A Word from Your Pastor December 30

Dear Parishioners:

The Holy Family of Nazareth serves as God’s reminder to us that He has a plan for family life in our world.  Through the Incarnation, God is with us in the Person of Jesus Christ.  Through the family life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we are taught that the ordinary experiences of human beings in the home are fodder for holiness of life.  Every human circumstance that can be experienced is open to divine grace.

Human Life begins at Conception:  Mary, the Mother of Jesus is the Immaculate Conception; Jesus, her Son and the Son of God, is conceived her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit; Joseph, who serves as Jesus’ foster father, is given the Name he himself is to give the Child while He is still in the womb.  The time of pregnancy is a grace-filled time for all who are part of it.

Birth into the World has a meaning for earth and for Heaven:  Jesus is born in the place where animals received their food.  Shepherds and Angels both herald the Coming of the Christ, born in the City of David.  Magi from the East reveal that the Birth of the King of the Jews is written in the stars and that this King is for all nations.

Religious practices serve to initiate a living relationship with God: The Circumcision and Naming of the Child Jesus mark Him as Savior for His own People.  The Presentation in the Temple returns the Gift received to His Heavenly Father and hints at the future.

The complexities of human life at home and beyond all serve to fulfill God’s plans: Herod’s envy fulfills Scripture and foreshadows the Cross.  Infant Martyrs witness to the value of the Messiah’s Birth.  The travel to Egypt to save the Child’s life mirrors the plight of refugees in every era.  Return to Nazareth marks a time of growth in grace and favor that hallows the life of every family.  The losing and finding of the Adolescent Jesus at the Temple marks a new understanding of His role and His revelation of His Heavenly Father to the People of Israel and their religious leaders.

The disappearance of Joseph before Jesus’ Public Ministry begins hints at the loss an grief that Mary will experience at the Crucifixion and the strength of her Faith in the face of the persecution and rejection all who follow her Son will know.

This Sunday, as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, let us renew our own commitment to be the family we are called to be as disciples of the Lord.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

 

Year of Faith October 11, 2012 – November 24, 2013

October 11, began the Year of Faith.  As one way of observing this year, each week a small section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be read before the start of Mass and will be included in the Bulletin.  This is a small way of offering some food for growth in Faith throughout this year.

52 God, who “dwells in unapproachable light,” wants to communicate his own divine life to the men he freely created, in order to adopt them as his sons in his only-begotten Son. (1 Timothy 6:16; cf. Ephesians 1:4-5.)  By revealing himself God wishes to make them capable of responding to him, and of knowing him, and of loving him far beyond their own natural capacity.

53 The divine plan of Revelation is realized simultaneously “by deeds and words which are intrinsically bound up with each other” (Dei Verbum 2) and shed light on each other. It involves a specific divine pedagogy: God communicates himself to man gradually. He prepares him to welcome by stages the supernatural Revelation that is to culminate in the person and mission of the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons repeatedly speaks of this divine pedagogy using the image of God and man becoming accustomed to one another: The Word of God dwelt in man and became the Son of man in order to accustom man to perceive God and to accustom God to dwell in man, according to the Father’s pleasure. (St. Irenaeus)

Comment:  Jesus, Who is the Word of God, reveals God to us through His words and His actions.  What He says to us and What He does are both a way of communication from God to us.  Pondering Who He Is means hearing Him and watching Him as He lives among us.  The Living Word of God is still speaking to us.  How do you hear God’s Word to you through Jesus?  What words from the Gospel speak to your heart?  What actions does Jesus perform that bring you to a deeper understanding of God?

 

WeShare Online Giving:  Save Time and Donate Online!

Our parish now uses an Online Giving system called WeShare. This will allow you to make your donations without writing a check each week. You can set up a recurring weekly or monthly payment, allocate different amounts for our different collections, and view complete, accurate financial records at any time. It saves all of us time and is a win-win for our parish!

Those who wish to continue to use traditional methods of offering may do so, however, we ask that you prayerfully consider Online Giving. If you would like to enroll, please visit https://sttimothyoh.weshareonline.org/.  If you have any questions about the program or about setting up your account, don't hesitate to call our parish office at 614-451-2671.

"Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." --Luke 6:38

This Week in Our History:   December 30-January 6

Note: This project was started in February 2012; we will continue it until a full year of review is completed.

1967:   May the New Year be a Blessed and Happy One.

1973:   The United Farm Workers are greatly in need of your assistance.  You can help by not buying or eating grapes and lettuce.  The migrant farm workers have sacrificed their livelihood by standing for their rights.  Today the migrant worker is hungry and you can help him directly by sending a donation to United Farm Workers of America.

1975:   Some Special Thanks:

-To the musicians for all their fine work on the Christmas music

-To DeSantis Florists for the flowers, especially the magnificent poinsettias

-To the Women’s Club and to Teresa Hogan and Mary Jane Sanese for the lovely new set of altar cloths (made by Teresa and Mary Jane); stop up and take a look at them

-To all the parishioners for their generous Christmas collection for Diocesan Charities: $2310.00

-To all who wrote cards and sent gifts to the Priests: grateful blessings on you.

1977:   Have you noticed those neat new ciboria that are used for Holy Communion?  One was given by Mrs. Vienna DeSantis in memory of her parents, Guiseppe and Maria D. Fracasso; and the other in memory of Margaret and John Post, by their children John, Margaret (O’Grady), and Patricia.

1978:   The thanks of all of us go to Mrs. Angela Ernst for all her hard work in arranging the beautiful ‘luminaria’ for Christmas Eve.

1979:   From the Pastor’s Desk

Our church is looking really good.  We all owe a sincere “Thank you” to Ralph Geiser, who drew up the plans; to Pete Moro, who worked extra long hours to get so much done before Christmas; and to Bill Elzey, who provided installation of the carpet.  God bless them!

Our Nativity is just too large for our little church building.  We would like to obtain one about half the size for next year, so we will be able to place it in the Sanctuary.  If you have one you might wish to donate, or would like to buy one for us, please let me know.

Father DeVille and Father Tague thank all of you who sent Christmas greetings or gifts.  May God bless everybody in our parish with a very Happy New Year, and, in fact, with a happy decade of the 1980’s.

1981:   May God grant eternal joy to:

Mrs. Carolyn Ferraro

Mrs. Carol Ferraro Schoonover

James Ferraro, III

Elizabeth Ferraro

Thomas Ferraro

Jeffrey Ferraro

Mr. John “Judy” Carroll

Timothy Edgington

1982:   New Year’s Resolution

Why not include in your New Year’s resolutions one big one to help keep our parish church clean, neat and attractive?  Since it has been painted, redecorated and polished, it has a simple dignity and is conducive to prayer.

However, if Missalettes and Parish Bulletins are thrown willy-nilly in the pews after use and used tissues are dropped on the floor, much of the dignity and attractiveness is marred.

You might take a personal responsibility to put your Missalette at the end of the pew as you leave church and take your bulletin with you.

If others tend to be litter-bugs, perhaps you can take it upon yourself to straighten up their mess and keep our parish church clean and attractive.

1984:   Congratulations to Paul Kanakkanatt on receiving the Eagle Scout Award at a beautiful ceremony on December 17^th.  Paul is a member of Troop 169, sponsored by the Men’s Club of St. Timothy.  Also, our thanks to troop member Shafi Saiduddin, who has placed railings on the bridge behind church and is working on a trail back there as part of his Eagle Scout project.

1998:   Please remember in your prayers Clara DeSantis who died and was buried this past week.

1999:   Please remember in your prayers Frank Kosec who was buried this past week.  May he rest in peace.

2000:   Words from the other Paul:

It’s the last day of the year.  Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet?  Well, whether you have or not I hope that prayer is somewhere in our resolutions for the New Year.  No matter what level our prayer may be there is always room for improvement.   Isn’t that what life is about, growth and improvement?

…Can ten minutes a day make a difference?  Consider…if just one person in each family here at St. Timothy took it upon themselves to pray for our parish and everyone in it…there would be 121 hours of prayer offered up each day…Do you think our parish would become even stronger than it already is?  Do you think God would notice 121 hours of prayer from one of His little parishes here on earth?  I think you know the answer…

You know if you take the ‘s’ out of resolution and put in the letter ‘v’, you have a revolution.  So let’s make a resolution here at St. Timothy to start a revolution in prayer.  May God continue to bless us all.  Have a Holy New Year. 

2004:   Our prayers and sympathy to the family of Donald Seelbach who died.  May he rest in peace.

2007:   Thank you to Jeannine Davis for her generous donation of the beautiful new censor and boat, holy water pot and sprinkler which you will see during special liturgical celebrations throughout the year.

2011:   A Word from Your Pastor

Happy Feast of the Epiphany and Happy New Year!

2011 will prove to be a significant year in our journey as a parish family since it is our 50^th year of establishment as a parish in the diocese of Columbus.  We have a lot to accomplish this year in terms of planning and arranging for a worthy celebration.

Some key dates to remember:

-November 29, 1961 – St. Timothy Parish was officially established

-December 10, 1961 – First Mass for St. Timothy Parish in the gym of Cranbrook Elementary School

-September 2, 1962, - Father Gus Winkler broke ground for St. Timothy’s first building.

A Word from Your Pastor December 23

A Word from Your Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

As we come to the close of the Season of Advent, we now open our minds and hearts ever more to the wondrous Mystery of the Incarnation.  In Jesus Christ, God become one of us.  The Word took on our flesh and lived human life in its fullness, with all its joys and sorrows.  We are truly caught up in wonder and awe when we contemplate this Mystery with Faith.  God became a human being so that human beings could share divine nature. (St. Athanasius: “God became man, so that man might become God.”)

Christmas is often characterized as something for the children.  However, the true meaning of Christmas is something for both children and adults.  When we grasp what it is all about with a greater depth of understanding, we are quite literally caught up into the Mystery.  God is with us and God is within us as we journey to the glory He has in store for us.

Plan to participate in the Masses of Christmas and its Octave, the Solemnity of Mary, January 1, 2013.  Don’t miss the opportunity for a Family Blessing on the Feast of the Holy Family, Sunday, December 30.

Christmas is primarily about the Human Family and the Gift of Redemption won for all of us that comes to us through Jesus.  When we miss this simple fact, we can become rather individualistic in our response to the Season.  Just watch traffic in the parking lot of a mall or at the cashier of any store selling popular gifts.  When, instead, we realize why we are in the business of giving gifts, we can make room for all of our brothers and sisters.   We also reach out ever more to those who would be left out.  This Christmas, may our hearts be ever open to the grace that heals the wounds of our world.

Know that you and your family are remembered in all the Masses of Christmas.

 

Year of Faith October 11, 2012 – November 24, 2013

 

October 11, began the Year of Faith.  As one way of observing this year, each week a small section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be read before the start of Mass and will be included in the Bulletin.  This is a small way of offering some food for growth in Faith throughout this year.

CHAPTER TWO  GOD COMES TO MEET MAN

50 By natural reason man can know God with certainty, on the basis of his works. But there is another order of knowledge, which man cannot possibly arrive at by his own powers: the order of divine Revelation. (Cf. Dei Filius: DS 3015.) Through an utterly free decision, God has revealed himself and given himself to man. This he does by revealing the mystery, his plan of loving goodness, formed from all eternity in Christ, for the benefit of all men. God has fully revealed this plan by sending us his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

ARTICLE 1   THE REVELATION OF GOD

I. God Reveals His “Plan of Loving Goodness”

51 “It pleased God, in his goodness and wisdom, to reveal himself and to make known the mystery of his will. His will was that men should have access to the Father, through Christ, the Word made flesh, in the Holy Spirit, and thus become sharers in the divine nature.” (Dei Verbum 2; cf. Ephesians 1:9; 2:18; 2 Peter 1:4.)

Comment:  Christmas reminds us that more is happening in us when we put our Faith in the Baby in the manger than meets the eye.  We are becoming one with the God Who became one with us.  How does this way of thinking influence your own approach to Christmas?  Can you see something more going on behind the frenzied activities of the holidays?

WeShare Online Giving:  Save Time and Donate Online!
 

Our parish now uses an Online Giving system called WeShare. This will allow you to make your donations without writing a check each week. You can set up a recurring weekly or monthly payment, allocate different amounts for our different collections, and view complete, accurate financial records at any time. It saves all of us time and is a win-win for our parish!

Those who wish to continue to use traditional methods of offering may do so, however, we ask that you prayerfully consider Online Giving. If you would like to enroll, please visit https://sttimothyoh.weshareonline.org/.  If you have any questions about the program or about setting up your account, don't hesitate to call our parish office at 614-451-2671.

"Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." --Luke 6:38

 

 

 

 

8^th Graders from St. Timothy School decorate the Rectory Christmas Tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eagle Scout Candidate Steven Steigelman oversees burial and dedication
of the Jubilee Time Capsule – to be opened in 2062.

This Week in Our History:   December 23-30

Note: This project was started in February 2012; we will continue it until a full year of review is completed.

1963:   The collection for Christmas day is for the orphans and dependent children of the Diocese.  There is only one collection and you are asked to use only one of the envelopes in the packet. 

1966:   From the Priests of St. Timothy – A Merry and Blessed Christmas to each of you – with the Infant Son of God filling your hearts with His presence and His everlasting joy.

Banns of Matrimony: First time between Margaret Brielmaier and James Hildebrand, both of this parish.

1968:    Banns of Matrimony are announced for the first time between Stephen Galli of St. Timothy’s and Margaret Ann O’Brien of Gesu Church, Cleveland, Ohio.

1969:   Banns of Matrimony:  For the first time between Howard Richard Henry of Corpus Christi Parish and Jane Ann McManis of St. Timothy’s.

The Women’s Club, under the direction of Ann Albanese, is responsible for the beautiful decorations on the sanctuary.

The banners displayed in the church were made by the Sisters of Our Lady of Bethlehem.

1970:   Memo from the Pastor’s Desk:

  As we begin a new year at St. Timothy Parish we should be more aware of our privilege of being Christians.  What the New Year holds for us will depend on God’s goodness to us, which is never lacking, and our response to this goodness.  If we let His values be our guiding light, then we can be sure that the Happy New Year greeting so often heard these days, will find fulfillment in our lives.

  …I am also aware of the financial difficulties of the parish.  However, they will not be as foreboding as they seem if each parishioner does his part in supporting the parish.  Existence on a month-to-month basis is possible but hardly conducive to peace of mind.

  Perhaps we could dwell often on this message St. Paul sent to Timothy:  “Tell those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be proud, and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth.  Let them trust in the God who provides us richly with all things for our use.  Charge them to do good, to be rich in good works and generous, sharing what they have.  Thus will they build a secure foundation for the future, for receiving that life which is life indeed”.

1972:    No Mass Obligation on New Year’s Day.  Bishop Elwell, in response to the unanimous request of the Priests’ Senate, has dispensed the entire Diocese for Monday, January 1.  The reason is the close connection of the four days of obligation (2 Sundays, Christmas and New Year’s) and the difficulty many find in making it New Year’s Day.

1973:  7:30 Christmas Eve Mass – Maranatha Mass: Theme: “Come Lord Jesus.”  Please note: This is not a traditional Christmas Mass; the songs, etc. will not be the traditional carols but ones suited to the theme of Jesus’ other “coming.”

Michael Carlin of St. Andrew Parish and Cathy Sullivan of St. Timothy will be married at St. Timothy’s on December 27.

1976:   May the Son of God, Who was born of Mary at Bethlehem, bring joy and peace to your heart today and always!

THANKS!!!  Fr. DeVille is very, very grateful to all the people who sanded, spackled and painted the rectory dining room, stairway and hallways.  God bless you!  It’s beautiful.

1977:   The beautiful tapestry altar covering we are using for the first time today was donated by Mrs. Vienna DeSantis in memory of her husband Pat.  We are very grateful for this added bit of beauty.  May God bless her.  We are also grateful to Mrs. Elaine O’Day and Mrs. Clara DeSantis, who spent about a million hours of work putting it together.  God bless them, too.

1979:   Hasn’t our choir progressed well!! Here are some of the selections they will sing at Midnight Mass: Gloria in Excelsis Deo – Vivaldi; In Dulce Jubilo – Buxtehude; In the Deep Midwinter – Traditional; Alleluia1 from Cantata # 142 – J.S. Bach; A Latin “Gloria” – Pietro Jon; Now Vengeance Hath Been Taken – J.S. Bach

1980:   Thanks

 – to Jim Flanagan for the beautiful Christmas background behind the altar.  It’s the next best thing to real candles.  (A good idea, plus a lot of time and work.)

- to Byron Edgington for the new Stable (smaller, so it could be put in the sanctuary.)

God bless them both.

Signs.  Thanks to the Men’s Club and the Bingo Committee for providing the beautiful new signs.  Special thanks to Ralph Geiser, who designed them; to Jim Pardi and Hugo Della Flora, who did much work getting them in.  God bless all who helped!

December 26, 1980 Columbus Dispatch – Embers from a fire (place) in a family room grew into a killer blaze, taking the lives of six members of an Upper Arlington family early Christmas Day.

When the fire erupted, Dr. and Mrs. James Ferraro were at midnight Mass at St. Pius X in Reynoldsburg…smoke inhalation was believed to have caused the deaths of:

-Carolyn Ferraro, 78, Tremont Rd., who had decided to spend the holiday night with her son’s family

-Carol Schoonover, 36, of Pittsburgh who was about nine months pregnant.  Mrs. Schoonover was Dr. Ferraro’s sister.

-and the Ferraro children; James, 15,who attended Bishop Watterson High School; Elizabeth, 13, a student at St. Timothy School; Jeffrey, 9, a student at St. Andrew School; and Thomas,7, a student at Wickliffe Elementary School.

1981:   Scouting News – Mrs. Margaret Mooney Presented the Eagle Scout Award to Richie Olsen at a Troop 169 court of Honor on December 14.  During this awards ceremony, Walter Olsen, Scoutmaster and Richie’s father, presented an honor unit award certificate to the St. Timothy Men’s Club, which sponsors the Boy Scouts.  Richie’s service project was the attractive landscaping of the terrace that borders the entrance porch to the parish church-school building.  It has greatly enhanced the appearance of the parish building.

Our Intern Deacon, Pat Rogers, will complete his internship in the parish this Tuesday. (During his six-month assignment) Pat served in a variety of ministries to the parish, and also taught in both our parish elementary school and our interparochial high school.

  During his brief stay he has shared with us all the richness of his talents, the joy of his unique and appealing personality and the refreshing quality of youth.  In addition to all that he has been to the parish, Father Virginia and I had the added pleasure of having him to share the day-to-day life in our parish home.  I use the word “pleasure” advisedly.

   I am confident that I speak in the name of all in the Parish in extending our sincere gratitude to Pat, our fond and sad farewell, and our promise of joyous and prayerful anticipation of his Ordination to Priesthood next Spring.

                                            Father Hanley

1983:   After all the beautiful liturgies of the Christmas season, we humbly pray that God might smile upon servers who handle their duties with care; lectors who help proclaim God’ word; ushers who assist us all; musicians and singers who add their gifts to our worship; decorators who make the church look special; the young and the older who show the timelessness of our faith; quiet babies and screaming babies; people of various races and cultures who show the universality of our faith; those who pray loudly and those who pray softly; the bereaved and the ill who show the strength of our faith; and parishioners one and all.

1992:   In your charity, please remember in your prayer Carol Lieb, a member of our parish who died and was buried from the parish church this past week.  May she enjoy eternal joy and peace in the Kingdom of Heaven!

1995:   Fathers Tom Shonebarger, Andy Nugent, and Bill Arnold extend to all of you sincere wishes for a very holy and happy Christmas Day.  Our prayer in all our Masses is that the Peace and Joy of the Birth of Christ will be yours on the Feast of Christmas and through all the year to come.

1996:   We sincerely thank all who participated in the celebration of Christmas.  We are grateful to DeSantis Florist, especially Nick and Michelle, for the beautiful church decorations.

1999:   Congratulations to Mindy Pond and Eric Griffin, who will be married on December 31^st.

2000:   On Saturday, December 30^th at 1:00 p.m. St Timothy will have a 20-year Memorial Mass in honor of Jimmy, Beth, Jeffrey, and Tommy Ferraro.   There will be a reception afterward in the Parish Center.  All are welcome.  Please plan to attend.

2002:   A New Year Prayer:  May the Love of the Father enfold us, the wisdom of the Son enlighten us, the fire of the Spirit enflame us; and may the blessing of the triune God rest upon us, and abide with us, now and ever more.

2003:   Thank you to the families of Jim and Tina Auber and Ray and Ginny Stawiarski for their generous gift of the beautiful new candlesticks the servers are carrying this Christmas.

2004:  Thank you to the family of Jim and Tina Auber for their generous gift of the beautiful new purple cloth which was used on the altar throughout the Advent season.

2005:     Fr. Tom Shonebarger and Fr. Dave Gwinner extend to all of you sincere wishes for a very holy and happy Christmas.

2007:    From the Pastor’s Desk

…On behalf of the staff of the parish and the school, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with God’s blessings.  Please remember that for us Christians, the Christmas season does not end on December 26^th.  It begins, not on Halloween, but at the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve and ends with our celebration of the Baptism of the Lord.  So, we still have a lot of celebrating to do!

2008:   A Word from Your Pastor:

   This is my first Christmas as Pastor of St. Timothy Church…my first weekend was at the same time as the Parish festival on the Green.  I want to offer heartfelt thanks for the warm welcome I have received, and in turn, I want to welcome home all who are visiting with us for the Christmas Season or are returning home to our Parish Family.  You are truly a part of us in thought and prayer all through the year.

