A Word from Your Pastor May 6

Dear Parishioners:

 Last weekend we celebrated First Holy Communion with our Second Graders.  This weekend, we have another group of children of various ages who are receiving the Lord in the Eucharist for the first time.  Many of you have traveled to such celebrations for members of your family all around the country. “’Tis the season, as they say.”  This suggests that it may be a good time to review our Eucharistic practices as Catholics, so that all of us are on the same page.

First, know without any doubt that it is clear Catholic Dogma  that Jesus Christ is Present in the Eucharist, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, that is, in the fullness of His Person with His Divine Nature and with His Human Nature in its Risen and Glorified State.  This Real Presence is the result of the Prayer of Consecration and the Invocation of the Holy Spirit (the Epiclesis) that take place in the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass, performed by a validly ordained priest who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders from a Bishop who has Apostolic Succession.  It is no mere symbol.  Our Faith in the Eucharist and the Sacramental Life is different from that of other Christians.  To be Catholic is to believe in this.  One who claims to be Catholic but not to believe is either confused or is not Catholic at all.

The Catholic word that describes the transformation from mere bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is “transubstantiation.”  After the Consecration, there is no longer bread or wine, though their appearance and characteristics remain sensible to us, but rather the very Substance of our Risen and Glorified Lord.  For this reason, we owe worship to the Eucharist, because we are in the Presence of Jesus Himself.

The manner we show reverence include the following:

• We genuflect before the Eucharist, whether on the Altar or in the Tabernacle.  As we come forward for the Reception of Holy Communion, we bow to the Host and to the Chalice.
  
  
• We do not eat  or drink anything but water or medicine for an hour (the Eucharistic Fast) before we receive Holy Communion, and we do not chew gum or candy or anything of the kind in church, especially before we present ourselves for Holy Communion.
  
  
• The Act of Reception may take place on the tongue or in the hand.  The minister says “The Body of Christ” or “The Blood of Christ” and the one who receives says clearly and audibly “Amen.”
  
  
• Folded hands generally indicates the communicant’s choice to receive on the tongue.   Open wide  and stick out the tongue far enough for the minister to place the Host directly on it.
  
  
• Reception in the Hand uses both hands (if both hands are not free for any reason, it is better to receive on the tongue).  The communicant places the left hand in the right hand, creating a throne for the Lord.  When the Host has been placed in the hand, the communicant takes it with the right hand and immediately consumes it.  There should be no carrying of the Host any distance away from where it has been received. 
  
  If a priest or deacon or extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, or any other member of the Faithful sees that the Host is not being consumed, it is necessary to follow the person who has received to ensure that this happens or to take back the Host.  We must avoid any profanation or desecration of the Eucharist.
  
  
• Those who are not baptized and practicing Roman Catholics (whether of the Latin Rite or any of the Eastern Churches in communion with the Pope) ought not to receive the Eucharist.  Nor should anyone who is conscious of grave sin come forward to receive without first going to Sacramental Confession. 
  
  Any who are unable to receive Holy Communion for any reason may make a “Spiritual Communion,” asking Jesus to come spiritually into their souls.  This may be done by a formal prayer or in one’s own words.  If there is any question about a person’s situation or some special need (such as having the Eucharist brought to the pew), these should be brought to the attention of the priest or deacon before the celebration of Mass.
  
  
• Following the Reception of Holy Communion, those who have received should spend some time in making a personal act of Thanksgiving and then continue to sing the Communion Hymn while others are receiving.  There is usually some time of silence before the Post Communion Prayer.  This is a time to acknowledge our unity with the Communion of Saints.
  
  
• After Mass, the church proper should be kept as quiet as possible so that those who wish to remain for personal prayer may do so without disturbance.  This is especially true near the Tabernacle and in front of the Altar.
  

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.

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says: “He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.”  What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth?  The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.  (Ephesians 4:5-10)

In the Apostles’ Creed, we profess our Faith that Jesus, after dying on the Cross, “descended into Hell.”  This refers to Sheol or Hades, the “lower regions” mentioned here in the Letter to the Ephesians.  We further profess our Faith that “He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.”  This descent/ascent is our acknowledgment that Jesus is truly the Savior for all human beings, the living and the dead, those who came before His earthly coming and those who have come after He was born in the flesh.  Paul uses this tenet of our Faith as a reminder to the Ephesians that grace is available to all.  If those below and above are receivers of His grace, we who are on the journey of Faith also have a capacity to receive the grace He has won for us.

