July 20, 2025 – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Things to talk about:

• Are you more like Mary or Martha? How?
• In this Gospel, Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better thing and is listening to him teach. How can we listen to Jesus today?
• Martha felt the need to serve, which we are called to do as well. How can we know when it is time to serve others and when it is time to be still to hear Jesus still leading us?

Things to do:

• Take time to read scripture together as a family this week and discuss what you hear Jesus teaching you in the scripture.
• Sometimes we hear Jesus speaking through others. Encourage each family member to think of an encouraging message or compliment to give to each member of the family this week.
• In honor of Martha and Mary, pick a slow cooker meal so you are not spending all your time cooking. Enjoy each other’s company and do something fun together while the crock pot does the work. For some fun summer slow cooker recipes click here.
• In memory of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, take some time to serve the poor this week by collecting old clothing and items no longer needed to donate to the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store located at 2722 Summers St, Kennesaw, GA 30144, or donate items for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at church by bringing non perishable food items with you to church to drop off as you arrive for Mass.

Closing Prayer

Help Me Be Still

This prayer can help us be more like Mary in today’s Gospel.

I am so sorry, Lord,
that in my hurrying and scurrying,
I can often miss you at work
before me, within me,
in the majesty of creation
and complexity of the created.

I forget all you have done
and continue to do –
You restore and vindicate
redeem and rescue
in an economy
in a timeline
not our own.

Help me be still
to become one with the Three
to move grounded
in your power
in your mercy
in your love
in fullness of your truth.

Even in my weakness
In my confusion
In my anger
In my frustration
In my sorrow and shortsightedness

Help me simply to be
For still, you are God.

-By Rakhi McCormick of Rakstar Designs

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

Blessed Frederic Ozanam (April 23, 1813-September 8, 1853) is an excellent example of a person who learned how to balance learning Jesus’ message and the faith while also putting his faith into action to serve the poor. Frederic lived in France and had many doubts about the faith as an adolescent, but a local priest helped him to overcome those. He went on to university in Paris to study law and became a fierce defender of the Catholic Faith. When he was challenged by another student about how he lives the faith he preaches and defends, Frederic gathered a group of students who went out to serve the poor and the lonely. Over time this group of students became the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Frederic continued to serve the poor and pursuit his academics to continue to learn the law and his faith.

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Did you know….The St. Vincent de Paul Society is still active today, and continues this mission of helping the poor. There are over 5,000 councils in the United States serving the poor. We have a St. Vincent de Paul Society at our parish which serves those in our local area who are struggling financially. To learn more about how you can support their efforts, click here.
 

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection