A Word from Your Pastor
Dear Parishioners:
Happy Feast of the Holy Family! Thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord, coming to Church two days in a row to celebrate Christmas and the Holy Family of Nazareth. I realize that it is a challenge to do such a thing, but as you see, it is truly worth the effort. God blesses us when we respond to His requirements. The readings of Holy Family Sunday remind us that God chose to take on the whole reality of human life. The little things and the big things that are part of family experiences are not foreign to God. In His great love for us, He gave us an example of a family that experiences all the joys and the struggles that every family knows. The Love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Nazareth is proof that God’s own Love “fits” into our humanity. We can be “stretched” by grace to open to all that Heaven can offer.
Our recent custom has been to offer blessings of families individually at the end of Mass. The family is the Domestic Church, that is, the Church alive in the home. It is the fundamental building block of human society. It is the very place where God chooses to dwell, pitching His tent among us. Receive your blessing and carry it home and out to all you meet.
As we come to the end of the calendar year, all are invited to open their hearts to God with a generosity of Time, Talent and Treasure. Make a resolution to put God first in your life and in the life of your family. Teach your children to be generous by your own sacrificial giving of what God has given you. Give Him your first and your best, and He will certainly return the favor.
The Year of Prayer: Collect of the Feast of the Holy Family
Let us pray
[for peace in our families]
Father,
help us to live as the Holy Family,
united in respect and love.
Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor December 25 Christmas
Dear Parishioners and Guests for Christmas:
We are happy to celebrate with you the Good News that Christ the Lord is born for us. Your presence with us is a living sign to the world that Jesus is active in the hearts and lives of all who are open to receive Him.
God is gracious and loving and He has given us His Son Jesus as one of us to make known Who He Is. The world is certainly in difficulty in so many ways, but even more certain is that God is on our side. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
This year, we want to put out a special call to members and former members of the St. Timothy Community to be part of our celebration of the Golden Jubilee of our Parish in 2011-2012, and of our School in 2013-2014. Search among your treasury of pictures and of memories of all that has happened in these many years. We would be delighted to hear from you and to see what you find. One hope is to capture the stories from those who were there in the beginning.
Our first formal event will be a Mass with Bishop Frederick F. Campbell at St. Timothy Church on November 26, 2011 at the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass. Make plans to be part of this historic event.
May God bless you and many 2011 bring many graces to you an all you love!
We are happy to celebrate with you the Good News that Christ the Lord is born for us. Your presence with us is a living sign to the world that Jesus is active in the hearts and lives of all who are open to receive Him.
God is gracious and loving and He has given us His Son Jesus as one of us to make known Who He Is. The world is certainly in difficulty in so many ways, but even more certain is that God is on our side. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
This year, we want to put out a special call to members and former members of the St. Timothy Community to be part of our celebration of the Golden Jubilee of our Parish in 2011-2012, and of our School in 2013-2014. Search among your treasury of pictures and of memories of all that has happened in these many years. We would be delighted to hear from you and to see what you find. One hope is to capture the stories from those who were there in the beginning.
Our first formal event will be a Mass with Bishop Frederick F. Campbell at St. Timothy Church on November 26, 2011 at the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass. Make plans to be part of this historic event.
May God bless you and many 2011 bring many graces to you an all you love!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor December 19
Dear Parishioners:
I have become a grand-uncle! My niece, my sister’s daughter, Amanda Maurer, has adopted a little girl whom she has cared for since the baby was four days old. So my family has formally and officially welcomed Rebecca Justice Maurer, “Becca” to our clan. She is named for my sister Rebecca Lynn who died at the age of three. It was truly a wonderful family experience to be present for the court hearing on Tuesday, December 14, 2010. At 9:15 a.m., the Magistrate made the formal declaration. Becca was in good form delighting in little gifts presented on the occasion. I think we surprised the lawyer, the magistrate, and the adoption case worker with the support that was offered by all who were there – Becca’s new grandparents, great grandparents, uncle and grand uncles, all sitting quietly in the back of the room as Amanda and the Case worker answered the lawyer’s and the magistrates questions. We all clapped as the decree was made and the new family relationship was legally formed for all time.
It was truly interesting to hear the questions concerning the acceptance of the child “as she is” into a relationship of belonging and responsibility. All who have become parents know that there are always unexpected challenges. The assent which our parents have made on our behalf is a gift, whether we are born into our families or we have been brought into them by civil actions and social conventions.
Becca Justice Maurer
As you have heard me say before – family is what it’s all about. We are all adopted into God’s family, brothers and sisters to Jesus, the Father’s only-begotten Son. As we celebrate the Gift of the Incarnation, let us open our hearts to Christ and to all His family. May Christmas free us to belong to our God and to one another!
We welcome all our guests and friends who come to be with us for the Christmas holidays. Be sure to invite all who come to see you to visit St. Timothy Church too. One of our best gifts is the gift of being a welcoming community. Let’s live up to our claim to fame!
The Year of Prayer: Advent IV Collect
Pour forth thy power, O Lord, and come:
Assist us by that mighty power,
so that by thy grace and merciful kindness
we may swiftly receive the salvation that our sins impede:
Who livest and reignest with thee
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.
I have become a grand-uncle! My niece, my sister’s daughter, Amanda Maurer, has adopted a little girl whom she has cared for since the baby was four days old. So my family has formally and officially welcomed Rebecca Justice Maurer, “Becca” to our clan. She is named for my sister Rebecca Lynn who died at the age of three. It was truly a wonderful family experience to be present for the court hearing on Tuesday, December 14, 2010. At 9:15 a.m., the Magistrate made the formal declaration. Becca was in good form delighting in little gifts presented on the occasion. I think we surprised the lawyer, the magistrate, and the adoption case worker with the support that was offered by all who were there – Becca’s new grandparents, great grandparents, uncle and grand uncles, all sitting quietly in the back of the room as Amanda and the Case worker answered the lawyer’s and the magistrates questions. We all clapped as the decree was made and the new family relationship was legally formed for all time.
It was truly interesting to hear the questions concerning the acceptance of the child “as she is” into a relationship of belonging and responsibility. All who have become parents know that there are always unexpected challenges. The assent which our parents have made on our behalf is a gift, whether we are born into our families or we have been brought into them by civil actions and social conventions.
As you have heard me say before – family is what it’s all about. We are all adopted into God’s family, brothers and sisters to Jesus, the Father’s only-begotten Son. As we celebrate the Gift of the Incarnation, let us open our hearts to Christ and to all His family. May Christmas free us to belong to our God and to one another!
We welcome all our guests and friends who come to be with us for the Christmas holidays. Be sure to invite all who come to see you to visit St. Timothy Church too. One of our best gifts is the gift of being a welcoming community. Let’s live up to our claim to fame!
The Year of Prayer: Advent IV Collect
Pour forth thy power, O Lord, and come:
Assist us by that mighty power,
so that by thy grace and merciful kindness
we may swiftly receive the salvation that our sins impede:
Who livest and reignest with thee
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor December 12
Dear Parishioners:
We are now halfway through Advent. With the third week of Advent, we observe Gaudete Sunday – Rejoice! As I often tell children, this is the moment of a journey (to Grandma’s house, for example) when we realize we are going to make it. Just around the corner is the place of welcome where we can expect wonderful things – cookies in the cookie jar, delicious meals, and desserts (something new and different!) and the kinds of hugs that tell us we are special. We rejoice that God has chosen to come among us in the Person of Jesus Christ. He took on our human nature and forever re-directed the purpose of our very existence even in this world. Who we are is revealed to us in the Baby born in Bethlehem and laid to rest in the manger.
I want to thank all who participated in the Advent Penance Service this week. It is a truly a gift to be able to celebrate God’s Mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I hope every member of our parish family has had the opportunity to approach this awesome sign of God’s Living Presence in His Church. If not, recall that every Saturday at 4 p.m. the Sacrament is available. Be sure to give Jesus room to work on you this Christmas by cleaning your inner house! It is a gift to yourself and to the world, because it allows the Lord of Glory to be born anew in your own heart.
We are part of the Birth of Jesus. It is not simply an event of past history; rather, it is an event occurring in our history now. God has become one of us and His embrace of human nature continues the more we cooperate with grace. Don’t allow the current culture to keep you from the spiritual experience of Advent.
