MPH Blog and News

Friday Update for November 8, 2024

by Rita Baumann | Nov 8, 2024

Be True and Generous

The Gospel of Mark chapter 12 continues, with God calling us to be authentic and generous. Read Sunday’s readings here.

Christ’s One Sacrifice for All

Non-Catholic Christians often misunderstand the Mass because they do not understand why “we are sacrificing Jesus again.” It is a misunderstanding of this Hebrews passage in our second reading that causes this. In Hebrews 9:24, the verse “Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,” shows us that when we are in the Sacrifice of Mass, at the consecration, we are, as it says in verse 26, “at the end of all ages,” out of human time. We are at the altar of heaven, attending Christ’s one sacrifice for us all. He does not sacrifice Himself repeatedly. Christ’s sacrifice once and for all saved us. It is in our participation in this sacrifice, each week at Mass, where we go into the altar of Heaven at the moment of Jesus’s sacrifice. It is there where the host and wine becomes Jesus, body and blood, soul and divinity.

Calling Out Hypocrisy

“Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” This passage from Mark 12:38-40 is included in the longer form of this Sunday’s Gospel.

This is one of the Gospel passages that can be a cautionary tale for us, especially if we volunteer a lot or work in the church. There was corruption in the Jewish faith in His time that was serving Herod more than God. High Priests had to be descended from Aaron in order to be chosen by the King in Jerusalem. Herod would choose the High Priest from more obscure Babylonian branches of the lineage of Aaron, to be more beholden to Herod, and therefore easy to control. Church politics can corrupt us, too, so we must be watchful and prudent. Jesus wants us to do our work so serve Him by spreading the Gospel and helping each other, not for us to secure places of power or prestige. It is a simple yet profound message.

The Widow and Her Contribution

The widow in today’s Gospel is a grand example for all of us. Jesus is showing us two things. The first lesson is we should give more when we have means. What do we do with our abundance tells a lot about our faith. This teaching was a continuance of when Jesus talked about the rich man attaining heaven (back in Mk 10:23), and the importance of being detached from material things. The second, and profound, is that we should not judge each other based on the amount we give. What is abundance for one is sacrifice for another. No one should ever feel shame for their gift amount when they can only give a little. The gift should be from the heart. The two coins were more meaningful because they were a heartfelt sacrifice. The widow was truly showing how much her faith meant to her with her sacrificial gift.

Look Here for More

A great illustration of what Paul is talking about in Hebrews is this video, called “The Veil Removed“.

Friday Update for November 1, 2024

by Rita Baumann | Nov 1, 2024

All Your Heart

This Sunday, we read from Mark chapter 12. Jesus gives us the Great Commandment. To read this week’s readings, click here.

The Great Commandment

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

In this passage (Mark 29-31), Jesus is beautifully quoting two old testament scriptures, Deuteronomy 6:5, and Leviticus 19:18. This passage in Mark has a parallel passage in Matthew, where we find that the scribe Mark mentioned was one of the Pharisees trying to catch Jesus in a theological trap, after Jesus had a “mic drop” moment with the Sadducees in Mark 12:18-27. So, out of the malice of Jesus’s enemies, we have received the beautiful Great Commandment.

How Can We Love God?

How can we love God so much? When we consider all the blessings and wonders of the world around us, we can easily love God in those moments. We can see the blessings of God, and we feel loved. However, our lives are often beset in difficulty and trial. In those moments, loving God can be more difficult. However, when you look at family relationships, you can see that love is as much a decision as it is an emotion. There are days when we are upset with our family members, but we still love them. What do we do if we are mad at God? Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger.” God is a big God, He can handle our anger. We work through it, so we do not fall into sin. In deciding to love, we commit to the relationship with God and work through it. Spend time in prayer before the blessed Sacrament. In times of deeper trouble, we can seek advice from a priest or spiritual director. You can confidentially use our contact form at mphwa.org (it is on the bottom of every page) to reach out if you need help.

Love Our Neighbor

Now, we need to love our neighbor as ourselves. There are many opportunities at MPH, through our pastoral ministry and through our human concerns committee, to volunteer our time and treasure in helping our neighbors in need. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season is coming, and while many families are looking to gather together, many seniors find themselves alone, due to family members passing away ahead of them. In the coming weeks, keep an eye out here and on our socials for opportunities to help.

Love Ourselves

While we are loving our neighbor through the many opportunities here at MPH, remember to love yourself. Make sure your medical appointments are up to date. Take a day and walk through a park and enjoy God’s nature. Sign up for a retreat or take a spa day. Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Self-care is biblical. Who knew?

