ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CATHOLIC CHURCH MARCH 2019 EST. 1989 THE SAINT MODERN Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish is a Roman Catholic Christian community which unselfishly ministers to all people through hospitality, prayer, formation, and service. Eucharist centered and led by the Holy Spirit we strive to be grateful stewards of all God s gifts. PROVIDING COMFORT AND HOPE IN OVER-THE-RHINE LUNCH FOR THE HOMELESS If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. JOHN 3:17-18 St. Francis Seraph Ministries in Over-the-Rhine provides substantive bag lunches for up to 600 homeless individuals as well day laborers who make as little as $35.00 for a 10 - hour day. This ministry is a collaborative effort with several parishes who make the lunches and deliver them to the St. Theresa of Calcutta Kitchen at the St. Francis Seraph Center. Bag lunches include a ham or turkey and cheese sandwich, some cookies and a juice or water. A small but mighty delegation of volunteers here at St. Max assembles approximately 100 lunches every other Wednesday. With just 8 people, they can make those lunches in about an hour. Program coordinator Chuck Ciccia sends out a sign-up link for three months at a time. Volunteers are welcome to signup for one or more time slots. An easy and practical way to help our less fortunate brothers and sisters, anyone can help! Chuck started making lunches in his own kitchen after seeing a need when he volunteered with the St. Theresa of Calcutta Kitchen at the St. Francis Seraph Center. When available The Kitchen passed out lunches after serving breakfast to those in need. A long time parishioner, he approached St. Max to request volunteers and the use of the facility kitchen. Before he knew it he was blessed with volunteers and a new ministry was born under the Outreach Commission. Continues On Page 3 St. Max s Lunch for the Homeless makes 100 lunches every other Wednesday. Based on Matthew 25, I believe performing works of mercy are obligatory, should a need present itself. CHUCK CICCIA
THE DIVINE OFFICE THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH In his letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing. (1 Th 5:17) He advises us to pray always throughout our day in all things. St. Paul was not inventing some new idea of prayer. He was simply building on the longstanding tradition of the Jewish people by which they formally set aside certain times of day for prayer in order to sanctify the hours of the day and night. It was customary for prayers services to be held at set times of the day in the Temple. These would take place at what was known as the third, sixth and ninth hours of the day, nine o clock in the morning, noon, and three o clock in the afternoon, respectively. In the early years of the Church, the Apostles and other disciples of Jesus, predominantly Jewish, continued this practice of prayer. We hear in the Acts of the Apostles, for example, that Peter and John went to the Temple to pray at the ninth hour (Acts 3:1). Later as the Church spread throughout the nations, this same practice of sanctifying certain times of the day as times of prayer continued. Over the centuries this ordered time of prayer became known as the Divine Office or the Liturgy of the Hours. Still today, all priests, deacons and religious use this Divine Office as part of their routine prayers. Essentially the Liturgy of the Hours relies upon the Book of Psalms as its core. At certain hours of the day, several Psalms are prayed along with other Scripture passages and prayers. For those in monastic life, the 150 Psalms are prayed within a week s time. These religious men and women typically gather in community seven times a day to pray. For diocesan Pray always and never lose heart. LUKE 18:1 2 SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CATHOLIC CHURCH 5720 Hamilton-Mason Rd., Liberty Township, Ohio 45011
THE MODERN SAINT MARCH 2019 LUNCH FOR THE HOMELESS, Continued from Page 1 priests, permanent deacons, and some religious, five times a day are to be set aside to pray, either communally or individually. Consequently, the 150 Psalms are prayed throughout a four week cycle. In the monasteries of the Middle Ages, it was not uncommon for several elaborate books to be used in the praying of the Divine Office. However, as priests and missionaries began to travel more there was a need for a simpler, made-for-travel version of the Liturgy of the Hours. The Church created a modified, abridged version. Today, that abridged version is called a breviary, from the Latin breviarum, meaning abridged. Nonetheless, it is still necessary for there to be four volumes of the breviary covering the liturgical year. There is a single volume edition that primarily focuses on morning and evening prayer. The beautiful reality of the Liturgy of the Hours is that if you consider all the monks, sisters, brothers, priests, bishops, deacons and lay people who prayer the Liturgy of the Hours, what that means is that the Church universal is constantly at prayer, sanctifying time. In this way, the early Church obeys Christ s call to pray always and never lose heart. (Luke 18:1) If you are interested in learning more about how to join in the prayer of the Divine Office, please contact Fr. Riehle. It takes 8 volunteers about an hour to make the lunches, making it an easy, practical way for parishioners to serve those in need. Our neighbors in need are spending their nights in doorways and under bridges, making these bag lunches very much needed and appreciated. Others are struggling to make ends meet due to low-wage jobs. These lunches can provide a small measure of comfort and hope in an otherwise difficult existence. Chuck and his volunteers hope to one day use the lunches as a springboard for bringing God s saving message to the people they are serving, by including notes, prayers, cards, letters, or even small gifts. It occurred to him that along with physical hunger, the people that are served may have souls hungering for God. With Mary s help and by sharing the love of Jesus, we can play a small role in inviting others to join us as we seek holiness and an existence with God in eternity, Chuck shares. Based on Matthew 25, I believe performing works of mercy are obligatory, should a need present itself. However, as we seek perfection in Christ, submersion in activities that challenge us and take us out of our comfort zone help us build discipline and fortitude essential to Christian character development. And we earn graces for the help we provide to others. The ministry is in jeopardy of being unable to continue. Currently supported by the generosity of a few private donors long-term support is needed to become sustainable. If you are interested in helping the Lunch for the Homeless program, send donations to St. Maximilian Kolbe Church with a notation Lunch for the Homeless. Or email Chuck Ciccia at LunchfortheHomeless@saint-max.org to volunteer. And the king will say to them in reply, Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 513.777.4322 www.saint-max.org 3
r THE STORY OF ST. PATRICK q One night in the year 400 A.D., a group of marauders set out across the Irish Sea. Their goal was to raid villages along the British coast, kidnapping women and children to be used as slave labor. On that particular raid, a sixteen year old boy of Roman decent was one of those kidnapped. That kidnapping would change not only that boy s life, but the lives of all the Irish people. St. Patrick, from the Latin Patricius, was born in Britain around the year 385. His parents were practicing Christians of Roman stock. Patrick himself was not much of a believer in his youth. He did not believe in prayer, and was not sure about the existence of God. In his book, the Confessio, Patrick himself describes how at the age of sixteen he was kidnapped from his home by Irish raiders and enslaved for six years before he escaped and returned to his family. God, however, worked through those years of slavery to prepare Patrick for the mission he was later to accomplish as a priest and bishop. During the time of his enslavement, Patrick became fluent in the Celtic tongue. He became familiar with all the aspects of Druidism, the religion he would one day refute. Above all Patrick came to rely on prayer. Before this he had never really paid attention to the teachings of his faith or to the practice of prayer, but now when there was no one else, he turned to God. He wrote, The fear of God increased in me more and more, and the faith grew in me.. so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night nearly the same, so that while in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn, I was roused to prayer. Patrick was eventually able to escape his slavery and he returned to Britain and to his family. Haunted by his years of trial and lacking in education, Patrick s life seemed aimless, until one night when he had a dream in which a voice from Ireland cried out, Come to us, O holy youth, and walk among us. Patrick s life now had a mission. He would bring Jesus Christ to the people of Ireland. The slave would become the liberator. Patrick left his family and traveled to Gaul where he studied for the priesthood. Upon being ordained, he eventually made his way to Ireland in the year 433 to answer that call he heard in the dream. While Christians could be found Ireland at this time, Patrick s fluency with the language and his deep knowledge of the beliefs of the pagan Irish made him particularly suited to teach the people and to connect to them. The faith began to take spread broadly among the people. For sixty years Patrick preached and traveled and won over the hearts of the Irish people for Jesus Christ. By the time of his death 493, Ireland was irrefutably a Christian land. All because God raised up a slave to become a servant who freely gave his whole for his captors and his Lord. St. Patrick, pray for us. THE FEAR OF GOD INCREASED IN ME MORE AND MORE, AND THE FAITH GREW IN ME... ST. PATRICK 4 SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CATHOLIC CHURCH 5720 Hamilton-Mason Rd., Liberty Township, Ohio 45011
THE MODERN SAINT MARCH 2019 THE BEAUTY OF WOMEN ST. MAX WOMEN S 2019 OFFSITE RETREAT How beautiful you are, my friend, How beautiful you are! SONG OF SONGS 4:1 Top: The women of St. Maximilian spend some quiet time of prayer and reflection in the chapel at St. Anne s Retreat Center in Melbourne, KY. Bottom: Retreatants feeling refreshed and renewed through the Holy Spirit at the end of the 2018 Women s Retreat. This year St. Max is again offering a weekend Women s Retreat at St. Anne s Retreat Center in Melbourne, KY. This spirit-enriching retreat from the hustle and bustle of life is in its second year. Last year 40 women attended the retreat at St. Anne s. Many of those women also brought spouses and family members along to the follow-up sessions here at St. Max. Women can expect a formatted - but flexible- schedule with set mealtimes, talks, and activities. There will also be freetime to allow for walks, chapel time, or even a nap, so as to individualize each person s spiritual journey. Women from all walks of life young or aged, married or single, young mothers or widows all come together to share and support each other in their relationship with Jesus. The best part is the casual and comfortable environment. There is nothing needed but comfortable clothing. The retreat center can even provide a Bible if needed. During Lent, the goal of this retreat is to help one step aside and look a little deeper into the special way God works in our lives and how we are made to be in His image. Along with the Holy Spirit, we will use the Samaritan woman at the well to guide our steps as we discover new ways to strengthen our relationship with Christ. Some may utilize this weekend as part of their spiritual growth plan for the year or as a motivator to look for longer retreats such as a week or even a month. This weekend retreat is a wonderful jumping-off point for women who have never attended an over-night retreat before. Arriving on Friday evening and leaving on Sunday, it provides a brief but powerful haven for respite and growth. Of course, women are never sent back out into the world without support and follow-up. Last year women were invited to attend practice sessions to help reinforce the praying with Scripture that they learned while at St. Anne s. This year, St. Max will host a Theology of the Body study, led by parishioners Holly & Eric Saddler. If you d like to attend the women s retreat, register online at saint-max.org/womensretreat by March 15th. Questions? Contact Marlene Doughman, 513-777-4322 ext. 118 or mdoughman@saint-max.org. 513.777.4322 www.saint-max.org 5
THE BEST FISH FRY AROUND AND THE VOLUNTEERS IT TAKES TO MAKE IT HAPPEN It takes an army, explains Lakmé Kodros, Pastoral Associate for Outreach & Stewardship, and the army she speaks of are the St. Max Fish Friars. No, this is not a religious order devoted to fish; it is the team of parishioners that orchestrate the weekly fish fry dinners at St. Max during Lent. This group started in 2006 and takes on the enormous tasks associated with what some say is the best fish fry around! The team is made up of men and women, husbands, wives and families that clean, prep, cook, serve and greet the masses of people lined up for fish, shrimp, coleslaw and fellowship. Lakmé says that possibly more than fifty percent of the patrons that enjoy the annual Lenten dinners are not members of the parish (although all are welcome to join!). The preparation starts on Thursday evening, when a group gathers together to wrap utensils and prep food which generally takes about two hours. On Friday, members of the St. Max Facilities team as well as members of the Fish Friars, setup tables and chairs for 300. At noon, food and drink prep, carryout setup, and cashier prep, start really rolling. There are many different jobs for those who are interested in helping including: setup, tear down, food prep, floor workers, tray washers, servers and hosting. The hosts and hostesses make sure that those attending, possibly for the first time, feel welcome and know their way around. First time attendees may be alarmed at the length of the lines but soon the drink carts (and sometimes music) will be coming around to make everyone feel at home. All the work and effort this team contributes is worth it when they hear from the patrons. Recently, a visitor to the parish wrote a letter to the team, she writes: I m here tonight with my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, visiting from Kokomo, Indiana and sitting here from my perspective this parish is just unbelievable! I am touched emotionally and spiritually at the connectedness of this parish family. The joy is so uplifting, I feel as though I am in the midst of a great party and folks filled with the spirit of the trinity, the breath between father, the lover and the son of God the beloved! I felt so welcome and was very impressed with the young people who volunteered! This parish is truly filled with the Holy Spirit what a beautiful gift! Anyone who would like to join the Friars is encouraged to visit the website www.saint-max.org/fishfry to sign up for a shift (or multiple shifts) during the season. Teens age 16 and older may sign up and children 5th grade and up can work with their parents. Also, the team is looking for an overall coordinator, cashier coordinator and kitchen coordinator to learn the ropes this year and lead in 2020. The mission statement of the Fish Friars says it all St. Max Fish Friars provide fellowship among people we serve through work, fun and prayer. What more can you ask for? Left: It takes many volunteers to help make the Fish Fry happen! A big thank you goes to the Knights of Columbus who always help with the frying. Right: The gym is packed full every Friday during Lent for the St. Max Fish Fry! 6 SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CATHOLIC CHURCH 5720 Hamilton-Mason Rd., Liberty Township, Ohio 45011
THE MODERN SAINT MARCH 2019 513.777.4322 www.saint-max.org 7
EST. 1989 Non Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Hamilton, Ohio 45011 Permit No. 241 5720 Hamilton-Mason Road Liberty Township, Ohio 45011 LITURGY SCHEDULE MASS TIMES Saturday Vigil 4:30 PM Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM Monday-Saturday 8:30 AM SACRAMENT OF PENANCE Saturdays after 8:30 AM Mass & 3:00-4:00 PM Thursdays after 8:30 AM Mass & 6:00-6:45 PM SEND US AN UPDATE Have you moved, or do you have a new phone number or new email address? Please contact the office at 513.777.4322 ext. 101 or cgroh@saint-max.org to give us an update! WHAT IS THE 1% CHALLENGE? 1% OF YOUR DAY IS 14 MIN AND 24 SEC. JUST 1% OF YOUR DAY given to God in focused prayer will change your life. We would like to challenge you to spend just 1% (lets round up to 15 min) OF YOUR DAY EVERY DAY PRAYING with Scripture through a Catholic tradition called lectio divina. WANT TO RECEIVE THE 1% CHALLENGE DAILY EMAIL WITH SUGGESTED READING? Text 1percent to 42828. More info on the 1% Challenge can be found on our website at saint-max.org/takethechallenge.