A Word from Your Pastor January 20

A Word from Your Pastor

Dear Parishioners:

With the celebration of the Funeral Mass for Marjorie Mains this past Wednesday, I am told that I have celebrated the 100^th Funeral Mass that included our Resurrection Choir since my arrival at St. Timothy in 2008.  Each time our parish hosts the final celebration of a person’s life, we experience a profound awareness of the Communion of Saints.  As many of you who have been part of such celebrations know, St. Timothy Church does funerals well.

I thought it might be a good time just to offer a few notes about funerals and planning for the end-of-life as Catholics and members of St. Timothy Church.  Whether your own invitation to the Kingdom is coming soon or not, it is good to prepare and to be sure your family knows your thoughts about this important matter.  I offer three suggestions for you reflection.

First: Stay close to the Sacraments.  The final touches of the Church mean most to those who have stayed close to her throughout their lives.  Certainly a Last Confession and Absolution, with the Apostolic Pardon, Anointing and Viaticum (Last reception of the Eucharist as “Food for the Journey) are experienced best by one who knows their meaning in life.  So, to prepare for your “final exit,” be sure that you practice your Faith regularly for as long as you can, by at least a weekly “entrance” into the church for Mass and the practice of the Sacramental life.  If you are not able to come to the church, get in touch with us so we can send Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to you in your home.  If you have relatives and friends who are homebound, be sure to have them on our Sick List.  Contact us as soon as you have received word of an illness or of the nearness of death so we can accompany you all the way.  Don’t wait until such a word comes until you have considered questions of healthcare and medical treatment.

Second: Consider how your Funeral will be celebrated.  The Church envisions three moments for the final farewell: A Prayer Vigil at a Funeral Home, the Funeral Mass, and the Graveside Service.  It is not really a good idea to try to simplify these too much.  All of us need to grieve and pray together to say a farewell that is adequate.  The Church’s preference is for burial and for the body to be present at each of these. 

If cremation is chosen, the body can be present for the wake and funeral and interment can take place later.  Scattering of ashes is not considered a respectful way to treat what has been the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Cremains may be present at the Funeral Mass and a graveside service is always fitting.  The Church has no objection to cremation, as long as it is not intended as a denial of our Faith in the Resurrection and as long as the cremains are treated with the same respect as we show the body.

St. Timothy Parish has a Bereavement Ministry to assist in planning of the Funeral and to arrange for a Funeral Luncheon following the Funeral if requested.  Our Resurrection Choir attends to the music.  The Parish Office has booklets and forms to plan the Liturgy in a way that is personal and in accord with the Church’s regulations.  These may be obtained as soon as they are useful to the family, even before death has taken place.  Sometimes, the involvement of the person who is approaching death in the choice of readings and music is a cherished last memory.

Third:  Don’t forget to arrange for your legacy in contribution to your Parish.  Put St. Timothy Church in your will.  Invite those who wish to remember you in a special way to donate to the Parish.  These may be in the form of direct contributions in your memory.  You may also choose to contribute to the Endowments that have been established for St. Timothy Parish and St. Timothy School.  Some families have chosen to create endowments for specific purposes (for example, scholarships or tuition aid) in the name of loved ones.  These all help us to continue to do the work we are meant to do.

 

Mass Stipends are welcome, but these do not directly benefit the parish since they are given directly to the priests who celebrate them.  When large amounts are designated as Mass Stipends, these are often unable to be celebrated at St. Timothy Church and must be sent off to the Missions or to other priests who need them.

 

If you have questions, contact the Parish Office or speak to any of the parish staff.  We will be happy to assist you.

 

This week, we celebrate the Feast of our Patron St. Timothy, along with St. Titus.  We will have two special Masses in honor of St. Timothy – the School Mass on Wednesday and a special Mass Saturday, January 26^th, at 9 a.m.  Remember, too, the Alumni of the Children’s Choir are invited to join the current members for the 10 a.m. Mass next Sunday, January 27^th.  In this Year of Faith, we look to our Patron for his example and intercession that we may be faithful in our own practice and witness of the Faith.

