St. Paul THE Apostle Parish June 2017 – Issue #82 We are Indeed a Giving Community! (A Report on Parish Charity) During this time of Pentecost, our readings indicate that from the beginning of the Church, it has been the tradition of the Christian community to share goods because the believers were all “One heart and mind” (Acts 4:32). One of the principal tasks of the Apostles in the early Church was to collect goods and redistribute them in an equitable way: “There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.” (Acts 4:34-35) St. Justin, a Martyr and one of the early Church Fathers, wrote, “Those who are well off, and who are also willing, give as each chooses. What is gathered is given to him who presides to assist orphans and widows, those who by illness or any other cause are deprived of resources, prisoners, immigrants and, in a word, all who are in need.” At St. Paul’s, we continue to spread this tradition of giving to those who are deprived of resources, the imprisoned, immigrants and to all those in need. As is the practice with many of our families, the parish specifically sets aside money in the annual budget for charitable giving. In addition, our parish families are generous in contributing to additional diocesan initiated programs including the Bishop’s Annual Appeal and disaster relief campaigns. On the page that follows I have included a list depicting our parish’s charitable contributions over the past 12 months (through May 2017). Issue Highlights Pastor’s Corner (Parish Charity)….Pages1-2 Farewell from Fr. Rod......................Page 3 Welcome Fr. Tony Longo……………….Page 3 PSR Volunteers Needed………………..Page 4 Summer Faith Series……………………..Page 4 New Items in Marian Gift Shop……..Page 4 A Letter from Dr. Norris………………..Page 5 Reaching for Tomorrow News…..Pages 6-7 St. Paul Campus Diagram………....Pages 8-9 Small Church Communities……….…Page 10 Living Christ Retreat………………......Page 11 Families Helping Others…………….…Page 11 Walking with Purpose……….…………Page 11 RCIA Celebrates Successful Year…..Page 12 Youth Ministry Programs…………..…Page 13 Laudato Si’………………………………Page 14-15 (On Care for Our Common Home)
Transcript
St. Paul THE Apostle Parish
June 2017 – Issue #82
We are Indeed a Giving Community!
(A Report on Parish Charity)
During this time of Pentecost, our readings indicate that from the beginning of the Church, it has been the tradition of the Christian community to share goods because the believers were all “One heart and mind” (Acts 4:32). One of the principal tasks of the Apostles in the early Church was to collect goods and redistribute them
in an equitable way: “There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.” (Acts 4:34-35)
St. Justin, a Martyr and one of the early Church Fathers, wrote, “Those who are well off, and who are also willing, give as each chooses. What is gathered is given to him who presides to assist orphans and widows, those who by illness or any other cause are deprived of resources, prisoners, immigrants and, in a word, all who are in need.”
At St. Paul’s, we continue to spread this tradition of giving to those who are deprived of resources, the imprisoned, immigrants and to all those in need. As is the practice with many of our families, the parish specifically sets aside money in the annual budget for charitable giving. In addition, our parish families are generous in contributing to additional diocesan initiated programs including the Bishop’s Annual Appeal and disaster relief campaigns.
On the page that follows I have included a list depicting our parish’s charitable contributions over the past 12 months (through May 2017).
Issue Highlights
Pastor’s Corner (Parish Charity)….Pages1-2
Farewell from Fr. Rod......................Page 3
Welcome Fr. Tony Longo……………….Page 3
PSR Volunteers Needed………………..Page 4
Summer Faith Series……………………..Page 4
New Items in Marian Gift Shop……..Page 4
A Letter from Dr. Norris………………..Page 5
Reaching for Tomorrow News…..Pages 6-7
St. Paul Campus Diagram………....Pages 8-9
Small Church Communities……….…Page 10
Living Christ Retreat………………......Page 11
Families Helping Others…………….…Page 11
Walking with Purpose……….…………Page 11
RCIA Celebrates Successful Year…..Page 12
Youth Ministry Programs…………..…Page 13
Laudato Si’………………………………Page 14-15
(On Care for Our Common Home)
Some Highlights…
Westerville Area Resource Ministry In 1972 volunteers from St. Paul’s founded a food pantry, originally known as Paul’s Pantry. Local families in need received food, clothing and emergency financial assistance through the efforts of these dedicated volunteers. In the 1980’s, several other churches in Westerville decided to collaborate with Paul’s Pantry toward the same goal: eradicate hunger in our community. Today the Westerville Area Ministerial Association (WAMA), comprised of more than 50 members from over 30 churches, continues the work of what is now known as the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM).