The Year of Prayer: Advent III Collect
We beseech thee to listen to our prayers, O Lord,
and by the grace of thy coming enlighten our darkened minds:
Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
May be said while lighting the third advent candle
We are now halfway through Advent. With the third week of Advent, we observe Gaudete Sunday – Rejoice! As I often tell children, this is the moment of a journey (to Grandma’s house, for example) when we realize we are going to make it. Just around the corner is the place of welcome where we can expect wonderful things – cookies in the cookie jar, delicious meals, and desserts (something new and different!) and the kinds of hugs that tell us we are special. We rejoice that God has chosen to come among us in the Person of Jesus Christ. He took on our human nature and forever re-directed the purpose of our very existence even in this world. Who we are is revealed to us in the Baby born in Bethlehem and laid to rest in the manger.
I want to thank all who participated in the Advent Penance Service this week. It is a truly a gift to be able to celebrate God’s Mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I hope every member of our parish family has had the opportunity to approach this awesome sign of God’s Living Presence in His Church. If not, recall that every Saturday at 4 p.m. the Sacrament is available. Be sure to give Jesus room to work on you this Christmas by cleaning your inner house! It is a gift to yourself and to the world, because it allows the Lord of Glory to be born anew in your own heart.
We are part of the Birth of Jesus. It is not simply an event of past history; rather, it is an event occurring in our history now. God has become one of us and His embrace of human nature continues the more we cooperate with grace. Don’t allow the current culture to keep you from the spiritual experience of Advent.
The Year of Prayer: Advent III Collect
We beseech thee to listen to our prayers, O Lord,
and by the grace of thy coming enlighten our darkened minds:
Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
May be said while lighting the third advent candle
Sunday, December 5, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor December 5
Dear Parishioners:
As you are aware, I host my family every Thanksgiving. This custom in our family began in 1988, when I realized that the place where I was living was bigger than my family home and would accommodate everyone who would be coming. I volunteered one year, and it has happened every year since except one when I was away for studies. (That year, I heard, “it did not seem like Thanksgiving.”) This year, we had only 28 for the meal, with a few others coming in later in the day. Many ask whether I cook also. Yes, I am happy to say, I cook two turkeys and I stuff them myself. They get started at Midnight the previous night, just the way Grandma used to do it. The whole house has a wonderful smell of baking turkey. Others bring in their specialties. One brother does a deep-fried turkey, another brings gnocchi and roles, Mom and my sister do the potatoes, an aunt does desserts, and others bring in something for all to enjoy. We have a Mass together and then set out the fixings. After the meal, a brother gets the cleaning crew going and then I settle in to make turkey soup while everyone does their thing – watching a ball game, playing cards, visiting and catching up. A cousin who is a chiropractor even brings his table and sets everyone straight for the next year.
It is all family. And I love it. I wish everyone could experience it this way. I share all this just to let you know that it is possible. We are a Parish Family and we can be there for one another at a depth that no one else who has not experienced it can imagine. May we grow in our ability to do this through the Season of Advent and the years ahead.
Please plan to participate in our Advent Penance Service this Thursday evening. We will have many priests present to offer you the healing touch of the Lord’s Mercy and Forgiveness.
The Year of Prayer: Advent II Collect
Stir up our hearts, O Lord,
to prepare the paths of thine Only-begotten Son:
that we may worthily serve thee
with hearts purified by His coming:
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.
(May be said while lighting the second Advent Candle)
As you are aware, I host my family every Thanksgiving. This custom in our family began in 1988, when I realized that the place where I was living was bigger than my family home and would accommodate everyone who would be coming. I volunteered one year, and it has happened every year since except one when I was away for studies. (That year, I heard, “it did not seem like Thanksgiving.”) This year, we had only 28 for the meal, with a few others coming in later in the day. Many ask whether I cook also. Yes, I am happy to say, I cook two turkeys and I stuff them myself. They get started at Midnight the previous night, just the way Grandma used to do it. The whole house has a wonderful smell of baking turkey. Others bring in their specialties. One brother does a deep-fried turkey, another brings gnocchi and roles, Mom and my sister do the potatoes, an aunt does desserts, and others bring in something for all to enjoy. We have a Mass together and then set out the fixings. After the meal, a brother gets the cleaning crew going and then I settle in to make turkey soup while everyone does their thing – watching a ball game, playing cards, visiting and catching up. A cousin who is a chiropractor even brings his table and sets everyone straight for the next year.
It is all family. And I love it. I wish everyone could experience it this way. I share all this just to let you know that it is possible. We are a Parish Family and we can be there for one another at a depth that no one else who has not experienced it can imagine. May we grow in our ability to do this through the Season of Advent and the years ahead.
Please plan to participate in our Advent Penance Service this Thursday evening. We will have many priests present to offer you the healing touch of the Lord’s Mercy and Forgiveness.
28 at table for Fr. Tim’s Family Thanksgiving
The Year of Prayer: Advent II Collect
Stir up our hearts, O Lord,
to prepare the paths of thine Only-begotten Son:
that we may worthily serve thee
with hearts purified by His coming:
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.
(May be said while lighting the second Advent Candle)
Sunday, November 28, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor November 28
A Word from Your Pastor
Dear Parishioners:
With the beginning of Advent, we come to a new season in the celebration of our Faith. Christianity rests on two key Mysteries: The Mystery of the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery. Advent and Christmas celebrate the Incarnation. Lent, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost plunge us into the Paschal Mystery.
If you think about your experience of Faith, I am sure you will find that God has two central messages for you. First, God is with you in your life. Second, God gives you the grace to get through the difficult times and brings you through to something beyond your expectations.
As we enter into Advent in our observance of the “Year of Prayer,” I invite you to consider the meaning of the Incarnation for you personally. How does God reveal His Presence in your life? Are you aware if the fact that God wants you to bring Him to others? How do others come to know of God through you?
During the Season of the Incarnation, we spend time with family in person or in thought and prayers. As you enter into your annual routines of shopping for gifts, sending cards and gathering with family and friends, be sure to look at everything through the eyes of Faith. See the choice of God to be with even those who do not seem to know Him. See the strength and grace that is offered to anyone in need. In your own heart, gather it all in, and bring it with you to the Masses of Christmas.
Do invite all your family and friends to “Come Home for Christmas.” Let them know the many good things that are happening in our Parish Family. In particular, this year as you review your family albums and keepsakes, look for those that help to tell the story of our Parish Family. Next Christmas will be our 50th as a Parish. Let’s start preparing for it now!
A Blessed Advent to all. We especially welcome those who join us as Catechumens and Candidates through the Rite of Welcome at the 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Masses this weekend.
The Year of Prayer: Advent I Collect
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come,
that by thy protection we may be rescued
from the dangers that beset us through our sins;
and be a Redeemer to deliver us;
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end.
(May be said while lighting the first Advent Candle)
Dear Parishioners:
With the beginning of Advent, we come to a new season in the celebration of our Faith. Christianity rests on two key Mysteries: The Mystery of the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery. Advent and Christmas celebrate the Incarnation. Lent, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost plunge us into the Paschal Mystery.
If you think about your experience of Faith, I am sure you will find that God has two central messages for you. First, God is with you in your life. Second, God gives you the grace to get through the difficult times and brings you through to something beyond your expectations.
As we enter into Advent in our observance of the “Year of Prayer,” I invite you to consider the meaning of the Incarnation for you personally. How does God reveal His Presence in your life? Are you aware if the fact that God wants you to bring Him to others? How do others come to know of God through you?
During the Season of the Incarnation, we spend time with family in person or in thought and prayers. As you enter into your annual routines of shopping for gifts, sending cards and gathering with family and friends, be sure to look at everything through the eyes of Faith. See the choice of God to be with even those who do not seem to know Him. See the strength and grace that is offered to anyone in need. In your own heart, gather it all in, and bring it with you to the Masses of Christmas.
Do invite all your family and friends to “Come Home for Christmas.” Let them know the many good things that are happening in our Parish Family. In particular, this year as you review your family albums and keepsakes, look for those that help to tell the story of our Parish Family. Next Christmas will be our 50th as a Parish. Let’s start preparing for it now!
A Blessed Advent to all. We especially welcome those who join us as Catechumens and Candidates through the Rite of Welcome at the 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Masses this weekend.
