The Sweet Yoke: Grace, Rest, and the Danger of Ritualism

• Divine Mercy and Patience [00:21:30 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor connects Psalm 145's description of God as 'slow to anger' to the human struggle with anger, using a personal anecdote about his first pastor's 'blood sugar fluctuations' to illustrate the difficulty of maintaining grace.
• The Theology of Rest [00:23:47 ▶️ 📄]
  > He contrasts worldly rest (vacations) with spiritual rest, arguing that while vacations can be burdensome, true rest is found in the Lord, deeper than a mere respite from work.
• The Metaphor of the Yoke [00:25:16 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor explains the agricultural context of the 'yoke' as a custom-made wooden beam, using analogies of Roman legionary packs and backpacking to explain that God's burden is balanced, manageable, and fits the individual.
• Pastoral Burden and Vocation [00:28:03 ▶️ 📄]
  > He shares a story of being called to the ICU in the middle of a tiring day, illustrating how the initial 'burden' of duty transforms into a manageable part of his vocation and a source of blessing.
• Perseverance and Faith [00:31:41 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor cites Mother Cabrini as an example of perseverance against rejection, linking her 'sweet yoke' to the freedom in Christ and the historical struggle for religious freedom.
• Perseverance and Faith [00:31:41 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses the story of Mother Cabrini to illustrate perseverance in faith despite rejection, linking it to taking the 'sweet yoke' of the Lord.
• Freedom and Liberty [00:32:42 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor connects the Independence Day celebration and national freedom to spiritual freedom in Christ, noting the privilege of religious liberty compared to other parts of the world.
• Global Diversity in the Church [00:33:49 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor highlights the diversity of the parish, mentioning baptisms from various nations like Kuwait, to illustrate the universal reach of the Church and the attraction of freedom.

• Sermon Illustration [00:22:02 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor recounts his first pastor, an older priest who would get upset due to 'blood sugar fluctuations' and blame it on his 'Irish heritage,' illustrating the human struggle with anger compared to God's patience.
• Sermon Illustration [00:24:15 ▶️ 📄]
  > He describes a recent trip to the Napa Valley, noting that while travel is a burden, the destination provided true rest, serving as an analogy for the deeper rest found in the Lord.
• Sermon Illustration [00:25:16 ▶️ 📄]
  > He explains the mechanics of a farming yoke (a cross beam for oxen) and compares it to a Roman soldier's 50-pound pack and modern backpacking, emphasizing that a good yoke is custom-made, balanced, and manageable.
• Sermon Illustration [00:28:03 ▶️ 📄]
  > He shares a personal story of being called to the ICU at midnight after a busy day; despite his initial reluctance due to fatigue, he found the visit to a dying parishioner to be a manageable burden and a blessing.
• Sermon Illustration [00:31:41 ▶️ 📄]
  > He references Mother Cabrini, who faced rejection from the Archbishop upon arriving in New York but persevered to establish many ministries, illustrating the 'sweet yoke' of faith and perseverance.
• Sermon Illustration [00:31:41 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor recounts watching a movie about Mother Cabrini, a saint who persevered despite the archbishop telling her to return to Italy because there was no place for her in New York. She established many ministries that still exist today.
• Sermon Illustration [00:34:33 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor shares a personal anecdote about baptizing someone born in Kuwait, connecting it to the history of liberation in that region and the global nature of the parish at St. Therese.

[00:03:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:03:57] We welcome any visitors who join us for worship today as we celebrate the 14th Sunday in ordinary time.
[00:04:05] Please turn off your cell phones or set them to silent mode.
[00:04:09] For safety reasons, we ask that all children be accompanied by an adult when attending the restrooms.
[00:04:17] Our presider for this Mass is Father Mark Lawler.
[00:04:23] Our gathering hymn is number 984, America the Beautiful.
[00:04:28] will be singing verses one three and four number nine eight four everyone please stand and join in

[00:04:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:04:36] singing beautiful for spacious skies for amber waves of grain for purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain, America, America, God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.
[00:05:39] Oh, beautiful forbearing strong, more than self, their country, love and mercy, more than life, America, may God thy gold refine.
[00:06:20] Till all success be nobleness, and every gain divine, at sea the honor sit.
[00:06:54] And in my human Tyrica, America, God shed his grace on thee.
[00:07:14] And crown thy good with a bronze seat O shining sea

