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MAY 25, 2003 Sixth Sunday of Easter
"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you."
John 15: 9-17
UNMERCIFUL MERCY
If you step out of line or act like a jerk, the people of the Babemba tribe in South Africa will take care of you.
They beat you with kindness and treat you unmercifully with mercy.
If a member of the Babemba acts irresponsibly or unjustly, he or she is placed in the center of the village, alone and unfettered. All work ceases, and the entire tribe circle around the transgressor. Then each person in the tribe speaks to the accused, one at a time, recalling all the good things the person in the center of the circle has done in his or her lifetime. Every incident, every experience that can be recalled with any detail and accuracy is recounted. All the individual's good deeds, strengths, talents, virtues and kindnesses are recited carefully and at length. This tribal ceremony can last for several days.
At the end, the circle is broken and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe with joyful celebration.
[From The Art of Forgiveness, Loving Kindness and Peace by Jack Kornfield.]
CONNECTION: The Babemba approach to reconciliation with those who estrange themselves from the tribe mirrors the transforming love that Christ calls us to embrace. Loving as Christ loved begins by putting aside our own hopes and wants to seek instead the hopes and wants of others; by caring for and about others with selflessness and understanding, regardless of the sacrifice demanded of us; by putting aside our own need for justice and accountability in order to make the first move to forgive and to heal, no matter how undeserving. May we realize the powerful sense of resurrection we can bring about by embracing the spirit of Christ's love and loving in our lives.
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SUNDAY, MAY 25
7:30am Mass
9:30am Mass
11:30am Mass
6:15pm Mass
MONDAY, MAY 26
MEMORIAL DAY
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
NO SCHOOL
9:00am Mass (Church)
TUESDAY, MAY 27
8:00am Rosary
8:30am Mass (Chapel)
1:30pm Parish Directory Pictures (LL109)
7:00pm Engaged Couples Retreat (Rms. 206 & 208)
7:00pm History Committee Interviews (Rm 204)
7:00pm Irondale Baccalaureate Rehearsal (Church)
7:15pm Jazz Rehearsal (St. Cecilia)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28
8:30am Rosary
8:30am Eucharistic Service (Chapel)
9:45am School Mass
1:30pm Directory Pictures (LL109)
6:30pm Boy Scout Board of Review (Room 207)
7:15pm Adult Choir (St. Cecilia)
THURSDAY, MAY 29
8:00am Rosary
8:30am Mass
1:30pm Parish Directory Pictures (LL109)
7:00pm History Committee Interviews (Rm. 204)
7:00pm Seekers Book Group (Room 210)
7:00pm Evening Rosary (Chapel)
FRIDAY, MAY 30
8:00am Rosary
8:30am Mass
1:30pm Directory Pictures (LL109)
SATURDAY, MAY 31
9:00am Directory Pictures (LL109)
3:30pm Reconciliation
4:30pm Mass
SUNDAY, JUNE 1
7:30am Mass
9:30am Mass
10:30am New Parishioners Registration
11:30am Mass
1:00pm Baptisms
3:00pm Irondale Baccalaureate Service (Church)
4:00pm Baccalaureate Reception (St. Joseph's)
6:15pm Mass
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