A Quarterly Newsletter for the St. Pius X Church and School Community June 2021 • Volume VII, No. 1 Connections Fr. Young, Continues on Page 3 My Dear Parishioners, Harken back with me, if you would, to a simpler time… when masks were reserved for surgeries and for trick-or- treat… and when hand sanitizer was considered helpful, but not critical. Ahh, those were the days, weren’t they? Looking back, it seems like a radically different world compared with today! Thankfully, vaccinations are now available, and our lives are slowly beginning to transition into a new routine. I almost wrote “back to normal” but I am not sure our everyday lives will be seeing pre-COVID-19 conditions any time soon. If you think about it, though, this time of year is naturally filled with all kinds of transitions; all kinds of moments when we take a deep breath, look around, and realize that things may never be the same. Events like high school and college graduations, first Holy Communions, Confirmations, ordinations, weddings, special family trips, and more have that sense of visceral potential for creating some of those “soul-etching” memories. Each of these types of moments can become a poignant spiritual “souvenir,” in which our minds and hearts together recognize that “this experience, this instance, right now, has special meaning for me.” I was praying with these thoughts in mind the other day and I started to reminisce back to my own high school graduation (DeSales Highschool, Class of ’96. Go Stallions!). I remember hearing one of my classmates say, “It’ll never be like this for us, again. It’ll never be this great again.” At the time I thought to myself, “Geez! Take it easy, party-pooper!” Years later, though, I am really glad I heard that. As bittersweet as it was in that moment, I have come to appreciate the way it affected my state of mind, right then – at the cusp of whatever was next. And that was part of the excitement! None of us knew “whatever was next.” For me, at that point, the priesthood was barely a blip on my radar! “Whatever was next” was full of promise, anticipation, and abundant possibility for all of us that day. I think it is in the middle of these types of life transitions that our deeper senses are roused to the beauty and glory of hope. These days, I think we are in a similar position in terms of the pandemic. Except, in this moment, we are thinking “I hope it will never be like this, again. I hope it will never be this Father David J.Young, Pastor Spiritual Souvenirs IN THIS ISSUE 2 Principal's Update 3 New Ways of PSR and Sacrament Religious Education 4 St. Pius X Church and School Annual Financial Report 6 Knitting And Crocheting Ministry 6 What Teaching During a Pandemic Has Taught Educators 7 St. Pius X Parish Festival August 6 & 7, 2021 Parish Picnic - August 8, 2021 Photo by Carl Hunley on Unsplash
Transcript
A Quarterly Newsletter for the St. Pius X Church and School Community
June 2021 • Volume VII, No. 1
Connections
Fr. Young, Continues on Page 3
My Dear Parishioners,
Harken back with me, if you would, to a simpler time… when masks were reserved for surgeries and for trick-or-treat… and when hand sanitizer was considered helpful, but not critical. Ahh, those were the days, weren’t they? Looking back, it seems like a radically different world compared with today! Thankfully, vaccinations are now available, and our lives are
slowly beginning to transition into a new routine. I almost wrote “back to normal” but I am not sure our everyday lives will be seeing pre-COVID-19 conditions any time soon.If you think about it, though, this time of year is naturally filled with all kinds of transitions; all kinds of moments when we take a deep breath, look around, and realize that things may never be the same. Events like high school and college graduations, first Holy Communions, Confirmations, ordinations, weddings, special family trips, and more have that sense of visceral potential for creating some of those “soul-etching” memories. Each of these types of moments can become a poignant
spiritual “souvenir,” in which our minds and hearts together recognize that “this experience, this instance, right now, has special meaning for me.”I was praying with these thoughts in mind the other day and I started to reminisce back to my own high school graduation (DeSales Highschool, Class of ’96. Go Stallions!). I remember hearing one of my classmates say, “It’ll never be like this for us, again. It’ll never be this great again.” At the time I thought to myself, “Geez! Take it easy, party-pooper!” Years later, though, I am really glad I heard that. As bittersweet as it was in that moment, I have come to appreciate the way it affected my state of mind, right then – at the cusp of whatever was next. And that was part of the excitement! None of us knew “whatever was next.” For me, at that point, the priesthood was barely a blip on my radar! “Whatever was next” was full of promise, anticipation, and abundant possibility for all of us that day. I think it is in the middle of these types of life transitions that our deeper senses are roused to the beauty and glory of hope. These days, I think we are in a similar position in terms of the pandemic. Except, in this moment, we are thinking “I hope it will never be like this, again. I hope it will never be this
Father David J. Young, Pastor
Spiritual Souvenirs
IN THIS ISSUE
2 Principal's Update
3 New Ways of PSR and Sacrament Religious Education
4 St. Pius X Church and School Annual Financial Report
6 Knitting And Crocheting Ministry
6 What Teaching During a Pandemic Has Taught Educators
7 St. Pius X Parish Festival August 6 & 7, 2021 Parish Picnic - August 8, 2021
Photo by Carl Hunley on Unsplash
2 ST. PIUS X CHURCH AND SCHOOL • 1051 S. WAGGONER ROAD • REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO 43068
While most local public schools did not offer daily in-person instruction until March 2021, St. Pius X School proudly and successfully has provided five days a week of in-person instruction since the start of the school year. Because safety was our priority, at the beginning of each quarter, parents were given the option of in-person or remote instruction for their children. Although we started the year with over 125 of our 478 students learning remotely during the first quarter, by the fourth quarter, only 17 students continued to access their instruction remotely. By midyear, it was evident that the rigorous safety and cleaning protocols being administered were successful in preventing the spread of COVID-19 within the school. Although there were a small number of positive cases reported with students and staff, none of these cases resulted in any spread within the school.
In March of 2020, the stay-at-home order forced teachers to immediately learn new techniques in order to effectively teach their students remotely. Students and parents had to learn new skills as well! Those new techniques and tools came in handy as we approached the start of a school year that would be like no other. The shutdown taught us what worked and what we needed to improve; the summer recess allowed us time to fine-tune our plans. This school year, faculty was asked to teach both in-person and remote students simultaneously. The extraordinary faculty of St. Pius X School somehow made this very difficult task look easy, making the most of our technology resources to allow students to participate and work together, no matter where their learning took place. Although it was often exhausting to create plans that engaged both groups of students, our teachers met the demands without complaint.
In order to meet social distancing guidelines, classes were divided into smaller pods, which required a need to be creative with finding additional spaces around the campus. The Jr. High was temporarily moved into the Monsignor Funk Parish Center to provide more spaces for the 1st-6th grade students. Pods also moved into the library, the tech lab, the music room, and the cafeteria. Although students had the opportunity to continue to attend PE and art classes in person, the teachers for those classes recorded virtual lessons and doubled as remote liaisons for the students learning from home. Although some protocols were challenging for students, there were some good aspects as well. Many classes enjoyed eating lunch outside in good weather, and all pods were able to get outside for recess most days including the Jr. High students.
With the addition of extra, smaller classes, came the need for more staff members. While it was a difficult decision for parish administration to close the Children’s Center for a year, those talented employees became aides at the school and enabled the main school to have the appropriate staffing to reopen. Those staff members will return to the St. Pius X Preschool for their grand reopening in August 2021.
NEW WAYS OF PSR AND SACRAMENT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION These past few months everyone’s world has been turned upside down because of the COVID-19 virus. We all have had to make adjustments in our lives. As many of you know, for the most part PSR has been completely revised during this time. We have brought in textbooks from Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) which have an internet base to work from ranging from student activities to teacher lesson plans. To go along with these new textbooks, we have started using a learning platform called Flip Grid which lets the teachers and the students make videos and lesson plans to communicate with each other. Email is still used for communications between myself and the catechists. The 8th Grade PSR students are using Ascension Press’s Chosen textbooks that have video access on its website for the weekly lessons. Grades 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, RCIC, and teacher meetings are using Zoom for their classes to bring the teachers and the students together for live PSR classes and meetings. The parents, whom the Church calls the Domestic Church, are teaching the students more than ever before.
All of the Sacrament areas have been using Zoom for the Parent Meetings, the Play and Pray Day for the first Holy Communion communicants and the Sponsor Candidate Reflection for the Confirmation candidates. Rehearsals were held on Zoom.
Our God has truly shown us the way to bring His word to all our students. I wish to thank all of the parents, teachers, and students for all their hard work because this school year has truly been a partnership between everyone. I wish to thank the parish for all their support and prayers.
Be Safe, God Bless and Prayers.
De Ann Bukowski Coordinator of Religious Education
Fr. Young, Continued from Page 1
Although the teachers and aides are the obvious staff members who overcame this year’s challenges, the support staff had their own set of hurdles. Fortunately, they handled them like track stars! The cafeteria staff delivered hundreds of hot meals to students upstairs, downstairs, and in another building daily; the maintenance staff arrived earlier, stayed later, and increased all cleaning and sanitation procedures; our counselor helped students and staff adjust to the changes and challenges; and the school nurse worked tirelessly to diligently follow COVID-19 protocols which kept the positive case count low and the spread non-existent.
St. Pius X School would not have been able to offer an entire year of in-person instruction without the support of Father Dave and the parish. Streaming the Tuesday morning Mass allowed us to keep a sense of a familiar schedule and ritual, while also ministering to students sacramentally. The school community is beyond grateful for the access to the parish center and the generosity of the parish. The students certainly benefited academically; however, the in-person schooling allowed them to flourish both socially and emotionally as well.
Our plan is to return to a more traditional schooling experience. St. Pius X School still has a few spots available for the 2021-2022 school year. Please reach out to the school office if you are interested in learning about the St. Pius X School difference.
Darren Smith Principal, St. Pius X Elementary School 614-866-6050 • [email protected]
difficult again!” Today, we find ourselves on the cusp of another “whatever is next.” Once fully vaccinated, we can begin to remove our masks, take a deep breath, look around, and realize that things will never be the same as they were before COVID-19. My prayer is that our parish and our world will choose resilient hope instead of resistant fear, and let that power and grace lead us into whatever is next.
As we transition into the next stage of living beyond the pandemic, my prayer is that the good Lord will strengthen, inspire, and inform our hope. I ask Christ Jesus to keep us prudent, careful, vigilant, and considerate in staying healthy but, most of all, I appeal for His grace to establish an enduring hope in each one of us, going forward. May that hope be one of the spiritual souvenirs we gather as we transition into whatever is next.
Peace and prayers,
Fr. Dave Pastor
Principal, Continued from Page 2
4 ST. PIUS X CHURCH AND SCHOOL • 1051 S. WAGGONER ROAD • REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO 43068
6 ST. PIUS X CHURCH AND SCHOOL • 1051 S. WAGGONER ROAD • REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO 43068
WHAT TEACHING DURING A PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT EDUCATORSThrough these challenging times and changes, educators have been forced to grow and create. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged teachers to meet the academic, physical, and emotional needs of our students in a very different way. There are many ways in which we learn, process and retain information. Providing this to the students and families that we serve has proven to be the most challenging aspect of teaching. We have witnessed and learned how many new ideas can come out of a struggle. The pandemic has forced us to take advantage of technology and to become more flexible to in order meet the needs of the whole child.
We have learned much about our students’ families and their home lives. The efforts they have put forth to help us provide a successful virtual learning process helps us to understand and appreciate them more.
Developing good relationships when it comes to keeping students engaged has been a key factor for successful remote teaching. We have learned how much socialization really means to everyone, and how important those connections are. Togetherness has become one of our greatest values, and we long for the day with great anticipation when we can have that again.
We have learned patience and hope as we have seen our scientists work miracles. The children will grow up with more resilience and will come to understand that the tough times will end.
The year 2020 has taught us to be grateful for the little things. We are privileged to live the life we have and we are blessed with the people in it. We will appreciate “normalcy” more than we ever have.
Sharon Miller Director, St. Pius X Preschool
The Knitting and Crocheting Ministry is a group that meets twice a month to make items to donate to different charity organizations. This ministry originated at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Gahanna, Ohio. The group at St. Pius X is one of the associated satellite groups. We make hats and scarves for adults, teens, children and toddlers, baby blankets, and lap robes. Organizations apply for the donations of these handmade items and send in a “wish list” of their needs. Each November there is a distribution day when items are packed up and sent to the requesting organization. Each item has a prayer pinned to it for the recipient.
This past year has been challenging since we have not been able to meet in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, everyone has continued to work from home and turn the finished items in to help our neighbors in need. Also, we have had donations of yarn, finished items and almost finished projects from families who have lost a loved one. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the families who took the time to think of us during their time of grief. May God bless you for your kindness.
We had our most successful year at St. Pius X and for the entire ministry. Apparently, a pandemic cannot stop our crochet hooks or knitting needles! Our ministry at St. Pius X donated a total of 3,435 items. This is over 1,000 more than last year. This total includes the 300-400 items that were donated by families of the deceased. The total for the entire ministry was 20,866 items! Congratulations everyone!
Hopefully, soon we will be able to meet again at St. Pius X. If you want to join this wonderful ministry, we will welcome you while we continue to work from home. We will provide the necessary yarn and we have lots of yarn! We are always looking for new members to join this wonderful ministry. You do not need to be a master at needlework. Once we are able to meet in person, there are plenty of us who are willing to help if you need direction. The more hands available, the more help we can provide to our neighbors. Please contact Phyllis Bierl at [email protected] or at 614 580-4359 if you are interested.
Diane Gawron
Knitting And Crocheting Ministry
L- R Bonnie Allen, Trudy Testerman, Jane McKenny, Phyllis Bierl, Diane Gawron, Lorraine Edwards, Carmen Ellison, Mary Parker
Pursuant to and depending upon all ongoing COVID-19 guidelines or future directives that are declared by the State of Ohio and the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.
The time is quickly approaching for the 25th St. Pius X Parish Festival! As you know, we did not have the event last year because of the pandemic. This year, if all goes as planned, we expect it to be quite a celebration. The Festival Committee, Father Dave, and the staff of St. Pius X’s Business Office are hopeful that, in three months’ time, most eligible people will have received their COVID-19 vaccine and that we will be able to move forward and have fun celebrating life with our parish’s friends and community.
In 1996, under the leadership of Father Dan Ochs, Parish Council agreed to resurrect the annual St. Pius X Parish Festival, which had been dormant since the 1970s and 1980s. From the beginning, building community and strengthening relationships with parishioners, teachers, parents, staff, and the neighborhood have been the primary motivations and objectives of the festival. These are the same reasons that we continue with it today.
For the festival to be a success, we most definitely need volunteer help from across St. Pius X Parish and School. We are currently looking for 170 volunteers to help organize all the fun activities planned for this year. If you are available and would like to help with this year’s Parish Festival, please email John Beyer at [email protected] or call the St. Pius X office 614-866-2859.
Currently, the following will be at the festival:
Erin’s Lunchbox Food Truck Kona Cones Shaved Ice Food Truck Sliders and Festival Food from the Family Center Kitchen Pizza Cottage Food Truck
COVID-19 Preparations for the Festival: To help ensure that social-distancing safety protocols are met, an exceptionally large music and activity tent and another tent that will accommodate
twice the number of tables that we usually have for socializing and eating have been ordered. Sanitation stations with hand sanitizer will be available across the grounds. Please follow the Sunday Bulletin and St. Pius X’s website in last week of July and first week of August for most current mask-wearing requirements.
Festival Dates and Times:Friday August 6 6:00 PM-11:00 PM Saturday August 7 5:00 PM-11:00 PM Note: Mass Saturday August 7 at 4:30 PM
St. Pius X Parish Festival PicnicThe annual St. Pius X Parish Festival Picnic is scheduled for Sunday August 8, 2021 at 11:30 AM in the big tent on the parish grounds. All food for this picnic will be provided by the Festival Committee and will be cooked on- site in our safe kitchen in the Monsignor David R. Funk Family Center.
Picnic Menu:
Pulled pork sandwiches Scalloped potatoes Fresh fruit Fresh salad and fixings Baked goods Other items to be added.
Please plan to come to the festival and please help make it a success by volunteering your time!
John F. Beyer Asst. Business Manager St. Pius X Church and School Office 614.866.2859 • [email protected]
ST. PIUS X PARISH FESTIVALST. PIUS X PARISH FESTIVAL
AUGUST 6TH & 7TH, 2021
EDITOR’S NOTE
Welcome to the June 2021 issue of Connections! Incredibly, seven months have passed since our last issue due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. However, the months ahead are looking brighter – how blessed we are to have effective COVID-19 vaccines available to help end this pandemic.
In this issue, Father Dave reflects on hope as we transition to the next stage of the pandemic.
Darren Smith and Lisa Ruth provide an update on St. Pius X School’s challenges and successes this past school year and Sharon Miller writes about what teaching during a pandemic has taught educators.
De Ann Bukowski describes how continued religious education has been achieved during the pandemic and Diane Gawron shares the successes this past year of the Knitting and Crochet Ministry.
John Beyer needs your help as volunteers to make the 25th St. Pius X Parish Festival this coming August a success and Brenda Brammer shares the St. Pius X Church and School Financial Report.
I continue an open call for articles for Connections. If you have an idea, please reach out to me in person or at the e-mail address below. Would you like to shine a spotlight on a ministry or project? If possible, please submit your article as a Word document by e-mail.
Articles can be submitted to Michelle Carey at the parish office or to me directly at [email protected]. We are open and interested in your feedback. Please speak up!
As always, All God’s blessings, especially during these troubling times,
Carol McGlone
Non-ProfitOrganization
U.S. Postage PaidColumbus, Ohio
43218Permit No. 6804
ConnectionsSt. Pius X Church and School1051 S. Waggoner RoadReynoldsburg, Oh 43068
The St. Pius X Festival is being planned for August 6 & 7. Since 1996, this event has existed to unite the community.
Read more on Page 7 and learn how you can become involved to help make this year's event a great success.
