St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Newsletter — August 2020

Saint Francis F rancis Xavier CATHOLIC CHURCH Joyfully Supporting the Mission of St. John Catholic Student Center Contents: 2 Stewardship’s “Supreme Teacher” Following Christ’s Example

3 Even in the Face

of Crisis, Stewardship Never Takes a Break

4 Connecting in

Stewardship and Fellowship: The Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfasts

6 The Faith Journey

of St. Genesius

7 The High School

Lunch Ministry Spreading the Love of Christ, One Home-Cooked Meal at a Time

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020

“Carrying to This World a Ray of His Light”

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uring his 2013 World Youth Day address, Pope Francis spoke the following words to millions of young Catholics: “You, too, dear young people, can be joyful witnesses of His love, courageous witnesses of His Gospel, carrying to this world a ray of His light.” This heartfelt message encourages young people to participate fully in the faith and reassures all of us that we can expect great things from the future of our Church. With this in mind, campus ministry programs seek to keep Catholic college students engaged with their faith. Here at St. Francis Xavier, we are happy to help our neighbor, St. John Catholic Student Center, fulfill this important mission!

Students gather for the St. John “We have a number of parishioners who Catholic Student Center Sunday Mass. work or volunteer at the St. John Catholic Student Center,” says Fr. Brian O’Brien. “The biggest ministry St. Francis Xavier parishioners provide is food. Food for college students is a big draw and a big way to build community. We also have parishioners who serve on the St. John Finance Council and the St. John Building Committee, and our priests frequently cover continued on back cover

Saint

Francis Xavier CATHOLIC CHURCH

STEWARDSHIP’S “SUPREME TEACHER” FOLLOWING CHRIST’S EXAMPLE

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ormer President and Five-Star General Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “You don’t lead by hitting people over the head — that’s assault, not leadership.” President Eisenhower’s words are both blunt and humorous, but he makes a great point. Almost any successful endeavor in life requires the benefit of strong leadership. A truly effective leader does not lead by simply telling others what to do, but by providing a strong example of how to carry oneself on a daily basis.

This is no different for us in our lives as Catholic Christians. As individuals who face numerous difficult choices every day, we require a leader who, through word and example, can show us the path to living according to God’s will. For us, Jesus is the supreme teacher of every aspect of Christian life, and His life as documented in the Gospels is a model that we should strive to imitate in living as good Christians. As we have learned, stewardship — the sharing of the gifts that God has given to us — is a big part of Christian life, and one for which Jesus left many examples of successful living.

Jesus’ nature of selfless service, documented many times throughout the New Testament and culminating with His death for our sins, is an underlying aspect of living the stewardship way of life. As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops points out in its pastoral document 2

Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, “In Jesus’ teaching and life self-emptying is fundamental.

Now, it might seem that self-emptying has little to do with stewardship, but in Jesus’ case that is not so. His self-emptying is not sterile self-denial for its own sake; rather, in setting aside self, he is filled with the Father’s will, and he is fulfilled in just this way.”

Jesus points out to Peter in Mark’s Gospel that this “self-emptying” requires sacrifice, but ultimately leads to “eternal life in the age to come” (Mk 10:30). But the Christian steward’s ultimate reward is not his or her only benefit from living the stewardship way of life. By sharing of our time, talent, and treasure, and living in imitation of Christ, we can relate more closely to Him in sharing, in a small way, in His sacrifice. “To be a Christian disciple is a rewarding way of life, a way of companionship with Jesus, and the practice of stewardship as a part of it is itself a source of deep joy. Those who live this way are happy people who have found the meaning and purpose of living” (Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, 21).

The next time you are frustrated or unsure of how to best respond to God’s gifts in stewardship, take a moment to open up the Bible. Jesus may not “hit us over the head” in His leadership, but He does provide numerous examples through His actions and teachings of how to live as one of His disciples.

A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR

EVEN IN THE FACE OF CRISIS, STEWARDSHIP NEVER TAKES A BREAK Dear Parishioners,

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lthough our county and much of the country have shut down and slowed down due to COVID-19, a life of stewardship never takes a break! In fact, the current crisis has given each of us many more opportunities to put our time, talent, and treasure at the Lord’s feet. So many of you have reached out to neighbors, increased your life of prayer, and continued to be generous with your treasure both to the parish and to the larger community.

This newsletter highlights several beautiful ministries of the parish that give life and help spread our beautiful Catholic faith. The work of St. John Catholic Student Center is truly bearing fruit! Since the opening of our new church in March 2018, Fr. Kerry Wakulich and his staff have been able to focus in on the college-age students. They are at a critical time in life and our parishioners who support this ministry are truly doing God’s work. Please continue to pray for the students, staff, FOCUS missionaries, and for Fr. Kerry.

Our Knights of Columbus are amazing! I tell my priest friends all the time about how active our Knights council is and they get jealous! These men are dedicated to the Lord and to making our parish a better place to be. I encourage all men of the parish to consider joining the Knights. I hope we are able to resume our much-beloved monthly pancake breakfasts very soon!

Finally, the high school lunch ministry is truly wonderful. Each Friday of the school year, Ashleigh Martin and her team provide lunch for any high school student who comes. With Stillwater High

School having off-campus lunch, students are able to come to the parish, have fellowship with one another, and they are given an opportunity to pray.

This is a subtle form of evangelization as these high school students get comfortable with the parish and get to know each other.

Each of these ministries is vital to our success of evangelizing Payne County. I hope you’ll pray for their success and join in as you are able. See you Sunday at Mass!

In Christ,

Rev. Brian O’Brien Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

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Francis Xavier CATHOLIC CHURCH

CONNECTING IN STEWAR

The Knights of Columbu

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Longtime Knight Steve Raine serves as the Chair of the Knights of Columbus Breakfast Committee, and can be found in the kitchen making pancakes, each and every month.

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ou don’t have to attend a parish for long before you start to recognize the people who sit near you during Sunday Mass. However, too often, in the midst of our busy schedules, we don’t get to know the people with whom we worship. Here at St. Francis Xavier, we hope our parishioners will take time to slow down, enjoy breakfast with our community, and chat with their brothers and sisters in Christ — sharing in more than just a wave or smile on the way out of church.

Every second Sunday of the month, our Knights of Columbus host a pancake breakfast — complete with sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, waffles, and of course, the best pancakes in town — for our parish community. The breakfast is served in the parish hall, in between Sunday morning Masses, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

“Life gets so busy for every one of us,” says Walter Howell, who currently serves as the council’s Grand Knight. “We’re always thinking of the next thing we’ve got to do, but if you quit worrying about that other stuff you think is pressing, and spend time serving and getting to know other people, a lot of the things you’re stressed about are going to fall into place because you’ll have more peace.”

Longtime Knight Steve Raine serves as the Chair of the Breakfast Committee and works hard each month to ensure that the morning is an enjoyable event for all. He is joined by a number of other Knights — as well as some of their family members — who serve in a variety of different ways, from setup and cooking, to serving and cleaning up afterwards.

“I’ve met a lot of parishioners because of this and I have a better relationship with a lot of the parishioners, because they come up and talk, and you’re serving them and you get to know them,” Steve says. “Being around your fellow Knights and being around the parishioners, it’s a great feeling.”

RDSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP:

us Pancake Breakfasts The profits from the breakfasts go towards a number of different local charities, including the Center of Family Love, Mission of Hope, the Mother Teresa Fund, a local foodbank and our seminarians.

“The money being donated to a great cause strengthens that feeling to do it every month, because you know it’s going to help someone,” Steve says.

However, no less important than the charitable donations that the breakfast raises, the event is an opportunity for members of our parish to come together for a time of fellowship, while enjoying a delicious meal.

“The fellowship aspect is very important and that’s right up there with the charitable contribution,” Walter says. “That’s the main service we’re providing — an opportunity for parishioners to stick around and visit. People will come and eat and drink coffee and stay at church for an hour or so after Mass, instead of just going on with their busy lives.”

For the Knights of Columbus, three of whose principles are charity, unity and fraternity, the Pancake Breakfasts are a chance to fulfill their mission.

“I really feel like our Pancake Breakfast really fits right in there with the major aspects of being a Knight – supporting charity, unity as we’re working together in the kitchen serving others, and fraternity — time together as brother Knights, and also helping to provide a platform for the

whole parish to come “I truly think this together and have some is for everyone. fraternity,” Walter says.

For folks who are “Those are neat aspects of newer or maybe what we’re able to offer.” don’t know as The Knights many people, it’s a encourages parishioners great opportunity to come and enjoy the Pancake Breakfasts, for them. It’s a especially if they’re new to great opportunity our community. for the regulars to “I truly think this is reach out to those for everyone,” Walter says. folks, who, they’ve “For folks who are newer seen their face, but or maybe don’t know as maybe they don’t many people, it’s a great opportunity for them. really know them.

It’s a great opportunity It’s an opportunity for the regulars to reach to strike up a out to those folks, who, conversation, to they’ve seen their face, meet people, to but maybe they don’t smile and laugh. really know them. It’s an It’s a good thing.” opportunity to strike up a conversation, to meet — Walter Howell, people, to smile and Grand Knight laugh. It’s a good thing.”

“We’re all busy, but if you want to get to know who’s sitting next to you at Mass, this is one of the best ways you can accomplish that,” Steve adds.

“This makes Church mean more to you and it strengthens your faith.”

If you would like to become involved with serving at our Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfasts, or would like more information on joining the Knights of Columbus at St. Francis Xavier, please contact Grand Knight Walter Howell at 405-338-1039 or wrhowell4@gmail.com.

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THE FAITH JOURNEY OF

ST. GENESIUS

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eing a performer and a comedian may sound like a fun way to make a living.

St. Genesius, an outstanding actor, playwright and comedian in late Imperial Rome, certainly did have some fun for a while. But his career and life came to an abrupt end when his work ultimately led him to Christ.

Genesius was a comedian of some renown, but in the fourth century, Christians were often discouraged from becoming actors because ancient Roman comedy was highly sexual, crude and offensive.

In the year 303, Emperor Diocletian launched what would be the last great Roman persecution against the Christian Church. So, Genesius used the persecution as an opportunity to write a comedy about Christianity. He thought it might attract the attention of the Emperor, increase his fame, and make him some money in the process.

Genesius approached leaders of the Christian community in Rome and presented himself as a catechumen seeking Baptism. He was then invited into a period of instruction in the faith, in order to learn the beliefs of the Christians. He was particularly taken by the idea of Baptism. But at the time, he had no plans to convert to the faith – it was all just a part of his plan to research new material to use for his comedy.

But a strange thing happened to Genesius as he began to work on his play, which was to be a comedy on Baptism. As Genesius began teaching the other actors about Baptism, he began to believe, and a desire to be baptized grew within his heart.

The opening night of the play was a great success, with Emperor Diocletian in attendance.

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But at some point during the play, the Holy Spirit touched Genesius.

He was no longer acting.

“You fools, I wish to die a Christian,” Genesius said. When the other actors asked him why, he said, “All my life I have been a fugitive, and only today have I found God.” Everyone, especially Emperor Diocletian, laughed as Genesius spoke. Genesius, standing in a pulpit designed to look like the goddess Venus, began to preach to the audience. He told the crowd how he once hated Christians and enjoyed insulting them. He told the crowd how he deserted his own family as a child because they were Christians.

From there, Genesius addressed Diocletian, stating that he wrote the play to mock Christians, but had been converted on the spot during the course of the play, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“I now know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the true God, the Light, the Truth and the Mercy of all who have received His gift of Baptism,” Genesius said.

“O great Emperor, believe in these mysteries! I will teach you, and you will know the Lord Jesus Christ is the true God.” Diocletian was furious and stopped the play, having the troupe arrested and beaten, while Genesius was condemned to torture.

Through all of his sufferings, he continued to confess that Jesus was God. When this failed to break his spirit, Diocletian ordered Genesius be beheaded. His final words were, “Our Lord Jesus Christ is God and we shall have life in His name.”

St. Genesius is the patron of comedians and actors. His feast day is Aug. 25.

The High School Lunch Ministry Spreading the Love of Christ, One Home-Cooked Meal at a Time

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ith a new school year upon us, the High School Lunch Ministry team is getting geared up for another year of delicious home-cooked meals. What started out years ago as a modest endeavor for a handful of teens has grown into a thriving ministry, feeding anywhere from 75-115 high school youth each week throughout the academic year.

“Our attendees are 75-percent non-Catholic and the school kids call it the ‘Catholic lunch,’” says Director of Youth Ministry Ashleigh Martin. “A group of moms started it as a way for kids to gather together instead of having to spend money every day of the week on lunch.

We provide them with a home-cooked meal and a safe place to come together.”

Lunches are served to any Stillwater High School student on Fridays from roughly noon-1 p.m. at either the gym or Parish Youth Center.

The meals are 100-percent free and always homemade, varying from Mexican food, Lenten soups, Thanksgiving feasts, or the popular breakfast for lunch. And though the primary goal is simply to feed the youth, Ashleigh says there is a secondary element of evangelization, as well.

“I think one of our main goals is that the kids will always know that the Catholic Church is a safe place — that they remember that we were kind, we fed them, and they were loved when they came to the Catholic Church,” Ashleigh says. “Hopefully that sticks with them when they go off to college which always has a Newman Center.”

High school youth gather for their weekly lunch.

By offering food, sharing a smile, and providing a listening ear, Ashleigh and her team of faithful volunteers hope to share the love of Christ with the youth of our community.

Yet, to keep doing this effectively, more volunteers are needed.

“It’s just a great opportunity to serve and live out stewardship,” Ashleigh says. “We are definitely looking for people who want to help serve these kids. This is my fifth-going-on-sixth year of doing this, and we’ve pretty much had the same group of moms doing this the entire time. So having some new volunteers would be amazing. It’s a great way to feed and care for these kids who are obviously looking for something.”

If you are interested in joining the ministry’s team of cooks, please contact Ashleigh Martin at ashleigh@sfxstillwater.org.

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Saint

Francis Xavier CATHOLIC CHURCH

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church 711 N. Country Club Rd • Stillwater, OK 74075 Web: www.SFXStillwater.org Phone: (405) 372-6886

Joyfully Supporting the Mission of St. John Catholic Student Center continued from front cover Masses and hear a lot of Confessions as well as serving as spiritual directors for OSU students.”

In addition to our priests and parishioners lending their time and talent to the St. John community, St. Francis Xavier has contributed the use of our physical space to the campus ministry as well. Our parish has hosted St. John events on our sand volleyball court, as well as in our youth center and parish hall. The St. John community will be moving into the old St. Francis Xavier space temporarily during the course of their new building project.

The relationship between the St. Francis Xavier and St. John communities is a great benefit for both our parish and our entire local area.

“Stillwater is a college town, so the students are critical to the life of the community,” Fr. O’Brien says.

“Parishioners at St. Francis Xavier are enlivened and inspired by the faith of the college students. We have a number of students who help with religious

education, youth group, and our preschool. We also have two St. John students on our parish staff, working in communications and facilities.”

As Fr. O’Brien points out, statistics show that if a young person is going to leave the faith, it will happen when they are between the ages of 16 and 24. Therefore, the college years are a critical moment in time for their spiritual growth and well-being. For this reason, our parish seeks to support Fr. Kerry Wakulich, the FOCUS ministries, and the St. John staff in any way possible.

With our two faith communities working together, all of us at St. Francis Xavier and St. John enjoy a closer walk with Christ and envision a strong and vibrant future for our universal Catholic Church!

“St. John Catholic Student Center is good for St. Francis Xavier and St. Francis Xavier is good for St. John,” Fr. O’Brien says. “The priests work well together, the staffs work well together, and the people are so supportive of both parishes.”