July 3, 2008

St. Louis Hole in One to Benefit Youth

This year's 2008 St Louis Church Hole-in-One Charity Festival set new records for attendance. Also in attendance were Father John McArthur, St. Louis pastor, and Bishop J. Terry Steib, S.V.D.

Golfers spanning all ages and skill levels participated, including juniors, amateurs, former college players, to Memphis Country Club pro Tim Rush. Six lucky golfers made it to the record books for their holes in one.

This annual fellowship event is a labor of love for more than 100 men of the parish to generate revenue to benefit the youth of the parish. A portion of the proceeds will also be given to St. Joseph Jubilee School for the benefit of their youth. - - Submitted by Joe Evangelisti

St Augustine Hosts Blessing for Cars

St. Augustine Church held its annual blessing of cars on Sunday, June 29.

"It's an opportunity for our parishioners to recognize that as much time as they spend in their cars, it could be a sacred space too," said Father John Geaney, C.S.P., pastor of St. Augustine.

Each year in the spring or early summer, Father Geaney combines a prayer in Church with a sprinkling of Holy Water on the cars as the vehicles of parishioners pass by in procession at the front door of the Church.

"It is special this year, because we also launched our Angel Choir at the 11 a.m. Mass," Father Geaney said. The angel choir is composed of children of the parish from ages 5-12. "They were backed up by their big "brothers and sisters" in the gospel choir, but they also led the congregation on their own for the first time," he noted.

The procession of cars took place at the end of each Mass.

The tradition was started five years ago when Father Geaney became pastor of St. Augustine Church.

A Boston native, Father Geaney got the idea from the New England tradition of blessing the fishing fleet. "I thought, `We spend an awful amount of time in our cars so why not get them blessed?' " he said.

Catholic Scripture Study Growing at Incarnation

Catholic Scripture Study (CSS) is continuing to grow at the Church of the Incarnation as Catholics of all ages are quenching their thirst to learn and understand both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

CSS is an organization committed to helping Catholics deepen their understanding and love of Jesus Christ and His Church. CSS is dedicated to producing Catholic study materials that are always faithful to the teaching of the Catholic Church. God has given us three gifts; Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, which together, make up a single deposit of the Word of God. The third, the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, which listens devotedly, guards with dedication and interprets faithfully God's Word.

This year's study is The Book of Genesis. In the beginning...That's what Genesis is, the beginning of the world and all living things and God created it all. Genesis sets the stage for God's plan of redemption and plants the seeds of many important doctrines and Christian teachings that unfold in the rest of the Bible.

During this study, participants will discover the answer to some age-old questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? What is the purpose of my life? Classes will be offered aduring September 2008 thru May 2009. The Church of the Incarnation is located at 360 Bray Station Rd. in Collierville. Registration and information is available at 901- 853-6241, 901-493-3701 or by calling the Parish Faith Formation Office at 901-853-0135.

St. Philip Church Catches the Trivia Bug

Rapid fire questions, hushed sharing of answers, and a range of emotions when answers are announced are part of the fun of Brother Ignatius' Trivia Nights.

In an effort to expand activities being offered at St. Philip's, as well as to raise funds for the parish building expansion, Youth Group coordinator, Lisa Ragghianti, arranged for Trivia to come to St. Philip.

"After seeing how much fun the people at OLS have at their Trivia Night, I knew our parish would love to have the opportunity to play as well," said Ragghianti.

Nearly 100 people participated in this inaugural night held June 28. The theme was Stars and Stripes and festive decorations adorned the walls and tables while they played.

Deacon Bill Davis told everyone the next morning, "If you weren't there last night, you missed a great time, so be sure to come to the next one."

St. Philip is planning a return performance by Brother Ignatius in the near future.

Mass Planned for Our Lady of Carmel

Do you wish to follow Jesus like Mary, his mother? People of the Diocese of Memphis are invited to receive the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mt Carmel on Wednesday, July 16, immediately following the noon Mass at St Anne Church, located at 706 S. Highland.

The brief ceremony consists of blessing and enrollment in the scapular and will be conducted by Father David Graham, pastor of St Anne Church.

Makes plans now to attend noon Mass, receive the brown scapular and be enrolled as a sign of the commitment to follow Jesus with the help of Our Lady's motherly guidance and protection.

Call 901-323-3817 for more information.