The Year of Prayer: Advent I Collect
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come,
that by thy protection we may be rescued
from the dangers that beset us through our sins;
and be a Redeemer to deliver us;
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end.
(May be said while lighting the first Advent Candle)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor November 21
Dear Parishioners:
The future King of England has just announced his engagement. The world will no doubt turn toward this celebration as the wedding of the century, just as they did for his father and ill-fated mother. The Catholic World celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King as we end another liturgical year. It is only fitting that we turn our attention to the Bride of this King, the Church, our Mother, whose fate is full of hope and promise.
Even in the midst of the troubles of the world, we have the great joy of being able to note what is right with the world and with God’s plan for us. Jesus Christ is King. He is the Messiah, the Savior, the Triumphant Lord of Glory, Who took the worst that we could throw at Him and turned it to our good. Sin is rampant. There are wars and insurrections. Families are broken and our society is rejecting so many of the most basic and fundamental truths that have guided us through the centuries. And yet, with full conviction, we can proclaim: Jesus Christ is the King.
The Jews have a name for God that is used in many of their prayers, “Adonai, Elohenu, Melech ha’Olam.” This is translated, “Lord, our God, King of the Universe.” The final expression is actually more comprehensive: “King of the Ages.” It refers to their conviction that God is truly the Creator, the Source of all that has been, all that is, and all that ever will be. “World without end” might be another way of saying it. This offers us a glimpse of the meaning of the Kingship of Christ.
We acknowledge Jesus as our All-encompassing Lord. He is the One Who keeps it all together and assists us in our journey through life, both in this world and in the world to come. “To Jesus Christ, our Sovereign King, Who is the world’s salvation, all praise and homage do we bring, and thanks and adoration. Christ Jesus, Victor; Christ Jesus, Ruler; Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer!”
This week we also celebrate Thanksgiving. As you know, I host my family for the meal on Thanksgiving Day. I want to thank you again for the welcome and hospitality you continue to show me and my family. It is a quality that makes our parish a wonderful home.
The Year of Prayer: Act of Consecration of the Human Race
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before thy altar. We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you; many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them all to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever. Amen.
The future King of England has just announced his engagement. The world will no doubt turn toward this celebration as the wedding of the century, just as they did for his father and ill-fated mother. The Catholic World celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King as we end another liturgical year. It is only fitting that we turn our attention to the Bride of this King, the Church, our Mother, whose fate is full of hope and promise.
Even in the midst of the troubles of the world, we have the great joy of being able to note what is right with the world and with God’s plan for us. Jesus Christ is King. He is the Messiah, the Savior, the Triumphant Lord of Glory, Who took the worst that we could throw at Him and turned it to our good. Sin is rampant. There are wars and insurrections. Families are broken and our society is rejecting so many of the most basic and fundamental truths that have guided us through the centuries. And yet, with full conviction, we can proclaim: Jesus Christ is the King.
The Jews have a name for God that is used in many of their prayers, “Adonai, Elohenu, Melech ha’Olam.” This is translated, “Lord, our God, King of the Universe.” The final expression is actually more comprehensive: “King of the Ages.” It refers to their conviction that God is truly the Creator, the Source of all that has been, all that is, and all that ever will be. “World without end” might be another way of saying it. This offers us a glimpse of the meaning of the Kingship of Christ.
We acknowledge Jesus as our All-encompassing Lord. He is the One Who keeps it all together and assists us in our journey through life, both in this world and in the world to come. “To Jesus Christ, our Sovereign King, Who is the world’s salvation, all praise and homage do we bring, and thanks and adoration. Christ Jesus, Victor; Christ Jesus, Ruler; Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer!”
This week we also celebrate Thanksgiving. As you know, I host my family for the meal on Thanksgiving Day. I want to thank you again for the welcome and hospitality you continue to show me and my family. It is a quality that makes our parish a wonderful home.
The Year of Prayer: Act of Consecration of the Human Race
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before thy altar. We are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you, behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known you; many too, despising your precepts have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them all to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant that they may quickly return to their father's house, lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of truth and unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations, and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine heart that wrought our salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever. Amen.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor November 14
Dear Parishioners:
St. Timothy Church has been known for its hospitality through the years. We have two bits of news to share with you that is a reminder of our noble tradition. First, the Rectory will be hosting a priest in residence beginning this Monday, Fr. Bill Faustner, who is returning to ministry after some time of medical leave. He will be assigned to assist in the ministry of Sacramental and Pastoral Care at some local hospitals. He will also be available to assist at St. Timothy Church as his schedule permits. We welcome Fr. Bill as he joins the list of those who have called St. Timothy Church home.
Second, more long term, we have received word that Bishop Frederick Campbell will be celebrant for the opening event of our Parish 50th Jubilee, on Saturday, November 26, 2011, at the 5 p.m. Mass. We were established as a Parish of the Diocese of Columbus by decree of Bishop Issenmann on November 29, 1961. It appears, then, that we will be the first parish to celebrate the new English translation of the Mass with our Bishop – on the first day it is to be implemented if all goes according to the current timetable. So that means we will welcome the Bishop for our Jubilee and be part of making history as the Church in the English-speaking world changes its form of worship for the first time in some forty years. That means we will need to practice the new prayers and be sure we do well. I invite everyone to become familiar with the new language and be ready.
At the present time, various opportunities for learning about the Mass are available. More will be forthcoming as the time for the implementation gets closer.
Check out the U.S. Bishops’ Web site for a look at what is to come.
http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/samples-people.shtml
This weekend, we will acknowledge and commission our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at all the Masses. They serve our parish in a special role, assisting the priest to feed and nourish God’s People with the Bread of Life. We thank all who have been willing to present themselves for this ministry in the name of the Lord.
The Year of Prayer: Prayer at a time of Loss
O Lord Jesus, someone whom I loved very much has died and there is an empty place I cannot fill. My heart aches and I feel stiff and tired. Help me, Jesus, to look straight at that empty place and not be frightened. Help me be glad for my loved one who is now with You. O God, help me to be unafraid to walk the earth without the one I have lost, but to take strength and comfort from Your love. Amen.
St. Timothy Church has been known for its hospitality through the years. We have two bits of news to share with you that is a reminder of our noble tradition. First, the Rectory will be hosting a priest in residence beginning this Monday, Fr. Bill Faustner, who is returning to ministry after some time of medical leave. He will be assigned to assist in the ministry of Sacramental and Pastoral Care at some local hospitals. He will also be available to assist at St. Timothy Church as his schedule permits. We welcome Fr. Bill as he joins the list of those who have called St. Timothy Church home.
Second, more long term, we have received word that Bishop Frederick Campbell will be celebrant for the opening event of our Parish 50th Jubilee, on Saturday, November 26, 2011, at the 5 p.m. Mass. We were established as a Parish of the Diocese of Columbus by decree of Bishop Issenmann on November 29, 1961. It appears, then, that we will be the first parish to celebrate the new English translation of the Mass with our Bishop – on the first day it is to be implemented if all goes according to the current timetable. So that means we will welcome the Bishop for our Jubilee and be part of making history as the Church in the English-speaking world changes its form of worship for the first time in some forty years. That means we will need to practice the new prayers and be sure we do well. I invite everyone to become familiar with the new language and be ready.
At the present time, various opportunities for learning about the Mass are available. More will be forthcoming as the time for the implementation gets closer.
Check out the U.S. Bishops’ Web site for a look at what is to come.
http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/samples-people.shtml
This weekend, we will acknowledge and commission our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at all the Masses. They serve our parish in a special role, assisting the priest to feed and nourish God’s People with the Bread of Life. We thank all who have been willing to present themselves for this ministry in the name of the Lord.
