Dear Parishioners:
Happy Golden Jubilee! Happy Advent!
We have reached a truly memorable time for our Parish. From this weekend onward we begin the celebration of 50 years as a community entrusted with the mission of living the Gospel together as a family. We are called to rediscover our roots and to renew our commitment to live as a witness to Jesus Christ in the world today. We welcome Bishop Frederick F. Campbell and all who join us this weekend to share in our joy.
The beginning of Advent invites us to look with joyful Hope toward the Coming of Christ in Glory at the end of the ages. Our celebration of the Rite of Welcome for the Catechumens and Candidates who are part of the R.C.I.A. is a reminder that we are a growing community and that our Faith is meant to be shared.
The start of the use of the English translation according to Third Typical Edition of the Roman Missal calls us to deepen our understanding of the Mass and to pay closer attention to the depth and meaning of the Liturgy we celebrate as the Church.
As we attend to all that this weekend brings, let us renew our commitment to be the Family of Faith we are called to be. It is fitting to call to mind our Parish Mission Statement: “United in the Body of Christ, we strive to promote the greater glory of God through a spirit of welcome and willing service to our brothers and sisters.”
(Adopted by the St. Timothy Parish Pastoral Council February 25, 2010.)
May the years ahead continue to form us as a People open to God’s Love and ready to share it with the world. Blessings on all who have brought us to this day, and blessings to all who will be part of our life in the years to come!
Entering into our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation. Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless, and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already taken place and are upsetting the faith of some. Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, ‘The Lord knows those who are his’; and, ‘Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil.’” (II Timothy 2:14-19)
The Lord knows those who belong to Him. St. Paul does not hesitate to name names of those who, at the moment he is writing, are forgetful of their call. We can pray that Hymenaeus and Philetus and others whose names are immortalized as worthy of Paul’s wrath had a conversion of heart. St. Timothy and his community at Ephesus no doubt took to heart the warning and stood solid in their Faith and in they adherence to the teachings they had received.
The foundations upon which the Church is built are solid. As we enter into our Golden Jubilee, we acknowledge the pillars of Faith still among us. We also humbly thank God for the privilege of being members of a community of Faith entrusted with the task of proclaiming God’s invitation to belong to Him. May we always live in awareness of this relationship!
Reflections on the Liturgy:
The Mass is a tremendous gift that is often taken for granted. The change in the English version that we will experience at the beginning of Advent will challenge us to pay close attention to what we say. It is an opportunity to renew our understanding of the depth and meaning of the Liturgy. This effort to understand also serves to call us to a deeper attention to our prayer outside of the Mass.
All the forms of prayer that Christians experience must flow from and prepare for a worthy celebration of the Mass. It is important to realize that Mass is the highest form of prayer, because it is the prayer of Christ Himself. In these last weeks before we begin to make use of the new Roman Missal, we can prepare by looking into the forms of prayer that make up our daily lives.
There are four primary ways of prayer: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Supplication is the most familiar form of prayer. Perhaps the simplest expression of this prayer is one word: “Help!” It is the cry of the heart that knows we cannot accomplish anything without God. We look to our limitations and to God’s overflowing Goodness, and we ask for what we need.
There are two forms of supplication: personal requests for need, wants and desires, and intercessions for the sake of others. Either form puts the prayer in the form of an acknowledgment of some lack that we beg God to fill. Many of the prayers of the Mass are in the form of supplication.
In the presidential prayers (the prayers expressed by the priest who is presiding over the celebration of the Mass), particular graces and mercies are sought on behalf of the assembly. We are present at a certain moment and we express our desire that God be God for us, filling us with the gifts that are identified by the particular readings and prayers of the Mass being celebrated now. The General Intercessions, also called the Prayer of the Faithful, are prayers by the Body of Christ for the Church, the World and the particular community gathered at Mass.
This form of prayer is an exercise of the ministry of the priestly People who have the capacity to lift up the needs of our time and to ask for the salvation Christ won for us.
In our preparation for Mass, it is fitting to bring with us the awareness of the needs of those we live with and work with. Our prayers are the action of Christ on behalf of His People. The Liturgy of the Hours includes such prayers at Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. Personal prayer is often focused on this form of prayer. In the Mass, all such prayer is united to the Heart of Christ, Who gave His Life on the Cross in supplication for humanity.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor November 20
Dear Parishioners:
Next weekend will truly be a banner weekend in the life of our Parish Family. So many things are happening of great note for St. Timothy Church that it is hard to keep up with them!
The formal opening of our Golden Jubilee will take place as we welcome Bishop Frederick Campbell to our parish on Saturday evening. The dedication of our Rosary Prayer Garden, Mass, Dinner, and a look back on our Parish History will highlight the graces and blessings we have received in our 50 years.
The First Sunday of Advent will bring the promulgation and first use of the new English version of the Mass. With the new Liturgical Season, we will enter into a new Church Year.
