SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
ST. NICHOLAS PARISH This year’s Bishop’s Annual Appeal is underway. The theme for the 2017 appeal is, “Living the Gospel in Faith, Hope and Charity.” When we consider our financial gift to the diocese we offer it as our gift to God and our neighbor. All of our acts of charity are to be viewed as responses for the many gifts and blessings from God first and foremost. All things belong to God in the first place and all that we have is indeed a gift from God. When we make an offering to God we are merely sharing what God has given us in the first place: His blessings. Since all has been given to us in the first place, we are considered to be stewards, caretakers of those gifts in seeing that they are used or channeled in a manner that gives praise and thanksgiving to God. In the Bishop’s letter to the diocese concerning the appeal he quoted Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI about charity. “Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI explains that “charity is not another kind of welfare activity,” but is central to the nature of the Church and “an indispensable expression of her very being.” As good and faithful stewards of the Body of Christ, we live out the threefold mission of the Church as we proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and give of ourselves in Charity to others.” Your participation in the Bishop’s Annual Appeal is a direct and practical way to proclaim Christ’s love for our neighbor not only in words, but also in our corporal works of charity. We become a light of hope to the hopeless, a gleam of faith to the faithless and personal instruments of God’s Caritas, His Love, for which so many long. It is through Christ and the Church that we enjoy the fullness of life God offers to us. Remember that the gifts He has bestowed on us are to be shared with our brothers and sisters. As you consider your participation in this year’s appeal, please think of your generous gift when combined with the generosity of others, and enables the Bishop to continue his ministry throughout the diocese. The Bishop’s Annual Appeal extends the reach of the Church to the 23 counties that comprise the Diocese of Columbus. Your gift helps the Church in Columbus provide many services throughout the diocese, such as the promotion of vocations and seminarian formation, sacramental preparation programs, emergency repairs to parishes and schools, tuition assistance, as well as many other areas of concern. These ministries and the assistance they provide are extremely important to the lives of many of our brothers and sisters throughout the diocese. As your Pastor, I believe that we will be able to do our fair share to help our diocese. Envelopes for the appeal can be found in the pews. Many have already responded to this year’s appeal. For those who have not, I encourage you to take an envelope found in the pews, fill it in and make a gift (pledge) to the Diocese. It is important that a greater number of parishioners take part in this appeal. I am well aware of the many demands placed upon us and our available funds. Nevertheless, we are to be good stewards of the many gifts God has given to us. As stewards we are to be generous to those in need. As stewards we do not give from our excess or “disposable income” we give from our substance or need. This is true charity. This is transformative generosity which gives Christian witness to the world. The need of the diocese is just as important as the need we have in our parish when it comes to daily operations and activities. Just as we are the parish of St. Nicholas, we are also the people of the Diocese of Columbus. We have to be good stewards of our parish and our diocese. I am aware that times can be tough for many people, but it is precisely during these times we must also be people of faith. It is during the difficult times that
our faith and generosity come into play. Faith and generosity do not manifest themselves when times are easy but only when they are tested. Please do whatever you can for the appeal. This weekend our parish eighth grade students along with those from St. Thomas Aquinas received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Campbell was here Saturday morning to confer the Sacrament for our young adults. We wish them the very best and encourage them as they continue to grow in the Catholic Faith. Confirmation is not the finish line as it were. It is truly the beginning of serious growth in mature Catholic Faith. This week many of our parish students will be finishing up the school year. Many have final papers and exams. We wish them well as they wrap up the school year. Next weekend will be Memorial Day Weekend. There will be many graduation celebrations. For all our parish graduates we wish you safe and joyful celebrations during this last week of your elementary and high school years. Congratulations to you. Lastly, next Sunday we will be celebrating the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. Have a great Week. Father Ralko
Confirmed of St. Nicholas and St. Thomas Parishes Carson Alexander Boles Landon Castaneda Lynnea Crock Sydney Cronin Carly Elizabeth Anne Dady Madison Dalton Emily Finan Lauren Gnau Justin Connor Hart Ali Ann Helsel Peyton Joy Larissa Lynch Landon Patrick Marsh Corinne Neptune
Wesley Nestor Autumn Traylee Norris Ethan Phillips Korynn Porter Savanna Patrice Riley Benjamin Roman Conrad Hagan Schockling Caroline Casey Sowers Sophie Stevens Evan Willliams Alexandra Nicole Wilson Alexandra Sue Wright Brock Zemba
MAY 21, 2017
Church Support MAY 14, 2017 OFFERTORY $11,171.00 Diocesan Tax ($650.00) Fenwick Subsidy ($3,060.00) Rosecrans subsidy ($290.00) Available for Parish Operations $7,171.00 Parish Operating Expenses ($8,200.00) Religious Education Expenses ($800.00) Other Income $2,300.00 Weekly surplus $471.00 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: Christine Mason PRAY THE ROSARY IN MAY Before each Mass during the month of May, St. Nicholas will pray the rosary together. Come 20 minutes before Mass time and join other parishioners. If you would like to volunteer to lead the Rosary, please call Mary Lou Staker at 740-453-7141. Pre Jordan Class St. Nicholas will hold a Pre Jordan Class for parents and godparents of infants and small children who are to be baptized on Tuesday, May 30 at 7 p.m. in the Parish Office Building. Please call Mary Lou Staker 740-4537141 to register. Bishop Rosecrans High School is seeking host families for exchange students for the 2017-2018 school year. The host family is expected to provide a safe home environment, breakfast and dinner. Tuition and other expenses are paid by the student. Young, old, single or married may apply. A monthly stipend is provided. Contact Mark Dosch at 740-452-4762 or
[email protected] or Helen Brooks at 740-704-8681 or
[email protected]
PARISH OFFICE SUMMER HOURS The Parish Office will begin its summer hours June 2, closing at noon on Fridays. Due to our small staff and vacations, please call the office at 740-453-0597 to make sure it is open. Living the Gospel in Faith, Hope, and Charity We would like to thank all the parishioners who have already pledged their gift to the 2017 Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Pledge envelopes are available in the pews. Every gift is important and no gift is too small. Thank you for your generosity.