Look Here for More

For more reading, Check out Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.

Friday Update for October 25, 2024

by Rita Baumann | Oct 25, 2024

Master, I Want to See

This Sunday, we read more from Mark chapter 10. Jesus heals a blind man who had great faith. To read this week’s readings, click here.

The Order of Melchizedek

Melchizedek was a mysterious King of Salem who was both Priest and King. He is mentioned in Genesis 14:18-20, where he offers a sacrifice of bread and wine, and Abraham pays him a tithe. The bible gives no account of his geneology, or how long he reigned. Many modern Bible historians believe he was Shem, son of Noah, but this is not mentioned in the passage. Josephus equates Salem with Jerusalem. He is also mentioned in Psalm 110:4.

The High Priest in Jerusalem in Jesus’s time was a descendant of Aaron. Paul is stating that Jesus is the new Priesthood, replacing the old. Saint Paul explains that in contrast to the priests of Aaron, Jesus is in the line of Melchizedek, in that He is Priest and King. The Eucharist is the fulfillment of the bread and wine offered by Melchizedek. The priests of Aaron had to make sin offerings for themselves, whereas Jesus offered his sinless self for the sins of us all.

Blind Faith? No – Bold Faith!

The term “Blind Faith” originates from the lessons learned in today’s Gospel reading. Over time, in our society, this has become a term with a negative connotation – that somehow those with “blind faith” are not enlightened or intelligent. Bartimaeus said, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” Not only did he know Jesus’s name, he knew more about him, to the point of calling Him the Son of David. Bartimaeus was not uninformed. He knew who Jesus was. When Jesus told his disciples to call Bartimaeus over, he “He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus,” according to Mk 10:50. At this point Bartimaeus was still blind, and he walked over to Jesus by faith, not by sight. Bold Faith.

Our Faith in Christ Saves Us

You see it so much in the Gospels. Jesus saying, “your faith has saved you.” He says it here, in Mark 10:52, and he said it earlier in the same Gospel (Mark 5:34). This saying (and variations of it) are seen in all the Gospels. While it is true that Jesus saves us, we also have to do our part. God is telling us he will not impose salvation; we have to participate in it. Our faith, and our actions and works as a result, is our participation in our salvation. It is through our faith that we are saved, and through our faith that we are compelled to want to do the work of God. After Bartimaeus was saved, he did not walk away – he became a disciple and followed Jesus.

Bible Nerdy Notes

Usually, Mark’s Gospel is known for its brevity, but in this particular passage, there is more detail here than in the parallel passages of Mt 20:29–34; or Lk 18:35–43. Matthew mentions a second blind man, but neither Matthew or Luke mention any names. Bartimaeus being named in this Gospel makes theologians and historians believe that he was known by the Christian community as a disciple later on, perhaps even by Mark himself.

Look Here for More

For more reading, check out more about Melchizedek here.

Friday Update for October 18, 2024

by Rita Baumann | Oct 18, 2024

To be Great is to Serve

This Sunday, we read more from Mark chapter 10. Jesus talks about service versus power. To read this week’s readings, click here.

Jesus Experienced It All

In our first reading, Isaiah prophesies about what will happen to Jesus. Isaiah is introducing the concept of redemptive suffering here, which will bear fruit later with Jesus’s suffering, death, and resurrection. “through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.” And in the second reading, Paul is telling the Hebrews he is writing to that Jesus understands them (the readers) more than than they think, through Christ’s experience as a man. He understands what we go through, so we can with confidence reach to God through our prayers.

I’m the Greatest!

There was a zeal and enthusiasm in James and John, the two sons of Zebedee. In Mark 3:17, Jesus called them the “Sons of Thunder” because of their tempers and quickness to anger. In this reading from Mark chapter 10, we see them vying for a high place, to the left and right of Jesus. He replies with an answer in Mark 10:38. “Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?'” We could paraphrase it as “be careful what you wish for.” Being “great” in the eyes of God is much different than being “great” in the eyes of mankind. Jesus explains that they will have to follow Him in ways they may not have intended. Then, he goes on to explain that greatness is measured by God in service and not power, and at times this service may include sacrifice and/or suffering. Even in today’s society, we are often ridiculed for holding true to the Gospel and not modern thought. God is already all-powerful. Earthly power means nothing to Him. To be great in Heaven is to serve the Lord.

