Note: the bulletin had an insert concerning the Diocesan Capital Campaign which is not available in the electronic version of the bulletin. The campaign is entitled Professing Our Faith, Walking in Hope, Building God’s Kingdom and is a five year project with an objective of raising $25,000,000.00. The goal for St. Elizabeth and the Mission Churches of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Colman is to raise $135,000 pledged over five years. 35% of the funds raised will return to the parish ($47,250) for programs and projects of the 3 churches. More information is forthcoming during the month of September.
PASTORS DESK
Throughout the world these days, we have experienced the horrors of violence and war and tremendous inhumanity. Some of us who are reading this reflection may be in the midst of this terrible violence. Others of us just read about it, but feel real pain at the suffering we read or see on the news.
God summons Ezekiel to be a prophet – to try to change the behavior of the people. So much does God want Ezekiel to take on this mission of transforming the hearts of the people, that God even says God will hold Ezekiel responsible for the people’s behavior.
In the powerful Psalm 95 – used every day in the Liturgy of the Hours – we remind ourselves that if we hear his voice today, we should not harden our hearts.
Paul tells the Romans that all the commandments are summed up in one, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus tells his disciples to be patient and helpful to our brothers and sisters who sin against us. We are to work it out – one on one – as opposed to trashing the offender before everyone else but the person himself or herself. If that doesn’t work, Jesus tells us to take two others, to still try to build a bridge of healing. Finally, Jesus says that if that doesn’t work, we should let this be a matter for the community. Only after all this effort at reconciliation should we say we had done the best we can.
Jesus clearly builds his community of followers on the notion of a community in which we care for one another, even when there is conflict and division. And, at the end of this gospel reading, Jesus assures us that whenever we are gathered together in prayer, he’ll be with us.
Our reflection on these readings and the terrible conflicts in the world can lead us to come together and pray for healing in our world. So much of the violence which is happening is the result of some injustice, some hurt and pain. Violence is never justified, but upon reflection we can often learn from terrible chain of circumstances witch ignited the violence.
Let us together pray for leaders and ordinary people everywhere, that we can come together to find the path to peace built upon some kind of reconciliation and just care for the common good, especially for those on the margins of our society.
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. Luis
Thank you to our Music Ministry. We are back indoors now in our beautiful little country church made entirely from one redwood tree. We are still enjoying visitors, people today were from Chicago and New Jersey and San Francisco. As the year continues you will see attendance drop off as winter commences our numbers get small. It is fun to have the church full, and we wish all our visitors Godspeed. Remember to sign up for the electronic copy of the bulletin if you would like to keep in touch with St. Elizabeth’s.
Thank you very much to NOEL FAHLON who hosted a wonderful brunch for the choir after mass! We had a wonderful time, thank you so much for your gracious hospitality!!! And thank you to all the cooks who brought delicious dishes!
FOUR EVENTS TO REMEMBER:
Sept 17 Wednesday 1:00 PM Gelatinas Workshop | St. Hubert’s Hall: Sarah Robles will teach us how to make these beautiful gelatin desserts from Mexico. Class limited to 20. Fee $10.00 RSVP Irene 707-486-9683
Sept. 20/21 | Russian River Jazz Festival | Call for volunteers – this is a major fund raiser for St. Elizabeth’s each year. We need people to help direct the traffic in the parking lots.
Sept. 27 Saturday 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM “Harvest for Humanity” Dinner and Auction for St. Vincent de Paul Society