[00:07:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:07:28] The intentions for this afternoon's Mass, a special intention for Michelle Jacobus and a special intention for Jamie Strauss.
[00:07:47] In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
[00:08:00] Brothers and sisters, let us first examine our own hearts and prepare ourselves to celebrate these sacred mysteries, turning to God for mercy and peace.
[00:08:20] Lord Jesus, you are the Word made flesh and splendor of the Father. Lord, have mercy.
[00:08:26] You are the Good Shepherd, leading and guiding your flock.
[00:08:31] Christ, have mercy.
[00:08:34] You intercede for us with your Father.
[00:08:37] Lord, have mercy.
[00:08:40] May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

[00:08:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:08:48] The highest and oldest of these two people, as we adore you, Heavenly King, O God, Almighty Father, Son of God, the Father, take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
[00:10:01] Take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer, right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
[00:10:17] Let us pray.

[00:11:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:11:05] O 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
[00:11:22] is contrary to the name of Christ and to strive after all that does it honor.
[00:11:28] Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

[00:11:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:11:39] A reading from the book of the prophet Zechariah.
[00:11:56] Thus says the Lord, rejoice heartily, O daughter Sion.
[00:12:02] Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem.
[00:12:06] See your king shall come to you.
[00:12:10] A just savior is he, meek and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass.
[00:12:19] He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem.
[00:12:26] The warrior's bow shall be banished and he shall proclaim peace to the nations.
[00:12:35] His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from river to the ends of the earth.
[00:12:43] The word of the Lord.

[00:12:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:12:45] Thanks be to God.

[00:12:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:12:46] Your name, my King, extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
[00:14:02] I will bless you day after day, and praise your name forever and ever.
[00:14:13] I will praise your name, for it is kind and full of compassion, for to anger abounding in mercy, how good is the Lord who is passionate to all his creatures.
[00:14:53] I will pray, my God, work shall thank you, O Lord, and all your faithful ones will bless you.
[00:15:21] They shall speak of the glory of your reign, and declare your mighty deeds.
[00:15:31] I will praise your name My God Lord is faithful in all And holy in all God supports all who fall And raises up those who are bowed down I will praise your name My King and my

[00:16:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]
[00:16:22] A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans.
[00:17:06] Brothers and sisters, you are not in the flesh.
[00:17:11] On the contrary, you are in the Spirit.
[00:17:15] If only the Spirit of God dwells in you, whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
[00:17:26] If the spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his spirit that dwells in you.
[00:17:49] Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh to live according to the flesh for if you live according to the flesh you will die but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body
[00:18:14] you will live the word of the Lord

[00:18:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:18:19] Are you for the Lord of heaven And oh, I've revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
[00:19:32] The Lord be with you.

[00:19:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:19:56] A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
[00:20:02] At that time Jesus exclaimed, I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.
[00:20:14] For although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to little ones.
[00:20:22] yes father such has been your gracious will all things have been handed over to me by my father no one knows the son except the father and no one knows the father except the son
[00:20:36] and anyone to whom the son wishes to reveal him come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and humble of
[00:20:52] heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.
[00:21:03] The Gospel of the Lord. We have a passage from the Responsorial Psalm this weekend, from Psalm 145, that I think really expresses great peace and hope.
[00:21:30] The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.
[00:21:39] The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.
[00:21:46] Really, I think it's a peaceful and hopeful verse.
[00:21:52] The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger.
[00:21:58] Some people might know of people that are quick to anger.
[00:22:02] my first pastor after I was ordained he was an older priest he was getting ready to retire and I think he had what they call like blood sugar fluctuations I didn't understand those things and in those days but I think I'm getting a little bit of that too but he would sometimes
[00:22:28] get upset and would say, it's part of my Irish heritage. I think that many cultures might have something very similar to respond, but the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger. In other words, being very patient. And Jesus says, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. So
[00:22:53] again that's a great goal for us to be gracious and merciful and have compassion for others the Lord has in the gospel passage teaching in the the new American Bible which is the official Bible of the the United States Catholic bishops the title of this section is the gentle mastery
[00:23:22] of Jesus. And these words are, again, part of the rites of the church, especially the funeral rites. And I often will use this verse as I go to visit the sick, especially those who are very
[00:23:38] near death. Jesus' words, come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
[00:23:47] that very sense of rest i think we can all uh understand that in one way or another here this time of year many people are on vacation and there's a certain hope that the vacation will be
[00:24:03] a time of rest although some some of you may agree with me that that not all vacations are restful you might have problems in travel or problems in the accommodations or other things that might
[00:24:15] happen. Sometimes you might be worn out when you get back, but the whole sense of rest. I was fortunate. I was in California last month in the Napa Valley for one week, and it really was very
[00:24:28] restful. Of course, there is a sense of the burden of travel and things like that, but when I finally got there, it was very restful. But the Lord is much deeper than just a a respite from from one's work or for one's situation find a true rest in the lord take
[00:24:52] my yoke upon you and learn from me for i am meek and humble of heart humility before the lord and he says, come to me, come to me and you will learn. My yoke is easy and my burden light. I
[00:25:16] remember when I was young, I didn't know what that meant. I didn't have any background in farming or agriculture, and I didn't know what that yoke meant in that context. And I since learned over
[00:25:29] the years, that that was the wooden cross beam, a cross member that was used to take an animal like an ox to pull a plow or a cart. And so Jesus' interesting use of that term, he grew up in the
[00:25:46] carpenter's shop of St. Joseph and probably some of the local farmers. They probably made some yokes for them and we can say probably the best yoke would be the one that's custom made one that would fit appropriately not too tight and not too loose so there's a certain sense there
[00:26:09] that the Lord knows what we can handle you know take my yoke upon you and learn for me and of course the the measure for that the Lord himself who bore the cross for us but also says take up
[00:26:24] your cross and follow me. I remember reading years ago kind of the history of the Roman legions and all that and a Roman soldier say going back to the biblical times with his equipment and
[00:26:42] his gear his supplies could carry a pack of about 50 pounds for a day's travel. Again and I've been backpacking, and I've carried packs about that weight before, and I can relate to that, the sense
[00:26:58] that the pack has to be well balanced. If it's off balance, it's going to be very difficult to carry, and so going back to the yoke, one is custom-made, not too tight, not too loose,
[00:27:15] but it's manageable manageable for for a day's journey and we can even say at that sense one day at a time there is a certain sense for everyone just the burden in a spiritual life
[00:27:33] you know of our responsibilities our duties a life of prayer of devotions works of mercy not always easy, not always a first priority, but again, something that we're called to in the life of ministry. I've been a pastor for a while. There's certainly, there's burdens in
[00:27:57] ministry, but manageable, and certainly great blessings as well. I'll give you an example.
[00:28:03] Just a couple weeks ago, it was a very busy day, very tiring, many activities, and finally get home in the evening and it was looking forward to just getting some sleep. And right then our
[00:28:19] emergency line rang and first reaction was, well, I hope it's a wrong number. And it wasn't. It was a nurse in ICU at the local hospital. And she said, can you come to the hospital to see someone
[00:28:36] who's very ill right now probably will die this this night so my first reaction was well I'm tired but then after a few seconds I said sure I'll be over there and you know 10-15 minutes or so
[00:28:50] and again it was there's a sense of burden getting up getting dressed going to the hospital but it was the nurse that did not tell me the person's name which doesn't really matter But when I got to the hospital, I recognized the family.
[00:29:08] The husband was there, as well as the daughter and the granddaughter.
[00:29:14] And it was interesting, the woman who was very ill, I had officiated her marriage with her husband about seven or eight years ago.
[00:29:25] It was second marriage for both the husband and the wife.
[00:29:29] and so I knew the family and we were reminiscing a little bit about their wedding and that type of thing so again it was you know my first reaction was the burden of going to the hospital
[00:29:41] you know in the middle of the night but then there was a sense of yes this is a manageable burden and it's certainly all part of my vocation the pastoral care of the sick and the dying
[00:29:54] of the sweet yoke of Jesus. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. There's that motto from Father Edward Flanagan's Boys Town. He's not heavy, Father. He's my brother.
[00:30:11] There's a certain burden that I see in families, a certain burden in marriage, and I always want to officiate a lot of marriages, have prayers for them that they'll be able to persevere in the burdens of two people living, you know, professing love for the rest of their lives,
[00:30:32] and then with family. We know there can be, you know, challenges, children, grandchildren, even there's things, but to persevere with joy, with the sweet yoke, even illness. Parents understand that, illness of children or even, you know, unfortunate things that happen, to persevere
[00:30:54] in the way, to learn from Jesus, learn from His words, teaching, His outreach to sinners, non-violent approach, submission to the will of the Father, as in the Garden of Gethsemane, Father, let this cup pass from me, yet not my will, but thy will be done.
[00:31:21] From the cross, words of forgiveness, Father, forgive them.
[00:31:27] They know not what they do.
[00:31:29] And also of submission of peace, Father, into thy hands, I commend my spirit.
[00:31:38] And he tells us, learn from me.
[00:31:41] I recently saw a movie about Mother Cabrini, and I knew just a little bit about her before I saw that movie. And that was a person, a saint of great perseverance. Here she came all the way
[00:31:57] from Italy to serve the poor and the orphans in New York, and she ended up establishing many ministries. And upon her arrival with a few sisters, the first thing the archbishop told her is, why don't you go back to Italy? You know, kind of saying, we don't really have a place set
[00:32:19] up for you. We don't think it's going to work out. And she persevered and a saint of the church and established many ministries that are still moving today. Again, took the yoke, the sweet yoke of our Lord and persevered. The sense of Independence Day that was celebrated
[00:32:42] throughout the republic yesterday especially in a great anniversary of 250 years and a sense of freedom first from a declaration and then one in the field of battle we can relate in the sense that we have freedom in christ and we're here in the sense where we're
[00:33:04] thankful we have in this nation we have the freedom to be here today unfortunately that doesn't exist in some parts of the world, freedom of religion, of your own decision in some places, and especially sometimes in history, the Mass was outlawed, and people would go to a Mass
[00:33:25] sometimes in secret, like in a basement or somewhere, really at risk for their freedom, for their liberty. So we're thankful for that, and certainly for our liberation in Christ by the cross. He paid the debt for human sin and redeemed humanity. We have people here in our parish from
[00:33:49] many parts of the world. I know in my years as pastor here, at least 60 or more nations represented here in our parish and shows that the republic we have certainly is still an attraction to many people from other parts of the world as a place where there are many
[00:34:11] freedoms to be celebrated and certainly much potential and resources. Yesterday I had the great privilege, and in every baptism that I see is a privilege for me. I've baptized about 3,000 persons, many from all over. Yesterday was the first time I believe I ever baptized someone
[00:34:33] who was born in Kuwait, and some of us remember Kuwait was a big site of liberation some years ago, and it was just a very interesting thing, you know, people from all over the world right here
[00:34:51] at St. Therese, and so again, the blessings there as well. We know the importance of freedom, And we can say, Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free.
[00:35:09] You are the Savior of the world.
[00:35:12] I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
[00:35:45] I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.
[00:35:53] God from God, light from light, true God from true God begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father through him all things were made for us men, for our salvation, he came down from heaven by the Holy Spirit, was incarnate of the Virgin Mary
[00:36:12] and became man for our sake he was crucified, Pontius Pilate he suffered death and was buried and rose again on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.
[00:36:25] He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
[00:36:30] He will come again to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
[00:36:37] I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
[00:36:49] I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins And I look forward to the resurrection of the dead And the life, the world to come Amen
[00:37:04] In hope we pray for the needs of the church and the world

