January/February 2017
“Love is our true
destiny. We do not find
the meaning of life by
ourselves alone - we
find it with another. “
—Thomas Merton
2
Winter Fun with a Purpose
3
Annual Schnacky Play
6 & 7
STARLIGHTS
4 & 5
Love is all You need!
Dear friends,
With our January/February Stewardship Newsletter we have many
worthwhile things for your reading. This issue found that in its preparations we
had an unusual amount of Starlight nominations! What a great dilemma to
experience. It is wonderful that so many of you had cause to nominate
someone for their goodness as the Lord Jesus's Steward! You can find the
names of those nominated and those who nominated them and why on pages
six and seven. Congratulations to our Starlights!
For that special grace and blessing we are devoting my column to share
these specially nominated Star Lights! I hope you will continue to see one
another for your generous stewardship and nominate someone you feel
deserves recognition. Remember nominations can be made through our Parish
website www.saintcath.org or Nomination Forms are available in church.
The month of February has its special saint that is recognized on
February 14th! Saint Valentine is often associated with love and love that is
shared among God's family. Recognizing this, the Parish Stewardship Ministry
thought it would be valuable to hear from some of our own and their ideas of
living love in their families. I think you will enjoy their vision and wisdom.
"They love their
neighbors with the
same love with which
they love me."
—St. Catherine of Siena
“Love is shown by little
things, by attention to
small daily signs which
make us feel at home.
Faith grows when it is
lived and shaped by
love.”
—Pope Francis
Page 2 Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
I suppose if you live in this area of Upstate New York, you
may either dread or welcome the “White Stuff” that
accumulates in your driveway. I for one can’t wait to see the
snow pile up. What are you …crazy? No, I love to ski and
being cold is a natural necessity.
I grew up in Rochester and started to ski in high school at
Powder Mill Park on their archaic rope tow. I further
developed that skill at Marist College in the Hudson Valley.
My wife, GeeGee and I taught our five daughters to ski and
found it to be a great
family sport. We still
try to get away as a
family to relax and
enjoy the snow. Years
later when we moved
to Mendon, I fulfilled a
lifelong dream to
become a member of
the Bristol Mountain
Ski Patrol.
What does the Ski
Patrol really do? Well,
we are trained in “On the Snow First Aid Care”. We like to
think of ourselves as EMT’s on the snow. That training starts
with an intensive four months Outdoor Emergency Care
(OEC) course that teaches us how to handle anything from a
bruised thumb to an unresponsive trauma patient. The
patrollers need to refresh their knowledge every year in the
Fall. I found that for me, I needed to teach this discipline. I
am very busy in the summer teaching the new candidates to
become first responders. It also allows me to keep my skills
current.
After we are trained to handle medical emergencies, we then
train to transport the injured patient down the slope using a
toboggan. This sled is controlled by a patroller in the handles
and another using a tail rope from behind. This training is
quite rigorous so we need to refresh our skills yearly. The
safety of our patient, the skiing public and ourselves rely on
our skill. Once we deliver our injured patient to the base
First Aid Station, they are transferred to the next level of care
either by ambulance, car or helicopter. Typical injuries might
include broken bones, cuts, bruises, dislocations and head
trauma.
Skiing can be very dangerous and injuries are bound to
happen, so our secondary duty is to make skiing as safe as
possible. At Bristol we interact with the public to encourage
safe skiing habits. Controlling one’s speed is key to safety.
We get involved in the design of certain merging areas on
the hill to create a
safer environment. In
the last few years
thanks to more safety
minded design, the
number of injuries
has declined. I feel
that we have had a
huge impact on that
statistic.
I might also mention
that there are other
ski patrollers at St
Catherine’s. Their
dedication to safety and care of the skiing public is
exemplary.
So as the snow flies, don’t grumble. Get yourself some
lessons and schuss down the Bristol slopes. It’s never been
easier.
Winter Fun with a Purpose by Rick Micolli
Rick and his family skiing. Rick on Ski Patrol
Why Do People Become Patrollers?
For the most part, it's because it gives us a
chance to do things we really love: spend time
on the slopes with a great group of folks, help
people who need us, and educate a few more
so that it will be more fun for everyone who
participates. For more information visit the ski
patrol website!
http://www.bristolskipatrol.com/
Saint Catherine Page 3
In 2013, there was a famous meme going around that
went something like this: “Ten years ago, we have Steve
Jobs, Johnny Cash and Bob Hope. Today, we have no jobs,
no cash and no hope.” As clever as this saying may be, the
imprint that Bob Hope gave to so many of us in our
lifetime is staggering. His name is so appropriate and his
jokes are still funny which gives the Monsignor Schnacky
Community Players a lot of hope.
Our 36th year of production is highlighting the comedic
genius of Bob Hope and the great music of the 40’s. The
cast of characters highlights the Andrew Sisters, Milton
Burl, Bing Crosby and of course, Bob Hope. Our heroine,
Major Commitment, is assigned to be Bob Hope’s military
attaché as he tours Europe during the height of WWII.
The notorious Colonel Klink and Sargent Schultz open the
show with their endless nonsensical plotting… Will Herr
Dryer prevail with his femme fatal, Mata Harry? Or will
Bob Hope save the day? One thing is for sure, you will be
tapping your foot, smiling from ear to ear and feeling all
warm inside in the middle of the cold month of February.
Every year, the Schnacky Players dedicate their time,
talent and treasure to the St. Catherine’s community. All
of the proceeds go to St. Catherine’s. Many of the players
are members of St. Catherine’s but many come from other
churches and faiths. We, as a troupe, are dedicated to
creating good will and laughter to all those who are
fortunate to be entertained by the shows. If you have
never been to a show, please consider coming this year.
Bring a friend, a group, a neighborhood! You are
guaranteed to leave with a bounce in your step and a
smile on your heart!
Performances: February 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18.
Purchase tickets for $12 on-line at saintcathonline.org.
USO SHOW TO GO by Andrea Borrelli
Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church Page 4 Page 4
The Many Faces of Love...Say the words Valentine’s Day and images of
candy, cards, flowers, symbols of hearts and cupids and expressions of love come to mind. Do you wonder what follows on the 15th of February and all the days that follow? That question, prompted us to ask some parishioners "How Do You Live the Concept of Love in Your Life?" Here are their answers!
Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic
Love in my family means they are in my heart.
It does not matter if they are far away or right
across the street or even live with me. I am
always thinking of them and hoping they are
having a good time and not upset or sad. I
love my family and always will remember
even if they have passed because they are in
my heart. The hard part of love is caring even
when I’m mad. Sometimes I get mad at my
sister, but I still know that I have to treat her
how I treated her before I got mad. Love in
my life means caring for people even if I don’t
know them. Anytime I see someone I don’t
know, I will give them a polite wave or a smile
to make them feel good. I also show love for
people I don’t know or see by donating food
to the food cupboard. I give clothes that are too small to
Matthew’s Closet. I don’t know who’s going to get my
clothes, but I hope that it makes them feel good and
brightens their day. I try and follow God’s path of loving by
caring for people whether I know them or not.
—Johnny Scmitz
The dictionary says that LOVE
is an intense affectionate
concern for another person.
We believe LOVE will only
grow or die. In our 65+ years
of marriage, we hope we
have kept Love alive and
healthy by being best friends
and considerate of each other
and by praying and playing
together. Any unplesantries could be handled with a slice of
chocolate cake and we keep baking!
Jesus’ message to “Feed the
Hungry” has always
resonated with me. I try to
live that message of love by
helping with the monthly
Open Meal, contributing to
the monthly food collections
for St. Martin’s and the
Thanksgiving baskets here at
St. Catherine’s, as well as
community food drives whenever possible. I pray that these
small gestures send a message of love and caring to those
who receive them.
God wants us to love our neighbors as
ourselves. To me, that means caring for
people I know and don’t know. Sometimes
it’s hard to figure our ways to show love for
strangers, but I have. I have walked 5Ks to
raise money for Camp Good Days. I don’t
know anyone who’s gone there, but I want
them to know someone loves and cares for
them. I also show love by smiling and saying
thank you when kids at school I don’t know
hold the door open. I also say thank you to
the cafeteria workers when they serve me
my lunch. Loving family is easier than loving
strangers because I know them. I love my
family whole heartedly. I hug and kiss my
mom on the way to and when I get home
from school to make her feel good and know she is loved.
Another way I show love for my family is by trying to be
respectful of them even when I am angry. I want my family
to know I am grateful and love them by saying thank you
when they do things for me. This is what I believe love is.
—Katie Scmitz
Jim, Susan, Katie, & John Schmitz
Harvey & Yvonne Limbeck Barbara Hart
Page 5 Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
There is an adage in a song: “Be a best friend, tell the truth, overuse I love you...Never let your
praying knees get lazy and love like crazy.” These words could not speak more true to us as we
reflect on our idea of love for one another and our families. We are each other's best friend
and more recently, through the sacrament of marriage, this commitment has only
strengthened the bond we share. Everyday begins with a heartfelt “I love you” and ends with
the same meaningful phrase. Our connection to God and love for our families has only
strengthened our relationship. Everyday is the perfect day to show your loved ones you love
them. We not only show this type of love to each other, we
carry this idea with us throughout all interactions with people in
our lives. We are in no way seasoned experts in marriage. We are aware that there will be
challenges that we will face along the way. But we will be able to overcome all adversity with
the love for one another and our faith in the glory of God. We have incredible examples of
marriage with our parents, grandparents and other relatives who continue to provide us with
love, guidance, and support. As we continue on in this journey together we walk with the
Lord, we walk with one another and we walk with the love of humanity in our hearts.
I live the concept of love in my life by
caring for all of God’s creation. For
example, my whole family cares for
animals in need of medical attention, food
and/or a home. We have adopted most of
our animals from Lollipop Farm in order to
give them a more joyful life. Animals help
bring out the best in me. To make sure
that the earth stays as clean, my dad and I
pick up trash on our road throughout the
year. Not only do we help out nature, but
we also spend a lot of time with family. As
busy as we are between sports, work and
school, we meet up with my aunts, uncles,
cousins and grandparents at least once a
month. It is always so much fun to sit down with them and
just have a conversation and a good laugh. Going to church
with my dad, mom and brother keeps us all close to God.
The ability to love comes from God. Taking care of His
creation and each other is a great way to show just how
grateful we are.
—Olivia Friedlander
I live the concept of love in my life by
loving God and His people. I show my love
for God by praying, reading the Bible, and
celebrating mass. God wants us to love
each other. I try to show the people
around me that I love them in many ways.
I spend a lot of time with my family and
we are very close. My parents do a lot for
me and I try to be as helpful as I can.
Whether it is feeding the dogs or watering
the flowers, I try to do my part to pitch in
to help my parents. I also make an effort
to be sure that my parents know that I am
grateful for all that they do for me. My
friends are important to me also. In
school, I give comfort to my classmates if they are
stressed. On the field or at the rink, I try to encourage my
teammates when they are struggling and compliment
them when they do a good job. I be sure to say “thank
you” to my coaches after every practice and game. I
believe that a little act such as this, means a lot to the
people who are hearing it.
—Roger Friedlander
Morgan & Angela Hoven
Wedding Day Bliss
David, Donna, Olivia & Roger Friedlander
Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church Page 6
"Stars of St. Catherine lighting our world"
Judy DuBois
Did you know that each child baptized at St. Catherine of Siena receives a very special reminder of this momentous occasion? That special reminder is an individually made bib, hand embroidered with the child’s name and date of baptism. During the past two years Judy has made more than thirty of these special gifts and they certainly are gifts of love! This could, perhaps, be called the “Ministry of the Needle and Thread.” I would like to nominate Judy for the Star Light award for not only managing her family responsibilities and a full-time job but also for using her time and talent for this ministry.
With Gratitude, Mary Lou Carlson
David DeLaus
David, throughout high school at HFL, was an athlete, made National Honor Society and volunteered to serve every month at the Open Meal. Each month he made a salad that fed over 40 people. We are so proud of you, David! Thank you so much for all of your support throughout the years. It was an honor serving with you. Best of luck!
With Gratitude, the Open Meal Ministry
Glenn Tvrdik
I would like to nominate Mr. Glenn Tvrdik for a Star Light Award. Glenn has been a very active member of the Buildings & Grounds ministry for many years. He has a very successful construction company and has been more than generous to our parish. He arranged for his sub-contractors to submit prices for various renovations that helped us put together a budget for our list of projects for the Capital Campaign. He donated materials and labor for new countertops in the MSCC kitchen. He donated the labor to install the mural in the MSCC and wall finishes in the rectory. His most recent donation was the replacement of the broken and uneven concrete pads in the sidewalk in front of the church. He is always offering his advice and expertise in helping me make decisions on repairs that need to be done throughout our campus. On behalf of the entire parish community, we thank Glenn for his dedication and generosity and for being a true “Steward” for St. Catherine of Siena Church. God Bless You, Glenn.
With Gratitude, Bob Goldbach
Nancy & Roger DeBurgomaster
Thank you so much, Nancy and Roger, for all of your hard work, planning, commitment, dedication, never ending support, generosity and mercy every month, for almost five years, with the Open Meal. You both are such an integral part to the meal. Your leadership in the kitchen is HUGE!!! I do not know what we would do without you both. Thank you for everything!!!
With Gratitude, the Open Meal Ministry
Star Lights is a recognition program that gives
parishioners an opportunity to publicly recognize
the kind words and/or actions of their fellow
parishioners. The actions of Star Lights recipients
serve as wonderful examples to us all of living a life
of stewardship.
We encourage YOU to write a Star Light to
recognize a kindness received or observed, no
matter how big or small.
"Stars of St. Catherine lighting our world"
Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church Page 7
Victoria, Gabrielle & Bridget Wangler
Three young ladies in our parish deserve recognition for the years they have served St. Catherine’s parish. Victoria, Gabrielle and Bridget Wangler were altar servers when they were younger and now as teenagers are members of our choir – sharing their lovely voices at 8:15 Mass, Christmas Masses and “Voices Raised” productions. We nominate Victoria, Gabrielle and Bridget Wangler for a Star Light award. Thank you for your dedication to St. Catherine’s.
With Gratitude, Ann & Frank Bindert
Leslie & Randy Barkin
Leslie and Randy are the example to follow for all families. They have succeeded in exhibiting the love of family and love of God while raising three wonderful children observing two faith traditions. What is important to realize is that Leslie and Randy believed it critically important for their children to participate in the traditions of the Jewish and Catholic faiths. They both have given so much to our faith community as Leslie serves our youth and the youth of our diocese and Randy frequently has volunteered to chaperone and help with the youth and in his support of Leslie and their children. They are the model for a multi faith family to emulate. Saint Catherine’s is much richer for their presence. May God continue to bless them.
With Gratitude, Deacon Jim Carra
Betty Hurley
The Social Ministry Committee is happy to honor Betty Hurley for a Star Light award for her many years of service on the committee. Betty, who recently retired, is a font of knowledge about the many agencies in the Rochester area that serve those in need of help and guidance. She quietly gave wise advice about which charities to consider featuring at the Outreach Masses. Betty, along with her son Patrick, faithfully shared their time in serving and cleaning up after each Outreach Coffee Hour. Betty’s wonderful smile brightens up even the darkest day. We were blessed to have her on our committee.
With Gratitude, the Social Ministry Committee
Gerry Schueler
Gerry Schueler lets his light shine in so many ways. He truly is a Star Light as a Communion Minister, as an Adult Funeral Server, as a Collection Counter, as an Offertory collector, as a distributor of Weekly Bulletins, as a Grandfather and so much more. Recently his Light sparkled as brightly as our Censor which he cleaned and polished following a funeral at which he had served. Thank you, Gerry, for your generous stewardship.
With Gratitude, Ruth
Debbie Birdsall
Debbie Birdsall brought me wonderful comfort food following my recent illness. Every few weeks she would appear on my door step with her latest batch of homemade ice cream. She brightened my day with her cheerful conversation. Bridget and I were blessed by her visits and I had a hard time not raiding the freezer too often!
Warmly With Gratitude, Jim Blackburn
If you know someone who is a STAR LIGHT, please
tell us about it. Nomination forms are available in the
Gathering Space or online at www.saintcath.org
Upcoming
Events
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January 2
Parish Office Closed
Happy New Year!
January 8
Religious Ed & Youth Nite
January 8
Communion Parent Meeting
9:30am Community Center
January 10
Family Faith Festival
5:30pm
January 14 & 15
Starlight Celebration
Weekend Mass
January 14
Open Meal
3:00pm
January 16
Office Closed
January 22
Religious Ed & Youth Nite
January 28 & 29
Winter Outreach Weekend for Green Visions
Green Visions is a two-part community-based program based on a vision for a more vibrant and flourishing Rochester. It is a workforce development program AND phytoremediation project in the City of Rochester’s JOSANA neighborhood. Together with neighbors, we install and cultivate flourishing gardens of flowers on once-vacant and decaying lots.
February 3,4,10,11,17,18
Monsignor Schnacky Play
8pm
February 5
First Communion Enrollment
10:30 Mass
February 7
Family Faith Festival
5:30pm
February 8
Hands of Christ Celebration
St. John of Rochester
February 12
Religious Ed & Youth Nite
February 12
Open Meal
3:00pm
February 20
Office Closed
February 26
First Communion Workshop
11:45am