Category: Men’s & Ladies’ Sodality

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 September 22, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time our San Antonio Church Community is getting ready for our 88^th Annual Spaghetti Dinner.  The Men’s and Ladies Sodality is asking for 2 Liter Sodas and homemade desserts if possible.  We always need volunteers, so please see Connie Dalessandro after Mass to sign up for donations or to work the dinner.  

 On this Sunday, we send our condolences and prayers to the Ebertz, Adams, and Lecture Families on the passing of Paul Lecture on September 1^st, 2024, at the age of 80.  He was the beloved husband of Jolene (Adams) Lecture who along with her late mother Marjorie (Ebertz) Adams played the organ for our Sunday Mass and at other church events.  We also send our condolences on the passing of Mary Eileen (Crawley) McGeever on September 12, 2024, at the age of 95.  She was a Native of Doocastle, County Mayo, Ireland and the beloved mother of Brian and Patricia McGeever, who produced the special “Cincinnati Saint” about the life and good works of our much-revered Sister of Charity, Sr. Blandina Segale, Servant of God.  Please keep all of these extended San Antonio Family members in your thought and prayers.   

On Monday, September 23^rd, many Italian Catholics honor and celebrate the feast day of St. Padre Pio.  Born Francesco Forgione (1887-1968), known as St. Pius of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Franciscan Capuchin Friar, Priest, Stigmatist, and Mystic.  He became famous for exhibiting stigmata during most of his life which brough him much interest and controversy as he bore the wounds of Christ in his hands, feet, and side.  Francesco joined the Capuchin Order at the age of 15, taking the name Pio, ordained in 1910, and served in World War I in 1915 when he was drafted into the Italian Army, serving in Naples with the 10^th Medical Corps.  In 1918, he started to display permanent wounds on his hands and feet after having a vison of Jesus.  After he received the stigmata, he rarely left the Friary; nevertheless, busloads would arrive waiting to see him.  Pio was thought to have mystical gifts such as reading souls and the ability to make healings before they were requested.  Many of those who would visit with him said that Padre Pio knew details of their lives that they had never mentioned to anyone.  He saw Jesus in all the sick and suffering; and at his urging, a hospital was built on Mount Gargano.  The 350-bed hospital became a place that saw cures that were received through the intercession of Padre Pio.  He became a Spiritual Director and developed 5 rules for Spiritual growth:  weekly confessions, daily communion, spiritual readings, meditation, and examination of conscience.  He was a strong proponent of weekly confession, calling it the Soul’s Bath.  He taught that suffering is a special sign of God’s love, and it makes you resemble “His Divine Son in His anguish in the desert and on the Hill of Calvary.” 

Pio had strict rules concerning modesty while going to Confession or attending Mass.  He stated: “The Church is the house of God.”  It is forbidden for men to enter with bare arms or in shorts.  It is forbidden for women to enter in trousers, without a veil on their head, in short clothing, low necklines or in sleeveless or immoral dresses.  He expressed great concern over the spread of Communism and throughout his life, prayed to combat it.  He supported the Christian Democratic Party with Italian Communists hating him for his outspoken support.  The Communists grumbled that his presence at the polls “took votes away from us.”  He was consulted by Italian Political leaders such as Aldo Morro, Antonio Segni, Mariano Rumor, Giovanni Leone and received letters requesting prayers throughout his life.   He sometimes had his habit torn by souvenir hunters while suffering much anguish by the actions of those who circulated prophecies that they claimed came directly from him.  He never made prophecies about any world events or gave opinions that he deemed were Church matters.  When Fr. Karol Wojtyla visited Padre Pio in 1947, he was told he would rise to the highest post in the Catholic Church.  In 1978, Fr. Karol Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II. 

