Voting: Guide & Deadlines

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States

http://www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/FCStatement.pdf

Colorado Voter Registration
Important Dates and Information


General Election deadline: Monday, October 6, 2008
Click here to access a Voter Registration form.

Absentee Ballot deadline: Friday, October 31, 2008
Click here for Absentee Voting information.

August & September Calendar

Monday, Aug 25
What: Pro-Life Vigil in Denver
Where: MLK Park (Newport Street & East 38th Ave) located one block west of the new Planned Parenthood Clinic site 7155 E. 38th Avenue When: 7:30-9PM (there's a bus heading up from Corpus Christi Parish at 4:00pm, and St Peter's at 5:00pm)E-mail us for more details.

Tuesday, Aug 26
What: Women's Evening of Reflection
Where: St. Gabriel Catholic Church (8755 Scarborough Dr., Colorado Springs 80920)
When: 6:30-9PM
Details: The evening includes a Gospel meditation, practical talk, Mass, and rosary. The reflection will be led by Fr. Shane Lambert, LC and confession will be available.

Thursday, Aug 28th
What: Bible Study
Where: Holy Apostles Church (4925 N Carefree Cir., Colorado Springs, CO 80917) St. Thaddeus Room (downstairs)
When: 7PM
Reading: Acts 15-28

Friday, August 29th
What: Spirit & Truth (Adoration and praise & worship)
Where: Holy Trinity Catholic Church (3122 Poinsetta Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80907)
When: 6:30-7 fellowship, Adoration starts at 7PM

Sunday, August 31st
What: 32nd Annual Colorado Balloon Classic - BALLOON GLOW
Where: Memorial ParkWhen: Glow starts between 7-7:30. Meeting at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, 927 N Logan Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80909 @ 6:30 - we will possibly walk, or carpool, to Memorial Park
Follow this link for more info: http://www.balloonclassic.com/page.asp?id=10

Monday, Sept. 1st
What: Labor Day BBQ
Where: Holy Trinity (3122 Poinsetta Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80907)
When: Come between 11:00 and 12:00pm Come join us for soccer (there's a soccer field), volleyball (there's also a gym with an indoor volleyball court if need be) and other activities. If you have time, whip up a side or a dessert (we'll have the burgers & brats ready to go), just reply to this e-mail letting us know what you plan to bring.

Friday, September 5th
What: Spirit & Truth (Adoration and praise & worship)
Where: Holy Trinity Catholic Church (3122 Poinsetta Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80907)
When: 6:30-7 fellowship, Adoration starts at 7PM

Sunday, September 7th
What: Pick-Up Soccer
Where: Holy Trinity Catholic Church (3122 Poinsetta Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80907)
When: 6PM

Wednesday, September 10th
What: Bioethics Talk by Fr. Tad
Where: Jack Quinn's Irish Pub (21 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs 80903)
When: Talk begins at 7PM

Thursday, September 11th
What: Bible Study
Where: Holy Apostles Church (4925 N Carefree Cir., Colorado Springs, CO 80917) St. Thaddeus Room (downstairs)
When: 7PM

Friday, September 12th
What: Spirit & Truth (Adoration and praise & worship)
Where: Holy Trinity Catholic Church (3122 Poinsetta Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80907)
When: 6:30-7 fellowship, Adoration starts at 7PM

Saturday, September 13th MEN'S EVENT
What: 2008 Fall Men's Conference - Catholic Men In Action!
Where: Holy Apostles Church (4925 N Carefree Cir., Colorado Springs, CO 80917)
When: 7AM-12:30PM
Details: Men – this half day conference will feature two nationally known speakers - including Francisco "Paco" Gavrilides who has served as a Catholic missionary in the ministry of evangelization through-out the United States, Latin America and other countries for over 20 years. Register at http://holyapostlescc.org/mensbreakfast.html.

