A Word from Your Pastor May 8

Dear Parishioners:

You may be surprised to learn that your Pastor had the opportunity to meet with the newly beatified Pope John Paul II many years ago. In 1983, when Bishop Griffin came to Rome for his first ad limina visit as Bishop of Columbus – the official visit bishops make every five years to the Holy See – he gave the seminarians and priests in Rome the opportunity to join him at the Vatican. Pope John Paul gave encouragement to all of us, and his comment about me to Bishop Griffin was “He’s young!” I was very happy to have a few pictures to commemorate the encounter, because I honestly did not see a thing about the room where we were or any other details except that we were really and truly in the presence of the Pope. I do recall asking for the Pope to pray for me and my classmates who were to be ordained Deacons the following May.

We have a great example of what it means to be a witness of Faith in Blessed Pope John Paul II. He was truly a servant of God and His People. His motto “Totus Tuus” – “wholly yours,” in reference to his commitment through Mary to her Son Jesus. May we all live with such Faith!

We congratulate our Second Graders on their reception of First Holy Communion this weekend. May they always know the Love of Jesus Who gives Himself to us as Food for Eternity. May all of us renew our Faith in the Real Presence of the Lord and may we be a living witness to the Truth of this Faith by our participation in the Liturgy.

Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.

“Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus
who are in Philippi, with the overseers and ministers: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 1:1-6)

“I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be heartened by hearing news of you. For I have no one comparable to him for genuine interest in whatever concerns you. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his worth, how as a child with a father he served along with me in the cause of the gospel. He it is, then, whom I hope to send as soon as I see how things go with me, but I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.” (Philippians 2:19-24)

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is an expression of great concern by the Apostle for the well-being of their Church community. His sense of gratitude for the relationship shared with them is powerfully expressed. He mentions Timothy in similar terms and points out the depth of Timothy’s interest in their welfare as well. The hallmark of the Gospel is genuine desire for the good of others, setting aside self-interest. Paul finds this quality in Timothy on behalf of the Philippians.

When we begin to minister for others in the name of the Gospel, we discover that the Lord places in our heart a genuine love and concern for them that cannot arise from merely natural circumstances. Sharing ministry adds a depth to relationship as well. Every minister of the Gospel finds that certain co-workers become true helpers and confidantes in the effort to build up those who are served. The love of God is embodied in the mutual love and concern of ministers for one another and for the People of God whom they serve. This makes it all the more important that we see ourselves as collaborators in service of God’s Kingdom. None of us can do it alone, and our sharing of the ministry entrusted to us is part of God’s Plan for his Family.


Reflections on the Liturgy: NICENE CREED

For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate
of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his Kingdom will have no end.

A few small changes in the Nicene Creed concerning the Incarnation and the Passion of Jesus represent once again a closer rendition of the text as it appears in Latin. The expressions being highlighted regard details that may seem slight but are very significant in developing a fuller understanding of the Mystery of Christ. “Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est.”

The word “et,” “and,” was often left out in English, separating statements into different sentences (in accord with common English style). Re-introducing this conjunction helps to make clear the Catholic perspective that truth is to be found along the continuum of “both/and” rather than “either/or.” The Son of God came down from Heaven AND the Same Divine Person, through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary. He was not merely “born of Mary,” but took His very flesh from her, AND He became man in this precise manner. The Incarnation is brought about by full mutual cooperation of Heaven and Earth.

Likewise, the Paschal Mystery is expressed in Latin with a concatenation of statements: “Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est, et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas.” The expression “suffered death” is used to cover the Latin word “passus,” which literally means “suffered.” This has been used in the English form of the Liturgy everywhere but the United States since 1975. It is recognized that Jesus’ Passion was the full embracing of human mortality. The full Paschal Mystery includes the Resurrection, following suffering (death) and burial. Just as the Incarnation includes both Heaven and Earth, the Paschal Mystery includes the complete embracing of the reality of death and the New Life of the Resurrection. “In accordance with the Scriptures” is more accurate than “in fulfillment” as a translation of “secundum.”

A Word from Your Pastor May 1

Dear Parishioners:

One of the greatest moments of my life took place when I was a sophomore in College participating in a foreign study program in Rome. April 16, 1978, I was present in St. Peter’s Square when Pope John Paul II was announced as our new Holy Father after the untimely death of Pope John Paul I. I have vivid memories of that event, and they are renewed as we observe today the Beatification of Pope John Paul II.

Our celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at all the Masses of this weekend is a wonderful reminder of what Blessed Pope John Paul II’s ministry. He was a healer and a Pope who spoke words of Hope to all people. In his own life, he witnessed to an unswerving Faith that accepted whatever Providence allowed to happen. He trusted in God’s Mercy. He told us all “Be not afraid.” In everything he did, he said “May Jesus Christ be praised!” I can still hear his voice ringing in my ears: “Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!” to which the response was “Sempre sia lodato!” that is, “May he ever be praised!”

Blessed Pope John Paul II is a reminder to the world of the Gift of Jesus Christ to all nations. His life and teaching are truly a gift to our time to assist us to meet the challenges of the present day. May we hear the invitation to trust in Divine Mercy, and may our lives be a sign to the world of the Truth of the Gospel.


The Year of Prayer: LITANY TO THE DIVINE MERCY
THE LOVE OF GOD IS THE FLOWER - HIS MERCY IS THE FRUIT


"Let the doubting soul read these considerations on the Divine Mercy and become trusting."

Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, fount gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in You

Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in the founding of Holy Church, I trust in You

Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, I trust in You

Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in You

Divine Mercy, crown of all of God’s handiwork, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, only hope for despairing souls, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in You
Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You

Eternal God, in whom mercy is unfathomable and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy, itself" (Diary 949).

Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, with all the holy ones throughout Achaia: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (II Corinthians 1:1-2)

“For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him.” (II Corinthians 1:19)

The Christian community finds its unity in relationship to Jesus Christ, a relationship that is discovered with a vertical dimension that is always made real in the horizontal dimension. In other words, God’s relationship to us in Christ is embodied in a living relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul continues his correspondence to the Corinthians with a greeting of Grace and Peace and he acknowledges simply that this is a shared gift.

Paul also highlights the unity of mind and heart shared with all who preach the Truth about Jesus Christ. There is a unity of witness that the Corinthians, and all who read this letter, are invited to share. This kind of unity is much needed in our world today.

Reflections on the Liturgy: NICENE CREED

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.

As we profess our Faith, we make use of the Nicene Creed, which was formulated with precise language to express the doctrine of the Church concerning the Holy Trinity and the relationship of God to His People. The changes in the first part of the section on the Son are to help us to express more clearly some of the truths that are confessed by the Church. The Credo expressed at the beginning is repeated here in translation, whereas in the Latin text it is implied. The singular voice of the One Body of Christ speaks with the many voices of the Faithful joined together.

The former translation gave only a partial expression of the first term used to speak of the Son. “Unigenitum” is now given its full meaning “Only Begotten.” Similarly, we now have in English a more direct translation of the express “ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula.” These expressions were melded together in the current version.

The use of the term “consubstantial” instead of the expression “One in Being” is meant to emphasize the sharing of Divine Being, rather than a “being in general.” All that is shares “being” with God. The Only-Begotten, Born before all ages Son of the Father shares Divine Substance with God the Father. His unity in Being is of a different level of reality. All the analogies used in the Creed are intended to highlight our Faith in the Divine Nature of the Son, made present to us in the Person of Jesus Christ.