Pizza Party March 4, 2023

The San Antonio pizza party, sponsored by the Men’s and Ladies Sodality is Saturday, March 4.  This year we offer two ways to enjoy our mouth watering pizzas!  If you would like to use our Carryout service it’s available starting at 12 pm through 5 pm.  Or you can take advantage of our “All You Can Eat Pizza” dine in service (limited to the first 125 people that respond) starting at 5:30 and ending at 9:00 pm.  

To place a carryout order please click HERE 

To place a dine in reservation please click HERE

If you have any questions please please reply to this email or call Dave Sabatelli 513 405 6444.

Thank you for your continued support of San Antonio Church.

Dave Sabatelli

President of the Mens and Ladies Sodality

“Pray for the canonization of Sr Blandina Segale” 

News from San Antonio Church – March 3, 2024

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin March 3, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 3rd Sunday in Lent, we introduce the Station Church celebrated in Rome, the Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, the Papal Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls.  Lawrence was of Spanish origin and martyred under Emperor Valerius with the Papal Minor Basilica named in his honor was one of the first seven deacons of Rome martyred in 258.  It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, once an estate built over a small oratory erected by Emperor Constatine that also keeps relics of St. Stefano.  This Station Church is a combination of two churches, the first built in the 6th Century dedicated to the Deacon Lawrence and the other constructed around the 13th Century by Pope Honorius III who commissioned a church to be built in front of the older one.  The Basilica is known for the frescoes and mosaics that depict scenes from the lives of the young deacons Lawrence and Stephen.   The Basilica was assigned to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem during the years of 1373-1847 and sits next to a major cemetery with notables in the history of the Catholic Church buried there.  Some of those from the early Church are Deacon of Rome and Martyr, Lawrence, Deacon of Jerusalem, and 1st Martyr, Stephen, Pope Hilarius, Pope Pius IX, Italian Prime Minister Alcide De Gasperi, a founding father of the European Union, Pope Pius XII’s parents, Filippo who died in 1916 and Virginia (Graziosi) Pacelli who died in 1920, Pope Zosimus, Pope Sixtus III, and Pope Damasus II.  The Basilica was bombed in 1943 by American planes during the second World War doing much damage.  The restoration continued until 1948 as all the frescoes on the façade were destroyed and had to be completely rebuilt after the bombings.  High  360 degree  panoramas and images of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura Art Atlas (https://mcid.mcah.columbia.edu/art-atlas/ancient-and-early-christian-sites-rome/san-lorenzo-fuori-le-mura ).  

On Monday, March 4th we celebrate St. Casimir, son of King Casimir IV and a Prince of the Kingdom of Poland who abandoned public life for a monastic life devoted to God. As a young Prince, he knew Lithuanian, Polish, German, and Latin languages and was considered an exceptional, intelligent young man of humility who strove for justice and fairness.  He chose not to marry and practiced a life of celibacy, exceedingly rare for a young man of his standing at that time. He died in 1484 on his way to Lithuania from consumption at the age of 26 and was buried with a copy of his favorite Marian Hymn, Omni die Mariae “Daily Sing to Mary”.  It   became associated to Casimir and known as the “Hymn of St. Casimir” as an official cult spread with a devotion to him after his death.  Pope Adrian VI canonized him in 1522 with special indulgences granted to those who prayed in the chapel where he was buried. Many of those pilgrims made special contributions for the upkeep of the chapel in honor of St. Casimir.  The likeness of St. Casimir can be found in Livorno, Italy and in Mexico City at the Metropolitan Cathedral with stained glass windows of Casimir located in San Jose, California at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph and in Chevaigne, France at the Church of St. Peter. There are settlements of Saint-Casimir in Canada, founded in 1836 and in San Casimiro in Venezuela that was founded in 1785.  A nursing home founded   by the Polish community in Paris, Maison Saint-Casimir was founded in 1846 and is run by the Polish Nuns, Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.  St. Casimir is considered the Patron Saint of Lithuania, Poland, and Russia. 

On Thursday, March 7th we honor Christian Martyrs from the 3rd Century, Perpetua and Felicity who were arrested and executed for offering themselves as candidates for Baptism to become Christians and they would not denounce their faith.  They lived during the period of early persecutions in Africa by the Emperor Severus and along others were put to death at Carthage in the Roman Province of Africa in 203.  The four men martyred with the two women were catechumens, Saturninus, Secundulus, Saturus, and Revocatus.  During their arrest, none of the prisoners weakened before their judges as they said, “You judge us now, God will judge you”. Perpetua, a young, widowed mother is the Patron saint of expectant mothers, ranchers, and builders.  A Basilica was erected in Carthage, the Basilica Maiorum over the tombs of the Martyrs with an inscription bearing the names of Perpetua and Felicitas who were canonized pre-congregation.  A Prayer to Sts. Perpetua and Felicity: “Heavenly Father, Your love enabled the Saints Perpetua and Felicity courage to endure a cruel martyrdom.  By their prayers, help us to develop a love for You.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  AMEN.”

Friday, March 8th we celebrate the life of John of God, who left home before his teens to become a foot soldier at the age of 22.  His company fought for the Holy Roman Emperor and was wrongly accused of theft as a young man before being pardoned and returning to a farm in Oropesa where he had once worked herding sheep.  After four years working as a farm hand, he enlisted to fight in Hungary as a soldier during the Franco-Spanish War fighting against the Turks. During the next 18 years, he would serve as a trooper in many parts of Europe. He was still unsettled and wanted to see Africa and work to free Christians who were enslaved there.  On his way there, John befriended an exiled Portuguese Knight traveling with his wife and daughters who were now ill and penniless from their possessions being lost during their journey.  After their arrival, Joao Duarte Cidade, John of God nursed them back to health while supplying them with food even though they were all treated poorly by the rulers of the colony.  During this difficult time in his life, he sought out the Franciscan Friary for an answer to what his life’s work might be and what God might want from him.  With the vision of the Infant Jesus in front of him, he was now to be called John of God and directed to travel to Granada, Spain.  On St. Sebastians’ Day, in 1537, he experienced a major religious conversion while listening to a sermon by John of Avila who would later visit him and urge John to tend to the needs of others, gaining peace within himself as he began to work among the poor.  He had help from the Archbishop of Granada and many ladies of wealth who wanted to assist in his work.   He went on to organize the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God in 1572 to care for the sick in countries around the world.  He cared for those with paralysis, the deaf and dumb, the lepers, the crippled, the mentally ill and those with diseases of the skin.   The Order of Hospitallers was approved by the Holy See and the Order would go on to be entrusted with the medical care of the Pope.  John of God died at age 55 on March 8, 1550, after developing pneumonia from saving a young man from drowning in the River Genil.  He was canonized by Pope Alexander VIII on October 16, 1690, and named the Patron Saint of hospitals and the sick.  A church was erected in 1757 to house his remains that is now a Basilica protected by the Knights of Saint John of God.  His Order has a presence in 53 countries operating 300 hospitals to serve all types of medical needs along with those needing mental health and psychiatry care.  The Family of Saint John of God who work to keep his vision alive are made up of more than 45,000 members, Brothers and Co-Workers who are funded by many thousands of benefactors and friends who support his work to help the sick and needy around the world.

On March 9th, Saturday we celebrate the life of Frances of Rome.  Born Francesca Bussa de Leoni in 1384, an Italian Mystic and Organizer of Charitable Services.  She was Christened in the Church of St. Agnes located on the famous Piazza Navona.  At age of 11, Frances desired to become a nun, but was promised to marry the Commander of the Papal Troops of Rome, Lorenzo Ponziani when she reached the suitable age to wed.  In 1408 when the troops of Ladislaus of Naples occupied Rome, they pillaged their family home, and her family left to go into exile.  Returning in 1414, they lost two of their children to the plague that ravaged the city.  During these hard times, Frances never lost her faith or determination to serve others in need from the devastation of recurrent plagues that swept through the area or the civil war.  In 1425, she set up a group of women committed to the service of those less fortunate than themselves.  She inspired women from noble families to care for the poor and sick during times of famines and floods.  She turned some of the family estate into a hospital and distributed much needed food and clothing to the poor.  They were affiliated to the Benedictine Monks of Monte Oliveto, and with Frances’s example, the ladies sold their jewelry and fine possessions to help the needy.  They offered themselves in service to God for the poor known as the Oblates of Mary who were later called Oblates of Tor de Specchi (Towers of the Mirrors), the name originating from the house where they resided.  Frances chose not to live in the community but rather with her husband until his death 7 years later.  When Lorenzo died in 1436, Frances moved to the monastery and spent the last four years of her life as the Superior until her death in 1440 at the age of 56.  Pope Paul V canonized Frances on May 9, 1608, and in the next decades, a search was made to find her remains.  Her grave was found on April 2, 1638, and her remains were reburied in the Church of Santa Maria Nova on March 9, 1649.  St. Frances body was exhumed in 1869 and has been displayed in a glass coffin for the veneration of the faithful at the Church of Santa Maria Nova.  Since then the church is now dedicated to her as the Church of St. Frances.  Pope Pius XI in 1925 declared St. Frances the patron saint of automobile drivers with the legend of an angel using a lantern to light the road when Frances traveled to keep her safe.  In the Benedictine Order, she is honored as a patron saint of all oblates.  Oblates are those religious communities of men and women whose members are not solemnly professed but are dedicated to God under poverty, chastity, and obedience in their particular state in life. 

On Saturday. March 9th San Antonio and our church community held a memorial Mass in memory of Rev. Frederick Serraino, C.S.C. for his family and friends who were not able to attend his Funeral on February 9, 2024, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Notre Dame.  He was born on August 16, 1930, to parents Antonio and Philomenia (Mania) Serraino and grew up in the Little Italy section of South Fairmount.  After graduating from Western Hills High School Fred served with the 31st Infantry during the Korean War.  On his return, Fred enrolled at Xavier University and earned a bachelor’s degree in English before moving to Los Angeles where he took a job working for the Douglas Aircraft Company.  He desired to teach and took a job in Wrangell, Arkansas teaching for the U.S. Civil Service Commission and was sent to Germany teaching school at a U.S. Army Base before returning to Los Angeles taking night classes at UCLA and offering his services as a substitute teacher.  His calling came in 1963 when he entered the Holy Cross Seminary with his Ordination as a Holy Cross Priest taking place on December 21, 1968.  He was then assigned in 1969 to the faculty at St. Peters High School in Gloucester, Massachusetts as one of the Holy Cross Priests at the school that was established in 1965 and drew boys from not only Gloucester, but Salem, Lynn, and other areas of the state.  The graduating class of 1969 had 105 seniors.  He was then assigned as a member of the faculty of Notre Dame High School in Biloxi, Mississippi where he taught until 1972, he then he served in Peru as an Assistant in Cartavio, where sugar cane is grown until 1975.  On his return he became a member of the faculty at Bishop McNamara High School for four years in Forestville, Maryland before relocating to California to assist at the Holy Cross Family Theater until 1985.  In 1985-1986 Fr. Fred continued his studies at the Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and assisted at St. Julianas Parish in West Palm Beach, Florida 1990-1991.  He was then assigned as an Assistant Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Brooklyn, New York for four years before taking a sabbatical for one year to become a National Director for the Holy Cross Family Theatre in California in 1996 that produced impactful, faith-based family entertainment to inspire and educate and provide programs to television and radio broadcast outlets.   He was sent back to Peru to become the Assistant District Superior in Lima from 1998-2003 before serving as Assistant Superior at Christopher Lodge in Cocoa Beach, Florida until 2006.  Fr. Fred went on to serve as a Holy Cross Father as Director of Health and Aging for the Provincial House in Bridgeport, Connecticut from 2006-2008 and then assigned as Superior of the Dartmouth Community in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts home for retired priests in the Congregation of Holy Cross that sat on 59 acres and once housed 12-14 priests.   He then returned to reside at the Christopher Lodge named after Fr. Christopher O’ Toole former Superior and the 1st Provincial of the Southern Province until 2019.   When he retired, Fr. Fred Serraino moved to the Holy Cross House in Notre Dame Indiana.  His burial was in the Holy Cross Community Cemetery at Notre Dame.  There are about 1,000 religious’ members in 16 countries and on 5 continents.  The United States Province of Holy Cross Priests and Brothers is made up of 500 priests, brothers and seminarians that are headquartered at Notre Dame.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Philomena Serraino, sisters Louise (Serraino) Jackson and Rose Serraino and close friend from the neighborhood, Ralph Minella.  He is survived by Sister, Carmella (Serraino) Berger, Brothers Frank and Wayne Serraino and best friend Donald “Buddy” LaRosa.  He also leaves many nieces, nephews, extended family members and close friends to mourn his passing.

News from San Antonio Church – February 25, 2024

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin February 25, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 2nd Sunday of Lent in Rome, there are different station churches within the city where the faithful visit for special prayers.  The ancient custom took place when pilgrims journeyed to specific Holy Places.  The station churches were started after those returning from Crusades witnessed processions in Jerusalem by the faithful following the path Our Lord had taken to His Crucifixion.  The custom was brought back to Europe; and in Italy the Lenten tradition began in the 4th Century with pilgrims coming together at a designated point where they are led by a priest to a succession of different churches.  Over the years, the tradition changed and there are no longer processions from Church to Church.  Instead, a different church is chosen during Lent as the focal point for worship.  They are now referred to as “Station Churches” that range from the large Basilica’s like St. Peter to older small unknown chapels.  Each will have several different times for services starting at 7:00 AM with prayers said in many different languages. 

There are over 40 Station Churches that will be used during the Lenten Season from Ash Wednesday until the 2nd Sunday of Easter.  Some of the Station Churches display their Patron Saint’s relics on their station day with prayers offered in memory of their Saint.  People of all religious beliefs are welcome as Pope Francis said: “It is a conscious reminder that we are part of one Christian Family moving together towards God through the Sacrifice of the Mass.”  The Station Church for the 2nd Sunday of Lent is Santa Maria in Domenica della Navicella, a Minor Basilica built in the 5th Century and later modified around the 9th Century.  It overlooks the Piazza della Navicella and is decorated with a mixture of Byzantine Mosaics from the 9th Century and many Renaissance Frescos (murals) donated from the Medici Family in the 16th Century.  The Basilica, Santa Maria Domenica della Navicella is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and has a tradition of being active in local charities and was the church where St. Lawrence distributed alms to the poor.   In 1876, the Frescos located in the nave of the church were painted with floral motifs with inscriptions that reproduced litanies to the Virgin Mary.  In 1932, the basilica was given parish status and since 2003, it has been entrusted to the care of the Priestly Fraternity of the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo.

On Tuesday February 27, we celebrate the feast day of St. Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church who was not a Catholic. He was born in 950 AD was a medieval Armenian Monk who was known for his writings of mystical poetry, hymns, and Biblical commentaries.  He excelled in music, astronomy, geometry, mathematics, literature, and theology.  In 977, when he was in his mid-twenties, went on to teach Theology and began writing with his major work, the Book of Lamentations, consisting of 95 prayers for all people. In the works of St. Gregory of Narek and in the Armenian tradition, those hymns and songs to Mary were developed as the primary expression of popular piety.   St. Gregory used metaphors, songs, litanies, and poetry as a way to communicate about Christian truth.  Pope St. John Paul II referenced St. Gregory in his Encyclical, “With powerful poetic inspiration, St. Gregory ponders the mystery of the Incarnation, an occasion to sing and extol the extraordinary dignity and magnificent beauty of the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Word made flesh.” 

St. Gregory lived his entire life in a Monastery located in his Armenian homeland between the Black and Caspian Seas and was never canonized which was common for holy men and women during the early years of the church.  In 2015, on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide by the Ottoman Turks, Pope Francis declared St. Gregory of Narek, a Doctor of the Church.  He is the 36th person to be honored and only the 2nd from the churches of the East celebrated in this way.  He is recognized as a Saint in both the Catholic Church and in the Armenian Apostolic Church and is venerated in a special way among those Catholics of the Armenia Rite.  A prayer to St. Gregory of Narek: “St. Gregory, your quiet, humble, and hidden life produced a rich garden of poems and prayers.  May your redolent words and rich images fire our imaginations and inflame our hearts so that our flame of faith burns as hot as yours in its love for Christ and Mary.”

Our San Antonio Church community sends their condolences and prayers on the passing of Michael J. Kroeger three months shy of his 74th birthday.  He was a well-known professional designer, author, educator, Assistant Professor at Mount St. Joseph University where he served as Chair of Department of Graphic Design.  He was one of four boys born to the late Doug and Mary Kroeger.  He is survived by brothers Gregory (Tina Roberto), Stephen (Stephanie Amsbury), and James (Jane).  He leaves many family members, friends and students from Arizona University, the Rhode Island School of Design, University of Cincinnati and from his travels around the world.

On Saturday, March 2nd, San Antonio Church and the Men’s and Ladies Sodality will sponsor their annual Pizza Party.  Takeout Service starts at 12:00 noon and runs until 5:00 Pm to order and pick up your favorite homemade pies.  Tickets for takeout will be available in the Hall after Mass today or please call Dave Sabatelli at 513-405-6444.  All You Can Eat Dine in Service is available from 5:30 PM until 9:00 PM in the Hall for only 125 patrons.  To make a reservation for Dine In All You Can Eat Pizza, please call Jimmy Capano at 513-364-8301, remember, call as soon as possible as in the past years we reach our quota during the last week of February.   This year we will offer everyone’s favorite from the festival days of our church, the Ladies of the Lot Pizza, the original from the women of San Antonio Church.  Other delicious pies offered to everyone’s liking are the Cheese Pizza, the Pepperoni Pizza, the Meat Pizza, the Anchovy Pizza, and the Veggie Pizza.  We even offer a Dessert Pizza, one sweet and one savory; all will be available to takeout or enjoy when you dine in the Hall.  Thank you all for supporting our first fundraiser of 2024.  Tickets are $15 for all you can eat dining and vary for the pizzas for takeout.

News from San Antonio Church – February 18, 2024

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin February 18, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this first Sunday of Lent, “Quadragesima Sunday”, from the Latin word for fortieth, marking the liturgical year to commemorate the 40 days when Jesus Christ spent fasting in the dessert before beginning His public ministry.  The period of Lent is seen as the season of “Bright Sadness” in preparation for the great celebration of Easter.  During this time, the faithful pray, repent for their sins, deny themselves a favorite food and practice almsgiving to donate the monies of what they gave up.  Also referred to as Invocabit Sunday, the opening word of the introit, the entrance prayer or song.  The first Sunday of Lent marks one of the weeks during which Ember days were observed in the Western Christian Churches.  Ember Days were the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays of the four weeks of the year which fast and abstinence were required for the Universal Church. 

On Monday, February 19th we honor George Washington’s Birthday and Presidents Day, the annual Federal Holiday first celebrated in 1879.  This day honors all those who served as Presidents of the United States since 1879 especially our Founding Father, George Washington who was born on February 22, 1732.  He was 11 years old and the oldest of 6 when his father died leaving him to help his mother run their plantation.  George excelled at math, became a surveyor, and went on to fight in the French and Indian War 1754-1763 and was put in charge of all Virginia Militia Forces.   He led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War and presided at the Constitutional Convention and became the first United States President serving two terms 1789-1797.  While President of the United States, there were about 4 million people living in 11 states.  While in office, he nominated the First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, set up his own Cabinet and established the first bank, the National Bank of the United Sates.  He created the first Military Badge of Merit for the common soldier and the Purple Heart which bears his image for those wounded in battle.  In 1799, George Washington died at his Virginia Plantation 3 years after leaving office.  Since 1862, a tradition in the United States Senate is for George Washington’s Farewell Address will be read on his birthday.  The tradition started during the Civil War 1861-1865 when citizens requested this be done.  In Westmoreland County, Virginia at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument, visitors will be part of the festivities on this holiday.  At Mount Vernon, celebrations in honor of George Washington will take place until February 22nd

On Wednesday February 21st the Catholic Church celebrates St. Peter Damian (1007-1072) born in Ravenna, Italy a Benedictine Monk, and Cardinal during the time of Pope Leo IX.  Orphaned at a young age, Peter went to live with his brother, a Priest in Ravenna who sent him away to be educated.  He made great progress in his studies and excelled in theology and canon law.  By the age of 25, Peter was famous as a teacher in the cities of Parma and Ravenna.  Around 1035, he gave up the secular life to enter a monastery as a monk.  He lived as a hermit who lived a disciplined life committed to studying the Bible.  In 1042, he was appointed lecture to his fellow monks and was asked to lecture at neighboring monasteries.  By 1043, Peter Damian was elected Abbot and later founded five more religious houses for the Benedictine Monks.  He wrote influential religious treatises and was called by the Pope to go on missions to settle disputes within the church.  He strove for reforms during political and social upheaval and was chosen to manage doctrinal ignorance among the clergy.  After Pope Benedict IX resigned and Pope Gregory VI took over in 1045, Peter urged him to deal with the scandals of the Church in Italy.  Peter was highly regarded by the hierarchy within the Church and was present at a synod at the Lateran (the Pope’s Cathedral in Rome) for official gatherings of the Clergy.  In 1063, Peter was appointed legate to settle a dispute between the Abbey of Cluny and the Bishop of Macon in France.  In 1067, he was sent as a papal legate to Germany to persuade Henry IV to stay married to wife Bertha at a council meeting in Frankfort.  At the end of his life, Peter Damian never considered his learning something to boast about, but what counted “Was to worship God, not write about him”.  He died in 1072 and Peter Damian is venerated as a Saint and was made a Doctor of the Church in 1828 by Pope Leo XII.  His body was moved 6 times and since 1898, St. Peter Damian was finally laid to rest in a chapel dedicated in his honor at the Cathedral of Faenza.  

Every year on February 22nd, the Church celebrates The Chair of St. Peter or the Throne of St. Peter, seen as a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his Successors who tend to Christ’s flock. From this chair, St. Peter sat and taught Roman Christians.  The wooden throne was a gift from the Emperor of the Romans, the King of Italy, Charles the Bald 875-877 to Pope John VIII in 875.  It is a single oaken chair from the 6th Century damaged from worms and cuts with the front and back trimmed in carved ivory in St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City.  Placed in a reliquary, a receptacle which contains the relics of a saint or other sacred object. There are 3 classes of relics:  1st Class Relics will hold part of a Saint’s body; 2nd Class Relics will hold something that was used by a saint and 3rd Class Relics will hold an object touched to a 1st Class Relic.   It contains pieces of an earlier throne said to be that of St. Peter, the leader of the Early Christians and the first Pope used by the Bishop of Rome from which he presided, officiated, or celebrated the rites of the church.  The Throne relic was enclosed in a gilt bronze casing that by Pope Alexander VII and was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1647 and 1653.  The statues of the Doctors of the Church St. Ambrose and St Augustine Western Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church and St. Athanasius and St. John Chrysostom Doctors of the Greek Church adjacent to the Throne of St. Peter around Bernini’s “Altar of the Chair” in St Peter’s Basilica. Above the Chair, the inscription reads: “O Pastor Ecclesiae tu omnes Christi Pascis Agnos et Oves.”   Meaning: “O Shepherd of the Church, you feed all Christ’s lambs and sheep.”  In 1867, the relic (chair) was photographed and displayed for veneration.  On February 22, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI’s address on the Feast of The Chair of St. Peter: “Dear Brothers and Sisters!  The Latin liturgy celebrates today the feast of the Chair of St Peter.  It is a very ancient tradition, witnessed in Rome since the end of the 4th Century, which rendered thanksgiving to God for the mission entrusted to the Apostle Peter and his successors.”  

On Friday February 23rd we honor the feast day of Polycarp of Smyrna, Bishop and Martyr born Ad 69 and died AD 155 at the age of 86.  He was a Disciple of John the Apostle (The beloved Apostle) and a good friend of St. Ignatius of Antioch.  Polycarp became a Bishop of Smyrna (now Izmir, Turkey) and is regarded as a Church Father and Saint in the Catholic, Eastern orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran Churches.  Polycarp is one of three Chief Apostolic Fathers along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch.  He opposed heresies, “I would rather be deaf than listen to arguments for heretical doctrines”. Polycarp felt heresy was more serious than immorality and thought a false teacher was “the firstborn of Satan”.   When Marcus Aurelius was persecuting Christians, Polycarp was arrested at the end of his life, he refused to make sacrifices to idols.  He said: “For eight six years I have served Christ, and he has done me no wrong.  How can I blaspheme my King and Savior now.” He was burned at the stake in 155 and canonized by popular acclaim. Those   guarded relics of Polycarp are housed in the Church, Sant’Ambrogio della Massima in Rome, Italy.  The only work attributed to him are The Epistles of Polycarp to the Philippines, which references the Greek Scriptures.  It addresses the early Church in Philippi a city in Macedonia; written about in the book of Acts during the 1st half of the 2nd Century.  It refers to those who are anxious about their salvation while learning about the character of one’s faith, and the preaching of the truth.  Polycarp offers prescriptions for how a Christian community is to be organized and for the proper living of wives, widows, deacons, young men, virgins, and elders.   A quotation from the Epistle: “Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, and being attached to one another joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your interactions with one another, and despising no one.”   

The San Antonio Annual Pizza Party is scheduled for Saturday, March 2nd in our Hall for Dine In or Carry Out.  The Men’s and Ladies Sodality sponsor this event that offers a variety of the traditional “Ladies of the Lot Pizza” dating back to the days of our festival in the early days of our church.  The carryout service starts at 12:00 noon until 5:00PM with our Dine In all you can eat pizza starting at 5:30 PM and lasting until 9:00PM.  Our Dine In Service is limited to the first 125 reservations so, please get your groups together as soon as possible.  Tickets will be available for purchase in the Hall after our Sunday 9:00 AM Mass, please Jimmy Capano or Dave Sabatelli for this one-of-a-kind event.  If you have any questions, please call Dave Sabatelli at 513-405-6444.  We have been fortunate to have many volunteers at San Antonio who help our church survive but, we always need more hands-on deck.  Volunteers are needed, many age groups are welcome to help us make this fundraiser a success.  For info on working the Pizza party, see Connie Dalessandro or Dave Sabatelli.

News from San Antonio Church – February 11, 2024

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin February 11, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On Sunday, February 4th our San Antonio Church Community learned of the passing of Fr. Fred Serraino C.S.C. at the age of 93 while in Hospice care in the nursing care unit at the Holy Cross House near Notre Dame University.  Fr. Fred grew up in the Little Italy section of South Fairmount on 2008 Queen City Avenue with his two best friends, Buddy LaRosa, and the late Ralph Minella.  He was ordained into the Holy Cross Order on December 21, 1968, and celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving on June 1, 1969, at San Antonio Church before serving as a missionary in Peru.  He served at many posts before retiring in South Bend, Indiana.  He was the son of the late Anthony and Philomena Serraino and leaves his brothers Frank and Wayne and sister Carmella “Cumi”, many nieces and nephews, friends from San Antonio Church and the LaRosa Family who kept in close contact with him throughout his life.  We send our prayers and condolences to his family, friends and those Holy Cross Priests and Brothers who served with him and were there at his bedside until his passing.  Fr. Fred Serraino C.S.C. will be laid to rest in the Holy Cross Cemetery at Notre Dame in St. Joseph County, Indiana.  San Antonio Church will hold a Memorial Service to be scheduled at a later date.

On Friday, February 9th San Antonio Church held the funeral of our organist, Paul Wenzel with Fr. Mike Savino presiding.  Paul passed away suddenly on January 25, 2024, at the age of 74.  He grew up on the west side and attended Little Flower Elementary and La Salle High School, class of 1967.  Paul graduated Magna Cum Laude from U. C. with a B.A. in Economics in 1971 and later studied at the College Conservatory of Music all while helping his father run their family business, the Western Hills Marathon Station.  Paul played at many church and school events within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and was well known not only for his musical skills, but for his years at Music Hall and at the Reds games where he was a popular usher and ticket taker.    Paul was the son of the late George and Anna (Paul) Wenzel and the beloved brother to the late Bill Wenzel.   Paul leaves daughters Christy Hodge and Lisa (Brian) Wells his grandchildren Jordan and Julia Hodge, Braden and Jackson Wells, many friends from San Antonio Church, Hidden Valley Lake, and his cherished canines, Molly, and Moose.  We send our prayers and condolences to the members of the Wenzel families and to all those who knew Paul throughout his music career. 

On this Sunday before Ash Wednesday, we highlight World Marriage Day, established after the apostolate, Worldwide Marriage Encounter with the mission to help couples celebrate the husband and wife as the foundation of the family and sees the family as the basic unit of society.  World Marriage Day began in in 1981 when married couples in Baton Rouge, Louisiana asked the Mayor, Governor, and the Bishop to proclaim February 14th We Believe in Marriage Day.  The event was a success and adopted by the National Leadership of Worldwide marriage Encounter.  In 1982, there were 43 Governors who gave their approval and in 1982, Military Bases in foreign countries joined in with the name being changed to World Marriage Day.  In 1993, Saint Pope John Paul II approved this day and gave it his Apostolic Blessings for World Marriage Day in the Catholic Church.  Each year, World Marriage Week takes place from February 7-14.  World Marriage Day honors the beauty of nuptial faithfulness, devotion, sacrifice, commitment, and joy.  In the Catholic Church, married life is considered the foundation of humanity and the cradle of civilization.   This day asks all parish couples to conduct their married lives with joy and faith and to make their family life the biggest priority for their lives.  A Prayer for Married Couples: “Father as we prepare for World Marriage Day, we thank you for your tremendous gift of the Sacrament of Marriage.  Help us to witness its glory by a life of growing intimacy.  Teach us the beauty of forgiveness so we may become more and more One in Heart, Mind, and Body.  Strengthen our dialogue and help us become living signs of your love.  Make us grow more in love with the Church so we may renew the Body of Christ.  Make us a sign of unity in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Brother.  Amen.”

This Sunday is also set aside for all of us to remember “It is not good that man should be alone”.  The World Day of the Sick was established in 1992 by Pope John Paul II a year after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.  He chose the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes as the date of the observance as many visitors journeyed to Lourdes, France and had been healed through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin.  The World Day of the Sick is an observance of the Catholic Church for prayers and sharing of ones suffering for the good of the church and to see the face of Christ in the sick.  Pope Francis asks us to care for those who suffer and are alone and cast aside and for us to tend to the wounds of solitude and isolation.  For all of us to enable the growth of a culture of tenderness and compassion. Pope Francis who spoke in Rome at Saint John Lateran on January 10, 2024, said: “The sick, the vulnerable and the poor are at the heart of the Church; that they must also be at the heart of our human concern and pastoral attention.  May we never forget this!  And let us commend ourselves to Mary Most Holy, Health of the Sick, that she may intercede for us and help us to be artisans of closeness and fraternal relationships.”  

On Monday, February 12, we celebrate the Anniversary of Abraham Lincolns Birthday.  He was born on February 12, 1809, in Hodgenville, Kentucky, 215 years ago.  Lincolns Birthday is celebrated in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indians, New York, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio.  This observance was brought to the attention of the United States Congress by a Buffalo, New York druggist, Julius Francis in 1874.  He petitioned to honor the 16th President of the United States (1861-1865) who was slain on April 15, 1865.  There will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic site in Hodgenville, Kentucky and at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. 

On Tuesday, February 13th we observe Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and 47 days before Easter Sunday.  Shrove Tuesday is seen as the last day before Lent and the time to right the wrongs in our life; adjust and consider what sacrifice you could practice after Fat Tuesday.  When making a Lenten sacrifice, it is customary to say a prayer that you will follow through as well as others with “May God Bless My and Your Lenten Sacrifice.”  Many Christians and the Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and Roman Catholic Churches see this day as a time of Confession and absolution.  In some parishes, a popular tradition on Shrove Tuesday is the ringing of the church bells, the toll is known as the Shriving Bell “to call the faithful to confession before the solemn season of Lent”.  Churches will burn the palms distributed during the previous Palm Sunday on Shrove Tuesday for the ashes to be used on Ash Wednesday.  In some Christian countries, this day is called Mardi Gras or carnival day, the last day to gorge before the fasting period of Lent.  The tradition of Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations and the Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia.  When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders incorporated the traditions of Mardi Gras into the new faith for a celebration as a prelude to Lent. 

The 1st American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when French explorers landed in New Orleans.  They held a small celebration at their landing spot they named “point du Mardi Gras”.  Over the years, New Orleans and other French settlements marked the holiday with lavish dinners, masked balls and street parties until the Spanish took control of New Orleans and banned these rituals.  In 1812, Louisiana became a state, and the bans were lifted.  The 1st recorded New Orleans Mardi Gras parade was held in 1837 and 20 years later, in 1857, a torch-lit Mardi Gras procession with marching bands and floats organized by a secret society of New Orlean businessman set the tone for the annual public celebration.  Louisiana is the only state where Mardi (French for Tuesday) Gras (French for Fat) is a legal holiday.  Along with new Orleans, Brazil and Venice, Italy hold some of the most famous public festivals.  In Italy, tourists come from all over to Venice’s Carnival that dates back to the 13th Century and is known for its masquerade balls.  In Brazil, the weeklong festival Carnivale is held with a blend of European, African, and Native American tradition.

On Wednesday, February 14th we will have our traditional Ash Wednesday Mass at 12:00 Noon.  This marks the 1st day of Lent and 46 days before Easter Sunday.  It is a day of prayer, fasting and repentance.  In the Roman Catholic Church, on this first day of Lent, ashes will be placed on the heads of the faithful as a sign of penitence and mortality. 

On Saturday, February 17th we honor The Seven Servites who formed their Order on August 15, 1233.  The seven wealthy businessman from Florence joined together to give up pleasures of the world they knew to devote themselves to God through particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  They decided to live away from Florence during the time that the city was torn with political strife and filled with immorality.  When they were founded in 1233, they took the Gospel to the streets, preaching, hearing confessions, and ministering to the lost.  As the Servites worked to establish their ministry, they depended on the charity of others to continue their work.   They obeyed the dictates of the Bishop of Florence and for the next seven years they fasted and prayed while not allowing new recruits to their group.  In 1240, the Bishop of Florence insisted they welcome others who wished to follow their simple life.   The Bishop gave them rules for their order, they were to adopt the black habit of Augustinian monks and were to live in the tradition as mendicant friars.  They became known as The Servants of Mary, under the title Mother of Sorrows (Madonna Addolorata) because they meditated on the Passion of Jesus and the sorrows in the life of the mother of Jesus.  The members adopted her virtues of hospitality and compassion and took a form more like that of mendicant friars who rely on God’s providence and the faithful’s generosity, than that of the older monastic orders who withdraw from society.  So many men wanted to join, new groups were set up in neighboring Tuscan cities.  In 1250, the seven founders built their grand church the Mother Church of the Servite Order, the Santissima Annunziata in Florence.  The Servite Order continued to attract men and women devoted to the Blessed Virgin for the education of children and the care of the poor and sick.  

In 1256, Pope Alexander IV favored a plan for all orders to follow the rules of St. Augustine but later issued a change for the Servite Order that would allow them to elect their own General, the highest superior of a religious institute under the authority of the Pope.  In the United States, Servite priests and brothers serve in Chicago where Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica is located in Denver, Portland Oregon and in Anaheim, California where a Servite High School is located.  There are also institutions and schools in Quebec, Canada, Servite College, in London, U.K., Our Lady’s Catholic High School, in Perth, Australia, Servite College, in St. Louis, Missouri, Seven Holy Founders Elementary School, and Marianum College in the Philippines.  There are Delegates in Australia and in Zululand South Africa with more than 880 Servite Priests and Brothers serving in 27 countries in Asia. Europe, and in South and North America.  The Servite religious family also consists of Friars, Contemplative Nuns, Congregations, of Active Sisters and groups of Lay People. The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order were:  Sts. Bonfilius, Bonajuncta, Manettus, Amadeus, Hugh, Sostene, and Alexis who were canonized on 15, 1888, by Pope Leo XIII.

News from San Antonio Church – February 4, 2024

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin February 4, 2024

by Terrie Evans

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of St. Blaise with the Blessing of the Throats and also the 28th year of The World Day of Consecrated Life.  Celebrated in Parishes February 4th-5th with The World Day of Consecrated Life   dedicated to those who have committed their lives to a religious vocation.   This was instituted by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997 as a day of prayer for those women and men who chose Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.   Our Holy Father, Pope Francis presided over the Eucharistic Celebration at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome with those at the International Meeting of Consecrated Women and Men prepare for the Jubilee to be held in 2025. About 300 representatives from different forms of consecrated life gathered in Rome to reflect on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope of the Paths of Peace.”    Please pray for those who have made commitments to the consecrated life, may they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation. 

