In his response to the Pharisees in today's reading, Jesus quotes the Shema, the great prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4, which begins, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord” (RSV). However, Jesus subtly changes the wording. Instead of saying that we are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and might, Jesus says we must love with our heart, soul, and mind. So what’s the big deal? What’s the difference between might and mind?

The “Love of God” gives life! It is the foundation and substance for the second. “Love of Neighbor” is the embodiment of Jesus’ command to “lay down one’s life for one’s friend!” It’s a testimonial that we fully understand the first. As “Love of Neighbor” is energized by the “Love of God,” we cannot be indifferent but become so animating in rendering God’s love through our genuine service to our neighbors.

The DDF Goal for 2017 is $ 237,300. All monies over our goal will be used towards the Ministry Center Fund. We have over 6,000 families. Each one of us is called to be a good steward of the gifts we receive. We are asking ALL parishioners to give. We have 820 families that have pledge $201,644. We need $62,000 to pay our goal. Please join us in giving as generously as you can. May God bless each one of you as we live HIS service.

How many times have we heard the expression, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s?" Today’s Gospel gives us the origin of that phrase.

In today’s gospel, the Pharisees trapped Jesus with this question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not?” Jesus answered them with a question: “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?” Then, Jesus directed their corrupted conscience to practice what is morally acceptable and noble, he told them: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.” He guided the Pharisees’ hearts and minds to look at the spirit of giving with love.

Just waiting in your car for classes to get out? Bored with that? Want to do more?

Who doesn’t love a party—especially when someone else is footing the bill? Well, in today’s Gospel we hear about several people who turned down an invitation to a banquet. And not just any old banquet, but a feast put on by the king! These people even went so far as to kill the servants who invited them. Finally, the king gave up on his chosen guests and opened the banquet to anyone who wanted to come.

It’s said there are only a few basic plots for most stories. What the storyteller does with the plot—the twists and turns that are added—is what makes a story memorable. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus takes a story of a vineyard, which would have been very familiar to his audience, and gives it an unexpected twist.

And the winners are...

Thank you to all who attended our carnival this year! The concluded HARVEST FESTIVAL is a successful celebration...