We will also celebrate the Rite of Welcome for the members of our R.C.I.A. group, those who are preparing to become Catholic at Easter. This year’s group is overflowing. (Is anyone hearing God’s call to serve as a sponsor for a new Catholic? Contact Rita Feige – the need is great!)
This weekend, we are witnessing a step forward with our 8th Grade Students in our School and PSR, as they make their commitment to enter into the time of special preparation for their reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
All of these events are a sign of the life and vitality of our Parish Community. As we experience them, we need to be sure that we are reaching out to all who are with us. Have you taken the time to welcome a new member? If there is someone you don’t know sitting near you in church, take the initiative and introduce yourself. Say, how long have you been at St. Tim’s? You may be meeting a long-time member (we still have many Founding Members among us) or someone new to the community.
As we welcome many guests next weekend, let us show them the renowned St. Timothy Parish hospitality. May our life together be a little taste of the Kingdom for all!
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” (II Timothy 2:11-13)
The Paschal Mystery is the heart of the Christian Life. St. Paul reminds St. Timothy that the Gospel that he has heard is the Truth. Christ’s Life, Death and Resurrection belong to us. If we embrace the dying, we shall also receive the gift of living a New Life. Our cooperation with His Grace will lead us to the Kingdom, where we shall reign with Christ.
Paul makes clear that it is a matter of choice. Faithfulness to Christ means standing with Him in the face of a hostile world. Our fidelity will be rewarded, but it is always possible to lose our place by our failure. Nonetheless, Christ is ever faithful, claiming us as His own.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
The Mass is a tremendous gift that is often taken for granted. The change in the English version that we will experience at the beginning of Advent will challenge us to pay close attention to what we say. It is an opportunity to renew our understanding of the depth and meaning of the Liturgy. This effort to understand also serves to call us to a deeper attention to our prayer outside of the Mass.
All the forms of prayer that Christians experience must flow from and prepare for a worthy celebration of the Mass. It is important to realize that Mass is the highest form of prayer, because it is the prayer of Christ Himself. In these last weeks before we begin to make use of the new Roman Missal, we can prepare by looking into the forms of prayer that make up our daily lives.
There are four primary ways of prayer: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Thanksgiving is the heart of the Mass. Eucharist means Thanksgiving. In the act of giving thanks, we acknowledge that all we have and are comes from God. We accept the gifts that we have received precisely as gifts, not as something we have earned. We turn to the Giver and enter fully into the relationship that is offered. The Communion that is established through the act of giving thanks opens us to a greater capacity to receive and to share freely what God has given to us.
The attitude of thankfulness is one of humility. It is part of a heart that is open, ready to be filled. Such an attitude must be cultivated. Every moment that leads up to the celebration of the Mass, and every moment that comes after the Mass is ended must be seen as preparing for the supreme act of Worship, Christ’s rendering Thanks to the Father, and as flowing from that one supreme act that unites Time and Eternity. In the Mass, this becomes one single reality and we are taken up to experience the Heavenly Liturgy with all the Saints and Angels, who give God thanks and glory.
Next weekend will truly be a banner weekend in the life of our Parish Family. So many things are happening of great note for St. Timothy Church that it is hard to keep up with them!
The formal opening of our Golden Jubilee will take place as we welcome Bishop Frederick Campbell to our parish on Saturday evening. The dedication of our Rosary Prayer Garden, Mass, Dinner, and a look back on our Parish History will highlight the graces and blessings we have received in our 50 years.
The First Sunday of Advent will bring the promulgation and first use of the new English version of the Mass. With the new Liturgical Season, we will enter into a new Church Year.
We will also celebrate the Rite of Welcome for the members of our R.C.I.A. group, those who are preparing to become Catholic at Easter. This year’s group is overflowing. (Is anyone hearing God’s call to serve as a sponsor for a new Catholic? Contact Rita Feige – the need is great!)
This weekend, we are witnessing a step forward with our 8th Grade Students in our School and PSR, as they make their commitment to enter into the time of special preparation for their reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
All of these events are a sign of the life and vitality of our Parish Community. As we experience them, we need to be sure that we are reaching out to all who are with us. Have you taken the time to welcome a new member? If there is someone you don’t know sitting near you in church, take the initiative and introduce yourself. Say, how long have you been at St. Tim’s? You may be meeting a long-time member (we still have many Founding Members among us) or someone new to the community.
As we welcome many guests next weekend, let us show them the renowned St. Timothy Parish hospitality. May our life together be a little taste of the Kingdom for all!
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
“This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” (II Timothy 2:11-13)
The Paschal Mystery is the heart of the Christian Life. St. Paul reminds St. Timothy that the Gospel that he has heard is the Truth. Christ’s Life, Death and Resurrection belong to us. If we embrace the dying, we shall also receive the gift of living a New Life. Our cooperation with His Grace will lead us to the Kingdom, where we shall reign with Christ.
