October 19, 2008 ny 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Adult Choir Rehearsals!

Thursday, Oct. 23rd AND Tuesday, Oct. 28th

GIFTED in Christ
What is Congregational Engagement and why should it be measured?
Youth Choir Rehearsals!
A Magnificat Prayer Breakfast for all Catholic women will be held
Readings for Mass Saturday, November 8, 2008 from 9:30-12:30 at Killian Hall, 908
Sunday, Oct. 19th - Rehearsal Congregational engagement describes the degree of belonging an individual
has in his/her parish. Engaged members speak of "family" when they talk
Sunday, Oct. 26th - Rehearsal
October 19, 2008 October 26, 2008 Killian Hill Road, Lilburn, GA 30047. Come hear our speaker Cindy about their parish. They want to know they are valued, that they make
Palmer. Catholic wife and mother from a fun and faith-filled family, meaningful contributions to the mission and ministry of their church. En-
1st Reading Is 45:1, 4-6 Ex 22:20-26 Most Blessed Sacrament Church is celebrating a very special All gaged members are far more likely to invite someone to Mass or other par-
share how a positive attitude, sense of humor, and daily relationship
Saints Day observance with a Fall Festival & Carnival. The cele- ish function, and they contribute more hours in service per week to their
2nd Reading 1 Thes 1:1-5b 1 Thes 1:5c-10 with God has helped her face the challenges of life. Reservations are
bration begins on Saturday, November 1, 2008 with Mass at 10:00 parish family and community. Furthermore, engaged parishes are more
$10.00. Please mail check, payable to Magnificat, by October 29th:
am. The Fall Festival & Carnival begins at 12 Noon and continues effective in carrying out true stewardship.
Gospel Mt 22:15-21 Mt 22:34-40 Lynda Cupell, 2140 Briarwillow Drive, Atlanta, GA 30345. Tickets
will not be sent back. Your name will be on a sign-in reservation list until 4:00 pm. The day will include food, games and activities for
Engagement is much more than just being involved. Involvement is what
youth an d adults, an animal petting zoo, pony rides, and arts and
Rosary Group Invitation and Prayers at the door. Advance reservations are required. Parking is limited—
crafts’ booths. Admission is free, however tickets will be available
you DO in your parish. Engagement is how you FEEL about your parish;
please carpool if possible. For additional information call Lynda Cu- it’s all about emotions. This is a significant difference. Engaged parishes
I would like to invite everyone to join the Rosary Group to pray the for purchase of food and to play certain activities. The address of
pell at 404.634.8303. are filled with engaged parishioners, members who feel an emotional bond
rosary with us Thursday mornings after the 9:00 Mass. If you want Most Blessed Sacrament Church is 2971 Butner Road, SW, At- to their church and who make meaningful contributions to the ministry and
us to pray for someone, please call Helen Martin 770.463.3697. lanta, GA 30331. For more information call Monique Borum climate of their parish.
Calendar of Upcoming Events 404.349.0176 x. 21 or visit our website at www.MBSChurch.com.
Measuring involvement is relatively easy. One can measure the Offertory
Ministry Highlight October 21 9:30AM Church Cleaning each week, how many families are on the church’s registry or how many
Liturgical Environment Attention Lectors! people attend Mass on a given Sunday. Membership, attendance and giving
October YAM Calendar See Bulletin Board are easy things to measure and track, but are they really effective indicators
If you are interested in being a lector, whether it be a /returning/ lec-
This group beautifies our worship area with cloth, flags, tor or a /new/ lector, and you have not attended training for this year, of the health of a parish by themselves? One could easily argue that just
plants, baskets etc... to compliment the liturgical celebrations. Visit Fr. Vic’s blog at please plan to attend the LAST training for lectors of this year on because someone is listed on the church’s rolls doesn’t mean that person is
They work with the liturgy committee, flower committee and http://padrevic.blogspot.com/ Tuesday, October 21st in the church at 7:00 pm. This is a make-up active and engaged in the life of their parish. Mass attendance is also not a
good indicator of parish health. Consider the difference between 500 peo-
other groups to insure our environment enhances our wor- training and your last opportunity until next year. Both new and return-
SAVE THE DATE…Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, 211 Kirkley ing lectors are welcome. ple sitting in the pews who are not responding, listening or praying to 200
ship experience. For information about this ministry please Road, Tyrone, will be hosting an Open House for the 2009-20010 school parishioners, instead, who are actively participating in the Liturgy, where
call Judy Baker at 770.487.5179. year on Saturday, January 24, 2009 between 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Please each person is singing and responding, where each person is engaged. The
make plans to attend. School tours are presently being given upon request. Religious Education News difference is striking. You would have to agree that the mere number of
Liturgical Flowers If you are interested in Catholic Education for your child, please contact bodies at Mass is irrelevant. The level of engagement of those who are in
Stephanie Johnston with our Admission Dept. at 770-306-9026 Ext. 303. Women’s Faith Formation attendance is the true measure of that congregation’s spiritual health.
This ministry utilizes flowers, plants and trees to enhance Women's Faith Formation will meet on October 27, 2008 at 7:00 pm in
our worship experience. They work in concert with the li- the conference room at church. We continue our discussion of The Shack On the other hand, how much members give financially is, in fact, a more
turgical environment committee. Liturgical seasons are rec- Bishops Ask Catholics to Pray a by William P. Young. All women of the parish are welcome. relevant indicator of spiritual health of a particular parish. Gallup research
has discovered a decisive link between individual’s spiritual health levels
ognized by the beautiful displays designed and imple- 'Novena for Faithful Citizenship' RCIA and the amount of money they give to their church. Those who have a
mented by this ministry. Donations are always gratefully With the presidential election of 2008 now just weeks away, the In celebrating this month of Our Lady’s final journey to God in her glori- higher level of spiritual health tend to give more; those with a lower level
accepted. For more information about this ministry please U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked all Catholics in ous Assumption, let us ask her motherly intercession to draw souls to the tend to give less. However, Giving is not the only measurable outcome of
call Mary Hanna at 770.253.9500. the United States to pray a novena for life, justice and peace call- Sacred Heart of her Son. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults engagement.
ed the Novena for Faithful Citizenship. The bishops encourage (RCIA) is a journey too – of conversion to God and what he intends for
us. RCIA is the process by which persons who was never baptized, or was Gallup has also discovered other relevant indicators of a church’s spiritual
We welcome the following praying the novena on nine consecutive days beginning on Oct. baptized in other Christian tradition, become members of the Church, a health; they include Life Satisfaction, Inviting and Serving (along with Giv-
ober 26th. http://www.kofc.org/un/images/1px_transparent.gif people on a pilgrimage to our Heavenly Father. Please contact King Coo- ing). The key to determining a parish’s spiritual health is to measure these 4
new parishioners to our Parish Family Click her for the prayers: per at (770) 774-1182 for more information. outcomes, or measure its congregational engagement. In partnership with
T. J., Mary Kathryn & Natalie McDonnell the Gallup Organization, we will begin measuring congregational engage-
Bernardo & Concepcion Castillo Cisneros http://www.faithfulcitizenship.org/docs/FC_Novena.pdf Bible Study ment here at St. Matthew next month. Stay tuned for much more informa-
Alonzo & Micaela Celaya Daytime Bible study will continue Tuesday, October 28th from 10:15 to tion about this exciting opportunity!
11:30 am in room 3. All are invited. No previous experience is necessary.
Jorge & Imelda Cervantaes
Armando & Justa Cervantaes Gallardo
Greeting Card Drive Next Weekend!!!!! Please join us as we explore God's word together! For more information (Adapted from
Juan Manuel & Martha Cervantes Diaz During weekends October 25/26 and November 1/2, the St. Matthew contact Doris Cooper at 770.632.0426 or Linda Spencer at 770.632.8880. "Growing an Engaged Church," by Albert L. Winseman (2006)).
Javier & Maria Chavez Altamirano Prison Ministry volunteers will be collecting unused Thanksgiving and
First Reconciliation Parents Orientation Meeting October 19th
Eulalio Chavez Camarena
Otilia Colindres
Christmas Cards for imprisoned persons. These cards are distributed to
prisoners to send to their family members. Also, we are happy to take All parents of those children in the parish (normally in 2nd grade) who are Financial Giving in our Parish Family
Carlos and Doris Contreras Chavez cards for other occasions, i.e. Birthday, as they can be used by the pris- expecting to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time next
oners too. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara at 770- spring are asked to come to an important meeting on October 19, in the October 12, 2008
486-8745. LaSalette Day Chapel at 9:45 am (between the Masses). The meeting will
Mass Intentions discuss plans for preparation of the children to receive First Reconcilia- Offertory $12,133.00
tion at the Parish Advent Communal Penance Service on December 18,
Tuesday 9AM No Mass Intentions Aging & Long Term Care 2008, as a step toward receiving First Eucharist in April, 2009. Given in checks & envelopes (216) $11,214.00
If you have questions about aging or long-term care, Catholic PRISM News Parish Debt Reduction $200.00
Wednesday 6PM No Mass Intentions Charities has information. We use the Enhanced Services Pro- Change in Meeting Time for October 26 Meeting!
Thursday 9AM No Mass Intentions gram (ESP) which is Georgia’s most comprehensive database of Second Collection $7,210.00
The second round of Olympics will be held on October 26 beginning at 5
aging and long-term care services. This database is updated
Saturday 5PM Kathleen Michalek
weekly to reflect the most current service information on many
p.m. Dinner will be provided beginning at 6 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 Upcoming Second Collections
p.m. Parents are invited and encouraged to join us. Please wear your
Sunday 8:30AM St. Matthew Parish Family subjects and services for Senior Citizens. In Atlanta call PRISM t-shirt and be ready to compete with your House members for the October 19—World Mission
404.978.2763 or 404.885.7449. coveted MAGI Trophy!
Sunday 11:00AM Hugh & Suzanne Weaver October 26—No second collection