Following the assignation of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, Padre Pio broke down in tears when asked by another priest if he would pray for Kennedy’s salvation.  He replied, “It’s not necessary, he is already in Paradise.”  Padre Pio died at 2:30AM on September 23,1968 after making his last confession and renewing his Franciscan vows.  On his death bed he kept repeating Gesu Maria (Jesus Maria).  His funeral ceremony was held on September 26^th with 100,000 in attendance with his body interred in the Church of Our Lady of Grace.  In 1999, Padre Pio was declared Blessed at the Mass for his Beatification on May 2, 1999, and his Canonization Mass taking place on February 28, 2002, both at St. Peters Square officiated by Pope John Paul II.  There were 300,000 at his canonization Mass when St. John Paul said: “The Gospel image of ‘yoke’ evokes the many trials that the humble Capuchin of San Giovanni Rotondo endured.  Today we contemplate in him how sweet the ‘yoke’ of Christ and indeed how light the burden is whenever someone carries these with faithful love.  The life and mission of Padre Pio testify that difficulties and sorrows, if accepted with love, transform themselves into a privileged journey of holiness, which opens the person toward a greater good, known only to the Lord.”   The main pilgrimage site for St. Pio is in the town of San Giovanni Rolando where the saint spent most of his life.  On July 1, 2004, Pope John Paul II dedicated the Sanctuary of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, also called the Padre Pio Pilgrimage Church where his relics are placed in the crypt of the new sanctuary.  They are on display for veneration for all the pilgrims who come to honor him. 

On Thursday, September 26^th, we celebrate the feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, 3^rd Century twin brothers and Arab Physicians who became early Christian Martyrs.  They practiced their profession in the Aegean Seaport in the Roman Province of Cilicia and were known as very skilled doctors and surgeons who never took a fee for their services.  They believed that as Christians this was the best form of charity that they could practice and they are still known throughout Eastern Christendom as Saints Cosmas and Damian, “The Moneyless.”  They were even credited with developing a rare medication, Opopira, to treat paralysis and other maladies.   Through their work, they attracted many to the Christian faith during the time it was popular to worship the Olympian gods.  It was at the time that Emperor Diocletian began to issue edicts that condemned Christians and the persecutions soon began.  He had no hesitation in arresting such distinguished Christians, in spite of their good works.  Cosmas and Damian held steadfast in their faith even though the Emperor was working to eliminate Christians from the Roman Empire.  They were arrested, even though tortured, they stayed true to their faith.  They had healed the bodies of others but now their bodies were broken as they were hung on crosses with stones thrown and arrows fired into their bodies.  After being cut down and while still alive, they were beheaded.  Their corpses were taken to Syria and buried in Cyprus around the year 303.  By the 4^th Century, Churches were established and dedicated to Cosmas and Damian in Jerusalem, Egypt and Mesopotamia becoming revered as patron saints of physicians.  Throughout Europe, Asia, Canada, India, Mexico, and Africa there are 57 Churches, Monasteries, and Municipalities named in their honor and 10 Chapels, Churches and Societies named for them.  In the Eastern Christian Church, Orthodox icons of the saints show them as laymen holding medicine boxes with each one holding a spoon while dispensing medicine.  The handle of the spoon is shaped like a Cross to show the importance of spiritual as well as physical healing telling us that all cures come from God.  Their Major Shrines are the Convent of the Poor Clares in Madrid, Basilica of Saints Cosmas, and Damian in Rome and in Bari, Italy.  

On Friday, September 27^th, we honor the life’s work of St. Vincent De Paul who devoted his life to helping the poor.  He became the patron of charitable causes and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of charity.  St. Vincent De Paul was born in 1581 in the small village of Pouy in Gascony, France and received his education from a local parish priest before attending the University of Toulouse at the age of 19.  He earned a Doctorate in Theology before being Ordained in 1605, developing a deep commitment to helping the poor and disadvantaged.  He then started serving poor families in Paris around 1617 by bringing them food and comfort and enlisted wealthy women to assist him in his efforts.  The Confraternities of Charity gave him much needed help while collecting funds for missionary projects and founding hospitals.  His organization also gathered relief funds for victims of war and the ransom of 1,200 galley slaves from North Africa.  In 1622, he was appointed Chaplain of the galleys of Languedoc after working among imprisoned slaves in Paris.  In 1625, he founded the Congregation of the Mission, also called the Vincentians whose priests took a vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience and were devoted to those in need in small towns and villages.  In 1633, Vincent De Paul founded the religious order of nuns, the Daughters of Charity to provide physical, spiritual, and educational aid to the poor and disadvantaged that is still in existence.  He rose to become an intimate advisor to the French Royal Family, especially the Spiritual Advisor to Queen Anne and used his position to garner much needed relief among the suffering poor.  He died at the age of 80 in 1660 and was Canonized by Pope Clement XII on June 16, 1737, in Rome.   St. Vincent De Paul was known for his headstrong nature, humility, and unknown to many an avid gardener.  He often tended gardens at many charitable institutions when he said: “It is not enough to love the poor, one must also love the soil that feeds them.”    He is the patron saint of charitable societies, hospitals, prisoners, and volunteers.  In 1833, the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, the charitable organization dedicated to serving the poor was established by French University students and is still present in 153 countries.  There are 17 Parishes, 3 Universities, and many high schools within the United States named after him.  His Major Shrine is the St. Vincent De Paul Chapel in Paris, France.  Prayer to St. Vincent De Paul: “O God, You gave St. Vincent De Paul apostolic virtues for the salvation of the poor and the formation of the clergy.  Grant that, endowed with the same spirit, we may love that he loved and act according to his teachings.  AMEN.”  

