St. John Before the Latin Gate Catholic Parish Newsletter — March 2021

St.John

Before the Latin Gate Roman Catholic Church

Contents 2 The Wise Men’s

Gifts Symbolize

Our Lenten Obligations 3

A Month and Year to Honor St. Joseph

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Seminarian Matthew McClain: Following God’s Call, One Step at a Time

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The Easter Triduum: The Great Week and the Feast of Feasts

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Celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2021 march 2021

Drawing Closer to the Lord and Serving Those in Need This Lent

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ach year seems to go faster and faster. And before we know it, the season of Lent is over and our Easter celebrations have arrived. We don’t want this time to sneak up on us this year — after all, as Pope Francis has pointed out, Lent is an important time for renewal in our faith. As the Holy Father told us, “Lent summons us, and enables us to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.”

Here in Bartlesville, there are a lot of opportunities to get involved and help those in need which, in turn, may help us return to the Lord this Lent.

Janice Hoss, Administrative Assistant here at the parish, encourages everyone to look for ways Cathy Jones puts food on the shelf at our parish food pantry. to serve. There are several opportunities to serve at Mass, such as lectoring, ushering, or as a Eucharistic Minister.

“Our parishioners are so compassionate,” she says. “People here realize everything we have is from God. They want to say, ‘Thank you, Lord, for all the gifts.’”

One organization in which several parishioners volunteer is Concern. The mission of the Concern organization is to provide “passionate support to individuals and families needing assistance” throughout Washington County.

There’s also Catholic Charities/Mary Martha Outreach, which has continued on back cover

Stewardship

The Wise Men’s Gifts Symbolize Our Lenten Obligations

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e experience great joy when we celebrate the coming of the Magi at Epiphany each year. For many of us, it is the completion of Christmas. Yet, the gifts offered by the Magi — gold, frankincense and myrrh — can serve to guide us as we observe Lent this month.

It may seem strange to connect the joyful celebration of Epiphany with the penitential season of Lent. Yet, our spiritual life should not be divided into separate bits having no connection with each other.

In the same way, the Church’s liturgical year should also flow from one season to another. The different feasts and seasons certainly have different emphases, but they are intended to build on each other. So let’s see if we can connect what the Magi gave Jesus with what we’re going to offer Him this Lent.

The basic ingredients for our Lenten rule normally come from what are termed the Three Notable Duties — prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These in turn come from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

How do we connect the wise men’s gifts with the notable duties? Actually, what the gifts symbolize matches up surprisingly well.

Frankincense is the basic ingredient in the incense used in the worship of God, in the ancient world and in the Church today. Offering it to Jesus points out His divine nature, and so it symbolizes prayer. Our Lenten rule needs to include prayer and worship. Of course, we are bound to worship at Sunday Mass year-round. Maybe during Lent, we might add a weekday Mass. Perhaps we can increase the time we devote to private prayer at home or at adoration. Devotional reading from the Bible or another appropriate book can be added. In addition, don’t forget the possibility of adding family devotions during Lent, so that the whole family prays together.

When we offer our gold to Christ to build His Church and to help His poor, we are engaged in almsgiving. While giving from the treasure God has en2

trusted to us is a duty throughout the whole year, maybe this Lent we can practice being a little more generous than usual. If our giving is a thankful response to the gift of eternal life that God has given us, we will find that the giving is indeed a means of grace.

For centuries, myrrh has been associated with fasting. Although myrrh comes from the same family of plants as frankincense, it has a more pungent scent and bitter taste. In the ancient world, it was regularly used in embalming. Generations of theological writers have seen the gift of myrrh as a foreshadowing of Christ’s sufferings. And fasting strengthens us in holiness and prepares us to come into God’s presence after our own deaths. St. Thomas Aquinas himself linked myrrh with repentance and fasting when he wrote that myrrh represents the penance by which we preserve our souls from the corruption of sin.

