A Word from Your Pastor July 29

Dear Parishioners:

This weekend we bid farewell to our Summer Seminarian Intern Timothy Heffernan.  His ten weeks with us have been a whirlwind and he is going out with a wonderful burst of energy for our Youth.  The Vacation Bible School this afternoon is truly a model for how to engage the younger members of our parish in learning the Faith.  Tim has invited both parents and youth of differing age groups to take part in the planning and preparation.

As Catholics, we must all come to realize that passing on the Faith to our children is the most important responsibility we have.  While attention to their physical and emotional needs is certainly necessary, the task of preparing children to live the spiritual life in this world and the next, a duty shared by parents—the primary educators of their children in the ways of Faith—and the parish family, is the key to our future.  This year’s observance of our Golden Jubilee has shown us that we have managed in the past to share Faith across the generations.  So many families among us have three and four generations represented at Mass each Sunday.  We can continue to build on this strength.

I want to thank Tim Heffernan personally for taking up various projects with our youth this summer.   Since this was his first experience of an internship in a parish, we can look forward to great things in the Diocese of Columbus as his seminary studies continue.  As Tim leave, I want to challenge those who participated to keep their enthusiasm going.  Let’s continue to arrange programs that provide opportunities for service, fellowship and growth in understanding of Faith for the next generations.

I also want to challenge our youth to look at Tim’s example and to consider entering into such a life of service.  Is God calling you to be a priest or a member of a religious community of sisters, brothers or priests?  Your response to God now makes all the difference in your own happiness in this life and the next.  Say “Yes!” and enjoy the Mystery that God unfolds for you.  Listen to your heart and watch how others relate with you as you share your Faith with them.

 

Celebrating our Golden Jubilee:  Getting to know Saint Timothy’s Community of Faith.

 

Up to now, we have concentrated our study on the Scriptures associated with Ephesus, since that was the diocese of which our Patron St. Timothy was the first Bishop.  We are now considering another Letter associated with that community, this time from one of the early bishops of the Church named Ignatius of Antioch.

 

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, CHAPTER I.--PRAISE OF THE EPHESIANS.

I have become acquainted with your name, much-beloved in God, which ye have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Jesus Christ our Savior. Being the followers of God, and stirring up yourselves by the blood of God, ye have perfectly accomplished the work which was beseeming to you. For, on hearing that I came bound from Syria for the common name and hope, trusting through your prayers to be permitted to fight with beasts at Rome, that so by martyrdom I may indeed become the disciple of Him "who gave Himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God,"[ye hastened to see me]. I received, therefore, your whole multitude in the name of God, through Onesimus, a man of inexpressible love, and your bishop in the flesh, whom I pray you by Jesus Christ to love, and that you would all seek to be like him. And blessed be He who has granted unto you, being worthy, to obtain such an excellent bishop.

 The Letter of Ignatius to the Ephesians names their Bishop as Onesimus.  Some traditions in both the East and West identify him as the slave of Philemon to whom St. Paul wrote, and as the Onesimus mentioned in Colossians.  He was, as the traditions say, freed by Philemon and became a companion of St. Paul, eventually succeeding St. Timothy as Bishop of Ephesus.  He also became a martyr, possibly in Rome. 

 Ignatius praises the Ephesians for their Faith and for the welcome they showed him as they learned of his journey to his own martyrdom in Rome.  He commends them for their prayers and for the support they are to him through the person of their Bishop Onesimus.  The image presented of the Church in Ephesus, a generation following our Patron’s leadership over them, is as a community of believers who know the power of Faith and who can see the truth of the witness of martyrdom.  Ignatius is seeking courage for the “fight with the beasts at Rome” that awaits him.  The Ephesians are just the kind of Christians that can offer him such strength, since they have been educated in the ways of Faith and stand true.  This is precisely the kind of Community we need to be in our own day.

 

This Week in Our History:  July 29-August 5

1963:   On Sunday, September 15, the Men’s Club will hold a Golf Outing at Indian Run Golf Course…A cookout will follow…at Camp Johnson just north of the Josephinum College on North High St.  (This was the scene of last year’s outing.)  Tickets for the entire day - $4.50, Golf only - $3.50, Cookout - $1.50.  (Having started in at least 1962, this appears to be the longest-running parish event.)

1964:   Next Sunday Christians United for Action will hold a rally at First Methodist Church, Bryden Road at South High St.  This group, with which Bishop Issenmann is cooperating, has been formed to combat the current trend of increased Sunday sales.  You are invited to attend the rally and to give your support to this cause.

