St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Newsletter — September 2021

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Inside

Lectors:Helping Us Understand and Embrace the Word of God

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here is more to being a lector at Mass than stepping up to the ambo and reading. Serving as a lector means preparation and some study so the Word is not just read — it is reverently proclaimed.

Bill Anderson is the coordinator of St. Anthony’s Lector Ministry. He oversees the scheduling of the 28 lectors for the four weekend Masses, held at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday; 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Even with 28 lectors, there are times when that number is stretched, especially during Easter weekend, Christmas, or when there are extra Masses.

“What lectors do is proclaim the Word of God so all can hear from a person instead of just reading it,” Bill says. “Our job is to be reverent and proclaim the Word at Mass.”

If a lector is new to the ministry, Bill is able to meet with him or her to go over a written guide that Fr. Donovan has prepared to instruct how the readings should be done.

“Preparation is a lot in the ministry,” Bill says. “I try to impress that they should prepare at home prior to Mass and practice going through the material so they are not just reading. We want the people to get something out of the proclamation of the Word.”

As they proclaim the readings, the lectors find that the preparation they continued on back cover

September 2021

2 Highlights of Our

2021 Stewardship Renewal 3

Don’t Allow Stewardship to Be Fenced In

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Parish Community Tithing: Supporting the Universal Church

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Children’s Liturgy of the Word: Bringing Young Parishioners into Jesus’ Kingdom

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Boarding at St. Anthony School

A Look Back at Our Parish Picnic

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Highlights of

OUR 2021 STEWARDSHIP RENEWAL

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his past spring, our parish leadership at St. Anthony of Padua conducted the 2021 Stewardship Renewal. The Stewardship Renewal gave our parish community the opportunity to discern how we are using our gifts of time, talent, and treasure in service to the parish and in return to God. This month, we are happy to share with you some of the highlights of the Stewardship Renewal.

• There were 171 commitment cards received from 45 percent of active households.

• There were 1,648 prayer commitments — the stewardship of time — from 95 percent of participating households.

• There were 934 ministry commitments — the stewardship of talent — from 88 percent of participating households. Of these, 137 were new ministry commitments, while 797 were re-commitments to parish ministries.

• There were 151 offertory commitments — the stewardship of treasure — from 88 percent of participating households.

The average pledge was $2,446.

We thank all those who participated in our 2021 Stewardship Renewal. If you did not have the opportunity to fill out and return a commitment card, we invite you to consider the ways you may share your gifts of time, talent, and treasure with God and the parish community!

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A Letter From Our Pastor

Don’t Allow Stewardship to Be Fenced In Dear Parishioners,

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n 1934, one of the great American songwriters of the 20th century, Cole Porter, wrote one of his greatest songs, “Don’t Fence Me In.” The lyrics suggest that it is in the open spaces where a person will have endless possibilities. In other words, “don’t fence me in” and limit what life is calling me to do.

Unfortunately, limiting stewardship to an act of just giving or raising money fences in discipleship, puts a price tag on it, and restricts the true possibilities it holds. Too many times, I have seen parishes around the country and organizations online misusing the term “stewardship,” attaching it to the fundraising tactics they are trying to endorse. All I can say is, how unfortunate. They fenced it in, restricting the potential and the spiritual reality of authentic, genuine biblical stewardship. What others have done with a restricted understanding of stewardship is presented as a closedminded view of the potential that awaits true stewards.

It isn’t that I don’t recognize the value of sharing my treasure with the Church and the needs of others.

I will always do so, not only because they need it, but because I need to give back a portion of what I have been blessed with by God. I need to connect myself through my treasure to the world around me. But, more importantly, I need to give my time and use the talents I have been given even more so. I think it’s too easy to just drop a check in the collection basket and call it stewardship. I will continue to do it, but I know there is much more to my stewardship way of life. Stewardship involves all three — time, talent and treasure. Restricting its understanding and practice to only one “fences it in” and limits the possibilities of where our lives can go.

Stewardship is about raising faith to a level where being a disciple of Jesus Christ is one’s life and one’s relationship with the life of others in the Church and world. It doesn’t have a price tag unless you attach one to it. Before we are tempted to do so, remember Jesus never did, nor should we. You can’t limit stewardship any more than you can discipleship.

Discipleship can’t be fenced in. Otherwise, the first

disciples would have remained locked in the upper room on that day of Pentecost. Instead, fueled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, their stewardship would be lived in such a way that a Christian Church would be born, the Good News of Jesus Christ would be proclaimed and, most importantly, the family of God would spend their time, talent and even their material resources to change and inspire the world. It would not have happened if their stewardship had been “fenced in” or limited to one aspect. We carry on the mission they began with our way of life. We are not “fenced in” by any means.

The term “stewardship” is still misunderstood by many, unfortunately. And it is unfortunate because the potential for stewardship is limitless. When understood correctly, it changes a person’s life. It changes the way one uses time, for the value of our time is extremely critical and should never be used in such a way that it is wasted. Our time given to us is too precious. It changes the way one connects and participates in the Church, family, and community through our God-given talents. We use our talents for the right reasons and noble and worthwhile purposes.

It changes our understanding and use of our treasure.

When one gives time and talent, usually there is also a natural need to give of our material resources as a kind of investment in the good of the Church.

Although I find myself frustrated when stewardship is used in a very limited way, I will not give up proclaiming and encouraging what lies beyond what the “fence” keeps in. What lies beyond are all the possibilities true stewardship can provide. It awaits all of us. It is all good, for it is from God and He would never want us to limit ourselves when what He gives us is limitless. Therefore, God wouldn’t want us to limit our stewardship. God won’t fence us in.

Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Tom Donovan, Pastor

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St. Anthony of padua

Parish Community Tithing: I

SUPPOR TING THE UN

n many ways, our parish is a microcosm of our diocese, and our domestic churches are microcosms of our parish. We are called to give of our first fruits to our parish to support parish life, and our parish similarly gives to our diocese to support diocesan life and the universal church.

“If we consider the nature of the Church, we can understand that we are the Diocese of Springfield,” says Fr. Tom Donovan, Pastor. “We are all related under the apostolic guidance of our bishop and for the good of the larger universal Church. We’re part of a larger team, and it’s greater than just us.”

This past year, diocesan staff, pastors, parish staff members, and parish leaders thoughtfully considered the diocese’s financial structures.

After much discernment, the decision was made to transition away from a traditional diocesan appeal, and the Annual Catholic Services Appeal (ACSA) was changed to Parish Community Tithing.

This change in name reflects a change in structures from an arbitrary model to an intentional and Biblically based model.

“Quite frankly, the annual appeal was arbitrary,” says Katie Price, diocesan Director of Parish Vitality and Mission Advancement. “Our diocese is taking a radical change in its organization, hiring, and resource support for parishes. We’re making changes because what we were doing wasn’t aligned with the Synod. What we’re going to moving forward — tithing — has a scriptural basis as a spiritual exercise.”

Starting in July, the diocesan mission and

ministries have been supported through a monthly tithe (10 percent) from each parish’s general support outside of school revenues, and the Annual Catholic Services Appeal will not occur. The diocese will continue to honor donor requests. For example, if a parishioner gives to St. Anthony in their will, that will absolutely be honored.

“By making this tithe, you’re supporting the universality of the Church and the diocese, and the diocese is focusing on supporting the needs of the individual parishes,” Katie says. “The Diocesan Team meets weekly on Tuesdays to discuss the parishes and how to support them. We discuss individual parish needs like parishes that are in debt or have struggling schools.”

Fr. Tom reiterates just how important this support that the diocese gives to the parishes and to the clergy truly is — from providing extensive services, such as legal services, accountants, human resources, and other professional services, to supporting our diocesan seminarians, which is exactly how Fr. Tom was able to become a priest.

“I was able to go to seminary because of the support of diocesan parishes like ours,” Fr. Tom says. “If parish priests or parishes need professional services, I just call the diocese, and they take care of it. All of that is just a call away, and to do that ourselves would be prohibitive for the parish. Our bishop is our shepherd and needs resources to do his ministry as well. We need to support the diocese.”

Fr. Tom holds his Master of Business

“For me and my family, tithing is an opportunity to reevaluate what our household’s priorities are and how we give. That foundation is extended through the change in the annual appeal.

Individual tithing is up to you and your household. Your parish models that behavior in a larger sense by giving to the universal church, and the diocese needs your support.”

— KATIE PRICE, DIOCESAN DIRECTOR OF PARISH VITALITY AND MISSION ADVANCEMENT

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IVERSAL CHURCH Administration and is currently completing a Master’s in Accounting, and he explains that another way to understand monthly giving is simply framing it as a tax and obligation to our diocese.

“This is a real obligation, and it is part of being a diocesan church and working together to take care of the ministry across this state of Illinois,” Fr. Tom says. “The diocese is not the state government, but in a way, this is like doing our federal and state taxes. We are going to pay our part to support the work of the diocese.”

When Katie moved to the Diocese of Springfield, she was excited to see how a diocese lives stewardship as a way of life according to the Wichita model. Her husband comes from a Baptist background, where tithing is the minimum one can give, and yet the average Catholic gives one to two percent to the Church.

“For me and my family, tithing is an opportunity to reevaluate what our household’s priorities are and how we give,” says Katie, a mother of three children. “That foundation is extended through the change in the annual appeal. Individual tithing is up to you and your household. Your parish models that behavior in a larger sense by giving to the universal church, and the diocese needs your support.”

The Parish Community Tithing model calls on us as a Catholic community to support each other and the universal Church and to imagine what we can do together.

“So many parishes are in maintenance mode, and we need to dream again and think about what could be possible,” Katie says. “We need more Catholic dreamers. Let’s give and give generously from our hearts.”

For more information about Parish Community Tithing, contact Diocesan Director of Parish Vitality and Mission Advancement Katie Price at kprice@dio.org, or Fr. Tom Donovan at tdonovan@dio.org or 217-454-3340.

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St. Anthony of padua

Children’s Liturgy of the Word:

Bringing Young Parishioners into Jesus’ Kingdom

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hildren hold a special place in Jesus’ kingdom.

In the Gospel of Matthew, people bring their children to Jesus for healing — “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). This is why we are pleased to offer Children’s Liturgy of the Word during Sunday Mass. This program helps children hear the same message as the rest of the congregation in a simpler and more age-appropriate way.

Children of preschool age and younger gather in the front before the readings, process out, and go for their own learning time until after the homily in the chapel. Teachers use a special lectionary that puts the readings and Gospel into simpler terms.

“This gives the children an opportunity to talk about the readings and Gospel right away,” says Vicki Wittland, who coordinates Children’s Liturgy of Word along with Carrie Potter. “I think they can retain it better then.”

“I appreciate our children having the opportunity to listen to the Gospel in a way that is fun and interactive,” Carrie adds.

The children also have time to go through questions related to what they heard, as well as go over a coloring worksheet that includes a weekly message.

Both Vicki and Carrie feel blessed to offer this opportunity to children at our parish. They know it’s important to offer the children an engaging lesson that speaks to them on their level. Vicki and Carrie say that they’ve learned to look at some Bible stories in a new way thanks to the perspectives of the children.

“Teaching is so fun for me,” Vicki says.

“Sometimes, the kids may say something that I never thought about, and it causes me to look at it

a different way. Sometimes, it’s a great way to look at it.”

“My faith has been strengthened from teaching the kids because they’ll see a different perspective of the reading or they will find an example of how it relates to their lives,” Carrie says. “It warms my heart!”

Overall, being with the children and teaching them the faith is a beautiful experience for Carrie and Vicki, and they appreciate the opportunity to help children navigate the Mass. Above all, they strive to help the children build a strong foundation in the faith, for life.

“It’s great to teach and explain Scripture to the children, and then for them to share their understanding and knowledge with me,” Carrie says. “These kids are so smart and knowledgeable of the Church’s teachings!”

If you would like more information about Children’s Liturgy of the Word, or to get involved, please call Carrie Potter at 217-257-5278 or Vicki Wittland at 217-223-3610. Vicki and Carrie would like to have at least four teachers so each would only teach once per month.

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HISTORY AR TICLE

Boarding at St. Anthony School

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he earliest documentation of boarding at St. Anthony School was in the 1919 souvenir history book. It was stated that, “During the winter months, about twelve children board with the sisters at $8.00 per month per child.” It is also known that through the years if additional boarding space was needed, children stayed in the nearby Bordewick home. Over the years, the number of boarders ranged from as few as four to as many as 25.

These children were supervised by as many as four nuns at one time. Three nuns were classroom teachers and one would do the cleaning, cooking, gardening, and other household chores.

The student boarders arrived Monday morning and returned home on Friday afternoon. They slept in the large upstairs rooms of the school, which were set up as dormitories. Parents were requested to furnish beds and bedding for their boarding students. Fees were kept low

as families gave what they could of their meat, garden produce, and fruit.

The evenings were spent in fun, work, and prayer. For fun, there were games such as tag, hide and seek, baseball, and making up skits to perform on stage for the good sisters. The work consisted of homework and chores around the school, convent, and church. Prayer included the rosary after supper and morning and bedtime prayers.

Through information provided by former boarders, Joan (Benz) Dietrich, Dottie (Stupasky) Klingele, and Ruth (Benz) Bange, we know, for the most part, boarding was a positive and rewarding experience.

The experience of boarding at St. Anthony School ended after the 1954-1955 school year.

Even though boarding was a necessity for many, we can only imagine the heartache, sacrifice, and homesickness that were inevitable.

A LOOK BACK AT

OUR PARISH PICNIC Our St. Anthony’s Parish Picnic in July was a huge success, thanks to the many generous donors and parishioners who have made this annual event a vital part of our parish community for the past 146 years! Thank you to everyone who made our picnic possible and to everyone in our parish community who attended this wonderful summer celebration!

Take a look at the raffle ticket prizes from 1933. Notice that many of the donors of that time are ancestors of our current parishioners. Yes, the same spirit of hard work and generosity is alive today as the great picnic tradition continues.

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St. Anthony of padua

2223 St. Anthony Rd. | Quincy, IL 62305 217-222-5996 | www.stanthonypadua.org

Return Service Requested

St. Dominic School of St. Anthony of Padua Parish 4100 Columbus Road | Quincy, IL 62305 | 217-224-0041

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.

Lectors

continued from front cover

do before Mass and the readings themselves help them deepen their faith. They are able to have a better understanding of the readings because they have taken the time to delve into the meanings.

This understanding then is passed on to the congregation. Bill has found that what matters the most to the congregation is that the lector gives the readings slowly so everyone has the opportunity to hear them.

“You are helping the parishioners actively listen,” he says. “Your job is to proclaim the Word so they actively listen and get what the meanings are. This is important, that you are not just reading it.”

New lectors sometimes come to the ministry through the Stewardship Renewal. Active lectors

also will consider others in the congregation who they think would be good lectors and who can be asked to join the ministry.

“Some may be nervous, so we have to do the asking,” Bill says. “They think they can do it, but they need support and training so we help them.

Most lectors understand it. Until they were asked to be one, they have listened to lectors who are very good or those who are reading through it first. They think they can be that person to bring understanding.”

Qualifications for lectors include completing the Protecting God’s Children program, dressing appropriately for Mass, and being physically able to step up to the ambo.

Parishioners interested in serving as lectors may express their interest on their Stewardship Renewal commitment cards, or may also contact Bill Anderson at 217-257-2108.