32 Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
Today our readings speak to us about the poor and those who have nothing, yet are more generous with God and others than people who have money, learning, and other riches. We are invited to live like the poor in our way of living.
The first reading today is from the First Book of Kings. It tells of a poor widow who had nothing left to live on and no money to purchase food. She was completely without resources and was preparing the last meal for herself and her son. Yet, when Elijah the Prophet asks her, she agrees to bake something for him first and then for herself and her son. While Elijah prophesied that things would improve for her, not many people would believe enough to give away part of the small amount of food they have. Blessed is this widow who believed and shared her poverty with another.
The second reading today is from the Letter to the Hebrews. We are invited to see Jesus Christ as the one who came to take away our sins and bring us salvation. This invitation is only accepted by those who choose to have faith. We know that the lives of those who choose faith do not change materially, but only in the capacity to view all of life from the perspective of faith. Not many can accept this. Daily, more and more people fall away from faith, even as others come to faith. For many people today, the only faith is in the material world.
The Gospel from Saint Mark today is the story of another poor widow. She gives all that she has to the temple. We don’t know any more about her, except the words of Jesus, praising her action. Her friends would likely have told her she was foolish, and if she had relatives, they might even have scolded her. Jesus praises her generosity and her trust in God.
Faith is a gift but also a choice. As a gift, faith is offered to all, though not everyone recognizes the offer. Sometimes, even when the offer is explicit and clear, the person cannot understand, recognize, or respond to it. So we must never judge another person’s faith. Instead, we are responsible for our own faith.
Faith is our challenge today. Are we ready to trust the Lord, even if we have nothing? Are we willing to give all to the Lord, even our food and money? Are we willing to live our lives always seeking the will of God and not our own?
Most of us are “on the way” and perhaps not quite willing to give everything. Yet, we want to come to that point in our lives and give ourselves completely to God. That will look different in each of our lives. We don’t look at others; we keep our eyes and our hearts on the Lord. Help us, Lord our God!
Homecoming Dinner
We are very thankful for the response we have received from our websie readers! In the very short period of time since we created our site, we have received many messages from you via the Contact Us page with comments and questions about our activities, and requests for information about our church, our cemetery and the PNCC in general. How wonderful that is! Thank you very much.
We would like to apologize, however, for our failure to keep the site current. We have a lot going on at St. Casimir's and our volunteer parishioners are really very busy. We are working on a plan to maintain the website on a more current schedule and ask your indulgence. In order to make the site even more interesting, we are in the process of redesigning it as yu will see in the coming weeks....please send us your comments as we progress.
SHUT-INS:
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Come visit with us!
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Plans for our annual Homecoming celebration are already being made! The event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at our parish center. This year we are offering a buffet dinner of baked stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls and butter, and delicious puddings for dessert.
Appetizers will be served starting at 4 PM, followed by dinner at 5 PM. A raffle and short program will follow.
Donations of simple, ready-to-eat appetizers would be appreciated.
Tickets are $10 per adult or $20 for parents with small children. Santa Claus will be our guest! See a member of our parish to reserve tickets soon as our Homecoming Dinner sells out fast.
Come, Worship With Us on Sunday
You are invited to join us at 10:00 on any Sunday morning to attend Mass at our church. No matter your background, ethnicity, or denomination, we don't look at that. Just people with good will looking for some place to fill out their souls. If you need comfort, a place to pray, this is the place. We do not judge—it's not up to us to judge. All are welcome.
The Mass liturgy is celebrated in English and booklets are available for you to follow the service in comfort. Please come and worship along side the friendly people of St. Casimir’s.
St. Casimir's Parish
Polish National Catholic Church
268 Lakeview Avenue - Lowell, Massachusetts 01850 USA
Come Worship with Us!
10:00 AM | Sunday
9:00 AM | Weekdays
(Except Monday)
Your prayers are requested
for the sick, shut ins and those serving in our military.
James Obara, Esther & Mary Riopelle, Carol Martin, Lisa Prince, Gloria Bergman, Carol Mason, Father Gus Sicard, Richard Ferus Proctor, Arlene Strazzulla, Jeanne Franzn, Nona Bilionis, Cathy Kirschbaum, Marcy Szczepanik, Bp. John Mack, Katherine Gnat, Harrison McKinstry, James Strazzulla, Harry Cullinan, Helen Rogers, Eugene Leczynski, Stanley Sepiol, Father Adam Czarnecki, Father Senior Joseph Soltysiak, Nate Rosario, Carol McNiff, Jennifer Sheehan, Kayla Tanguay, Joshua Bakx, Danny Roberts, Barbara Chappel and Brittany Larkham, William Kucharski, Janice Daviault, Ben Marek, Rosalynn Owens, Brett Kraz, Gina Pellegrino, Alessandra Ventura, Dolly Normand, Kevin Frawley, Marilyn Folcik, Ann Platt, Corinne Berube, Flora Radziunas, Peter Willis, Krissy Toth, Ted Kostzewski, Janet Dadoly, Colton Bouchillon, Jack Kirschbaum, Diane Becchetti, Judy McNeil Anita Tuozza, Maureen Carabino, John Gibson, Jonasz Tenus, Richard Salach, David Cyr Sr., David Cyr Jr., Brock Borton, Joyce Normand, Arlene Swantek, Beata Mazur, Beth Koules, Doug Capsilors, Marie Griffin, Judy McNeill, Sharon Rittuci, Kerrie Garvey, Dr. Bert Quirbach, Bp. Paul Sobiechowski, Celia Menzia, Sophie Kosidlo, Debbie Charette, Nathan Strazzulla, Kathryn Ricard, Charlotte Cole and Renata Wos.