Dear Parishioners:
Just as June is the month of the Sacred Heart, July is the month of the Precious Blood. In Scriptural terms, blood is the symbol of life and the heart is the seat of the human person’s choices and emotions. We acknowledge the infinite value of the Blood Jesus poured out for us and the fullness of life that He shares with us through His sacrifice on the Cross.
In our experience of the life of Faith, we also come to realize that God’s Love is mediated through our relationships and through the time we spend with others in all our adventures. The Parish Festival on the Green is one such adventure. We thank all who participated and made it possible. For any who happened to be away, we missed you! This is truly St. Timothy Parish and School Community at its best. Congratulations are due to Joe Lorenz and his hardy band of captains and all their volunteers. Adults and children, parishioners and friends all worked so hard to bring it about.
The Festival serves to mark endings and beginnings. We say farewell once more to a seminarian who has been with us through the summer. Our blessings and prayers go to Vince Nguyen, who has pitched right in since the first moment he arrived. He has worked very hard to help our servers and to attend to the needs of our homebound parishioners after the departure of Sr. Carolyn Thomas, SCN. We welcome the many new families who have chosen to become part of our community in parish and school. We look forward to many good times ahead.
As The Catholic Times reported, this Festival marks an informal beginning to our observance of our Parish Golden Jubilee. In the months ahead, we will have to make concrete our plans for the Parish celebration 2011-2012, and the School celebration 2013-2014. Any and all alumni of the Parish and School are invited to be part of all that we do.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
This saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God? He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the devil's punishment. He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil's trap. (I Timothy 3:1-7)
Leadership is the most challenging and the most rewarding experience in human life. When one aspires to the task of leading others, two major things are necessary: a vision for where we are headed, and the zeal and stamina to push forward. St. Paul lets Timothy know that the primary requirement for leadership (the role of the bishop) in the early Christian community is a good life, lived in accord with the teachings of Christ, in full view of the wider community. The first bishops were men of their time, taken for ministry in the community from among those who were already leaders. To aspire to the episcopacy was not seen as a desire for a “career,” but rather as a willingness to put one’s gift of leadership at the service of the Gospel. Persecutions were already beginning. Leaders had to be of good reputation so as to promote the good name of the Gospel in a hostile world.
In our own community at St. Timothy, we are seeking leaders for the various needs that have been made known among us and in the world around us. Do you aspire to put your gifts at the service of your brothers and sisters? Are you willing to lead us in the direction of the Kingdom? Do you have the stamina and zeal, and the reputation of a life truly committed to Christ that is required?
Reflections on the Liturgy: ECCE AGNUS DEI (Lamb of God)
Priest: Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away
the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called
to the supper of the Lamb.
All: Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
The invitation to adore the Lord in the Eucharist just before the Reception of Holy Communion has a number of changes. Again, two principles are at work: more accurate translation of the Latin and a greater clarity in the association of the text of the Liturgy with the Scriptures.
Behold, Ecce, in Latin, is a common Scriptural expression. The immediate context is a direct quote of John the Baptist from the Gospel of John. “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’” (John 1:29) This expression has been alluded to twice before, in the Gloria and in the Agnus Dei.
The Blessing is quoted from the Book of Revelation: “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.’” (Revelation 19:9)
In the People’s part, Scripture is also referenced. “And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed.’” (Luke 7:6-7)
The word translated “my soul” is anima mea. This term is often heard throughout the Scriptures, especially in the Psalms.
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.” [Psalm 42:2]
“My soul rests in God alone, from whom comes my salvation.” [Psalm 62:2]
Psalm 130 explicitly expresses the fact that there is a waiting for God’s Word: “I wait with longing for the LORD, my soul waits for his word.” [Psalm 130:5]
Jesus expresses a longing for companionship as He waits referring to His own soul: Then "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." [Matthew 26:38]
By using the expression “my soul,” there is also a subtle Marian dimension of receptivity implied. “And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.’” [Luke 1:46]
In a few simple phrases, deeply Scriptural in background and orientation, we speak our desire to be healed by the Word of the Lord. Who gives Himself to us in the Eucharist.
Planning for Funerals
Funerals are truly for the living. Here is a humorous story that reminds us of the truth that the celebration of a funeral, while being prayer for and remembrance of our deceased loved ones, are truly for the consolation of those who gather.
The chocolate chip cookies
An elderly man lay dying in his bed, Suddenly death's agony was pushed aside as he smelled the aroma of his favorite homemade chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs. Gathering his remaining strength, he lifted himself up from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with intense concentration, supported himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. In labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing wide-eyed into the kitchen.
There, spread out on the kitchen table were literally HUNDREDS of his favorite chocolate chip cookies!
Was it heaven? Or, was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man? Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture, one hand on the edge of the table. The aged and withered hand quiveringly made its way to a cookie near the edge of the table; feeling the warm soft dough actually made the pain of his bones subside for a moment. His parched lips parted; the wondrous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth; seemingly bringing him back to life.
What, then, was this sudden stinging that caused his hand to recoil?
He looked to see his wife, still holding the spatula she had just used to smack his hand.
"Stay out of those!" she said, "they're for the funeral."
As you make plans for your summer holidays, why not think about your final destination as well? We now have a Bereavement Ministry that hopes to assist before, during and after the celebration of the Funeral. Begin to reflect on the things that matter. What celebration will be most consoling for your loved ones left behind? Have your made known some of your favorite church hymns and Scripture readings? Do you have a will? Are the institutions that were important to you in life remembered in your plans for bequests? Your alma mater, your parish, and other non-profit groups rely on the generosity of benefactors. Now is the time to attend to these matter, while you have the leisure and time!
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