The Sons of Zebedee

There are pieces of the story of the Sons of Zebedee peppered throughout all the Gospels. Through their association with Jesus, and over time, both brothers grew in wisdom and faith. James and John, with Peter, witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus. John became known as John the Evangelist, also known in John’s Gospel as the disciple Jesus loved. John is traditionally considered the author also of three New Testament letters and the Book of Revelation. Tradition also describes John as the author of the Gospel of John (although some Bible scholars dispute this). John survived being tortured in a vat of boiling oil. James traveled to Spain to spread the Gospel there. We know for sure that James was killed by the sword by Herod Agrippa after Jesus’s ascension to heaven, according to Acts 12:1-2.

Look Here for More

For more reading, check out this article here.

Friday Update for October 13, 2024

by Rita Baumann | Oct 13, 2024

Nothing is Impossible

This Sunday, we read more from Mark chapter 10. Jesus talks about wealth and faith. To read this week’s readings, click here.

Is it a Sin to be Wealthy?

When we read “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” It gives us pause. Is it wrong to have wealth? Is it a sin to be a success? It is easy for us to walk away sad, just as the rich man did. It is in our American ethos to be self-reliant. Americans are go-getters; we build businesses and we receive satisfaction for accomplishing things. Looking at this Gospel on the surface, it can be a hard pill to swallow.

I Can Do It!

The reason it is hard for the rich to earn heaven is not the success, it is the lack of dependence on God. When we have means, we look at problems and we solve them ourselves. It doesn’t even cross our minds that we should pray or ask God for help when we can do it ourselves. Why should I pray about this when I have the answer in my pocket? The poor are more often closer to God because wealth can be, and is, a huge distraction in our lives. Money is a distraction powerful enough to consume us. Wealth can become a false god for us if we are not careful.

Let It Go

It sounds easy to do. People say it all the time: Let it go. Jesus is calling us to let go of our things, our distractions, and He is telling us he is here to help. “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” He is giving us reassurance, that the more we rely on Him, the less we need our things and distractions. We can let go of our hurts and anger. We can let go of the worldly things that lead us astray, not because we do it, but because Jesus will help us do it.

Jesus Gave Us Himself

In Just a few weeks, we will be hosting an Arise Worship Night at our parish on All Saint’s Day. At this event, we will worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This is Jesus, present for us. He calls us to Him, so we can do what is impossible for us, but is possible for Him.

Eucharistic Revival –Year of Mission
Eucharistic Encounter

No matter what our path in life, there will always be moments when we feel that our strength and patience are wearing thin and it is comforting to know that Jesus is always there for us. When we feel lonely or misunderstood, we can always turn to Him as a friend and confidant. Encountering Jesus Christ changes us—sometimes by signs and wonders, at other times by his peace. May we have the courage this week to boldly bring our needs and desires to the Lord, especially in his Eucharistic presence at Mass and in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Be open to encountering Christ.

Look Here for More

For more reading, check out the Eucharistic Revival website here.

Friday Update for October 4, 2024

by Rita Baumann | Oct 4, 2024

What God Has Joined

This Sunday, we read more from Mark chapter 10. Jesus talks about the indissolubility of marriage.

To read this week’s readings, click here.

First-Century Marriage

In the days of Jesus, society was divided into four classes, each superior to and exercising a property right over the class below. Men were on the top level, followed by women, children and then slaves.

Betrothals were usually arranged by an agent working on behalf of the parents. There were many details to be determined, including the mohar, a bride price paid to the family of the bride. Once an agreement was signed, the couple was legally bound to marry one another, normally within one year. To break off a betrothal was as involved as a divorce.
Marriage in the first century was a contract between families. Marriage was not contracted unless someone witnessed spoken vows. There was almost always a written contract to verify legitimacy of the children.
In divorce, the mohar had to be paid back unless the bride was unfaithful. This prevented some frivolous divorces, but if a man had enough money, a man could divorce his wife easily.

A Suitable Partner

Genesis 2:18 states, “The LORD God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him.” The Lectionary uses “partner” instead of “helper,” due to the subordinate connotation of the word “helper” in English. The NAB bible footnotes on this verse state, “Helper suited to him: lit., ‘a helper in accord with him.’ ‘Helper’ need not imply subordination, for God is called a helper (Dt 33:7; Ps 46:2). The language suggests a profound affinity between the man and the woman and a relationship that is supportive and nurturing.”
The Hebrew phrase for “suitable helper” is “ezer knegdow”. The word “knegdow” is usually translated as “suitable” and refers to an exact counterpart. The status of Marriage in Jesus time was a bit far from this ideal. Even today, we often struggle with understanding gender roles as equally important and supportive to each other.