 

 

 

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

 We continue our journey through the Year of Faith.  As one way of observing this year, each week a small section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is read before the start of Mass.  This is a small way of offering some food for growth in Faith throughout this year.

II. The Stages of Revelation  In the beginning God makes himself known

54 “God, who creates and conserves all things by his Word, provides men with constant evidence of himself in created realities. And furthermore, wishing to open up the way to heavenly salvation, he manifested himself to our first parents from the very beginning.”  (Vatican II, Dei Verbum  3; cf. John 1:3; Romans 1:19-20.)

 He invited them to intimate communion with himself and clothed them with resplendent grace and justice.

55 This revelation was not broken off by our first parents’ sin. “After the fall, [God] buoyed them up with the hope of salvation, by promising redemption; and he has never ceased to show his solicitude for the human race. For he wishes to give eternal life to all those who seek salvation by patience in well-doing.” (Vatican II, Dei Verbum  3; cf. Gen 3:15; Rom 2:6-7.)

Even when he disobeyed you and lost your friendship you did not abandon him to the power of death.... Again and again you offered a covenant to man.  (Roman Missal, Eucharistic Prayer IV)

Comment:  Revelation is God’s act of making Himself known to us.  Sin is our rejection of the communion that is offered.  Our first parents, Adam and Eve failed to accept the relationship that was offered, but God did not abandon His plan for us.  How do you see the tendency to reject God’s offer of relationship in your own approach to Faith?

This Week in Our History:   January 20-27

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

1969:   It is obvious to every Catholic that something is going on in the Church today.  Things are changing and the changes disturb some of us.  We may have been used to doing things in the old way and find now that for some reason the old way was not good enough.  No matter how we feel about what is happening, it is important to be aware of what is happening and why it is happening.  TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LENTEN PROGRAM IN YOUR PARISH TO GAIN MORE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHURCH TODAY.

Further  invitations to attend the meetings about the Parish Council will be sent out this week.  You will find the meeting you are asked to attend very helpful in understanding the council and plans to establish it in our parish.

1970:   Parish Debt:  The Diocese, under the direction of Bishop Elwell, has taken over the responsibility for the debts of the parishes and is subsidizing this parish to the extent that we are now paying 5% on the debt whereas we were paying 8.5% to the bank.

Saturday Mass:  We expect an announcement soon that attendance at Mass on Saturday evening will fulfill the Sunday obligation.

1972:   There will be a Latin High Mass at 11:15 on Sunday, Jan. 30.

1978:   Wedding Banns - Thomas Caserta of St. Timothy and Sherry Stephens

1986:   Dear Parishioners,

“Ashes to Easter” has been the parish’s Lenten program for the last two years…(It) is a program based on the Sunday readings.  Participants experience being part of the parish community by praying and sharing faith with small groups…the sessions take place in homes around the parish….It helps people get to know other parishioners better and to build stronger relationships within the parish.

I encourage everyone to sign up …With the blessings of Our Lord in our Lenten journey together,

                            Father Thomas

1991:   Please remember in your prayers William (Billy) Stechschulte, son of Mark and Elizabeth who was buried this past week.

1992:   St. Timothy School invites all adult alumni, parents and relatives of alumni, parishioners, current parents of students and their friends to attend its first ever “Old Timer’s Night,” which will be held in the school on Sunday, Feb. 2, 6:60-9:00 pm.  Wine, light beverages and snacks will be served.  Strictly fun – not a fund-raiser.

  We hope during the gathering or whenever you are in the school, you will help us identify individuals in the graduation photos hung in the hallways.

1994:   Federal Health Plan

Do you want your tax dollars to pay for abortion on demand?  If not, stop at the entrance to church today to pick up postcards to mail to your Senators and Representatives in Washington telling them how you feel.  Our two Senators are: John Glenn and Howard Metzenbaum.  Our Representative in the House is Deborah Pryce.  Mail your card TODAY!

1999:   Congratulations to Fr. Tom Shonebarger who was chosen by the Bishop as the 1998 Pastor of the Year.

Congratulations to St. Timothy Scouts Brett and Ryan Ballantyne and Trevor Teetor who were honored by Bishop Griffin for having earned their religious emblem awards.  They were recognized during the Scout Day ceremony at Christ the King Church on Sunday, January 17^th.

Give God a Second Thought.  Revival and renewal through parish mission with Paulist Father John E. Collins, CSP, Monday, January 25^th – Thursday, January 29^th.  Fr. Collins helps people recognize the importance of developing their own faith story by appealing to their experience, both negative and positive.  The four talks are provocatively titled: What Good is God?;  Why Prayers Don’t Work; Ten Treasures Our Hearts Value More Than God; and Ten Kinds of People We Don’t Have to Love.

2000:   For those interested in Father Ted Thomas’ book “Bent Halos and Other Saintly Stories,” a limited number of copies are available at the rectory.  The price is $15.00.

2008:   Remember in your prayers Bette Ghidotti who died this past week.

2009:    As many of you have remarked about the restoration of the church front doors, we thank Wayne Miller, who volunteered his time and energy in the very hot summer weather to try and bring them back to the original finish.

Congratulations to Tim Grady and Becky Pierce, who were married here on Saturday.

Remember in your prayers Paul Ambrose, James Murphy and Dr. Hugo Cabrera, who recently died.  May they rest in peace.

2010:   A Word from Your Pastor

This Sunday we will celebrate a Holy Hour in the Presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  We will include three “themes” in our prayer for this celebration: our Parish Feast of St. Timothy, Vocations in the Year for Priests, and Respect for Life in the face of the current culture.

  Each year on the occasion of our Parish Feast, I have chosen to establish one special petition to be prayed for by our children and by all of us….This year, in conjunction with the Year for Priests, my choice is to pray that St. Timothy Parish may have members of our Parish respond to vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life in service of the Diocese of Columbus.  In particular, I pray that we may have a son of the parish ordained a priest for the Diocese of Columbus in my time as Pastor….All are invited to join in this petition, and parents especially are encouraged to build up a culture of openness to religious vocations in their family.

2011:   A Word from Your Pastor

As most of you have heard, we experienced a near disaster on Friday, January 14, with a fire in the heating system of the School Cafeteria.  The experts suggest it was actually caused by a dust ball catching fire.  Who would have thought dust bunnies could be dangerous?

  We’re most grateful to all who responded so quickly, including Peg Crossin, Phil Hall, Mary Pat Boulware, George Cleary and George Mosholder.

  This week we will observe the Feast of our Patron Saint Timothy…This year we will begin an observance of “The Year of Saint Timothy” from the Feast of Saints Timothy and Titus until our celebration of the same feast in our 50^th Jubilee Year….This will serve to lead us to a deeper knowledge of our Patron and our capacity to give witness to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the world today.

Remember in your prayers, Betty Boulware, our sympathy to her family.  May she rest in peace.

To our St. Timothy Family Friends, and School:

  Kathleen, Eythan and I have no words to describe our sincere thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, support and love that you have given and continue to give in the loss of our precious boy, Dominic.  It has been 3 months today that we lost our special son, brother, and friend.

  We are so thankful to have a community like you that we can lean on, give us strength, hug, laugh and cry with.  God has truly blessed us…We continue to struggle each day with the loss of Dominic.  We continue to be amazed at 15 years old, Dominic touched so many lives, especially ours.  Dom lived each day to its fullest and was a wonderful boy.  His smile could brighten anyone’s day.  We have been so blessed that Dom was a part of our lives, and he will continue to live on in all of us.  We all have a new Guardian Angel in heaven looking over all of us.

 Again, we want to say thank you for all that you have done.  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  May God bless all of you, and Dom continues to shine down his bright smile on all of us.