Saturday, September 13th
What: Taste of Cathedral Festival/Diocesan Bake Off
Where: St. Mary's Cathedral (22 W Kiowa St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903)
When: 2PM-7PM
Details: Food, entertainment, crafts, and the First Annual Diocesan Chili Cook‐Off & Dessert Competition. Enter your dessert in the Diocesan Bake Off. No entry fee but the winner will receive $25 cash, a basket of flour and one year of bragging rights. Bring your entry to the Cathedral by 2pm. Judging will be done by local celebrities and chefs. More info: http://www.stmaryscathedral.4lpi.com/

Sunday, September 14th
What: Community Service for Maternity of Mary
Where: Ellicott (approx. 40 min drive from Colo Springs)
When: Meet @ St. Patrick's at 3:30PM and we'll carpool (or e-mail us for directions if you wish to drive separately).http://www.maternityofmary.net/

August Activities

Sunday, August 10th
What: Mass at St Mary's Cathedral
When: 7:00pm
Come celebrate the sacrifice of the Mass with the young adult community. Oreos and milk afterwards.


Tuesday, August 12th
What: Jack Quinn's 5K run/walk
Where: Jack Quinn's (21 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903)
When: 5:30pm
Join us for this fun walk followed by free spaghetti.

Thursday, August 14th
What: Great Adventures Bible Study
When: 7:00pm
Where: Holy Apostles Catholic Church

Friday, August 15th
The Assumption,Holy Day of Obligation
Where: St Gabe's
When: 7:00pm
We will meet out in the vestibule at 6:45pm.

Saturday, August 16th
What: Alpine Slide
Where: Heritage Square
When: 9:30am (We'll meet at St Pat's, head up, take a run, spend the morning there, have lunch then head back to the Springs.)

Wednesday, August 20th:
What: Ultimate Frisbee
Where: Cotton Wood Park (Dublin and Rangewood)
When: 7:00pm

August, 22-24th:
What: St Peter's Festival
-22nd, Casino/Bingo Night
-23rd, 5K/10K Walk/Run, Carnival, Dance

Vote On Our Next Bible Study

Starting in September we will be doing a new Bible study in the Great Adventure series. We thought you all might want to have some say in how we proceed so we'd like you to consider three options and then vote on your favorite. You can vote by selecting your choice on the left side of our blog home page. Voting ends August 17th.


Adventures in Matthew: The King and His Kingdom
with Jeff Cavins

This is the recommended next step in the program. It is another 24-session series and would be great if you enjoyed our discussions on the parables and the fulfillment of the Kingdom.

According to the publisher:

Building directly on the foundation laid in The Bible Timeline,
Step Two in The Great Adventure Bible Study Series,
Matthew: The King and His Kingdom, shows how Jesus builds
on the foundation laid in the Old Testament to inaugurate
the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Experience how Jesus
relived the life and struggles of Israel to become the faithful
and victorious King, and see how the promises of the Old
Testament are fulfilled in Christ and his Apostles.
This series is an ideal follow-up study to the basic narrative of
Scripture taught in The Bible Timeline course.

You will:

-See Jesus as the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, the new Moses, the true manna, the new Temple – and learn what this means for us today.

-Learn how Jesus reconstituted the struggling kingdom of Israel around Himself and brought it to a new level in the Kingdom of God, open to all people.

-Witness the seeds of the Church in the foundation Christ built on the twelve apostles, with Peter as His vicar. Discover the roots of the sacraments, and see how Jesus’ words and actions are reflected in the holy sacrifice of the Mass.

-Watch Jesus re-live the life and history of Israel as the obedient Son who trusts the Father to the very end, defeats death, hell, and the grave, and rises to new life.


Adventures in 1 Corinthians: The Church and the Christian Community
with Dr. Tim Gray

This 10-session series explores the growth and struggles of the early Church. If you'd like to see someone else's name at the bottom of the screen for a while you might like this option.

According to the publisher:

In this DVD series Dr. Tim Gray provides comprehensive teaching and commentary on Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. Each 30 minute talk is designed to follow a lesson in the First Corinthians Study Set.

About First Corinthians: The Church and the Christian Community:

The conflicts of the early Christians in Corinth were in many ways similar to our struggles today as Christians. With divisions, immorality, persecution, and other trials of the faithful, the message of St. Paul to the Corinthians is a much-needed message for our own times. First Corinthians: The Church and the Christian Community explores the key elements that the apostle Paul introduced to a new and growing Church. St. Paul taught the Corinthians about the nature of grace and the Church as the Body of Christ. In addition, he introduced the Corinthian Christians to the most powerful gift of all, the Eucharist.

