THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

The Pharisees were strict observers of the law. They kept the commandments, paid a tenth of their income for the support of the temple, and fasted twice a week. They were good, religious people. The problem with the Pharisee in today’s Gospel is not so much that he is hypocritical, as we tend to think; rather it is that he, not God, is at the center of his prayer. He exalts himself before God—he keeps the law while others do not; he tithes while others forget their temple pledges; he fasts twice a week; others do not. It appears that his religious practices do not function so much as to express his faith and commitment to God, but to separate him from others who are sinners. He wrongly believes that the very prayer that distances him from the unholy tax collector brings him nearer to God.

Among the various characters we find in the Gospel stories, the tax collector is always an outsider. He works for the occupying Romans. His regular contact with foreigners makes him ritually unclean. Tax collectors were considered traitorous, greedy, and outside the boundaries of holy. The tax collector in this story believes himself to be distanced from God and unworthy of God’s love. Yet, God is at the center of his prayer. He humbly recognizes his need to ask for and be open to God’s mercy—“Be merciful to me, a sinner.” Unlike the Pharisee, who, in actuality does distance himself from God through his self-glorification, the tax collector’s humbleness before God brings him closer to God.



Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

As if we didn’t already know, the almost-frantic media hype tells us that the elections are just around the corner. Before you cast your ballot, I would like to reiterate Catholic social justice principles to be kept in mind as you make your decisions.

· Dignity of the Human Person: All people are sacred, made in the image and likeness of God. People do not lose dignity for any reason. People are emphasized over things, being over having.
· Rights and Responsibilities: People have a fundamental right to life, food, shelter, health care, education, employment, and the right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. All persons have a duty to respect the rights of others, and the responsibility to participate in social and political activities and institutions that promote the common good.
· Preferential Option for the Poor: The moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. We are called to look at public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor.
· Work and the Rights of Workers: The economy exists to serve people, not the other way around. People have a right to productive work, just wages, safe working conditions, security in case of sickness, disability, unemployment or old age, and the right to participate in decisions that affect them in the workplace.
· Global Solidarity and Development: We are one human family. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic, and ideological differences. Authentic development must avoid the extremisms of underdevelopment of some and super-development of others.
· Stewardship of God’s Creation: The goods of the earth are gifts from God and intended by God for the benefit of all people. We are responsible to care for and use these goods as stewards and trustees, not as mere consumers and users. How we treat the environment is a sign of our respect for the Creator.
· Promotion of Peace and Disarmament: Catholic teaching understands peace not just as the absence of war, but also as a positive, action-oriented concept. It involves mutual respect and collaboration between peoples and nations. Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent on right order among human beings and human institutions.

And finally, don’t forget, in all humility, to pray for God’s guidance as you mark your ballot.

Love, Pat

PARISH CALENDAR

October is “Respect Life” Month

October 30 Santa Barbara Regional Religious Education Congress

October 30 Bereavement Ministry Training Session, 7:00-9:30 PM

November 1 All Saints Day, Masses at 7:30 AM and 12:00 Noon

November 2 All Souls Day, Masses at 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM (see details below)

November 7 Stewardship Sunday

November 17 Baptism Class at 6:30 PM

November 21 Baptisms at the 9:00 AM Mass



YOUTH ALTAR SERVERS AND ADULT ACOLYTES NEEDED

We are in need of more youth altar servers and/or adult acolytes to serve at Mass. Altar servers and acolytes assist the Presider in various ways throughout the Mass. For more information, please contact Bob and Claudia Chyla at (805) 683-4966.

SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

Marc Pounds and Dianne Senon

SMALL CHURCH GROUP

Anyone interested in forming a new Small Church Group for reflection on the Gospel is encouraged to call Carol Parkus at 569-5639.


GLOBAL SOLIDARITY

Many political issues have important moral dimensions that must be considered. Practicing global solidarity addresses overcoming hunger and global poverty, reducing debt and promoting development, responding to the needs of immigrants and refugees, pursuing peace, and reducing regional conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and other parts of the world. This brief description only begins to describe how Catholic teaching has been applied to these issues. We hope you will read the complete statement on Faithful Citizenship, as well as other documents that address key issues for the campaign and for the years to come. For more information, please go to www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
The Challenge of Faithful Citizenship


GET OUT THE VOTE

By now, all registered voters should have received their ballots providing background for the elections this November. Please study your ballot very carefully, using the fundamental principle of the inherent and abiding dignity of all human life and the basic right to economic justice for all as the filter lenses. There are a number of propositions and local measures that call for us to reflect on our scripture teachings and traditions.


RACHEL’S VINEYARD RETREAT
November 12-14, 2004

Rachel’s Vineyard retreat is for men and women struggling with the emotional and spiritual pain of abortion. Developed in the Roman Catholic Tradition, it utilizes spiritual exercises and rituals to help grieve the loss of the unborn children and to accept God’s forgiveness. Cost is $175 per person (partial scholarships are available). For confidential inquiries and registration, please call 866-2-RACHEL or email www.rachelsvineyard.org.


ALL SAINTS DAY
Masses for the Feast of All Saints Day will be celebrated on Monday, November 1st, at 7:30 AM and 12:00 Noon in the Church.

YOUTH MINISTRY
Senior High “LifeTeen Mass” takes place Sunday evenings at 5:30 PM at our partner parish, St. Raphael’s. It is followed by “LifeNight” at 7:00 PM. The Junior High Youth Ministry “Tobiah Club” meets at St. Raphael’s on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 7:00 to 8:45 PM. For information, please contact St. Raphael Parish Youth Minister, John Vasellina at 964-3466, ext. 1.

NO HALLMARK STORE ON THE CORNER
Our Service Women and Men in Iraq do not have access to greeting cards to send to loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas or other special occasions. For the next two weekends you can drop off a clean, new, unused card and its envelope at the receptacle outside the church before each Mass. Susan Goodale, Program Director for the UCSB Alumni Association, will collect these cards and get them to our military personnel in Iraq.


SANTA BARBARA REGIONAL CONGRESS

Mark your calendars now for the October 30th Santa Barbara Regional Religious Education Congress at Bishop Diego High School (4000 La Colina Road). There will be a morning praise at 8:00 AM, followed by three workshop sessions at 9:45 AM, 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM, and a 3:45 PM Mass with Bishop Curry. Experience God’s peace in prayer and worship. Please call 569-1135 or email sandy@sbpr.org for more information.


WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

Today, Catholics around the world will gather at the Eucharist around the table of the Lord and offer our prayers and our generous help so that the “Good News” of Jesus Christ may be proclaimed to the poor and the suffering in every corner of the globe. Your help offered through the Propagation of the Faith will provide for the pastoral and evangelizing work of more than 1,100 dioceses throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific Islands. Please be as generous as possible to the collection for the Propagation of the Faith. May God bless you!


MASS FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF MURDER VICTIMS

A special Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, October 31st, at 2:00 PM at Holy Cross Parish for the families and friends of murder victims. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Please bring a framed photograph of your loved one so that it may be placed near the altar during the Mass.


THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY UNION

Next Sunday, you will be encouraged to support the Franciscan Missionary Union through a second collection that will be taken up at all the Masses. Throughout the year, Franciscan Parishes hold this second collection on fifth Sundays. If you receive contribution envelopes by mail, don’t forget to bring your Franciscan Missionary Union envelope next Sunday. If you have already made a contribution in it, we thank you for your support.

The Franciscans minister to God's needy all over the world. The missionary work of the St. Barbara Province has expanded over the years to include rural parishes, Hispanic and Native American missions and ministry among the poor of the inner cities. In other parts of the world, our friars work with church communities in the Philippines, Mexico, Thailand, Peru, Guatemala, El Salvador, Russia, Kazakhstan, and the Holy Land.

Over the years, the Franciscans have been assisted in their missionary efforts by people sharing their spiritual and financial resources through the Franciscan Missionary Union (FMU). The FMU is an association of persons who help the missions by their prayers, alms, spreading knowledge and love for the missions and encouraging missionary vocations - all works of the highest charity.

The Franciscans invite you to become partners with them in this ministry of love and compassion. Through your support of the Franciscan Missionary Union, you become partners in the work of the Franciscan Missionaries. Please join us!


THE FRIARS NEED YOUR HELP!

Maintaining the entire Old Mission complex, including buildings, grounds and the various Franciscan ministries is very expensive! Donations of any size to help offset the costs would be most welcome. If you can help, please make you check out to the Old Mission. Bless you and thank you!

ALL SOULS DAY LITURGY

Masses on the Feast of All Souls will be celebrated at 7:30 AM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and at 10:00 AM with Cardinal Mahony at Calvary Cemetery. All Souls Day remembrance envelopes can be found in the pews today. You are also invited to list the names of your family members and friends who died during the past year in our Book of the Dead which is located near the Paschal Candle and the baptismal font, the symbols of our hope in Christ.


SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

Are you friendly? Gracious and smiling? Able to commit one hour every six weeks? If so, we need you to help serve refreshments and hospitality to parishioners and visitors after Mass on Sunday. Please call Sharon Brownett (682-7834) if this sounds like a ministry you would enjoy.

PUMPKIN INVITATIONAL

The Tenth Annual Pumpkin Tennis Invitational, sponsored by Transition House Auxiliary, will take place Monday, November 1st. Games will begin at 8:30 AM on courts throughout the area. Players and guests will meet at noon at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club for a picnic, awards luncheon and raffle. The cost is $30 for the picnic; $45 for tennis and picnic. Proceeds benefit Transition House homeless shelter. Please call Cleo at 563-0958 for more information.

