The Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

Father Richard comes once a month to say Mass and bring Communion to the residents at Bishop Davies Nursing Center in Hurst.  There are about 15 Catholics there and they are grateful for the visit from a priest.  It always amazes me that so many of the aged residents, who often have no idea what day or season it is, sometimes not even their own names, can make the Sign of the Cross and respond with the correct “Lord have mercy,” at just the right time.  It must be written on their hearts. 

What is unique about Mass at the nursing home is that it is not uncommon for someone to sleep through the whole thing.  Whether it is fatigue caused by medicine or just being worn out from a long life, there is usually at least one sleeper during Mass.  This week, it was Gloria.  I had to wake her up to ask if she wanted to come to Mass, but she replied “Yes,” pretty emphatically, so I wheeled her bed down to the parlor where Father would say Mass.  She slept through the readings and through the homily, then through the Intercessions and most of the Eucharistic Prayer.  However, when Father concluded the Doxology, I suddenly heard a loud, truly great, “Amen” from Gloria’s direction.  And then she prayed the Our Father, without missing a word.  But at the sign of peace, she was back asleep and couldn’t even wake up enough to receive Communion, so Father blessed her.  It was as if the coming of the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist at the consecration was so powerful that it roused her from her sleep.  I know I certainly felt His presence in an amazing way that morning. 

The youth of GSCC are playing a larger role than ever in serving their church and their community.

"His Hands and Feet" service group kicked by helping serve lunch to needy children with the GRACE Feed Our Kids program.  They will complete at least one service project per month, and will begin a new partnership with Catholic Charities by devoting one Saturday per month to the Refugee Program in Fort Worth. The Hands and Feet group also helps serve the GSCC community's needs throughout the year and helps with the UGM lunch project and the Sleep-out for Honduras.

This summer, Mark Knox and Larry West, along with a host of parent volunteers held the first ever Disciple Now program. During this week which was kicked off by a concert with youth speaker Cooper Ray, the students performed a service project in the morning returning to GSCC for lunch and catechesis.

The organizations served included Catholic Charities, Tarrant Area Food Bank, GRACE,  Union Gospel Mission, Mission Arlington, Presbyterian Night Shelter, Dancing Rivers Senior Living, and Habitat for Humanity. With over 35 teens and 8 adults assisting daily, over 480 service hours were completed!

St. Bonaventure

 

I’m guessing by now that you have heard the glorious ring of our new bells!  They can be heard five minutes before weekend masses, encouraging us toward the triumphant celebration which is about to take place.  They also resound clearly at 8:30 am, noon, and 4:30 pm on weekdays, calling all the faithful to participation in Angelus, a devotional prayer reminding us of the incarnation of Christ.  During the blessing of the bells, Bishop Vann enlightened our parish to the names of these bells.  The two lower bells are named Francis (the larger one) and Clare (the smaller one).  The big bell at the top of the tower is named Bonaventure. 

                Now I suppose that most people know something about St. Francis and probably know a little about St. Clare, but relatively few people know anything about St. Bonaventure.  He is an early Franciscan saint who lived from 1221 until 1274.  His name, which means ‘of good fortune’ is said to have come from a time when he was deathly sick as a child.  His mother implored St. Francis to come and pray for Bonaventure (his name at the time was Giovanni) who when he did so, was miraculously healed and St. Francis exclaimed "O buona ventura!" At the age of 22 Bonaventure responded to God’s call upon his life and entered the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans, OFM to be exact).  He excelled in studies and pursued what today would be considered a Doctorate in Theology from the University of Paris where he taught alongside his contemporary and good friend St. Thomas Aquinas (who is a Dominican). 

