Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church1003 North Tyler Street - Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

“Encounter Jesus, Serve Others.”Fr. John Marconi, Pastorjmarconi@holysouls.org

Fr. Maraiah Pasala, Associate PastorDeacon John Hall

Deacon Lawrence H. Jegley (Retired)Susej Thompson, Pastoral Music Director

Wendy Floriani, Director of Youth Faith FormationDenise Dumars, Director of Youth Ministry

Laura G. Humphries, Parish Life &Stewardship Director

Susie Williams, Facilities & Events CoordinatorShelley Tienken, Business Manager

Nan Connell, AccountantCindy Stabnick, Pastoral SecretaryStacey Matchett, Church Secretary

Nancy Handloser, Principal

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - June 28, 2020

Church Office: (501) 663-8632 • Website: www.holysouls.orgE-mail: office@holysouls.org • Facebook: www.facebook.com/OLHSAR

Church Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. School: (501) 663-4513 • Cafeteria: 501) 663-6125 • Extended Care: (501) 663-7438

(Continued on page 3)

“ Are You A True Prophet of God?”Fr. John’s Homily from

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 21, 2020

Last Sunday was Corpus Christi, in which we celebratedthe heart of our faith, the body and blood of Jesus. With thisstill fresh on our minds, we gather today with some of ourchildren who are receiving the gift of Communion for the firsttime. Even in the midst of this pandemic, I know our childrenare excited, and rightly so. Reminding us all of these truths:first, Jesus’ real presence before us at Mass never changesand secondly, to have the heart of a child. He says, unlessyou have the heart of a child, you cannot enter the kingdomof Heaven. This participation in the Eucharist, HolyCommunion, is exactly that, a participation in the Kingdomof God.

Participating in the Eucharist means that we are calledto be more like Jesus. Being like Jesus is not easy: to lovelike Him, to act like Him, to think like Him, to pray like Him,to forgive like Him. I think we get the idea that we are calledto be like Jesus, in thoughts, words and deeds. I, and manyof us, have been at this practice a long time, and we can tellwe are still on the way. We are not there yet; we are stillunder construction. But the most important point is that weare on the way, we are allowing God to construct us in Hisimage: Jesus is working in me and on me, Jesus is workingin you and on you, and especially now this begins for you,our First Communion children.

PRAYER

Fr. John, Fr. Maraiah, and the Church Staff wish you ahappy and safe Independence Day holiday! Mass will beoffered at 8 a.m. on Satuday, July 4th. The Church Officewill be closed on Friday, July 3rd in observance ofIndependence Day.

God, source of all freedom, this day is bright with thememory of those who declared life and liberty, Your gift toevery human being. Help us to continue the good work be-gun long ago. Make our vision clear and our will strong: thatonly in human solidarity will we find liberty and justice onlyin the honor that belongs to every life on earth. Turn ourhearts toward the family of nations: to understand the waysof others, to offer friendship, and to find safety only in thecommon good of all. We ask this through Christ the Lord.Amen.

“Christian Hospitality”

FIRST READING: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a

“A Dream Come True

“The Walking Dead”

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2010, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission fromLectionary Bulletin Inserts, Year A: First and Second Readings.

GOSPEL: Matthew 10:37-42

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2010, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from LectionaryBulletin Inserts, Year A: First and Second Readings.

Reflection on This Sunday’s Readings

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Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

SECOND READING: Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11

Responding to the Word This Week

*To reflect on this Sunday’s readings online, go towww.usccb.org/bible/readings/062820.cfm

Paul reminds us that God’s spirit dwells in us.When have I been most aware

of the Holy Spirit’s presence in me?Jesus, send me my spirit . . .

Perhaps you have hoped for something that has nevercome to pass. All your life you had your heart fixed on onedesire, but it has eluded your grasp. Perhaps you feelanger and take it out on people you love. Perhaps youhave accepted this unrealized dream as a part of the lifeGod calls you to live.

The woman who offers hospitality to Elisha had sucha dream. She wanted a child. But her husband was aging,and it appeared that her one desire would never come.

The story, in the Second Book of Kings, indicatesthat she was a woman of influence. She may have hadwealth and respect in her community, but she was unableto have the blessing she most wanted. All we know of heris her reputation for hospitality. She was remembered notfor her misery, not for her disappointment, but for openingher home to a traveling prophet.

