Bulletin for the Week of May 4, 2008

ATTENTION ALL FAMILIES:
Looking for an opportunity to get away and enjoy your family? You are invited to one of three Family Guggenheim sessions (August 14-17, August 21-24 and October 10-12) to be held at the Guggenheim Center in Saranac Lake. Family Fun, prayer, swimming, workshops, mountain climbing, liturgy and more—please contact the rectory for more details and registration forms.

YEAR OF ST. PAUL:
Who is Paul of Tarsus? After Christ himself, St. Paul is the second most important figure in the history of Christianity. Paul was born between 5-10 AD. Originally named Saul, he was born in Tarsus. Acts of the Apostles tells that he was a citizen of Rome, a descendent from the tribe of Benjamin. Paul was reared as a pharisaical Jew and educated in Tarsus. He wrote good Greek, had basic Hellenistic rhetorical skills, and quoted from the Scriptures in Greek. Paul supported himself as a tent maker. He learned this trade so that he could later support himself in his efforts of evangelization. Saul, a strict Pharisee who “kept the law”, was zealous for the traditions of his Jewish ancestors. As an enemy of the Christians, Saul asked the high priests to authorize him to arrest Christians at Damascus and bring them back to Jerusalem. He participated in the persecution of Christians of Jerusalem, among them St. Stephen, a deacon.

CLOTHING STORE:
For your information the St. Joseph Church, Treadwells Mills Used Clothing Store is opened on Mondays and Fridays: 10 AM to 2 PM, and Wednesdays: 4 PM to 8 PM

SPORTSCAMP:
SPORTSCAMP at Wadhams Hall, Ogdensburg, is a great place where boys and girls ages 11-15 blend quality basketball and soccer training with personal and spiritual growth. Operated in two, five-day sessions, Week One (July 6-10) is dedicated to basketball and Week Two (July 13-17) to soccer. For more information email www.catholiccamps.org

FUNERAL:
A funeral was celebrated this week for Theresa Drollette. Please remember her and her family in your prayers.

MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE:
We are a Church that believes that loving God and loving our neighbor are intimately linked. Next weekend, each of us will have a chance to reach out and show the compassionate face of Christ to your brothers and sisters ini need. Catholic Charities provides quality services to hundreds of our North Country neighbors. Catholic Charities also organizes and leads the advocacy efforts in our diocese that promote policies that respect the sanctity and dignity of human life. Catholic Charities needs your prayerful and financial assistance. For more information on the programs/services of Catholic Charities throughout the North Country visit their web site at www.cathcharities.org. The
Catholic Charities Mother’s Day Appeal will be taken up at all Masses next weekend.

HUGE RUMMAGE SALE:
Church of the Assumption Parish Center, Redford; Friday and Saturday, May 16th and 17th, 8:00AM to 4:00PM.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:
The last day of religious education classes for this year (2007-2008) was on Thursday, May 1st. Rehearsal for First Communion will be on Saturday, May 10 at 10 am in the church. First Communion will be Sunday, May 11 at the 10:00 am mass. Please keep our First Communicants in your prayers as they prepare for this important sacrament.

CAMP GUGGENHEIM:
The Camp operates six weekly sessions from June 29th – August 8th. Each weekly Camp begins on Sunday at 3 pm and ends on Friday at noon. Weeks One through Five are specifically designated for 12-15 year olds. Week Six is for 16-18 year olds. The Camp fee is $235.00 including a non-refundable $100 deposit. For more information www.catholiccamps.org

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER:
The scientific world has tried for years to develop ways to extend our lifespan here on earth through medications and surgery. But Jesus speaks to us today in the Gospel reading from John of eternal life, a life which can only truly be achieved by having God within us. He says, "Now this is eternal life, that we should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ." When asked what good deed one must do to attain eternal life, Jesus responds that first and foremost, we must first recognize God as the supreme good and source of all that is good, and stresses that above all else, we must love our neighbors as ourselves. This, then, is the ultimate capability within each of us to live forever in the grace of God.