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Church of the Beloved Disciple

1310 S. Center St. Ext., Grove City, PA 16127

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Welcome!

July 6, 2008 ~ 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Like Jesus, we received a mission in today's gospel: the challenging mission of raising a family. But we are never alone in our mission. Today Jesus tells us "Come to me and I will give you rest."

Sad Farewell "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Rev. James A. Wiley

born June 11, 1929

ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ April 25, 1958

served Beloved Disciple parish June 30, 1994 -- May 1, 2002

born into eternal life June 29, 2008

Some words from Father Hoffman:

The 10:30am morning Mass was barely over June 29 when news of the death of Father James Wiley was broadcast. I can hardly imagine not calling on the phone and hearing his happy voice or seeing his twinkling eyes during a visit to his apartment. Just last week I concelebrated his Jubilee Mass at St. Vincent Basilica in Latrobe. 50 years a Priest of Jesus Christ! He was so happy… he beamed with joy! I used to call him my "Classmate" as he joined the Diocese of Erie in 1990… and he laid hands on me during the Rite of Ordination. The presbyterate of Erie has lost a great model for us "younger" priests. He was a great friend, and I will deeply miss him on a personal level. And I know many of you join me in this hollow feeling.

Father Wiley served as our senior associate from June 30, 1994 to May 1, 2002, serving under Father Bicsey and Monsignor Zeitler. And while the funeral was beautiful, holy and Spirit-filled, we lost a real "priest's priest." We were so blessed to have him with us.

I can hear him saying to me: "Hey, please don’t stay sad too long… I have lived all my life with the hope of going to heaven." Our faith instructs us that we do need to be happy for him. He loved the Lord, and His Blessed Mother, very deeply. And going to heaven is the reward for faithful souls.

May eternal rest be granted to him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Sincerely,

Father Hoffman

(Plans will be formulated for a memorial in Fr. Wiley’s name, and will be announced in the near future)

You made a difference in our parish, and will be sadly missed.

St. John, the Beloved Disciple

The son of Zebedee, John was an apostle of Jesus. He, along with his brothers and fellow apostles James and Peter, was privileged to witness special events in Jesus' life, including the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. John has been identified as the author of three epistles and the Fourth Gospel - the disciple whom Jesus loved. A first-hand witness of the events he described, John wrote about them in a contemplative way, emphasizing their reality and his intimate knowledge of Christ's life. Above all, John clearly stressed the Divinity of Christ, who is both Light and Life, and the importance of charity. Following the Resurrection - of which he also was one of the first witnesses - he became an important figure in the life of Christ's growing Church.

In art, John is often pictured with a cup with a viper in it - representing the time he was challenged by a high priest of Diana at Ephesus to drink a poisoned cup - or by a book or an eagle. His feast day is Dec. 27.

"We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him" (1 John 4:16).

Parish Mission Statement We, the Church of the Beloved Disciple, are called by our baptism to worship God through liturgy and the sacraments, to serve others by ministering to the community and to actively spread the Gospel.

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