11^th Sunday in Ordinary Time B21

I don’t want to argue with Jesus’ saying the mustard seed is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth^[1], but I have to wonder if he knew about portulaca seeds. Being a gardener with the soul of a farmer, I have planted a garden or two in every parish to which I have been assigned. When I was at St. Ann in Avon I was planting portulaca seeds as a border to my vegetable garden. I had prepared the soil, opened the package of seeds and poured them into my hand when suddenly a gust of wind blew and scattered the seeds on the ground where they, being so tiny, blended with the soil so much I couldn’t tell seed from soil. But, lo and behold, the seeds sprouted on their own while I slept and rose night and day and yielded colorful flowers.    That was my first-hand experience of this parable.

Special Mass cards for Father’s Day weekend Masses are now available. These cards may be given to fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, godfathers, uncles, or any special man you would like to recognize on Father’s Day. Memorial envelopes for those who are deceased are also available. Baskets with these cards and the memorial envelopes are available at both exits.
Please return your donation in the intention envelope.

Father, Creator of all, thank you for summer!
Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight.
Thank you for the beauty I see all around me and the opportunity to be outside and enjoy your creation.
Thank you for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season.
Draw me closer to you this summer.
Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing. Warm my soul with the awareness of your presence and light my path with your word and counsel.
As I enjoy your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for you.
Amen

Registration for Faith Formation for the 2021/2022 school year is now open. Please enroll your children, grades 1-9, online by going to our Faith Formation website, www.stjffaithformatin.org

If you have any questions, please email Theresa Brysgel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the parish office at (860) 295-0001. Please register by Tuesday, July 6, to avoid a late fee.

Online Mass ~ The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ ~ June 6, 2021
Available as of Saturday, June 5, 4:00PM

We are proud to share that parishioner Sean Neary has been chosen to be a part of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Boston Marathon fundraising team.  Several years ago, Sean began his partnership with Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang, spending his summer serving kids with cancer and other serious illness.  Now as a college graduate and full time “adult” Sean continues to return to the camp to volunteer and has participated in several fundraising efforts. 

Corpus Christi 21

Jesus with his Hebrew ancestors and contemporaries lived in a culture much different than our own in the United States. While we celebrate individualism ( Clint Eastwood’s character as a lone cowboy, Rambo or the song “I did it my way” by “old blue eyes”), they were people who brought up from infancy that membership in your group, be it tribe, nation or religion, creates your identity and that you share in and contribute to the well-being of everyone who is a member of the same tribe, nation or religion. If a person was honored, you, by association, share in that honor. If someone brings shame, you share in that as well.

Week of June 13

The third gift is the gift of knowledge.  Knowledge is different than understanding as it is the ability to see and know God, but it is more than gathering facts.  Knowledge allows us to be open to the true plan God has for us; our unique mission.  Knowledge helps us to see how God is working in our life, our world and other people.

Reflection:           

Is there something about your faith you would like to know more about?

                Who could you ask?

                How will your answer help you grow closer to God?

                How did you use your knowledge of how we are called to treat others to impact your behavior this week?  

Good and gracious God, help me to use the gift of knowledge to know you and myself better.  

The second gift of the Holy Spirit is understanding.  This gift allows us to comprehend the teachings of the Church.  If wisdom helps us make the right choices to live a holy life – to know what is important,  understanding helps to know why these things are important. It also helps us to be tolerant of and sympathetic to others.  Understanding allows our actions to support the choices we make using wisdom as it opens our hearts, minds and eyes to the needs of others.

Reflection:

Think of people you interacted with recently.     

How were they doing?

Why do you think they were doing well or struggling?

How might you help others?   

Good and gracious God, help me to always hear your voice and use these gifts to do your will.  Amen

Special Mass cards for Father’s Day weekend Masses are now available. These cards may be given to fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, godfathers, uncles, or any special man you would like to recognize on Father’s Day. Memorial envelopes for those who are deceased are also available. Baskets with these cards and the memorial envelopes are available at both exits. Please return your donation in the intention envelope.

JUNE 12TH AND 13TH

Please mark your calendars:  Our monthly Food Drive is the 2nd full weekend of every month.

Suggested donations: Cereal, oatmeal, hearty canned soups, baking supplies, canned meats, canned fruits and toiletries. Please check that the "Best By" dates have not been exceeded; otherwise, the Food Bank will need to dispose of them. The Food Bank does not distribute overthecounter medicines for either adults or children, and so we cannot accept donations of these items. 
For the Home Goods Room: Used items in good condition such as pots and pans, towels, pillowcases, sheets (especially queen), lamps and new bed pillows. 

Thank you for assisting our brothers and sisters in Christ. Please keep all those impacted by hunger in your prayers.

Peter began to say to Jesus “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said “Amen I say to you no one has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake or the sake of the Gospel that who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age.” (Mark 10:28-30) Jesus asks nothing less than everything from us to make room for that which is better. What are you willing to give up today to make room for more peace? To make room for more justice? To make room for more love?

Father Sas, Homily

Mass ~ The Most Holy Trinity ~ May 30, 2021
Available as of May 29, 4:00PM

Trinity Sunday 2021

Can anyone tell me what we are celebrating today? (There are three persons in one God.) Can anyone go further? (It’s a mystery.) That’s it, end of discussion. At the Gregorian University in Rome I endured a required course on the Trinity. Our Latin textbook, written by the Jesuit professor, was 800+ pages long. At the end of the course, the Trinity was still a mystery to me, my classmates- and the professor.