[00:37:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:37:09] That the summer break may be a time of safety and peace Let us pray to the Lord

[00:37:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:37:19] Lord, hear our prayer

[00:37:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:37:21] that civil officials and leaders may lead with wisdom and virtues and for peaceful solutions in troubled areas let us pray to the Lord Lord hear our prayer for the ill among us and for those who care for them with patience and

[00:37:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:37:39] compassion let us pray to the Lord Lord hear our prayer that human life may be

[00:37:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:37:46] respected and defended from conception to natural death let us pray to the Lord Lord hear our prayer for the eternal rest of all the faithful departed and from for grieving family members let us pray to the Lord Lord hear our prayer
[00:38:05] that our nation may live up to the ideals of freedom liberty respect and and personal responsibility let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer for all the victims of the earthquakes in venezuela and for the ongoing recovery and restoration efforts let us
[00:38:26] pray to the lord lord hear our prayer for the safety of those who daily serve for the protection defense, and rescue of others. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. That the God of mercy
[00:38:42] will hear the prayers. We now speak in the silence of our hearts. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, hear

[00:38:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:38:55] our prayer. Eternal and gracious God, we lift up these prayers to you from our hearts. We pray that

[00:39:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:39:04] you grant them through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our hymn for the preparation of gifts is number 988,

[00:39:21] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:39:21] My Country Tis of Thee, number 988. My country, tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
[00:39:57] And where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside let freedom ring.
[00:40:18] My native country, the land of the noble free, thy name I love.
[00:40:33] Thou thy rocks and rills, thy woods and temple hills, My heart with rapture thrills, I get above.
[00:40:58] Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees, Sweet freedom's song As mortal tongues awake Plotting at rock Their silence break The sound prologue Our Father's God to thee Author of liberty to Thee be saved.
[00:41:55] All may be bright with freedom's hope.
[00:42:06] Protect us by Thy might, great God our...

[00:42:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:42:41] Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.

[00:42:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:42:49] May this oblation dedicated to your name purify us, O Lord, and day by day bring our conduct closer to the life of heaven through Christ our Lord. The Lord be with you. Lift up your hearts.

[00:43:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:43:20] Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is truly right and just. Our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give you thanks Lord Holy Father almighty and eternal God for you laid the foundations of the world
[00:43:39] and have arranged the changing of times and seasons you formed man in your own image and set humanity over the whole world and all its wonder to rule in your name over all you have made and forever praise you
[00:43:56] in your mighty works through Christ our Lord and so with all the angels we praise you as in joyful celebration we acclaim you are indeed holy oh lord and all you have created rightly gives you praise for through your son our lord jesus christ
[00:45:12] by the power and working of the holy spirit you give life to all things and make them holy and you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting,
[00:45:25] a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name. Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you by the same Spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration, that they may become the body and blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate
[00:45:47] these mysteries. For on the night he was betrayed, he himself took bread, and giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body which will be given up for you.
[00:46:10] In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice, and giving you thanks, he said a blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying, take this all of you and drink from it. For this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will
[00:46:54] be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.

[00:47:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:47:02] The mystery of faith

[00:47:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:47:28] Therefore, O Lord,

[00:48:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:48:02] as we celebrate the memorial of the saving passion of your Son, his wondrous resurrection and ascension into heaven, and as we look forward to his second coming, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
[00:48:18] Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your church and recognizing the sacrificial victim by whose death you willed to reconcile us to yourself, grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your Son
[00:48:35] and filled with his Holy Spirit may become one body, one spirit in Christ.
[00:48:43] May he make of us an eternal offering to you so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect, especially with the most blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God with blessed Joseph her spouse with your blessed apostles
[00:48:57] and glorious martyrs with Saint Therese and with all the saints on whose constant intercession in your presence we rely for unfailing help may this sacrifice of our reconciliation we pray oh Lord advance the peace
[00:49:15] and salvation of all the world be pleased to confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim church on earth with your servant Leo, our Pope, and Michael, our Bishop, the order of bishops, all the clergy,
[00:49:32] and the entire people you have gained for your own.
[00:49:36] Listen graciously to the prayers of this family whom you have summoned before you.
[00:49:42] In your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the world.
[00:49:51] To our departed brothers and sisters and to all who are pleasing to You at their passing from this life, give kind admittance to Your kingdom.
[00:50:00] There we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of Your glory through Christ our Lord, through whom You bestow on the world all that is good.

[00:50:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:50:12] Through Him and with Him and in Him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, forever and ever.

[00:51:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:51:00] At the Savior's command, informed by divine teaching, we dare to say, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
[00:51:11] Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
[00:51:17] Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
[00:51:26] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[00:51:31] Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil.
[00:51:34] graciously grant peace in our days that by the help of your mercy we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
[00:51:51] Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, Peace I leave you, my peace I give you.
[00:52:01] Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your church and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will, who live and reign forever and ever.
[00:52:16] The peace of the Lord be with you always.
[00:52:21] And let us offer each other the sign of peace.
[00:52:25] Peace.

