Dear Parishioners:
We welcome Bishop Campbell to St. Timothy Church this weekend to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for 44 8th Graders in our School and PSR. Whenever the Bishop comes among us, we experience a taste of what it means to be the Church in her fullness. The primary locus for the experience of Church in relation to the world is the Diocese, that is, the Bishop, together with the Clergy, Religious and Laity, who are the local expression of the Body of Christ. As Church, we are called to witness to the truth of the Faith and to invite others to know Christ through Word and Sacrament.
Family life is the Domestic Church, that is the Church at Home. The experience of Faith in the family is the primary locus for the first knowledge of the Gospel. When families live with Christ at their center, their members are able to live their witness with a strong foundation.
The Parish celebration of Confirmation is a privileged moment which serves to remind all of us of our call. As the confirmands, their sponsors and their families and all who teach them gather with the Parish Community to welcome our local apostle, it is time for every member of the Parish Family to be renewed in zeal for the Faith. Let us commit to share Christ with the world, and let us ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to worship of the Father through His Word.
We offer our thanks to Bishop Campbell for the Gift of the Spirit and to all who have brought our 8th Graders to this joyful day.
The Year of Prayer: Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that You are One God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your Divine Son became man, and died for our sins and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because You have revealed them, Who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
On many occasions, St. Paul the Apostle made an apostle also of St. Timothy by sending him on missions on behalf of the Gospel.
The Acts of the Apostles tells us that Paul “sent to Macedonia two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, while he himself stayed for a while in the province of Asia.” (Acts 19:22) Paul tells the Thessalonians that he “sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.” (I Thessalonians 3:2) To the Corinthians, he writes “For this reason I am sending you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord; he will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach them everywhere in every church.” (I Corinthians 4:17)
The Philippians are given word of Paul’s hope “in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be heartened by hearing news of you.” (Philippians 2:19)
The role of Timothy on these occasions was to promote the work of the Gospel by carrying a word of encouragement or by discovering the situation and needs of the communities to whom he was sent. He served as a connecting link between St. Paul and the communities he had founded. Paul rejoices after Timothy’s mission to the Thessalonians that “just now Timothy has returned to us from you, bringing us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us and long to see us
as we long to see you.” (I Thessalonians 3:6)
The task of building up the community of believers is a shared mission. Our patron Timothy shows us how to respond to this call in the Lord Jesus.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
The Church has always recognized that how she prays assists her to know the Faith. Lex orandi, lex credendi: the law of praying is the law of believing. For this reason, the language and form of the Liturgy is studied, purified, at times corrected, and always held to the norms and rubrics that the Church supplies. When all do what the Liturgy calls for, we become truly who we are as the Body of Christ and our prayer in common is the very worship of the Angels and Saints in glory. The current move to a revised translation of the Mass (which will take place on the First Sunday of Advent this year) is to be understood in this light. The Church is always being called to growth. As we pray and study the new form in the months ahead, let us ask the Spirit to help us to understand ever more profoundly the Mystery we celebrate.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor February 20
Dear Parishioners:
One of the joys of being a Pastor is the gift of being in touch with many people who are excited and eager. When I am stretched beyond my personal limits, I am renewed by those who can take up the charge with their zeal. In a parish like St. Timothy, folks are always available to keep things moving, some would say, even stirred-up at times! The number of announcements and requests for opportunity to connect with the congregation after weekend Masses grows throughout the year. At times, the Pastor has to serve as a “traffic cop” in order to allow for an orderly departure into the parking lot.
The same is true regarding the use of space throughout the week. We have three persons who work closely together to oversee the building and grounds and to keep us all informed concerning the space. George Mosholder, our principal, sees to the use of the School spaces, including classrooms, library and other areas. Mary Pat Boulware , our Cafeteria Manager, oversees use of the Gym/Parish Center and the Kitchen. Lucy Hickey, Parish Office Manager, takes care of the use of the Cafeteria (outside School time), the Teachers’ Lounge, the Multipurpose Room, and the Church. These three meet weekly to coordinate the requests and keep the maintenance staff and others informed of expected use. It becomes a challenge when multiple requests come for the same times. It is even more of a challenge when groups show up that have not contacted one of these three about the use of the particular area…. I am in awe of how few real problems we have had given the busy-ness of our schedule. I am also grateful to those who approach any difficulties with understanding.
Kudos are due to George, Mary Pat and Lucy, and to our maintenance crew, Nelson Flinders, Tamika Gilmore, Sue Hatfield and Sharon and Phil Hall for all they do to keep things moving along happily. I ask that you give them a word of thanks and full cooperation as we plan for the use of our facilities.
This week, please keep the priests of the Diocese of Columbus in your prayers. We will be gathering for a Convocation to learn more about the upcoming changes in the language of the Mass. Stay tuned for more information as the time for this transition approaches.
Next weekend, we will welcome Bishop Campbell to St. Timothy for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Keep our Confirmands in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Year of Prayer: Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit O Spirit of Wisdom,
preside over all my thoughts, words and actions,
from this hour until the moment of my death.
Spirit of Understanding, enlighten and teach me.
Spirit of Counsel, direct my inexperience.
Spirit of Fortitude, strengthen my weakness.
Spirit of Knowledge, instruct my ignorance.
Spirit of Piety, make me fervent in good works.
Heavenly Spirit, make me persevere in the service of God,
and enable me to act on all occasions
with goodness and kindness, charity and joy,
with long-suffering, mildness and fidelity.
Let the heavenly virtues of modesty, continency and chastity,
adorn the temple you have chosen for your abode.
Spirit of Holiness, by your all powerful grace,
preserve me from the misfortune of sin. Amen.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
St. Timothy came to know Jesus through the preaching of the generations of Christians that preceded him. From St. Paul (second generation) and the other Apostles (first generation), he no doubt learned the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry and of the growth of the Church that led to unity among Jews and Gentiles. Since his own family had already experienced something of that unity (his mother was Jewish and his father was Greek), it was up to Timothy to continue to preach and teach the unity that is ours in Christ.
St. Paul saw Timothy as a true co-worker in Christ, sending him to various communities in his stead as a “brother and co-worker for God in the gospel of Christ” (I Thessalonians 3:2), acknowledging that he was “doing the work of the Lord just as I am.” (I Corinthians 16:10) Indeed, he felt like a father to Timothy, pointing out “how as a child with a father he served along with me in the cause of the gospel.” (Philippians 2:22)
Reflections on the Liturgy: The Church is hierarchical. Unfortunately, this word has been greatly misunderstood in our times. Hierarchy is a “holy ordering.” It is a structure that allows for coordination and cooperation among all members, each contributing the gifts that belong to each for the good of the whole community. The Church is most present when all the members are gathered together in communion with the local representative of the hierarchy – the Bishop. When Bishop and People worship God together, the purpose of the hierarchy is most evident. When the Sacraments are celebrated and the Holy Trinity is invoked, the Church is cooperating with the economy of grace that flows through the hierarchical structure. As one bumper sticker puts it: “Clergy generate high praise.” The hierarchy of the Church is in service of unity in praise and worship of the Living God. Christ is the Head of the Church and we are His members. The hierarchy serves to manifest this in worship and in all the actions performed in the Name of Christ as Church in the world.
One of the joys of being a Pastor is the gift of being in touch with many people who are excited and eager. When I am stretched beyond my personal limits, I am renewed by those who can take up the charge with their zeal. In a parish like St. Timothy, folks are always available to keep things moving, some would say, even stirred-up at times! The number of announcements and requests for opportunity to connect with the congregation after weekend Masses grows throughout the year. At times, the Pastor has to serve as a “traffic cop” in order to allow for an orderly departure into the parking lot.
The same is true regarding the use of space throughout the week. We have three persons who work closely together to oversee the building and grounds and to keep us all informed concerning the space. George Mosholder, our principal, sees to the use of the School spaces, including classrooms, library and other areas. Mary Pat Boulware , our Cafeteria Manager, oversees use of the Gym/Parish Center and the Kitchen. Lucy Hickey, Parish Office Manager, takes care of the use of the Cafeteria (outside School time), the Teachers’ Lounge, the Multipurpose Room, and the Church. These three meet weekly to coordinate the requests and keep the maintenance staff and others informed of expected use. It becomes a challenge when multiple requests come for the same times. It is even more of a challenge when groups show up that have not contacted one of these three about the use of the particular area…. I am in awe of how few real problems we have had given the busy-ness of our schedule. I am also grateful to those who approach any difficulties with understanding.
