St. William Catholic Church 4932 Easley Street Millington, TN (901) April 2018

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1 St. William Catholic Church 4932 Easley Street Millington, TN (901) April 2018 St. Mark, the Evangelist Much of what we know about St. Mark, the author of the Second Gospel, comes largely from the New Testament and early Christian traditions. Mark the Evangelist is believed to be the 'John Mark' referred to in the Acts of the Apostles, the history of the early Church found in the Canon of the New Testament. He was the son of Mary of Jerusalem (Acts 12:12) whose home became a meeting place for the apostles. He is also the cousin of St. Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), a Levite and a Cypriot. Mark joined St. Paul and St. Barnabas on their first missionary journey to Antioch in 44 A.D. When the group reached Cyprus, Christian tradition holds that Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem, possibly because he was missing his home (Acts 13:13). This incident may have caused Paul to question whether Mark could be a reliable missionary. This created a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas and led Paul to refuse Mark's accompaniment on their second journey to the churches of Cilicia and the rest of Asia Minor. However, it can be assumed the troubles between Paul and Mark did not last long, because when Paul was first imprisoned, Mark, who was at the time in Rome with plans of visiting Asia Minor, visited him as one of his trusted companions (Col 4:10). St. Mark lived for years in Alexandria, where he died as a martyr while being dragged through the streets. Mark's Gospel was probably written between 60 and 70 A.D., and was based upon the teachings of St. Peter. It is believed Mark provided both Luke and Matthew with basic sources for their Gospel's. In 828, relics of St. Mark were stolen from Alexandria and taken to Venice, Italy. There they are enshrined in a beautiful cathedral dedicated to the saint. St. Mark's symbol is a winged lion. This is believed to be derived from his description of St. John the Baptist, as "a voice of one crying out in the desert" (Mark 1:3). The wings come from Ezekiel's vision of four winged creatures as the evangelists. He is often depicted as writing or holding his Gospel. Listen to the New Testament books on Formed.org. They are listed under the Listen tab, under Audio Dramas. Good for driving or just lounging in a hammock swing. If you haven t registered on Formed yet, it is very easy. Just go to: and register. With many blessings and prayers from our staff! Rev. Michael Werkhoven (Fr. Mike) Deacon Jimmy Schmall Debi Yetman Lisa Schmidt Debbie Breckenridge St. William Website: St. William Facebook Page: -TN / QR Code

2 ! YOUTH NEWS! Children s Mass Every third Sunday will be a Children s Mass at the 11:00. The sacramental prep class did an FABULOUS job this past month thank you for your service and sharing the Word of God with us! April we will be blessed to have the 1 st grade class help bring the mass to life for all of us. This will be our last children s mass of the year so put it on your calendars and plan on attending. Also, please keep these young people in your prayers and help build the excitement up for them to be a part of our wonderful celebration! They are our future and we need them to take an active and attentive role in the church! Our High School Youth Group provides breakfast that morning for donations that go towards all that they do. Please come and have a wonderful breakfast that they prepare and serve and by supporting them in the process. Cayleigh DiCello, Kyle Ripley, William Lufkin, Eli Redmon, Lucas Clowes, Addie Avanzi, Trenten Bennett and Trever Bennett. Teachers: Dave Steinman and Mary Allen First Communion Our sacramental Prep class will be receiving their first Communion the weekend of April 21 st at the 4:30 Saturday evening Mass as well as the 11:00 Mass on Sunday. This is a very exciting time for these young people so please remember them in your prayers and share your excitement for them coming to the table for the first time.

3 from the Deacon s corner Below is an article I d like to share with you on St. Anselm, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. His feast ay falls on April 21. In the Office of Readings for this feast there is an excerpt from one of his greatest works, the Proslogion in which he argues for the existence of God. Many philosophers over the years have tried to refute his argument but have failed. St. Anselm of Canterbury lived from and was one of the Church s greatest medieval thinkers. Anselm was born of a noble family in Italy, and at the age of fifteen he desired to enter a monastery, but his father forbade this. Anselm then abandoned religion for many years and adopted a carefree lifestyle. He later repented of this, however, and in 1059 he entered the monastery of Bec in the French province of Normandy. After three years, Anselm was elected prior (an important position within the community), and fifteen years after that, the monks unanimously chose him as abbot. Anselm devoted himself to scholarship and prayer during his thirty-four years in the monastery. He was one of the leading figures in Scholastic theology, which attempted to uncover religious truths through rational arguments and propositions (indeed, he became known as the Father of Scholasticism). At the request of his community, he published his theological works, the best-known of which is Why God Became Man. Anselm is also known for a definition or proof of God ( God is that of which nothing greater can be conceived ). Anselm s life entered a new phase in 1093 when he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury; from then on he was constantly defending the Church s rights against the English monarchs William II and Henry I. Though Anselm was personally a kind and gentle person (and also, by that time, in frail health), he uncompromisingly upheld the Church s position. His courage impressed many, but William had him exiled. Anselm went to Rome for three years, returning to England upon William s death. King Henry I, however, was also unfriendly to the Church, and Anselm ended up spending a further three years in exile. St. Anselm finally returned to England, and died at Canterbury in 1109; he was canonized in 1720 and declared a Doctor (an eminent and reliable teacher) of the Church. Lessons from St. Anselm 1. Parents have a duty of encouraging their children s vocations; if they forbid a particular response to God, the children may abandon the faith entirely and the parents will share the responsibility for this. Fortunately for Anselm s father, his son later heard and answered God s call. 2. Reason and logic, while not a substitute for faith, can help people become aware of God s existence. 3. There are many ways of serving God; sometimes the same person may be called to two very different vocations in which the earlier helps prepare him or her for the later. St. Anselm s years of prayer and study helped gird him for battle in his defense of the Church s rights against the English kings. He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia! Have a blessed Easter Season! Deacon Jimmy

4 The Hail Mary Explained The Hail Mary is one of most widely used prayers in the Catholic Church, along with the Lord s Prayer. Because of Mary s coopera on with the ac on of the Holy Spirit in conceiving Jesus, the Church loves to pray in communion with Mary to magnify with her the great things God has done for her as well as to entrust our supplica ons and praises to her. These two ac ons or movements in are found in the Hail Mary. The first half of the Hail Mary comes directly from the Gospel of Luke with the accounts of the Angel Gabriel s announcing to Mary that she was called to the mother of God s Son. The second half is an intercessory prayer developed in the Church s tradi on. Let us know look at this powerful prayer to be er understand why we are blessed to have this available to us in our faith and prayer life. Hail Mary, full of grace : This is the gree ng Gabriel spoke to Mary. By saying this, Gabriel is proclaiming that Mary is full of grace (without sin) and is blessed with a great union with God, who had come to dwell in her. The Lord is with thee : Mary was chosen by God for this great privilege. He is in her, having already preserved her from sin and filled her with grace. She lives in graced friendship with God and freely offers him her undivided heart. Blessed are you among women : This is the gree ng Mary received from her cousin Elizabeth when Mary came to visit her and help her with the forth coming birth of her own son (John the Bap st). As the scripture points out, Mary holds a singular place among God s chosen ones in salva on history. Mary is the world s most honored (not worshipped) woman. Blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus : This is another blessing offered by Elizabeth. She spoke these words a er her own child leaped in her womb at the moment she hears Mary s gree ng. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth blesses Mary for believing the Gabriel s message. Elizabeth acknowledges the presence of God in Mary s womb when she says to Mary How does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? This is the first me in Scripture that Mary s faith is praised. Holy Mary, Mother of God : This is the beginning of the second half of the prayer, invoking her tle of Mother of God. This was composed during the middle ages. This tle of Mary comes from the earliest days of the Chris- an faith. The Council of Ephesus in AD 431 conferred this tle because she is the mother of Jesus who is true God and true man. Mary s response to God to be the mother of Jesus engages her in the plan of human salva- on. Pray for us sinners : This line addresses the intercessory prayer concerns for the needs and hopes of others. As she did at the wedding in Cana, she con nues to intercede for us to her Son. Mary s last words in Scripture are spoken to us: Do whatever he tells you (Jn 2:5). Mary always bring us to Jesus. Now and at the hour of our death. Amen. : In her life, Mary walked a pilgrimage of faith. Even with all the grace she received from God, she encountered the mysterious ways of God and profound suffering especially at the death of her Son. She knows what a journey of faith requires and entails, and she accompanies with prayer as we make our journey to God throughout or lives and at death.

5 Please welcome the following who received the Sacraments of Initiation at the 2018 Easter Vigil Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist Branden Riley Full Reception into the Church (Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist) Deborah Ewen Billy Gray Margaret Jenkins Megan Williams Tuesdays at 1pm March 20 May 22 Information or Questions: Debi Yetman Divine Mercy in the Second Greatest Story Ever Told Featuring renowned speaker and author Father Michael Gaitley, this 10-week series tells the dramatic story of God s Love and Mercy as interwoven into key events in history to show how God is at work now. Especially in the Jubilee Year of Mercy, this is a perfect opportunity for every parish or person who desires to go deeper into a heartfelt understanding of Divine Mercy. Divine Mercy explores: God s School of Trust * Behold This Heart * The Suffering Servant * Faustina and the Spread of Divine Mercy * Proclaim This Message * Fatima * The Secret of Divine Mercy * God s Master Plan * Mary s Knight * The Final Question

6 April OT NT Ps/Prv 1 Numbers 31:25-54, 32 Luke 8:40-56, 9:1-9 Psalms 40:1-8 2 Nm 33, 34 Lk 9:10-27 Proverbs 8: Nm 35, 36:1-12 Lk 9:28-56 Ps 40: Deuteronomy 1, 2:1-23 Lk 9:57-62, 10:1-24 Ps 41:1-6 5 Dt 2:24-37, 3, 4:1-14 Lk 10:25-42, 11:1-4 Ps 41: Dt 4:15-49, 5 Lk 11:5-32 Prv 8: Dt 6, 7, 8 Lk 11:33-54 Ps 42:1-6 8 Dt 9, 10 Lk 12:1-34 Ps 42: Dt 11, 12 Lk 12:35-59 Ps 43: Dt 13, 14 Lk 13:1-30 Prv 9: Dt 15, 16:1-20 Lk 13:31-35, 14:1-14 Ps 44: Dt 16:21-22, 17, 18 Lk 14:15-35 Ps 44: Dt 19, 20 Lk 15:1-32 Ps 45: Dt 21, 22 Lk 16:1-18 Prv 9: Dt 23, 24, 25:1-19 Lk 16:19-31, 17:1-10 Ps 45: Dt 26, 27, 28:1-14 Lk 17:11-37 Ps 46: Dt 28:15-68 Lk 18:1-30 Ps 47: Dt 29, 30:1-10 Lk 18:31-43, 19:1-10 Prv 10: Dt 30:11-20, 31:1-29 Lk 19:11-44 Ps 48: Dt 31:30, 32 Lk 19:45-48, 20:1-26 Ps 48: Dt 33, 34:1-12 Lk 20:27-47, 21:1-4 Ps 49: Joshua 1, 2 Lk 21:5-38 Prv 10: Jos 3, 4, 5:1-12 Lk 22:1-38 Ps 50: Jos 5:13-15, 6, 7 Lk 22:39-62 Ps 50: Jos 8, 9:1-15 Lk 22:63-71, 23:1-25 Ps 51: Jos 9:16-27, 10 Lk 23:26-56 Prv 10: Jos 11, 12 k 24:1-35 Ps 51: Jos 13, 14 Lk 24:36-53 Ps 52: Jos 15, 16 John 1:1-28 Ps 53: Jos 17, 18 Jn 1:29-51 Prv 10:31-32, 11:1-8 Read the Bible in One Year

7 Confirmation Our confirmation class attended a WONDER- FUL retreat in March to help prepare them to receive their last sacrament of initiation. They have been working so hard with their studies and service that this year has just flown by. They will be confirmed by the Bishop at St. William on Saturday, April 14 th This will be followed by a parish wide pot luck so put it on your calendars. This is a Very Exciting time for these young people! BUNKO Bunko will resume on Friday, April 20 th. If you have never played, come give it a try. No skill involved.just a need for fun and fellowship. We look forward to a good time. Finger food at 7 we start playing at 7:30. If you have a door prize you would like to donate then feel free to bring it. It cost nothing to attend so you have NO EXCUSES not to come so please mark your calendars. BUNCO IS A HIT! WE PLAY ON THE THIRD FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH! PLEASE PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDARS TO JOIN US ON APRIL 20th. IF YOU VE NEVER PLAYED IT DOESN T MATTER! IT IS SUPER EASY AND WE WANT YOU THERE! WE LIKE TO EAT AND IF YOU DO TOO, COME AT 7:00pm WITH A FINGER FOOD IF NOT SHOW UP AT 7:30pm TO PLAY! TAKE A CHANCE ON SOMETHING NEW GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! COME HAVE SOME FUN WITH US! MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CALL Saint Anselm of Canterbury This prayer by St. Anselm is one that I personally pray frequently. No matter how good (or bad) things are going, this prayer gives me hope. Let me know you and love you, so that I may find my joy in you. (St. Anselm) The Seeker s Prayer By Saint Anselm of Canterbury O my God teach my heart where and how to seek you, where and how to find you You are my God and you are my All and I have never seen you. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not know you I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek you I cannot seek you unless you teach me or find you unless you show yourself to me. Let me seek you in my desire, let me desire you in my seeking. Let me find you by loving you, let me love you when I find you. He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia! Have a blessed Easter Season! DEBBIE BRECKENRIDGE Deacon Jimmy

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