Saint Cecilia Parish - St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church

Page 6 July 10, 2011 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners,
On this 15 th Sunday in Ordinary Time the Evangelist Matthew shares with us a parable the Lord Jesus told His disciples
regarding the word of God and its reception among people. Those who welcome the word produce a rich harvest
of goodness because of their faith. The Lord uses other examples in speaking of those who reject the word and
those who for whom the word is not a priority. The word of God does not take root in such persons. Rather, faith is
the rich soil which is needed for God’s word to grow and bear fruit for eternal life.
We are a people of faith but at times this faith becomes weak and sterile. Our Lord said, “…one who hears the word and
receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of
the word, he immediately falls away.” We need to cultivate the faith we share with prayer and good works. These tools
help us in strengthening our spirituality so that God’s all powerful word may bud forth in our everyday life.
As a people of faith we are united to one another through the mystery of Baptism and by our membership in the parish
community. I take this opportunity to remind you that a member of the parish is one who has registered with
Saint Cecilia’s and receives the weekly offering envelopes which support our parish. I pray that all those who worship
with us will become registered members of Saint Cecilia Parish. Parish registration makes us strong and enables
us to produce the fruits Christ demands of His followers. I implore you: if you are not registered with the parish, if
you do not receive mailings from the parish and the Sunday offering envelopes, PLEASE REGISTER AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE AND DON’T DELAY. We need you to join us in God’s field to produce a rich harvest for the kingdom of
heaven.
Our BIBLE CAMP begins this evening and will meet each evening until the conclusion on Thursday. It’s our annual
summer Bible program for the children of St. Cecilia Parish and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. It’s a wonderful opportunity
for parents to support their children’s continued faith formation. I am proud of the parents who guide their
children to participate in this event and others like it which are offered throughout the year. Such parents are tending
the field of these young hearts to receive God’s word with joy and expectation. Your reward will be great and a
plentiful harvest awaits you!
Italy is beautiful but I am happy to be home with you!
Father Zig
ST. BONAVENTURE
July 15, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
St. Bonaventure, widely known as “The Seraphic Doctor,” was born at Bagnorea in Tuscany, in 1221. He was originally called John but received
the name of Bonaventure in consequence of an exclamation of St. Francis of Assisi, when, in response to the pleading o f the child’s mother, the
Saint prayed for John’s recovery from a dangerous illness, and, foreseeing the future greatness of the little John, cried out, “O buona ventura”—
O good fortune!
At the age of twenty-two St. Bonaventure entered the Franciscan Order. Having made his vows, he was sent to Paris to complete his studies under
the celebrated doctor Alexander of Hales, an Englishman and a Franciscan. After the latter’s death he continued his course under his successor,
John of Rochelle. In Paris he became the intimate friend of the great St. Thomas Aquinas. He received the degree of Doctor, together with St.
Thomas Aquinas, ceding to his friend, against the latter’s inclination, the honor of having it first conferred upon him. Like St. Thomas, he enjoyed
the friendship of the holy King, St. Louis
At the age of thirty-five he was chosen General of his Order and restored a perfect calm where peace had been disturbed by internal dissensions.
He did much for his Order and composed the life of St. Francis. He also assisted at the translation of the relics of St. Anthony of Padua. He was
nominated Archbishop of York by Pope clement IV, but he begged not to be forced to accept that dignity. Gregory X obliged him to take upon
himself a greater one, that of Cardinal and Bishop of Albano, one of the six suffragan Sees of Rome. Before his death he abdicated his office of
General of the Franciscan Order. He died while he was assisting at the Second Council of Lyons, on July 15, 1274, and was canonized in 1482 by
Pope Sixtus IV.
PRAYER: Almighty God, today we celebrate the heavenly birt6hday of St. Bonaventure, Your Bishop. Les us benefit by his wonderful teaching and always be
inspired by his burning charity. Amen.
Taken from, Lives of the Saints, Catholic Booking Publishing Company, 1999 New Jersey
580-St. Cecilia