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) is a worldwide Catholic organization that assists the poor and those in need with temporary and/or emergency help. The goal of each member is to grow in holiness and proclaim the Good News of Jesus in prayer, word, and deed. Members seek to discover the face of Christ in all people they serve with the hope that others will see Christ in them.
The Helping Hands Health and Wellness Center is a faith and community based free medical clinic that serves uninsured and underinsured adults in the Greater Columbus and Northland area. It was built by a multi-denominational gathering of churches in the Central Ohio community to provide health care/education, specialty medical referrals, social services, counseling, and spiritual guidance. In addition, it provides vision referrals, dental referrals, and Benefit Bank services with some medication assistance. Our parish has contributed over $225,000 since the inception of the Health and Wellness Center in 2010. We contribute 1.5 % of our offertory collection to this cause. The Center adheres to Catholic Health Care Directives.
Catholic Social Services (CSS) is a faith-based social service agency focused on improving the quality of life for people of all faiths and backgrounds during some of the most vulnerable times of their lives. St. Paul participates with CSS in their efforts to help poor and vulnerable seniors and families in our diocese. A small bin, branded with the Catholic Social Services logo was placed on the south side of our church parking lot for the collection of clothing, shoes, miscellaneous
household items, and small appliances. Through your donations St. Paul actively supports CSS and indirectly helps keep seniors and families independent and thriving in their own homes.
I wish to extend my sincere gratitude for the compassion, mercy, and self-sacrifice of each of you in our parish family. Through your generosity many people are being helped in our parish, community and within our diocese. I continue to be constantly amazed and humbled by your efforts. Through you, the tradition of the Christian community lives on because the believers are all “One heart and mind.”
In Christ Our Lord,
St. Paul’s Donations (May 2016-2017)
Westerville Area Resource Ministry $ 78,650
St Vincent DePaul 69,510
Helping Hands Health & Wellness Ministry 37,640
Catholic Social Services 14,425
Diocesan Charities - Christmas 11,015
Kairos Ministry 500
Catholic Schools - Diocese of Columbus 2,500
St. Mary Senior Outreach Ministry 900
St. Rose School in New Lexington, OH 1,500
Crank’s Creek Survival Center 4,550
Fund for Religious Retirement 7,240
Campaign for Human Development 4,450
Propagation of Faith 5,570
Latin America 3,550
Miscellaneous (Various) 1,400
Total Charitable Gifts (May 2016- May 2017)
$246,400
Support of Parish Missionary to Kenya (2011-2014)
$11,371
Farewell from Fr. Rod Damico As I prepare to move on to a new phase of my life, I am filled with gratitude for the many kindnesses shown to Mary and me over the years. It is our association with so many people that are seeking to continue to grow in faith and service that have given us the courage to set out on this new path that God has opened for us, and to find joy in it. Please pray for us, as we will for you. And please welcome warmly the priest who will take my place here, Fr. Tony Lonzo. I have no doubt that all this is an expression of God’s providential care. So please embrace him as the gift of God he is.
In Christ’s love, Fr. Rod
My brothers and sisters,
I am happy to be joining all of you at St. Paul’s Parish in Westerville and assisting
Fr. Charlie in our journey of Faith. Fr. Charlie asked me to write a brief biography
before I begin my assignment this July.
I grew up in Mt. Vernon at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, attended St. Vincent’s elementary school,
and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1997. Following graduation, I attended the
Pontifical College Josephinum near Worthington attaining a B.A. in Philosophy from 1997-
2001. In the summer of 2001 Bishop Griffin sent me for my Theological studies in Rome Italy,
where I resided at the Pontifical North American College; receiving my S.T.B. in Theology from
the Pontifical Gregorian University (2001-2004), and an M.A. in Spiritual Theology from the
Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in the City (the Angelicum) in 2005.
I was ordained June 25, 2005 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio by Bishop Frederick
Campbell for the Diocese of Columbus and assigned as Associate Pastor of St. Matthew the
Apostle in Gahanna (2005-2009). In 2009, I was appointed Pastor of Immaculate Conception
Parish in Dennison (Tuscarawas County 2009-2015). Since 2015 I have been serving as parish
priest at Sacred Heart and St. John the Baptist parishes in the Italian Village section of
Columbus with residence at St. Joseph Cathedral.
A few personal details to share with you, I enjoy golf and played in high school – although in
the past few years have gotten away from it; but I would like to get back to playing golf more
regularly again! I also enjoy cooking and trying new and different foods as well as traveling
and visiting friends. I should add at least one weakness that I have and that is remembering
names as I am introduced to many people at one time. I have realized this as I have moved to
different assignments; and so have found it best to be upfront about this and ask for your
patience and understanding as I get acquainted with you. I do look forward to getting to
know you as I begin my new assignment here at St. Paul’s.
In Christ,
Fr. Tony Lonzo
Fr. Rod will celebrate his last Mass here at St. Paul’s at 12:15 on Sunday, June 25. A reception in the Parish Activities Center will follow at which time we will also recognize the 25th anniversary of his
ordination. Please join us!
THE LIVING CHRIST RETREAT held here at St. Paul’s this past April was a great success! Thirty-two attendees and over 30 volunteers grew closer to Christ as they shared terrific meals, listened to some powerful stories and shared their own faith journeys. Here are just a few comments from those who attended:
“This is a positive, uplifting, reaffirming experience that helped me connect with other members of my faith community in a relaxed, welcoming environment.”
“This experience was much more than I had expected and hoped for in such a wonderful way. The whole experience was awesome from meals through sharing and fellowship.”
“The retreat was a very positive experience. It has provided focus on what I need to do to draw closer to Christ through prayer and service.”
Consider making a note on your calendar now so that you are available to attend next year’s LIVING CHRIST RETREAT on the evenings of Thursday, March 22 and Friday, March 23, and the morning of Saturday, March 24.
Families Helping Others
If you haven’t ever participated in this parishwide service project, we encourage you to join other parishioners at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27, July 25 and August 29 to assemble bologna and cheese sandwiches for the St. Lawrence Haven. The Haven serves those the homeless, hungry, and hurting. This is a great family service project! If you are able, please bring 2 large loaves of white bread, a box of zip lock sandwich baggies, 2 packages of sliced bologna, and 2 packages of individually wrapped American cheese slices.
Remember to please use Doors #4 and #8 to enter Miller Hall. Due to our construction project, the breezeway doors are temporarily inaccessible.
We are very much looking forward to bringing Walking with Purpose, a Catholic Women’s Bible Study, to St. Paul’s this September! Walking with Purpose aims to bring women to a deeper, personal relationship with Christ Jesus by offering individual study materials and small group discussion that link the challenges of everyday life with solutions given through the teachings of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church.
The 22-week foundation course, Opening Your Heart, is ideal for all women, regardless of past Bible study experience. Classes meet for about 90 meetings weekly and break during
holidays and when school is not in session. Opening Your Heart will be offered on Monday evenings as well as on Tuesday mornings. Free childcare will be available for those attending the Tuesday morning session. Interested in learning more about Walking with Purpose? Take a few minutes and go to www.walkingwithpurpose.com or simply call parishioners Kellyn Donnelly (614-209-6827), Deb Levy (614-404-7667) or Colleen Brandt (614-946-4718). Registration information will be available in the bulletin and on the parish website later this summer.
Following the successful completion of Phase I, we have continued to make progress in our
fundraising efforts for Reaching for Tomorrow and would like to again thank everyone who has made a
pledge or donation. Unfortunately, we currently have not raised enough in pledges and cash to complete
the entire second floor as originally planned. However, we do have the capital necessary that would allow
us to begin construction on a shell for the second story. This strategy allows us to grow into a finished
space as we raise additional funds.
Once built, the second story shell will be complete from a structural standpoint. It will be safe for
the students, teachers and staff. We liken this approach to building a structurally sound house with power,
water, and sewer, but without all the finishes such as paint and flooring. This tactic was successfully used
during the building of our church as it relates to construction and the use of the lower level meeting rooms.
Construction material expenses for things like steel, etc. continue to climb and outpace our
budget. If we were to wait an additional summer to continue our work, the project could become even
more expensive to complete. The school expansion is one of many priorities and needs for our parish
community and we aspire to serve our youth in many ways. This approach allows us to maximize the
use of our capital.
Corna-Kokosing has been busy this month and has a construction timeline of 11 months until
completion. In addition to the second story shell, Corna-Kokosing will make several improvements
including:
New main school entrances with handicap accessibility in both the car and bus loops
Expanded school and auxiliary offices
Renovation and expansion of the school clinic to include a handicap accessible bathroom
Additional speakers to assist communication within the building in the lower levels of the
school such as Music, Art, Youth Ministry and PSR programs
The addition of sound amplification system in the Learning Commons which is needed for
large groups
During the 11-month project, there will be some temporary inconveniences – all of which have
been thoroughly thought through and planned for including:
The front entrance of the school is no longer accessible. School visitors should park in the church parking lot and use Door #10 located on the east side of the Multi-Purpose Room and faces the primary playground. (Please refer to the diagram on the right.)
Accessibility to Miller Hall will also be restricted and there will be no entry to Miller Hall through the breezeway.
Parishioners should enter through Door #8 on the southwest corner of Miller Hall.
There will be no parking availability on the north side of the school directly in front of the Miller Hall breezeway
for the next year to accommodate the construction teams.
Construction this summer will be focused on three main areas:
(1) The Miller Hall breezeway to create a new entryway including an elevator shaft and a stairwell
to the second floor.
(2) Inserting the steel and laying the concrete foundation in the east wing classrooms that will
support the second story. The second-floor shell will be created from this foundation.
(3) The expansion of the school main entrance and offices.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we press forward with construction. We’re
focused on ensuring that this will have little impact to our students and the learning environment, and that
all those in the school and use spaces within the school are safe. An FAQ document will be posted on the
St. Paul Parish and school websites later this summer.
We need your pledges and cash donations to ensure that we can fully complete all phases of the
school renovation. There are some memorial opportunities available made of stained glass acquired from our
former church. Also noteworthy are the plans to recognize all donors who have made gifts of $6,000 or more
to the campaign on a donor recognition wall that will be in a prominent area within the school.
Please earnestly pray and consider how you and your
family can support the Reaching for Tomorrow
campaign. Payments can be extended over a 1, 2 or 3-
year period. Should you have any questions about
either the construction plans or the campaign, please
be sure to contact our Parish Development Director
All children in our parish community should receive religious formation every year, either from our Parish School of Religion (PSR) or St. Paul School. PSR is offered for youth in Preschool through High School. Our religious education classes prepare our students for Reconciliation, Confirmation, Eucharist, and a lifelong experience of our rich Catholic faith. Today’s youth need strong Christian mentors. Won’t you please prayerfully consider giving of your time to help our youth grow in their Catholic faith? Training is provided and volunteers (parents and grandparents!) receive a significant tuition discount! Two adults must be present in each classroom at all times to ensure a safe and effective ministry. We need volunteers to help in the following classes this coming year:
Monday Early Sessions (4:45 – 6:30 pm) 2nd Grade – 3 co-teachers & 1 aide are needed 3rd Grade – 3 co-teachers are needed 4th Grade – 3 co-teachers & 3 aides needed 5th Grade – 2 co-teachers are needed 6th Grade –1 co-teacher still needed We are also in need of 1 Hall Monitor & 2 Flex Aides
Monday Late Sessions (6:30 – 7:45 pm) 1st Grade – 3 co-teachers & 1 aide needed 2nd Grade –5 co-teachers are needed 3rd Grade – 3 co-teachers & 1 aide needed 4th Grade – 3 co-teachers needed 5th Grade – 1 co-teacher is needed 6th Grade – 1 co-teacher & 1 aide are needed Sacraments class – 2 co-teachers are needed We are still in need of 1 office helper and 3 flex-aides
Please contact our PSR office at 614-882-5045 or [email protected] to learn more. Grow in your faith while helping our youth grow in theirs!
