September 9, 2007

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Reverend Paul Pecchie, Pastor

Reverend Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

Deacon Richard Brady, Deacon Ralph Bufano

Deacon Kenneth Spaulding (Winter Months)

Retired Assisting Priests

Reverend Monsignor Richard Cahill

Reverend Kenneth Bonadies

Reverend Bernard MacAdam (Winter)

MASS SCHEDULE

Daily Masses...........................................8:00 AM
Saturday Vigil ........................................4:30 PM
Sunday ....... 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM and 5:30 PM

Music Director:

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

Sacristans:

Sr. Lucy Mbuya, CDNK ................................ x 304
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

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 9, 2007 A.D.

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

Confessions are heard on Saturdays, 3:30 and
5:30 PM (also on 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.

School Principal:

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

St. Patrick School, founded in 1959, provides an
excellent academic program to grades preK-8, in a
Christ-centered environment which nurtures each
student in mind, body and soul.

AINT

ATRICK

ATHOLIC

HURCH

Page 2 - Sunday, September 9, 2007

23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

My Dear Friends in Christ,

As you read this letter, I am in the grandeur of God's majesty as I

experience His creation on our Alaskan fundraising cruise. What a
beautiful reality to see the wondrous power of God's creating hand! Oh,

our God is good! He has done so much for us and through His Son asks us to
respond with the commitment of Discipleship.

Jesus, in the Gospel, talks about making a commitment and following through.

In this case it is the most basic commitment to become a disciple. Jesus compares
discipleship to fighting a battle or to building a tower. Before you enter battle, be
sure you have sufficient troops to engage the enemy. Before you start building the tower, count your bricks. In
other words, be prepared to follow through.

Jesus tells us exactly what it costs to be a disciple. He doesn't hide it from us. He tells right up front that it

will cost everything. It means putting Jesus ahead of any human relationship. To get
his point across he uses a harsh word. He speaks about "hating" one's father or mother,
wife or children, brothers and sisters. The word is meant to shock us out of our
complacency, the idea that we hold something back from Jesus. Even when we
recognize that the word "hate" in this context means to "love less," it is still pretty
shocking. I mean, who does Jesus think he is? Is he saying he is more important than
one's parent, spouse, child or sibling? The answer to that question is that Jesus not only
thinks, but knows who he is: the incarnation of God. As Emmanuel, God among us,
Jesus must ask for our total allegiance.

Sometimes people look at discipleship as if it was like belonging to a political

party. But we do not follow Jesus because we are comfortable with his platform. I
have to admit that many of the things Jesus said make me very uncomfortable. But I
follow him, I want to be his disciple because I believe he is who he says he is: the

Bridegroom, the Lord of the Sabbath, the one who forgives men's sins.

Jesus in a sense wants us to reinvent ourselves to discover our true selves in relationship to him. It means

making a commitment to Jesus and following through taking up one's cross and
following Jesus. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta illustrates this commitment to
Jesus. On September 5th we observed the tenth anniversary of her death and in
those ten years we have learned amazing things about Blessed Mother Teresa. We
knew her as a woman of great hope and joy and so she was but in the final
decades of her life she experienced feelings of doubt, loneliness and abandonment.
God seemed absent, heaven empty, and worst of all, her own suffering seemed to
count for nothing. In a letter to her spiritual director, she confided, "just that terrible
pain of loss, of God not wanting me, of God not being God, of God not really
existing."

Now, even though I have had my ups and downs, I have never experienced

intense, prolonged feelings of abandonment. And when I do have those kinds of feelings, it usually means that I
need to change something in my life - that my way of thinking has become worldly and self-centered. But it was
different with Mother Teresa. The Lord knew her total commitment and asked even more - probably not so much
for her sake, but for ours - so that we would learn from her example to keep going when things get rough. Some
people have misinterpreted Mother Teresa's experience of desolation as a "crisis of faith," but that misses the point.
She had the deepest possible faith she took up her cross every day and followed Jesus.