1966:   The temporary classrooms for use this school year by the 7^th and 8^th grades have been installed and will be open for inspection in the near future.

1976:   The Loch Ness Monster has just signed an exclusive contract to come to St. Timothy each Saturday and Sunday.  He will be waiting at the door to greet anyone who leaves Mass early.

1978:   Banns of Matrimony are announced between Lynn Holden of St. Timothy and Michael Winters of Immaculate Conception.

1979:   Our school principal, Mrs. Nachtman, has resigned to accompany her husband to his new position in California.  We are very sorry to see her leave, but wish her well and extend our gratitude for a job well done last year.

1980:    From the Pastor’s Desk

  It is edifying to see many people worshipping at daily Mass.  I wish, though, that parents of grade school age children would bring them at least once a week to daily Mass.  This would impress upon them that Mass is not just part of going to school, and does not always have to be a planned liturgy.  It might also result in the blessing of vocations to the priesthood and religious life for our parish.

1981:    A big thanks to Bud and Helen Schwartz, Jack Cusack, Marty McLeod, Pat Haney, Dean Finley and Pat Givinski who volunteered on the “hot, humid” days of July to help paint the library and classrooms to make the school cleaner and more attractive for the coming year.  May God reward you!

1982:   On Saturday, August 7, Timothy J. Klunk of St. Timothy will marry Mary Patricia Milosevich of Overbrook Presbyterian .

In your charity, please pray for Bishop Clarence George Issenmann, who died and was buried in Cleveland this past week.  Bishop Issenmann was Bishop of Columbus from 1957 until 1964.  St. Timothy Parish was established by Bishop Issenmann.  May he rest in peace.

1985:   This year Rosemary Rengers will be taking up the leadership of our CCD program…I know I join all of you in thanking Sharon Petrelli for all her hard work in this position in the past, and promising my support to Rosemary as she takes up the reins.

    Father Thomas

1988:    To quiet some rumors floating about regarding thousands of dollars and dangerous holdups, we need to report that there was a small burglary at the festival (approximately $400).  A person grabbed one of the cash boxes and ran with it.  Timely collection of the boxes has always prevented the risk of large sums of money as it did in this case.  The police are questioning a suspect.  Our insurance has already paid the claim Father Thomas submitted and the parish will cooperate in potential prosecutions.

1992:   Important notice!!  Mass usually celebrated at 5:30 pm Wednesdays will be celebrated at 9:00 am beginning this Wednesday.  This is a permanent change.  If you know someone outside the parish who has attended this Mass, please inform them that there will no l0onger be a 5:30 pm Mass on Wednesdays.

1998:   Please remember in your prayers Herman Honeck who died this past week.  May he rest in peace.

 

2004:   Congratulations to Joe and Mary Ann Marchese who will celebrate their 50^th Anniversary on Friday, August 6^th.

 

2007:   From the Pastor’s Desk

 As of August 1, we will be sharing a Youth Minister with St. Andrew Parish.  Chris Valentine, who served as Youth Minister for a group of parishes in the Northland area and has recently coordinated diocesan programs for young adults, has agreed to help our parish begin ministry for our high-school-aged and young adult members. He will be introducing himself to the family soon.

2011:   A Word from Your Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

  As we prepare for our Jubilee, we are all invited to consider the roots of our Faith as a Parish Community.  We need access to the sources of the life we share: those who were there in the beginning of the Parrish, and the stories that have been told and passed down in families.  We also need artifacts:  the directories, parish rosters, and pictures of the way we were.  All are asked to take some time looking through old boxes and albums and bring them to share.  Let’s gather the story while it’s still fresh.  (It’s still not too late!)

A Word from Your Pastor July 22

Dear Parishioners:

Nuance in Catholic Teaching is hard to express.  In the simplest terms, however, I think it is safe to say that whenever the world seems to express an “either/or,” inevitably the Church teaching on the matter will be some form of a “both/and.”  In times that are as volatile as our own, it is nearly impossible to hear nuanced expressions of Truth.  In times when public discussions are politicized and polarized, many find it difficult to know how to respond.  Emotions run high and there is a kind of intensity even to ordinary conversations that can get in the way of our hearing one another clearly.

The Church’s Canon Law makes a point in its final Canon #1752: “the salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law in the Church, is to be kept before one’s eyes.”  Every application of and interpretation of law must have salvation as its aim.  Much of the rhetoric we hear (and if we are honest, which we speak sometimes ourselves) can have something other than this in view.  We want to be acknowledged as “right.”  Instead, our aim ought to be to speak the Truth with such love that the Truth itself is seen for what it is.

Pope Benedict XVI chose as his episcopal motto, “Cooperatores Veritatis,” that is, “Co-Workers of the Truth.” (III John 8)  If we are able to see that the Truth is a given, something that comes to us from God and through the teachings of the Church that flow from her divine authority, we must acknowledge a different responsibility that we may think we have.  We are to seek to understand and live the Truth.  This is our primary task.  Defense of the Truth is sometimes required.  Clarification of what is mistakenly taken to be the Truth may also be necessary.  But before and beyond this, a correspondence of our own lives to the Truth must be our aim.  Lives in accord with the Truth are Holy Lives.  It is Holiness of Life that attracts others to the Truth.

One particular area of concern that involves us all is the current effort of our society to impose laws on us that would require us to ignore what we know to be true.  Every human life has dignity and worth, and any law that fails to acknowledge this truth fails to provide for the Common Good and the basic human rights of all.

Concerning Healthcare, the U.S. Bishops have this to say:

Catholic teaching supports adequate and affordable health care for all, because health care is a basic human right. Genuine health care reform must protect human life and dignity, not threaten them, especially for the most voiceless and vulnerable. Health care legislation must respect the consciences of providers, taxpayers, and others, not violate them.

Coverage should be truly universal and should not be denied to those in need because of their condition, age, where they come from or when they arrive here. Providing affordable and accessible health care that clearly reflects these fundamental principles is a public good, moral imperative and urgent national priority.

http://old.usccb.org/sdwp/national/Health-Care-backgrounder-2011%20final.pdf

 

If we understand this correctly, we must admit that affordable health care for all is a right AND laws that promote this right must at the same time respect the basic right to life and the free exercise of conscience on the part of all.  The current law of the land fails in the latter and must be changed.  Thus, we must learn to work together to promote “liberty and justice for all.”

Celebrating our Golden Jubilee:  Getting to know Saint Timothy’s Community of Faith.

Up to now, we have concentrated our study on the Scriptures associated with Ephesus, since that was the diocese of which our Patron St. Timothy was the first Bishop.  This week we will begin a look at another Letter associated with that community, this time from one of the early bishops of the Church named Ignatius of Antioch.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Introduction

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed in the greatness and fullness of God the Father, and predestinated before the beginning of time, that it should be always for an enduring and unchangeable glory, being united and elected through the true passion by the will of the Father, and Jesus Christ, our God: Abundant happiness through Jesus Christ, and His undefiled grace.

St. Ignatius of Antioch is one of the early Church martyrs of the age immediately following that of the Apostles.  The beginning of his letter to the Church at Ephesus has the sound and the feel of the Scriptures.  It also has a wonderful way of expressing the grandeur of the Christian Vocation.  When we realize that Ignatius is on his way to Rome to face martyrdom, it takes on a special poignancy.  His love for the Faith and for the Church are an inspiration.  The opening to his letter is similar to the letters we find in the New Testament.  Blessing, glory and the privilege of “election,” that is “being chosen” by God and the grace flowing from the Passion of Jesus Christ are themes that have an enduring power.  We are called to the very Faith Ignatius and the Ephesians share, and to the witness of life that they have given.

This Week in Our History:  July 22-29

1966:   Newly baptized – Kathleen Ann Quinlan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Quinlan

1979:   We are happy to announce that Mr. Dale Beaver has been engaged to be Director of Music at St. Timothy Parish.  Mr. Beaver has been playing the organ for us at Mass for some time…Mr. Beaver attended Mount Union College and Ohio State University…He is presently completing the thesis for a Master’s Degree in Music Theory.

  Our gratitude goes with Felix and Melanie Azzola, who have taken their beautiful voices to far-off Delaware.

1981:   We ask your prayers for Daniel F. Hartnett, a member of this parish who died this past week.  We ask your prayers also for his parents, William and Mae, and the family.

1983:  To the People of St. Timothy Parish,

  Thank you for the warm welcome you have shown me.  As a token of my appreciation, I have enclosed the “Holy Year” card in this bulletin.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be with you this summer as part of my journey toward priesthood.

      In Christ,  Tim Hayes

1985:   Remember in your prayers Joseph DeSantis and Gary Smith of St. Timothy who were buried this past week.

Stop after Mass today to say farewell to Fr. Adams.  Thanks to the Women’s Club for providing the refreshments as we say goodbye to someone who has given so generously of himself to all who needed him.  Later, we will be welcoming Fr. Jim Walter, chaplain at Riverside Hospital, who will be taking up residence here, and helping with the Mass schedule.

There will be a new look to the Missalettes next Sunday.  For years, the liturgical theologians have been urging Catholics to listen attentively to the scripture readings without reading along in their missalettes.  Now the publishers have joined this move by separating the readings from the response parts...We are sorry if this causes any inconvenience, but this is part of a much larger movement than we can control here at St. Timothy.  A side advantage is that everything in the books will appear in larger print.

The co-ed softball tournament starts today: 3:00, Second vs. First, who upset the Silver team last week by purposely distracting them with an injured child on the field.

1989:   Marg Mooney says ‘Thanks” as she writes, “If I live to be 100, I will never forget the beautiful day that we shared July 9^th—a rainbow of dear friends and memories.  Thanks to all who made it possible and to all who attended in person or in spirit.   Thank you for your shower of cards and notes and my great new VCR.  You are forever in my prayers and in my heart.”

 

1991:   Graduation pictures from St. Timothy School classes are being sought to copy and hang in our halls.  If you can lend a photo from the following years, call the school:  Classes of ’67, ’71, ’73, ’75, ’84, ’86, and ’88.   Thanks!

1992:    My dear Parishioners,

  It is with great joy that I return to St. Timothy Parish.  I am grateful to Bishop Griffin for this assignment and I am grateful to all of you for receiving me as your pastor.

  I look forward to meeting once again all who were parishioners when I was here in ’81-’82.  I anticipate meeting all those who since have become members of this parish.

   I look forward most of all to proclaiming the Good News, to praying with you and working with you as a Parish Community.  Together, we can continue to make the Christ the basis of our living and working and praying together.  We can also give witness of His presence to all with whom we share our lives.

   Thanking you again for the privilege of serving as your Pastor and assuring all of you of my daily prayer and affection for you, I remain

     In Christ, James P. Hanley, Pastor

1994:   Please write Senators Glenn or Metzenbaum or your U. S. Representative regarding pending health care reform bills that mandate abortion coverage as part of basic benefits for which Catholics would be required to pay and Catholic hospitals to make referrals.  Please oppose any bill that includes abortion as a mandated benefit and work for true reform which includes a genuine commitment to universal coverage.

2003:   Vacation Prayer in the Car with Tired Children

  Oh, God of Peace, invade our car and turn it into a haven of peace and quiet for just a little while.

  Give the children a little patience with one another and us a lot more patience with them.
  In the miles we go before we stop, help them realize their power to make each other happy or unhappy.
  Make them willing to share the windows, to stop touching each other, to stop asking when we’ll get there.
  Help us to hold our tempers for just a few more miles.
 

2008:   A Word from Your Pastor

   I am grateful to all of you for the welcome you continue to show me as I adjust to our new life together.  Our gathering for a Holy Hour last Sunday was…a real tribute and a witness that Faith is alive here at St. Timothy Church.

   One delightful moment…was right at the beginning when everyone sang out the hymn “For All the Saints”.  There were two verses that had never been heard before that were on the lips of everyone as if they had sung them their whole lives:

  Saint Timothy, our Patron and our Friend

  Whose gift of Faith shined bright until the end.,
  Fan into flame that Spirit God does send.
  Alleluia, Alleluia.

  Pray for us now, Disciple of the Lord,

  Beg our dear Savior for His sure reward;
  Teach us how to live His Holy Word.
   Alleluia, Alleluia.

Another item that may be of interest is the decision to take the verse from the Statue of Saint Timothy in front of the church and to use it as shared greeting for our Parish Family.

  “To the King of ages, the immortal, the invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever!  Amen.”

2009:   Father Tim Hayes would like to invite anyone interested in enhancing their Biblical knowledge to join him on a 10-day pre-Lenten pilgrimage to the Holy Land, February 7-16, 2010. 

Remember in your prayers, Vern Rybski, a former (founding) member of St. Timothy who died last week.  May he rest in peace.

2010:   A Word from Your Pastor

  Dear Parishioners,

   I am sure that all of us share the shock and sadness at the loss of our parishioner Andy “Andyman” Davis, who died last Sunday while on vacation with his family.  He has been the face of fun in our parish through the Festival, the Unforgettable Evening and Silent Auction, and in his involvement in the school and parish community.  The celebration of his funeral liturgy with the St. Timothy community was in the spotlight in the local media due to his role as deejay on CD 101 radio, as well as his involvement in the broader community.  Andy was truly a man who enjoyed life to the full.  In his 42 years, he accomplished much.  His proudest role, however, was to be the husband of Molly and the Dad of his three sons, Johnny, Ollie and Sammy.  He was in so many ways a witness to the Catholic values he espoused when he became a Catholic through the RCIA in 2006.  Who can forget his powerful testimony of his call to become part of what God is doing through he example of Pope John Paul II?

