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ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
WHITESBORO, TEXAS
AUGUST 21, 2016
“STRIVE TO ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE”
by Fr. Jeremy Myers
Luke 13:22-30
A good word of advice comes from our Lord in the gospel
today. It comes by way of an answer given to a question
posed to him. “Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
someone around him asks. We should credit that individual
with asking an important question, since surely we are all
interested in saving our own skins. The answer Jesus gives
should help us in that endeavor. He says, “Strive to enter
through the narrow gate.” Now, if we want to be saved, we
simply have to figure out what Jesus meant by “the narrow
gate.” That really shouldn’t be so difficult, when we recollect
Jesus’ teachings and example. The narrow gate implies a
tight space, a squeeze, a way accessible for the slim and
the fit. So what does that mean for us? It means that those
who are to be saved are those who are not bloated with self
-importance, so sure that they are the only ones on the
earth, the truly significant, the most important. Our Lord
constantly chastised those people who were filled with selfimportance and even today we hear him say, “Some are
last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” We
must be wary of growing big in our own eyes because we
will not be able to squeeze through the narrow gate that
grants entrance into eternal life with God. Further, the
narrow gate does not allow entrance to people who are
packing a big load of material goods. We’ve all met those
vehicles with oversized loads on the highway with the sign
“Oversize Load.” We generally have to move over to allow
them room because they can’t make it only on one lane.
Consider that example when you ponder the narrow gate of
which Jesus speaks today. If we also are loaded down with
material goods, so much so that we have become an
“oversized load,” then there is no way we’re going to pass
through the narrow entrance into heaven. A wide load
indicates that we place our primary resources into material
goods; they become our gods and our salvation, with little
attention or room given to Almighty God. Unfortunately, if
materialism consumes us, we are going to find it difficult to
make it to heaven, carrying along with us so much junk.
Similarly, sin can do the same thing to us. It is easy to
become addicted to sinful ways, gorging ourselves on
things that are not good for us. A lifetime of sinfulness can
make it difficult indeed to pass through that narrow gate,
where the righteous and the good pass easily. We should
consider another thing when pondering this narrow gate. If
we are always going with the crowd, never standing up for
what is right, but instead always standing beside what is
popular, then we may not find easy access through that
narrow gate. A well-known bishop of yesteryear used to say
“Cowards hide in a crowd; heroes march single file.” The
image of the narrow gate does not seem to suggest enough
room for a crowd. It does suggest, however, that there is
sufficient room for single-file entrance. So, we should be
careful about wanting to be accepted, popular, or in
demand, all to the expense of personal integrity and right
actions. We and our crowd of fans won’t fit through the
narrow gate. So, as Jesus so rightly points out, “For many, I
tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”
As always, wise words.
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C)
Today we consider the kingdom of God as a reality
which calls us to change and growth. God is not trying
to keep us out. He reforms us so that we will be in a
better position to appreciate the kingdom as we come
in.
VIGÉSIMO
PRIMER
DOMINGO
DEL
TIEMPO
ORDINARIO (C) Hoy consideramos el Reino de Dios
como una realidad que nos llama a un cambio y
crecimiento. Dios no está tratando de mantenernos.
Nos reforma de modo que estemos en una mejor
posición para apreciar el reino ya que entramos.
Please join us for coffee and fellowship after Mass
today in the Parish Hall.
Por favor únase a nosotros para el café y compañerismo
después de Misa hoy en el Salón Parroquial.
STEWARDSHIP FOR AUGUST 14, 2016
$ 1,631.00
Thank you for your gifts.
“Do we make a difference in our service to others because
of our relationship to the Lord?”
Author Unknown
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Please remember in your prayers all the sick and
suffering, especially Jeff Crone (father of Mike Crone)
and Robyn Stacey. May they find comfort and
encouragement in the compassion of Jesus.
We want to wish a happy birthday to all in our parish family
celebrating a birthday this week, especially Sabrina Hoenig
and Jacob Hughes today, August 21st; Jimmy Ferguson,
Noel Galan, and Robyn Stacey on August 22nd; Benjamin
Aguirre on August 23rd; Alejandro Aguirre on August 24th;
Katelyn Reed on August 25th; and Shayna Gonzales on
August 26th.
