THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
ST. NICHOLAS PARISH From the Pastor’s Desk Today we celebrate the Solemn Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian Life. God alone can make it known to us by revealing himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” (CCC 261). The Most Holy Trinity is a Divinely revealed truth. It is a mystery that continually reveals itself to us and of which we can never exhaust. As such, the mystery of the Holy Trinity tends to evoke in many Christians a sense of distance and lack of connection with the everyday life of a Christian. Consequently many find it difficult to grasp the concept and celebrate this solemn celebration we observe on this Sunday after Pentecost. As we all know, throughout the liturgical year we have solemn celebrations focusing on the events of our salvation. Three of these Solemnities are the Nativity of the Lord, the Easter Triduum and Pentecost. These celebrations are preceded by a penitential season, Advent and Lent, in order to be prepared with purity of heart to celebrate these Solemnities. These two penitential seasons are followed by a prolonged joyful season that accentuates the appropriate Solemnity: the Christmas Season which culminates in the Baptism of the Lord and the Easter Season which culminates with the Solemn Feast of Pentecost. Now with the celebration of The Most Holy Trinity we find ourselves celebrating what may at first notice appear to be an abstract Dogma. True we are celebrating a Sacred Mystery that we rarely give too much consideration and then panic when asked to explain it. Thus we have the sense that it is an abstract teaching. We are often at a loss for words. Nevertheless, let’s try to give this Dogmatic teaching a context for its importance in the life of the Christian Community and our celebrations throughout the Liturgical. In the fourth century, the Church was in a serious crisis when a priest by the name of Arius denied the divinity of Christ. He claimed that Jesus was fully human but not divine. Jesus was the best human being ever but not divine. He was preaching this heresy which eventually became known as Arianism. In denying the divinity of Christ the next logical implication would be the denial of the Holy Trinity: the three persons in one God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Arius, by denying the divinity of Christ was denying the two natures (fully human and fully divine) in the one person, Jesus Christ. In this denial of the two natures, human and divine, in the person of Jesus he was also denying that there is a second person of the Holy Trinity and thus the denial of the three persons of the Holy Trinity. Arianism in essence denies not only the truth of Jesus Christ it also denies the Holy Trinity. This heresy was condemned by the councils of Nicaea and Constantinople in the fourth century. These councils formulated and confirmed the creed that we pray every Sunday at Mass. In the creed we profess our belief in the Triune God as well as the two natures of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately such heresies do not disappear completely. They have a tendency of resurfacing throughout history. In theory we know these heresies and we reject them. However they tend to surface in disguise. An example would be to reduce the person of Jesus as primarily a philosopher, a preacher, a prophet, a revolutionary etc. In formulating these titles for Jesus most leave out the title “Son of God and Savior”. However if the title “Son of God” is mentioned it is
in a general reference such as… “We are all children of God”. In short, any kind of teaching or understanding of Jesus that does not affirm that he is first and foremost the Son of God and our Savior smacks of heresy. The tendencies of such teachings dilute and endanger Catholic Faith. A secondary note here; if Jesus is merely a teacher, preacher or philosopher then salvation is based on acquiring the right knowledge and not on the saving death and resurrection of Jesus. This empties the cross of all its meaning. Thus the heresy of Gnosticism comes into the picture: another sneaky heresy that resurfaces time and again in various forms. There is a necessity for instructing and preaching on this Dogmatic teaching of the Church to bring about clarity and a deepening of faith. The theological clarity has happened over the years in the academic forum. In the very early days there was simplicity in the teaching and this was carried into the liturgy. There were some serious discussions that found clarity in the fourth century and the teaching was primarily proclaimed through preaching in which the faithful were exposed to and learned the true doctrines of the Catholic Faith. Fortunately we have the liturgy as a means to communicate these profound truths of the faith. The liturgy is the common avenue for us to develop a familiarity with, focus on and celebrate these truths. This was a particularly effective venue in the early Church. It is good to note that prayers and a Votive Mass dedicated to the Holy Trinity have roots back to the fourth century. A Votive Mass was formally composed by the year 800. To make a long story short, the votive mass was already being celebrated in a number of monasteries and isolated pockets of Catholic Communities. The celebration of this feast was deeply woven into the lives of Christians and the Church of Rome, although a little reluctant to adopt such a celebration for the Universal Church, did so in the year 1334. This feast, deeply rooted in the hearts of the faithful, took its official place in the Liturgical calendar for the whole Church. The process appears to be slow. But it was deliberate and precise. The yearly feast of the Most Holy Trinity focuses the attention of the faithful on what must never be forgotten when we bless ourselves in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In our prayerful reflection we cannot forget the work of the Triune God in regards to our origin and our final destination. All creation comes into existence from the overflowing life-giving love of the Holy Trinity. Our final destination is to be in perfect communion with the Holy Trinity. Our salvation and return to God is in and through our Lord Jesus Christ who in his very person we have the perfect union between Divinity and Humanity. It is the Holy Spirit that fills our lives and keeps us in loving union with Jesus Christ and to be His presence in the world. We affirm this in the Liturgy from the beginning when we bless ourselves and when we go forth after mass “in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. This is who we are and where we are headed: we belong to God and are destined to be with God. Thus, in the liturgy we prayerfully reference, celebrate and confirm our belief in the Most Holy Trinity. On this particular Solemn Feast we give special attention to this Sacred Mystery. Have a great week, Father Ralko Note Well: The Bishop’s Annual Appeal is still taking place. To date we have less than 100 responses! The BAA envelopes are in the pews. Please pick one up today and make a response.
