THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
ST. NICHOLAS PARISH First off we would like to extend to all Fathers a “Happy Father’s Day”. May the good Lord continue to bless all our fathers in their vocation as husbands and fathers. Fatherhood is a life-long vocation: Once a father always a father. We pray for our fathers and ask God to continue to bless them with wisdom, love and courage as they nurture, guide, and protect their children; no matter how old their children may be! Today we also celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi: The Body and Blood of Christ. The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ has always been the object of veneration; especially at the moment of reception of Holy Communion. It seems that even in the early Church, as soon as Christians were able to build places to worship they tried to provide a special place to reserve the Sacred Species so that after the celebration of the Eucharist the Blessed Sacrament could be taken to the sick. However, even with this special place of limited reservation, there was not as yet a form of prayerful worship of the Blessed Sacrament outside the Eucharistic Celebration. The development and practice of worship of the Eucharistic Presence slowly developed over the centuries. It is interesting to note that there appeared in the early church a desire to pray in front of the Altar of Sacrifice and even before the Blessed Sacrament: the Eucharistic Presence of the Lord. I am reminded of monks and nuns who lived in the cloister or monasteries who had their cells, or even their huts, built around the walls of the church. They would then make a hole in the wall so that they could see the altar from their cell. They would spend hours kneeling, praying, and gazing through this porthole in their cell wall at the Altar of Sacrifice. Deep down there was this sense that there was something very important about prayer and meditation facing the altar as well as being in the presence of the Lord. To this day we agree. One of the practices of the Catholic Faithful over the years is to “make a visit” to the Blessed Sacrament in Church. This little saying suggests that one would go to Church, stop in for a few minutes in prayerful adoration before the Eucharistic Presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle. The central belief of Catholics is that Our Lord is truly present in the Eucharistic sign of bread and that Christ is truly the center of our lives. Our Lord is truly present, therefore it only makes sense that one would want to pray and meditate in his Sacramental Presence. It is not often that we are encouraged to spend time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. However it is something that we need to give some thought. There are a couple of images that would be good for our reflection in this matter of Adoration. We have a couple of examples from the Gospels: in the infancy narratives from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Here we have Angels, heavenly hosts in adoration filling the sky with their songs of “Gloria” before the newborn Christ child. We have Shepherds who come and worship at the prompting of the Angels. We also have the Three Wise Men come and offer their gifts and to worship the Newborn King of the Jews. What did they say? We do not know, but they came and paid homage, they were in awe before the baby in the manger. They were in the presence of a great mystery and they worshipped, they were in awe. This baby could say nothing to them, but they were filled with his divine blessings as they adored him. In my travels I have often found myself stopping in churches along the way. I have found some wonderful churches to stop in for a visit. I am particularly fond of a few such churches in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: go figure! In major cities that have a Cathedral (Marquette, Michigan) it is usually easy to stop in since most are open during the day. There are
many Catholic Shrines and small town churches that welcome visitors and encourage prayer in their churches. There is always something consoling and inspiring as one stops and prays before the Lord during their travels. It gives a sense of the incredible span of the Catholic Church. This universal church has a powerful center: Jesus Christ. Our Lord’s presence in the Eucharist is a constant reminder that “I am with you always until the end of time.” It goes without saying that we have the Lord’s Eucharistic Presence in our church. However the attentiveness and reverence that we show the Eucharistic Presence is not what it should be. The present layout of our church building does not lend itself to this sense of awareness and reverence. The sad reality is that the tabernacle is located at the heaviest traveled area of the Church: the Silliman Street entrance. It is most difficult to have a sense of awareness and reverence for the Eucharistic Presence of the Lord when the tabernacle is located at the door of the church that gets the most traffic. It is all too easy to be caught up in conversations, visiting with friends and forget that the Blessed Sacrament is only ten feet away. Also from its present place in the north sanctuary niche, the tabernacle is not easily seen from various parts of the church which contributes to the difficulty for awareness and reverence in general. The Tabernacle is not the focal point. We are all guilty of not keeping the proper posture and prayerful etiquette that has long been a characteristic of Catholic Churches. It seems that we keep greater respect and silence in libraries and bookstores then in our churches. Nevertheless, I know it is difficult to keep the noise and distractions to a minimum however; we do need to make an effort to observe a sense of reverence for the Eucharistic Presence as well as for those who are trying to be in prayerful reflection before and after Mass. Some may say that we should be free to speak to one another while in Church. This may be true, and people should be kind and greet one another. After all we are a community of faith. But we should also be aware that when we are in Church we are in a place that is like no ordinary place. It is the “House of God” and we should primarily be attentive to the one who dwells in God’s House. Thus the Church building is sacred space. As such the Church building is primarily a place of prayer: a conversation with God first and foremost. It is a specific place of encounter with God and all things holy. The Church building is a place of prayer: communal prayer as well as private prayer. This should be the priority when we come to Church. We spend the bulk of our day in secular space. We also tend to act in a manner that is appropriate for those various secular environments; i.e. theaters, stadiums, doctor’s offices... The secular world has a great deal of influence on our thinking, talking and doing. In the world we tend to be about the business of the world. This only makes sense since this is where we spend the most time during the day. It also makes sense that when we are in a properly designated sacred space we need to tend to the business of the sacred. Realistically we spend less time during our week in sacred space. Since we spend more time in the secular world it only makes sense that this manner of being and living easily influences how we conduct ourselves in Church. Because of the little time we spend in the Church building in contrast to the secular world, it takes a greater effort to be particularly focused on this time as being sacred time for prayer. In the Gospel of St. John Jesus prays for his disciples. He asks God’s blessing for them since they are in the world and not of the world. The Christian is one who is the presence of Christ in the world. The Christian cannot be of the world:
