Sunday, June 17, 2012

A Word from Your Pastor June 17

Dear Parishioners:

This week, I will be on Retreat.  Please keep me in your prayers as I seek to “re-charge” my spirit after a rather busy season of ministry.  Priests are asked to find a balance between the demands of the ministry and their own needs through an annual retreat, continuing education and vacation, as well as a weekly time of “Sabbath rest.”  Most of us tend to find this difficult to schedule. 
After much calendar work, I have arranged my scheduling of these events in the latter part of June and the first part of July.  Retreat is this week (weekdays only).  Some Continuing Education will be next week, along with Fr. Bill Faustner, at a preaching workshop at the University of Notre Dame (again, weekdays only).  Seeing the Golden Dome is something on Fr. Bill’s “Bucket List,” so we are meeting that goal and having some update at the same time.  My vacation is set for July 2-13 (including one weekend), so I should return refreshed and ready just in time for the Parish Festival.
While I am away, you will have Fr. Bill around for most of the time.  Don’t be too hard on him.  Our Seminarian Tim Heffernan will also be around, along with our office staff.  Since I will be here most of the weekends during this time, most of you will hardly realize I have been away at all.

Having said this, I will offer a word to answer the question “Who is in charge?” while I am gone.  First, the only right answer is “God is in charge,” while I am gone and while I am here.  After that, I will tell you what one priest said to his parish in case a priest did not show up for the scheduled Masses: “You are all in charge!”  When any one of us is away, there is no way for someone else to take that person’s place.  We may pick up some of the jobs or functions usually done by another, but each of us brings more than what we do.  When one is missing for any reason, we do the best we can.
This Friday will be my 27th anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood.  It calls to mind both my own ordination in 1985 and the wonderful 25th anniversary celebration you hosted at St. Timothy for me and my ordination classmate Fr. Jeff Rimelspach in 2010.  Pray for vocations to the priesthood, especially for at least one from St. Timothy for the Diocese of Columbus while I am your Pastor.  Be sure that you are in my thoughts and prayers in the weeks ahead.

Celebrating our Golden Jubilee:  Getting to know Saint Timothy’s Community of Faith.

We are looking at St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, since Ephesus was the see where St. Timothy served as Bishop.  This may offer some perspectives on the Church and the Community among whom Timothy lived and ministered.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise, “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth.”  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)

St. Paul speaks to the Church in Ephesus as a community and then he moves to a series of exhortations to particular groups in the Church to show how their relationships can be influenced by the Christian Faith.  Some of these relationships are the same as the structure of our own society.  Others are not.  What is important to note is the principles and the manner of reasoning used.  Here, St. Paul speaks to children in relation to their parents.  He calls for obedience in the Lord and identifies this as a matter of justice.  He offers a Biblical reason as a motivation – it is the first commandment with a promise.  [Note: Bishop Campbell is fond of asking about this commandment at Confirmations.]  St. Paul also addresses fathers in their manner of responding to the relationship to their children.  There is a responsibility that goes beyond the paterfamilias of Roman culture.  They ought not to react in anger, but to educate their children in the ways of the Faith, bringing them up “with the training and instruction of the Lord.”  This duty remains a hallmark of Christian life.

Two Weeks of Prayer for Liberty

June 21-July 4 will be observed as a Fortnight of Prayer for Liberty, called for by our Bishops in opposition to the unjust HHS Mandate.  The Knights of Columbus are encouraging as many as can, to join us for Evening Prayer and Benediction on June 21, 6:00 pm at the beginning of the Fortnight for Freedom.

The Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty of the USCCB and Bishop Campbell have called for intense prayer and concerted action during a “Fortnight for Freedom” running from June 21 (the vigil of the feasts of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher) and July 4 (Independence Day). 

St. Timothy Council has agreed to sponsor a prayer service at the start of the Fortnight, on Thursday, June 21st at 6:00 p.m. and the entire parish community is invited and encouraged to join in this fervent prayer for religious liberty in the United States.

The Northwest Deanery will host a Deanery-wide celebration hosted by St. Andrew Parish on Sunday, July 1 at 7 p.m.  All parishes are encouraged to participate in addition to holding their own events.

This Week in Our History:  June 17-24

1963:   We all rejoice and thank God for our new Holy Father, Paul VI, who was Cardinal Montini.  We pray that God will bless him and his pontificate that it may bring many blessings to the Church.