Kudos are due to George, Mary Pat and Lucy, and to our maintenance crew, Nelson Flinders, Tamika Gilmore, Sue Hatfield and Sharon and Phil Hall for all they do to keep things moving along happily. I ask that you give them a word of thanks and full cooperation as we plan for the use of our facilities.
This week, please keep the priests of the Diocese of Columbus in your prayers. We will be gathering for a Convocation to learn more about the upcoming changes in the language of the Mass. Stay tuned for more information as the time for this transition approaches.
Next weekend, we will welcome Bishop Campbell to St. Timothy for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Keep our Confirmands in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Year of Prayer: Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit O Spirit of Wisdom,
preside over all my thoughts, words and actions,
from this hour until the moment of my death.
Spirit of Understanding, enlighten and teach me.
Spirit of Counsel, direct my inexperience.
Spirit of Fortitude, strengthen my weakness.
Spirit of Knowledge, instruct my ignorance.
Spirit of Piety, make me fervent in good works.
Heavenly Spirit, make me persevere in the service of God,
and enable me to act on all occasions
with goodness and kindness, charity and joy,
with long-suffering, mildness and fidelity.
Let the heavenly virtues of modesty, continency and chastity,
adorn the temple you have chosen for your abode.
Spirit of Holiness, by your all powerful grace,
preserve me from the misfortune of sin. Amen.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
St. Timothy came to know Jesus through the preaching of the generations of Christians that preceded him. From St. Paul (second generation) and the other Apostles (first generation), he no doubt learned the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry and of the growth of the Church that led to unity among Jews and Gentiles. Since his own family had already experienced something of that unity (his mother was Jewish and his father was Greek), it was up to Timothy to continue to preach and teach the unity that is ours in Christ.
St. Paul saw Timothy as a true co-worker in Christ, sending him to various communities in his stead as a “brother and co-worker for God in the gospel of Christ” (I Thessalonians 3:2), acknowledging that he was “doing the work of the Lord just as I am.” (I Corinthians 16:10) Indeed, he felt like a father to Timothy, pointing out “how as a child with a father he served along with me in the cause of the gospel.” (Philippians 2:22)
Reflections on the Liturgy: The Church is hierarchical. Unfortunately, this word has been greatly misunderstood in our times. Hierarchy is a “holy ordering.” It is a structure that allows for coordination and cooperation among all members, each contributing the gifts that belong to each for the good of the whole community. The Church is most present when all the members are gathered together in communion with the local representative of the hierarchy – the Bishop. When Bishop and People worship God together, the purpose of the hierarchy is most evident. When the Sacraments are celebrated and the Holy Trinity is invoked, the Church is cooperating with the economy of grace that flows through the hierarchical structure. As one bumper sticker puts it: “Clergy generate high praise.” The hierarchy of the Church is in service of unity in praise and worship of the Living God. Christ is the Head of the Church and we are His members. The hierarchy serves to manifest this in worship and in all the actions performed in the Name of Christ as Church in the world.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor February 13
Dear Parishioners:
February often brings doldrums. How wonderful for us that this month is a month that will bring Sacramental encounters and many community-building events instead!
Our 8th Grade class is in the final stages of preparation for their celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Campbell February 27. They are also gearing up for their trip to our nation’s capital by selling donuts and St. Timothy magnets. This Sunday the RCIA class will experience Anointing of the Catechumens in preparation for their final steps of the journey toward initiation in the Catholic Church. They are studying about the Sacraments that guide and shape our lives as Catholics.
We will also experience many events that will serve to build up our parish and school family. Plans for the annual Spaghetti Dinner are in full swing. Seniors on the Go are ready to make plans for some old vintage fun. The Women of St. Timothy will gather for a prayer breakfast to learn more about how to bring peace into the world.