On Saturday, September 28^th, we celebrate the feast of St. Wenceslaus, the oldest son of Duke Ratislav.  He was educated by his grandmother St. Ludmilla becoming a good student and a pious young man who loved his faith.  He became the ruler of Bohemia at age 15 after the death of his father.  When he took control of the government, he used Christianity to strengthen his state.  His closest advisor, St. Ludmilla, his grandmother was murdered by assassins of a pagan political faction that opposed her Christian influence on the throne.  He brought German priests to Bohemia and favored the Latin Rite for Mass instead of the Old Slavic Rite which went into disuse in many places for lack of priests.  He founded a rotunda consecrated to St. Vitus at the Prague Castle, now St. Vitus Cathedral.   Wenceslaus’ brother, no longer heir to the throne after the prince was born, joined the opposition party, and eventually murdered Wenceslaus on his way to Mass.  Many miracles have been attributed to the saintly king, especially at his tomb, at the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.  September 28^th is also the feast day of his grandmother St. Ludmilla who died in 927.  There is an equestrian statue of St. Wenceslaus, and other patrons of Bohemia, St. Adalbert, St. Ludmilla, St. Prokop, and St. Agnes, located on Wenceslaus Square, a popular meeting place in Prague.

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 October 8, 2023

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday, our San Antonio Church community celebrates another milestone in the history of our parish, our 87th Annual Spaghetti Dinner.  In the 1930’s our church was located in a temporary 2nd floor meeting and convention hall when the Catholics living in the “Little Italy”  section of South Fairmount were coming together to not only worship; but establish their families in an area where telephone and light poles were now part of the neighborhood scenery and White Street was now a paved road.  Our parish priest was Franciscan Joseph Klein who took on many tasks to give our little house of worship a new facelift.  After a new altar and communion rail was installed, he promoted our church societies to help with the needs of the parish by offering English classes for those seeking citizenship.  In 1934, Fr. Joseph along with Miss Rosemary Ebertz, organist, and musical director, worked to form the San Antonio Church Choir and 2 years later in 1936, those dedicated choir members sponsored the 1st Spaghetti Dinner that was prepared and served by our grandparents and many members of our present-day San Antonio Families.  We remember all those founding church families and thank all those new generations who have stepped up to plan our annual event and who are working this Sunday on our 101st Church Anniversary and our 87th Annual Spaghetti Dinner.  Benedict and Mangia!

On Monday, October 9th we celebrate the 531st anniversary of Columbus’s first historic voyage.  Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451, took to the sea at age 14, and at 41 years of age made his 1st voyage on August 3, 1492.  He read about astronomy, geography and history and learned Latin, Portuguese and Castilian before completing four round trip voyages between Spain and the Americas during the years 1492 and 1504.  Those voyages sponsored by the Crown of Castile initiated European exploration and the Columbian Exchange.  The Columbian Exchange established the transfer of ideas and people between the Old World and the New World as a result of his first voyage.  The results of the exchange of animals, plants, mineral wealth, and technologies lead to globalization along with commercial, economic, social, and political changes.  Since the 18th century, many large celebrations to observe the Discovery of the New World were held for Columbus’ Day, originated by those of Italian Americans because of the explorers’ origins to Italy.  Along with the Italian, Jewish and Irish immigrants who settled in the United States, many claim Christopher Columbus as an ethnic founding father.  Some Americans will honor this day, the anniversary of the discovery of their country with church services and planned activities. 

