A Word from Your Pastor July 31

Dear Parishioners:

July 31 is the Feast Day of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This year, it is superseded by Sunday. However, it is worth giving Ignatius a note of recognition on his day. St. Ignatius has always been a favorite of mine due to his zeal for faith and study and for teaching the Truth in ways people can understand.

As Ignatius himself tells the story of his life, the first lesson was “discernment.” He had lived life for himself until he was wounded in a battle. During his convalescence, he read the lives of Saints and discovered that when he thought about following their example he experienced a real depth of joy that endured after his thoughts were passed, whereas when he thought about his previous pursuits, he enjoyed the reflections, but the sense of delight ended and left him dry. He noticed the difference and decided to commit himself to the Greater Glory of God (Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam).

Ignatius also taught about prayer with Scripture, inviting those who follow his retreat to enter into the Scriptural accounts with imagination and feeling, as well as with thoughts. This form of prayer can make the Scripture passages you read more real and alive for you.

Many in our community have experienced the Jesuit method of teaching, an approach that allows for a rational study of our Faith. Those who use this approach are invited to reflect on the sources available to us to see how reasonable our act of Faith is: Scripture, Tradition and Magisterium, that is, the Bible, the writings of the Fathers and theologians through the ages, and the living teaching authority of the Church (our Pope and Bishops in communion with him).

As we prepare for our Jubilee, we are all invited to consider the roots of our Faith as a Parish Community. We need access to the sources of the life we share: those who were there in the beginning of the Parish, and the stories that have been told and passed down in families. We also need artifacts: the directories, parish rosters, and pictures of the way we were. All are asked to take some time looking through old boxes and albums and bring them to share. Let’s gather the story while we it is still fresh.


Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will turn away from the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and demonic instructions through the hypocrisy of liars with branded consciences. They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer.
(I Timothy 4:1-5)

The first Christians were very realistic about the cost of their Faith. They knew that there would always be trouble, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual, as they sought to put their Faith in Jesus into practice. We can see the prophecy recorded in this chapter of the First Letter to Timothy as being fulfilled in our own day. Many families experience the loss of Faith across the generations. The common beliefs of our day are often exactly the falsehoods mentioned here. Marriage is under attack on multiple fronts. The latest fads about what foods are to be eaten or avoided have more influence than the Church practices of discipline of our appetites. The only answer to this is prayer, giving God thanks and invoking the Spirit to make the world around us holy. We need to see the world around us through the eyes of Faith and with the insight given by the Spirit of Christ. The world and all that is in it belongs to God. We are to make use of the material and spiritual gifts we have received to give Glory to God.

Reflections on the Liturgy:

The document that guides the Church in the Latin Rite in the celebration of the Liturgy is called “Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani,” the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. This has been published in three editions. The new Roman Missal which will be promulgated in English this November finds its norms in this Instruction. It will be helpful to offer a few notes on the principles guiding the celebration of the Liturgy as they are given in the G.I.R.M.

The G.I.R.M. is available online on the US Bishops’ website.

http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

A Preamble sets the context.

Preamble

1. When he was about to celebrate with his disciples the Passover meal in which he instituted the sacrifice of his Body and Blood, Christ the Lord gave instructions that a large, furnished upper room should be prepared (Lk 22:12). The Church has always regarded this command as applying also to herself when she gives directions about the preparation of people's hearts and minds, and of the places, rites, and texts for the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist. The current norms, prescribed in keeping with the will of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, and the new Missal that the Church of the Roman Rite is to use from now on in the celebration of Mass are also evidence of the great concern of the Church, of her faith, and of her unchanged love for the great mystery of the Eucharist. They likewise bear witness to the Church's continuous and unbroken tradition, irrespective of the introduction of certain new features.

The Church speaks today with the authority of Christ Himself. When she exercises her authority, she is at once attentive to the responsibility to do what Jesus Himself commanded and, at the same time, to the need to apply it to the needs of the present day. Some items are kept the same across the generations because they are the will of the Lord for the Church through all time. Some items are conscientiously adapted to present circumstances and the needs of the Faithful in order to continue to be faithful to the Lord in the new situation.

A Word from Your Pastor July 24

Dear Parishioners:

Who is God for you? What does He ask of you? Answering these questions and living out the response are the heart of our journey of Faith. Who we are is established by God and we are revealed to ourselves not by discovering our own tastes and preferences, but rather by discovering and responding to the Will of God as He makes Himself known to us.

God reveals Himself to us in the midst of our lives and through the life and worship we share as the Church. Jesus asked His disciples to “take a stand” and to tell Him how they understood Him. As we recall, Peter was the first to speak the deepest truth: “You are the Messiah.” The disciples of Jesus are those who have discovered “the pearl of great price,” the most valuable reality available, that is, a living relationship with the Living God, the God Who reveals Himself in Jesus Christ.

When we are busy about all the tasks of our daily life and when we take time for recreation and relaxation, it is good to keep our minds and hearts fixed on our ultimate goal. Whether we are at home or on vacation, let us continue to remember the “pearl of great price” and stay close to God and His Church.

This weekend we will have a visit from members of the Focolare Movement, a world-wide community whose charism is Unity. They offer a spirituality centered on God’s Word and aware of the intimacy of relationship between God and His People. They remind us that God wills for the unity of all humanity, and that it is truly possible to live in response to God’s Word in very practical and concrete ways.

The Focolare Movement and the many new movements in the Church that draw God’s People together in a witness to hope are one of the “signs of the times” that lets us know that God is still concerned with us and active among us. How is the Spirit calling you to go deeper in your own commitment to life in Christ?

Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.

I am writing you about these matters, although I hope to visit you soon. But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. (I Timothy 3:14-16)

I Timothy 3:15 is a text that every Catholic Christian should know by heart. It speaks to the depth of understanding we have of the role of the Church in our lives. The Church of the Living God – that is the Church established by Christ Himself, which continues to exist in the world and is visible in the Roman Catholic Church – is “the pillar and foundation of truth.” This means that what underlies the proclamation of the Truth is the Church. Sacred Scripture comes from the Church. The authority acknowledge in Scripture is God’s authority, the very authority which is to be found in the Magisterium, along with Scripture and Tradition.

Paul writes to Timothy a text that itself becomes Sacred Scripture, acknowledged and identified as such by the Church. His personal visit which may or may not have happened due to circumstances in the life of Paul, was intended to be an exercise of Pastoral authority. The letter to Timothy conveys that authority in a different way, and St. Paul is moved to a song of praise for the Mystery that lies behind the exercise of authority. It is Christ Himself Who operates through His Spirit in the Church. The Glorious and Risen Lord is the Living Revelation of God.

Reflections on the Liturgy:


We have completed our first run through the changes that will directly affect the congregation when the new Roman Missal is put into effect in Advent 2011. Throughout the description of the new texts, it has become obvious that two particular principles were applied.

First, the effort to have a more faithful rendition of the Latin text, including all the details to be found in the Latin Missal, is meant to ensure that we are praying as the Church proposes in accord with Lex orandi, Lex credendi, that is, “how we pray is what we believe.” English tends to be rather simple in expression; Latin has a flourish. We needed a version of English that can communicate the flourish and the depth of what the Latin has to say.

Second, when we have a more direct and literal expression of the Latin text in English, we can see more clearly that virtually every part of the Liturgy is taken from the Scriptures. Over the past forty years or so, we have had two different ways of translating the same texts – the texts of Sacred Scripture and their use in the Liturgy. Now we can allow these two streams to flow together once more, so that Catholics can realize our Prayers come from Scripture and thus we are always Scriptural in our prayer. Our Church is the Church of the Bible, “the pillar and foundation of truth” (I Timothy 3:15). The Bible is a Church-based document and our Liturgy is Biblical in expression.

If we keep these principles in mind, I believe we will be able to adapt to the changes to come and come to a deeper understanding of our own life of prayer.

A Word from Your Pastor July 17

Dear Parishioners:

My fourth experience of the St. Timothy Parish Festival on the Green is now history. I remember well coming into the wonderful chaos of the Festival the first year I arrived as Pastor in 2008. Each year, I am in awe of the manner in which our St. Timothy family comes together to create such fun, family and fellowship for all ages. Many guests tell me how welcome they feel. This year we were blessed with two nights of good weather. We can be truly grateful for this hallmark of our Parish life.




The Festival had everything, including Poobahs and Pirates!

To see pictures of our past four festivals online, go to:

http://sttimothyfestivals.shutterfly.com/

As we continue our journey to the celebration of our Golden Jubilee, we need to become more conscious of what God is asking of us at this time of our history. First and foremost, we must express our gratitude to God and to those who worked so hard to get us established. Who are the members of St. Timothy Parish and School past and present who have helped you? How are you responding to what has been given to you? Are you working to pass it on?

This past week, many of our young people were involved with Gospel Road, a program sponsored in the Diocese of Columbus to give a practical experience of living the Gospel. We are blessed to have had both our Youth Minister, Chris Valentine, and our Seminarian, Vince Nguyen, involved with many of our own young people from the St. Timothy Community. It is our hope that the energy and zeal they have shown will bring some new ventures in our own parish.




Seminarian Vince Nguyen on the Dunk Tank and Making Pizza


We do want to thank Vince Nguyen for all he has done for our parish this summer. Vince arrived at exactly the right time and has been invaluable working with us to address needs in our Service of the Altar with Server Training, and in the service of our Sick and Homebound, coordinating our Extraordinary Ministers, as we said farewell to Sr. Carolyn Thomas, SCN. We are certain that Vince will do great things in service of God and His People. Please keep him and all the seminarians in your prayers.


Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.

Paul continues his advice concerning ministers of the Gospel.

Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. (I Timothy 3:8-13)

Deacons are servants, configured to Christ the Servant. Their role is to lead others to Christ and to help the Christian Community to fulfill the requirements of the Gospel. When a man is called to the Diaconate, he knows in himself a desire for a deeper communion with Christ and His Church, and a responsibility to draw others into service. As part of the clergy, Deacons are the public face of the Church. As family men, in most cases, they are also involved in the nitty-gritty, day-to-day grind. Thus, they act as a sort of a bridge between two facets of the life of the Church.

We can be very grateful to have the services of our own Deacon Marion Smithberger, who was assigned to us at St. Timothy after an internship in the parish. Perhaps some of our own members will hear the call to service. Now is the time to begin to discern and to act in accord with the dignity and freedom described as requirements by St. Paul and still held as pre-requisites in the present day. Let us continue to seek out those who are in good standing and with much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.


Reflections on the Liturgy: CONCLUDING RITES

Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.

Deacon: Go forth, the Mass is ended.
Deacon: Go and announce the gospel of the Lord.
Deacon: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

The last changes in the peoples’ parts for the Mass are found in the Concluding Rites. “And with your spirit” is now well understood as expressing the communion that has been experienced in the Liturgy and the source of the grace of the Mass.

The Deacon or Priest will bring the Liturgy to its close by the admonition to “go,” using one of three new translations expressing the import of the Latin “Ite, missa est.”

The Mission that flows from the time of Gathering, Hearing the Word, and Celebrating the Sacrament involves the completion of the act of Worship, the Proclamation of the Gospel, and giving God glory by living in accord with the Mystery that has been celebrated. Since one simple translation does not express the full import of the three Latin words, the Church has opted to allow for a variety of options. The simple meaning is, “we’re finished with this act here, now take it out into the world.”

Thus concludes our own journey through the changes in the Mass in the parts that belong to the Assembly.

Opportunity for Pilgrimage to the Lands of the Bible


Places are still available for a once-in a lifetime opportunity to be part of a Pilgrimage "In the Footsteps of St. Timothy": Fr. Tim Hayes & Fr. Paul Hrezo, Spiritual Director at the Pontifical College Josephinum, are offering a pilgrimage departing on October 19th for 12 days to Greece & Turkey, following the path of St. Timothy & St Paul. Ephesus, where St. Timothy served as Bishop, a cruise to the island of Patmos, where St. John composed the Book of Revelation, Rhodes & others are included among many other sites. Deposit to reserve a place: $300.00.

This is an opportunity to learn about our Patron Saint Timothy and to come to understand both the writings of Saint Paul and the Book of Revelation by seeing the lands where they were composed.

Call Judy Lorms 614-670-8626 for details or email: judylorms@gmail.com.

A Word from Your Pastor July 10

Dear Parishioners:

Just as June is the month of the Sacred Heart, July is the month of the Precious Blood. In Scriptural terms, blood is the symbol of life and the heart is the seat of the human person’s choices and emotions. We acknowledge the infinite value of the Blood Jesus poured out for us and the fullness of life that He shares with us through His sacrifice on the Cross.

In our experience of the life of Faith, we also come to realize that God’s Love is mediated through our relationships and through the time we spend with others in all our adventures. The Parish Festival on the Green is one such adventure. We thank all who participated and made it possible. For any who happened to be away, we missed you! This is truly St. Timothy Parish and School Community at its best. Congratulations are due to Joe Lorenz and his hardy band of captains and all their volunteers. Adults and children, parishioners and friends all worked so hard to bring it about.

The Festival serves to mark endings and beginnings. We say farewell once more to a seminarian who has been with us through the summer. Our blessings and prayers go to Vince Nguyen, who has pitched right in since the first moment he arrived. He has worked very hard to help our servers and to attend to the needs of our homebound parishioners after the departure of Sr. Carolyn Thomas, SCN. We welcome the many new families who have chosen to become part of our community in parish and school. We look forward to many good times ahead.

As The Catholic Times reported, this Festival marks an informal beginning to our observance of our Parish Golden Jubilee. In the months ahead, we will have to make concrete our plans for the Parish celebration 2011-2012, and the School celebration 2013-2014. Any and all alumni of the Parish and School are invited to be part of all that we do.


Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.

This saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God? He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the devil's punishment. He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil's trap. (I Timothy 3:1-7)

Leadership is the most challenging and the most rewarding experience in human life. When one aspires to the task of leading others, two major things are necessary: a vision for where we are headed, and the zeal and stamina to push forward. St. Paul lets Timothy know that the primary requirement for leadership (the role of the bishop) in the early Christian community is a good life, lived in accord with the teachings of Christ, in full view of the wider community. The first bishops were men of their time, taken for ministry in the community from among those who were already leaders. To aspire to the episcopacy was not seen as a desire for a “career,” but rather as a willingness to put one’s gift of leadership at the service of the Gospel. Persecutions were already beginning. Leaders had to be of good reputation so as to promote the good name of the Gospel in a hostile world.

In our own community at St. Timothy, we are seeking leaders for the various needs that have been made known among us and in the world around us. Do you aspire to put your gifts at the service of your brothers and sisters? Are you willing to lead us in the direction of the Kingdom? Do you have the stamina and zeal, and the reputation of a life truly committed to Christ that is required?


Reflections on the Liturgy: ECCE AGNUS DEI (Lamb of God)

Priest: Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away
the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called
to the supper of the Lamb.

All: Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.

The invitation to adore the Lord in the Eucharist just before the Reception of Holy Communion has a number of changes. Again, two principles are at work: more accurate translation of the Latin and a greater clarity in the association of the text of the Liturgy with the Scriptures.

Behold, Ecce, in Latin, is a common Scriptural expression. The immediate context is a direct quote of John the Baptist from the Gospel of John. “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’” (John 1:29) This expression has been alluded to twice before, in the Gloria and in the Agnus Dei.

The Blessing is quoted from the Book of Revelation: “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.’” (Revelation 19:9)

In the People’s part, Scripture is also referenced. “And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed.’” (Luke 7:6-7)

The word translated “my soul” is anima mea. This term is often heard throughout the Scriptures, especially in the Psalms.

“As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.” [Psalm 42:2]

“My soul rests in God alone, from whom comes my salvation.” [Psalm 62:2]

Psalm 130 explicitly expresses the fact that there is a waiting for God’s Word: “I wait with longing for the LORD, my soul waits for his word.” [Psalm 130:5]

Jesus expresses a longing for companionship as He waits referring to His own soul: Then "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." [Matthew 26:38]

By using the expression “my soul,” there is also a subtle Marian dimension of receptivity implied. “And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.’” [Luke 1:46]

In a few simple phrases, deeply Scriptural in background and orientation, we speak our desire to be healed by the Word of the Lord. Who gives Himself to us in the Eucharist.

