MAY 2022
the phi lipian
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F S T . P H I L I P N E R I C AT H O L I C C H U R C H
Meet Parishioner Faye Sevel: Called to Share Time and Talents with God and Parish
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t the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, most places were closed, including churches. Mass, an essential part of life for many, was taken away. Faye Sevel was deeply affected by this challenging aspect of the pandemic. When times have been tough in her life, she has turned to prayer many times in church. “When I encountered a locked church, I knew then and there I needed to get more involved,” Faye says. “So, when things got back to normal, I looked at how I could get involved.” Faye received an email about Eucharistic Adoration and decided to take on an hour each week. Spending dedicated time in the Chapel changed her life. “I decided I would just go and do this,” she says. “There was a lot of time for self-reflection. It’s not something that I did on my own. It’s all Him.” continued on page 5
Faye Sevel with her husband, Tavis and their three children Joshua, Natalie and Caroline
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The Bible The Textbook of Stewardship
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ave you ever wished that life came with an instruction manual? What a valuable resource that would be! Whenever you find yourself running in circles, this instruction manual would give you stepby-step instructions on how to fix the problem and reroute your course. Well, here’s some good news. For those living a Christian life, there is such a manual — the Bible. Sometimes referred to as the “textbook of stewardship,” the Bible is a bountiful resource for the present-day Christian. Written by anointed prophets and sages, this collection of divinely inspired parables, poems and letters is full of testimonials that express the blessings that come from true discipleship, conveyed through lives of stewardship. Stewardship is not a new concept. The Bible gives proof to this claim through passages such as the 26th chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy. We read Moses’ words, as he tells the Israelites to offer the choicest portions of their harvest to God: “When you have come into the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you as a heritage, and have taken possession and settled in it, you shall take some first fruits of the various products of the soil which you harvest from the land the LORD, your God, is giving you; put them in a basket and go to the place which the LORD, your God, will choose as the dwelling place for his name… ‘Now, therefore, I have brought the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, LORD, have given me.’ You shall set them before the LORD, your God, and you shall bow down before the LORD, your God” (Dt 26:1-2, 10). St. Paul briefly touches on the essence of stewardship when he said, “In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the
weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35). Again, in St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, we read about living a life of Christian stewardship: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:6-7). While this is well and good, what does it mean for the present-day Christian? Why should it matter that the Bible alludes to stewardship in various passages? It shows us that Christians and Jews have struggled with and benefited from the concept of stewardship for thousands of years. It ties the message of stewardship to the role of a Christian disciple. It gives proof that stewardship and discipleship go hand-in-hand. It offers encouragement to us, that stewardship is in fact a foundational component of the Christian life, a way of life that one of the founding fathers of the Church — St. Paul — preached about and advocated. The Bible is indeed the textbook of stewardship. It lays out the steps we must take to become true disciples of Christ. Reading and meditating upon God’s Word is always a fruitful exercise. Those who regularly delve into Scripture often develop a deeper understanding of Who God is, how and why He loves us, and how we can show Him our love in return. As you strive to become a grateful steward and live the life of Christian discipleship, develop a love for Sacred Scripture. Allow God’s Word to nourish your soul regularly, and watch as stewardship changes from a foreign concept to an integral component of your daily life.
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A Letter From Our Pastor
The Month of Mary: A Time for Celebration and Joy Dear Parishioners,
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n the Catholic Church, we designate a particular devotion for each month — and May is when we honor our Blessed Mother Mary. Thus, this is a good time for us to think about and concentrate on our devotion to the Mother of God. Perhaps we can add a few more Marian prayers to our daily routine. Praying the Rosary might be even more important. Of course, that assumes that daily prayer is part of our daily routine — which it should be. Our Blessed Mother is important to our faith and our Church. Her willingness to serve in a way that allowed the Lord to take human form made our salvation a possibility. Because of her complete trust in God, she lived her life free from sin, and after her life, she was assumed into heaven by the power of God and crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. She is, of course, not divine. We worship only our Lord Jesus Christ, but we honor Mary as a saint, and also in many other ways. We honor God when we remember the role of Mary in our salvation. Devotion to Mary always leads to Jesus Christ Himself. Mary was joyous when she said “yes” to God. That is the kind of joy we need to seek — and we, too, must say “yes” to the Lord. Let us be grateful to Mary for bringing us her Son. This is why we crown her on our Catholic version of Mother’s Day. Through Mary, we are given an invitation into the Catholic fold. Her feminine presence and the safety of her motherhood may help us grow. For most of us, this time of year is a month of growth in relation to nature. It is difficult not to have May as one of our favorite months for so many reasons. May is a beautiful time. We are called to make it even more beautiful, and we can do that as we serve and love one another. I am deeply blessed to be your pastor. I may say that often, but it is true. My priesthood has been a blessing and serving you all has made that blessing even more significant. I pray for you daily. Please pray for me. God bless you and keep you always. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O.
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Rebuild to Serve Capita
Bill and Debbie Wolfe
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ill and Debbie Wolfe were one of the original founding charter members that made St. Philip Neri Catholic Church become a reality. They have been here from the beginning, from when St. Philip Neri Catholic Church was just an idea, then a mission church, and now, its own parish. The Wolfes are excited about the chance to expand the existing St. Philip Neri campus and grow our ministerial footprint through the $6 million capital campaign — Rebuild to Serve. The campaign funds will help build a new Fr. John Giuliani Parish Center on the existing location, and a new two-story building that will house the Child Development Center on the first floor and a Future Activity Center for parish use on the second floor.
Bill hopes parishioners will be generous toward the campaign and consider the bible verse from 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” “Since this parish was established, we’ve been outgrowing our campus,” Bill says. “I hope that our parish family will continue living our mission of caring and giving and take the steps needed to enable our parish community to continue to evolve and grow.” Bill serves on the Property and Facility Committee and has managed our parish technology. He remembers when the parish was worshiping in other churches and parishioners
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al Campaign Kicks Off: Strenghi Our Foundati for the Futre
hauled the missalettes around in their vehicles. “Since our beginning, we continue to be challenged adjusting to the rapid growth we continue to be blessed with, and meeting the needs of our growing faith family,” Bill says. In turn, Bill acknowledges there are many people to thank for where St. Philip Neri Catholic Church is today. “I’m so in awe of the leadership of this parish,” he says. “I’ve just been a small part of this. A lot of great people have done so much for this parish community.” Now, Bill looks forward to a successful Rebuild
To Serve campaign to ensure that our parish continues living out our mission of continuing the ministry of Christ and meeting the needs of our faith community now and for generations to come. He feels so blessed by his faith and this parish community. Growing up as a Southern Baptist, he found a home when he became Catholic. “I love the traditions of the Catholic Church,” Bill says. “It meant a lot for me to join the Church and for the Church to accept me in.” Please be generous in your support of the capital campaign — Rebuild to Serve.
Meet Parishioner Faye Sevel continued from front cover Taking on a weekly commitment might initially seem intimidating, but Faye would wholeheartedly recommend it. Adoration has never been a chore and she always looks forward to it. “Adoration is such a beautiful thing,” she says. “I’m so grateful for it.” Around that same time that Faye took on her adoration hour, Fr Fabio gave a homily on sharing our gifts, our time, talent and treasure. Faye started asking what she could do with her talents. At the time, she was working as a freelance photographer. “I thought, ‘I have this photography thing — how can I use that?’” Faye says. There was a Creative Arts Ministry in which the leader had stepped down. Faye found out there was a need for a photographer for various happenings at St. Philip Neri. “I am thrilled to be able to use my photography skills at church,” she says.
Faye wants everyone to know what a blessing it’s been for her to get involved. She would encourage others to take a leap of faith and find a ministry they enjoy — it doesn’t have to be something large or time-consuming. “It’s about realizing where your gifts come from in the first place,” Faye says. God brought Faye closer to Him through adoration. She hopes the same for others because this has truly changed her life. She believes wholeheartedly in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” “It was Him who shaped my heart,” she says. “Left to my own selfish devices, I wouldn’t have done this.” Faye and her husband, Tavis, have three children — Joshua, Natalie, and Caroline. In their free time, they enjoy hiking.
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ASK, SEEK, KNOCK MINISTRY Offers Valuable Ways to Prayerfully Support Those in Need
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ome of us have busy schedules that don’t allow much time for church ministry. For some of us, leaving our homes isn’t a possibility, so volunteering at church is a challenge. But every single one of us has time and space to pray. The new Ask, Seek, Knock Ministry is available to everyone. Through the ministry, prayer group members and individuals will receive prayer requests from our St. Philip Neri community and will be asked to pray in whatever way they choose. Angela Barius receives the prayer requests to forward and coordinates with ministry members. After about a year of working on this ministry, she’s excited for it to get started. This ministry is one of hospitality. It’s a way to be there for people in need of prayers. “People have to know that prayer is the only answer most of the time,” Angela says. “Jesus says, ‘Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.’” According to the ministry’s mission, its members “commit
Angela Barius looks forward to leading the new Ask, Seek, Knock Ministry
ourselves to develop and sustain not only our own personal prayer lives but to bear the burdens
of members of our parish community and beyond, through prayer.” Angela wanted to get this ministry started because she knew it would be an opportunity to make an impact and show people the power of prayer. Those needing prayers can send Angela as much or as little information about their needs. Several prayer groups will be praying for the intentions. “This ministry will make us a vehicle to make people feel better,” she says. “I want people to know they aren’t alone.” Truly believing in the power of prayer, Angela prays the Rosary each day and many other prayers and novenas for the requests and needs of family members. She also spends time each week in Eucharistic Adoration. Now retired and having time to spend in prayer, Angela hopes to use this prayer time to impact others and let them know she’s there for them. “Miracles happen every day,” Angela says. “The Lord will answer your prayers — just not necessarily in your time frame.”
“People have to know that prayer is the only answer most of the time. Jesus says, ‘Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.’” — ANGELA BARIUS
If you would like to submit a prayer request or to join the ministry, please email Angela Barius at angelabarius@saintphilipneri.org.
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The May Crowning Celebrating the Coronation of Mary
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or many Catholics, May Crownings of statues or icons of the Blessed Mother have become rites of spring. Like flowers blooming or Mother’s Day, this annual Marian devotion reminds us that the cold of winter is behind us, and it ushers in a month during which the Catholic Church pays special homage to Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Mother of God. Generally taking place during the first weekend of the month, May Crownings bring children — often, recent First Communicants — out in their Sunday best to participate in processions and adorn statues of the Blessed Mother with crowns of flowers or actual gold crowns. Additionally, the children often place roses at her feet, and Catholics carry out similar practices in their homes by placing roses around statues of the Blessed Virgin, or even adding ornamentation to images of Mary. But where did this practice come from, and how did it develop into the tradition that we currently know and love?
The Coronation of Mary had been a popular subject in European art and literature for centuries, but the tradition of the May Crowning can be most accurately traced back to the late 16th century. Perhaps inspired by the practice of adding ornamentation to Marian icons that had been carried out by some Eastern churches, Pope Clement VIII added two crowns to the icon of Mary with the Infant Jesus in the St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome. The crowns were eventually lost, but were replaced by Gregory XVI in 1837 in a rite that was to become the standard practice for crowning. While the May Crowning is not an official liturgical celebration on the Church calendar, it is an important practice in honoring Mary as the Queen of the Universe, and its imagery is especially influential in the faith formation of children. As Liz Kelly writes in May Crowning, Mass, and Merton and Other Reasons I Love Being Catholic, “One of the defining aspects continued on back cover
St. Philip Neri C AT H O L I C C H U R C H 292 Munn Road East Fort Mill, SC 29715 803.548.7282 saintphilipneri.org
The May Crowning
continued from page 7
of being Catholic is devotion to Mary. I favor no Marian celebration more highly than May Crowning, the feast that recognizes Mary as queen of heaven and earth. To a person of any age, this is a mighty big title, but to a child of five or six or seven, it expands to enchanting,
magical proportions. How many queens does one get a chance to meet in a lifetime, much less crown?” This year, make a special effort to honor the coronation of Mary through participation in a personal or public May Crowning devotion.
BRING FLOWERS OF THE RAREST Bring flow’rs of the fairest,
O Mary! we crown thee
Bring flow’rs of the rarest,
with blossoms today,
From garden and woodland
Queen of the Angels,
And hillside and vale;
Queen of the May,
Our full hearts are swelling,
O Mary! we crown thee
Our glad voices telling
with blossoms today,
The praise of the loveliest
Queen of the Angels,
Rose of the vale.
Queen of the May.