PREPARE FOR NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Wisdom 11:22-12:1
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2
Gospel Reading: Luke 19:1-10


REFLECTION ON THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

Luke is the only evangelist who records the incident about the tax collector, Zacchaeus. Last Sunday’s Gospel showed God’s acceptance of the sinful tax collector. Next Sunday’s Gospel provides a concrete example of how repentance is worked out in reality. With total, unconditional acceptance of Zacchaeus, Jesus actually goes into the sinner’s house to eat with him. The tax collector is touched by Jesus’ love and is willing to rid himself of the worldly possessions that displace God’s love. Jesus responds by calling him a “son of Abraham.” And Zacchaeus opens his heart to God’s invitation and responds with grateful love.

LIFE FOCUS

What would you do if Jesus came to your home unexpectedly?

Relate an experience when someone made a difference in your life simply by accepting you just the way you are.

Tell about a time when you accepted someone as is and thereby brought about a change in them.

Recall a time in your life when you were given a second chance.

Who has taken notice of you and taken time for you when you were little noticed or cared for?



Readings for the Week of October 24, 2004
Monday:
Eph 4:32-5:8/Ps 1:1-4,6/Lk 13:10-17
Tuesday:
Eph 5:21-33/Ps 128:1-5/Lk 13:18-21
Wednesday:
Eph 6:1-9/Ps 145:10-14/Lk 13:22-30
Thursday:
Eph 2:19-22/Ps 19:2-5/Lk 6:12-16
Friday:
Phil 1:1-11/Ps 111:1-6/Lk 14:1-6
Saturday:
Phil 1:18-26/Ps 42:2-3,5/Lk 14:1,7-11




LAST CALL FOR TOGETHER IN MISSION

So close, yet so far! We are $3,352.00 short of our parish assessment of $60,807.00. If you have not fulfilled your pledge, please do so by the end of this month. Any shortfall will have to be covered by our parish operating funds. Thank you to all who participated this year. Your donations will help fund 32 parishes and 46 schools that could not operate without us.

STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY
Sunday, October 17th

$7,861.00

Thank you for your continuing generosity!


TRAVELING?
For nationwide Mass times and locations, call Mass Times (410) 676-6000 or visit www.MassTimes.org.

GETTING IN THE PARISH BULLETIN
For Parish announcements, call Laura in the Parish Office. Contact Mission Publishing at (888) 253-4358 for business ads.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

To truly understand Jesus’ parable, we must get in touch with his cultural world. First, we need to know that all interactions were based on a code of honor and shame. As a point of fact, the law-courts in those days were not at all about justice, but about shaming others. Secondly, we need to know that the exchanges between the judge and the widow were not private; rather, the whole community was watching and waiting. And lastly, we need to know that to the hearers of Luke’s gospel, the widow was a common symbol of persons or groups marginalized, exploited or oppressed.

By publicly badgering the judge everyday, the woman repeatedly shamed this “shameless person.” The judge, who actually boasted that he was immune to shaming strategies and did not care about his honor, ultimately yielded to her pressure. Even he knew he would never live down the fact that a woman had shamed him. The woman purposefully made her petitions public and did not give up, for she knew that for all his bluster and denial, the judge respected public opinion. Group pressure made the judge cave in. Jesus’ moral: if a helpless widow can get through to a shameless judge, all the more can a petitioner be heard by an honor-sensitive God. Do not grow weary.

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

I came across a good line in a book I’ve been reading: “Political advertisements, like the commercial ones on which they are modeled, are focused less on changing beliefs or fantasies than on exploiting them. The latter requires far less effort.” I immediately thought of how much work we have ahead of us as a church. We are all about changing. We use different words such as “repentance,” “conversion,” and “pilgrim church.” We are constantly “renewing” our covenant relationship with God.

We believe in a God who is love, a God who has first loved us, and the only response we can make is to love God and our neighbor. Living in a culture which de-values the “feminine” and reduces the “masculine” to being aggressive makes this an uphill battle for us. It seems to me that many advertisements, political and commercial, not only exploit our common societal beliefs and fantasies, but now our fears as well. This style of advertising seems to be effective; it is also pure rubbish.

We put an insert in the bulletin today from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It’s a summary of the moral principles that guide our political choices. You can find more information on the Catholic Bishops’ web site: www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship. I hope by being aware that so much of the media is engaged in exploiting feelings that, when we are aware of our knickers getting knotted, we can step back and re-evaluate what we are being told. In the process of evaluating, hold the Gospel - the whole Gospel - in one hand and your best understanding of our world in the other hand, and do your best to find the best direction.