The Year of Prayer: Prayer at a time of Loss
O Lord Jesus, someone whom I loved very much has died and there is an empty place I cannot fill. My heart aches and I feel stiff and tired. Help me, Jesus, to look straight at that empty place and not be frightened. Help me be glad for my loved one who is now with You. O God, help me to be unafraid to walk the earth without the one I have lost, but to take strength and comfort from Your love. Amen.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor November 7
Dear Parishioners:
The month of November serves to challenge to look beyond ourselves to a deeper reality. First and foremost there is the invitation of the first couple of days of the month to recall the wonder of the Communion of Saints with the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1, and the Memorial of All Souls on November 2. The recollection of those who have gone ahead of us in life’s journey is enhanced by lovely liturgies that give us a taste of the glories to come. Toward the end of the month comes the secular holiday of Thanksgiving, which captures in its own way all the right points. It is a gathering of family. It is a time of remembering who we are and to whom we belong. And it includes a wonderful meal, with traditions and customs that are unique to our own American way of life. The Communion of Saints is a magnificent vision for all of us. It is our privilege to be aware of it and to be called by the Living God to be a sign of the truth of it.
In so many ways, it is become clearer that we are being called, not as individuals, but as a family of Faith to look beyond ourselves and to live in service of others. If you are part of any of the groups and organizations of the parish, you will no doubt have felt this. If you have listened to the announcements at Mass, you have heard this. Since you are reading this, you will no doubt have noticed the invitation in many bulletin notices. The wider society is also clearly calling for our witness of Faith, even as many seem to reject the very idea that people of Faith have a right to participate in public life.
God never gives a call without at the same time providing the means to answer it. If we hear the call to serve, God will supply what we need to respond. We can trust in Him and in one another as we take the steps required to live up to our call.
Here are a few reminders of invitations that have recently been made: Men, join the choir and sing out the praises of God. Women, find a way to renew the Women’s Club and discern leadership. Seniors, recall the glory days of the Vintage Club and reestablish yourselves as a sign of the joy of all our days on earth. Children, continue to bring your parents to Mass every Sunday. Charter and long-time members of the Parish, gather the story of our first 50 years and prepare for the celebration of our Golden Jubilee beginning in November 2011. All families: choose a group in the parish and an issue in the world and touch them with your Faith and Prayer. To All: in this Year of Prayer for St. Timothy Church, come to spend time with the Eucharistic Lord on Wednesdays.
Hear the call and respond. You will not regret saying “Yes” to the Lord. There will be joys for you and those you love in time and in Eternity beyond your imagining.
The Year of Prayer: Prayers for All Saints Day and for All Souls
Prayer for All Saints Day
Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God,
today we rejoice in the holy men and women
of every time and place.
May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for All Souls Day
Collect from Masses for the Dead
[for all our departed brothers and sisters]
Merciful Father,
hear our prayer and console us.
As we renew our faith in Your Son,
whom You raised from the dead,
strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters
will share in His resurrection,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Eternal Rest
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Requiem Æternam
Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine,
et lux perpétua lúceat eis.
Requiéscant in pace. Amen.
The month of November serves to challenge to look beyond ourselves to a deeper reality. First and foremost there is the invitation of the first couple of days of the month to recall the wonder of the Communion of Saints with the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1, and the Memorial of All Souls on November 2. The recollection of those who have gone ahead of us in life’s journey is enhanced by lovely liturgies that give us a taste of the glories to come. Toward the end of the month comes the secular holiday of Thanksgiving, which captures in its own way all the right points. It is a gathering of family. It is a time of remembering who we are and to whom we belong. And it includes a wonderful meal, with traditions and customs that are unique to our own American way of life. The Communion of Saints is a magnificent vision for all of us. It is our privilege to be aware of it and to be called by the Living God to be a sign of the truth of it.
In so many ways, it is become clearer that we are being called, not as individuals, but as a family of Faith to look beyond ourselves and to live in service of others. If you are part of any of the groups and organizations of the parish, you will no doubt have felt this. If you have listened to the announcements at Mass, you have heard this. Since you are reading this, you will no doubt have noticed the invitation in many bulletin notices. The wider society is also clearly calling for our witness of Faith, even as many seem to reject the very idea that people of Faith have a right to participate in public life.
God never gives a call without at the same time providing the means to answer it. If we hear the call to serve, God will supply what we need to respond. We can trust in Him and in one another as we take the steps required to live up to our call.
Here are a few reminders of invitations that have recently been made: Men, join the choir and sing out the praises of God. Women, find a way to renew the Women’s Club and discern leadership. Seniors, recall the glory days of the Vintage Club and reestablish yourselves as a sign of the joy of all our days on earth. Children, continue to bring your parents to Mass every Sunday. Charter and long-time members of the Parish, gather the story of our first 50 years and prepare for the celebration of our Golden Jubilee beginning in November 2011. All families: choose a group in the parish and an issue in the world and touch them with your Faith and Prayer. To All: in this Year of Prayer for St. Timothy Church, come to spend time with the Eucharistic Lord on Wednesdays.
Hear the call and respond. You will not regret saying “Yes” to the Lord. There will be joys for you and those you love in time and in Eternity beyond your imagining.
The Year of Prayer: Prayers for All Saints Day and for All Souls
Prayer for All Saints Day
Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God,
today we rejoice in the holy men and women
of every time and place.
May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for All Souls Day
Collect from Masses for the Dead
[for all our departed brothers and sisters]
Merciful Father,
hear our prayer and console us.
As we renew our faith in Your Son,
whom You raised from the dead,
strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters
will share in His resurrection,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Eternal Rest
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Requiem Æternam
Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine,
et lux perpétua lúceat eis.
Requiéscant in pace. Amen.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor October 31
Dear Parishioners:
We are in the midst of the annual season of “political spin.” The Church wants to remind you of three things during this time:
1. You who are laity are primarily responsible for seeing to it that the Gospel has an impact on the world around us. Church authorities are here to assist you in your task, but by your Baptism and Confirmation, you are explicitly and personally called by God to make the secular holy. So, don’t let anyone push you or your Faith out of the public sphere.
2. The purpose of public servants is to safeguard the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness that every member of society is entitled to, the inalienable rights with which we are endowed by our Creator. We must keep in mind and fight for those who do not have a voice to speak for themselves.
3. All issues must be considered as you exercise your vote, but each of us must take into account that some of the issues are foundational. Life is mentioned first in the list of our American values for a reason. It is also seen by the Church in this way.
Our Bishops have given guidance to all of us concerning the principles to be kept in mind. By way of definition, realize that when they speak of a “well formed conscience,” they mean a conscience that has been formed by a clear understanding of the teachings of the Church. When they speak of “intrinsic evil” they refer to matters that are revealed by God to be wrong in themselves, completely contrary to His Will and our Human Nature. When they speak of weighing issues with an eye to “proportionate reason,” they mean acknowledgment of the fact that some issues have more weight than others in the discernment that is necessary. The questions they offer to be considered are not a laundry list, but rather an effort to keep in view all the demands of the Gospel.
Having pointed out these things, I want to hazard just a couple of comments myself. This is the only advice I will give regarding politics:
1. Vote. Exercise your civic responsibility. If you failed to register in time for this round, then register now for the next round and say an extra prayer for those who are voting who will be deciding the course of things.
2. Please show civility in your political discussions. Remember, others do have the right to disagree and it is not your place or mine to demonize those who think differently. Please show more decorum than the ads that we have been subject to for the past several months!
The Year of Prayer: Prayer for Protection of Human Life at its Beginning
God our Father, you lovingly knit us in our mothers’ womb. Grant that each human embryo will be respected as a human being, and not dismissed as a product to be manipulated or destroyed. Grant us the courage and conviction to be your voice for our sisters and brothers at the very earliest stages of their development, and for all defenseless unborn children.
Jesus, Divine Healer, foster in those conducting medical research a commitment to finding cures in ways that respect these little ones and all your vulnerable children.
Holy Spirit, grant us the wisdom to develop morally sound treatments for conditions now thought to be incurable. Help us persevere in defending human life while alleviating suffering.
Show mercy to all who have cooperated in killing our tiniest brothers and sisters. Bring them and all who support destructive embryo research to true conversion. Grant them the ability to see the immeasurable dignity of all human beings even in the first days of life.
Father, we ask this in Jesus’ name, through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
--United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
We are in the midst of the annual season of “political spin.” The Church wants to remind you of three things during this time:
1. You who are laity are primarily responsible for seeing to it that the Gospel has an impact on the world around us. Church authorities are here to assist you in your task, but by your Baptism and Confirmation, you are explicitly and personally called by God to make the secular holy. So, don’t let anyone push you or your Faith out of the public sphere.