Cat and Mouse with the Pharisees

Note that the Pharisees are present here, in today’s Gospel reading. They were a sect who believed in the importance of oral tradition, which they considered to be equally authoritative as the Torah. They knew the law up and down, and they would often try to “catch” Jesus teaching what they considered to be error. So, not only is Jesus correcting his Disciples about the state of marriage in the first century, he is also using his knowledge of Genesis (He is quoting the first reading!) to show the Pharisees where they can find the source of it.

More Than Just a Contract

Marriage is a sacrament in the Church. It is so much more than just a contract. The old Baltimore Catechism states, “The outward sign in the Sacrament of matrimony is the mutual consent of the persons, expressed by words or signs in accordance with the laws of the Church. The whole essence of the marriage contract consists in the surrender by the persons of their bodies to each other and in declaring by word or sign that they make this surrender and take each other for husband and wife now and for life.” Jesus has such strong views on divorce and remarriage because He is correcting the hardened hearts of men, teaching us how to live in love and fidelity. Jesus said in Mark 10:7-8. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife], and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.” He is elevating women in marriage to how they were described in Genesis 2:18, not being treated as property as was the custom of the time, and at the same time reaffirming the indissolubility of marriage.

Look Here for More

For more reading, check out this article here.

Respect Life Month

Respect Life Prayer from the USCCB

A Prayer for Life – to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament

O Jesus, you came that we might have life—and have it in abundance. Together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you form us in our mothers’ wombs and call us to love you for all eternity.

As your most precious gift of human life is attacked, draw us ever closer to your Real Presence in the Eucharist. Dispel the darkness of the culture of death, for you are the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.

By the power of your Eucharistic Presence, help us to defend the life of every human person at every stage. Transform our hearts to protect and cherish all whose lives are most vulnerable.

For you are God, forever and ever. Amen.

Friday Update for September 27, 2024

by Rita Baumann | Sep 27, 2024

In Jesus’s Name

This Sunday, we read more from Mark chapter 9. The over-reaching theme of Sunday’s readings is personal responsibility. We are responsible for our selves and how we react in situations.
To read this week’s readings, click here.

Mark 9 39 (Instagram Post)

The More the Merrier

Moses, in the first reading, is happy that others are prophesying in God’s name. This is a short reading, but it has a strong point. Eldad and Medad accepted the Holy Spirit, even though they were not at the gathering. Moses reaction to them prophesying was one of joy, and not jealousy. We should be the same, excepting the gifts and talents of others, instead of being envious of others.

Use Your Wealth Wisely

James, in the second reading, is talking about wealth. People get the impression that wealth is bad as a Christian, but that’s not necessarily true. James is talking here about being fair when we are responsible for an other’s salary, making sure we are paying them well and not being miserly. We must put our love of God above our money, and be a good steward of our blessings.

Others Preaching in the Name of Jesus

There are two personal responsibility themes in Sunday’s Gospel. The first is similar to the first reading, where Jesus’ disciples are concerned about others preaching and expelling demons in Jesus’ name. He says they can do it, as they can’t speak ill of Jesus and still do those things in His name. Here Jesus is teaching us about how to handle ecumenism. Yes, we have the original faith handed down from Jesus through Peter and the Apostles. There is value, although it is incomplete, in other Christian faiths, and we should pray for unity and continue to have dialog on the things we do agree upon.

Leave Behind Our Stumbling Blocks

The personal responsibility teachings continue, with Jesus holding us accountable for teaching our youth. He uses some strong language here, making sure we know the importance of not leading others astray, also known as the sin of scandal. Next, he is talking about us leaving behind the things in our lives that make us sin. Whether that is toxic friends, toxic media, or anything else that we can lead ourselves astray with. Yes, we are forgiven for our sins, but it is up to us to make our lives so we are not tempted to sin more.

Look Here for More

For more reading, check out this article here.

Ministry Minute

Pastoral Ministry

Sr. Lincy Augustine leads our Pastoral Ministry here at Mother of Perpetual Help. She, along with many of our parishioners, are reaching out to those in need, especially our Seniors. We have an awesome presentation coming up about life planning, including things like driving when you are older. We have also received a grant to support the ministry, focusing on reaching out to Seniors who feel isolated and alone.

Contact Sr Lincy through the contact form on mphwa.org (our parish website) to volunteer or if you need help from our Pastoral Ministry.