2009:   A Word from Your Pastor:

  I am thankful to be celebrating this Feast (of the Holy Family) with all of you, who have become my family in Christ.  As the father of this family, in the role of bringing you the Father, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I invite you to become ever more the family that you are.  Let each year draw us closer to God and to one another.

2010:   A Word from Your Pastor:

 …Our recent custom has been to offer blessings of families individually at the end of Mass.  The family is the Domestic church, that is, the Church alive in the home.  It is the fundamental building block of human society.  It is the very dwelling place where God chooses to dwell, pitching His tent among us. Receive your blessing and carry it home and out to all you meet.

2011:   In anticipation of our 50^th Jubilee as a parish and a School, we are organizing a St. Timothy Alumni Association.  We are seeking current addresses for all our graduates.  Please drop us a line to inform us of where you and any of your family and friends are now living if you are no longer registered in our Parish.  Contact Mary Ballantyne.

 

A Word from Your Pastor:

  We are happy to have all of you with us as we experience our Jubilee Christmas.   Your presence is a reminder to us that God is with us and that Salvation is for all.  We hope you will feel at home at St. Timothy Church and know that we keep you in our prayers throughout the year.  We invite you to a greater involvement in the life of our Parish and School.  We have come a long way in our 50 years as a Parish and we can go further if we work together.

  Blessings to you and your family for the Christmas Season and for the New Year!

 

 

A Word from Your Pastor December 16

Dear Parishioners:

Slowing down is hard to do!  Advent invites us to take a long view of history.  The Present Moment calls us to respond right here and right now.  Between these perspectives, there is also the simple fact that many voices are calling out to us. 

Last weekend, we heard John the Baptist, echoing Isaiah, exhorting us to “Prepare the way of the Lord.”  At the same time, we had a Holy Day as an Obligation Day on Saturday, the burial of a 50-Year Time Capsule, the Masses of the Second Sunday of Advent, the Sale of Olive Wood carvings by a native of the Holy Land on behalf of his family members still living near Bethlehem, our regular classes for R.C.I.A. and P.S.R., and the Latino celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with food and a mariachi band…..  St. Vincent De Paul was reminding us to keep our brothers and sisters warm with Coats for Christmas.  The Knights of Council 14345 called us to “Keep Christ in Christmas.”  And our 8^th Graders asked to support a 50/50 Raffle to raise funds for their upcoming trip to Washington, DC.

In the middle of the week, some of our members paused to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to prepare their hearts for Christmas.

This weekend, once again, we hear from John the Baptist, still echoing the call of the Prophets of old, "I am baptizing you with water, but One Mightier than I is coming. . . .  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fan is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire."  The gentle invitation to “prepare the way” is now replaced by a dire warning of the need to be ready for the Lord Who is Coming.

As we continue our journey through Advent, let us open our hearts to the Lord.  He wants to make His Home among us.  Are we ready to welcome Him?

Year of Faith October 11, 2012 – November 24, 2013

October 11, began the Year of Faith.  As one way of observing this year, each week a small section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be read before the start of Mass and will be included in the Bulletin.  This is a small way of offering some food for growth in Faith throughout this year.  This week’s entry offers a summary of the First Chapter on the capacity of human persons to know God.

IN BRIEF

44 Man is by nature and vocation a religious being. Coming from God, going toward God, man lives a fully human life only if he freely lives by his bond with God.

45 Man is made to live in communion with God in whom he finds happiness: “When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrow or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete” (St. Augustine, Conf. 10, 28, 39: PL 32, 795).

46 When he listens to the message of creation and to the voice of conscience, man can arrive at certainty about the existence of God, the cause and the end of everything.

47 The Church teaches that the one true God, our Creator and Lord, can be known with certainty from his works, by the natural light of human reason (cf. Vatican Council I, can. 2, § 1: DS 3026).

48 We really can name God, starting from the manifold perfections of his creatures, which are likenesses of the infinitely perfect God, even if our limited language cannot exhaust the mystery.

49 “Without the Creator, the creature vanishes” (GS 36). This is the reason why believers know that the love of Christ urges them to bring the light of the living God to those who do not know him or who reject him.

Comment: Our Catholic Faith cannot be reduced to words.  And yet, the Catechism and the other teaching tools of the Church come up with lovely and simple forms of expression of the Faith.  The “In Brief” sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church offer summaries of the discussion that has preceded.  It is useful to ponder these in order to come up with personal ways to speak of our Faith.  Can you offer a summary of some of the points made here in your own way?

This Week in Our History:  December 16-23

Note: This project was started in February 2012; we will continue it until a full year of review is completed.

1963:   The outdoor Crib Scene is the result of the generous work of some members of the Men’s Club and the resources of the Men’s and Women’s Clubs of the parish.

1965:   Newly baptized:  Christine Anne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Clifford; Molly Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Quigley; Craig, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Cline; Kimberly Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Davis

1970:  We sincerely welcome the following new parishioners: Mrs. Carol Hudson, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ticknor, Mrs. Frances Stare, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. L. Reinhard, Mr. Richard Elosh, Mrs. John Jewett

1975:   We have a sad duty to announce the death and burial this past week of a most faithful parishioner, Tony D’Amico.  Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

1977:    We have received donations in the amount of $650.00 in memory of Gene Stark.  Thank you to Mrs. Stark and her daughters for being so thoughtful of the parish in their time of grief.

From the Pastor’s Desk

  Some people have remarked that they have not yet been contacted about their thoughts on the proposed school consolidation…If you have strong feelings about the school one way or the other, please write a short letter expressing your opinion to your area representative, or to the president of the parish council, Robert Gardner, before January.  The decision about the school, no matter what it is, has to be made by the whole community of St. Timothy Parish, not just those with school age children.