Peace and all Good,

Fr. Richard Juzix, O.F.M
Pastor

PARISH CALENDAR

October is “Respect Life” Month

October 20 Baptism Class at 6:30 PM
October 21 Bereavement Ministry Training Session, 7:00-9:30 PM
October 24 Baptisms at the Noon Mass
October 24 World Mission Sunday
October 26 Pastoral Council Meeting, 7:00 PM
October 30 Santa Barbara Regional Religious Education Congress

YOUTH ALTAR SERVERS AND ADULT ACOLYTES NEEDED

We are in need of more youth altar servers and/or adult acolytes to serve at Mass. Altar servers and acolytes assist the Presider in various ways throughout the Mass. For more information, please contact Bob and Claudia Chyla at (805) 683-4966.


TRAVELING?
For nationwide Mass times and locations, call Mass Times (410) 676-6000 or visit www.MassTimes.org.

SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

Michael Hutten and Margaret Pribish

BREAD FOR THE WORLD

This weekend, our parish celebrates “Bread for the World Sunday.” St. Barbara Parish is a Bread for the World Covenant Church. As such, we commit ourselves to working for an end to world-wide hunger. We ask you to reflect on the covenant the parish made with Bread for the World several years ago:

WE COVENANT…

In our worship and study: to seek God’s message for us regarding our hungry brothers and sisters, and to learn about the causes of—and solutions to—hunger, emphasizing the role of public policy.

In our working and giving: to help hungry people in our community, to support our Church’s hunger relief, development and education programs, and to participate corporately in the work of the Bread for the World membership.

In our living: to give prominence to the needs of hungry people, and to reflect in our lives an awareness of our role as stewards of God’s gifts.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”

Proverbs 31:8-9

SANTA BARBARA REGIONAL CONGRESS
“Come to See—Called to Serve”

Mark your calendars now for the October 30th Santa Barbara Regional Religious Education Congress at Bishop Diego High School (4000 La Colina Road). There will be a morning praise at 8:00 AM, followed by three workshop sessions at 9:45 AM, 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM, and a 3:45 PM Mass with Bishop Curry. Join your fellow catechists and parish ministers for some eye-opening excitement. Bring others with you whose ears are waiting to hear God’s call. Experience God’s peace in prayer and worship. Pre-registration is $20. Please call 569-1135 or email sandy@sbpr.org for more information.

YOUTH MINISTRY
Senior High “LifeTeen Mass” takes place Sunday evenings at 5:30 PM at our partner parish, St. Raphael’s. It is followed by “LifeNight” at 7:00 PM. The Junior High Youth Ministry “Tobiah Club” meets at St. Raphael’s on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 7:00 to 8:45 PM. For information, please contact St. Raphael Parish Youth Minister, John Vasellina at 964-3466, ext. 1.


SMALL CHURCH GROUP
Anyone interested in forming a new Small Church Group for reflection on the Gospel is encouraged to call Carol Parkus at 569-5639.

THE FRIARS NEED YOUR HELP!
Maintaining the entire Old Mission complex, including buildings, grounds and the various Franciscan ministries is very expensive! Donations of any size to help offset the costs would be most welcome. If you can help, please make you check out to the Old Mission. Bless you and thank you!


ALL SOULS DAY LITURGY
Everyone is invited to celebrate a special All Souls Day Liturgy with Cardinal Mahony at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 2nd at Calvary Cemetery.


SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR
Are you friendly? Gracious and smiling? Able to commit one hour every six weeks? If so, we need you to help serve refreshments and hospitality to parishioners and visitors after Mass on Sunday. Please call Sharon Brownett (682-7834) if this sounds like a ministry you would enjoy.

A BASIC TENET OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
October 17th is the annual observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The observance of this day began after a 2000 international summit of the United Nations, in which developed countries pledged to eradicate poverty and hunger, meeting eight Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

“How can we not emphasize more decisively the preferential option of the church for the poor and marginalized?”

“We have to begin by marking out the reality this preferential option faces: the reality of a world full of poverty and misery; a world that does not respond to the will of the Creator God. This is not the world dreamed of by God and given over to the responsibility of human liberty.

The plan of God, repeatedly expressed by Christian thought throughout the centuries, is that this world has been created to be enjoyed by all human beings. The will of the Creator is that, living as brothers and sisters, all would be assured their dignity and daily bread.

Because they are excluded from the benefits of a creation God dreamed for all, God is especially close to the poor and marginalized. Therefore, the Word of God, on becoming human, approached the miserable and alleviated their sufferings, sicknesses, and deficiencies, as a sign of the new world he came to inaugurate. Over and over again the Gospel speaks of how his heart was moved when he contemplated the needs of the poor.

We must pledge ourselves to eliminate the abject poverty and misery of our world, which is contrary to the plan of God. The option for the poor [should not be] a formula empty of content, a slogan, but rather be converted into effective leaven in all your social, political and educational projects.”

Pope John Paul II, Tertio Milennio Adveniente, #51

BON VOYAGE!

