•rcia mystagogy period - st. paul catholic church · 2019. 12. 8. · mystagogy begins at the...
TRANSCRIPT
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ST. PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH
IN THIS ISSUE
• Pastor’s Pen
Page 2
• RCIA Mystagogy Period • Alpha
Page 3
• Confirmation
Page 4
• First Communion
Page 5
•Parish Happenings
Page 6 & 7
• Parish Family
Page 7
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One of the truisms you learn in biblical studies is the
difference between the Greek/pagan view of time/
history and the Hebrew/biblical view. Over-simplified,
the Greek world of that era viewed time as cyclical –
its quintessential expression, the perpetually recurring
rhythms of nature – light and dark, day and night, the
seasons following each other one after another with
predictable regularity. Their myths tried to explain these
endlessly repeated cycles. By contrast, the biblical view
of time/history is not merely linear but actually a vector –
history is headed in a direction; it has a divinely set goal,
and someday that goal will be reached. The Greek view
prioritized that perfect world at the beginning, which
each subsequent spiral can only imperfectly approximate
but never attain. The biblical view, especially in the
apocalyptists, prioritizes the future – God is the Lord
of History, orchestrating everything toward its grand
climactic goal; perfection lies in the future, not the past,
and with diligence we can trace out the signs of its
dimensions and progress.
The truth, of course, has elements of both views. Some
of the events in the life of our parish that this spring issue
of the newsletter celebrates are indeed cyclical – every
year we have a new class of students being confirmed; a
new class receiving their first communion; a new cohort of
RCIA candidates for the Easter sacraments experiencing
the miracle of new life; and soon enough, a new class of
students graduating and heading off to college or their
careers. You will see in the following pages many pictures
of these moving events. We look forward to them with
great anticipation precisely because they happen every
year.
Other events we have experienced, however, are one-
time or new events that are more like those signposts
marking out a way, limning a road that is heading in a
direction. They too are profoundly moving, not because
they are familiar and we know what to expect, but
because in them we can trace out the contours of a way
that leads to a goal. One of these lately was the two-day
retreat our Hispanic parishioners had as part of our
participation in the national Church’s “Fifth Encounter.”
On the weekend of April 14-15 a representative of the
Diocese of Toledo came to join with several of the parish
staff and maybe a total of 20-25 Hispanic parishioners for
a two-day retreat based on the story of the risen Jesus
meeting the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. With
songs on this theme, Scripture readings, reflections and
witness stories by the participants, small group discussions,
simple but eloquent symbols and meals together, these
participants prepared themselves to be “Missionary
Disciples of God’s Love”. I was so impressed by the
enthusiasm, the vigor of their Catholic faith, their
eagerness to accept the challenge to each visit five
families who are no longer coming to Mass to find out
Page 2
why and what we can do re-ignite that faith. (That’s
something like 100 families!) We on the staff discuss so
much how to evangelize, to “move from maintenance to
mission” in view of the increasing loss of faith on the part
of our culture (which, like a fast-moving epidemic, infects
so many, as illustrated by the steadily dropping rates of
attendance at Sunday Mass) – and this sector of our
parish embraced that challenge with enthusiasm. I would
love to see all the members of our parish become
“Missionary Disciples of God’s Love”!
A second marker on the way was the successful
conclusion of our parish’s first, so-called pilot, Alpha
program. You have read my comments about this
program before. It too is focused outward; while anyone
can benefit greatly from it, it’s designed specifically to
give people who no longer believe or have never been
raised in any faith at all an experience of the risen Christ
in a community setting. As such, it’s the basic Christian
kerygma, the Good News, of Jesus, and for that very
reason it has great power. It too uses the basic modality
of gatherings of people around meals and presentations
(this time via some superbly created videos) and
discussions to reach out beyond ourselves. This first, pilot,
program was like a maiden voyage with specifically
invited parishioners to make sure we had all the kinks and
wrinkles out, and was a fantastic success – I have heard
over and over and over from the participants what a
terrific experience it was and how excited they are about
putting it on for others. I hope many, many others will be
able to avail themselves of it in the years ahead.
So, such combinations of the familiar and well-loved on
the one hand, and the new and exciting on the other
make up our experience of time in St. Paul parish – not
going around in circles, but heading toward the future,
our goal of life in Christ, both here and hereafter.
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Page 3
The final period of the RCIA process is called “Mystagogy”
– a time for “savoring” the mysteries of God. After having
celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism,
Confirmation, and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil, the
newly-baptized (and some of the rest of us too, I’m
afraid) sometimes think, “Finally, this is finished!” Surprise!
It’s not finished! These are called the Sacraments of
“Initiation” (beginning), NOT the Sacraments of
“Termination” (ending). Mystagogy begins at the
celebration of the Initiation Sacraments and ends . . .
well, technically, it doesn’t end. Whether we were
baptized a few weeks ago or many years ago, we are
still “savoring” the mysteries of God!
“Participation in the Sunday Masses of the Easter season
increases the contact between the neophytes (newly-
baptized) and the rest of the faithful. Through the period
of Mystagogia, the neophytes should experience a full
and joyful welcome into the community and enter into
closer ties with the other faithful. The faithful derive from
this a renewal of inspiration and outlook.” (RCIA #246)
~ Marian Bermudez
It isn't often when you pick
a gift for others that you
yourself get to share in the
gift too, but that is exactly
what happened to me. I
am part of St. Paul's Parish Council and we prayerfully
discerned what we could do to reach the people and
share the goodness of our faith. We looked at a few
options but we found the best answer in the Alpha
program happening at surrounding parishes, and we
brought it here.
I was part of the "pilot" group of about 24 people to go
through the program. I don't want to give too much
away, but I can tell you that no matter who you are, what
you believe or think you believe, where you are on your
life's journey, Alpha will REACH you and Alpha will
CHANGE you. I came closer to Jesus and I learned more
about the Holy Spirit.
This program IS for everyone, and I hope a lot of you can
experience what I did. Many of us didn't want the
program to end, but fear not – there's more!!! At St. Paul's,
we will continue to look for ways to encourage community
and love for Jesus on your journey.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Hope to see you in Alpha this June!
~ Gina Herner
Here are some thoughts and insights shared by participants
during our pilot group sessions of Alpha:
“Tell the truth with LOVE.”
“Never forget that the Holy Spirit is guiding you!”
“1% of your day is 15 minutes and you can give 1% to God.”
“Are we happier with Jesus, or are we happier without him?”
“Pray with expectation.”
How can you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ?
What can you share with others on their journey? Interested
in being a part of Alpha? A new session will begin June 4.
Contact Pat Krause, Pastoral Associate for more
information.
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Page 4
Photo courtesy of Jacalyn Houck Photography
Logan Amato
Sophia Baca
Meghan Belden
Gabriel Bond
Nathan Catalano
Ashantae Clinton
Julianne Colvin
Madisyn Cook
Luke Depinet
Malia Duncan
Jefferson Fair
Elijah Fisher
Jordan Fulton
Maya Gerber
Sebastian Gomez
Ninfa Guzman
Ryan Hedrick
Travis Herner
Brooke Houck
Michael Howerton
Madison Jaworski
Joseph Jordan
Anna Kaple
Dyllan Knoll
Christopher Kocher
Kyler Kromer
Aidan Kusser
Megan Leibold
Collin Liedorff
Emma Lukasko
Sarah Matlack
Kaden Maxwell
Danielle McGlothlin
Stephen McHale
Luke Meyer
Zachary Meyer
Joseph Nill
William Ordonez Mendez
Azucena Ornelas
Yahir Ornelas
Collin Pertner
Zachary Pocos
Kimberly Ramirez
Isaac Rommell
Amelia Rospert
Xiomara Rubio
Karlie Rudolph
Julianne Saucedo
Andrew Schaffer
Jordan Shepherd
Josephine Skinn
Presley Stang
Allie Steffanni
Abigail Stine
Alexander Stine
Harley Stoll
Dana Sumpter
Christine Tores
Bryan Vargas
Olivia Vitaz
Bryce Wnek
Isabelle Zimmer
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Photo courtesy of Jacalyn Houck Photography
Page 5
Johan Alvarez-Ramos
Mason Barman
Sylvester Chase
River Couch
Valeria Diaz
Ava Englert
Angela Enriquez
Layla Fair
Javier Galindo
Gabriel Yael Hernandez
Carlos Hernandez
Yareli Hernandez
Ryleigh Mansfield-Bush
Alex Marsh
Jessica Matlack
Stephanie Mendez
Mia Mutchler
Jacob Penwell
Conner Polachek
Bryan Ramirez
Wesley Ramirez
Gabe Ramon
Rocco Rizzo
Claira Roth
Fernanda Sanchez
Xavier Sanders
Tristan Schlachter
Hunter Springer
Anthony Tomosulo
Miguel Vargas
Anahly Zamano
First Holy Communion
April 2018
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Page 6
Hispanic Leadership Retreat
St. Patrick’s
Day Dinner
Eucharistic
Adoration
with Praise &
Worship Music
Catechesis of the
Good Shepherd
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New Parishioners: Justin Anderson & Bethany Copps
Children, Brett, Alec, Rylan,
Braxton & Meiah
Sydney Friend
Cara Hite
Son, Oliver
Jordan Hite
Children, Amaia, Brayden & Mason
Makayla Hite
Son, Easton
Rick Kay
Georgia Montana
Pat Peschke
Jim & Patti Pirc
Nichole Schlessman
Greg & Heather Smith
Sons, Ace & Eli
Brandon Wiseman
Harold & Angelina Wittstruck
Deaths: Eugene Borgia
Elizabeth Bresson Sharon Charville
Jeffrey Hohler Marie Hohler Michael King
Vernon Kluding Veronica Kluding Timothy Leroux
Catherine Moore Chanh Myers Helen Penza
Jeanette Riedy Gary Robron
Lawrence Ross Robert Sheldon
Frances Wechter
George Yager
Weddings: Mr. & Mrs. Adam & Sheridan (Conney) Krause
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory & Heather Smith
Baptisms: Stella Marie
Daughter of Craig & Kim Caprara
Dolan Kash
Son of Kaci Oates
Emerson Lyn
Daughter of Jason & Clara Brown
Ace Everett & Eli Paul
Sons of Gregory & Heather Smith
Lucas Nicholas
Son of Nicholas & Elizabeth Holmer
Blair Olivia
Daughter of Brad & Tricia Mutchler
Isabel Guadalupe
Daughter of Lorena Papai
Emmerson Lee
Daughter of Allen & Kristin Rospert
Leah Catherine
Daughter of Ryan & Catherine Schild
Margo Jane
Daughter of Matt & Liane Roth
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Holy Week
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St. Paul Catholic Church
91 E. Main St
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Phone: 419-668-6044 Fax: 419-663-5770 E-mail: [email protected]
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Page 8
Discovery Camp
June 4 – June 8 8:30 am – 12:30 pm St. Alphonsus Campus, Peru
Berlin/Milan/Norwalk Community VBS
June 25-29 9 am – 11:30 am St. Anthony Catholic Church, Milan
SWAG
Sunday, August 5 11 am – 3 pm Norwalk Reservoir