Living the Mission
Meet Parishioner/Cantor
Lisa Prieto
Embracing the Gift of Singing and Building a Sacred Space
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arishioner Lisa Prieto is a a parishioner at St. Timothy — talented and joyful singer when they got married, she joined — it’s a gift she shares with the our parish community. In 2019, St. Timothy Parish community coincidentally at the Easter Vigil, through serving as a cantor at Lisa sat a few rows away from Mass. She credits the beginning the ambo where our Director of of her love for singing to the Music, Chase White, was singing. small community in which she She recalls him coming up to her grew up in rural Indiana, as well after Mass because he could hear as the opportunity to audition her voice and asking if she would for the elementary school choir. be interested in singing at Masses. Raised in the Episcopalian faith, “This was before the she participated in a worship and pandemic began, so my first Lisa Prieto sings at praise band and served as a cantor experiences singing for St. her sister’s wedding. for her church in high school. Timothy was during the “I remember one particular cantor at my livestreamed Masses before we began opening church, a very talented woman, who sang the up again,” Lisa says. “It was even more nerveEpistle at the beginning of our Easter Vigil wracking because you do not know who is liturgy one year,” Lisa says. “Her voice was so watching on the other side. However, it was beautiful. I knew seeing her sing that night that also a blessing in disguise because my family, I wanted to do the same thing.” who all live out of state, were able to watch Lisa moved to Florida a little over 10 years and it was a way for us to connect in such a ago and, shortly after her arrival, went through time of isolation.” the RCIA process at St. Mark the Evangelist In addition to singing, Lisa finds that in North Tampa. Her husband, Fernando, was spending time in nature is another way to continued on back cover
February/March 2022
In this Issue Can We Model 2 How the Faith for Our Children? 14 Feast 3 February Day of Sts. Cyril and Methodius (and St. Valentine’s Day)
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n Inside Look at A The University of South Florida Catholic Student Union Partnership
Men’s Club: 6 The Growing Together in Faith, Fellowship and Service to the Community
17512 Lakeshore Rd. Lutz, FL 33558 www.sainttims.org
How Can We Model the Faith
T
for Our Children?
he Church has made it clear that parents are primarily responsible for the spiritual and cognitive development of their children in matters of the faith. As the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Lumen Gentium, states, “Husbands and wives find their proper vocation in being witnesses of the faith and love of Christ to one another and to their children” (Chapter 4, Section 35). The Catechism of the Catholic Church further emphasizes this vocation, by pointing out that the moral education and spiritual formation of children is not only the right, but the responsibility, of their parents: “The right and the duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable... Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children” (CCC 2221, 2223). But how can we as parents create an environment in the home conducive to spiritual and moral development? As busy adults, how are we to disseminate the knowledge and understanding of the tenets of the faith to our children in the way that a trained and experienced catechist can? Furthermore, how do we strike a balance between teaching our children in the home and not interfering with the faith formation and sacramental preparation they are currently receiving through their parish school or religious education program? The answer to all of these questions is stewardship. Indeed, it is important that we reinforce the lessons that our children
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learn in school and at religious education classes by talking to them about the faith, reading Sacred Scripture with them, and spending time in family prayer. And there are several authoritative resources online that can help parents in this task, including Catholic Parents Online at www.catholicparents.org. This site links parents to numerous other websites and documents that can help them talk to their children about the faith. But the best way that we can teach our children is by serving as a living example to them of how to live as disciples of Christ. If we want our children to grow up as strong Catholics and to display a lifelong commitment to their faith, then it is important that we ourselves live a committed faith life. This includes an ongoing commitment to our own faith formation as adults and active participation in the sacraments.
It also includes the giving back of our time, talent, and treasure in service of our community in thanksgiving for the gifts that God has given us. Parenting can be a tough vocation, and children deal with many influences in their lives that exist in stark contrast to the values that their parents often hope to instill within them. Fortunately for parents, the stewardship way of life provides a simple and effective model for teaching our children in matters of the faith. By living as stewards of God’s gifts and reaping the spiritual rewards that accompany this lifestyle, we are tangibly showing our children that sharing of our gifts and talents leads to a life of happiness and spiritual fulfillment. In doing this, we give them a good opportunity to follow in our footsteps and make their faith a top priority for the rest of their lives.
A Letter From Our Pastor
February 14
Feast Day of Sts. Cyril and Methodius (and St. Valentine’s Day) Dear Friends in Christ,
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eb. 14 is the feast day of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, ninth-century missionaries. They were two brothers from a well-to-do senatorial family in Thessalonica, who became Christian missionaries to the region of present-day Czech Republic. Because of their tireless apostolic labors in that part of the world, they are now known as the Apostles to the Slavic peoples, serving as a spiritual bridge between the Eastern and Western liturgical traditions. However, most people are more familiar with another saint who shares this 14th day of February — and that is St. Valentine. He was a fourth-century bishop and Roman martyr, who was known for his heroic pastoral charity to the suffering, persecuted members of the Church. After his martyrdom, devotion to this saintly bishop grew. Pilgrims to Rome would venerate his relics in the churches of Santa Prassede and Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Other relics of St. Valentine were transported to a Carmelite church in Dublin, Ireland, and this too became a place of pilgrimage for many. The romanticism associated with St. Valentine’s Day most likely came about in 14th-century England through
the writings of the great medieval poet and author Geoffrey Chaucer, who famously penned The Canterbury Tales. He is credited with weaving legends surrounding St. Valentine and heroic chivalry. May our tokens of affection that we express to our loved ones on St. Valentine’s Day be ultimately caught up in our love for God and be a reminder of His everlasting love for us. May we imitate the heroic charity that animated the life of St. Valentine today and every day. Let us pray. O, St. Valentine, lover of Christ and of the Church, we ask your intercession that we may learn how to love God above all things, and to selflessly love one another. O glorious St. Valentine, pray for us, that we too may have the steadfast faith of the martyrs. Amen. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. John Blum Pastor
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An inside look at the
University of South Florid
Looking Ahead and Ser
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A gathering of the Catholic Student Center Bulls group
A Men’s Group gathering for the Catholic Student Center
The Catholic Student Center Women’s Group
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ollege is a time of discernment. For some students, this is the first time they’ve been off on their own. It may also be the first time a parent isn’t around to get them up for Sunday Mass. When Fr. Drew Woodke learned that the University of South Florida Catholic Student Center — also known as the Catholic Student Union (CSU) — needed support, he wanted to do something. He knew that St. Timothy’s is in a position to help beyond our community. Fr. Drew took a request to the Stewardship Council, and they agreed to a formal pledge to the CSU of $5,000 per quarter for three years. This is the first time that St. Timothy’s has made a formal commitment to the CSU. Fr. Drew is so thankful for parishioners’ great support of the parish, which also funds needs like those of the CSU. As a ministry of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, the University of South Florida CSU supports college students and helps them explore Catholicism while “building friendships and growing in their faith. Campus ministry includes retreats, Bible studies, faith formation, and recreational activities based on worship, evangelization, discipleship, service, and student leadership.” A mix of full-time ministers and college missionaries lead the work of the CSU with Fr. Kyle Bell there as a fulltime priest. One of the reasons Fr. Drew is so passionate about the CSU is that one of his classmates in the seminary, Fr. Joshua Bertrand, had his vocation nurtured at the CSU. “It taught me to pray,” Fr. Joshua says. “Without the Catholic Student Center, hearing the voice of the Lord would have been more difficult. It was a blessed time in my life that I can’t say enough about.” To bring men and women closer to Christ at such a crucial time is at the heart of the CSU, and it’s equally important to Fr. Drew. “This organization is benefitting the growth and maturity of young adults,” Fr. Drew says. “Students are discerning continued on page 5
da Catholic Student Union Partnership
rving Those Around Us
religious life and other vocations at the CSU. Stay tuned because there is a deep love of the Lord here.” Several times per year, the CSU leads off-campus retreats, which are very fruitful. The men’s and women’s groups and Catholic Bulls Nights are a big part of their outreach work. The gatherings are meant to be fun, formative, and communitybuilding. The CSU also offers daily and weekend Masses. “Formation — we use that word a lot here,” Fr. Kyle says. “Here, we are forming the whole person. Students are getting academic formation from the university and spiritual formation here at the CSU. We are forming the whole person — forming them to be good Catholics, in relationship with the Lord for the rest of their lives.” There are currently about 100 active students with the CSU. The attendance continues to grow. April Kirk, Director of Development and Communications at the CSU, says the love for the Lord nurtured at the CSU isn’t exclusive to the college years. Many of these students will go back to their home parishes or move to another parish and become leaders to take the church into the next generation. “We want these students to be strong, formed Catholics, on fire and in love with the Lord,” April says. Fr. Kyle and Fr. Drew both want to share their appreciation for the support of St. Timothy’s parishioners. This support is funding work that will last a generation. “In the grand scheme of the church, there is a tendency to turn in on itself and ask what’s best for the parish, and
that is important,” Fr. Drew says, “but there’s an even greater call to look beyond ourselves and serve those around us. This is the mission ground. This is a demographic that is falling away and needs to be invested in.”
Fr. Drew presenting a check to Fr. Kyle as a donation to the Catholic Student Center
You can support the work of the Catholic Student Union at USF at www.catholicusf.org/give-now. If you are an alumni of the Catholic Student Union at USF, please visit www.catholicusf.org/alumni. 5
The Men’s Club:
A
Growing Together in Faith, Fellowship and Service to the Community
t St. Timothy’s Parish, when men become members of the parish, they automatically become a member of the Men’s Club. Being involved in the Men’s Club is one way to be a good steward. “The Men’s Club is a vehicle for joining together with other men of the parish to deliver services to the community and to our own parish,” says Chris Canedy, an active member of the Men’s Club. “To do that individually can be rather difficult. But when you show up and are a part of this group, you are immediately a part of the activities that we do, which are very fulfilling.” Giving of your time and energy to these projects and activities is a gift of yourself to others in that regard. The Men’s Club has a history as long as the parish itself. The group was formed at the very beginning of our parish with the objective of reaching out to others to help in very practical ways. “The Men’s Club has a very impressive ability to raise money,” Chris says. “We are a source of funding
for all sorts of projects for the church and the community. We also have a great propensity to have wonderful cooks and chefs so we have a reputation for fantastic meals. We use these talents for the benefit of our parish and community for many fundraisers such as the Lenten fish frys and monthly breakfasts after Sunday Mass. “These funds go to helping with projects for many different ministries within the parish,” he adds. “We help
with scholarships for Mother Teresa Catholic School as well. Also, helping the homeless population in our area is a very big part of our mission.” Men’s Club leader Doug Funsch encourages all of the men in the parish to get involved in this active group. “I joined the Men’s Club when I was about 35 years old,” he says. “I had two young kids, always running to soccer and dance. I felt like I had no time for anything else in my life, continued on page 7
“I know as a young father, time with work, kids and family take up most of your week, but I highly encourage you to find the time once a month for two hours to come and see what we are all about. It changed my life and I encourage you to give it a try.” — Doug Funsch 6
The Men’s Club
continued from page 6
but I did find the time one month to attend a general meeting and I am so glad I did. There, I met men who have since become very close friends. I never thought anything would come of it but I got to know them and their families personally. “I know as a young father, time with work, kids and family take up most of your week, but I highly encourage you to find the time once a month for two hours to come and see what we are all about,” he adds. “It changed my life and I encourage you to give it a try.” In his 2002 address during World Youth Day, Pope St. John Paul II told the assembled young Catholics, “The joy
promised by the Beatitudes is the very joy of Jesus himself: a joy sought and found in obedience to the Father, and in the gift of self to others.” This quote sums up what the St. Timothy Men's Club is all about. These dedicated stewards actively live out their duties and roles within the church and our community. The Men's Club members have faithful prayer lives and attend Mass, they do their best to live their vocations faithfully and listen to Jesus’ command to love our neighbors. “The Men's Club is an opportunity to carry out Christ’s mission for us to love our neighbors,” Chris says. “We are more powerful with you as a part of our group.”
Meetings are on the first Monday of the month in the parish center. For more information about Men’s Club meetings or activities, please contact Doug Funsch at DPFunsch@verizon.net.
Outreach activities for our Men’s Club include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Liberty Manor Veteran’s Home Food Donations Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Homeless Program MTC Student Financial Assistance Program Youth Group Monthly Dinners Gifted Ministry Dinners Santa Maria Mission Workers Thanksgiving Dinner Santa Maria Mission Financial Assistance St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Dinner for Needy Christmas Family Adoptions Faith Formation Dinner Sponsor Pancake Breakfast Ministry Sponsor Bingo Ministry Sponsor Lenten Fish Fry Ministry Funding for Green Team Campus Projects Green Team Parish Workday Lunches
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Support for Trinity Cafe Vacation Bible School Tee Shirts Co-Sponsor Annual Charity Golf Tournament Sponsor Youth Mission Activities Assist Parishioners with Individual Needs Sponsor Pre-School Parent Dinner and Auction
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Tampa, FL Permit No. 3311
17512 Lakeshore Road Lutz, FL 33558 813-968-1077 www.sainttims.org
Meet Lisa Prieto
continued from front cover
surrender to the Lord. Last year, she gathered pavers, plants, and a St. Francis statue to create a prayer garden in her backyard. Overlooking the lake, the garden is surrounded by trees — thus creating a secluded place to grow in faith, soak up creation and simply sit with the Holy Spirit. “I was challenged by a priest to find somewhere that I could pour myself out to Jesus,” Lisa says. “Well, outside feels like a good place to do that, surrounded by all the nature found in Florida. I encourage people to find a place you can make sacred and take the time to sit in sacred silence with the Lord.” Lisa and Fernando have both served as readers over the years. Now that Lisa serves as a cantor, they can prepare for their respective roles together and make even further connections with the liturgies. Through this preparation and Fr. Connor Penn’s Sunday Setup podcast, they have found a deeper faith life and greater understanding of the connection between the readings each weekend.
“Serving at the Mass as a cantor means I put more time into preparing for the weekend liturgies,” Lisa says. “I also arrive earlier to Mass. Between these two small things, I am able to better prepare myself to enter into the celebration of the Mass. I realize I get more out of the Mass and carry the readings and thoughts from the homily into my week because I am more engaged and attentive.”
“I remember one particular cantor at my church, a very talented woman, who sang the Epistle at the beginning of our Easter Vigil liturgy one year. Her voice was so beautiful. I knew seeing her sing that night that I wanted to do the same thing.” — Lisa Prieto
Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m. • Sunday: 7:30, 9, 11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. • Daily: Mon-Sat 9 a.m., Wed 6. p.m. • Holy Days: 9 a.m. & 7 p.m. Vigil: 7 p.m.
