's first followers to grasp this.

They were hoping that Jesus would be a short-term revolutionary, liberating Israel from

Roman oppression like a political genius.

This is why they were so disoriented by Jesus' passion and death; it looked like a failed

revolution.

But gradually, with the help of the Holy Spirit, they did learn to think as God thinks,

taking a long-term perspective.

There are three circumstances in life when this truth provides special comfort and wisdom.

First, in times of trouble and trial:

Suffering comes to all of us, just as it came to Mary and Jesus, because we live in a fallen world

and the way of the cross is the way of salvation.

When the weight of the cross gets particularly heavy, we must make an effort to remember that God

is thinking long-term, as all the saints and martyrs did.

As one modern Catholic philosopher puts it: "God's real answer to the problem of pain and suffering is two

words: just wait."

Second, in times of success and prosperity:

When things go well, it is easy for us to forget about the long-term perspective.

When life is exceedingly pleasant, we can forget that we are pilgrims, that our

purpose is not to make a paradise on earth, but to live well so as to bring ourselves

and many others to heaven.

This is why it is so important to tithe, to give of one's time, talents, and treasure regularly and significantly for

the good of the Church.

Finally, remembering that God thinks the long-term helps us when we have to make

important decisions.

Every person faces a dozen or so decisions that change the whole course of their lives

vocational decisions, career decisions, relationship decisions...

When we face them, we must always lift our hearts to God, begging for the grace to

see all things as God sees them.

When our friends are facing those decisions, we should help

them see God's perspective.

In times of trouble, prosperity, and decision, nothing will help us more than to remember

that God thinks long-term, and so should we.

We welcome our St. Patrick School community to the 11 AM Mass today! How fitting as

a Catholic school we would begin our new year dedicated to God through the celebration

of the Holy Mass. Let us all pray for our new school year, that all faculty, staff and

families will grow ever closer to the Lord!

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Fr. Pecchie

JMJ

Fr. Paul Pecchie

ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH

Tel: 727-584-2318

Fr. Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

2121 - 16th Avenue SW, Largo, FL 33770

Fax: 727-586-5413

First Reading -- Eliakim is destined by

God to be a father to those who live in

Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:19-23).

Psalm -- Lord, your love is eternal; do

not forsake the work of your hands

(Psalm 138).

Second Reading -- How deep are the

riches and the wisdom and the

knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33-36).

Gospel -- Jesus asked the disciples,

"Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew

16:13-20).

Are we proclaiming that Jesus is the

Messiah and encouraging others to have

faith and follow Him?

Let us pray for our enemies

and journey together with the Lord.

We are . . . Disciples in Mission

Sharing our Faith in Christ

CALLED TO ACT IN GOD'S NAME

"Let all the nations praise you!" (Psalm 67:4) today's psalm response

exclaims. In the psalms and other Hebrew scriptures, this kind of

invocation is actually an invitation to God to act, to intervene in human

lives in a manner that will cause everyone not just the Chosen People

to give praise. Stated a bit more strongly, it is something of a "put up or

shut up" challenge to God, the sort of strong statement the psalmists of

Israel, trusting in their intimate and loving relationship with God, were not

afraid to make.

The Gospel has its own exclamation, announcing the appearance of

the Canaanite woman with "Behold!" (Matthew 15:22) "Behold!" is a

scriptural flag that tells us that God is about to act or announce something

through an individual or a situation. In the

case of Jesus, God was going to act through

this woman, whom nobody among Jesus'

followers would have believed to be an agent

of the divine will. Like the psalmists, we

might passively inform or perhaps even

actively challenge God to do something so that

everyone will come to believe, but God will

always turn the tables on us. It becomes our

calling, our duty (as it was for Jesus) to behold

the situations and persons of our daily lives so

that God can act through us, so the Kingdom

can be announced through our living.

Readings: August 24, 2008

21st

Sunday Ordinary Time

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Parish & Evangelization - Page 3

ELEBRATING

YEARS

ARISH

EWS

For more on the Year of St. Paul,

see page 8.

A warm welcome is extended to new parishioners! Parish Registrations ...

New members can pick up a registration form at the parish office during office hours

(9 am 3 pm, Monday-Thursday or at the church before Mass). The registration form is

also available online at our website,

www.stpatrick-largo.org

. Parish registration is

important as it announces your arrival in the parish and assures you of full status as a

parishioner. This enables the parish priest and staff to make available to you the rights

and privileges guaranteed by Church law, such as the administration of sacraments.

Registration is also a great way of learning about the parish as well as supporting the parish in its ministries

New members to St. Patrick Parish are invited to pick up a white Ministries Booklet in the Church or in Msgr.

McCall Hall. The booklet contains important information about our St. Patrick Church Catholic Community,

descriptions of ministries and a brief introduction to St. Patrick himself. The package is also

available in the Parish Office. Even though we live in an electronic age and much business

is accomplished with great efficiency, parish registration is best left the old way and invites a

face to face encounter. So: 1) Pick up a Ministries Booklet, 2) Look over all the information,

3) Gather your household and complete the Green Stewardship/Registration Form, and 4)

Bring your Form by the Parish Office and let us meet you.

Please note that it may take two months before your Contribution Envelopes will be

mailed directly from our Envelope Company, so please pick up a packet of temporary

envelopes from the parish office. Your stewardship is important to us!

Welcome Sunday Breakfast for New Parishioners : Anyone who has registered

recently in the parish is invited to attend a Welcome Breakfast on Sunday, September 7th

after the 9 AM Mass in the Conference Room of Msgr. McCall Hall.

During this meeting you will receive information about the Parish and its many activities, organizations and

ministries. You will also have the opportunity to talk with our Pastor, Fr. Pecchie, current parishioners and ministry

directors. We'll look forward to seeing you on the 7th. For more info., contact the parish office.

All for the Greater Honor & Glory of God

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Page 4 - Faith Formation

Coming September 16th:
St. Paul's Letter to the Corinthians

Sr. Kathleen

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (CR)

Tuesday evenings

New 10 week course will begin in September.
Registration will begin in August.

Adult Bible Study
Sr. Kathleen

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (CR)

Wednesday, August 20th

Lectionary Bible Study

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA: Are you interested in learning more about the

Catholic faith? We invite you to join our RCIA inquiry

sessions where you will learn about the richness of our

Catholic faith and be introduced to our parish

family. These sessions are open to all who are not yet

baptized, those who are baptized in other Christian

denominations, and for those who are baptized in the

Catholic faith but have not received the sacraments of

Confirmation and Eucharist. Next inquiry meeting:

August 28th, 7 pm in the Conference Room. If you

have any questions please call Sr. Kathleen. Phone the

parish office at 584-2318, and ask for ext. 321.

St. Patrick's Religious Education

Religious Education (K-8) Sundays, 10:30 - 11:45 AM

Men's Small Faith Sharing Group: We meet

on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM in the School

Media Center. All men are welcome to join us!

Mr. & Mrs.

Joseph &

Julie Blum

DRE, ext. 320

Going Deeper With Your Faith

Adult Education and Faith Formation

Religious

Ed.

PASTOR'S CLASS with Fr. Pecchie

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Monday, August 18th

Female Doctors of the Church:

St. Teresa of Avila, St. Catherine

of Siena and St. Therese of

Lisieux.

Foundations of Personal Prayer: We meet

every Monday afternoon at 2:30 PM* in the

Msgr. McCall Hall Library.

* Please note change.

Have you seen our Web page? Check out what's new and what you missed!

Visit www.stpatrick-largo.org today!

Early Religious Education- "Sunday School" for K - 8th Grade

Open Registration for the upcoming year will take place after the 9 AM Mass on

Sunday, August 24th and 31st in Msgr. McCall Hall. We offer classes for children

entering K through 8th on Sunday mornings from 10:30 to 11:45. We have an

awesome program with dedicated catechists who strive to help you raise your

children CATHOLIC! It is our mission to teach and form your children to know, love

and serve Christ! If you have any questions about the program, please call Joe at

ext. 320. Classes begin September 7th.

Sacrament Preparation for

First Confession, First

Communion (2nd grade) and

Confirmation (8th grade)

Those children seeking the

sacraments must register for

sacrament preparation classes.

Open registration is on the last

two Sundays in August, the

24th and 31st, after the 9 AM

Mass in Msgr. McCall Hall.

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Browse our

books in the comfort of the library in

Msgr. McCall Hall or check it out.

For more information on our Library

Book Club, please phone Renee at

584-3775 or Florence at 595-3254.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Council

# 4892 meets on the second

Thursday of the month at 8 PM in the

Cafeteria. Call Bob Lamelle at 584-

1234. See you there!

SCHOOL OPENS:

Monday, August 18,2008

NOON Dismissal (with Extended Care until 6 pm)

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

NOON Dismissal (with Extended Care until 6 pm)

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

FULL DAY OF SCHOOL

Principal:

Sr. Veronica

Visceglia,

SSND

Jr. High Youth Ministers: Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Sue Tassinari, ext. 322

. P

ATRICK

ATHOLIC

CHOOL

ELEBRATING

OVER

YEARS

XCELLENCE

DUCATION

, L

EADERSHIP

& S

ERVICE

St. Patrick Catholic Youth

The Junior Youth Group meets on Sunday nights from 7:00 to 8:30

PM in the Youth Room. Newcomers are always welcome! If you

have any questions, please call Sue & Bob at 585-5546.

IND

, O

EART

, O

PIRIT

ENIOR

OUTH

ROUP

"By This Sign, You Will Conquer"

H.S. Youth Ministers:

Mr. & Mrs. Pete & Marie O'Shea, ext. 322

The Senior Youth Group meets during the summer on Saturday nights after the

4:30 PM Mass in the Youth Room. Youth in high school or older are welcome

to attend.

REGISTRATION for

2008 - 2009 SCHOOL YEAR

REGISTRATION for all grades (Pre-K-

8) is taking place. St. Patrick is a fully

a c c r e d i t e d , C h r i s t - c e n t e r e d

environment, known for academic

excellence. Come and see what makes

St. Patrick so special. For more info

call the school office (727) 581- 4865.

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

School & Youth - Page 5

OPENING SCHOOL MASS / OPEN HOUSE & RECEPTION

The Opening School Mass and Open House for the new school

year will be TODAY, Sunday, August 17 at 11 AM. Pre-

Kindergarten and Kindergarten Orientation and

Open House (Grades 1-8) will be held after Mass

in the classrooms. Immediately following, the

PTO will host a Reception for all school families

new and returning in Msgr. McCall Hall. Join us

for these great events!!!

Come Let Us Sing to the Lord!

Our music ministry has many opportunities for everyone who wants to share their

gifts of music for the praise, honor and glory of our God.

Starting Tuesday, September 2nd, the Bell Choir will begin their rehearsals at 7

PM in the Church. Rehearsals this year will be every two weeks! The bells enhance

our 11 AM Mass on Sunday and all other major celebrations with their joyful sound! New members are very much in

need and teenagers are welcome.

Our Children's Choir will start their rehearsals on Thursday, September 4th at 6 PM until 6:45 PM in

the Office of Liturgical Music. Children from grade 3 and up are all welcome and

will sing at our 9 AM Mass. We are blessed to have once more Ms. Jennifer Ross

as my assistant.

Our Adult Choir will also start rehearsing on Thursday, September 4th at 7 PM until 9 PM in

the Office of Liturgical Music. We sing at the 11 AM Mass on Sunday and all major celebrations

during our Liturgical year!

We welcome anyone who can play a musical instrument or percussion that will enhance our

celebrations. For more information, please contact Paulette, ext. 316. If God has given you the

gift of musical talent, please consider serving the Lord by offering all that you are.

Page 6 - Stewardship

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

TEWARDSHIP

: T

IME

, T

ALENT

, T

REASURE

2008 Annual Pastoral Appeal

Summary as of 08/05/08

Diocesan Assessment:

$ 127,546.00

Total Pledges to Date:

64,220.88

Payments Received to Date:

49,746.18

Total Number of Donors:

221

Average Gift:

290.59

Percent of Parish Participation

22.37 %

Percent of Goal

50.35 %

We need your help! The amount you pledge by using the

Diocesan APA envelopes, marked "St. Patrick Church,

Largo # 370" is not assessed for next year's APA. Please

prayerfully consider making your pledge today. Diocesan

APA envelopes are found at the doors of the church or at

the church office.

HAVE YOU SENT IN YOUR PLEDGE?

May God bless you and your family!

Your generosity helps support our parish operating

expenses and our ministries each week, so that we

may serve you, our parishioners, better!

OFFERTORY

August 10, 2008 (316 Envelopes)

$ 9,954.00

Building & Maintenance (104 Envs) $ 1,460.00

Children's Envelopes (2 Envelopes)

$ 7.00

Helping Hands (Poor Box)

$ 331.00

St. Patrick's Weekly Offering of Thanksgiving

Stewardship Prayer

Father, make giving a blessing and not a burden.

As we reflect more and more on all you have given us,

make us eager and willing givers

of all the gifts you have poured down on us.

Make each one of us grateful. In Christ, Amen.

The Campaign Committee would like to thank all

the families who have contributed to this campaign

and have made it a great success. As of July 31st:

May God Bless Your Stewardship!

Total Master Plan Cost:

$ 1,000,000.00

Total Pledges to Date:

917,070.60

Payments Received to Date:

254,628.60

Total Number of Donors:

373

Average Gift:

2,458.63

Percent of Parish Participation

37.8 %

Thank you again for your ongoing support!

WENTIETH

UNDAY

RDINARY

IME

In today's second reading, St. Paul tells the Romans, "God's gifts and his call are irrevocable."

To what is God calling me today? What gifts are mine to share? See Romans 11:29

NIGHTS

OLUMBUS

ANCAKE

REAKFAST

50/50

August 3rd: Winning Ticket # 905249 - $36.00

To claim prize, phone Al Pomianowski at 581-1421.

From the Mission of St. Patrick:

We thank all Volunteers who have supported the Mission of

St. Patrick from the beginning. Through them we have

reached out to 41 families (13 refugees who greatly

appreciate St. Patrick's loving and welcoming spirit). Last

year we were able to support a good number of children in

Rainbow Village with uniforms and other school supplies.

We still need your help:

Volunteers to teach English

as a second language for adults on Tuesdays from 11:30 to

12:30 PM.

To give Religious Instructions and teach

children how to pray on Sundays from 10:30 to 11:30 AM.

House supplies: dinning set for four people, queen size

mattress including bed sheets, a computer & desk, and school

supplies for children. If you have any questions please call

Sr. Rosamunda, ext. 321.

A Canaanite woman implored Jesus to reach out to help her daughter. Jesus was stretched beyond what

he thought was his mission. Will you let yourself go beyond what is "safe"? (Matthew:15:21-28)

VOCATION VIEW: August 17, 2008 - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time A

Attention All Parishioners!

Please note that all pledges made for our Capital

Campaign "Remember, Respond, Renew" are sent

unopened to the Diocese of St. Petersburg Campaign

Office. To best record your information, checks

should be made out to "St. Patrick Church" only.

Also, please include your pledge cards and use a

pledge envelope, or mark clearly on the outside of the

envelope "For Capital Campaign". Please do not use

regular parish contribution envelopes for campaign

pledges, as we still need your regular weekly parish

tithe to function. Thank you for your assistance!

Mass Intentions

Pray

for our

Military

St. Sebastian and St. George, pray for us.

Pvt. Rose Barton, US Army, SC

Staff Sgt. William J. Condon, US Army, Iraq

Lt. Tara Dawe, US Army, NY

Lt. Comm. Shawn D. Fitzpatrick, USN, FL

PFC Brendan Gaines, USMC, VA

Sgt. Jason A. George, US Army, Iraq

Sgt. Jorge Granados, USMC, FL

Sgt. Joshua Harmon, KY

PFC Chris Hazelwood, US Army, AZ

Specialist Matthew Heaberlin, US Army, Iraq

Sr. Airman Sean Heaberlin, USAF, CA

Pvt. Amelia Hinkley/Fridley, US Army, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Matthew Hicks, US Army, MO

Airman Ryan Hines, US Air Force

Lt. Jr. William J. Howey, III, US Navy, CT

Sgt. Anthony Jordan, US Army Calvary, FL

CWO2 Robert Kidney, USCG, FL

Lance Corporal Nick Krege, USMC, Japan

PFC, John Margariton, USMC, SC

Specialist Christopher Martin, US Army, Iraq

Specialist Daniel McCarley, US Army, FL

Airman 1st Class Kevin McCarley, USAF, Germany

Ensign Christopher McDowell, US Navy, Iraq

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

August 16, 2008

Bozoky & Schwertner Families

August 17, 2008

St. Patrick Parishioners

Dorothy Harrigan

Vuola Waters

August 18, 2008

Sr. Mary Martina

August 19, 2008

Thomas Winn

August 20, 2008

Patricia Mucci

St. Patrick Parishioners

August 21, 2008

Charles Leo Bauer, Sr.

August 22, 2008
Elizabeth Payeur

August 23, 2008

Virginia Maule

John Scott

August 24, 2008

Robert Duke

Marie Bowen-Shady

Robert Kevin Ramos

Sat.

4:30 PM

Sun.

7:30 AM

9:00 AM

11:00 AM

Mon.

8:00 AM

Tue.

8:00 AM

Wed.

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

Thu.

8:00 AM

Fri.

8:00 AM

Sat.

8:00 AM

4:30 PM

Sun.

7:30 AM

9:00 AM

11:00 AM

Parish Meeting Rooms: Art = Art Room (School Jubilee Building); Cafe =

School Cafeteria; CH = Church, CR = Conference Room in Msgr. McCall Hall;

FLD = Field; MC = Media Center; MR = Music Room (School Jubilee Build-

ing); PE-A/B = PE portables; OLM = Office of Liturgical Music; PC = Msgr.

McCall Hall; PCLib = Msgr. McCall Library; REL = Religion Room (old Span-

ish Room); RE Office = Religious Education Office in PC; YR = Youth Room

Mass Intentions & Schedule of Events - Page 7

The Week Ahead

Sun.

11:00 AM

12 noon

7:00 PM

7:30 PM

Mon.

12 noon

2:30 PM

7:00 PM

Tue.

11:30 AM

12 noon

6:30 PM

Wed.

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

6:30 PM

6:45 PM

7:10 PM

Thu.

9:00 AM

Fri.

7:30 PM

Sat.

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

5:30 PM

08/17/2008

Opening School Mass (CH)

Followed by PTO Orientation Pot Luck (PC)

and Open House (School)

Junior Youth Group Meeting (YR)

Al-Anon Meeting (Lib)

08/18/2008

First Day of School - Early Dismissal

Foundations of Personal Prayer Mtg. (Lib)

Pastor's Class (CR)

08/19/2008

Mission of St. Patrick Class (Lib)

School - Early Dismissal

GriefShare Meeting (Lib)

08/20/2008

Adult Bible Study (CR)

School Mass - First Full Day (CH)

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (CH)

Men's Faith Sharing Group (MC)

Benediction (CH)

Charismatic Prayer Group Mass (CH)

08/21/2008

Legion of Mary Meeting (CR)

08/22/2008

Our Lady's Oratory Prayer Group (CH)

08/23/2008

Confessions (CH)

Vigil Mass (CH)

ERE Registration after Mass (PC)

Senior Youth Group Meeting (YR)

Confessions (CH)

Please pray for the members of our St. Patrick

Parish family and friends who have died

recently and for their families and friends who

mourn them.

SFC Lisa Collis Moore, US Army, Iraq

Seaman Timothy Moore, US Navy, CA

Staff Sgt. Kevin Nelson, US Army, Iraq

Airman Theresa Newbill, US Air Force, England

Sgt. Scott Platzer, US Army, South America

A. B. Michael Pourteau, USAF, TX

Pvt. Chris Reed, USMC, Iraq

Major Kristin Streukens, US Air Force

Major Scott Trapman, US Army, WA

Staff Sgt. Saturnino Vilano, Jr., US Army, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller, US Air Force, Iraq

Page 8 - In the Parish & Year of St. Paul

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

The Beginnings of the Church

Corinth In this cosmopolitan city, where the worship of Aphrodite was flourishing, Paul met Priscilla and Aquila, a Jewish

married couple, who in the year 49 were expelled from Rome according to the edict of Emperor Claudius, "since the Jews constantly

caused disturbances at the instigation of Chrestos" (Suetonius, Claudius 25:11). The couple would later accompany Paul to Ephesus,

where they would play an important role in the Church and in evangelization. In the year 54, after the death of Claudius, they would

return to Rome and wait to welcome the Apostle, at that time a prisoner.

Paul, who wished "to work" in the same manner as the rabbis, in order to guarantee the gratuitousness of his apostolic service,

associated with the couple and practiced their same trade of making tents. Every Shabbat, at the synagogue, he attempted to

demonstrate to the doctors of the law the Messianism of Jesus. Crispus, the leading official of the synagogue, came to believe and

was baptized along with his entire family. The Church of Corinth, which also received pagans, developed very rapidly. Corinth

became Paul's headquarters from the moment that Rome denied him entrance due to the decree of expulsion ordered by Claudius.

