FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
ST. NICHOLAS PARISH From the Pastor’s Desk Today we celebrate the National Holiday; Mother’s Day. We wish all our mothers a blessed and joyful day. Every one of us is blessed with a mother. Many of our mothers have gone before us from this life. Nevertheless, we all have a mother and we offer our prayer of thanksgiving to God for the gift of our mother. We also ask God’s continued blessings upon them, as we should do every day, yet today we honor them in a special way as we celebrate Mother’s Day. As we celebrate Mother’s Day it should be noted that we do so during the month of May. It is our custom within our Catholic Tradition to dedicate the Month of May to the Blessed Mother of Jesus: Mary. In Mary we see the model for Christian Discipleship and most especially a true model for all Christian Mothers. This is a great challenge and not a pious platitude. The primary motive in all of Mary’s life is Virtue of Love. We can say that the one who is the Immaculate Conception, conceived without Original Sin, who is “full of grace”, received from God the gift of the Theological Virtues. We are familiar with the Theological Virtues; faith, hope and love. These virtues are gifts from God. Without the stain of Original Sin, Mary was pure of heart. In the purity of her sinless heart, Mary was selfless. Mary had an innocent selfless love for God. This love moved her to faith and hope in God. As St. Paul reminds us… Faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love. Her love moved her to faith and hope. Mary as the model for Christians is a model of the virtue of love. In the life of all Christians love has primacy. It is first in all things. Our love for God and others is a response to the love of God. The love of God precedes all things. God loves us first. It is only then that we are able to come to know love and to live the virtue of love. We see this from the very beginning in the story of creation. All of creation is a spontaneous act of the love of God. Our life/love is a response to this great pouring of God’s love. As Christians we have a model to respond to God’s love. That model is Mary. We find Mary’s response at the beginning of the Gospel of St. Luke. Mary’s response to the love of God was her “yes” to the message of the Angel: “Let it be done to me as you say.” Her loving response was in the form of trust: faith. As a Christian people we are to take our direction from Mary. This is not particularly easy for us since we live in a world tainted and broken by sin. We tend to be cautious. We follow a pattern that relies upon knowledge before we give our consent or trust. We prefer to know everything first in order to believe. We like a sure thing. It is not unreasonable for us to have to have some information before we trust. We aren’t fools; we know we live in a sinful world. Even in the very early days of the Church people were dependant on information presented by the eye-witness accounts of the Apostles. This information was necessary for people to make an act of faith in what Apostles preached about Jesus Christ. This information was also necessary for the people to know of the love of God and to respond to that love with love. The revelation proclaimed by the Apostles was a gift preached with faith, hope and love. The initial response of the people was an act of faith, hope and love. However, the initial response of the people had to mature. The people had to grow in their faith, hope and love. They did so from a new perspective: from inside the Christian Community.
Once “inside” the Church things start to look different. Instead of looking from a world tainted by sin, one begins to see the world from a Divine perspective: as God would have us view it. One begins to see the world through the lenses of the theological virtues: faith, hope and love. This changes our perspective in a completely different way from what we have grown accustomed: from the tainted view of sin. “Outside” the Church we hedge our love until we are sure of the object of love, that it is beneficial and it will be reciprocated. “Inside” the Church we know we are loved and that we love no matter the cost. We also love in order to know the object of our love in a more mature way. We love before we know fully because we are loved first. In a world tainted by sin we want to understand before we trust. Within the Church we think like St. Thomas Aquinas who pointed out that Faith seeks reason. We believe so that we can understand. This is very similar with the virtue of hope. With the virtue of hope we can now say that “I persevere because I have hope” rather than “I have hope because I persevered”. The Blessed Mother received God’s message from an Angel that she was blessed and called by God. Mary’s humble response was that of the Christian: a “yes” to God’s goodness with the response in the form of faith, hope and love. Reflections on the life of Blessed Mother are a meditation on the School of Virtue. Mary did not know what was in store for her down the road after she said yes to God. She did not understand all that was happening, but she treasured these things in her heart as she trusted God. She trusted and persevered knowing that God would provide even as she painfully stood at the foot of the cross. Through it all she faithfully loved God. Through it all her faith, hope and love matured. This is particularly important for all Christians. It is also important to all Christian mothers. In our secular world there is little said of the importance of taking the Blessed Mother as a model for Christian mothers. For some reason the mere suggestion of the Blessed Mother as a model for Christian mothers does not sit well with modern day women. Such a suggestion coming from the Catholic Church seems antiquated, quaint and maybe a trace of sexism. In a secularized world, tainted by sin, such an idea of virtue is counter cultural. Nevertheless, motherhood requires a selfless “yes” to life. For the Christian mother this selfless “yes” is primarily ordered to God. The school of Christian virtue is the Christian home. Mothers hold a special place of honor for their children. The Christian mother is a special channel of grace for their children. All mothers, to various degrees of success, teach their children virtues from a very early age. It is the Christian Mother who, as a channel of grace, teaches the Theological Virtues to their children in word and action from a very early age. It is not an antiquated, quaint or sexist thing to encourage mothers to seek the Blessed Mother’s intersession, inspiration and example in teaching their children the most important lessons in life. Is it unreasonable to want our children to live their lives as faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ? As a Christian Community we believe that we have a wonderful model for Christian discipleship in the Blessed Mother. We know that as we turn to her she will lead us to her Divine Son: Jesus. She will teach us to love and follow her Divine Son since no human has ever loved the Lord more in this life than his own mother. In a more precise way the Blessed Mother models true discipleship for the Christian
MAY 8, 2016 mother. She is the model of love for her child. She is also the model of the Christian virtues. Who else could possibly model Christian motherhood better than the Blessed Mother? Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, may God in his goodness bless all our moms. As His grace fills their lives may they be examples of faith, hope and love. Let us respond to this grace with love, honor and respect for the wonderful gift of our mothers. Happy Mother’s Day Father Ralko Note Well: On a completely different topic… you may notice that the Bishops Annual Appeal envelopes have appeared in the pews. We will address this year’s campaign and encourage you to prayerfully consider a pledge for the support of the Diocese of Columbus.
Church Support May 1, 2016 OFFERTORY $11,861.00 Diocesan Tax $ (650.00) Fenwick Subsidy $(3,060.00) Rosecrans subsidy ($290.00) Available for Parish Operations $7,861.00 Parish Operating Expenses $(8,200.00) Religious Education Expenses $(800.00) Other Income $2,300.00 Weekly deficit $1,161.00 May God bless you for supporting your parish This week we pray Week III of the Liturgy of the hours.
Congratulations to the following second graders who made their First Holy Communion Sunday, May 1 at the 11:30 Mass Gage Joseph Bee Nathan Joseph Hustey Tyler Christopher Bernett Brennan Nolan Jones Nicholas John Bernath John Andrew Lepi Aeris Anna Celes Burgette Ryleigh Quinn McClain Jaclyn Hope Connell Aidan Wilson Miller Cecilia Mattalynn Ewart Zane David Michael Moody Joseph Paul Ewart Logan Thomas Pratt Logan Michael Goldsmith Lucas Bane Sowers Ethan Marcus Hammersley Claire Lynn Ward
CARD PARTY The Daughters of Isabella will sponsor a Card Party on Tuesday, June 14th in the St. Nicholas Social Hall (church basement). The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and play will being at 7:00 p.m. There will be door prizes and refreshments. The cost to play is $3.00. Bishops Annual Appeal “Our Church, in this Year of Mercy, reminds us to renew our commitment to care for others. The life of Jesus exemplifies a great empathy and love for all of God’s children. Through our prayers and contributions, we too can show our care and love of our brothers and sisters by supporting the vital ministries and programs, made possible by the Appeal. The good people of our parish will benefit from many of these programs. For instance, the education of our youth through the support of Catholic Schools and our Parish School of Religion, preparation courses for those about to be married, and the education of our future priests and deacons, just to name a few. This year our parish goal is $75,498.67 which can be realized if everyone answers the call. Any amount raised over this goal will be returned to our parish to be used for our needs. No gift is too small, so please pray about this and give what you can. “Emmanuel- Be His Hope To Others- God With Us.”” Pre Jordan Class St. Nicholas will hold a Pre Jordan Class for parents and godparents of infants and small children who are to be baptized on Tuesday, May 31 at 7 PM in the Parish Office Building. Please call Mary Lou Staker 740-4537141 to register. Bishop Fenwick School is Seeking Teachers for the 2016 – 2017 School Year Bishop Fenwick School is currently accepting applications for the following teaching positions: Middle School (grades 6-8) language arts teacher Requirements: 1. Hold an appropriate Ohio teaching license (K-8, 1-8, or 4-9 language arts; professional, provisional, permanent, or Resident Educator) or be eligible to obtain one by August 2016 2. Current BCI&I and FBI background checks 3. Attend a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children Safe Environment seminar An Intervention Specialist Requirements: 1. Hold an appropriate Ohio teaching license or be eligible to obtain one by August 2016 2. Current BCI&I and FBI background checks 3. Attend a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children Safe Environment seminar If you are qualified and interested in one of these positions, please send your resume to Kelly Sagan via email
[email protected] or mail/bring your resume to the school office. You must also complete the application found on the Diocese of Columbus, Office of Catholic Schools website. http://dfe.cdeducation.org/app/teach.html Congratulations Recent Booster Mania Winners Marge Greene, Craig Svab, Karen Lyon, Kaela Meyer, Chris Miller, Mike Butcher, Mark Dosch, Marcy Fulk
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed. May 15, 2016 Pentecost Sunday Saturday, May 14 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Bill Sullivan, Nichole Hannahs Server: Luke Pratt, Christine Rozsa Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Janis Maziar Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Ted Lacy, Dan Snider Eucharistic Minister: Larry Taylor, Karen Robinson, Charlotte Snider, Don Susa
What’s Happening in Our Parish MONDAY, May 9 8:00 a.m., Mass: Robert Strickler, Church 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Sign Language Class, Parish Office 7:00 p.m., Catholic Divorce Survival Guide, Parish Office
TUESDAY, May 10 8:00 a.m., Mass: John & Dorothy Walker, Church
WEDNESDAY, May 11 8:10 a.m., School Mass: Paul Bryson, anniversary, Church
THURSDAY, May 12 Sunday, May 15 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Tom C. Pitcock, Sue Hillis Server: Mason Harmon, Rex Hankinson Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Philip Kocoloski Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Carol Kohler, Mary Mirgon Eucharistic Minister: Patrick Durant Sunday, May 15 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: Susan Thompson, Patty Barnes Server: Gabe Skrobot, Bill Altier Eucharistic Minister - Coord: David Skrobot Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Nancy Hoffer, Jim Pottmeyer Eucharistic Minister: Betsy Skrobot, Rosalyn Headington, Susie Altier, Mike Hoffer Sunday, May 15 @ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Keena Hansel, Wendy Hart Server: Nathan Hart, Justin Hart Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Scott Peterson Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Jim McKee, Judy Hamilton Eucharistic Minister: Paula Peterson, Carolyn Arnold, Diana Dunn, Dodi Sealock
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.
8:00 a.m., Mass: Irene Dillon, Church
FRIDAY, May 13, Our Lady of Fatima 8:00 a.m., Mass: Jane Durant, Church
SATURDAY, May 14, St. Matthias 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Confessions, Church
Pentecost Sunday SATURDAY, May 14 5:15 p.m. Mass: Mrs. Jerry Sullivan, Church SUNDAY, May 15 7:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: Hazel Graham, Church 9:45 a.m. Religious Education, School 11:30 a.m., Mass, Bob Cherrington, Church
Readings for Week of May 9, 2016 Mon. . . . . . . . Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . . Thurs. . . . . . . . Fri. . . . . . . . . . Sat. . . . . . . . . . Sun . . . . . . . .
Acts 19:1-8 Acts 20:17-27 Acts 20:28-38 Acts 22:30;23:6-11 Acts 25:13b-21 Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 Acts 2:1-11
Jn 16:29-33 Jn 17:1-11a Jn 17:11b-19 Jn 17:20-26 Jn 21:15-19 Jn 15:9-17 Jn 14:15-16, 23b-26
