GOSPEL:  Matthew 16:21-27
From then onwards Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to rebuke him. 'Heaven preserve you, Lord,' he said, 'this must not happen to you.' But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do.' Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will anyone gain by winning the whole world and forfeiting his life? Or what can anyone offer in exchange for his life? 'For the Son of man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his behaviour.

REFLECTION
When in your life have you felt betrayed or tricked by God? I would guess there has been at least one time in your life when you experienced the seeming absence of God. At these times in my life, my tendency is to distance myself from God! Why would I want to spend time with someone who seemingly “deserted” me?

The reality of life is that we often don’t feel God’s presence when we need it or desire it. It would be wonderful if we could magically make God appear whenever we want! However, it usually doesn’t happen that way. When I am feeling alone and in need, do I continue to trust that God is with me even though I don’t “feel” God present? These are the times when life truly is a “trust walk!” We don’t know, we don’t “feel” God, yet we continue to move ahead in trust. We are able to trust that the God who has been with us before IS with us now---even if we don’t sense God’s presence! May we pray for the grace to trust our God who loves us deeply in these times of seeming “absence!”  (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau)

THE FEAST OF SAINT AUGUSTINE
Last Friday we celebrated the Feast of Saint Augustine. For those memebers of our community who have not already seen it, here is a link to the prayer service that 4SS prepared.

https://safeYouTube.net/w/7vFV

RECONCILIATION
Tonight our parish will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also known as Penance and Confession, among other names. (There is an explanation of some of these names in the Catechism’s section on the sacrament of Reconciliation).

Although often called Reconciliation in common usage, the term “penance” best describes the essential interior disposition required for this sacrament.

In fact, there is a virtue of penance. This is a supernatural virtue by which we are moved to detest our sins from a motive made known by faith, and with an accompanying purpose of offending God no more and of making satisfaction for our sins. In this sense the word “penance” is synonymous with “penitence” or “repentance.”

Before the time of Christ the virtue of penance was the only means by which people’s sins could be forgiven. Even today, for those outside the Church in good faith, not possessing the sacrament of Penance, it is the only means for forgiveness of sins. (http://www.beginningcatholic.com/sacrament-of-reconciliation)

We keep all students who are participating in this Sacrament in our prayers and wish them every blessing.

FATHER'S DAY
This Sunday we celebrate Father's Day.  It is a day where we give thanks to God for the special men in our lives. To celebrate the day, KNB have prepared a special prayer service for our Dads and all members of our community. A link for this prayer service will be distributed to all families on Friday. We wish all the fathers in our community a wonderful and blessed day with your children.

A PRAYER FOR FATHERS

Dear God,

Thank you for all the fathers and father-figures in this world and for the many ways you use them to lovingly guide others to Your heart. I ask that you would bless them and give them great joy and peace. May they see You and know You in new ways. Show them how much you love them and care about them. Guide their steps, use their hands, and make them a blessing to others as you continue to fulfill your special purpose for their lives.

Amen.

God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator