bulletin 11-05-2017

THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH From the Pastor’s Desk This past week we celebrated the feast of All Souls’. We pray for all the deceased members of our families, friends and most especially we remember those parishioners who have died this past year. (We will remember them today as well in the Prayer of the Faithful.) We have all been touched by death in one way or another. We all have family and friends who have passed away. With Christian charity we pause and pray for the repose of their souls. This is a good and charitable use of our time especially during this season as we draw closer to the end of another liturgical year. We are all in need of prayers because we are all guilty of sin. We are all in need of God’s gracious mercy. This is the truth of being human and living in this imperfect world. Thus we also pray for our beloved deceased knowing we are all in need of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. This is part of being members of the Church; the Body of Christ; the communion of saints. There is much for our reflection when it comes to the mystery of death. For the most part we are not comfortable in considering death for fear that we may sound a bit morose. But to think and speak of death is necessary at some point in our lives. Thus it can be a healthy thing to do in considering the “last things.” In our consideration we are also confronted with the most important things in life. When pondering the last things we have to realize that the trivial is no longer important and what is important is no longer trivial. No one who has ever lived is sinless except for Jesus and his mother Mary. Apart from that we have all sinned to one degree or another. It is part of our human lot and tells us we are not perfect and cannot save ourselves. We are in need of a Savior. So we speak of Jesus Christ as our savior. Who out of great love and faithfulness to us, he has entered his creation to restore it by conquering sin and death: the greatest destructive force. If Jesus has conquered sin and death why do we have to pray for the dead? Aren’t they already saved? Salvation is assured for all in Jesus Christ. However, we have to make a proper and grateful response for this incredible gift. That response is to freely accept this great gift of his mercy and to live a life worthy of the gift we have received. Sometimes we do not rise up and live a life worthy of the great gift we have received… we sin. This is when we make the trivial important and the important trivial. Understandably we are in need of repentance. When someone in our family or circle of friends dies we want to hope for the best and we want to believe that they are in heaven with God. This is a good and natural desire. However, if we are really honest we know the deceased not only as a good person but we are also aware of some, but not all, of their shortcomings… their sins. We cannot close our eyes to this fact. Thus we must pray for them seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness. This is intercessory prayer. In our Catholic Christian tradition as we speak of death we also speak of purgatory: a “place” or a “time” of purification. Some consider it a place of punishment for “small sins”. I think there is a better way to consider Purgatory. We should consider Purgatory as a “place” of love. God is Love and desires our salvation. Purgatory exists because God loves us and wants us to experience his love perfectly. In the Beatitudes we hear Jesus tell us that we can only experience the fullness of God’s love with a pure heart. “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.” (Matthew) Truth be told, we are not ready to see God face to face. We need to be prepared. We need a pure heart. I often think of Purgatory as looking into the “eye of love.” If we have ever offended or hurt someone who loves us