Blessed Mother Teresa knew something that most of us do not know: Suffering has meaning in Jesus. It is

worth suffering any deprivation for his sake. Jesus came to show us the Father. He
came to bring us God. He is God. That is why he must come first. If we have
Jesus, we have everything. Jesus spoke about "hating" parents, spouse, child and
sibling - that is, loving them less than Jesus himself. He said that not because he
literally wants us to hate them, but because he wants us to love them in the correct
way. If we put Jesus first, we will do right by others. We will learn to really love
that other person. My dear friends let me put it to you as plainly as I can: The best
thing you can do for someone - whether parent, wife, child, sibling or friend - the
best thing you can do for that other person is to become a disciple of Jesus.

Praised Be Jesus Christ!

Fr. Pecchie

JMJ

First Reading -- "Why should your wrath

blaze up against your own people, whom
you brought out of Egypt?" (Exodus 32:7-
11, 13-14).

Psalm -- I will rise and go to my father

(Psalm 51).

Second Reading -- The grace of our Lord

has been abundant (1 Timothy 1:12-17).

Gospel -- We must celebrate and rejoice,

because your brother was dead and has
come to life again; he was lost and has
been found (Luke 15:1-32 [15:1-10]).

Do I behave like the self-righteous,

or like one who has unconditional

love and compassion

for the lost or the broken?

Readings Ahead:

September 16, 2007

24th Sunday

in Ordinary Time

We are . . . Disciples in Mission

Sharing our Faith in Christ all year!

INVITED

The Good News is that we have all been

invited -- invited to the Kingdom, invited to be
disciples. It's a life-changing invitation, and like so
many other such invitations, it requires a great deal

of deliberation and discernment. Whether we choose marriage,
ordination, single life, or community life, we know the serious
planning and consideration that accompany these profound
decisions. Like the tower-builder in the Gospel, we have
weighed both the monetary and emotional cost. We have
pondered and planned our lives
in the direction to which we
believe God has called us. And
while we pray for guidance and
acceptance of God's will, we
often fail to understand so much.
Like Solomon, we turn to God for
wisdom and counsel in our life-
changing decisions.

Parish & Evangelization - Page 3

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

ARISH

EWS

Fr. Paul Pecchie

ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH

(727) 584-2318 Tel.

Fr. Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

2121 - 16th Avenue SW, Largo, FL 33770

(727) 586-5413 Fax.

Seminar with Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J.

Father Mitch Pacwa, SJ, renowned priest and lecturer
on EWTN programs, will be coming to our parish.

When:

Saturday, September 22nd

Seminar Subject: "Christianity and Islam"
Time:

After the 7:30 AM Mass

Tickets:

$20 Adults, $10 Students

Children under 12 free

We expect a sold out seminar so pick
up a registration form in the church.
You must register in order to reserve
your place. If you have any question
about the seminar or can join our team
of helpers, please contact Margie at
559-7449 or Diane at 593-1343.

CASTING CALL FOR THE CHRISTMAS MUSICAL

Would you like to have great fun and fellowship while serving your parish?
Then, here is your opportunity. Please join us for a casting meeting on Monday,
September 10, at 7:00 PM in Msgr. McCall Hall. We need individuals to play the
parts of Joseph, Maggie (grade 4-6), one shepherd, three wise men, one or two
narrators (male or female), and extras of all ages. No previous experience is
necessary! Just bring a smile and a willingness to make new friends as we
prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior in a unique presentation.

ITALIAN GALA:

To begin our Golden Jubilee year,

St. Patrick Adult Choir is sponsoring

an Italian Dinner:

Saturday, September 15th

6 PM - 9 PM

Msgr. McCall Hall

Tickets: Adults $6

Children 10 and under $2

Come join us for an Italian
Dinner (homemade baked ziti, salad, dessert and
a complimentary glass of wine for each adult) with
entertainment. Tickets on sale after all Masses
TODAY, September 9th, or at the Church office.
All proceeds assist the choir trip to Canada.

NIGHTS

OLUMBUS

Council # 4892 meets on
the second Thursday of
the month at 8 PM in the
Cafeteria. Call Bob La-
melle at 584-1234.

Hope to see

you there!

All for the Greater Honor & Glory of God

Page 4 - Faith Formation

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Men's Bible Study Group
Robert Smith

6:45 AM - 7:30 AM (CR)

(ph. 587-7961)

Every Wednesday

Adult Bible Study: The Gospel of Luke
Sr. Kathleen

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

Wednesday, September 12th

The Great Bible Adventure
Sr. Kathleen

Tuesday evenings at 7 PM

The next adventure begins September18th at 7 PM
in the Conference Room. Registration will be
outside the Church after all the Masses this
weekend. For info., contact Sr. Kathleen, ext. 321.