JUNE 18, 2017 worldly. It is particularly important for us to be aware that we leave the world and worldly influences outside the Church building. We gather to be strengthened in our prayer so that the world does not overcome our lives but that we bring Christ into the world. Thus, in essence we need to be consciously attentive to the sacred in prayer. We are nourished at the table of the Word and the Altar of the Sacrament. We cannot be faithful to Christ in this world without His Word and Sacrament. One basic reality that should surface in our prayer but which is often overlooked as well is the awareness of the great love God has for all of us. This love is profoundly revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a love that is perfectly manifested in the Holy Eucharist. This we know but we often overlook or take for granted. In our prayer, in our Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, we renew our focus on this great truth. There is nothing more important in this place and at this time. Have a great week. Father Ralko
Church Support JUNE 11, 2017 OFFERTORY $7,550.00 Diocesan Tax ($650.00) Fenwick Subsidy ($3,060.00) Rosecrans subsidy ($290.00) Available for Parish Operations $3,550.00 Parish Operating Expenses ($8,200.00) Religious Education Expenses ($800.00) Other Income $2,300.00 Weekly deficit $(3,150.00) May God bless you for supporting your parish
IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM ST. THOMAS CHURCH As we are all aware there will be changes at St. Thomas with the Dominican Fathers leaving the parish. Starting in July the weekday morning Mass will be at 9:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, replacing the 8:00 a.m. and noon Masses. There will not be a Saturday morning mass. 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.
PARISHIONER HELP NEEDED It has been twelve years since St. Nicholas Church has had a new parish directory. This fall we are planning to change that. We need your help to update our records by making sure we have correct phone numbers for all families who want to be included in the directory. Please call the parish office at 453-0597 or email
[email protected] with your information. Thank you in advance.
Looking for ways you can help with your Stewardship? How about being a server for funerals. If interested in helping please call Ron Davis at 740-453-6637. Bishop Fenwick School, located at 1030 E. Main St., Zanesville, is hiring an intervention specialist to begin the 2017-2018 school year. Requirements:
Thank you and God Bless. This week we pray Week II of the Liturgy of the hours.
Last Sunday we welcomed into the Church through baptism, Matthew Thomas Renner son of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Renner 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] 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.
Hold an appropriate Ohio teaching license (Intervention specialist; professional, provisional, permanent, or Resident Educator) or be eligible to obtain one before beginning to teach Current satisfactory BCI&I and FBI background checks Have attended or be willing to attend a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children Safe Environment seminar Complete the online teaching application for the Diocese of Columbus.
Please contact Principal Mrs. Kelly Sagan by e-mailing resume and letter of interest to
[email protected].
THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed. June 25, 2017- Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Saturday, June 24 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Paul Nestor, Sharon Coen Server: Wesley Nestor, Bill Altier Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Corinne Musselman Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Charlotte Snider, Dan Snider Eucharistic Minister: Mike Musselman, Susie Altier, Molly Ritchey, Paul Ritchey
What’s Happening in Our Parish MONDAY, June 19, St. Romuald 8:00 a.m., Mass: Rita Petho, Church
TUESDAY, June 20 8:00 a.m., Mass: Dr. Holly McAllister, Church
WEDNESDAY, June 21, St. Aloysius Gonzaga 8:00 a.m., Mass: L/D Members of the Harsh and Schmutz Families, Church
THURSDAY, June 22, SS. John Fisher and Thomas More Sunday, June 25 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Stephanie Bridwell, Susan Thompson Server: Justin Ewart, Wesley Wilson Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Jim Hillis Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Margaret Kronenbitter, Carolyn Arnold Eucharistic Minister: Sue Hillis
8:00 a.m., Mass: John R. Burkhart, Church
Sunday, June 25 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: George Kopf, Keena Hansel Server: Thomas Bernath, Will Bernath Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Claire Tiberio Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Erin Roush Robert LaPrad Eucharistic Minister: Gerald Tiberio, David Skrobot, Betsy Skrobot, Judy Hamilton
SATURDAY, June 24, THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
Sunday, June 25 @ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Bill Sullivan, Bernard Budde Server: Christina Rozsa, Charles Peterson Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Jim McKee Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Jim Pottmeyer, Diana Dunn Eucharistic Minister: Paula Peterson, Alan Burns, Vicki Burns, Jeff Shawger
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.
FRIDAY, June 23, THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS 8:00 a.m., Mass: Elizabeth M. Noll, Church
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m., Confessions, Church 5:15 p.m., Mass: Myrna Snider, Church
SUNDAY, June 25 7:30 a.m., Mass: Mary Jo Dooley, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church 11:30 a.m., Mass: Marjorie Ferriot, Church
Readings for Week of June 19, 2017 Mon. . . . . . . . Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . .
2 Cor 6:1-10 2 Cor 8:1-9 2 Cor 9:6-11
Thurs. . . . . . . . Fri. . . . . . . . . . Sat. . . . . . . . . . Sun . . . . . . . .
2 Cor 11:1-11 Dt 7:6-11 Is 49:1-6 Jer 20:10-13
Mt 5:38-42 Mt 5:43-48 Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Mt 6: 7-15 Mt 11:25-30 Lk 1: 57-66, 80 Mt 10:26-33