St. Bonaventure acquired the name of “The Seraphic Doctor” for his mystical insights into the ways of God which he readily applied to the spiritual life, along with humility and mortification.  Some say that he is one of the greatest philosopher/theologians of the medieval times.  He is well known for the many theological treatises he wrote, as well as one of the more comprehensive biographies of the life of St. Francis (The Major Legend of St. Francis).  Unique to his theology is that he uses the love of God as the ultimate destiny for the human person, contrasted against many other theologies whose end goal was to see God (beatific vision).  Bonaventure influenced many proceeding theologians, including fellow Franciscan Blessed Duns Scotus who developed the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.

In 1257 at the age of 36 Bonaventure was elected Minister General, the highest office of governance for the Franciscans and worked diligently to restore peace and unity to the order of Franciscans which was suffering from internal discord.  He later reluctantly accepted the role of Cardinal Bishop of Albano, Italy at the persuasion of Pope Gregory X.  Bonaventure presided over the Second Council of Lyons in 1274, an ecumenical council, and died shortly afterwards.  He was declared a saint on April 14, 1482, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1587.

Here’s a quote to reflect upon:  “When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard more than that coming from the mouth.” – St. Bonaventure... pray for us!

Who are the Silver Dove?

Stephanie Drenka

Stephanie grew up always singing.  She was involved in show choir and  performed in several musicals at Carroll High School. During the summer she performed at Six Flags over Texas. While attending  DePaul University she was in the advanced choir whenever course load allowed. Now she sings for fun and the challenge of helping others.

Lance Brown

Lance grew up singing in church choirs and rock and folk bands in high school and college. He eventually moved on to directing church choirs for some 20 years.  Having a chance to work and sing with great musicians and great people while helping those in need is his motivation in starting and producing this group.

Terri Leisten

Terri grew up in Fairborn, Ohio, daughter of a band director and a ballerina. Her life was always surrounded by music and performing. She performed in several family bands on her way to achieving a Bachelors in Music from the University of  Dayton. She taught several years of high school level choral music and continues to sing, direct and play piano in church and other venues.

 

Don Devous

 

Growing up in St. Louis, Don started singing in school musicals. After moving to Texas he continued his music studies receiving a Bachelors of Music from The University of Texas and his Master of Arts in Voice from the UNT. He currently works for Fort Worth ISD as the Coordinator of Middle School Choirs. For him, music has truly been a life changing experience that he wishes to share with everyone.

 



Karin Vaught

 

Karin began performing at age ten in elementary school. She studied piano for years and sang in high school  musical productions. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Music from Texas Woman’s University. She has performed all over DFW: from coffee house gigs to opening a Fort Worth Cats baseball game to singing with the Regal Opera. She currently teaches voice and piano at her Bedford studio.

 

 

 

Tom Knodell

The second of eight kids in a musically gifted family, Tom was raised with vocal music all around him. Growing up in San Antonio, he sang in many youth choirs and   performed with his family for grateful retirement home residents. As an adult, he has sung in church choirs, quartets and the world famous “Vocal Majority”. He sings to share the joy in life.

 

 

Don't miss out on this amazing show.  Tickets are still available.  Reserve yours today!

 

Power of Prayer

My name is Jeff and I was a member of CRHP 2, and the CRHP 3 formation team.  Shortly after my CRHP experience, I became really ill (Viral Spinal Meningitis). On the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2010, my CRHP brothers held a prayer service, said a Rosary, and within an hour after the prayer service was complete, my 104 degree temperature began to break, and 6 days later I was released from the hospital (much to the surprise of my doctors). My mother visiting from out of town was amazed by the support and visits from my CRHP brothers and the faith that they showed, and the support they displayed to me and my wife Terri.

My entire family heard the story of my recovery and the amazing men that had my back throughout the entire ordeal. They heard the story from me, from my wife, and especially from my mom. She told everyone about the incredible level of prayer and support, and was renewed in her own faith by the actions of these men.