RCIA: Are you interested

in the Catholic faith?

RCIA classes meet on Thursday nights at 7 PM in the
Conference Room. We invite you to learn what the
Church teaches and be introduced to some of our parish
members. These sessions are also opportunities for you,
and others that you may wish to invite, to ask those
difficult questions about the Church. These gatherings
are open to people who are not baptized, those who have
been baptized in another Christian community and seek
full reception into the Catholic Church, and for those who
were baptized as Catholics but have not received the
sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist. For more
information contact Sr. Kathleen at 584-2318 ext. 321.

St. Patrick's Religious Education

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

Small Faith Sharing Group
Barb Murphy 9 AM - 10:30 AM (CR)

Friday, September 14th

Join our faith sharing group each Friday in the

Conference Room.

Mr. & Mrs.

Joseph &

Julie Blum

DRE, ext. 320

Have you seen our Web page?

Visit www.stpatrick-largo.org today!

Going Deeper With Your Faith

Adult Education and Faith Formation

Religious

Ed.

ibrary / Book
C l u b

N ew s :

There's been a leak!
Now everyone will
know that those 3rd

Thursday sessions of the book
club are attracting new members
and new ideas for enjoyable
reading. This month we are
reading "Mother Angelica, the
Remarkable Story of a Nun." We
can still find space on our shelves
for donations of appropriate
volumes. Thanks to all who have
donated already. Phone Florence
at 595-3254 or René at 584-3775
for more information.

PASTOR'S CLASS with

Fr. Pecchie

7:00 PM - 9 PM (CR)

Monday evenings

Class resumes September 17th.

Check the bulletin for details.

oday is the start of our ERE (Religious Education for
Children K-8) Sunday School program. Thank you to all of

our dedicated catechists whose talents and efforts make this an
awesome program. Also thank you to the families whose children
participate in our program. We are so blessed to be able to work
with you in helping each child get to know and love Jesus and his
Church.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

The Liturgy of the Word dismissal for the 4, 5
and 6 year olds is still looking for volunteers to
continue this ministry. We will not be able to
start this ministry until we have a few more
volunteers. Please consider `breaking open the
Word' to our little ones!

FOUNDATIONS OF PERSONAL PRAYER:

We meet every Monday at 7 PM in Msgr.

McCall Library (first room on right).

IT'S NOT TOO LATE! Anyone who has not yet registered for Sun-
day school or the sacraments, it is not too late. Please call Joe or
Julie to enroll your child (children) as soon as possible so your kids
don't miss out on learning the TRUTH.

School & Youth - Page 5

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

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

UNIOR

OUTH

ROUP

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 ques-
tions, please call Sue & Bob at 585-5546.

IND

, O

EART

, O

PIRIT

ENIOR

IGH

OUTH

ROUP

"By This Sign, You Will Conquer"

H.S. Youth Ministers:

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

Because foundation

is everything.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

St. Patrick School Early Child-
hood Program opened as a
result of the greater parish
community's understanding of
the need for a program that
offers learning experiences
and care for 3 and 4 year olds
in a Christian environment.
Applications are being ac-
cepted. For info, call the
school office.

REGISTRATION for 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR:

Registrations are being accepted for all grades
(PreK - 8). St. Patrick is a fully accredited, Christ-
centered environment, known for academic
excellence. For information, please call the school
at (727) 581- 4865.

The Senior Youth Group meets Sunday nights after the 5:30 PM Mass in
Msgr. McCall Hall. Youth in high school or older are welcome to attend.

VOCATION VIEW

VOCATION VIEW:

You have one precious life to give.

How do you choose to offer it

to God? Are you willing to accept

the challenges of discipleship?

Can we call upon your time, talent or treasure to donate meals? You can
either cook a meal or donate pizza or financial contribution. If you can
help, please call Pete or Marie O'Shea at the Parish Office, ext. 322.

ur RCIA community will need individuals to serve as godparents
and sponsors for those discerning to become Catholic. There's

nothing more exciting than being around people who have hunger to
be a Catholic. Are you proud of your faith? Are you willing to share
your experience as a Catholic with someone who is just beginning
their Catholic life? You will be asked to join the weekly RCIA sessions
and you must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirma-
tion, and Eucharist. If interested contact Sr. Kathleen, ext. 321.

