St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church Newsletter — Mar/Apr 2022

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Mary Saint

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Vol.20 Issue 3

on the hill catholic church

The March for Life:

Kindling the Fire for the Gospel of Life

A Mass Schedule Sunday, 7:45 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Monday, 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.

Thursday, 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Friday, 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Saturday, 9:15 a.m., 5:00 p.m. (Sunday Vigil)

Sacrament of Reconciliation Wednesday, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, 3:45-4:45 p.m.

Pro Life Holy Hour Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.

Perpetual Adoration Chapel Chapel is located at the corner of Monte Sano and Bellevue.

ccording to Katie Welsh, going to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., was a truly extraordinary, powerful experience that showed her just how thriving the culture of life really is.

“The March for Life was a great way to put my pro-life beliefs into action,” she says. “Seeing the amount of young people there gave me so much hope for the future of the pro-life movement. The pro-life generation is on fire for life!”

At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, about 120 young people and 23 adults gathered at our parish for a time of prayerful inspiration to prepare their hearts and souls for the amazing journey on which they were soon to embark.

“Katie Welsh is a high school student who is very passionate about life, so she gave a talk to get us going, along with a few other speakers,” says Michael Lammers, the Director of Youth Ministry. “Following the service, we drove through the night in three buses, arriving at the National Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in D.C. at 6 a.m., just in time for the Closing Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life at 8 a.m.”

One of the three buses, on the way to the March for Life

Next, they traveled to the National Mall, where they heard presentations from various pro-life speakers, such as Fr. Mike Schmitz, who presents the Bible in a Year broadcast. At 1 p.m., they participated in the March for Life.

“It was very encouraging for us all to see the huge scale of people that were there, coming together and giving their time to help save lives,” Michael says. “The march was tough because we had to stand out in the cold all day long, but it was a sacrifice we were making for the cause of life.

Throughout the weekend, our motto was, ‘It is not about me,’ and our chant was, ‘You become pro-life when you give your life away.’”

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Entering Into Lent

How We Can Make the Most of this Solemn, Sacred Season

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ow might we make the most of this solemn, sacred season? There are three main aspects to Lent in which the Church asks us to engage — prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We don’t need to take on many things in order to make this season worthwhile, but it is important to consider how we might deepen our faith lives during this time of year.

Perhaps we might be inspired to take each aspect of Lent to heart, and pick something we can do within each category, so to speak, in order to truly enter into this sacred season. Each one — prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, provides us an opportunity to grow spiritually and prepare for Easter.

PRAYER

Let us start with prayer. In order to grow our personal and communal prayer lives, we need not spend the entire day in the chapel. Rather, perhaps consider adding one new devotion to your prayer life.

For example, if you aren’t already spending time each day in prayer, maybe it’s time to start spending five minutes each morning with the Lord while enjoying your breakfast and coffee. If you usually start your day by opening your computer and phone to check messages and emails, start instead with a morning prayer or Scripture, offering your day up for the Lord and whatever may come. If you already have a regular prayer routine, perhaps you might consider adding a daily Divine Mercy chaplet at 3 p.m. during the hour of mercy, or a family Rosary after supper cleanup.

FASTING

While we often think of food when it comes to fasting, there are other ways we can fast during Lent.

Fasting means abstaining from something in order to grow spiritually. This could mean giving up Facebook or cutting down on internet use. Perhaps you might consider fasting from watching your favorite TV series and instead watch daily Mass. Another idea of fasting is giving up takeout or delivery and, instead, using that extra money to give to the poor.

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ALMSGIVING

Giving alms may be the less obvious of the three but is no less important for growing spiritually. Giving alms can mean a number of things. Perhaps this means giving a bit of extra money to charity during these 40 days. It might also mean visiting with a grieving friend, listening, and helping out those in need. You might also consider stepping out and helping in a new capacity, whether in a new ministry or volunteer effort.

Lent affords us a wonderful opportunity to renew our spiritual lives. While it may not always seem so easy, it is necessary to use this time to prepare our hearts and lives for Easter. We might be tempted to simply look ahead to the joy of Easter without considering the sacrifice of Lent, but in that way, we would be missing out on the chance to grow, learn, give, and pray. We cannot have the Resurrection without the Cross. Lent is a reminder not to be filled with sadness and dread over our sacrifices, but to take up practices that help us engage in our spiritual lives, purify ourselves with God’s help and rejoice when Easter comes around.