Since that time, my brother and his wife had their first baby. The baby had some difficulty during delivery, and was admitted to the NICU. My brother (who has had his ups and downs with his faith and the church) called me, and asked me to pray for my nephew. I asked him if I could share the story with my CRHP brothers and include them in the prayer train to ask the Lord to help my nephew fight his way back to health. He agreed, and I instantly got on the phone and email, and all of the CRHP family responded and let me know, that they were adding their prayers to help. Within a couple of weeks my nephew was home and he has been a healthy bundle of joy ever since.

I want you to know that our faith is a form of evangelism. We are changing the faith lives of people all over the country. My siblings were raised Catholic, but were at varying levels in their own faith journeys. I want to make sure that you know that our faith in the power of prayer is, increasing the faith that others have in the power of prayer.

Now I know that Evangelism isn't a concept that we as Catholics often consider, but this is exactly what is happening. Your faith, your prayers, your willingness to share your faith journey with your families, your small church communities, and with our complete Good Shepherd family is Evangelism in its truest form. You are making our community a shining example of faith that is becoming known across the country.

I am proud to be part of this faith team, and I thank you for your prayers.

"God Moves in a Mysterious Way"

I have said this a million times thinking it was scripture. Surprise! It’s not. While this is not scripture it is a paraphrase that says a lot about living with a person like my son Dan, who has special needs. Everyday the Holy Spirit is revealed to us in mysterious ways; like when my husband, Bill, at our first Samuel Ministry meeting, was so moved that he said he felt it was time for Dan to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation; or when my prayers were answered and Terrie, Ronda and Barbara started the Samuel Ministry.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you things great beyond reach of your knowledge.

Bill laughingly said Dan couldn't be filled with anymore "Holy Spirit". Father Richard asked us if Dan knew if he would be receiving the Holy Spirit. Dan is non-verbal so we responded for him; "Yes he can." and "Yes he does." We eagerly waited for Dan's turn to go down the aisle to Bishop Kevin Vann. Dan looked at me and tried to explain to me in his excitement that something wonderful was going to happen and "Yes" he was ready to receive more, and all, of the Holy Spirit.

My wish, with the help of the Samuel Ministry, is for all of our children to be able to fully participate in the Sacraments and never deny that God moves in mysterious ways.

Colossians 2:2,3   That their hearts may be encouraged as they are brought together in love; to have the richness of the fully assured understanding, for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Thank you to everyone involved with the beautiful day of Dan’s Confirmation; Mark, Sarah, Barbara and the wonderful choir. Thank you also to Terrie and Ronda who give of their time so unselfishly.  -Debbie

The Feast of the Assumption

The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary takes place on August 15 and is the most important of Marian feasts and a holy day of obligation.  The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Virgin Mary “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”  Catholic dogma leaves open the question of whether the Virgin Mary died before her assumption or whether she was assumed before death.  Both possibilities are allowed.  Fr. Thomas Onoda says “The catechism teaches us that God made us to love Him and serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him forever in the next.  Precisely, the Assumption of our Lady teaches us this truth.”  Fr. Onoda explains why this is so “because the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul with her full humanity and full human nature into Heaven.”  Fr. Onoda further explains that “this historical fact reminds us that our permanent abode is not upon Earth; it is in Heaven.”

We speak of Mary’s assumption, not ascension.  Christ ascended into heaven by his own power.  Mary was taken up to heaven by the power of God.  Dogma further tells us that Mary in heaven experiences the union of a glorified body and soul.  

Father William Doyle, S.J. felt the protection of Mary on this special feast day during a German shell attack in 1916.  He proclaimed to the young soldiers in battle after a harrowing attach that “You must not thank me, boys, don’t you know it is our Lady’s feast, and Mary had her mantle spread over us to save us from all harm?”

We hope that you will join us at Good Shepherd to celebrate this feast on Tuesday, Aug. 14 at 7:00 p.m. or Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 8:30 a.m. or 7:00 p.m.

 

Prayer for the Assumption of Mary

Father in heaven,
all creation rightly gives you praise,
for all life and all holiness come from you.
In the plan of your wisdom
she who bore the Christ in her womb
was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.
May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness
and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.