The message of today’s gospel is clear and to the point-

You can’t take it with you!

Intellectually we know and acknowledge this truth but we also know that possessions exercise a strong hold on the human heart. The parable starts with a question to Jesus about inheritance. Jesus wisely refuses to get involved in a family dispute, instead he focuses on the cause of the dispute-greed for possessions. The Gospel is part of a longer section which deals with the difficulties that possessions can cause for all of us who profess to be disciples of Jesus. It might be helpful during this week to read again this gospel story in our Bible, Luke Chapter 12-the entire chapter. It poses many questions for thought and reflection-questions that may help all of us to get our priorities in tune with what the gospel asks of us. I have found the following reflection helpful. Hope you will also.

REFLECTION
While out for an evening walk
I emerged from an area
where the streets were lit by bright lamps,
and came into an open, dark area.
It was only then I discovered that
the sky was full of stars.
And I thought to myself:
how easily and how effectively the earthly lights
extinguish the heavenly ones.
Lord, help us to seek the things that make us
rich in your sight,
and grant that the glitter of this world
may not dim our hopes of heavenly glory.

The Sacrament of Eucharist

In June, the U.S. Bishops approved a basic teaching resource entitled "The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist: Basic Questions and Answers." The entire text is available at

http://www.nccbuscc.org/dpp/realpresence.htm

or by calling 1-800-235-8722. For the next few weeks, we’ll offer a few excerpts from this document. Here’s one from the introduction:

Jesus said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. . . . For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink" (Jn 6:51-55). The whole Christ is truly present body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine—the glorified Christ who rose from the dead after dying for our sins. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the "Real Presence" of Christ in the Eucharist. This presence of Christ in the Eucharist is called "real" not to exclude other types of his presence as if they could not be understood as real (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1374). The risen Christ is present to his Church in many ways, but most especially through the sacrament of his Body and Blood.

As a parish Community we pray....

A retreat for women at St. Clare’s Retreat facility in Soquel (near Santa Cruz), will be held Sept. 7-9, and will be led by Father Ignatius Hinkle, OFM Conv. The theme is "Continuing the New Millennium." For more details and reservations, contact Veronica Walters at 359-6230.

SERRA CLUB of San Mateo which actively supports vocations for the religious and ordained life, invites you to hear Father Gerry O’Rourke Archdiocesan Director for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at its Wed. Aug. 8th luncheon Noon,

Plans are being made for this year’s annual parish festival "Tropical Nights", which will be Sept. 28th - 30th. The Barbecue and Food Booths are in need of your help. Most shifts are for two hours, but you can work for as many hours as you would like and on all three days if you wish.

   
TUESDAY, August 7th
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary.....Library
7:30 - 9 pm, Youth Group.....Kitchen

WEDNESDAY, August 8th
9 am, Aids Lunch.....Children’s Chapel
9 -9:30 am, Grief Group.....Mary’s Chapel