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The Catholic Men’s Conference in Savannah

Attendees Reflect on “Living an Authentic Male Spirituality”

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eople who have no faith tradition are considered “nones,” and, unfortunately, this is a group that is on the rise. People are leaving the faith at a time when there is so much division in society. In these times, we are especially in need of strong male faith leaders. The January Men’s Conference, held at St. James Catholic Church in Savannah, exists to equip men to be examples of faith in their families, jobs, and daily lives.

About 150 men were in attendance. The conference speakers were Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and Jon Leonetti, who led attendees through the presentation, “Into the Breach: Living an Authentic Male Spirituality.”

“I believe we need men who are willing to be pillars of God’s love and mercy and truth in our culture today,” says John Leonetti, in an introductory video to the conference. “We are in need of men who are just willing to give Him permission to set their hearts ablaze.”

The event also included Mass, Confession, adoration, and meals.

Chad Sweeney and 12 other St. Mary parishioners attended the oneday retreat — they slept over Friday night in Savannah. This was Chad’s first time attending, and he will definitely attend again.

Men from St. Mary on the Hill attended a January conference in Savannah.

“I’ve read a book by Deacon Burke-Sivers, and it was really good,” Chad says. “The intro video drew me in. I’m really glad I attended.”

Chad also learned the importance of being uncomfortable like Christ was on the cross.

“The talks emphasized to me how important my prayer life is as a man, father, and husband,” he says. “My job is to protect and serve my family.”

Chad has been part of various groups with other conference attendees for at least 10 years. They currently meet from 8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings as the Men of Prayer

Ministry. Some members deliver coffee and breakfast sandwiches or burritos to those who are homeless in Augusta.

The other men stay back and use the time for prayer and fellowship.

“I don’t know where I’d be without these men,” Chad says. “Hopefully, I’m modeling to my children the importance of prayer and fellowship.”

Chad and his wife, Christine, have two children. In addition to co-leading the Men of Prayer, Chad helps lead the St. Joseph’s Guild and the Scouts.

“It’s great for us men to be able to share our joys and sorrows with each other,” Chad says.

“I don’t know where I’d be without these men. Hopefully, I’m modeling to my children the importance of prayer and fellowship.” — Chad Sweeney 3

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R emembering P arishion

A Beloved Example of L

Laura Cameron’s long, beautiful life of service to our parish is an inspiration to all of us.

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his past December, we said goodbye to Laura Cameron, longtime parishioner and active member of St. Mary on the Hill, at the incredible age of 105 years old.

“Mama was an incredible woman,” says Anita Wylds, Laura’s daughter.

Laura first moved to Augusta to begin a new job at the Veterans

Administration Hospital in 1946.

Delighted to find there was a Catholic Church so close by, she soon became a parishioner at St. Mary on the Hill. Noticing there was no music at Sunday Mass and with Christmas around the corner, Laura approached the parish priest at the time, noting the need for music at Christmas. He told her they had no

organist, to which she replied that although she was not an organist, she could play. Laura became St. Mary’s first organist and organized a double quartet along with a violinist —just in time for Christmas Mass.

This event led to the establishment of a choir and her becoming its first director. This choir also sang for Masses offered at Oliver General Hospital and Laura also stepped in as a substitute organist when needed for churches and chapels in town.

And so began Laura’s 75 years of dedication to our parish community. She would spend Saturday mornings volunteering in the parish office — all of this while raising her children, working full-time, and volunteering in many areas.

“I remember as a little girl going to St. Mary’s, and all three of us would go with Mama,” Anita says.

Over the decades, Laura was an active member in our community through music, the Sacristan Ministry, wedding coordination, hospice volunteering, parish administration, and so much more.

The common thread for all of her continued on page 5

“My mom was just always a part of church life. She always attended Mass. She led by example. She was just always involved. That to me was the reason why I practice the faith I do today.” — Anita Wylds

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Laura Cameron

Lived Faith and Service work was her steadfast devotion to her faith and dedication to her community.

“My mom was just always a part of church life,” Anita says. “She always attended Mass. She led by example. She was just always involved. That to me was the reason why I practice the faith I do today.”

For 40 years, Laura played the organ for weddings all over Augusta. In 1992, she acted as secretary to the committee for the parish’s fundraising campaign for renovation of the parish hall and church offices. These efforts are only a small portion of the numerous projects she undertook during her long life of service.

Laura faithfully continued her involvement in the parish up until her final days. Even after turning 100, Laura still set up nearly every 5:15 Wednesday Mass and sang in the choir. For the last five years of her life, Laura sewed baptismal bibs, served as sacristan, volunteered as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and lector. She continued to provide music at the St. Mary’s Senior Mass, as well.

While she was involved in many activities over her 75 years as a parishioner in our community, Laura most enjoyed two areas of volunteer work — music and weddings.

“She loved to sing in the choir and never wanted to miss choir practice,” Anita says. “Being a wedding director, became very important to her, too.”

Five years ago, Laura presented a talk on Stewardship Sunday in our parish, where she told our congregation, “We sing a spiritual in the choir that I have adopted as my special prayer: ‘I want to thank You, Lord, for what You’ve done, I want to thank You, Lord, for the times and troubles. Thank You, Lord, for protecting me. Thank You, Jesus, for what You’ve done for me.’”

Laura’s long, beautiful life of service to our parish is an inspiration to all of us. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends who loved her dearly, and by our St. Mary on the Hill parish community.

Laura Cameron especially enjoyed serving through music.

Laura Cameron became St. Mary’s first organist, which eventually led to the establishment of a choir and her becoming its first director.

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Cultivate Your Personal Garden for Christ this Spring

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veryone loves springtime. The weather is warmer and beautiful flowers are blooming all around us.

But anyone with a beautiful garden will attest that the flowers do not magically appear as if the season change itself miraculously makes the flowers bloom. Beautiful flowers and lush gardens are the result of the gardener’s hard work.

Imagine that a man is given some flower seeds.

The man then buries the seeds in the ground and leaves them on their own. As the months pass and rain falls, some seeds may receive enough nourishment to bloom. But simply burying seeds in the ground will hardly make for a gorgeous garden. Rather, if the man truly wants to enjoy many beautiful flowers, there is much care and work ahead.

Recognizing the hidden beauty within these simple seeds, he must cultivate the ground, plant the seeds in a solid foundation, then water and fertilize them throughout the year. Only then will he see the proper fruit these seeds were made to bear.

This simple illustration speaks to the heart of us this season — not only as we look around at the flowers, but more importantly as we reflect on the springtime of the Church. We are celebrating the great feast of Easter when, through His death and resurrection, Christ offers us the greatest gift of all — eternal life with Him forever. This celebration leads us to reflect on the many gifts God has given

The March for Life

us in this life and the fruit they will bear, especially as we look to life eternal.

He has given each of us a multitude of gifts so that we can better serve Him and bring others to Him. Do we notice the hidden potential of our gifts? Do we see them, like the seed — as seemingly small, yet so full of fruit? Everything we have — our time, talents and treasure — is a gift from the Lord. Do we accept gifts in gratitude, then put them to use by cultivating and nourishing them so they will bear the proper fruit?

Just like springtime flowers that we enjoy, our time, talents and treasure need to be cared for. Our gifts need to be cultivated and nourished. Only then will we see them for what they are — wonderful gifts given by God meant for His greater glory.

Like the seeds, if we use our gifts flippantly, we may see some fruits here and there. But we are called to so much more — we are called to build a beautiful garden. We are called to offer God the most beautiful flowers of all.

This season, as we look at all the beautiful flowers around us and enjoy God’s creation, let us think about the seeds in our own lives. Ask yourself if you have accepted the gifts God has given you — your time, talents and treasure — and have cultivated and cared for them properly. Or, do they just sit dormant within you yearning to bloom?

continued from front cover

Following the march, they had to travel to Virginia in order to eat because they could not eat out in D.C. without a vaccination card. Finally, they went to a ski resort in West Virginia for a couple of days.

Fr. Brian O’Shaughnessy, the chaplain of Aquinas High School, offered Holy Mass for them on Saturday evening at the resort.

When they returned home on Sunday evening, Michael couldn’t help but feel deeply grateful that the mission he had envisioned was accomplished.

“My goal was to get the young people there, and to get them excited about saving life and babies,” he

says. “That was my goal, and we did it. I have always been passionate about life. This passion calls me to do something to help and to get other people passionate about helping as well. The greatest evil we face today is the murder of innocent children in the womb. It has been a great blessing to help build up a community of people with a love for life.”

Overall, the trip was a beautiful experience of God’s mercy, and the love that He bears for every creature He has created.

“Life and joy go together, and this trip had both of these!” says student Hayes Ellis.

For more information about how to get involved, please email Director of Youth Ministry Michael Lammers at mlammers@aquinashigh.org, or George Vozniak of the Greater Augusta Chapter of Georgia Right to Life (GRTL) at 706-726-1269 or GVozniak@aol.com. Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the GRTL of Augusta, as well as to private donors for their generous financial donations which made this trip possible.

