Your Sunday Connection for August 23, 2020

Dear Friends,

There are still spaces available to join us for Mass tomorrow Sunday, August 23, 2020 at 9:00am. A reservation is required to attend. Please click on the button below to make a reservation.

Make your reservation to attend Mass at www.standrew.org/reopening.

As a reminder, we are limited in the number of people who are permitted to attend Mass. Therefore, the best way to connect with Saint Andrew Parish is by gathering with your household and praying through this “Your Sunday Connection” Flocknote. As you scroll through, read and pray along. A homily message from Deacon Mark is included.

Opening Prayer

O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose, grant your people to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, amid the uncertainties of this world, our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN

The Readings

Reading I IS 22:19-23

Thus says the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace: “I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut when he shuts, no one shall open. I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family.”

Reading II ROM 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Gospel MT 16:13-20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

The Homily

Please click on the video link below to watch the homily for this week.

The Prayers of the Faithful

For Pope Francis, that he may be guided by the Holy Spirit as he binds and loosens here on earth so that we may grow ever closer to truly realizing the mission of Jesus We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For our elected leaders, that they may be guided by empathy for the people they serve and consider the effects of the decisions they make on the least of them. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For students, teachers, and administrators at the beginning of a new school year, that they enter into the school year eager to discover new things. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For those suffering from chronic illnesses, and for their caregivers and loved ones, that they may be given courage and hope to endure the crosses they bear. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For all of us here today, that by the way we serve those who are in need we may reveal who the Lord is to our community and our world. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For those who are affected by COVID19 that God will help them through this difficult time. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For the departed, who remain with us in our prayers and our memories, and for the promise of a joyful reunion, and especially for: Nancy Stanton and Edward Ahern. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

Submit Your Special Intentions

Sunday Offertory

Stewardship of Saint Andrew Parish is the responsibility of us all. Consistently throughout the year, we remind parishioners about stewarding the gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure to support the mission of Saint Andrew Parish.

During this pandemic, there are many urgent needs, among those needs are caring for the financial obligations of Saint Andrew Parish. If you do not regularly contribute electronically ether weekly or monthly, please consider making a Sunday Offering online through Give Central through the link below.

Give to the Sunday Offertory

Spiritual Communion

In many places in the world receiving Holy Communion is not possible. Catholics in these areas are encouraged to make “Spiritual Communion.” St.Teresa of Jesus wrote about this practice:

“When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you”

You can make Spiritual Communion by the bringing this prayer to your heart…

“My Jesus, I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.”

Closing Prayer

Complete within us, O Lord, we pray, the healing work of your mercy and graciously perfect and sustain us, so that in all things we may please you. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN

Announcements

FALL FLING – Golf Outing

Sign up to play golf as a foursome, threesome, twosome or single along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront!! The more the merrier! Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Sydney Marovitz Golf Course (3600 North Recreation Drive, Chicago, IL 60613) 1:00pm first tee time followed by scheduled tee times thereafter every 10 minutes. Boxed dinners available to order from GT Prime – delivered to your door. To find out more and the sign up, read more…

Please click on the button below to see a copy of the Sunday Bulletin.

Click for Sunday Bulletin