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FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH From the Pastor’s Desk Today we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Lent. The Gospel for today is the story about the woman caught in adultery. It is a story of mercy, forgiveness and conversion… “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more”. Forgiveness is the merciful starting point in a new life graciously offered to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Last week while I was looking ahead and trying to prepare myself for the next couple of weeks I came across an article from “LifeNews.Com” concerning a case presented to the Supreme Court on March 2nd. The Supreme Court heard arguments about a Texas law requiring abortion clinics to meet higher medical standards. The Texas case was about the low medical standards for abortion clinics in the state. This case was prompted by the horrible conditions and events that took place in a clinic operated by Hermit Gosnell. In the Gosnell case a woman died and babies were actually delivered alive and killed. There was no access to emergency medical care if complications occurred. (Abortion is an immoral and messy business.) However, my reflections focus upon one particular aspect of the article that sickened me. There was a line of thinking that boldly stated that “Women need abortion in order to be successful.” The title of the article declared… “Episcopalian Priest Aborted Her Baby So She Could Finish Divinity School.” Obviously this caught my eye. I read part of it and had to stop and walk away. It took me five sittings to finish it. This is so wrong! Finally, after reading it over a couple more times I decided that I just had to say something. Again, although this is so wrong on so many levels, this is not a condemnation of the individual. This is a condemnation of the choices and the thinking behind the actions. This is the material concerns of moral theology. Pastorally, I grieve for the misguided soul of the Episcopalian priest who is the subject of the article and pray for a conversion to Jesus Christ. Quoting LifeNews.com… here is her story according to the amicus brief submitted to the U. S. Supreme Court… “If the Reverend Anne Fowler had not had access to an abortion when she became accidently pregnant after enrolling in Divinity School, she would never have been able to graduate, to serve as a parish rector, or to help the enormous number of people whose lives she has touched. Unable to pursue her calling or be the mother she wanted to be for the daughter she already had, she would have been broken.” “Fowler, who is active in the pro-abortion movement and is a leader with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, said her husband left her when she was pregnant with her first child. She gave birth to a daughter, and soon felt called to pursue the Episcopal priesthood. In 1982, during her second year at the Episcopal Divinity School, Fowler said she ‘accidentally’ became pregnant again.” “She believed her partner would not be a suitable parent; their relationship ended soon after the abortion. Already solely responsible for her daughter, Anne knew she could not complete Divinity School and pursue a career as a priest if she did not have an abortion. She never regretted her decision and is grateful that she did not have to travel far, which would have caused her additional stress and financial hardship while she cared for her young daughter.” (LifeNews.com) The article continued with a list of her accomplishments. It also states that she is a chaplain for Planned Parenthood. She

went on to say that some abortions are often “life-saving” and believes that there should be “reproductive justice.” What? This last thing, “reproductive justice” is just made up nonsense masquerading as something that sounds important and deserves serious respectful consideration. Finally, a point that women need abortions to be successful is another ludicrous and demeaning idea! What is really disturbing about this amicus brief is that it comes from an individual who is now an Episcopalian priest. The use of this brief by the pro-abortion position somehow gives their argument some kind of legitimacy. This person is a Christian and an Episcopalian priest! This testimony that claims that women need abortion in order to be successful is just like saying that women also need adultery, or stealing or lying in order to be successful. Let’s go down the list of commandments. This little twist is a wrongheaded and sinister endorsement for the pro-abortion position. But then again it is consistent for worldly success… worldly values are needed for a flawed and sinful world to thrive as a flawed and sinful world. Since this amicus brief is in the public forum it earns a public response. I am reminded of the words of St. Paul to the Philippians, of which we read on the Second Sunday of Lent. It reads… “Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us. For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their ‘shame’. Their minds are occupied with earthly things.” (Phil 3:17-4:1). (Emphasis is mine.) There are so many morally abhorrent elements to this story. The unspoken premise is a serious and wrongful notion about the Priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of the nature of the priesthood never can it happen that an individual can take a life, much less an innocent life, in order to become a priest! This is contrary to the very essence of the priest as one who is to imitate Jesus Christ who laid down his life for the sheep. The priesthood is a vocation, a calling to follow in imitation of Christ. Never can it be that an innocent human life must die to clear the way for an individual to become a priest: especially in this case for a mother to kill the child in her womb! The priest is one who will sacrifice his life for others in imitation of Christ. This particular case sets the calling to the priesthood on her terms. The priesthood is always a calling on Christ’s terms. It is not the priesthood of Anne Fowler; it is the priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from the priesthood, this is also contrary to the very essence of Christian marriage. Firstly, husband and wife selflessly put the other first and the self last. Secondly, and most importantly when it comes to children, parents always make sacrifices for their children. It can never be the other way around where parents make their children sacrifice for them: this is especially sinister when the child’s life is sacrificed for the parent’s desired life-style! The moral confusion in this case is mind boggling. The primary moral principal here is the self-will of the woman. As it is presented in the amicus brief the moral decisions were based upon the self-justification based upon the moral standards determined by the woman. Definitely not Christian Standards of morality based on Christ. Recall Pope Benedict XVI’s words about such thinking as “The Dictatorship of Relativism”. Her, not Christ’s, moral thinking is absolute!

MARCH 13, 2016 Further confusing details arise as this whole episode takes place during her second year in Divinity School which should call into question her lifestyle. She is divorced, which happens but she became “accidently” pregnant. What? She was obviously having an illicit affair while at Divinity School. Not only was she disregarding the sixth commandment, dulling her conscience, she then goes on to justify the abortion. Having an affair, becoming pregnant and having an abortion while in Divinity School do not happen accidently! Those are the actions of an individual who has a God-given free will. Besides all this mind boggling confusion, you have to ask her, “What kind of Christian witness are you showing your daughter much less others?” The self-justification for the abortion and then the break up with her “partner” was supported by what she judged: he would be a poor candidate at parenting and for marriage as well. Gee, she sounds so mature and sensible. Ironically, her “partner” becomes the scapegoat for her immoral choices: he is to blame. It is the muddled thinking of “my will over God’s will.” Then letting this nonsense to be published and submitted to the public forum is a prime example of the arrogance of sin. “Her glory is in her shame!” It is so true: Sin makes us stupid! To add to the smoke screen, the amicus brief shared all her accomplishments etc. The list sounds like the accomplishments of a social worker and not the work of a priest. The work of soothing consciences with justification for doing immoral things is not the work of converting souls to Christ. Silencing a disturbed conscience is not the same thing as saving souls for Christ. It is only in reconciling the conflicted conscience to the truth of Jesus Christ that true peace comes to the soul. Peace is not the absence of conflict but rather the presence of something: better yet of someone, Jesus Christ. A priest leads souls to Christ. When it comes to all her so-called accomplishments… the words of Mother Teresa comes to mind loud and clear: in this world “God did not call me to be successful. God called me to be faithful.” So as we read the story in today’s Gospel about the woman caught in adultery we find ourselves contemplating these things. Jesus was upset with the Pharisees (you can insert priest here) for not leading sinners to God but were taking the easy way out by condemning the woman. Although they were at opposite extremes in their approach to the Law, the Episcopalian priest and the Pharisees were guilty of not leading people to God. Jesus did not condemn her nor did Jesus not deny her seriously sinful condition. Jesus revealed the mercy and forgiveness of God. The woman was a sinner and it was presumed that there is a sinful condition that needs mercy and forgiveness. In mercy Jesus did not condemn her but he did tell her that she should not sin again. Jesus was not and is not okay with sin: on the part of the Pharisees and on the part of the woman. Thus we pray for all sinners: ourselves and others. We pray for mercy for all sinners: ourselves and others. “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven especially those in the greatest need of Thy mercy”. It is not our place to judge persons. However, we are quite capable of judging actions. This is the work of ethics and morality. For this reason we must always plead… Lord have Mercy! Have a blessed Lenten Week, Father Ralko

Church Support March 6, 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

$10,955.00 $ (650.00) $(3,060.00) ($290.00) $6,955.00 $(8,200.00) $(800.00) $2,300.00 $ 255.00

Thank you and God Bless. This week we pray Week I of the Liturgy of the hours.

