SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY

IN ORDINARY TIME

HOURS       Pss I Seasonal prop

MASS         Prop Gl Cr Sun Pf I-VIII

RDGS         111: Gn 18:20-32  Ps 138:1-3,6-8

                   Col 2:12-14    Lk 11:1-13

In bargaining with God, Abraham demonstrates a real persistence in prayer (1). Jesus invites us to persist in prayer as well, to “ask…seek…knock (3). May our prayer open us to God’s will, and so build up his strength within us (Ps). In baptism we have died with Christ, and have been raised to life with him (2).

Stewardship

Jesus is describing God’s immeasurable generosity when He says in today’s Gospel, “Whoever asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; whoever knocks, is admitted.” But it should also be the description of us as Christian stewards — those seeking to follow Christ by using our gifts in service to others.                                 - See Luke 11:10

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR PARISHIONERS including:  Lucy Ciancia, Judy Salcewicz,

Tony Gangitano, David King, Haley Weber, Frank Stashak, Josephine Sarnoski, Elizabeth Connelly, Loretta Girard, Mary Pokotello, Blanche Ferarro, Sheila Del Mastro, John & Peter Foxwell, Terese King, John & Christine Dyke, Peter Yazgier and Genevieve Casey.

Let us remember in our prayers Anthony Shurott &

Jozes Skirka whom God has called home.

Collections

July 22^nd, 2007  $3563.36

Counters Team #2

DIOCESAN NEWS

www.diometuchen.org

Diocesan Dorney Park Outing

August 13^th  The Diocese of Metuchen Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is sponsoring a catered picnic outing at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom on August 13^th. Open to all ages.

Tickets paid for by August 3^rd cost $38 and $45 thereafter.. $25 for kinds under 4 feet tall. Children under 3 get in free.

Price includes a five hour all you can eat meal pass from noon until 5pm. The park is open from 10am to 10pm.

For tickets, please contact the Diocesan Youth Ministry office at (732) 562-1990 x1635 or email cburns@diometuchen.org.

A Program for Troubled Marriages

September 14-16  If your marriage has become unloving and uncaring, or if your relationship has grown cold and distant, if you are thinking of separation or divorce, or if are already separated or divorced, but both of you want to try again – then the RETROUVAILLE program may help you.

RETROUVAILLE (Rediscovery) sponsored by the Family Life Office consists of a weekend experience for couples (no group discussions) with six follow-up sessions.

The next program begins the weekend of September 14-16. All inquiries are confidential. For more information please call the Family Life Office (732) 562-1990 x 1624 or Tom & Pat McTague (732) 583-4468

Renew Your Marriage Vows With Bishop Bootkoski

September 30^th 4:00 pm  You are warmly invited to celebrate your 25^th or 50^th Wedding Anniversary with the Church of Metuchen. Renew your marriage vows and receive a personalized certificate from Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski.

Application forms may be secured by contacting the parish office or by logging on to www.diometuchen.org/family life (click on the Silver/Gold Application icon). Forms must be signed by the pastor and returned to the Diocese by the parish office. Application forms will be accepted by the Family Life Office until September 4^th. For additional information call the Family Life Office (732) 562-1990 x1624.

MOUNT SAINT MARY ACADEMY

Watchung, NJ 07069-6587

(908) 753-2091 msmhope@msmhope.org

Please, register for all events

Six Day Retreat

 Aug. 6-13, Fee: $350 (registration required) Non-refundable deposit: $75.  An experience of personal prayer based on Scripture.  Daily spiritual direction. Adaptable to the needs and desires of each individual. Atmosphere is one of  prayerful quiet.

THE SECRET  to Fullness of Life

Aug 17, either 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. or 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. ($15). What is holding you back from experiencing the abundant life Jesus offers you?  Presentation, clips from The Secret, reflection, prayer, sharing.

Grief Recovery Program

Aug 19, 1:00 - 5:30 p.m. ($45) Learning a process to deal with grief. Gentle experiential process for resolving the grief caused by loss   

COMMUNITY NEWS

Sacred Heart Parish Festival July 31^st – August 4^th

Sacred Heart Church in Manville will be holding their 39^th Annual Parish Festival. Tues-Fri: 6-10, Sat: 5-10 in the evenings. They will have Wheels, Games, Rides, Raffles, Entertainment and Delicious Homemade Polish Foods. For info and directions, please call (908) 725-0072 or visit www.sacred-heart-church.org

Pilgrimage/Retreat to Saint Pio & Rome, Italy

November 2007  Reservations are being accepted now. Please visit the web site: www.fratelliandcompany.com and click on “Saint Pio Pilgrimage” or call (908) 725-1008 x104 for more info are a complete brochure.

Open Your Heart and Your Home

Right now there are thousands of New Jersey’s most needy children who do not have homes. We are recruiting families that have a big heart and love for children to become foster or adoptive parents. In Somerset County alone there are over 150 children placed out of their home because of an abusive or neglectful environment. We only have about 40 active foster/adoptive parents in Somerset County to help care for these needy children. The good news is:

There are many ways to help.

Please call at (908) 730-7782 x2009 if you are interested in helping in any way.

OUR LADY OF MERCY NEWS

Religious Education Registration

Parents of school aged children are encouraged to register their children for 2007/2008 religious education classes as soon as possible. Deadline for registration is July 31^st, 2007. Registration forms can be found at church entrances.