A THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord 

Many of us have become so at home in this world, that when we come across a feast that celebrates Jesus leaving us and going into heaven, we get a bit uneasy. We've been taught by this world that we shouldn't waste our time thinking about the next one. Being religious is not a great value these days. And if we are honest with ourselves, many of us will admit that the non-religious or secular aspect of society has affected us in some way or the other. After all, we are a part of this society.  It's hard to stay unaffected by things that surround us everyday. We don't want people to think that we are only interested in "pie in the sky when we die".

Our lives as followers of Jesus are no longer supported by the civil communities in which we live. It would be a serious mistake to think that as long as we keep in step with the secular society around us, that we're doing okay. We need to be very aware of how our faith life calls us to be different. If we find ourselves thinking and acting as everyone else in our surrounding society, we may find ourselves living outside of our faith.

I'm not saying that we all have to leave our communities and form some kind of town or city where only believers in Jesus would be welcome. We don't need a siege mentality. That's not our calling. Our calling is to live where we are, but not to take our values and beliefs only from our surrounding society. On the contrary, we need to be so grounded and rooted in our faith that we bring the deepest part of ourselves to our jobs, our social life, our community involvement. In our Gospel Jesus calls us to "go and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you." For most of us, teaching others means showing others by our lives how Jesus wants us to live. We cry the Gospel with our lives.

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MOTHER'S DAY CARNATION SALE

 

Please support the Prince of Peace Cub Scout Pack by purchasing carnations next Sunday on Mother's Day.  They will be available before and after Sunday Mass for $1.00.  Vases will be available in the Statue Alcove in honor of those mothers who are not here with us to celebrate Mother's Day, but are always with us in our thoughts and prayers.  All donations will contribute to the development of our young men as the future leaders of our community.

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

AND USHERS:

YOU ARE NEEDED!

 

There will be special Masses on Saturday 10th and 17th at 10:30 a.m. for children receiving First Communion.  Please help make this an extra special occasion for these children and sign-up by calling the Religious Education office at 681-5063 and speaking to Josie Castillo.  

 

 

 

The El Salvador Mission Ministry will be having their Annual Garage Sale on Saturday, May 26th starting at 9:00 a.m.  If you have something you would like to donate, please contact Ruth Darilek or Vince Aguero to make arrangements for pick-up anytime after April 26, 2008.  A tax receipt will be provided for donated goods.  Children's clothing, household goods, sporting equipment, and/or appliances will be accepted.  No adult clothing please.

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

 

This year's theme is "Power Lab" - Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power.  We have a limited number of spaces so register early!  The cost is $25 per child.  The hours of Vacation Bible School are 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon during the week of June 9-13, 2008.  To register your child(ren), please call or stop by the Religious Education office.  Many volunteers are also needed. All volunteers must have current Criminal Background Checks and have seen the Sexual Misconduct Video.  If you can help, please call Josie in the Religious Education office at 681-5063. 

 

 

ATTENTION -- EVERYONE WHO LOVES TO PRAISE GOD WITH SONG

 

The 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday Choirs are in need of singers.  All Choir members must first view the Sexual Misconduct Video and complete a Criminal Background Check and Code of Ethics form. If you are interested, please call Chris Urrutia.

FAITH SHARING

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Jesus' Mission – and Ours

 

INVITATION TO PRAY

Pause for a few moments of silence and enter more deeply into the presence of God.

Song: "Anthem," Tom Conry, OCP 

 

Proclaim the Gospel of John 17: 1-11

Jesus Accomplishes His Mission – and Ours Begins

As you listen to the gospel be attentive to a word, a phrase, a question, an image, or a feeling that emerges.  Reflect on this quietly or share it aloud. (The other readings for this Sunday are Acts 1: 1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1: 17-23.)

 

INVITATION TO REFLECT

I remember a relative commenting at my mother's funeral that I resembed her.  She said that it was in my look, talk, and laugh.  I was both delighted and challenged to hear this.  I had always admired my mother, but wondered if I could keep bringing her best qualities into my life.

Jesus knew what that was like.  His had been a clear-cut mission: to show people what God was like.  To be the best face, the very Word of God, with his human face.  Because Jesus was Son of God and member of the Trinity, he shared God's nature and identity.  Their communion was steady and intimate.  That was why Jesus could be a credible face for God and an authentic witness to what God desired for people of Jesus' time.  And he knew if he failed, people would not know how loving God was.

For Jesus, the mission was more than being proxy for God.  It was sharing in his own person the identity and message of God.  Jesus accomplished that as fully as he could.  And his efforts made the world that much kinder, happier, and forgiving.

It had seemed natural for me to carry my mother's spirit in the future.  It is sometimes harder for disciples of Jesus to imagine being entrusted with continuing his mission.  Yet, we are promised all we need in today's gospel.  Jesus tells God we know him because we believe in his revealed Word.

