DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
ST. NICHOLAS PARISH From the Pastor’s Desk As we come to the end of Easter Week we have thankful hearts for a wonderful Easter Weekend. After the unpredictable but mild winter, we know that the weather, favorable or unfavorable, does not determine the Glory of Easter Sunday! Easter Sunday is always a Glorious Day! Nothing can diminish or deter the Church from celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord. Once again our parish church was beautifully decorated. The scent of the Spring Flowers filled the air. The liturgies, the music and singing were faith-filled and deeply moving. This is the greatest celebration of the Church; indeed the very centerpiece of our Catholic Christian faith. It was encouraging to see the well attended Easter Sunday liturgies. Every Sunday should have the crowds we had last Sunday. Nevertheless, in light of everything we would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to all who in some way (from decorating and participating in the liturgies) helped in making this year’s Easter celebration so wonderful. During the Easter Vigil we welcomed two individuals into the Church by way of their Profession of Faith, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist: Doris Palleschi and Larry Neff. We sincerely offer them our best wishes, prayers and support as they continue their faith journey with the Catholic Church to the fullness of the Kingdom of God. When we consider those who enter the Church they do so because of someone. That someone could be a spouse, a relative or a friend/acquaintance. It is usually by the influence of someone who has sparked an interest in the Church. We would call these influential individuals “witnesses” of the faith. Witnessing to the faith may not have been direct or intentional. It may have been an indirect influence. Nevertheless, by the grace of God there was some kind of influence: a witness. I recall a story about one priest who inspired an individual, who by the way was so adamantly negative about Catholics, to join the Church because he inspired him with his pig call. The one-time skeptic was so impressed with this farm-boy become priest that he found himself entering the Church and cherishing a lifelong friendship. Go figure. What is important to realize is that it is always the grace of God that precedes all good works. The grace of God has the power to draw people to Himself, even in the most mysterious or seemingly odd ways. Who knows what inspires others. During the Easter season we will be reading from the Acts of the Apostles during the weekday masses. This is the story of the early days of the Church. It is important to realize that it was the witness of the Apostles that evangelized the early converts to the Church. All that they had seen and heard they proclaimed to the people. Many who had heard came to believe. Now during the weeks ahead as we read from the Acts of the Apostles and recall the stories of the early days of the Church, we must note that the central focus and figure is always Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ works in the world through the witness of His Apostles. At the very beginning of Acts we find the Apostles gathered in the upper room as a Mighty Wind, the Holy Spirit, shakes the room. This Mighty Wind echoes the first verses of the Book of Genesis where a mighty wind swept over the abyss: nothingness! It is the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the beginning of creation hovering over the chaos. It is also the Holy Spirit working at the beginning of the Church hovering over chaos of the Apostles. It is the Holy Spirit of God that inspires the Apostles and the Church. God continues the work of Salvation, fulfilled in Jesus Christ and carried forward through the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
In our reading of the Acts of the Apostles we not only hear the preaching of the Apostles but we witness their courage in the face of opposition. The most notable characters in the early church are SS. Peter and Paul. These two Apostles, whose sins we are very familiar with, became the two most influential witnesses of the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ. When strengthened by the Holy Spirit they were fearless and even sacrificed their own lives in imitation of the One who gave them His life. As a response to the preaching of the Apostles many sought Baptism and the Church was growing. Citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) we read; “From the time of the apostles, becoming a Christian has been accomplished by a journey and initiation in several stages. This journey can be covered rapidly or slowly, but certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel entailing conversion, profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion.” (# 1229) The pattern of early conversions is the same as it is for us today. There is the proclamation of the Word, especially the Gospel as the way of life and conversion, profession of faith, acceptance of Baptism, empowered by Confirmation and nourished by the Eucharist. Baptism, the first of the Sacrament of Initiation, is the beginning of a lifelong journey of continuing conversion in the midst of a faith community. The Church was formed as more and more people were baptized. The Church was a necessity since the Christian Faith grows in the midst of a community of faith. It is in the community of faith that the Eucharist is celebrated. The community is necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist and the Eucharist is necessary for the life of the community: the Church. It is also important to note that a community grew as people responded to the apostles. It is also in the midst of the community that individuals and the community continued to survive in the midst of the world. It is in the community of faith, celebrating the Eucharist that the faith is strengthened and the Christian community can survive in a world that is not welcoming. “Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: ‘Therefore… we are members one of another.’ Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural human limits of nations, cultures, race, and sexes: ‘For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” (CCC 1267) “Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but to him who died and rose for us. From now on, he is called to be subject to others, to serve them in the communion of the Church… Just as Baptism is the source of responsibilities and duties, the baptized person also enjoys rights with the Church: to receive the sacraments, to be nourished with the Word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps of the Church.” (CCC 1269) Often when considering our baptism we forget that we have duties and responsibilities. We no longer belong to ourselves; we belong to Christ and his body, the Church. We have personal responsibilities for ourselves for our ongoing conversion and in living a life worthy of the gift we have received. We have a responsibility to others in words of encouragement in the faith and to assist those who are in need as we would serve Christ himself. This is a matter of building up the Body of Christ, the Church in this world.
