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St. Bernard Congregation of Appleton 1617 West Pine Street, Appleton, WI 54914 920-739-0331

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September 13, 2020

PRIEST: Father Jude Egbuna

ACTIVE DEACON: Mike Eash Greg Humpal

RETIRED DEACONS: Maury Reed Bob Vincent

MASS TIMES 4:30 pm Saturday 8:00 am Sunday 10:00 am Sunday 10:00 am Mass will also be livestreamed 8:00 am Tuesday-Friday

RECONCILIATION 3:00 pm Saturdays

Parish Office Hours Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-2:00 pm Friday 8:30 am-Noon

Being Set Up Now that my schooling is done, I have been able to play more golf this summer. Over the past several years I have not been able to play much due to commitments, so it has been a joy to be back out on the course on a regular basis. That being said, I have struggled to get back to playing up to my ability. As with any sport, motor skills that were once almost automatic have fallen into the abyss (along with where did I put my phone, car keys, and glasses!) Anyway, what I have observed is that my struggles really centered around my lack of setting up properly before hitting a shot. Once I began taking the time to make sure my grip, my stance, and my posture were correct before trying the shot, my game improved dramatically. I think there is something here that can be tied into today’s readings.

The readings for today are focused on what happens when we hold onto anger and vengeance. The reading from Sirach begins with, “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.” The Gospel of Matthew relates the story of a servant that was forgiven their debt, and yet would not extend the same to those indebted to him. These readings point to the fact that we should be ready to forgive rather than to seek vengeance. In other words, we should work on our set up so that when we are confronted with things that trigger us, we do not act out harshly, but instead act like we expect others to act towards us.

There is much discord in our society. If the current coronavirus (and reactions to it) was not enough, we have racial unrest and an election to add fuel to the fire. There is much that can cause our anger and vengeance to grow. That is why it is important that we have the proper set up so that we can handle things with the love of our neighbor as our starting point. We should be set up to forgive rather than to hate. As the Responsorial Psalm says, “He pardons all your iniquities, and heals all your ills.” We should be ready to do the same for others.

“Fore!”-There’s that darn slice again!

Deacon Mike

MUSINGS FROM THE DEACON CAVE

GOSPEL MEDITATION

What right do we have to limit the amount and degree of forgiveness we show to others when we are so desperately in need of it ourselves? In not wanting someone who hurt us to downplay or forget the gravity of their wrong, we cling to anger, resentment, and wrath as a way of maintaining control. It is a way to acknowledge and express our deep hurt. We fail to realize that in doing so we hold ourselves hostage to these destructive feelings and actually become mired in the bondage of sin. All we gain is further alienation from ourselves, others, and especially God. We are no longer free but tethered to all of this unresolved negativity. Don’t we really want to let it go? The fact is that we need to.

A good self-reflective posture will quickly show us that when the shoe is on the other foot and we are the ones in need of forgiveness, we desire it above anything else. This is especially true with our relationship with God. It is hypocritical to want one thing for ourselves and something else for another. Yet, many act in precisely this way.

Perhaps we think that in offering forgiveness, even for the most grievous of wrongs, its somehow excuses the person of their wrong and makes it almost acceptable. This is what makes revenge, retaliation, and punishment so attractive. We see forgiveness as being an eraser that easily wipes away the offense without consequence. Or, we may believe that in offering forgiveness I must somehow forget the wrong and open myself as a victim of even greater possible hurts in the future. In fact, forgiving my sister or brother of their wrongful actions or attitudes involves none of this. It does not erase anything or position me vulnerably as a doormat to be walked on.

Forgiveness is an act of freedom that restores honest dialogue, shares true and heartfelt feelings and acknowledges the consequences of an action. It admits that the wrong has caused a hurt that must be healed and squarely positions responsibility on the offender. The act of forgiveness recognizes our sinfulness and brokenness. It also admits that the most saintly among us is capable of doing very grave and deep harm to another person. It sees that we all can be victims of our passions and works in progress that deserve unlimited chances to get it right. With forgiveness, I release myself from the bonds of negativity and pursue a path of restoration, wholeness, and healing. I do not forget the wrong nor do I dismiss it. Sometimes, we have to stay far away from the one who hurt us. But we can still heal internally and be free.