     Much love, Sam, Kathleen, and Eythan Gregory

 

 

A Word from Your Pastor January 13

Dear Parishioners:

The Baptism of the Lord is a Feast whose meaning provides a practical vision for the Church of our time. At the Jordan, Jesus was baptized by John and so began His public ministry. Prior to that moment, He lived His “hidden life” in Nazareth. From the Baptism, He went into the Desert and then returned to begin a preaching ministry, which inaugurated the Kingdom.

It is fitting to recall our Baptism and to realize that the Water is still flowing. At St. Timothy Church, we have a wonderful Font that reminds us that the waters of Baptism are living water. Can we come to a deeper appreciation for this Gift of Grace?

This week, the Catholic members of our Second Grade Class in School and P.S.R. and their families will be experiencing a workshop designed to begin their preparation for their First Holy Communion. They will be reminded that Eucharist is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, along with Baptism and Confirmation, and that each time we receive we recommit to live the Gospel.

All Catholics are called in a special way to put their Faith into practice at this time to stand up for the Truth of our Faith and especially for Religious Liberty.

U.S.BISHOPS ISSUE A CALL TO PRAYER FOR LIFE, MARRIAGE & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY:

The U.S.bishops have launched a pastoral strategy addressing critical life, marriage, and religious liberty concerns. The overall focus is to invite Catholics to pray for rebuilding a culture favorable to life and marriage and for increased protections of religious liberty.

The five part strategy includes:

• A call for parishes to hold a monthly Holy Hour for life, marriage and religious liberty;
• Encouraging families and individuals to pray a daily rosary especially for the preservation of life, marriage, and religious liberty;
• Including Prayers of the Faithful at Mass for respect for all human life, the strengthening of marriage and family life, and the preservation of religious liberty;
• Encouraging abstinence from meat and fasting on Fridays for the intention of the protecting of life, marriage, and religious liberty;
• And the celebration of a second Fortnight for Freedom at the end of June and beginning of July.

All members of the parish and their families, and each group and organization in the parish is invited to discuss this strategy. How ought we to put it into practice at St. Timothy Church?

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

We continue our journey through the Year of Faith. As one way of observing this year, each week a small section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is read before the start of Mass. This is a small way of offering some food for growth in Faith throughout this year.

Christ’s Baptism 1223 All the Old Covenant prefigurations find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus. He begins his public life after having himself baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan. (Cf. Matthew 3:13) After his resurrection Christ gives this mission to his apostles: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20; cf. Mark 16:15-16)

1224 Our Lord voluntarily submitted himself to the baptism of St. John, intended for sinners, in order to “fulfill all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:15) Jesus’ gesture is a manifestation of his self-emptying. (Cf. Philippians 2:7)

The Spirit who had hovered over the waters of the first creation descended then on the Christ as a prelude of the new creation, and the Father revealed Jesus as his “beloved Son.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

1225 In his Passover Christ opened to all men the fountain of Baptism. He had already spoken of his Passion, which he was about to suffer in Jerusalem, as a “Baptism” with which he had to be baptized. (Mark 10:38; cf. Luke 12:50) The blood and water that flowed from the pierced side of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism and the Eucharist, the sacraments of new life. (Cf. John 19:34; 1 John 5:6-8) From then on, it is possible “to be born of water and the Spirit” (Cf. John 3:5) in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

See where you are baptized, see where Baptism comes from, if not from the cross of Christ, from his death. There is the whole mystery: he died for you. In him you are redeemed, in him you are saved. (St. Ambrose; cf. John 3:5)

Comment: Do you remember the date of your own Baptism? If not, a little bit of research is worth the effort. Your “ticket” to Eternal Life and to the Sacraments was given on that day. It does not expire if you put it to good use!

2013 Women’s Club Prayer Breakfast

The St. Timothy Women’s Club will hold its annual Mother-Daughter Parish Prayer Breakfast on February 16, 2013, at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, 43210.  The Speakers this year will be the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, who are stationed at St. Michael Church and School.  Their topic will be "Cultivating Virtues with Our Lady."