Your Bible study group will:

-Learn the importance of Christian unity in relation to the Church as the Body of Christ.

-Explore St. Paul’s strategy for successful evangelization.

-See how to live a Christian life in the midst of a pagan culture.

-Discover why St. Paul sees the Church as the Body of Christ.

-Learn how St. Paul’s letter proves that the sacrifice of Christ is truly made present in the Eucharist.

-Gain a new vision for seeing the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.


Adventures in Exodus: Called to Freedom
with Dr. Tim Gray

We read Exodus a long time ago, but the sessions from the book were very fascinating. This 10-part series provides an opportunity to further Old Testament Biblical understanding and would be good if you're a new Gravity member.

According to the publisher:

In this DVD series Dr. Tim Gray provides comprehensive teaching and commentary on the book of Exodus. Each 30 minute talk is designed to follow a lesson in the Exodus Study Set.

About Exodus: Called to Freedom:

The Exodus can be viewed as the defining moment in Israel’s history, for it was then that God called Israel out of slavery in Egypt and to a life of freedom as His people. Exodus: Called to Freedom looks through the lens of Christ and the Church to show that, more than just seeking to free His people from the domination of Pharaoh, God desired to free His people from the far more sinister tyranny of sin, so they could live the authentic freedom that belongs to children of God. Because of this, the Exodus story is not just Israel’s story, it is our story as well; it tells us who God is and what He calls us to be.

Your Bible study group will:

-Learn the keys to authentic freedom. Learn the personal significance of God’s revelation of His name, “I AM.”

-Discover the divine purpose behind the plagues on Egypt as more than simply a demonstration of God’s power.

-Understand the importance of the Sabbath to God’s people.

-Discover that God’s Law is in fact a reflection of God’s love and concern for His people.

-Learn how a proper understanding of the Exodus event can illuminate one’s understanding of the Christian Faith.

Upcoming Events

THIS WEEK:

Friday, July 18th:
What: Spirit & Truth (Adoration and praise & worship)
Where: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3122 Poinsetta Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80907
When: 6:30-7 fellowship, Adoration starts at 7PM

Sunday, July 20th:
What: Helen Hunt Falls Hike
Where: Meet @ St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
When: Meeting at 3:00PM. If you don't want to carpool - meet up with us at the trail head around 3:30-3:45.

NEXT WEEK:

Thursday, July 24:
What: Bible Study NEW LOCATION
Where: Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 4925 N Carefree Cir., Colorado Springs, CO 80917
When: 7PM
Discussion/DVD: Great Adventure Session 21 - The Church Pt. 1 (Book of Acts)

Friday, July 25th:
What: Spirit & Truth (Adoration and praise & worship)
Where: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3122 Poinsetta Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80907
When: 6:30-7 fellowship, Adoration starts at 7PM

Saturday, July 26th:
What: Pikes Peak Hike
Where: Meet @ St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
When: 6:30AM
Please e-mail us if you're interested.

Rest of July. . .

Monday, July 28th:
What: Sky Sox Game
Where: Security Service Field
When: Game starts at 7:05PM - meet up at 6:45 by the gate
E-mail us if you plan to join so we can keep an eye out for you.

Wednesday, July 30th:
What: Dinner
Where: La Casa Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, 230 Front St., Monument, CO 80132
When: 7PM

4th of July

Friday, July 4th

What: BBQ
Where: Holy Trinity (3122 Poinsetta Drive , Colorado Springs, CO 80907)
When: Begins between 3:30-4:00pm

Fr Jim Williams invited us all to the Hope House at Holy Trinity for a Traditional American BBQ. Come join us for soccer (there's a soccer field), volleyball (there's also a gym with an indoor volleyball court if need be) and other activities. If you have time, whip up a side or a dessert (we'll have the burgers & brats ready to go), just reply to our e-mail, catholicgravity@yahoo.com, to let us know what you plan to bring.

