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SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH From the Pastor’s Desk Today we observe the Second Sunday of Lent. For the Second Sunday of Lent we always read one of the Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This year we read from the Gospel of St. Luke. This vision and mystical event was a pure gift for the good of the Apostles; Peter, James and John. This awesome revelation was a gift from God to strengthen the Apostles for the future scandal of the Cross. It was also a revelation about the identity of Jesus. This special moment was shared with them because of their closeness with Jesus. It was intended to draw the disciples into a deeper relationship with Jesus. The mystical vision with the appearance of Moses and Elijah in conversation with Jesus indicates that there is an important relationship between them. Moses stands for the Law of God and Elijah stands for the Prophetic Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God in the flesh: the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. All is found in him and fulfilled in him. This is in part a deeper understanding of the Incarnation. This is in part a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ. This will lead the disciples into a deeper realization of the true identity of Jesus Christ. This revelation will grow in the future. However, they will first witness the death of Jesus of which words could never explain at that time. This is followed by the resurrection of Jesus. Again, this is beyond words. These experiences, the Transfiguration, Death and Resurrection, will eventually find understanding and expression with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will take them into a deeper understanding and expression of the true nature of Jesus. It all had to start somewhere. There is the whole story of Israel leading up to the coming of the Messiah. There is the life of Jesus revealing him as the long waited for Messiah. There is his passion, death, resurrection and ascension. Then there is the celebration of Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit. These events had to be experienced first. It is only after the fact, in light of the Holy Spirit, that the meaning begins to emerge and develop. A couple of years ago I was able to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I had the privilege of offering a Mass at the place of the Transfiguration for our group. It had dawned on me that a theological reflection just didn’t seem to be the call for the day. Instead my reflection was from the words of the Apostles. “Lord it is good that we are here.” That was precisely the point, especially for the pilgrimage in total. Just like a picture is worth a thousand words, being in the Holy Land was priceless. In fact that is the power of going on a pilgrimage. We can read all the brochures, texts and look at dozens of pictures etc. but there is nothing like being there that makes the whole thing real. To be privileged in having an intense experience is food for thought and reflection for years to come. It is also a source of encouragement and strength. This is not an uncommon experience for many of us. In challenging times and difficulties in the priesthood I personally recall the day of ordination. That was a graced moment: a pure gift from God. It took some time to fully appreciate the power of that moment. It took time to get into the practice of recalling and reflecting on that moment. However, over the years with every new challenge and new assignment it became a greater source of insight, nourishment and strength.

Whenever I visit my sister’s home I always notice a picture on her refrigerator. It is a picture from her wedding day. It was an impromptu photo that a friend had taken. The young couple had such pure joy in their faces. That photo is always there and it remains as a tangible reminder and a source of encouragement to them for more than a quarter century. I am sure that many married couples have this same experience. Through the years of marriage they have gained greater insight, nourishment and strength to live their marriage every day when they recall the grace of the moment of their vows. At least that is the way it should be. The one thing that is essential is what helped the Apostles: the gift of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit greater insights, nourishment and strength will be provided. This is why prayer and reflection are so very important: both communal and private. “Lord it is good for us to be here.” Some things are beyond explanation. The experience must be received. Let it be as it is and let it reveal itself in its own time. It is true that during the vision, Peter wanted to do something: “Let us build three tents…” The voice from the heavens stopped him in his tracks. It is a natural thing for all of us to want to do something. We are so oriented to doing things. We are people of action. Sometimes we get so caught up with doing that we don’t see how important it is in just being. We get caught up in identifying our lives by what we do and accomplish. We find little value in just being in the presence of the moment. Peter, James and John were in the middle of a very intense moment and Peter’s response was to do rather than to just be in the moment and receive this awesome vision. He was in danger of missing the moment. I was in a conversation with a friend of mine during my last trip to Detroit. We had lunch and then decided to make a visit at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. We were curious to see what they did with their recent renovation. As we were sitting in the cathedral we found ourselves having a discussion on Eucharistic Adoration. My friend spoke about all the books that could be read during the time of Adoration: there is so much one can do during a Holy Hour. One thing that was overlooked was the very notion of Adoration. We tend to preoccupy ourselves with doing something: we like to read, say a number of prayers all of which are good and necessary. However, sometimes we just need to be in the presence of Christ. “Lord it is good that we are here.” Instead of trying to make our time “productive” by our doing, maybe we should just let go of our doing and just give our time to God in being in Adoration before him. Oddly, this is the more “productive” encounter with God. “Lord it is good that we are here.” At the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John did not earn or deserved anything, they could only receive. They received because they were spending time with Jesus and it was his gift. Just the same, we cannot earn grace or holiness. It is a gift: a pure gift. During our Lenten Season we find that we are doing many things. We are busy and get caught up in the pattern of doing. This is the pattern of our lives. During Lent we also try to make an effort to work on our spiritual life. This is all good and reflects a seriousness we take when it comes to our relationship with God. However, we should not get so caught up in our doing and overlook that at times we just need to be quiet and receptive in God’s presence: we just need to be in God’s presence. Some things we can only receive. In order to receive we simply need to be silent: watching and waiting on

FEBRUARY 21, 2016 the Lord. This sounds simple but in reality it is the more difficult path to holiness. A path that is in the last analysis a selfless surrender to God’s will. Have a Blessed Lenten Week. Father Ralko

Church Support February 14, 2016 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

$6,862.00 $ (650.00) $(3,060.00) ($290.00) $2,862.00 $(8,200.00) $(800.00) $2,300.00 $ (3,838.00)

Thank you and God Bless.