On Monday, February 5th we honor the Feast Day of St. Agatha of Sicily, Virgin, and Martyr.  Born in Catania, Sicily (231-251) who belonged to the outlawed Christian Church when Agatha rejected a marriage proposal from the Roman Perfect, Quintianus who turned her into the authorities for her Christian beliefs.  Faced with death, she reaffirmed her belief in God by praying: “Jesus Christ, Lord of All, you see my heart, you know my desires.  Possess all that I am. I am your sheep: make me worthy to overcome the devil.”   She is one of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs in Christian antiquity who was put to death for her profession of faith.  She was known for teaching Christianity to children before she was arrested, tortured, and died in prison.  Agatha was Canonized pre-congregation by Pope Gregory I and is venerated in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Anglican Communion Churches.  She is the Patron saint of breast cancer patients, rape victims, and bakers and is invoked against fire, earthquakes, and eruptions of Mt. Etna.  The year after her death, stopping the eruption of Mount Etna was attributed to the intercession and prayers to St. Agatha. She is considered the patron saint of   Catania, Molise, and the Republic of San Marino after Pope Clement XII restored the independence of the state on the feast day of St. Agatha, February 5th.  She is also the Patron Saint of Malta where in 1551, a Benedictine Nun is said to have saved Malta from a Turkish invasion through her prayers to St. Agatha.   Agatha is buried at the Badia di Sant’ Agatha in Catania, Sicily in a small natural cave that was later enlarged and embellished around the 5th Century.   There are two churches dedicated to her in Rome, Sant’ Agatha in Trastevere and the Church of Sant’ Agatha dei Goti in Via Mazzarino.  The church of St. Gregory the Great was reconstructed for St. Agatha who he revered as a saint who bore many trials.  St. Agatha is depicted in the mosaic of San Apollinaire Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy with other female martyrs with her image forming the initial I in the 8th century Sacramentary of Gellone.  During the first week of February, the Festival of St. Agatha is held with a procession traveling throughout the city on last night of the fest.  A 17th Century tower, a former knight’s stronghold, located in Malta, now called St. Agatha’s Tower. In Switzerland.   St. Agatha is considered the patron saint of fire services and in the United Kingdom, she is the patron saint of bell ringers in service to the Catholic Church. 

On Tuesday, February 6th we honor Saints Paul Miki (1562-1597) and Companions, Joan Soan (de Goto) and Santiago Kisai, of the Society of Jesus who were crucified along with 23 other clergy, and laity.  They became known as the 26 Martyrs of Japan and were all Canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1862.   Paul Miki was born into a wealthy Japanese Christian Family taught by the Jesuits and later joined the Society of Jesus.  He became a successful preacher who gained many converts to Catholicism at a time when the ruler of Japan began persecuting Catholics.  The Buddhist Monks were concerned about the growing number of Christians causing political tensions and outlawed Christianity giving the missionaries six months to leave.  Many stayed continuing the good work they had started and for a time, were calm.  In 1593, Spanish Franciscans arrived, and the townspeople assumed they were there to prepare for a Spanish invasion of the island.  Again, Christianity was outlawed, and a total of 26 Catholics were arrested, 6 Franciscan Missionaries, 17 Japanese and Korean lay Franciscans, and 3 Jesuits with Brother Paul Miki only months away from being ordained.   When Brother Paul Miki preached his last sermon professing Jesus as the only way to salvation, forgiving his prosecutors, and praying that they would turn to Christ and receive baptism.  By 1854, Japan’s borders were opened to the West with numerous missionaries returning to help those hidden Christians practice their faith.  In 1871, religious freedom returned, making public worship possible.  There is a National Monument marking the place of the executions of the 26 martyrs of Japan in Nagasaki.  A Prayer to St. Paul Miki and the Holy Martyrs:  Holy Martyrs of Nagasaki, you and countless others gave their lives in witness to the faith that God planted in your hearts.  Please pray for me, that I will have the same faith and courage that each one of you had, so that I will be a witness to Christ in all that I do.  Holy Martyrs of God, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You. AMEN.” 

Thursday, February 8th is set aside by the United States Conference Catholic Bishops as the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.  All Catholics are asked to attend or host a prayer service to create awareness for this phenomenon that affects all humans.   

Thursday, February 8th is also the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery by Arab Slave traders at the age of 8 and over the next 12 years was sold three times until given her freedom.  In Sudan, Bakhita served as a maid in the Italian Vice Council Callisto Legannis’ home and when he was to return to Italy, Bakhita begged to go with him.  By 1886, she was employed by the Micheli Family near Venice as a Nanny.  In 1888, when the family was to locate to Sudan, Bakhita was left in the care of the Canossian Sisters   who were established in 1808 when Magdalena of Canossa recruited several of her companions to assist her in the needs of the neglected in Verona, Italy.   Bakhita stated that this is where she encountered Christianity for the first time, “Those Holy Mothers instructed me with heroic patience and introduced me to that God, who from childhood I had felt in my heart without knowing who he was.”  When the Micheli Family returned from Sudan, they requested she return to their home.  Bakhita refused; and with the law on her side, she fought for her freedom.  In 1889, an Italian court ruled that because the British outlawed slavery in Sudan before Bakhita’s birth, and Italian law had never recognized slavery as legal, she was never legally a slave and was now free.   In 1890, she was Baptized Josephine Margaret Bakhita confirmed and received Holy Communion from Archbishop Guiseppe Sarto, who would become Pope Pius X.  She entered the Order of the Canosssian Sisters as a Novitiate in 1893 and took her vows in 1896, and for the next 42 years was employed as a Cook, Sacristan, and Portress (door keeper).  Josephine Margaret Bakhita was dedicated to comforting the poor and suffering in the community and became known as Sor Moretta “Little Brown Sister”.  She died in 1947 in Veneto Italy and was Beatified in 1992, Canonized in 2000 by Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica.  St. Josephine Margaret Bakhita said: “My trusts rest in the Lord for everything”.   The foundress of the Canossian Order, Magdalen of Canosa (1774-1835) said: “The way to holiness consists in a life of uninterrupted small sacrifices” was canonized a Saint on October 2, 1988, by Pope John Paul II.  At Present, they have 18 provinces with around 2,700 sisters in more than 336 communities in 32 countries around the world with their headquarters located at Via della Stazione di Ottavia, Rome, Italy.    The Canossian Daughters of Charity run a retreat center, the Canosssian Spirituality Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  

We also celebrate the feast day of Gerolamo Emiliani (1486-1537), St. Jerome on February 8th.  He was born in Venice, ran away to join the Army at age 15 and spent time as a soldier in charge of the Fortress of Castelnuovo in the Italian Mountains.  The Venetians took the fortress, Jerome was captured, chained, and put in prison.  He escaped to a church in Treviso and after he removed his chains and hung them on the church wall, gave his life to God.  He was ordained to the priesthood in Venice during the plague and took on the role of caring for abandoned children.  He fed them and raised them back to health while teaching them about the Christian Faith, becoming ill himself from the plague. Jerome recovered and in 1532, founded a religious society, The Congregation of Religious Clerics, the Somaschi Fathers to care for orphans, the poor and the sick.  With the spirituality of St. Jerome, his order was to serve the early Christian communities to serve Christ, and the poor abandoned children while showing them the tender “Fatherhood and Motherhood” of God.  St. Jerome Emiliani set up Orphanages in 6 Italian towns, built a hospital in Verona and until his death continued to care for the sick. 

The Somaschi Fathers were devoted to the Guardian Angels, the protection of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit, and the Archangel Raphael.  In 1537, during an epidemic while caring for the sick, St. Jerome contracted the plague and died.  The plague of 1536-1537, caused from the fleas of rodents with symptoms of fever, chills, vomiting, with the appearance of black boils took many lives, in Florence, 70,000 died from the plague.  He was Beatified on April 23, 1747, by Pope Benedict XIV and Canonized twenty years later on July 16, 1767, by Pope Clement XIII with his Major Shrine, St. Girolamo Emiliani Sanctuary in Somasca.  In 1928, Pope Pius XI named him the patron saint of orphans and abandoned children and is also invoked by those who are foster parents.  Their Motto: “Lighten My Burden”.  A Prayer to St. Jerome: “St. Jerome Emiliani, watch over all children who are abandoned or unloved.  Give us the courage to show them God’s love through our care.  Help us to lose the chains that keep us from living the life God intended for us.  Amen.” 

On February 10th, we honor the Feast Day of St. Scholastica (480-543) born in Umbria, Italy along with twin brother Benedict.  She dedicated her life to God at a young age who lived in her father’s house until forming a community with other consecrated virgins, the 1st convent of Benedictine Nuns.  This was located at the base of Monte Casino where there is an ancient church, Monastero di Santa Scholastica, now under her patronage. She became a nun near Monte Casino where Benedict established a monastery and meet to visit and pray together.  Scholastica is invoked for protection from storms due to the time in 543 when she felt something would happen to her brother as he prepared to leave after his visit.  Scholastica began to pray when a driving storm with rain and hail began forcing Benedict to stay. 

When Scholastica died, Benedict saw her soul ascending into heaven.  He placed her body in the tomb he had prepared for himself and arranged for his own body to be placed there after his death.  St. Benedict and St. Scholastica are buried at Monte Casino along with Pope Victor III, Cardinal Domenico Bartolini, St. Apollinaris and St. Bertharius.  The Pope, Gregory the Great wrote: “The bodies of these two whose minds were always united in Jesus, were not separated in death.”  She is also the patron saint of Benedictine Nuns, Education and Convulsive Children and was Canonized pre-congregation.  She is shown in a Benedictine habit, holding the Rule of Saint Benedict, with a Crucifix or ascending dove.  A commemorative coin with her likeness was issued in 2002 in Austria with Scholastica depicted alongside Benedict on the head side of the coin.  Scholastica is honored on the calendar of the Church of England and the Episcopal Church on February 10th.

News from San Antonio Church – January 28, 2024

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin January 28, 2024

by Terrie Evans

Our San Antonio Church Community sends their condolences and prayers to the Schulter, Acito, and Ader Families on the passing of James “Jim” Schulter on January 16, 2024, at the age of 79.  Jim was a longtime parishioner who served our church for many years along with his late wife Sandra who died in 2016.  They both volunteered for decades with his sister Fran and husband, the late Joe Acito.  Jim was a driving force with Joe Cupito and the late Jo Ann Metz in the fight to save our church from closing in the 1980’s. Jim struggled with health issues for a while and whenever he felt well enough, we were happy to see him at Sunday Mass.  He leaves son Louis, sister Fran (Schulter) Acito, brother Bill (Viv) Schulter and their families.  Jim also leaves his two best friends from the old days, Jack, and Pam (Acito) Baker and Fred Brandewiede, their extended families and all his friends at San Antonio Church.  Jim was buried from St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church.    

On this last Sunday in January, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrates National Catholic School Week, January 28, 2024 – February 3, 2024.  The National Catholic Education theme this year is Catholic Schools: “United in Faith and Community.”  During this week, Dioceses throughout the country highlight the importance of faithful, integral Catholic formation and education within the mission of the church.  Our Catholic schools are the places where Christ continues to be the Teacher, the way, the truth, and the life whom we follow throughout this life and into the next.  St. John Bosco said: “If we want to have a good society, we must concentrate all our forces on the Christian education of the young.  Experience taught me that if we wish to sustain civil society then we should take good care of the young.”   On Tuesday, January 30th at 10:00AM, Archbishop Dennis Schnurr will celebrate a Catholic Schools Week Mass at the Cathedral Basilica.