Fasting may be the most difficult of the three notable duties for modern Americans. After all, most of the advertising and many of the magazine articles we see are devoted to making us more, not less, comfortable. We usually think of fasting only under the heading of dieting to lose weight. Instead, try to think of fasting as a way to become more spiritually fit. Body and spirit affect each other. The whole sacramental system is built on the truth that we can receive spiritual grace through material things and physical actions. Our specific requirements of fasting are limited — abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, and a reduction in the quantity of food we eat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

But discipline of our physical bodies for our spiritual well-being does not have to be limited to Lent!

Gold, frankincense and myrrh were indeed valuable gifts for the wise men to present to the Child Jesus. When we look at their symbolism, we can see their relationship to the three notable duties of almsgiving, prayer and fasting. What gifts are we going to offer to Jesus this Lent?

A Letter From Our Pastor

A MONTH AND YEAR TO HONOR ST. JOSEPH Dear Parishioners,

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ur Lord and Savior Jesus Christ chose to enter the world through the human family. He came as an infant born into the marriage and home of the two holiest human creatures who ever lived — Joseph and Mary. At a time when our world and our Church needs family and faithful disciples now more than ever, could there be a more fitting time to venerate the man who gave his life and his love to the Blessed Mother and the Son of God? Pope Francis has declared 2021 the Year of St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church.

Our pope said he established the year so that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.”

As Christians, we are blessed to have Mary as our spiritual mother and Joseph as our spiritual father. Just as Mary guides us from heaven with loving devotion, St. Joseph also diligently provides for the needs of the family of God, the Holy Catholic Church.

Because of his special role as foster-father of the Child Jesus, St. Joseph has merited singular privileges in heaven unmatched by any saint aside from the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To give some modern-day perspective to the significance of this special year, Pope Francis has said the coronavirus pandemic heightened his desire to reflect on St.

Joseph, as so many people during the pandemic have made hidden sacrifices to protect others, just as St. Joseph quietly protected and cared for Mary and Jesus.

“Each of us can discover in Joseph — the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence — an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble,” the pope wrote.

At the end of the First Vatican Council in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the patron of the Universal Church. He is also the patron of carpenters, workers, fathers, and a happy death because he died in the presence of Mary and Jesus. The title of Joseph’s March 19 feast day is “Husband of Mary.” Pope Pius XII later declared May 1 to be the feast of St. Joseph the Worker to counteract the Communist May Day holiday.

As Catholics pray and reflect on the life of St. Joseph this year, they also have opportunities to gain a plenary indulgence or remission of all temporal punishment due to sin. An indulgence can be applied to oneself or to a soul in purgatory. An indulgence

requires a specific act, defined by the Church, as well as sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, prayer for the pope’s intentions, and full detachment from sin.

Special indulgences during the Year of St. Joseph can be received through various prayers and actions, including praying for the unemployed, entrusting one’s daily work to St. Joseph, performing a corporal or spiritual work of mercy, or meditating for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer.

As we devote 2021 to St. Joseph’s honor, we will undoubtedly unlock many special graces — not only for our parish, but for each of the faithful who increase their devotion to him during this special year. There is no greater model than St. Joseph from whom we can learn how to live virtuously in imitation of Jesus and Mary.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. John O’Neill, Pastor

Bishop Konderla will be offering a special Mass consecrating the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma to St. Joseph at Holy Family Cathedral on March 19 at 6 p.m.

You can view the Mass online at: facebook.com/holyfamilycathedral/ To read more about Pope Francis’ declaration on the Church granting plenary indulgences for the Year of St. Joseph, visit www.bit.ly/StJoseph2021 3

SEMINARIAN

MATTHEW MCCLAIN: Fol G

rowing up, Matthew Mclarly and went to confession Clain was blessed with and was overwhelmed with a two examples of religious life thirst for knowledge and wantin his family. His aunt, Sister ing to learn about the faith. I Barbara Austin, is a Benedicstarted watching videos from tine Sister living at St. Joseph Bishop Barron and things like Monastery in Tulsa. His uncle, that. What got me very deep Fr. Stephen Austin, is a priest into my spiritual life is when in the Diocese of Tulsa who I watched a video of Fr. Mike served as pastor of St. John Schmitz speaking on the EuBefore the Latin Gate from charist. That enkindled in me 1997 to 2004. With these role a love of the Eucharist, and I models to look up to from an started going to daily Mass. I early age, it is not surprisstarted feeling like God was ing that Matthew had always calling me to more than just thought of a possible call to coming to church.” the priesthood. And while life’s Matthew spoke with Paspath may have taken some tor Fr. John O’Neill about his twists and turns before he experience, and Fr. John put found his way to seminary, he him in touch with diocesan feels blessed by his ongoing Vocations Director, Fr. MiSeminarian Matthew McClain feels discernment to a vocation in blessed by his ongoing discernment to a chael Pratt. For about a year, the Church.

