BE A ROCK
Peter’s history as a follower or friend of Jesus is a bit spotty. It might be natural to wonder if Jesus, in giving him the keys to the kingdom, didn’t feel a bit like a parent giving a teenager the keys to the family car. But it was at the moment when God’s power and presence broke through everything else to raise up Peter’s great profession of faith in Christ as Messiah that Jesus chose to establish the bond between the loving, forgiving mercy of heaven and our vocation to be witnesses of that love, mercy, and forgiveness on earth. Like any parent, Jesus no doubt foresaw the failings, the irresponsible maneuvers or impaired senses, the collisions that the church would be headed for. But, most importantly, he also saw us at that moment as God prefers to see us: capable of manifesting great faith, with a willingness to remain at the feet of Christ to understand what it truly means to be Messiah and Christ. As the letter to the Romans points out to us today, we have not known the mind or the wisdom of God, but God knows us and still chooses to manifest the reign of justice, joy, beauty, and peace through us. Let this be our vocation. Let us always strive to be solid ground on which the church of Jesus Christ can be founded and on which it can continue to be built. - © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co..

CRAFT SALE
Sunday, September 14th, “Concern America” will be here with The Marketplace of Fair Trade Crafts. Please consider purchasing gifts that will warm the heart of the recipient and promote justice and fair trade for the families in Central America and Bangladesh who produce the crafts. Through your appreciation of their crafts and your generosity, many materially poor artisans will be able to earn a just wage, support their families, experience Hope, and keep alive their cultural heritage. “Concern America” is an international development and refugee aid organization based in Santa Ana, California. You may view a selection of their crafts on their website: www.concernamerica.org. Fair Trade means that trading partnerships are based on reciprocal benefits and mutual respect; that prices paid to producers reflect the work they do; that national health, safety,
and wage laws are enforced; and that products are environmentally sustainable and conserve natural resources.

ADULT CHOIR
Our Parish Adult Choir will resume weekly rehearsals on Wednesday, September 10th at 7:15pm in the Church. The choir will sing Sunday, September 14th at the 11:00am Mass. New members are most welcome. If you are interested, please call: Director, Brian Archambault (562)208-8222..

RESPECT LIFE COUNCIL
Everyone is welcome to join us for our monthly Rachel Rosary in front of Our Lady’s Statue outside the Church, and also the monthly Respect Life Mass at 9:30am.

WOMEN’S SILENT RETREAT
Carmelite Sisters Sacred House Retreat House, September 5th to September 7th. This retreat provides a silent and restful atmosphere in a beautiful garden setting in which you can come closer to God and deepen your prayer life. You will return consoled, strengthened and spiritually refreshed, as there is great power in prayer and silence. For reservations or information, please call: Eva Talastas or Carmela Chiurazzi directly at (562)428-7194.

CHILDREN’S / YOUTH CHOIR
Grades 3 through 9. Parents and children/youth are invited to meet in the Church Hall on Thursday, August 21 and 28, at 6:30pm, for Q & A, sign-up, and singing. Contact: Julies @ Jwesty212@msn.com

PARISH MINISTRY FAIR
Saturday and Sunday, October 4th and 5th, 2008, in the Social Hall after all Masses. There are more than 20 ministries and groups at St. Bartholomew. Each offers rewarding opportunities. Save the date and find out what’s going on—get involved and get to know other parishioners. For more information, please call Brian Archambault (562)208-8222.

ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC
Saturday, September 27th 11:00am—3:00pm, Marine Stadium This is great fun for the whole family. Please plan to attend. For reservations, or to volunteer, please call: Linda Gager (562) 433-2985 Hosted by our Parish Community Group

GUITAR GROUP CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE
This newly formed music group will sing at the 9:30am Mass on the first (2) Sunday’s of each month. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday at 7:30pm in the Church. If you would like to be part of this music ministry, please call: John Koss (626)484-8587.


MEALS ON WHEELS
Please consider volunteering to help Meals on Wheels deliver hot meals to ill, disabled, aged in our local St. Bart’s area. Volunteers can help one morning a week or even one morning a month from 10:30am until about 11:45am, delivering in-home nourishment. Please call Julie, (562)433-0232, for more information.

CENTERING PRAYER - THE PRAYER OF SILENCE
Will be on vacation June 18th through August, so please watch for the new Centering Prayer calendar in September. Everyone is encouraged to practice Centering Prayer (Christian Meditation) on a daily basis for a period of 20 minutes (twice daily, if possible).“Make time for the quiet moments, as God whispers and the world is loud.”

PARISH COMMUNITY GROUP: - SHARING OURSELVES
Our parishioner outreach service has been a longstanding mission of the Community Group and is still available to our parishioners. It is our mission to try to help home-bound or other parishioners who need assistance. Volunteers who want to assist and visit parishioners who require help are very much needed. If you would like to help or if you know of someone who needs assistance, contact: Linda Gager (562)433- 2985. Sponsored by our Parish Community Group.

COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY
“Life “Changes” - Study of the Book of Acts. Every Thursday, 7:00pm, in the Jubilee Room. For more information, call: Patricia Goodman (562)434-7434.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH MEETING
Every First and Third Tuesday of the month, 7:00pm, in the Jubilee Room. Subject: “Purpose Driven Life”. For information, please call Jim or Susan
(562)433-6137.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults):
For those interested in Catholicism.“Inquiry” is the first step in this four-step process and classes will begin in August. Watch the bulletin for future announcements about the starting date. Also, sponsors will be needed. For more information on RCIA, please call Earl Lovett (562)439- 3198.

LEGION OF MARY
Meets every Wednesday, 8:45am, in the Jubilee Room. Everyone is welcome.