Planning for Funerals

Funerals are truly for the living. Here is a humorous story that reminds us of the truth that the celebration of a funeral, while being prayer for and remembrance of our deceased loved ones, are truly for the consolation of those who gather.

The chocolate chip cookies

An elderly man lay dying in his bed, Suddenly death's agony was pushed aside as he smelled the aroma of his favorite homemade chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs. Gathering his remaining strength, he lifted himself up from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with intense concentration, supported himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. In labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing wide-eyed into the kitchen.

There, spread out on the kitchen table were literally HUNDREDS of his favorite chocolate chip cookies!

Was it heaven? Or, was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man? Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture, one hand on the edge of the table. The aged and withered hand quiveringly made its way to a cookie near the edge of the table; feeling the warm soft dough actually made the pain of his bones subside for a moment. His parched lips parted; the wondrous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth; seemingly bringing him back to life.

What, then, was this sudden stinging that caused his hand to recoil?

He looked to see his wife, still holding the spatula she had just used to smack his hand.

"Stay out of those!" she said, "they're for the funeral."

As you make plans for your summer holidays, why not think about your final destination as well? We now have a Bereavement Ministry that hopes to assist before, during and after the celebration of the Funeral. Begin to reflect on the things that matter. What celebration will be most consoling for your loved ones left behind? Have your made known some of your favorite church hymns and Scripture readings? Do you have a will? Are the institutions that were important to you in life remembered in your plans for bequests? Your alma mater, your parish, and other non-profit groups rely on the generosity of benefactors. Now is the time to attend to these matter, while you have the leisure and time!

A Word from Your Pastor July 3

Dear Parishioners:

This past week, I have been offering a Retreat to the Deacon Candidates for the Diocese of Steubenville. This is the first class for Permanent Deacons for our sister Diocese. They have been studying along with the candidates from the Diocese of Columbus and were part of the course on the Pentateuch I taught last Fall.

Our guide for reflection has been the Post-Synodal Document Verbum Domini, written by Pope Benedict XVI following the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God that took place in 2008. This document is a rather comprehensive presentation on the Catholic Church’s understanding of the Word of God. It is not a quick read, but it is clear. If you want to get a good understanding of how the Catholic Church understands Scripture and its connection to the whole life of the Church and her members, it is worth your study.

The document is available online at the Vatican website. You can type out the text that follows or just do a search for “Verbum Domini” and you will be able to find it without any difficulty.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20100930_verbum-domini_en.html

There is literally something for everybody. The structure of the text itself reminds us of the many dimensions of the Word of God:

Verbum Dei - The Word of God in the Triune God
Verbum in Ecclesia - The Word of God in the Church: Sacraments
Verbum Mundo - The Word of God in the World: Our Mission

This movement, from within God, through the Church and out into the world is the movement of Faith. We encounter God through His Word, in Creation, in the Scriptures, and in the life of the Church, and we are witnesses of God’s Gift of Salvation to the World.

Most of you have noticed that we have the Bible in the New American translation (which is the one used at Mass) available in every pew in the church, along with the songbooks. This is a reminder to all that we ought to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the Scripture in order to nourish our life of Faith. Come early to Mass and read through a passage or two. Learn to pray with the Scriptures and you will always have a means of connecting with God in His own words.

Pray this week that our Parish Festival goes well. We really depend on it to help us meet our needs in the life of our Parish and School. All are invited to join us on Friday and Saturday evening, July 8 and 9.

Happy Fourth of July! Let us thank God for all our freedoms and let us be grateful to those who serve to keep us free, putting their lives on the line for us.

This week, our parish will be hosting a gathering of the seminarians of the Diocese of Columbus and the pastors of their summer assignments. Remember, we are praying that God will call some of our own members to be among this number soon!

Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.


When we read the Sacred Scriptures, we are often confronted with perspectives and ways of thinking that are very different from our own. The next section of the First Letter to St. Timothy takes up a theme that may cause us to bristle a bit. Nonetheless, we have to allow the Word of God to speak to our hearts through it.