APRIL 23, 2017 We don’t always consider it but we do have responsibilities and duties as members of the Church. However, we do have benefits. When we gather as a community we are nourished in Word and Sacrament as well as by the many spiritual benefits that flow into our lives through the Church. These benefits support us in our witness to Christ in the world. From the very early days until the present, the Church has grown and remains a light to the nations. We have done this well and at times not so well. However, it is good for us to recall our baptism promises, renew our determination and with the grace of God to continue on our journey of conversion and assist those who are in need of the Good News of the Gospel. Have a great Easter Season. Fr. Ralko
Church Support APRIL 16, 2017 OFFERTORY $16, 560.00 Diocesan Tax ($650.00) Fenwick Subsidy ($3,060.00) Rosecrans subsidy ($290.00) Available for Parish Operations $12,560.00 Parish Operating Expenses ($8,200.00) Religious Education Expenses ($800.00) Other Income $2,300.00 Weekly surplus $5,860.00 May God bless you for supporting your parish
Thank you and God Bless. This week we pray Week II of the Liturgy of the hours.
We pray for those who have died recently: Betty Colopy, Ronald Dorsey, Kathleen Chema and Kathy Tabatowski On Easter Sunday we welcomed into the Church through baptism, Isabelle Aria Gressely, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Mark Gressley Through our RCIA program we welcomed Doris Palleschi and Larry Neff during the Easter Vigil. ZANESVILLE CATHOLIC TEENS NEWS
SUNDAY, APRIL 30TH 4:00-6:00 p.m. JOINT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL EVENT Join us as we bid farewell to Senior Leaders Matthew Mulholland and Jonathan Black.
WOMEN’S SPIRITUALITY GROUP REMINDER: The Women’s Spirituality Group will meet on Monday, April 24 at 3:30 p.m. in the parish office. This will be our last session for this season. If you have any questions call Judi Peterson at 740-453-5288. The Catholic Schools of Zanesville is currently seeking an Athletic Director for the K-12 athletic program. The Athletic Director will supervise all BRHS and BF athletic programs, coaches and staff under the supervision of the school principal. Applicant must have current BCII & FBI background checks and completion of Protecting God’s Children program and be eligible for a State of Ohio Pupil Activity Permit. Current coaching certification preferred. Catholic preferred. Please mail a letter of interest and resume to the attention of Ms. Jennifer Mallett, Principal
[email protected] MOTHER’S DAY SIGNATURE AD Honor your mother (living or deceased) by placing her name in the Mother’s Day ad in the Zanesville Times Recorder for a small donation. Sign up after any Mass the weekends of April 29-30 and May 6-7. Catholic Men’s Ministry All men 16 years and older are welcome to attend an evening of friendship and fellowship at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 24 at St. Mary’s Mattingly Settlement Church, 6280 Saint Mary Rd. Nashport, Ohio. Hope to see you there. Questions please contact Dave Bonifant @ 740-763-4647 or Mike Stickle @ 740-258-3138. CARD PARTY The Daughters of Isabella will sponsor a Spring Card Party on Thursday, April 27 in the St. Nicholas Social Hall (church basement). The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and play will begin at 7:00 p.m. $5.00 per person includes a meal. ALL ARE WELCOME! DIVORCED? Is anyone in YOUR family DIVORCED? The Catholic’s DIVORCE SURVIVAL Guide 12-week program features 30-minute DVD shows each week that cover topics of shock, denial, anger, grief, guilt, forgiveness, money, the courts, the kids, the ex-spouse, annulment, dating, sexuality, spirituality, remarriage or staying