Matthew immersed himself vocation in the Church.

In Matthew’s first years at in parish life and served with Oklahoma State University, he joined several several ministries at St. John as he continued to groups that were designed for young men dis- discern. Once again, it was his love of the Euchacerning a call to the priesthood. By the time he rist that pointed the way. graduated college, however, he had fallen away “One of the ministries I was involved in that from the Church. For the next decade, while he helped me realize I was called to this was taking worked in IT at ConocoPhillips, Matthew only at- Communion to the homebound,” Matthew says. tended Mass sporadically.

“Bringing Jesus to people every week was someAfter a while, Matthew started feeling that thing that stirred that desire in me that I wanted something was missing. to do this. So I started the application process “About four years ago or so, I was starting late last year, and then started my studies at St. to kind of sense something missing in my life Meinrad Seminary in Indiana this year.” and through reflection, I realized I was missing After adjusting to being back in the classroom God,” he says. “So I came back to Mass regu- after so many years, Matthew has happily set-

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lowing God’s Call, One Step at a Time tled into life as a seminarian. his thoughts and prayers, as The prayer life fostered in the well. For any young man at St. community has been a treJohn who feels he might be mendous blessing. Matthew called to the priesthood, Mathas also enjoyed reconnectthew would recommend that ing with his musical roots — he speak with Fr. John and he played clarinet in his high Fr. Pratt to further the disschool marching band — by cernment process. participating in music minis“Get in touch with Fr. try at the seminary as a canPratt, the Vocations Director, tor and member of the Schola and just take every day one Cantorum group. day at a time,” he says. “The Another part of life at St. process is not something that Meinrad that Matthew greatyou have to immediately sign ly appreciates is the sense of up for the rest of your life — fraternity among the semisee how God is leading you narians. each step of the way.”

“The brotherhood asFor his part, Matthew pect has been nice,” he says. plans on continuing to do the “Right before Thanksgiving, same — following the path the my grandmother passed away, Lord is setting out for him, and it was nice to be able to go Seminarian Matthew McClain meets his new one step at a time. to my other diocese brothers “St. Paul said, ‘My grace is niece, Lily, in December. and talk and pray with them. sufficient for you’ (2 CorinthiThat was a great comfort, and it was nice to have ans 12:9),” he says. “This gives me a lot of peace that connection.” in the process and ties in with taking one step at Matthew is thankful for the prayers of all a time and just trusting in God.” our parishioners and assures us that we are in

“St. Paul said, ‘My grace is sufficient for you’ (2 Corinthians 12:9). This gives me a lot of peace in the process and ties in with taking one step at a time and just trusting in God.” — MATTHEW MCCLAIN 5

The Easter Triduum:

The Great Week and the Feast of Feasts

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ach year, three days merge liturgically into one.

This is the single event or prayer that commemorates the heart of the Gospel message — “by dying He destroyed our death; by rising He restored our life.”

Though Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical calendar, the culmination of this calendar is in the Easter or Paschal Triduum, which is its own liturgical season. Around the world, the communion of the faithful are united in celebration of the Triduum with liturgies for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil rich with tradition and symbolism.

Both the word “Passover” and the word “Paschal” have roots in the Hebrew pesach meaning a “passing over.” In the Jewish tradition, Passover recalls when the Israelites were saved from slavery as the angel of death “passed over” the chosen people. In gathering for the Feast of Passover, Christ and the apostles celebrated the Last Supper, the beginning of the Paschal Triduum when Christ “passed through” His passion, death and resurrection.

The Triduum, from the Latin for “three days,” begins at dusk on Holy Thursday with the Mass of Our Lord’s Supper. As the apostles and Christ gathered to celebrate the Passover, we gather on Holy Thursday and commemorate the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood and the new commandment to “love one another…as I have loved you” (John 13:34). In many churches, in imitation of Christ’s action of humility and service, the celebrant washes the feet of several of the faithful.

Christ and His disciples went from the Last Supper to the Garden of Gethsemane. In a similar tradition, Holy Thursday concludes with a solemn procession to a place set aside for the repose of the Eucharist. Here, we adore the Blessed Sacrament as Christ asked His disciples to “remain here and keep watch” with Him 6

when His soul was “sorrowful even to death” (Matthew 26:38). The liturgy ends without a closing rite, and the altar is stripped.

Beginning without an introductory rite, the Good Friday service commemorates Christ’s passion from His condemnation to His crucifixion and death.

Though the Mass itself is not celebrated, we read from John of the Lord’s passion, death and burial. We offer prayers of petition and venerate the cross before receiving Communion. Again, the liturgy ends without a closing rite as the celebrant departs in silence.

At this time around the world, the doors of the tabernacle are left open as we mourn the death of Christ.

Without an introductory rite, the Easter Vigil — the Feast of Feasts — on Holy Saturday evening begins in darkness and continues the same holy event or prayer begun on Holy Thursday.

This is the night when we celebrate Christ’s triumph over death! This is the night when the Alleluia is sung for the first time since the beginning of Lent. This is the night when we welcome new members into full communion with the Church.

After the procession of the Paschal Candle, representing Christ Himself as the light of the world, we hear the story of our salvation history from Genesis to the Resurrection. We then welcome the Elect into the Church, and together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist and conclude Mass with the triumphant double Alleluia.

While three days are set aside annually to celebrate the Paschal Mystery, we, the communion of the faithful, continue meditating on the salvific passion, death and resurrection of Christ throughout all our lives. For Christ, as we hear in the Easter Proclamation, “has ransomed us with His blood, and paid for us the price of Adam’s sin to our eternal Father!”

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2021 The students and faculty of St. John Catholic School enjoyed Catholic Schools Week, held Feb. 1-5. Thank you to all our families who support Catholic education.

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715 S. Johnstone Ave. | Bartlesville, OK 74003 ​ Office: (918) 336-4353 | www.stjohn-bartlesville.org

Serving Those in Need this Lent been especially busy helping those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This organization provides food, clothing, and crisis aid to those in need. They also provide free diapers and haircuts.

BirthRight, which helps mothers, those who are pregnant, and those who have children, is also in need of volunteer help. According to their website, “Birthright’s focus is on loving the mother, reminding her that there is hope and ensuring she is not alone.”

Janice has been approached to help find volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels throughout the community. We also have a food pantry at our parish. Donations are accepted at any time. This pan-

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try is available to anyone who comes in looking for financial help. Handing out food helps the needy to use their funds for other necessities.

Janice also recommends getting involved with the Funeral Dinner committee. This group cooks meals for families following a funeral.

If you’re not able to volunteer, consider a financial gift to these organizations doing so much good in our community. Or, offer your prayers for these groups and all those in need.

“We are all called to do this as Christians and Catholics,” says Janice. “A lot of people feel compelled to live the Gospel, and do as Jesus did.”

Let’s use this Lent to draw closer to the Lord and serve those in need, in whatever way we can.

If you would like to learn more about service opportunities in and around our parish, please visit the parish website at www.stjohn-bartlesville.org, go to the “Ministries” tab and click on “Service.” You may also call the parish with any questions at 918-336-4353.

LITURGY SCHEDULE

Saturday: 5 p.m. | Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. (en Español) Tuesday: 7 a.m. | Wednesday: 5:15 p.m. | Thursday: 7 a.m., 11 a.m. (vulnerable population),, 7 p.m. (en Español) Friday: 8:15 a.m. (School only Mass), St. James at 8:30 a.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dewey at noon Reconciliation: Saturday: 4-4:45 p.m. | Sunday: 12:30-1:15 p.m.