bulletin 01-01-2017

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH From the Pastor’s Desk Out of love God has put us here. We can look at the paths we have taken in our lives, the places we have lived, the schools we have attended, the people we have met, the jobs we worked and so on, what matters is that we are here. In the end all of this has lead us here and to this moment. For some reason, out of God’s great love for us we are here today. Individually and collectively we begin a new year and we forge ahead. There have been many events that have taken place over the past year. Some of those events have been good and others… let’s say not-so-good. We have watched news reports that cover all the events over the past year and we find ourselves surprised at times since we may have forgotten some of those events. Just the same, all these events that have touched our lives directly or indirectly, they have had an effect upon our lives. In our family circles we also have numerous events that have occurred over the last year. These have a more direct influence in our lives. It is in our response to these events that challenge and shape our lives: physically, emotionally and spiritually. Our responses can be positive or negative, constructive or destructive. Either way they shape and reinforce those values located at the core of who we are for good or for ill. When we reflect upon our lives, examining our conscience as it were, it is in our responses that we get a glimpse of who we are spiritually, emotionally and physically. In a sense, everything that touches our lives has a way of shaping our lives. We are here because God has put us here. As we look toward the future, this New Year, we do not know what is in store for us. We are unaware of what is on the road ahead. Many more things will happen; some good and some not-so-good. But we should not forget the hope our faith gives us. God is our strength and no amount of good or bad should make us fail to realize that. In fact in all of life’s events we should see an opportunity to deepen and confirm our trust in God. One of the things that we do as we approach the end of a year is to look back on the events that had occurred. This is something that we see when we watch many of the news shows during this time of year. There are many people who have passed away over the last 12 months. We have lost members of our families and friends. We have seen a number of public figures and celebrities pass away. Some of those deaths seemed like they happened a long time ago and some seem just like yesterday; all in the course of one year. There were numerous important news events over the last year, and again some seemed like they happened long ago and some seem like they happened only yesterday. Our memories are sharp at times and at other times they seem to be dull. Just the same we pause and consider all that has happened over the past year, give thanks for much, pray an act of contrition for some and a prayer of petition on the behalf of others. We also pray for a greater openness to the Grace of God to draw us closer to Him in Faith, Hope and Love now and throughout the New Year. Looking back over the last year we also have some vital statistics from the parish on the year. I will let the figures speak for themselves. We celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism for 27 new members of the Body of Christ this past year. There were 26 First Holy Communions. We had 36 Confirmations with the Bishop and at the Easter Vigil for the RCIA class. We celebrated the Sacrament of Matrimony for 8 couples. As a parish we mourned and prayed for those who have died over the last year: we had 38 deaths. We welcomed 39 new parishioners to the

parish. Lastly, our parish school numbers remain strong. Our Pre-school is doing exceptionally well with 66 children enrolled in the program to date. We have a future! God is good. As we approach this New Year we do so with great confidence in God. We have come a long way. Great Things have happened and Great Things are happening. We have confidence in God’s goodness and we will continue to cooperate with the grace of God as we move into 2017. As we continue to enjoy the Christmas season we would like to thank all those who participated in our parish giving tree project. There were numerous gifts under the tree by December 19th. Thank you one and all. Again, the St. Nicholas parishioners were very generous. Lastly, a word of thanks to the Christmas Decorating crew who once again did a wonderful job in decorating the Church for the Sacred Holydays. Unlike the secular world, we will be celebrating and enjoying the Christmas season at least until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Thank you to all who lent a hand in this endeavor. For those who attend weekday morning mass… please note the mass schedule for the week. I hope to be away for a few days this week to spend some time with family and friends. Fr. Peter Fagan will take the Wednesday morning mass with Bishop Rosecrans and Bishop Fenwick Schools in attendance. On Thursday Fr. Thomas will have the morning mass at the regular time. On behalf of Fr. Dreese, our Deacons and parish staff, we wish you a happy and blessed New Year. Have a Blessed Week. Fr. Ralko

JANUARY 1, 2017

Church Support DECEMBER 18, 2016 OFFERTORY $10,683.00 Diocesan Tax ($650.00) Fenwick Subsidy ($3,060.00) Rosecrans subsidy ($290.00) Available for Parish Operations $6,683.00 Parish Operating Expenses ($8,200.00) Religious Education Expenses ($800.00) Other Income $2,300.00 Weekly deficit ($17.00) May God bless you for supporting your parish This week we pray Week IV of the Liturgy of the hours.

We pray for the following who have died recently: Roger Miller ZANESVILLE CATHOLIC TEENS January 8th Epiphany Party Joint Middle School and High School Event Grades 6-12 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Church Teen Center

Students should bring a $5.00 gift for the gift exchange; gifts should be for gals or guys. Join us for an evening of fun and good food.

THANK YOU Thank you to those who helped to decorate the church for Christmas. Also, thanks to all who brought or sent goodies to the Parish Office. They were delicious. Thank you for thinking of us. The Parish Office will be closed Monday, January 2, 2017. Happy New Year! CHRISTMAS FLOWER OFFERING The following are additional memorials for Christmas flowers: Joseph Batross Jr. from Mrs. Joseph Batross Paul J. Haren Sr. & John R. Haren from Mr. & Mrs. Paul Leasure

RESPECT LIFE MASS- JANUARY 23- DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN The annual Respect Life Mass will be held on Monday, January 23, 2017, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad St., Columbus; Bishop Frederick Campbell celebrant. Since January 22nd, the anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, falls on a Sunday, our diocese will join all of the dioceses of the United States in observing a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children on Monday, January 23 rd. All are invited to attend. For more information about the Church’s teaching on pro-life issues, visit the U.S. Bishops’ website at www.usccb.org/prolife or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at 614-241-2540.