For the one who wants to be forgiven and the one who needs to offer forgiveness, the journey can be an adventure in learning what brought us to this place and what is needed to move forward. This is exactly how God treats us.

Sunday, September 13 Sir27:30, 28:7/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 [8]/Rom 14:7-9/Mt 18:21-3 Monday, September 14 Nm 21:4b-9/Ps 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38 [cf. 7b]/Phil 2:6-11/Jn 3:13-17 Tuesday, September 15 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a/Ps 31:2 and 3b, 3cd-4, 5-6, 15-16, 20 [17]/Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35 Wednesday, September 16 1 Cor 12:31—13:13/Ps 33:2-3, 4-5, 12 and 22 [12]/Lk 7:31-35 Thursday, September 17 1 Cor 15:1-11/Ps 118:1b-2, 16ab-17, 28 [1]/Lk 7:36-50 Friday, September 18- 1 Cor 15:12-20/Ps 17:1bcd, 6-7, 8b and 15 [15b]/Lk 8:1-3 Saturday, September 19 1 Cor 15:35-37, 42-49/Ps 56:10c-12, 13-14 [14]/Lk 8:4-15 Sunday, September 20 Is 55:6-9/Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 [18a]/Phil 1:20c-24, 27a/Mt 20:1

MASS INTENTIONS WEEKLY READINGS ST. BERNARD PARISH STAFF

Bookkeeper Barb Hoffman

Bulletin Editor Lisa Hecht

Business Administrator Dr. Colleen Sargent-Day

Care Ministry Coordinator Cathy Kulibert

Coordinator of Liturgy and Music Sherry Zwicky

Evangelization/Communication Coordinator Andy Schmidt

Faith Formation Coordinator Deb Holzem

Maintenance Supervisor Jim Piette

Office Manager Edna Ulrich

*In Memory of

Saturday, September 12 4:30 pm *Sengstock Family

Sunday, September 13 8:00 am *Curt Bengel

10:00 am *Sally Slavik Members of St. Bernard

Tuesday, September 15 8:00 am *Justin Rodrigues

Wednesday, September 16 8:00 am *Pereura Family

Thursday, September 17 8:00 am *Rodrigues Family

Friday, September 18 8:00 am *Mr. & Mrs. Donald Lavering

Saturday, September 19 4:30 pm *Donald Maas Members of St. Bernard

Sunday, September 20 8:00 am *Mike Tassoul & Fred Selig

10:00 am *Gene & Phyllis Thoma Family

RECONNECT GROUPS

Day Time Date Begins Facilitator Mode

Sun After 10 am Mass September 20 Wendy Galley In Person

Mon 10:00 am September 14 Mary Howard & Cathy Kulibert

In Person

Mon 6:30 pm September 14 Dcn. Mike Eash Virtual

Tues 9:30 am September 15 Anne Staelens Virtual

Wed 6:00 pm October Date to be determind

Sherry & Pam Musicians

Virtual

Wed 7:00 pm September 16 Adam DeBruin Virtual

Thurs 1:00 pm September 17 Dcn. Greg Humpal In Person

Begin the week of September 13-Come and reconnect as a parish community and share your experiences of living during the current pandemic. We have several gathering times available, some virtual and some in person. Approximately 1hr. per session. If you would like to join a Reconnect Group, call Cathy at 739-0331 or email ckulibert@stbernardappleton.org. or complete the on-line form https://forms.gle/p8naLMkZJFgNt6Q7

St. Bernard Annual Report Our Parish Annual Report are available in our Narthex on the Welcome Counter. If you would like a copy, please stop by the Welcome Counter.

ANNUAL MEETING

Our 15th Annual Seminarian Collection Hope for the Future: Help them Today. Have you made your gift? We in our Parish have raised $11,752. Thank you for your gift.

Congratulations to Father Jude on your

30 year Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION/HAPPENINGS

Thank you for continuing to support our parish financially, as you are able. Sunday offerings are by far the largest portion of our financial support to St. Bernard Parish. We encourage you to give online or by mailing your Giving Envelope to our Parish Office (1617 West Pine Street, Appleton. WI 54914).

Weekly SCRIP Sales

Sold $3,400 Cost $3,247 Rebate $ 153

Scrip is available in our Parish Office. Please call ahead at 739-0331 to place your order.

