Sunday, September 9, 2012

A Word from Your Pastor September 9

Dear Parishioners:

We congratulate the Knights of Columbus, Council 14345, on their organization of the Blue Mass celebrated this past Friday.  It was an honor to have Bishop Campbell among us for the third time this Liturgical Year during our Golden Jubilee.  (As you will recall, Bishop Campbell was with us for the opening of the Jubilee Year in November 2011, at the same time as we began the new English translation of the Mass.  He returned to confirm our 8th Grade class in February 2012.)  We were also delighted to have so many participate in the Mass and the reception that followed.  Thanks to all who had any part in the proceedings!

Once again, we thank the Knights of Columbus for their efforts to defend our liberty with the letter-writing campaign that they are overseeing this weekend.  Mr. Thomas Winters is addressing the parish at each Mass to offer some reflections about the nature of our concern.  His insights will assist all of us to deepen our understanding of what is at stake and call us to respond.

Four key points need to be considered:  First, all of us need to be informed about this issue and the role of government in our lives.  Not to attend to this is to open the way to losing the precious liberties that are the hallmark of our society.  Second, we need to exercise our right and responsibility to vote.  Third, we need to continue to follow the situation and to learn what is happening at the local and national levels to address our concerns.  Finally, we need to keep in touch with our government officials to ensure that they are working to uphold the Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights.  Freedom is not won easily; sadly, it can easily be lost.  Write, send an e-mail, or call your representatives to keep the matter before their attention.

The Catholic Church teaches that the Laity have a distinct responsibility to bring Christ to the secular world.  Proclaiming the Gospel is not merely a matter of words.  It includes action, taking a stance that upholds the values that flow from the Gospel.  Our country was founded by men and women who pledged their “lives, fortunes and sacred honor” to the just cause of Independence.  We have the duty to do the same and to maintain freedom for our own children.

The Diocesan Office of Social Concerns has a web link that can help you on your way:
http://www.colsdioc.org/Offices/SocialConcernsOfficefor/ActionAlerts.aspx

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 VII.--BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS.

For some are in the habit of carrying about the name of Jesus Christ in wicked guile, while yet they practice things unworthy of God, whom ye must flee as ye would wild beasts. For they are ravening dogs, who bite secretly, against whom ye must be on your guard, inasmuch as they are men who can scarcely be cured. There is one Physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of God; first possible and then impossible, even Jesus Christ our Lord.

In every age, false teachers are present.  The Ephesians are warned to avoid those who deny the truths of Faith.  The central Truth is the Incarnation and the Salvation won for us by Jesus, Who is our Physician.  The dual nature of Christ is emphasized to the first generations of Christianity: Jesus Christ is flesh and spirit, made and not made, God incarnate, the risen from the dead, human and divine.   In the world today, there are many who claim to be followers of Jesus who deny these truths.  The world cannot fathom them.  We still delight in them and pledge to live by them.  We must still seek to avoid false teachers and to abide in Truth.

This Week in Our History:  September 9-16

1963:    Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this week are the Fall Ember Days.  They are days of partial fasting for those so obliged and are days of partial abstinence for all.  That is, meat may be taken only once on Wednesday and Saturday and that at the principal meal of the day.
Children who cross the railroad tracks at Thomas Lane may continue to do so.  All difficulties have been straightened out.

1964:   School began this week with 329 students. All is going well and we ask for your continued help and cooperation.

1965:   The Fourth Session of the Vatican Council opens on Tuesday.  Both the Holy Father and Bishop Carberry have emphasized the need for prayer for the Council throughout the entire session.  The Bishop has asked that Tuesday be observed as a day of prayer throughout the Diocese for the Council.  Here in the parish we will observe the day of prayer by:  High Mass for the Council at 8:30 am.  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will follow Mass and continue until 2:45 pm when Benediction will be held.  Please make an effort to attend Mass or to visit the Blessed Sacrament sometime during the period of exposition.

The leveling and seeding of the ball field area has been undertaken as a project by the Men’s Club.  The sodding done on the north side of the building was the work of the CYC.

1966:   During this past week I have asked fifteen men to serve on a Finance Board for the parish.  The Board will do the financial planning, direct the raising and expenditure of parish funds.  Parish election will determine membership in the future.  This follows the expressed wish of the Vatican Council that laymen assume greater responsibility in the direction of the parish, particularly in those areas where they are competent by training or experience.
The banns of marriage are announced for the first time between Daniel DeSantis and Diana Morone, both of this parish.

1968:   Father Raymond Lavelle is living at St. Timothy’s while he attends Ohio State University.

