mary mother of the church...wasn’t familiar with blessed peter donders (1807-1887), a dutch...
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 43 Issue 1 February, 2020
Mary Mother of the Church
Managing Editor: Jackie Wilson Reproduction: Trish Willmering Post Office Delivery: Marcia Dohack
FROM YOUR PASTOR Fr. Chuck Barthel 894-1373
SPOTLIGHT ON
STEWARDSHIP
UPDATE STAFF
Sacred Relics
During the Q and A portion of the “Walk thru the Mass” last October, someone asked the question if there were relics in our altar; and, if there were, who were the saints. I knew that the parish had some relics; but I didn’t know if there were any in our altars. So I began some detective work. Here is what I discovered. There are no relics placed in the altar or beneath the altar of the Church or the Chapel. The reason is because both altars are moveable, not permanent. In keeping with the ancient practice, we do have the relics of 3 saints for the Church and 3 saints for the Chapel. The three Church relics are all Redemptorist saints: St. Alphonsus Ligouri, St. Gerard Majella and Blessed Peter Donders. (It looked like Fr. Ed Nugent and Fr. Chuck Beierwaltes cashed in all their favors when asking for these relics!) I wasn’t familiar with Blessed Peter Donders (1807-1887), a Dutch Redemptorist missionary who served among the lepers in Suriname (the northeast coast of South America.) In the chapel, I found relics from these 3 saints: St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Francis of Assisi and Pope St. Sylvester. The saint that I was least familiar with is Pope St. Sylvester. Pope St. Sylvester served as Pope from 314 to 335, His feast day is December 31. During his time of leadership, both the Council of Nicaea and the growth in power of Emperor Constantine took place. Some of you may think that having relics and / or reverencing them to be a bit unusual, if not bordering on the magical. Here is some background on relics. Relics are physical objects that have a direct association with the saints or with Our Lord. They are usually broken down into three classes. First class relics are the body or fragments of the body of a saint, such as pieces of bone or flesh. Second class relics are something that a saint personally owned, such as a shirt or book (or fragments of those items). Third class relics are those items that a saint touched or other objects that have touched a first, second, or another third-class relic of a saint. Relics most often are used in prayer services for healing. Regrettably, until now I have only been able to find the documentation for 2 of the 6 relics. The documentation would let us know what class of relic they are. But the staff and I continue to search for the other papers. Where are they now being kept? Rather than build separate reliquaries for them, I have chosen to place the relics in the tabernacles of the church and chapel.
Currently and for many years in the past, these generous individuals give of their very limited time. They are gifted with many precious memories which they would not trade for anything. Currently, some are serving with the merged Assumption/Mary Mother Athletics program. Thank you for all that they do! Look on page 2 to find out who they are.
Mary Mother Festival of Ministries February 22-23 After Mass
in the Reilly Center Find a new way to serve your parish.
******************************** PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Are right around the corner.
Please give Prayerful consideration
If asked to Serve.
********************************
UPDATE Page 2
PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN Dick Roseland 486-8345 [email protected]
THE SPOTLIGHT’S ON......
ATHLETIC LAY DIRECTORS, MANAGERS AND COACHES
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR MANY YEARS.
Submitted by Judy Peckham and Bob Slama
PARISH COUNCIL VICE-CHAIRPERSON
Gary Leiendecker 707-3134 [email protected]
Lent can make a difference in your life.
As a Kid I would often ride my bike all over South County, it gave me great freedom to go where I wanted. It also showed me how to overcome obstacles on the ride, and get back home in one piece. In high school a coach told us that life is like riding a bike. “As long as you keep pedaling, you will go up the hill; and the only way to coast is down the hill.” This has had a big effect on me; and I think of it often. My church service life had been coasting for a few years; oh sure, I was involved in things I was comfortable with, but nothing new. Then Parish Council nominations came around and boom I’m nominated. Mary Mother will be having nominations and an election soon, time to start pedaling again? A Festival of Ministries will be held on February 22/23. This will be an opportunity to get questions answered about the different services provided at Mary Mother. Jump on the bike we need some fresh legs.