Paul makes clear that it is a matter of choice. Faithfulness to Christ means standing with Him in the face of a hostile world. Our fidelity will be rewarded, but it is always possible to lose our place by our failure. Nonetheless, Christ is ever faithful, claiming us as His own.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
The Mass is a tremendous gift that is often taken for granted. The change in the English version that we will experience at the beginning of Advent will challenge us to pay close attention to what we say. It is an opportunity to renew our understanding of the depth and meaning of the Liturgy. This effort to understand also serves to call us to a deeper attention to our prayer outside of the Mass.
All the forms of prayer that Christians experience must flow from and prepare for a worthy celebration of the Mass. It is important to realize that Mass is the highest form of prayer, because it is the prayer of Christ Himself. In these last weeks before we begin to make use of the new Roman Missal, we can prepare by looking into the forms of prayer that make up our daily lives.
There are four primary ways of prayer: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Thanksgiving is the heart of the Mass. Eucharist means Thanksgiving. In the act of giving thanks, we acknowledge that all we have and are comes from God. We accept the gifts that we have received precisely as gifts, not as something we have earned. We turn to the Giver and enter fully into the relationship that is offered. The Communion that is established through the act of giving thanks opens us to a greater capacity to receive and to share freely what God has given to us.
The attitude of thankfulness is one of humility. It is part of a heart that is open, ready to be filled. Such an attitude must be cultivated. Every moment that leads up to the celebration of the Mass, and every moment that comes after the Mass is ended must be seen as preparing for the supreme act of Worship, Christ’s rendering Thanks to the Father, and as flowing from that one supreme act that unites Time and Eternity. In the Mass, this becomes one single reality and we are taken up to experience the Heavenly Liturgy with all the Saints and Angels, who give God thanks and glory.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor November 13
Dear Parishioners:
As time goes on, I hope to share some notes from my Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of St. Timothy and St. Paul. This will be an ongoing part of our Parish Golden Jubilee.
The heart of the journey was some time at Ephesus. According to tradition, this ancient city was the location where much that we take for granted as our Christian heritage came to fruition. Many of the figures of the early Christian community spent some time there. Quite a number of our Scriptures seems to have originated from there. For us, the fact that our Patron St. Timothy was the first Bishop of Ephesus is significant. Tradition also tells us that St. John the Apostle and the Blessed Virgin Mary had a home there together.
Footsteps Pilgrims at the House of Mary in Ephesus
On the grounds of the House of Mary, there is a Franciscan monastery. Our pilgrim group had a lovely Mass there and all of you were held in prayer in a special way.
House of Mary and Statue in Monastery Chapel
Notice the St. Timothy Parish and School Directories
at the foot of our Blessed Mother
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. (II Timothy 2:7-10)
When many of us were young, we heard three words from the good Religious Sisters who taught us: “Offer it up.” They would give this advice in response to any situation where there was an experience of pain or suffering. St. Paul’s words to St. Timothy offer this model. Paul is able to acknowledge that there is a purpose and meaning to the hardships he experiences for the sake of the Gospel. He is confident that his sufferings are beneficial for those to whom he preaches.
Salvation comes from Jesus Christ, raised from the dead and a descendant of David, and yet, those who receive the Gospel also have a share in bringing salvation to others. We are called to remember this, especially when we feel constrained by the world around us. The Word of God is never contrained.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
The Mass is a tremendous gift that is often taken for granted. The change in the English version that we will experience at the beginning of Advent will challenge us to pay close attention to what we say. It is an opportunity to renew our understanding of the depth and meaning of the Liturgy. This effort to understand also serves to call us to a deeper attention to our prayer outside of the Mass.
All the forms of prayer that Christians experience must flow from and prepare for a worthy celebration of the Mass. It is important to realize that Mass is the highest form of prayer, because it is the prayer of Christ Himself. In these last weeks before we begin to make use of the new Roman Missal, we can prepare by looking into the forms of prayer that make up our daily lives.
There are four primary ways of prayer: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Contrition is an attitude of realism concerning our own sinfulness. We are sorry for our sins, not for fear of punishment (that is attrition), but because we are aware of the harm our sins cause and because we love God and do not wan to offend Him.
In our worship, we must first express our sorrow for sin and ask for God’s Mercy. True worship of the Living God can only be given by a contrite heart. The Mass begins with an expression of sorrow.
The Confiteor is our confession of sin and our acknowledgement of our need for God to put us back in right relationship with Him and with the Church. Our cry of “Kyrie, eleison; Christe, eleison; Kyrie, eleison” is a call for Mercy. The expression of God’s Mercy by the priest is a reflection of what happens in the Sacrament of Penance through absolution.
“I am sorry” is an expression that is healing in human relationships. “Please forgive me” is said as an act of humility that creates room for growth and renewal among human beings who have hurt one another. This is also true in relationship to God.
