From the Team at

PastoralPlanning.com
PastoralPlanning.com

Mark Hakomaki

A Sacred Calendar
for the

Autumn of 2010
Sundays & Feasts
The Christian Life
Personal Resolutions
Spiritual Goals aimed at Deeper Communion with Christ
The week of August 29, 2010
Sunday Luke 14: 1, 7-14 Whoever exalts self shall be humbled and
August whoever humbles self will be exalted. Question of the Week: Who
29 are the people living near you that you would find it most difficult to invite to a
meal in your home? Or to invite to be part of your life?
22nd Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Monday Spiritual goal for this week: As a Christian, I will make sure my own
August spiritual house is in order by carving out time to pray – at least ten
30 minutes today.

Tuesday What are your spiritual goals for this fall?

August
31

Wednesday Today’s resolution: Choose one person to whom you will send a
September note of affirmation today! Do sent it!
1

Thursday In this space, write the name of someone whom you want to love more.
September
2

Friday Feast Today! Pope Gregory the Great

September Help me Oh Christ, to become a leader among those
3 entrusted to my care. May your will become my own. Amen.

Saturday Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

September Oh Christ whom I meet in the Eucharist,
4 help me to meet you also in the poor. Open my
heart to know you and serve you. Amen.

Celebrated on September 5 each year.

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of September 5, 2010
Sunday Luke 14: 25-33 Whoever does not renounce possessions, cannot
September be my disciple. Question of the Week: Today’s Gospel is demanding.
5 How do you as a modern man or woman “denounce your possessions?” What
does this mean for you?
23rd Sunday in
Ordinary Time

Monday Spiritual goal for this week: In my prayer, I will open my heart to
September intimacy with Christ – trust him with my very life!
6

Labor Day in the United States.

Tuesday Do this for yourself: Spend time walking outdoors; schedule more
September exercise into every day this fall.
7

Wednesday Feast Today! The Birth of Mary

September Oh Mary, born without sin to your
8 parents Anne and Joachim, teach me
to live with purity of heart. Amen.

Thursday Feast Today! St Peter Claver

September As Peter learned to love and serve those most rejected by
9 society, may we also become Christ to those who are rejected in
our society today. Amen.

Our Jewish friends celebrate Rosh Hashanah today

Friday Today’s resolution: Invite someone to share lunch or supper with
September you this week, someone whom you’ve been thinking about lately.
10

Saturday
September
11

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of September 12, 2010
Sunday Luke 15: 1-32 God is watching for us to return to him.
September Question of the Week: When you wander away from being true to your
12 faith, how do you know God will take you back? What signs do you see?

24th Sunday in It’s Grandparents’ Day!

Ordinary Time
Monday Spiritual goal for this week: In order to really hear God speaking, I
September must quiet myself and listen. This week, I will allow my inner ear
13 to the hearing.

Today is the Feast of St John Chrysostom.

Tuesday Feast Today! The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September Christ within me. Christ over me. Christ within
14 you. Christ within the poor. Christ who lives now
in our midst. Amen.

Wednesday Feast today! Our Lady of Sorrows

September "O name of Mary! Joy in the heart, honey in the mouth, melody to the ear of
15 Her devout clients!" St. Anthony of Padua +1231

Thursday Feast Today! Sts Cornelius & Cyprian

September United by friendship and a shared mission,
16 these two are heroes of the faith. May we all
gain their commitment to Christ. Amen.

Friday Do this for yourself: Choose one bad eating habit you have acquired
September and today, don’t do it! Cookies? Chips? Soda? Whatever!
17

Saturday Remember that you are called to the ministry

September you have in the parish! Thank you for
18 responding!

Our Jewish friends celebrate Yom Kippur today.

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of September 19, 2010
Sunday Luke 16: 1-13 No one can serve two masters.
September Question of the Week: Money is an important part of modern life. Suggest
19 one or two ways you can keep the need for money in balance with your faith.

25th Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Catechetical Sunday
Monday Spiritual goal for this week: In my prayer this week, I will let myself
September be fully satisfied with God’s grace as it plays out in my life. It is
20 enough for me!

Tuesday Feast today! St Matthew

September Oh Christ, as you called St
21 Matthew so you also call us.
May we respond as he did.
Amen.

Wednesday Today’s resolution: Identify for yourself that one person whom you
September struggle most to be nice to and today, for just one day, change
22 that!

Thursday Don’t let autumn pass without a walk in the

September country! Autumn begins today in the
23 Northern Hemisphere!

Our Jewish friends observe Sukkoth today.

Friday Do this for yourself: Set aside some autumn time for yourself this
September week – just to do the things you like most: cooking, gardening,
24 sewing, building things, visiting friends, or whatever.

Saturday Feast! Sts Cosmos & Damian

September Bound together in loving friendship,
25 these two served with all their hearts.
May we also be sustained by those who
love us. Amen.