Friday Update for September 20, 2024

by Rita Baumann | Sep 21, 2024

The Servant of All

This Sunday, we read more from Mark chapter 9. To read this week’s Sunday readings, click here.

Mark 935 (Instagram Post)

More Wisdom from James

How much are we comparing each other on social media? How much are we looking at our neighbors and wishing that we had what they had? James says, “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.” It’s a powerful message. He tells us not only what’s wrong, but how to right it. This message is as meaningful today as when it was written. God brings us all the things we need. We need not be jealous.

The Greatest

One of the things that has never changed in the centuries is our need to be great. We measure our success and failures in every way. How do we measure our success? Money? Job promotions? How do we measure our Church? Attendance? How much is in our collection? All of these things come into focus when reading this section in the Gospel. The disciples came from their very real world, where their success was measured by their work and their net worth. They, as we often also do, try to use the same measurement with our spirituality. Jesus is telling them (and us) that this doesn’t work. Mark 9:39 states, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” This is the secret sauce. To be great in the church is to serve. Serving others, using Gospel principles, becomes as rewarding to the giver as the receiver.

Let the Children Come to Me

Mark Chapter 9:37 states, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” In the context of today, this passage in Mark is very enduring and affirming to us. Modern society prioritizes children and rightly so. This was not true in Jesus’ time. Children were considered a burden until they could prove their worth. If they could not, well, they could labor, and if they couldn’t do even that, they were often neglected or cast out. It is important to note that Mark does not say the gender of the child. A person reading this in Mark’s time would want to know that, because boys were more “valuable.” To Jesus, however, this is not important.

Ministry Minute – Christian Women

The MPH Christian Women Organization meets in the Notre Dame Room at the East Site on the second Tuesday of each month between September and May. The objective of the Christian Women Organization is to unite the women of the parish in religious, educational, and social activities. The organization participates in both spiritual undertakings (such as leading the parish vigil at funerals for members of the organization) and in educational opportunities (such as having speakers at the monthly meeting). Additionally, the organization is responsible for crafts, Christmas cookies, and ham and rolls sales at the parish sites. All women of the parish are invited
to join the organization by attending any of the monthly meetings, all of which are announced in advance in the parish bulletin. Contact Debbie Peterson throught the contact form on mphwa.org (our parish website) to join the Christian Women.

Christian Women at a funeral 1

Christian Women at a Funeral

Friday Update for September 13, 2024

by Rita Baumann | Sep 17, 2024

Who is Jesus?

This Sunday, we read more from Mark chapter 8. To read this week’s Sunday readings, click here.

Who Do You (Instagram Post)

Faith Without Works is Dead

This week’s second reading is from James, and it has been controversial among Christians for centuries. James is correcting a problem with understanding faith. He is showing that faith is alive, and the works we do show our faith and help build it up. In Jas 2:15-17, James says: “If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Faith is never alone; the love God gives us compels us to do His work. The Council of Trent describes this as our human cooperation with grace.

The dispute over Justification between Catholics and Protestants started with Martin Luther and was mostly put to rest on October 31, 1999 with a document called Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. Over time, more Christian organizations have signed the agreement. It is now a five-way agreement between the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Methodist Council, the Anglican Communion, and the World Communion of Reformed Churches. The declaration agrees with both Paul and James; Yes, we are justified through faith, but we grow in grace and reveal our faith through works.

Who Do You Say I Am?

Jesus asks his disciples who people think he is. The responses they give — John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets — reflect various opinions circulating among the people at the time about Jesus’ identity and his role. These are significant figures in Jewish tradition, indicating that people viewed Jesus in the context of past prophetic figures. When Jesus asks the disciples directly who they believe he is, Peter responds with a profound declaration: “You are the Christ.” The term “Christ” means “Anointed One” and is equivalent to “Messiah” in Hebrew. It signifies that Peter recognizes Jesus as the long-awaited Savior and the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah.

Foot in Mouth, Peter

Just after Peter recognizes Jesus as the Christ, the poor guy puts his foot in his mouth. In Mark 8:32, Mark reports, “Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke Him.” In Matthew 16:22, we get more detail of what he said: “Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, ‘God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.'”

It is super easy to have empathy with Peter in this moment. We have all had those times in our life, where someone hands us some really troubling news, and we try to deny it as a means of comfort. We want to say: “That won’t really happen; it will be okay.” It’s natural to do.

