A reminder that the obligation to attend Mass has been suspended by the Archbishop through the COVID-19 pandemic. In the mean time, the best way to connect with Saint Andrew Parish is by gathering with your household and pray through this “Your Sunday Connection” webpage. As you scroll through, read and pray along. A homily message from Fr. Sergio is included.

Oh God, who show the light of your truth to those who go astray, so that they may return to the right path, give all who for the faith they profess are accounted Christians the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ and to strive after all that does it honor. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Reading 1                            IS 55:10-11

Thus says the LORD: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

Reading 2                           ROM 8:18-23

Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

Gospel                                MT 13:1-23 OR 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.  It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

The disciples approached him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see.

Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted, and I heal them. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Please click on the video link below to watch the homily for this week.

For the Church, that we may emulate the model of the sower and that the seed we sow may produce good fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. We pray to the Lord.              LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

That the thorns of disease, hunger, and poverty may be cleared away, thereby allowing the fruits of God’s goodness to flourish in all corners of the world. We pray to the Lord.              LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For an end to gun violence, that we may collectively turn toward peace and bring forth a world without the senseless loss of life in shootings. We pray to the Lord.               LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For those struggling to recover from natural disasters—storms and floods, fires and earthquakes—that they may find assistance, comfort, and hope. We pray to the Lord.              LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For those on summer vacations, that they may return home safely, renewed and refreshed from their travels. We pray to the Lord.              LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For those who are affected by COVID19 that God will help them through this difficult time and for the entire world as we face this pandemic. We pray to the Lord.               LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For the departed, who remain with us in our prayers and our memories, and for the promise of a joyful reunion, and especially for  Ed Ahern, Joyce Haderlein, Colleen O’Malley, Isabella Schuch, and Jack Stanton, We pray to the Lord.              LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

In many places in the world receiving Holy Communion is not possible. Catholics in these areas are encouraged to make “Spiritual Communion.” St.Teresa of Jesus wrote about this practice:

“When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you”

Having received the gifts of your Spirit, we pray O Lord, that, by our participation in this mystery, its saving effects upon us may grow. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN

Vacation Bible School for Children.

Volunteer for Church Reopening

Please click on the button below to see a copy of the Sunday Bulletin.