FORGOT SOMETHING?

     Sometimes we forget what is really essential in life. All too easily, we can loose our focus and become distracted by other things that are not of primary importance – the pursuit of a big house, the latest electronic gadget, stylish clothes and a sleek car. The pursuit of these material things can blind us to what is really essential in life: love of God and love of neighbor.

     The nameless scribe in the Gospel approaches Jesus with a question: "Which commandment is the first of all?" (Mark 12:28) Jesus' two-fold response is as simple as it is comprehensive. The first is the traditional shema prayer recited every morning and evening by a pious Jew: "Hear O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) The second is: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Leviticus 19:18) Jesus' two-fold response is intended to demonstrate that the double commandment to love fulfils and transcends the whole of the Torah with its detailed legislation. Perhaps the scribe pleasantly surprised Jesus with his depth of understanding when he exclaimed: "This is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark 12:34)

     Imagine if we took these words to heart and put them into practice. Then we could not justify ourselves before God by the number of prayers recited and devotions performed while ignoring a sister or brother in need. Then we could not absolve ourselves from cultivating a more mature and active spiritual life just because we might have perfect attendance at Sunday Mass. In effect, all our prayers, devotions and Masses become empty rituals and sterile, if we neglect what is really essential in God's eyes. The double command to love God and love neighbor ought to inform the way we participate in public life for the promotion of Christian values and the way we vote with regard to disputed issues of justice for the poor and marginalized among us.

Rev.  John A. Szukalski,  SVD

華埠&洛城共同消息

1. 請為亡者祈求：十一月為煉靈月，請大家為亡者祈禱﹑行善工和獻彌撒。

2. 為慶祝五百年來，聖方濟沙勿略傳教士及聖人們對天主教在亞洲各地傳教的影響。 特別邀請團體觀賞電影、短劇、脫口秀、展覽及彌撒。

主題：聖方濟沙勿略500週年誕辰紀念活

動時間： 十一月十一日　週六下午 1:00 -5:30

地點：Caldwell Hall of The Catholic University of America

主辦：Asian Catholics – youth and adults 亞洲天主教友

費用：免費，歡迎自由奉獻.

1. 腳底按摩講習會(Foot Reflexology hands-on workshop)將於十一月四日及十一月十一日開課，地點在St. Raphael Catholic Church，時間為12:00 - 4:00 PM，每位收費$50.00，有興趣報名者請與黃世英Mrs. Frances Wang 301-279-2937 night或 戴蘇台Mrs. Sutai Jiang (703-938- 5207 night)聯絡。

2. 十一月十九日有第二次奉獻,是為支持全人發展並根除貧困的工作.請大家屆時慷慨解囊.

3. 2007年的新月曆已在籌備排印中，希望教友們能捐助其費用，請將支票交於阮神父或寄至堂區中心，支票抬頭請寫Our Lady of China Pastoral Mission﹐並註明為2007年月曆。

1. 11月5日(星期日) 午膳分享之後將有信仰分享﹐由徐志忠神父帶領。希望大家踴躍參加。

2. 11月12日加州三藩市教區的汪中璋主教將蒞臨團體並主持主日彌撒。為歡迎主教﹐當日彌撒之後將有午膳分享。

3. Clare Tang鄧志好姐妹已於上主日正式委任為禮儀組組長。我們非常感謝Joseph Wang王文忠兄弟多年來擔任禮儀組組長﹐服務團體。禮儀組工作繁多﹐需要大家鼎力協助﹔包括的小組有聖詠團﹑輔祭﹑接待員﹑讀經員﹑領經員﹑翻譯等。 Clare的新住址是15931 Yukon Lane, Rockville , MD 20855﹔電話 301-926-6162﹔手提301-251-7831。

4. 團體每月需超過＄4000才可維持正常的開支。上週(10/29)的主日奉獻﹕$646.00