TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
WEEK OF OCTOBER 20, 2024
- Friday, 10/18 - Saint Luke
- Saturday, 10/19 - Weekday
- Sunday, 10/20 - Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
- Monday, 10/21 - Saint Callistus I
- Tuesday, 10/22 - Saint Teresa of Jesus
- Wednesday, 10/23 - Saint Hedwig; Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
- Thursday, 10/24 - Saint Ignatius of Antioch
- Friday, 10/25 - Saint Luke
Potomac Highlands Parishes
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
545 Walnut Street
Franklin, WV 26807
304-358-7012
Liturgy Schedule
Celebrant: Father Arul
- Sunday, 10/20 - 12:00PM Mass
- First Tuesday of the Month - 11:00AM Mass
**Reconciliation available before/after Mass
St. Mary
4 Grant Street
Petersburg, WV 26847
304-257-1057
Liturgy Schedule
Celebrant: Father Arul
- Sunday, 10/20 - 10:00AM Mass
- Wednesday, 10/23 - 12:00PM Mass
- Thursday, 10/24 - 12:00PM Mass
- Friday, 10/25 - 12:00PM Mass
**Reconciliation available before/after Mass
Epiphany of the Lord
2029 State Road 55
Moorefield, WV 26836
304-434-2547
Liturgy Schedule
Celebrant: Father Escalante
- Saturday (Summer) - 5:00PM Mass (English)
- Sunday, 10/20 - 8:00AM Mass (English); 12:00PM Mass (Spanish)
- Tuesday, 10/22 - 12:00PM Mass (English)
- Wednesday, 10/23 - 12:00PM Mass (English)
- Thursday, 10/24 - 12:00PM Mass (English)
- Friday, 10/25 - 6PM Hispanic Ministry Program
**Reconciliation available before/after Mass
Welcome Visitors!
Welcome to the Potomac Highlands area Catholic community! Our parish families are small but our faith is strong. We warmly invite you to join us for Mass or Eucharistic service should you find yourself in the vicinity of Franklin, Petersburg, or Moorefield, West Virginia.
Reflection on Sunday's Gospel
Mark 10:35-45
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we continue to read from the section of Mark’s Gospel that reports Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. Last Sunday we heard Jesus lament the particular challenges those with many possessions face in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus then predicts his passion to the Twelve, who are amazed and afraid. In this part of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ words to his closest disciples seem to be intended to prepare them for the events that will occur in Jerusalem.
In today’s Gospel, James and John ask to be given seats of honor when Jesus enters into his glory. Once again, the disciples seem to be selective in what they hear Jesus say. They want to share Jesus’ glory, but do not appear to understand that his glory will be preceded by his suffering. Jesus notes their lack of understanding and predicts the suffering they will endure for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus says that the honor they seek is not his to give. When the other ten hear what James and John have asked, Mark reports that they are indignant. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach them.
Jesus explains the importance of service and sacrifice in the life of a disciple. In particular, he seems to be preparing the Twelve for their leadership roles in the emerging Christian community. Echoing the Gospel we heard several weeks ago (on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark 9:33-37), Jesus acknowledges that his teaching is countercultural. In today’s Gospel, Jesus contrasts the dynamics within the community of disciples with those shown by the rulers of the Gentiles.
Following Jesus’ example of sacrificial love continues to be countercultural in our day as well. We might take this opportunity to consider our models of authority and examine our own exercise of authority. On whose example do we model our leadership?
(Courtesy of Loyola Press Sunday Connection)
Parish Staff
Pastor (Residing at St. Mary, Petersburg): Father Arul Anthony
Parochial Vicar (Residing at Epiphany, Moorefield): Father Jose Manuel Escalante
Priest in attendance (Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton): Father Mario Claro
Support Our Parishes
To continue offering financial support to any of our three parishes, simply click on the image above. After being re-directed to the diocesan Catholic Sharing Appeal page, scroll to the donation form and enter your gift amount, personal information, and parish name.
Spiritual Resources
Below are some spiritual resources as outlined by the DWC. Resources like these - and many others - are invaluable tools for the faithful to remain connected to the sacramental Church and the universal Body of Christ.
- Daily Readings written http://usccb.org/bible/readings
- Daily Readings audio http://usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm
- Video Reflection http://usccb.org/bible/reflections/index.cfm
The usccb.org site will also give you tutorials on how to pray the Rosary, the Divine Chaplet, and other prayers and devotions. - Daily Reflection from The Word Among Us can be accessed at https://wau.org/meditations/
- EWTN Catholic Radio Daily Schedule https://www.ewtn.com/radio/schedule
- Access The Magnificat free online at https://www.osvnews.com
- National Catholic Register has Catholic news, stories, blogs, etc. at ncregister.com
- Discover a saint special to you at Catholic News Service’s Patron Saints page: https://www.catholicnews.com/patron-saints.cfm
- Catholic enrichment site for children: Catholicsprouts.com
- For teens and twenty-somethings: lifeteen.com
- For Catholic headline news: catholicnewsagency.com
- Daily Living with Fr. Chapin: mydailyliving.com