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

St.John

Before the Latin Gate Roman Catholic Church

Contents 2 Stewardship and

Evangelization:

Using Our Time

and Talents

to Spread

the Good News 3

September: An Ongoing Opportunity to Change the World

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Deacon Charlie Moomaw and Deacon Jerry Rutherford: Living the Diaconate with Gratitude

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The Importance of Loving God More Deeply at Mass SEPTEMBER 2021

The Money Counting Ministry:

ENSURING THE GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TREASURE

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ere at St. John Before the Latin Gate, we are blessed with a small, but very important ministry — a dedicated group of parishioners gathers every Wednesday afternoon to count the money that comes in each week through the collection. As they perform this essential task for our parish, the members of the Money Counting Ministry do their part to ensure the good stewardship of our treasure.

“I am sure most parishioners think that this is just a job that falls on the office staff, but this volunteer work is very important to help take a bit of the load off of them,” says Karen Franco, who has been involved in this ministry since 2014. “It is not a glamorous job and it all goes on behind closed doors, but it needs to be done.”

(From left) Karen Franco, Pat Each person involved has a task and the other Gray, Loretta Blizzard; (seated) Joel Esslinger members verify one another’s work to ensure accuracy. One person counts the money in the envelopes, another counts the envelope checks, and the last counts the loose cash. There is also a cash counter to double-check counts. The information remains confidential, but collection totals are published in the bulletin. This ministry takes around 45 minutes to one hour each week. continued on back cover

Stewardship and Evangelization:

Using Our Time and Talents to Spread the Good News

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esus came to save the world and to draw all men to Him. When we think of the salvific work of Christ, many of us think of His life, death, resurrection, and His ascension into glory. And while those salvific events are of primary importance in salvation history, it doesn’t end there.

Christ wants everyone to know the salvation He has won for them. He wants every soul to experience heavenly glory. Therefore, after having conquered death through His cross and resurrection, Christ commissioned His disciples to carry the Gospel to the world.

They were charged to “preach the Gospel to all nations,” winning, through their words and examples, souls for the kingdom! What a task! The disciples were overwhelmed at the thought of carrying the Gospel to all nations after Christ had returned to heaven. But the Lord assured them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). When the Holy Spirit descended upon them on the feast of Pentecost, all those in the crowd were amazed. They all spoke in different tongues, preaching the same message, and everyone there could understand!

And so it was that the Church was

established through the power of the Spirit and for the purpose of evangelization. Each of us has been baptized in that Spirit, and through that, made a member of the Church.

It is, thus, up to each and every one of us to actively participate in the Church’s mission — proclaiming the Good News to all the world and building up the Kingdom of God! Each of us must re-evaluate how we are using the gifts God has given us to build up His Kingdom. Do we preach the Good News in all that we do and say? The same Spirit that descended upon the apostles that first Pentecost remains with us now, giving us the strength and courage to labor in the vineyard of the world.

Christ came to save the world, and He established the Church as the “universal sacrament of salvation” (Christifideles Laici, 2), by which many people throughout the world would know the glory of His truth. St. Paul describes the Church as one body with many parts. And just as each part of the body has a particular function, so each member of the Church has a particular calling, but united as one body in the Spirit, all of the members are to carry out the Church’s one mission. How is God calling you to carry out this mission?

What particular gifts has He given you with which you ought to build the Kingdom?

Each of us must re-evaluate how we are using the gifts God has given us to build up His Kingdom. Do we preach the Good News in all that we do and say? The same Spirit that descended upon the apostles that first Pentecost remains with us now, giving us the strength and courage to labor in the vineyard of the world.

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A Letter From Our Pastor

An Ongoing Opportunity to Change the World Dear Parishioners,

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n his letters, St. Paul often began by greeting his “brothers and sisters.” Every time I read one of these letters, it reminds me that you and I truly are sisters and brothers in the Body of Christ, the Church, but especially here in our community. We need to understand that we are indeed a family, and the way we see and treat one another is fundamental to the health and happiness of this family.

