St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Newsletter — January 2021

JAN

2021

Forget the Resolutions...

Seize the Opportunities! PAGE 3 St. Dominic School Gears Up for Catholic Schools Week 2021 PAGE 4 The Great Catholic Educator: St. Thomas Aquinas PAGE 6

Standing up for the Unborn through the Life Advocacy Group and the March for Life PAGE 7

ST. ANTHONY of PADUA

“THE BEST WAY TO START THE DAY”

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here is something undeniably exciting about the hope and optimism that come with the beginning of a new year.

Following the season of preparation during Advent and the joyous celebration of the birth of Christ, we are invited to pause once more and reflect upon our goals and dreams for the coming year. In addition to the secular resolutions we may be making to lose weight, read more, or consume less social media, January also provides us with a wonderful opportunity to begin making positive changes in our spiritual lives.

We are especially blessed in the Catholic Church to have so many special devotions available to us for deepening

our relationship with Christ. This year, some parishioners may choose to begin spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, add a daily or weekly Rosary to their prayers, or learn more about the life of a particular saint. Another spiritual practice sure to enrich one’s faith life is the attendance of daily Mass.

Parishioner Cathy Carpenter has been attending daily Mass at St. Anthony since she and her husband moved to Quincy in 1997.

“I figure it helps me get the day started right,” Cathy says. “You haven’t started the day yet and you are spending some time in prayer. When I’m at Mass, continued on page 2

“I figure it helps me get the day started right. You haven’t started the day yet and you are spending some time in prayer. When I’m at Mass, I try to immerse myself. I do the daily Mass readings all the time. It gives me stuff to think about, and I just feel like this is the best way to start the day.” — Cathy Carpenter

continued from front cover I try to immerse myself. I do the daily Mass readings all the time. It gives me stuff to think about, and I just feel like this is the best way to start the day.”

While many of the daily Mass attendees are in their retirement years, Cathy has noticed that more young families have recently started coming to our weekday Masses. She is happy to see parents bringing their kids to Mass before starting the school day, as this is a great way to form children in the faith.

Of course, there are some days and schedules that simply don’t allow for daily Mass attendance. However, this does not have to prevent the faithful from making a commitment to spend time in relationship with the Lord each and every day.

“If you can’t get to Mass, having a quiet time in the morning is a good way to get started, as well,” Cathy

says. “You come down when everyone else is asleep, you have a read from the Bible or another spiritually oriented book and think about what you’ve read. The important thing is making a connection at some point during the day. Maybe for some people evening is better, or another time of day when they can separate from the business and have that quiet time. But actually being at Mass, where the Lord is — I really feel that is the best. I really think that when you have a chance, you should go.”

Knowing well the abundant blessings that come from a devotion to daily Mass, Cathy certainly missed being able to begin her day this way when churches were temporarily closed last spring. Although she was thankful for the opportunity to watch the Masses online, she missed the physical act of worshiping together

with others and receiving Christ in the Eucharist.

“Somehow it just wasn’t the same watching on the Internet,” says Cathy of that time of church closure. “Being there with people in the physical space and knowing we are all there for the same purpose — that is important to me. It was really great when we were able to get back together again.”

The offering of daily Mass is a gift unique to the Catholic Church, and one that can be truly life-changing. As we continue to be affected by a global pandemic, some parishioners may feel more comfortable coming to a Mass during the week that has less attendees than a regular weekend Mass. For anyone, making the commitment to attend daily Mass — whether it is once or twice a week or every day — is a New Year’s commitment sure to bring many spiritual rewards!

Daily Masses are offered at St. Anthony of Padua on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 a.m. and at St. Dominic School on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m.

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ST. ANTHONY of PADUA a letter from our pastor

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T RGE

THE RESOLUTION

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SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES!

Dear Parishioners,

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ne of the most unforgettable years in our lifetimes is finally over and 2021 is here! With the new year, I recommend we forget the notion of making resolutions. This new year presents us with opportunities to practice faithful stewardship — that is, to view the start of 2021 as a time for opportunities instead of resolutions, and to choose to be the disciples we are called to be.

The choice is ours, as it has always been.

I know all too well that each New Year’s Day on Jan. 1, we do more than just begin a new calendar year. We make all kinds of promises, articulate expectations, and express hopes, desires and dreams. I don’t know who started that custom, but I do know I have spent years attempting with the best intentions to follow my own resolutions, only to become disappointed that most are forgotten all too soon. Therefore, it occurred to me that this year, I need a new and fresh approach to this. Perhaps we all need a new perspective. After all, isn’t that what faithful stewards are best at?

The to-do list for 2021 should be seen as a list of opportunities to

practice the discipleship intended by Jesus — not just at the beginning of each year, but each day throughout the year when presented with opportunities to be a Christian disciple. In doing so, we are practicing the stewardship way of life. Maybe this year, each of us will be open to embracing the connection between discipleship and stewardship.

Discipleship and stewardship are indeed closely linked, so much so that it clearly defines our Catholic spirituality and touches every aspect of the life of the Church. I hope that the same vision is clearly in your sight — the moment of discovery that stewardship is a way of life, a defining moment presenting opportunities to live what we believe, using our time, talents and treasure to reach others around us.

Therefore, as we close out one of the most eventful years in modern history, and are at the start of a new year filled with promise and hopefulness, I ask you to join me in celebrating the opportunities that will present themselves during 2021. We need to keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to them. They will be there when we least expect them. Our Lord’s call

to be faithful stewards of the gifts we have been given is already echoing in our hearts as we have concluded a season of giving in which God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ, remains the perfect gift that keeps on giving to each of us. If we continue to receive our Lord with grateful hearts, we can respond in our own way of giving time, talent and treasure back as opportunities to become Christ for others.

I know that 2021 will be a year of great interest in what will happen in the world around us, and new opportunities will abound. Wait for them. Look for them. Treasure them when they become known.

While resolutions always seem to be good ideas, opportunities are often what God has chosen for us to experience so that our lives may be more whole and fulfilling. Can you think of a better way to start a new year than to forget the resolutions, and instead seize the opportunities God has waiting for us?

Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Tom Donovan Pastor

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ST. ANTHONY of PADUA

ST. DOMINIC SCHOO T

he last week in January is always an exciting and activity-filled time for Catholic schools across the country, as they celebrate the annual Catholic Schools Week. Our St. Dominic School staff, faculty, students and parents will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2021 during the week beginning Jan. 31.

As with most things during this past year, this year’s Catholic Schools Week will look a bit different with the COVID-19 precautions in place. But even with these changes, Principal Mrs. Carol Frericks looks forward to celebrating the gift of Catholic education with the entire school.

Back in September, staff members were looking for a way to safely celebrate the Back to School Bash. So, they took Mass outdoors — everything was moved outside and the altar was placed under the school overhang. This same format for the ever-popular Grandparents’ Day. “We had grandparents who hadn’t been in a church since March, so for some, this was their first time receiving the Eucharist since then,” Mrs. Frericks says. “It was beautiful and a really nice event.”

Mrs. Frericks says the school will replicate this for the parent Mass on Wednesday of Catholic Schools Week, which is a staple of the annual celebration at St. Dominic.

This year’s theme for the school is “Holy Heroes — the Catholic Saints.”

This will also be incorporated into our Catholic Schools Week celebrations.

The week will follow the same format as last year, with some modifications.

Monday is a celebration of community. Tuesday is a celebration of students. On Wednesday, the staff, teachers and students celebrate the nation and parent appreciation. Thursday is reserved for vocations, and on Friday, students celebrate teachers and staff.

Mrs. Frericks can’t wait to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with all the students, teachers and staff — in particular, she looks forward to celebrating “holy moments,” the special moments that the students, teachers and staff focus on all year.

Mrs. Frericks says the students can always spot “holy moments” in

“If I had to write a list of all the things I love about St. Dominic’s, my list would be unbelievably long! So, in a nutshell, I love how everyone at St. Dominic School fits together like one, big, happy family, and our amazing faculty and staff go above and beyond to provide academic excellence and care to our kids in a faithful learning environment. It’s such a happy and holy environment that we are so thankful to be a part of.” ­— Katie Klauser

Muffins with Mom was held on the front lawn.

their daily interactions. She shares a story from the first week of Advent when the focus was “hope.” During a time when the students and teachers were distance learning, one of the students was in the Learning Lab at school. The students were making cards for homebound parishioners and nursing home residents. The student said, “This will give them hope and help them know they are loved by us. We all experience love in the most beautiful way at the end of Advent when we meet the baby Jesus in the manger.” continued on page 5

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OL F O R C AT H O L I C S C H O O L S W E E K 2 0 2 1 “She learned that hope leads to love,” Mrs. Frericks says.

“That realization was a ‘holy moment’ for her.”

Now, thanks to the hard work of the Marketing and Enrollment Committee and Katie Klauser, there is even more excitement happening at the school, with a new app having been launched in December. The app has a live-feed function that will likely be used for events during Catholic Schools Week, and it also includes the lunch menu.

“This will allow closer communication with school parents through social media and text messaging, as well as traditional email,” Katie says.

Katie and her husband, Scott, feel fortunate to have a school like St. Dominic for their children, Ellie and Ava. “If I had to write a list of all the things I love about St. Dominic’s, my list would be unbelievably long!” she says.

“So, in a nutshell, I love how everyone at St. Dominic School fits together like one, big, happy family, and our amazing faculty and staff go above and beyond to provide academic excellence and care to our kids in a faithful learning environment. It’s such a happy and holy environment that we are so thankful to be a part of.”

If you would like more information on St. Dominic School or our upcoming Catholic Schools Week celebrations, please call the school office at 217-224-0041.

Students gather by the Holy Heroes for Divine Mercy display.

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the great catholic educator:

St. Thomas Aquinas Thomas’ greatest works arise from his total focus on knowing and understanding God, and revealing as clearly as possible the Truth of God to others. He showed that faith and reason are not in conflict, but exist in harmony.

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efore Thomas Aquinas was even born, a holy hermit told his mother he was to be more learned and holy than any other person of his time. As a young boy, he was devoted to prayer and meditation, and his intellectual gifts were quickly recognized. When he was about 11 years old, he was sent to the University of Naples, and about five years later, he became a Dominican friar.

Thomas’ parents were Italian nobility and were not enthusiastic about Thomas’ choice of vocation. They went so far as to have his brothers capture him while he was en route to Rome, and they held him prisoner for two years in an effort to destroy his vocation and his virtue. After the family made one particularly heinous attempt at breaking Thomas’ faith and spirit, he begged God to give him integrity of mind and body, and he was miraculously given the girdle and grace of purity for the rest of his life. This gift almost certainly was essential to the remarkable clarity of his intellect.

After he regained his freedom, Thomas received the best education that was available during a time in human history that arguably represents the best the world has ever offered to scholars and philosophers. His greatest works arise from his total focus on knowing and understanding God, and revealing as clearly as possible the Truth of God to others. He showed that faith and reason are not in conflict, but exist in harmony.

Thomas’ Summa Theologica uses philosophical principles presented in scientific form to systematically explain Christian theology. It was his last work and was left unfinished. Thomas stopped writing after he experienced an unusually long vision on Dec. 6, 1273. When he was urged to finish his Summa, he stated that he could no longer write, for the secrets he had been shown during his vision made all he had written “seem as straw.” He died three months later.

Thomas composed more than 60 works. His powers of synthesis were truly extraordinary. He was able to sift

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through all that he read, distill the truth, and summarize his conclusions simply, clearly and briefly. His writing is of such genius that it transcends style and art in the beauty of its truth. His works are as relevant today as they were to the 13th century. His principles offer a remedy to such evils as socialism, communism, nihilism, as well as pantheism and spiritism.

Thomas was canonized in 1323, and was declared a Doctor of the Universal Church in 1567. In 1879, Leo XIII declared Thomas Aquinas “the prince and master of all scholastic doctors,” and in 1880, Thomas was designated as patron of all Catholic universities, colleges and schools throughout the world. We celebrate St. Thomas Aquinas’ feast day on Jan. 28.

ST. ANTHONY of PADUA Standing Up for the Unborn Through the

Life Advocacy Group and the March for Life

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o, what’s on your calendar for Jan. 23? If it isn’t defending the most precious, vulnerable persons in our society at the Chicago March for Life, you might want to get out your pen and mark the date.

“It is so amazing to go to the March for Life and see so many young people, college students, and families,” says Michelle Thompson, who coordinates the Life Advocacy Group at St. Anthony. “The number of people there is just so great and inspiring! It definitely reminds me that I am not alone in my pro-life beliefs.”

By taking a leap of faith and going to the Chicago March for Life, you may find yourself buoyed by hope and renewed with courage.

“There are so many people who are pro-life in our nation, and we all cherish life from conception until natural death,” Michelle says. “Gathering together makes us realize we can really make a difference.”

In 2019, Michelle went to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., as a chaperone for students from Quincy Notre Dame High School, along with her daughter, Mandy. In 2020, she attended the Chicago March for Life with Quincy Notre Dame High School students, as well as a few parishioners from our parish. This January, she plans on going to the Chicago March for Life.

Over the years, Michelle has enjoyed sharing her passion for pro-life causes with her family members in beautiful ways.

“Both my husband’s family and mine believe that everyone’s life is precious no matter what age they are,” Michelle says. “This attitude was instilled into both of us through them, as well as through our Catholic faith. My daughter, Mandy, has inspired me a lot as well, and her goal is to get her Master’s Degree in Social Work so she can work for Students for Life.”

Quincy Notre Dame students meet with U.S. Representative Darin LaHood during their trip to Washington, D.C. in 2019.

Moving forward, the Life Advocacy Group hopes to organize additional efforts to help save the lives of the unborn and combat the evils of abortion.

“We are trying to get some things off the ground, such as Rachel’s Project, which offers retreats for women who have had abortions,” Michelle says. “We also would like to work more closely with Birthright in Quincy. Katie Klauser, one of our parishioners, works there now, which should help a lot.”

To someone who is hesitant about attending the Chicago March for Life this year, Michelle offers some helpful advice.

“For those who would really like to go, but it is intimidating for them to travel to Chicago, I hope to organize a bus,” she says.

“The diocese also has a well-organized program which includes transportation and hotel room arrangement. Be assured that everyone is very welcoming at the march! If you still feel hesitant, however, you may not want to try to go this year because things are all in flux due to COVID, but at least shoot for next year.”

Due to everything that is happening in our nation and world, Catholics are needed to fight for the Gospel of Life, now more than ever. continued on back cover

Those who are interested in coming to the Chicago March for Life or getting more involved with the Life Advocacy Group may contact Michelle Thompson at 217-257-9094, email her at life@stanthonypadua.org, or refer to future parish bulletins.

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ST. ANTHONY of PADUA 2223 St. Anthony Rd. Quincy, IL 62305 217-222-5996

Return Service Requested

www.stanthonypadua.org Daily Mass: Mon, Tue, & Thu - 7:30 a.m.

Saturday: 4:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Sunday: 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Confessions: Saturday 5:15 - 6:15 p.m.

Life Advocacy Group and the March for Life continued from page 7 “The radical left is working to legalize the abortion of babies even when they are born alive,” Michelle says. “Today, the pro-abortionist movement is really going to the extreme and taking their agenda to the worst degree. At the same time, we are poised with a Supreme Court which has pro-life justices.

This tells us that if we let our voices be heard, we really have a chance of making a change. We have hope!”

Sadly, due to the COVID-19 situation, the ministry hasn’t been able to hold as many events as usual. In light of this, it is helpful to remember that there are ways to be passionately pro-life while still remaining at home, in the midst of families.

For example, we can value the gift of life by spending more time in prayer and quality family time. We can also cherish the children we have, pray a family Rosary for the unborn, or say the Spiritual Adoption Prayer.

To learn more about stewardship at St. Anthony of Padua, please contact the Stewardship Committee at stewardship@stanthonypadua.org

In light of the ongoing pandemic that has impacted how we gather and worship, this year, our diocese is celebrating and promoting the sanctity of life through our Mirror the March program on Jan. 29.

Through this unique program, we will have the opportunity to watch a livestreamed Mass from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki as presider. Several national speakers will also be on hand to discuss life issues and the significance of the March for Life.

Please be sure to visit our diocesan and parish websites for the most up-to-date information on this year’s March for Life initiatives.