FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
ST. NICHOLAS PARISH From the Pastor’s Desk Time is quickly passing. We have passed the halfway point of 2017. During these summer months we have seen some repairs and renovations at Bishop Rosecrans High School with the resurfacing of the parking lot and the construction of a home field for the football and soccer teams. The funds for these projects have been provided by grants from the diocese and funds from the Knights Legacy fund. We are grateful for these contributions and will put these refurbished facilities to good use. At Bishop Fenwick School we have a new phone system installed and we are renovating a couple bathrooms in the school. These projects have been funded by the Catholic Schools of Zanesville Capital Campaign and the Knights Legacy fund. Again, we are very grateful for these developments and improvements to our school facilities. It should also be noted that our Parish Activity/Gym was painted and new LED lights were installed this past spring. We have heard many positive comments from those who have attended various activities at the Parish Activity Center. Slowly but surely we have been making improvements to our facilities. It is good to note that it has been a long time since major improvements have been made to our facilities due to the good and careful maintenance over the years. Even though good care is taken, nothing lasts forever in this world and repairs are needed. So far in the church we have replaced the air/heating unit that is located between the church and rectory on the Silliman Street side of the church. The A/C compressor was dead. We have been hobbling along with it for the last two years until nothing more could be done. Funds for this were from our Capital Improvements collection. We have other improvements and repairs that need our attention on the horizon which will be addressed. Looking to the future… Good things are happening! As you know we have been reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew for our Sunday Masses and also during the weekday masses throughout the summer. With this concentration on St. Matthew we have the opportunity to plunge deeper into the Gospel enjoying much food for thought and prayerful reflection. One particular insight for me has developed during the weekday liturgies. In Chapter 5 we were reading about the Beatitudes and the “New Law” as Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. In summing up Jesus’ teaching, especially on the challenge of Love, we have the last line that reads... “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) With this line, Jesus sums up his teaching thus far. So the question is about perfection. There are two classical ideas about perfection: Greek and Hebrew. The Greek idea comes from the thought of Aristotle and Plato and influences much of our Western thought. The Greek ideal of perfection is to have no deficiencies, no faults, no flaws or imperfections. On the other hand, the Hebrew thought of perfection is quite different. This Hebrew mindset of perfection simply means to humbly walk with God, in spite of the fact that we are not perfect. We are greatly influenced with Greek thought especially as we consider it to be the foundational philosophy that was used by St. Thomas Aquinas. The idea of perfection and its various gradations makes sense to us. We have ideas of perfection that we strive to achieve. It speaks well to the challenges in life. We gain insights in our growth, or our stagnation or our decrease in different aspects of our lives. A standard of perfection is important for our striving. However, when it comes to “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” we are talking about something else; we are talking about Holiness because God is Holy. Growth in holiness has its positive side as well as its
negative side. Sure there is a perfect standard (God) that challenges us to measure up to a certain benchmark. This standard of holiness is a perpetual challenge. It is always there especially when we experience mediocrity, laziness, misfortune and failure. Holiness is something that will always experience resistance in this sinful world. Yet knowing this we accept this challenge and strive to move forward. The downside of this challenge of holiness is the awareness that we will never achieve perfection. We will never be perfect in this world. This awareness also translates into our view of others who will never be perfect in this world. We can become very disappointed and disillusioned with others who are not perfect. Turning our eye back to ourselves, we can beat ourselves up with the false expectation that we can somehow, by our own efforts, fix all that wrong with us. We leave ourselves open to greater discouragement and may give up trying all together. We can go about our lives feeling discourage about the spiritual life, our faith life, filled with guilt over our constant and habitual failures that we cannot fix ourselves and ultimately fail to understand and accept forgiveness. It is true that many get discouraged over habitual sins that seem impossible to overcome and think that they cannot receive forgiveness from God because they do not deserve it. The Greek thought used by St. Thomas Aquinas in explaining the nature of God, human nature and the teachings of the Catholic Faith is very helpful for us. As human beings we are thinkers and we need to figure things out and have challenges before us in order to grow. However, on this very point it is important for us to adopt more of the Hebrew thought on perfection in our lives. Greek thought is true and important and it has some pitfalls, but this does not negate its truth. What is important for us is to realize that we will never be perfect in this world and in spite of that we are always invited to “walk humbly with our God.” All through the Old Testament we hear this very invitation to walk with God. For me the Prophet Micah immediately comes to mind. In chapter 4 we hear... “we will walk in the name of the Lord” and “walk humbly with your God” to mention two instances. We should also note well the Gospels; Jesus invites his followers to “come follow me”. Jesus was always leading a parade of followers. It is then that they learned so much. Many stayed with him and some dropped off. There is so much to learn when we follow the Lord, or more to the point, walk with the Lord. It is an interesting thing to note even from our own experience and language. When a young person wants to be a plumber, electrician or a bricklayer, they must start at the bottom and follow a master. We call those advancing in these jobs “journeymen”. It is by being in the constant presence of the master, doing the menial tasks of the job, that they slowly learn the job and the subtleties of the trade. In a manner of speaking they are growing in perfection. It is good for us to note that although we will never be perfect in this world we still need to grow in perfection. We cannot do so on our own. We need to learn from someone as we grow. We need to be “journeymen”. We strive, but we must not be discouraged or overwhelmed by expectations. We need to always remain humble and walk with the Lord. It may not be perceptible at first, but at a certain point we look over our shoulder and realize that we have traveled a great distance forward. In an interesting way we have grown in perfection and knowing that we do not want to go backwards. For this we give thanks to God for bringing us forward. Then in knowing that, we should also be humbled because we have been so blessed.