With the end of 2019, let’s all take time to give thanks for our Mary Mother Family; and pray that 2020 will provide more opportunity for all of us to grow closer to our God, Who loves us so much. First, it is time to once again consider nominations for the next Parish Council. Please prayerfully consider the possibility of nominating yourself or someone you think would be a good leader for our parish. Secondly, the Parish Council is conducting a survey regarding the Update, publishing 9 months a year. Please fill out the survey below and place it in the collection basket, or return it to the office at Mary, Mother of the Church, 5901 Kerth Rd., St. Louis, MO 63128, ATTENTION: Gary Leiendecker. Do you read the entire Update? YES NO Do you wish to continue receiving the Update on 9 months? YES NO Would reading the Update on the Mary Mother website suffice? Y ES NO Should the Update be discontinued? YES NO Would receiving the Update quarterly be sufficient? YES NO
Sign Name (Optional) _____________________
DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Ed Lewandowski 894-1373 [email protected]
Our Family Mass is on February 2, at 9am. Have your children served as hospitality ministers (ushers)? Would you like your family to present the gifts of bread and wine at Mass? Go to Sign Up Genius on our website www.marymother.org Call Becky McDonnell at 314-236-1421 to help. Confirmation Retreat is scheduled to run from NOON, Saturday, February 15 to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, February 16. The retreat has been on calendar since our September meeting; we certainly hope the date has been reserved. Candidates, remember to eat a good lunch before you ar-rive. Return the registration form along with the breakfast menu and 20 dollar activity fee asap. No PSR sessions this month on President's Day, Monday, February 17th and Ash Wednesday, February 26. First Communion Workshop For Parents of future first communicants will be on Saturday, March 7th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Room 1. We will be organizing for the Communion Retreat Day on March 28th.
Our FAITH Alive in the Home visits will begin in February. We have been calling the homes of Mary Mother families with toddlers. If one of our team left a phone message, please return the call. We’d love to be in touch with you as your child grows. Questions? Contact Sr. Maureen Martin [email protected] or 314-450-4873 for more information.
*********************************************
UPDATE Page 3
FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE Michele Venable 894-1373 [email protected]
PARISH COUNCIL VICE-CHAIRPERSON
Dick Roseland 486-8345 [email protected]
EVANGELIZATION COMMISSION Steve Rothermel 308-8997 [email protected]
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26; and we are happy to announce TWO Lenten opportunities for prayer and spiritual formation.
Mark Your Calendar Watch for Sign-up Notices
All are welcome!
LENTEN DAY OF PRAYER Saturday, February 29, 2020 9 – 3 p.m. in our Parish Hall
Our presenter, Susan Komis, will offer interactive sessions exploring the
stages of prayer and faith development as we acquire The Fire of Divine Love.
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR
Thursdays, March 12, 19, 26 7-9 pm in Parish Hall or Reilly Center (tbd)
Led by our ministry team with the help of the Catholic Renewal Center
What is the Life in the Spirit Seminar? It is a Catholic spiritual process of teaching sessions, each building upon the previous one. It will include speakers, scripture, music, prayer and small groups. Participants establish, re-establish or deepen their individual relationship with God through Jesus, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
LITURGY NOTES Ken Barnes 894-1373 [email protected]
CHRISTIAN FORMATION Karen Karr 416-1992 [email protected]
and DIRECTOR OF
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Ed Lewandowski 894-1373
Prayer will Light up Your Life.
In this “month of hearts,” so to speak, remember the basic ways to keep our hearts healthy: Nutritious, low fat, low sugar (added/substitute) food/drinks, weight control, regu-lar exercise, avoidance of smoking, avoidance of excessive alcohol intake, and proper stress management can help to keep blood pressure manageable and decrease our risk of stroke and heart disease. If we are prescribed medication for heart condition/high blood pressure, this alone general-ly won’t improve the condition. A proper diet of low salt, low fat foods + regular exercise + medication as prescribed- is needed. What about family history of heart problems? Although our genetics can’t be changed, paying attention to lifestyle, cholesterol and blood pressure can positively affect change. Encourage one another every day to do something “healthy for our hearts”! Consider reading “What the heart has to do with the head” by American Heart Association News, which can be found: www.heart.org
There is a certain character of our weekend liturgies which influences the way we decide to live as Catholics. Could our daily lives --- that time between our weekly worship --- perfectly reflect the wisdom that we hear, sing, and pray during liturgy? At Mass, we have the oppor tunity to embrace all the gifts of our Christian calling that we need to go forth and change the world for the better. The words and example of Jesus are radical and challenging: they beckon us to think beyond our personal likes and dislikes. Consider this quote from an apostolic letter written in 1998 by Pope John Paul II: “The Eucharist is an event and program of true community. From Sunday Mass, there flows a tide of charity destined to spread into the whole life of the faithful, beginning by inspiring the very way in which we live the rest of the week. Lived in this way, not only the Sunday Eucharist, but the whole of Sunday becomes a great school of charity, justice, and peace.” Imagine if we left this “school” each week and applied the lessons we have learned to each moment of our daily experience. Perhaps our Christian life would “graduate” and contribute to a more loving and peaceful world.
RAFFLE BASKETS and
GIFT CERTIFICATES
AND
FISH FRY
ON
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
BASKETS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE SPONSORED BY
THE HEALTH MINISTRY COMMISSION
WE’RE SEEKING FOR DONATIONS OF NEW OR LIKE-NEW ITEMS, GIFT CARDS, GIFT
CERTIFICATE OR DONATION FROM YOUR PLACE OF BUSINESS
QUESTIONS? CALL MARY SCALZO, (314) 842-3827
UPDATE Page 4
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMISSION
Carl Cooper 200-9138 [email protected]
SOCIAL COMMISSION Becky McDonnell 236-1421
In these weeks leading up to the Lenten season, please consider exploring the following options to prepare your mind and heart for this holy time. In addition, consider inviting someone else to come with you. We are all called to be witnesses to Christ in our families, our communities, And our neighborhoods. The St. Louis Catholic Men for Christ conference February 1, 2020 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center https://www.catholicmenforchrist.org/
The St. Louis Catholic Women for Christ conference March 7, 2020 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center https://www.catholicwomenforchrist.org/
The annual White House Retreat for Men March 5-8, 2020 Contact Jerry Lesmeister at 314-585-2836
The Community of Transcendent Men Last Tuesday of each month at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Imperial. For more information, contact Chris Eldridge 314-974-7126.
Sensational Seniors
February 13: Potluck lunch and showing of movie: Breakthrough. March: we hope to plan a trip to Frank Lloyd Home and Cupples House (Kirkwood)
Lenten Fish Frys
February 28, March 13, and March 27 4-7pm in the parish hall
Dinners will cost $10 for adults and $5 for children
Look for volunteer sign-ups (through Sign up Genius) and menu on our website soon.
Quilters meet every Tuesday at 9am
to work on quilts in the room across from classroom 6.
Also, a big thank you to our Progressive Dinner, Happy Birthday Jesus, and Trunk-or-Treat volunteers. You make good things happen. For more information and sign up sheets, visit marymother.org
I hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This month, the Administration and Finance Commission will be focusing on programs to provide intruder alert and active shooter responses. We have been evaluating several actions and will be presenting them at the January Parish Council meeting. Additionally, this commission is requesting from the Archdiocese Security and Safety Director for their presentation regarding active shooter response. When scheduled, parishioners are encouraged to attend. I realize many parishioners feel safe in our church. Programs that reduce the threat of an active shooter or intruder may have requirements of those who attend services that are not convenient. As stated by Archbishop Carlson in his October 25th letter to Fr. Chuck, “Unfortunately, our Catholic Church is not immune to a tragic event …Remember it is our responsibility to protect our flock in every way possible.” As recommended by Archbishop Carlson, Mary Mother of the Church will be developing the best possible plan to deal with unwanted intruders.
Evangelization Commission Steve Rothermel 308-8997 [email protected]
UPDATE Page 5
TITHING
December 2019 - 5 Sundays $1,068 each agency
1) St. Agatha Center – Ministers to the poor within parish boundaries, includes food pantry and education center. 2) Sisters of Divine Providence (Room at the Inn) – Assists their Room at the Inn shelter for homeless women and children in St. Louis. 3) Whole Kids Outreach – Provides health and wellness services in five poverty stricken rural counties in southern Missouri, with a goal of preventing child abuse. 4) St. Louis University Prison Program – An educational college prison program aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty and recidivism. SLU offers an Associate’s Degree program to the incarcerated, as well as prison staff, with a demonstrated reduction in repeat offenses from 65% to 15% for those who complete the program. 5) The Family Center – Provides annual counseling, spiritual direction, educational programs, group facilitation and outreach for those otherwise unable to afford the center’s services. The Mary Margaret Program reaches out to low-income families, especially single mothers with children. 6) English Tutoring Project – Supports the teaching of English to children from immigrant and refugee families at four Catholic elementary schools in the metro area. 7) Redemptorists in Thailand – Assists children who have been orphaned or abandoned by parents with AIDS. Mothers and children who have the disease are also under care. Over the year in 2019, Mary Mother tithed nearly $73,000 to those in need. Thank you for your generous support!
HEALTH MINISTRY COMMISSION
Mary Ann Young Schulte 706-1512 [email protected]
ASH WEDNESDAY
iS ON
FEBRUARY 26
It’s the bleakest time of the year now with the bitter cold, rain, ice and sleet. The lack of natural sunlight can bother some of us. Without the ever present sun to warm us, this earth would be uninhabitable. Without people in our lives who give us warmth our lives would be empty. My statements aren’t anything new under the sun, just newly discovered again. So feel the cold and dampness with acceptance. It will make the warm days so much brighter.
November 2019 - 4 Sundays $963 each agency
1) Carondelet Betterment Foundation Food Pantry – Supports the city neighborhood through multiple social programs and in particular, through their food pantry, serving hundreds of families each month. 2) Mary Ryder Home – serves St. Louis’ most vulnerable senior women, nourishing their social, physical and emotional needs, and enhancing their quality of life through compassionate care. 3) Health Resource Center – Provides free healthcare access for North St. Louis community using supervised medical students from St. Louis University. Includes clinics for pediatrics, well women, healthy living, diabetes, cardiology, asthma, allergies and foot care. 4) Most Holy Trinity Parish – Assists an inner-city parish in the Hyde Park area in its efforts to revitalize the neighborhood. 5) Lemay Child and Family Center – Provides early care and education to children in a diverse, nurturing environment, and strengthening families by promoting children’s healthy physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. 6) Blood of Christ Parish, Bolivia – Provides missionary presence in the rural area of La Paz. Sangre de Cristo is one of the many priestless missions in Bolivia.
TITHING
FEBRUARY 28 MARCH 13 MARCH 27 4 PM—7 PM
IN OUR PARISH HALL DINNERS: $10 FOR ADULTS
$5 FOR CHILDREN SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER
THROUGH Sign up Genius
on www.marymother.org
UPDATE Page 6
PRO-LIFE Craig Snavely 651-7432
On behalf of all SVDP members at Mary Mother, we wish to send a heart-felt thank you to Judy Belford for the outstanding job she has done for the past 3 years serving as President of our Saint Vincent De Paul Conference. She has been a great leader and an icon for what this charitable organization stands for. Judy, you are a true Sister in Christ. Thank You.
January 22 marked the 47th year the anniversary of Roe v Wade decision to make abortion legal to end Gods creation of human life. Pro-Lifers around the greater St Louis area attended the Mass on January 18th at the Cathedral Basilica and proceeded in prayer to Planned Parenthood to ask God to change people’s hearts and to reverse our laws to protect the unborn. Thank you, to all of you for your contributions for the Life-Line Coalition that were collected January 18 and 19. Your contributions were very much appreciated! Many thanks to all of you supporting our Christmas Card sale with your purchases and donations. We sold out all the cards and proceeds were sent to The MO Life Coalition. Plan your calendar for the coming “Show Me Rally” in Jefferson City on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. There will be buses leaving from Grasso Plaza at 7:30 AM and at St. Paul Church in Fenton at 7:50 AM. A final note: I will be stepping down as the Parish Coordinator; and I have enjoyed working with all of you in the Pro-Life movement. There have been many changes, mostly good with a Pro-life president, Pro-life Missouri governor and passed legislation that contains some of the strongest safeguards for unborn babies and their mothers. With this being stated, I will continue to serve in the Pro-Life movement; and I look forward to seeing all of you at future events. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 7:PM and all are welcome. Please contact Leslie at 314-369-5474 for more information. There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: “haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.” Proverbs ESV 6:16-17
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL Mary Ann Zimmerman
HAVE YOU TOLD SOMEONE
TODAY THAT YOU
LOVE THEM?
This Lent be ready!
It isn’t always easy!
PARENTS, BRING UP
YOUR CHILDREN WITH GOD.
Each of the main ministries that are provided by Mary Mother of the Church parishioners are represented each month in our Update newsletter. The Liturgy Commission is one of those ministries in which each of us is invited to participate. God calls us to Church to participate in the Mass for many reasons, one of which is to join in community and share our praise with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It would be difficult to obtain all the graces that He intends
for us in the Mass if we were to sit on the couch and watch the Mass on television. At the Festival of Ministries on
February 21st and 22nd, the Liturgy Commission will have a presentation of the various ways that you are invited to participate in this wonderful ministry. If you have been
shy about volunteering, this would be an excellent way to resolve some of your questions. You are needed; and there
is always an open spot for you! Please come and join us!
Liturgy Commission Carol Mason 287-0297 [email protected]
UPDATE Page 7
Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
February 2020 For more details go to: www.marymother.org/calendar-1
31 6:15pm Stone Soup Night
Feb 1 9am Basketball 9am Contemplative Prayer 9:30am Krull visitation 10:30am Jim Krull Memorial Mass 3:30pm Confession 5:30pm bridge bread 5:30pm Jonah Team
2 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Jonah Team 9am bridge bread sales 9am Children's Choir at Mass 9am Family Mass 11am Baptism 11am Confirmation Candidates 6:30pm Men's Basketball
3 9:05am AA Group 12:30pm Pickleball 6:30pm Pickleball 6:30pm PSR 7pm Men's Prayer Grp
4 9am Adoration 9am Quilting 9am TOPS 9am Walking/PAC 4:30pm Basketball 6pm HMC "The Sandwich Generation" 7pm SVdP Mtg
5 9am Adoration 9:30am Cornerstone 9:30am Tai Chi 12:30pm Pickleball 6pm Basketball 6:30pm PSR 7pm ProLife Comm 7pm Youth Comm 7:15pm Traditional Choir 8pm Youth Prayer Grp 8:30pm Men's Basketball
6 9am Walking/PAC 10:30am Zumba 4pm Adoration 4:30pm Basketball 5pm Yoga 7pm Contemporary Choir 7pm Liturgy Mtg 7pm Prayer Group
7 6:30pm Pickleball
8 3:30pm Confession 5:30pm BP Screening
9 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am BP Screenings 11am Confirmation Candidates 11am P/W Band at Mass 12:30pm Baptism - Paradoski 6:30pm Men's Basketball
10 9:05am AA Group 11:45am Meat Slicing (For SS II) 12:30pm Pickleball 6:30pm Pickleball 6:30pm PSR 7pm Men's Prayer Grp
11 9am Adoration 9am Quilting 9am Sandwich Shoppe II 9am TOPS 9am Walking/PAC 4:30pm Basketball 7pm Women Sharing Faith 7:30pm Adult Volunteers Mtg (Youth Grp)
12 9am Adoration 9:30am Cornerstone 9:30am Tai Chi 12:30pm Pickleball 6pm Basketball 6:30pm Young Women's Prayer Grp 6:30pm PSR 7:15pm Traditional Choir 7:45pm ACTS Core Team 8pm Youth Prayer Grp 8:30pm Men's Basketball
13 9am Walking the PAC 10am Contemplative Gathering 10:30am Zumba 12pm Sensational Srs Meeting/Lunch 4pm Adoration 4:30pm Basketball 5pm Yoga 7pm Contemporary Choir 7pm Prayer Group
14 6:30pm Pickleball
15 CONFIRMATION RETREAT 9am Contemplative Prayer Group 3:30pm Confession
16 CONFIRMATION RETREAT 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11am Confirmation Candidates 11am Confirmation Retreat closing Mass 12pm UPDATE Due 7pm Youth Group rec nite
17
President's Day - OFFICES CLOSED 9:05am AA Group 6:30pm No PSR
18 8:30am Meat Slicing (for SS III) 9am Adoration 9am Quilting 9am TOPS 9am Walking/PAC 3:15pm Contemplative core team 4:30pm Basketball 6pm Ad/Fin Meeting 6:30pm Sandwich Shoppe III 7pm Health Ministry 7pm SVdP Mtg
19 9am Adoration 9:30am Cornerstone 9:30am Tai Chi 12:30pm Stitching 12:30pm Pickleball 6pm Basketball 6:30pm PSR 7:15pm Traditional Choir 8pm Youth Prayer Grp 8:30pm Men's Basketball
20 9am Walking/PAC 10:30am Zumba 4pm Adoration 4:30pm Basketball 5pm Yoga 7pm Contemporary Choir 7pm Prayer Group
21 7am setup for Festival of Ministries 11:30am Friday Friends 6:15pm Stone Soup Night 6:30pm *NO* Pickleball Open Play
22 HMC Basket Raffle ticket sales Rock Church Food Collection Weekend 7am Festival of Ministries (after all Masses) 3:30pm Confessions
23 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (MARDI GRAS WEEKEND) 7am Festival of Ministries (after all Masses) 11am Confirmation Candidates 6:30pm Men's Basketball
24 9:05am AA Group 12:30pm Pickleball 1pm Meat Slicing (for SS I) 6:30pm Pickleball 6:30pm PSR 7pm Men's Prayer Grp
25 9am Adoration 9am Quilting 9am Sandwich Shop I 9am TOPS 9am Walking/PAC 4:30pm Basketball 7pm Women Sharing Fait
26 ASH WEDNESDAY Masses : 6:30am, 8:30am 7pm 9am Adoration 9:30am Cornerstone 9:30am Tai Chi 12:30pm Pickleball 6:30pm No PSR 8:15pm Traditional Choir 8pm Youth Prayer Grp 8:30pm Men's Basketball
27 9am Walking/PAC 10:30am Zumba 3pm Fish Fry Prep 4pm Adoration 4:30pm *NO* Basketball 5pm Yoga 7pm Cont. Choir 7pm Parish Council 7pm Prayer Group
28 3pm Stations of the Cross 4pm Fish Fry 6:30pm Pickleball
29 9am Lenten Day of Prayer (time tbd) 3:30pm Confession
UPDATE Page 8
UPDATE Page 8
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID St. Louis, MO Permit No. 458
UPDATE
Mary Mother of the Church 5901 Kerth Road St. Louis, MO 63128
BAPTISMS: Amelia Grace Yohn Lenni Rose Wanko Savannah Marie Fry MARRIAGES: Megan Barker & Ryan Bennett DEATHS: James Bokamper Jim Krull NEW PARISHIONERS: Marillac “Mac” Miller David & Kristin Vergano Nico Tom & Pat McInroy FAREWELL: Matt/Stephanie Shorey Family Cathy Mayrose
HAPPY VALENTINE’S
DAY