Members of the parish are meeting monthly for a Webinar to learn about Stewardship, the response to God’s generosity and the call to share who we are and all we are with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. The Spring gala dinner auction is being organized. Festival teams are being set in motion. Alumni are working to form a network of connection with friends through the years. And plans for our Golden Jubilee in November are beginning to take shape.
The Rosary Prayer Garden will add a wonderful spiritual atmosphere outside the church. The idea of an outdoor path in the woods with Stations of the Cross has been mentioned even as our Scouts make it passable.
What are your thoughts about our community life? How are you and your family involved in things that build you up spiritually?
The Year of Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful.
--And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
--And you will renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit, You have taught the hearts of Your faithful. In the same Spirit, help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in Your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
We have noted that St. Paul points out details about St. Timothy’s family – his mother and grandmother being women of faith, his father being a Greek. In various letters and the Acts of the Apostles, we also learn about many of the friends and companions that were part of Timothy’s life in service of the Gospel.
Among these were Silas (Acts 17:14-15; 18:5) who was also called Silvanus (I Thessalonians 1:1, II Thessalonians 1:1), Erastus (Acts 19:22), Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, from Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia (Acts 20:4).
St. Paul shared his companionship with Timothy with members of his own family: “Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.” (Romans 16:21) Many texts point to the fact that St. Paul considered Timothy as his “beloved and faithful son in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 4:17; I Timothy 1:2; II Timothy 1:2)
These references point to the wonderful capacity that belongs to followers of Christ to share family values and relationships through the gift of Faith. Just as Timothy become a companion and brother, a son in the Lord to Paul, so we become members of one another’s family. Faith crosses generations and all other boundaries.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
Rites that accompany the journey of Faith are a part of the Liturgy that have always been present in the life of the Church but are often unfamiliar to those who have grown up Catholic. In the Baptism of Infants, these rites are present, but can go unnoticed, such as the anointing with the oil of Catechumens and the exorcisms. For adults, they take place either at Mass or in the RCIA classes at specified times along the way. It is helpful to experience these rites and to reflect on their meaning because they open up for us the riches of the Faith that we share. The anointing of catechumens recalls the need for strength and perseverance as we approach the Sacraments of Initiation.
February often brings doldrums. How wonderful for us that this month is a month that will bring Sacramental encounters and many community-building events instead!
Our 8th Grade class is in the final stages of preparation for their celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Campbell February 27. They are also gearing up for their trip to our nation’s capital by selling donuts and St. Timothy magnets. This Sunday the RCIA class will experience Anointing of the Catechumens in preparation for their final steps of the journey toward initiation in the Catholic Church. They are studying about the Sacraments that guide and shape our lives as Catholics.
We will also experience many events that will serve to build up our parish and school family. Plans for the annual Spaghetti Dinner are in full swing. Seniors on the Go are ready to make plans for some old vintage fun. The Women of St. Timothy will gather for a prayer breakfast to learn more about how to bring peace into the world.
Members of the parish are meeting monthly for a Webinar to learn about Stewardship, the response to God’s generosity and the call to share who we are and all we are with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. The Spring gala dinner auction is being organized. Festival teams are being set in motion. Alumni are working to form a network of connection with friends through the years. And plans for our Golden Jubilee in November are beginning to take shape.
The Rosary Prayer Garden will add a wonderful spiritual atmosphere outside the church. The idea of an outdoor path in the woods with Stations of the Cross has been mentioned even as our Scouts make it passable.
What are your thoughts about our community life? How are you and your family involved in things that build you up spiritually?
The Year of Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful.
--And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.
--And you will renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit, You have taught the hearts of Your faithful. In the same Spirit, help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in Your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
We have noted that St. Paul points out details about St. Timothy’s family – his mother and grandmother being women of faith, his father being a Greek. In various letters and the Acts of the Apostles, we also learn about many of the friends and companions that were part of Timothy’s life in service of the Gospel.
Among these were Silas (Acts 17:14-15; 18:5) who was also called Silvanus (I Thessalonians 1:1, II Thessalonians 1:1), Erastus (Acts 19:22), Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, from Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia (Acts 20:4).
