Learn more about your Catholic Faith! Read The Catholic Telegraph.  Call 421-3131 ext. 496 to order your copy today.

6^TH, 7^TH, & 8^TH GRADE BOYS AND GIRLS are needed for the Sunday 9:30AM Mass Babysitting program.  Call Beth in the rectory office at 922-5400 to sign up.

FROM DEACON DAVID ENDRES    

The second in a series of reflections on my recent trip to the Holy Land:     We all know how important “places” are to our lives.  We attach great significance to our homes, neighborhoods, parish and schools.  Places cause us to remember significant events – a birth, a wedding, a move, or a job change.  It was the same for the early Christians who marked the places in the Holy Land that were significant to the life and ministry of Jesus and his followers.  From the earliest years of Christianity, believers remembered and handed on the locations that held importance in Christ’s life.  As the priest who led our tour often reminded us, “Big stones don’t move.”  The early Christians remembered the lay of the land – the placement of the rocks for instance, where Christ had multiplied the loaves and fishes (near the Sea of Galilee), where he had worked his first miracle of changing water into wine (Cana), and where he had been transfigured (Mount Tabor).  In each location, churches were built over these sites by the 4^th-5^th centuries.  These early churches were largely destroyed by the Persian invasion, but remnants of their beautiful mosaic floors still exist.  Upon the foundations of these churches were often built gothic-style Crusader churches in the 12^th century.  These churches too fell to war and conquest but were replaced by the 19^th and 20^th century churches that can still be visited today.  These Holy sites bear witness to the force of devotion and memory that enabled the early Christians to mark the sites in the Holy Land that remain important to believers today.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

     In the Gospel today we hear Jesus say: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest”.  Your gift to the Society brings peace to those who are overwhelmed with life’s burdens.

HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER GROUP

There are certain prayers to which God always says “yes” to. One of them is “Father, will you forgive me?” And yet the Sacrament of Reconciliation is one that many tend to avoid. Sometimes we really don’t want to admit our sinfulness – but we are all sinners. We fail to realize how the Father longs to forgive everything, no matter how grave, so we don’t ask. Getting God to answer “yes” to our prayers often depends on how we ask. On Tuesday, Fay Brinck will discuss how to pray about all life’s issues and be assured of the “yes.” In Him lies our peace. In the Chapel, 7:30 PM.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF SOUTHWESTERN OHIO has a new name.  They are now Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio.  For over 94 years they have provided help and created hope for the Greater Cincinnati and Southwestern Ohio region.  The name has changed, but the commitment to providing the same outstanding programs and services to the community remains the same.  For info call 241-7745.

ATTENTION 7^TH & 8^TH GRADE BOYS: Panther Jr. High Cross Country will begin on Tuesday, July 15, at Story Woods Park on Pontius Road behind Rapid Run Middle School.  Practices are Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:45PM and Saturday at 10 AM.  For info call Jason Berling at 240-4860.

ST. RITA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF FESTIVAL on July 11, 12, 13.  Free charter bus service is available from local shopping centers. Call 771-7600 for info.

SAINT LAWRENCE FESTIVAL, 542 Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg, IN, on  Friday, July 11, from 5:30PM-Midnight, Saturday, July 12, from 2PM to Midnight, and Sunday, July 13 from 11AM to 6PM.   Special Dinners every night.

ST. SIMON CHURCH FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 19, at 5:30PM to 11PM and Sunday, July 20, from 5 PM to 10:30PM.  Food, games, large children’s land, Bid-N-Buy in our air conditioned building.

22^ND ANNUAL BIBLE INSTITUTE July 25 thru August 2. For info and registration call 922-0923 or e-mail bibleinst@presentationsministries.com.

RETROUVAILLE is a program designed to help heal and renew marriages.  The next program begins on September 12-14.  For more info call 398-3137 or see Retrouvaille.org.

GROWING UP AGAIN, the award winning class, will begin on July 17, from 7-9:30PM at Mercy Hospital Western Hills.  The four-week class is $55.00 which includes the book and materials.  For info call Sandy Keiser at Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio 241-7745.

WORLD WIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER will be on July 11-13, in Florence, KY and September 12-14, at the Cliffview Retreat Center.  For details and reservations see the website at www.esharing.org or call 1-800-547-1251 code 00.