Congratulations to our parishioners Nancy and Michael Hage, the lucky winners of the Mexican Riviera cruise. Mike and Nancy’s ticket was chosen in the drawing last Sunday at the Parish BBQ. Many thanks to everyone who made this fund raiser and our picnic a huge success!

ATTENTION YOUNG ADULTS

Bridge Building of Santa Barbara, a spirituality program for young adults, invites you to second of the series with Fr. Marty Connell on October 24th at Bishop Diego Pastoral Center (4032 La Colina Road, Santa Barbara). There will be a Mass in the Chapel at 5:00 PM, followed by hors d’oeuvres and dialogue on the subject, “Love, What is it Anyway?”. Please RSVP by email to BridgeSantabarb@aol.com or call 682-1508.

PROTECT HUMAN LIFE

Many political issues have important moral dimensions that must be considered. Protecting human life begins with our opposition to abortion and euthanasia, which are pre-eminent threats to human life and dignity, and extends to our opposition to cloning, assisted suicide, and the death penalty, and our efforts to pursue peace. This brief description only begins to describe how Catholic teaching has been applied to these issues. We hope Catholics and others will read the complete statement on Faithful Citizenship, as well as other documents that address key issues for the campaign and for the years to come. For more information, please go to www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
The Challenge of Faithful Citizenship

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

On October 24th—World Mission Sunday—Catholics around the world will gather at the Eucharist around the table of the Lord and offer our prayers and our generous help so that the “Good News” of Jesus Christ may be proclaimed to the poor and the suffering in every corner of the globe. Your help offered through the Propagation of the Faith will provide for the pastoral and evangelizing work of more than 1,100 dioceses throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific Islands. Please be as generous as possible to the collection for the Propagation of the Faith. May God bless you!

JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMITTEE

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 20th, at 7:00 PM in the Parish Social Room. Please join us. Please call Kitty Maxwell at 682-5606 for more information.

THE COUNTRY FAIRE
By the Knights of Columbus

Villa Majella is having its annual Outreach BBQ fundraiser from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 24th at Serra Hall, located at the corner of Garden Street and Los Olivos Street. Your ticket ($15/adult; $5/child; under 12 free) includes a tri-tip or chicken lunch. Please call 563-0003 for tickets or more information. This is a benefit for the at-risk mothers and babies of Villa Majella.

GET OUT THE VOTE

By now, all registered voters should have received their ballots providing background for the elections this November. Please study your ballot very carefully, using the fundamental principle of the inherent and abiding dignity of all human life and the basic right to economic justice for all as the filter lenses. There are a number of propositions and local measures that call for us to reflect on our scripture teachings and traditions.

NO HALLMARK STORE ON THE CORNER

Our Service Women and Men in Iraq do not have access to greeting cards to send to loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas or other special occasions. For the next two weekends you can drop off a clean, new, unused card and its envelope at the receptacle outside the church before each Mass. Susan Goodale, Program Director for the UCSB Alumni Association, will collect these cards and get them to our military personnel in Iraq.

Readings for the Week of October 17, 2004
Monday:
2 Tm 4:10-17/Ps 145:10-13,17-18/Lk 10:1-9
Tuesday:
Eph 2:12-22/Ps 85:9-14/Lk 12:35-38
Wednesday:
Eph 3:2-12/Is 12:2-6/Lk 12:39-48
Thursday:
Eph 3:14-21/Ps 33:1-2,4-5,11-12,18-19/Lk 12:49-53
Friday:
Eph 4:1-6/Ps 24:1-6/Lk 12:54-59
Saturday:
Eph 4:7-16/Ps 122:1-5/Lk 13:1-9


REFLECTION ON THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

God is attentive to the prayers of those who have no one else to turn to. These outcasts of society realize that God is their only hope and so, when they pray, they really pray. Their prayer comes truly from the heart that acknowledges God’s goodness and kindness. The prayer of the tax collector in next week’s Gospel is an example of such prayer. The tax collector simply asks God’s mercy for his sinfulness. Jesus heartily approves this form of prayer, the prayer of the lowly which “pierces the clouds.” The Pharisee is trapped in his own self-righteousness toward prayer, toward God, toward his fellow Jews and toward himself.

LIFE FOCUS

When do you identify with characteristics of the Pharisee? When do you identify with characteristics of the tax collector?

Relate an experience when you reached out to someone very different from you.

When has a simple person, perhaps an outcast, been able to teach you something important?

Where are you working too hard at something? Where aren’t you working hard enough? What will you do about that soon?


PREPARE FOR NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:9-14

STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY

Sunday, October 10th

$9,313.50

Thank you for your continuing generosity!

