ST. PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH

IN THIS ISSUE

• Pastor’s Pen

Page 2

• RCIA Mystagogy Period • Alpha

Page 3

• Confirmation

Page 4

• First Communion

Page 5

•Parish Happenings

Page 6 & 7

• Parish Family

Page 7

One of the truisms you learn in biblical studies is the

difference between the Greek/pagan view of time/

history and the Hebrew/biblical view. Over-simplified,

the Greek world of that era viewed time as cyclical –

its quintessential expression, the perpetually recurring

rhythms of nature – light and dark, day and night, the

seasons following each other one after another with

predictable regularity. Their myths tried to explain these

endlessly repeated cycles. By contrast, the biblical view

of time/history is not merely linear but actually a vector –

history is headed in a direction; it has a divinely set goal,

and someday that goal will be reached. The Greek view

prioritized that perfect world at the beginning, which

each subsequent spiral can only imperfectly approximate

but never attain. The biblical view, especially in the

apocalyptists, prioritizes the future – God is the Lord

of History, orchestrating everything toward its grand

climactic goal; perfection lies in the future, not the past,

and with diligence we can trace out the signs of its

dimensions and progress.

The truth, of course, has elements of both views. Some

of the events in the life of our parish that this spring issue

of the newsletter celebrates are indeed cyclical – every

year we have a new class of students being confirmed; a

new class receiving their first communion; a new cohort of

RCIA candidates for the Easter sacraments experiencing

the miracle of new life; and soon enough, a new class of

students graduating and heading off to college or their

careers. You will see in the following pages many pictures

of these moving events. We look forward to them with

great anticipation precisely because they happen every

year.

Other events we have experienced, however, are one-

time or new events that are more like those signposts

marking out a way, limning a road that is heading in a

direction. They too are profoundly moving, not because

they are familiar and we know what to expect, but

because in them we can trace out the contours of a way

that leads to a goal. One of these lately was the two-day

retreat our Hispanic parishioners had as part of our

participation in the national Church’s “Fifth Encounter.”

On the weekend of April 14-15 a representative of the

Diocese of Toledo came to join with several of the parish

staff and maybe a total of 20-25 Hispanic parishioners for

a two-day retreat based on the story of the risen Jesus

meeting the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. With

songs on this theme, Scripture readings, reflections and

witness stories by the participants, small group discussions,

simple but eloquent symbols and meals together, these

participants prepared themselves to be “Missionary

Disciples of God’s Love”. I was so impressed by the

enthusiasm, the vigor of their Catholic faith, their

eagerness to accept the challenge to each visit five

families who are no longer coming to Mass to find out

Page 2

why and what we can do re-ignite that faith. (That’s

something like 100 families!) We on the staff discuss so

much how to evangelize, to “move from maintenance to

mission” in view of the increasing loss of faith on the part

of our culture (which, like a fast-moving epidemic, infects

so many, as illustrated by the steadily dropping rates of

attendance at Sunday Mass) – and this sector of our

parish embraced that challenge with enthusiasm. I would

love to see all the members of our parish become

“Missionary Disciples of God’s Love”!

A second marker on the way was the successful

conclusion of our parish’s first, so-called pilot, Alpha

program. You have read my comments about this

program before. It too is focused outward; while anyone

can benefit greatly from it, it’s designed specifically to

give people who no longer believe or have never been

raised in any faith at all an experience of the risen Christ

in a community setting. As such, it’s the basic Christian

kerygma, the Good News, of Jesus, and for that very

reason it has great power. It too uses the basic modality

of gatherings of people around meals and presentations

(this time via some superbly created videos) and

discussions to reach out beyond ourselves. This first, pilot,

program was like a maiden voyage with specifically

invited parishioners to make sure we had all the kinks and

wrinkles out, and was a fantastic success – I have heard

over and over and over from the participants what a

terrific experience it was and how excited they are about

putting it on for others. I hope many, many others will be

able to avail themselves of it in the years ahead.

So, such combinations of the familiar and well-loved on

the one hand, and the new and exciting on the other

make up our experience of time in St. Paul parish – not

going around in circles, but heading toward the future,

our goal of life in Christ, both here and hereafter.

Page 3

The final period of the RCIA process is called “Mystagogy”

– a time for “savoring” the mysteries of God. After having

celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism,

Confirmation, and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil, the

newly-baptized (and some of the rest of us too, I’m

afraid) sometimes think, “Finally, this is finished!” Surprise!

It’s not finished! These are called the Sacraments of

“Initiation” (beginning), NOT the Sacraments of

“Termination” (ending). Mystagogy begins at the

celebration of the Initiation Sacraments and ends . . .

well, technically, it doesn’t end. Whether we were

baptized a few weeks ago or many years ago, we are

still “savoring” the mysteries of God!

“Participation in the Sunday Masses of the Easter season

increases the contact between the neophytes (newly-

baptized) and the rest of the faithful. Through the period

of Mystagogia, the neophytes should experience a full

and joyful welcome into the community and enter into

closer ties with the other faithful. The faithful derive from

this a renewal of inspiration and outlook.” (RCIA #246)

~ Marian Bermudez

It isn't often when you pick

a gift for others that you

yourself get to share in the

gift too, but that is exactly

what happened to me. I

am part of St. Paul's Parish Council and we prayerfully

discerned what we could do to reach the people and

share the goodness of our faith. We looked at a few

options but we found the best answer in the Alpha

program happening at surrounding parishes, and we

brought it here.

I was part of the "pilot" group of about 24 people to go

through the program. I don't want to give too much

away, but I can tell you that no matter who you are, what

you believe or think you believe, where you are on your

life's journey, Alpha will REACH you and Alpha will

CHANGE you. I came closer to Jesus and I learned more

about the Holy Spirit.