We want to wish a happy anniversary to all couples
celebrating a wedding anniversary this week, especially
Roger & Marlinda Balak on August 22nd and William &
Sharon Hoenig on August 27th.
CCD classes will begin on Sunday,
September 11th. Registration will be held
today after Mass. All students, both new
and returning, are required to register. If
your child is new to St. Francis CCD,
please bring a copy of his/her baptismal
certificate.
Las clases de catecismo comenzaran el domingo 11 de
septiembre. La inscripción se realizará después de la
misa hoy. Todos los estudiantes, tanto nuevos como los
de regreso, están obligados a registrarse. Si su hijo es
nuevo al catecismo de San Francisco, favor de traer una
copia de su certificado de bautismo.
A Safe Environment training session for all
RETURNING volunteers who have
previously completed Safe Environment
and only need to update their training will
be next Sunday, August 28th, at 11 a.m. at
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Returning volunteers may attend or can
update their training by visiting https://
www.cathdal.org/pages/Update_Training. Choose one of the
training modules, complete both the self-test and training
certificate and turn them in at the office in Sherman.
Remember, all volunteers are required to update their
training every twelve months.
Una sesión de formación para los voluntarios que
previamente hayan completado ambiente seguro y sólo
tendrá que actualizar su formación será el domingo, 28 de
agosto a las 11 a.m. de la iglesia católica de San Francisco
de Asís. Los voluntarios de regreso pueden asistir o pueden
actualizar su formación visitando https://www.cathdal.org/
pages/Update-training. Elija uno de los módulos de
formación, completar el certificado de prueba y capacitación
y entréguelos a la oficina de Sherman. Recuerde, todos los
voluntarios están obligados a actualizar su formación cada
doce meses.
FOR AUGUST 28, 2016
†Marie Teuscher by Family
LITURGICAL ASSIGNMENTS FOR AUGUST 28, 2016
Lector
Don Kolash Servers
Eucharistic Ministers
Anita Morales
Toby Fuhrmann Ushers
Margaret Pack
Rosario Labrada
Alex Labrada
Jesus Labrada
Ken Podborny
Roger Balak
Gift Bearers
Ministers to Homebound
William Hoenig Family
Larry & Sharon Sandmann
¿Necesitas oración por una Necesitas oración por una
intención especial, amigo enfermo o miembro de la familia,
católico o no católico? Póngase en contacto con Anita
Morales al abmcommservices@gmail.com o 903-816-1519 y
ella notificará a los miembros de San Francisco de Asís
Grupo de Oración de su necesidad.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults will be held at St. Mary’s
Parish in Sherman on Tuesday
evenings beginning September 6th.
Anyone interested in joining the
Catholic Church or wanting to learn
more about the Catholic Church is
encouraged to attend. Each Tuesday a light meal will be
served at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation will follow from
7 - 8 p.m. Please call the Parish Office at 903-893-5148 if
you have any questions or would like to register.
El Rito de la Iniciación Cristiana para
Adultos se sostendrá en la Parroquia de
Santa María en Sherman los lunes a las
7 por la tarde comenzando el 5 de
septiembre.
Cualquier
persona
interesada en unirse a la Iglesia Católica
o que quieran aprender más acerca de
la Iglesia Católica es alentar a que
asistan. Por favor, llame a la oficina parroquial al 903893-5148 si tiene alguna pregunta o desea registrar.
The Men's Club would like to erect signs announcing our
Sunday Mass time and Church address. Please contact Don
Kolash at 713-854-1910 or a Club member if you would like
to have a small sign installed and maintained on your
property, or would like to help support the project.
El Club de Hombres le gustaría erigir carteles que anuncian
nuestro tiempo de misa del domingo y dirección de la iglesia.
Por favor póngase en contacto con Don Kolash al 713-8541910 o un socio un miembro del club si le gustaría tener un
Need prayer for a special intention, sick friend or family cartel instalado y mantenido en su propiedad, o le gustaría
member, Catholic or non-Catholic? Contact Sharon ayudar a apoyar el proyecto.
Kirkpatrick at skirkpatrick@suddenlink.net or 940-6656825 and she will notify members of St. Francis of Assisi
Prayer Group of your need.