Our spiritual family doesn’t stop at the walls of our church, but rather, extends to include every man and woman created in God’s image and likeness. You may be familiar with the term “Catholic Social Teaching,” part of which is built on a commitment to the poor. These are the beliefs that guide Catholics on how to apply the faith to all aspects of life, and they lay the framework for the Church’s teachings on the dignity and sacredness of human life. Once we make a commitment to be disciples of Jesus and pursue stewardship as a way of life, the principles of Catholic Social Teaching become very easy to incorporate into our lives.

Catholic Social Teaching has been around since those first followers of Jesus tried to balance their new faith with the realities of living in a world of Roman oppression. Jesus reminded His disciples then, just as He reminds us now, that caring for and administering to the poor should be at the core of all we do. Recall when the Lord said in Matthew, “For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and

you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you gave me clothing; I was ill and you cared for me; I was in prison and you visited me.”

This is our foundation as we seek to embody mercy and justice to our fellow man and should be one of our major goals as a faith community. Many of our parish ministries provide for us an opportunity to do just as Jesus asked — to serve those most in need. As we move into the fall season, with Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas soon to follow, now is a good time for us to recommit ourselves to addressing the needs we see around us — both as a parish society and as individuals.

I am proud of our collective efforts in assisting and serving the poor, but I also know that we can do more. Many of us personally need to get involved in these efforts. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has a great love and regard for the poor and, like Jesus, he reminds us often of what we need to do. Pope Francis once said in a homily, “The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty.” Together, we can make a difference.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. John O’Neill Pastor 3

De a c o n C h a r l i e M o o m aw a n d

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In 2017, Deacon Charlie Moomaw was ordained by Bishop Konderla, and has served at St. John’s ever since.

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ater in life, Deacon Charlie Moomaw began to seek the Truth with all of his heart, which brought him to do plenty of deep soul-searching.

“I sought God at 40!” he says. “I was raised in a scientific family that believed if you can’t see or prove or measure something, then it doesn’t exist. However, that view didn’t answer all of the questions I had in life, such as, ‘Why am I here?’”

By God’s infinite mercy, Deacon Moomaw did indeed find the Truth of Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church — along with his vocation to the diaconate.

“I was baptized in 2007 by Fr. Festus Maliwa, and married sacramentally by Fr. Jim Caldwell after 30 years of being married civilly to my wife, Tracey,” he says. “The joy of receiving the sacraments led me to study for two years at the Pastoral Studies Institute, which I recommend to everyone in our diocese. I then went through six years of the Diaconate Formation Program, which taught me and formed me.”

One good step led to another, and in 2017, he was ordained by Bishop Konderla and has served at St. John’s ever since.

“I see my service as walking with those who are poor, sick, in trouble, and lonely,” he says. “God asks us to take the first step in faith, and I have been trying to run towards Him ever since. We have such a beautiful and rich Catholic Church with the fullness of the faith. I am so thankful to the Lord and to the people of our parish.”

Deacon Moomaw enjoys serving Holy Mass, leading our Thursday Adoration and Rosary service, and training altar servers.

“Over the years, Tracey and I have trained at least 50 children,” Deacon Moomaw says. “I have loved sharing our faith with them, walking alongside them, and watching them grow up. I very much enjoy our older parishioners as well. I like to fulfill ‘honey-do’ lists for them, as well as hear their great stories and share laughs with them.”

De a c o n J e r r y R u t h e r f o r d :

Living the Diaconate with Gratitude

Deacon Jerry Rutherford also has an inspiring story of how God called him to be a deacon despite a couple of “curve balls” that were thrown his way.

“When I was working for Conoco Oil Company in Houston, we were very involved in our parish by training altar servers, helping with Religious Education, and more,” he says. “We were at church almost all the time! My pastor there told me that they were looking for diaconate aspirants to enter their upcoming class, and he thought I would make a great deacon. My wife, Lucille, felt I should pursue the diaconate as well, so we started our first year of formation, but then I was transferred to Oklahoma for work.”

After moving to Oklahoma, Jerry and Lucille decided to take a step back from being actively involved in parish life, and simply attend Mass — but this didn’t last for long.

“We decided to just sort of sit in the pews,” he says. “At that time, I also decided I wanted to work part-time at a radio station as a DJ. One night, I was driving home and the word ‘diaconate’ came into my mind very clearly. I knew this was a very unusual word to just pop into my mind, so I talked to my wife about it, and she suggested I ask our pastor about it.”

Soon afterward, Jerry went to a penance service and was surprised by what happened to him there.

“After I had made my confession, the priest reached over to me and told me I have a special calling,” Deacon Rutherford says. “I asked him, ‘What did my wife tell you?’ and he told me that she had said nothing to him. It didn’t take long for him to set me up to resume diaconate formation, and I was ordained in 1998.”

Presently, Deacon Rutherford serves as the Business Manager for St. John’s and St. James parishes and is assigned as a deacon to St. James Parish.

When asked what he most enjoys about being a deacon, he offers a grateful response.

“I appreciate being able to work for the two parishes because the parishioners and staff members are so wonderful,” he says. “My favorite aspects of the diaconate are being able to offer the Sacrament of Baptism, witness marriages, and help parishioners in their time of need, such as when they are experiencing a death in the family.”

Deacon Rutherford and Lucille have four adult children and 15 grandchildren.

Let us keep all four Deacons of our community in our prayers, including Deacon Dan Pickett and retired Deacon Joe Richard. May Our Lord and Our Lady bless them in their endeavor to lay down their lives for the Church!

Deacon Jerry Rutherford and his wife, Lucille, celebrate at a family birthday party.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF

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Loving God More Deeply at Mass

hen young people see a person that intrigues them, that attraction becomes the topic of conversation at every opportunity. This attraction alters behavior so that we become enthralled with the other and desire to share our enthusiasm.

Imagine if we were more enthralled with the presence of Christ in our lives. Imagine if we fully recognized that Christ is truly present to us in His precious Body and Blood, and present as well in the proclamation of His Word and in the gathering of our community, praying and singing (see Sacrosanctum Concilium [Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy], para. 14).

Recognizing the living Christ in all these ways would awaken in us the desire to be with the One who is the object of our most fundamental, pure, and holy attraction to our merciful, loving, and gracious Savior.

If we were to recognize the presence of Christ in these beautiful ways, wouldn’t our desire to be more completely in His presence increase? Surely our desire to be better stewards of our time with the Lord would grow. Our attention to the readings and other prayers of the Mass would bring about within us deeper communion with the One who suffered and died for us. If I recognized that God is the answer to all my pangs of hunger, that Christ is my way to the Father, and that the Holy Spirit works to convert my heart and soul every day, would I not seek to fill that hunger at the banquet of the Lamb?

While active participation in Sunday Mass is an obligation for Catholics, we also will do well to see the lovely, motherly care the Church shows us in establishing that requirement. The Code of Canon Law states clearly in paragraph 1247, “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” Sometimes, we might hear that as an overbearing rule. But it might more correctly be understood as our Mother, the Church, helping us learn what is best for us. At Mass, we hear the living Word of God proclaimed. He speaks to us. We receive as hungry, needy sinners, the precious Body and Blood of Christ. We encounter Christ’s living presence in our brothers and sisters worshiping God with us.

If we truly understood that amazing truth, then how 6

might it affect our lives? How might it affect our relationships? How might it impact our decision to bring our children along to Mass? How might it awaken within us a deeper attraction, fascination, desire for the Lord?

Generally, when we find ourselves fascinated with someone, we do not decide to spend as little time as possible with them. We do not ration our time with them. We want to spend time with them, to see them, to listen to them, to get to know them, to develop a healthy, loving relationship with them.

