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SJN Neumann News
Volume Twenty-Seven
Issue Three
May/June 2008

“Celebrating 30 years of making the name of the Lord known in this place”  

Pentecost
The Birth of the Church

The Easter season lasts for fifty days, ending with Pentecost.  The word Pentecost comes from the Greek pentekoste, which means fiftieth.  Ranking second only to Easter, the feast of Pentecost must be understood in the context of the Jewish feast by the same name.  Its other name in Jewish tradition is Feast of Weeks, a full season of seven weeks of thanksgiving beginning with the Passover Sabbath.  This prolonged festival celebrated the theme of harvest and thanksgiving and evolved before the time of Christ into a memorial of the covenant and a memorial of the giving of the Law. 

By the end of the 2nd century, Christians were observing a similar fifty day festival of rejoicing after the annual Pascha.  People prayed standing, and fasting was prohibited.  During these seven weeks, fasting and kneeling were forbidden because of the joyful experience of resurrection.  Pentecost itself closes out the Easter season.  It celebrates the overwhelming experience of God pouring out the Spirit upon the first community of those who believed Jesus was the Lord and Christ.  Pentecost is called, therefore, the birth of the church or the birth of the church’s mission.
        
This year we celebrate Pentecost on May 11.  We invite everyone to wear red for our celebration of Pentecost at 5:00, 9:00 and 11:00 Mass.  Red symbolizes the intense love and fire of the Holy Spirit.  The dove, wind and tongues of flame are other symbols of the Pentecost event.  (Parts of the article are from Catholic Customs and Traditions, by Greg Dues.)

We congratulate all of our confirmandi who received the gifts of the Spirit at their sacramental celebration of Confirmation on April 24.  Also, we congratulate the members of our community who were received fully into the church at the Easter Vigil.  Congratulations also to Jeremy Lynch who was baptized at the Vigil.  Please continue to pray for Heather and Jeremy Lynch, Nikki Juengling and Ana Figueira.  Our confirmandi and our newly initiated members are a powerful sign to us of the continued growth of the church and how all of us are called to continue to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to enliven our church.       

St Vincent DePaul Bundle Sunday

Please mark your calendars for July 19 and July 20.  On that weekend we will have a truck from St. Vincent DePaul to collect household items and gently used clothing at all the Masses.  We will have more information in the bulletins as we get closer to the date.  This is one way that we can use the gifts and fruits of the Spirit to build up the kingdom of God here on earth and help make a difference in our community. 
 IN MEMORY
We have printed memorial envelopes available for those who might wish to remember Saint John Neumann Parish.  We have put some of the envelopes in the Gathering Space of the church.  We have some at the parish office.  Presently we are suggesting that gifts be made to the parish general fund.

We will acknowledge each of these memorial gifts in a card or note to the family and in our NEUMANN NEWS.

Perhaps you will find this kind of memorial to be a fitting way to remember the people you love: the person who has died and the parish with which you worship.

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Peter, Paul and Mary
As the Easter season comes to a close, and the feasts of Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi, fade in our memories, the longest season of the year begins.  The season of Ordinary Time is over six months in length this year, in part because of the especially earlier Easter.  On the surface these months may seem devoid of celebration, the extra-ordinary lives of the saints remind us all we have much to honor and remember.  During May and June we celebrate the Feasts of Saints Peter and Paul, and the Blessed Virgin Mary to name a few.

St. Peter, originally named Simon bar Jonah, was a fisherman who Jesus met at the Sea of Galilee.  St. Peter eventually came to be known as our first Pope.  Scripturally, Peter is commissioned as the leader of the Church in the Gospel of John, Chapter 21.  It is there Jesus says to Peter, “feed my lambs…take care of my lambs…feed my sheep.”  As such, we believe then that the Risen Jesus founded what we now know as the papacy.  And as for Peter it is in that same chapter that Jesus suggests how Peter will die.  Peter is crucified on a cross in Rome, upside down at his request, feeling not worthy to be killed in the same way as the Lord.  We like Peter, are called to all be willing to lay done our lives on behalf of the Lord.  So too, we are called to feed and care for God’s sheep, especially the least among us.  Many of us do this everyday by taking care of our families, siblings, parents and grandparents.

St. Paul is said to have been born in 10 C.E., Common Era, (formerly A.D.).  Paul, who originally was named Saul, and born in Tarsus, in what is now known as Turkey.  Pope Benedict XVI plans to proclaim a Pauline year in preparation of the 2000 year anniversary of his birth.  The Pauline Year will run from June 29, 2008, to June 29, 2009.  Paul is the first person from whom we have received written letters documenting our faith and life of the early Christian community.  Paul’s letters and journey’s are important as they predate the Gospel’s and give us terrific guidance about living as a disciple, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the presence of the Lord in the New Covenant established for us through the breaking of the Bread.  St. Paul records the words of Last Supper in Corinthians 11:23-26.  This Eucharistic prayer uses the same word’s we use to this day.

St. Mary, Jesus’ Mother, Mother of God, Queen of Peace, Queen of Martyrs, Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of Sorrows, has many titles.  For us maybe the most important one is Theotokos, “God Bearer.” It is through her Annunciation that Mary gives her “Yes” to God and allows herself to be used as an instrument of the Lord.  In the Gospel of Luke Chapter 1, we can read about Mary being visited by an angel and being “troubled.”  So often our image of Mary is from the picture of a queen, dressed in blue, with a peaceful baby Jesus in her arms.  Miriam would have been Mary’s Hebrew name.  That name actually means sea of bitterness and sorrow.  This image almost seems contrary to the image we have from the Middle Ages.  Mary, who was told a sword would pierce her heart, is a model for us in many ways.  In times when you are struggling, it might help to remember that our Mother Mary suffered so much turmoil in her life, and kept going.  When we want to give up, or think our life unfair, unite your suffering to Mary’s in prayer.  She has been there and done that.  She walks with us “now and at the hour of our death.”  If even those words don’t seem to fit, try this one from Luke 1:38, “Be it done to me according to your word.”  Mary, the first of Jesus’ disciples, is the perfect model of trust.

CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL (CMA)
Please prayerfully consider giving your support for six of our very important regional Church ministries, through the Catholic Ministries Appeal.  (This appeal replaces the Archdiocesan
Fund Drive.) 100% of your contribution goes to Catholic Social Services, campus ministries,
lay and ordained ministries education, St. Rita School for the Deaf, support of our retired priests, and chaplains for our hospitals and prisons.  Our parish goal this year is $21,500.

Envelopes for CMA are available in the Gathering Space or call the parish office. You can also visit CatholicAppeal.info for more information, and to make your gift online. Our inability to get even close to our success with the AAFD in past years will be noticed and reflect badly on our parish and pastor.  Both the amount of total gifts from each parish and the number of parish families participating from each parish is important. Therefore, every gift helps and no gift is too small.

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SJN FAMILY PARISH PICNIC – JUNE 13, 2008
As our parish continues to celebrate our 30th Anniversary, mark your calendars and plan to attend the parish picnic on Friday, June 13, 2008 at Stricker’s Grove on Hamilton-Cleves Road near Ross, Ohio.  Gates open at 5 p.m.  There will be free rides from 6-10 p.m. The SJN Men will offer a Picnic Buffet.  Bring a dessert to share.  Free soft drinks.  Because of state alcohol policies, no alcohol can be brought into Stricker’s Grove.  Stricker’s Grove will sell beer.

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN UPDATE
As of 04/04/2008
WE HAVE REACHED AND SURPASSED OUR MILLION GOAL!
  THANK GOD AND THANK YOU!
                       
Our parish has loans totaling $314,944. Our Focus on the Future payments will be used to pay on these loans and the current interest accrued until we have paid the principal in full.  The blue Focus on the Future payment envelopes will continue to be mailed to our homes in the envelope packets.

PARISH CENSUS UPDATE
Update forms continue to come in each week. Have you completed yours? You can print an update form from the parish website, (click), update forms are available in the plastic racks in the Gathering Space or contact the parish office. Don’t be left out. Let us know current information about your family.  Thank you for your help in getting parish records up-to-date.

St. John the Baptist  U Corpus Christi   U  St. John Neumann
A Pastoral Area School:
Three parishes…One commitment to Catholic Education

Registration for new families to the school program, grades K-8 at St. John the Baptist School, for the 2008-2009 school year for families who are presently registered members of St. John Neumann Parish continues.

Please note the following:  Membership in SJN Parish is determined by formal registration in the parish and regular attendance at Eucharist with the SJN community.  This should be noted by all who plan to register or reregister children in the St. John grades K-8 program.  For information about membership, parish policies etc. call Janet Joerger at the parish office, 742-0953.  Please call the school office 385-7970 or visit us online at www.stjohnbluejays.org for more information about our school and registration.

Recycle – Fight litter – Save valuable resources – Earn money for our schools
   We are part of the Recycle Challenge, collecting aluminum cans for St. John the Baptist School. Let’s see how fast we can fill the container.  The Rumpke recycling container is conveniently located by the garage near the John Gray Road driveway.  Save your cans, drop them in the recycling container, help save the environment and earn money for St. John the Baptist School.

    We are part of the Abitibi Paper Recycling Program for St. Bartholomew Consolidated School. Abitibi Recycling is offering SBCS the opportunity to earn up to $400 in additional revenue by increasing paper collections. Here is how it works: SBCS currently collects an average of 3.8 tons of paper per month. If paper collections are increased by 15% (1/2 a ton) each month for the next six months SBCS can earn a bonus of $200. If paper collections are increased by 20% (3/4 of a ton) each month for the next 6 months SBCS can earn a bonus of $400. Can you help to reach this goal?

   WE ACCEPT: newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, envelopes, folders, office paper, notebooks, fax & copy paper and shredded paper (shredded paper must be in a plastic bag to prevent it from blowing away!) WE DO NOT ACCEPT: Phone Books, Cardboard, Waxed Paper, Metal, Trash, Glass or Plastic (except for bags that hold shredded paper). The Abitibi Paper Recycling container is also conveniently located behind the garage near the John Gray Road driveway.  Bring your paper, help save the environment and earn money for SBCS.

   Bring your aluminum cans and newspapers next time you will be passing by church.

   Drive in and drive out, easy access, 24/7, and help keep tuition costs down!
STEWARDSHIP 2007

It’s not too late. SJN needs to hear from you! Have you returned your 2007 Stewardship Form? Please read the letter mailed to our homes and after prayerful consideration, fill in the 2007 Stewardship commitment form indicating how you will support our parish by prayer, time and talent, and treasure.  Please return the Stewardship Form to the parish when you come to Mass.  To help in planning, the Finance Council needs to know what financial commitment you will make to our parish for the 2007-2008 budget year.  Extra commitment forms and information are available in the plastic racks in the Gathering Space.  We hope to hear from every family.

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ST JOHN NEUMANN PASTORAL COUNCIL 2007-2008
Have a question? Ask a council member. 

With deadlines for our bi-monthly NEUMANN NEWS so far ahead of publication and in order to keep parishioners more up-to-date, we will be publishing the Pastoral Council meeting notes in the weekly bulletin.  Watch the bulletin for notes from the latest council meetings.

WE WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERSPlease warmly welcome: Joan K, Patrick and Laura E and their children Isabella, Rachel and Patrick and also Leonard K, who have all recently joined our parish family.

THANK YOU NOTES
Dear Fr. Steve,

Those of us at the Catholic Social Action Office would like to express our sincere gratitude for your parish’s generous contribution to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.  The Collection Weekend is the main source of funding for CCHD.  Thus, your promotion of this collection translates into making a real difference in the lives of the poor who are served by CCHD.

This year, St. John Neumann Parish contributed $3,086.10.  In addition, the total amount collected in your parish increased from the previous year!  With such dedication to the campaign, thousands of low income Americans will be  able to continue their efforts to build stronger communities and break the cycle of poverty. The many good works of your parish are a blessing to our world!

In Christ’s peace,
Tony Stieritz
CCHD Diocesan Director 

Dear Fr. Kolde,
The CISE schools and our inner-city children are being educated because of the generous donation from St. John Neumann Parish and we thank you.  Your gift of $2,037 to the 2007-08 CISE Parish Appeal is giving hope to underprivileged children who are challenged to meet the standards of our world.

Because of the generosity of your parish our children are receiving an excellent education in a safe and loving environment.  They are being taught Christian values and discipline which will help them lead stable and successful lives.
May you and your parishioners be blessed and know how much you donation helps.

Sincerely,
Carol A. Stevie
Director

Dear Fr. Kolde,
The Archdiocesan Financial Services informed my office that St. John Neumann Parish has contributed $6,801.68 to the Retirement Fund for Religious.  Thank you for contributing to this appeal. The people of St. John Neumann have consistently given generously to this Appeal.  You do, indeed, Share the Care.

It is very affirming to the Religious Men and Women of the Archdiocese to know that the people of  the Church contribute so wholeheartedly  to this Retirement Fund. I, personally, am very touched by the stories and remembrances that are shared after the appeal by so many of th Church members.

I thank the pastors (parish priests) who spoke on behalf of  the Retirement Fund themselves.  To those pastors who permitted a Religious Sister or Brother to address the People directly, words of appreciation sound bland, but they are  sincere.  Your hospitality and attention to detail during a very busy time is always heart warming.  The support of the parish pastor is the essential component of this successful campaign.

With fewer younger, working members congregations often face decisions of “where to put their monies”—retirement or ministries. Keeping the mission is key to the congregation’s spirit.  Let us not forget that the elderly members serve through their lives of prayer and suffering.  They truly do “offer up” their lives for others.

Sincerely,
Sister Mary Garke, CPPS
Archdiocesan Coordinator  

The Neumann News is published by
St. John Neumann Church
12191 Mill Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45240
742-0953

Printed every other month, six times a year, for the entertainment,
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