Similarly, too, women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, but rather, as befits women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds. A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. (I Timothy 2:9-15)

Paul’s advice concerning women in the assembly needs to be understood in context, both the context of the Scriptures and the context of the wider society.

In the context of the cosmopolitan Roman Empire, the relationship between men and women had a variety of models. The primary approach that seems to have been common in the ancient world was that of spheres of influence. Women ran the households, including the broad family unit, with servants and slaves, as well as children. Men were “at the city gates” and involved in all the public trappings of religion. There were also women in charge of the cults of goddesses and the like, and in service of temples to various pagan gods.

In the context of the Scriptures, note that Paul begins this section with the phrase “Similarly, too.” The discussion immediately preceding was about prayer for public officials by the members of the church. So, Paul is advising Timothy and his community about how things need to be arranged so that the witness of the Gospel is not compromised. The behaviors discussed were under consideration because of the volatility of the relationship between small church communities and the society at large. From the discussion of women in the church, Paul will move on to the roles of bishops and deacon.

In our time, the relationship between women and men, and between Church and Society has a different configuration. Given this difference, if St. Paul were writing now, he might well have a different approach. Nonetheless, the principles he would follow would be the same. The behavior of the Community as a whole, and of individuals, men and women, leaders and members, is to be determined by the common desire for an effective witness to Unity in the Gospel.

It is helpful to recall that the place of assembly at this time was a household, not a separate building. Thus “church” was held in the area that was usually the domain of the wife of the family. The overlap between spheres of influence, the exterior society and the inner chamber of a family dwelling caused the need for an accommodation. Men could be in charge here precisely because they had the role of opening the church to the world. Paul did make a point, however, that the women’s concerns were not to be overlooked. She could make them known and it was the husband’s responsibility to bring them to the assembly. So Paul is making a positive point: both spheres of influence are to be given there due, and the mutuality of relationship called for by the Gospel is to find a practical formulation for the good of the Church.

We can learn from even this part of Paul’s Letter-- in spite of the fact that our worldviews are so different. The proclamation of the Gospel without distraction and without dissension in the ranks is what we are all about.

Reflections on the Liturgy: SIGN OF PEACE

Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: And with your spirit.

The response of the People to the Priest’s greeting at the Sign of Peace is in line with the renewed translation of the Latin “et cum spiritu tuo.” What we have covered before about the more literal rendering that is common in languages other than English, and with regard to Scriptural references applies here. Moreover, there is a heightened impact of the mention of spirit in this context, since the Sign of Peace hearkens back to the encounter of the Apostles with the Lord Jesus after His Resurrection.

John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus said twice “Peace be with you” and then breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:19-23) Thus, offering the Peace of the Lord to one another, and responding with the mention of the spirit of the person offering the Peace in the name of the Lord, highlights our being infused with the Gift of the Spirit. As we prepare to receive the Eucharist, we enter into the Peace that the Risen Lord offers and we ensure that it is shared among us.

Pilgrimage to the Lands of the Bible

Pilgrimage "In the Footsteps of St. Timothy": Fr. Tim Hayes & Fr. Paul Hrezo, Spiritual Director at the Pontifical College Josephinum, are offering a pilgrimage departing on October 19th for 12 days to Greece & Turkey, following the path of St. Timothy & St Paul. Ephesus, where St. Timothy served as Bishop, a cruise to the island of Patmos, where St. John composed the Book of Revelation, Rhodes & others are included among many other sites. Deposit to reserve a place: $300.00.

This is an opportunity to learn about our Patron Saint Timothy and to come to understand both the writings of Saint Paul and the Book of Revelation by seeing the lands where they were composed.

A presentation about this Pilgrimage will be held at St. Peter's Church at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12th, in the "Blue Room," which is a conference room in the church building. The address of St. Peter's Church is: 6899 Smoky Row Road, Columbus, OH 43235-1998.

Itinerary:

http://www.timothymhayes.net/In%20the%20Footsteps%20of%20St%20Timothy%202011%20Itinerary.pdf

Application:

http://www.timothymhayes.net/In%20the%20Footsteps%20of%20St%20Timothy%202011%20Application.pdf

Call Judy Lorms 614-670-8626 for details or email: judylorms@gmail.com.