Jesus prayed to God that we and all future followers of his would be as faithful as he was in reflecting God who is love.  With that kind of support, we may still struggle, but we have a grand and worthy mission.

 

INVITATION TO GROUP SHARING

1. Have I ever been compared to a person I considered good or holy?  How did I feel?  Were there lasting effects from the perceived resemblance? 

2. When have I sensed I share in Jesus' mission to be the face of God? At home? In my workplace? In my ministry?

3. Does our parish or family have heroes whose qualities we want to share?  Have we told them?  Is Jesus one of these?

4. Are there some in our parish who have been hurt by a disciple of Jesus whose behavior lacked justice or compassion?  How can our prayer and ministry heal their disillusionment?  What will we do to heal the hurt?

 

INVITATION TO ACT

Determine a specific action (individual or group) that flows from your sharing. This should be your primary consideration. When choosing an individual action determine what you will do and share it with the group.  When choosing a group action, determine who will take responsibility for different aspects of the action. The following are secondary suggestions:

1.  Review the means your parish provides to keep its disciples equipped for continuing Jesus' mission.  If there is a need to strengthen one component, such as Bible study, faith sharing in small communities, ministry training, or spiritual direction, act on this.

2.  If you are a minister of hospitality at Eucharistic liturgy or in the kitchen or food pantry, you are the face of God to strangers.  Evaluate how well you resemble Jesus as you serve.  Share your thoughts with another. 

3.  Participate in one activity that will help you better perform Jesus' ministry, for example, leisure, a lecture, reading, a movie.

4.  Bring the needs of your loved ones to God in prayer.

 

CLOSING INVITATION TO PRAY

Give thanks to God (aloud or silently) for new insights, for desires awakened, for directions clarified, for the gift of one another's openness and sensitivity. Conclude with the following litany of thanks:

 

Leader: Because Jesus faithfully completed his                              mission, we say,

All:        Praise and glory to you, O God!

 

Leader: Because Jesus has made God's love                                 known to us, we say,

All:        Praise and honor to you, O God!

 

Leader: Because we are entrusted with Jesus'                                mission today, we say,

All:        Praise and thanks to you, O God!  

       

(Adapted from PRAYERTIME, Cycle A: Faith-Sharing   Reflections on the Sunday Gospels, Robert Heyer, editor. Copyright © 2001 by RENEW International.)

 

 

 

THE DIVINE MERCY PRAYER GROUP is a Roman Catholic lay outreach ministry which professes and proclaims the truth of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist.  This Prayer Group meets every Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in rooms 101-102.  For more information, please contact Jovita or Angela.  Jesus, I Trust in You!

 

 

THE ARTS & CRAFTS GROUP meets in the Rock House every Monday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Come and join us for an afternoon of good companionship.  New members are always welcome.  For further information, contact Petra Valdez.

 

 

“FRIENDS THROUGH CHRIST”

Youth Ministry

 

          All Middle and High School Youth are invited to join the Youth Ministry.  Come to any Tuesday night meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the portable buildings # 1 & 2 and join in the fun.

 

 

ATTENTION ALL MINISTRY LEADERS

 

In order to insure our compliance with the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Guidelines, we must a have a current list of all members of any ministry that meets in the name of Prince of Peace on file in the parish office.  Please submit a list of your current membership as soon as possible.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

 

EARLY BIRD MEN'S PRAYER GROUP

 

Men of the parish and their friends are welcome to join us for fellowship and Bible Study early Saturday mornings at 6:00 a.m. at the Elizabeth's Restaurant on the corner of Timberhill  and Grissom Road, next to Swan Cleaners.  For more information, please contact John Seidlitz at 883-8991 or Joaquin Mireles at 584-0544.

 

 

 

 

The Kids' Day Out Program is now accepting registrations for the 2008-2009 school year.  KDO is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from September through May for pre-school children ages 18 months to 4 years old.  Please call Leticia or Colette in the Religious Education office at 681-5063, ext. 19 for more information.

 

PRINCE OF PEACE ROSARY GUILD meets every Tuesday to teach others to make rosaries for local ministries as well as missions all over the world.  For more information come by and visit with us on any Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in room 101.

ADORATION OF

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

      

Need a “heart-to-heart talk? Spend an hour in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

 

Reserve your special hour with Him now.  Please contact Gloria Guardiola or Naomi Espinoza. 

 

 

ATTENTION --- MEN'S PRAYER GROUP

 

All men are invited for fellowship and Bible Study on Saturday mornings at 7:30 a.m. at Prince of Peace in Room 101/102.   For more information, please contact Tim McCarthy Gilbert Montemayor.

 

ATTENTION … CATECHIST BIBLE STUDY

 

The Catechists Bible Study now meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in room 104.  Come join your fellow Catechists as we study Scripture and share companionship, support, encouragement, and teaching ideas.  For more information, call Karen McElwain.