Then later on in the evening, those who wish can head down to Memorial Park for Fireworks.

The Dishonest Steward

Thank you all for the great discussion at the Session 19 bible study. Your thoughts on the Dishonest Steward were particularly interesting so I found some more commentaries for further thought.

From The Navarre Bible: St. Luke

16:1-8. The unfaithful steward manages to avoid falling on hard times. Of course, our Lord presumes that we realize the immorality of the man's behavior. What he emphasizes and praises, however, is his shrewdness and effort: he tries to derive maximum material advantage from his former position as steward. In saving our soul and spreading the Kingdom of God, our Lord wants us to apply at least the same ingenuity and effort as people put into their worldly affairs to their attempts to attain some human ideal. The fact that we can count on God's grace does not in any way exempt us from the need to employ all available legitimate human resources even if it means strenuous effort and heroic sacrifice. "What zeal people put into their earthly affairs: dreaming of honors, striving for riches, bent on sensuality! Men and women, rich and poor, old and middle-aged and young and even children: all of them alike. When you and I put the same zeal into the affairs of our souls, we will have a living and working faith. And there will be no obstacle that we cannot overcome in our apostolic works: (St. J. Escriva, The Way, 317).

Luke: A Devotional Commentary

Sometimes, we might not be clear about the point Jesus was trying to make when he told a parable or gave a sermon. The parable of the shrewd manager can be one of these cases. We know that Jesus was not condoning dishonesty of irresponsibility. And he surely didn't want to promote shady business dealings. So what was his purpose in telling this story? How do we apply it to our lives?

During Jesus' time, the type of steward described in the passage often earned his wages from the interest he charged his master's customers. Often, stewards would charge exorbitant interest as a way of creating a comfortable "buffer zone" for themselves against future misfortune. By reducing his master's debtors' bills, the steward was not cheating his master; he was reducing his own profit. Thus, with the debtors grateful to him for reducing their bills, the steward had new friends who could help him start a new life. From this perspective, the steward's action could be seen as an attempt to reform his life - and a very creative approach to a difficult problem. Rather than commending the steward's seeming dishonesty, Jesus was actually highlighting his ability to think quickly and overcome major obstacles.

How tempting it can be to give up when we encounter obstacles to daily prayer, evangelization, or reaching out to our neighbors! But with the example of the shrewd manager, we can take comfort that Jesus wants to help us find creative solutions to these obstacles. We can become just as shrewd as this steward, asking God to give us uncommon wisdom and the courage to take risks in new situations.

Ignatius Study Bible: St. Luke

16:1-8. The parable of the Unrighteous Steward is about urgency and preparedness. About to lose his position, the steward makes use of a pressing situation to find favor with his master's debtors and prepare for his future. Christians should take even greater care to prepare for life in the world to come. Mystically (St. Gaudentius, Sermo 18), the unrighteous steward signifies the devil, whose dominion over this world is nearing its end. Having wasted the Lord's goods by stripping us of divine grace and friendship, he now works anxiously to make friends be deception and empty promises of forgiveness. While his ardor and foresight are worthy of imitation, his wicked and dishonest tactics are not.

16:1 a steward: A head servant who handled the business affairs of his master's estate. Like the prodigal son, this manager wasted his master's goods.

16:8 his prudence: The master, although cheated by the debt reduction, commends the steward for his shrewdness. He recognizes that the steward's last-minute efforts proves successful in winning the favor of the debtors and making his financial future more secure. The unjust strategy of the steward shows that he was motivated by an entirely selfish concern for his own temporal welfare. Jesus points to the steward as both an example and a warning. As an example, the steward shows how to expend every effort in making use of our means to prepare for the future. Just as his cunning won him a comfortable living in the "houses" of his master's debtors, so believers are challenged to make friends by almsgiving in order to be received into "eternal habitations". As a warning, the steward is intended to characterize the attitude of the Pharisees, who have been listening to Jesus since 15:2 and who are charged with being "lovers of money" in 16:14. It is implied that the Pharisees are despising God by their devotion to mammon, i.e., they seek not eternal riches but the esteem of men and the temporal comforts of this world (16:13).