The measure of Christ’s gift is boundless.  Grace is available to us if our hearts are open, each according to the capacity that is given by Faith.  God’s intention is for the salvation of all, to fill all things with the fullness of Christ.  We are called, like the Ephesians, to realize the implications of the Faith we profess and to put it into practice.

How well do you know Saint Timothy?

At the St. Timothy Women’s Prayer Breakfast, there was a Quiz about our Patron Saint Timothy.  All the questions have now been published through the bulletin.  This week you receive the final Answers to Last Week’s Questions:

Termoli, Molise, Italy is where the relics of St. Timothy are found today.

The Angel of the Church of Ephesus is addressed in the Book of Revelation through one of the Letters to the Seven Churches; St. Timothy was the first Bishop of Ephesus.

A.D. 97 was the year in which St. Timothy was martyred in Ephesus.

This Week in Our History:   May 6 – 13

1963:  We welcome Bishop Issenmann to the Parish today on his first official visit to bless the Church and dedicate the School.  We are happy to have so many of the priests of the Diocese with us on this happy occasion.  I would like to express my appreciation to all of you in the parish who have brought this day to realization.

1964:  Our First Communion Class of 84 candidates will receive the Sacrament this afternoon at a 4:00 o’clock Mass.  Remember them in your prayers.

1968:  In order that the Liturgy may have a great and meaningful part in your daily life, we are offering the opportunity for families to have Mass in their homes for the immediate neighborhood.  If you are interested, call the rectory.

A Christian response to the needs of the Poor People’s Campaign now in Columbus may be made this Sunday by a contribution to the ushers after the Masses.  May the needs of others move us to concern.

Spring Fling, Saturday, May 18, Parish Hall, 9 – 1:00,  $3.50 per couple, B.Y.O.B. Dance to the music of Bill Hudson.  Call John Schira or Paul Bubenchik.  Free eats, casual dress.

1969:  After deliberating since last summer, the pastor, with the advice and vote of the Finance Committee, has signed a contract for the air-conditioning of our church and parish hall.  We feel that while it is not necessary, it is very helpful for the summer liturgy.  We found this to be true since we know many went to surrounding parishes, all of which are air-conditioned.   The Hall is being air-conditioned that that Bingo might be helped.  We do not intend to borrow for this and feel it will be helped by Bingo.  Capital improvement is often times necessary and we feel that this will be for the advantage of all of us.

Our sincere thanks to Camille Smith, Olga Vitello, Ginny Sosnowski and Angela Ernst for the lovely rock garden in front of church.

1971:  Banns of Matrimony are announced for the first time between Gus DiNovo, Jr. of St. Timothy and Mary Kay Freeman of Our Lady of Peace.

1972:  The Hills are Still Alive!  It’s time for the curtain to rise on a vibrant new CHOIR!  We’ve been trudging in second gear for too long.  So here’s the latest:  St. Timothy Adult Choir is sallying forth in new and yet uncharted directions.  Without leaving the Liturgy out in the cold, we’re about to launch a program of popular music with an eye towards a superb performance sometime in the early Fall.  To do this we need PEOPLE – and lots of them.  You need not be a great singer – just be able to carry a tune.  Let’s see St. Timothy come alive with the sound of great music!   See y’all with bells on your toes this Wednesday.

1973:  We urge you to vote on Tuesday and to vote FOR the C.O.T.A. levy.  With virtually every other voice of the Church in our community, we believe that it is our moral responsibility to see that the aged, the poor, and other non-drivers are not deprived of all means of transportation.

1975:   Join our Diocesan Holy Year Pilgrimage!  A few places are still available.  Direct flight from Columbus to Rome, Sept. 8-18, 1975.  Pilgrimage includes participation in the Canonization of Blessed Mother Elizabeth Seton on Sept. 14.  Cost – all inclusive rates - $645.

1977:  Are you interested in being an altar boy at Mass (sorry, girls)?   Please call Fr. DeVille or the secretary, Mrs. Hickey, and let us know.  You must be in the 6^th grade or older to qualify.