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 began 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/ CHINESE AUCTION ITEMS It is that time of the year when the Chinese Auction for St. Nicholas Parish Festival, asks for donations and help for the booth. We have placed the tags in the back of the church on a table to help get it started this year. Please purchase your new items and return them to the parish office by July 24, 2017. Please call 740-297-0823 with questions. JUBILEE OF ANNIVERSARIES 2017 will take place Sunday, June 25 at St. Matthew Parish in Gahanna. Bishop Campbell will celebrate Mass at 2:30 p.m., and an informal reception will follow. Please notify and encourage your parishioners who are celebrating significant wedding anniversaries (25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 60th, and every year thereafter) to attend. More information, including parish bulletin announcements and a flyer, will be mailed to your parish shortly. If you have any questions about this celebration, please call the Marriage & Family Life Office at 614-241-2560. Catholic Men’s Ministry All men are invited Due to Memorial Day we will be meeting on Monday May 22 at 7:00 at St Mary’s Mattingly Settlement, 6280 Saint Mary’s Rd. Nashport, Ohio. We will start with Eucharistic Exposition, Benediction, and prayer and continue the discussion on “Into the Breach” by Bishop Thomas J. Olmstead. Plus light refreshments will be served. Come join us and feel the Grace of God and take it back to your family and Parish. Remember there is strength in numbers; let’s see how many men we can get to answer the call of God. Questions, please contact Dave Bonifant @ 740-763-4647 or Mike Stickle @ 740-258-3138. Keep the date! November 11 will be the date for our 2018 Church Bazaar. Please join us on the fourth Tuesday in the social hall at 4:00 to work on items for the Bazaar. Bring a craft or help us with ours! We hope to have a whole new inventory this year. Any ideas will be appreciated. We've also put out our donation box beside the steps downstairs for your generous donations. Remember, we accept new and gently used items. Thank you and God bless. Any questions, call Mary at 740-6076386.
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed. May 28, 2017- Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
What’s Happening in Our Parish MONDAY, May 22, St. Rita of Cascia 8:00 a.m., Mass: John Pagath, Church
Saturday, May 27 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Mike LaPlante, Keena Hansel Server: Charles Peterson, Scott Peterson Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Margaret Kronenbitter Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Paula Peterson, Dottie Durant Eucharistic Minister: Diana Dunn, Pauline Davis, Ronald Davis, Don Susa
TUESDAY, May 23
Sunday, May 28 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Susan Thompson Server: Justin Ewart, Wesley Wilson Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Judy Hamilton Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Sue Hillis, Jim Hillis Eucharistic Minister: Patrick Durant
NO MASS
Sunday, May 28 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: George Kopf, Rocky Rowe Server: Thomas Bernath, Will Bernath Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Gerald Tiberio Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Robert LaPrad, Erin Roush Eucharistic Minister: Claire Tiberio, Cheryl Sylvester, Laurie Harmon, Rosalyn Headington Sunday, May 28 @ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Bill Sullivan, Bernard Budde Server: Justin Hart, Nathan Hart Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Jim Pottmeyer Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Corinne Musselman, Mike Musselman Eucharistic Minister: Jennifer Bernett, Karen Hardman, Molly Ritchey, Paul Ritchey
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.
8:00 a.m., Mass: For the Souls in Purgatory, Church
WEDNESDAY, May 24 8:10 a.m., School Mass: Deceased members of the Tran Family, Church
THURSDAY, May 25 FRIDAY, May 26, St. Philip Neri 8:00 a.m., Mass: L/D members of the Hohman & Crum Families, Church
The Ascension of the Lord SATURDAY, May 27, St. Augustine of Canterbury 4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m., Confessions, Church 5:15 p.m., Mass: Myrna Snider, Church
SUNDAY, May 28 7:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: Hope E. Buchanan, Church 11:30 a.m., Mass: Fern Cherrington, Church
Readings for Week of May 22, 2017 Mon. . . . . . . . Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . . Thurs. . . . . . . . Fri. . . . . . . . . . Sat. . . . . . . . . . Sun . . . . . . . .
Acts 16:11-15 Acts 16:22-34 Acts 17:15, 22-18:1 Acts 18:1-8 Acts 18:9-18 Acts 18:23-28 Acts 1:1-11
Jn 15:26-16:4a Jn 16:5-11 Jn 16:12-15 Jn 16:16-20 Jn 16:20-23 Jn 16:23b-28 Mt 28:16-20
