July 6, 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

Fourteenth Sunday

in Ordinary Time

July 6, 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 there will be no 5:30 pm in the summer.

For although you have hidden these things from the wise

and the learned , you have revealed them to little ones.

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

Page 2 - Sunday, July 6, 2008

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Friends in Christ,

I am happy to be back at St. Patrick after a wonderful trip to the Catholic
Shrines of Quebec. Eighteen members of St. Patrick joined with eighteen

members of Rochester, New York lead by Sr. Carole, SSJ. Arriving as strangers,
we left as friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord. What a clear sign of our
union with Christ.

The Province of Quebec, is mostly French Catholic. It was
impressive to be in a truly Catholic area. I was reminded of
my youth, as on Sundays, stores open at noon and close at 5 p.m. This was a
concrete way to be reminded, that the Lord's day is a day unlike any other day.

Have you heard of burying a statue of St. Joseph to sell a house? This practice originated in Montreal
through Blessed Andre Besset, a brother of the Holy Cross Fathers who wanted to build a shrine to St.
Joseph on Mount Real. The only problem is that the land he wanted was owned by
another. He went often to them asking them to sell with no luck. Since he wanted to
build a Shrine to St. Joseph, he decided he would get extra help from the Saint. He

buried small statues of St. Joseph on the property, shortly after, the owners
decided to sell and contacted Blessed Andre since he was so persistent in
wanting the property. Blessed Andre was elevated from Venerable to
Blessed by the late Pope John Paul II of happy memory.

If you have never been to the Catholic Shrines of Quebec, I would highly recommend
that you make it a priority on places to visit. You will not be disappointed.

"Father, Lord of heaven and earth, to you I offer praise." Christ calls upon God, His Father and ours, in

today's gospel according to St. Matthew, Chapter 11, verses 11 to 13. God our
heavenly Father is the source of all fatherhood, both natural fatherhood within
the families into which each of us are born, and the spiritual fatherhood of the
priesthood. It is God the Father, Himself, who is attacked whenever earthly
fathers and mothers and the family are attacked. From the beginning, it was
God's fatherhood over each of us that the Evil One sought to destroy in tempting
Adam and Eve, and he does so still today.

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

July 6, 2008 14

Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

Many people are weary and find life burdensome.

Could God be calling you to bring comfort, encouragement and refreshment to others?

Trust that Jesus can work through you. You can make a difference. (Matthew 11:25-30)

VOCATION VIEW:

First Reading My word will not return to me

void, but will achieve the end for which it

was sent (Isaiah 55:10-11).

Psalm The seed that falls on good ground

will yield a fruitful harvest (Psalm 65).

Second Reading We, who have the first fruits

of the Spirit, groan within ourselves awaiting

the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:18-

23).

Gospel Some seed fell on the path, some on

rocky ground, and some among thorns. But

some also fell on rich soil and produced fruit

(Matthew 13:1-23 [1-9]).

Am I nurturing the seed planted within me

to grow as a disciple of Christ?

We are . . . Disciples in Mission

Sharing our Faith in Christ

A HUMBLE KING

Like a tonal center in music, the note to which we keep
returning in today's readings is humility. We wait in joyful
expectation for the coming of our Lord as King. But what we are
told to expect and rejoice over is a meek and humble king, riding
on an ass. Not horses or chariots of the great and mighty, but a

humble beast carries the Ruler
whose dominion stretches
"from the River to the ends of
the earth" (Zechariah 9:10).
This King comes to banish the
tools of the warrior and bring
peace. No wonder that a
weary world rejoices and
gives thanks to God!

Readings: July 13, 2008

th Sunday in Ordinary Time

ELEBRATING

YEARS

ARISH

EWS

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Parish & Evangelization - Page 3

ST. PAUL, PRAY FOR US.

Historical Overview:

The Apostle to the Gentiles

He, who is called "the Apostle to the Gentiles", that is, to the Nations, never actually met Jesus during his life in

Jerusalem or along the roads of Galilee, like the Twelve Apostles. He is the first apostle to have the experience of only

the Risen Christ, as all Christians will continue to have through the centuries. This man, who was both a Jew and a

Roman citizen, was born in Tarsus (currently Eastern Turkey). After having received a rigorous teaching in the Law

from Rabbi Gamaliel the Elder, he was given a specific mission to go and preach the Word of God to all human beings:

first to Antioch and Asia Minor, later to Greece and Rome. With Paul, the words of the Prophet Micah, "...from Zion

shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Micah 4:2), were fulfilled in just a few years and in

an ardent manner. The words "go forth" have a double meaning here. Paul will go forth to witness to the teaching

received from his Fathers and his personal experience: Christ is Risen!

