Question of the Week. News from Father Todd. Sunday, July 12, 2015

Transcription

1 Sunday, July 12, 2015

2 News from Father Todd Question of the Week Dear friends, Last weekend we marked the 239 anniversary of our country s independence. It was for me a bit of a bittersweet Fourth of July. With the increasing division in our country it is sometimes hard for me to recognize the United States today as the country that I was taught to love and respect as a child. Listening to many commentators and pundits one could easily conclude that the United States is a terrible country a country in which tyranny, injustice, racism, prejudice, homophobia and every other kind of social ill are rampant and even institutionalized in American society. Rewriting American history some would have us believe that our founding fathers were fatally flawed with no redeeming virtues. Judging them by today s standards many find that they fall far short of people to be admired. There is a danger that if something is repeated enough we will begin to believe it. And I think that is what is happening in our country today. Those who want to transform America into a very different country that what it has been seek to show that because evil lurks just under the surface of every American heart a radical transformation is necessary. And at the heart of this transformation is the creation of a secular country in which God and the things of God have no place. Rewriting history in this light we are asked to believe that God, faith and religion had nothing to do with the first two centuries of our countries life. And yet, we look at our Constitution, we look at our currency, we look at our Supreme Court building and federal buildings throughout the land and we are asked to pretend that the Judeo- Christian influence has been negligible in U.S. history. It s a leap too far for me. Over the weekend I reflected on how much I have been influenced by so much of the propaganda that has been used in the past years to divide and separate Americans one from the other. America is not without her faults. We have been guilty often times of being arrogant and flaunting the blessings we have received from God. In the beautiful song, America the Beautiful we pray that God will mend thine every flaw. We must never deny or ignore those flaws. But the values on which America was founded, including freedom of religion (not from religion) are values that have brought people from around the world to these shores. And the teeming masses continue to risk their lives to catch a glimpse of Lady Liberty s torch today. I grew up hearing the admonition, Don t believe everything you read or hear. And I choose not to believe everything I read and hear about America from Americans today. America is not paradise, but neither is it the source of every evil in the world today. I will continue to pray that God bless America as I pray that God bless every nation and every people on the face of the earth. As I strive to see the good and the values that are present in every people and every nation, I will also strive to cherish the values and the good that are present in my own. Have a great summer and, because of the freedom of religion we enjoy, I hope to see you at Mass! Q. What will be the impact of the Supreme Court s decision on same-sex marriage on the Church? A. The court s decision will have a huge impact on society. What the court has done is to essentially redefine marriage and family. These are the building blocks of society. The impact of the court s decision on the Church will be great because whatever affects society affects the Church. We have all been influenced by the discussions surrounding same-sex marriage. In a desire to be compassionate and fair many people and many Catholics support the court s ruling. But there is something more than compassion and fairness at stake here. Is there any revealed truth or is truth whatever we choose to make of it? Are there things in life ordained by God or is all truth relative? Do we receive reality or do we create reality? The Catholic Church teaches and believes that God established marriage as the permanent union between one man and one woman ordained for the good of the couple and society and the procreation of children. Changing the gender and negating procreation as an inherent end of marriage fundamentally alters the Catholic understanding of marriage. The Supreme Court s decision, however, is not the first time that legal definitions of marriage have been at odds with the Church s teaching and understanding. In 1701 the colony of Maryland legalized divorce. It is now, of course, legal in all 50 states. Legal definitions of marriage highlight the difference between a contractual understanding of marriage and the Church s covenantal understanding of marriage. While the Supreme Court s decision affects the contractual understanding of marriage, it does not affect the covenantal understanding. The Church will continue to uphold that marriage is a divine institution. Among the many changing things in our world, marriage, in the eyes of the Church, is not one of them. The long-term impact of the Supreme Court s decision on the Church is yet to be seen. There are already voices calling for the revocation of the tax exempt status of churches that do not perform same-sex marriages. Time will tell. As Catholic Christians we must and we will be faithful to what we believe has been revealed by God. At the same time we will be faithful to our Church s call to love and to treat all men and women with respect. There are many people I love with whom I disagree about many things. Disagreement does not equal bigotry or hatred. We would betray our Lord and our Church if we would respond to those with whom we disagree with hatred or unkindness. True love, Saint Paul reminds us, bears all things and endures all things.

3 Readings for 7/05 ~ 7/12/2015 Sunday: Am 7:12-15; Eph 1:3-14 or 1:3-10; Mk 6:7-13 Monday: Ex 1:8-14, 22; Mt 10:34-11:1 Tuesday: Ex 2:1-15a; Mt 11:20-24 Wednesday: Ex 3:1-6, 9-12; Mt 11:25-27 Thursday: Ex 3:13-20; Mt 11:28-30 Friday: Ex 11:10 12:14; Mt 12:1-8 Saturday: Ex 12:37-42; Mt 12:14-21 Sunday: Jer 23:1-6; Eph 2:13-18; Mk 6:30-34 Mass Intentions Sunday, July 12 - Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time 7:30 a.m. Raymond Osburn 9:30 a.m. Norman & Edith Reinhard 11:45 p.m. Parishioners of Saint Mark Monday, July 13 Weekday; Saint Henry 9:00 a.m. Communion Service Tuesday, July 14 Saint Kateri Tekakwitha 9:00 a.m. Fran Maguire Wednesday, July 15 - Saint Bonaventure 9:00 a.m. Mary Ann Daeger Thursday, July 16 - Weekday; Our Lady of Mount Carmel 9:00 a.m. Intentions of Erma Marie Lally Friday, July 17 - Weekday 8:15 a.m. Thomas E. Burch Saturday, July 18 - Weekday; Saint Camillus de Lellis 5:30 p.m. Bob Cross Please pray for Eleanor Sowder, Lorraine Braasch, Samantha Hampton and Baby, Chris Gough, Mark Smith, John Perkins, Linda Lilly, Elaine Alexander, Don Bowling, Ron Shockey, Noah Duffer, Sue Marshall, Charles & Mildred Ragon, Barbara Beaton, Betty Newman, Sarah Clements, Jim Reed, Sandra Wheeler, Betty Mouser, Elizabeth Wilhite, Steve Chaplin, Lisa Engelking, Joan Matthews, Molly Brown, Mike Hendrickson, Carolyn Walters, Margaret Strack, Kim Huffman, Melanie Brady, Penny Bowling, Lucy Hopkins, Brenda Wheeler, Tanja Wozniewski, Nicole Richards, Judy Weaver, Alex Stavrou, Vince Huber, Cyril DesJean, Bill Rowley, Bernard & Elizabeth Price, Nick Kreuzman, Michelle Oberting, Jane Rosebrock, Don Pearson, Don Courteau, John Conover, Jean Nightingale, Katie Nightingale, Alicia Keaton, Joanne Scifres, Dick Schott, Molly Russell, Nick Kreuzman, Margaret Payne and Terri Rottler-Means. MILITARY: Please pray for our women and men in the Armed Forces and their families. Sunday, July 19 - Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time 7:30 a.m. Gladys Oberting 9:30 a.m. Anthony Swiezy 11:45 p.m. Dorothy Harrison Vocations Jonathan Hilber Home Parish: Saint Bartholomew, Columbus Saint Meinrad Seminary Sr. Joni Luna SP Canonical Novice Saint Mary of the Woods Mark your calendars, Monday, July 13 at 7pm, Deacon Meril will lead a Holy Hour and Benediction at Saint Barnabas Church. All are welcomed! Prayer for Vocations Most generous Father, thank you for calling men and women into Your service especially those You are calling to serve as priests or religious. I prayer especially for them during times of doubt and fear. May they be open to Your protection and love and trust in Your plan. Amen.

4 Parish Life School SPRED: We are preparing a SPRED program for ages in the South Deanery. This program serves persons with developmental problems by providing a great Catholic community and growing in faith. In order to begin, we need to know id you have a child in need of such a program. We are also looking for catechists for this program. Saint Mark parish will be the hosting facility but will be open to all South Deanery parishioners. Contact Jian Milharcic, jean.milharcic@att.net or INCLUSION MINISTRY: Blessed are you who take the time to listen to difficult speech, for you help me to know that if I persevere, I can be understood. BURMESE MINISTRY: If you would like to get involved in this ministry, please contact the parish office. CAR SHOW: The Saint Mark Lion s Pride Car Show will be on Sunday, July 19th from 2:00pm to 5:00 pm in the Saint Mark Church Parking lot!!! There will be music, food and lots of cool classic cars! To enter a car, entry fee is $15 per car and you can register the day of the car show. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Albertson, jalbertson@stmarkindy.org ENGLISH CLASSES Central Nine is pleased to offer English classes at St. Mark Catholic School! These classes are free of charge and focus on reading, writing, listening, and speaking English. Classes meet two evenings a week for three hours. The first step is to register and attend an orientation. To sign up for an orientation or for questions, please call ext 222. Para preguntas en Espanol, contactar a Evelyn Cruz al ext 320. If you would like to register in person, Central Nine Career Center is located at 1999 U.S. 31 South, Greenwood, IN OPEN ENROLLMENT: Any St. Mark Parishioner that does not currently have children enrolled at St. Mark Catholic School and is interested in enrolling their children for the school year, please contact Mr. Albertson, Principal, to set up a tour of the school, ralbertson@stmarkindy.org or call him at The Annual Parish Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, August 23 Mass at 12 noon (in place of 11:45am) Sister Circle Attention All Ladies! There will be a Sister Circle meeting on Tuesday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center. We will be discussing upcoming events, as well as completing the planning for our Parish Picnic. Join us for prayer, discussion, and light refreshments! The Class of 2016 is having a garage sale to help fund their eighth grade trip. A FREE car wash will be there too! Donations accepted. Please come and support our Saint Mark youth by shopping our sale and getting your car washed. WHEN: SAT JULY 25th 7am - 3pm WHERE: Knights Of Columbus parking lot (US 31 and Thompson Rd) God Bless you Saint Mark Parishioners!!!

5 Christ Renews His Parish Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP-pronounced chirp) WOMEN: the women s retreat weekend is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. JESUS, fill us with Your Fire! Are you searching for that spiritual spark? Ladies, mark your calendars for the upcoming Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) weekend. This is a great opportunity to fan the flames of your relationship with the Lord and forge lasting friendships with your sisters in Christ. It s a free gift from your parish! Questions? Contact Laura Crowley at (317) or at lauracrowley2014@gmail.com or call the parish office. MEN: the next men s retreat is scheduled for Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16. Come as you are to this 2 day retreat that is presented by St Mark parishioners. You will experience a time of renewal, reflection and reconciliation. Please consider attending for a weekend of spiritual renewal, fellowship, new friends and good food. The CRHP weekend is offered to parishioners at no charge. Information regarding sign-up will be in future bulletins. Reserve the date and join us for an opportunity to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and your awareness of God in your life. If you should have any questions, please contact Mike Swift at or swiftpromo@comcast.net. Golf Outing Saint Mark Men s Club is sponsoring the annual Golf Outing and Fundraiser, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015 At Valle Vista 755 E. Main St., Greenwood Beginning at 1pm SAINT MARK MEN S CLUB MEETING: The St. Mark Men s Club July meeting will be held on Thurs. 7/16 at 8:00pm. In the Men s Club Room which is located in the basement of Msgr. Schafer hall. We will have a NAS- CAR themed event which includes brats and potato salad to get you in the spirit of r the upcoming race. See you there!!! CYO SOUTHSIDE FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE: St. Mark Athletic Committee is accepting flag football registration for Boys and girls entering grades K-2 are eligible to play and the registration fee is $55. Registration forms can be downloaded from the St. Mark web site CYO Athletics page located at and returned to the St. Mark Parish Office by August 14. Practices will begin after Labor Day with the first games scheduled for September 19. Games are held on Saturdays at St. Mark with one game being played at Roncalli Stadium. For further information, please contact Patrick Collier at collierfamily8@att.net Community BIRTHLINE Clothing NEEDED: Birthline provides assistance to pregnant women and mothers of infants in need. Our current needs are sizes 0-3 months and 3-6 months clothes, (pants, tops, sweaters, jackets, and pajamas) for both girls and boys, and maternity clothes always welcome. Donations can be dropped off at the Catholic Center on Mondays and Wednesdays until 3:00pm, or place in the bassinette in the Narthex. CAREGIVERS: Catholic Charities Indianapolis sponsors monthly caregiver support groups for family members who are caregivers of older adults. The next meeting is Monday, July6 20th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm. This will be an open discussion. For additional information, please contact Monica Woodsworth at or mwoodsworth@archindy.org. Thank you Thank You from the St. Mark Mission Trip Members We spent an amazing week in Frakes, Kentucky. Seventeen members from St. Mark and 4 from Immanuel United Church of Christ were able to repair 4 homes and fix the ceiling of a church kitchen. New friendships were formed, we enjoyed daily devotions, and worked hard to improve the lives of the families we served. Henderson Settlement's theme for the year is "Building Hope" and we were honored to be a part of that hope. It was a spiritual and emotional week. We would like to thank Father Todd, Deacon Tom, Deacon Meril, and the parish for the financial support and prayers for a successful mission. Thanks to the Social Justice Committee for the goody bags, thanks to Rosie Saylor for the delicious brownies, and thanks to Judy and Beverly Doyle for the snacks. We plan to have an informational event to share photos and information with the parish. Watch the bulletin for details. God bless you all! Mission Trip #2 is already being discussed! St. Mark members were: Frank Coyle, Beverly and Judy Doyle, Cindy Eakle, John Fattic, Margaret Kieffer, Ann Kinney, Mary and Pete Masengale, Glenn McKinley, Chela Moody, Debbie Neal, Dan O'Brien, Carol Pitzer, Sharon Shockey, Cathy Smith, and Hilary Watt. Immanuel United Church of Christ members were: Bob Burns, Roberta Moore, Val Ruess, and Dale Spegal.

6 Youth Ministry NCYC Kickoff Meeting All high school youth who plan to attend NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) November need to attend a meeting July 12 at 5 p.m. in the basement of Schafer Hall. Registration forms will be distributed. A $100 deposit will be due July 20th. Please Julie Albertson with any questions jalbertson@stmarkindy.org. Facilities You must be a registered parishioner to reserve a meeting space Please understand that meeting space is in high demand. We will do our best to accommodate your room request, however, please note your group may be moved to a space which is more appropriate for the size and purpose of your meeting. Please always submit your room requests in advance of your event to avoid interruptions of other parish ministries and / or scheduling conflicts. Flamingos Flying South The flamingo flockings courtesy of St. Mark Youth will be disappearing in the coming days. If you would like to participate you only have a few more days. Please contact John Hibner at hibnerjohn@yahoo.com or stop by the parish office for an order form. The St. Mark "Lion's Pride" Car Show will be on Sunday, July 19th from 2-5:00pm in the St. Mark Church Parking lot! There will be music, food and lots of cool classic cars! To enter a car, entry fee is $15 per car and you can register the day of the car show. The "Lion's Pride" Car Show will be contestant judged and lots of prizes will be given to the top contestants! If you have any questions contact Julie Albertson at: jalbertson@stmarkindy.org. Young Adults The Young Adult Ministry meets in the Cenacle every Monday evening. If you are between the ages of 21 and 35 and would like to share your Catholic Faith with others your age, this is a great opportunity. Every Monday night begins with dinner at 6:30 p.m. then we study the bible or reflect on the readings for the next Sunday or work on a particular study that was chosen. If you would like more information contact Julie Albertson at jalbertson@stmarkindy.org or Matt Sierp at mattsierp82@gmail.com. NEXT MEETING: Mon July 6:30 p.m. In the Cenacle All facility requests must be submitted for approval to the Parish office. To make your request for space, please Kevin Sweeney, Business Manager at sweeneyk@stmarkindy.org QUALIFICATION FOR USE OF THE FACILITIES Priority for the use of facilities shall be given to parish staff and organized groups that are a part of the ministry, organization, or sponsored activities of St. Mark Catholic Church as follows: 1 st Priority All Sacrament/Liturgies 2 nd Priority Parish, School or Pastoral Staff 3 rd Priority Parish or school, CYO sponsored committees and councils and Parish-recognized ministries/programs overseen by parish staff members. Archindy scheduled events and meetings. 4 th Priority St. Mark parishioner private events, rentals, meetings. 5 th Priority Non-parish organizations Parish space is not available to non-parish groups unless the event is hosted by a parish ministry and the focus of the event reflects the parish mission. Parish space and facilities are not available to individuals / groups for the purpose of fundraising activities or programs / activities for profit. CANCELLATION / RESCHEDULING EVENTS This is an active parish with limited meeting space. If you find you do not need the meeting space your group has reserved, please be considerate and contact the parish office sweeneyk@stmarkindy.org as soon as possible, so that we may offer the space to other groups who may need it. Please do not assume you are scheduled in a space or facility by simply asking a staff member. To AVOID scheduling conflicts please contact the parish office officially to schedule all events. If you do not see your activities listed on the parish website please contact us to be sure you are on the schedule.

7 Calendar Of Events Sunday, July 12, 2015 MASS - Church 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM CRHP-Wm 19 - Media Center (3:30 PM) CRHP M19 - Cenacle (6:00 PM) Monday, July 13, 2015 Communion Service - Church (9:00 AM) Quilters - Parish Center Upstairs (10:00 AM) ELS-program in CLASSROOM 1, 2, 3, 4 (5:30 PM) Tuesday, July 14, 2015 MASS - Church 9:00 AM CRHP MEN #2 - Cenacle (7:30 PM) Wednesday, July 15, 2015 MASS - Church 9:00 AM ELS-program in CLASSROOM 1, 2, 3, 4 (5:30 PM) Quilters-Parish Center Upstairs - (7:00 PM) Thursday, July 16, 2015 MASS - Church 9:00 AM St. Vincent DePaul- School - CLASSROOM 8 (7:00 PM) Men's Club - Men's Club Room (8:00 PM) Friday, July 17, 2015 MASS - Church 8:15 AM CRHP weekend - School (8:00 AM) Saturday, July 18, 2015 CRHP weekend - School (8:00 AM) Reconciliation - Courtesy Rm. (4:00 PM) MASS - Church (5:30 PM) Sunday, July 19, 2015 MASS - Church 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:45 AM CRHP weekend - School (8:00 AM) CAR SHOW - Church Parking Lot (1:00 PM) CRHP-Wm 19 - Media Center (3:30 PM) CRHP M19 - Cenacle (6:00 PM) Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00AM - 6:00PM Parish Center Phone: Pastor Ext. 106 Administrative Assistant Ext. 100 Dir. Of Youth Ministry Ext. 101 Business Manager Ext. 102 Music Director Ext. 105 Pastoral Associate Ext. 103 Coordinator of Rel. Ed Ext. 104 School Principal Ext. 201 Fr. Todd Riebe ft@stmarkindy.org Chris Guedel cdguedel@stmarkindy.org Julie Albertson jalbertson@stmarkindy.org Kevin Sweeney sweeneyk@stmarkindy.org Andy Eagan aeagan@stmarkindy.org Deacon Tom Horn deacontom@stmarkindy.org Angi Swiezy aswiezy@stmarkindy.org St. Mark Catholic School 541 E Edgewood. Av Indianapolis, IN School Admin. Assistant Ext. 200 CONTACTS Rusty Albertson ralbertson@stmarkindy.org Beth Leszcynski bleszcynski@stmarkindy.org