Sunday, March 13th. Breakfast following the 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Masses in the St. Nicholas Church Basement. All are welcome. Teens interested in helping with the event should arrive at 7:15 a.m. MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT Sunday, March 20th, High School Students will continue working on the Walking Stations of the Cross. Students will prepare prayers for the Walking Stations of the Cross. NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME. Students will meet at the St. Nicholas Teen Center. We begin with lunch at 12:30 p.m. and be finished about 2:30 p.m. Walking Stations of the Cross - Good Friday, March 25th. 9:00 a.m. All are invited to join us as we recall Christ's walk to Golgatha. We will walk through the City of Zanesville stopping to pray at various locations throughout the city as we reflect on each station and remember Christ's suffering and pray for our brothers and sisters in our own community who are struggling with the crosses of illness, hunger, homelessness, addiction and poverty. All are welcome. Students not accompanied by parents must have a completed permission slip to participate. The Walk begins and ends in St. Nicholas Church. 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 453-7141.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FISH DINNER TO BENEFIT CAROLYN WEINER SCHOLARSHIP Friday, March 18th from 5:00-8:00 at the K of C Hall in Sunrise Center. Dinner includes fish (fried or baked), potato, coleslaw and dessert for $8.50. Please join us to support our high school seniors who plan to attend college. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FOOD DRIVE The Knights of Columbus Council 505 is conducting a canned food drive to benefit Eastside Community Ministry. Food may be dropped off at the K of C, 275 Sunrise Center, weekdays 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. or evenings (Wed.-Sat.) 5:00-9:00 p.m. 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. GREETING CARD PROJECTS The Lenten Greeting Card Project has grown into a year round project! Cards are sent approximately five times a year to homebound and Nursing Home/ Assisted Living parishioners. Birthday cards are sent to every registered parishioner over 65. The recipients tell us that the "Your Friends in Christ at St Nicholas Church" gives them a feeling of connection to the Church. Your help is needed with card donations for Birthdays, Easter and Christmas with a spiritual message, general greeting cards, and Valentines and St Patrick's Day cards for 2017. Help is also needed with postage. A basket will be in the vestibule until after Easter for card donations. Please put cash and stamp donations in an envelope labeled "Greeting Card Project" and place in the collection basket. Remember to notify the parish office when a love one becomes homebound or enters a Nursing Home so they will receive Communion visits and be added to card list. HOSPICE FUNDRAISER The Follies Family is a totally volunteer non-profit organization that produces an annual variety show with local talent. All proceeds go to help cover the cost of hospice care for people in financial need. The 2016 performance is titled “At the Movies”. The show will feature movie music from the 1930’s to present. The Follies Family would like to invite you to join them for a fun filled show. You can cheer on your neighbors and fellow parishioners while raising money to help people in their hour of need. Show date and times are March 19th at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are available now at Secrest Auditorium or on line at www.ticketleap.com. Tickets are $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door.

EASTER FLOWER DEADLINE Just A reminder, the deadline for the Easter flower envelopes is Monday March 14th.

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Wednesday 3/16 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. BRHS New Student registration and class scheduling Tuesday 3/22 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. BRHS New Student registration and class scheduling Tuition Assistance Applications due by 3:00 p.m. Thursday 3/31 for any family requesting tuition assistance from BRHS. Freshmen & New Bishops Orientation Monday 8/22 from 10am-1pm (lunch provided)

Check the school online calendar for other important dates and deadlines www.rosecrans.cdeducation.org SADIE CORRY PILGRIMAGE TO CAREY We will leave from the K of C in Sunrise Center, Zanesville at 7:55 A.M. on Wednesday, May 4th and return about 6:45 P.M. Cost is $25.00 and you may purchase your lunch at the cafeteria. Paid reservations are needed by March 30 th. Make checks payable to Margaret Kronenbitter, 2700 Wayne Ridge Rd., Zanesville, OH 43701. For information call Mary Murphy at 452-4454 or Margaret at 453-7657. BISHOP ROSECRANS ATHLETIC BOOSTER MULCH SALE Fliers are available in Church today for our annual sale. There are 5 varieties of mulch available at $10.00 per bag. Mulch must be paid for at time of order. Deadline for orders is April 6th. Pick up & delivery (for orders of 10 or more bags) will be Sunday, April 10th after 12:00 p.m. Pick up location is Paul’s Farm Market & Greenhouses. Contact Marvin Paul for more information at 453-4482.

