To impress your friends you might share with them that the Catholic Church reads through the synoptic gospels on a 3-year cycle at our Sunday Masses. For example last year's weekly gospels were from Matthew and next year will be Luke. That of course means this year we are mostly reading Mark. Mostly, because Mark is the shortest gospel and to "cover" three weeks in the middle of Ordinary Time we have been reading from John 6.

This is quite commonly referred to as the "Bread of Life Discourse" because it is a conversation, really, between Jesus and the Jewish listeners who ask Him a series of questions. Jesus tells us that He is the True Bread from Heaven and those who eat this Bread will have life and never hunger. He clarifies in this Sundays passage that no one can come to the Father except through Jesus.

It seems that many people in the world today, in their well-intentioned desire to be inclusive and respectful (both obviously good), see Jesus as one among many equal means of having a good life. With all respect to others, we followers of Jesus know He's the only Way. Of course it isn't to say we know how Jesus saves non-believers. His ways and thoughts are high above ours. But, we sure do want to make Jesus known and loved by as many people as possible- and for them to accept His love and salvation in their hearts.

We know the best way to get Jesus' Good News and love out there is by living it ourselves, every day. Authentically and joyfully. There's no better way to have Jesus in our hearts and lives than regularly receiving the sacraments, especially Holy Communion. He truly is the Bread of Life!

Speaking of receiving Holy Communion, a big thanks to all who have been coming to our Tuesday and Thursday evening Masses. They've grown throughout the summer (as have the additional confessions times) and many who come are from other parishes who do not have an evening Mass. So, we're also helping the larger Diocesan church with our new Mass times.

In this vein, and following a lot of conversations and consultations, we are going to try an additional change, beginning Friday August 23: we will move our Friday morning 8:00am Mass up an hour to 7:00am. The schoo! children will then celebrate their weekly all-school Mass at 8:15am.

From most who I've spoken to they are happy to have an "early Mass" again even one day a week. This may allow some who have to be at work by 8:00am to receive Communion before. We priests are committed to finishing by 7:30am on Fridays so you won't be late to work!!

Finally, want to share pictures from the 142nd Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Quebec (more on pg 10 of the Bulletin) We just finished Thursday and I had the honor of serving as an Arizona Delegate and as State Chaplain. Thousands of Knights from all 50 American states, a half dozen Mexican states, Poland, Korea, Ukraine, France and the Philippines were there, including 10 cardinals, 30 bishops and 85 priests. Most importantly we discerned how the Knights of Columbus can continue to help every parish and diocese experience the Charity, Unity, and Fraternity that is the Order's hallmark. Of course, shared that SJV Council 4737 in Avondale Arizona USA is the one to watch around the world!!!

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