  Life is all too short.  The example of Andy Davis, Joe DeVictor and so many others that we have lost in the past few years reminds us of life’s brevity.  Our community’s response to these losses has been a sign of the power of God’s grace.  We have pulled together a sa parish in the face of many tragedies these past several months.  God has been rich in pouring out His mercy on us.  May we continue to grow together in the ways of Faith.   And may we continue to reach out to others so they can come to know the joy of God’s Love at work in us.

2011:   A Note from the Parish Festival Chair

 Dear Parishioners,

  Thank you so much for the opportunity to lead such a great tradition.  Julie and I have so much fun getting to know new parishioners and seeing old friends every year….Believe me when I say we have something very special at St. Tim’s that has people coming back year after year, old and young, from all around Columbus.

   I sincerely want to recognize the funding parishioners that made all this possible with their vision for a parish 50 year ago.  As I reflect on the success, it is all based on a great foundation of volunteerism.

  Sincerely, Joe and Julie Lorenz, “Festival Chairmen”

A Word from Your Pastor July 15

Dear Parishioners:

Congratulations to all involved with our St. Timothy Festival on the Green!  Such an event is the result of lots of planning and cooperation among diverse groups and individuals.  Kudos to Joe Lorenz for all that he and his troop of captains accomplished this year.  Thanks, too, to all the workers and to all who come to enjoy food and fellowship.  St. Timothy Parish is known for being a welcoming place and the Festival is a real witness to this.

After the Miracle on the Green (the speed with which the Festival disappears overnight), we have our work cut out for us as a Parish family in many ways.  Now that we have had our fun, we have to put into practice even more the witness of Christian living.  Over the next several months, as we continue to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Parish, we must listen to the voice of God’s Spirit Who is speaking to our hearts.

Now that I have completed my first four years as Pastor, the equivalent of a College degree, it is time for some graduate level work.  We need to dig deep into our spirits and souls to discover and to show forth what we are really made of.  I want to invite you and your family to ask yourselves three questions:

            1.  How do we as a family witness that God is first in our lives?
            2.  What does St. Timothy Church mean for us?
            3.  What is missing at home and in the life of the Parish that we need to work on?

In the months ahead, we will discover together several areas of Parish life we need to work on.  Here are a few that I see right now: 

• We need to work on our capacity to welcome those who have joined us through RCIA and especially through our Parish School.
• We need to grow in our awareness of the diverse cultures represented among us.
• We need to reach out to those who are alienated and those who have set aside regular practice of the Catholic Faith.
• We need to renew our understanding of how to create a truly Catholic culture across the generations, through which families learn to pray together.
      

Can you see other areas for growth in our life together as a Catholic Parish?

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.  This installment completes our journey through this Letter.

So that you also may have news of me and of what I am doing, Tychicus, my beloved brother and trustworthy minister in the Lord, will tell you everything. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and that he may encourage your hearts.  Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in immortality.  (Ephesians 6:21-24)

St. Paul concludes the letter on a personal note.  He entrusts a member of the Christian community with the responsibility of sharing all that has gone on in person.  This co-worker of St. Paul is sent to speak a word of comfort and to encourage the Ephesians.  Paul’s last words are Peace, Love, Faith and the acknowledgment of the relationship shared with the Father and the Son that is the source of communal life.  Grace, God’s active Gift of Himself in our hearts is offered to those who respond to the offer of relationship.

As we end our journey through the Letter to the Ephesians, we can see the enduring value of the message sent by St. Paul to the community where our Patron St. Timothy served as Bishop.  May we continue to grow in the depth of Love and the Communion of Life that is ours through Faith in Jesus Christ.

This Week in Our History:  July 15-22

1968:    Members of the parish with Father Winkler are involved in the preliminary work of setting up a parish council.

The guitar Mass is held again today at 10:45.  Last Sunday it was well attended.  It is very apparent that many people are interested in this type of Mass..  An announcement will be made when these Masses will be held again.

Banns of Matrimony are announced for the first time between Anthony Valentino of St. Christopher Parish, Columbus, and Debra Humphrey of St. Timothy.

1969:   Parish Council:  The Liturgy Commission met during the past week and formulated their goals.  Liturgy is defined as public worship.  It is the goal of the Liturgy Commission to a) promote an active participation by the members of the parish in all forms of worship, b) promote a deeper understanding of liturgical forms especially the celebration of the Eucharist, c) provide a variety of forms of liturgy in keeping with the directives set forth by the Second Vatican Council.