Paul is the most well-known figure of the first Christian generation, both for his Letters (seven were undoubtedly

recognized to be authentic in the strict sense of the term) and for the story of his life described by Luke in the Acts of the

Apostles. His Letters represent an extraordinary source of information for us. Nonetheless the figure of Paul remains

mysterious. On the one hand, the Letters cover only fifteen years of his life, while on the other hand, the Acts, which

chronicle his journeys, were written twenty years after his death in the apologetic tone of the day. Therefore, we will

give preference to the data contained in Paul's Letters and their chronology, which greatly coincide with the duration of

his travels (for example, the date of the "Council of Jerusalem").

It is very likely that Paul was about ten years younger than Jesus.

"Are we going to the 50's dance at St. Patrick's?"

YOU BET WE ARE!

Get your old hot rod running and make your way to St. Patrick's 50's DANCE.

Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 7 PM, Msgr. McCall Hall.

The summer time event! Contests, fun, and good times for everyone!

Remember dancing to the Twist, or the Tennessee Waltz?

You can bring back those memories as you join your friends.

To dance the evening away, the boys meet on West Bay Drive to talk about the dance!

All for the Greater Honor & Glory of God

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Page 4 - Faith Formation

Adventures in Revelation

Sr. Kathleen

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

Tuesday, July 8th

This is a 10 week study with Jeff Cavins on

the Book of Revelation.

Adult Bible Study: Adventures in Matthew

Sr. Kathleen

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

Wednesday, July 9th

"Adventures in Matthew - the King and His

Kingdom" with Jeff Cavins.

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. If

you have any questions please call Sr. Kathleen at 584-

2318 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 (CR)

Monday, July 7th

Personal Growth in Holiness.

Are we living the spiritual life? How do we grow in

holiness?

Foundations of Personal Prayer: We meet

every Tuesday afternoon at 3 PM in the Msgr.

McCall Library.

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

Visit www.stpatrick-largo.org today!

Religious Education for Children resumes in September.

If your child will be entering grades Kindergarten through 8th grade and will not be

attending a Catholic School, please register your child for faith formation classes in

August. Updates will be given in the parish weekly bulletin.

Our Diocese of St. Petersburg requires that children preparing to receive a sacrament

(i.e. First Reconciliation, First Communion or Confirmation) must be registered in

Religious Education classes for two years prior to the reception of the Sacrament.

Families who have recently moved into the area or whose children have not received

the sacraments are encouraged to contact our Religious Education Office, 584-2318, ext. 320.

LIBRARY NEWS:

Items continue to come into the library.

It appears we have a movie buff in our

midst as these books appeared lately

"Finding God in the Movies", "Lights,

Camera, Faith (Cycles A,B,C)" and

"Finding God in the Dark" by two Jesuits, subtitled

"Taking the Spiritual Exercise of St. Ignatius to the

movies" ... HMMM? Does this sound interesting to

anyone?

Perhaps someone can read these books, and

come to the Book Club in Msgr. McCall Hall at 12 noon

on the third Thursday of the month with a synopsis to

enlighten us! Please phone Renee at 584-3775 or

Florence at 595-3254 for more information.

SHARE-A-PRAYER: If you or someone

you know needs special prayers, let us

pray with you. Phone 596-8284 and to-

gether we will lift our hearts to God!

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!

LEGION OF MARY

Meets every Thursday at 9

AM in the Conference Room. If you would like to

join, contact Peggy at 585-1597.

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 accredited, Christ-

centered environment, known for

academic excellence. Come and see

what makes St. Patrick so special. For

information call

the school office

(727) 581- 4865.

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

School & Youth - Page 5

NEWSPAPER RECYCLING:

Newspapers, phone books, magazines and any paper

may be placed in the

Big Red Bin

on the east side of

the Church.

Proceeds support the school and

recycling is great for the earth!

Summer Office Hours for School:

Monday through Thursday

9 AM - 1 PM

Closed the Weeks of June 30, 2008 and July 7, 2008.

UCHARISTIC

DORATION

EVERY

EDNESDAY

Come, pray with me!

Please consider spending even one

hour each Wednesday to be with Our Lord in Eucharistic

Adoration, beginning after the 8 AM Mass and concluding with

Benediction at 6:45 PM. Please sign up at the Church entrance.

Wednesdays in our Diocese are designated to pray for holy

vocations to the priesthood. We will pray a Rosary for Priests at

6:20 pm just before Benediction.

Page 6 - Stewardship

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

TEWARDSHIP

: T

IME

, T

ALENT

, T

REASURE

NOT

TOO

LATE

Celebrate our

OLDEN

UBILEE

in the

footsteps of St. Patrick

...by joining Fr. Pecchie on a special tour of

IRELAND September 15-25, 2008. Journey with us

as we travel in the footsteps of St. Patrick, and see his

impact upon Irish faith and culture. Educational

Opportunities Tours presents an exciting and

educational 11-day experience for approximately

$2698*. Cost includes roundtrip

airfare from New York, first class

hotels, traditional Irish breakfast

and Dinner daily, guided

sightseeing via deluxe motor

coaches and entrance fees.