In the story’s happy ending, she receives the desire ofher heart. But throughout, she is a model for those whohope for something good. She never gave up trusting inGod. She practiced the one virtue she would need if herdream would ever be fulfilled: hospitality.

They speak of someone on death row as a dead manwalking. The person sentenced to die is as good as dead.He or she may be walking around, but their life has virtuallyended.

All Christians can be called dead people walking, thoughin a different way. In baptism, we die to sin, but we continueto walk in the new life of Christ. Christians may be dead,but our life has virtually begun.

Some Christians are baptized as infants. Some arebaptized as adults. When adults are baptized, they areasked to renounce their former way of life, to turn awayfrom anything that keeps them from allegiance to Christ.When infants are baptized, parents and godparents renewtheir commitment to Christ, and they pledge to share itwith the child. Baptism makes all the difference in the

world. It totally redirects our lives toward Christ, whether weare changing courses as adults, or commit ourselves to Christfrom the start as infants.

St. Paul says to the Romans, “You too must think ofyourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.”Christians are dead, yet walking.

Throughout our lives we recommit ourselves to ourbaptismal promises. We do it weekly at church when werecite the Creed. We do it anytime we attend a baptism. Wealso do it each year at the Easter Vigil. We turn away fromsin and turn toward Christ, who shows us how to walk in thenewness of life.

Day in and day out, we are required to make judgmentcalls informed by tough, durable, serviceable Christian love.We do what we can do, and God takes notice. God is incharge of rewards, and a glass of water will do when that iswhat we have to offer with a glad and open heart.

Paul gives us a clear theology for the missionary workwe do whenever anybody is close at hand. He reminds usthat our work, our ministry, is carried on in concert with Christ.We have been baptized into his death and life. In any givenmoment both life and death are there, a kind of play ofshadow and light. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell whereshadow leaves off and light begins. God will take care ofthat, too.

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(continued from page 1)

Are You A True Prophet of God?”Before you receive Jesus in Communion, I would like

remind us all of another sacrament, our sacrament ofBaptism. When we were Baptized, God made us Hisadopted children. In doing so, He gave us all a share in thethree-fold office of Jesus that is Priest, Prophet and King.This is a gift from God, nothing we have done has earnedthis or deserved this; it is given freely. Whether we realizethis or not, we are carrying in us this threefold office: Priest,Prophet and King of Jesus.

Examples of this would be: when we pray for others wepractice our Priestly Role (Parents when you pray for yourchildren); when we realized we are Children of God and liveaccordingly (spiritual and corporal works of mercy) wepractice our Kingly or Queenly Role; when we are willing tospeak for truth and justice, we are prophets (Parents whenyou teach your children right from wrong, and to follow Jesusno matter what). This prophetic role is what we are calledto live, just as the Priestly and Kingly office of our Baptism.

Again none of this is easy. God never promised that itwould be. As a matter of fact when things get difficult andchallenging, that is when we show ourselves as true followersof God. Look at the life of Jeremiah. Once he beganpreaching and speaking God’s word, he had one hardshipafter the other. We know that he thought about giving up,but he didn’t. He kept being God’s prophet, even when heknew that what he was saying would get him stoned, put injail, disowned by his family and friends, and, yes, eventuallywould even cost Jeremiah his life. But he kept on beingGod’s prophet for his time.

Today he laments his hardship as a prophet. As wehear him say people are whispering about me, “Terror,Denounce Him, we will trap him and take vengeance onhim”. Jeremiah was having a difficult time. But through it allJeremiah knew that God was with him. The Lord is withme, he says, like a mighty champion. Jeremiah believedthis. He knew the Lord will test everyone’s heart and theneveryone will see his words as God’s prophet were true,that he does speak for God. This is what kept Jeremiahgoing, remaining strong, and not giving in or quitting.

Jesus asks his followers to be brave in promoting theirfaith (Gospel). Jesus says for us to fear no one, we canalso add nothing (Virus). We are called to always live in theLight. In doing so Jesus says to us, we shouldn’t even beafraid of someone who can harm us physically. Why?Because they cannot take away our Baptism, ourinheritance, or our soul which is destined for Eternal life.

