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

St.John

Before the Latin Gate Roman Catholic Church

Contents 2

Stewardship: Living Life to the Fullest

3

What Are You Going To Do With Your Life

4 As School

Year Gets Underway,

Students and

Staff Embrace

the “New”

and “Familiar” 6

The Faith Journey of St. Genesius

7 Hispanic

Ministry Brings

Community

Together in Faith

AUG 2021

Wedding Committee

Helps Engaged Couples Make the Most of Their

“I

take you to be my husband/

wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”

These are the vows the bride and groom make to each other as part of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Here at St. John Before the Latin Gate, the preparations for this sacrament begin when the engaged couple meets with Fr. John or Fr. Carlos. Next, a bride or groom will call Sharon Janda or Renae Elmenhorst, who make up the Wedding Committee. They are available for brides, grooms, the wedding party, and the family on the big day.

First, Sharon and Renae help the bride and groom decide on church decor, some of which our parish has on hand. Most importantly, they are there on the wedding day to make sure everything runs smoothly. They also meet the florist and ensure that all the

Very Special Day

(From left) Renae Elmenhorst and Sharon Janda

rooms and the sanctuary are ready.

The two also clean up after the wedding has concluded, so the parish is ready for the next Mass and confessions.

“There’s no fee at all for what we do,” Sharon says. “We are an outreach of the Women’s Association.”

As Sharon points out, she and continued on page 5

Stewardship: Living Life to the Fullest

A

s professed disciples of Christ, we are also stewards of our personal and communal vocations. When we declare Christ as our King and Savior, we also promise to exist as His earthly body.

The universal Church depends upon its individual earthly members for evangelization and support.

As stewards of Catholicism, we must respond to this call with living faith and heartfelt stewardship. We must employ our lives in Christ’s service, allowing Him to vocationally use us to our fullest potential. God designed us with specific talents in mind — by closely communicating with Jesus, His Son, we can put our talents to proper use. As stated in John’s Gospel, when we give our lives to Christ, He promises to ignite them accordingly: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).

True life demands sacrifices, which are crucial in urging us onward and upward toward Christ.

When we embark upon a lifelong path of stewardship, giving our time, talent and treasure in the service of God and His Church, we are effectively allowing Jesus to guide us along life’s slippery slopes with the steady hand of a practiced master.

Christ explains this concept in the ninth chapter of Luke’s Gospel: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Lk 9:23-24). Only after completely giving our lives over to Christ, will we experience the true majesty of life — the life each of us is destined to live.

As Catholics, we are urged to outwardly promote all stages of life and to stand up in its defense.

Considering the attention death has garnered within our society — whether we focus upon abortion, embryonic stem cell research, capital punishment, or euthanasia — an understanding and respect for life must be reinstated into our culture and lives.

But we must first harbor a true, personal love for 2

life within our very souls, and live our own lives to the fullest, through Christ, in the service and promotion of His Church. We must become stewards of faith, in order to truly live as Christ planned.

And we must give our time, talents and treasure — all gifts God has given us through life — before we can really claim to be alive.

Let us promote the sanctity of life through personal conversion. Our deaths in Christ destine us to live in His glory, the ultimate expression of life. Let us become the disciples we claim to be, by adopting the essence of stewardship and melding it into our very souls.

A Letter From Our Pastor

What Are You Going to Do Dear Parishioners,

W

With Your Life?

e are called to be the disciples of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is our calling — stewardship is the way we are to live the life we have been given. I don’t think we believers would or should argue the point. It begins with our Baptism and our new life as members of the Church. There are no questions about it, even though we may not always remember that we have been called to discipleship — it is a lifelong process, and we are all works in progress. But please remember, we are God’s “works” that evolve moment by moment, day by day, and year after year.

To get more specific, we need to not only understand that stewardship is the expression of discipleship, but it is also the way in which we are to live our life.

It is not a program — it is a way of life. I suppose at least once in our lifetime, we have been asked, “What are you going to do with your life?” Usually, that will happen at graduation, and how many of us have followed the path we thought we would at that time in our life? Perhaps we replied with a certain profession that may have interested us at the time.

But there is always more to our answer than the title of a profession, just as there is more to our lives than just breathing. How do we use the gifts God has given

to us? How we do so will define the life we live for God and the Church. That is our call to discipleship. It is how we should understand stewardship.

Many people ask me why I am so convinced that stewardship is a way of life. The simple answer I give is always the easy one and the most practical. My life as a faithful steward makes sense.

The story of Christianity is filled with people like you and me who wonder and desire how to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is what we are to do with our lives.

Our attitude must be formed to spend the time and the talents we have, to do our part for God’s Church. When does that become our priority? When does it become our way of life? These are the questions any believer must ask themselves when we think about our relationship with God, His Church, and the people around

us. But, throughout my time in life as a priest, stewardship as my way of life makes sense and is more than possible with what God has given me to work with.

It is the same with each of us.

I am grateful for what God has given me and thankful I can live my life as His disciple. I say that not just as a priest, but as a baptized member of His family. I am thankful my parents brought me to be baptized a Christian and begin a life that would lead me, like all of us, to be the disciple we are called to be.

When we were baptized, no one asked us, “What are you going to do with your life?” If my parents and Godparents understood why we were all there, it should have been clear that we are all to be faithful stewards of all that God provides, beginning with the gift of life. That is why stewardship as a way of life is in my mind, heart and soul. That, too, was a gift from God for which I am most grateful. This is my calling, and “this” is what I am going to do with the rest of my life. What will you do with yours?

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. John O’Neill Pastor 3

As School

T

here’s a bit of “new” as the school year begins Aug. 12 for students at St. John School, but the best of the “new” is a return to a new year where faculty and staff are not so intently focused on COVID 19 restrictions.

“Having the kids back is so exciting, and hopefully we’ll return to normalcy as much as possible, given the current situation,” says Cristel Miller, Principal. “We won’t be taking temperatures at the door. We may be able to get the clubs going again.”

In anticipation of the first day of school, Aug. 10 will be Back to School Night, when enrolled families will have an opportunity to meet their children’s teachers. The Home-School Association will welcome St. John School families with a barbecue on Aug. 5.

The students will meet some new faces among the faculty, with the addition of a teacher in the Take Flight Program. This position will enable more children to be served. A new third-grade teacher is joining the faculty. Also, the Robotics program is coming back as an elective for middle school grades — a return Mrs. Miller is eager to see.

A new religion teacher along with a new religion curriculum, The Spirit of Truth, will be introduced to the students, and Theology of the Body will be added, starting in Pre-K all through the grades. All our students will enjoy becoming more proficient readers through the Structured Literacy Program in place at the school.

All the programs offered at St. John School are

Year Gets Underwa

Embrace The eighth-grade students at St. John Catholic School volunteered at the Catholic Charities food bank during their retreat.

well-grounded in a Catholic education that will ensure that the students not only grow more deeply in their faith but will also be witnesses to that faith throughout their lives.

The question of “why send your children to Catholic school?” shouldn’t be a question at all for Catholic parents. “If you’re Catholic, it’s an easy choice,” Mrs. Miller says. “You want your children raised in the faith, and in an environment where faith is in the school culture.”

“It’s like a family environment and, especially to elementary students, that is important. Even for middle school students, they can feel safe.

They are at a crucial age, and they are helped to figure out who they are before high school, where they are surrounded by all kinds of temptations. Catholic education helps them make better decisions.”

— Mrs. Cristel Miller, Principal 4

th

ay, Students and Staff

he

“New”and “Familiar” She notes that religion is part of the classroom, and the teachers freely talk about God during the day.

“If you’re Catholic, why wouldn’t you want your kids in Catholic school?” Mrs. Miller says. “If you’re not Catholic, our

school is a safe environment and the classes are smaller. It’s like a family environment and, especially to elementary students, that is important. Even for middle school students, they can feel safe. They are at a crucial age, and they are helped to figure out who they are

before high school, where they are surrounded by all kinds of temptations. Catholic education helps them make better decisions.”

Mrs. Miller is optimistic that the high enrollment numbers from last year will continue. Enrollment is ongoing throughout the year.

Parents interested in enrolling their child at this time are welcome to contact the school at 918-336-0603.

Wedding Committee Renae are just carrying on the legacy for the women who came before them in this ministry.

“They really had their hearts in the right place,” Sharon says. “We are happy to carry this on.”

Having begun working with this ministry about five years ago, it’s always important to Sharon that everyone who is a part of the wedding feels welcome.

“My favorite part of the day is when the bride arrives,” she says. “She’s so beautiful and ready for the big day. She’s ready to be married.”

Sharon says she truly enjoys all the excitement of a wedding and feels so blessed to be part of it.