Please contact Margie,

pilgrimage coordinator, for info

at 1-800-644-4659.

St. Patrick, Largo as of 06/24/08

PARISH INFORMATION:

Assessment: $127,546.00

This is the amount we must give to the

Diocese for the 2008 Appeal.

Pledged:

$ 63,585.48

Assessment

Balance:

$63,960.52

This is the amount pledged through the

Diocesan APA envelopes.

# of Gifts:

218

Average Gift:

$291.68

This is the number of gifts by our parishioners (out of our

1000 registered families) who have made a pledge by

sending their donation in the APA Diocesan envelope.

% of Assessment: 49.5 % Participation: 21.8

About 20% of our parishioners are participating!

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?

2008 Annual Pastoral Appeal

Summary Report

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

June 29, 2008 (313 Envelopes)

$ 8,662.00

Peter's Pence

$ 1,420.00

Children's Envelopes (4 Envelopes)

$ 14.00

Helping Hands (Poor Box)

$ 305.00

2008

APA

St. Patrick's Weekly Offering of Thanksgiving

Stewardship Prayer

O Lord our God, the king of all the earth, accept of

thine infinite goodness the offerings of thy people,

which in obedience to thy commandment and

in honor of thy name, we give and dedicate to thee,

and grant unto us that the same,

being devoted to thy service,

may be used for thy glory.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FROM THE MINISTRY OF

HELPING HANDS:

People are suffering evictions, loss of

jobs and the need for food. Help us

help them by donating to the poor box

found at the church entrance. Give us the

opportunity to help others with food,

power and utility bills. We are our

brothers' keepers. We are bound to

each other by the bond of love.

Thank you to

all parishioners

for your donations

and prayerful

support!

OURTEENTH

UNDAY

RDINARY

IME

"Let all your works give You thanks, Oh Lord, and let Your faithful ones bless You," says the

psalmist. Stewardship is this "attitude of gratitude" for the many gifts God has given us.

Mass Intentions

Pray

for our

Military

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

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

Lt. Tara Dawe, US Army, New York

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

PFC Brendan Gaines, USMC, Virginia

Sgt. Jason A. George, US Army, Iraq

Sgt. Jorge Granados, USMC, Florida

Sgt. Joshua Harmon, Kentucky

PFC Chris Hazelwood, US Army, Arizona

Specialist Matthew Heaberlin, US Army, Iraq

Sr. Airman Sean Heaberlin, USAF, California

Staff Sgt. Matthew Hicks, US Army, Missouri

Airman Ryan Hines, US Air Force

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

Sgt. Anthony Jordan, US Army Calvary, Florida

CWO2 Robert Kidney, USCG, Florida

Lance Corporal Nick Krege, USMC, Japan

PFC, John Margariton, USMC, South Carolina

Specialist Daniel McCarley, US Army, Florida

Airman 1st Class Kevin McCarley, USAF, Germany

Ensign Christopher McDowell, US Navy, Iraq

SFC Lisa Collis Moore, US Army, Iraq

Seaman Timothy Moore, US Navy, California

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, Texas

Pvt. Chris Reed, USMC, Iraq

Major Kristin Streukens, US Air Force

Major Scott Trapman, US Army, Washington

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

Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller, US Air Force, Iraq

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

July 5, 2008

The Megen Family (Living)

July 6, 2008

Tom Brophy

St. Patrick Parishioners

Erwin and Dorothy Steiner

July 7, 2008

Mark Quebbeman

July 8, 2008

Joseph Pethia

July 9, 2008

Edmund DeClercq

July 10, 2008

Michael Malvestuto

July 11, 2008

Thomas Hudock

July 12, 2008

Albert Borlan

Joe Gariboldi, Sr.

July 13, 2008

John P. Smith

Rosemarie Ponzo

St. Patrick Parishioners

Sat.

4:30

Sun.

7:30

9:00

11:00 AM

Mon.

8:00

Tue.

8:00

Wed.

8:00

Thu.

8:00

Fri.

8:00

Sat.

8:00

4:30

Sun.

7:30

9:00

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.

8:30 AM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM

Mon.

7:00 PM

Tue.

3:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM

Wed.

8:30 AM
9:00 AM
6:30 PM
6:45 PM
7:00 PM

Thu.

9:00 AM
8:00 PM

Fri.

7:30 PM

Sat.