Ever since grade school, I have always liked knowingthat God can count all the hairs on my head. It is amazingthat God is this great. God knows me and you that well. Heknows all His people - He is our creator. If he knows thehairs on my head, He knows everything else as well, andyet He still loves me. This is the greatest love of all. This iswhy Jeremiah kept preaching the word, even when it wasnot well received. God was sharing His heart with Jeremiah.And Jeremiah cooperated with God fully. Even thoughJeremiah had it very difficult and challenging in his earthilylife, he lived knowing of God’s love for him always. Thinkabout how difficult his life was on earth, but what about hisnext life - how was he received in the next life, Heaven? I

could see God giving him a big hug and saying well donethy good and faithful servant!

This means we are all called as members of the Peopleof God to be prophetic and need to cooperate with God,like all the great prophets, in handing the truth about God.In a sense, we are all successors to Jeremiah and to theapostles whose job it was to share Christ’s message withthe world. Especially when it is hard for people to hearGod’s word of Truth.

Now we all have a share in this mission, we have manyopportunities of being spokespersons for God. At times itis not easy, like it was for Jeremiah, but the mission is tofaithfully hand on Christ’s teaching, and to correct errorsthat threaten the people of God. Like Jeremiah and otherOld Testament prophets, they remind the people of God, ofGod’s will, and of the standards to live as God asks. And,like the prophets, we can often expect criticism andopposition, just by being faithful to God.

We need to learn to expect it. Because the spirit oftoday’s society, of our world, does not foster God-fearingattitudes or encourage sound moral standards. In mostcountries today, Christians are not well received. Just forshowing our faith in Christ and his Gospel, and when wechoose to live according to this teaching, we will beswimming against the tide of our culture. It will not be easygoing for us. So, we need to ask ourselves as we receiveJesus, are we ready?

Jesus warns that being a Christian will cost sacrificeand suffering. We are bound to face opposition from a worldthat does not gladly submit to the word of God, that makesso many demands on human nature. But there is realsatisfaction, too, in standing up for the truth of things. Trueprophets of God, know they are loved by the greatest loveof all, God’s, when the others around them do not see it.Bottom line: prophetic people have the joy and happinessof walking closely with God.

It was not easy for Jesus, but out of love, He showedus the way. He called his apostles and disciples to thesame life. He calls us as his people to be his prophetstoday. We ask Jesus to give us His grace to be His faithfulprophets.

A Prayer for Christian FathersHeavenly Father,

you entrusted your Son Jesus,the child of Mary,

to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.Bless all fathers

as they care for their families.Give them strength and wisdom,

tenderness and patience;support them in the work they have to do,

protecting those who look to them,as we look to you for love and salvation,

through Jesus Christ our rock and defender.Amen.

Mass attendance, June 6 & 7 195Mass attendance, June 13 & 14 264Mass attendance, June 20 & 21 309

Diocesan Collections – Church in Latin America $ 140

Weekend Collections – June 6 & 7 $ 24,756 June 13 & 14 $ 17,840 June 20 & 21 $ 23,553Total June Collections $ 66,149Total June Budgeted Collections $ 125,000

Actual Collections (7/1/19 -5/30/20) $ 1,173,431Budgeted (7/1/19 - 5/30/20) $ 1,375,000Amount in deficit of Budget $ (201,569)

Maintenance Fund $ 2,115

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COLLECTIONS/STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

The Catholic Diocese of Little Rock is committed to pro-tecting children and young people. If you are aware ofabuse or have been abused by Clerics, Church volun-teers, or Church workers, please contact the State ofArkansas Hotline for Crimes against Children at 1-800-

482-5964 and the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs, Dcn. MatthewA. Glover, (501) 664-0340 ext. 361. For pastoral assistance pleasecontact the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of LittleRock: Laura Gosponer, (501) 664-0340, ext. 425. Diocese of LittleRock, 2500 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72207.

Thank you for supporting our church.

EVERYONE IS WELCOMETO ATTEND MASS AT HOLY SOULS

Everyone is welcome to attend Mass at Holy Soulsregardless of age, but we must adhere to the guidelinesrecommended by the Civil Authorities and further stated byBishop Anthony Taylor. In summary they are: A person mustbe symptom free, must wear a mask at Mass, maintain 6'social distance, and use hand sanitizer upon entering thechurch. Attending Mass during the pandemic is completelyup to the individual. Bishop Taylor has extended thesuspension of the Sunday Mass obligation until furthernotice.

MASS SCHEDULEMondays: No MassTuesdays: 7:00 a.m.Wednesdays: 5:30 p.m.Thursdays: 7:00 a.m.Fridays: 7:00a.m.Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. (1st Saturdays only)

4:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass)*Sundays: 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 5:30 p.m.*

*Reservations are required forSaturday Vigil Mass and all Sunday Masses.

If staying home is a better option, the 4pm Mass is livestreamed on Saturdays. You may watch it live at 4pm oranytime after the end of the recording (after 5pm).

RESERVATIONS REQUIREDFOR WEEKEND MASSES

To attend Mass at Holy Souls, a reservation is required bycalling 501-663-8632 or emailing smatchett@holysouls.org.

HELPING HANDHelping Hand is only accepting food at this time.PLEASE DO NOT BRING CLOTHES OR OTHER ITEMSto the church to be taken to Helping Hand. YOU may dropoff clothes at the Goodwill Collection Site on Cantrell.

Want To Do Something Great This Summer?

Be A Blood Donor!Arkansas Blood Institute

BLOOD DRIVESunday, July 12th

8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ~ Allen Center

Appointments RequestedGo to www.arkbi.org (Find a Blood Drive - 72205 - 7/12/2020)

That today’s families may be accompaniedwith love, respect and guidance.

Petitions of theMinistry of Praise

July 2020Pope Francis’ Intentions:

CHURCH VISITSYou may visit Holy Souls Church for private prayer time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:

7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.(enter Church through Handicapped Door or Choir Door)

Wednesdays: 7:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.(all Church Doors open)

CONFESSIONSWednesdays: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.Saturdays: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

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REGISTRATION FOR NEW MEMBERSRegistration for new members is completed in the church officeor online by visiting our web page, www.holysouls.org. Pleasecontact the church office or go online at www.holysouls.org ifyou have moved, changed your telephone number, movedfrom your parent’s home or graduated from college.

RCIAIf you are interested in becoming Catholic, please contact CindyStabnick at 501-663-8632 or cstabnick@holysouls.org.

RETURNING CATHOLICSIf you are interested in returning to the Catholic Church, pleasecontact Cindy Stabnick at 663-8632 or cstabnick@holysouls.org.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATIONSaturdays from 2:30 to 3:30pm and Wednesdays from 4:00 to5:00pm or call the church office for an appointment.

CHURCH VISITSThe Church is open for private prayer time on Monday, Tuesday,Thursday, & Friday from 7:30am-3pm; time; and on Wednesdayfrom 7:30am -5:15pm. Please enter through the chapel door orhandicapped door.

BAPTISMBaptisms are scheduled on an individual basis. Please callthe church office for more information.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGEContact the church office a minimum of six months in advance.

OUR PARISHIONERS -- Sherry Wortsmith; Corky Zaloudek; Becky Price;Robert Carter; Joe & Pat Kirchner; Lillian Henriquez; Mary Adney; Rob Mondy; BobSkarda; Rosie Searle; Jessica Remsing; Kate Evans; Benjamin Stuart; CharlieBaker; Greg Sheard; Micki Fitzpatrick; Judy Caldarera; Glennabell McCumpsey;Rita Williams; Kay Loss; Tina Pinter; Henry Schulte; Pat Keogh; Janet Davis;Dorothy Ehlebracht; Andy Gentry; Nick Kirchner; Annette Wahlgreen; GeorgeLoss; Alice Henry; Pearl Gentry; David Smith; Annabelle Giardina; Sally Place;Judy Sims; MaryAnn Stafford; Pat Kirchner; Phil Marks; Pat King; and ColemanLiles.

OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS -- Carl Calhoun; the JonathanForte Family; the Petty Family; Scott Helmbeck; Katie Ehemann; AliceHumphries; Clem Egleston; Ronny Troillett; Natalie Miller; Jim Hollowell;Kathleen Stafford; Lindsay Newsom, Jerry Hall; Michael Taylor; TheresaCarle; Suzanne Hawkins; Rosemary Kraft; Anne Peterson; Chris Ashcraft;Dorothy Pumphrey; David & Mary Phillips; JoAnne Krisko; Gretchen Golden;Sylvia Crawford; Jamey Coyle; Lucille Marconi, and Betty Morris.

“ Do Not Be Afraid”Notes from Fr. Maraiai’s Homily

from June 21, 2020

Introduction: Our Scripture readings for this Twelfth Sundayin Ordinary Time challenge us to preach Christ through ourwords and lives without fear.

