FEBRUARY 2022
community of St. John & St. James Homebound Ministry:
Sharing the Body of Christ and Fostering Community for All Parishioners
A
missionary is someone who brings the Good News of Christ to another. When Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth in the Gospel of Luke, she became the first missionary, as she literally brought Jesus with her to share with her cousin. Elizabeth was filled with joy as she replied, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42). For the volunteers involved in the Homebound Ministry, they are missionaries in our church as they bring the body of Christ to those who cannot come to receive Him at Theresa Hampton distributes Communion Mass. While the Homebound Ministo Risdon (Hank) Hankinson. try seeks to bring the Holy Eucharist to those who are unable to leave their homes to attend Mass, ministry members also visit with these people and keep them connected to the parish community. “It is such an honor and truly humbling to be able to visit and bring them Holy Communion,” says Cathy Jones, who leads this ministry within the Catholic Community of Bartlesville. “It is such wonderful work to be God’s hands and feet. It is a privilege to do this.” The ministry currently serves around 20 people with about 10 volunteers. “We are always in need of more people to help because things are always fluctuating,” Cathy says. “Parishioners are homebound for many different reasons. Some are older and unable to leave their homes much due to ability. Some are in nursing homes or retirement facilities. Others have had surgery or some medical issues that have caused them to be homebound temporarily. It is the same with our ministers. Their ability to commit to the ministry will come and continued on page 5
How Can We Model the Faith for Our Children?
T
he Church has made it clear that parents are primarily responsible for the spiritual and cognitive development of their children in matters of the faith. As the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Lumen Gentium, states, “Husbands and wives find their proper vocation in being witnesses of the faith and love of Christ to one another and to their children” (Chapter 4, Section 35). The Catechism of the Catholic Church further emphasizes this vocation, by pointing out that the moral education and spiritual formation of children is not only the right, but the responsibility, of their parents: “The right and the duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable... Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children” (CCC 2221, 2223). But how can we as parents create an environment in the home conducive to spiritual and moral development? As busy adults, how are we to disseminate the knowledge and understanding of the tenets of the faith to our children in the way that a trained and experienced catechist can? Furthermore, how do we strike a balance between teaching our children in the home and not interfering with the faith formation and sacramental preparation they are currently receiving through our school or our religious education program? The answer to all of these questions is stewardship. Indeed, it is important that we reinforce the lessons that our children learn in school and at religious education classes by talking to them about the faith, reading Sacred Scripture with them, and spending time in family prayer. And there are several authoritative resources online that can help parents in this task, including Catholic Parents Online at www.catholicparents.org. This site links parents to numerous other websites and documents that can help them in talking to their children about the faith. But the best way that we can teach our children is by serving as a living example to them of how to live as disciples of Christ. If we want our children to grow up as strong Catholics and to display a lifelong commitment to their faith, then it is important that we ourselves live a committed faith life. This includes an ongoing commitment to our own faith formation as adults and active participation
2
in the sacraments. It also includes the giving back of our time, talent, and treasure in service of our community in thanksgiving for the gifts that God has given us. Parenting can be a tough vocation, and children deal with many influences in their lives that exist in stark contrast to the values that their parents often hope to instill within them. Fortunately for parents, the stewardship way of life provides a simple and effective model for teaching our children in matters of the faith. By living as stewards of God’s gifts and reaping the spiritual rewards that accompany this lifestyle, we are tangibly showing our children that sharing of our gifts and talents leads to a life of happiness and spiritual fulfillment. In doing this, we give them a good opportunity to follow in our footsteps and make their faith a top priority for the rest of their lives.
A Letter From Our Pastor
The Word of God: How Do We Hear It? And How Do We Respond to It? Dear Parishioners, few short weeks ago, we completed our Christmas season. We are now in what we call Ordinary Time — but before long, we will begin Lent. This is one of those rare years when Ash Wednesday is in March — so, Lent has a later start than usual. The Gospel of John begins with the statement, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” We speak often of the Word in the Church. As most of you are aware, the first part of our Mass is called the Liturgy of the Word. What does that mean to us? Basically, there are four parts of our celebration of Mass: Introductory Rites; Liturgy of the Word; Liturgy of the Eucharist; and Concluding Rites. My focus in this reflection is that second part — the Liturgy of the Word. The main parts of that are a First Reading, a Responsorial Psalm, a Second Reading, the Gospel, and a Homily. We draw on Holy Scripture from the Bible for the readings. As Catholics, we do not consider that these readings are about God, or about the Church, or about our faith, or a history lesson, or a nice story from long ago. We consider them to be God speaking directly to us. Thus, our attentiveness to what is being proclaimed is important. Are we listening? Do we hear? And then, do we respond in our lives? All of those should be facets of how
A
we approach the Word of God. For us, the Word of God is the living Word. God is speaking to us as a community, and He asks us to be faithful to His Word. If we pay attention and truly listen, God can nourish our spirit, and Christ can be more real and present to us. The Homily, the Responsorial Psalm, the Profession of Faith, and the Intercessions develop the Word further and complete it. The Profession of Faith is us proclaiming our acceptance of God’s Word. However, the question for us is, how do we respond to the Word? Does it change our lives? Does it bring us to the conversion necessary to live lives of stewardship and service? It is not easy, I know. Being able to listen, to hear, and then to respond/act requires time, practice, commitment, and a desire to fulfill all of this. That is one of my prayers for us — that we can hear the Word, and that we can bring it to life in our own lives and in the lives of others. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. John O’Neill Pastor
3
The Funeral Dinners Ministry I
f a loved one dies, it is deeply comforting to know that as a member of our parish family, you will never have to grieve alone. Thanks to the Funeral Dinners Ministry, your fellow parishioners will be right there at your side. “In the Gospels, Christ says to help those who mourn, and that is what we are trying to do,” says Timothea Murtha, who coordinates the ministry at St. James Parish. “It is a special ministry to offer to the grieving families of our community — something we really should do for them. When you are grieving, it is really important that your church family makes an effort to be there for you. “We are a small parish congregation and we all know one other, so this is a good service to offer to each other,” Timothea adds. “It is also a way to show stewardship by giving your time and talent to your
There
parish family in need.” The family meets with Fr. John about funeral details, and he discusses the option of a funeral dinner or other meal option. “The volunteers are so gracious,” says Fr. John. “When flexibility is needed — they respond. They also offer true hospitality to the grieving family — what a beautiful ministry.” Next, the ministry volunteers prepare their designated dishes at home and bring them to the parish on the day of the funeral. They generally go with a set menu, which includes sandwiches, salads, and a dessert. St. John volunteers provide baked ham as a main course. The volunteers set up the meal, serve it and clean up afterward. If the family of the deceased prefers not to have a meal served at the parish, ministry volunteers are more than willing to prepare a meal for a smaller
“In the Gospels, Christ says to help those who mourn, and that is what we are trying to do. It is a special ministry to offer to the grieving families at our parish — something we really should do for them. When you are grieving, it is really important that your church family makes an effort to be there for you.” — TIMOTHEA MURTHA
4
for Our Parish Families in Need group and bring it to their home. There is no charge for the meal that the Funeral Dinners Ministry offers or for their services. “We like to do this for the grieving family because they are very busy and are going through such a hard time,” Timothea says. “I was inspired to sign up for this ministry in 2000 simply because
it needed to be done, and I am still busy with it today!” Ultimately, this beautiful outreach of mercy reminds us of what God’s Word proclaims in Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”
Volunteers are always needed for this ministry. For more information on how to help, or to request a funeral meal, please contact Timothea Murtha at 918-333-4367 or the parish office at 918-336-4353.
Homebound Ministry
continued from front cover
go as things happen in their lives. We can always use more people to be ministers.” The ministry tries to maintain consistency with the same volunteer visiting each person. This way, relationships and friendships can develop. “We have one lady who has not wanted us to come visit due to COVID,” Cathy says. “But the volunteer who has been visiting her for a long time has still called to keep in contact for the last two years.”
Being homebound can be lonely and isolating, but this ministry ensures that these people are still connected to the parish. “We are a connection to the Catholic community that they cannot have in any other way,” Cathy says. “We want them to know that they are still a part of our community. We want them to know that they are not alone. Those that we visit are so very thankful and grateful for us. It is a ministry that you get so many beautiful fruits from.”
“We are a connection to the Catholic community that they cannot have in any other way. We want them to know that they are still a part of our community. We want them to know that they are not alone. Those that we visit are so very thankful and grateful for us. It is a ministry that you get so many beautiful fruits from.” — CATHY JONES If you would like to volunteer or to request a minister to visit someone, please contact Cathy Jones at 308-654-3351. 5
Valentine’s Day The Feast of a Christian Martyr
C
andy, flowers, romantic dinners, and excuses for wooing are the common traditions we associate with the once-pagan holiday known as Valentine’s Day. Dangling cupids, candy “message” hearts, and faux long-stemmed roses clutter every card store, waiting for that last-minute purchase. The question is — how did this over-commercialized holiday really begin? There are a few stories surrounding the history of Feb. 14 and St. Valentine himself, all dating back to the Roman Empire. The 14th day of February was a day set aside to honor the goddess Juno, queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. The following day, Feb. 15, began the feast of Lupercalia — a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. As part of the festival traditions, there was a name drawing among the young people. The names of young Roman women were written on slips of paper and placed into a jar. Each young man would draw a young woman’s name from the jar, and the two would be partners for the duration of the festival. Sometimes the pairing lasted an entire year, and often, the couple would fall in love and later marry. At the time, Emperor Claudius II was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns, and he was having a difficult time recruiting soldiers to join his military leagues.
6
Claudius believed that soldiers were reluctant to join because they did not want to leave their loves or families. With this in mind, Claudius decreed all marriages and engagements cancelled in Rome. During this time, St. Valentine was a priest in Rome, and he and St. Marius secretly married young couples. For this, St. Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who sentenced him to be beaten and then executed by beheading. He suffered this martyrdom on Feb. 14, around the year 270 AD. Before his death, it is said that St. Valentine left a note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it “From Your Valentine.” Although the truth behind the St. Valentine’s legend is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and, most importantly, romantic figure. It is no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. Over time, Feb. 14 became a time for lovers to exchange sweet messages, making St. Valentine the patron saint of lovers. The date was often commemorated with the sending of poems and simple gifts. During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that Feb. 14 was the beginning of the avian mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February — Valentine’s Day — should be a day for romance.
M E E T PA R I S H I O N E R S
DIANE AND STEVE LEROUX:
Serving the Parish in Appreciation and Gratitude
Diane and Steve Leroux have been parishioners at St. James for 45 years.
I
f you have ever noticed the altar flowers or linens at St. James Parish, it may very well have been Diane and Steve Leroux who you may thank for these beautiful adornments! “We have helped with the flowers on the altar for about 20 years,” Diane says. Diane and Steve have been parishioners at St. James for 45 years. They initially came to the parish after having moved to Bartlesville from Oklahoma City in 1976. While it was their friends who initially drew them to the parish, it is the vibrant community that has kept them here. “There are lots of young families and lots of activities,” Diane says. “Everyone helped to make this parish meaningful.” Diane and Steve are among those who have positively impacted the parish through their various ef-
forts through the decades. The pair have been involved in many different ministries, from reading and decorating, to helping others. Although he recently had to stop due to difficulty with his vision and health, Steve was a reader at the parish for 30 years. He has also worked for 30 years to keep up with the carpeting needs in the building. Diane has been involved with a women’s group at the parish, and for about 30 years, she has served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. “I have made home visits as well to people unable to receive the sacrament at Mass,” Diane says. As Steve and Diane have given of their time and talents, the parish has been blessed in many ways. Involving themselves in parish life has often come naturally to the couple. Diane explains it has been easy to find ways to be involved and the parish has “always felt continued on back cover
7
Saint John Before the Latin Gate 715 S. Johnstone Ave. Bartlesville, OK 74003 (918) 336-4353 www.stjohn-bartlesville.org Saint James Catholic Church 5500 Douglas Ln. Bartlesville, OK 74006 (918) 335-0844 www.saintjamescatholicparish.org
DIANE AND STEVE LEROUX like home in every way.” She adds that their children also loved being involved in parish life. Likewise, Diane encourages the importance of families coming forward by helping and providing advice as to how they might continue growing the parish’s many efforts. “God will work through you and help you in so many ways,” she says. Being active in parish life is very important to Diane and Steve. They say they feel the Holy Spirit works through them as they give of their time and talents. Volunteering in their parish has greatly blessed them. Diane says they have also made lasting friendships as a result of their efforts. “Being a part of our parish by helping and being involved has meant the world to us,” she says.
continued from page 7
Being active in parish life is very important to Diane and Steve Leroux. They say they feel the Holy Spirit works through them as they give of their time and talents.
MASS & CONFESSION TIMES ST. JOHN: Masses: 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) Reconciliation: Saturday: 4-4:45 p.m. | Sunday: 12:30-1:15 p.m. ST. JAMES: Masses: Saturday: 5:30 p.m. | Sunday: 9:30 a.m. | Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. | Thursday: 8:30 a.m. | Saturday: 8:30 a.m. Reconciliation: Saturday: 4:30-5:15 p.m.
