Neumann News-Weekly Bulletin
February 7 , 2010 --
Nothing – and proud of it . . .
A rabbi and cantor are preparing to lead their congregation for Yom Kippur’s services.
The rabbi beats his breast and intones, “I am nothing, O Lord; I am nothing.”
The cantor then beats his breast and sings the prayer, “I am nothing, O Lord, I am nothing.”
Then, from the back of the synagogue, a third voice is heard. The janitor, head bowed, takes up the prayer, “I am nothing, O Lord; I am nothing.”
The rabbi whispers to the cantor “Look who thinks he’s nothing.”
Peter could learn a lesson from the janitor. Many of us suffer an “inferiority complex” when it comes to God: we are intimidated by religious protocol; we are overwhelmed by doctrine and dogma; we see our own lives and experiences as too far removed from the heroic “sanctity” of the saints and martyrs celebrated in the church calendar. Like Peter, we cannot imagine God loving sinful, Godless us. But that is exactly the “mystery” of faith: that God loves us despite ourselves.
Thomas Merton wrote that “the root of Christian love is not the will to love but the faith that one is loved by God . . . irrespective of one’s worth. In the true Christian vision of God’s love, the idea of worthiness loses significance. The revelation of the mercy of God makes the problem of worthiness something almost laughable . . . no one could ever, alone, be strictly worthy to be loved with such a love – (such a realization) is a true liberation of spirit.”
Authentic faith is the realization that God loves us despite ourselves, that God works through “saints” who are men and women just like us, however imperfect, but who trust in God’s unwavering love.
Please keep me in your prayers and be assured of my prayers for you and your family.
Peace,
Fr. Steve
New Music Director
I am pleased to announce that we have hired a new part-time Music Director. Mr. Steve Neiheisel has been worshipping and leading us in song and praise for a number of years. I look forward to ministering with him in the future and welcome him to our staff. I want to thank him and all of our musicians for sharing your gifts and talents to help the St. John Neumann community make a joyful and spirit-filled praise to our God.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Steve Kolde
Dear Fr. Steve, Parish Staff & Parishioners,
Your acknowledgement of my retirement was humbling. Thank you so much for the yummy food, cards and gift.
Even though I won’t be in the office 4 days a week, Bill and I will continue to worship with and be a part of the SJN community.
Once again, thank you and God bless.
Peace,
Donna Garrity
If you would like to receive a statement of your 2009 contributions to St. John Neumann Parish please call the parish office at 742-0953.
Ministry to Engaged Couples
The SJN Ministry to Engaged Couples is a group of married couples providing ministry to engaged couples. The goal of our group is to encourage good communication skills as a foundation for a healthy marriage. When we are assigned an engaged couple, we meet with them in our home several times during their engagement to follow a program designed to enhance open communication. We are seeking couples who have been married 3 or more years and are interested in participating in this ministry with us. Training is provided. Please call Paul and Betsy Bissmeyer 742-0409, or email us paulbetsy@fuse.net if you feel you would like to take part in this ministry. It is a very rewarding experience and is beneficial not only to the engaged couple, but also to the married couple who goes through the process with them.
Shopping Cent$ News
Thank you for supporting Shopping Cent$ over the past year and especially for the support in December. We’ve had an outstanding year. We are back to our schedule of following the Coffee and Donuts schedule. Mark your calendars for upcoming Shopping Cent$ dates: February 6 & 7, February 20 & 21, March 6 & 7 and March 20 & 21. On Saturdays after 5:00 mass, you can find us in the Usher’s Room, at the back of church and on Sundays you can find us near the donuts in Daniel Hall.
2010 Catholic Men’s Fellowship
Consider joining other parishioners who will be attending this year’s Answer The Call Conference. It will take place at Music Hall on Saturday, March 20, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The speakers include Jack McKeon (former manager of the Cincinnati Reds), Brian Rooney (Director of Communications for Thomas More Law Center), Jim Gruden (Lay Pastoral Minister), and Fr. Mark Burger (Pastor of St. John parish in West Chester).
We will be ordering a block of tickets for the parish and would like to include you as part of the experience.
The cost per ticket is $40 for adults and $20 for students. If you cannot afford a ticket one will be provided to you free of charge.
Lunch is included and parking is located across the street from music hall.
Please feel free to invite any others you think might be interested.
For more information please contact Dan K or
Neal G. Please drop off your check, made out to the Catholic Men’s Conference, at the Parish Office no later than Sunday, February 21. Go to www.thecall.org for more information.
Parish Mission Trip
Space is still available for our parish mission trip to Mexico with Back2Back Ministries. All adults, and children with adult chaperones, are invited to join us from July 10th – 17th. For more information please contact Neal G or visit the Back2Back website @ www.backwbackministries.org.
LITURGICAL LIFE
Tuesday, February 9
8:30 a.m. Special Intention
Wednesday, February 10
8:30 a.m. No Mass in the Parish Today
Thursday, February 11
8:30 a.m. + Frances Ritzie
Friday, February 12
8:30 a.m. + Thomas Kolde
Saturday, February 13
5:00 p.m. For the Parish
Sunday, February 14
9:00 a.m. + Ed Lemming
11:00 a.m. + Bob Shefcik
Prayer Partners needed for our High School Retreatants!
Individuals, couples, and families are invited to become prayer partners for our high school youth as they participate in their Winter Retreat this February 12-14. All prayer partners will receive a special prayer to say for the young people during the weekend and a candle to keep in their home over the weekend as a reminder of Christ’s presence with us and with our parish youth. This is a great way for all members of our parish family, young and old, to support our teens. If you would like to be a prayer partner during the High School retreat weekend, please contact Ruthie Hurley-Franchi via email or by phone at 245-1128.
CALLING ALL BAKERS!
BAKED GOODS NEEDED FOR THE FISH FRIES!
The first Fish Fry is Friday Feb. 19th and we need kind people to help youth ministry by making and donating baked goods for each of the six Fish Fries. The money raised at the Fish Fry Bake Sale goes towards youth ministry programs such as retreats and mission trip. Call (742-0953 x 11) or email Elizabeth (emontgomery@isoc.net) if you can help in any way.
DINNER AND A SHOW!
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Come to the Fish Fry and Cap off the night with the musical
Fri. Feb. 26th at 8:00 pm at SJN
Enjoy and evening of spiritually uplifting, high quality entertainment brought to you by a talented cast of High School youth. Storytellers: Youth Ministry through Drama will be performing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber here at on Feb. 26th at 8:00 PM in the Church. Doors will open at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $5.00 a person and will be available starting Feb. 16th in the Parish Office or by contacting Elizabeth at (742-0953 x 11) or email Elizabeth (emontgomery@isoc.net)
A THOUGHT FOR ALL TEENS:
Look everywhere for God's presence.
Have you ever been so sure of how something would be that you couldn't accept what it actually turned out to be? Expectations can blind us to reality. Some people's expectations of the Messiah kept them from recognizing Jesus as God's Son. Our expectations about how God works, and in whom, can limit our ability to see God in all persons and events.
Attention all high school students!
GET YOUR REGISTRAIONS IN NOW!
HIGH SCHOOL WINTER RETREAT:
“With Growing Hearts”
Fri. Feb. 12th - Sun. Feb. 14th at Glen Helen OEC
We will be joining three other area parishes for the retreat. Cost is $50 if you register before Feb. 7th and $60 after that date. Brochures and permission forms are in the back of church and on the SJN website.
Grateful to God for many blessings
Eager to care for our parish
Aware of our responsibilities to
Needy neighbors everywhere
Our Sunday Offering
OUTREACH TO THE NEEDY
(5% of every Sunday collection)
From the desk of Deacon Ron:
? Because you asked…..-
Recently a non-Catholic friend asked why we pray to saints and Mary and
she quoted the Bible phrase of 1st Timothy 2:5. I said that we pray to ask
the saints and Mary for their intercession with God. I looked the phrase up
in our Catholic Bible and I was confused. Where did praying to saints
come from? I'm not giving up praying to saints or the Blessed Virgin
Mary. Thanks.
.
Answer: ….. Your question is very similar to one I received last March. But first let’s look into the Bible verse, “The aim of this instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.” 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus were first named the ‘Pastoral Epistles,’ and were addressed not to congregations but to those who shepherd congregations – to train them in the faith that God requires. See verses 3 and 4:
“…instruct certain people not to teach false doctrines…rather the plan of God that is to be received by faith.” My guess is that your friend sees praying to saints or Mary as false doctrine. Assure your friend that Catholics do pray directly to God – as all Christians do.
But when we pray to Mary and the other saints in heaven we are not bypassing Christ, whom we acknowledge as the sole Mediator between God and man. We are going to Christ through Mary and the other saints. We are asking Mary and other saints to intercede for us before the throne of Christ in heaven. "The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects." (James 5:16) St. Paul asked his fellow Christians to intercede for him: "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as it did among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not all have faith." (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)
And again: "I appeal to you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company." (Romans 15:30-32) It is clear in Sacred Scripture that the saints in Heaven will intercede for us before the throne of Christ if they are petitioned in prayer (Revelation 8:3-4). And it is clear in the records of early Christianity that the first Christians eagerly sought their intercession. St. John Chrysostom wrote in the fourth century: "When thou perceivest that God is chastening thee, fly not to His enemies, but to His friends, the martyrs, the saints, and those who were pleasing to Him, and who have great power."
Praying through the saints to God is not a false doctrine – it is something all Christians have done from the beginning of Christianity.
Keep ‘em coming folks. Submit your questions to “Because you asked”
at the parish office or to ronbrenda@cinci.rr.com.
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Monday, February 8
3:00 p.m. RCIC- YR
6:30 p.m. Confirmation Pot Luck - DH
7:00 p.m. RCIA - YR
Tuesday, February 9
8:10a.m. Recitation of the Rosary - OLC
10:00 a.m. Ed Center in Use
7:00 p.m. Baptism Prep - OLC
Wednesday, February 10
Archdiocesan Child Protection - YR
8:10 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary – OLC
6:00 p.m. Worship Mtg
7:00 p.m. Catholics Returning Home - YR
Thursday, February 11
8:10 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary – OLC
10:00 a.m. Ed Cntr in Use
6:00 p.m. Holy Hour – OLC
6:30 p.m. Men’s Society - DH
Friday, February 12
High School Winter Retreat - Away
8:10 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary - OLC
10:00 a.m. Scripture Study – YR
Saturday, February 13
11:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry – Ed Cntr & Aud
4:00 p.m. Reconciliation
Sunday, February 14
High School Winter Retreat – Away
12:30 p.m. Baptism: Hankey
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY NEWS – I hope you’ve all been busy knitting and crocheting our prayer shawls even tho’ we didn’t have a meeting in January. We will have a meeting on Saturday, February 13th,11 a.m. in the Auditorium (back of Daniel Hall). Our speaker will be Mary Lou M who will share with us some of her thoughts about visiting the nursing homes. We’ve had a request for shawls for Mercy Hospital. Can we do it? You have the answer! Hope to see you all on Feb. 13 – crochet hooks, or knitting needles in hand ready to work, pray, and chat for about an hour. If you need help I’ll be available. If you’d like more info on our Prayer Shawl Ministry don’t hesitate to call me, Cetta Romer, 860-3757.
Next collection date for yarn and money is the weekend of February 13. If there is no basket in the atrium just leave your bags by the center doors and I’ll pick them up.
Merchandise Booth 2010
Hi, Me again! Here is February's Theme: We will of course be soliciting local businesses and the schools for items. Any monetary donations will gladly be accepted as well as items not listed (these are suggestions). All donations are greatly appreciated. So for THIS MONTH:
February-The month of Love-couples items, date night items (tickets to movies, theater, museums, dinner for two/families, massage certificates-you get the idea!)
We will of course be soliciting local businesses and the schools for items.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL DONATION ITEMS MUST BE TURNED IN BY FRIDAY JULY 31, 2010. ANY ITEMS DONATED AFTER WILL BE HELD OVER FOR FESTIVAL 2011. THIS WILL ALLOW ADEQUATE TIME TO PREPARE THE GIFT BOXES FOR THE FESTIVAL. YOUR COOPERATION ON THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU, GAIL U. (ALSO: Check the SJN website as the themes for all the months are listed. Thanks! Gail U).
Benefit Dance for Rosie Bernard Saturday, February 13, 2010. 8-Midnight at St. Xavier High School. Music by the band Retro Vibes. Admission includes beer, soda, snacks, and door prizes. There will be raffles, a bake sale, and split the pot throughout the evening. Tickets are $20 per person in advance and $25 each at the door. Tickets can be purchased by e-mailing rosiebernardbenefit@yahoo.com. Donations of door prizes, baked goods, and raffle prizes are also being accepted. Questions? Please call Jim Bernard at 729-2444. Thank you.
La Salle High School’s Camelot Auction
La Salle High School will be holding its 23rd Annual Camelot Auction
-- “Rockin’ the Night Away” -- on Saturday, February 27. Come and enjoy the evening with your friends and help support our co-curricular programs. Enjoy a lavish dinner, open bar, split-the-pot, raffles, oral auction and silent bidding on over 700 items. This year we are excited to announce that we will have live entertainment provided by “Mr. Entertainment” Mike Davis.
Tickets cost $160.00 per couple. Plan to join us for an evening of fun and entertainment. For additional information, please contact Patty Trotta at 741-2385 or ptrotta@lasallehs.net.
MARDI GRAS BUNKO PARTY – Roger Bacon Cafeteria Friday, February 12th 6:30 p.m. $25 per person
Join us for an evening of fun, food and refreshments…all included! If you don’t know Bunko don’t worry…it’s easy!
There will be prizes, split-the-pot and lots of laughs. Bring your friends, meet your friends or make new friends.
RSVP by February 8th. Questions? Call Chris B.
RB CORNHOLE CLASSIC – Roger Bacon Auditorium Saturday, February 13th 6:30 p.m. check-in, Tournament starts at 7:15 p.m.
$40 entry fee per team; $15 per spectator. Beer and food provided.
MUST BE 21 OR OVER
Put some SPRING in your step!
Renew the excitement in your marriage! Schedule a weekend away – just for the two of you! Make your good marriage warmer and happier with a Marriage Encounter Weekend! The next Marriage Encounter weekends in this area are February 12-14 in Erlanger, Ky and March 19-21 12-14 at the Comfort Inn in Erlanger, KY and March 19-21 at the Ramada Plaza Dayton. Weekends fill up quickly, so a prompt response is encouraged to avoid the waiting list.
Corpus Christi Cancer Support Ministry: There will be NO Cancer Support Meeting at Corpus Christi on Wednesday, February 10th. The next session will be held on Wednesday, March 10th at the Parish Center from 7:00-8:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please call Eileen Armbruster, 923-2127.
Please join us!
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