St. Paul shared his companionship with Timothy with members of his own family: “Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.” (Romans 16:21) Many texts point to the fact that St. Paul considered Timothy as his “beloved and faithful son in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 4:17; I Timothy 1:2; II Timothy 1:2)
These references point to the wonderful capacity that belongs to followers of Christ to share family values and relationships through the gift of Faith. Just as Timothy become a companion and brother, a son in the Lord to Paul, so we become members of one another’s family. Faith crosses generations and all other boundaries.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
Rites that accompany the journey of Faith are a part of the Liturgy that have always been present in the life of the Church but are often unfamiliar to those who have grown up Catholic. In the Baptism of Infants, these rites are present, but can go unnoticed, such as the anointing with the oil of Catechumens and the exorcisms. For adults, they take place either at Mass or in the RCIA classes at specified times along the way. It is helpful to experience these rites and to reflect on their meaning because they open up for us the riches of the Faith that we share. The anointing of catechumens recalls the need for strength and perseverance as we approach the Sacraments of Initiation.
Monday, February 7, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor February 6, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor
Dear Parishioners:
The weather outside is a reminder of the weather inside. At times, we can become cold and indifferent to our Faith. The Word of God comes to us and we have hearts hardened by sin and selfishness. It takes God’s faithfulness to us and His persistence in calling us to bring us back.
The Feast of the Presentation, which took place this past week (February 2), reminds us that God works with all kinds of prayer. Simeon, the old man, came upon Jesus, Mary and Joseph because he was prompted by the Holy Spirit and he responded. Anna, a widow of 84, came upon the scene because she was always there. Simeon and Anna waited patiently for the Lord to fulfill His promises, and then they shared the news of salvation with everyone.
When we have days away from School, or when the lights are out, as they were for some of our parishioners, we are reminded that our plans do not shape the environment around us. May we also learn that the Word of God can come to us in every circumstance. And may we come to see Christ our Light.
The Year of Prayer: The Nunc Dimitis
Simeon’s Prophecy to Mary, the Mother of Jesus is used in Night Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled.
My eyes have seen the salvation
You have prepared in the sight of every people,
A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people, Israel
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
The Scriptures that include our Patron give us wonderful details about his life. He was from Lystra and his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). His Grandmother was named Lois and his mother was Eunice, and these were Jewish women of faith (2 Timothy 1:5). Paul had Timothy practice the usual Jewish practices of faith so that he would be free to assist in the proclamation of the Gospel among Jews (Acts 16:3).
From these tidbits we can learn that the Gospel is accessible to people of diverse traditions and backgrounds. Faith grows across the generations when it is lived with a consistent witness. Sacrifices that our culture calls for can serve as a means to promote Christ.
Dear Parishioners:
The weather outside is a reminder of the weather inside. At times, we can become cold and indifferent to our Faith. The Word of God comes to us and we have hearts hardened by sin and selfishness. It takes God’s faithfulness to us and His persistence in calling us to bring us back.
The Feast of the Presentation, which took place this past week (February 2), reminds us that God works with all kinds of prayer. Simeon, the old man, came upon Jesus, Mary and Joseph because he was prompted by the Holy Spirit and he responded. Anna, a widow of 84, came upon the scene because she was always there. Simeon and Anna waited patiently for the Lord to fulfill His promises, and then they shared the news of salvation with everyone.
When we have days away from School, or when the lights are out, as they were for some of our parishioners, we are reminded that our plans do not shape the environment around us. May we also learn that the Word of God can come to us in every circumstance. And may we come to see Christ our Light.
The Year of Prayer: The Nunc Dimitis
Simeon’s Prophecy to Mary, the Mother of Jesus is used in Night Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled.
My eyes have seen the salvation
You have prepared in the sight of every people,
A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people, Israel
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
The Scriptures that include our Patron give us wonderful details about his life. He was from Lystra and his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). His Grandmother was named Lois and his mother was Eunice, and these were Jewish women of faith (2 Timothy 1:5). Paul had Timothy practice the usual Jewish practices of faith so that he would be free to assist in the proclamation of the Gospel among Jews (Acts 16:3).
From these tidbits we can learn that the Gospel is accessible to people of diverse traditions and backgrounds. Faith grows across the generations when it is lived with a consistent witness. Sacrifices that our culture calls for can serve as a means to promote Christ.
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