An examination of conscience precedes confession of our guilt before we approach the Sacrament of Penance. We would do well to approach Mass with a similar self-examination, to discover our attitudes and to ensure that we are properly disposed toward this act of worship.
During Mass, there are moments of silence that invite us to recognize our need for God’s mercy and forgiveness. Before receiving Holy Communion, we ask the Lord “but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Opening our hearts to God, being truly contrite, we allow Him to bring us to the transformation that brings salvation and forgiveness of sin.
As time goes on, I hope to share some notes from my Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of St. Timothy and St. Paul. This will be an ongoing part of our Parish Golden Jubilee.
The heart of the journey was some time at Ephesus. According to tradition, this ancient city was the location where much that we take for granted as our Christian heritage came to fruition. Many of the figures of the early Christian community spent some time there. Quite a number of our Scriptures seems to have originated from there. For us, the fact that our Patron St. Timothy was the first Bishop of Ephesus is significant. Tradition also tells us that St. John the Apostle and the Blessed Virgin Mary had a home there together.
Footsteps Pilgrims at the House of Mary in Ephesus
On the grounds of the House of Mary, there is a Franciscan monastery. Our pilgrim group had a lovely Mass there and all of you were held in prayer in a special way.
House of Mary and Statue in Monastery Chapel
Notice the St. Timothy Parish and School Directories
at the foot of our Blessed Mother
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. (II Timothy 2:7-10)
When many of us were young, we heard three words from the good Religious Sisters who taught us: “Offer it up.” They would give this advice in response to any situation where there was an experience of pain or suffering. St. Paul’s words to St. Timothy offer this model. Paul is able to acknowledge that there is a purpose and meaning to the hardships he experiences for the sake of the Gospel. He is confident that his sufferings are beneficial for those to whom he preaches.
Salvation comes from Jesus Christ, raised from the dead and a descendant of David, and yet, those who receive the Gospel also have a share in bringing salvation to others. We are called to remember this, especially when we feel constrained by the world around us. The Word of God is never contrained.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
The Mass is a tremendous gift that is often taken for granted. The change in the English version that we will experience at the beginning of Advent will challenge us to pay close attention to what we say. It is an opportunity to renew our understanding of the depth and meaning of the Liturgy. This effort to understand also serves to call us to a deeper attention to our prayer outside of the Mass.
All the forms of prayer that Christians experience must flow from and prepare for a worthy celebration of the Mass. It is important to realize that Mass is the highest form of prayer, because it is the prayer of Christ Himself. In these last weeks before we begin to make use of the new Roman Missal, we can prepare by looking into the forms of prayer that make up our daily lives.
There are four primary ways of prayer: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Contrition is an attitude of realism concerning our own sinfulness. We are sorry for our sins, not for fear of punishment (that is attrition), but because we are aware of the harm our sins cause and because we love God and do not wan to offend Him.
In our worship, we must first express our sorrow for sin and ask for God’s Mercy. True worship of the Living God can only be given by a contrite heart. The Mass begins with an expression of sorrow.
The Confiteor is our confession of sin and our acknowledgement of our need for God to put us back in right relationship with Him and with the Church. Our cry of “Kyrie, eleison; Christe, eleison; Kyrie, eleison” is a call for Mercy. The expression of God’s Mercy by the priest is a reflection of what happens in the Sacrament of Penance through absolution.
“I am sorry” is an expression that is healing in human relationships. “Please forgive me” is said as an act of humility that creates room for growth and renewal among human beings who have hurt one another. This is also true in relationship to God.
An examination of conscience precedes confession of our guilt before we approach the Sacrament of Penance. We would do well to approach Mass with a similar self-examination, to discover our attitudes and to ensure that we are properly disposed toward this act of worship.
During Mass, there are moments of silence that invite us to recognize our need for God’s mercy and forgiveness. Before receiving Holy Communion, we ask the Lord “but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Opening our hearts to God, being truly contrite, we allow Him to bring us to the transformation that brings salvation and forgiveness of sin.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor November 6
Dear Parishioners:
We have entered into the month of November in full force. All Saints Day and All Souls Day at the start of the month remind us of our Communion with those who have entered into the Paschal Mystery and into the embrace of God. Thanksgiving and the Opening of our Golden Jubilee at the close of the month will remind us of our connections with our families and our parish community through the years. In all of these observances, we acknowledge one wonderful simple truth: we are not alone. We are never alone. God is with us, and, as a gift, He has invited us to share communion with one another.
Among the many insights that were part of my recent Pilgrimage to Turkey and Greece was the simple realization that we are all connected in surprising ways. As we were departing, news of the wild animals on the loose in Muskingham County was literally going world wide. The whole world, for a moment, had its eyes on central Ohio. We met many who remembered the story as we explained where we are from…. Similarly, the demonstrations and protests in Greece were in the headlines as we headed toward that part of the world. While we were in Turkey, on the West Coast, the Eastern part of Turkey experienced a devastating earthquake, giving concern to families and friends at home. (We were on the opposite end of the country and did not experience anything.) Facebook and the internet allowed for contact with folks all around the world to share our pilgrim journey and to let everyone know we were okay.