single, and much more. Whether you got divorced ten days ago or ten years ago, the program offers valuable insight for everyone. The DVD series includes Catholic men and women who share their gut-wrenching but inspiring stories of divorce and recovery. You’ll cry, laugh and be encouraged. PLEASE JOIN US. The group begins Friday, April 28, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Nicholas Parish Office upstairs meeting room (955 East Main Street). The program is free and includes a “Personal Survival Guide”. Find comfort and counsel consistent with Catholic teachings. Sorry, no child care available. Call the St. Nicholas Parish Office to register. - For more information about The Catholic’s DIVORCE SURVIVAL Guide go to http://www.catholicsdivorce.com/
Next weekend, April 29-30, St. Vincent de Paul will be “holding the hat” after all Masses. Please be generous.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed. April 30, 2017- Third Sunday of Easter
What’s Happening in Our Parish MONDAY, April 24, St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen 8:00 a.m., Mass: Don A. Freiermuth and Paul Nestor, Church
Saturday, April 29 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Tom J. Pitcock, Matthew Pitcock Server: Rex Hankinson, Bill Altier Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Corinne Musselman Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Susie Altier, Mike Musselman Eucharistic Minister: Jim McKee, Judi Peterson, Margaret Kronenbitter, Judy Hamilton
TUESDAY, April 25, St. Mark 8:00 a.m., Mass: Mary Greulich, Church
WEDNESDAY, April 26 8:10 a.m., Mass: Cindy Stewart, Church
THURSDAY, April 27 8:00 a.m., Mass: Jerry Davis, anniversary, Church
Sunday, April 30 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Stephanie Bridwell Server: Justin Ewart, Mason Harmon Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Jim Pottmeyer Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Patrick Durant, Nancy Thompson Eucharistic Minister: Marvin Paul
FRIDAY, April 28, St. Peter Chanel 8:00 a.m., Mass: Mr. & Mrs. Don Greulich, Church
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY SATURDAY, April 29, St. Catherine of Siena 5:15 p.m., Mass: Marjorie Ferriot, Church
Sunday, April 30 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: Janis Maziar, Peggy Hill Server: Charles Peterson, Scott Peterson Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Paul Ritchey Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Carolyn Arnold, Jeff Shawger Eucharistic Minister: Paula Peterson, Chris Drake, Michael Drake, Molly Ritchey Sunday, April 30@ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Wendy Hart, Bill Sullivan Server: Justin Hart, Nathan Hart Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Vicki Burns Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Alan Burns, David Skrobot Eucharistic Minister: Betsy Skrobot, Dodi Sealock, Mary Mirgon, Jennifer Bernett
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. Please join us each Monday at St. Nicholas Church at 2:00 P.M. as we gather to pray the Rosary asking Our Lady’s Intercession for the many needs of our nation, community, and parish.
SUNDAY, April 30 7:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: Frank “Willie” & Audrey Carpenter, Church 9:45 a.m., Religious Education, School 11:30 a.m., Mass: Mr. & Mrs. Harold Roessler, Church
Readings for Week of April 24, 2017 Mon. . . . . . . . Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . . Thurs. . . . . . . . Fri. . . . . . . . . . Sat. . . . . . . . . . Sun . . . . . . . .
Acts 4:23-31 Pt 5:5b-14 Acts 5:17-26 Acts 5:27-33 Acts 5:34-42 Acts 6:1-7 Acts 2:14, 22-33
Jn 3:1-8 Mk 16:15-20 Jn 3:16-21 Jn 3:31-36 Jn 6:1-15 Jn 6:16-21 Lk 24:13-35