Jesus reply of “Get behind me, Satan, You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do,” in Mark 8:33, was probably quite the shock to poor Peter. Jesus is buttressing his human self, and he has to, from being tempted to not do His Father’s will. Peter meant well, but Jesus knew what He had to do, and Peter needed to know it had to be done. In our lives, we can see how we can prepare for difficult moments, not by denying them, but by facing them.

Look Here for More

For more reading, check out the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification here:

Ministry Minute: Prayer Shawl and Loomer’s Ministry

We are a group of women who either knit, crochet, or use a loom to create either shawls, hats or scarves. Shawls are given to anyone in need of prayers for surgery, illness or comfort. The Shawls are prayed over as we begin them, continue as we create, and then receive a final blessing. Each month, when we gather, we start the meeting in prayer, blessing the finished shawls and praying for the recipients of the shawls.

Our Loomers create hats and scarves. Once a year, near December, they are given to various groups. These groups include: New Berlin Lionesses Club, Hope House, and meal programs in the Milwaukee area. We also have members who make items in their homes for the ministry.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry started in 2008, and the Loomers started in 2011. The ministries merged in 2022.

For more information, either to volunteer or to receive a prayer shawl, Select Prayer Shawl and Loomer’s Ministry in the contact form at mphwa.org.

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Sitting on the couch, left to right are Jeanne Erceg, Karen Fuchs, Mary Thysell, standing Nancy Dloughy, Ethel Stueck and Kathy Moscicki and sitting wearing a shawl is Dolores Iannantouoni.

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Prayer warriors at the looms! On the couch is Sharon Evenson, on the chair is Linda Dulka and in the mirror is Anne Gaska (prayer shawl).

Friday Update for September 6, 2024

by Rita Baumann | Sep 6, 2024

Miracles and Signs

This Sunday, we read more from Mark chapter 7. To read this week’s Sunday readings, click here.

Mark 7 34

The Gospel of Miracles

The Gospel of Mark is also called the Gospel of Miracles. His purpose in writing it was to document everything Peter told him. In this week’s readings, the thread throughout is miracles. In the first reading, Isaiah is telling the people of God that Miracles will be a sign of God’s presence. in Chapter 35 verse 4 he says, “Say to the fearful of heart: Be strong, do not fear!” and he goes on to describe, seven hundred years before it happens, the very things Jesus is doing in Mark’s Gospel.

Signs by God

It is important to notice not just what Jesus did, but also how Jesus performed the miracle on the deaf man. In Mark 7:33-34, we read: “He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, ‘Be Opened!’)” The physical touching of the hands is the extension of the hand of God through Jesus. The old Baltimore Catechism defines a sacrament as an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. in this Gospel reading, Jesus is showing the early Christians how this is done. He is demonstrating not just miracles, but how to show through a sign that Jesus is God.

Look Here for More

For more reading on the Gospel of Mark check this out: The Gospel of Mark
For more information on Traditions, Look here.

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Next Entries »

MPH Blog and News

Be True and Generous

Christ’s One Sacrifice for All

Calling Out Hypocrisy

The Widow and Her Contribution

Look Here for More

All Your Heart

The Great Commandment

How Can We Love God?

Love Our Neighbor

Love Ourselves

Look Here for More

Master, I Want to See

The Order of Melchizedek

Blind Faith? No – Bold Faith!

Our Faith in Christ Saves Us

Bible Nerdy Notes

Look Here for More

To be Great is to Serve

Jesus Experienced It All

I’m the Greatest!

The Sons of Zebedee

Look Here for More

Nothing is Impossible

Is it a Sin to be Wealthy?

I Can Do It!

Let It Go

Jesus Gave Us Himself

Eucharistic Revival –Year of Mission Eucharistic Encounter

Look Here for More

What God Has Joined

First-Century Marriage

A Suitable Partner

Cat and Mouse with the Pharisees

More Than Just a Contract

Look Here for More

Respect Life Month

Respect Life Prayer from the USCCB

In Jesus’s Name

The More the Merrier

Use Your Wealth Wisely

Others Preaching in the Name of Jesus

Leave Behind Our Stumbling Blocks

Look Here for More

Ministry Minute

Pastoral Ministry

The Servant of All

More Wisdom from James

The Greatest

Let the Children Come to Me

Ministry Minute – Christian Women

Who is Jesus?

Faith Without Works is Dead

Who Do You Say I Am?

Foot in Mouth, Peter

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Ministry Minute: Prayer Shawl and Loomer’s Ministry

Miracles and Signs

The Gospel of Miracles

Signs by God

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Eucharistic Revival –Year of Mission
Eucharistic Encounter