LAST CALL FOR TOGETHER IN MISSION

So close, yet so far! We are $3,352.00 short of our parish assessment of $60,807.00. If you have not fulfilled your pledge, please do so by the end of this month. Any shortfall will have to be covered by our parish operating funds. Thank you to all who participated this year. Your donations will help fund 32 parishes and 46 schools that could not operate without us.

GETTING IN THE PARISH BULLETIN
For Parish announcements, call Laura in the Parish Office. Contact Mission Publishing at (888) 253-4358 for business ads.

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
There is a good reason to suggest that the Gospel story about the Samaritan who returned to Jesus after his healing, while the nine other lepers did not, is about thankfulness. Even Jesus asked, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine” (v. 17)?

Of course, he knew where they were. It is not difficult to guess. After having obtained their health certificates from the authorities in Jerusalem, they were home, and they went to their old jobs.

One had been a farmer, and he was milking his goats again. Another one was back in his shop doing the accounts. Others were seen drinking with their friends. But only one returned to give thanks.

Jesus had touched them all. He had healed their skin, the surface of their bodies, but their faith had not changed. Now and then they would tell their story, but that was about it.

Only the Samaritan, the stranger and outsider, came back. He fell at Jesus’ feet. Jesus told him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you” (v.19) or, as you read in other translations, “Your faith has made you well.”

Jesus was not speaking about the Samaritan’s skin, but about him, about his heart, about his person, about his mind. Number ten came back; he did not return to his old life, and his own world. He started a new one based on faith in Jesus.

He, too, touches us, otherwise we would not be here together reflecting on his words. But how deep does it go? When are we like the nine? When are we like the tenth person?





Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

Our celebration of St. Francis Days has been glorious—from the opening concert, to the Transitus, through last Sunday’s liturgies, to the Blessing of the Animals, and on to the 7:30 AM Mass on Monday—the actual feast day—everything was beautiful! Today, our parish picnic will bring this year’s celebration to a close. Thanks to all of you who helped in so many ways.

Today we begin our elementary religious education program and welcome both new and returning families. Our program has two parts. One part is not complete without the other. To begin, the children in grades one through six gather at 9:15 AM to work in various and creative ways with the scripture readings for the day. Then, the families attend the 10:30 AM Mass together. At the Liturgy of the Word, the children leave the assembly for their own Children’s Liturgy of the Word, at which they participate in the readings, creed and prayer of the faithful at an age-appropriate level. They return to be with their families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The program as a whole teaches the children the centrality of the liturgy in Catholic life, and they learn the connection of the liturgy with their daily lives. We look forward to a great year.
Love,
Pat


CATHOLIC CHARITIES OFFERS
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING

Catholic Charities Santa Barbara offers professional psychological counseling to individuals, couples and families. A very reasonable sliding scale is available. Their office is located at 609 E. Haley Street, Santa Barbara. Please call (805) 965-7045 x102 for English; Spanish speakers or bilingual call (805) 965-7045 x114.



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

Andrew Gafvert and Sarah Kipp


ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Our mission is to serve the poor. We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 12:45 PM. Please call 687-7547 for more information.


BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND
Are you widowed, separated, or divorced? The Beginning Experience Weekend is designed to provide tools to understand and process the feelings of loss. It is a time to rediscover your uniqueness and self-confidence, to put closure on the past, and focus on a new beginning in the present. The next workshop is November 5-7, 2004, in Los Angeles. For future dates and more information, please contact: Rebecca Whittaker (562)430-0204, rwhittaker@social.rr.com

CHILDREN’S BEGINNING EXPERIENCE
Children’s Beginning Experience is a grief recovery weekend in a camp like setting designed for children ages 8-18 who have experienced the death of a parent or whose parents have separated, divorced, or were never married. Children dealing with these types of losses may become withdrawn, fearful, and insecure, seem to act out for no reason, or become confused and depressed, often blaming themselves. The goal of each weekend is to help sort out and begin working through these feelings, while building a stronger sense of self-esteem. This is accomplished by providing a safe and secure place for caring, acceptance, and community to blossom. Running from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, the Children’s Beginning Experience is supervised by adults and presented by a team of kids willing to share their own experience to help others. The next weekend is November 12-14, 2004. For future dates and more information, contact Rick Albrecht (661)252-2613 rickety123@aol.com or Martha Oviedo (714)549-2619 moviedo31@aol.com.


ATTENTION YOUNG ADULTS
Bridge Building of Santa Barbara, a spirituality program for young adults, invites you to their popular GAME NIGHT at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 20th at Bishop Diego Pastoral Center (4032 La Colina Rd., Santa Barbara). Bring a friend for snacks, chat, and games. For more information, call (805) 682-1508, or email bridgesantabarbara@aol.com.


HEALING MEMORIES MEDITATION

Through word and music, Former Franciscan Friar Bill Degnan and jazz pianist David MacKay will present a healing experience on October 17th and October 24th from 3:00-6:00 PM. We invite you to attend either or both of these sessions. Seating is limited. For more information call 682-4713 x133.