Given all of the weddings for which Sharon and Renae have provided assistance, they are able to anticipate some of the needs the bride may have.

There are usually two or three weddings per year at our parish. Sharon and Renae also sometimes help with coordinating the church’s decorations for Quinceañeras.

One of the last wedding day tasks for Sharon and Renae is to cue the bride to walk down the

continued from front cover

aisle and fluff her dress. However, they often stay and watch the ceremony and Mass, as well.

“A lot of women comment how they appreciated us making sure they looked good before they went down the aisle,” Sharon says. “We are there to help.”

Overall, Sharon and Renae are there to make the ceremony runs smoothly and to make sure everyone in the wedding feels taken care of and relaxed.

“We just want to be there to support them in the sacrament,” Sharon says. “We want brides and grooms to be able to focus more on the sacrament and not worry.”

If you would like to learn more about this ministry, or to volunteer, please contact Sharon Janda at 918-327-9333.

5

The Faith Journey of St. Genesius

B

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.

6

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 to 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.

Hispanic Ministry Brings Community

Together in Faith A

s Catholics, we are all one Body of Christ, regardless of language or culture. Here at St. John Before the Latin Gate, the Hispanic Ministry brings the Spanish-speaking members of the community together. Through this ministry, the Hispanic community can worship in their own language and keep their traditions alive and introduce them to the whole community.

“Since Hispanic parishioners are far away from their country of origin and their customs and traditions, our ministry is important to make them feel welcome,” says ministry coordinator Everardo Ramirez Aguiñaga. “It helps them to see the Church as a part of their lives, where they can express their Catholic faith through fervent participation in the activities the Hispanic Ministry offers to the community.”

The Hispanic Ministry was first organized in August 2004 and is made up of parishioners from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Ecuador. The parish has a well-attended Spanish Mass every Sunday at 1:30 p.m., as well as every Thursday at 7 p.m. Additionally, the ministry has a Holy Hour for the Hispanic community on the first

Thursday of each month, following the 7 p.m. Mass.

Throughout the year, the ministry provides various resources for the Hispanic community. The ministry offers Spanish-language sacrament preparation, including Religious Education classes for First Communion, classes for catechumens, Baptism classes, and marriage preparation classes. They also offer faith formation classes for adults on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, as well as spiritual retreats for Advent, Lent, evangelization, and families.

The ministry also hosts various activities and events for the Hispanic community, as well as the entire parish community.

“We organize events related to the culture and traditions specific to the different regions of the members of our community,” Everardo says. “We invite the entire community to participate so that they can experience the diversity of cultures and traditions of each country. Some examples of these events are Día de Muertos, where we maintain the tradition of commemorating the faithful deceased with altars for the dead, prepared by the community, and serve continued on back cover

“Even though we have different cultures and languages, we can recognize that our faith in Jesus Christ is what unites and motivates us to build a bilingual community united in one heart, based on love for Jesus Christ.”

— Everardo Ramirez Aguiñaga 7

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

Hispanic Ministry

continued from page 7

traditional Mexican food; the traditional Mexican Posadas in December, commemorating Mary and Joseph’s search for an inn in Bethlehem; a Hispanic Festival to celebrate Mexico’s independence day every Sept. 16; and Noche Bohemia, a day to celebrate love and friendship with an evening of music.

“We also celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe every Dec. 12, where we do a pilgrimage on horseback, concluding with the celebration of the Eucharist, followed by a community get-together,” he adds. “We also celebrate many religious feasts for the saints and different apparitions of the Virgin Mary.”

By creating a community for Hispanic parishioners, the ministry serves as both a means of fellowship and a network of support for the different needs of the parish. Everardo hopes that the ministry will continue to foster a sense of community

that transcends culture and language.

“The participation of the English-speaking parishioners in the different events and activities we have in the Hispanic community is very helpful for us to come together as one parish community,” he says. “Even though we have different cultures and languages, we can recognize that our faith in Jesus Christ is what unites and motivates us to build a bilingual community united in one heart, based on love for Jesus Christ.”

If you would like more information about the Hispanic Ministry, or to get involved, please contact Everardo Ramirez Aguiñaga at eaguinaga23@hotmail.com.

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., 7 p.m. (en Español) Friday: 8:15 a.m. (School Mass), Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dewey at noon Reconciliation: Saturday: 4-4:45 p.m. | Sunday: 12:30-1:15 p.m.