Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Seeds? Abundant harvest?
In agrarian society like Galilee in the first century, Jesus’ listeners easily understood the importance of good seeds, but equally critical for a good harvest was the ground properly cultivated, so that there would be an abundant harvest. If Jesus was talking directly to people in our time, he would probably have discussed having the necessary “seed money” to start a new business venture that could produce a record profit.

The “seed money” for the Lord’s investment in us is the Word of God – both the proclaimed Word of God in sacred scripture and the incarnate Word of God in Jesus himself. Our God is a wise investor who decides that it is worth the risk to invest in each of us in order to gain a healthy reward for the sake of his People, his Church. The Lord carefully and confidently plants the seed of his Word which has so much potential in each us. Our God is not just a “venture capitalist” who is willing to speculate on his investment in us a “long shot” that just might be worth the risk. I believe that the Lord has confidence in our potential, but each of us has to do our part to enable the seed of God’s Word to grow.

Are you a solid investment from the Lord’s point of view? Can he expect a healthy profit from his many graces he bestows upon you? Is the Word of God finding good soil, carefully planted, in your day-to-day Christian life? Is there proper depth of soil in your spiritual life? Is the heat of the stress of your life too much that might wilt God’s Word in you? Are there distractions around that might keep God’s Word from germinating in your spiritual life? Are there sins that might choke the Word of God from growing to maturity and an abundant harvest? 

Let’s plan to reward God with an abundant harvest!

Letter from the “New Father Bob” of the new St. Mark’s of Lemay Parish
Father Bob Burkemper has mailed a letter out to every member of the new St. Mark Parish, that is, all the registered members of the five Lemay parishes of St. Bernadette, St. Matthias, St. Martin of Tours, and St. Andrew, plus St. Mark. In this very personal and heartfelt letter, the new pastor of St. Mark’s of Lemay, the new Father Bob introduces himself to all of his new parish members. Hopefully you received the letter last week and took time to read it. If not, you can find on our parish website at  www.churchofsaintbernadette.org.

New Mass Schedule for the New Lemay Parish! Effective August 1
Father Bob Burkemper also sent out a handy card that you can put on your refrigerator with the new schedule for Masses and confessions at the Parish Church of St. Mark on Union Road and the times for Masses and confessions at the four other church sites.

• Daily Masses, starting Tuesday, August 1, will be celebrated only at St. Mark Church, at 6:30am, 8:00am, and 12 Noon, Monday through Friday.
• Sunday Masses, starting Saturday, August 5, and Sunday, August 6, will be celebrated at St. Mark Church on Sat. 5:00pm, and Sun. 7am, 9am, 11am.
• Saturday evening Mass at 4:00pm, at St. Bernadette Church, starting August 5, and every Saturday thereafter. (Reconciliation at St. Bernadette, Saturday, 3:15pm – 3:45pm, starting Aug. 5)

St. Bernadette Parish’s Last Mass – Sunday, July 30, 10:30 a.m. – special liturgy!
Our last parish party and barbecue – Sunday, July 30, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
All Parish members are invited to a “party on the house,” with brats and burgers prepared by Chris’ Pancakes. We will plan to dine outside behind the gym on the picnic tables, or in the gym, if the weather is too hot. 

Come and celebrate one last time with the St. Bernadette Parish Family all together!