Sunday, October 3rd

$ 12,116.00

Thank you for your continuing generosity!


BECOME A LITURGICAL MINISTER

We are always in need of liturgical ministers. Please consider serving your parish in one of the following ministries:

Ushers work in concert with the sacristans to prepare before and after the Mass. In addition, they welcome and assist people as needed, and they take up the collection during the Mass.

Eucharistic Ministers serve the Body and Blood of Christ and purify the vessels after Communion.

Lectors proclaim the Word of God to the gathered assembly, and read the Prayer of the Faithful.


Call the Parish Office for more information.


BREAD FOR THE WORLD

St. Barbara Parish is a Bread for the World Covenant Church. As such, we commit ourselves to working for an end to world-wide hunger. Next week, our parish will celebrate “Bread for the World Sunday.” We ask you to reflect on the covenant the parish made with Bread for the World several years ago:
WE COVENANT...
à In our worship and study: to seek God’s message for us regarding our hungry brothers and sisters, and to learn about the causes of—and solutions to—hunger, emphasizing the role of public policy.
à In our working and giving: to help hungry people in our community, to support our Church’s hunger relief, development and education programs, and to participate corporately in the work of the Bread for the World membership.
à In our living: to give prominence to the needs of hungry people, and to reflect in our lives an awareness of our role as stewards of God’s gifts.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
Proverbs 31:8-9


NETWORK ACTION
Saint Barbara Parish is a member of Network, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby. This month Network is asking us to phone Rep. Lois Capps (805-730-1710) or email her at http://capwiz.com/networklobby/home/ and ask her to co-sponsor H. Con Res. 392 to support SMART Security: a Sensible Multilateral American Response to Terrorism.

SMART Security would:
Focus on preventing terrorism by strengthening international institutions and respect for
· the law.
· Respond to the threat and spread of weapons of mass destruction and the proliferation of conventional weapons.
· Concentrate on terror and violence prevention strategies, including development and peace keeping.
· Revisit current United States budget priorities to meet all security needs, including those of the environment and peacekeeping, reconstruction, and development within the international community.
· Attempt every alternative to war, including conflict assessment, strengthening the ability of international bodies to prevent and resolve conflict, and supporting civil society programs.

Please see the SMART fact sheet on the parish bulletin board for more information.



SANTA BARBARA
REGIONAL CONGRESS

“Come to See—Called to Serve”

Mark your calendars now for the October 30th Santa Barbara Regional Religious Education Congress at Bishop Diego High School (4000 La Colina Road). There will be a morning praise at 8:00 AM, followed by three workshop sessions at 9:45 AM, 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM, and a 3:45 PM Mass with Bishop Curry. Join your fellow catechists and parish ministers for some eye-opening excitement. Bring others with you whose ears are waiting to hear God’s call. Experience God’s peace in prayer and worship. Pre-registration is $20. Please call 569-1135 or email sandy@sbpr.org for more information.


PLEASE HELP OUR BROTHERS
AND SISTERS IN HAITI

We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti who have been devastated by hurricanes. Hundreds are dead, and thousands are without shelter and the most basic necessities. Severe flooding, mudslides, food shortages and lack of potable water are commonplace, rendering many of those affected completely dependent on humanitarian aid to survive. We ask for special prayers and invite you to consider making a contribution for the many people who are suffering. Contributions may be made to:

Haiti Relief Fund
Catholic Relief Services
Office of Justice and Peace
3424 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010


YOUTH MINISTRY
Senior High “LifeTeen Mass” takes place Sunday evenings at 5:30 PM at our partner parish, St. Raphael’s. It is followed by “LifeNight” at 7:00 PM. The Junior High Youth Ministry “Tobiah Club” meets at St. Raphael’s on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 7:00 to 8:45 PM
For information, please contact St. Raphael Parish Youth Minister, John Vasellina at 964-3466, ext. 1.


OCTOBER IS RESPECT LIFE MONTH
LIFE IS A MIRACLE—

Many problems darken the horizon of our time. We need but think of the urgent need to work for peace, to base relationships between peoples on solid premises of justice and solidarity, and to defend human life from conception to its natural end. And what should we say of the thousand inconsistencies of a “globalized” world where the weakest, the most powerless and the poorest appear to have so little hope? It is in this world that Christian hope must shine forth! For this reason too, Christ wishes to remain with us in the Eucharist,. Christ’s presence in the meal and sacrifice is the promise of a humanity renewed by God’s love.

Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, no. 20



God created the universe in order
to be able to become a human being
and pour out love upon us
and to invite us to love God in return.

- Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger



Our society seems to place little value on the one thing that is truly priceless—human life itself. If we compare human beings to things that we prize, by every measure human beings come out on top.