1964:   We are attempting to establish a Parish Book Shelf as part of our library.  We hope to offer books treating all phases of Catholic teaching, theology, philosophy, liturgy, history, social doctrine, spiritual direction, education, etc.  If you have any books you would like to contribute, call Jen Jordan. We are not, at the moment, interested in fiction. 

1966:   Tomorrow at 12:30 pm at the Jai Lai, the Central Deanery will hold their installation of officers. Congratulations to Mrs. Michael (Teresa) Hogan who will be installed as the new Vice-President.

1968:   Please remember in your prayers, Mr. Hugh Dorrian, Sr. who died this past week.
If there is ever going to be an improvement in the increasingly lowered moral standards, YOU are going to have to make your feelings known.  Write to the producers or sponsors of movies or TV programs, either to denounce the bad or to praise the good. To make it easier for you, free post cards for this purpose are in the magazine rack.

1970:   The regret of leaving St. Timothy’s was eased by the kindness of you parishioners last Sunday as I was about to depart.  I am very grateful for the gifts which were another sign of your many instances of affection.
  May the nine years of my life at St. Timothy’s have accomplished for you the good they did for me.
                                             Arrivederci, Father Winkler
1976:   After all Masses today, chances will be sold on the Bicentennial Quilt, made by the Women’s Club and to be raffled off at the Festival.  Countless hours went into this work of art.  Take some chances on it, please.
Today, Fr. Paul Enke will begin his residence and service here at St. Timothy.  We welcome him in your name.
Fathers Kraus and Kessler express their deep gratitude to all who planned and attended the reception this past week, and to all who sent their good wishes.  They were many and heart warming.

1977:   The poor, hungry priests are again without a cook.  We need somebody to do the shopping and to prepare an evening meal two or three days a week.  Our preference remains someone who looks and sings like Olivia Newton-John and cooks like Julia Childs, but we may be willing to compromise.  If you are interested, please call the rectory.  Poor Fr. Enke and Fr. Tague will waste away to nothing!

1978:   Father DeVille will let the air out of the tires of anyone who parks in the spaces marked for the handicapped who is not qualified to park there.  Instead of complaining about not being able to park close to church, thank God that you have two good legs to walk on.

1979:   At weekday Masses, won’t you please come toward the front of Church and sit more or less together.  You’ll find that you feel more like the community that you are meant to be.
Readings at Mass should be listened to, not read from the missalettes.  Won’t you please give it a try today at Mass (unless you are hard of hearing, of course).

Our organ and decorating fund now amounts to $9864….we intend to get started by this Fall on the decorating.

Ralph Geiser of our parish is now drawing up a plan to remodel the sanctuary.

The beautiful new Tabernacle is the gift of the Jentgen and Sheaf families, in the name of Dr. Louis Jentgen and the late Mrs. Rita Jentgen.  We are very grateful.

1981:   A ‘logo’ is a special sign or symbol used by an organization as something of a trademark. We would like to have a logo for St. Timothy Parish.  We invite artists, amateur or professional, and architects to submit proposals. A logo could be used in a variety of ways as a familiar symbol of our parish.

1983:   Please remember in your prayers Father Peter Grabaskas and Father John Tague who died this past week.  Father Tague served here at St. Timothy while he was chaplain at Riverside Hospital, and will be fondly remembered by many parishioners.

Happy Father’s Day.
Our Father in Heaven-
Bless all fathers today,
Those who are young
And those with hair of gray.
As Head of the House
Give them a firm hand,
On questions of right
To take a firm stand. 
Help them remember
In all that they do,
That they were made
 In the Image of You.


From Sr. Wilhelmina of the Diocesan School Food Services:

 “I am pleased to inform you that one of your School Food Service Program workers, Ann Bubenchik, has served the Diocesan Schools for ten years.  It is the custom of (our program) to show appreciation to…personnel who have worked this length of time by awarding them a Certificate of Merit.”  Congratulations, Ann, and thank you.

1984:    Remember in your prayers Dr. Robert M. Ryan, a member of St. Timothy Parish, who was buried last week.

1991:   Life Time
Take time to think, it is the source of power.
Take time to play, it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to read, it is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to pray, it is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to love and be loved, it is a God-given privilege.
Take time to be friendly, it is the road to happiness.
Take time to laugh, it is the music of the soul.
Take time to give, it is too short a day to be selfish.