The gift of our Christian Faith with its awareness of Who God IS as the Holy Trinity, a Community of Persons united in Being and in Love, opens us to a dimension of Reality to us that allows us to see the unity that is possible among human beings across cultural divides. It offers us a sense of hope about the future and a confidence in God in the present moment, whatever our circumstances.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well. Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. To satisfy the one who recruited him, a soldier does not become entangled in the business affairs of life. Similarly, an athlete cannot receive the winner's crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to have the first share of the crop. (II Timothy 2:1-6)
St. Paul’s love for St. Timothy is like that of a father for a son. He calls Timothy to be the best person he can be and to share with others what he has received from Paul. Grace is the gift of God’s own relationship with us, a source of strength and commitment that bears fruit the more we rely on it.
Paul’s images, taken from the reality of life in the first century, are still very familiar: from the military, from athletics and from farming. Keeping order in society, taking recreation and entering into competition, and providing food from the cultivation of the earth are all human activities that remain constant. God works through the ordinary, and so Paul is able to encourage Timothy by appealing to the ordinary experiences of the people of all ages. Bearing hardship (no pain, no gain), following the rules, and being rewarded for one’s labor point to the practical application of the Gospel. Paul invites Timothy to do what he himself has done. We too have the responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel and teaching others to do the same.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
The Mass is a tremendous gift that is often taken for granted. The change in the English version that we will experience at the beginning of Advent will challenge us to pay close attention to what we say. It is an opportunity to renew our understanding of the depth and meaning of the Liturgy. This effort to understand also serves to call us to a deeper attention to our prayer outside of the Mass.
All the forms of prayer that Christians experience must flow from and prepare for a worthy celebration of the Mass. It is important to realize that Mass is the highest form of prayer, because it is the prayer of Christ Himself. In these last weeks before we begin to make use of the new Roman Missal, we can prepare by looking into the forms of prayer that make up our daily lives.
There are four primary ways of prayer: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Adoration is prayer of praise. In our daily prayer, we ought to praise God for Who He IS. This form of prayer is the most unselfish. It is utterly directed toward God. We acknowledge God as God and focus our attention to Him for Himself, not for anything we may get from Him.
We express adoration through psalms of praise, through hymns and songs, and through shouts of joy. When we enter into praise, we are taken out of ourselves and our tendency to put our own needs and desires at the center of attention. To adore God means to give God His due, to glorify Him and to acknowledge that He is first in our priorities. Praise of God allows us to see that our relationship with God is at the heart of things.
In the Mass, we are part of the Sacrifice of Praise, through which Jesus Christ acknowledges His Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus lifts us up through His Risen and glorified Human Nature to share in the very Life of the Trinity. Our own prayer of praise disposes us to enter into this Movement.
The Mass has many expressions of praise: the hymns and songs that are present throughout the Mass, the Gloria, the Responsorial Psalm, the Alleluia or Gospel Acclamation, the Sanctus and the Doxology.
In our life of prayer, let us praise God for His Glory!
We have entered into the month of November in full force. All Saints Day and All Souls Day at the start of the month remind us of our Communion with those who have entered into the Paschal Mystery and into the embrace of God. Thanksgiving and the Opening of our Golden Jubilee at the close of the month will remind us of our connections with our families and our parish community through the years. In all of these observances, we acknowledge one wonderful simple truth: we are not alone. We are never alone. God is with us, and, as a gift, He has invited us to share communion with one another.
Among the many insights that were part of my recent Pilgrimage to Turkey and Greece was the simple realization that we are all connected in surprising ways. As we were departing, news of the wild animals on the loose in Muskingham County was literally going world wide. The whole world, for a moment, had its eyes on central Ohio. We met many who remembered the story as we explained where we are from…. Similarly, the demonstrations and protests in Greece were in the headlines as we headed toward that part of the world. While we were in Turkey, on the West Coast, the Eastern part of Turkey experienced a devastating earthquake, giving concern to families and friends at home. (We were on the opposite end of the country and did not experience anything.) Facebook and the internet allowed for contact with folks all around the world to share our pilgrim journey and to let everyone know we were okay.
The gift of our Christian Faith with its awareness of Who God IS as the Holy Trinity, a Community of Persons united in Being and in Love, opens us to a dimension of Reality to us that allows us to see the unity that is possible among human beings across cultural divides. It offers us a sense of hope about the future and a confidence in God in the present moment, whatever our circumstances.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well. Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. To satisfy the one who recruited him, a soldier does not become entangled in the business affairs of life. Similarly, an athlete cannot receive the winner's crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to have the first share of the crop. (II Timothy 2:1-6)
St. Paul’s love for St. Timothy is like that of a father for a son. He calls Timothy to be the best person he can be and to share with others what he has received from Paul. Grace is the gift of God’s own relationship with us, a source of strength and commitment that bears fruit the more we rely on it.
