The “Priest Shortage” goes back to apostolic times. In the New Testament Jesus himself recognized a crisis of vocations: "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Lk 10:2) Jesus’ own response to the shortage was at once simple and profound, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” As pastor of Holy Family I would like to express my satisfaction that so many parishioners have responded to that call. We have seen, for example, great numbers come to our church and Ailbe House chapel to spend a weekly hour in prayer before Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. This week we will inagurate an hour of prayer to specifically beseech the Lord of the Harvest for vocations. To help us focus we will have in the chapel a crucifix and chalice. The empty chalice represents our ardent desire that Jesus will inspire young men of our parish to consider the call to priesthood. The chalice and crucifix will be present in the chapel from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings. We will be asking one family each week to take the chalice and crucifix to their home as a focus for their own family prayer during the week. In another part of the bulletin you will find a more detailed explanation of this prayer for vocations.

At the same time we pray for vocations to the priesthood, we should strive to grow in understanding of the great treasure we have received: our Catholic faith. The Archdiocese of Denver is presenting a wonderful opportunity to do that. It does not involve buying a plane ticket to Colorado. You can use your computer to take an Internet course of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. (See: http://www.archden.org/vatican_2.htm) Here is a description of the course:

The Second Vatican Council is the most profound event in the modern era of the Roman Catholic Church. Opened by Pope John XXIII in October 1962 and closed by Pope Paul VI in December 1965, the Council produced sixteen written documents including four major constitutions. These documents, touching virtually every aspect of the Church’s life, are a wellspring of renewal for the Church in the modern world. Pope John Paul II says in Tertio Millennio Adveniente n.18 that the council “was a providential event whereby the Church began the more immediate preparation for the jubilee of the second millennium.” In preparation for the jubilee and for its celebration, the Holy Father says we must examine our consciences about how well we have received the Council in its fullness (TMA, n.36.) This online course will study Vatican II according to the suggestion of Pope John Paul II that we may more fully receive “this great gift of the Spirit to the Church at the end of the second millennium.” The course is set to begin Sunday, October 8. It Will last five weeks.

The course instructor is Bill Beckman, Adviser for Special Projects to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. and Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Officer for the archdiocese.

Registration is $55. Credit is available through the Catechetical School of the Archdiocese of Denver.

A teaching which directly flows from the Vatican Council (and ultimately from Jesus himself) is respect for the integrity of marriage and the purposes of human sexuality within the Sacrament of Marriage. As a help to living that teaching, Dr. Ian Hemstad and his wife Darcy Hemstad, R.N., will be giving an Introduction to Natural Family Planning (Billings Method) on Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Ailbe House library. It will be followed by lunch with the opportunity to begin charting or to ask questions as a couple about specific concerns. In addition to married couples, I would like to invite engaged couples and young adults who wish to learn this method. Among couples who use Natural Family Planning the rate of divorce is practically zero. But even more important, fertility appreciation opens a couple to the deepest values of the vocation of Christian marriage.

The parish Respect Life Committee will meet this Friday, September 29, 7 p.m. in the rectory. All are welcome to help us make some concrete plans for Respect Life month.

The Thursday after next (Oct 5) there will be confessions from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

On Sunday, October 8, we will have a “Healing Mass” with the anointing of the Sick, at 2:30 p.m. If you know parishioners (or others) who would benefit from this Sacrament, please let them know. The Sacrament of the Sick is for those suffering serious illness which can include the multiple infirmities which often come with advancing years.

Announcements (Sept 17, 2000)

1. Our two-bit collection this Sunday is for Holy Family 2000. As you can see our new porch is in place, only a few more details before final completion. In November we will be having a “ribbon cutting” and thanksgiving ceremony. Meanwhile we need your support to continue to pay off our loan from the Archdiocese. This collections supports the Campaign for Human Development and Catholic Communications. Your donations are appreciated.

2. Thank you for your contributions in last Sunday’s two-bit collection for Build Hope. A total of $1066 were contributed at our six weekend Masses to support the work of the Campaign for Human Development and Catholic Communications.

3. Thank you for your Sacrificial Giving. $10,203 were contributed last Sunday in the first collection for the ongoing expenses of our parish.

4. High school students and young adults: please plan on attending the Spirit 2000 Retreat October 20-22 in Mount Vernon. Registration forms are available in the parish office or by contacting Vernon Wells.

5. Volunteers are need for weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In the bulletin you will see the specific hours on Tuesday afternoon, Thursday morning and afternoon. If you can help, please call the numbers listed in the bulletin.

6. We encourage you to participate in the Life Chain on Sunday, October 1. Please see the bulletin for more details.

7. There will be a Mass in honor of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m. in Holy Family Church. All are welcome.

8. Dr. Ian Hemstad and his wife Darcy Hemstad, R.N., will be giving an introduction to Natural Family Planning (Billings Method) on Saturday, Sept. 30. The class will begin at 10 a.m. and will be followed by lunch and the opportunity to begin individual charting.

9. If you can help visiting elderly, please call Iris Weaver whose number is in the bulletin.

10. Scrip is for sale in the vestibule after Mass.