2016 Annual Catholic Men's Conference February 27th, 2016 -8:00a.m.-2:45 p.m. Voinovich Building Ohio Expo Center 717 E. 17th Ave Columbus OH 43211. Presented by: Catholic Men’s Ministry Diocese of Columbus For more information or to find out about carpooling to the conference contact Mike Musselman at 740-452-9806. Register online: columbuscatholicmen.com MONDAY NIGHT LENTEN PROGRAM During Lent, Fr. Ralko is offering a program focusing on the Mass. He is using Dr. Edward Sri’s video presentation on “The Mass”. Dr. Edward Sri is a nationally-known Catholic speaker and the author of several books. He is a professor of Sacred Theology and Scripture. His presentations are easy to understand and inspiring. Father is confident that many will find them helpful in understanding the mass better with the hopeful outcome of greater participation in this great prayer of the Church. The program will be held in the Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. All are most welcome to join us.

This week we pray Week II of the Liturgy of the hours. We pray for the following who have died recently:

Laura Hemmer

MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT Sunday, February 21, 2016 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Students will meet to prepare for the Walking Stations of the Cross to be held on Good Friday in Zanesville. All students in grades 6-8 are welcome! DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA BAKE SALE The Daughters of Isabella will host a bake sale on Sunday, February 21 after all masses. LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND MEAGER MEALS During the Lenten season, St. Nicholas prays the Stations of the Cross each Friday at 7 p.m. This is preceded by Meager Meals at 6 p.m. Meager Meals consists of meatless soup, bread and cheese. Join us in the church basement at 6 p.m. for dinner and then to the church for prayer. If you would like to volunteer to make soup or bring bread and cheese for one evening, call Mary Lou Staker at 740 453 7141.

UNTIL DEATH DO US PART Your marriage will be more ready for the long haul after taking a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend! April 22-24, 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

Knights of Columbus #505 275 Sunrise Center Every Friday through Lent - Open to the Public Fish Fry Menu 3 PC Lager Battered Cod 2 Sides $7.50 3 PC Breaded Perch 2 Sides $7.50 Baked Tilapia 2 Sides $8.50 Sides: French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Cole Slaw, Macaroni Salad, Potato Salad, Cottage Cheese, Applesauce, Italian Pasta, Green Beans, Brussels sprouts, Succotash, Glazed Carrots Dessert: Mini Cherry Cheese Cake or White Cake with Cream Cheese & Strawberry Icing $1.50

Buy a $25 ticket today to be eligible to receive prizes of up to $5,000! Visit our websites or come into the school offices for tickets or download from: http://www.rosecrans.cdeducation.org/ne…/fundraisingevents/ . Proceeds from the tickets sales will go towards tuition for students of the Catholic Schools of Zanesville.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed.

What’s Happening in Our Parish

February 28, 2016 Third Sunday of Lent

MONDAY, February 22, The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle

Saturday, February 27 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Tom J. Pitcock, Bill Sullivan Server: Ted Lacy, Ronald Davis Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Molly Ritchey Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Dan Snider, Charlotte Snider Eucharistic Minister: Judi Peterson, Janis Maziar, Margaret Kronenbitter, Paul Ritchey Sunday, February 28 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Tom C. Pitcock, Sue Hillis Server: Mason Harmon, Rex Hankinson Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Marvin Paul Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Philip Kocoloski, Carolyn Arnold Eucharistic Minister: Nancy Thompson Sunday, February 28 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: Jim Gable, Diane Hoffer Server: Nicholas Hoffer, Scott Peterson Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Rose Jones Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: John Haswell, Paula Peterson Eucharistic Minister: Dan Sylvester, Sandy Black, Linda Haswell, Roger Jones Sunday, February 28@ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Wendy Hart, Patty Logan Server: Nathan Hart, Justin Hart Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Karen Hardman Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Marianne Hall, Jim Pottmeyer Eucharistic Minister: Jim McKee, Judy Hamilton, Mike Musselman, Corinne Musselman

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.

8:00 a.m., Mass: Gregory Blake, Church 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Sign Language Class, Parish Office 7:00p.m. Lenten Program, Church

TUESDAY, February 23 8:00 a.m., Mass: Kay DeWitt, Church 6:00-7:00 p.m., Confessions, Church

WEDNESDAY, February 24 8:10 a.m., School Mass: John & Dorothy Walker, Church THURSDAY, February 25 8:00 a.m., Mass: Lois Shiplett, Birthday, Church

FRIDAY, February 26, 8:00 a.m., Mass: Margaret Denbow, Church 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Confessions, Church 6:00 p.m., Meager Meals, Church 7:00 p.m., Stations of the Cross, Church SATURDAY, February 27 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Confessions, Church

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT SATURDAY, February 27 5:15 p.m., Mass: Carl Masters, Birthday, Church SUNDAY, February 28 7:30 a.m., Mass: Winnie Hill, Anniversary, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: Herb Coury, Church 9:45 a.m. Religious Education, School 11:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church

Readings for Week of February 22, 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 . . . . . . . .

1 Pt 5:1-4 Is 1:10, 16-20 Jer 18:18-20 Jer 17:5-10 Gn 37:3-4, 1213a, 17b-28a Mi 7:14-15, 18-20 Ex 3:1-8a, 1315

Mt 16:13-19 Mt 23:1-12 Mt 20:17-28 Lk 16:19-31 Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Lk 9:28b-36