St. Patrick New School Families

St. Patrick School Community is
blessed and delighted to welcome
the following new families:

Andersonn, Avila, Beck, Brenner,
Brown, Brown, Burch, Cannatella,

Cao, Chase, Dvorak, Evansen, Fishback, Giordano, Griffin, Hassan,
Kabaza, Kinney, Norris, Pacheco, Proni, Scanlon, Scully, Stevens, Tre-
neff, Quebbeman, Wagner.

May your children achieve their very best in our nurturing environment!

Page 6 - Stewardship: Sharing our Gifts

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus tells the crowd that only those who renounce all of their possessions can be

His disciples. Is He truly asking us to give up everything? Perhaps instead He is

trying to help us see that everything we think we own is really a gift from God.

Good stewards know that and strive to use those gifts accountably.

TEWARDSHIP

: T

IME

, T

ALENT

, T

REASURE

Thank you for your generous

support for our parish!

God bless you!

Your generosity helps support our parish operating expenses and our

ministries each week, so that we may serve you, our parishioners, better!

September 2, 2007

$ 12,339.08 (373 Envelopes)

Children's Envelopes

$ 4.00 (2 Envelopes)

Helping Hands

$ 281.00

Mission of St. Patrick

We would highly appreciate any donation in terms of new/used school uniforms and other
school supplies for families who cannot afford for their school age children. Donations can
be brought to the Religious Education Office in the Msgr. McCall Hall. For more detailed
information, please contact Sr. Rosamunda at 584-2318, ext. 321.

HELP WANTED: St. Patrick Players need your support!

The community enthusiasm and support for the Last Supper Tableau held

this past Lenten season has given birth to a new play 'The Christmas Offering' to
be presented in December. This production will include an exciting combination
of drama, music and dance which will be a new experience for St. Patrick Parish.

If you are a patron of the arts and share St. Patrick Players vision of having different age groups work

together, please call Paul at 581-2168 with your donation. Whether large or small, your donation will be used
to upgrade our lighting and sound capabilities which will provide the best audience experience.

Small Christian Communities:

Our parish, along with many others in the Diocese, will be involved in the Bishop's initia-
tive on the Eucharist. It is the Bishop's goal, through this initiative, to help Catholics
throughout the Diocese deepen their relationship to Christ as they celebrate and reflect
on the sacrament of his Body and Blood. This initiative will begin October 7th with a six-
week faith-sharing program on the Eucharist, entitled "Eucharist-Source and Sum-
mit". During this time we will look at the history of the Eucharist, different aspects of the
Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, as well as Eucharistic devotion.
Sign-up for these groups begin this weekend after all Masses. Please prayerfully con-
sider joining a group.

elebrate St. Patrick Church's Golden Jubilee ...

by joining Fr.

Pecchie on a special tour of IRELAND

IRELAND

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. SAVE when you register with a deposit of $250.

SAVE when you register with a deposit of $250.

SAVE when you register with a deposit of $250. Please

contact Margie Feuser, pilgrimage coordinator, for more information at 1-800-644-4659.

Mass Intentions & Schedule of Events - Page 7

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

The Week Ahead

September 8, 2007
Draksler & Zorowski Families

September 9, 2007
Thomas Hudock
Beth Friederich
St. Patrick Parishioners
Frank Maltese

September 10, 2007
Frances Czasnojc

September 11, 2007
Roland & Myrvin Fash

September 12, 2007
Josephine Harden
Leon Toups

September 13, 2007
Rose Marie Ponzo

September 14, 2007
Virginia Gay

September 15, 2007
Richard Klimpel
Dean O'Brien

September 16, 2007
The Boutelle Family
Sharon Coggiola
Maria Rey (Living)
St. Patrick Parishioners