The 1st Columbus Day celebration was in 1792 when New York’s Columbian Order (Tammany Hall) commemorated the historic landings 300th Anniversary.  In the 1890s to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Columbus’ Voyage; in 1893, a fair was planned with many outdoor displays covering over 690 acres.  In 1892,  President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation encouraging everyone to celebrate this day with patriotic festivities saying, “On that day, let the people, so far as possible, cease from toil and devote themselves to such exercises as may best express honor to the discover and their appreciation of the great achievements of the four completed centuries of American life.”  In 1893, the Columbian Exposition was held in Chicago to mark the 400th Anniversary of Columbus voyage.  The fair included life size reproductions of Christopher Columbus’ three ships, the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria to honor the discovery of the Americas.  There were 34 United States who had their own pavilions and 4 United States territories, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah who had their own pavilions located in one large building.  There were 46 countries represented who had their own pavilions with many interesting displays.  A sailing ship from Norway, the “Viking” crossed the Atlantic with   Captain Magnus Andersen and a 12-man crew for the Columbian Exposition with the historic ship now located in Geneva, Illinois and open to visitors.  The Columbian Exposition issued postage stamps, books and tokens that became quite collectible along with photographs and admission tickets with the United States Mint offering its 1st commemorative coins, the Columbian Exposition quarter dollar and the Columbian half dollar. 

The 1st Columbus Day holiday was held in San Francisco in 1869 with the 1st statewide celebration being held in Colorado in 1907 when Angelo Noce, a 1st generation American of Italian descent, worked to make this day a legal holiday.  In 1937, it became a Federal Holiday when President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a national holiday.  The Knights of Columbus, the Catholic fraternal organization held an intense campaign to promote the national holiday even promoting canonization for Christopher Columbus.  In 1966, Buffalo, New York resident, Mariano Lucca founded the National Columbus Day Committee working to make Columbus Day a Federal Holiday with then President Lyndon Johnson signing the legislation in 1968 with it becoming effective in 1971.  Since 2004, Columbus Day has been annually celebrated in Italy with the official name for the day Giotnata nazionale di Christoforo Columbo “National Christopher Columbus Day” and in the town square located in Genoa, Italy there is a large monument dedicated to him.   

Our San Antonio Church community sends condolences and prayers to the Franciscan Community on the passing of Father Daniel “Dan” Anderson O.F.M. who died on Monday, September 25, 2023, at the St. Francis Seraph Friary.  He was a graduate of Roger Bacon High School class of 1965 and after graduating college in 1970 with a degree in philosophy, professed solemn vows on September 9, 1971.  Fr. Dan was ordained to the priesthood on March 26, 1976, at St Francis Seraph Church where he was a teacher.    He took courses at Notre Dame and would teach Speech, English and Theatre while developing the school’s theatre program at Roger Bacon and while also becoming the Chaplain at Saint Ursula Academy.  Fr. Dan inspired many students with his love for theatre and they will never forget how his dedication inspired them through every performance.  He became the audiotape editor for the St. Anthony Messenger Magazine, Associate Pastor at St, George Parish and Newman Center as the Provincial Archivist and Librarian.  At the time of his passing Fr. Dan was serving as the Secretary for St. John the Baptist Province.  Fr. Dan Anderson leaves many relatives and friends who will mourn his passing.  He is also survived by his friends from the Franciscan Order Community:  Fr. Jim Bok, OFM, Fr. Matthias Crehan, OFM, Fr. Larry Dunham, OFM, Fr. Pat McCloskey, OFM, Fr. Ricardo Russo, OFM, and Br. George Ward, OFM.   His funeral Mass was held St. Clement Church on Tuesday, October 3rd with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Please remember the O’Shea, Anderson, Steele, Mitchell, and Brinson families in your prayers at this difficult time.