[00:52:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:52:26] Behold the Lamb of God.

[00:54:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:54:07] Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.
[00:54:11] Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
[00:54:16] Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the

[00:54:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:54:22] word and my soul shall be healed our first communion hymn is number 955

[00:55:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:55:48] precious Lord take my hand number nine five five our second communion hymn will

[00:58:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:58:30] be number 402, Like a Shepherd, number 402.

[00:58:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:58:37] Like a shepherd, he feeds his flock, and gathers the lambs in his arms.
[00:59:22] He's of Judah, your God is close to his house.
[01:00:04] Our next communion hymn is number 986.

[01:02:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[01:02:23] This is my song.
[01:02:25] Number 986.

[01:02:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[01:02:27] It is my song of all the nations.
[01:03:41] It is God, a bluer than...

[01:06:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[01:06:29] Okay, okay, yeah, second week in a row.
[01:06:36] Let us pray.
[01:06:44] Grant, we pray, O Lord, that having been replenished by such great gifts, we may gain the prize of salvation and never cease to praise you through Christ our Lord.

[01:06:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[01:06:58] Please be aware the lower entrance to the church is closed until further notice.
[01:07:11] The parish and faith formation offices will be closed this weekend in observance of the 250th year of our independence.
[01:07:20] Regular office hours will resume on Monday morning.
[01:07:25] The Knights of Columbus will be soliciting donors for the July 18th blood drive after Mass.
[01:07:31] Please take a few minutes and sign up to give the gift of life.
[01:07:38] Sacred Heart Prayer Ministry will meet this Friday at 10 a.m. in the family room.
[01:07:43] All are welcome.
[01:07:46] Please read Pope Leo's favorite book, Practice the Presence of God, with weekly Zoom discussions.
[01:07:55] Sessions begin on Tuesday.
[01:07:56] Please contact Kelly and Faith Formation for details.
[01:08:01] Step into one of the best volunteer ministry roles at St. Therese.
[01:08:07] Become a catechist.
[01:08:10] Reach out to the Faith Formation team to get involved.
[01:08:16] Mark your calendars.
[01:08:17] The annual rummage sale is coming soon and volunteers are needed.
[01:08:22] Youth ages 13 to 18 can earn community service hours.
[01:08:29] Help is needed to move donations.
[01:08:31] Trucks, trailers, and extra hands are welcome.
[01:08:36] Your support makes a difference.
[01:08:40] Registration for the 2026-2027 Faith Formation session is open.
[01:08:47] The last day to register is July 31st.
[01:08:50] Please contact Faith Formation for details.
[01:08:56] And as usual, please check the bulletin for more information and for what's happening here at St. Therese.

[01:09:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[01:09:02] And we welcome to our parish this weekend Gabriel, who is a seminarian for the diocese.
[01:09:10] He'll be here for about an eight-week period.
[01:09:13] Keep an eye on the bulletin.
[01:09:14] He will be doing some various talks and some teaching over the next eight weeks.
[01:09:19] He'll also be visiting some parishioners and participating in some of our ministries and activities.
[01:09:26] So you can welcome him.
[01:09:27] He's scheduled for diaconate ordination sometime next year and then priesthood after that.
[01:09:33] So we welcome Gabriel here to our parish to give some of us older ones hope for the future that the support is on the way.
[01:09:50] The Lord be with you.
[01:09:52] May Almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit.
[01:10:00] Go in peace.

[01:10:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[01:10:01] Our concluding hymn is number 985 Mine eyes have seen the glory Number 985 We'll be singing verses 1 and 4

[01:10:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[01:10:17] Mine eyes have seen the glory Of the coming of the Lord He is trampling out the vintages Where the grapes of wrath are stored He has loosed the fateful lightning Of his terrible swift sword
[01:10:48] His truth is marching on.
[01:10:55] Glory, glory, allelu His truth is marching on.
[01:11:20] In the beauty of the lilies in the yester-gloved land He has all the glory in his bosom and trigal in me As he died to make us holy, let us live to memory His truth is loading on
[01:11:46] Glory, glory, allelu...
[01:11:52] Glory, glory, alleluia, alleluia, this truth is marching.