1992:   Hear ye!  Hear ye!  We are pleased to announce that Father James Hanley, currently pastor of St. Joseph Cathedral, has been appointed to be our next pastor here at St. Timothy.  Best wishes and a hearty welcome!

Wish good luck to Father Thomas after all the Masses this weekend.  Refreshments will be served in the cafeteria so that folks can wish him well and still get on to other “Father’s” Day celebrations.

1993:   Patrick Mooney, original staff member at St. Timothy School, is retiring after a 30-year career in Catholic education.  Lois Stock, a 25-year veteran teacher of first grade at St. Tim’s is also retiring.  Jim Silcott, former teacher at Watterson and outgoing principal at St. Tim’s, is leaving to complete doctoral studies at the University of Dayton.
  St. Timothy parish invites all former students and friends of these three outstanding educators to a celebration Mass at 12:00 noon on Sunday, June 27, followed by an open house from 1:00-3:00 pm.  Please join us to reminisce and help us wish them well in their future endeavors.

1995:   Please remember in your prayers Theodore Truban and Robert Stephen, members of the parish who died and were buried this past week.
Madeline Blair, who has been teaching the 2nd grade in our parish school for the past 18 years, is retiring from her teaching career on June 30.  She has had the joyful responsibility and privilege of helping to prepare well over 500 parish children to receive their First Holy Communion.  I know that they all share with us in wishing Madeline well and much happiness and rest from her labors in her retirement.  God go with you!

1997:   Congratulations to Henry and Virginia Colson on their 50th wedding anniversary on June 29th by renewing their vows at the 10:00 am Mass.

2000:   A Note from Father Shonebarger:  On Thursday, June 22, I will be going to Riverside Hospital for surgery (on my left foot).  I am expected to be there only for a day, but I will need to be (on) crutches until it is healed.  Keep me in your prayers and I hope to be back to normal soon.  I may miss a few Masses, but hope to be back at the altar as soon as I can aim the crutches in the right direction.

2001:   Resurrection Choir members are asked to please wear white blouses when singing in the choir.

2002:   Please remember in your prayers Anne Smurr who died. May she rest in peace.

In 1985, Bishop James Griffin asked that parishes in the Diocese of Columbus do everything possible to offer the Precious Blood of Jesus at Mass.  With the renovation of our church, we now have the space to accomplish this.  To do this, we are in need of many more Extraordinary Ministers.  I am asking you to prayerfully consider this ministry to our parish family.

2006:   A farewell for Fr. Tom Shonebarger was held Saturday, June 17th, following the 5:00 pm Mass.  The parish was invited to bid Fr. Tom farewell and express their gratitude for his many years of priestly service to our parish and the church.  Cards and well wishes may be placed in the church vestibule or mailed to the rectory.
Thank you to the 2006 Eighth Grade graduating class for the banner of ordinary time presented to the parish of St. Timothy .   A beautiful gift of praise, (the meaning of Hosanna) to be passed on to future students and the parish community.

2008:   Please remember in your prayers William Blackburn and Joseph Morrone who died this past week.

2009:   Congratulations to Sarah Stephen and Jason Carter who will be married on June 27th.

2010:   A Grateful Heart.  With heartfelt gratitude to all who participated in last weekend’s celebration of our Silver Jubilee!
Special thanks to the committees at St. Timothy and St. Margaret of Cortona who worked so well to pull it off.  May God bless you for your generosity.
Thanks for all the gifts and reminders of the privilege of priestly ministry among God’s holy people.
    Fr. Timothy Hayes and Fr. Jeffrey Rimelspach

Note from a Parishioner:: I just wanted to say that yesterday was a beautiful event.  Father Tim deserved the day and I think everyone involved should be very proud of the results.
The grounds looked beautiful and the food was superb.  If you had never been to St. Timothy, you had to be Wow’ed!  This old St. Tim’s member sure was!
Thanks again.

As the bulletin goes to press, my Pilgrimage to Ireland and Germany is continuing.  This week, on the very day of my ordination anniversary, June 22, we will be departing from Ireland and heading on to Germany.  This journey to the land of my heritage is a fulfillment of a dream to travel with my mother to the ancestral home of her ancestors.  (Several years back, I was able to do this for my father.)
Please keep Fr. Jeff Rimelspach, me, and all our  pilgrims in your prayers.   Auf Weidersehen!
Remember in your prayers Marty Gardner and Rita Rudak who died.  May they rest in peace, and our sympathy to their families.

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