DIVORCED? Is anyone in YOUR family DIVORCED? The Catholic’s DIVORCE SURVIVAL Guide 12-week program features 30-minute DVD shows each week that cover topics of shock, denial, anger, grief, guilt, forgiveness, money, the courts, the kids, the ex-spouse, annulment, dating, sexuality, spirituality, remarriage or staying single, and much more. Whether you got divorced ten days ago or ten years ago, the program offers valuable insight for everyone. The DVD series includes Catholic men and women who share their gutwrenching but inspiring stories of divorce and recovery. You’ll cry, laugh and be encouraged. PLEASE JOIN US. The group begins Monday, March 28, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Nicholas Parish Office Upstairs Meeting room (955 East Main Street). The program is free and includes a “Personal Survival Guide”. Find comfort and counsel consistent with Catholic teachings. Sorry, no child care available. Call the St. Nicholas Parish Office to register. - For more information about The Catholic’s DIVORCE SURVIVAL Guide go to http://www.catholicsdivorce.com/

MARCH 13, 2016 LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed.

What’s Happening in Our Parish MONDAY, March 14

March 20, 2016 Palm Sunday Saturday, March 19 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Nancy Susa, Sharon Coen Server: Ted Lacy, Ronald Davis Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Dottie Durant Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Tom Durant, Dodi Sealock Eucharistic Minister: Don Susa, Janis Maziar, Karen Robinson, Jim Pottmeyer Sunday, March 20 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Tom C. Pitcock, Stephanie Bridwell Server: David Eppley Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Jim Hillis Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Patrick Durant, Jeff Shawger Eucharistic Minister: Sue Hillis

8:00 a.m., Mass: Sister Mary Elizabeth Noll, Anniversary, Church 10:00 a.m.-11:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Confessions, Church 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Sign Language Class, Parish Office 7:00p.m. Lenten Program, Church

TUESDAY, March 15 8:00 a.m., Mass: L/D members of the Hohman &Crum families, Church 9:30 a.m.-10:30a.m.and 6:00p.m.-7:30p.m., Confessions, Church WEDNESDAY, March 16 8:10 a.m., School Mass: Mary L. Dozer Church 11:00 a.m.-12:00p.m. and 4:00 p.m.-5:00p.m., Confessions, Church 7:00 p.m., R.C.I.A., Parish Office, lower level

Sunday, March 20 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: Peggy Hill, Rocky Rowe Server: Will Bernath, Thomas Bernath Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Rosalyn Headington Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Gerald Tiberio, Claire Tiberio Eucharistic Minister: Chris Drake, Michael Drake, Larry Taylor, John Haswell

THURSDAY, March 17, St. Patrick

Sunday, March 20@ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Othello Repuyan, Sam Palleschi Server: Victoria Hall, Christina Rozsa Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Vicki Burns Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Paula Peterson, Alan Burns Eucharistic Minister: Rose Jones, Roger Jones, Scott Peterson, Judy Hamilton

SATURDAY, March 19, St. Joseph 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 1:00p.m.-2:00p.m.and 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Confessions, Church

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.

Spring Clean up – Beginning March 13, Mt. Calvary and Mt. Olive Cemeteries will begin cleaning off wintertime decorations in preparation for mowing. Families are advised to remove any personal keepsakes they wish to retain before March 13th. 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____________________________

8:00 a.m., Mass: John Cletus Michel, Church

FRIDAY, March 18, St. Cyril of Jerusalem 8:00 a.m., Mass: Marjorie Michel, Church 6:00 p.m., Meager Meals, Church 7:00 p.m., Stations of the Cross, Church

PALM SUNDAY SATURDAY, March 19 5:15 p.m., Mass: Edith Schramm, Church SUNDAY, March 20 7:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: Bernard Barnes, Anniversary, Church 9:45 a.m. Religious Education, School 11:30 a.m., Mass: Violet (June) Shawger, Church

Readings for Week of March 14, 2016 Mon. . . . . . . .

Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . . Thurs. . . . . . . . Fri. . . . . . . . . . Sat. . . . . . . . . . Sun . . . . . . . .

Dn 13:1-9, 1517, 19-30, 3362 Nm 21:4-9 Dn 3:14-20, 9192, 95 Gn 17:3-9 Jer 20:10-13 Sm 7:4-5a, 1214a, 16 Lk 19:28-40

Jn 8:12-20

Jn 8:21-30 Jn 8:31-42 Jn 8:51-59 Jn 10:31-42 Lk 2:41-51a Lk 22:14-23:56

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT