The Parishes of

Notre Dame, Cresco and  

St. Bridget, Bluffton

and St. Agnes Oratory, Plymouth Rock  

                                                                                                                                        

                                   Notre Dame                                                     St. Bridget

                Rev. Richard J. Ament, PASTOR  
            Rev. Richard P. Funke, PASTOR PRO TEM

                           Notre Dame Church:  223 Second Avenue East
                      
         Parish Office:  116 East Third Street
      
Phone:  563 547-3565       
   Fax:  563 547-3835 
         Wendy Schatz, Principal 563 547-4513   
      Deanna Kabliska, CRE  563 547-3565  
        Parish Office Staff: 
     P
eg Seifried, Connie Frana
    Parish Website: 
             http://www.iowatelecom.net/~ndparish            
       School Website: 
              www.aea1.k12.ia.us/notredame             
                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                           

                                                          
   
                                                                                               

                  Celebration of Sacraments

Baptism 

Next scheduled date for Baptism is Aug. 24 at 11:30 a.m.  Baptism Class is required.  Next class is scheduled for Aug. 13, 2008,  7:00 p.m., Joseph Room.  Please contact the parish office to register for the Baptism class,  to schedule a Baptism or for more information. 

 Reconciliation  Reconciliation is offered on Saturday from 3:10 - 3:40 p.m. or by appointment.  Contact the parish office for an appointment.

 Marriage  

Contact the parish office at least six months before intended wedding date.

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August 10, 2008

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33

 

             The Lake of Galilee is not very large, but major winds sweeping across it can stir up some big, big waves.  The day our pilgrimage group rode the lake it was calm, and the water was almost like glass.  It looked good enough to swim in, indeed.  It posed no threat whatsoever.

 

After the dramatic story of feeding the thousands of people with fish and bread we are told an even more dramatic story.  Jesus takes a break, and bids His disciples to cross the lake to the other side.  These professional fisherman and boaters suddenly find themselves in a major storm, and the boat is near to capsizing.  At this very point, in their worst fears and anxiety, Jesus comes to them walking on the water!  They cry out in amazement and fear.  But He finally gets them to calm down, and calms down the ferocious winds so that the lake subsides.

 

This major work of power was for the disciples’ sake:  that they might place all their trust and faith in Jesus.  The storm on the lake was minor stuff compared to the storms that were to come into Jesus’ life and their lives later on.  They would need - as we all do at times—every ounce of faith in the Lord they could muster.

 

Remembering the power He showed on the lake should help the faith. 

 

 

Next week’s Readings

Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Romans 11:13-15; 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28