St. Peter Catholic Church Newsletter — February 2021

FEB | 2021

CONTENT PAGE 3

Sharing Love in Different Ways

Meet Our Fifth-Grade Teachers Sharing a Love of Learning With Our St. Peter Students PAGE 4

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Celebrating the Miracle of St. Blaise

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Living Lent in 2021

MEET THE FOUND YOUTH GROUP Walking Alongside Our Young Parishioners on their Faith Journey

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o you remember middle school? Or high school? You may recall that the teenage years were often a confusing and overwhelming stage of the journey of life. So, as a parish family, it is our job to step up and walk alongside our young people, teaching them about our faith and empowering them to live a life of Christian discipleship. Here at St. Peter, our FOUND Youth Group has been serving this purpose for over a decade.

FOUND is a reverse acronym, meaning “Discovering New Understandings of Faith,� and is a youth group for all young people in seventh through ninth grades.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has meant some changes for the group, FOUND typically meets twice a month during the school year, on Sunday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. FOUND nights include lots of time for fun, a short lesson on a topic of continued on page 2

FOUND provides a place for young teens to connect with others who share their faith. (Photo prior to COVID-19 pandemic.)

ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

FOUND YOUTH GROUP relevance to young teens, snacks, prayer and more.

“We do a variety of things — we’ll do some very serious nights and some that are just social,” says Gina Bergman, Director of Religious Education.

“We like to plant these little ideas, these little seeds of how we can live our faith and what can we do when there are troubles.”

And while FOUND Youth Group is only one aspect of our youth ministry opportunities here at St. Peter, it is often the place where many of our young people start their journey with youth ministry in the parish.

“FOUND is just one part of youth ministry, but it’s very important, because a lot of times, kids won’t come if they’re invited to a smaller setting or a prayer service or to volunteer,” Gina says.

“Sometimes, the big social youth group is where they feel the most comfortable.

“Our purpose in FOUND is to meet kids where they’re at,” she adds. “We try to enrich their faith life and make sure they know the importance of fellowship and being there for one another.”

At FOUND, our young teens have the opportunity to build friendships with other young people who share their beliefs in a safe and fun environment. The heart of the ministry is to create a space where young people can feel welcome and comfortable, knowing they have a Catholic support

continued from front cover system to encourage them on their journey of faith. For Gina, who has volunteered with FOUND since it began 15 years ago, it’s a blessing to see former members of the youth group come back to volunteer and reconnect.

“Some of them are 25 years old, they’re starting families of their own, and they’re in the workforce,” Gina says. “We’ve had many former kids say, ‘I was really grateful I got to go to FOUND, I’m so glad that was there for me.’ We use that as an example for the kids who are currently here so they know they can always count on their ‘FOUND family.’”

As youth get to know like-minded peers, FOUND also provides an opportunity for young people to get to know other Catholic adults who can serve as mentors and role models in living the faith.

“For teens to have Catholic adults in their life who aren’t their parents, I think that’s important,” says Gina, who has teens of her own.

“It’s important for them to see us, showing God’s love and stressing the importance of these issues, so it’s not just coming from their parents or their teachers. It’s an extra person to be there to support their faith journey.”

Gina encourages all teens in seventh through ninth grades to consider coming to see what FOUND is all about. All are welcome and she encourages new students to bring a friend along, as well.

“Our hope is that youth group is a chance for them to dive deeper in their faith,” she says.

“That’s what we want for all of the kids, is for them to have a better relationship with Jesus.

“Just come try it out; give it a chance and see what it’s about,” she adds. “It might surprise you.”

If you would like more information, or to get involved with the FOUND Youth Group, please contact Director of Religious Education Gina Bergman at g.bergman@cospq.org or check the bulletin for current events.

The Found Youth Group ends each gathering in a time of prayer

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A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR

SHARING LOVE IN DIFFERENT WAYS Dear Parishioners,

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hat’s the most widely observed saint’s day in February — the one that’s kept even by those who aren’t practicing Catholics? Undoubtedly, it would be St. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

The irony is that his feast isn’t even on the General Roman Calendar of feasts to be observed throughout the world. That doesn’t mean that he’s not recognized as a real, historical person, or as a genuine saint, but only that his influence throughout the Church has not been as significant as that of other saints.

So who was St. Valentine? There are several St. Valentines, as the name was not a rare one in the ancient Roman Empire, but the saint we celebrate was a priest of Rome martyred in the late third century. Still, that doesn’t explain how his feast came to be celebrated as the day one sends letters, cards and presents as expressions of romantic love.

The truth is that the custom of sending tokens of love comes not from any direct connection with St. Valentine, but from the ancient belief that birds begin to pair off on Feb. 14. And if courtship in the natural world occurred then, it must be appropriate for humans, as well. The association between St. Valentine and love notes is a later development.

Nevertheless, it’s not wrong to connect the two. Love has many aspects, and our conception of it is richer if we keep more than one of them in mind. Martyrdom is the result of loving God more than our earthly life. St. Valentine was a martyr because of his love — his love for Jesus Christ and His Church. If he had not loved God so much, he could have repudiated his Lord and saved his life. We, in turn, express our love by sending cards and gifts on St. Valentine’s Day. But isn’t that what stewardship as a way of life is — a little martyrdom? Not to push the image too far, but when we are faithful stewards, we give up a little portion of our lives out of our own love for Christ. Most Christians will not be called on to be martyrs, in the sense of forfeiting our physical lives for God. But we are called to give up some of our comforts, indulgences and riches because of our love for Him. So then, as you prepare to celebrate and share your love with your Valentine this month, remember St. Valentine and his love for Christ. As well, keep in mind that God loves us, and return that love with your own toward Him. Loving God will be reflected in how you prioritize your use of the time, talent and treasure God has entrusted to you. As St. John wrote (1 Jn 4:19), “We love because he first loved us.”

Happy St. Valentine’s Day! In Christ, Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Enlow 3

ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

MEET OUR FIFTH-G Sharing a Love of Learning

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ometimes, things truly do come full circle in Catholic education. For our fifth-grade teachers here at St. Peter School, their own experiences in Catholic schools lead them to want to share that gift with the next generation.

Mrs. Michelle Haskins has served our St. Peter School community as a teacher for the past 22 years. Having benefitted from Catholic education as a child, Mrs. Haskins loves the

“Everybody learns in a different way. I hope my students bring with them the idea that learning is fun. It’s something they have to do their whole lives, so I hope they remember fifth grade being a fun year and a year where they got to learn and share.”

— MRS. MAGGIE ERD opportunity to incorporate the faith into daily life in her classroom, and she even finds her own faith growing deeper as

Mrs. Michelle Haskins (pictured with her family) has served our St. Peter School community as a teacher for the past 22 years. Mrs. Haskins loves the opportunity to incorporate the faith into daily life in her own classroom, and she even finds her own faith growing deeper as she shares it with her students.

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she shares it with her students.

“Working at a Catholic school allows you to put your faith into your lessons, no matter what subject you are teaching,” Mrs. Haskins says. “I like being able to pray with my students throughout the day — and going to Mass as a class is always a highlight of the week.

“My faith has grown at St. Peter over the years by being able to talk about religion every day with my students, hearing their perspective on things, and participating with the staff in several opportunities to grow in our faith together,” she adds.

Mrs. Haskins enjoys helping her students to become independent thinkers who understand the value of good work and taking responsibility for their studies.

“Fifth-graders get excited about new ideas and are full of energy,” she says. “They are also becoming great leaders and problem solvers.”

She hopes that, in addition to gaining knowledge, her students will leave her class with an understanding of stewardship

GRADE TEACHERS With Our St. Peter Students and their call to use their to enjoy every day, and talents to serve those that as much as I love to around them. be in control, ultimately, “St. Peter School I’m not in control,” she is unique because the says. “They also teach students discover that me the power of prayer. I their greatest potential is am always amazed when just not reflected in high we come together and test scores, but also of we pray and we have a their God-given gifts and common cause — feeling service to others,” Mrs. that connection, I always Haskins says. find that very powerful.”

Mrs. Maggie Erd has Mrs. Erd hopes that been a teacher at St. the time spent in her Peter’s for the past 10 classroom will foster a years, but her history love of learning in her with our school goes back students for years to much further, to when come. She works hard she was a student here. to recognize different “There’s a memory students’ learning styles out there between my and find ways to foster mom and my fifththeir growth, based on grade teacher. I told their strengths. her I was going to take “Everybody learns her job someday,” says differently,” Mrs. Erd Mrs. Erd, with a smile. says.

“I hope my students “That’s where the dream Mrs. Maggie Erd (pictured with her family) has been a teacher began! at St. Peter’s for the past 10 years, but her history with our bring with them the idea “It’s coming home school goes back much further, to when she was a student that learning is fun. It’s again — the halls feel like here. She hopes that the time spent in her classroom will something they have to foster a love of learning in her students for years to come. do their whole lives, so home,” she adds. “Some I hope they remember of my old teachers still an extension of your family,” fifth grade being a fun work here. This is a very special year and a year where they got school and a very special place.” she says.

And in her classroom, Mrs. to learn and share.”

One of Mrs. Erd’s favorite Erd isn’t the only one sharing Thank you, Mrs. Haskins and things about St. Peter’s is that, despite being on the larger side of lessons — she often finds her Mrs. Erd, for your service to our Catholic schools, it still has the students helping her learn and students and school family. We grow, as well. warmth of a small community. look forward to continuing our “It becomes a family — it’s “My students have taught me learning adventures together!

If you would like more information on St. Peter School, please visit www.stpeterschool.com.

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ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

CELEBRATING THE MIRACLE OF

ST. BLAISE FEAST DAY, FEB. 3

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his month, we reflect on the life of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, who is one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers” — a group of Catholic saints whose intercession is believed to be effective against diseases. Every year on Feb. 3, we celebrate the feast day of St. Blaise, during which parishes around the world bless the throats of the faithful. So, as we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, we may look toward St. Blaise’s example and pray for his intercession during these difficult times.

Though we do not know much about the life of St. Blaise, tradition tells us that he was born to wealthy, saintly Catholic parents. Born in Armenia, he devoted his life to medicine and helping the sick. He was a physician, until he was begged by the people to become their bishop. He was appointed by the Church as bishop of the Diocese of Sebaste.

Around the year 313, when the Roman Emperor Licinius was persecuting the Church, Blaise lived as a hermit in the woods among animals that he befriended. One day, a group of hunters found Blaise and seized him. Upon their trip to the governor, they encountered a woman whose pig was being attacked by a wolf.

Blaise commanded the wolf to leave the pig alone and, upon his command, the pig was freed unharmed.

Blaise was then taken to prison, where he miraculously healed a boy who was choking to death on a fishbone.

While Blaise remained in prison, the woman whose pig he had freed brought him two candles to serve as his light so that he could read the Scripture.

It was from the miracle of saving the choking boy that the custom of praying to St. Blaise to cure all ailments of the throat was born. And, so, after still refusing to recant his Christian beliefs, he was suspended from a tree and his flesh was torn with iron combs or rakes.

Blaise was then thrown into a lake to drown. To the surprise of his persecutors, he surfaced and walked upon the water, and he invited his persecutors to join him. They should do this, he said, to show the power of their gods. The pagans took him up on his invitation, and ultimately they were drowned. Blaise was then told by an angel to return to dry land to receive martyrdom. He was beheaded on the shore and immediately went to heaven.

Because of his prison experience and his great reputation as a healer, St. Blaise’s intercession is invoked for the healing of diseases affecting the throat. The candles that the clergy place upon our throats while blessing them symbolize the candles that enlightened St. Blaise’s cell as he studied Sacred Scripture — connecting his spiritual life to the physical healing. Let us remember to invoke the intercession of this great healer upon any ailments that might be affecting us, either physical or spiritual — especially those pertaining to the throat.

The blessing of the throats is done by the priest holding two blessed candles near the throat in the form of a cross. The priest says, “Through the merits and intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver thee from all diseases of the throat, and preserve thee from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

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LIVING LENT IN 2021

uring the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert, Satan was constantly tempting Him. He preyed on Jesus’ humanity, trying desperately to get Him to test God. Of course, we all know that it didn’t work.

As Jesus is 100 percent God at the same time that He is 100 percent man, the devil was unable to take hold of Him. Yet, the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert communicates an all-important truth to us. Jesus, the God-man, experienced everything we have and everything we ever will as human beings. Satan even tried to tempt Him, just as he tempts us every day. But because Jesus is God at the same time that He is human, He had no tendency to give in to Satan’s attempts.

Even so, Christ fought Satan tooth and nail,

putting him in his place — “Get away, Satan! It is written, ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship, and Him alone shall you serve’” (Matthew 4:10).

At that, the devil left Him. We all find ourselves in similar situations.

We live in a world wrought with sin, and, in his ever-so-cunning way, Satan makes the sinful look appealing. We must stand firm in our faith and tell Satan to “get away,” just as Jesus did.

Only then will we truly experience the glory of the salvation that Christ came to give. Lent offers us a particular time to fight Satan, taking courage in the resurrection that we are preparing to celebrate. It is a time that we spend focused on strengthening our relationships with the Lord.

Armed with His power, which we receive in many continued on back cover

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

LIVING LENT IN 2021

continued from page 7

different ways, we can resist the temptations of the devil and accept the salvation Christ offers each one of us.

How can we do this? Get to know the Lord through prayer. Read the Scriptures often. St. Jerome tells us that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. So, we must be steeped in Scripture. Read it daily — chapter by chapter, or verse by verse. It is, after all, the Word of God! Draw close to the Blessed Mother — she is eager to bring us to her Son. Join her at the cross, where she witnessed her most precious Son die for each one of us. Pray the Rosary — individually and as a family. It is a powerful prayer through which, with Mary, we walk through Christ’s life, His Death, and His resurrection. Unite with Christ Himself in His suffering.

Let us focus on the spirit of the season. We are to be preparing ourselves, just as Christ did, for the great event that won for us salvation!

Armed with His power, which we receive in many different ways, we can resist the temptations of the devil and accept the salvation Christ offers each one of us.

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