The Season of Easter calls us to deepen our understanding of the Gift of the Resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead. The month of May presents us with the figure of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, whose response in Faith to her own call opened us to the fullness of salvation won for us by her Divine Son. When we contemplate these wonderful aspects of our Faith, we begin to see something of the hope of our own role in God’s plan. We will live forever. Each unique soul, open to receive God through Love, makes a difference for all people.
This Sunday, we close our PSR year of catechesis with a May Crowning and with the closing Mass. This is the first of many “endings” that will take place in the days and months ahead. Summer will come, and for some, there is a temptation to “take a vacation from God.” Please don’t fall into that trap! Summer prayer can be the best prayer of the year. When you go on vacation, research the location and times for Catholic Mass and worship with a different community. Pick up a bulletin and bring it home for your Pastor. Who knows? You may find an idea that can be brought home.
Next weekend after all the Masses, there will be a Parish Ministry Fair, an invitation to be part of what is happening in the life of St. Timothy Church. Plan to stop by to support those who serve the parish.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the holy ones and faithful brothers in Christ in Colossae: grace to you and peace from God our Father.
“We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the holy ones because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. Of this you have already heard through the word of truth, the gospel, that has come to you. Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing, so also among you, from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth, as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow slave, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
“Therefore, from the day we heard this, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.” (Colossians 1:1-12)
One surprise that we may experience when we read several of the letters of St. Paul is that he readily admits that he is not alone in his ministry and in the writing of his letters. He acknowledges to the Colosssians that his greetings are sent from himself and Timothy, and that the Gospel that has been preached was planted among them by another co-worker. The Apostolic authority that Paul has is a shared reality. Grace and Peace come from God and the preaching of the Gospel enlivens the community and encourages them to greater growth in the life of the Spirit.
Reflections on the Liturgy: NICENE CREED
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
In the part of the Creed that expresses our Faith in the Holy Spirit, a few changes are to be noted. Although it does not appear more than once in the Latin, the Credo that governs the whole profession of Faith is repeated for the third time here. It will appear once more in the final section on the Church. Each believer is invited to unite his or her act of Faith with the Faith of the whole Church.
The term “qui,” “who,” is translated now each time it appears, linking the identity of the Holy Spirit closely with the Father and the Son. “Adoratur” is translated more literally as “is adored.” The English still misses some of the intensity of the Latin expression “simul adoratur et conglorificatur,” which would be very awkward if translated directly literally: “at the same time is adored and glorified together with.” The unity of the Trinity and the human response of adoration and glorification of the Three Divine Persons with the same intensity is the point emphasized.
Sunday, May 15, is World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Today, we celebrate the 48th World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The Church around the world invites you pray for those you might know who are discerning, or people you think God may be calling to a priestly or religious vocation and would benefit from your prayers. As Pope Benedict XVI said in his message for today, “It is important to encourage and support those who show clear signs of a call to priestly life and religious consecration, and to enable them to feel the warmth of the whole community as they respond ‘yes’ to God and the Church.”
Welcome to our Summer Seminarian Intern Vincent Nguyen!
The Diocese of Columbus is trusting us with one of our most precious resources – a seminarian who is studying to become a priest of the Diocese of Columbus. Vince Nguyen has just completed his first year in Theology at the Pontifical College Josephinum. He will be with us for ten weeks as part of his training for the priesthood. We are happy to welcome him to St. Timothy Parish. Be sure to say hi and let him know we are praying for him.
Calling all Cooks!
Meals are needed for the Rectory – Fr. Tim Hayes, Fr. Bill Faustner, and our Seminarian Vince Nguyen – during the weekdays. (They fend for themselves on weekends.)
A special “behind the scenes” ministry helps to keep our parish pastoral team in good health and free to serve. Sign up online with the Friends of Father Tim Online Community of Support. This community assists with supplying meals at the rectory and other forms of service as needs come to light.
http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/607122/
Many dates are open in May and through the Summer.
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