16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 12:13, 16-19. Romans 8:26-2 Matthew 13:24-43 or 13:24-30
God is patient and kind.
Growing in faith is like striving to grow as wheat in a field mixed with weeds. We are faced with temptations, we do not pray as we ought, we are weak and in need of forgiveness. But God is just and kind; he judges with leniency, sends his Spirit to our aid, lovingly nurtures us, and patiently awaits our growth.
Wisdom speaks of the might and clemency of God, saying, you would permit repentance for their sins. Paul tells the Romans that the Spirit intercedes when we know not how to pray. In the Gospel, Jesus shares three parables about the kingdom of heaven, explaining the meaning of the parable of the weeds to his disciples.
8:30 AM Mass will be streamed this weekend - thanks you Cecelia Holland.
Community Petitions
Heavenly Father we offer to you the following petitions for our loved ones and our community:
- For the health and safe arrival of our new pastor Fr. Mario Lopez in early September.
- Msr. Jaime Barona - may he enrich us with his holiness and experiences in faith and joy here at SFA.
- Deacon Paul’s mother who is acclimating to a new living senior environment.
- Rita and Larry Casey - continued prayer and healing.
- Carolyn Pierce - (Pat Williams sister-in-law) Complete healing of the Covid-19 virus.
- Beth - Complete healing of breast cancer.
- Adam Chedister - prayers for courage, comfort, and peace.
- Ana Rosa’s family in Mexico - healing of Covid-19.
- Jerry & Madeline Rousseau - healing, strength, and peace. Enjoy friends and family in RI.
- Michael Rousseau - prayers for successful back surgery.
- James E. - prayers for continued healing following back/neck surgeries.
- Frank - Alzheimers, and for his wife Anne, strength as caregiver.
- Joan - healing of breast cancer.
- Mary - for peace and joy in her nursing home placement. And all nurses and first line defenders and patients.
- Marilyn and Ray Crock, sfo - prayers for continued healing.
- Ann Cole, sfo - cure of shingles.
- All SFO petitions offered this week.
- Marriage Banns: Ada Thomas and Parker Bradshaw, August 1; Sarah Zaremba and Jeff Crosbie, October 10.
- All our first responders across our country - prayers for encouragement, endurance, continued good health, and our deep gratitude. All our law enforcement professionals and the communities they serve to work effectively together toward shared goals.
- For an end of the Covid-19 virus, a speedy vaccine and cure; complete recovery for all those infected and affected.
- For all those grieving loved ones whom they did not get to say goodbye to. For closure and peace.
- For Jason Burrell’s acceptance into Permanent Deaconate Formation.
- For all our visiting priests who have guided us through this period without a priest, may God continue to bless them abundantly.
- For peace and unity in our country and wise leaders to usher us through these troubled times.
Parish Update
We have a need for help ushering at Masses, or a substitute list of those who can help in a pinch. Please contact Glen Hanrahan: 352-650-3117.
Thank you for those eucharistic ministers volunteering to distribute Holy Communion. These ministers will distribute Holy Communion in Marion Hall when our streaming operation is complete for any parishioners who are worshiping there due to overflow in the church.
We anticipate the installation of our new streaming system to be completed by next Sunday.
At our Liturgy Commission meeting Wednesday, we added Masses for the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, which falls on a Saturday this year. Mass is at 9 AM. We have also added a vigil Mass in Spanish at 6 PM Friday evening, August 14th.
Personal: Dawn and I thank you for the numerous well wishes of sympathy and grief from our community.
+God bless you all!
DJP