Paul’s images, taken from the reality of life in the first century, are still very familiar: from the military, from athletics and from farming. Keeping order in society, taking recreation and entering into competition, and providing food from the cultivation of the earth are all human activities that remain constant. God works through the ordinary, and so Paul is able to encourage Timothy by appealing to the ordinary experiences of the people of all ages. Bearing hardship (no pain, no gain), following the rules, and being rewarded for one’s labor point to the practical application of the Gospel. Paul invites Timothy to do what he himself has done. We too have the responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel and teaching others to do the same.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
The Mass is a tremendous gift that is often taken for granted. The change in the English version that we will experience at the beginning of Advent will challenge us to pay close attention to what we say. It is an opportunity to renew our understanding of the depth and meaning of the Liturgy. This effort to understand also serves to call us to a deeper attention to our prayer outside of the Mass.
All the forms of prayer that Christians experience must flow from and prepare for a worthy celebration of the Mass. It is important to realize that Mass is the highest form of prayer, because it is the prayer of Christ Himself. In these last weeks before we begin to make use of the new Roman Missal, we can prepare by looking into the forms of prayer that make up our daily lives.
There are four primary ways of prayer: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Adoration is prayer of praise. In our daily prayer, we ought to praise God for Who He IS. This form of prayer is the most unselfish. It is utterly directed toward God. We acknowledge God as God and focus our attention to Him for Himself, not for anything we may get from Him.
We express adoration through psalms of praise, through hymns and songs, and through shouts of joy. When we enter into praise, we are taken out of ourselves and our tendency to put our own needs and desires at the center of attention. To adore God means to give God His due, to glorify Him and to acknowledge that He is first in our priorities. Praise of God allows us to see that our relationship with God is at the heart of things.
In the Mass, we are part of the Sacrifice of Praise, through which Jesus Christ acknowledges His Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus lifts us up through His Risen and glorified Human Nature to share in the very Life of the Trinity. Our own prayer of praise disposes us to enter into this Movement.
The Mass has many expressions of praise: the hymns and songs that are present throughout the Mass, the Gloria, the Responsorial Psalm, the Alleluia or Gospel Acclamation, the Sanctus and the Doxology.
In our life of prayer, let us praise God for His Glory!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor October 30
Dear Parishioners:
As you celebrate the Masses of this weekend, my Pilgrim journey will be coming to its close. If all goes well, our group should arrive back Sunday evening. We will have a day that lasts more than 24 hours and will have negotiated two flights and the hassle of customs and return. But no doubt we will be able to take all of these in stride because our journey has been a Pilgrimage.
Do you know the difference between a Tourist and a Pilgrim? A Pilgrim can never complain. To whatever happens along the way, the Pilgrim says “Deo Gratias! – Thanks be to God!” and seeks to hear a message from God through the experience.
The Pilgrimage that I have been part of was created to serve as an “entry” into our time of Golden Jubilee, since it is “in the Footsteps of St. Timothy and St. Paul.” We are all under the patronage of St. Timothy, the companion of St. Paul.
The heart of the Pilgrimage was Ephesus, where St. Timothy served as First Bishop. Two Apostles lived and worked there, St. Paul and St. John. According to tradition, it was there that St. John also cared for Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The Community of Ephesus received several Letters from St. Paul, the Letter to the Ephesians, and I and II Timothy. Ephesus was also one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse to receive a Letter from the Risen Lord through St. John as he was in exile on the Island of Patmos. Our own parish family is called to put into practice the life that was shared by that first generation of Christians. We are a witness to the Truth of the Gospel in our time.
In the weeks ahead, I am sure that we will benefit from the experience of the Pilgrimage. May we continue to grow in our understanding of the life we share in Christ and may our witness serve to draw others to hear the call of the Gospel.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. You know that everyone in Asia deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus because he often gave me new heart and was not ashamed of my chains. But when he came to Rome, he promptly searched for me and found me. May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day. And you know very well the services he rendered in Ephesus. (II Timothy 1:13-18)
St. Paul is a realist. He knows the score and the consequence of accepting the call to follow Christ. He also knows that what enables the disciple of Christ to persevere is the inward commitment to hold fast to the Truth and the discernment of those who are allies in the witness of Faith.
Paul charges Timothy and the members of the Church of Ephesus to live by his example and by what he taught of Christ when he was with them. He also shares with them, naming names, how some fellow disciples scored in the manner of support they showed for him in his hardships experienced on account of the Gospel. Some deserted him, but one went out of his way to be of help.