1978:   Christmas came to St. Timothy early this year, as Mr. Len Immke has donated 2000 shares of Wendy’s stock to us.  (This stock must be held for two years.)  Please remember Mr. Immke and his family in your prayers.  He is not a member of our parish, and has many calls upon his generosity from other organizations.  It was very generous of him to give US this gift.

1979:   As you can see, we have begun our remodeling of the sanctuary area and hope to have it completed by Christmas.  The painters are scheduled to come the first week in January.  We feel that our church will be a beautiful place to come and worship our God together….We have received special gifts to buy a new tabernacle and a new baptismal font.  We hope eventually to design and build a new altar of sacrifice.  We will also need choir chairs, new chairs for the sanctuary and new lights in church.  For these we will need more money.  Please continue to use the special envelopes in your packet when you have something extra to give.

1980:   Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Welsh on their 50^th wedding anniversary, December 27.  

Father John Tague has been transferred …to Chaplain at Grant Hospital and will be in residence at St. Joseph’s Cathedral.  We will all miss Father Tague here at St. Timothy, and offer him our best wishes and prayers in his new assignment.

Father DeVille, Father Cadden, and all the staff at St. Timothy wish each of you a very happy Christmas Day and Season.   May it be a time when you realize more deeply God’s love for you and what He has done for us in giving us Jesus, His Son, to be our Brother.

1981:   The priests of the parish, Fathers James Hanley and Stephen Virginia, and our deacon, Reverend Patrick Rogers, extend sincere wishes to all of you for a Holy and Happy Christmas Season.  We pray that the peace and light of Christ will dwell in your hearts and homes throughout the coming year.

1983:   Congratulations to Tim Rennick of Boy Scout Troop 169.  He received the Eagle Scout award on December 12^th.  Troop 169 is sponsored by the Men’s Club.

1986:   NO MORE MR. NICE GUY:  This would not be a good time of year to get a bill for unreturned sports uniforms.  All PAST and PRESENT SPORTS PARTICIPANTS who have unreturned uniforms, get them in NOW.  C’mon, it can’t be that difficult to remember.

  Two-four-six-eight, we would all appreciate RETURNING SPORTS UNIFORMS NOW.

1988:   A Special Thank You from the Women’s Club to all the volunteers who made the Breakfast With Santa such a great success.  Because this was the first year for this event, we didn’t know what the response would be.  We apologize if you couldn’t get reservations.  Next year we will try to accommodate everyone.  Merry Christmas from your parish Women’s Club.

1992:   Fathers James Hanley, Michael Nugent and John Brezovec extend to all of you sincere wishes for a very holy and happy Christmas Day.

1993:   Fathers James Hanley, Michael Nugent and William Arnold…(pray) in all our Masses that the Peace and Joy of the Birth of Christ will be yours on the Feast of Christmas and through all the year to come.

1994:   Advent Wreath.  The new Advent Wreath for the Sanctuary was designed and made by Jane Sullivan, former member of the parish, and Cathy Carlin, Jane’s daughter and a member of the parish.   It was funded and donated to the parish by Mike and Cathy Carlin, members of the parish.   We thank them for this attractive addition to the worship life of the parish.

1995:   The new 1995 Snowflake Ornaments are available…These pieces are specially designed, handcrafted, limited editions; 100% of the money you spend on these special pieces is added to the St. Timothy School Endowment Fund.  In just two years these ornaments have increased the fund $4,000.  Call Carol Berry.

1996:   Fathers Tom Shonebarger, Andy Nugent and Jim Nugent extend to all of you wishes for a holy and happy Christmas.

1997:   Fathers Tom Shonebarger, Andy Nugent, Jim Nugent and Joe Jerabeck extend to all of you sincere wishes for a very holy and happy Christmas.

1998:    Holy and happy Christmas wishes from Fathers Tom Shonebarger, Mike Ellifritz, Jim Nugent and Joe Jerabeck.

2001:   The Twelve Days of Christmas Carol Explained

From 1558 to 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.  Someone during that time wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.  It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning, plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.  Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which children could remember.

  The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

  Two turtle doves—the Old and New Testaments

  Three French hens—faith, hope and love

  Four calling birds—four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

  Five golden rings—the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament

  Six geese a-laying—six days of creation

  Seven swans a-swimming—seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; prophesy, serving, teaching, exhortation, contribution, leadership, mercy

  Eight maids a-milking—eight beatitudes

  Nine ladies dancing—nine fruits of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control

  Ten lords a-leaping—the Ten Commandments

  Eleven pipers piping—the eleven faithful disciples

  Twelve drummers drumming—the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed

2002:   Father Tom Shonebarger, Father Jim Coleman, Monsignor James Nugent extend to all of you sincere wishes for a holy and happy Christmas.

2003:   Our prayers and sympathy go to the families of those who died recently: Bill Price, Sara Thompson and May Jo Koerner.

2007:   Are you interested in helping with the First Annual St. Timothy Silent Auction Event???  The idea has been kicked around for a couple of years and, with Fr. John’s consent, I would like to see if there is enough interest in having a silent auction event that is separate from the parish festival….Please call Andrea Marchese or Mike Foley.

2008:   Feast of the Holy Family.  All families are invited to attend the Mass of their choice on Holy Family Sunday, the Sunday after Christmas.  At the end of this Mass, as the final song begins, individual family blessing will be offered in front of the altar.  This practice has become a tradition in many parishes and it begins at St. Timothy this year.