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist is a Roman Catholic community of women religious based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The community was founded under Cardinal O’Connor of New York in 1997 by Mother Assumpta, Sr. Joseph Andrew, Sr. Mary Samuel and Sr. John Dominic. Since their foundation, the community has grown to over 115 Sisters with an average age of 28. The Sisters of Mary are steeped in the Dominican tradition to spread the witness of religious life in accord with Pope John Paul II's vision for a new evangelization. Through profession of the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, along with a contemplative emphasis on Eucharistic adoration and Marian devotion, the community exists for the salvation of souls and the building of the Church throughout the world.  As Dominicans, their primary apostolate is the education and formation of young people.

In 2011, four of the Sisters of Mary came to St. Michael School and Parish in Worthington at the invitation of Bishop Campbell. Sr. Mary Michael is principal at the K-8 school while Sr. Joseph Maria leads the Spanish program, Sr. Mary Jacinta teaches kindergarten and Sr. Catherine Marie teaches 7th and 8th grade.

 

This Week in Our History: January 13-20

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

1963:   We will continue to hold services in the parish hall until the church is completed.  The date tentatively set for going into the church is March 3^rd. 

The Men’s Club will meet this evening in the hall.  This is a first for the Men’s Club and the parish hall.  We hope all the men of the parish who are able to attend will do so.  Refreshments.

1964:   Our Stations of the Cross have arrived after great delay and they will be erected in time for the beginning of Lent, February 12^th.

1965:   On January 20^th, the day of Inauguration of President Johnson, we should be especially mindful in prayer for God’s blessing, not only for the President and the nation, but on all those who assist in the Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches of the Government.

The 8:00 am Mass that morning will be for the President and the nation.

1966:   Newly baptized: William Leo, son of Dr. and Mrs. L. T. Wagenbrenner

1967:   Last Sunday’s collection: $3,888.88.  This is another wonderful collection from you wonderful people.  God’s blessing will always match your generosity.  You, the people of St. Timothy, have taken a real hold on your parish, pulling it out of a financial slump and putting it on a road of real financial progress.  Let’s keep it going.

1974:   From our recent Parish Opinion Survey the five highest priority areas of service in which the parishioners have indicated an interest are: 1) the Poor, 2) Drug Problems,

3) Senior Citizens, 4) the Sick, and 5) youth Activities.

1975:   Today is the Feast of St. Timothy and the beginning of the week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  At all Masses we shall have our now traditional special readings from the letters of St. Paul on the life of our patron.

The meeting of the Parish Council Monday Jan. 20 is an extremely important one.  We shall be discussing the budget and decisions for next school and fiscal year 1975-76…in addition to the five proposals (under consideration), two others have been raised…1) that we continue the 1-8 school; if this should become financially impossible drop grade 1 in 1975-76 and drop grade 2 in 1976-77; and 2) maintain 8 grades for 1975-76 and if there is a deficit at the end of the fiscal year,…an assessment would be made for the school families in addition to the pledged 5%.  Finally, the bishop indicates that a reorganization plan is being studied for 1976-77.  This, of course, does not solve our problem, but it will affect us…Come, and as community of Christians let us try to plan our future.

1977:   January 22 commemorates the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision of the denied protection of the law to unborn children.

DEBT REDUCTION CLUB111

Our crazy pastor wants to form a club.  The purpose of this club will be the reduction of our $355,000 debt.  The Finance Board thinks it has found a good fund-raising project,…one that will not create additional hardship for the members of the parish….we will need several dedicated parishioners who can spend five to ten hours each month in the management of the club - - for which they will receive many indulgences.  Further information will be published in later bulletins.

1978:   LATE BULLETIN…

The parish council voted 15 to 6 against the proposal to consolidate schools with Saint Agatha Parish.  Saint Agatha’s parish council also rejected the proposal.

1979:   Please remember in your prayers Mary Elizabeth Cox, a member of St. Timothy who was buried this past week.

