Aug 25, 20236 min read

August 26/27, 2023 - Sunday Bulletin

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Week in the Church

FIRST FRIDAY is on September 1st – Adoration begins after 9am Mass (no 7:30am Mass that day) followed by Benediction at 6:45pm and Mass at 7pm. Sign-up sheet is at the Church entrance – it would be greatly appreciated if 2-3 people can sign up per time slot.
Project Advance : Every gift, regardless of its size, makes a difference. Every gift, regardless of its size, makes a difference. All pledge forms were mailed out; if you receive it and already have given; please disregard and we thank you for your donation.
- Please look over information on your pledge form before sending in and make sure it is up to date, make any corrections as needed.
- You may also make a donation online here: https://support.rcav.org/project-advance-2023/ Be sure to select St. Edmund's in the parish drop down menu to ensure the excess funds come back to our community.

Important Updates

PREP 2023-2024 INFORMATION
- PREP Registration is now open and forms are available in the Parish office.
- PREP classes will be held every Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00 pm at St Edmund’s School and begin on September 27, 2023

DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST, THERE WILL BE NO 7:30 AM MASS – 9AM MASS ONLY

THE MONTHLY FILIPINO MASS – is on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6pm.

ST. EDMUND’S RAFFLE – RIGHT TO EDUCATE EVERY CHILD

You can get tickets from parish office during office hours. If you have tickets; please return tickets and payment before the big draw date.

SPECIAL OFFER – go to the Knights of Columbus notices for important information.

Reflections

Peter is the Rock

It is important to read today’s Gospel and next week’s Gospel as two parts of a single story. These readings are a turning point in Matthew’s Gospel. This week we hear Jesus name Simon Peter as the rock upon which he will build his Church. Next week we will hear Jesus call this same Simon Peter "Satan" when he reacts negatively to Jesus’ prediction about his passion and death.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples what people are saying about his identity. The disciples indicate that most people believe that Jesus is a prophet of Israel. Then Jesus asks his disciples who they believe that he is. Simon Peter answers, identifying Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.

Jesus commends Simon Peter for this profession of faith, indicating that this insight has come from God. Because of Simon Peter’s response, Jesus calls him the "rock" upon which Jesus will build the Church. This is a word play on the name Peter, which is the Greek word for "rock." Peter is then given special authority by Jesus, a symbolic key to the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter will play an important role in the early Christian community as a spokesperson and a leader.

In today’s Gospel, Peter’s recognition of Jesus’ identity is credited to a revelation by God. This will contrast sharply with Jesus’ rebuke of Peter in next week’s Gospel. When Peter rejects Jesus’ prediction of his passion and death, Peter is said to no longer be thinking as God does but as humans do.

The use of the term church in today’s Gospel is one of only three such occurrences in Matthew’s Gospel. Peter in this Gospel is being credited as the foundation for the Church, a privilege granted to him because of his recognition of Jesus’ identity. The Church continues to be grounded in the faith that Jesus Christ is Lord.

- Loyola Press

Mass Intentions

Sunday, August 27

· Spec. Intention Marietta Dee by Barbara Stuart

· Repose John Barraclough by Pat LaBreche

· Repose Serafino & Maria Cusano and Fiore & Enza Romano by Adelina & Angelo Cusano

· Repose Oliver Dimapilis by family

Monday, August 28

· Repose St. Edmund Parishioners

· Spec. Intention Poly Rouson by Janet Ficocelli