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Recent Donations to St. Mary on the Hill St. Mary on the Hill Church Diane King In Honor of Fr. Mark Ross Pam and Bill Barrett In Memory of Michael Wiggins Alicia Ricci In Memory of David Touchtone Michael Rucker Bill and Patti Fowler In Memory of Helen Wilhelmi Caroline and Ray Brady Karen and Peter Klacsmann Janna and Leland Malchow Gardelle Lewis, Jr Dr. and Mrs. T. Barrett Trotter In Memory of Greg Warren Mike Rucker Marijane and Rex McKinney In Memory of Eugene Howerdd Harriet and John Reynolds, III Janna and Leland Malchow In Memory of Edward Grealish Mulherin Leanne Mulherin In Memory of William Miller Peggy Lovelace

In Memory of Evalyn Bennett Elizabeth and Michael Rogers

Warren Road Elementary School Staff

In Memory of Edward Holmes Susan and Daniel Sheehan

In Memory of Kenneth White Mary Ellen and Paul Zielinski

In Memory of Lydia Porro Milham Pamela Givens

In Memory of Neil Beauchamp Johnnie and Frankie Phillips

In Memory of John J. Cashin and Family Kathy and David Anderson Mary and Paul Lauerman Debbie and Pete Kenefick Dorothy Kenefick John Kenefick Sara and Michael Kenefick

In Honor of Helen Cullum Owings John Owings

In Memory of Laura Cameron Johnnie and Frankie Phillips Janice and Davis Camp James Herman Mike Rucker Richard and Marie Capps Mary Ellen and Paul Zielinski Paul and Jan Stuntz Lee and Pat Nordmann Pat and Cheryl Johannsen Cecilia and Charles Cruce Cay and Jud Hickey Wayne and Linda Clemenzi Karen Keck Jeff and Joanne Keck Dr. and Mrs. T. Barrett Trotter Roger and Judy Cooke

St. Mary on the Hill Consolation Ministry The Rochon Family In Memory of Abbie Loeffler Carole and Harry Vaiden, III St. Mary on the Hill Bereavement Committee Pam and Bill Barrett St. Mary on the Hill Apron Ministry Pam and Bill Barrett St. Mary on the Hill Master Gardeners Anne Proctor

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1420 Monte Sano Avenue Augusta, GA 30904 Phone 706-733-6627 www.stmaryonthehill.org

Baptisms

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Oct. 2 James Patrick Johnson Son of Katie and Michael Johnson

Oct. 30 Emerson Annalise Tillman Daughter of Tabatha and Richard Tillman

Dec. 26 Elwood Cane Prestifilippo Son of Jennifer and Dominic Prestifilippo

Oct. 3 Emmett Gray Bourdo Son of Kathryn and Jarred Bourdo

Nov. 4 Troy Cashwell, II Son of Kaitlin and Trey Cashwell

Jan. 2 Georgiana Andrea Anderson Daughter of Jennifer and Kevin Anderson

Oct. 9 William Lee Guedry Son of Meredith and Ryan Guedry

Nov. 6 Harper Leigh Freeman Daughter of Allison and David Freeman

Jan. 9 Martha Ann Douglas Daughter of Kirsten and Denis Douglas

Oct. 10 Landry Elizabeth Wilder Daughter of Ashleigh and Andrew Wilder

Nov. 14 Cecilia Charlotte Coltrane Daughter of Abigail and Brian Coltrane

Oct. 16 Caroline Elizabeth Cundey Daughter of MacKenzie and Paul Cundey, IV

Nov. 27 Rutherford Roland Wick Son of Haley and Daniel Wick

Oct. 17 Emma Kay Swenson Daughter of Summer and Gabriel Swenson

Nov. 28 Nathaniel Darryl Boyd Guttery Son of Olivia and Boyd Guttery

Oct. 23 Kennedy Lane Bigham, Peter John Bigham, III, Hannah Leigh Bigham Children of Erin and Peter Bigham, Jr.

Dec. 19 Johnathan-David Dessie Lovering Son of Callie and John-Michael Lovering

Jan. 22 Leon Del Rosario Caligayahan Son of Joanne and Joseph Caligayahan Jan. 23 Jorge Dean Lintag Elvambuena Son of Mary Jane and Dinarius Elvambuena Caitlyn Adrienne Balaysoche Tocmo Daughter of Catherine and Adrian Tocmo Jan. 30 Emma James Weber and John Allen Weber, III Children of Victoria and John Weber, II