Saint Dunstan Catholic Church Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 17th, 2008 - Bulletin
		Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.
		— Isaiah 56:1

	At the moment the world is embroiled with the Olympics Games in Beijing. Countries are competing against each other for places in the medals table. Does God have favorites? Does he root for one team to beat another? We know that God does not play favorites in life or the game of sport. In fact, it would be unfair for God to favor one team or person over another. We know God is not unfair. In the Gospel of this weekend we find some Jews (Matthew included?) believing that the only people God was interested in and really loved were the Jews. They thought that God could discard the rest of humanity. The Canaanite woman, who is non Jewish, is treated very unfairly. It seems that Jesus not only ignores her but insults her. We have to remember that this account in Matthew’s Gospel was written when the early Church was embroiled in a bitter struggle between the Jewish and gentile converts. It is written in the context when the Christian sect within Judaism finally broke away and established itself with a separate identity. Some Jewish converts still insisted that anyone wanting to become Christian would have to become Jews first. That was an issue when this particular Gospel was written. It would appear that Matthew was stuck in his prejudice against non-Jews, and he put his prejudice on the lips of Jesus. Jesus reaffirms that the people of Israel are God’s Chosen People, but that salvation is meant for all people. He taught that nobody is excluded from God’s love and healing power. Jesus extended the invitation to everyone without exception to embrace the God of Israel, the one true God. It was the faith of the woman that is praised. Her faith broke down the barrier between Jew and Gentile. God has no favorites, we all win when we put our faith in Him.
	HELP ST. DUNSTAN SCHOOL BY SIGNING UP FOR ESCRIP TODAY! Join the original and largest electronic fundraising program where participating merchants contribute each time you make a purchase using your free grocery loyalty or debit/credit cards that are registered with eScrip. There are no receipts to collect, no vouchers or certificates to buy, no hassles for you, and every purchase counts. Call the school office at 697-8119 for more information. Parishioners, as a courtesy to others, please silence your cell phones during all Masses. Your cooperation is appreciated. WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK AT ST. DUNSTAN PARISH Tuesday, August 19th Novena in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament after the 8am Mass Thursday, August 21st Bible Study group meets in the convent at10 am Prayer Group meets at Green Hills at 7:30pm Saturday, August 23rd Retrouvaille meets in the convent Monday thru Saturday Morning Prayer in the church at 7:15 am Monday thru Friday Rosary recited in the church at 7:40 am St. Dunstan’s Branch 403 of the Italian Catholic Federation invites parishioners, their families and friends to join them in the Parish Center on Sunday, September 14 for a delicious Ravioli Dinner. No host cocktails at 4 pm, dinner of antipasto, salad, ravioli, bread & butter, dessert, coffee or tea, and wine at 5 pm. Cost is $15. For reservations call Kay Lucio at 697-7460. Deadline for reservations is September 7, 2008. Need a copy of the Sunday bulletin or of a particular schedule, church and parish information? Please visit the St. Dunstan Parish website at: www.saintdunstanchurch.org. IMMACULATE HEART RADIO’S SEPTEMBER ON AIR PLEDGE DRIVE will be held Wednesday, September 3rd and Thursday, September 4th from 6am to 7:30pm each day at Mater Dolorosa School in South San Francisco. We need your help to answer phone calls, run errands, or help with hospitality. If you can help for an hour or a couple of hours any day, please call Deborah Heinrichs at 916-535-0500 ext. 221 or email her at dheinrichs@ihradio.org. CCD Registration Packages for the 2008-2009 school year are available. To request a package, please call the Office of Religious Education at (650) 697-7451 or visit our website at saintdunstanchurch.org and click in the Religious Education/CCD link to download registration materials and to read about our program. Classes will begin Tuesday, September 16th at 3:45 pm for grades K through 6. Are you interested in learning more about the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church? Are you baptized but never received First Communion? Never were Confirmed? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, our RCIA process can be of help to you. RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation Adults. It is a process designed to meet the needs of adults who are considering joining the Church or who wish to receive the sacraments of Initiation ( Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation). For more information regarding our Inquiry Sessions, call the rectory at 697-4730. Classes begin in September. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Do you have a few hours to spare helping our neighbors in need? Join St. Vincent de Paul volunteers helping serve the homeless in San Mateo and So San Francisco. Assistance is also needed to answer the helpline and assist with general office duties. Basic computer skills are required. Learn more about the work of the Society in your community. The next Volunteer Orientation will be Tuesday, August 5th, 1:30 pm at the SVdP District Office, 50 N. “B” Street, San Mateo. Call 650-373-0623 to register. From the Office of Religious Education and Youth Ministry We are looking for volunteers to join our team of catechists in the rewarding ministry of working with the children in our parish. If you have been thinking of becoming more involved in a church ministry--please consider volunteering in our Religious Education Program. Catechists are needed for the following grade levels--Kindergarten, First and Second. Our classes are held on Tuesday afternoon's from 3:45-5:00p.m. and will begin in September. Training sessions are available as well as materials that explain the textbooks as well as lesson plans. The St. Dunstan School of Religious Education is an important part of the St. Dunstan Parish community. We are dedicated in providing our students with a desire to share in the adventure of faith, learning, liturgy and life. Our programs provide faith formation for children to grow in love, knowledge, appreciation and desire to become active members of the Catholic Church. It is our hope that you will give consideration to the idea of becoming one of our volunteers and share with us your time, talent and your prayers. For more information, please contact the Director of Religious Education--Sheree Leone at (650) 697-7451 or stdunstanccd@att.net. Last weekend’s Regular Collection: $6,244.50 This Weekend’s Second Collection is for the Parish Maintenance & Development Fund. Thank you for all your support! SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: St. Jane Frances de Chantal Tuesday: St. John Eudes Wednesday: St. Bernard Thursday: St. Pius X Friday: The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Saturday: St. Rose of Lima; Blessed Virgin Mary to those who served as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers this weekend: Saturday, August 16th 5 PM Lector: A. Colarusso Eucharistic Ministers: J&L Clothakis, J Ryan, E Danli, B&G Borba Altar Servers: Alaraj, Colarusso, Casella, Casella Sunday, August 17th 7 AM Lector: R. Flahavan Eucharistic Ministers: M Hutchings, B Penner, M Wyman Altar Servers: Abello, Bertin, Celio, Cabarse 8:30 AM Lector: E. Linak Eucharistic Ministers: S& D Capodanno, M Anderegg, L Bates, M Leland, D Lawson Altar Servers: Capitolo, Chan, Doyle, Crossman 10 AM Lector: P. Maloney Eucharistic Ministers: L& M Kelly, J&F Sigona, A&D Vogl Altar Servers: DeGuzman, Fernando, Gracia, Fusaro 11:30 AM Lector: T. Dizon Eucharistic Ministers: C Cannizzaro, B& C Martin, K Begin, B Santos, J Roensch Altar Servers: Ghanaim, Janiczek, Koehler, Jackson 5 PM Lector: J. Ledbetter Eucharistic Ministers: P & M McLaughlin, G Ledbetter, H Santana, J Costa, K Phelps Altar Servers: McLaughlin, Mendoza, Jose, Miller Special thanks to all of our ushers for their dedicated service at our weekend Masses. Mass Intentions for the Week August 17 thru August 23, 2008 Sunday 7:00 am For Parish 8:30 am Vincenzo Marinaro 10:00 am Jose Jacob & Ammini Zachariah 11:30 am Frank Vella 5:00 pm Josephine Erquiaga Monday 6:30 am Mai Fenton Murphy 8:00 am Rev Joseph Grech & Maria Grech 5:10 pm Timpano Family Tuesday 6:30 am Mnsgr. Giuseppe Pellegrini 8:00 am Fortunata Falsetti 5:10 pm Victoria Caimotto Wednesday 6:30 am Albert Guterres 8:00 am Fr. Gary Thomas (living) 5:10 pm Maureen Lindores Thursday 6:30 am Kathleen O’Shea Murphy 8:00 am Jack Weigant 5:10 pm Benna Ormrod Friday 6:30 am Benedicto Penaflor 8:00 am Giuseppe V. Pasquinelli 5:10 pm Joseph Fernandez & Sons Saturday 8:00 am Maurice Frank (living) 5:00 pm Enrico Zucconi  We pray for the sick members of our parish family and for those who care for them: Madison Kitz, William Dill, Ted & Eileen Damian, Pat Saracini, Bill Barca, Ann Del Carlo, Helen & Vicky Noceti, Irene Thommen, Kyong Cruz, Ciera Whipple, Dorothy Rives, Elsie Noceti, Steve Bacho, Eva Caprini, Mary Farr, Barbara Modica, Karen Shirley, Jose Conrado Vasquez, Henry & Lucy Garcia, Frances Snyder, Jack & Rene Sagrafena, Mrs. Larry Duggins, Antoinette Ramos, Joe Hamilton, Pauline & Joseph Burgio, Noralee Gelhaar, Geraldine Feehan, Martin Hidalgo, Norman Roos, Lyle Dibbs, Gloria Giannini, Maxine Coutts, Anna Mae Stewart, Jonathan Cerezo, Nick Cannuli, Kathy Montiel, Gloria Pasco, The Yakaitis Family, Susan Silvera-Dunn, George Rodriguez Jr, Nafal Jweinat, Marge Todd, Michael Coffaro, Diedra Bradshaw, Irma Sweeny, Charlene Spediacci, Esther Litton, Jan Diamond, Viola Burdick, Ronald Reyes, Josephine Muscat, Patricia O’Neill, Virginia Ryan Rogers, Martha Costa, Michael Wisherop, Helen Maternia, Elsie Clark, Bernice Malloy, Dora Mae Cappel, Wayne Devora, Debra Farwell, Sheila Donovan, Beverly Buhs, Rita Gilmore, Marisa Hosea, Marcella Mahoney, Judy Marks, Rita Bartolo, Michael Hovan & Gerda Altherr We pray for the deceased members of our parish family.