Although our Summer Faith Series, The Pivotal Players has already begun, please consider joining others and learn about those whose friendship with Christ transformed not only their lives, but the world! Undoubtedly you will enjoy Bishop Robert Barron’s Catholicism DVD series. There are Tuesday morning and evening sessions through early August. Please RSVP to [email protected] or call the Parish Office at 614-882-2109.
Stop in Our Marian Gift Shop!
Schools out and the Marian Gift Shop has many great books for summer reading, and videos and games all with a spiritual theme. Young readers will certainly enjoy the Chime Travelers Series. Imagine taking a trip back in time and meeting a saint. What an adventure that would be!
For family fun, there’s Scattergories Catholic Edition and Match card games with the Pope! Did you know Mary and Jesus can be “seen” in the gift shop? When you turn on the spectacular flashlight keychains, you, too, will see them! The flashlights can be used for evening outdoor fun or kept on a nightstand.
For your little ones, you may consider checking out the Brother Frances Video Series. How about books about angels and saints that are also puzzles, too? You will even find religious coloring books to help make road trips just a bit easier this summer! (And by the way, there are even coloring books for teens and adults, too!)
The Marian Gift Shop also has a variety of wind chimes, outdoor statues, stepping stones and unique flower pot mugs! The mugs can be used for coffee or for small plants and they even come with a tiny shovel! Summer is a great time to journal and a new shipment of beautiful journals recently arrived in the shop. You can always count on the Marian Gift Shop to have new items every time you visit! Be sure to stop in soon!
RCIA Celebrates Another Successful Year at St. Paul’s! The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process developed by the Catholic Church for prospective converts to Catholicism. Candidates
are gradually introduced to aspects of Catholic beliefs and practices.
All the candidates, sponsors and team members carried away from the weekly
sessions many new Church friends while drawing closer to our Lord Jesus.
Throughout the experience, knowledge was presented and through sharing faith in
small groups, every person by grace came to a deeper awareness of God. This focus
on strengthening ones’ awareness of God in our daily circumstances brought about
more reverence, acts of charity including forgiveness, and a remarkable adherence to Christianity.
Education and faith formation are the hallmarks of the RCIA process where gradually one knows
Christ and better understands His Way.
Have you ever thought about being a companion to someone in the RCIA? Sponsors commit
themselves to one candidate in the process by attending the weekly classes with them. This is truly a
wonderful opportunity to grow closer to God and explore your own knowledge of our Catholic faith as
you walk the path with someone who desires to become Catholic. Are you willing to serve?
Have you ever thought of becoming Catholic and what that might mean for your life? Candidates also
commit to weekly classes and jump start their faith journey through learning, companionship with
others traveling on the same journey, and allowing God a chance to claim their heart.
Please contact Pastoral Associate Susan Bellotti at [email protected] for more information and
check out the “Becoming Catholic” link on our parish website (www.stpaulcatholicchurch.org).
Thank you for summer! Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight. Thank you for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation. Thank you for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season. Draw me closer to you this s summer. Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing. Warm my soul with the awareness of your presence and light my path with your Word and Counsel. As I enjoy your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for you. Amen.
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Thank you to the many parishioners who have already pledged their gift to the 2017 Bishop’s Annual Appeal. If you have not yet made your commitment, please consider making a pledge or one time gift. Together we can make a difference in the spiritual, educational, and physical needs of others in our faith communities. We hope to realize our parish goal with 100% participation. Any amount over our BAA goal will be returned to our parish. Pledge envelopes are in the vestibule of the church – or the option for online giving is also available on the Columbus diocesan website at www.colsdioc.org. Your generosity is appreciated. Thank you! May God richly bless you and yours!
