A Word from Your Pastor -- February 10

 

Dear Parishioners:

Over the past few weeks, I have delivered a “State of the Union” address to St. Timothy Parish on the occasion of our observance of the Patronal Feast of our Parish, the Feast of Saints Timothy and Titus on January 26^th.  In order to be sure everyone had an opportunity to hear my reflections, I included them in my homilies over the course of two weekends to cover all the Masses.  Just in case you missed those weekends, I want to summarize what I see as our priorities this year.  Now that we have celebrated our Parish Golden Jubilee, we need to look toward the future.

As Pastor, I have a few things to say.  We are now in the Year of Faith.  We need to continue to deepen our understanding of the Faith and especially our public practice of the Faith so as to be a clear witness in a world that is all but deaf to it.  We live in a culture and nation that often denies the Truth of Eternity and that fails to show respect for the Dignity of the Human Person at ever stage of life.  It is our duty to live as a sign to the world that the Gospel is true.

As we live out the Year of Faith, I want to offer three suggestions about our agenda for the year: 

• First, we need to devote some attention together to Stewardship in our Parish.  Every individual and every family has something to contribute to the community.  Are you aware of your contribution in the Life of the Spirit? 
• Second, we have been invited by the Church of our time to enter into a New Evangelization.  Our lives must lead others to Jesus.  How does this impact how you set your priorities?      
• Third, our families need to be one in the practice of the Faith.  Does your family witness as a family that you believe in Christ and His Church?

Stewardship, the New Evangelization, and Family Prayer are our priorities as a Parish Community this year.  How will you choose to participate in our efforts to address these and to make them your own?

 

Year of Faith October 11, 2012 – November 24, 2013

We continue our journey through the Year of Faith.  As one way of observing this year, each week a small section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is read before the start of Mass.  This is a small way of offering some food for growth in Faith throughout this year.

God forms his people Israel    62 After the patriarchs, God formed Israel as his people by freeing them from slavery in Egypt. He established with them the covenant of Mount Sinai and, through Moses, gave them his law so that they would recognize him and serve him as the one living and true God, the provident Father and just judge, and so that they would look for the promised Savior.   (Cf. Dei Verbum 3.)

63 Israel is the priestly people of God, “called by the name of the LORD,” and “the first to hear the word of God,”  (Deuteronomy 28:10; Roman Missal, Good Friday, General Intercession VI; see also Exodus 19:6..) the people of “elder brethren” in the faith of Abraham.

64 Through the prophets, God forms his people in the hope of salvation, in the expectation of a new and everlasting Covenant intended for all, to be written on their hearts.  (Cf. Isaiah 2:2-4; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 10:16.) The prophets proclaim a radical redemption of the People of God, purification from all their infidelities, a salvation which will include all the nations.  (Cf. Ezekiel 36; Isaiah 49:5-6; 53:11.) Above all, the poor and humble of the Lord will bear this hope. Such holy women as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Judith, and Esther kept alive the hope of Israel’s salvation. The purest figure among them is Mary.  (Cf. Zephaniah 2:3; Luke 1:38.)

Comment:  God’s action among the People of Israel is a paradigm for His action among all human beings.  He has a plan for the whole of humanity.  This plan starts with individuals, then families and tribes, then one nation, one people, then all nations and peoples.  How do you and your family respond to the promise of salvation?

 

A Survey of Spiritual Needs: A Lenten Opportunity

What helps you to know God’s love in your life?

What helps you grow in relationship with God and others?

Please share your thoughts with us by participating in an exciting survey opportunity. This survey is being shared with Catholics throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. It is available in both English and Spanish, and will take less than 15 minutes to complete. Your responses will be anonymous, however, you will be given the opportunity to share your response to one question on the survey, as a way of helping others learn from, and be inspired by, your experience. Through your participation, our parish and parish leaders everywhere will learn about what helps us all to grow closer to God with faith that shapes our daily lives.

St. Timothy Church will participate in the survey from Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2013, until March 19, 2013, the Feast of Saint Joseph.  Please offer your own input by going to this web address:  www.surveymonkey.com/s/spiritualneeds.  Be sure to identify St. Timothy Church, Columbus, as your parish.

 

Lenten Regulations – Lent arrives this week!

 

Abstinence from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent by all Catholics of the age of 14 years and older. Fasting is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics 18-59 years of age. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted as necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.

“Denying material food, which nourishes our body, nurtures an interior disposition to listen to Christ and be fed by His saving word. Through fasting and praying, we allow Him to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depths of our being: the hunger and thirst for God.”---Pope Benedict XVI (Message for Lent 2009)

Masses for Ash Wednesday will be at 9 a.m. (the School Mass) and 6 p.m.  Distribution of Ashes will take place during Mass.

An invitation to Prayer: A Monthly Holy Hour

Beginning on February 17, 7-8 pm the Knights of Columbus and GIFT are sponsoring a monthly Holy Hour, 7-8 pm. Evening Prayer will be recited as group with brief readings and meditation. Benediction will conclude the Hour. The Bishop has asked us to voluntarily commit to praying a Holy Hour once a month during this Year of Faith. Please make the commitment to personally join us and invite others to come with you. Between 6-7 p.m. a hot dish and drinks will be available for those wishing to come early and share in hospitality before the Holy Hour. All members of the parish are invited and all are welcome.

“Your faith will help you realize that it is Jesus Himself Who is present in the Blessed Sacrament, waiting for you and calling you to spend one special specific hour with Him each week.” -- Blessed Pope John Paul II

An invitation to Almsgiving:  40 Cans for Lent

Knights of Columbus council 14345 will be sponsoring a food drive to benefit the St. James the Less food pantry. “40 cans for Lent'” will assist the St. Vincent de Paul societies of St. Timothy's and St. James' in their mission to the poor. We ask each parish family to consider a Lenten sacrifice of one can per family per day of Lent. The food pantry currently has need of hearty soups, (and although not techically in a can) peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese. If a family prefers to make a cash donation rather than canned goods you may place an envelope marked 'food pantry' in the collection basket.

The St. Timothy Community United in Prayer

On the Feast of St. Timothy, each year, members of the St. Timothy community – Church and School – are invited to join together to pray for a particular intention.  Our intention for this year is: 

We pray that St. Timothy Families learn to practice the Faith together by praying for the needs of the world together. 

Each family is invited also to consider a family intention and to pray for that intention through the year and to bring it with them in their prayer at Mass every Sunday.