St. Peter Catholic Church Newsletter — August 2021

AUG | 2021

CONTENT PAGE 3 What Are You Going to Do With Your Life?

PAGE 4 The Ladies Tuesday Morning Bible Study:

Following the Lantern of God’s Word

PAGE 6 The Importance of Loving God More Deeply at Mass PAGE 7 Getting to Know Chris Reichert, School

Curriculum Coordinator “Education Enriches Children’s Lives”

Parish Picnic IS READY FOR A

MOST HAPPY RETURN THIS YEAR

S

t. Peter’s Parish Picnic is a “go” for this year, with the goal of grossing $100,000 to support our school within our reach.

Although the event had to be canceled last year, this year

An overview photo from the 2019 Parish Picnic shows just how extensive the event truly is.

everything is set for Aug. 28, after the 4 p.m. Mass. The festivities will last until Midnight.

“Last year would have been our 10th year, so actually this is the 11th year,” says James Weisenberger. He and his wife, Kari, are one of the four picnic Chair couples.

Safety protocols will be in place with hand sanitizer stations placed throughout the grounds, among other measures.

“It’s a little different this year,” James says. “When you get a large number of people, you try to distance them as much as possible. Hopefully, with the vaccines and people being careful, we’ll get a lot more together and be safe.”

Throughout the evening, as many as 5,000 to 6,000 people, both from the parish and the wider community, come out for great food prepared by our parishioners, live music, and games, all with no admission. The band Brushville was scheduled for last year and they generously rolled our deposit forward to this year. There will be plenty of space for dancing!

Father Leo meticulously prepares his famous “Father Leo Brats,” and man are they good!

There will also be cash prizes with a raffle and a silent auction.

Children can win prizes in their games area.

Throughout the fun and fellowship, the picnic has an continued on page 2

ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Parish Picnic

continued from front cover

“It’s a little different this year. When you get a large number of people, you try to distance them as much as possible. Hopefully with the vaccines and people being careful, we’ll get a lot more together and be safe.” — JAMES WEISENBERGER

important role to play in both the parish and community.

“We want a safe place to gather, have fun, and meet new people,” James says. “It’s a nice evening for everyone to mingle and have fun.”

Planning for the picnic begins right after the previous one ends. The committee then meets monthly to review any issues to be corrected so the next picnic runs smoothly.

What makes the picnic so successful, besides the planning

by the committee, are the hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and talents. It normally takes about two days to set up the grounds.

“It takes a pretty good team to put this on and help with manpower wherever it is needed,” James says. “We have a pretty good group to set up before. They bring in all materials and pick things up loaned by the Knights of Columbus.

The guys know how it is all laid out. They know how the electric needs to be run, and so forth, and

how to put it all together. That takes the longest time. This allows the chairs to focus on getting the main items ready.”

Perhaps the biggest advantage of the picnic — besides raising money for the school — is that it enables everyone to embrace stewardship. Parishioners take up the tasks of preparing for the picnic and running the events from their hearts. The volunteers usually have an area of interest and sign up to help, whether just for a few hours or for the entire event.

There is still time to volunteer for the picnic. Sign-up sheets will be available in the narthex after Masses August 7 & 8 and 14 & 15.

It’s a great way to keep your beverage cold on a hot August day while showing parish pride!

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In addition to all of the great food, the picnic offers plenty of fun and games for attendees of all ages!

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?

In Christ, Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Enlow 3

ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

THE LADIES TUESD Following the

Study participants enjoy sharing in formation and fellowship together.

O

n Tuesday mornings in the Martha Jane Room, little miracles of love are created.

“Each week, we send around a prayer journal in which the ladies write their prayer intentions,” Jennifer Dyer says. “Sometimes they are anonymous, and other times they are known.

We speak them aloud at the end of each meeting and purposely lift each other up in prayer, along with the needs of our friends and family members.

When a lady in our study is in need, we rally around her to help her, whether it is by giving her

a meal or a card, or just by checking in with her each week.”

Amazingly, these “miracles of love” are centered around the study of God’s “love letter to His people,” the Holy Bible, and other inspiring works.

Together, these women gather to be uplifted and enlightened by the power of God’s truth.

“Some of our past studies have included books of the Bible, such as Acts, John, James, and the Psalms, just to name a few,” says Jennifer, who formerly facilitated the group. “We have studied continued on page 5

“I speak for all of the participants when I say it is such a wonderful opportunity to be with ladies of all ages and varying experiences, both in life and in their faith. The older ladies always talk about how much they enjoy hearing how faithful the younger ladies are, while the younger ladies really benefit from the rich experiences of the older ladies. It is so heartwarming to study our faith together because we are all part of one big family.”

— JENNIFER DYER 4

DAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY:

Lantern of God’s Word Catholic teachings and other topics such as the Mass, prayer, Bible timelines, and Church history.

This fall, we will be doing a study called Divine Mercy, which explores the history of God’s love given to us through the appearances of the Blessed Mother at Fatima and the experiences of St. Faustina, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and St. Pope John Paul II.” Most of the studies include a DVD or streaming content, which the ladies watch together. Some of the theologians that have presented the video talks in the past are Jeff Cavins, Dr. Tim Gray, and Dr. Scott Hahn.

“This fall, we will covering a study by Fr. Michael Gaitley,” Jennifer says. “Each author brings a deep knowledge of the Catholic faith. The speakers are always dynamic and often include humor, stories, and personal experiences.”

Overall, the study is an ideal way for women of all ages to come together as sisters in Christ, helping one another reach the goal of heaven together.

“I speak for all of the participants when I say it is such a wonderful opportunity to be with ladies of all ages and varying experiences, both in life and in their faith,” Jennifer says. “The older ladies always talk about how much they enjoy hearing how faithful the younger ladies are, while the younger ladies really benefit from the rich experiences of the older ladies. It is so heartwarming to study our faith together because we are all part of one big family.”

Ultimately, the study is a beautiful, powerful expression of stewardship.

“All participants in the study are using the stewardship of time to become better parishioners and servants of the Lord,” Jennifer says. “The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that our purpose is to know, love and serve God, and I’d say participating in a Bible study meets all three of those!”

And as with all stewardship endeavors, you get more from it than you put into it.

“The biggest blessing we ladies gain from the study is the camaraderie we experience as Catholic

women together,” Jennifer says. “We all share a sort of humble spiritual yearning which unites us.”

In turn, Jennifer emphatically recommends the study to other women.

“We have ladies with great scriptural knowledge in this group, as well as those who have rarely picked up a Bible,” she says. “No one ever feels out of place. The studies are meant for women at all faith levels, and each and every lady leaves the study with new knowledge of the faith.”

The study takes place on Tuesday mornings in the Martha Jane room during the school year. Women from all parishes are invited. Non-Catholics are welcome to join, as well. Childcare has been available in the past in exchange for a very small donation.

“We just ask the participants to let us know if they will need childcare, and a parishioner will do it for them in a nearby room,” Jennifer says.

Ultimately, the study is a beautiful, powerful expression of stewardship.

If you would like more information, please contact Director of Religious Education Gina Bergman at 217-430-6080 or see future parish bulletins for details.

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ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

THE IMPORTANCE OF

Loving God More Deeply at Mass

W

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,

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then how 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.

Getting to Know CHRIS REICHERT, SCHOOL CURRICULUM COORDINATOR “EDUCATION ENRICHES CHILDREN’S LIVES”

C

hris Reichert always knew she wanted to teach in a Catholic school. When she applied for jobs, she only applied to Catholic schools because she loves what the faith brings to all aspects of learning.

“Today, I love to hear the students pray and give thanks,” Chris says. “They’re thankful for the sun coming up or for a bumblebee. They remind me of what the faith is all about in ways that, as an adult, I can forget.

They open my eyes to God’s wonderful beauty all around us.”

Chris herself has been raised and educated in Catholic schools, from St. Mary’s to Quincy Notre Dame to Quincy University.

Within our Catholic schools, Chris taught for 12 years before serving as an administrator for 13 years. Then she joined St. Peter School six years ago as Curriculum Coordinator.

“As Curriculum Coordinator, I work a lot with the teachers and the curriculum we currently have and look to the future,” Chris says. “I provide resources for the teachers and work closely with the principal in regard to living the mission of our school and meeting the needs of our students.”

This coming year, there are a few exciting ventures underway for

Chris and Joe Reichert at Pikes Peak in Colorado

St. Peter School — including a new STEM lab that will allow students to learn outside of a textbook.

‘It’s cutting edge, and we’re leading the way here,” Chris says. “We’re looking at real-life problems and seeing how these four areas — science, technology, engineering, and math — specifically will help students solve problems and address issues. I want them to walk away and say, ‘It’s a snow day, but I’m bummed because I had lab today!’”

The school also received

grant funding this summer to build the reading library and add diverse themes.

“Authors now are really writing phenomenal books for young people about our different outlooks on life and our different experiences,” Chris says. “They’re helping young people build that respect for all cultures and people.”

This year, St. Peter School is also implementing Virtue-Based Restorative Discipline, or VBRD, which is a discipline program based on Catholic virtues. continued on back cover

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2600 Maine Street Quincy, Illinois 62301 www.cospq.org

CHRIS REICHERT

continued from page 7

“We’re having the co-founder, Lynne Lang, come in for three days to train our teachers,” Chris says. “We really feel that this program is proactive.

We’re trying to give students and adults more tools to look at a situation and react to a situation.”

These days Chris loves being a grandmother, taking trips with her husband, and quite frankly, her job.

“When the kids say ‘hello’ and know your name, their excitement makes my day, and I know I’m in the right field,” Chris says. “Education enriches children’s lives in a way that allows them to use their learning to be productive in high school, college, careers, and life.”

Chris would like to thank Fr. Leo, the school’s

staff, and, particularly, the parents for all the support given to St. Peter School during both traditional times and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I want to thank our parents for believing in us,” Chris says. “I truly believe that when parents choose Catholic schools, especially St. Peter’s, they are trusting us with their gift of a child. I am honored they have done this, and I am humbled.”

If you would like more information about the curriculum at St. Peter School, please reach out to Chris Reichert at 217-223-1120 or c.reichert@cospq.org.

MASS SCHEDULE Weekend Masses Saturday: 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Weekday Masses Mon-Sat: 8:00 a.m., except for Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m.

Reconciliation Saturday: 7:30-7:50 a.m., 3:30-4:30 p.m. or by appointment