One of the things I have struggled with frequently in my life is my inability to focus on the here and now. I often am looking to the past with either nostalgia or regret; grieving my mistakes and missed opportunities, or regarding fondly the halcyon "good old days" that are now lost. On the other hand, I am sometimes looking to the future—of a time when I will be free of my current "troubles" or dreading currently unforeseen circumstances and crises.

But this is not God’s will for our lives. Rather than look to the past or the future, we are to live in the right here and right now. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, a French Jesuit who lived back in the early 1700s, wrote about what he called the "sacrament of the present moment." What de Caussade meant by this was that every moment of our lives offers an opportunity to either turn to God or away from Him. To put it another way, it is this moment, not the next, which offers for us a unique opportunity to respond to God. De Caussade writes, "What He ordains for us each moment is what is most holy, best, and divine for us."

What this means is that it is not necessary for us to spend so much time looking back at the past, or forward to the future. Instead, all that is necessary for us is to live in the present moment, with all of the wonderful opportunities that God is giving us through it. Furthermore, rather than looking at the events of each day as simply random occurrences, we ought to regard them as God-ordained circumstances, given to us by God so that we might respond to Him, and thus become the people we were meant to be. De Caussade says, "Every moment, and in respect of everything, they must say, like St. Paul, ‘Lord, what should I do?’"

Let us let go of looking to the past or forward to the future. Let us instead embrace "the sacrament of the present moment" and recognize that this moment, here and now, is very precious and holy, a gift from our Father in heaven.

Affectionately,

Fr. Andy+

Wednesday, July 18: Macrina, Monastic and Teacher, 379. Ecclesiasticus 51:13-22, Psalm 119:97-104, Matthew 11:27-30.

Friday, July 20: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Ross Tubman, Liberators and Prophets. Wisdom 7:24-28, Psalm 146, Luke 11:5-10.

Bill Schammel

Charles Simmons

Mary Lou Cassidy

Joe de Compiegne

Laura Scott

Those having an anniversary: Carol and Larry Armstrong, Mary Jane and Bill Holmes.

For Those in the Military: Bo, Eli, Nick, James, Kimberly, Chris, Mike, Rosemary, Justin, Lisa, Craig, Jody, Andrew, David, Steven, Jordan, Sean, Michael, Patrick, Etienne, Annie, Casey, Nick and his Platoon, the 293rd, and Victor.  If you know of anyone in the Armed Forces, please feel free to call the Parish Office and place his or her name on the Prayer List.

Please call the Parish Office at 683-4207, and let us know when someone from Holy Trinity is in the hospital or rehab center. We don't want to miss anyone. Thanks!

July 15-Kasey Chester

July 22-Anna Chester

July 29-Dedee Boring

August 5-Children's Sermon

August 12-Kasey Chester

August 19-Anna Chester

August 26-Dedee Boring

September 2- Children' Sermon

Every Wednesday, Bob Hilton comes to Holy Trinity to pick up food in the grocery cart in the Parish Hall to give to the poor who attend Comunidad Alabare. Please remember to bring food, especially canned or dry goods. Remember, need knows no season. Thank you!

Fr. Mark: frmark@holytrinity.org

Fr. Andy: frandy@holytrinity.org

Joyce Petrich: joyce@holytrinity.org

Cindy Wimberly: cindy@holytrinity.org

Dedee Boring: dedee@holytrinity.org

Emily Klemme: eyc@holytrinity.org

Tyree Johnson:

tyreejohnsonmusic@yahoo.com

Karen Parnell: cdo@holytrinity.org

A six-week support group for individuals who are actively caring for loved ones in their home, nursing home or assisted living facility. July 11 - August 15, at 12 p.m. on Wednesdays, at 911 W. Texas. A light lunch will be provided.  For more information, or to register, please call Ann or Cindy at 682-2855.

Participation in the Eucharistic Liturgy consists of the following:

Active Participation: Because the celebration of the Eucharist is the source and summit of the entire Christian life, nothing is more important than participating in the Eucharist with our whole hearts and minds and bodies. One with all the Church, we join ourselves to the perfect sacrifice of Christ through prayer, song, silence, and action.

Hearing the word: With active minds, we should listen attentively to the proclamation of the Scripture readings and to the homily. As when the Risen Jesus first explained the Scriptures to the disciples on the road to Emmaus before he "broke bread" with them, our hearts must first burn at the hearing of the Word of Truth so as to receive Jesus more fervently in the Holy Eucharist.

The Lord's Prayer: "As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hears, crying out, 'Abba! Father!' " (Galatians 4:6). Through Christ's atoning death and life-giving Resurrection, we have become adopted sons and daughters of the Father through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and so dare to pray to the Father in the words that Jesus taught us. In this prayer we ask God not only to help us in our need but also to purify us from sin, so that what is holy may be given to those who are holy.

The sign of peace: Jesus himself exhorted us, "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24). This action expresses more than human solidarity and good will. Exchanging the sign of peace prior to receiving the Eucharist highlights that it is as brothers and sisters in Christ that we receive the Eucharist. If we are truly to be made one in him through the Eucharist, we must first be at peace with one another.

Approaching the Altar: We are to approach the altar with reverence, love, and awe as part of the Eucharistic procession of the faithful.

Love and thanksgiving: During the period of reflective silence following the reception of the Eucharist, we are called to express our love and thanks to Jesus for his mercy and kindness, asking him to fill us with the life and love of the Holy Spirit so that we may truly give glory to the Father in our lives.

distributing Bibles in a market in Shaanxi province. Four leaders were released on the same day while the rest were transferred to a detention center without any explanation. The homes of the two detained pastors, Zhou Jieming and Niu Wenbin, were searched without search warrants, and Bibles and Christian literature were confiscated. Meanwhile, on June 15, six house-church leaders were arrested while having a house church service in Zhangba village, Shangdong province. Pray for Christians in China and ask God to encourage and give them boldness to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him. Romans 8:28, Isaiah 54:17

PAKISTAN PAKISTAN: Armed Muslims Attack Christians in Pakistan – VOM Sources/ Compass Direct News
On June 17, 40 Muslim men armed with guns, axes and wooden sticks attacked several believers while they were preparing for an evangelistic meeting at a Salvation Army church in the village of Bismillahlpur Kanthan, near Faisalabad. Seven Christians were injured and the church was desecrated. Local Christians said the attack was sparked by their refusal to cancel the meeting. The night before the attack armed Muslims stormed the house of Sawar Masih, one of the meeting’s organizers, and assaulted his two young children and demanded he cancel the event. Christians injured in the June 17 attack were forced to leave the hospital early because the doctors under-reported their wounds due to pressure from the Islamic extremists.

Police initially refused to file a complaint against the attackers and did not so only after lobbying efforts of Christians. Several Christians have fled the area in fear of further attacks. Pray for those hurt in the attacks. Ask God to encourage Christians in Pakistan to remain strong in their faith despite persecution. Romans 8:11, Psalm 107:20

INDIA INDIA: Christians Beaten by Hindu Extremists – VOM Sources
On June 24, a Carmelite priest and four other Christian men were attacked by a group of Hindu militants in Kundapurna, Karnataka state. While the men were in the waiting room of a hospital with a neighbor, Islamic extremists started insulting them and accused them of forcibly converting Hindus. The attackers threw the priest down a flight of stairs and beat him. When the other men came to his aid, they were also beaten. The Christians were then taken to the police station where the militants filed a complaint of forcible conversion against them. All five Christians have been hospitalized for their injuries. Pray for healing for the injured believers. Ask God to encourage and protect Christians in India who face increased persecution. Psalm 103:1-5; Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24

If you would like to volunteer, please call Dinah Doggett, Volunteer Coordinator for Casa de Amigos at 682-9701.

Black, Blue & Red Pens Map Colors (pencils)

Markers Glue

Loose Leaf Paper Pencils

Highlighters Crayons

Scissors Rulers

3-ring Binders (1") School Boxes

3-ring Binders (2") Index Cards

Folders with pockets and brads

Erasers

Clothing needed: gently used clothes and school uniforms. Size 5 toddlers to XL (high school students). White, red, light blue, navy and yellow polo-style knit shirts plus khaki or navy pants. Call Catarina Medrano, 682-9701 for questions about school supplies or clothing. Please take to Casa de Amigos, 1101 E. Garden Lane, 8am-5pm.