On Wednesday, January 31st, we celebrate St. John “Don” Bosco born in Becchi, Italy on August 16, 1815, during a draught and famine and at the end of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815).  His father died when John was 2, and with two older brothers, was raised by his mother, Margherita: laboring growing food and raising sheep.  He was very devout and desired to become a Priest but being poor, John lacked an education and knew his options were limited and the Priesthood was not a possibility.  John left home to find work in a vineyard where he stayed for a few years until meeting a Priest who offered to help him.  Fr. Joseph Cafasso collaborated with him and in 1835, John entered the seminary at Chieri, next to the Church of the Immaculate Conception for his studies and after six years was Ordained in 1841 on the eve of Trinity Sunday by Archbishop Franzoni of Turin.  His 1st assignment was in Turin, Italy, and at a time where he was needed most, in the poor neighborhoods.  Fr. Bosco visited prisons to find boys aged 12-18 housed in deplorable conditions and it was then he knew his calling was to help other boys from ending up there.  When he was younger, a traveling circus came through his town and John was enthralled by the magic tricks from the performers, paid attention and learned some of the tricks they used to charm their audiences.  So, when John was not preaching, he was working to keep boys off the streets and used some of what he learned from the circus acts to get their attention.  Along with his mother, Mamma Margarita, John found lodging for 800 boys and worked to get them jobs as apprentices.  At that time, apprentices needed better contracts and more desirable working conditions, and John negotiated for their safety.  In 1845, he opened a night school for boys in the poorest sections of Turin, Italy and mentored to those young men who desired to be priests.  In 1859, Fr. Bosco established the Society of St. Francis de Sales (Salesians of Don Bosco) with 15 Seminarians.  The purpose of the Society was to continue the charitable work he started and help young boys stay out of trouble. The Salesians’ mission was for corporal works of charity towards the young, poor and the education of boys who want to enter the priesthood.  In 1871, Fr. John “Don” Bosco founded a group of religious sisters to help girls as the Salesians were doing for boys called the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. 

Another group, the Salesian Cooperators, were established in 1874 by Fr. John as a way for lay people to work with young people, both boys and girls.  At the end of 1874, he was asked to accept an Italian parish in Buenos Aires and also a school for boys at San Nicolas de Los Arroyos in Argentina.  Many volunteers from the Salesians answered the call for their 1st Missionary in 1875 and in 1877, Fr. John “Don” Bosco gave the opening address on Systems of Education for the new St. Peter’s Youth Center in Nice.  In August 1877, Fr. John “Don” Bosco founded the official publication of the Salesians, The Salesian Bulletin.  The monthly bulletin is published by the Salesian Congregation and has been published without interruption since 1877.  In 1881, Fr. John wrote “A Compendium of Italian History from the fall of the Roman Empire” that has been noted by scholars for the cultural importance and knowledge from ancient times to modern civilization.  He also penned two biographies, on his mentor Fr. Cafasso and on one of his students, Dominic Savio.   Fr. John “Don” Bosco died in 1888 at the age of 72, declared Blessed in 1929 and Canonized on Easter Sunday in 1934 with Pope Pius XI celebrating both in Rome.  He was given the title “Father and Teacher of Youth”.  His mother “Mamma Margarita” was declared venerable by Pope Benedict XVI on the 150th Anniversary of her passing in 2006.  Servant of God, Margarita Bosco is now known for her work with her son Fr. John “Don” Bosco which helped in the founding of the Salesian Congregation.  She was a woman of faith who at the age of 58 chose to follow her son “In his mission among the poor and abandoned young people of Turin.”  The headquarters of the Society of Saint Francis de Sales, the Salesians of John “Don” Bosco are in Rome, Italy and as of 2022, there are 14,614 members (128 Bishops, 14,056 Priests and 430 Novices).  On Friday, February 2nd we celebrate the Presentation of Jesus, 40 days after Christmas and the end of the Epiphany Season.  In the Gospel Mary and Joseph take the Infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to perform the redemption of the 1st born son in obedience to the Torah.  Also seen as giving thanksgiving after the birth of a child to designate the rite for God’s blessing upon a woman after childbirth. 

Other traditional names include Candlemas (when candles are blessed), the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin and the Meeting of the Lord.  The Feast of the Presentation is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church dating back to the 4th Century.  In the Roman Catholic Church, the Presentation of Jesus is the Fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.   The Blessing of Candles on the day of the Presentation of Jesus recalls Simeon’s reference to the infant Jesus seen as the “light for the revelation” to the Gentiles.  Pope Innocent XII thought Candlemas was created as an alternative to Roman Paganism when he said: “Why do we in this feast carry candles?  Because the gentiles dedicated the month of February to the internal gods, and at the beginning of the month Pluto stole Prosperine, and her mother Ceres, sought her in the night with lighted candles, so they, at the beginning of the month, walked about the city with lighted candles.  Because the holy fathers could not extirpate the custom, they ordained that Christians should carry about candles in honor of the Blessed Virgin; what was done before in the honor of Ceres is now done in the honor of the Blessed Virgin.”  The term Candlemas or Candle Mass recalls the practice where a priest would bless beeswax candles for use throughout the year to be used in the homes of the faithful.  In France, Candlemas is celebrated with crepes and in Italy this day is considered the last cold day of winter.  Because of severe storms in the month of February, Sailors are hesitant to set sail on Candlemas Day believing that any voyage begun on that day will end in disaster.  

On Saturday, February 3rd, we honor the Feast of St. Blaise with the rite of the Blessing of the Throats.  The traditional blessing of the throats conferred of the liturgical memorial of St. Blaise will take place at San Antonio Church on Sunday, February 4th with two crossed candles tied with a red bow as our priest says the blessing:  “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop, and Martyr, may God deliver you from aliments of the throat and from every other evil.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”.   For centuries, St. Blaise has been invoked as the patron saint for those suffering from diseases of the throat because of his intercession in saving a child from choking. As a young man, he became a physician, a priest and later Bishop of Sebastea.  He is the patron saint of animals and veterinarians. 

On Saturday, February 3rd we also celebrate the Feast of St. Ansgar (801-865), 9th Century missionary called the Apostle of the North for bringing Christianity to Northern Europe.  St. Ansgar was renowned as a highly successful missionary who built the 1st Christian Church in Sweden who fought the pagan influence in Denmark when he became the 1st Christian Missionary for Scandinavians.  When he was very young, Ansgar was brought up in a Benedictine Monastery and had a vision that his mother was now in the company of the Blessed Mother and this vision is what motivated him to choose missionary work.  He became a Benedictine Monk at age 15 and was later chosen to be Abbot for the Monastery.  When the Pope made him legate for the Scandinavian Missions stating: “I will go to the people even if I have to go to the ends of the earth.”   Ansgar would direct apostolic activities in the North traveling throughout Denmark who became Archbishop of Bremen.    He was instrumental in the conversion of the King of Sweden who would allow Christian missionaries to return to the country.  He was considered a humble man, exceptional preacher and ascetical priest who devoted his life to the poor and the sick.  He said: “the greatest good we can do for others is to love them and pray for them. “After his death in 865, Ansgar was proclaimed a saint by his successor, Rembert with Pope Nicholas 1 the Great approving the proclamation.  He is venerated in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican Communion and Lutheran Churches and there are statues of St. Ansgar in Hamburg, Copenhagen and Ribe.  Vita Ansgar, “The life of Ansgar”, a biography of St. Ansgar written by his successor Archbishop Rimbert of Bremen between 869-876 became an important source detailing Ansgar’s Scandinavian Missionary work. Written to reassure priests on what they were to expect on a mission and to help Bishops, who manage the needed funds to support their cause.  It also defended missionary work for those who lived under the Rule of Saint Benedict and would have needed justification to leave their monastery to work in a secular society.  St. Ansgar asked for one miracle “that God make him a good man”. 

On Saturday, February 3rd, the 50th Annual Four Chaplains Memorial service will be held at 4:00PM at St. Boniface Church in Northside at 1750 Chase Avenue.  Fr. Matthias Creehan, former Navy Chaplain who served over 20 years in Military Training Facilities and Veteran Affairs will preside over the service which will include a Color Guard, Patriotic Hymns, Candle Service, Ringing of the Ships Bell, and Taps.  All Veterans and Active-Duty Military members are invited.    This service is a tribute to the heroic actions of 4 Military Chaplains during World War II who selflessly acted out of faith in God to help others.  After midnight on February 3, 1943, the U.S. Army transport ship SS Dorchester, one of three ships in a convoy sailing across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to an American Base in Greenland.  The Dorchester was filled with 902 service members, merchant seaman and civilian workers.  Within 150 miles from their destination, a German U Boat spotted the convoy and fired torpedoes striking the ship below the waterline.  The blast killed and wounded many in total darkness.  Soon panic and chaos broke, then 4 men came to the aid of those frightened and disoriented and began handing out life jackets and when the last one was taken, they took theirs off so others would survive.  The Dorchester sank in 20 minutes with only 230 survivors out of 902, 672 perished.  Those 4 men, all new Army Chaplains were:  Lt. George Lansing Fox, a Methodist Minister, born in Pennsylvania who had served in the ambulance corps during World War I received the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and the French Croix de Guerre for bravery; married to Isadore Hurlbut also a Minister.   His son Wyatt enlisted in the Marines on August 8, 1942, on the 18th, the same day his father went on active duty.  Lt. Alexander David Goode, PHD. a Rabbi, born in New York, the son of a Rabbi, in Pennsylvania the Alexander D. Good Elementary School is named in his honor, wife Teresa Flax and daughter Rosalee.  Lt. John P. Washington, born in New Jersey in 1908 was in ordained into the priesthood in 1935, named Chief of Chaplains of the Reserve Pool at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. The fourth Chaplin, Lt. Clark Vandersall Poling, the 6th Generation to serve as a Minister, born in Columbus, Ohio.  His father was a Chaplain in World War I and became Dutch Reformed Minister, Pastor of the First Reformed Church in New York, wife Betty Jung, son Clark Jr. “Corky” and daughter Susan Eizabeth born 3 months after his death.  They all became friends and classmates at Harvard while attending the Army Chaplain School.  They were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Hearts posthumously and a special medal for heroism, “The Four Chaplains Medal” authorized by Congress; awarded to their survivors by the Secretary of the Army, Wilber M. Brucker on January 18, 1961.  In 1948, The U.S. Post Office issued a commemorative stamp in honor of the sacrifice of the chaplains with the words, “These Immortal Chaplains…. Interfaith in Action”. 

Books written about the “Immortal Chaplains” are Four Men of God, by Edgar A. Guest in 1949.   Sea of Glory: The Magnificent Story of the Four Chaplains, by Francis Beauchesne Thornton in 1953.  The Men the Ship:  The Famous Four Chaplains Story and the Sinking of the Dorchester, by Chester J. Szymczak 1976.  In music, the composition “The Light Eternal” written by James Swearingen in 1992. The Four Chaplains are honored on the Liturgical Calendar of the Episcopal Church on February 3rd.   There are stained glass windows depicting the Four Chaplains at the Pentagon, West Point, and the National Cathedral and at military bases and posts throughout the country.  There are many memorials to the Immortal Chaplains including the Memorial Sanctuary on the ship RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach California and the Chapel at the Pittsburg International Airport.  There are art works, sculptures, and plaques in cities throughout the United States.  In Kearney, New Jersey, the “Four Chaplains Memorial” is located outside St. Stephen Church.  This was Fr. Washington’s last assignment before he joined the Army as a Chaplain.  It was dedicated on the 70th Anniversary of the sinking of the Dorchester and shows the 4 Chaplains with their arms locked praying on the stern of the ship with an angel carrying 4 life jackets.  In Massillon, Ohio The Four Chaplains Memorial Viaduct along Ohio State Route 172 over the Tuscarawas River was built in 1949 and refurbished in 1993 with a memorial plaque.  A two-hour audio documentary “No Greater Love” tells the story of the Four Chaplains including interviews with survivors, rescuers, and Naval Historians.  In 2004, a sixty-minute documentary was produced titled “The Four Chaplains Sacrifice at Sea”.

News from San Antonio Church – January 21, 2024

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin January 21, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Catholic Church to celebrate our lives as Christians.  The” Sunday of the Word of God” will be celebrated in St. Peters Basilica by Pope Francis on this day with the motto “Remain in My Word”.  This day teaches us to forget our past failures, repent for those wrongs and live as true Christians in the future.  A Collect Prayer for this Sunday of the Word of God: “Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen.” 

On Monday, January 22nd the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designates this day as a day of prayer and penance for the protection of unborn children.  The “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children” calls on all the Dioceses of the United States of America to pray for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and for penance of violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.  This Sunday is seen as a liturgical celebration as a “Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life”.

