Today’s gospel selection is a continuation of last Sunday’s Gospel — instructions for Christian missionaries in the eighties of the first century of Christianity. The author of the Gospel according to Matthew gradually moved his catechesis from specific instructions for missionaries to general instructions for all Christians.

Father Eugene Neff, pastor at St. George in New Baden and director of the diocesan Ministry to Sick and Aged (MSA), has read a book recently that he believes would help in the restructuring and renewal of parishes in the diocese.

Father James Jeffrey, ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fargo, N.D., who served in the Diocese of Belleville since his retirement from ministry in the Diocese of Fargo in 1999, died May 28 in Belleville. He was 83.