Alleluia - Jn 3:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel - Lk 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house.”
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
“He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.”
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over.”
And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost.”

Homily for the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

Fr. Dennis Veltri, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

First Reading - Wis 11:22-12:2

Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balance
or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.
But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;
and you overlook people’s sins that they may repent.
For you love all things that are
and loathe nothing that you have made;
for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.
And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it;
or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?
But you spare all things, because they are yours,
O LORD and lover of souls,
for your imperishable spirit is in all things!
Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little,
warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing,
that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14

R. (cf. 1)  I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
I will extol you, O my God and King,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Second Reading - 2 Thes 1:11-2:2

Brothers and sisters:
We always pray for you,
that our God may make you worthy of his calling
and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose
and every effort of faith,
that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,
and you in him,
in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

We ask you, brothers and sisters,
with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our assembling with him,
not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed
either by a “spirit,” or by an oral statement,
or by a letter allegedly from us
to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Spiritual Communion

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.

Catholic Resources for the Homebound Parishioner

Free Resource

Youngstown Diocese resource for at-home catechesis.

Videos

Catholic Bible Study | A Friendly Approach

Introduction to Bible Study

Song of Songs

The Book of Proverbs

Italian Culture Online

Bocce Basics & Strategy

Cooking: Pizza Margerhita

Cooking: Pizza Fritta

How To Live-Stream The Holy Mass

The Basilica of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is grateful for the participation and involvement of the faithful within our live-streamed Masses throughout the Stay At Home Order and the Responsible Restart Ohio Order. We are excited and thankful to continue to have the opportunity and capability to deliver the Sacred Liturgy to all those still at home. You can access the links to the Mass live-streams through our website, OLMCSTA.com and Facebook, as well.
Thank you all again for your participation from home in the Holy Mass, and we look forward to seeing you all soon. May the risen Christ bless you all with His perfect peace as we continue to move forward through these challenging times.

Light of Faith And Family Formation Program for Families | for students K-12 and Parents

Goals and Mission

  • The program supports parents and guardians as the first teachers of their children in the ways of the Catholic Faith.
  • Explore and learn through Sacred Scripture how to connect and live our Faith in today’s world.
  • Learn more about the teachings of the Catholic Church.
  • Explore the Catholic Tradition and Sacraments.

Sacraments

  • Baptism
  • Communion
  • Confirmation
  • Marriage

Rite of Christain Initiation (RCIA)

  • A program for adults seeking to learn, understand and enter the Catholic Faith.
  • Adults who for one reason or another have not begun or completed their full Sacramental Initiation into the Catholic Church.

Contact The Religious Education Offices
Ph. 330-743-3508

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Donations made to the general collection are used to offset the costs associated with day-to-day operations of our parish and its programs. Additionally, your contribution will benefit our sacramental preparation services, liturgical programs, and Religious Education programs. Parish members are encouraged to set up an account and manage their contributions. You will have complete control over your contribution amount and frequency of payments. Thank you for your investment and continued support of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Church.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica 343 Via Mount Carmel, Youngstown, OH 44505 Ph. 330-743-4144 | Office of Religious Education: 330-743-3508

Saint Anthony of Padua Church 1125 Turin Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44510 PO Box 1256, Youngstown, OH 44501 Ph. 744-5091