General: The Unemployed and the Homeless
That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties.

Missionary: Victims of Discrimination, Hunger and Forced Emigration
That the Church may be a “home” for all people, ready to open its doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger, or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn

Trust in God – as the Rock of our salvation, as the Lord who made us His chosen people, as our shepherd and guide. This should be the mark of our following of Jesus.

Like the Israelites we recall in this week’s Psalm, we have made an exodus, passing through the waters of Baptism, freeing us from our bondage to sin. We too are on a pilgrimage to a promised homeland, the Lord in our midst, feeding us heavenly bread, giving us living waters to drink (see 1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

We must take care to guard against the folly that befell the Israelites, that led them to quarrel and test God’s goodness at Meribah and Massah.

Are you or a loved one seeking employment? Do you need to update your resume or brush up on your networking skills? The Catholic Church of St. Monica offers job search assistance to anyone in the community in need.

The next meeting will be held from 6:30-9:00pm on Monday, August 2nd in Lyke Hall. All meetings offer a dynamic speaker and a review of current and effective job search strategies.

St. Patrick Catholic Church will celebrate their 40th Anniversary on Wednesday, August 25, 2010, at the 7:00 p.m. Mass, presided by Auxiliary Bishop Luis Zarama. All are invited to attend.

St. John Vianney is a lay ministry that brings families together to pray for priest, seminarians and religious. Each week, a family receives the Icon of St. John Vianney and places it in a special place of worship in their home. The family prays for all priest, deacon, religious and seminarians for 1 week. At the end of the week, the icon is returned at the mass at which it was received. To sign up and be a part of this beautiful church tradition, contact Shirley Rodriguez at (770) 500-0148

The Atlanta Catholic Charismatic Renewal is sponsoring the 1st Atlanta Renewal Conference, August 27-28, 2010 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. The theme of the conference is, A Call to Unity, “Father, make us one.” The Most Reverend Auxiliary Bishop Luis Zarama will be the principal celebrant on Friday night. On Saturday, Reverend Msgr. Joseph Malagreca of the Diocese of Brooklyn, NY, will be the principal celebrant and featured speaker. Admission is free!

For more information about the conference, contact Marlene at (678) 464-9008 or at mseaton355@aol.com. For more information about the Atlanta Catholic Charismatic Renewal, visit www.atlccr.org.

The Knights of Columbus are taking donations for the Installation of a Ten Commandments monument on parish property. The front of the monument will display the Ten Commandments, the back will display the Beatitudes. The marble for the monument comes from Mount Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. For a donation of $30 you will receive a Ten Commandments plaque for classroom, home, or office display. The plaque will make a beautiful addition to any setting. Please visit the Knights of Columbus in the vestibule after Mass to learn more.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn

Though we be “but dust and ashes,” we can presume to draw near and speak boldly to our Lord, as Abraham dares in this week’s First Reading.

But even Abraham – the friend of God (see Isaiah 41:8), our father in the faith (see Romans 4:12) – did not know the intimacy that we know as children of Abraham, heirs of the blessings promised to his descendants (see Galatians 3:7,29).


The mystery of prayer, as Jesus reveals to His disciples in this week’s Gospel, is the living relationship of beloved sons and daughters with their heavenly Father. 

Our prayer is pure gift, made possible by the “good gift” of the Father – the Holy Spirit of His Son. It is the fruit of the New Covenant by which we are made children of God in Christ Jesus (see Galatians 4:6-7; Romans 8:15-16).