2. The purpose of public servants is to safeguard the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness that every member of society is entitled to, the inalienable rights with which we are endowed by our Creator. We must keep in mind and fight for those who do not have a voice to speak for themselves.
3. All issues must be considered as you exercise your vote, but each of us must take into account that some of the issues are foundational. Life is mentioned first in the list of our American values for a reason. It is also seen by the Church in this way.
Our Bishops have given guidance to all of us concerning the principles to be kept in mind. By way of definition, realize that when they speak of a “well formed conscience,” they mean a conscience that has been formed by a clear understanding of the teachings of the Church. When they speak of “intrinsic evil” they refer to matters that are revealed by God to be wrong in themselves, completely contrary to His Will and our Human Nature. When they speak of weighing issues with an eye to “proportionate reason,” they mean acknowledgment of the fact that some issues have more weight than others in the discernment that is necessary. The questions they offer to be considered are not a laundry list, but rather an effort to keep in view all the demands of the Gospel.
Having pointed out these things, I want to hazard just a couple of comments myself. This is the only advice I will give regarding politics:
1. Vote. Exercise your civic responsibility. If you failed to register in time for this round, then register now for the next round and say an extra prayer for those who are voting who will be deciding the course of things.
2. Please show civility in your political discussions. Remember, others do have the right to disagree and it is not your place or mine to demonize those who think differently. Please show more decorum than the ads that we have been subject to for the past several months!
The Year of Prayer: Prayer for Protection of Human Life at its Beginning
God our Father, you lovingly knit us in our mothers’ womb. Grant that each human embryo will be respected as a human being, and not dismissed as a product to be manipulated or destroyed. Grant us the courage and conviction to be your voice for our sisters and brothers at the very earliest stages of their development, and for all defenseless unborn children.
Jesus, Divine Healer, foster in those conducting medical research a commitment to finding cures in ways that respect these little ones and all your vulnerable children.
Holy Spirit, grant us the wisdom to develop morally sound treatments for conditions now thought to be incurable. Help us persevere in defending human life while alleviating suffering.
Show mercy to all who have cooperated in killing our tiniest brothers and sisters. Bring them and all who support destructive embryo research to true conversion. Grant them the ability to see the immeasurable dignity of all human beings even in the first days of life.
Father, we ask this in Jesus’ name, through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
--United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Sunday, October 24, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor October 24
Dear Parishioners:
The loss of any loved one is a painful experience. The loss of one who is young is the hardest. I am sure you have been aware of the loss of Dominic Gregory, one of our high school students, a 2009 graduate of St. Timothy School. His funeral was celebrated this past Monday at St. Charles Prep High School. The principal, Dominic Cavello, graciously offered to host the funeral Mass knowing that our church would not be able to accommodate the large number who wanted to participate. Once again, I am personally grateful to all in the St. Timothy Parish family who have stepped up to work together to support members of our community who are facing tragedy. I know that the Gregory family is also thankful to the many who have reached out to them in their time of need.
As I said in my homily at the funeral, only Faith can help us to embrace this kind of experience. We are not capable of reaching a full understanding of such events. We have to express our grief and our pain and put our trust in God. We can be confident that God is with us in our sorrow. He hears our cry and He provides the grace that sustains us. Our deepest longings are expressed at times like this, and Faith tells us that God will fill them. Death is a Mystery and yet, through our experiences of the love and support that comes to us, we taste the Resurrection. Our hearts are opened to the Hope of Eternal Life for those we love and for all of us. The Kingdom will come. In the meantime, we wait with expectation and we commit ourselves to one another along the way.
The precious gift of life is in our view when we experience loss. Our Faith invites us to keep it in view at all times and to work to build up a culture around us that is also respectful of life. Let us cherish one another.
This weekend our 8th Graders begin their journey of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Let us keep them and their families in our prayers that they may be docile to the promptings of the Spirit and learn to live the Faith we share.
The loss of any loved one is a painful experience. The loss of one who is young is the hardest. I am sure you have been aware of the loss of Dominic Gregory, one of our high school students, a 2009 graduate of St. Timothy School. His funeral was celebrated this past Monday at St. Charles Prep High School. The principal, Dominic Cavello, graciously offered to host the funeral Mass knowing that our church would not be able to accommodate the large number who wanted to participate. Once again, I am personally grateful to all in the St. Timothy Parish family who have stepped up to work together to support members of our community who are facing tragedy. I know that the Gregory family is also thankful to the many who have reached out to them in their time of need.
As I said in my homily at the funeral, only Faith can help us to embrace this kind of experience. We are not capable of reaching a full understanding of such events. We have to express our grief and our pain and put our trust in God. We can be confident that God is with us in our sorrow. He hears our cry and He provides the grace that sustains us. Our deepest longings are expressed at times like this, and Faith tells us that God will fill them. Death is a Mystery and yet, through our experiences of the love and support that comes to us, we taste the Resurrection. Our hearts are opened to the Hope of Eternal Life for those we love and for all of us. The Kingdom will come. In the meantime, we wait with expectation and we commit ourselves to one another along the way.
The precious gift of life is in our view when we experience loss. Our Faith invites us to keep it in view at all times and to work to build up a culture around us that is also respectful of life. Let us cherish one another.
This weekend our 8th Graders begin their journey of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Let us keep them and their families in our prayers that they may be docile to the promptings of the Spirit and learn to live the Faith we share.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor October 17
Dear Parishioners:
As you can imagine, one of the difficulties of “Preaching the Word” today is that some parts of God’s Message to us are “hard sayings.” The teachings of our Church are often very different from what is popular or what is easy for us to hear. We “all fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Nonetheless, all of us have a responsibility to “preach the Word in season and out of season.” As St. Paul wrote to our patron St. Timothy: “Proclaim the Word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.” (II Timothy 4:2) The month of October calls for a serious look at the Truth and a sober reflection on our response to what God calls us to be and to do. As you may have noticed, a few of my homilies lately have been attempts to invite this sort of soul-searching.
If you have been challenged by what has been preached, congratulations! You are listening and your heart is ready to hear what God has to say. God is loving and merciful and He understands our weakness. He is compassionate and forgiving and He will never turn us away. It is fair for each of us to say to God and to His Church: “Take me where I am, but don’t leave me there!” We can be sure that God will accept us as we are, but that, as God, He cannot help but change our direction. “God writes straight with crooked lines.”
When “hard sayings” are preached, it is never a judgment against us, unless we are closed to the message. Rather, it is an act of trust that invites us to growth. God intends for us to be more tomorrow than we are today. If we hear the Word and allow it to lead us to a new understanding, we are on our way to the new life that God has in store for us.
There are teachings of the Church that our fallen human nature rebels against. That does not mean that the teachings should be changed, but rather that we need God’s help to live in accord with His design. When we strive to put the Truth into practice, we give God room to work in us.
As you can imagine, one of the difficulties of “Preaching the Word” today is that some parts of God’s Message to us are “hard sayings.” The teachings of our Church are often very different from what is popular or what is easy for us to hear. We “all fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Nonetheless, all of us have a responsibility to “preach the Word in season and out of season.” As St. Paul wrote to our patron St. Timothy: “Proclaim the Word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.” (II Timothy 4:2) The month of October calls for a serious look at the Truth and a sober reflection on our response to what God calls us to be and to do. As you may have noticed, a few of my homilies lately have been attempts to invite this sort of soul-searching.
If you have been challenged by what has been preached, congratulations! You are listening and your heart is ready to hear what God has to say. God is loving and merciful and He understands our weakness. He is compassionate and forgiving and He will never turn us away. It is fair for each of us to say to God and to His Church: “Take me where I am, but don’t leave me there!” We can be sure that God will accept us as we are, but that, as God, He cannot help but change our direction. “God writes straight with crooked lines.”
When “hard sayings” are preached, it is never a judgment against us, unless we are closed to the message. Rather, it is an act of trust that invites us to growth. God intends for us to be more tomorrow than we are today. If we hear the Word and allow it to lead us to a new understanding, we are on our way to the new life that God has in store for us.
There are teachings of the Church that our fallen human nature rebels against. That does not mean that the teachings should be changed, but rather that we need God’s help to live in accord with His design. When we strive to put the Truth into practice, we give God room to work in us.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor October 10
A Word from Your Pastor
Dear Parishioners:
Thanks to all who responded so readily and so quickly to last week’s homily! It was truly heartwarming to see how many families went into the cafeteria to have a look at the information set up by so many groups at our Parish Activities and Ministry Fair. It was, without a doubt, the best attendance we have had at such an event. Everything was right for it: the rainy weather, the donuts and juice, the Sunday readings, and good ole Catholic guilt (not always a bad thing!) that conspired to move hearts to say yes to something as simple as having a look before running off after Mass. Let us continue on our way!
Just a reminder of my invitation: every individual and family is asked to choose one group in the parish, either to join it or to pray for it, and to select one “big issue” in society that needs the touch our Faith provides and to get involved in doing something about it, either directly or by way of prayer. If each of us does our part, then all of us will benefit. We are in this together. The world needs a witness of the power of Faith and it is our responsibility to cooperate with God’s grace in us to live this witness.
I would like to highlight just a few items in each area for you to consider. In the
parish, we are seeking involvement in Bereavement Ministry (contact Deacon Marion), the establishment of a Jubilee Committee and an Alumni Association (contact Mary Ballantyne), and helpers to bring Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners (contact Sr. Carolyn).
Groups in the parish are looking outward by developing a response to Respect for Life (contact Peggy Wollock) and Social Justice (see the invitation to BREAD in the bulletin). You may be aware of other opportunities to reach out. Let us know what you are doing so we can pass on ideas to others. When we put our minds and hearts together, we accomplish much.
Next weekend, we will have a Mission Appeal for the Church in the Philippines.
This appeal is part of the annual Mission Co-op which allows missionaries from around the world to share their vision and seek the support of parishes in the Diocese of Columbus. Since the following weekend is World Mission Sunday, we are clearly being invited by God to open our eyes to the needs of the Church in the World. God can do great things if we have hearts that are open and generous.
Dear Parishioners:
Thanks to all who responded so readily and so quickly to last week’s homily! It was truly heartwarming to see how many families went into the cafeteria to have a look at the information set up by so many groups at our Parish Activities and Ministry Fair. It was, without a doubt, the best attendance we have had at such an event. Everything was right for it: the rainy weather, the donuts and juice, the Sunday readings, and good ole Catholic guilt (not always a bad thing!) that conspired to move hearts to say yes to something as simple as having a look before running off after Mass. Let us continue on our way!
Just a reminder of my invitation: every individual and family is asked to choose one group in the parish, either to join it or to pray for it, and to select one “big issue” in society that needs the touch our Faith provides and to get involved in doing something about it, either directly or by way of prayer. If each of us does our part, then all of us will benefit. We are in this together. The world needs a witness of the power of Faith and it is our responsibility to cooperate with God’s grace in us to live this witness.
I would like to highlight just a few items in each area for you to consider. In the
parish, we are seeking involvement in Bereavement Ministry (contact Deacon Marion), the establishment of a Jubilee Committee and an Alumni Association (contact Mary Ballantyne), and helpers to bring Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners (contact Sr. Carolyn).
Groups in the parish are looking outward by developing a response to Respect for Life (contact Peggy Wollock) and Social Justice (see the invitation to BREAD in the bulletin). You may be aware of other opportunities to reach out. Let us know what you are doing so we can pass on ideas to others. When we put our minds and hearts together, we accomplish much.
Next weekend, we will have a Mission Appeal for the Church in the Philippines.
This appeal is part of the annual Mission Co-op which allows missionaries from around the world to share their vision and seek the support of parishes in the Diocese of Columbus. Since the following weekend is World Mission Sunday, we are clearly being invited by God to open our eyes to the needs of the Church in the World. God can do great things if we have hearts that are open and generous.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor October 3
Dear Parishioners:
This weekend, we have a Parish Activities Fair. Don’t miss your opportunity to
respond to the Church’s call to put our Faith into practice. Every family and every individual Catholic should have at least one internal parish activity they make their own and one “big issue” that involves putting Faith into public view that is theirs as well. Faith is not a merely private matter. If it is truly Faith, it involves going out to all the world.
October is Respect Life Month. Each week our bulletin will include an insert designed by the U.S. Bishops Conference to highlight some aspect of the Church’s teaching on the dignity and worth of the human person. I want to emphasize two points for everyone to consider.
First, the teachings of the Church in this regard are not a patchwork quilt of disassociated topics. There is a consistency in the whole vision that the Church presents that starts with the dignity and value of every human person from the first moment of conception until the last breath before God’s call to Eternity. Every human being is worthy of respect because the human person is created in the image and likeness of God and will live forever. This is true even of the first moments of existence (all of us began as zygotes). This is true even of human persons who are no longer able to relate with others consciously (Alzheimer’s patients and those in so-called “persistent vegetative states”).
Second, it is of the utmost importance that members of the laity take seriously their responsibility to share this truth with the wider society. If you do not live it and share it, then the truth is not heard and understood by others. Priests and religious have their role to help all of us come to appreciate the truth revealed to us by God.
Laity have as their task the duty – imposed on them by God Himself through Baptism and Confirmation – to transform the secular sphere into a place where God is welcome. This is a vision that is incredibly powerful and empowering if you take it seriously. Your life is meant to help others make room for Christ. You cannot do so unless you allow His Truth to penetrate your heart and come to its fruition in your life.
If there is any part of the Church’s teaching that you have difficulty with, don’t start with the idea “I don’t believe it.” That will not get you anywhere. God “is found by those who test Him not, and He manifests Himself to those who do not disbelieve Him.” (Wisdom 1:1-2) Blessed John Newman said, “Ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt” (Apologia pro vita sua). We must allow the Church to form our consciences before we dare to rely on them. Formation of conscience requires a deepening of our understanding and an openness to truths beyond our experience. Let this month be a reminder to you to study more profoundly what the Church has to say in the issues you “disagree with” in practice or in mind. Perhaps God will open your heart to a greater experience of the truth of our Faith and life itself will become more precious in your eyes.
This weekend, we have a Parish Activities Fair. Don’t miss your opportunity to
respond to the Church’s call to put our Faith into practice. Every family and every individual Catholic should have at least one internal parish activity they make their own and one “big issue” that involves putting Faith into public view that is theirs as well. Faith is not a merely private matter. If it is truly Faith, it involves going out to all the world.
October is Respect Life Month. Each week our bulletin will include an insert designed by the U.S. Bishops Conference to highlight some aspect of the Church’s teaching on the dignity and worth of the human person. I want to emphasize two points for everyone to consider.
First, the teachings of the Church in this regard are not a patchwork quilt of disassociated topics. There is a consistency in the whole vision that the Church presents that starts with the dignity and value of every human person from the first moment of conception until the last breath before God’s call to Eternity. Every human being is worthy of respect because the human person is created in the image and likeness of God and will live forever. This is true even of the first moments of existence (all of us began as zygotes). This is true even of human persons who are no longer able to relate with others consciously (Alzheimer’s patients and those in so-called “persistent vegetative states”).
Second, it is of the utmost importance that members of the laity take seriously their responsibility to share this truth with the wider society. If you do not live it and share it, then the truth is not heard and understood by others. Priests and religious have their role to help all of us come to appreciate the truth revealed to us by God.
Laity have as their task the duty – imposed on them by God Himself through Baptism and Confirmation – to transform the secular sphere into a place where God is welcome. This is a vision that is incredibly powerful and empowering if you take it seriously. Your life is meant to help others make room for Christ. You cannot do so unless you allow His Truth to penetrate your heart and come to its fruition in your life.
If there is any part of the Church’s teaching that you have difficulty with, don’t start with the idea “I don’t believe it.” That will not get you anywhere. God “is found by those who test Him not, and He manifests Himself to those who do not disbelieve Him.” (Wisdom 1:1-2) Blessed John Newman said, “Ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt” (Apologia pro vita sua). We must allow the Church to form our consciences before we dare to rely on them. Formation of conscience requires a deepening of our understanding and an openness to truths beyond our experience. Let this month be a reminder to you to study more profoundly what the Church has to say in the issues you “disagree with” in practice or in mind. Perhaps God will open your heart to a greater experience of the truth of our Faith and life itself will become more precious in your eyes.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor September 26
Dear Parishioners:
My family had an experience this week that is shared by many families. On Wednesday, we found ourselves sitting together in a hospital waiting to hear word of the outcome of a surgical procedure my Mother had to undergo. Just the day before, she had a test that revealed blockage in a carotid artery and the surgery was scheduled right away. All of us did what we could to rearrange schedules to make sure we could be present at some time during the day. As the Schoolchildren can tell you, I asked them to pray for my Mom and headed right out after the School Mass on Wednesday. I was able to arrive in time to celebrate Anointing of the Sick before the surgery. Then came the waiting, which is the hardest part. My Dad and various siblings came and went as we could. My sister kept everyone in the loop by way of “texting.” As it all worked out, things went fine and Mom did well. I was there before the surgery in pre-op, and I was there as she was taken to her hospital room.
The times I have spent in the hospital as a family member of a patient have been a real education for me. We all know how welcoming and helpful certain members of the hospital staff, and especially the volunteers, can be. Inevitably, one or another will shine as a truly people-centered person, with a bedside manner and a compassion that help us make the best of a difficult situation. We also befriend those who share our plight with us and we can often have encounters that serve to reconnect us with others whose presence was not expected. On the other hand, there are also experiences that can serve to remind us that technology and science can at times forget that we are persons. Patients can be identified by their procedures or symptoms, or as notes on a chart. Family members – even priests! – can be treated as an intrusion that is unwelcome rather than part of the healing team. Information that would be useful to know can be withheld from the patients and the family due to shift changes or simple oversight, causing unnecessary stress or worry. All of this serves as a reminder that we are human beings who need some tender loving care, especially when those we love are in difficulty.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you who are in the helping and healing professions for your efforts to build up the human community. Doctors, nurses, aides, orderlies, technicians, volunteers, chaplains and all who are part of the healthcare community are to be commended for their choice of such a way of life. It can be demanding and at times may seem to be thankless. Thank you! I also want to challenge you and remind you of your ability to serve your patients and their families as a sign of Gospel credibility by the way you treat them. If you always keep the Lord’s invitation to love in mind and you see every person you encounter as someone with whom the Lord has identified Himself, it can change the way you approach your duties. May God bless you and may His healing compassion shine through your life.
Thanks to all who have kept my Mother in your prayers. My family and I are grateful.
My family had an experience this week that is shared by many families. On Wednesday, we found ourselves sitting together in a hospital waiting to hear word of the outcome of a surgical procedure my Mother had to undergo. Just the day before, she had a test that revealed blockage in a carotid artery and the surgery was scheduled right away. All of us did what we could to rearrange schedules to make sure we could be present at some time during the day. As the Schoolchildren can tell you, I asked them to pray for my Mom and headed right out after the School Mass on Wednesday. I was able to arrive in time to celebrate Anointing of the Sick before the surgery. Then came the waiting, which is the hardest part. My Dad and various siblings came and went as we could. My sister kept everyone in the loop by way of “texting.” As it all worked out, things went fine and Mom did well. I was there before the surgery in pre-op, and I was there as she was taken to her hospital room.
The times I have spent in the hospital as a family member of a patient have been a real education for me. We all know how welcoming and helpful certain members of the hospital staff, and especially the volunteers, can be. Inevitably, one or another will shine as a truly people-centered person, with a bedside manner and a compassion that help us make the best of a difficult situation. We also befriend those who share our plight with us and we can often have encounters that serve to reconnect us with others whose presence was not expected. On the other hand, there are also experiences that can serve to remind us that technology and science can at times forget that we are persons. Patients can be identified by their procedures or symptoms, or as notes on a chart. Family members – even priests! – can be treated as an intrusion that is unwelcome rather than part of the healing team. Information that would be useful to know can be withheld from the patients and the family due to shift changes or simple oversight, causing unnecessary stress or worry. All of this serves as a reminder that we are human beings who need some tender loving care, especially when those we love are in difficulty.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you who are in the helping and healing professions for your efforts to build up the human community. Doctors, nurses, aides, orderlies, technicians, volunteers, chaplains and all who are part of the healthcare community are to be commended for their choice of such a way of life. It can be demanding and at times may seem to be thankless. Thank you! I also want to challenge you and remind you of your ability to serve your patients and their families as a sign of Gospel credibility by the way you treat them. If you always keep the Lord’s invitation to love in mind and you see every person you encounter as someone with whom the Lord has identified Himself, it can change the way you approach your duties. May God bless you and may His healing compassion shine through your life.
Thanks to all who have kept my Mother in your prayers. My family and I are grateful.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor September 19
The call of our age is for Justice. Each individual seeks to have acknowledgment of the rights that are proper to each of us as a unique person. The sad reality of our time, however, is that many call for Justice in their own regard, but ignore the cry of others when it is heard. With rights also come responsibilities. We are called by God to work on behalf of Justice, to hear the cry of the poor and to ensure that their needs are met. Have you heard this cry, or are your own concerns with what you believe is your “due” drowning out the voice of others in need? God’s plan for His Kingdom includes all. Giving God His due also means returning to Him in gratitude what He has given you as a gift. Do you have a talent that you have kept to yourself? It is not yours alone. You may use it, but it is also your duty to share it with God’s People.
One need we have at St. Timothy Church is to fill the chairs in front of the Church with those whose voices can lead us in praise of the Lord through song. Men especially are needed to provide a full complement of harmony to sing a joyful noise. Wives: you do a good job of getting your husbands to church, now tell them to step up to the current need. Make him sing! Children, if your Dad does a good job when he sings “Happy Birthday” to you, tell him you want to see him in a blue robe. Men, don’t let the ladies be the only ones to share the fun of the Choir Christmas party. Come forward and let your voice be heard.
This past week, we had our first gathering of the R.C.I.A. class for the year. We have a number of new members on the team and several adults who are exploring the Catholic Faith to discern whether God is calling them to join us. School and P.S.R. are now in session. We are moving along in the life of a busy parish. As we go about our business, we ought to make sure that we keep our eyes open to see who the Lord may be calling to join with us in Faith. Have you heard your invitation to become more involved with your Faith? God is calling.
The Tuesday morning Bible Study took a field trip this week to the Holy Family Jubilee Museum. We had a wonderful tour through reminders of the “way we were.” If you have never had an opportunity to visit the museum, give Fr. Kevin Lutz a call and arrange for a tour sometime.
One need we have at St. Timothy Church is to fill the chairs in front of the Church with those whose voices can lead us in praise of the Lord through song. Men especially are needed to provide a full complement of harmony to sing a joyful noise. Wives: you do a good job of getting your husbands to church, now tell them to step up to the current need. Make him sing! Children, if your Dad does a good job when he sings “Happy Birthday” to you, tell him you want to see him in a blue robe. Men, don’t let the ladies be the only ones to share the fun of the Choir Christmas party. Come forward and let your voice be heard.
This past week, we had our first gathering of the R.C.I.A. class for the year. We have a number of new members on the team and several adults who are exploring the Catholic Faith to discern whether God is calling them to join us. School and P.S.R. are now in session. We are moving along in the life of a busy parish. As we go about our business, we ought to make sure that we keep our eyes open to see who the Lord may be calling to join with us in Faith. Have you heard your invitation to become more involved with your Faith? God is calling.
The Tuesday morning Bible Study took a field trip this week to the Holy Family Jubilee Museum. We had a wonderful tour through reminders of the “way we were.” If you have never had an opportunity to visit the museum, give Fr. Kevin Lutz a call and arrange for a tour sometime.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Lord, grant Your servant a listening heart
Lord, grant Your servant a listening heart.
To You, my God, Father, Son and Spirit,
I consecrate my heart, my life, my all.
Anointed by Your Spirit and consecrated
for service among Your people,
Ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ,
I stand to worship You in spirit and in truth,
to lead Your people to knowledge of Your Kingdom
and to bring Your love into our broken world.
May my own faith, given to me at Baptism,
serve to help others see Your goodness.
May the gift of hope, residing in my heart,
serve to give others confidence in Your mercy.
May my heart burn with Your own love
that You Yourself may give life to our world.
You have called me by name
to be Your son and Your priest, Oh Lord, my God.
I stand before Your Church
and offer myself to You as son and priest,
that in my heart You may hear
the longings of Your people
and dispense Your providing love among them.
In union with Mary, Mother of the Church,
Mother of priests, and my own Mother,
I give You my heart to receive Your Word,
on behalf of Your people and for our times.
