january 11, 2015 - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Parish

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
Mass Intentions
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11TH – THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
8:00 a.m. (DM) Mass for the People of the Parish
9:30 a.m. (DM) Wolfgang Griesenbrock – Dave & Maureen Veeley
12:00 noon (JC) Katie Ecos & Ian Evans – The Ecos Family
Is 55:1-11; 1 Jn 5:1-9; Mk 1:7-11
MONDAY, JANUARY 12TH
8:30 a.m. (JC) Pat Somers – John & Cheryl Wachsmuth
Heb 1:1-6; Mk 1:14-20
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH
8:30 a.m. (JC) Mary Wanner – Gary & Loretta Farmer
Heb 2:5-12; Mk 1:21-28
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH
8:30 a.m. (DM) Ed Modic – Linda Henry
10:30 a.m. (JC) (Emeritus) Maureen Mitchell Greer – Marilyn Miller &
Family
Heb 2:14-18; Mk 1:29-39
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH
8:30 a.m. (DM) Debbie Moore – Connie Tucker
Heb 3:7-14; Mk 1:40-45
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16TH
8:30 a.m. (DM) Msgr. Anthony Borrelli – Bereavement Committee
Heb 4:1-5, 11; Mk 2:1-12
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17TH
5:00 p.m. (JC) Paul Thurn – The Paul Wohrle Family
1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18TH
8:00 a.m. (DM) Jerry Wodarcyk – Pedro & Peggy Cadiz
9:30 a.m. (JC) Pat Somers – Doris Hoermle
12:00 noon (DM) Mass for the People of the Parish
1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42
My Testimony by RCIA candidate Carla Smock:
A journey begins when one takes a step. (Chinese proverb) Let no one think that I
started this journey. It was the gracious and merciful God who awakened me
toward Him.
I became aware of my sinfulness around thirteen years of age, during a fiery
protestant sermon about dying and meeting God, face to face. “If you die today,
where would you go – Heaven or Hell?” “For all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God.” “Have you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins?” “Have you
asked Jesus to be your Savior?” I knew in my mind and heart that unless I walked
down the aisle (altar call) to accept Jesus, my destination was Hell. Thus started
the journey down an aisle. I was full of remorse and guilt. Once I get to the end
of the aisle and say a prayer, I was sure the remorse and guilt would vanish – like
magic. It did not. Doubt reigned in my soul and every night, I would become
afraid. Did I say the prayer correctly? Was I sincere enough? Was this really the
way to Heaven? A few weeks later, a long few weeks, I was baptized. For a
protestant, this was a simple act of obedience. I came up out of those waters,
relieved, at peace and full of indescribable joy! Praise be to the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost, relief came! I was free from the heavy burden of guilt and
uncertainty and now walking my journey.
My Parents, two younger Brothers and I started attending a Protestant church. We
were regular in attendance. My Parents became very active in Sunday school and
Children’s Church. Then came a church split. The Pastor led us out of the
established congregation to form a new Protestant church. As a teen or an adult,
this is a traumatic experience. Unfortunately, this experience of splitting and
dividing was repeated over a handful of times. I obeyed my Parents and followed
their every decision, in every church, whether Bible church or Baptist.
I graduated high school and set off to college and attended Cedarville College,
now a University. By this time, sarcasm and disgust for God’s people had
infested my heart and soul. I reasoned if the people who I have had contact with,
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GROVE CITY, OHIO
were God’s people these divisive, argumentative, ungrateful lot; I wanted no
fellowship with them. But these attitudes eventually lead to having no fellowship
with the very Lord who had called me. My isolation and sinfulness were
displayed by a very prominent sign. I began cursing like a sailor. One day at
work, a Christian co-worker heard my mouth and then heard where I attended
college. I was told I needed to confess my mouth, get right with the Lord and
start back to church. My reaction was: “Yeah, let me get right on that.” I was
enjoying my rebellion. (I am still friends with her and the Lord did use that
moment despite my stubbornness.)
Then I met my future husband, Michael. My Catholic husband, I was smitten and
still am. The one thing I asked of him, after one of our Catholic versus Protestant
discussions – “Please, let’s not be married in front of a statue of Mary.” (Forgive
me. My Protestantism and Anti-Catholicism was so strong.) We married and
started enjoying life together. We occasionally attended a Baptist church in
Galloway, when we wanted to. We had no thought of commitment to our Lord or
the church.
Then I became pregnant with Joshua, our one and only. Ironically, we named him
off of a church marquee: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”
(Joshua 24:15). The Lord was still drawing me to Him.
Time passes and Joshua grew. I read Bible stories to Joshua and talked about God
and Jesus, but never crossed the threshold of a church with him in my arms.
Many times, “Daddy” (Michael) would take Joshua up on the “big bed” to rough
house and jump around. During this time, Joshua would sing and chatter (such a
joy). It was my turn one night, to perform the “ritual” and in the middle of a
song; Joshua stops, looks at me and says: “Mommy, how did God make us?”
That question pierced right through me. I knew I had not been faithful to my
Lord, who created me and I knew I was not raising Joshua in His ways. I
answered my three year old Son, who did not know what “clay” was with…”dirt”.
God made the first people on earth out of “dirt”. Joshua was shocked by that
answer, but no more than I was at the effect this discussion was having on my
soul. Out of the “mouth of a babe” came the Lord God, Almighty who was
pleading with me to come back to Him. “Alright, Lord – I’ll return….for the sake
of Joshua. I will start going back to church for my son”. (Still stubborn as ever.)
We started attending a Baptist church again, slowly, not rushing to join or
participating in much. I can remember sobbing at an evening communion service.
To think my Lord and Savior gave Himself for me and asks me to fellowship with
Him and partake. I broke. I needed the Lord. I said to the Pastor on our way out;
“I have not been to the “table” in a long time.”
We soon joined the church full force and full of joy. I joined the choir, Awana
Youth Group, and taught Sunday School. I could not get enough of the Lord.
There was not enough Bible studies, books, videos, or teachers. I thought I was
finished with my journey. I had found home. It was not perfect, but I had found
that looking to my Lord, alone, brought joy.
My Husband and I still had our marathon midnight talks about doctrine, about his
Catholic beliefs and my Protestant attacks “that Catholicism was not true
Christianity, it just can’t be.” Then one evening, when trying to write an Easter
Cantata for the church choir, I ran across a web site that said that Mary was a
picture of the Holy Ark of the Covenant (Old Testament) that/who carried the
Manna from Heaven – our Lord Jesus. This site went on to describe the real
presence in the Holy Eucharist. “What was this?” “I have never heard this
before!” “Who is responsible for this type of writing?” “Hello...Catholic
Church!” “Oh no! I do not want to go on this journey, this road.” Of course, I
shared with my Husband who then starts bringing me home books and more
books on Church doctrine and apologetics. I fell in love with my Husband afresh,
as he led and fed me and I fell in love with my Lord, His Eucharist and His
Church.
I have journeyed right into a “foreign land” – the Catholic Church!
In a few months, the Lord willing, I will be taking the necessary steps for
membership into your fellowship. I am uncomfortable, sometimes irritable that
nothing is normal, now! But thank you for welcoming me. Please be patient with
me. Please allow me to become accustomed to your Tradition, your Food (Holy
Eucharist) and your Company (you, Mary and your Saints- Cloud of Witnesses).
Every corner I travel now is bringing me closer to My Lord and My God. There
is truly “joy in the journey”. I am so grateful to God for my travels and for you.
Praise His Name!
Carla J. Smock
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
JANUARY 11, 2015
News from Our Lady School
Monday, 1/12/15 – Middle School Spelling Bee 8:15 AM –
Cafeteria
Tuesday, 1/13/15 –
– all day
5th
and
7th
grade field trip to OSU Planetarium
Friday, 1/16/15 – D.A.R.E. – 5th grade
End of 2nd quarter
Monday, 1/19/15 – NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Day
January 11th: Life Night cancelled due to Confirmation Retreat
January 18th: Life Night
January 25th: Life Night!
Faith, Family, Future
Join us for wine and appetizers—Tuesday,
January 20, 2015
6:30 to 8:30 pm
In the Parish’s Life Center
All Parishioners are invited to attend an evening of
fellowship, awareness and education on Advance
Directives and end of life decisions from a Catholic
Perspective. A presentation will be made by Peggy
Wolock, Attorney and former General Counsel for
Heartbeat International.
She currently serves as
Coordinator for the Columbus Chapter of Legatus. In
addition Loren Brown, President & CEO of The Catholic
Foundation, will be making a presentation of Stewardship
through endowments for our Parish’s future.
Kindly reply by calling the Parish Office (875-3322) or email
kowens@ourladyofperpetualhelp.net by January 12th, 2015.
Save the Date! Bosco Bash, January 31st, 2:30 – 9:00pm. $20
includes dinner and a shirt! Email Heather Testa for details:
coachvball13@gmail.com.
Kiosk Highlight of the Week
For Love and Marriage
Johnnette Benkovic shares her
conversion back to Jesus
Christ and the Catholic Church
and the struggles that came
when her husband didn't
share her faith. She explains
how the Lord blessed her in
unexpected ways and,
through the promptings of His
Holy Spirit, showed her how
she could better love her
spouse through it all.
Parishioner Comments
Just what I needed to hear! It’s what I have been looking for to
help me in my marriage and my spiritual journey.
Janie - Kyle, TX
This is the best CD I’ve heard on marriage. Johnnette’s honesty
and vibrant faith touch us to the core. It is such an inspiration
for married couples to grow stronger in the Lord.
Fabienne - Wilbraham, MA
Please register for the upcoming Columbus
Catholic Women's Conference
We are very excited to announce The 8th
Annual
Columbus
Catholic
Women's
Conference, Standing at the Foot of the
Cross, which will be held on Saturday, February
21, 2015 at the Ohio Expo Center
Voinovich Building from 8 am to 4 pm.
Speakers include Colleen Carroll Cambell, Dr. Edward
Sri, and singer, songwriter & speaker Emily Wilson. The day
will be filled with inspiration and fellowship celebrating our
great Catholic Faith. Please join us! Register online at
www.columbuscatholicwomen.com
On behalf of the American Red Cross, the Health
and Wellness Ministry would like to thank the
Parishioners of OLPH for their generosity at the
December 21st Blood Drive. We had 51 donors
who donated 48 units of blood which will save
approximately 144 lives.
THE HEART OF WORSHIP IS SURRENDER.
~Rick Warren
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OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
GROVE CITY, OHIO
Winter Bible Study at OLPH—The Book of Exodus
Do you want to experience true freedom? Have you
ever wondered what freedom means, and how to find
it?
Knights of Columbus Giving Tree
Your Knights of Columbus Perpetual Help Council 4603
would like to extend a special thank you to the church
community for your overwhelming support of the Giving
Tree Project 2014. Because of you, there were many
smiles on the faces of many needy children, as well as
many adults, as a result of your generosity. We delivered a
record 741 gifts to recipients of the following
organizations:
o
o
o
o
o
St. Vincent de Paul
Monterey Care Center
Twin Valley Behavioral Health Care
Families of Park Street Intermediate School in
South-Western City School District
Misc. families referred to us by parishioners of
OLPH
Many needy families tend to lose faith and hope, especially
around the holidays. Because of you, some of the hope and
faith has been restored.
Once again, your Knights of Columbus would like to thank
you for your help with this project. We look forward to
working with you on this project in the future.
Exodus is often seen as the defining moment in
Israel’s history, when God called Israel out of slavery
in Egypt to freedom. The story of Exodus isn’t only
Israel’s story, however - it’s also our story. Exodus:
Called to Freedom looks through the lens of Christ
and the Church to show how God ultimately desired to
free us from the deadly grip of sin so that we could
have authentic freedom.
Join us Mondays this Winter/Spring: January 12,19,
26, February 2, 9,15,23 and March 2,9,16. We will be
meeting in the Parish Life Center and have both a
daytime session and an evening session. Participants
may attend either. Daytime will be 9:30-11:00am and
evenings will be 7:00-8:30pm. To Register—
Complete the form found in the gathering space and
return by January 12, 2015 and return to the Church
office or bring it to the first session. For more
information, contact Paula & Lindsay Taliaferro at
871-4238 or ptaliafer@gmail.com.
Thank You! Thank You!
The Silver Streaks on behalf of Holy Family Soup Kitchen
and Open Shelter would like to thank all those who
contributed to Socks for the Homeless. This year our goal
was 1200 pairs and 1196 socks were collected.
May God bless each and every one of you.
Ed and Darlene Nelson
Giving Tree Coordinators
for the Knights of Columbus
Perpetual Help Council 4603
May God’s peace and blessings be with you as you journey
through 2015. Again many thanks to those who sorted,
prayed, delivered, and shopped.
We couldn’t have
achieved this without each and everyone of you!
Needed for Weekends Only
Snow removal crew around the Church. Contact Bill Stover
at 614-506-6495.
BINGO SET-UP WORKER NEEDED
Tuesday – 1 person – After School
Must be 14 years of age or older.
Contact Bill Stover at 614-506-6495.
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Wednesday, January 14th, 5:00 PM
Parish Life Center
Soup and Sandwiches
Bring soup, bread or buns, chips
or desserts
Also bring a friend!
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
JANUARY 11, 2015
White Christmas Program
The Southwest Christian Ministerial Association thanks all who
supported our community’s completely volunteer annual White
Christmas Program, in which 200 large food boxes, 28 smaller
food boxes for senior citizens, and numerous hats along with
mittens were distributed to area residents in need. This year we
had over 307 area volunteers providing at least 1110 charity
hours during the six work sessions of the Christmas food drive.
Thanks to OLPH Life Teen; Knights of Columbus, Perpetual Help
Council 4603, St. Vincent de Paul conference at OLPH and all
members of the Grove City Food Pantry for their assistance.
Thanks to the students and school coordinators of all area
schools including Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, OLPH Public
School Religion classes and our Parishioners for their efforts in
collecting and donating non-perishable food items.
The 18,900 plus food items not needed for this program, out of
the 28,500 total food items collected, was donated and will help
keep the shelves of the Grove City Food Pantry filled for several
months.
Thanks also to the volunteers who picked up the food at the
schools, helped sort the food, and packed and distributed the
boxes, as well as to the secretarial staff at Our Lady of Perpetual
Help Church for their assistance in compiling the list of
recipients.
Our appreciation to the students, custodians, staff and the
organizations at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School who
rearranged their schedules and activities to accommodate this
program.
Finally, our gratitude to Fr. Dan for his support and
understanding during December, including Christmas week.
The support of the community and surrounding area was
overwhelming and we know the White Christmas program has
made a difference this Christmas season to many area families
we served. The needy of our community appreciate your help
year round. Thank you for opening your hearts to share your
talents this Christmas.
Patrick Fahy, White Christmas Coordinator
Rev. Ruth Pribe, President, Southwest Christian Ministerial
Association
2788 London-Groveport Rd
(Across from Meijer)
Serving Breakfast and Lunch Daily
5% of purchase donated to OLPH School with
Current week’s bulletin
ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11TH
9:00 a.m. 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat – Our Lady Center
9:15 a.m. Nursery – Shepherd’s Room
9:30 a.m. Sunday Preschool – School
10:30 a.m. Disciples 4 Life Retreat Team – Life Teen Room
10:40 a.m. Parish School of Religion (PSR) – School
1:00 p.m. 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat – Parish Life Center
4:00 p.m. 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat – Church
5:30 p.m. Confirmation Retreat Dinner - Rectory
6:30 p.m. The Any Lengths Closed Discussion Meeting of
Alcoholics Anonymous – OLPH Preschool Building
MONDAY, JANUARY 12TH
9:30 a.m. Bible Study: Exodus – Parish Life Center
7:00 p.m. Bible Study: Exodus – Parish Life Center
7:00 p.m. Disciples of Christ – Our Lady Center
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts – Basement
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH
9:00 a.m. MOMS Group - Basement
7:00 p.m. Pre-Baptismal Class – Shepherd’s Room
7:15 p.m. Bingo
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH
9:15 a.m. MOMS Fit Club– Basement (No cost – children welcome)
5:00 p.m. Silver Streaks – Parish Life Center
6:00 p.m. Finance Board – School-Staff Lounge
6:00 p.m. Bell Choir – Basement
6:30 p.m. K of C Business Meeting – Basement/Knights Room
7:00 p.m. Divorce Survival – Shepherd’s Room
7:00 p.m. Life Teen Core Meeting – Life Teen Room
7:30 p.m. Choir – Church
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH
6:00 p.m. Parish Pastoral Council – Conference Room
7:00 p.m. RCIA – Parish Life Center
7:00 p.m. Bell Ensemble - Basement
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16TH
9:00 a.m. Our Lady’s Home School Co-Op - Basement
7:15 p.m. Bingo
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17TH
7:00 p.m. K of C Euchre Party – Parish Life Center
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OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
GROVE CITY, OHIO
How amazing would it be to assist at a Papal Mass? Pope Francis is coming to Philly!
We are hosting a meeting to discuss the options of attending the ‘Festival of Families’ and the Papal Mass:
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27TH, 6:30-7:30pm in the Life Center
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THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
OFFERTORY FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 21, 2014
Envelope Offerings
494
$19,780.00
Loose Check Offerings 27
1,340.00
Faith Direct Offerings
37
3,876.00
Loose Offerings
848.39
$25,844.39
CHRISTMAS, DECEMBER 25, 2014
Envelope Offerings
517
$20,228.00
Sunday Envelope
Offerings
30
1,459.00
Loose Check Offerings 42
2,590.00
Loose Offerings
2,725.30
$27,002.30
We thank you and God bless you abundantly for your
generosity.
JANUARY 11, 2015
BINGO WORKERS
Tuesday, January 13TH
SET UP:
Lisa Bowman
Maria Nuyles
Lowell Titus
CONCESSION WORKERS
Tuesday, January 13TH
SET UP: Nancy Breniser
Daphne Hanrahan-Bruce
Roger/Pat Rees
Friday, January 16TH
SET UP:
Chris Eichorn
Joe Nlemchi
Michelle Smetanko
Friday, January 16TH
SET UP:
Karen Farkas
Charlotte Harris
Greg Thacker
Kathleen Thacker
Janet Yohman
T…rriffic Table Linens
MONEY COUNTERS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 18,
2015 – TEAM # 2.
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