In the life of the Church today, we often hear of those who fail to live up to their responsibilities. We must also give credit where credit is due for those who are faithful witnesses and those who encourage us with their support. Who has helped you to live in fidelity to the call of the Gospel?
Reflections on the Liturgy:
As we enter into immediate preparation for the transition to the new English form of the Mass, it is good to take the opportunity to renew our understanding about what is happening in the Liturgy and our own part in it. We are called to full, conscious, active participation. Each person present has a role and a responsibility even if there is no particular ministry or function being exercised.
The Mass has four primary “movements”: Gathering, Hearing the Word, the Sacrifice, and the Sending Forth. Our final reflections are meant to highlight aspects of each of these parts of the Liturgy. All of us would do well to review our own practice and to become more conscious of the meaning of what we are doing.
The Sending Forth from the Mass is expressed in Closing Rites that are rather simple and straightforward. The Priest gathers the Community together for the Prayer after Communion. Announcements concerning the life of the Parish Family are made. The Final Blessing is given. Then, the Deacon or Priest call out the Dismissal. As the Ministers process out, a Closing Hymn is sung. Thus, the Mass is ended.
Just as the Collect or the Opening Prayer at the beginning of the Mass draws the Community into one spirit for worship, the Post-Communion Prayer summarizes the grace that has been received through the act of worship and allows the Community to stand in awareness of the Unity that has been experienced.
When Announcements are made, it is a reminder that the assembly newly confirmed in grace by the Eucharist now has a job to do. All that we do as Church flows from our Eucharistic Worship. The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Life in Christ. Some may find this moment tedious or somehow “unworthy” of the action we have experienced together. But in truth, it is the very consequence of the Incarnation we come to understand more deeply through the Eucharist. Christ is with us in the ordinary reality of our lives. We are now to put into practice the Mystery we have experienced in a way that brings Christ to the world.
The Final Blessing corresponds to the Sign of the Cross that began the Mass. On special occasions and in particular seasons and feasts, a Solemn Blessing or Prayer over the People may accompany the Priest’s Blessing. How sad it is that many tend to duck out before receiving the Blessing!
The Dismissal Proper is the very rite that gave the name to the Mass: “Ite, Missa est.” The Deacon or Priest at this moment is the voice of Christ, Who has sent His disciples into the world. This formal act is our commissioning to be Christ to the world and to carry away to those who are awaiting the Good News that we have heard and tasted in the Mass.
Do an examination of your family conscience with these questions:
Do you take advantage of time after receiving Holy Communion for silent prayer and an act of thanksgiving? As the Presider prays Prayer after Communion, do you join in with the rest of the Congregation with a lifting of your mind and heart to God? Do you listen to the words being prayed and allow them to direct your own thoughts and reflections of the heart?
As the Announcements are being made, do you respond to the invitation to participate in the life of the Parish Community? Do you think about how your family can be involved or who else might benefit from the events and activities being described? Are you an active member of any of the Parish groups? Do you make sure that your own group or organization is in communication with the wider Parish?
When the Blessing is given, do you bow your head and do you make a “full-body Sign of the Cross”? Do you resolve to put into practice what you have received through the Mass?
Do you hear the Lord’s Call as the Dismissal is proclaimed? Do you and your family maintain an awareness of the fact that Sunday is the Lord’s Day, by allowing it to continue as a day of prayer and leisure, with true quality time as a family?
Are you called to be a member of any of the Parish groups or organizations that assist with the life of the Parish and School? Have you and your family chosen a group to which you will belong or that you will keep in your prayers? Do you have one “world concern” to which you devote time and prayer as an individual and as a family, serving as a leaven of the Gospel in the world? Does any major world crisis or problem move your heart to compassion and call for your involvement in the search for a solution? Are you and your family a living sign of the truth of the Word and Sacrament you have received?
As you celebrate the Masses of this weekend, my Pilgrim journey will be coming to its close. If all goes well, our group should arrive back Sunday evening. We will have a day that lasts more than 24 hours and will have negotiated two flights and the hassle of customs and return. But no doubt we will be able to take all of these in stride because our journey has been a Pilgrimage.
Do you know the difference between a Tourist and a Pilgrim? A Pilgrim can never complain. To whatever happens along the way, the Pilgrim says “Deo Gratias! – Thanks be to God!” and seeks to hear a message from God through the experience.
The Pilgrimage that I have been part of was created to serve as an “entry” into our time of Golden Jubilee, since it is “in the Footsteps of St. Timothy and St. Paul.” We are all under the patronage of St. Timothy, the companion of St. Paul.
The heart of the Pilgrimage was Ephesus, where St. Timothy served as First Bishop. Two Apostles lived and worked there, St. Paul and St. John. According to tradition, it was there that St. John also cared for Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The Community of Ephesus received several Letters from St. Paul, the Letter to the Ephesians, and I and II Timothy. Ephesus was also one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse to receive a Letter from the Risen Lord through St. John as he was in exile on the Island of Patmos. Our own parish family is called to put into practice the life that was shared by that first generation of Christians. We are a witness to the Truth of the Gospel in our time.
