JUNE | 2022
CONTENT PAGE 2
Keeping Our Stewardship Commitments in the Summertime
PAGE 3
Embrace the Holy Spirit
PAGE 4 Jubilation Children’s Choir:
Drawing Our Young Parishioners to Christ PAGE 6
The Church, a Universal Family The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
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Horizons Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry Serving Christ by Helping Those in Need
CELEBRATING THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF FATHERHOOD
Parishioners Chris Robnett and Rod Becks Reflect on Journeys of Faith and Parenthood
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he family is the first place children learn the faith. That is why the United States Conference on Catholic Bishops lays out several ways to build a “domestic church” within our own families — for example, always attending Sunday Mass, praying a Rosary as a family, and inviting priests, deacons and sisters into your home. Fathers have an essential role in building the domestic church. Children need to see their father leading the way in practicing the faith. Each father and mother made a promise to pass on the faith at their wedding and a child’s Baptism. Chris and Jamie Robnett do their best to pass on the faith to their children, Audrey, Curtis, and Mia. “It’s really important, especially in today’s environment,” Chris says. “There are so many negative outside influences. Our Catholic faith ties us back and brings us joy.” Chris’s mother and maternal grandparents paved the way in the faith for him. The Robnett family moved to Quincy, Jamie’s hometown, about 11 years ago. They have both gotten involved in various ways
Rod Becks with his wife, Cathy, and their grandchildren Marah and Conner Becks and Devin, Aubrielle, Bryson and Caylee Bradfield
Chris Robnett with his wife, Jamie, and children, Audrey, Curtis and Mia
at St. Peter’s. Chris is on the Stewardship Council and helps lead the Cub Scouts. He’s also an usher and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Jamie and Chris also participated in the Marriage Course this spring. Jamie is involved with the Girl continued on page 5
ST. PETER
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Stewardship KEEPING OUR STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENTS IN THE SUMMERTIME
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he kids are out of school and our fast-paced lives centered on school and youth sports activities have slowed down. Our own internal clocks are now on summer time. We’re ready for a break from our hectic lives. And while we take vacations and enjoy the leisurely pace of the season, we need to remember that summer is not the time to take a vacation from God. In fact, summer can serve as the perfect opportunity to grow in our relationship with God, especially since most of us have considerably more free time. So, instead of neglecting our faith due to busy days and late nights, try these simple steps to embrace God during the quieter summer months and during your vacation. Get More Active in a Parish Ministry The summer is actually a perfect time to get more involved in a parish ministry. Because we no longer have to get the kids to and from school, or get them to sporting events or other activities that normally occur during the school year, our schedules are a bit less cluttered. Summer is indeed a perfect time to fill some downtime with service to God through ministry and giving of your talents. Take a look through the parish ministries to find something that suits your particular interest or talent. Vacation Bible School, for Kids and Adults Vacation Bible School is a great way for younger children to learn about God through songs, activities and fellowship. The fun-filled lessons build upon Gospel teachings while keeping kids’ attention. For older children, it is a great opportunity to offer service by being a team leader or assistant. Adults can also help plan, decorate, organize and teach during the week. It’s a wonderful activity for the entire family!
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Give Thanks for the Sun Praise God for the sun, time off from school and easygoing days by visiting the adoration chapel to say a quick prayer. Bring a journal or rosary along to help stay focused. Little children can even bring a religious coloring book to give thanks to God on their terms. Or, before heading to the pool, why not attend daily Mass with the kids? It’s a perfect way to start the day and set the tone that — vacation or not — God is still an important part of your family life. Don’t Take a Vacation from Mass Often while on a vacation away from our parish family, we are not familiar with where to attend Mass. Don’t let that be an obstacle for you. Check out masstimes.org in order to find out where and when to go to Mass. In addition, if you are lodging at a hotel, the concierge will assist you with directions to the nearest Catholic Church. Summertime Stewardship of Treasure The prime reason for keeping up our pledge all summer is that God doesn’t go on vacation. He continues to sustain us throughout the summer months. He persists in pouring out blessings on us, even during the hottest weather. He keeps on meeting us in His sacramental presence when we go to Mass wherever we travel. As God remains faithful to us during the summer, we are called to be faithful in our commitments to Him and our parish family, even during our vacation time. So, enjoy the warmer temperatures and the relaxed atmosphere. Just don’t forget Who provides the sun and the sand! And most importantly, remember to take God with you wherever you go on vacation!
A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
EMBRACE THE HOLY SPIRIT Dear Parishioners,
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ou’ve all heard homilies about Pentecost, which comes on June 5 this year. Pentecost was the day when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles while they were gathered for prayer in Jerusalem. Coming 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, the descent of the Holy Spirit turned the apostles from a collection of fearful followers looking for some direction into a band of courageous witnesses ready to declare their faith in Christ to the whole world. You’ve heard that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church because that was the day when newly filled with the Holy Spirit, St. Peter preached the first Christian sermon, inviting his hearers to turn to Jesus as their Savior and their Lord. Those who accepted the invitation were baptized and “were added” to the Church (Acts 2:41). That day marked the beginning of the Church’s public mission, which continues to the present. But the Holy Spirit’s actions in the Church were not limited to the apostles in an ancient time. He remains active down to the present, guiding the pope and the bishops as they go about their work of sanctifying, teaching and ruling in the Church. The Holy Spirit acts in the sacraments to make them effective signs of grace. We see the Holy Spirit’s work in the witness of the saints through whom He continues the work of salvation. The Spirit, moreover, acts not only in the Church as a corporate body, but also in the lives of individual Christians. We become temples of the Holy Spirit at our Baptism. Then at Confirmation, which is our own personal Pentecost, we receive the seal of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit unites us more closely to Christ, increases the spiritual gifts we have been given, and strengthens us to spread and defend the faith. Ultimately, Pentecost is more than simply a feast celebrating something that happened a long time ago. Of course, the coming of the Spirit we read about in Acts 2 took place just once. But the Holy
Spirit remains active today, guiding the Church as a whole, but also working in the life of each individual Christian to make us holy. Maybe you don’t feel as if the Holy Spirit is working in your life. Well, God the Father gave us free will, so we can choose whether or not we’ll obey Him. And God the Holy Spirit, being united in the one Godhead with the Father and the Son, honors that freedom. He’ll never force us to turn away from sin or compel us to obey God’s commandments. The Spirit offers us grace. He will beckon us toward heaven, and occasionally we may feel Him nudging us along, but we always have the freedom to choose God or to reject Him. Perhaps you’ve made a commitment to worship at Mass at least weekly and spend some time each day in prayer. Maybe you have promised to use some of your talents in parish ministries and service to the community. You may even have turned in a card at our last renewal to indicate your pledge of a portion of your treasure to be used in God’s service. I hope you’ve done all of these. If so, both the Holy Spirit’s grace and your response were involved in your decision. And the Holy Spirit will give you the strength to fulfill your commitments. This Pentecost, make the Gradual verse we’ll sing just before the Gospel your personal prayer: Alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia. If you do, you’ll find the Holy Spirit working even more strongly in your life. You’ll be happier, and the world, at least your little corner of it, will be a better place. In Christ, Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Enlow 3
ST. PETER
CATHOLIC CHURCH
JUBILATION CHI
Monica Scholz The Jubilation Children’s Choir
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usic has been an important part of spiritual worship since the Old Testament. The Bible describes the Lord using music to express His love, as we read in Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior, Who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, Who will sing joyfully because of you.” Here at St. Peter, the Jubilation Children’s Choir is a continuation of this heritage, giving students in fifth through eighth grades the opportunity to offer their voice talents in love and praise to the Lord. Currently celebrating its 20th year, the choir was started by Monica Scholz, Choir Director and Parish Director of Music. “We had a really outstanding group of junior high-age singers at the time,” Monica says. “I wanted to create something special for them.”
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Steve Looten Jr., one of the original members of the Jubilation Choir, fondly recalls his experience. “Jubilation was a great opportunity to practice the musical skills I learned as a youth within the church’s liturgy,” Steve says. “The choir got to engage with each service more, giving us a better understanding about the message and purpose of each Mass.” The word “jubilation” is defined by MerriamWebster as both “an expression of great joy” and “an act of rejoicing.” The Jubilation Children’s Choir is thus aptly named. “Every time we sing together, it’s an occasion,” Monica says. Jubilation rehearses on Mondays during the school year from 3 to 3:45 p.m. in the parish music room. The choir sings once a month at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass.
“It is vitally important for the future of not only the Music Ministry, but also the parish, that we involve our children early in faith formation. Music is a great way for them to practice stewardship of time and talent.” — MONICA SCHOLZ, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
LDREN’S CHOIR:
Drawing Our Young Parishioners to Christ
“Our congregation really enjoys hearing the students sing at Mass,” Monica says. “There is something multidimensional about all generations praying and singing together that creates a family dynamic that benefits us all. When the students sing at Mass, our attendance is way up! Families come to Mass together and invite their grandparents and other relatives to come along. What a great evangelization tool — music!” In addition to evangelization and helping students to become more engaged in and aware of the dynamic of the liturgy, the choir is important to the life of the parish in other ways.
“It is vitally important for the future of not only the Music Ministry but also the parish, that we involve our children early in faith formation,” Monica says. “Music is a great way for them to practice stewardship of time and talent. “Hopefully they will carry that stewardship into their childhood and adult years — an age group in which we often notice a drop-off in Mass attendance,” she adds. “Involvement in an activity that is rewarding and that they love will hopefully encourage them to practice their faith and continue those faith practices into adulthood.”
The Jubilation Children’s Choir is open to students from St. Peter School and Parish. If you would like more information, please contact Monica Scholz at m.scholz@cospq.org.
CELEBRATING THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF FATHERHOOD
continued from front cover
Scouts and works part-time at St. Peter School. Chris considers this an important ministry for their family because Jamie is with the school children each day — serving as an example. Rod Becks is further along in the fatherhood journey. He and his wife, Cathy, have three children, Eric, Heather, and Dustin, and six grandchildren. Rod’s parents were great role models in the faith. “I try to be a positive role model by going to Mass and living a good life,” Rod says. “I have always told my kids and grandkids the Golden Rule.” Rod feels blessed to have his whole family here in Quincy. Rod and Cathy are longtime members of St. Peter’s. They help out with the Coffee and Donuts Ministry, and Cathy also volunteers in the school library. In addition, several of Rod and Cathy’s grandkids are involved at St. Peter’s, and that makes both of them so proud. Society’s view of fatherhood is so different from what the Catholic Church teaches. Chris wants to
set the record straight that the father is there to set an example of the faith for the family, and Jamie is there as the anchor keeping everything together. “The role of a father is to be a partner with his wife to make sure, not just the two of you, but the whole family gets to heaven,” Chris says. “Fathers need to be a leader and set the path for your family, to keep other stuff out of the way and keep them focused.” Chris says that we all need to practice gratefulness and be aware that everything we have is a gift. He especially values his family. Rod feels the same. “I am so blessed,” Rod says. “We have three good kids with wonderful spouses and grandkids. I’m blessed most by my wife, Cathy.” In their free time, the Robnett family enjoys traveling, fishing, biking, riding bicycles, and being outside. Rod and Cathy love to watch their grandkids at their various activities. Rod also keeps busy in the summer playing golf and doing yard work.
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ST. PETER
CATHOLIC CHURCH
THE CHURCH, A UNIVERSAL FAMILY The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
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n June 29, Catholics celebrate the feast of two of our Lord’s principal Apostles, foundational human cornerstones of the Church of Rome. The first missal reading of this feast day tells us of the miraculous deliverance of Peter from prison. This illustrates the concrete fact that despite persecutions, Christ and His chosen followers will be triumphant in this world, and in the world to come. The second is of Paul summarizing his own “pouring out” of his life as a libation. The way in which he poured it out is overwhelmingly significant — he gave his life as a missionary to gather all nations into God’s unified Kingdom. The Holy Gospel recounts Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah. After this confession, the “keys to the Kingdom” were conferred onto him. These “keys” became the fundamental building block supporting the ordained priesthood and episcopal government of the Church. In his homily on June 29, 2005, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI shared: “The Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is at the same time a grateful memorial of the great witnesses of Jesus Christ and a solemn confession for the Church — one, holy, catholic and apostolic. It is first and foremost a feast of catholicity.” The celebration of our catholicity is a celebration of our unity in Christ. This unity endures unto the end, as our strength and fortress in the face of evil and the trials of earthly life. Sts. Peter and Paul remind us that our faith is founded on something much higher than ourselves, on an entity that raises horizons beyond our human frailties and imaginings. Our holy faith is founded upon the rock, Jesus Christ. Pope Emeritus Benedict described further:
“When Peter and Paul came to Rome, the Lord on the Cross who had uttered the first line of that Psalm was risen; God’s victory now had to be proclaimed to all the nations...” Let us embrace all of the graces which these beloved saints have won for us. Let us imitate their example, and so follow Christ with unwavering resolution. As did the Blessed Virgin, let us persevere in serving the one holy, catholic, and apostolic church in all that we say and do.
Sts. Peter and Paul remind us that our faith is founded on something much higher than ourselves, on an entity which raises horizons beyond our human frailties and imaginings. Our holy faith is founded upon the rock, Jesus Christ. 6
HORIZONS SOUP KITCHEN AND FOOD PANTRY Serving Christ by Helping Those in Need
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eeding the hungry is something that we are called to do. In the Gospels, Jesus not only tells us that we should feed the hungry, but He shows us this through His actions. As we read in Matthew 14:16-19, “Jesus said to them, ‘There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.’ But they said to him, ‘Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.’ Then he said, ‘Bring them here to me,’ and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.” It is our duty to feed the hungry and to take care of our neighbors, and that is why the work of the Horizons Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry is so important. Horizons’ mission is to feed the poor and hungry in the community, not just physically. They also strive to feed the hungry by nourishing their minds and souls — this is done by evangelizing and sharing the Good News of the Gospel with those who walk through their doors. Kris Rueter, the parish contact for the food pantry, knows this well from the time he spent volunteering at the soup kitchen. “It was much smaller when it first started,” Kris says. “It was fun to interact with the people and the other churches in town. The primary focus was to preach the Gospel to the people that were coming in. My first time volunteering, I was told to go sit down and talk to people. It was the first time I encountered a real opportunity to evangelize like that.” Horizons partners with many different local churches to help serve those in need. Each church takes certain days a month and they provide the volunteers that are needed to serve lunch. St. Peter currently has the first, third, and fifth Mondays of the month. Maureen Schuering, a volunteer at the soup kitchen from St. Peter, says she simply takes one Monday a month to offer some of her time. continued on back cover
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2600 Maine Street Quincy, Illinois 62301 www.cospq.org
HORIZONS SOUP KITCHEN AND FOOD PANTRY
continued from page 7
“We all know how important a soup kitchen is to a community,” Maureen says. “In this ministry, it is easy to be the hands and feet of Christ. Preparing and serving the food is a small part of this undertaking. If you have a couple hours to spare, you can be with fellow parishioners who are not professional cooks or servers and make a difference in someone’s day. How better to praise God than with your simple act of kindness.”
“The primary focus was to preach the Gospel to the people that were coming in. My first time volunteering, I was told to go sit down and talk to people. It was the first time I encountered a real opportunity to evangelize like that.” — KRIS RUETER
If you are interested in joining fellow parishioners to serve at Horizons Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry please contact Kris Rueter at krueter@designmechanical.com for more information.
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
