While some are still discerning their commitment, St. Mary of the Angels completed our stewardship program last week by filling out a personalized Commitment Card. Thank you, because you said Yes to Jesus Christ.
Some of you made a decision to give more of your gift of time to God, setting aside time to pray to grow your relationships with God, and also in giving more time to your spouse, family, or friends to mature those relationships too. Some have chosen to do daily Mass, Holy Rosary, some other type of prayer.
Others have chosen to volunteer with mentoring young people (such as at Midtown or Metro Programs), or serving at a food pantry or soup kitchen. In this way we serve Christ in serving other souls.
Still others are increasing their offertory or just gave a generous one-time donation. While I saw one one-time donation of a thousand dollars, I know that the quantity is not what Christ counts—he was amazed at the woman who put 2 cents in the Temple Treasury, because she gave to God everything she had to live on.
Again, thank you to all parishioners who have completed and submitted your Commitment Card to the church, most importantly, in being generous with Christ in your pursuit of holiness.
For those who have not yet had the opportunity to submit their card, a letter will be mailed to you with a personalized Commitment Card. Each and every one of you is a vital member of our parish community and we want to hear from you! This is an opportunity to reflect upon and renew your sacrificial commitment to support the mission of St. Mary of the Angels Church, or simply to make a one-time gift to the parish. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
For those of you who would prefer to fill out your Commitment Card online, please visit the parish website at www.sma-church.org.
Welcome St. Thérèse Chinese Mission
It is wonderful to worship together with lay faithful from other countries, races, and cultures that embrace the same Catholic Faith. Welcome! We want you to know that we are praying for you and those whom you reach through your friendship and evangelizing outreach.
The martyrs of China—over 120—are inspirational. We celebrate their feast on July 9. They include Fr. Augustine Zhao Rong, the first Chinese priest to become a martyr. As a soldier he witnessed and helped escort Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse to his martyrdom, which moved him to seek baptism and become a priest before he himself was martyred in 1815.
Another martyr was the 14-year old girl, Ann Wang. During the Boxer Rebellion they burned her church and, despite threats, tortures, and her step-mother’s pleas yet she refused to renounce her Catholic faith. As she was about to be beheaded, she repeated the name of Jesus three times, telling them “The door of heaven is open to all.” Her body was incorrupt when it was exhumed 1901, a year after her martyrdom.
18-year old Chi Zhuzi was another. As a catechumen, he refused to worship idols so a gang cut off his right arm. Still maintaining his faith in Jesus Christ, they slowly continued the torture, but he declared, “Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am Christian.” He received baptism of blood.
We pray that God grant the heroic efforts of Chinese Catholics in China and emigrants throughout the world bear fruit.