1974:   (Welcome) through the Sacrament of Baptism to Anthony Patrick Fabro, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lou Fabro.

1975:   A Note from Sister Sharon.

  My Friends,

  Thank you for your support, concern and care during the years I’ve been with you.  Special thanks for everything you did and gave me Wednesday evening.  I really appreciate all you’ve been and done individually as well as communally for me.  Since we moved when I was a child, I have not spent as many years in any other parish as I have here.  Be assured I will continue to pray for and care about “my parish”.   Pray for me, too.   Take care of each other and keep on growing in faith and love.

                                       Shalom, Your sister, Sharon

1976:   The servers at Mass will no longer be holding patens at Communion time.  This will allow everyone to come all the way up to the priest or lay distributor without fear of decapitation.

1977:   We still need people who would be interested in a dollhouse display for the festival.  We have now included anything collectable.  If you have a collection of unwanted children, antique teacups, socks without mates, old dolls, etc., please call Suzie McMichael.

1978:  Cheerio.

   Although I have only been here two years and have had my primary assignment at Watterson High School, I will always have a special place in my heart for this parish and all of you.

  You have opened both your hearts and homes to me and been truly hospitable.  I will always be grateful for that.

  During my stay here I have come to a deeper love of the parish ministry and look forward to take up that work when I hang up my hat as a priest in high school work.  I pray that God will bless you and your families and your best dreams.  Please pray for me in my ministry  as I shall remember all of you.

      Love and God bless,   Fr. Paul Enke

1980:   Banns of Matrimony announce between Charlene Kabealo of St. Timothy and Mark Potts.

1991:   Consider the many ways people can improve themselves.  Then pick a few of those ways and start on yourself.

  Why am I where I am and not in another part of the world?

  Why am  I who I am, and not a person of another race or belief?

  Why am I what I am, instead of being of another occupation or status?

  Because God appointed me to this time, this place, this work, this name.

  He gave me this body and this personality, this work to do and these things to do it with because He has chosen them as best for me.

  If the choosing had been mine, I would always wonder if it had been right.

  Since God chose, all I need to do is put it to work.

2000:   If you attended last weekend’s St. Timothy Festival, you know that its new location didn’t hinder attendance or the crowd’s ability to have a good time.  In fact, utilizing the lower parking lot created excitement and a closer-knit, even friendlier atmosphere.  We were lucky to have the greatest possible weather and folks were careful to stay clear of the construction areas.  No incidents of vandalism or unruly behavior were reported.

  Our biggest thank you goes out to Fr. Shonebarger for his undying faith that we could pull it off this year.  He never doubted that the parish could make a success out of a very questionable and sometimes dismal situation.  Jeff Price and crew  (Hobart Hatfield, Paul Boulware, Matt Teetor, and Pat Connor) did a great job preparing the grounds, cleaning up and fencing off potentially dangerous areas. We appreciate the extra effort and helpful attitude.

2003:   Congratulations to Emil (Mike) and Jane Mikolajcik on their 50^th wedding anniversary.

2006:   Congratulations to Dr. and Mrs. Willis Hodges on their 60^th wedding anniversary.

2008:   We hope you enjoyed a great time at Father Tim’s Welcoming Party (St. Timothy Festival) last weekend.  We were blessed with great weather and attendance on Friday night. Saturday we were hit with sporadic rains, but the crowd already on the grounds did not seem to mind too much.

2009:   Thank you,

  After 15 years, we are stepping down as your Festival Chairs.  Please welcome and thank Joe Lorenz who has volunteered to serve as your new leader!  Help him in any way you can to insure that the festival continues to be the best around.

  Thanks again to everyone for all your love and support!

                                                         Janis and Rich Browning

Congratulations to Allison Bauerle and Nathan Dahlseng who were married this Saturday afternoon.

A Word from Your Pastor July 8

Dear Parishioners:

Our responsibility as Catholic Christians is twofold.  First, we are to praise, adore and give glory to God.  God has created us for a living relationship with Himself, a relationship that begins for us in Time, but lasts forever in Eternity.  Second, we are to serve God in our brothers and sisters by opening up to them through our witness the Truth of God’s invitation to them to share in His Kingdom, in Time and in Eternity.  All else in the life of our Church follows from these two central principles.  If God is First in our lives, we will see this clearly.  If not, no matter how we look at it, something will be askew.  We cannot be a true and living witness to Christ without acknowledging Him in word and deed as our Lord.  Worship in Spirit and in Truth, and a Life of integrity and justice are the hallmarks of a disciple of the Lord.

