mary mother of the church · 2021. 1. 19. · hello mary mother! our last ad/fin meeting was in...
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 44 Issue 1
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
PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN Gary Leiendecker
UPDATE STAFF
Happy New Year. Well, 2020 has come and gone. While most of us are glad to see 2021 here, we still have much to be grateful for this past year. Sure, we have endured a pandemic, an unsettling election, quarantines, and some of us even endured the virus itself; but this is a time to be grateful for all of the things we take for granted every day. Things we know will be there because our God always provides for us. So, as Matthew Kelly says in his book “I heard God Laughing,” start your day in prayer by being thankful to God for all His goodness. We might even start a journal to write down one or two things every day for which we are grateful. This may help get our minds on the positive and away from the negative; and, of course, when you pray, pray for our nation to heal. The Parish Council has not met since our last Update, so there is not much to report. By the time this Update has arrived at parishioners’ homes, the election process for the next Parish Council will have begun. Please prayerfully consider those individuals who may best serve our parish, as there is much to be done. We will have just met on January 28 when this Update arrives. The next meeting will be February 25. As always, if you would like to attend or have something you wish for the Council to address, please contact a Council member.
* * * IMPORTANT!! * * * If you would prefer not to receive a printed copy of the Update and to access it on our Mary Mother website (www.marymother.org), please indicate that preference below. You can send it to the parish office, marking it ATTENTION: Jackie Wilson, or email at [email protected]. I/We prefer to access the Update on Mary Mother’s website. Please remove me/us from the Update mailing list: Name: ___________________________________ Address: _____________________________________ Email address (for reminder): ______________________
HAVE YOU TOLD
SOMEONE TODAY THAT
YOU LOVE THEM?
February, 2021
Catholic Grade School Registration For parishes with schools, now is the time of year when registration for the 2021-22 school year is taking place. Even though our parish has never had a grade school, from its beginning we have offered financial support for those families who chose to send their child to a Catholic grade school (St. Simon the Apostle) while remaining parishioners of Mary, Mother of the Church. Last spring, we discovered that we would only have 1 family/1 student enrolled at St. Simon’s School. At the same time, we learned that we had 2 families/3 students attending Assumption School, 1 family/2 students attending St. Margaret Mary Alacoque School and 1 family/2 students attending St. Mark School. With the support of the Christian Formation Commission and the approval of both the Administration and Finance Commission and the Parish Council, our parish began to also offer some financial support to those 4 families last fall. We would like to continue to offer some financial support next year. If you are a registered parish household OR if you know someone who is a registered parish household, and you or they are planning to register a child for a Catholic Grade School, please contact the Parish Office by February 25, 2021.
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UPDATE Page 2
Did you know that in many Christian churches (and in some traditionalist Catholic communities), the Sundays from Epiphany to Ash Wednesday make up their own liturgical season? During this Season of Epiphany or Epiphanytide, we hear of Jesus’ early days of ministry – calling of the disciples, his teaching in the temple, and his first miracles of changing water into wine and healing of the leper. It only makes sense then that these Sundays could be grouped into a celebration of this manifestation of the Christ into the world. In our Roman rite, however, we consider these Sundays part of Ordinary Time – not “ordinary” as in normal or usual, but rather indicating the “ordinal” or numbering of the weeks not connected with the great feasts of Christmas or Easter.
Finally, on behalf of Rita Mosblech and myself, I’d like to give special thanks to Tom Serati, who has been a faithful member of our choirs. After 30 years of participation, singing and playing guitar, Tom has decided to retire from ministry. Blessings to you, Tom, and thanks for many wonderful years of service!
DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION
Cheryl Degenhart 894-1373 [email protected]
PARISH COUNCIL VICE-CHAIRPERSON
Dave Baranowski [email protected]
With the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine, hopefully, the beginning of the end of the pandemic is near. As we return to “normal,” have you thought about how God is calling you to respond? Are you going to be the same as you were prior to lock-down or, is there something in you that has changed? How will you reacclimate back into parish life? One opportunity to become more involved is through the Mary Mother of the Church Parish Council. Consider joining the team. Or, give some serious thought about which of your fellow parish brothers and sisters would be good candidates and nominate them! The Parish Council Election will begin soon. During the month of February, we will collect nomination forms; and during the month of March, the election process will take place and results announced. The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of our parish. Let’s make it our best year yet! Make the decision to take a more active role in the life of our parish. Together, let’s become the radiant light and bold witness God wants us to be.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope your families had a wonderful Christmas and have had a good start to the new year. At the 11:00 Mass on Sunday, January 17, our eighth graders presented themselves as candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This presentation and blessing begin the final process of preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation in May. On January 18, our second-grade children celebrated and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. With the help and guidance from their parents and catechist, Mrs. Martin, the children were well prepared and excited to receive the sacrament. These children are now ready to continue their faith journey preparing to receive Jesus in the Eucharist in April. If you have not done so yet, register for a free subscription to FORMED.org. Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier. There is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church. Register today at FORMED.org/signup.
DIRECTOR OF LITURGY AND MUSIC MINISTRY
Nate Jackson 894-1373 Nate [email protected]
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TITHING
2020 YEAR-END
GIVING SUMMARY:
$80,395 DONATIONED
TO 39 DIFFERENT
ORGANIZATIONS!
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UPDATE Page 3
Hello Mary Mother! Our last Ad/Fin meeting was in November. I don’t have much to report since we didn’t meet in December. There was one unexpected expense that was incurred. The compressor in the walk-in cooler went out on the first week of January and had to be replaced at a cost of $2,538.50. The new compressor has a 5-year extended warranty. With that being said, I would like to thank everyone who is on the Administration and Finance Commission for all your work, and offer a prayer for the New Year... Unfortunately the author is unknown. New Year’s Prayer Lord, You make all things new. You bring hope alive in our hearts; And cause our Spirits to be born again. Thank you for this new year For all the potential it holds. Come and kindle in us a mighty flame So that in our time, many will see the wonders of God And live forever to praise your glorious Name Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.
YOUTH COMMISSION Maura Clancy
Happy New Year! Hopefully you had a holy and wonderful Christmas and were able to see some of your family members. I hope you all had a wonderful year and New Year. We want to thank everyone who supported our virtual Christmas Sale, by either purchasing items or making donations. Our total was over $1200; and, for that, we are so grateful! We are currently working on our Confirmation Retreat, which will be held on February 13th and 14th. We are in the planning stages, and trying to figure out how to switch our normal activities to social distance activities. You will see us at the 11:00 Mass, so please pray for us. We are continuing to do our Wednesday night Prayer Group; but we are unfortunately slowing down our activities because of the Covid numbers being so high. If you have any people for whom you would like us to pray let me know; and we will add their name to our prayer tower, for which we pray on every Wednesday.
FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE Michele Venable 894-1373 [email protected]
Heart Health: We can help ourselves and those we love every day by remembering/reminding to accomplish at least one healthy thing. There are so many ways: walk. Exercise indoors (yoga, chair yoga, tai chi, etc.) if the weather is inclement. Choose low sugar, salt and fat food/drinks, “fresh is best.” If overweight or smoke, set a goal to lose/quit (seek help from a buddy who has the same goal). Manage stress through prayer, meditation, and journaling. These are just a few of the many possibilities. Happy Heart Health month! COVID-19 Vaccines: The supply remains limited to those in phase 1a tier (patient-facing medical personnel and residents and staff in long-term care), at this writing. Visit www.stlcorona.com for state guidelines on vaccination phases and tiers. Pre-registration can be done online. There is a direct link to pre-register on the above listed website. The telephone number for St. Louis County Health Department is (314) 615-5000, if you don’t have internet access. Consider the option, also, to wait until the vaccine is available from primary care physician/local pharmacy. Continue mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing as we lift one another in prayer!
There’s not much happening for the next few months. The Progressive Dinner and Fish Fries have been cancelled. The fun events of the 50th Jubilee of our parish are on the horizon, so hang in there. In the mean time, I encourage you to create your own social encounters. I’d like to recommend that each parishioner call a different Mary Mother friend each week just to chat. Perhaps this could be a Lenten objective. God bless you all.
SOCIAL COMMISSION Becky McDonnell
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMISSION
Mary Gudinas [email protected]
Begins February 17
UPDATE Page 4
CHRISTIAN SERVICE COMMISSION
Rob Telthorst [email protected]
Missionary Discipleship Commission - Yes, the name has changed. The Evangelization Commission has now become the Missionary Discipleship Commission. Evangelization, the sharing of our Christian beliefs with other people, is still a central part of this commission’s role; but Pope Francis, as well as the Archdiocese of St. Louis, has encouraged parishes to think of that role in a broader sense. I have eluded to this in past UPDATE articles so will not elaborate further at this time other than to say that the Parish Council decided to follow that lead and change the name of the commission. One role of this commission is to provide our Mary Mother community with information to help us share our Christian beliefs with others and to further our own understanding and knowledge of Jesus and the Catholic faith. Allow me to introduce you to FORMED. This is an online website full of entertaining movies, programs, inspiring talks, e-books and podcasts all for FREE! All you have to do is register on the site to have these things available to you whenever you feel like using them. My prayer group did a little tutorial with the site and felt it was very well put together and engaging in so many ways. Below are the directions for getting registered. I encourage everyone to take a little time to check it out!
1. Register at FORMED.org/signup 2. Click on the Sign Up button 3. Click on Sign Up as a Parishioner 4. Enter the parish name or zip code (there are several
MMOC’s so choose the one at 5901 Kerth) 5. Enter your name and email 6. Start enjoying!
BRING A CHILD
UP IN THE WAY
OF THE LORD.
MISSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP COMMISSION
Jeanne Rothermel [email protected]
Given that the past year has been devoid of many of our “normal” activities, I found myself with a bit more time for contemplation, reflection and prayer. I am one of those who writes in a journal and; as I looked back on my 2020 journal entries, I surprised myself by finding numerous blessings in the past year. The year that was a challenge, to say the least, also provided plenty of occasions for giving thanks. The interruption of our activity schedule with St. Alphonsus “The Rock” Church gave the Parish Council the motivation to explore how to revitalize the sister parish relationship with “The Rock” Church (founded by the Redemptorists as they also founded Mary Mother of the Church). Along with the Christian Formation team, we are meeting with “The Rock” Church representatives to outline what this revitalized relationship looks like. We may have zoom activity with “The Rock” as soon as this spring; hopefully, if health guidelines allow it, we will have an in-person activity at the end of the summer. Our “Rock” Church friends have even expressed an interest in helping us celebrate our Golden Jubilee. Other good news in 2020 includes the success of the food pantry outreach to both “The Rock” Church and St. Anthony’s, (St. Anthony’s served 28,947 souls last year), the continuation of the Sandwich Shoppe, the continuation of our bridge bread ministry through online orders, many wonderful “neighbor in need” encounters through our SVDP council, a successful year in the scrap metal ministry (also for SVDP), the expansion of our, Mary Mother SVDP food pantry as well as our continued involvement in Metropolitan Congregations United and our social justice caravan this summer, wow! As always, we will need lots of input and help on how to keep our many Christian Service Missions moving forward in the new year. Please feel free to reach out to me or any member of the commission or member of Parish Council. Thanks to all of you who served these missions in person or financially last year! Your actions are evidence that Mary Mother is open to the work of the Holy Spirit in good times and not so good times. Peace.
UPDATE Page 5
CHRISTIAN FORMATION Kim Blackford
TITHING
November, 2020 5 Sundays - $1,015 each agency
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. 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. Whole Kids Outreach – Provides health and wellness services in five poverty stricken rural counties in southern Missouri, with a goal of preventing child abuse. Center for Women in Transition – Assists women as they transition from the criminal justice system back to their families and community. Most Holy Trinity Parish – Assists an inner-city parish in the Hyde Park area in its efforts to revitalize the neighborhood. 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.
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.
December, 2020 4 Sundays - $1,045 each agency
St. Agatha Center – Ministers to the poor within parish boundaries, includes food pantry and education center. Sisters of Divine Providence (Room at the Inn) – Assists their Room at the Inn shelter for homeless women and children in St. Louis. 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. Pink Ribbon Girls - Supports women with breast or other female cancers, offering meal delivery, transportation to treatment and professional housecleaning services. English Tutoring Project – Supports the teaching of English to children from immigrant and refugee families at four Catholic elementary schools in the metro area.
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
“Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are and courage to see they do not remain that way.” St. Augustine. Most of you might know that February is Black History Month. Did you know that November is Black Catholic History Month? Did you know that St. Augustine and his mother, St. Monica, were Black? As we work toward reinvigorating our sister relationship with “The Rock” Church, maybe it’s time we learn a little about how Black people and culture have influenced Catholic faith. This article from U.S. Catholic gives many resources to learn more at: https://uscatholic.org/articles/202006/required-reading-a-black-catholic-syllabus/ I hope you will look, but not be overwhelmed by the length of the list. Some are books; others are shorter articles. There are even children’s books. Interested in learning more? Please, let me know. I’m considering hosting a zoom event about the lives of Black saints. Be on the lookout for more info about that and other events “The Rock” will be inviting us to.
This Lent be ready!
It isn’t always easy!
UPDATE Page 6
LITURGY COMMISSION Carol Mason
Choirs, Servers and Eucharistic Ministers are still on a COVID hold. Along with that, Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) has been postponed. And, since our CLOW coordinator has stepped down, we have yet to fill this position. There are so many of you who have contributed your gifts of time and talent to this ministry over the years. Surely, there is someone who would be a good choice to coordinate the Children’s Liturgy in the near future. We would like to start interviewing and discussing how this will play out. Could you suggest someone? We will contact them to discuss the details of the position. As always, there will be a Reconciliation Service before Easter this year. Stay tuned to flocknote and the bulletins for the date. If you are interested in helping with any part of Liturgical Planning, please email one of the commission members. The Liturgy Suggestion Box is open. It is in the vestibule on the bookshelf by the Mass Monitor/Hospitality Station. Please sign your name to your suggestion—that is most helpful.
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL
Prayer will Light up Your Life.
The goal of the last six SVDP Update articles has been to share with our parishioners and benefactors who and what we are, and how we do it. The June article provided statistics for the first quarter. Our members logged 759 hours of service, traveling 1,202 miles, and making 73 home visits. Due to Covid-19, we had to adjust our procedures regarding NIN home visits. Currently, we conduct NIN interviews via telephone. Our in-person Conference meetings are now held by ZOOM. In addition, our Conference also maintains a Food Pantry. Prior to Covid-19, we volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Lunch window monthly. If you are inspired by these articles, wishing to become a member of our Mary Mother SVDP Conference or if you have any questions, please contact Bill Ebert, 314-843-7642. Sincere gratitude is expressed to our parishioners and benefactors. Due to your support and prayers, Mary Mother SVdP Conference is celebrating 10 plus years!
Thank you for walking with moms in need through your contributions to LifeLine Coalition and your prayers in January! Please continue to pray for moms in need. In January, 2021 the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a two page document entitled “Answers to Key Ethical Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines.” In summary, it says that the vaccines available now used abortion-derived cell lines in production or testing. Yet, it can be morally acceptable to receive the vaccine. The link to the article follows. I encourage you to read it. https://www.usccb.org/resources/Answers%20to%20Key%20Ethical%20Questions%20About%20COVID-19%20Vaccines.pdf Below is a link to a letter you can send to pharmaceutical companies urging them to discontinue using abortion-derived cell lines in the production and testing of vaccines. Your letter to these companies will make a difference in future ethical vaccine development. https://www.cathmed.org/vaccine-letter-in-objection/ Pfizer and Moderna are the two companies that produce currently approved COVID-19 vaccines. AstraZeneca, Janssen, Novavax, GlaxoSmithKline, Innovio and Merck have vaccines currently being tested.
PRO-LIFE Leslie Najjar
LOVE IS
THE GREATEST
GIFT OF ALL.
UPDATE Page 7 Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Feb 1 9:05am AA Group 12:30pm Pickleball 6:30pm Pickleball 7pm Men's Prayer Group
2 9am Adoration 9am Quilting 9am TOPS 9am Walking/PAC 6pm Basketball practice 7pm SVDP Mtg 7:30pm Youth Commission Mtg
3 9am Adoration 9:30am Cornerstone 9:30am Tai Chi 12:30pm Pickleball 1:30pm AA meeting 6:30pm Gr 1-5 PSR 7pm ProLife Committee 8pm Youth Prayer Group
4 9am Walking/PAC 4pm Adoration 7pm Liturgy Mtg 7pm Prayer Group
5 7:15am Men's group 6:30pm Pickleball
6 3:30pm Confessions 4:30pm Mass
7 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass 10am Gr 6-8 PSR 11am Mass 6:30pm Rosary
8 9:05am AA Group 12:30pm Pickleball 6:30pm Pickleball 7pm Men's Prayer Group
9 9am Adoration 9am Quilting 9am TOPS 9am Walking/PAC 6pm Basketball practice 7pm Women Sharing Faith 7:30pm Adult Volunteers Mtg (Youth Grp)
10 9am Adoration 9:30am Cornerstone 9:30am Tai Chi 12:30pm Pickleball 1:30pm AA meeting 6:30pm Young Women's Prayer Group 6:30pm Gr 1-5 PSR 8pm Youth Prayer Group
11 9am Walking/PAC 4pm Adoration 7pm Prayer Group
12 7:15am Men's grp 6:30pm Pickleball
13 12pm Confirmation Retreat 3:30pm Confessions 4:30pm Mass
14 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8am Confirmation Retreat 9am Mass 11am Confirmation Retreat (Closing Mass) 11am Mass 6:30pm Rosary
15 OFFICE CLOSED for Presidents Day Holiday 9:05am AA Group 12:30pm Pickleball 6:30pm Pickleball 7pm Christian Service Commission 7pm Men's Prayer Group
16 9am Adoration 9am Quilting 9am TOPS 9am Walking/PAC 6pm Basketball practice 6pm Ad/Fin Meeting 7pm Health Ministry Commission Mtg 7pm SVDP Mtg
17 Ash Wednesday 9am Adoration 9:30am Cornerstone 9:30am Tai Chi 12:30pm Stitching 12:30pm Pickleball 1:30pm AA meeting 8pm Youth Prayer Group
18 9am Walking/PAC 4pm Adoration 7pm Prayer Group
19 7:15am Men's group 6:30pm Pickleball
20 3:30pm Confessions 4:30pm Mass
21 1st Sunday of Lent 9am Mass 10am Gr 6-8 PSR 11am Mass 12pm UPDATE Due 6:30pm Rosary 7pm Youth Group rec nite
22 9:05am AA Group 12:30pm Pickleball 6:30pm Pickleball 7pm Men's Prayer Group
23 9am Adoration 9am Quilting 9am TOPS 9am Walking/PAC 6pm Basketball practice 7pm Women Sharing Faith
24 9am Adoration 9:30am Cornerstone 9:30am Tai Chi 12:30pm Pickleball 1:30pm AA meeting 6:30pm Young Women's Prayer Group 6:30pm Gr 1-5 PSR 8pm Youth Prayer Group
25 9am Walking/PAC 4pm Adoration 7pm Parish Council 7pm Prayer Group
26 7:15am Men's group 6:30pm Pickleball
27 Rock Church Food Collection Weekend - vestibule 9:30am Parent Workshop for First Eucharist 3:30pm Confessions 4:30pm Mass
28 Rock Church Food Collection Weekend - vestibule 2nd Sunday of Lent 9am Mass 10am Gr 6-8 PSR 11am Mass 6:30pm Rosary
February 2021 For more details, go to: www.marymother.org/calendar-1
Note: items on calendar may be in person, or may be virtual; depending on “safe to gather’ COVID status
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
MARRIAGES: Sophia Honig & Jordan Gicante DEATHS: Tim Rogaczewski Pat Lysaght Barb Schad NEW PARISHIONERS: Carolyn Hebenstreit Jonathan & Dianne Crowe Chris & Judy King Jim & Grace Dawson (welcome back) Suzanne Goette (welcome back) FAREWELL: Steve & Joan Brown Ed & Debbie Kiefer