May all my words and actions
serve to bring peace and reconciliation
to all who seek You.
May my hands dispense Your blessing
upon Your people
and touch them with Your healing mercy.
May my whole being
be permeated by the power of Your love
and may my life be spent
in doing Your will, now and into Eternity.
Renewing the commitment of my Baptism,
and calling on the power of the Holy Spirit,
Whose anointing I have received,
I stand in the truth of who I am before You, Father,
and with all in the Communion of Saints,
and make my prayer through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
Rev. Timothy M. Hayes
Feast of St. John Chrysostom
13 September, 1985
[My first Baptismal Anniversary after priestly ordination]
To You, my God, Father, Son and Spirit,
I consecrate my heart, my life, my all.
Anointed by Your Spirit and consecrated
for service among Your people,
Ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ,
I stand to worship You in spirit and in truth,
to lead Your people to knowledge of Your Kingdom
and to bring Your love into our broken world.
May my own faith, given to me at Baptism,
serve to help others see Your goodness.
May the gift of hope, residing in my heart,
serve to give others confidence in Your mercy.
May my heart burn with Your own love
that You Yourself may give life to our world.
You have called me by name
to be Your son and Your priest, Oh Lord, my God.
I stand before Your Church
and offer myself to You as son and priest,
that in my heart You may hear
the longings of Your people
and dispense Your providing love among them.
In union with Mary, Mother of the Church,
Mother of priests, and my own Mother,
I give You my heart to receive Your Word,
on behalf of Your people and for our times.
May all my words and actions
serve to bring peace and reconciliation
to all who seek You.
May my hands dispense Your blessing
upon Your people
and touch them with Your healing mercy.
May my whole being
be permeated by the power of Your love
and may my life be spent
in doing Your will, now and into Eternity.
Renewing the commitment of my Baptism,
and calling on the power of the Holy Spirit,
Whose anointing I have received,
I stand in the truth of who I am before You, Father,
and with all in the Communion of Saints,
and make my prayer through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
Rev. Timothy M. Hayes
Feast of St. John Chrysostom
13 September, 1985
[My first Baptismal Anniversary after priestly ordination]
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A Word from Your Pastor September 12
A Word from Your Pastor
Dear Parishioners:
Our experience of the Blue Mass this year once again showed St. Timothy Parish’s gift of hospitality and our recognition of those who serve the wider community. Congratulations to the Knights of Columbus Council #14345 for their leadership in this effort! Let this be a call to all the men of the parish to consider adding participation in the Knights to their involvement in the Church. Since their founding in 1882, the Knights of Columbus have been concerned with the welfare of the family and they have served the Church throughout the world, promoting charity, unity fraternity, and patriotism. Those are principles to live by!
On Saturday, I spent the morning with another group of extraordinary men: candidates for the diaconate for the Diocese of Columbus and the Diocese of Steubenville. My privilege is to work with them in their study of the Scripture, in particular, the first part of the Bible: the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) and the Earlier Prophets (Joshua, Judges, I-II Samuel and I-II Kings). These are among the first writings of the Old Testament to be acknowledged as Sacred Scripture. If you have not read through them for yourself, I invite you to do so over the next several months. Since I am teaching on this material two Saturdays a month through November, they will be fresh on my mind in case you have any questions while you are reading. I have taught this material to the last several Deacon classes for the Diocese of Columbus and to two years of students at the Pontifical College Josephinum. It is truly a fascinating experience to enter into the world of the Bible. I always find our Deacon Candidates to be enthusiastic students of the Scriptures. They are looking forward to preaching the Word of God, and so are zealous in their study.
A Pastoral Note that is timely: October is observed as Respect Life Month and we are in need of members of our parish community to work on promoting an understanding of the Church’s commitment in this regard. Many organizations ask for a parish liaison and at present we do not have someone taking on this role. Let me know if you are willing. We will be including information in the bulletin that can help, but the personal touch is always important.
When you are involved in any organization that promotes research and study for eradication of illnesses that attack human beings, please be sure that you become informed about the nature of the research. Unwittingly, some research that is done attacks the very human nature it is striving to heal. For example, it is never right to make use of embryonic stem cells for any kind of research. This is to be distinguished from use of adult stem cells. The type of research that uses embryonic stem cells directly kills human beings in the earliest stage of development and manipulates human life as if it is a product of human creativity alone. Adult stem cell research, on the other hand, fully respects human nature and, as a matter of fact, shows promising results. Please keep yourself informed, and when you promote fundraising for research, make it is clear to those you are helping that you are opposed to research involving embryonic or fetal stem cells. If you do not stand up for life at its beginning, your efforts to care for life at other stages is less likely to be successful in the long run.
Dear Parishioners:
Our experience of the Blue Mass this year once again showed St. Timothy Parish’s gift of hospitality and our recognition of those who serve the wider community. Congratulations to the Knights of Columbus Council #14345 for their leadership in this effort! Let this be a call to all the men of the parish to consider adding participation in the Knights to their involvement in the Church. Since their founding in 1882, the Knights of Columbus have been concerned with the welfare of the family and they have served the Church throughout the world, promoting charity, unity fraternity, and patriotism. Those are principles to live by!
On Saturday, I spent the morning with another group of extraordinary men: candidates for the diaconate for the Diocese of Columbus and the Diocese of Steubenville. My privilege is to work with them in their study of the Scripture, in particular, the first part of the Bible: the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) and the Earlier Prophets (Joshua, Judges, I-II Samuel and I-II Kings). These are among the first writings of the Old Testament to be acknowledged as Sacred Scripture. If you have not read through them for yourself, I invite you to do so over the next several months. Since I am teaching on this material two Saturdays a month through November, they will be fresh on my mind in case you have any questions while you are reading. I have taught this material to the last several Deacon classes for the Diocese of Columbus and to two years of students at the Pontifical College Josephinum. It is truly a fascinating experience to enter into the world of the Bible. I always find our Deacon Candidates to be enthusiastic students of the Scriptures. They are looking forward to preaching the Word of God, and so are zealous in their study.
A Pastoral Note that is timely: October is observed as Respect Life Month and we are in need of members of our parish community to work on promoting an understanding of the Church’s commitment in this regard. Many organizations ask for a parish liaison and at present we do not have someone taking on this role. Let me know if you are willing. We will be including information in the bulletin that can help, but the personal touch is always important.
When you are involved in any organization that promotes research and study for eradication of illnesses that attack human beings, please be sure that you become informed about the nature of the research. Unwittingly, some research that is done attacks the very human nature it is striving to heal. For example, it is never right to make use of embryonic stem cells for any kind of research. This is to be distinguished from use of adult stem cells. The type of research that uses embryonic stem cells directly kills human beings in the earliest stage of development and manipulates human life as if it is a product of human creativity alone. Adult stem cell research, on the other hand, fully respects human nature and, as a matter of fact, shows promising results. Please keep yourself informed, and when you promote fundraising for research, make it is clear to those you are helping that you are opposed to research involving embryonic or fetal stem cells. If you do not stand up for life at its beginning, your efforts to care for life at other stages is less likely to be successful in the long run.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Happy Birthday!
At today's all-School Mass, we celebrated the Birthday of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. At the Mass, we talked about the four birthdays that appear in the Church calendar: the Birthday of Mary (September 8), the Birthday of John the Baptist (June 24), the Birthday of Jesus (December 25), and the Birthday of the Church (Pentecost - 50 Days after Easter Sunday). Mary was there for all of these!
It seemed like a good day to begin a new venture--this Pastor's Blog. I have decided to create blog where I can share what I write for our Sunday bulletins with a wider public, and from time to time offer a few Pastoral Reflections that may be of use to those who share our journey of Faith. My schedule is too erratic to plan to do something every day, but once or twice a week will be good. I may be able to include past notes from the bulletin as well.
The blog has begun! Blessings on all who read it.
It seemed like a good day to begin a new venture--this Pastor's Blog. I have decided to create blog where I can share what I write for our Sunday bulletins with a wider public, and from time to time offer a few Pastoral Reflections that may be of use to those who share our journey of Faith. My schedule is too erratic to plan to do something every day, but once or twice a week will be good. I may be able to include past notes from the bulletin as well.
The blog has begun! Blessings on all who read it.
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