In the world around us, something different is happening.  God is consciously and with full deliberation being removed from the public sphere.  We live in a society that wants to become secular.  Freedom for Religion is not meant to impose silence on Religion.  On the contrary, it is meant to allow free people to choose to live and share their Faith in a way that has influence on the wider society.

The choice is up to each one of us.  Will we stand for Freedom and Life, or will we allow the culture around us to steal our freedoms in the name of secularity and so to build a culture of death, that is a culture that is not open to God.

Our Fortnight for Freedom has now concluded, but our effort to pray and study must go on.  I invite you to continue to make use of the prayer the U.S. Bishops proposed for our prayer.

Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty

O God our Creator,
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.
We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.

Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be "one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Fr. Bill Faustner at the University of  Notre Dame

Recently, Fr. Bill got to fulfill one of his dreams: to see the campus of Notre Dame for himself.  He visited Notre Dame on the occasion of a Catholic Preaching Conference.  Note the close resemblance between Fr. Bill and Christ the Teacher, informally known as Touchdown Jesus.

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.

With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.  (Ephesians 6:18-20)

Prayer is the heart of our unity as a Christian family.  We pray to God for one another and for all our brothers and sisters in the human family.  St. Paul’s invitation to prayer includes two notes of great importance.  First, prayer and supplication must be done “in the Spirit.”  We pray not only for the things that come from our own awareness of needs, but also for those things that the Spirit opens up to us.  Second, Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him as a preacher, so that He can preach clearly and boldly what must be preached in the name of the Gospel.  This prayer is needed in our day as well.  Do you pray for those who preach the Word to you?  Do you ask others to pray that you too may preach clearly the Mystery of the Gospel?

This Week in Our History:  July 8-15

1963:    The classroom crucifixes are the gift of Father (Andrew) Nugent.  They come from Italy and we are very grateful to him for this wonderful gift to our new school.

During the past week arrangements were completed with Our Lady of Bethlehem Convent for a Sister to teach one of the sections of our first grade.  The order is making a great sacrifice to give us this help and we are deeply appreciative.  It does not constitute an offer on their part to take over the school this year, nor have we had an acceptance from any other order.

1964:   Our billing for altar hosts shows that we had 21,000 Communions during the first six months of the year.  It is an impressive figure but it does not average out to a high number per person.  Are you going to Holy Communion as often as you could, which ideally should be every time you attend Mass?

1968:   There are several good series on the race situation on TV this summer.  TV can be very informative and aid our understanding on these problems.

1969:   Boys Football.  All boys who do not weigh over 120 lbs. and are in the 6, 7, 8 grades are eligible to play.  You do not have to attend St. Timothy School but you must be a member of the parish.  Boys going out for football should start conditioning at once.  Start by running around the block once or twice a day.

1983:   The parish welcomes Tim Hayes, one of the theology students of our diocese, who will be here for three months as part of his training for priesthood.

Paradox

I asked God for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life…I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.I am, among all, most richly blessed!

1984:   Our Children

Our children are a temporary trust from God.   They are mine, only in the sense that God counts on me to love them, discipline them and train them.  They were not given to me so that I could boast of their good points anymore than I should be ashamed of their failures.  I am temporarily watching over the development of another human being, who rightly belongs to God, whose destiny will ultimately be decided between each child and God alone.

1989:   (A parish picnic to honor Marg Mooney will be held ) July 9.  Marg has been with our school for 26 years and is now leaving us…The entire parish is encouraged to use this opportunity to express their appreciation for her many years of service.

1990:   Here is your opportunity for sweet revenge.  The dunk tank (at the Festival) will feature the following favorites and more: Mark Dancer, WVCI; Mr. Silcott, Doug Steller, Greg Gilkerson, David Neal, and Mike Berry.

1992:   Special thanks to the Women’s and Men’s clubs and to all who support their fund-raising activities.  Each club has just given $2,000 to the parish for replacement of the 30-year-old ovens in the cafeteria.  The new ones should be here in time for the festival pizza makers to go to town on.

1994:   Please remember in your prayers Dennis Quinlan who died and was buried from the church this past week.

1996:   Ladies of the parish will be forming a Euchre League for female members of the parish starting in September.   We will play the fourth Thursday in the cafeteria.  Join in the fun!  Call Robin Altman or Diane Francescon

1997:    Please pray for the soul of Dr. James Marquard of our Parish, who passed away this past week.   May God bless him with eternal peace and bring peace and consolation to his family.

