St. Peter Catholic Church Newsletter — September 2021

SEP | 2021

CONTENT PAGE 3 September: An Ongoing Opportunity to

Change the World

PAGE 4 Meet Our Third-Grade Teachers,

Cindy Brown and Pam Hagerbaumer Blessed to Be at St. Peter School

PAGE 6 Celebrating the Feast of the Archangels PAGE 7 St. Peter’s School Advisory Board

Ladies of Charity:

“Catholic Education is for Everyone”

GIVING IN SERVICE OF GOD’S POOR

F

or the past 90 years, the Ladies of Charity (LC) of Quincy has touched the hearts and souls of the poorest among us in beautiful ways, showing them the boundless mercy of God. “Working with the Ladies of Charity is fulfilling because it allows you to serve others,” says L ynn Semerad, an LC volunteer. “When you see the needs of the poor and the hope they express when they receive a helping hand, you know the purpose of the Ladies of Charity is being fulfilled.”

The Ladies of Charity is a Vincentian ministry that was founded by St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac in France in 1617. Its purpose is to serve Christ in the person of the poor and its motto is “to serve, rather than be served, in humility, simplicity and charity.” There are two LC locations in Quincy that are run with the help of generous volunteers. One is a center located at 510 South 4th Street, and the other is a thrift store at 2325 Elm Street. Volunteer opportunities include working directly with clients; sorting and cleaning clothing for the racks; assembling food boxes; and stocking continued on page 2

ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Ladies of Charity

continued from front cover

racks, pricing items, and cashiering at the thrift store. The LC is a worldwide organization, with over 6,000 members in the United States and 135 active members in Quincy, along with countless others who support the ministry with prayer and donations.

The Ladies of Charity is an entirely separate ministry from Catholic Charities, which is a social service organization with paid administrators, operating under the guidance of our diocese. On the contrary, all of the efforts of the Ladies of Charity, including the thrift store and center, are completely staffed and organized by volunteers.

At the Ladies of Charity Thrift Store, donated clothing and household items are sorted, priced, displayed, and sold to the public at reasonable prices. All proceeds generated at the store help purchase new items for the Ladies of Charity Center, such as fresh food, underwear, bedding, diapers, and hygiene items. At the center, donated items include clothing, household items, and food, which are distributed at no charge. The thrift store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center — including the food pantry — is currently open on Monday and Friday mornings. Additional afternoon hours will be added if more volunteers are able to help in the future. Donated items may be brought to either location during open hours.

“Both locations welcome your prayers and donations, but most of all we need your time,” says Judy Nelson, who serves as our parish liaison for the Ladies of Charity.

“Our organization serves the poorest of the poor in our area. It provides excellent opportunities to live the Gospel message by serving our brothers and sisters in need.”

The food collection taken up by our Social Concerns group on the first Sunday of every month is donated to the Ladies of Charity Food Pantry.

“Volunteers with non-judgmental hearts are needed at this time,” Judy says. “Men are most welcome to come and help, as well.”

If you would like information about this amazing ministry of compassion, speak with the volunteers or visit ladiesofcharityquincy.org. To volunteer or make a donation, please contact Judy Nelson at 217-224-0702 or email her at geojud104@comcast.net.

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A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR

AN ONGOING OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THE WORLD Dear Parishioners,

I

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 parish. 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.

In Christ,

Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Enlow 3

ST. PETER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

MEET OUR THIRD-GRADE TEACHERS, CIND

O

ne of the mottos at St. Peter School is “Do your best and God will do the rest!” Third-grade teachers Mrs. Cindy Brown and Mrs. Pam Hagerbaumer certainly believe this to be true. They also believe God has led them to their current positions at St. Peter School. They feel right at home as co-teachers — and they happen to be cousins, as well!

For Mrs. Brown, coming back to St. Peter School was like coming home, since she attended the school as a child and taught there for five years after college.

She then taught for 15 years in the public school system and returned to St. Peter School seven years ago.

“Something drew me back when I saw an opening,” Mrs. Brown says. “I felt I was supposed to come back, and I missed the atmosphere.”

Mrs. Hagerbaumer found a love for St. Peter School right out of college. She attended the former St. Mary’s School and Notre Dame High School. She interviewed at St. Peter School, loved it, and took the job 23 years ago. During her first four years, she taught sixth grade and has taught third grade in the years since.

“I love teaching and sharing the faith with the students,” Mrs. Hagerbaumer says. “Hopefully they leave this school with a stronger faith, and they know they have God to turn to.”

Both Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Hagerbaumer look forward to this upcoming school year. And while they certainly encountered plenty of challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic last school year, it also led them to appreciate the simple things every day, like seeing a smile.

For Mrs. Brown, the year was especially challenging since she was also going through cancer treatment at the time. She taught virtually while her students were together in the room. She was able to return after Christmas break, an opportunity for which she was very thankful.

Both teachers love the atmosphere at St. Peter School, along with the students, families, and fellow teachers and staff members.

“It’s so easy — if you have a problem, you just ask,” Mrs. Hagerbaumer says. “There’s always someone to

4

Y BROWN

AND PAM HAGERBAUMER Blessed to Be at St. Peter School

Mrs. Cindy Brown with her family

Mrs. Pam Hagerbaumer with her family

talk to about it. This whole school is a family. It’s nice I get to work with my cousin, too.”

“Working with Pam just makes the job for me,” Mrs. Brown says. “We are constantly asking how we can improve our teaching and curriculum.”

Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Hagerbaumer also feel blessed to teach in preparation for the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation.

“Third-grade students are eager and curious, whether it’s faith or math and science,” Mrs. Brown says. “They are constantly soaking up knowledge.”

Mrs. Hagerbaumer loves being a part of the lives of her students and appreciates their eagerness for learning and the questions they ask. She also loves that third grade is a transitional year for students, as they learn to be more independent in their studies.

Mrs. Brown agrees and appreciates the love for learning even among teachers. She believes St. Peter School is where she is called to be and feels very blessed to be a part of the family.

Reading out loud to the students is a favorite activity for both teachers. They also love teaching math and all the activities that go with the subject.

Mrs. Hagerbaumer also loves all the excitement of Catholic Schools Week, typically held in January.

For Mrs. Brown, the beginning of the school year is most exciting.

“I love just meeting all the students and getting to know their personalities,” Mrs. Brown says. “There is nothing like the excitement of the beginning of the school year.”

In their free time, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Hagerbaumer both enjoy reading. They also both love to be outside and to spend time with family.

Mrs. Brown speaks for Mrs. Hagerbaumer, too, when she explains one of the most important goals of the third-grade year at St. Peter’s School.

“We are creating lifelong learners,” she says.

“It’s not just about what I teach this year. It’s about how to be curious and where to go for information.”

“It’s so easy — if you have a problem, you just ask. There’s always someone to talk to about it. This whole school is a family.

It’s nice I get to work with my cousin, too.” — PAM HAGERBAUMER 5

CATHOLIC CHURCH

ST. R

APHA

EL

ST. PETER

ST. GABRIEL

Celebrating the Feast of the

ST. MICHAEL

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E

Archangels

very Sept. 29, the Church celebrates the feast day of the Archangels — St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. We are blessed to be inspired by these “servants and messengers of God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 329).

The term “archangels” has its Scriptural basis in the New Testament (1 Thes 4:16, Jude 1:9), indicating a chief or leading angel. “Archangel” generally refers to St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael, as they are the three angels most frequently mentioned throughout Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The fact that these three angels are mentioned by name on multiple occasions indicates the significance of their roles in the history of salvation. It is because of these important roles that we take pause to celebrate on Sept. 29.

St. Michael is mentioned by name on several occasions in Sacred Scripture (Dn 10:13, Rev 12:7), and his role in the Tradition of the Church has been extensively documented. He has been widely referred to as the “great prince,” and is most often associated with the apocalypse — the final battle against Satan. Christian Tradition gives St. Michael four different roles, but he has primarily been regarded as the patron and protector of the Church.

St. Gabriel is mentioned by name in Scripture (Lk 1:19), and Tradition has also assigned him implicit roles within Scripture where he is not specifically mentioned. Most important, however, is St. Gabriel’s role as the messenger of God, delivering to Mary the announcement of the birth of Our Savior (Lk 1:26).

St. Raphael is mentioned by name only in the Book of Tobit, where he is responsible for healing Tobias. Raphael means “God has healed” and thus, he has also often been associated with the “angel of the Lord” (Jn 5:4).

The feast day on Sept. 29 gives each of us the opportunity to consider our own role in the Church, as we gratefully commemorate the Archangels responsible for carrying out their roles of defender, messenger, and healer.

ST. PETER’S SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD “Catholic Education is for Everyone”

A

ndrew Mays grew up attending St. Peter’s Catholic School and then Quincy Notre Dame. So, when he and his wife moved back to the area, they knew that they would send their children to St. Peter’s “The school is our parish’s largest mission and the largest activity the church is involved in,” says Andrew, Chair of St. Peter’s School Advisory Board. “Fr. Leo Enlow often says that this is not a private school, but a Catholic school. It is important to have a solid educational foundation, but it is the Catholic part that is the primary.”

St. Peter’s School Advisory Board exists to offer guidance and advice to Fr. Leo and the school administration.

“We help them make decisions from giving input from a parent’s perspective to offering advice to the extent that it is needed on policies, marketing, administration, or personnel issues,” Andrew says. “We’re there as a resource for Fr. Leo and the school to use in whatever way they

need and whatever way we can.”

Recently the School Advisory Board had an indepth conversation with school leadership about junior high elective classes and engaging both students and educators from the community.

This is one example of how the board supports the school and the parish.

“The electives include options like an art curriculum and various languages taught by people in the community,” Andrew says. “We’re talking about how to attract students to electives and how to make this a good experience for the teacher including an onboarding process for consistency across classrooms.”

Having attended Catholic school from kindergarten through Law School, Andrew knows firsthand the impact of a Catholic education.

“The Catholic school experience, in addition to offering a strong academic foundation, produces good people for future adult Catholic life,” Andrew says. “We’re in a community where the Catholic faith is not just talked about, but continued on back cover

“The Catholic school experience, in addition to offering a strong academic foundation, produces good people for future adult Catholic life. We’re in a community where the Catholic faith is not just talked about, but lived in day-today actions. This sets students up to be part of a Catholic community for the rest of their lives.” — ANDREW MAYS

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

ST. PETER’S SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD

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lived in day-to-day actions. This sets students up to be part of a Catholic community for the rest of their lives.”

In the past several years, Andrew and his family have felt particularly called to promote inclusive Catholic education. Their son, Logan, has Down syndrome and is going into the third grade at St. Peter School.

“The school has done a great job with Logan and with kids in general in providing an inclusive and solid education to a variety of kids as they possibly can,” Andrew says. “Catholic education

is for everyone, and every kid needs to have that experience regardless of their situation.”

To become involved in St. Peter’s School Advisory Board, simply note your interest when completing the commitment cards during the Annual Stewardship Renewal, or speak with Andrew.

“The Advisory Board provides as much guidance and expertise to the school as we can,” Andrew says. “As we work together to better the school, the Catholic identity of everyone who attends will be strengthened.”

If you would like more information about St. Peter’s School Advisory Board, please contact Andrew Mays at amays@quincyestates.com.

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