Weekly Giving 9/11/2020 Week 10 Envelope Collections $ 8,492 Loose Collections $ 432 YTD Actual Env. $110,925 YTD Loose $ 4,385 Last FYTD $123,604 Last FYTD $ 5,090

Update Membership Information Does our Parish Office database have YOUR family membership record correct? It is time for us to update our database.

Have you changed your phone number, moved, moving soon, are your children at home, do you want your record published?

If you have not already informed our Parish Office about changes to your record, please let us know now so that the information in the Guide Book & Directory is correct. Please call Edna at 739-0331.

Guide Book & Directory Advertising Opportunity

We are in the process of updating our annual Guide Book & Directory for our Church. This book will contain everything pertinent to our church: the various ministries, organizations, committees, activities, functions and events plus a complete directory of all members. This book is being provided and direct-mailed to each family at no cost to our church, and it is again being subsidized by local businesses that advertise. If you own or manage a business and would like to find out about advertising in our book, please call Edna at our Parish Office at 739-0331.

ST. BERNARD PARISH TRUSTEE ELECTION FORM

(Please vote for one)

Trustee Financial _____Ron DeGroot _____Kathleen Gribble Write-in Candidate

_________________________________________

(Please vote for one)

Trustee Secretary ____Dan Thiel

Write-in Candidate

_____________________________

Please cut out and return this form to our Parish Office by September 17.

FORMED

St. Bernard Social Justice Committee Haiti Dental Collection

St Bernard Social Justice Committee is sponsoring a Dental Collection for the people of Haiti.

We are collecting toothpaste, dental floss, children toothbrushes & adult toothbrushes.

If you would like to donate any of these items, please return your donations to our Parish. All donations can be put by the coat rack area. If you would like to give a gift of money to our collection, please put in an envelope marked Haiti Dental Collection. Please bring your donation to our Parish Office We will be collecting until September 30.

Thank you for your continued support.

If you would like to learn more about the Dental Collection for Haiti, please go to our Parish Website. A letter from Dr. Tim Brown explains about the ministry his team is providing.

HAPPENINGS

It’s time to become reacquainted with FORMED. There are so many, almost endless, opportunities that exist with the gift of FORMED that we’ve been given as a Parish. If you don’t know how to get on FORMED contact our Parish Office and someone will help you. There are movies for adults, children, and families. Bible studies and stud-ies on so many topics. A great place to start is with the column, What to Watch. You can look under other columns and see what there is under The Sacraments; FORMED Now! Recently added; Talks: Conversion Stories; Movie Night; Kids; Books just to name a few. If you only have a little bit of time, check out FORMED DAILY. There are so many opportunities right at our fingertips. Explore, learn something new. Have fun. Submitted weekly by a St. Bernard Parishioner

Faith Formation/Discipleship Nights Returns-September 23 for most Students Sunday, September 30 for High School families who choose Sunday evenings. Due to Covid-19 no meals will be served until further notice. Adults! Sign up for Wednesday, 6:30 Reconnect Group. Attend a session for yourself while your child is in their session, or just because the time is convenient! For details, or to sign up please visit our website. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Deb at 739-8912 or email dholzem@stbernardappleton.org

Faith Formation Registration! Register your child/children, grandchild/children for 2020/2021 Faith Formation Classes will be held online and/or in person. Classes are:

Wednesdays, 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Grades 6-11, Wednesday, 6:30 pm. Ages K-5, family mingling program, Wednesdays at 4:30 pm.

To make things easier for you, please visit our Website stbernardappleton.org to register.

Bishop Ricken Returns to WFRV Local 5 on Sunday Mornings Bishop David Ricken will again celebrate Sunday Mass on broadcast television which will air throughout the Diocese of Green Bay. “I am extremely pleased to announce that after hearing from so many viewers, the television broadcast of Sunday morning Mass will resume on WFRV Local 5 at 10:00 a.m.,” said Bishop Ricken. “We hope this broadcast will help reach those who are homebound, as well as those in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, or anywhere else where getting to church isn’t an option. I offer my sincere thanks to WFRV Local 5 for their willingness to continue broadcasting Sunday Mass, especially during these difficult times.”

Faith Formation Registration

stbernardappleton.org

739-8912