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SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH From the Pastor’s Desk As many of you may already know there will be some changes taking place at Bishop Fenwick School. After lengthy consultation with Fr. Fagan and Mrs. Sagan we have decided that it would be beneficial for our children and our parishes to do some rearrangements. At present the 5th Street campus houses the Kindergarten through third grades. The main Street Campus houses the Pre-School and fourth through eighth grades. Starting with next school year the K – 3 will be moved to the Main Street Campus which will house the entire Bishop Fenwick Elementary School: K – 8. The Bishop Fenwick Pre-School program will occupy the 5th Street campus. This will help create a better sense of unity among our Bishop Fenwick students. It will also ease the Principal’s job of having all the students at one campus. The Bishop Fenwick Pre-School program is so successful that they are out-growing their present facilities in the Main Street facility. With the moving of the Pre-School program they will benefit with adequate room at the 5th Street campus with easy access to classrooms, cafeteria, gym, nap room, restrooms and childfriendly playground. To quote Fr. Fagan from his parish bulletin, “Bishop Fenwick Pre-K is a distinct entity from Bishop Fenwick Elementary School, and a different location makes more sense for Pre-K than for various grades of the elementary school. Plus, a change of location to 5th Street will make Pre-K, more visible to parents with children that age, and it is quite likely that an increase in enrollment there will grow enrollment in the elementary school.” Your thoughtful prayers and support in this endeavor is appreciated. This is a good thing and as we look to the future I assure you that good things are happening. This Friday is the anniversary of the Supreme Court Decision Roe V. Wade. It is the day of prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Much has changed over the last forty-three years when this Supreme Court decision came down. The truth about the nature of abortion cannot be denied. The truth is that at the time of conception a new human being comes into existence. With Roe v. Wade it is true that this unborn human being can be legally put to death based on the rights and the decision of the mother. Strangely, since Roe v. Wade, abortion is considered a “right”. Just to spend time thinking about this notion reveals the strange manipulation of words overshadowing its evil nature. No matter how you spin it, a human being is legally put to death because of another human being’s right to decide. One of the big changes since January 22, 1973 is that more people today declare themselves to be pro-life. I had not considered this before but of this growing number of pro-life people, of who are primarily younger people, are individuals who cherish the very first picture of themselves. That first picture is usually an ultrasound picture taken before they were born. Amazing! Modern technology has been very helpful is revealing the truth of the pre-born child. This is not a “mass of tissue” or “the product of conception”. This is a human being: a person. Nothing is more sobering than the truth. Someone had asked me about the use of ultrasound equipment. In a pamphlet from our local Heartbeats, there was a statement about the use of an ultrasound to help women make the most important decision in their life. The question to me presupposed that there is no decision. You have the baby. However, there is the individual who is set on having

an abortion and the use of the ultrasound reveals the truth of the situation: this is an unborn baby. The use of an ultrasound picture may be the very first time that a woman can see her baby before she makes a life and death decision. In this case seeing is believing: she is carrying a baby. The advances in medicine and technology have been of a great benefit to all of us. These advances have come about when individuals who have a passion for the various sciences invest a great deal of time, study and reflection allowing the various principles and foundations of their individual disciplines to reveal themselves. When an individual patiently allows the object of their observation and study to reveal itself great information and insights come about. We come to know our world when we let reality reveal itself. All of our ideas will prove to be true or false only when tested against nature. A basic philosophical principle tells us that reality comes first. Our knowledge and insights flow from a firm and true grasp of reality. When it comes to the abortion issue one may have the idea that an unborn child is only a clump of cells. When tested against the reality the truth reveals that this is a human being, a baby yet to be born. True science helps us to see reality as it really is. Thousands of individuals will be flocking to Washington D.C. later this week to walk in the Annual March for Life. It is one of the largest, if not the largest gathering of people in Washington D.C. for a cause. It is also the one Major Gathering of Citizens that does not get due coverage in the news. Nevertheless, it is a peaceful and respectful gathering of Pro-life advocates. The Annual March of Life is a powerful witness to the turning of the tide in attitudes on the abortion issue. God Bless those who gather in Washington. For those who may be interested, Bishop Frederick Campbell will be the celebrant at the Respect Life Mass on Friday, January 22, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus. You are most welcome and encouraged to join in the Celebration of the Eucharist on this occasion with Bishop Campbell. In the meantime we will continue to pray for a genuine respect for the gift of life from the moment of conception until natural death. God Bless you and have a good week. Father Ralko

Church Support January 10, 2015 OFFERTORY Diocesan Tax Fenwick Subsidy Rosecrans subsidy Available for Parish Operations Parish Operating Expenses Religious Education Expenses Other Income Weekly deficit May God bless you for supporting your parish

$7,553.00 $ (650.00) $(3,060.00) ($290.00) $3,553.00 $(8,200.00) $(800.00) $2,300.00 $(3,147.00)

Thank you and God Bless.

JANUARY 17, 2016 This week we pray Week II of the Liturgy of the hours. We pray for the following who have died recently: Mary C. Hoffer

We welcome into the Church this weekend through Baptism: Carly Elizabeth Anne Dady, Michael Lee Joseph Dady, Zane David Michael Moody & Mallory Mae Kenzie Moody Children of Michael L. Dady & Mary E. Perry

RELIVE THE JOY OF THE EARLY DAYS OF YOUR MARRIAGE Learn how at a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend! Its 44 hours where you focus only on each other. The next two weekends are February 19-21 and April 22-24, both in central Ohio. For more information or to register, contact Paul & Marilou Clouse at 614-834-6880 or visit our website at www.wwmecolumbus.org

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS Mercy - A Middle School Event! - Sunday, January 17th, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Grades 6-8. St. Nicholas Teen Center, Parish Office, Lower Level Beautiful - All Girl Event! - Sunday, January 31st. 12:30 4:00 p.m. Girls ages 13-18. Guest Speakers: Kay Denbow & Bernadette Rodgers. Music by Rachel Taylor. Event begins with lunch at 12:30 p.m. Topics include: The Art of Journaling, Bread Baking and True Beauty. The event is free, however reservations are requested. Please call (740) 4535173 to reserve your spot today! St. Nicholas Teen Center Parish Office, Lower Level. PRE JORDAN CLASS Pre Jordan Class for parents and godparents of infants and small children to be baptized will be held on Tuesday, January 26 at 7 PM in the Parish Office Building. Call Mary Lou Staker at 740- 453-7141 to register. CONFIRMATION SERVICE PROJECT St. Nicholas’ Confirmation candidates will participate in a service project at Starlight School on Thursday, January 21 From 3:15 – 4:30 PM. Candidates are to bring simple games and snacks to share with the Starlight students. MASS OF HEALING A Mass of Healing and Healing Service will be held on Monday, January 18, 6:30 p.m., at St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 East Broad Street, in downtown Columbus. Fr. Michael Hinterschied will celebrate the Mass and provide the homily. Following the Mass of Healing, a Healing Service will take place beginning with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Veneration of relics of the True Cross, with each person having the opportunity to speak individually with one of several priests present to discuss their particular situation and receive a prayer of healing; the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will also be available. The Healing Service will conclude with Benediction. All persons who seek healing – cancer, heart, all physical illnesses and infirmities – are invited, as are family members, caregivers, and medical professionals. For questions, please call St. Joseph Cathedral, (614) 224-1295.

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 rescheduled for Tuesday, January 19th at 6:00 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Parish Office. The next bake sale will be February 21st. RIGHT TO LIFE Muskingum Valley Right to Life will again charter a bus to the January 22nd “March for Life” in Washington D.C. Please register soon. For more information call (740)452-9806 or (740)297-0154.

PARISH OFFICE CLOSED The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, January 18th in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed. January 24, 2016 Saturday, January 23 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Nancy Susa, Nichole Hannahs Server: Ronald Davis, Judi Peterson Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Don Susa Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Ted Lacy, Pauline Davis Eucharistic Minister: Jim Pottmeyer, Margaret Kronenbitter, Karen Robinson, Judy Hamilton Sunday, January 24 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Sue Hillis, Tom C. Pitcock Server: David Eppley Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Mary Mirgon Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Carol Kohler, Marvin Paul Eucharistic Minister: Patrick Durant Sunday, January 24 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: Samantha Swackhammer, Joy Larson Server: Scott Peterson, Gabe Skrobot Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Paula Peterson Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Dodi Sealock, Susan Swackhammer Eucharistic Minister: Betsy Skrobot, Linda Haswell, John Haswell, Larry Taylor Sunday, January 24 @ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Patty Logan, Sam Palleschi Server: Christina Rozsa, Victoria Hall Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Jeff Shawger Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Carolyn Arnold, Karen Hardman Eucharistic Minister: Marianne Hall, Mary Lou Staker, Dan Snider, Charlotte Snider

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.

What’s Happening in Our Parish MONDAY, January 18 Parish Office closed, Martin Luther King Jr., Day

8:00 a.m., Mass: Dennis Roehrig, Church TUESDAY, January 19 8:00 a.m., Mass: George Pappas, Sr. Church WEDNESDAY, January 20, St. Fabian, St. Sebastian 8:10 a.m., School Mass: Mary Beth Lacy, Church 7:00 p.m., R.C.I.A., Parish Office, lower level THURSDAY, January 21, St. Agnes 8:00 a.m., Mass: Betty LaFatch, Church

FRIDAY, January 22, Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children 8:00 a.m., Mass: In memory of all aborted children, Church SATURDAY, January 23 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Confessions, Church

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SATURDAY, January 23 5:15 p.m., Mass: Edith Schramm, Church SUNDAY, January 24 7:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: Wayne Dozer, Church 9:45 a.m. Religious Education, School 11:30 a.m., Mass: Martha Estadt, Church

Readings for Week of January 18, 2016 Mon. . . . . . . . Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . . Thurs. . . . . . . . Fri. . . . . . . . . . Sat. . . . . . . . . .

INCOME TAX If you would like to have a record of your donations to the Church for tax purposes, please fill in your envelope number, name and address or email and place it in the collection basket. A statement will be sent to you. Envelope No._____________________________ Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________or Email address____________________________

Sun . . . . . . . .

1Sm 15:16-23 1Sm 16:1-13 1Sm 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 1Sm 18:6-9; 19:1-7 1Sm 24:3-21 2Sm 1:1-4, 1112, 19, 23-27 Accts 22:3-16

Mk 2:18-22 Mk 2:23-28 Mk 3:1-6 Mk 3:7-12 Mk 3:13-19 Mk 3:20-21 Mk 16:15-18