Pray for our Military

Pvt. Rose Barton, US Army, Missouri
Staff Sgt. William J. Condon, US Army, New York
Second Lt. Tara Dawe, US Army, New York
Lt. Comm. Shawn D. Fitzpatrick, USN, Virginia
Sgt. Jason A. George, US Army, Korea
Lance Corporal Jorge Granados, USMC, Florida
Sgt. Joshua Harmon, Kentucky
Pvt. Joshua Harrison, US Army, Louisiana
Staff Sgt. Matthew Hicks, U.S. Army, Missouri
Airman Ryan Hines, US Air Force
Lt. Jr. William J. Howey, III, USN, Connecticut
Sgt. Anthony Jordan, US Army Calvary, Iraq
Staff Sgt. Kevin Kinkade, US Army, Kentucky
Lance Corporal Nick Krege, USMC, Iraq
Specialist Daniel McCarley, US Army, Florida
Airman 1st Class Kevin McCarley, USAF, Germany
Ensign Christopher McDowell, USN, Iraq
Airman Theresa Newbill, US Air Force, Texas
Sgt. Scott Platzer, US Army, South America
Pvt. Chris Reed, USMC, Iraq
Major Kristin Streukens, US Air Force
Major Scott Trapman, US Army, Fort Lewis, WA
Major Michael Trofinoff, US Army, Iraq
Staff Sgt. Saturnino Vilano, Jr., US Army, Afghanistan
Airman Christopher E. Villano, USN, Maryland
Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller, USAF, Iraq

Please pray for the members of our St. Patrick Parish
family and friends who have died recently, especially:

William Pawlicki

Susan Allart

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. May their souls and the
souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Sun.

8:30 AM

10:30 AM
11:00 AM

6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM

Mon.

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

Tue.

2:00 PM
4:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM

Wed.

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

Thu.

9:00 AM
2:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:00 PM

Fri.

9:00 AM
9:00 AM
3:00 PM
7:30 PM

Sat.

9:00 AM
3:30 PM
5:30 PM
6:00 PM

09/09/07
Coffee and Donuts (PC)
ERE: Religious Education for Children (school)
Baptism Class (MC)
High School Youth (PC)
Junior High Youth Meeting (YR)
Al-Anon Meeting (Lib)

09/10/07
PTO Fun Fair Questions, Ideas & Coffee (CR)
Foundations of Personal Prayer Mtg. (Lib)
Contemporary Worship Band Rehearsal (CH)
Cub Scout Pack 465 Den Mtg. (Café, Art, PE, Gr1)
St. Patrick Players Casting Meeting (PC)

09/11/07
Mission of St. Patrick ESOL Class (Lib)
Mission of St. Patrick Class (Lib)
Bell Choir Practice (CH)
St. Patrick Players Rehearsal (PC)
Boy Scout Troop 465 Meeting (Café.)

09/12/07
Men's Bible Study (CR)
School Mass (CH)
Adult Bible Study (CR)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (CH)
Benediction (CH)
Charismatic Prayer Group Meeting (CR)

09/13/07
Legion of Mary (Lib)
St. PM: Natural Family Planning Class (Lib)
Children's Choir Practice (OLM)
Adult Choir Practice (OLM)
RCIA Class (CR)
Knights of Columbus Meeting (Café).

09/14/07
Faith Sharing Group (CR)
School Sisters of Notre Dame Mtg. (MC, PC,CR)
Challenge Club Meeting (REL)
Our Lady's Oratory Prayer Group (CH)

09/15/07
School Sisters of Notre Dame Mtg. (PC,CR)
Confessions (CH)
Confessions (CH)
Choir Fundraising Italian Dinner (PC)

Sat.

4:30 PM

Sun.

7:30 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
5:30 PM

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
5:30 PM

Page 8 - `Round the Diocese, Plan Ahead & Saints 'N Feasts

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Diocesan Announcements

What is it like to have Alzheimer's dis-
ease? Join Dr. Richard Taylor on Tuesday,

September 18

, 10 AM to 11:30 AM at Arden

Courts, 9300 137th Street North, Seminole.

Dr. Taylor has lived for five years with a diag-

nosis of dementia. A former psychologist, he

has served on the board of the Houston and

Southeast Texas chapter of the Alzheimer's

Association and is now a member of a special

committee of the National Alzheimer's Asso-

ciation. During this event, Dr. Taylor will re-

view and share his experiences from his book,
Alzheimer's from the Inside Out. Seating is

limited, so make your reservation early. Adult

day care will be provided by qualified staff.