2011:   Please remember in your prayers, Janice Ghidotti, who died.  Our sympathy is extended to her family.

A Word from Your Pastor December 9

Dear Parishioners:

The Season of Advent is a particularly Marian Season.  With our Blessed Mother, we await the announcement of the Birth of her Son, Jesus.  We also celebrate some lovely aspects of her person and God’s action in her, through the grace of her Son, but in her human nature. 

December 8 was the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.    December 12 will be the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Each of these celebrations has something to tell us about our Mary’s relationship to us, the role entrusted to her by God.

The Immaculate Conception is Mary.  As she said to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”  This is a clear message to humanity that human life is to be acknowledged and respected from the first moment of its existence.  Mary, conceived in the womb of her mother, came into being in the natural human way through the love of her parents Joachim and Anne.  However, by a singular grace, a special gift of God, she was preserved from Original Sin.  In her, God made a “clean start,” a “fresh beginning” to humanity.  Mary had the humanity God intended for all of us from the Beginning.  This was given to her, and to all of humanity, by the grace that would be won for us through the merits of Jesus Christ, in anticipation of God’s plan for a New Humanity.

Mary’s life was a response to the gift she recognized at work in her.  When the Archangel Gabriel addressed her, he called her “full of grace.”  There was no sin in her.  Through her cooperation with the Holy Spirit, she was the source of the humanity of Jesus her Son, the Son of the Father, the Word made flesh.

 

The encounter between Mary and St. Juan Diego at Guadalupe in Mexico was a further reminder of God’s power at work in her for us.   To Juan, concerned about his uncle, who was in ill health, Our Lady said, “¿No estoy yo aquí que soy tu Madre?”  That is, “Am I not here, who am your Mother?”  This message expresses clearly the continuing concern of Mary’s Motherly heart for all of us.  Her visitation to the New World opened up a new chapter in evangelization that continues down to the present day.

In Mary, God reveals His love for our human nature and for human beings in need of redemption.  We are children of the Father, and we have a Mother whose life reveals the very compassion and mercy of God for all His children.  May we live as worthy sons and daughters of such a Father and Mother!

A House for the Homeless in Haiti

Great news! We have raised $2,845.00 towards a house in Haiti in honor of our Jubilee year. We only need $355 more and they will start building!

Thank you so much for your compassion for a family in need and for the great response!

If you are interested in participating, checks can be made payable to “Food for the Poor” and sent to the attention of Sonia Telusnord, 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073. The tracking code for our jubilee home in Haiti is SC 088429 and that code should go on your check and on the envelope that you mail.

Wouldn’t this be an awesome Christmas present for a family in Haiti? We will keep you informed of our progress and THANK YOU for your generosity!

Year of Faith October 11, 2012 – November 24, 2013

October 11, began the Year of Faith.  As one way of observing this year, each week a small section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be read before the start of Mass and will be included in the Bulletin.  This is a small way of offering some food for growth in Faith throughout this year.

IV. How Can We Speak about God?

42 God transcends all creatures. We must therefore continually purify our language of everything in it that is limited, image-bound or imperfect, if we are not to confuse our image of God — “the inexpressible, the incomprehensible, the invisible, the ungraspable” — with our human representations. (Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom) Our human words always fall short of the mystery of God.

43 Admittedly, in speaking about God like this, our language is using human modes of expression; nevertheless it really does attain to God himself, though unable to express him in his infinite simplicity. Likewise, we must recall that “between Creator and creature no similitude can be expressed without implying an even greater dissimilitude”; (Lateran Council IVLateran Council IV) and that “concerning God, we cannot grasp what he is, but only what he is not, and how other beings stand in relation to him.” (St. Thomas Aquinas)

Comment:  Every human experience that is authentic points to something greater than itself.  When we want to speak of God, we rely on the fact that, although we cannot grasp God, we can acknowledge the something greater.  Our efforts to speak of God are destined to be limited by the very fact that we too are His creatures.  And yet, we can be certain of a real relationship with Him.  What aspects of experience serve to bring you to an awareness of God?  What happens in your spirit when you begin to realize that God is greater than you can imagine?

This Week in Our History:   December 9-16

Note: This project was started in February 2012; we will continue it until a full year of review is completed.

1964:   The new set of rose vestments which we are using for the first time today is the gift of the Women’s Club.  We are grateful to them for enabling us to celebrate the Mass according to the spirit of the Church and the season of Advent.

1968:   CYC has adopted a family as their Christmas project.  Toys, food and clothing for the following ages are needed.  Please bring to the parish hall.   Boys – ages 2, 7, 9, 16, 17; girls – ages 1, 3, 4, 5, 8.

1972:   We are very grateful to the Boy Scouts who, under the leadership of Gary Olsen, have improved the trails in the woods back of our property.

1973:   Announcement of Marriage:  Michael Holdsworth and Mary Jeanne DeTemple will be married on December 22.

1977:   Banns of Matrimony – Katherine Coyle of St. Timothy and Robert Ryan

From the Pastor’s Desk

  Now that we’ve had a chance to discuss the proposal to start a new school in union with St. Agatha Parish, I wish to make my position clear.  Personally, I would prefer to have a full eight grades here at St. Timothy.  After having examined all the facts, however, I believe that this is unrealistic.  Therefore, I hereby endorse the proposal to begin a new school as the only viable option for providing eight grades of Catholic education to our children.

….We have had a very good school here for some time now, and you can all be proud of that.  It’s time, though, to face facts and start out in a new direction.

