St. Mary’s Catholic Church
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time September 23, 2012
Dear parishioners,
The readings today are serious!! From the Book of Wisdom comes the teaching that there are people who are so intent upon getting what they want that they walk on others—going so far as to even plot evil and death for those who stand in their way. This is a prefiguring of Jesus who will be killed because of the jealousy of the religious leaders of his day. This is also a warning to us to keep our hearts pure—to seek to serve God and not ourselves.
James begins with the same theme, but he goes on to encourage the virtues we should practice: purity, peacemaking, gentleness, compliance, mercy, constancy, and sincerity. In one of his tapes Jeff Cavins says how willing we are to state our values. He challenges that it is much more difficult to practice virtues. Talk is cheap. Walking the talk is much more difficult and authentic.
Today’s gospel follows the story of Jesus driving out an evil spirit from the mute child and the Transfiguration. Now Jesus is intent upon teaching the apostles about his impending death. The apostles, however, are not paying attention. They are talking about who’s going to have the top spots in Jesus’ kingdom. They’ve seen what Jesus can do, and they want to be part of that—for their own gain and glory. When Jesus asks what they are talking about, the apostles are too embarrassed to tell him. And they can’t comprehend his foretelling his death. They are simply not at a teachable moment.
Am I at a space where the Holy Spirit can show me the places in my life where I am less than pure of heart? Where I am looking out for myself instead of for God or others?
Sister Carol
Congratulations to Nathan and Lauren Beasley on the baptism of their children Madison and Hunter. We are so happy to have you as members of our parish.
Weekend Masses
Sat Sept 22 4:00 p.m. For the parish
Sun Sept23 10:00 a.m. Jack Watters
Sat Sept 29 4:00 p.m. Gerry Fields
Sun Sept 30 10:00 a.m. Cyril Sterrett &
Leonard & Sally Rieman
Communion Services
Tue Sept 25 10:30 a.m. Richland
Fri Sept 28 8:00 a.m. St. Mary’s
SUNDAY COLLECTION
Adults $2,439.00 Loose $640.00
Children $ 19.75 Total $3,098.75
79envelopes returned =40%
Thank You for your generosity!
Assignments for September2930,2012
Money Counters: Deb Buck, Angie Wenger
4:00 p.m.
Greeter: Linda Kinn
Cantor: Matt Meyer
Ushers: ChuckZach Niese
Lector: Jenny Roby
E.M.: Sr. Carol, Linda Kinn, Brianna Falk
Servers: Joel Siefker, Grace Myers
10:00 a.m.
Greeter-East door: Pat Lugibihl
Greeter-West door: Lisa Welch
Cantor: Cara Fleming
Ushers: Kim & Jake Garmatter
Lector 1: Lisa Welch
Lector 2: Pat Lugibihl
E.M.: Wes Lovett, Cathy Hermiller, Jerry Wehri,
Pat Lugibihl, Sr. Carol
Servers: Josh Garmatter, Jason Vogel, Cody Bryer
Welcome to our new parishioners: Greg Gerschutz,
Austin and Bethany Barnhart, Robert and Dianne Kettels, Angie Howell, Nicole Heidelberg, Ed and Beth Goshe, Kevin, Emily and Josie Shappell. We are so happy to have you be a part of our faith community!
Thank you to Louise Rieman for continuing to water and weed our flowerbeds each week! Thank you to all the Confirmandi and their mentors for the great attendance and participation at class!! Thank you to those who went to Tiffin to finish our service project!
Please pray for our Pastoral Council next Sunday, September 30, as they spend the day in retreat at Maria Stein.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Toledo is happy to announce that Fonda Luersman has joined our team to spearhead the Project Rachel post-abortion healing program and to develop training for sidewalk counseling at abortion clinics in the Diocese of Toledo. Fonda worked with Project Rachel for the past 17 years in the Diocese of Dallas, Texas.
Please consider signing up for40 Days for Life by going to clicking on the Vigil Schedule or by calling Michele at 419-532-2084. The Fall Campaign is September 26 through November 4. Prayer partners are needed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each of those 40 Days. We cannot rid Lima of this abortion clinic without asking God's assistance and bringing attention to the problem through physical witness. Please consider an hour a week as your commitment and bring a friend.
Our celebration of the Year of Faith (October 11, 2012 through November 24, 2013, will begin with two series of presentations. The 10-week series of half hour DVD presentations on “Catholicism” will begin October 11, at 7 p.m. This series is a look at the Catholic faith around the world and attempts to broaden and deepen our faith. The second series is a five-week series of one-hour presentations called “The Faithful Revolution” which is a history of the Second Vatican Council. For this second series Judy Lester and Sophie Marcum and the Confirmandi will offer child care to make it possible for many to attend. Please consider seriously taking advantage of these opportunities.
The Serra Club of Lima Area exists to promote and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. On Sept. 27th, Mr. Paul Nutter will be speaking on “As Serrans We Strive to be Christ’s Faithful People.” The evening begins at 5:45 with Mass and is followed by dinner and the presentation. It is held at Lima Central Catholic High School in Lima. For more information or to make a reservation please call Florian Smith at 419-999-4694 by September 24th.
The Diocese of Toledo, Office of Global Mission sent a thank you for additional donations of $140.00 to the Societyfor the Propagation of the Faith
The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey, Ohio invites you to come for the annual Family Day on Sunday, September 30th. Mass is at noon in the Shrine Park, followed with a free picnic lunch and Rosary procession. All are welcome! For more information visit
Joyce A. Harvey, contributing author of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, will be the keynote speaker at an October bereavement conference hosted by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Toledo. “Changing Colors of Grief” will be Saturday, Oct. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. The conference will include other guest speakers in breakout sessions addressing topics such as anticipatory grief, men/women’s grief, sudden loss, funeral planning ‘rights’ and how parish staff and volunteers can continue to minister to those grieving after a funeral. Pre-paid registration for the conference is $20. For a registration form, please visit or contact Catholic Charities’ Social Ministry Coordinator Germaine Kirk at 419-244-6711, ext. 225, or .
MHCO’S Annual Fall Festival will be held Saturday, September 29 from 10:00 – 4:00 p.m. There will be a Silent Auction, Bake Sale and Luncheon, Kiddie Train Ride, and an Alp Horn Blower. At Maple Crest they will have Apple Crisp & Cinnamon Ice Cream, Antique Tractor Show & Kiddie Tractor Pull and a Fishing Derby. The Service Group of MHCO will be holding their Fall Festival Bake Sale on Friday, September 28 and Saturday, September 29th. If you would like to donate a home baked treat to this fund-raiser, please have your baked good to the Mennonite Memorial Home by 9 a.m. on Friday, September 28th. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex if you care to donate a baked item.
P.R.E.P
The PREP Program is looking for used CD players. If you have one you would like to donate, please call Becky Meyer at the church or at her home at 419-326-1340.
Pre-school: Next class is Oct. 7 during the 10 o’clock Mass.
K – 6: Next class is Wednesday September 26, 6:30 – 7:30.
Confirmation class & SNLY: Next class is Sunday, October 7th following Mass from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.