Please ask for this service when making your

reservation. Call 517-7800 for reservations.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Feast Day: September 14

The readings for this feast's evening prayer remind us that "though he
was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something
to be grasped at. Rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a
slave, being born in the likeness of men. He was known to be of human
estate, and thus it was that he humbled himself, obediently accepting
even death, death on a cross

" (Phil 2:6-9). The Triumph of the Cross

provides an opportunity to look again at the perfect stewardship of Our
Lord. He who had made everything that is, voluntarily laid all of it aside
for love of us! He who was the Lord of the universe died an
ignominious death on a cross, surrendering even his life, in obedience to
his Father. His total surrender is a blue-print for perfect stewardship. It
is when we are willing to hold lightly the gifts we've been given and
stand ready to use them and be used in the service of God, that we
will know the triumph of the Cross in our own lives.

Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday

eight Watchers has
introduced

new

"Savings for Success"
Plan, offered to interested

parties at St. Patrick Parish. This is a
17-week meeting series at a special
value beginning in September in the
Conference Room of Msgr. McCall Hall.
We meet on Wednesdays at 3 PM.

For more information or if you have

any

questions,

join

for

informational meeting on Wednesday,
September 12th. If you are interested,
contact Rosemary Ingersoll at 584-5015
or rose35@tampabay.rr.com.

LEGION OF MARY: Meets every Thurs-
day at 9 AM in the Conference Room. If
you would like to
join, contact Peggy
at 585-1597.

Come, pray with me!

Please

consider spending even one hour
each Wednesday to be with Our
Lord in Eucharistic Adoration,
beginning after the 9 AM Mass
and concluding with Benediction
at 6:45 PM. Please sign up at the

Church entrance. Wednesdays in our
Diocese have been designated as a day
to pray for holy vocations.

We can trace devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows back to
apostolic times. St. John the Evangelist, whom we can
consider as one of the first devotees of the Mother of
Sorrows, witnessed first-hand and then recorded in his
Gospel that Mary stood by the Cross of her Son (Jn
19:25). There on Calvary the Blessed Mother
suffered--overwhelmed with grief at seeing her Son, who is also her God,
die an agonizing death by crucifixion. At the Presentation of the Infant
Jesus at the Temple, Simeon prophesied that Mary's soul would be pierced
by a sword so that the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed (Lk 2:35).
Mary, as the first and greatest disciple of her Son, participated in a most
deep and profound way in the redemptive work of Our Lord. Devotion to
Our Lady of Sorrows flowered during the Middle Ages. The well-known
medieval hymn Stabat Mater beautifully expresses this devotion to the
sorrowing Blessed Virgin Mary at Calvary: At the Cross her station
keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last.

Our Lady of Sorrows is traditionally depicted in art with seven swords

piercing her heart. These seven swords symbolize the chief seven sorrows
of Our Lady's life. Devotion to the Sorrows of Mary gave rise to the figure
in Christian art of the Pietà, the sorrowing Mother holding the dead Body of
her Son who has been taken down from the Cross. Different sorrows of
Mary have been honored in the Church's history, but since the 14th century
these seven have come to be regarded as the seven dolors (sorrows) of the
Blessed Virgin Mary: 1. The Prophecy of Simeon. 2. The Flight into Egypt.
3. The Loss of the Child Jesus for Three Days. 4. Meeting Jesus on the Way
to Calvary. 5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus. 6. Jesus Taken Down
from the Cross. 7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb.

Note the Christological and scriptural foundation of the devotion to the

Seven Sorrows of Mary. By commemorating Our Lady of Sorrows, we call
to mind the sufferings that Mary endured as part of her vocation as the
Mother of the Redeemer. No one is closer to Christ than Mary;
consequently, no one has participated more intimately in the redemptive
suffering of Christ than His Mother Mary. Mary suffered because of her
intimate union with Christ, on account of our sins, and in behalf of her
spiritual children. Devotion to the Mother of Sorrows and the Seven
Sorrows of Mary encourages us to flee from sin and inflames our desire to
do penance and make reparation so as to console the Hearts of Jesus and
Mary. Traditionally, many Catholics have said every day seven Hail Marys
in honor of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady. O Sorrowful and Immaculate
Heart of Mary, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Our Lady of Sorrows

Feast Day: September 15

SHARE-A-PRAYER: If you or
someone you know needs spe-
cial prayers, let us pray for you
and your loved ones. Phone
584-6954 and together we will

lift our hearts to God!