Dear Parishioners:
This week our Second Graders have begun to learn something that may be useful for all of us to recall: when we come into the church and other sacred places, we are standing on holy ground. The children are learning a little song to remind them: “This is holy ground. We’re standing on holy ground. Our God is present, and so this ground is holy.” At the same time, they are learning to have an attitude of silence as an expression of reverence in the Presence of the Lord. Silence is hard to come by in our era. And yet, our little ones are able to learn about it and to practice it. Can we learn from them?
Silence offers us an opportunity to listen more deeply to the Truth. The noise of the world is pervasive and without any real sense of order. Silence allows us to discover the voice of God speaking to our hearts, letting us know the way things really are. In Silence, we can hear God’s call to us to belong to Him. Through Silence in the Presence of our God, we become the Holy People chosen to teach others the way of the Lord. God’s Word, spoken in us, can only be heard in Silence.
Paradoxically, once we have entered into Silence, we will always find that the Lord calls us to speak aloud what we have heard. “Go into the whole world, teach all nations…..” (Matthew 28:19) Actions speak louder than words. When we live what we have heard in Silence, the world takes note.
Hearing news of wars, terrorist attacks, and persecution at home and abroad, we can feel powerless. Nonetheless, we must engage. First, we must pray. Here is the call to Silence. Then, we must teach by word and example. Here is the Call to proclaim the Kingdom of God.
Last weekend, the Knights of Columbus began a grass-roots campaign to remind our public representatives of their responsibility to defend our freedom to practice our Faith. I invite you to respond with your own voice. Let our civil representatives and leaders know that you cherish the freedoms won for us by those who pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.
Celebrating our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy’s Community of Faith.
Up to now, we have concentrated our study on the Scriptures associated with Ephesus, since that was the diocese of which our Patron St. Timothy was the first Bishop. We are now considering another Letter associated with that community, this time from one of the early bishops of the Church named Ignatius of Antioch.
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, CHAPTER VIII.--RENEWED PRAISE OF THE EPHESIANS.
Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed ye are not deceived, inasmuch as ye are wholly devoted to God. For since there is no strife raging among you which might distress you, ye are certainly living in accordance with God's will. I am far inferior to you, and require to be sanctified by your Church of Ephesus, so renowned throughout the world. They that are carnal cannot do those things which are spiritual, nor they that are spiritual the things which are carnal; even as faith cannot do the works of unbelief, nor unbelief the works of faith. But even those things which ye do according to the flesh are spiritual; for ye do all things in Jesus Christ.
Ignatius reminds the Church of Ephesus of their power for good. By responding to the call to be holy, they influence the whole world with their witness. Great Saints lived among them, and so they are known throughout the world. Ignatius himself, on his way to martyrdom, is encouraged by the report he has hear about them. Holiness—belonging to God—leads to a way of life that is evident. “Spirit and flesh” are brought to a unity in Jesus Christ and the lives of those who follow Him continue the witness in such a way that the whole world is lifted up.
Knights of Columbus Letter Campaign in Defense of Liberty
Religious liberty is indeed the first liberty and our most cherished freedom. If we are not free in our conscience and our practice of religion, all other freedoms are fragile. If our obligations and duties to God are impeded, or even worse, contradicted by the government, then we can no longer claim to be a land of the free. In our Bill of Rights, the First Amendment allows for the free exercise of religion. Unfortunately, the Department of Health and Human Services is now forcing health care professionals and religious institutions into actions that violate their moral teaching and religious beliefs.
After all Masses this weekend (Saturday, September 15th and Sunday, September 16th) the Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring a letter writing campaign to our government representatives - HHS, Congress and the President – requesting they stand up for religious liberty and support legislation affirming the First Amendment. There will be letters available for you to sign and personalize at tables in the cafeteria. We ask all parishioners to join in this letter writing campaign with the Knights of Columbus as we seek legislation to protect rights of conscience and to rescind the HHS mandate.
This Week in Our History: September 16-23
1964: Date to remember—Sunday, Oct. 4—First Pizza Sale sponsored by the Home and School Association.
1969: Football game today—St. Timothy’s plays St. Philip’s at 1 pm today. Take the East freeway to Hamilton Rd. exit. Go north on Hamilton to Livingston and turn left. Go about three blocks to Elaine Rd. and turn left. We would like the parents of the players to support the team.
1971: The choir had an excellent first rehearsal Thursday with its splendid new Director, Brother Peter McClernon. We can use more members, and if former members are not coming back, may we please have the music back?
1972: Festival notes: Just a reminder to the ladies to wear bright and gay apparel and the men their Hawaiian shirts in keeping with the theme of the parish festival. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors so we can have a grand turnout.
Banns of Matrimony are announced for the first time between Nicholas DeSantis and Michelle Fares, both of St. Timothy Parish.
1973: We regretfully announce the death and burial of Dolores Boulware, a most faithful parishioner. We ask your prayers for her and her family.
1976: Are you thinking of getting married???? Parishes of this vicariate have established rules as to who may witness the marriage. Please call the pastor before contacting anyone else.
Have you been in the priest’s pala…(oops!) rectory lately? If you have you’ve noticed that some maintenance is needed. Since we haven’t much money to spend, we’re looking for your input and/or bids on the several needs. Needed: some new carpeting; draperies; someone to upholster some furniture, etc.
1979: Congratulations to Robert Olsen, Scout Troop 169, who will be presented the Eagle Award at a Court of Honor on September 17 at Cranbrook School.
Today we observe Catechetical Sunday….following are the teachers working in the CCD program: Kindergarten and 1st Grade--Mrs. Sue Dodd; 2nd Grade--Carla Guarasci; 3rd and 4th Grade--Mrs. Sara Gavinski; 5th and 6th Grade--Joe McLaughlin; 7th and 8th Grade-- Mrs. Elaine James and Mrs. Bill Hartnett; High School--Ralph Guarasci and Greg Paniccia
Lights. Our thanks to Paul Bubenchik for the new spotlights on the porch entrance. They’re nifty!
1983: On Saturday, September 24, Mary Cusick of St. Timothy will marry Douglas Dougherty in St. Timothy Church.
1984: Sympathy and Prayers—Jack Bender, James E. Staley, and John A. Burk, members of St. Timothy who were buried this past week.
This week’s featured group…is our core of Bingo volunteers. No listing would really describe all that they help accomplish for the parish. So, instead, this bulletin includes a summary of last year’s financial reporting…As you will readily see, the volunteers made possible the parking lot, the new cafeteria tables, and still raised $120,000 of the total parish income of $538,000.
1992: Ice Cream Social…As an “Official” welcome party for Father Hanley, there will be an ice cream social at St. Timothy’s on Sunday afternoon September 20th at 3:00 pm. All are invited, of course, and we hope to have a good turnout. So many people will have an opportunity in a more casual setting to “Meet the Pastor” or catch up on “old times”. In case of rain we will move to the cafeteria.
1996: Happy Birthday, Fr. Andy Nugent, on your 81st birthday, September 23.
2003: Congratulations to Steve and Irene Sova, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, September 27th at the 5:00 pm Mass.
2004: Rest in Peace. Our sympathy to the family of Paul Saelzler (former Director of Religious Education at St. Timothy), who died this past week. May he rest in peace.
2008: A Word from Your Pastor
Who would ever have thought that Columbus and Ohio would be hit so hard by a hurricane? “Ike” has closed down much of the city for several days now….Events like this invite us all to realize that we are so dependent on others for our everyday well being. Perhaps it is a wake-up call to take stock in our situation before something even more difficult befalls us. It is also a reminder to make sure that we reach out to those around us. Who is on your list of folks to call just to make sure they are all right? Who has your name and number to call when they are in need? How connected are you to those around you? Who is your neighbor?
2009: Remember in your prayers Marie Wolf who died. Our sympathy to her family and may she rest in peace.
2010: Congratulations to Anish and Juliet Varghese, who were married in India this August. We welcome Juliet into the parish as she joins her new husband, who has been a member with his family. Blessings to the newlyweds!
2011: A Word from Your Pastor
…This past week, we saw a gathering of St. Timothy women for a potluck. As an honorary (dues-paying) member, I was able to stop in as things were wrapping up. It was clear that everyone had a good time. Although for several years now we have not had an active “Women’s Club” as such, it is clear that all the members are very active and involved. We owe a debt of gratitude to the women of St. Timothy Parish who keep us in business and who make sure that all that used to happen under the umbrella of the Women’s Club still happens. I am sure that the Holy Spirit will tap on someone’s shoulder to take up the task of leadership when the time is right. In the meantime, we thank those who led in the past and we invite those who are feeling the Spirit’s tug to step forward. Remember, it was a woman who got us all started by her Yes to God when the angel asked her to be the mother of the Messiah.
Golden Jubilee - The date has been set for the dinner celebration for the Golden Jubilee of St. Timothy Parish. Mark your calendar for November 26, 2011 after the 5:00 pm Mass.
Please remember in your prayers, Bill Clifford, who died this past week. May he rest in peace.
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