A Word from Your Pastor - February 17

Dear Parishioners:

 

The big news this week was the announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he will resign the Office of the Papacy as of February 28, 2013, at 8 p.m. Rome Time.  For the first time in centuries, we will lose a Pope not by death, but by the act of the Pope himself stepping down from the Office.   The reason for this action is the Pope’s love for the Church and his personal acknowledgement that the duties of the Office are beyond his strength.  For eight years, since his election April 19, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI has kept up a grueling schedule that would wear out many people younger than he is.  Now, in full freedom, he is choosing to step aside so that the work of the Church may continue.  This is an act of courage and humility.  It is an act, also, that indicates the simple truth that service in the Church is not about power and control.

 

Pope Benedict’s motto is “Cooperatores Veritatis,” that is, “Co-workers with the Truth.”  (3 John 8)  A hallmark of his ministry has been sharing the Truth in Love, witnessing to the Gospel in a world that has grown cold to its Message of Life.  So it is better to take him at his word, trusting that the real reason for his choice to step down from the papacy is what he has told us himself: “in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”  He accepted the ministry when he was elected Pope, even as he prayed to the Lord to give the task to a younger man; now, having prayed before the God Who called him to this service, he is stepping aside for the Church to continue to move forward in her mission.

 

As we journey through this Lent, let’s pray with and for Pope Benedict as he sets aside his role and enters into a time of prayer and reflection.  Let’s pray also for those entrusted by the Church with the responsibility of electing his successor, and for the man God Himself has chosen to shepherd His Church as Easter arrives.

 

Message from Pope Benedict XVI

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As you know, I have decided – thank you for your kindness – to renounce the ministry which the Lord entrusted to me on 19 April 2005. I have done this in full freedom for the good of the Church, after much prayer and having examined my conscience before God, knowing full well the seriousness of this act, but also realizing that I am no longer able to carry out the Petrine ministry with the strength which it demands. I am strengthened and reassured by the certainty that the Church is Christ’s, who will never leave her without his guidance and care. I thank all of you for the love and for the prayers with which you have accompanied me. Thank you; in these days which have not been easy for me, I have felt almost physically the power of prayer – your prayers – which the love of the Church has given me. Continue to pray for me, for the Church and for the future Pope. The Lord will guide us.  -- Benedict XVI, General Audience, Paul VI Audience Hall; Wednesday, 13 February 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.

  

III. Christ Jesus — “Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation”  (Dei Verbum 2.)

God has said everything in his Word

65 “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.”  (Hebrews 1:1-2.) Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect, and unsurpassable Word. In him he has said everything; there will be no other word than this one. St. John of the Cross, among others, commented strikingly on Hebrews 1:1-2:

In giving us his Son, his only Word (for he possesses no other), he spoke everything to us at once in this sole Word—and he has no more to say... because what he spoke before to the prophets in parts, he has now spoken all at once by giving us the All Who is His Son. Any person questioning God or desiring some vision or revelation would be guilty not only of foolish behavior but also of offending him, by not fixing his eyes entirely upon Christ and by living with the desire for some other novelty.  (St. John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel, 2, 22, 3-5 in the Liturgy of the Hours, Office of Readings Advent, week 2, Monday.)

Comment: The realization that God has said everything to us through Jesus His Son gives us confidence that God is truly with us in this world.  Despite all the difficulties and struggles we face, we can be sure that God will not abandon us.  How does this knowledge influence your own understanding of the Faith?  Can you see that Jesus really is the answer to every question?

 

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.

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.