 

KNIGHTS KORNER

 

The Knights of Columbus will host a Summer Dance on Friday, June 20 at La Villita Hall. Music will be provided by Ram Herrera.  Tickets are $18 per person.  We invite our church community to join us for this special dance.  For more information and tickets, please contact Maricela or Rafael.  Tickets are now on sale.

 

Attention Altar Servers:

There will be a training session for Altar Servers on Tuesday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the Church.  This training session will be for new altar servers and current altar servers that need additional training.  If you wish to be an altar server, you must have received your 1st Communion and attend our Religious Education program or a Catholic school. 

 

Attention Current Altar Servers – Your help is needed for the 1st Communion Masses on May 10th and 17th as well as the Confirmation Mass on Monday, May 12th.  Please contact John or Terri Coignet to volunteer for any of these Masses or for more information.

  

The Guadalupe Home is a shelter for homeless pregnant women operated for the Archdiocese of San Antonio.  The facility can only house nine women and their children at one time.  There is usually a waiting list of at least 25 women.  A larger facility is urgently needed.  On Thursday, May 8th there will be a Wine Tasting Fundraiser at the Women's Club of San Antonio, 1717 San Pedro, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Tickets are $25 per person.  There will also be a raffle for a trip for two to Cozumel, Mexico.  Raffle tickets are $5 each or three for $10.  If you would like to purchase tickets to the event or raffle tickets, please contact Bea Asfeld. 

 

 

THE CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP invites everyone to join us for prayer, praise and powerful testimony to God’s greatness and love. Meetings take place on Mondays at 6:45 p.m. in portable 1 & 2.

 

May 5           "Baptism in the Spirit"

                           (Romans 8: 6)

                            Encourager: Fr. Bob Hogan

 

     May 12         NO MEETING

                          CONFIRMATION MASS

 

                                 

Bring your Bible and a grateful heart to these talks.  Babysitting is available. For more information, please call Nellie Flores.

 

 

Sanctuary and Adoration Candles

Week of May 5th to May 9th

 

      In Loving Memory of              Hoermann Family

      Herbert Schwencke

 

      In Loving Memory of              Her Daughter                   

      Oralia Flores Garza

 

      Special Intention                     Marta Salinas  

              

    The Sanctuary and two Adoration Candles may be sponsored for the deceased or for a special intention which will be printed in the church bulletin every week.  An offering of $10 is requested for one week.  Please come by the parish office during working hours to make arrangements.

 

 

Parish Book of Intercessions

 

We have a Parish Book of Intercessions located on the Oblation Table at the entrance of the Church.  You may write in the names of those who are sick.  This book will be brought forward during the Presentation of Gifts to be placed by the Altar.

 

This week we especially pray for:

 

Juanita Byrd                    Ana Delgado

Harry Foster                    Ramon Gallegos

Tillie Gallegos                  A. C. Galvan

Gloria Garza                    Ray Gonzalez, Jr.

Samantha Gutierrez        Priscilla Guzman

Marisa Helfrich                Ruben Hildebrand

Stella Hildebrand             Andrew Mathews

Carmel McLaughlin         Edward McLaughlin

Joe Medrano IV              Julie G. Medrano

Michael G.  Medrano      Lucy Rodriguez

Bonnie S. Romo              Yolanda Salas   

Ernest G. Saldivar           Alice Tatro         

Bill Tyler                          Georgia Tyler

Brian Vasquez                 Gloria Vasquez

Robert Zenner                 Tom Zenner

 

Names will appear in the bulletin for one month. 

 

 

SOCIAL CONCERNS

 

 

THE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OFFICE is open to assist those who live within our parish boundaries with a bag of food on MONDAYS  from 9 to 11 a.m.  They will also be open on Wednesdays and Fridays at the Rock House from 9 to 11 a.m. for those in financial need who live within our parish boundaries and to refer anyone else who needs assistance to the proper agency who can help them. If you are in need of assistance, please come visit or call 521-9882.

 

 

PASTORAL CARE 

 

 

“Is There Anyone Among You Who is Sick?”

(James 5:14)

 If you know of anyone who is sick and/or homebound and would like the Eucharist brought to them, please call the parish office at 681-8330.

ARE YOU A REGISTERED PARISHIONER?

 

If you are attending and supporting Prince of Peace Parish on a regular basis, we ask that you please use the envelopes that are sent to you each month.  This makes it easier for us to credit your contribution to your account.

If you are not receiving these envelopes or other mailings, and have not filled out a registration form within the last two months, then you are not formally registered in our parish.  The fact that you've been "coming for years" is not the same as being registered.  In order to be a registered parish family, you must fill out a Parish Registration Form.  This form can be picked up at the parish office during regular office hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

 

We wish to thank you for your cooperation.