BOSCO BASH 2017 Bosco Bash, the Diocesan Middle School Youth Rally (grades 6-8) will be Saturday, February 11th at St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church, 2:30-9:00p.m. There will be music by Station 14, time with friends, skits, games, dinner, evening Mass and speaker Paul J. Kim. He has a growing international reputation as a dynamic speaker and musician with a powerful message of faith, hope, and love! The cost is $25 per teen. To Register, Please Contact Patty at (740) 453-5173. Registration Forms can be picked up in the Parish Office and must be returned no later than January 17, 2017. Parents are encouraged to attend with their students. Parents must have completed Protecting God's Children and a BCI Background Check to be eligible to participate. The Cost per Parent is $15.00.

SAVE THE DATES Diocesan Women’s Conference, Saturday, February 18. Call Patty Boggs for more information at 740-683-6450. Diocesan Men’s Conference, Saturday, February 25. Call Mike Musselman at 452-9806 or 297-0154 for information.

BOOSTER MANIA TICKETS Tickets may still be purchased for next year. The first drawing will be January 1, 2017. Tickets make a good gift for anyone and are good for a year. Forms are available at Bishop Rosecrans, the Knights of Columbus or from any booster trustee. Call Marvin Paul at 453-4482 for more information.

Roe Remembrance at Ohio Statehouse – January 23: Greater Columbus Right to Life will sponsor the annual Roe Remembrance event on Monday, January 23, noon to 1 p.m., at the Ohio Statehouse following the 10:30 a.m. Respect Life Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral. The program will be held in the Statehouse Atrium. Please allow extra time for new Statehouse security measures. Stickers, signs, and weapons are not permitted inside the Statehouse. For additional information, visit www.gcrtl.org/roe.html.

RIGHT TO LIFE Muskingum Right to Life will again charter a bus to the January 27th “March for Life” in Washington D.C. Please register soon or sponsor someone for the trip. For more information call (740)4529806 or (740)297-0154. The annual March for Life's date is shifted to Friday, January 27, 2017 due to the Presidential Inauguration being the week before. In addition to the March for Life, thousands will participate in other gatherings in the DC area. For a Listing of Washington, DC area events go to www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/resources/index.cfm.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed. January 8, 2017- The Epiphany of the Lord Saturday, January 7 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Sharon Coen, Nancy Susa Server: Charles Peterson, Scott Peterson Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Jim Pottmeyer Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Don Susa, Paula Peterson Eucharistic Minister: Karen Robinson, Sandy Black, Pauline Davis, Mary Mirgon Sunday, January 8 @ 7:30 a.m. Lector: Susan Thompson, Stephanie Bridwell Server: David Eppley Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Carol Kohler Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Nancy Thompson, Margaret Kronenbitter Eucharistic Minister: Marvin Paul Sunday, January 8 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: Peggy Hill, Diane Hoffer Server: Nicholas Hoffer, Rex Hankinson Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Judi Peterson Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Michael Drake, Janis Maziar Eucharistic Minister: Cheryl Sylvester, John Haswell, Linda Haswell, Chris Drake Sunday, January 8 @ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Bill Sullivan, Sam Palleschi Server: Wesley Nestor, Mason Harmon Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Jeff Shawger Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Jim McKee, Carolyn Arnold Eucharistic Minister: Larry Taylor, Dodi Sealock, Corinne Musselman, Mike Musselman

Our thoughts and prayers remain with those serving our country at this time and with their loved ones at home. We pray for a safe homecoming and that the world may one day be at peace.

PLEASE REMEMBER ST. NICHOLAS PARISH IN YOUR WILL. CALL THE PARISH OFFICE AT 453-0597 FOR MORE DETAILS. We will not gather to pray the Rosary on January 2. We will resume January 9, 2017.

What’s Happening in Our Parish MONDAY, January 2, SS. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen NO MASS 5:30 p.m., Sign Language Class, Parish Office

TUESDAY, January 3, The Most Holy Name of Jesus NO MASS

WEDNESDAY, January 4, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 8:10 a.m., School Mass: Wesley L. Wilson, anniversary, Church 7:00 p.m., R.C. I. A., Parish Office, lower level

THURSDAY, January 5, St. John Neumann 8:00 a.m., Mass: Richard Baum, Church

FRIDAY, January 6, St. Andre Bessette NO MASS NO ADORATION

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD SATURDAY, January 7 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Confessions, Church 5:15 p.m., Mass: Eileen Gaab, Church

SUNDAY, January 8, The Epiphany of the Lord 7:30 a.m., Mass: Helen Mercer Palmer Osborne, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church 9:45 a.m., Religious Education, School 11:30 a.m., Mass: Yvonne Nader, Church

Readings for Week of January 2, 2017 Mon. . . . . . . . Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . . Thurs. . . . . . . . Fri. . . . . . . . . . Sat. . . . . . . . . . Sun . . . . . . . .

1 Jn 2:22-28 1 Jn 2:29-3:6 1 Jn 3:7-10 1 Jn 3:11-21 1 Jn 5:5-13 1 Jn 5:14-21 Is 60:1-6

Jn 1:19-28 Jn 1:29-34 Jn 1:35-42 Jn 1:43-51 Mk 1:7-11 Jn 2:1-11 Mt 2:1-12

JANUARY 1, 2017