On Tuesday, January 23rd we honor St. Vincent Deacon and Martyr, Bishop of Saragossa in the 4th Century during the reign of Governor Dacian who worked to stamp out Christianity.  Vincent pledged to never give up his faith and was arrested and thrown into prison after being tortured.  Vincent of Saragossa died in prison while still praising Jesus.  His body was thrown to vultures, but ravens swooped down and chased the vultures away.  The area in Southern Spain where St. Vincents remains were thrown is now called the Cape of St. Vincent with flocks of ravens and vultures still hover over this coastal spot where his body was dumped.  Fellow Christians gave him a proper burial with a shrine erected over his grave.  St. Vincent of Saragossa was canonized pre congregation.  A Prayer to St. Vincent: “Saint Vincent, in the face of persecution and torture, you remained courageous, even fixated on the love of Christ.  You conquered the evil one by your fidelity and were crowned with glorious martyrdom.  Please pray for me, that I may also receive that crown through my daily sacrifices of love.  Saint Vincent, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in you.  AMEN.” 

On Tuesday, January 23rd we also celebrate the life and works of Marianne Cope 1838-1918 also known as St. Marianne of Mookai.  She was a German born American Religious Sister who was a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse in New York.  In 1870, she helped found the 1st of two Catholic Hospitals in New York with medical care to be provided regardless of race or creed and through her dedication, became a hospital administrator.  By 1883, she was the Superior General of her congregation when she received word for help from King Kalakaua of Hawaii.  His desperate plea was for the care of leprosy patients.  Because leprosy was considered to be highly contagious, over 50 religious congregations had turned the King’s request down.  Mother Marianne Cope answered his letter: “I am hungry for the work, and I wish with all my heart to be one of the chosen Ones, whose privilege it will be, to sacrifice themselves for the salvation of the souls of the poor Islanders.  I am not afraid of any disease; hence it would be my greatest delight even to administer to the abandoned lepers.” 

With 6 other Sisters, Mother Marianne departed Syracuse on the SS Mariposa to manage Kaka’ako Branch Hospital on Oahu which was the receiving hospital for patients with Hansen’s disease.  After her first year on the island, the government asked her to set up the first general hospital on the island of Maui.  Mother Marianne worked to deal with the maltreatment of leprosy patients; and threatened to leave her work and return to Syracuse if things didn’t change.  Two years later the King awarded Mother Marianne with the Cross of a Companion of the Royal Order of Kapiolani as she was essential to the mission’s success and the care of his people.  Her next calling was to establish a new home for women and girls on the Kalaupapa peninsula of Molokai, knowing she may never return to Syracuse. 

In 1888, Mother Marianne Cope moved to Kalaupapa to care for Father Damien SS.CC who had worked in the leper colony was critically ill.  She cared for him until he died on April 15, 1889, and now she was not only in charge of the female residents but now but the care of the boys on Kalaupapa.  With donations from a local businessman, Henry Perrine Baldwin for a new home and help from Sister Leopoldina Burns and Sister Vincentia McCormick a new girl’s school was opened.  In 1895, four Brothers of the Sacred Heart arrived to care for the boys with Mother Marianne Cope moving the Sisters to the Bishop Home caring for the leperous women and girls.  Mother Marianne Cope died on natural causes on August 9, 1918, never contracting Hansen’s disease.  She was buried on the grounds of the Bishop Home in Hawaii until 2005 when her remains were brought back to Syracuse for reinterment at the Motherhouse.  Mother Mariann Copes was returned to Honolulu in 2014 for her final resting place at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.  She was Beatified on May 14, 2005, and Canonized on October 21, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI.  Along with Fr. Damien, Mother Marianne Cope were both canonized for their dedicated work in the Hawaiian Islands and their community still ministers to the small group of patients who suffer from Hansen’s disease.   Her major shrine, Saint Marianne Cope Shrine and Museum is located in Syracuse, New York at 601 North Townsend Street.  St. Mariann Cope is the Patron of Lepers, Outcasts, and those afflicted with HIV/AIDS. 

On Wednesday, January 24th we honor St. Frances de Sales who became known for his writing.  Born in France in 1567 ordained a Priest and appointed Bishop of Genoa in 1602.  In 1578, he attended a Jesuit institution to study rhetoric, humanities and theology and studied philosophy at the University of Paris.   In 1587 when he was 20 years old, Francis became very ill and for a time bedridden when he began praying the Memorare before the statue of Our lady of Good Deliverance, the Black Madonna that were images of the Blessed Virgin that were painted black or became darkened by age.  It was then he decided to offer his life to God when he consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  He felt that God had good things planned for him when Francis said, “God is love.”  His faithful devotion to god influenced the rest of his life and he longed to devote himself to the Christian Ministry.  He brought many to return to God by his kindness and preaching, while writing many spiritual books.  In 1616, Francis wrote “Treatise on the Love of God” that many of his converts used as a teaching tool and “Introduction to the Devout Life” written for lay persons and especially for women.    He said, “I want to go everywhere to look for the poor and the sinners so that I may win them for Jesus.”  Francis de Sales motto was “ask for nothing, refuse nothing”.  He founded the Order of the Visitation, with Jane Frances de Chantal, and the Visitation Sisters.  He died on December 28, 1622, and just before his death, a nun asked him to write down the virtue he most desired and Francis wrote one word “Humility”.  Francis de Chantal was Beatified in 1661 and Canonized in 1665 by Pope Alexander VII. 

In 1838, the Missionaries of St. Frances de Sales was the 1st Religious Congregation to adopt his spiritually.  In 1877, Pope Pius IX declared St. Francis de Sales Doctor of the Church and in 1923, Pope Pius XI named him Patron of the Catholic Press, Writers, Journalists and the Deaf.  St. Francis developed a sign language to teach a deaf man about God.   There are 9 Churches, 33 Schools, 5 Colleges, 2 Seminaries, 1 Hospital and a Broadcast Center in the Philippines named in his honor.  He has been called the “Gentlemen Saint” because of his patience and gentleness. 

On Thursday, January 25th, the Catholic Church honors the Conversion of St. Paul; an event in the life of Saul/Paul the Apostle that led him to be a follower of Jesus.  His feast day is the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Before his Conversion Saul intensely persecuted those who were followers of Jesus.  Saul was present when St Stephen, the 1st Christian Martyr was stoned to death.  Saul never participated in his death but took part in ravaging the church and entering homes of Christians to put them in prison.  He wanted to travel to Damascus in an attempt to bring those Christians back to Jerusalem for punishment.  On the way there, Saul was struck down by a sudden flash of light when a voice cried out, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me”?  Saul cried, “Who are you Lord” the voice said, “I am Jesus, who you are persecuting”.  Saul had been blinded by the light but when Jesus ordered Saul to journey to Damascus and visit a Christian named Ananias, Saul agreed to go.  When Saul arrived in Damascus, he spoke with Ananias and learned about the Christians and their faith.  He now believed Jesus to be the Son of God and after learning the truth about Christianity, his eyesight was restored.  To symbolize his new life, he took the name of Paul. The collect in the Roman missal: “O God, who taught the whole world through the preaching of the blessed Paul, draw us, we pray nearer to you through the example of him whose conversion we celebrate today, and so make us witnesses to your truth in the World.” 

On Friday, January 26th we honor the Sts. Timothy and Titus who were loyal co-missionaries of St. Paul.  In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI praised these early bishops who went forth and used “their readiness to take on various offices” in difficult times.   Pope Benedict XVI said of Timoty and Titus that they “taught us to serve the Gospel with generosity, realizing that this also entails a service to the Church herself”.  Timothy was born to a Jewish mother and pagan father and when Paul passed through the area of his birth, he chose Timothy as a companion because, “He was highly esteemed by the brethren of Lystra and Iconium.”  He accompanied Paul to Athens and continued on to Corinth where they established a Church.  Timothy went on to become the 1st Bishop of Ephesus and had oversight of the Churches of Macedonia.  Timothy was warned by Paul of the dangers of false teachers and the erroneous doctrines preached about the Laws for Christians.  St. Timothy is the Patron Saint of Church members and leaders of the Church.  

Titus was called to Jerusalem and witnessed the preaching of Christ.  After the Conversion of Paul and with the start of his ministry, the Apostle Paul Baptized calling Titus his “True child in our common faith”.  Titus had the responsibility for the Church of Corinth and assisted Paul as he was concerned with the influence of false teachers who tried to subvert the Gospel he preached.  Titus often traveled with Timothy preaching the Gospel to the early Church.  In 1239, some of the relics from Timothy were sent from Constantinople to rest in the Cathedral of Termoli in Molise, Italy.   St. Titus was ordained the Bishop of Crete and is credited with leading the Church of Crete into is 90’s. They were both canonized pre-congregation and in 1969, the Catholic Church assigned January 26th the Feast day for Sts. Timothy and Titus, Disciples of St. Paul.  St. Titus is the Patron Saint of the United States Army Chaplain Corps.  There is the tradition in the military for The Chief of Chaplains to present the “Order of Titus” a non-denominational award in recognition of exemplary performance by chaplains and chaplain assistants.  The only award presented by the Chief of Chaplains is to recognize the importance of delivering religious support to the American Soldier.  The award for this year was presented on January 6,2024, at Fort Jackson South Carolina to Lt. Col Gary Hensley to highlight: “The great importance of realistic, doctrinally guided combat ministry training in ensuring the delivery of prevailing religious support to the American Soldier.” 

On Saturday, January 27th, we celebrate the feast day for the Italian religious educator who worked to teach poor children in Italy about Christianity.  Angela Merici was born in 1475 in Lombardy, Italy and after the death of her parents and sister, she joined The Third Order of St. Francis as a Tertiaries (Third Order) at the age of 15.  With the help of the Franciscan Order, Angela started a school for girls.  Her school was very successful and with the dowry left to her if she chose to marry, Angela started the Ursuline Order with 12 companions, named for the English Queen and Martyr, Ursula who is considered the ideal example of Christian Virginity.  In 1535, twenty-eight young women along with Angela Merici consecrated themselves to the service of God.  While living among their own families, these women lived a holy life and came together for classes and spiritual exercises.  They also carried out duties that were assigned to them.  Angela Merici was chosen their Superior, the office she held for the last five years of her life (died 27 January 1540).  She spent her life living in the world seeking Christian perfection in accordance with the spirit of her religious order.  Angle Merici said: “If any person, because of his state of life, cannot do without wealth and position, let him at least keep his heart empty of the love of them.” She was Beatified in Rome on April 30, 1768, by Pope Clement XIII and Canonized on May 24, 1807, by Pope Pius VII in Rome.  St. Angela Merci parishes are located in California, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio Missouri, Texas and in Ontario, Canada.  Schools around the world dedicated to her are in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Missouri, New York, Philippines, United Kingdom, United Sates, and Texas.  In Cincinnati, the Ursuline Sisters follow the teachings of St. Angela Merici at their schools, St. Ursula Villa School Pre-K – 8th Grade and Ursuline Academy college prep school for young women.  Follow the words of St. Angela Merci “Never cease to cultivate this vine which has been entrusted to you.”   There is also the Ursuline Network (http://www.angelamersi.it/index_eng.php)

News from San Antonio Church – January 14, 2024

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin January 14, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time and during the next week, we celebrate the feast days of St. Anthony Abbot, St. Fabian, St. Sebastian and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that runs from January 18-25.  St. Anthony Abbot is known as the Father of Monasticism, for the form of life followed by those who withdraw from society in order to devote themselves totally to God through prayer, penance, and solitude. He is also known as a Father of All Monks and for his importance among the Desert Fathers who were small communities that began as Christian Monasteries.  They lived as hermits while spending time in the Egyptian Desert with a strict regime of Discipline, Obedience, Manuel Labor, Silence, Fasting, and spending long periods in Prayer.    He was born in Egypt in 251 and died in 356 with his feast day also celebrated among Eastern Orthodox Churches who went on to found monasteries for his many disciples.  He is credited with being invoked in a number of miraculous   healings particularly skin diseases such as ergotism, erysipelas and shingles which were referred to as St. Anthony’s Fire.  Anthony the Great was credited with assisting two local noblemen recover from the disease and for their cure, they founded the Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony in his honor to specialize in skin diseases.  A center of veneration and pilgrimage known as Saint-Antoine-Abbaye in Isere, France was erected in 1297 to house is remains.  There are many depictions of St. Anthony such as the Torment of St. Anthony by Michaelangelo and the Four Tales of St. Anthony the Great by Vitale de Bologna.  A Prayer to St. Anthony the Abbot: “St. Anthony, you spoke of the importance of preserving in our faiths and our practice.  Help us to wake up each day with new zeal for the Christian life and a desire to take the next challenge instead of just sitting still.  Amen.” 

On Thursday, January 18th we welcome the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity an annual event between Ascension day and Pentecost in the Southern Hemisphere and between January 18-25 in the Northern Hemisphere.  Established in 1908 as the Octave of Christian Unity, lasting 8 days to focus on prayer for church unity.  Father Paul Wattson from the Graymoor Franciscan Fathers proposed the week beginning on the feast of the Chair of Saint Peter and ending with the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.  In the 1920’s, Protestant leaders proposed an annual Octave of prayer for unity among Christians leading up to Pentecost, on the traditional commemoration of the establishment of the Church.  In 1935, “The father of spiritual ecumenism”, Abbe Paul Couturier of Lyons, France proposed naming the observance “Universal Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” and by 1948, this week became recognized by different churches throughout the world.  By 1968, the Faith and Order Commission and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity which represents the entire Catholic Church, came together to prepare materials for the Week of Prayer.   In 2008, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity celebrated its Centennial creating a theme for every year.  The theme for 2024, is “You shall love the Lord your God”.

On January 20th, the Catholic Church honors Pope Fabian, the Bishop of Rome during the years 236-250.  It is said he was chosen by the Holy Spirit to be the next Pope when a dove descended upon his head, marking him as the next Holy Father.  When this happened, it made many recall the Gospel scene of the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at the time of His Baptism by John The Baptist.  The whole congregation assumed the dove was a sign and with that, Fabian was then proclaimed the Bishop of Rome, the next Pope.  During the 14 years Pope Fabian reigned, there was a lull in the persecutions that resulted in many being exiled.  He divided the Christian communities of Rome into 7 districts with each one being supervised by a deacon.  Pope Fabian sent out the 7 Bishops of Rome to preach the Gospel to Gaul naming them “Apostles to the Gauls”.  Pope Fabian cataloged the deeds of the martyrs and did considerable research on the catacombs where some honored Christians were interred.  When Pope Fabian died on January 20, 250, he was interred in the catacomb of Callixtus in Rome at the entrance of the Apian Way, the first great highway of the Roman World linking Rome to the Port of Brindisi.  All Roman catacombs were located outside the city walls as it was illegal to bury the dead in the city.  Pope Fabian was buried among scores of martyrs with the inscription on his tomb: “Fabian, Bishop, Martyr”.  His remains were later reinterred by Pope Clement XI at San Sebastiano fuori le mura where the Albani Chapel is dedicated to him.  In 1936, the Church of Santi Fabiano e Venanzio a Villa Fiorelli was named in his honor.

January 20th is also the feast of St. Sebastian, born in the Roman Empire in 255 to a wealthy family.  Sebastain went on to become a Captain of the Soldiers who guarded the Roman Emperor who was not accepting of the Christian population.  He kept his views secret during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian fearing for those who would be martyred for their faith.  The Emperor finally found out about Sebastian and was disappointed that a soldier so close to him had been a believer in God.  Sebastian suffered cruelly being shot with arrows. A sentence from the Emperor.  He survived and appeared publicly to call on the cruelty of the Emperor to Christians.  Diocletian then sentenced Sebastian to death by clubbing.  His body was cast in a sewer until Christians buried his body on the Apian Way among other Christian Martyrs and 16 Popes are buried.  The Catacombe di San Sebastiano extend beneath the 4th Century Basilica of the same name.  He is celebrated among the Catholic Community in India and in Manila, Philippines, the San Sebastian College is located next to the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian.  He is the Patron of the Knights of Columbus Council #4926 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose California, and the St. Sebastian River in Florida is named in his honor. Due to his physical strength, St. Sebastain is the Patron of Athletes and is intercession his sought for cures against many afflictions and was formerly one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers who was a protector from the bubonic plague.  King Sebastian I of Portugal was born on the saint’s feast day and was named after him.

News from San Antonio Church – January 7, 2024

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin January 7, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday, January 7th, we honor the Epiphany of the Lord to commemorate the manifestation of Christ to the whole world as represented by the Magi from the East (Mt. 2:1-12). It is also referred to as Three Kings Day and is sometimes celebrated as Little Christmas.  In some Western Churches, the eve of Epiphany is known as Twelfth Night with the Monday after the Epiphany known as Plough Monday.  The Feast of the Epiphany is part of Christmastime that extends from the First Vespers of Christmas on the evening of December 24th and up to the Sunday after Epiphany.  In some parts of Europe, the priest will bless Epiphany water, frankincense, gold, and chalk that will be used to bless churches and homes.  The water is blessed and then taken home to be used with prayers as a blessing as they bless their homes and themselves.  The blessed chalk will be used for marking homes with the initials of the three Magi, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar written over doors saying the Latin Phrase, Christus Mansionem Benedicat (May God Bless this House).  We will bless chalk on this Sunday to take bless our own homes and that of our family members for 2024.  

In ancient times, the priest would announce the date of Easter Sunday on the feast of the Epiphany.  At a time when calendars were not available, the church would then need to announce the date of Easter since important dates on the liturgical calendar needed to be publicized.  The date would be sung or proclaimed by a reader after the reading of the Gospel or after the post communion prayer.  In Italy, Epiphany is a national holiday and celebrated with the figure of La Befana, the broomstick riding elderly woman who had missed the opportunity to bring a gift to the child Jesus when the Magi invited her on their journey.  She was too busy doing her chores and now uses her broom to visit all the good children on the night before the Epiphany.  On the Feast of the Epiphany, greenery and nativity scenes are taken down with king cakes and gifts given as the celebratory close to the Christmas season.  The famous carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was written about the days between December 25th and the Epiphany. 

On the Monday, January 8th, following the Epiphany, we commemorate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord celebrated in the Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran Churches.  In Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated as an integral part of the Epiphany.  In many Methodist Churches, it is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in January. The Baptism of the Lord was originally one of three Gospel events marked by the feast of the Epiphany until Pope Pius XII instituted a separate liturgical commemoration of the Baptism of the Lord in 1955.  Later, Pope John XXIII revised the calendar keeping the Commemoration of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ as a rank of a second-class feast with Pope Paul VI later setting the date as the first Sunday after January 6th or, if in a particular country the Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday January 7th.  There is the custom initiated by Pope John Paul II where on this feast, the Pope will Baptize babies in the Sistine Chapel. 

On Tuesday, January 9th the Catholic Church begins Ordinary Time which will continue until February 13th, Shrove Tuesday, and the beginning of the Liturgical Season of Lent on Ash Wednesday on February 14th.   On January 13th, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates Hilary of Poitiers (310-367) also venerated in the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican Communion, Lutheran and Oriental Orthodoxy Churches.  He became Bishop of Poitiers and a Doctor of the Church who was referred to as the “Hammer of the Arians” when Arianism was a threat to the Western Church.  The Arians did not believe in the divinity of Christ and at that time, had a lot of power and the support of Emperor Constantius.  Hilary summed up the problem with the Arian heretics when he said, “they didn’t know who they were.”  Hilary felt he knew very little about the whole Arain controversy when he was banished. Many persecutions resulted when there was condemnation of St. Athanasius and there was no exception for Hilary who was exiled from Poitiers.   Saint Jerome said of the spread of the heresy: “The world groaned and marveled to find that it was Arian.”  Arianism was the heresy propagated by the monk Athanasius claiming that Jesus Christ was created and not divine. 

When Emperor Constantius ordered all the bishops of the West to sign a condemnation of Athanasius, the great defender of the faith in the East, Hilary refused and was banished from France to far off Phrygia.  Eventually he was called the “Athanasius of the West.”  While banished, Hilary researched everything about what the Arians said and he wrote: “Although in exile we shall speak through these books and the word of God, which cannot be bound, shall move about in freedom.” He spent time in exile writing on the Trinity, “For one to attempt to speak of God in terms more precise than he himself has used-to undertake such a thing is to embark upon the boundless, to dare the incomprehensible.  He fixed the names of His nature:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Whatever is sought over and above this is beyond the meaning of words, beyond the limits of perception, beyond the embrace of understanding.” After three years in exile, the emperor allowed Hilary to return to Poitiers as the emperor was tired of having to deal with the troublemaker, “a Sower of discord and a disturber of the Orient”.  Hilary did not hurry back but took his time traveling through Greece and Italy and preaching against the Arians.  On his return to Poitiers, Hilary risked death continuing his role as Bishop in the 4th Century.  Hilary is considered the 1st Latin Christian hymn writer and according to St. Jerome, three hymns are attributed to him.  He died in 367 and canonized pre-congregation and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1851.  St. Hilary’s symbol are three books and a quill pen.  A Prayer: “Saint Hilary of Poitiers, instead of being discouraged by your exile, you used your time to study and write.  Help us to bring good out of suffering and isolation in our own lives and see adversity as an opportunity to learn about or share our faith. Amen.”   The city of Poitiers, home of St. Hilary is an important geographic crossroads between France and Western Europe.  The Battle of Tours in 732 took place in the area around Poitiers and in 1356, the city was one of the key battles fought in the Hundred Years War.  It is a city of art and history and is known as Ville Aux Cent Clochers, City of 100 Bell towers with the 4th Century Baptistere Saint-Jean, the oldest church in France. In the United Sates, there are schools and churches dedicated to St. Hilary of Poitiers in Fairlawn and Akron Ohio, in Tiburon and Pico Rivera California, in Chicago, Illinois, Rydal, Pennsylvania and in Raceland, Louisiana.

News from San Antonio Church – December 31, 2023

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Weekly Bulletin December 31, 2023

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday, New Years Eve, we celebrate the religious holiday the Feast of the Holy Family.  It honors the sanctity of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, The Holy Family and celebrates the family unit.  The devotion to the Holy Family grew around the 15th century when venerated them in many works of art that depicted them   as the ideal Christian Family.  Since 1921, the Feast of the Holy family has been a liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church when it was added to the liturgical calendar by Pope Benedict XV.  In 1969, the Feast of the Holy Family has been celebrated during the season of Christmastide.  A Prayer: “O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity, and so, in the joy of your house, delight one day in eternal rewards.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  Amen” 

On January 1st, New Years Day there will be no MASS AT SAN ANTONIO CHURCH.  This is the Feast Day of the Blessed Virgin Mary as we honor her on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.  We celebrated Mary being the mother of Jesus on the 8th day after his birth.  Under Levitical Law, Mary would have had him circumcised on this day and according to Luke 2:21 was then given the name of Jesus.  In Rome around the 14th Century, it was celebrated as the Feast of The Circumcision and the Octave of the Nativity.  In 1960, Pope John XXIII removed the mention of the Circumcision of Jesus from the General Roman Calendar.  In 1969 with the revision of the liturgical year and the calendar of the Roman Rite stating:  January 1st, the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, and also the commemoration of the conferral of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. 

Pope Paul VI would explain: “This celebration.  Laced on January 1st is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation.  It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the holy Mother through whom we were found worthy to receive the Author of life.  It is likewise a fitting occasion for renewing adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels and for imploring from God, through the Queen of peace, the supreme gift of peace.”  A Prayer for this January 1st: “O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.  Who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  AMEN.” 

On Tuesday, January 2nd we celebrate the feast day of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church who met while studying in Constantinople and at the University of Athens.  Both were well educated, smart and holy who during their lives became the model for monasticism in the East.  Monasticism is followed by those who withdraw from society in order to devote themselves totally to God through prayer, penance, and solitude.  They lived at a time of Arianism (heresy claiming that Jesus Christ was created and therefore not divine) and with their teachings, helped the Church to heal, eradicate the heresy, and restore the unity of faith to the church in the East.  They would spend years in solitude praying to prepare them for their common mission.  Basil and Gregory were ordained Priests and were consecrated as Bishops.  Basil opened a school of Oratory for religious communities and was known as a brilliant speaker.  Basil and Gregory wrote books and always worked to defend the Church.  Basil drew up riles for men who wished to live together as Monks.  These rules are still the basis of every Monastic Community in Eastern Churches.    A Prayer to Sts. Gregory and Basil: “You were called by God to be a light in the midst of darkness during a time of great turmoil within the Church.  Please pray for me, that I will never live, enveloped in the darkness of this world but will always carry the light of Christ to scatter falsehood and sin, so that God may be glorified, and souls may be saved, Saints Basil and Gregory, pray for me.  Jesus, I trust in You.  AMEN.” 