3:30 PM
5:30 PM
5:30 PM

07/06/2008
N

ANCAKE

REAKFAST

ODAY

Junior Youth Group Meeting (YR)
Al-Anon Meeting (Lib)

07/07/2008
Pastor's Class (CR)

07/08/2008
Foundations of Personal Prayer Mtg. (Lib)
Mission of St. Patrick Class (Lib)
GriefShare Meeting (Lib)
Adventures in Revelation Bible Study (CR)

07/09/2008
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (CH)
Adult Bible Study (CR)
St. Patrick's Men's Faith Group (MC)
Benediction (CH)
Charismatic Prayer Group Mtg. (CR)

07/10/2008
Legion of Mary Meeting (CR)
Knights of Columbus Meeting (Café.)

07/11/2008
Our Lady's Oratory Prayer Group (CH)

07/12/2008
Confessions (CH)
Confessions (CH)
Senior Youth Group Meeting (YR)

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,

especially:

Louis Ragen

and

Margaret Beck

Diocesan Announcements

M A R I A N S H R I N E S

PILGRIMAGE: Featuring

Portugal, Spain & France

(highlights include Lisbon,

Fatima, Salamanca, Madrid,

Zaragoza, Lourdes, Parish

Lisieux). Departure Date: October 10-20, 2008;

$2,950 per person, double occupancy. All inclusive

from Tampa: 11 days - Includes breakfast and

dinners, roundtrip airfare, accommodations,

transportation by motor-coach, escorts & guides, and

daily Mass. For info, phone Ann, 585-4937.

The DIOCESAN OFFICE OF

PRISON MINISTRY is pleased

to announce that limited spaces

are currently available for

Catholic volunteers at the

Pinellas County Jail. Each

candidate will be interviewed by

the Jail Chaplain prior to

selection as well as background

screening. Training is provided. If you are interested

in joining a team of dedicated volunteers bringing the

Word of our Loving Father to the incarcerated, please

call 344-1611 ext. 414 or email prisonmn@dosp.org.

Traveling this summer?

... If you are traveling this

summer and would like to

find out the Mass times at a

local Catholic Church,

please phone 1-410-676-

6000. Enter in the 5 digit postal zip or the first six

digits of the telephone number (area code + three

digits) to find the Mass times for where you may be

traveling.

Summer 2008 for Pinellas Hope

has been very active. We have

between 75-100 clients living

here at Pinellas Hope. Since we

opened in December many have

found hope with new jobs and

affordable housing, however we

have to continue to serve and

help those living here with us this

summer. As you are aware it

takes a lot to help those in need. We continue to look

for help in any way we can. Our needs this summer

are as follows:

Meals Bag lunches (avg. 50) dinners (avg.

80)

manual labor job opportunities

affordable housing ($450-$650)

men's clothing

such as (jeans, t-shirts, undergarments and

socks)

pillows flashlights and D batteries

fans (D battery operated)

Please join Fr. Patrick Rebel on a Catholic Cruise

to Feed the Hungry, sponsored by the Society of

St. Vincent de Paul of South Pinellas, which serves

over 22,900 meals delivery month in its St.

Petersburg Food Center. The beautiful ship,

Carnival Inspiration, sails January 12-17, 2009 from

Tampa. Prices start at $314, per person, plus

donation, taxes and fuel charge. Contact Susan

Dwyer, SVDP Treasurer, at 360-7575. Limited

space.

It's the largest youth rally in history! Every three

years, Pope Benedict XVI gathers young people

from around the world to build

bridges of friendship and hope

between continents, peoples

and cultures, and EWTN will

be there LIVE with complete

coverage of all events for

World Youth Day 2008 in

Sydney, Australia. July 17th -

20th on EWTN, local Cable

Channel 70.

St. Benedict, called by some

"the father of western

monasticism," was at first

drawn to the solitary life of a

hermit. He soon attracted

followers, however, and

e v e n t u a l l y m o v e d t o

Montecassino. There he

founded a monastery and

wrote the now famous "Rule of

St. Benedict" which outlined a

way of life comprised of prayer,

study, manual labor, and community. The "Rule"

became the standard for all monastic life and

contains much that is helpful to the spiritual life of

all Christians, not just the Benedictine and

Cistercian religious who are his twentieth century

sons and daughters. A part of the Rule suggests

that every good work should begin with an appeal

to Christ to bring it to perfection and urges that "we

must always serve [God] with the good things he

has given us." St. Benedict's motto was "Ora et

labora" ("Pray and work") and his insignia was a

cross and a plow. This intermingling of work and

worship is the hallmark of good stewardship, too.

Recognizing that God is the source of all we have

and are, we praise and thank the Lord for all the

good gifts we've been given; and then use them in

the service of others.

Saint Benedict (480-547)

Feast Day - July 11

Patron Saint of agricultural workers

Page 8 - `Round the Diocese & Saints Spotlight

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org