In order to enrich our liturgy and reduce the number of announcements after Mass, here are some of the important announcements for this week. For more information please read the bulletin and check the web site (www.sjvroundrock.org).
· The Black Bag collection is this weekend. Black Bag donations fund the Parish Social Ministry at SJV.
· Religious Education Registration continues. Forms are available in the narthex and in the office.
In order to enrich our liturgy and reduce the number of announcements after Mass, here are some of the important announcements for this week. For more information please read the bulletin and check the web site (www.sjvroundrock.org).
This weekend, July 17-18we participate in the Diocesan Mission Cooperative Plan. Mary Stevenson, Executive Director of the Community Oscar Arnulfo Romero (COAR) Peace Mission, is visiting our parish to make a mission appeal for donations, prayers and interest. More information is available in the bulletin and at www.coarpeacemission.org.
Mulch Madness – the Gardens Ministry is looking for a few good men and women to help shovel and spread mulch tomorrow (Saturday) morning starting at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot.
The PSM Pantry assists families in our parish and community who are receiving Food Stamps or have incomes that meet the federal poverty level guidelines with personal hygiene and household items.
What are those poverty guidelines?
A family of 4 income is no more than $22,050.00 a year.
A family subsidized with Food Stamps can only make a certain amount of income each month, depending upon the size of the family; a car (considered an asset) can only be valued around $5,000.
What items does the pantry supply?
Laundry detergent
Dish detergent
Cleaning liquid (disinfectant)
Bar soap
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Baby wash
Baby wipes
Paper towels
Why are only these items in the pantry?
Food Stamps only cover food items
Personal hygiene is important for healthy families No other pantry in Round Rock carries these items
Guests of the pantry can receive these items every 6 weeks
The PSM Pantry Needs Your Help
The pantry hours have been cut in half (Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00-12:00) because the pantry is low on supplies each week. Sometimes our volunteers have to turn people away like:
Paula who is elderly and cares for her disabled 50 year old daughter.
Gina’s family with 5 children whose husband lost his job in construction.
Mary a single mom with 2 children who is trying to make it on a minimum wage job.
Jose who works 2 jobs to pay rent and utilities
The gospels call each of us to take care of the poor and the vulnerable, to love our neighbor as ourselves and to share our goods with those who do not have. (Mt 25; Mt 22; Mk 10; Lk 6)
Please bring pantry items to Mass each week so those in need can receive and accept your generosity.
In order to enrich our liturgy and reduce the number of announcements after Mass, here are some of the important announcements for this week. For more information please read the bulletin and check the web site (www.sjvroundrock.org).
10 Great Dates meets for another special evening on July 10 in St. Monica Hall following the 5:30 p.m. Mass.
The Welcome Reception for newcomers to our parish is Sunday, July 11. After the 11:00 Mass, Fr. Edwin will give them a tour of the church and the reception will follow at St. Monica’s Hall.
Let us pray for the permanent deacons of our diocese who are on retreat this weekend and for our youth who are also on retreat this weekend in Steubenville.
Remember this Sunday is “donut Sunday”. Coffee and donuts will be served after the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses.
Next weekend, July 17-18 we participate in the Diocesan Mission Cooperative Plan. Mary Stevenson, Executive Director of the Community Oscar Arnulfo Romero (COAR) Peace Mission, is visiting our parish to make a mission appeal for donations, prayers and interest. More information is available in the July 11 bulletin and at www.coarpeacemission.org.
What is human trafficking?
It is when one person obtains or holds another person in compelled service.
This compelled service uses a number of different terms: involuntary servitude, slavery, debt bondage and forced labor.
Major Forms of Human Trafficking:
Forced Labor:The majority of human trafficking in the world takes this form of forced labor. For every one person subjected to forced prostitution nine people are forced to work or in involuntary servitude. Immigrants are particularly vulnerable, but individuals also may be forced into labor in their own country. Sex Trafficking: Someone who is forced, coerced, or deceived into prostitution. This includes the sale of human beings without their knowledge on the black market. Forced labor of a child: The sale/kidnapping of children to work in factories, farms, and servants. This includes the taking of children from their homes and forced to become soldiers. Bonded Labor: This includes debt bondage of migrants where abuses of contracts and hazardous conditions of employment are common place. Illegal costs and large debt payments within their own country with the support of labor agencies and employers in the destination country, migrants are forced to work for years and never get out of debt. Many live in sub-standard housing by the employer, are beaten and isolated. Involuntary domestic servitude: The workplace is informal and is connected to their off-duty living quarters and these quarters are not shared with other workers. These people are often living in isolation and have very little choice.