On Wednesday, January 3rd we honor The Holy Name of Jesus first celebrated in Germany, Belgium, England, and Scotland that came to be observed universally during the reign of Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724). Since Vatican II and under Pope Paul VI this day is no longer celebrated as a feast although the idea behind it is still valid.  Since we love and respect the name of Jesus, it is proper that we pay homage to it.  The spirit of this is captured by St. Paul: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father “(Phil2:10-11). The Franciscan Bernadine of Siena promoted the devotion to the Holy Name who asked the faithful to “Adore the Redeemer of mankind,” while displaying the trigram HIS on a tablet in gold letters.  In Italy, the devotion to the Holy Name became very popular with the HIS trigram inscribed over the doorways of houses.  The tablet used by Bernadine is now venerated at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli In Rome.  A very old and popular prayer, The Litany of the Holy Name began in the 15th Century was formally approved by Pope Pius IX in 1862 while the Novena in Honor of the Name of Jesus and the Chaplet of Our Lord are some of the many devotions to the Holy Name of Jesus that are promoted by the Society of the Holy Name.  The Little Sachet, associated with the Holy Name is a religious article used by Catholics and bears the statement “When Jesus was named, Satan was disarmed.” 

On January 4th we honor and celebrate St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton a wife, grieving mother and widow who would find her calling after becoming a Catholic after her husband William Magee Seton passed away on December 27, 1803.  She was received into the catholic Church on March 14, 1805, by Fr. Matthew O’Brien. Pastor of the St. Peter’s Church, the only Catholic Church in the city of New York.  In 1806, she received the Sacrament of Conformation from the only Bishop in the nation, the Bishop of Baltimore, John Carroll.  When she converted to Catholicism, Elizabeth tried to establish an academy for young ladies with little success until she met a Sulpician Father, Louis William Valentine Dubourg wanted to start a religious school located in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  Fr. Louis had taken refuge in the United States from religious persecution during the Reign of Terror in France.  Elizabeth accepted his offer and in 1809, moved to Maryland where she established the St. Jospeh’s Academy and Free School dedicated to the education of Catholic Girls.  She would then establish a religious community dedicated to care for children of the poor by the 1st Congregation of Religious Sisters founded in the United States and their school was the 1st free Catholic School in America.  The congregation was then called the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph and Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was lovingly known as “Mother Seton”.  The Sisters adopted the rules of the Daughters of Charity in 1811, which were co-founded in France by Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac. In 1812, there were 19 Sisters in the small community when it was accepted as an official Order with Mother Seton becoming the 1st Superior.   She died on January 4, 1821, at the age of 46, nine years after losings Anna Maria (1795-1812) and five years after the death Rebecca Mary (1802-1816).    Elizabeth Ann Bayley and William Magee Seton’s other children were William II (1796-1868), Richard (1798-1823), Catherine (1800-1891) who was the 1st American to join the Siters of Mercy.   

By 1830, the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph were responsible for running orphanages and schools in Cincinnati and New Orleans and had established the 1st hospital west of the Mississippi in St. Louis.  In addition to the original community of Sisters at Emmitsburg, they are also based in Newy York city, Cincinnati, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Convent Station, New Jersey and Greensburg, Pennsylvania.  Seton High School in Cincinnati was founded as Mount St. Vincent Academy (Cedar Grove) in 1854 and in 1927, was renamed in honor of Elizabeth Ann Seton.  In 1931, our beloved Sister of Charity, Sr. Blandina Segale, Servant of God journeyed to Rome and met with the Pope to petition for the canonization of ‘Mother Seton”.  In 1936, her spiritual writings were approved by theologians and in 1940, her cause was formally opened granting her the title, Servant of God.  With the miracle in 1952 of a 4year old girl healed due to the intercession of Elizabeth Ann Seton, Pope John XXIII declared her beatified on March 17, 1963, with him stating: “In a house that was very small, but with ample space for charity, she sowed a seed in America which by Divine Grace grew into a large tree”.  The miracle attributed to her canonization took place in 1963 with the healing of Carl Kalin who was given hours to live after contracting meningitis and encephalitis in his brain.  Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was finally canonized on September 14, 1975, by Pope Paul VI in a ceremony at St. Peters Square:  Pope Paul VI stated: “Eliabeth Ann Bayley Seton is a saint.  St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton is an American.  All of us say this with special joy and with the intention of honoring the land and the nation from which she sprang forth as the first flower in the calendar of saints.  Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was wholly American!  Rejoice for your glorious daughter.  Be proud of her. And know how to preserve her fruitful heritage.” 

In 1980, the Daughters of Charity Health Network established Bayley Seton Hospital in Stapleton, Staten Island, new York and is now the Bayley Seton campus of Richmond University Medical Center.  Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg, Maryland, located less than a mile from the original school, Saint Joseph’s Academy enrolls 306 students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade and has a ratio of 15 students to every teacher.  A Prayer to St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton: “O God, You raised up St. Elizabeth in Your Church so that she might instruct others in the way of salvation. Gant us to follow Christ after her example that we may reach You in the company of our brothers.  AMEN.”

On January 5th we celebrate the Feast day of John Neuman born on March 28, 1811, in the Kingdom of Bohemia, Austrian Empire, the only male United States citizen to be named a saint.  His alma mater was the University of Prague and his choices at that time were to become a physician, a lawyer, or a priest.  His father was prepared to pay the tuition for medical school.  John chose the Seminary which he entered in 1831 and while studying theology, he read reports of a need for priests in the United States to serve German speaking communities.  In 1828 Monsignor Frederick Rese, Vicar-General of Cincinnati visited Europe in search of priests.  He was able to secure 3 priests, 13 lay brothers and by 1832, the Redemptorists were a prominent element in North America taking care of German Congregations.  At the same time, John Neumann passed his canonical examinations for the priesthood and told he would not be ordained because the Diocese had more priests than needed.  He would have to journey to America to be ordained, something his family would not be able to see.  He was sorry he would not be able to give the 1st traditional priestly blessing to his parents and he would not have his family in attendance at his 1st Mass.  He departed on the morning of February 8, 1836, with 200 francs ($40) only telling his sister Veronica of his plans to leave Bohemia.  He arrived in Munich on February 18th, and on to Strasburg on the 26th of February, he was told he would not be needed in Philadelphia, where after his ordination would be his first post.  When he arrived in Paris, the money he was promised for the journey was given to other missionaries and was told a rich merchant would give him funds.  The money never materialized, and he decided to continue on leaving on Easter Sunday morning on the largest sailing vessel out of Le Havre, the Europa a 210-foot three mast ship with a 60-foot beam.  The voyage lasted 40 days with the passengers coming within sight of land on Trinity Sunday, May 28, 1836.  On the feast of Corpus Christi, he finally stepped ashore with tattered clothes and $1 in his pocket and looking for a Catholic Church.  Seventeen days after his arrival, John Neumann was finally ordained a priest by Bishop Dubois at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral to the subdiaconate on June 19th, the diaconate on June 24th and the priesthood on June 25th, celebrating his 1st Mass on the morning of June 26th at St. Nicholas Church.  John Neumann became the 1st Redemptorists to profess vows in the United States.  The diocese he would serve was home to 200,000 Catholics with 36 priests, 33churches, several oratories, and 50 homes serving as temporary places of worship.  St. John Neuman would visit his Diocese by foot, canal boat, stagecoach, railway, and on horseback although because of his height (5ft 2 in.) his feet did not fit into the stirrups. In 1840, he asked to be admitted to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and took his vows in Baltimore in 1842.  He became a Naturalized citizen in 1848 and became a pioneer in organizing the parochial school system.  He was committed to providing educational opportunities to immigrant school children.  He would also do missionary work in Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio.   Neumann would become the Provincial Superior of the United States and in 1852, was appointed Bishop of Philadelphia where he established the 1st National Italian Parish in the country.  While he was Bishop, more than 80 churches were built, and he drew many Orders of Sisters and Christian Brothers into the city.   He spoke German, French and was fluent in Italian which endeared him to many communities throughout Philadelphia. While performing his duties St. John Neumann collapsed and died on a street in Philadelphia when he was 48 years old.  His funeral and burial were at St. Peters Church where he was laid to rest beneath the undercroft floor under the high altar.  The cause for his canonization was opened formally in 1896 granting him the title of Servant of God and was declared venerable by Pope Benedict XV in 1921.  St. John Neumann was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1963 and canonized by Pope Paul in 1977.  In 1980, Our Lady of the Angels College was renamed Neumann College and in 2017, the state of New Hampshire established the St. John Neumann Education Trust for the advancement of Catholic Education in the state.  There are 15 schools named for him throughout the United States and in 2011, on the 200th anniversary of St. John Neumann’s birth, the Redemptorist Fathers celebrated the Closing Mass for the Neumann Year on June 23, 2012, in Philadelphia.

On Saturday, January 6th, the Catholic Church honors Andre Bessette (1845-1937) a Canadian lay brother of the Holy Cross Order who was a highly regarded figure of the Catholic Church among French-Canadians.  As a young boy, he developed devotions to St. Joseph and the Pasion of Christ while taking catechism lesson from his parish priest, Andre Provencal.  Years later, the pastor decided to present Andre Bessette to the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal with a note to the Superior, “I am sending you a saint.”  He was finally accepted on behalf of the Archbishop of Montreal, Ignace Bourget and in 1872, entered the novitiate of the Congregation.  He entered as Brother Andre and made his final vows at the age of 28 on February 2, 1874.  Brother Andre was assigned the task of porter, laundry worker, messenger, and sacristan at the College Notre-Dame in Quebec.  For 40 years he stayed visiting the sick in their homes and he recommended prayers to Saint Joseph with many claiming cures through the intercession of Brother Andre and Saint Joseph.  He would not take credit for the cures and launched a campaign to have a chapel built to honor Saint Joseph.  In 1924, the construction of a Basilica named St. Jospeh Oratory broke ground on the side of the mountain close to Brother Andre’s Chapel.  He died at the age of 91 in 1937 with one million mourners filling past his coffin to pay their respects with his remains entombed in the church he helped build. The cause for his beatification was opened on July 20, 1950, with the miracle attributed to him was the healing of Giuseppe Carlo Audino’s cure from cancer.  He was then beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 23, 1982.  In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI there was a decree to recognize a second miracle at Brother Andre’s intercession and in 2010 he was formally declared a saint.  Brother Andre Bessette was the 1st saint of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the same religious order that founded the University of Notre Dame.  Many schools and churches are named for him throughout Canada and in the United States.  St. Edward University, a Holy Cross School located in Austin, Texas is home to the School of Humanities and in Niles, Illinois a program to support student learning at Notre dame College Prep is named the St. Andre Scholars.    Throughout Canada, there is the St. Andre Bessette Secondary School, Brother Andre Catholic School, and St. Andre Bessette Elementary School.  The churches named in his honor are St. Andre Bessette Parish in Laconia, New Hampshire, a city with many residents of French-Canadian Heritage, in Ecorse, Michigan, St. Andre Bessette Catholic Church and in Portland, Oregon the St. Andre Catholic Church located downtown.  In support of Brother Andre’s work, Andre House was established in Phoenix, Arizona to aid those homeless and poor and in Pittsburg, in Pennsylvania, the Epiphany Roman Catholic Church, established a coffee shop, Brother Andre’s Café that employs workers with disabilities.  There is a statue of Saint Andre unveiled on the 50th Anniversary of Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana and Andre Place, the retirement facility sponsored by the Brothers of Holy Cross is adjacent to the college.  At the University of Notre Dame across the street from Holy Cross College, there are many statues and stained-glass windows depicting St. Andre.

As we honor St. Andre Bessette, we also celebrate San Antonio Church’s own Holy Cross Father, Fr. Fred Serraino, C.S.C. He grew up in the Little Italy section of South Fairmount and was ordained to the priesthood on December 21, 1968, at the Holy Cross Seminary Chapel.  Fr. Fred Serraino came back to San Antonio Church to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on June 1, 1969, to a church filled with honored parishioners.  On May 25, 2018, he celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his ordination at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of Notre Dame and is now a resident of Andre House.  Fr. Fred’s parents were the late Anthony and Philomena Serraino, long-time parishioners of our church.  His brother Frank Serraino and his sister Carmella “Cumi” (Serraino) Berger and their families are still active members of our church.