1980:   A BIG Thanks…To Don, Mary Ann, Patrick and Greg Davidson; Bill James, Larry Tornes, John O’Brien, Fran Doyle, Tom Theado, Ann and Rose Klocki, Suzie and Larry McMichael, Tony Kanakkanatt, and Bob and Marty Gardner who relinquished the Rose Bowl game to work bingo January 1^st.  Their sacrifice was worth $3700 to the parish.

From the Pastor’s Desk

Tuesday, January 22, will mark the 8^th anniversary of the outrageous decision of the Supreme Court to legalize abortion on demand….an important piece of legislation has been introduced into the Ohio Assembly which will ensure that women seeking abortions are given all the facts…Please write today to your State Representative and State Senator, urging support for HB 879, called the Informed Consent bill.

1983:   We extend a hearty welcome to the following people who have recently registered into our parish:  Don Chalupa, William (Margaret) Crossin, John (Cecelia) Downey, James (Ruth) Flinn, John (Linda) Gelhaus, Gery (Christine) Glanzman, Mary Ann Jacobson, Donald Lieb, Suzanne Martin, Paul (Donna) Maynard, Daniel (Mary) Meinert, Thomas (Mary) O’Dorisio, Mary Sheehan, James (Janice) Thomas

1994:   Rest in Peace.  Your prayers are requested for Mary Ann Flora, a member of the parish, who entered New Life and was buried from the parish church this past week.

1995:   Operation Face-Lift, the parish effort to upscale redecorate the interior of our parish church is alive and well.  The most expensive phase of this program is the new lighting.  We have received almost enough money for this effort and will be ready to contract for this lighting soon.  We are patiently awaiting the income and we ask you to be patient with us as we look forward to a renewed space for our public worship.

1996:   The Parish Council will sponsor a “Community Gathering” after all the Masses next weekend.  Please stop in the cafeteria, speak with some of the council members, make your views known and take a first peek at a Parish Mission Statement.

2004:   Our prayers and sympathy to the Hartnett Family on the death of Mae Hartnett.  May she rest in peace.

2006:   Remember in your prayers parishioners James Logue and Deborah DuMont Petroff (St. Timothy School, class of 1976; daughter of Robert and Ruth DuMont) who recently died.  May they rest in peace.

Divine Mercy Chaplet.  Please join us for the Divine Mercy Chaplet after Mass every Wednesday.  For January, our intention is Fr. Shonebarger.

2007:   Steps in the Garden

You will notice that the workers are building some steps in the garden behind the St. Timothy statue….They are part of a master landscaping plan to convert the grassy green area into a Prayer Garden some time in the future….Once the parish Debt Reduction campaign is started and other immediate parish needs are met, we would like to start a fund-raising effort for the garden.

 2009:   A Word from Your Pastor

As a new year begins, it is a good time to look forward to what is ahead…one…area is an annual experience…preparation for the Sacraments for our children…This year, those who have been through the experience before can expect the pattern to be pretty much the same with one exception.  The Church asks us to prepare our children for First Reconciliation before First Holy Communion, so this year will be “catching up” by celebrating this Sacrament for three classes – our Second, Third and Fourth Graders.  After this year, it will be a regular part of Second Grade.

 

2011:   Now that the Holy Days are over and the Church is in its Ordinary Time state, we invite you to keep “looking up” and you will notice that our ceiling is in good order.  Thanks to our parishioner Wayne Miller and his helpers for their hard work in taking care of the painting that was necessary.  Thanks, too, to the donors of the scaffolding and all the members of the Maintenance team on staff and to Parish Council for their efforts at coordinating.  We are truly grateful and it was wonderful to have the church looking good for Christmas.

  We want to thank Annette Kanakkanatt and her team of decorators and de-decorators who have also worked to keep the church in good order for those who join us for Christmas.

  Thanks to all who work to keep our holy spaces and their surroundings as worthy places for prayer.