dearly we find it difficult to look them in the eye. The experience is in a sense “painful”. It is painful because it is purifying; as uncomfortable as it may be we have to speak the truth. We have to express our responsibility and speak our apology. Looking into the “Eyes of Love” is a matter of admitting the truth of one’s offenses against the beloved and expressing sorrow. This is purgation: it is purgatory. At one point we will all have to look God in the eye. If we have grown in our loving relationship with God in this world we will find this time of purgation to be pure joy. If however, we have not grown in our loving relationship with God we will find it most difficult and resist it; maybe for a very long time. God desires our purity of heart. On our part we should be eager to have pure hearts in order to fully embrace the love of God. Just as God has this desire for us, we should also have this very same desire for ourselves. It is also a desire for out deceased loved ones. In this sense purgatory is a gift that purifies. It is not the punishment we are quick to believe. God is love as St John tells us in his first epistle. This is a very important starting point for our understanding of our eventual encounter with God. God is also truth. When all is said and done in this world and it is time for us to encounter God we must speak the truth of our lives. We cannot fake our love, faithfulness and hope in God. We can fool others but we can never fool God. To think that we can fake our faithfulness and love for God would be a lie and we cannot lie to God and still look God in the eye. Reconciliation, purification is necessary. If we cannot live in truth we will find ourselves living in torment. We know this is true in our loving relationships in this world. This is also a glimpse into the next. Out of love we pray for our beloved dead that they may enjoy the full embrace of God’s love. We pray that they may now be in full communion with God. Purification would be a necessary part of that perfect communion. We also pray for all the poor souls in Purgatory. A sad reality is that there are many poor souls who do not have prayers being offered for them. This may be due to an understanding that rarely considers that prayers for the dead are necessary. It may also be due to a presumption that all souls go directly to heaven upon death. This is a presumption and this presumption is seriously erroneous. It negates the need for a savior and a purification of heart and soul. This presumption renders the cross of Christ powerless. It overlooks the need for a good and virtuous life: a faithful loving response to God that is reflected in repentance and the avoidance of sin. Thus, in Christian charity we pray for those who are in the greatest need of God’s mercy here and in purgatory; known and unknown. We pray that all may be open and ready to receive the merciful and life-giving love of God. Thus we pray: Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. May their souls, and all the souls of the faithfully departed, rest in peace. Amen. Lastly, I would like to thank Father Stattmiller for covering my Sunday morning masses. I appreciate his generous assistance. Also, I was unable to get coverage this week for our weekday morning masses. Thus there will not be weekday masses this week. However, be mindful that St. Thomas Aquinas Church has a morning mass at 9:00 a.m. Have a blessed week. Father Ralko

NOVEMBER 5, 2017 Note Well. Tuesday November 7th is an election day. As responsible citizens we acknowledge that we have a duty to cast our vote. I find it disappointing when I hear that it is expected that there will be a low voter turnout at the polling stations. This is truly embarrassing. The suggestion of low voter turnout caters to an indifferent voting population. Instead of indifference we need to take all elections seriously. We must be committed to fulfilling our civic duty in voting in every election: especially in all mid-term elections. This mid-term election is of great importance since we are voting on various issues that concern our state and local governance as well as individuals who will be representing us in our local city, county and township governing bodies. This is no trifle matter. Please fulfill your civic duty and cast your vote on Tuesday.

Church Support OCTOBER 29, 2017 OFFERTORY $8,141.00 Diocesan Tax $(770.00) Fenwick Subsidy $(2,635.00) Rosecrans subsidy $(485.00) Available for Parish Operations $4,252.00 Parish Operating Expenses $(7,825.00) Religious Education Expenses $(890.00) Other Income $1,855.00 Weekly deficit $(2,608.00) May God bless you for supporting your parish

Thank you and God Bless. This week we pray Week III of the Liturgy of the hours. Zanesville Catholic Teens Sunday, November 5th Fishers of Men Sisters who Serve Vocations!?! A High School Event 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. St. Nicholas Teen Center ST. NICHOLAS PARISH BREAKFAST

All are invited to join the students for breakfast next Sunday, November 12 in the St. Nicholas Church basement following all Masses. POSITION OPEN AT BISHOP ROSECRANS Bishop Rosecrans High School is seeking a Maintenance Supervisor beginning December 1, 2017. This position is full time. Contact the Bishop Rosecrans High School office at 452-7504 for more information. DIRECTORY PHOTOS If you had photos taken for the directory but did not order additional photos your complimentary 8x10 is available at church. The photos are in a box on a table in the back of the church.

Confirmation Meeting – for Candidates, Parents and Sponsors St. Nicholas will hold a meeting for all Confirmation candidates, parents and sponsors on Tuesday, November 7 at 7 p.m. in the St. Nicholas Activity Center, (gym attached to Bishop Fenwick School) on East Main St. This is a very important meeting for all to attend. Please bring a billfold size picture for our poster that will be placed in the vestibule of the church. If you have any questions, please call Mary Lou Staker at 749-453-7141. ST. NICHOLAS BAZAAR Just one week until our church bazaar on Sat. Nov. 11 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Bakers! We need your contributions of pies, cakes, cookies and candies. There will be someone at the church basement Friday, November 10 to take donations from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Also, the bazaar will be open after all Masses. Please support us in any way you can. God bless. Any questions call Mary at 740-607-6386. God bless. DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA 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, November 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Parish Office. BISHOP ROSECRANS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS It’s time again to purchase your Booster Mania tickets for the upcoming year. $25 each or three tickets for $60. January 1 is the first drawing. Questions contact Marvin Paul at 740-453-4482. BRHS Holiday Bazaar Saturday, December 2, 2017 9:00 am -3:00 pm

PUMPKIN COOKIES: To place your order by November 17 call Kevin Dooley at 740-452-5057 ext. 102. Cookies may be picked up at Dooley’s Diner, November 17-22; delivery is also available. Cost is $7 per dozen. Proceeds benefit Catholic Social Services. BASKETS OF LOVE: Catholic Social Services and the Muskingum County Center for Seniors are seeking donations for “Baskets of Love” to be delivered to homebound seniors to brighten their holiday. Items are needed for delivery by December 15. They should be placed in a small clothesbasket or a reusable canvas shopping bag and dropped off at the Catholic Social Services office at 422 Main Street, or the Muskingum County Senior Center at 160 N. 4th Street, Zanesville. Suggested items include - but are not limited to - bath & hand towels, non-skid rugs, phone cards, “gripper” pens, lined stationary, postage stamps, envelopes, large print books, shampoo, dog or cat treats, soap, razors, crossword puzzle books, bandages & ointments, mops, sponges, bleach, laundry soap, fabric softener, stain remover, sugar-free candy, toothpaste, greeting cards, paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, baby powder.

THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed.

What’s Happening in Our Parish MONDAY, November 6

November 12, 2017- Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

NO MASS

Saturday, November 11 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Nicole Hannahs, Paul Nestor Server: Mason Harmon, Wesley Nestor Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Dan Snider Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Charlotte Snider, Judy Hamilton Eucharistic Minister: Laurie Harmon, Larry Taylor, Jim Pottmeyer, Dottie Durant

TUESDAY, November 7

Sunday, November 12 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Diane Hoffer, Stephanie Bridwell Server: Wesley Wilson, Nicholas Hoffer Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Sue Hillis Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Molly Ritchey, Paul Ritchey Eucharistic Minister: Jim Hillis

NO MASS

Sunday, November 12 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: Peggy Hill, Bernard Budde Server: Thomas Bernath, Will Bernath Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Gerald Tiberio Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Claire Tiberio, Erin Roush Eucharistic Minister: Robert LaPrad, John Haswell, Linda Haswell, Jeff Shawger

SATURDAY, November 11, St. Martin of Tours

Sunday, November 12 @ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Bill Sullivan, Wendy Hart Server: Justin Hart, Nathan Hart Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Alan Burns Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Vicki Burns, Joshua Wright Eucharistic Minister: Julie Fete, Dodi Sealock, Carolyn Arnold, Karen Hardman

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.

NO MASS

WEDNESDAY, November 8 NO MASS 7:00 p.m., RCIA, lower level, Parish Office

THURSDAY, November 9, The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica FRIDAY, November 10, St. Leo the Great NO MASS

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m., Confessions, Church 5:15 p.m., Mass: L/D Members of Floss & Sullivan Families, Church

SUNDAY, November 12 7:30 a.m., Mass: Jane Durant, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church 9:45 a.m., Religious Education, School 11:30 a.m., Mass: Fred Wilson, Church

Readings for Week of November 6, 2017 Mon. . . . . . . . Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . . Thurs. . . . . . . . Fri. . . . . . . . . . Sat. . . . . . . . . . Sun . . . . . . . .

Rom 11:29-36 Rom 12:5-16b Rom 13:8-10 Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 Rom 15:14-21 Rom 16:3-9, 16, 22-27 Wis 6:12-16

Lk 14:12-14 Lk 14:15-24 Lk 14:25-33 Jn 2:13-22 Lk 16:1-8 Lk 16:9-15 Mt 25:1-13