MAY 22, 2016
Church Support May 8, 2016 OFFERTORY $12,615.00 Diocesan Tax $ (650.00) Fenwick Subsidy $(3,060.00) Rosecrans subsidy ($290.00) Available for Parish Operations $8,615.00 Parish Operating Expenses $(8,200.00) Religious Education Expenses $(800.00) Other Income $2,300.00 Weekly deficit $1,915.00 May God bless you for supporting your parish This week we pray Week IV of the Liturgy of the hours. We welcome into the Church this weekend through Baptism: Sammi Josephine Scott, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Scott
DIOCESAN SENIOR CITIZENS DAY CELEBRATION IS JUNE 6 The 39th annual diocesan Senior Citizens Day Celebration is Monday, June 6, 2016, at St Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 785 Newark Granville Rd., Granville, OH. Bishop Frederick F. Campbell will celebrate Mass at 10:30a.m. Mass will be followed by a luncheon. Registration for the celebration is $10. This annual event is a great opportunity of prayer, food and fellowship with senior citizens from around the 23 county Catholic Diocese of Columbus. To register, please send a check payable to the Office for Social Concerns, Catholic Diocese of Columbus, 197 E. Gay Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. For questions, call (614)241-2540 or email at
[email protected]. Registrations are requested by June 1 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. 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.
ST. NICHOLAS PARISH FESTIVAL MEETING Planning is starting to ramp up as we approach the 2016 St. Nicholas Festival! We will meet at Bishop Fenwick School (St. Nicholas Building) at 1030 E. Main St. on Tuesday May 24th at 6 p.m. Please plan to be there to join in the excitement of organizing this year's festivities!
Bishop Fenwick School is Seeking Teachers for the 2016 – 2017 School Year Bishop Fenwick School is currently accepting applications for the following teaching position: 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
BE THE BEST PARENTS YOU CAN BE A Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend can show you how. The next two weekends are August 5-7 and November 11-13, 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 ST. VINCENT DEPAUL
Next weekend, May 28-29, St. Vincent DePaul will be “Holding the Hat” after all Masses. Please be generous.
PARISH OFFICE SUMMER HOURS The Parish Office will begin its summer hours June 3, closing at noon on Fridays. Due to our small staff and vacations, please call the office at 740-453-0597 to make sure it is open.
THE MOST HOLY TRINITY LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed. May 29, 2016 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Saturday, May 28 @ 5:15 p.m. Lector: Nancy Susa, Diane Hoffer Server: Nicholas Hoffer, Judi Peterson Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Dottie Durant Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Don Susa, Tom Durant Eucharistic Minister: Paul Ritchey, Molly Ritchey, Margaret Kronenbitter, Karen Robinson Sunday, May 29 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Stephanie Bridwell, Susan Thompson Server: Justin Ewart, Dave Eppley Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Jim Hillis Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Sue Hillis, Patrick Durant Eucharistic Minister: Marvin Paul
What’s Happening in Our Parish MONDAY, May 23 8:00 a.m., Mass: Leanne White Campbell, birthday, 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 24 8:00 a.m., Mass: Robert Fargus, Church
WEDNESDAY, May 25, St. Bede the Venerable 8:10 a.m., School Mass: Carl Masters, Church
THURSDAY, May 26, St. Philip Neri 8:00 a.m., Mass: John Cletus Michael, Church
FRIDAY, May 27, St. Augustine of Canterbury 8:00 a.m., Mass: Marjorie Michael, Church
Sunday, May 29 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: Bernard Budde, Robert LaPrad Server: Thomas Bernath, Will Bernath Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Janis Maziar Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Claire Tiberio, Gerald Tiberio Eucharistic Minister: Linda Haswell, John Haswell, Rosalyn Headington, Erin Roush
SATURDAY, May 28 10:00 a.m. Bishop Rosecrans Baccalaureate Mass, Church 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Confessions, Church
Sunday, May 29 @ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Rocky Rowe, Wendy Hart Server: Justin Hart, Nathan Hart Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Jeff Shawger Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Carolyn Arnold, Dodi Sealock Eucharistic Minister: Mary Lou Staker, Marianne Hall, Mary Mirgon, Jim Pottmeyer
SATURDAY, May 28 5:15 p.m. Mass: Hope Buchanan, Church
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.
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
SUNDAY, May 29 7:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: Sussana Butcher, Church 11:30 a.m., Mass: Robert Ralko, Church
Readings for Week of May 23, 2016 Mon. . . . . . . . Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . . Thurs. . . . . . . . Fri. . . . . . . . . . Sat. . . . . . . . . . Sun . . . . . . . .
1 Pt 1:3-9 1 Pt 1:10-16 1 Pt 1:18-25 1 Pt 2:2-5, 9-12 1 Pt 4:7-13 Jude 17, 20b-25 Gn 14:18-20
Mk 10:17-27 Mk 10:28-31 Mk 10:32-45 Mk 10:46-52 Mk 11:11-26 Mk 11:27-33 Lk 9:11b-17