Their Feast is celebrated on September 26th.

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of September 26, 2010
Sunday Luke 16: 19-31 Keep your eye on God’s way of life.
September Question of the Week: What choices can you or have you made to balance
26 your own life with those who are homeless, poor and in need of assistance for
daily living? How does this Gospel reading inform you about that?
26th Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Monday Spiritual goal for this week: I want to become able to see my own
September failure to live up to my created purpose and calling – to see my
27 own sinfulness.

Tuesday Do this for yourself: Take a friend walking with you this week to
September deepen your commitment to a fall of exercise!
28

Wednesday Feast today! Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

September Be someone’s angel today!
29

Thursday Feast today! St Jerome

September May we love the Scriptures with all our heart and soul as
30 St Jerome did. Spend time today thinking about the
words of your favorite Scripture story. Be attentive to
what God may be saying to you through them.

Friday Feast Today! St Thérèse of the Child Jesus

October May we live with simplicity of heart, always with our
1 eye on Christ and his will for us.

Saturday It’s easy to forget that we are doing the work to which Christ calls
October and sends us.
2

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of October 3, 2010
Sunday Luke 17: 5-10 Increase our faith.
October Question of the Week: Being “in Christ” means living as Christ teaches.
3 What signs do you see in your life of generosity, forgiveness, hospitality, or any
other of Jesus’ teachings?

27th Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Monday Feast Today! St Francis of Assisi
October May we live in harmony with all of creation and
4 consider each living thing our sister or brother.

Tuesday Today’s resolution: Stop on your way through today and prepare a
October gift for someone near to you – for no reason other than that you
5 love them as family or friend.

Wednesday Feast today! St. Bruno

October May the quiet but fervent piety of St Bruno
6 be the model for our own. May we love
Christ with our whole heart. Amen.

Thursday Do this for yourself: Go outside and find a quiet

October spot, even if it’s raining. Listen to what you hear
7 there. Really listen.

Friday
October Offer yourself to Christ – be the hands of feet of
8 the ministry of the Reign of God!

Saturday Every single day throughout the church,

October hundreds of thousands of baptized ministers
9 do the work of Christ in the world.

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of October 10, 2010
Sunday Luke 17: 11-19 Be grateful.
October Question of the Week: What are some ways you can think of to show
10 gratitude to God? Make them concrete and real?

28th Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Monday Spiritual goal for this week: Rest. My walk with God is not all work.
October Often God simply rests with us. I will take the time now to rest.
11
Columbus Day in the United States.
Our Canadian friends celebrate Thanksgiving today! Best wishes!
Tuesday Many times we forget that there are people
October who need our time, just to visit. Autumn is a
12 good chance to catch up with them.

Wednesday Today’s resolution: We get so busy that we ourselves don’t take the
October time to read and reflect. Choose one article or book and read it
13 from front to back this week and next.

Thursday Do this for yourself: Make an inventory of everything you eat in

October one day. Adjust it to be healthier – just change one food.
14

Friday Feast today! St Teresa of Avila

October The Lord does not look so much
15 at the magnitude of anything we do
as at the love with which we do it.
—St. Teresa of Avila
Saturday St Ignatius of Antioch
October May our faith be like that of St Ignatius – may we have deep
16 communion with Christ and love the Church. Amen.

Celebrated on October 17 each year.

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of October 17, 2010
Sunday Luke 18: 1-8 Pray always and never lose heart.
October Question of the Week: In prayer we often say words toward God, but how
17 does God speak to us in prayer? How have you heard the voice of God in the
din of modern life?
29th Sunday in
Ordinary Time

Monday
October Feast Today! St Luke
18 Turn to Scripture, and there find the secrets of the Reign of God.

Tuesday It’s time to clean house! Fall is a good time to take inventory of
October what you own and donate to those in need from your surplus, as
19 well as from your own daily needs.

Wednesday Today’s resolution: I will take the time for prayer today. Everything else
October can wait.
20

Thursday
October
21

Friday Let us recall that God loves us – and that when we love each other, we also love
October God. You cannot love God whom you do not see unless you love those whom
22 you do see.

Saturday Feast today! St John of Capistrano

October This great preacher spoke only of Christ and his
23 great love for us. May we also let our voice serve
the mission of Christ in today’s world. Amen.

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of October 24, 2010
Sunday Luke 18: 9-14 Everyone who exalts him or herself shall be humbled.
October Question of the Week: This Gospel reading suggests that we approach God
24 and each other with humility. What does this mean, in practical terms? How do
we “humble” ourselves? What does that mean?
30th Sunday in
Ordinary Time

Monday Spiritual goal for this week: I will open my arms and heart to what I
October understand God wants for and from me. I will let my heart soar in
25 God’s care.

Tuesday Today’s resolution: Set in motion a habit of prayer each day that
October can sustain you in a busy work week. Find the right time and place
26 for yourself.

Wednesday Invite someone to share a meal with you this week. Cook
October together, linger over the food, and clean up later.
27

Thursday Feast today! Sts Simon and Jude

October Create within me, Oh God, a heart filled with desire to serve
28 you. Amen.

Friday Do this for yourself:

October Thank those who love you, thank those whom you love.
29

Saturday Pause this morning to offer this day to Christ, inviting the Spirit to
October prompt you to do what is loving and avoid what is not.
30

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of October 31, 2010
Sunday Gospel: Luke 19: 1-10 Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus.
October Question of the Week: Why do you suppose Jesus was so kind to
31 Zacchaeus? What lesson do you draw from this reading regarding those who are
considered “public sinners” today?

Halloween
Monday Spiritual goal for this week: Building on Sunday’s Gospel, I will
November choose to live as those who love all men and women as Christ.
1

The Feast
of All Saints
Tuesday All Souls Day.
November Autumn is great for walks! Get going!
2

Election Day in the United States

Wednesday Feast Today! St Martin de Porres
November May our hearts be moved with love for the poor and
3 rejected. And may our hands follow our hearts. Amen.

Thursday Feast today! St Charles Borromeo

November
4 May our hearts be filled with the fire of love,
and may we all live as Saints. Amen.

Friday Do this for yourself: Plan ways to take better care of yourself – and
November make sure you include plenty of “friendship time” in that!
5

Saturday Don’t let Autumn pass without learning more about the poor. Visit
November www.CommonHope.org for information.
6

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of November 7, 2010
Sunday 2 Thessalonians 2: 16 - 3: 5 May God console your heart.
November Question of the Week: Having faith in difficult times is hard! What makes
7 you believe in the promise that God will be your strength, as Paul says?

32nd Sunday in
Ordinary Time
End of daylight savings time. Turn clocks back 1 hour.
Monday Spiritual goal for this week: I will simply be with God in quiet and
November peace – allow God’s grace to fill me.
8

Tuesday The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

November In a sense, St. John Lateran is the parish church of all
Catholics, because it is the pope's cathedral. This church
9 is the spiritual home of the people who are the Church.

Wednesday Feast today! Pope Leo the Great

November May God blessed you with all spiritual gifts!
10

Thursday Feast today! St Martin of Tours

November As St Martin found Christ in the poor and
11 naked,
may we also be attentive to the presence of Christ
among us. Amen.

Veteran’s Day in the United States.

Remembrance Day in Canada.
Friday Today’s resolution: Sometimes the shoemaker’s children go
November barefoot. Parish ministers sometimes don’t tend to their own
12 faith. Don’t let this happen to you!

Saturday Feast today! St Frances Xavier Cabrini

November May our hearts be filled with love and devotion to each other
13 and to Christ. Amen.

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of November 14, 2010
Sunday 2 Thessalonians 3: 7-12 Work is a noble, good thing.
November Question of the Week: Paul’s words to the Thessalonians are tough: if you
14 want to eat, you must work! How does this translate into our society today?
How do you reconcile this with Jesus’ command to love and feed the poor?
33rd Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Monday Spiritual goal for this week: This week, I will allow God to lead me
November back toward the work of autumn in the parish. I will be really led
15 by God.

Tuesday Last chance for a lovely Autumn evening

November with those whom you most love.
16

Wednesday Feast today! St Elizabeth of Hungary

November May we be moved with care and compassion for the poor,
17 and may we open our hearts and our wallets, both! Amen.

Thursday Today’s resolution: Renew your faith by celebrating the Sacrament

November of Reconciliation as you draw this autumn to a close.
18

Friday Do this for yourself: Combine prayer with exercise – walk, walk,
November walk!
19

Saturday Feast today! Presentation of Mary

November Oh Jesus, our Brother and Lord, we present
20 ourselves to you now for the service of your
mission on earth. Amen.

Celebrated each year on November 21st.

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki
The week of November 21, 2010
Sunday Luke 23: 25-43 You will be with me in paradise.
November Question of the Week: As you think about Jesus on the cross, having
21 compassion on the “good thief,” what lesson do you draw from it for your own
life?
The Feast of Christ
the King
Monday
November Feast Today! St. Cecilia
22 Raise your voice in praise of God!

Tuesday Spiritual goal for this week: I will become more assured that God
November walks with me when I am open to him in the context of the
23 community. I will try to feel the peace of God’s protection.

Wednesday Do this for your ministry this week: Take the time to visit the web
November site, pastoralplanning.com, and read up on how lifelong faith
24 formation unfolds in parishes.

Thursday Feast today!

November Thanksgiving Day in the United States
25

Friday
November Meet the people of Guatemala:
26 www.CommonHope.org

Saturday
November
27

Let Advent begin!

© Bill Huebsch & ThePastoralCenter.com 2010.

Wood cuts by Mark Hakomaki