Scripture Lessons Summarized: The first reading tellsus how the prophet Jeremiah trusted in the power of Godwhile he faced opposition for his prophetic ministry. He wasintimidated by attacks upon his character, but he wasunafraid to speak out in the name of the Lord. The psalmistin today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 69) trusts in God whenhe is misunderstood and ill-treated even by his brothersand relatives. In the second reading, Paul assures theChristians in Rome that they need not be afraid of oppositionboth because they share in the death of Jesus and becausethey are united with Christ, the new Adam, in hisResurrection. Today’s Gospel passage is taken from theend of Jesus’ instruction to his disciples as he sends themforth to carry on his mission of preaching and healing. Heasks them to live simple lives and to expect opposition andrejection. After having foretold future opposition andpersecution, Jesus encourages his disciples to stand firm.Three times they are urged, ”Do not fear!” “Do not be afraid!”Instead of shrinking from their task, they are to proclaimthe Gospel boldly, because they will be protected just asJeremiah was assured of God’s protection. Hence, Jesuscommands his disciples not to fear their persecutors. Hepresents before them the image of the sparrow to reinforcethe disciples’ trust and hope in God. The readings hint atthe opposition we future Christians will encounter as wecarry on the work of Jesus in the world, and they encourageus to persevere in doing the work of Jesus. They assure usthat we will be successful, despite the opposition weencounter.

Life Messages: 1) We need not be afraid because our lifeis in the hands of a loving God. Sometimes we are afraidthat we will make a wrong decision. At other times, we areafraid of what others will think when we speak up for Jesus.We are afraid of what the future will bring our children. Weare also afraid of growing old. Sometimes we are afraid ofwhat bad health will bring us. At the root of these fears isthe fear of loss. Every fear we have is grounded in theknowledge that we have something or someone to lose. Ican lose my job, family, house, money, health and even lifeitself. Rejection and loss are the basis of our fears. But weforget one thing: whatever trouble or crisis affects us; weknow that God understands it better than we ourselves. OurHeavenly Father knows exactly what is happening. What arelease from fear it is to know that God is on our side; thatour life is in the hands of a loving God! The next timefear grips our life we need to remember that being faithfulto Christ wherever we meet him in this life is much moreimportant than our fear of rejection and loss. Also, let ustake a moment to recall some of the great promises ofGod. Let us remind ourselves that God cares – we are eacha dear child of His, and He cares for each of us. “Don’t beafraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” The lastverse of Psalm 27 sums it up nicely: “Trust in the Lord.Have Faith; Do not despair. Trust in the Lord.”

OUR SEMINARIANS -- especially Ben Riley and Jaime Nieto.

In order to keep our bulletin prayer list up-to-date for the sick, names will remain onthe list for four weeks. Then their name will be written in the Book of Intercessionwhere they will be remember during every Mass. To continue for another four weeks,please call the church office.

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To read the daily reading online, go to www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml

Monday, June 29 ST. PETERS AND PAUL - Acts 12:1-11; Ps 34:2-9; 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18; Mt 16:13-19No Mass

Tuesday, June 30 THE FIRST MARTYRS OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH - Am 3:1-8; 4:11-12; Ps 5:4b-8; Mt 8:23-277:00 a.m. Mass Nell Binz by Becky Binz

Wednesday, July 1 ST. JUNIPERO SERRA - Am 5:14-15, 21-24; Ps 50:7-13, 16bc-17; Mt 8:28-34, 805:30 p.m. Mass Sara Stowes by Patsy Henderson

Thursday, July 2 Am 7:10-17; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 9:1-87:00 a.m. Mass Steven Plunkett by Louis Beck

Friday, July 3 ST. THOMAS - Eph 2:19-22; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 20:24-297:00 a.m. Mass Raymond Edward Thomas by Eleanor & Chuck Ross

Saturday, July 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY - Am 9:11-15; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Mt 9:14-178:00 a.m. Mass The Pawlowski & Guzik Families by Elzbieta Pawlowski4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass R. C. Minton by Joann Minton

Sunday, July 5 14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Zec 9:9-10; Ps 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14; Rom 8:9, 11-13; Mt 11:25-308:00 a.m. Mass Grace Nowak by Holy Souls Men’s Club10:30 a.m. Mass Intentions of Parishioners5:30 p.m. Mass Tom & Nell Binz by Becky Binz

Mass Intentions may be offered for the Repose of the Soul of a deceased loved one or for healing, a special occasion,or a special intention for yourself, a family member, or friend. Please contact Cindy in the Church Office for more information.