This program IS for everyone, and I hope a lot of you can

experience what I did. Many of us didn't want the

program to end, but fear not – there's more!!! At St. Paul's,

we will continue to look for ways to encourage community

and love for Jesus on your journey.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

Hope to see you in Alpha this June!

~ Gina Herner

Here are some thoughts and insights shared by participants

during our pilot group sessions of Alpha:

“Tell the truth with LOVE.”

“Never forget that the Holy Spirit is guiding you!”

“1% of your day is 15 minutes and you can give 1% to God.”

“Are we happier with Jesus, or are we happier without him?”

“Pray with expectation.”

How can you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ?

What can you share with others on their journey? Interested

in being a part of Alpha? A new session will begin June 4.

Contact Pat Krause, Pastoral Associate for more

information.

Page 4

Photo courtesy of Jacalyn Houck Photography

Logan Amato

Sophia Baca

Meghan Belden

Gabriel Bond

Nathan Catalano

Ashantae Clinton

Julianne Colvin

Madisyn Cook

Luke Depinet

Malia Duncan

Jefferson Fair

Elijah Fisher

Jordan Fulton

Maya Gerber

Sebastian Gomez

Ninfa Guzman

Ryan Hedrick

Travis Herner

Brooke Houck

Michael Howerton

Madison Jaworski

Joseph Jordan

Anna Kaple

Dyllan Knoll

Christopher Kocher

Kyler Kromer

Aidan Kusser

Megan Leibold

Collin Liedorff

Emma Lukasko

Sarah Matlack

Kaden Maxwell

Danielle McGlothlin

Stephen McHale

Luke Meyer

Zachary Meyer

Joseph Nill

William Ordonez Mendez

Azucena Ornelas

Yahir Ornelas

Collin Pertner

Zachary Pocos

Kimberly Ramirez

Isaac Rommell

Amelia Rospert

Xiomara Rubio

Karlie Rudolph

Julianne Saucedo

Andrew Schaffer

Jordan Shepherd

Josephine Skinn

Presley Stang

Allie Steffanni

Abigail Stine

Alexander Stine

Harley Stoll

Dana Sumpter

Christine Tores

Bryan Vargas

Olivia Vitaz

Bryce Wnek

Isabelle Zimmer

Photo courtesy of Jacalyn Houck Photography

Page 5

Johan Alvarez-Ramos

Mason Barman

Sylvester Chase

River Couch

Valeria Diaz

Ava Englert

Angela Enriquez

Layla Fair

Javier Galindo

Gabriel Yael Hernandez

Carlos Hernandez

Yareli Hernandez

Ryleigh Mansfield-Bush

Alex Marsh

Jessica Matlack

Stephanie Mendez

Mia Mutchler

Jacob Penwell

Conner Polachek

Bryan Ramirez

Wesley Ramirez

Gabe Ramon

Rocco Rizzo

Claira Roth

Fernanda Sanchez

Xavier Sanders

Tristan Schlachter

Hunter Springer

Anthony Tomosulo

Miguel Vargas

Anahly Zamano

First Holy Communion

April 2018

Page 6

Hispanic Leadership Retreat

St. Patrick’s

Day Dinner

Eucharistic

Adoration

with Praise &

Worship Music

Catechesis of the

Good Shepherd

New Parishioners: Justin Anderson & Bethany Copps

Children, Brett, Alec, Rylan,

Braxton & Meiah

Sydney Friend

Cara Hite

Son, Oliver

Jordan Hite

Children, Amaia, Brayden & Mason

Makayla Hite

Son, Easton

Rick Kay

Georgia Montana

Pat Peschke

Jim & Patti Pirc

Nichole Schlessman

Greg & Heather Smith

Sons, Ace & Eli

Brandon Wiseman

Harold & Angelina Wittstruck

Deaths: Eugene Borgia

Elizabeth Bresson Sharon Charville

Jeffrey Hohler Marie Hohler Michael King

Vernon Kluding Veronica Kluding Timothy Leroux

Catherine Moore Chanh Myers Helen Penza

Jeanette Riedy Gary Robron

Lawrence Ross Robert Sheldon

Frances Wechter

George Yager

Weddings: Mr. & Mrs. Adam & Sheridan (Conney) Krause

Mr. & Mrs. Gregory & Heather Smith

Baptisms: Stella Marie

Daughter of Craig & Kim Caprara

Dolan Kash

Son of Kaci Oates

Emerson Lyn

Daughter of Jason & Clara Brown

Ace Everett & Eli Paul

Sons of Gregory & Heather Smith

Lucas Nicholas

Son of Nicholas & Elizabeth Holmer

Blair Olivia

Daughter of Brad & Tricia Mutchler

Isabel Guadalupe

Daughter of Lorena Papai

Emmerson Lee

Daughter of Allen & Kristin Rospert

Leah Catherine

Daughter of Ryan & Catherine Schild

Margo Jane

Daughter of Matt & Liane Roth

Page 7

Holy Week

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St. Paul Catholic Church

91 E. Main St

Norwalk, OH 44857

Phone: 419-668-6044 Fax: 419-663-5770 E-mail: lisah@stpaulchurch.org

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Page 8

Discovery Camp

June 4 – June 8 8:30 am – 12:30 pm St. Alphonsus Campus, Peru

Berlin/Milan/Norwalk Community VBS

June 25-29 9 am – 11:30 am St. Anthony Catholic Church, Milan

SWAG

Sunday, August 5 11 am – 3 pm Norwalk Reservoir