Considering our reliance on the Lord of life and love, our fascination with His mercy, His goodness, His willingness to call us to Himself, maybe we should ask ourselves about what happens in us at Mass. As I prepare to come to Church, do I find my mind turning to a receptive welcome of the Lord, just as I’ll be welcomed at the door of Church? Have I dressed for the important weekly (or daily) moment of meeting my King? Do I expect some profound wisdom from God in the readings? Am I open to correction, to challenge, to affirmation in the readings of God’s Word? Do I intently pray along with the priest presider throughout the Mass? Do I make an offering of my life, along with the bread and wine? Do I genuinely hunger for the Body and Blood of Christ? And do I long for that blessing that sends me on my way with the mission to build the Kingdom?

Instead of worrying about what “counts” when it comes to Sunday Mass, maybe we should work hard at fostering our love for the Eucharist, our desire for eternal life, our attraction to the Master who calls us into a life of active discipleship. Instead of a merely heavy-handed requirement, maybe we can see more clearly that being at Mass together helps nourish us for a whole week of building God’s Kingdom. Coming with those expectations, desires, and hopes, leaving early when unnecessary would disappear as a temptation instantly. Coming late because other things have taken priority would not typically happen, other obligations notwithstanding. Christ desires our company at Mass, from beginning to end. Let’s draw near to Him.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Bringing the Faith Alive Through Service and Fraternity

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harity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism are the four guiding principles of the Knights of Columbus. Everything that our Knights do falls into one of these categories.

Brian Kennedy is the Grand Knight for Council 1302, which also includes men from six other surrounding Catholic Churches. Brian enjoys the opportunity to work with other men of faith to raise money for organizations throughout Bartlesville and the surrounding communities.

“They say it takes a village,” he says. “We have men with different strengths and we need them all.

There’s a lot we can get done with all the talents that are out there.”

One of the organization’s main fundraisers is the Lenten Fish Frys. With the COVID-19 restrictions in 2021, the men came up with a drive-through, to-go deal for all fish fry meals — they ended up raising more money than during a normal year. The funds raised at the dinners support seminarians and the Home and School Association at St. John Catholic School.

“It was so nice to see the community come out to support this,” Brian says. “One main goal of these meals is always to build community.”

Another major fundraiser — that fortunately did not need to be altered due to the pandemic — is

held in November, as the Knights come together to make and sell about 250 apple pies. The money raised mostly goes towards supporting local organizations.

Some of the funds raised last year went towards upgrading the playground at St. James. They also supported The Cottage, a pregnancy help center in Bartlesville.

The Knights are also called upon when there is a need for a meal at a community event.

In August, they handled the food and drinks for a Back to School Cookout. They also host a similar event for the Youth Group and Religious Education program.

“We are there, as Knights, to provide the food and manpower to make it all happen,” Brian says.

But it’s not all work and business — the Knights also have a social aspect. They have been meeting at a local restaurant at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month — this serves as their planning meeting, and it’s a more informal gathering with time to socialize. They also meet at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month for a business meeting in Conference Room 1 at our parish.

“The Knights is a good way to get to know other Catholic men and to build community, support our priests and help local organizations,” Brian says.

If you would like to get involved in the Knights of Columbus, please contact Brian Kennedy at bkennedy@farmersagent.com or 918-876-2409.

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

The Money Counting Ministry

“I think that anything that we are able to do for the church when we can volunteer our time and talents, brings us closer to Christ,” Karen says.

Being involved in the small-business side of this ministry has come naturally to Karen.

“I worked in and owned a retail store in the area for 20 years,” she says. “I am retired now, but I also work in and manage the church gift shop.”

God blesses us all with many talents and abilities. In turn, our church communities benefit greatly when we use these talents for the betterment of our

continued from front cover

parishes. As Karen notes, in the seven years she has been involved with this ministry, it has consisted of the same three parishioners with one alternate. The parish is hoping to add new volunteers and have them serve on a rotating basis in order to enrich the Money Counting Ministry.

“It is a big commitment to be here every week and we have talked about adding more members to help ease some of that commitment,” Karen says.

“I’m sure most people don’t even know that our ministry exists, but it is very important work.”

There is no experience required for being involved in this ministry — just a desire to give back and help the parish. If any parishioners are interested in finding out more about this ministry and getting involved, please contact the parish office 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., 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.