 

A Word from Your Pastor January 6, 2013

Dear Parishioners:

Happy New Year (that is, New Calendar Year, since we started our New Liturgical Year in Advent)!  Blessings on this glorious Solemnity of the Epiphany.  This is the day that reminds us that Christmas is for the whole human race.  The Magi, the Wise Men from the East who followed the Star, adore the Child in the presence of His mother, at Bethlehem, and forever find themselves proclaimed in Scripture as the first among the nations to acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior.

The gifts of the Magi, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, serve to remind us that we owe Christ our first and best; that He is God in the flesh; and that He came to suffer, to die and to rise for our salvation.  As we contemplate the Mystery of His Revelation to the Nations, we are invited to renew our own Faith and to commit to share Him with our world today.

The Liturgy of Epiphany calls to mind three events: the Coming of the Magi, the Baptism of the Lord (which will be celebrated with its own Feast next Sunday), and the Wedding Feast of Cana.  Each of these Mysteries in the life of Jesus serves to express His Divinity cloaked in our human nature.  The Glory of the Lord is revealed in Creation through the lives of Believers and through all human beings who follow the light of their conscience.

As Pastor, I have to say that I was very proud of how many of you turned out for the Solemnity of Mary at the Masses we celebrated this past Monday evening and Tuesday morning.  I was especially struck to hear you all sing out with the Angels: “Glo-oooo-o-oooo-o-oooo-or-ia in excelsis Deo!”  I am sure, also, that our Heavenly Mother was delighted as we, the sons and daughters entrusted to her as Mother of the Church, came to complete the Octave of Christmas with her Feast.

Now, hold onto Christmas, even though the wider culture has already set it aside.  It is yours, by right, publicly until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.  You can also make a strong case for holding onto it privately until the Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord February 2^nd.  Whatever you do, live the Incarnation and let the world know that you have Faith in Jesus our Savior and Lord.

 

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

We continue our journey through the Year of Faith.  As one way of observing this year, each week a small section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is read before the start of Mass.  This is a small way of offering some food for growth in Faith throughout this year.

528 The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the world. The great feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, together with his baptism in the Jordan and the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee.  (Matthew 2:1; cf. Liturgy of the Hours, Epiphany, Evening Prayer II, Antiphon at the Canticle of Mary)

In the magi, representatives of the neighboring pagan religions, the Gospel sees the first-fruits of the nations, who welcome the good news of salvation through the Incarnation. The magi’s coming to Jerusalem in order to pay homage to the king of the Jews shows that they seek in Israel, in the messianic light of the star of David, the one who will be king of the nations.  (Cf. Matthew 2:2; Numbers 24:17-19; Revelation 22:16.)

Their coming means that pagans can discover Jesus and worship him as Son of God and Savior of the world only by turning toward the Jews and receiving from them the messianic promise as contained in the Old Testament.  (Cf. John 4:22; Matthew 2:4-6.) The Epiphany shows that “the full number of the nations” now takes its “place in the family of the patriarchs,” and acquires Israelitica dignitas - are made “worthy of the heritage of Israel.” (St. Leo the Great)

This Week in Our History:  January 6-13

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

1963:   We are pleased to be in our own building this morning.  There will be some inconveniences for a time but they should disappear as the building nears completion.  We expect the church section of the building to be ready for the first Sunday of Lent, March 3^rd.

  Classrooms will become gradually available for Sunday morning instruction.  Next Sunday we will have two available.  Catechetical instructions will be at 11:00 and we would like the 2^nd grade, First Communion Class to come.  The second class will be made up of those in other grades who have not yet made their First Communion.  Parents of these children are asked to see that they are here.  Preparation for fist Communion is most important.

  Nursery and pre-school classes on Sunday mornings will not be held for a few weeks.  High School Catechetical Instructions will resume Monday evening, January 7^th, at 7:30 pm at the Rectory.  First grade instructions as usual on Saturday morning.