Everything on earth will pass away. The earth itself will pass away, but God offers each of us eternal life. Every human being is unique, unrepeatable and irreplaceable. God created every human life in God’s own image, and each possesses inherent God-given dignity equal to that of every other human.

As individuals and as a community, we can change the face of our world to reflect the value and dignity of every human life. But no matter how many compassionate services we provide and no matter how many pro-family economic and social policies are adopted, unless the fundamental right of each human being to life is respected from conception until natural death, the structures of community life have no solid foundation.

By our Christian example and advocacy for public policies respectful of the human person, we can create a culture that affirms the miracle and glory of every human life.





SECULAR FRANCISCANS
Secular Franciscans pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis. This international order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi almost 800 years ago. For more information, please contact Bob Carman at 964-1042, or Fr. Alberic Smith, O.F.M., at 682-4713 x157.


CONSIDER REMEMBERING YOUR
PARISH IN YOUR WILL OR TRUST

For more information, please contact H. Richard Closson, Archdiocesan Director, Trust and Estate Programs (213) 637-7472, HRClosson@la-arch-diocese.org. The legal title for our parish is: Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, A Corporation Sole for the benefit of St. Barbara Parish.

SMALL CHURCH GROUP

Anyone interested in forming a new Small Church Group for reflection on the Gospel is encouraged to call Carol Parkus at 569-5639.

GET OUT THE VOTE

By now, all registered voters should have received their ballots providing background for the elections this November. Please study your ballot very carefully, using the fundamental principle of the inherent and abiding dignity of all human life and the basic right to economic justice for all as the filter lenses. There are a number of propositions and local measures that call for us to reflect on our scripture teachings and traditions.

PROPOSITION 66
What have you heard about Proposition 66? What do you know about the “Three Strikes” law in California? The Office of Restorative Justice and Detention Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and FACTS (Families Against California Three Strikes) invite you to a free presentation of

“Cruel and Unusual”

on Friday, October 15th, at 7:00 PM in Serra Hall, corner of Garden and Los Olivos streets.

The presentation consists of five short vignettes from the real life stories of families who have a member directly affected by the law. This riveting play provides facts and education concerning how the “Three Strikes” law has been invoked since its passage ten years ago. You can be sure it will evoke your passion and emotion!

The California Catholic Conference of Bishops urges you to vote in favor of Proposition 66 because it conforms to Catholic social justice teaching that ultimately recognizes that the dignity of the human person applies to both the victim and the offender.


THE FRIARS NEED YOUR HELP!
Maintaining the entire Old Mission complex, including buildings, grounds and the various Franciscan ministries is very expensive! Donations of any size to help offset the costs would be most welcome. If you can help, please make you check out to the Old Mission. Bless you and thank you!



PARISH CALENDAR

October is “Respect Life” Month

October 14 Bereavement Ministry Training
Session, 7:00-9:30 PM

Tobiah Club Meeting, 7:00-8:45 PM

October 17 Bread for the World Sunday

October 20 Baptism Class at 6:30 PM

October 24 Baptisms at the Noon Mass

October 26 Pastoral Council Meeting at 7:00 PM



Readings for the Week of October 10, 2004
Monday:
Gal 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1/Ps 113:1-7/Lk 11:29-32
Tuesday:
Gal 5:1-6/Ps 119:41,43-45,47-48/Lk 11:37-41
Wednesday:
Gal 5:18-25/Ps 1:1-4,6/Lk 11:42-46
Thursday:
Eph 1:1-10/Ps 98:1-6/Lk 11:47-54
Friday:
Eph 1:11-14/Ps 33:1-2,4-5,12-13/Lk 12:1-7
Saturday:
Eph 1:15-23/Ps 8:2-7/Lk 12:8-12

PREPARE FOR NEXT SUNDAY’S LITURGY

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8
Reflection on the Liturgy of the Word

Luke’s Gospel is noted for Jesus’ preaching on prayer. Jesus also pays attention to women, especially poor women. Widows were dependent on other men in the family. A widow had no state aid, nor could she work. If she had no one to help her, she had to beg. The widow in this story comes to the judge to help her get her rights. Since she was too poor to offer a bribe, he at first ignores her. But she kept insisting on her rights. The judge was afraid of her. He eventually gave in. If such a worthless judge would answer such pleas, would the loving God do any less? On the contrary, says Jesus, God will respond to people. God will bring them swift justice. Will God find people with the same unconquerable trust as this widow?
Life Focus

In what ways has our parish community imitated God’s compassion by responding to the cries for justice in neighborhood, country and world?

Reflect and share an instance when ongoing prayer in your life carried you through a difficult time.

How often in your prayer life are you persistent enough to ignore the answer you want to hear and persistent enough to heed the answer God wants you to hear?

What are you doing to bring about God’s justice in the world? In your own small world?

Who has “nagged” you into doing the right thing or into becoming the person you could be?