Human trafficking has made a dramatic resurgence in recent years.
The U.S. State Department in their 2010 report on human trafficking estimates that 12.3 million adults and children are currently held in modern-day slavery, including forced labor and prostitution.
The United States for the first time has been added to the ranking, based on the same standards which other countries are judged.
Human trafficking is the third largest criminal enterprise worldwide, behind trafficking in drugs and weapons.
Only 4,166 successful prosecutions of human traffickers in 2009
Prevalence of trafficking victims in the world is 1.8 / 1,000
Prevalence in Asia and the Pacific is 3/1,000 inhabitants.
Catholic Social Teaching: Human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of social teaching. The measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. (Catholic Relief Services; U.S. State Department)
To find a list of 122 goods or products from 58 countries that are produced by forced labor/child labor go to: www.dol.gov/ilab/programs/ocft/2009tvpra.pdf from the U.S. Department of Labor.
In order to enrich our liturgy and reduce the number of announcements after Mass, here are some of the important announcements for this week. For more information please read the bulletin and check the web site (www.sjvroundrock.org).
First Friday Adoration continues until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. All are invited to the Day Chapel to spend time with Jesus.
First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart is tonight at 7 p.m. in the narthex.
Children’s Massis Sunday at 11:00 a.m. If your children would like to participate this weekend or on August 1 or September 5, as greeters, ushers, or gift bearers, please contact the office at office@sjvroundrock.orgor 218-1183.
Debt Reduction collection is this weekend.Another SJV parishioner has issued a new debt reduction challenge. This very generous parishioner will match any and all debt reduction donations (including debt reduction collections as well as any extraordinary donations) up to $7000 per month. With the effort of all parishioners, we can retire the debt on the rectory by the end of the summer! Please continue to make your monthly debt reduction donation and if you are not currently doing so, please prayerfully consider making regular commitments to this cause.
You may not realize thisbut in the 91/2 years that we have been in our church building, a small but very dedicated group of volunteers has been keeping it clean. We call them Churchkeepers. These volunteers used to clean the entire church. Now, we contract out the cleaning of the bathrooms but volunteers still come in once a week and sweep the floors, vacuum the carpet, clean the windows, dust and clean the altar, and clean the sacristy and the priest’s vesting room. Unfortunately, their ranks have dwindled and today we have only about 5 dedicated Churchkeepers and one of those is out for 4-6 weeks with an injury. If you have an hour or two each week to give to this ministry, please contact Kathy Helms at business@sjvroundrock.orgor 637-0827. With adult supervision, this is also something that older children and youth can help with (and earn service hours credit).
Six Week training with Fr. Edwin for daily Mass lectors, 8:50-9:10 am every Wednesday, starting June 23, in the Daily Mass Chapel. If you have the call, we have the help!
Our HeartGift child, Mario, is doing very well. Thank you all for your prayers and volunteer support. As he continues to recover we find our focus shifting to those things his family may need. We are asking for clothing donations for Mario and Norma to take back to El Salvador when they return home in two or three weeks. Included below are the sizes for each family member. Mario Jr./5 years old/ size 10 / Size 1 shoes; Maria/ 3 years old / size 6 / Size 10.5 shoes; Norma/ Size 14 pants/ Large shirts / Shoes size 8.5; Mario Sr./ Size 36 pants / Large shirts / 8.5 shoes. Please contact Cristine or Cesar Alcantar to deliver the clothing to their home and visit with Mario and Norma. Cristine and Cesar's contact information: calcantar@austin.rr.com.
Thank you to those who attended the Faith Formation discernment meeting last Wednesday.
10 Great Dates meets for another special evening on July 10 in St. Monica Hall following the 5:30 Mass.