Our Beautiful Church During the Holidays

Transcription

1 T OUR T ALK January/February 2017 Our Beautiful Church During the Holidays See Page 3 for Christmas Pageant Photos

2 2 From the Principal s Desk By Jason Fightmaster I hope everyone had a blessed and merry Christmas and a happy New Year! We are blessed to be back into our routine here at school and are starting to prepare for the school year! Please plan on joining us for our Catholic Schools Week Kickoff Mass and Open House on Sunday, January 29. I know that as parishioners and supporters of St. Martin of Tours School, you would be proud of the work that our staff and students produce on a daily basis I know that I am. We are now enrolling for the school year! If any of your friends or family are searching for a place for their children for school, please tell them to come and see us! If they are unable to make it to our Open House, they can always call the school office at for more information or stop in during school hours. Tours can also be scheduled by calling the office and setting up an appointment. As always, thank you for your support of our school. Please pray for us as we continue this school year and as we look into serving this wonderful community in the future. SMOT Celebrates Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service Catholic Schools Week 2017: January 29-February 3 Sunday: Kickoff Mass and Open House Join us at 11:30 Mass. After Mass, we will have our Open House from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Monday: Catholic Community Day-Hometown Pride We are honoring those in our community who share their talents with us and help support us as we work to reach our own goals. Tuesday: Grandparents/Special Persons Day Prayer Service at 9:00 a.m. in church. There will be a music performance after the Prayer Service and then students will take their Grandparents/Special Persons on a tour of the school building. Selected eighth graders will attend the CSW Mass downtown. Wednesday: Celebrate our Nation Students may wear red/white/blue tops with their uniform. Crystal Clear Science will present two Science performances. Thursday: SMOT Spirit Day/CSW Liturgy/ Faculty & Staff Appreciation Students and teachers are encouraged to wear SMOT spirit wear with uniform. Come celebrate with us at Mass, where we will be honoring a Distinguished Graduate. We will end the day with a teachers vs. eighth grade students volleyball game. Friday: Student Appreciation Day Everyone may come OUT OF UNIFORM. BINGO at 1:00 p.m. PTO will be providing a snack and drink for students. Students will receive NO HOMEWORK over the weekend! Congrats! Undefeated. League Champs. Number One. Wildcat Winners. These are all words used to describe our SMOT 2016 first and second grade girls Passers Soccer Team. They fought hard this soccer season and ended with a well-deserved spot in the end of season tournament. They were excited for their awesome winning season, as well as the opportunity to play more games after the season ended! They are working hard to have an even better season next year. Each and every girl on the team deserves a high-five the next time you see her! Congrats, Wildcats!

3 The Greatest Story Ever Told Through the Eyes of Our Children By Laurie Huff, Director of Religious Education During the reflective days of Advent, the sweet presence of wide-eyed children from St. Martin s School filled our church, rehearsing in preparation for the Greatest Story Ever Told Jesus! Presented at both the 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Vigil Masses on Christmas Eve, the Nativity Story began with a special procession of sheep, shepherds, angels, a bright star, the Magi, King Herod and Joseph pulling Mary in a wagon, decorated as a donkey. As they made their way down the aisle, the promise of the Lord s light shone forth the Advent gifts of hope, love, joy and peace on their delicate faces. As Fr. Terry read the sacred story of Jesus birth, each purposeful character appeared with much enthusiasm around the altar as a powerful reminder of God s time and its impact in spreading the news of the Incarnation. How different the story may have been if there were no angels to inform the shepherds that the world would be forever changed! If there was no shining star in the East, the Magi may have never found the Holy Family. Without the sheep, goodness, it would have been uncomfortably cold on that December evening for all who were present! Following, the children were led to the choir loft, leading the community in song resonating the message that indeed it was Christmas! 3

4 SMOT Alumni Gather 4

5 Advent Wreath Making 5

6 6 Spotlight is on Knit, Pearl & Chain Gang 2016 was definitely a busy year for this talented group of women. They sent 112 handmade items to St. Mary s Pregnancy Center, 58 prayer shawls and lap robes to Hillebrand Nursing Center, 51 Prayer shawls and lap robes to Terrace View Gardens, and 20 Prayer shawls to West Park. They meet every second and fourth Tuesday of the month in our Red School Building. They use donated supplies from parishioners. New members are always welcome. Contact Jean Cruse at with any questions Parish Calendar of Events January 29 After 11:30 a.m. Mass Catholic Schools Week Open House February 12 9:30 a.m. Mass Anniversary Couples Blessing & Fellowship March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and April 7 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Friday Lenten Fish Frys in Fr. Mick Hall March 19 11:30 a.m. Mass SMOT Spring Alumni Mass & Reception April 15 Easter Vigil Mass Reception to Welcome and Celebrate New Catholics April 16 Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt After 11:30 a.m. Mass April 23 9:30 a.m. Mass High School Graduates Mass & Breakfast April 30 11:30 a.m. Mass First Holy Communion May 12 5:00 p.m. Parish Picnic at Stricker s Grove May 22 7:00 p.m. SMOT Eighth Grade Graduation & Reception June 5-16 Summer PSR (Parish School of Religion) August 19 After 5:00 p.m. Mass Ice Cream Social October 8 After All Masses SVdP Pancake Breakfast October 28 After 5:00 p.m. Mass Children s Halloween Fellowship October 29 3:00 p.m. All Souls Vesper Service & Reception November 11 6:00 p.m.-midnight Martinfest November 25 & 26 After All Masses Advent Wreath Making Fellowship Be sure to consult our weekly church bulletin for other Parish Events.

7 Why Do Catholics Do That? By Angela Birkhead-Flight, Music & Liturgy Director Small Things with Great Love Sometimes, and especially in the doldrums of winter, my life feels like a treadmill. From talking with others, I find I am not alone in this. Most of us hope to have a positive impact on the world, but many times it seems like great effort leads to such small effect. But we can take inspiration from one of our February saints to continue to be the hands and feet of Christ on earth. St. Ansgar lived long ago and is often overlooked in North America, but reading about his life s work gives hope for those toiling away in our own time. He was the first Christian missionary to go to Sweden, and he built the first Christian Church there. In 831 he became the Archbishop of Hamburg, Germany, which he used as his base of operations to bring Christianity to the Northern Countries. For fourteen years he traveled miles and miles in this cold and frozen landscape converting pagans and convincing kings. Known for great preaching, austerity, and holiness, his description reminds me of St. John the Baptist with his hair, shirt and simple diet of bread and water. Hamburg is located on the Elbe River in Germany, accessible by boat from the North Sea. In 845, Danish pirates attacked his base in Hamburg and completely destroyed it, the treasures of the church, the manuscripts, the buildings, leaving it unrestorable. This base had been his source of revenue for his work, and this raid left him with no financing, few followers, and no materials. It s hard to imagine the despair one would feel after seeing fourteen years of work demolished. He did not stop, however, and within two years had developed a base at Bremen, which was a bit safer from pirates, being located on a smaller river. Eventually the Diocese of Bremen was united with that of Hamburg, and for a brief time before his death he was in charge of both. He worked diligently with the rulers of Sweden, ministered among the people, and over time was able to convince the king to allow Christianity to be a tolerated religion there. But after his death in 865, Christianity in Sweden faded away and most people became Pagan once again. At least in heaven he would not feel this disappointment, but would know that his life s work did not end with his death. One could read his story and think, Why bother! At the end of his life there were no great tangible things to show for his work. Christianity only had a tenuous hold in the Northern countries. But the seeds that he planted there did bear fruit, and Christianity is now the largest religion in Sweden. So the next time you are wondering if being in service to God and Church is having an impact, consider the long-view that St. Ansgar had that enabled him to continue to toil away in the face of such difficulty. He personally saw very little tangible change through his life s work, but he set the stage for others who came after. We are not responsible for all aspects of building God s kingdom here on earth, and like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, we can do no great things. Only small things with great love, and that is enough. For an increase in respect for all human life. For the unborn, the very ill, the very old, those on death row, and all those who live in poverty, are victims of violence, or are marginalized due to a lack of this respect. That through the intercession of St. Blasé, all those suffering from diseases of the throat may be cured of their illness. That through the intercession of St. Scholastica, whose feast day is February 10, all Catholic nuns will be blessed in their work, their lives, their relationships and their faith. That the words of St. Polycarp, author of the letter to the Philippians, will continue to bring people to Christ centuries after they were first written. For missionaries and teachers who dedicate their lives to helping people recognize Jesus in their midst. For the members of our RCIA program as we approach Lent, that through our continued prayers and support they may find Christ on their journey of faith. As we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11, let us pray that through Mary s intercession we may grow closer to her divine Son through the meditation of the Rosary. For God to bless our Parish with love for one another as we celebrate St. Valentine s Day. As we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter on February 22, let us pray for Pope Francis, that he continue to lead with grace and wisdom. For our Pastor, Father Terry Hamilton, may he be blessed with health of mind, body, and spirit and always feel the presence of God in his life. For those fleeing violence and near certain death in war-torn countries, that they be welcomed to new homes where they can enrich the societies of their new countries. For all those families in Europe who in following the request of Pope Francis have taken in Syrian families, that peace will reign in their homes. For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. For all recipients of our parish healing/prayer blankets for their physical, mental, and spiritual health. For the needs of all those who have no one to pray for them. 7

8 8 Memorial Mass Fund For the Memory/Intention of: From: November 2016 Joe Paff Wayne Paff Dennis Paff Carl Paff Janet Paff Cindy Paff Julie Kirland Mildred Ferneding Boehm Earlene Retford Bill Atkinson Bob Hildebrand Larry Braun Mary & Ben LaRosa Braun Family Montag Family Larry Braun Bob & Mary Danemayer Larry Braun Schlimm Family Dennis Kramer Carolyn & Tom Dierkers Denny Kramer Diane & Dave Byand Tim Dangel Bill Dangel Ritch Dangel Bill Dangel Deceased Members of the Huebner Families Kay & Catherine Huebner Deceased Members of the Brickner Families Kay & Catherine Huebner Special Intention of Virginia Huebner Kay & Catherine Huebner Special Intention of Tom Huebner Kay & Catherine Huebner Special Intention of James Peet Kay & Catherine Huebner December 2016 Gertrude, Leonard, Thomas, Carol Ramstetter Ken Roedel Micah Danemayer Jason Schaller Robert Tepe John Haberthier Patricia Oder Mark Schmidt & Family Emil Kuntz Bill Eckhoff Elizabeth Witt (Intention) Frank Witt William Ellis Deaths November 2016 Robert Jones Liam Herzog Lawrence Braun December 2016 Joyce Heithaus Donald Albers Daniel Grieszmer Walter Sample Dennis Wellbaum Mary Ramstetter Mary Ramstetter Jim & Mary Harter Jim & Mary Harter Maryellen Tepe Wilma Smith Wilma Smith Barbara & Geoff David Jim Sunderhaus Mary Davis Nancy Meyer Elizabeth Witt Pat Moning Welcome New Parishioners November 2016 Bryon & Molly Rebholz Pamela Montgomery Elizabeth Stacey Donald Feerer Mark & Jamie Neeley Mary Shari December 2016 Jason Rebholz Emily Burnhimer Katie Molumby Holly Malloy Dominick Magoteaux Nancy Sheckler Tour Talk is the official publication of St. Martin of Tours Parish 3720 St. Martin Place Cheviot, Ohio (513) The primary purpose of this newsletter (published ten times a year) is to provide short, well-balanced articles about parish news, such as committee reports, fund-raising activities and current events. Tour Talk Deadline is the tenth of each month. Articles and photos can be ed to: dbroerman@fuse.net. Inclusion of web sites does not mean that we endorse everything found on a web site or other sites to which that site may link. If you decide to access third-party web sites, you do so at your own risk. Editor: Donna Broerman