JULY 9, 2017 As we enjoy our summer months and many travel to various places, maybe it would be a good thing to take some time and go for a walk. Perhaps it can be a prayerful walk with God. Have a Blessed Week Father Ralko
Church Support JULY 2, 2017 OFFERTORY $13,479.00 Diocesan Tax ($650.00) Fenwick Subsidy ($3,060.00) Rosecrans subsidy ($290.00) Available for Parish Operations $9,479.00 Parish Operating Expenses ($8,200.00) Religious Education Expenses ($800.00) Other Income $2,300.00 Weekly surplus $2,779.00 May God bless you for supporting your parish
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults A person who is considering the possibility of becoming a Catholic, or who simply wishes to learn more about the Catholic Church, will find no better way to do this than to become a part of St. Nicholas RCIA. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process designed to form and inform inquirers who fall into three categories: 1. The unbaptized person 2. The person baptized into a faith tradition other than Catholic 3. The baptized Catholic who was neither confirmed nor reared as a Catholic At St. Nicholas, RCIA meets on Wednesday evenings beginning September 6. We will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. and end promptly at 8:30 p.m. in the Parish Office Building, 955 East Main St. (enter on the Silliman St. side). For more information call Mary Lou Staker, Director of Faith Formation at 740-453-7141.
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, Sydney Jane Holbein, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Holbein 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]
The Daughters of Isabella seek to promote the welfare of the community in accordance with the teachings and rules of the Catholic Church through unity, friendship and charity. All women age 16 and up are welcome to join us. The next meeting is Tuesday, July 11th at 6:00 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Parish Office.
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. 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.
Bishop Fenwick School, located at 1030 E. Main St., Zanesville, is hiring an intervention specialist to begin the 2017-2018 school year. Requirements:
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].
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, August 13, 2017, 11:00 a.m. Mass with Bishop Frederick Campbell for the installation of Fr. Jan Sullivan as pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas and the “passing of the torch” from the Dominican friars Introducing the Mother Teresa Award of Charity, Compassion, and Service! To recognize those special women in our Diocese who exemplify the life of Christ and the spirit of St. Teresa, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) will host a reception for the inaugural class of award recipients on Sunday, August 27, at Immaculate Conception Parish, Columbus. For nomination, table, and ticket information, please visit columbuscatholic.org/mother-teresa-award or contact Mickey McCormick at 614-228-8601, 614-783-5555, or at
[email protected].
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed. July 16, 2017- Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
What’s Happening in Our Parish MONDAY, July 10 8:00 a.m., Mass: Eileen Gaab, Church
Saturday, July 15 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Mike LaPlante, Sharon Coen Server: Libby Pratt, Luke Pratt Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Vicki Burns Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Ronald Davis, Alan Burns Eucharistic Minister: Jim McKee, Janis Maziar, Margaret Kronenbitter, Don Susa
TUESDAY, July 11, St. Benedict 8:00 a.m., Mass: Dr. Holly McAllister, Church
WEDNESDAY, July 12 8:00 a.m., Mass: Jane Durant, Church
THURSDAY, July 13, St. Henry Sunday, July 16 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Sue Hillis, Diane Hoffer Server: David Eppley Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Mike Musselman Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Jim Hillis, Philip Kocoloski Eucharistic Minister: Corinne Musselman
8:00 a.m., Mass: Robert Ralko, Church
Sunday, July 16 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: Bernard Budde, George Kopf Server: Mason Harmon, Rex Hankinson Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Erin Roush Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Betsy Skrobot, Davis Skrobot Eucharistic Minister: Laurie Harmon, Judi Peterson, Robert LaPrad, Larry Taylor
SATURDAY, July 15, St. Bonaventure
Sunday, July 16 @ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Rocky Rowe, Bill Sullivan Server: Christina Rozsa, Wesley Nestor Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Karen Hardman Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Jim Pottmeyer, Kevin McCarthy Eucharistic Minister: Carolyn Arnold, Linda Haswell, John Haswell, Sandy Black
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, July 14, St. Kateri Tekakwitha 8:00 a.m., Mass: for Dominican Fathers, Church
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2:30 p.m., Wedding Mass: Andrea Boggs & Alex Edwards, Church 4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m., Confessions, Church 5:15 p.m., Mass: Heather Boles, in appreciation, Church
SUNDAY, July 16 7:30 a.m., Mass: Madison Paul, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: Katie Susil, in appreciation, Church 11:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church
Readings for Week of July 10, 2017 Mon. . . . . . . . Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . . Thurs. . . . . . . . Fri. . . . . . . . . . Sat. . . . . . . . . . Sun . . . . . . . .
Gn 28:10-22a Gn 32:23-33 Gn 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a Gn 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5 Gn 46:1-7, 2830 Gn 49:29-32; 50:15-26a Is 55:10-11
Mt 9:18-26 Mt 9:32-38 Mt 10:1-7 Mt 10:7-15 Mt 10:16-23 Mt 10:24-33 Mt 13:1-23