1998:     The Building/Renovation Program at St. Timothy.  This Sunday, Fr. Shonebarger will speak briefly at all the Masses…A committee mainly of the Finance Board has been meeting with the Diocesan Development Office and our program of fund-raising begins at this time and will proceed over the Summer and into the Fall.

2000:    Congratulations to Laura Sergio and Brian Doland who will be married Saturday, July 15 in St. Francis of Assisi church.

2003:   Special Appeal…Rectory Heating and Air Conditioning.   The rectory heating and air conditioning system has to be replaced. It has been working on borrowed time for several years as its warranty ran out twenty years ago.  The upstairs (was) completely shut down.   If anyone would like to help defray the cost since this item was not in the budget, we will have a special collection next weekend.

                   Sincerely, Father Shonebarger

2004:   Congratulations to Kathryn Beneke and Daniel Courtemancat, who will be married next Saturday.

2006:    A Thank You from Father Dave.

  Your love, prayers, support and exquisite hospitality mirror your goodness as a people of faith.  I was overwhelmed, but not surprised, by your spirit of generosity expressed by your words, cards, and material gifts for my farewell.  You will be remembered in my thoughts and prayers with gratitude and admiration for the holy and special people that you are.  Keep up the good work and, as always, stay close to one another and the Church in prayer and service.  It was my privilege to serve you.

                         In Our Lord, Father Dave

2007:   We welcome to St. Timothy new parishioners Charles and Margaret Billerbeck,  Greg and Maureen Pappas, Colleen Howells, Michael and Lisa Taylor, Elizabeth Hatfield, Sharon Hall,  Mary and Greg Bellisari, Jim and Doris Thomas, Craig and Catherine Butt, Sean and Sarah Dawson,  John and Jessica Lehr, Joe and Lola Morrone,  Louise Eberts, Patricia Eberts, and Barbara Kelleher.

2008:    Thank you very much for the farewell party and the awesome red vestments.  I shall gratefully remember you, and not only when I am wearing them…thank you for so kindly welcoming me during my pastorate, and I hope you will remember me in your prayers.                         Fr. John

A Word from Your New Pastor

  What a weekend to arrive at St. Timothy Parish!   It has truly been a whirlwind arriving in the midst of preparations for the Festival.  I am grateful to all of you for the warm welcome you have shown me.  I trust that God will lead us where He wants us to go together.

  I look forward to getting to know you and to sharing my life and prayer with you.  As many of you know, I was at St. Timothy for one summer in 1983, along with Fr. Ted Thomas.  I am just arriving from 12 ½ years at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Newark, which was my first experience as pastor.   My family lives in Columbus and some of you have already met them. No doubt we’ll find many things in common and discover just what God had in mind by putting us together at this time.

  A you enjoy one another at the Festival this weekend, I invite you to plan to take part in a Holy Hour that I would like to pray with you next Sunday in the Presence of our Eucharistic Lord.  My last parish…celebrated such an hour of prayer, remembering you in their prayers, as a farewell to me; I would like our time together to begin that way as well.  Let the Lord make known to us His plan for our Parish Family.

2010:   A Word from Your Pastor.  As we prepare to celebrate our Golden Jubilee as a Parish and as a School, let us be aware of the hard work, sweat, tears and prayer that have brought us to this joyful time…let this be a reminder to look through your collections of memorabilia and to share with s the treasures you find…scan pictures and send them to the Parish Office, or drop them off for us to do so.  Begin to think about how you want to observe our Jubilee…In particular, send in names and addresses of our alumni who have moved away.  We want to be sure to invite everyone to take part. (This message is still timely!)

2011:  All are invited to the cafeteria next Sunday after the 10:00 Mass to wish Vince Nguyen, our seminarian, a Big Thank You for all his help the past 10 weeks…Vince’s kindness, consideration and willingness to help wherever needed, but most of all his always happy smiley face will be missed.  Our prayers and good wishes will be with you, Vince, as you continue your journey to ordination.

Please keep the following St. Timothy teens and adults in your prayers who will participate in Gospel Road this week:  Teens:  Mike Lutter, George Cleary, Molly Cleary, Mary Brahos, Madison Staley, Jenna Auber, Amy Stock, Elizabeth Feige, Katie Cattell, Steven Steigelman, Nate DeVictor, Joey DiOrio, Brian Davidson,; Adults:  Stephen Lutter, George Cleary, Doug DiOrio, Debby Brahos, Youth Minister Chris Valentine and Seminarian Vince Nguyen.