He remained in Corinth 18 months.

At this time an issue arose ever more frequently: the synagogue authorities, who took advantage of the privileges they held, did

not wish that Christians be confused with a dissenting Jewish sect, even though, effectively, they did not depend on them for any

reason. Thus, they ended up accusing Paul of illicit religious propaganda before the proconsul Gallio (brother of Seneca, the

philosopher). After having heard the accusations against him, Gallio refused to listen to Paul's argument. He declared himself

incompetent to judge such matters since Paul was a Jew and, from his point of view, this dispute would have to be resolved within

the synagogue (cf. Acts 18:12-16). Thereafter, Paul sailed to Antioch and Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila, who would play a

central role in creating the future community in the latter city.

Many historians hold that at the conclusion of this second journey, in the year 52, the "Council of Jerusalem" and the "Incident of

Antioch" took place.

Ephesus: Priscilla and Aquila According to the Acts of the Apostles, this is the third place where the Word was spread. Paul

remained in this important center of exchange between East and West in the areas of culture, religion and trade for more than two

years, and here he established a Church. His confrontation with Judaism gave way to an encounter with other religious currents, for

example, at that time Artemis was considered to be the great Goddess of Ephesus. Priscilla and Aquila led the community there and

taught with zeal. When they heard Apollos, an Alexandrian Jew who arrived in Ephesus, teaching in the synagogue, they explained

"the Way (of God) more accurately" (Acts 18:26) to him. He would later have great success as a catechist in Ephesus and Corinth.

Miletus: The Structures of the Church On the way back to Jerusalem, Paul "compelled by the Spirit" (Acts 20:22), summoned the

Elders of the Church of Ephesus. He foretold of his upcoming and inevitable imprisonment, persecution and death, as well as, the

specific direction of his mission: "Go, I shall send you far away to the Gentiles" (Acts 22:21). He exhorted them to be vigilant, hard

workers, and to assist the poor and the weak: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). And finally, he left them as

his last will and testament "building up the Church" (1Cor. 14:12), or, rather, he commended it to the power of the Word saying: "I

commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up" (Acts 20:32). Thus, the activity of the Word is primary;

it creates the Church.

This event concluded with deep emotion: the assembly knelt down and prayed and they threw their arms around Paul (cf. Acts

20:36-37). They all entrusted themselves to God and to His Word. This episode is important for the institutional history of the

Church. For the Elders or the presbyters, who were summoned by Paul and whom he named pastors and bishops, appointed to give

spiritual nourishment and guidance and to keep vigil (this is the meaning of the word bishop) over the people of God, did not receive

their powers from the assembly of the faithful, but from the Spirit.

During the course of his "independent" ministry and in the face of some unusual situations, Paul had to adopt some doctrinal

innovations in order to justify his continuous appeals to the believers to group together in united communities. Undeniably, Paul

succeeded, wherever he went, in creating many Churches, extremely united in order to survive and develop outside the structures

tied to the synagogues.

St. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, pray for us.

BENEFIT FOR JULES: Join us for an afternoon and evening of musical entertainment!

19 musical acts in 20 minute slots from 12 noon until 8 PM

Performers include: Leigh & Steve Humes Kathy Stafford Goody Jak Kelly Stephanie

Carter Mike Worrall James Hawkins and The Cold Harbor Band Sheila Kirsten Hughes Band

Jim Mason Ronny Elliott Roger Sullins Tony Scudiero Suite Caroline Steve Vaclavik

Tommy McCoy Jeff Blake Doc Lovett and the Blues Punks Barkin' Barney Key of Life

Our goal is to raise a minimum of $2,000 dollars to assist Jules while he is receiving

cancer treatment. We need your help in recruiting as many people as possible to attend

this event as its success is strictly attendance based. There will be a minimum $10 door entrance fee, a 50/50 raffle,

and donations accepted.

This is a benefit for Jules Dobrowolski, who was actively involved in the school and parish. He has performed at Fish

Frys, parish dinners and at Fun Fair. This event has been put together by some of his friends in the entertainment

industry, and your support is greatly appreciated. For more info, please contact Leigh Humes at (813) 629-8388.

Sunday, August 24th

12 noon until 8 PM

Ringside Café,

St. Pete

(2742 - 4th Street N)