Recently, I have participated in some meals that included special guests from our parish. At the Women’s Prayer Breakfast, where I shared my Journey in the Footsteps of St. Timothy, we were happy to see Sr. Carolyn Thomas, S.C.N., who was in for a visit from her Religious Community’s Motherhouse in Kentucky.
Sr. Carolyn used to take care of our Homebound Parishioners. Since her expertise is Scripture (especially St. Paul), it was nice to be able to share the story of my travels to the Lands of the Bible with her, as well as with all the Mothers and Daughters who gathered.
Last Friday, I was at the Catholic Men’s Luncheon at St. Patrick Church, where the Diocese honored Men who were nominated by their parishes as Catholic Man of the Year. Our own parish had Hugo Della Flora as a nominee and a good number of the Men of St. Timothy turned up to share the meal.
Hugo was proud to stand for a picture with St. Patrick and Bishop Campbell. We were happy to see the Bishop so soon after his travels to Rome for his Ad Limina Visit to Pope Benedict XVI.
We congratulate our newly Confirmed 8th Graders who made a wonderful impression on Bishop Campbell last weekend. We were all proud of them as they responded to his questions, and as they all remembered to say “Amen” and “And with your spirit” properly as they came forward to be confirmed. Congratulations to you and all your families! We look forward to the gifts you will bring to our parish as you follow the Spirit’s lead.
This week we begin Lent, with Ash Wednesday on February 22nd. Next week, starting on Sunday, February 26th, we will have a Parish Mission. Plan to take part Sunday through Wednesday, with the special evening sessions. Don’t miss your chance to get a good start to the Holy Season of Lent!
LENT BEGINS ASH WEDNESDAY
The following fast and abstinence regulations are observed: Abstinence from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent by all Catholics 14 years and older. Fasting is observed on Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age to 59. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted as necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.
Celebrating our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy’s Community of Faith.
We are looking at St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, since Ephesus was the see where St. Timothy served as Bishop. This may offer some perspectives on the Church and the Community among whom Timothy lived and ministered.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6)
Often, St. Paul bursts into a song of praise as he writes to the Christian Communities where he preached and taught. It is as if he is remembering the Liturgies and the Hymns they experienced together. Singing serves to teach in ways that go deeper than our minds. Songs speak to our heart. The opening verses of the Letter to the Ephesians give us a wonderful reminder of the Blessings that belong to us since we are in Christ.
The flow of blessing presented here points to the mystery of God’s choice of us before we ever came to be. It directs our attention to what is yet to become of us through our adoption into Christ by God’s own favor. We see that the glory we sing of in time will be ours in Eternity, as we grow in the grace of Christ Who is God’s Beloved Son. We hear the call to be holy as He is holy.
These words are worth meditating upon and repeating in our hearts. Can you see that our call is to discover who we are in Christ?
How well do you know Saint Timothy?
At the St. Timothy Women’s Prayer Breakfast, there was a Quiz about our Patron Saint Timothy. Test your own knowledge about the Saint. Each week, a question or two will be put in the bulletin. You’ll have to come back next week to get the answer!
Fill in the Blanks:
Today, St. Timothy is known as the patron of _______________.
The major book of the New Testament that tells us about St. Timothy is _____________.
St. Timothy is listed by name in 11 letters in the New Testament Canon: ____________, ____________, ____________, ____________, ____________, ___________, ____________, ____________, ____________, ____________, and ____________.
Answers to Last Week’s Fill in the Blanks:
St. Timothy was born in __Lycia____ in modern day _Turkey_.
His father was _a Greek (name unknown)__ and his mother’s name was __Eunice_; his grandmother was __Lois_.
He became a companion of _St. Paul the Apostle_, who called Timothy his own beloved _child / son / brother_.
Do you Know the History of St. Timothy Parish? Mid-February in Years Past
1964: Women’s Club purchased a set of white solemn vestments. Men’s Club purchased a projector for the school. The Home and School Association purchased a piano.
1968: There is a Music Festival at Veteran’s Memorial on Sunday. “St. Timothy is doing an historical Choral Verse Reading with no other group to back them up.”
1969: Former St. Timothy parishioners, Michael Sullivan and his wife, are teaching in the Peace Corps in Liberia, West Africa.
1972: Banns of Marriage: 1st time, Michael Murphy of St. Timothy and Hildegarde Freeman of Our Lady of Peace.
Council recommended to the Pastor:
o that the school should continue with eight grades,
o that tuition should be established at $300 for the first child and $100 for each additional child enrolled,
o that each school family should make a minimum church contribution of $500.
Chairman, Board of Finance Frank Gardner, Pastor Fr. DeVille
1983: Special Mass for high school students in the rectory basement at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Pizza to be served after the Mass. This is an opportunity to get to know Fr. Ted Thomas.
Confirmation date must be moved due to ceremonies welcoming the new bishop. Details to be forthcoming.
2001: The gym is open Mon.-Fri. at 6:00 am for those who would like to walk. Twenty times around the gym equals one mile and one mile burns 100 calories.
2000: Parishioners are asked to remember Henry Colson and Margaret Byrne who died.
2010: Remember Tamara Sullivan who died.
HHS Mandate Information Available Online
If you haven't already done so, please consider going to these websites which contain current information about the recent HHS ruling concerning the Catholic Church, and a link to sign a petition indicating support for the bishops’ position.
https://www.stophhs.com/stop_hhs_mandate/catholic-resistance-must-be-the-response-to-the-unjust-hhs-edict-to-violate-conscience/
http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/index.cfm
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