1971:   Because of a weak response, the Men’s Club Golf Outing had to be cancelled. (!!!)

1975:   This Sunday (Sept. 14), in Rome, Mother Elizabeth Seton is to be canonized a saint.   She is the first native born American citizen to be so honored.  Wife, Mother, convert, foundress of the Sisters of Charity, she is not only a marvelous example of a great person, but a symbol for all the causes most dear to American Catholics:  reverence for womanhood, for family life, for Catholic education, for dedication and perseverance.  At all the Masses today, we celebrate for the first time a special Mass in her honor.

1977:    The Parish Council has moved that from now on there will be no motor bikes allowed on the Church-School property.

1978:   Banns of Matrimony are announced between Mark Bubenchik of St. Timothy and Kristi Mullins.

1979:   We have 265 students in the parish school this year.  Faculty:  Principal, Mrs. Marg Mooney; grade one, Mrs. Lois Stock; grade two, Mrs. Madeline Blaire; grade three, Mrs. Mary Lou Kistner; grade four, Mrs. Agnes Reed; grade five, Mr. Pat Mooney; grade six, Mrs. Barbara McConagha; grade seven, Mrs. Mary VanCamp; grade eight, Mrs. Sue Gardiner; Physical Education, Mrs. Darlene Wall; Librarian, Mrs. Kathy Spicer.

  The cafeteria will again be run by Mrs. Ann Bubenchik, assisted by Mrs. Sally Boylen and Mrs. Mary Olsen.

1982:  …recently registered in our parish:  Allen/Jane Brehl, Joseph/Mary Briski, John/Sharyl Flory, James/Victoria Foley, Susan Johnson, Paul/Janice Layton, George/Teresa Lewandowski, Lawrence/Connie Little, John/Susan Meyer, Michael/Delores McGroarty, Robert Ubbing, Fred/Judy Wagner, Judy Zimmerman

1983:   Community Sunday – Farewell.  Be sure to stop in the cafeteria after Mass next weekend.  Enjoy some refreshments, meet some parishioners, say goodbye to Tim Hayes, and be introduced to the Adult Education program.

1988:   Come say hello to Father Connolly who has come to live here at St. Timothy.  Father will…be in the cafeteria after all the Masses next Sunday.

1995:    Day of Prayer.   Bishop Griffin has asked that this Sunday, September 10, be observed a s a day of prayer for the Church and the people of Burundi, Africa.  In Burundi, a predominantly Catholic country, 100,000 people have been killed and 650,000 people have been displaced from their homes.  The country is torn asunder by ethnic violence, fear, division, and armed conflict.   Pray for the people of this poor nation and write to our president, your senators and representatives to encourage an arms embargo for Burundi.

2002:   This Sunday, at the 10:00 am Mass, we will dedicate the statue of St. Timothy, an original work of art from Carrara, Italy.  It has been generously donated by Nelly Salimbene and the Salimbene Family, who are charter members of St. Timothy Parish.  This gift is in memory of Rocco Salimbene, who passed away in August, 1998.  The statue was designed and installed under the supervision of Carmine Menduni, Columbus Art Memorial.

  St. Timothy was a fellow apostle with Paul, preaching the Gospel and suffering for it by opposition and imprisonment.  He had a Greek father and a Jewish mother.  Being the product of a “mixed” marriage, he was considered illegitimate by the Jews.  Timothy was a convert of Paul’s around the year 47.  He was with Paul at the founding of the church in Corinth.  He was with Paul in Rome during his house arrest.  References seem to indicate that he was not only young but also timid.
Let us make the right choices:  to pray, act and unite against the bitter fruits of division, hatred and violence.  Let us rededicate ourselves to global peace, human dignity, and the eradication of injustice that breeds rage and vengeance. (First anniversary of 9/11 attacks.)

2007:   Congratulations to Joe and Margie Brembeck who celebrate their 50th anniversary next Sunday.

  Congratulations to Marie DeSantis and Robert Raynes, who will be married on Saturday.

2009:    We welcome Hobart Hatfield and Phil Hall as our newest members of the Catholic Church.  They were received into Full Communion, made their Profession of Faith and received Confirmation and Holy Communion at the School Mass on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

2011:   A Word from Your Pastor
  The tenth Anniversary of “9-11” is a significant moment.…Unfortunately, it seems, we have found our way back to a “normal” that did not hold on to some of the promise of those early days after “9-11”.  God is being removed from public discourse…we have a responsibility not to let this happen among us.  Today of all days, pray for our Nation and our World.
Please remember in your prayers Mike McGroarty who passed away.  Our prayers and sympathy are with his family in this time of sorrow.

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