1978:   Our Debt Reduction campaign is going along very well.   As of this writing, we have received pledges in the amount of $195,661.00….Our debt (with the Diocese of Columbus) now stands at $364,000.

  Saint Timothy Parish has a benefactor who has said that he will give us a substantial amount if we are able to raise our pledges to $220,000.00.  Perhaps some of you may be able to raise your pledge and some others have not yet made a pledge.

Thank you again to all of you who are making such a great sacrifice for your parish.  God will bless you.

1980:   Please remember in your prayers Dr. Louis Jentgen.

1982:   Welcome back, Fr. Ted Thomas!!!  All are invited to say “Welcome back, Fr. Ted”.  After the 10:00 Mass in the cafeteria, the women’s Club will provide coffee, punch and cookies.

1984:   Everyone is invited to a Musical Evening.  The adult and children’s choirs of the parish cordially invite you to a Christmas Concert this evening at 7:30 in the church.  Featured this year will be the Christmas oratorio of Saint Saens and a Christmas cantata for children with Father Adams as the narrator….The evening will be under the direction of Mr. Dale Beaver and Mrs. Judy Henry.  Refreshments will follow.

1985:   An Update on the Proposed Building Project.

At its meeting of December 5, Parish Council voted to endorse the proposed building project described in a mailing to all parishioners….the request to build will be sent to the diocese an early 1986.  Unless the diocese immediately says no, a series of meetings then takes place with diocesan officials to determine if St. Timothy can build, how much it can build, and how much it is allowed to borrow to build.  Watch this bulletin for developments on this issue.

1986:   Please remember Wilfred Eberhart of St. Timothy who was buried this past week.

Pizza, subs, puppets and magicians made for the overwhelming success of the St. Nick Party, December 6.  The St. Nick’s of the evening were the Valentinos and their crew of hard workers who provided delights and surprises for all who attended.  Thanks to all who worked and all who came to enjoy.

1989:   Parish Council reports that a decision was made at this month’s meeting to further consider construction of a large but simple building for school and parish physical education, recreation and dramatics.  Father Thomas has been asked to form a building/facilities committee and a pledge program committee to further this effort.

A new Service.  Thanks to the generosity of the Home and School Association and the Men’s Club the Parish  now has a brand new copying machine in the school office….We invite your parish group to use this machine from now on instead of going to Kinko’s…This machine will benefit the entire St. Timothy Parish as well as the school!

1991:   Congratulations to Greg and Sue Wetzel, who will be celebrating their 25^thwedding anniversary on December 17^th.

1992:    We ask your prayer for the repose of the soul of Joseph G. Hausberger, a member of the parish who died and was buried from the parish church this past week.  May he live in the Joy of God’s Kingdom.

1963:   Something new at the 5:00 P.M. Christmas Mass!   All parish 3 to 5 year olds are invited to their own Christmas celebration during Mass.  There will be carol singing, telling of the Christmas story, and a cake for Baby Jesus birthday.  We need adult or teen volunteers for this 1-hour commitment.  Call Tara Harper.

1994:   The Bubenchik family wishes to thank all parishioners for their prayers and concern for their son Mark, who was critically injured in an auto accident ten weeks ago.  Mark is home now and will be doing his rehabilitation at Riverside as an outpatient.  Complete recovery is expected in six months.

Congratulations to our new Catechumens and candidates!....Sam Williams, Frank Ryan, Connie Young, Lillian Rayner, and Jill Stock.

1999:   Remember in your prayers Earl W. Patton, who died this past week.  May he rest in peace.

2008:   Andy Davis (A.K.A. ‘Andyman’), father to Johnny Ray and Oliver and husband to Molly, will be live on-air for 48-hours straight beginning on Friday, December 19^th, at 7:00 p.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m. on December 21^st.  This will be the 16^th year in a row that Andy has done this 48-hour marathon.  Tune to 101.1 FM CD 101 radio to listen and/or to make a donation…All proceeds go directly to CD101 For the Kids, which benefits various children’s charities.

2009:   A Word from Your Pastor

  This weekend, we welcome the Sisters of Reparation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, who will present the message of Divine Mercy as given by Our Lord to St. Faustina.  Their sharing with us opens our Parish Mission for Advent, a time of special grace in the life of our Parish Family.  (The mission) is the result of the Parish self-study that took place several months ago.

A huge thank you to the Men’s Club for funding our entire Christmas rosary project.  Thanks also to the Knights of Columbus for providing “How to Say the Rosary” pamphlets.  Our Girl Scouts packaged 1,350 rosaries to be distributed at the Holy Family Soup Kitchen Christmas Dinner.  We made an additional 100 rosaries to be given out at a women’s prison in a package with other Christmas gifts.  If anyone knows of a special request for rosaries…please contact Nancy Schell.

2011:    Jubilee Keepsake ‘Cat’s Meow’.  Not only was the Jubilee opening celebration the ‘cat’s meow’, each of the founding families was presented with a Cat’s Meow of the Church and School.  This Cat’s Meow is a cutout plaque depicting our St. Timothy building, inscribed on the back with the Jubilee dates.

A limited number of plaques are currently available and would make wonderful Christmas gifts.  Orders for the Cat’s Meow will be taken for the course of our celebrations.

It has only been a few months, but we still miss Sr. Carolyn, our former Pastoral Associate to the Sick and Homebound.  In light of the season, let’s all try to send her a Christmas greeting.  Her address is:  Sister Carolyn Thomas, Nazareth Motherhouse, O’Connell Hall #211, Box 3000, Nazareth, KY 40048