In the weeks ahead, I am sure that we will benefit from the experience of the Pilgrimage. May we continue to grow in our understanding of the life we share in Christ and may our witness serve to draw others to hear the call of the Gospel.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. You know that everyone in Asia deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus because he often gave me new heart and was not ashamed of my chains. But when he came to Rome, he promptly searched for me and found me. May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day. And you know very well the services he rendered in Ephesus. (II Timothy 1:13-18)
St. Paul is a realist. He knows the score and the consequence of accepting the call to follow Christ. He also knows that what enables the disciple of Christ to persevere is the inward commitment to hold fast to the Truth and the discernment of those who are allies in the witness of Faith.
Paul charges Timothy and the members of the Church of Ephesus to live by his example and by what he taught of Christ when he was with them. He also shares with them, naming names, how some fellow disciples scored in the manner of support they showed for him in his hardships experienced on account of the Gospel. Some deserted him, but one went out of his way to be of help.
In the life of the Church today, we often hear of those who fail to live up to their responsibilities. We must also give credit where credit is due for those who are faithful witnesses and those who encourage us with their support. Who has helped you to live in fidelity to the call of the Gospel?
Reflections on the Liturgy:
As we enter into immediate preparation for the transition to the new English form of the Mass, it is good to take the opportunity to renew our understanding about what is happening in the Liturgy and our own part in it. We are called to full, conscious, active participation. Each person present has a role and a responsibility even if there is no particular ministry or function being exercised.
The Mass has four primary “movements”: Gathering, Hearing the Word, the Sacrifice, and the Sending Forth. Our final reflections are meant to highlight aspects of each of these parts of the Liturgy. All of us would do well to review our own practice and to become more conscious of the meaning of what we are doing.
The Sending Forth from the Mass is expressed in Closing Rites that are rather simple and straightforward. The Priest gathers the Community together for the Prayer after Communion. Announcements concerning the life of the Parish Family are made. The Final Blessing is given. Then, the Deacon or Priest call out the Dismissal. As the Ministers process out, a Closing Hymn is sung. Thus, the Mass is ended.
Just as the Collect or the Opening Prayer at the beginning of the Mass draws the Community into one spirit for worship, the Post-Communion Prayer summarizes the grace that has been received through the act of worship and allows the Community to stand in awareness of the Unity that has been experienced.
When Announcements are made, it is a reminder that the assembly newly confirmed in grace by the Eucharist now has a job to do. All that we do as Church flows from our Eucharistic Worship. The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Life in Christ. Some may find this moment tedious or somehow “unworthy” of the action we have experienced together. But in truth, it is the very consequence of the Incarnation we come to understand more deeply through the Eucharist. Christ is with us in the ordinary reality of our lives. We are now to put into practice the Mystery we have experienced in a way that brings Christ to the world.
The Final Blessing corresponds to the Sign of the Cross that began the Mass. On special occasions and in particular seasons and feasts, a Solemn Blessing or Prayer over the People may accompany the Priest’s Blessing. How sad it is that many tend to duck out before receiving the Blessing!
The Dismissal Proper is the very rite that gave the name to the Mass: “Ite, Missa est.” The Deacon or Priest at this moment is the voice of Christ, Who has sent His disciples into the world. This formal act is our commissioning to be Christ to the world and to carry away to those who are awaiting the Good News that we have heard and tasted in the Mass.
Do an examination of your family conscience with these questions:
Do you take advantage of time after receiving Holy Communion for silent prayer and an act of thanksgiving? As the Presider prays Prayer after Communion, do you join in with the rest of the Congregation with a lifting of your mind and heart to God? Do you listen to the words being prayed and allow them to direct your own thoughts and reflections of the heart?
As the Announcements are being made, do you respond to the invitation to participate in the life of the Parish Community? Do you think about how your family can be involved or who else might benefit from the events and activities being described? Are you an active member of any of the Parish groups? Do you make sure that your own group or organization is in communication with the wider Parish?
When the Blessing is given, do you bow your head and do you make a “full-body Sign of the Cross”? Do you resolve to put into practice what you have received through the Mass?
Do you hear the Lord’s Call as the Dismissal is proclaimed? Do you and your family maintain an awareness of the fact that Sunday is the Lord’s Day, by allowing it to continue as a day of prayer and leisure, with true quality time as a family?
Are you called to be a member of any of the Parish groups or organizations that assist with the life of the Parish and School? Have you and your family chosen a group to which you will belong or that you will keep in your prayers? Do you have one “world concern” to which you devote time and prayer as an individual and as a family, serving as a leaven of the Gospel in the world? Does any major world crisis or problem move your heart to compassion and call for your involvement in the search for a solution? Are you and your family a living sign of the truth of the Word and Sacrament you have received?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)