1978:  Thanks to Mrs. Vienna DeSantis for the beautiful crucifix in memory of her husband Pat.  As mentioned last week at Mass the corpus is Linden wood, hand-carved by an artist in Italy.

Home Masses are not allowed in this parish without the explicit permission of the pastor.

1980:  C.C.D.  Our classes are over for this school year. Sincere thank you to Mrs. Sharon Petrelli, Coordinator of Religious Education, and (volunteers) Sue Dodd, Carla Guarasci, Sara Gavinski, Joe McLaughlin, Elaine James, Bill Harnett and Ralph Guarasci. God bless you!

Optimism

Count your blessings instead of your crosses,

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes,

Count your friends instead of your foes,

Count your smiles instead of your tears,

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean,

Count your kind deeds instead if your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth,

Count on God instead of yourself.

1983:  Rest in peace Anna Klocki, a member of St. Timothy Church, who was buried this past week.

1984:  Arboreal Update.  The large cottonwood tree was cut down because I thought it was dangerous (struck by lightning and dead in many spots).  It will be replaced with something more manageable and less messy.  Five new trees have been planted over the year.

                                                                      Father Thomas

1985:  Please remember in your prayers Ted Murtha a member of St. Timothy who died this past week.  May he rest in eternal peace. 

 1986:  Hands Across America…Sunday, May 25.  Be a part of history.  Imagine it. A continuous line of Americans standing tall, hand-in-hand, coast-to-coast, sea to shining sea, on Memorial Day weekend.  It is your chance to take a stand against hunger and homelessness here, at home, in America….We think it would be fun to go as a group from St. Timothy.  Call Kelly Zimmer or Don Huelskamp.

1987:  Think co-ed adult softball…and watch this bulletin for details.  We will again be attempting to form six or eight teams into our own league with play right here on our field.   It is planned that all the oil on the field will have soaked into the children’s clothing by then so that it will be okay for adults to go sliding into bases.  Really though, there is no sliding in this league.  The only really violent aspect of the league is loud moaning.

1990:  Parish Council.  Father Thomas reported on a special project made possible by a capital improvement donation.  Look behind church to see our new stage, part of an amphitheatre project made possible through the generosity of a parish family.

1995:  Please remember in your prayers Katherine Klocki, a member of the parish, who was buried from the Parish Church during the past week.

New School Principal.  Mrs. Norma Horan has signed a contract to be our new Principal.  She has been a teacher for the past nine years at our neighboring parish school, St. Agatha.  She comes with excellent references and broad educational experience.  Norma is married and the mother of four sons.  We welcome her and look forward to her leadership in our parish school for many happy and successful years.

1996:  Thank You. ..so much for the trip to New England and the tickets to the Patriot’s game for my retirement.  Also the Mass, reception, cards, and flowers.  I shall miss St. Timothy and especially the children who have been a big part of my life for 24 years.  But it is time to take a rest, do some traveling and spend time with my grandchildren.

                                                                         Gratefully, Jean Price

1998:  Congratulations to Heidi Pond and Michael Glanzman who will be married on May 16 at St. Mary’s Church.

2000:  Next weekend will be our Deacon, Martino Lo’s, last weekend with us.  He will shortly return to Burma to be ordained a priest.  We would like to have a farewell reception for him after all the Masses.  You may like to stop in and wish him well.

2001:  Congratulations to Jennifer Schleifer and Karl Bontrager who will be married here on Saturday, May 12.

Remember in your prayers Rose Forquer who died.

2002:  St. Timothy Parish is completing its 12^th year as an active participant in the interfaith homeless family program….Some 65 St. Timothy parishioners, ranging from high-school age to 80-plus, are on the list of volunteers. They take turns preparing and serving meals (at Trinity House) daily during the parish’s assigned week.  They spend time with families who include men, women, and mostly children aged from infant to teenage….St. Timothy supports Trinity House by helping pay monthly utility bills, providing supplies and helping with laundry.  St. Timothy’s participation is sponsored by the parish St. Vincent de Paul Society.

2003:  Congratulations to Nancy Scott and David Goss who will be married on Saturday, May 17.

2008:  Please remember in your prayers Josephine Zuber, who died this past week.  May she rest in peace.

2009:  From Your Pastor.  We honor all Mothers this weekend and thank them for everything they are and do for us, their children.  Make your Momma proud and give God His due all summer and your whole life long.