1964:   Parents with children in St. Andrew’s are asked to make payment of tuition to us.  $25.00 per child for the first two children in either St. Andrew’s or St. Timothy’s.  Bus fare, $20.00 per child for the first two children in either school.  Other fees are to be paid directly to St. Andrew’s; we are responsible for the tuition.

Free, Delicious Spaghetti Dinner – Sat. Jan. 18^th – sponsored by the St. Timothy Men’s Club.  6:30 pm – Parish Hall.  Sorry Girls – Men Only.  Prizes – Liquid Refreshments.

[Current Pastor’s Note (2013):  We learned from one of the original Men’s Club members during our Jubilee Preparations that this “Men Only” stipulation did not last long; the wives were not happy to be left out of it.  The reason for “Men Only” was not anything against the Ladies; it was for fear that they would run out of food and that the Raffle tickets sold would not cover the cost because each couple might only buy one….  This event is one of those from our earliest days that still continues in our annual Spaghetti Dinner, to which all are invited!]

1967:   Good News: Father Winkler saw his doctor this week and was told that he could return to St. Timothy’s about March 1.

1971:   We sincerely welcome the following new parishioners:  M/M Michael Anderson, M/M J. William Ashmun, M/M Michael Bonny, Mr. Robert Lux

1975:   CCD.  Again we really need your cooperation regarding consistent attendance.  Our entire staff is working hard to help meet the spiritual needs of your children and it’s more difficult to “build” when some of the foundation is missing.  This applies to your child as an individual and as a member of a Christian community.

1976:   Today is the feast of the Baptism of Christ, and at the noon Mass we shall baptize Mindy Marie Pond, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Pond.  Congratulations and a warm welcome.

1977:   A great big THANKS to Marty Gardner and all her crew who worked so hard, and successfully, to make the New Year’s Dance a good evening of fun.

1978:   From the Pastor’s Desk

Our parish council will meet Tuesday at 7:30 pm in the cafeteria.  The meeting will be devoted primarily to a discussion of the proposal to consolidate with St. Agatha's school and a vote on that proposal.  (We understand that their council will be voting at the same time.)  Let’s all of us pray earnestly that we will make the right and best decision.

  Should the consolidation proposal not be accepted, we will be faced with the options of closing grades, raising tuition…or raising an additional amount of $31,000 for the fiscal year 1978-79…I remind you that we are projecting to go at least $12,000 further in debt this fiscal year.

  I concur with Mr. Daniel Brent, of the Diocesan School Office, who wrote: “It is my judgment that, inconvenient and disruptive as it may be, the consolidation offers the best chance for keeping Catholic School education affordable in the parish and still making progress on the parish debt.”

1981:   May God grant eternal joy to Gus DiNovo.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Renick Hamilton on their 50^th wedding anniversary.

1983:   Remember in your prayers Muriel Reinhard, a member of St. Timothy, who was buried this past week.

1992:   Congratulations to Joyce Bellisari and Mike Scaglione who were married here last weekend, and to Philip Rasor and Anthony Francescon, who were baptized into the Church.

1994:    Rest in Peace.  Your prayers are requested for Jerry Schuster, Russell Finneran and Walter Holden, all members of the parish, who entered New Life during the Christmas and New Year weeks.

1995:   Please remember in your prayers Chris O’Gorman, who was buried this past week.

1997:   Please remember in your prayers, Paris Fracasso, who died and was buried this past week.

2004:   Our prayers and sympathy to the families of John F. Carlin and John Fracasso.  May they rest in peace.

2005:    Our prayers and sympathy to the family of Delta Tiberi.  May she rest in peace.

 

2009:   A Word from Your Pastor

We have made it through the Christmas Season!  With today’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we bring to a close the Liturgical observance of the Season of the Incarnation….It is important for us to realize that what we celebrate at Christmas is always true: God is with us.

  Let me offer a word of Thanks to all for the many gifts and all the kindnesses you showed me during my first Christmas with you.  Thanks too to all who made the Liturgies and other celebrations of the Season so special.  May God bless you!

 

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.