October 1, 2000,
TRUCKS
Four-year-old Mark loves trucks. So it was only natural that he wanted to show me a twelve
minute video, 'All about trucks.' We sat down together and watched the display of semi-trailers, milk trucks, pick-ups, and big yellow cement trucks.
Then Mark's enthusiasm grew when they mentioned garbage trucks! He blurted out loud, “Those are my favorites. Later his father confirmed Mark’s choice when he expressed how Mark "gets up early on Monday mornings so he can look out the window and watch the garbage man in"the pre-dawn hours collect the family's trash.
I can’t remember if ever I was that excited about trucks, ever. I have to admit, though, that Mark's enthusiasm is contagious. I am glad he likes to watch how the garbage truck works. I can think of lots of worse ways for him to be spending his time.
s most significant is that Mark has the capability to be enthusiastic. We adults, often jaded by the ups and downs of the world, can become a bit callous and cynical. Do we ever get excited or enthusiastic about anything anymore? Maybe we all need children like Mark to remind us to find joy in all that life has to offer. Stop and watch a truck sometime this week.
Fr. Herb
October 8, 2000
PRESENCE
I have noticed many people practice the ministry of presence. That is, they go to the hospital to be present to a family while a parent or child is in surgery. They make a point of being present to their sons and daughters when there is a sporting event or concert. They are even present to family members out of town by staying connected by way of e-mail Being present to others means acknowledging them and expressing concern for them. Choosing to be present shows that the other person is a high priority. In short, the gift of presence is a very special gift. We in the church are fortunate enough to have Christ present to us. Jesus is here whenever two or three gather in his name. He is found in the sharing of the holy Word. And especially we know Jesus is present in the Eucharist. We even call it the Real Presence. In just a week we will have our annual Eucharistic Days here at St. Peter’s. Sunday through Tuesday, October 15-17, we will celebrate the Lord’s divine presence in the Eucharist through adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Each evening at 7:00 p.m. there will be a special service with a guest speaker. All day, each day, we encourage folks to stop in church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. We have something special to be thankful for. Please plan to schedule yourself to participate. We all need to be more present to the Lord as he is to us.
Fr. Herb
Bulletin -
October 8, 2000
SACRIFICIAL GIVING–
Our Sunday collection last weekend was $. Thank you to all who contribute regularly. It takes everyone’s offering to help the parish reach its budget of $19,500 per week.
UPDATE
The Diocesan Development Fund continues this week. Thanks to all who have returned their envelopes. So far we have ___ donors/pledges for a total of $
. St.Peter’ s goal is___ donors for a total of $____. EUCHARISTIC DAYS NEXT WEEK–
Plan to take part in the annual Eucharistic days beginning next Sunday. Each day, October 15-17, there will be opportunity for you to pray quietly before the Blessed Sacrament. On Sunday evening, at 7:00, we will have Liturgy of the Word with a homily by Deacon Greg Kirk of Galion , and Benediction. On Monday evening at 7:00, there will be a special Mass with Fr. Kevin Conroy of St. Peter’s, Loudonville as homilist. On Tuesday for the closing Mass at 7:00 p.m., Fr. Mike Dandurand of Tiffin will be the homilist. CONGRATULATIONS–
A big congratulations to all those who were confirmed last weekend. Now that you have completed your initiation into the Catholic Church, we hope that you will continue to share your time and talents with us and with all those in need. And a thank you to those who have, once again, run such a fine program, especially Judy Wiparina and Sandy Lauer, who head up the program MASS OF ANOINTING TODAY At 2:00 today (Sunday) we will have our annual Mass of Anointing of the Sick. Please invite and assist others who may want to come. Also please keep all the infirm in your daily prayers,
ENEW 2000: Week One –Loving the PoorThe Gospel is very clear about compassion for and solidarity with the poor. If we are to follow Jesus, we, too, must be compassionate toward the poor. Despite many efforts in the 20th century–to alleviate poverty, the gap between rich and poor be they individuals or nations is expanding. We all faced with caring for and empowering the poor, and renewing society so that no one will be, without basic human necessities.
October 15, 2000
WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING
I was passing through a small town when my eye caught sight of a sign in front of a little white church. The sign read, ‘Watch where you’re going.’
Instantly, with pangs of guilt, I turned my gaze back to the road in front of me.
Then I realized the sign was not meant to apply only to driving. Watch where you are going also meant to be aware of where you are heading in life, where you are going spiritually. It was a powerful sign for me. I hope it is for others, too. There are plenty of folks who do not know where they are going. They may have career plans or personal goals. But do they have any notion of how their relationship with God is developing?
Taking a few moments now and then to focus on our faith journey will keep us on the road towards where we really want to be.
Bulletin -
October 15, 2000
SACRIFICIAL GIVING–
Our Sunday collection last weekend was $. Thank you to all who contribute regularly. It takes everyone’s offering to help the parish reach its budget of $19,500 per week.
UPDATE
The Diocesan Development Fund continues this week. Thanks to all who have returned their envelopes. So far we have ___ donors/pledges for a total of $. St.Peter’s goal is___ donors for a total of $____. EUCHARISTIC DAYS BEGIN TODAY–
Plan to take part in this year’s Eucharistic days. Please read the insert for complete schedule. If you haven’t yet signed up for a time slot for Eucharistic adoration, please stop at the church doors today before you leave.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, USHERS, LECTORS–
As in past years, part of our Eucharistic Days will include a special session at 4:30 p.m. today– (Sunday) for spiritual renewal of Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, and Ushers, in Assisi Hall of the Parish Center. Fr. Herb will speak on ‘Praying the Bible.’
A light soup supper will follow, and–you will be out in time to attend the Sunday evening service in Church.
Week Two Focus: Loving the Earth
God created the earth out of love. How well do we love God’
s creation? Do we see ourselves as having arbitrary power to dominate and exploit it, or can we grow in our relationship with our planet, healing its wounds and taking only what we need to sustain and nourish us? Now is a unique time for us to renew our values and to change insensitive attitudes and destructive actions that harm the earth.
PROPOSED CEMETERY ‘COME AND SEE’
Everyone is invited this afternoon, between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m., to come to the proposed site of–Princeof Peace’ Cemetery. Drive on Rt. 39, as to go to Lucas. Before you get to the Richland Hospital, you will see the small Lantz Cemetery on your left. You may enter and drive up the hill. Our land is immediately behind it. (It will have a separate entrance, but for now this is"the easiest way to come.) We are asking that you look it over and indicate if you think it should be developed FR. DAN GONE–
Fr. Dan will be leaving this week for a vacation and will return in two weeks. Please keep him in your prayers. Marilyn, Woodlawn Nursing Home Mass, 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 17
Marilyn, please note the Mass times for Monday and Tuesday evenings for Eucharistic Days (no 5:30 p.m. Mass on Monday) PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING
Cancer Screening Clinic to be held at MedCentral, November 11, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m. Call 526-8597 to schedule.
October 22, 2000
REFLECTIONS
Last week I spent a few hours wandering through the country-side, enjoying the wonderful colors of autumn. I was looking at brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds next to a river when I happened to look into the river itself. There on the water was a wonderful reflection of the trees’ colors. Shimmering in the ripples, the image was like a Monet painting. Once my gaze focused on the reflection in the water, I had trouble drawing myself back to the source of the reflection. Yet, without the colors of the trees themselves, there would have been no reflection to look at. As beautiful and enticing as it was, I wondered why I settled for what was viewed on the surface of the water.
Much of what we are attracted to is merely reflection of the real. None of us has ever seen God face to face, but God’s reflections are everywhere. Even the fall colors of the trees are only a sign of God’s paintbrush at work. With eyes wide open, we can appreciate God’s goodness by seeing those images of God’s gracious goodness. Yet how much greater is the Reality than the reflection! Once we learn to discover beauty and goodness, then we can start to get a sense of what God’s awesomeness must be. Enjoy the autumn and thank God for every beautiful sight that you find.
Fr. Herb
October 29, 2000
SAINTS: ALIKE AND DIFFERENT
I have learned over the years that All Saints Day touches many people’s hearts. Probably just knowing that there have been men and women who lived their lives well is enough to keep us motivated. As I think about saints, I realize that they are like us in many ways. Although some were popes or bishops, many were lay persons. Some may have died for their faith, but most simply lived each day with something special. There are even saints whose lives were anything but saintly until the Holy Spirit woke them up and gave them another chance. At the same time, saints are different from us. The difference probably lies in how fully they responded to God’s love. Of course, we are called to do the same, the fact that saints were above and beyond most of our standards means they can be the models and heroes that inspire us who wants to imitate someone who was just mediocre?
There is great wisdom in the church celebrating All Saints Day each year. The countless saints of our heritage, including those without a capital are part of our family of faith,
We gather with them and realize what church is all about.
