Entries for June 2023

EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

Our Parish bulletin today pictures the cover of Bishop Robert Barron’s new book, “This Is My Body”. As you leave Church after Mass, please accept a copy as a gift for your family.

Bishop Barron writes, “In 2019, the respected Pew Forum released the results of a survey of Catholics in regard to their belief in the Eucharist. Along with many others, I was startled when I read the data, for I discovered that only one-third of those questioned subscribed to the Church’s official teaching that Jesus is really, truly, substantially present under the signs or appearances of bread and wine. Fully two-thirds held that the Eucharistic elements are merely symbolic of Jesus’ appearance. Whether you saw it as a failure in catechesis, preaching, theology, liturgy, or evangelization, it was an indication of a spiritual disaster. I say this because the Second Vatican Council clearly taught that the Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ Therefore, the Pew study revealed that the vast majority of our own Catholic people did not understand this central and crucial reality, the beginning and the end of Christianity.”

This book you receive as a gift from your Parish is designed to help all of us understand the Sacrament of Jesus’ Body and Blood more thoroughly, precisely so that we might fall in love with the Lord more completely.

THE ANNUNZIATA LEARNING CENTER

Gerre Book has been the guiding light from the beginning of the Annunziata Learning Center for Catholic Special Education which has always been a very important mission of our Parish. I received this from her to share with all our parishioners who are so supportive:

Greetings to all the wonderful parishioners of Church of the Annunziata,

On behalf of the entire day school community, I want to send you the biggest thank you ever! As we wind down the 2022-2023 school year, it will go down as one of our most historic ones. The flood last summer wiped out our entire lower level of your school building and elevator. Thanks to Fr. Leykam, the amazing leadership and staff of this parish (in collaboration with the Archdiocese), we were able to relocate to Faris Hall for 3 months. As we scrambled to start the school year and have the supplies we needed, your generosity helped us provide the quality special education that we offer students who need a self-contained setting to learn. Your donations and prayers were exactly what was necessary for our smooth transition to the church hall and back into the school building on Halloween.

Our focus all year was the needs of the students while reviewing our lists of lost/damaged items. Most of our storage was on the lower level. A "shout out" to the PSR community who were so flexible as we worked together to share our teaching spaces through all transitions. The deep dedication of the PSR staff helped every decision become easier. We appreciated your willingness to work around our PODS storage as well as allowing our PE activities to be held safely on the parking lot. We look forward to the 2023-2024 school year with access to both levels of the school building for the PSR and day school programs. Thank you again for EVERYTHING you did to support us through this school year with all your prayers, generosity, and love for these children who learn in special ways. The Church of the Annunziata Parish community has been a blessing to us.

Enjoy your summer!
Gerre Book
Principal

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FATHER’S DAY 2023

On Father’s Day, we remember and honor dads, grandfathers, uncles, and all the men, living and deceased, who tirelessly and selflessly gave of themselves for their families with unconditional love. It is a good time to also recall the exemplary role-model and patron saint of fathers —— St. Joseph — foster father of Jesus, husband of Our Lady and patron of the Universal Church.

Saint Joseph experienced the same difficulties in life we all do, yet he lived an exemplary life and established an ideal that is well-worth emulating for all fathers who have come after him. Saint Joseph was a man of compassion and caring. He was a man possessed of unwavering faith in God. He was a man who loved and protected his family. As St. Matthew describes in his Gospel, Joseph was a “righteous man”. For Joseph, doing God’s will was paramount; God always came first! St. Joseph, pray for us!

LIFE’S GREATEST DISEASE

Pope Francis asks, “What is the biggest disease in life? Cancer? Heart disease? The corona virus pandemic? No. The greatest disease in life is the lack of love—not being able to love.

How often do people throw themselves into the wrong cures to satisfy our lack of love? Some people think that success and money will make them happy, but love cannot be bought; it is free! Some take refuge in the virtual world, but love is concrete. There are those who do not accept themselves as they are and they try to hide beyond exterior “make up,” but Love is not an appearance. We all search for answers, some from magicians and from gurus, to then find themselves without money and without peace.

Jesus emphasizes the importance of direct contact with Him, especially through the Sacraments He has given us. Jesus waits for us to encounter Him, to open our hearts to Him, as Jesus looks beyond the ugly matters of our history.

Jesus goes beyond sins. Jesus goes beyond prejudices. Jesus never stops at appearances, but reaches the heart. Let Jesus look at your heart and heal it. And if you have already felt His tender gaze upon you, imitate Jesus, and do as He does.

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THE MONTH OF JUNE: DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART

Devotion does not end at a shrine or image. It is only authentic when it reaches all the way into ourselves and into our lifestyle with an utterly transforming power. The heart of Christianity is the Heart of Jesus, a passionate devotedness to God’s will and the well-being of humanity. The only promise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is that we have not yet lost nor will we ever lose our capacity to love.

We often forget that Christ loved to be silent. He set out for the desert, not to go into exile, but to encounter God the Father. Without silence, God disappears in the noise. In his book, “The Power of Silence”, Cardinal Robert Sarah points out that silence is difficult, but it makes human beings able to allow themselves to be led by God.

Silence is more important than any other human work, for it expresses God. What virtue can be expected from this silence, Cardinal Sarah asks? The answer if simple, yet profound:

HUMILITY!

THE LITANY OF HUMILITY

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

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THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

Our Catholic Faith involves more than just believing that God exists. Faith is about believing in God, as well as whatever God has revealed. By these revealed truths, Revelation, we mean God’s unveiling of supernatural truths necessary for our salvation.The Revelation of the Holy Trinity is there is only One God, but Three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

A human being who loves another, opens his/her heart over time, and reveals the essence of who they are. So God, who loves YOU, opens to You God’s Inner Life, so that You may fall in love with God who created You!

CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is the only free-standing Catholic Pediatric Hospital in the United States! By God’s Graces, and your prayers and financial support, your Children’s Hospital is a special place where Faith and Healing unite to make miracles possible! This weekend is the Annual Appeal. Please be generous in support of Cardinal Glennon Hospital Sunday!

TO ALL OF OUR 2023 GRADUATES

Your Parish Family is very proud of you and all that you have accomplished, especially this last year. Your Class of 2023 has faced challenges and stress and have overcome! Please know we pray for you, knowing that you responded to God’s Grace through this year. May you always remain close to Jesus, especially in the Sacrament of Holy Communion!

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