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June 2008 - Overview for the Month
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The month of June is dedicated to The Sacred Heart of Jesus. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The last portion of the liturgical year represents the time of our pilgrimage to heaven during which we hope for reward.

The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of June 2008

General: That Christians may cultivate a deep and personal friendship with Christ so they are able to communicate the strength of His love to those they encounter.

Missionary: That the International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, Canada, may lead to ever deeper understanding of the Eucharist, the heart of the Church and source of evangelization.

Feasts for June

The feasts on the General Roman Calendar celebrated during the month of June are:

1. Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
2. Marcellinus and Peter, Opt. Mem.
3. Charles Lwanga and Companions, Memorial
5. Boniface, Memorial
6. Norbert, Opt. Mem.
8. Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
9. Ephrem, Opt. Mem.
11. Barnabas, Memorial
13. Anthony of Padua, Memorial
15. Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time; Father's Day (USA), Sunday
21. Aloysius Gonzaga, Memorial
22. Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
24. Birth of John the Baptist, Solemnity
27. Cyril of Alexandria, Opt. Mem.
28. Irenaeus, Memorial
29. Peter and Paul, Solemnity
30. First Martyrs of the Church of Rome, Opt. Mem.

Focus of the Liturgy

The readings for the Sundays in June are taken from St. Mark, and St. Matthew and are from Year A, Cycle 2.

June 1st - 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus says it is not those who say Lord, Lord, who enter the kingdom of heaven.
June 8th - 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time This Gospel is about Jesus' call to Matthew to follow Him.
June 15th - 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time In this Gospel Jesus summons his disciples and gives them authority to cast out evil spirits and to cure disease.
June 22nd - 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus tells us not to fear those who can kill the body but rather those who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
June 29th - Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him then tells him to "Feed my sheep".

Highlights of the Month

As we begin to feel the warmth of summer, we can reflect that God is Love and the Sacred Heart of Jesus — present on earth in the Blessed Sacrament — is the human manifestation of God's Love for men. Appropriately June is considered the month for weddings where human hearts join and cooperate with the Creator in bringing forth new life. The family they create is a human reflection of the Blessed Trinity.

The main feasts of this month are St. Charles Lwanga and Companions (June 3), Sts. Marcellinus and Peter (June 2), St. Charles Lwanga & Companions (June 3), St. Boniface (June 5), St. Barnabas (June 11), St. Anthony of Padua (June 13), St. Aloysius Gonzaga (June 21), the Birth of St. John the Baptist (June 24), St. Cyril of Alexandria (June 27), St. Irenaeus (June 28), and the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29).

The feasts of St. Justin (June 1) and Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More (June 22) fall on Sunday and are suppressed.

A Time of Love

Ordinary Time is the longest of the liturgical seasons. Like the lush June growth all around us, the green of the liturgical season points to the new life won for us by the Redemption of Jesus Christ, the new life of Charity. For Our Lord came to cast the fire of his love on the earth, and to that end, sent His Holy Spirit at Pentecost in the form of tongues of fire.

Ordinary Time is the hour to "go out to all the world and tell the good news.” The feasts of June highlight this expansion of the Church. At least ten times, the Church vests in the red of the martyrs whose blood is the very seed of her growth. She also celebrates the feasts of the apostles Peter and Paul, and the birth of St. John the Baptist, proto-disciple and prophet.

We, too, are called to be witnesses like the apostles and martyrs. May the Heart of Jesus inflame our hearts so that we may be worthy of our Baptismal call to holiness. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, I place my trust in you.
Highlights
June 13
St. Anthony
Called the Wonder Worker because of the numerous miracles attributed to him while he was living and since his death. He is one of the most popular saints in the Catholic Church and is implored as the patron of lost things and a hundred other causes. He was a preacher and theologian and was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII.
Recipe of the Month
Italian Wedding Soup
Since June is the month for weddings this would be a good time to try your hand with this soup.
Activity of the Month
Enthronement
to the Sacred Heart
The Enthronement is the recognition of the Royal Power of Jesus Christ over the family which pledges to live in union with the Sacred Heart by love, grace and obedience to His Commandments.

Symbols
St. Boniface
The Archbishop of Mentz established the foundation for Christianity in Germany. His emblem refers to his defense of the Gospel as he met the blow of death while confirming baptized converts.
St. Barnabas
One of the Apostolic Fathers, whose feast day in olden times was celebrated by young lads and clerks bedecked with roses. This shield is divided.
St. Peter & St. Paul
The interwoven symbols of Sts. Peter and Paul are used at Winchester, where the cathedral church is dedicated to these saints.
The Trinity
The triquetra is one of the many symbols that clearly express the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity.
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