News from San Antonio Church – March 7, 2021

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 7, 2021

by Terrie Evans

Our San Antonio Church Community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jo Ann Metz (1929-2021).  Although  she would soon celebrate her 92nd birthday,   we  believed she would be there with us at our 100th Anniversary in 2022.  Jo Ann grew up in South Fairmount across the street from the Esposito and Panaro families when her parents Frank and Mary (Herdeman) Metz relocated to Queen City Avenue along with sisters Mary Jane, Rosemary, and Carol.  Jo Ann attended St. Bonaventure School, graduated from St. Xavier Commercial High School and went on to college where she studied law.  She took learning  very, seriously a trait that was with her throughout her life.  When she joined the workforce, her soon to be husband, Victor Jelen entered her life.  He was much like Jo Ann, smart and driven to succeed.  They welcomed three children Andrew, Jean and Peter while building their dream home together with Jo Ann being elected  the President of the Oak Hills School Board.  Even though Jo Ann moved up on the hill, she still kept close ties with those families from the Little Italy section of South Fairmount.

By this time she had earned her law degree and knew she could put her knowledge to good use when she heard about decisions being made concerning the future of St. Bonaventure and San Antonio Church.  Being from a German family she felt an alliance to St. Bonaventure but San Antonio was her home parish where her mother Mary, was welcomed and became President of the St. Ann Married Ladies Sodality.  She knew she had to help and soon took the helm for the lengthy ordeal to keep San Antonio Church open for worship.  All the parishioners grew up with Jo Ann, knew her sisters and respected her ideas.  Jo Ann became the litigator for the series of meetings and rallies that got everyone involved.  All the members from the founding  families of san Antonio Church  listened to her plan after our San Antonio Church Committee  met with the office of the Archbishop to plead our case.  Those unknown years in the 1980’s were a very sad time for the parishioners who built, were baptized and  married in the little church.  

Jo Ann  fought hard and enlisted those brave men and women who presented us with the gift we have today, a beautiful church for us to worship in.  Jo Ann will be remembered for not only  saving our church, but working to stop the blight of South Fairmount as the area around the church was changing, and not for the better.  She bought homes to rehab so there would not be empty buildings  in the place she referred to as “the Healing Valley”.  She attended  Commission meetings, presentations at MSD  and met with the South Fairmount Association  every month.  Jo Ann leaves too many family members and friends to mention who along with all of us will never forget her.  She was the last of her sisters and sadly she buried her son Andrew in 2009.  She leaves her son Peter, daughter Jean and beloved granddaughter Kali Alyssa Jelen.

News from San Antonio Church – February 28, 2021

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 28, 2021

by Terrie Evans

In the history of San Antonio Church, our church community has always planned and celebrated yearly events.  This year, we scheduled our winter Pizza Party for Saturday, March 6, 2021.  The pizza and sauce  recipe to be served on that day goes back to our 1st  San Antonio Festival in 1923.  The St. Anthony’s Men’s Society, established in 1922 decided to introduce our new church to their neighbors and friends.  At that time, South Fairmount had many German and Italian families with many good cooks and bakers.  The German Mutter’s  were known for their yeast coffee cakes while the Italian Madre’s were known for their fresh baked bread.  When those Italian Mamma’s would make their homemade bread, they made extra dough for pizzas as a treat for their families.  They were so good at making those pies, the  San Antonio Festival Committee asked them to offer their services for the 1st festival.  They were very popular and soon became known   as the “Ladies of the Lot Pizzas”.   Those pizzas  became a westside staple at all the past  San Antonio Festivals.  So around 13 years ago; the Men’s and Ladies Sodality decided to bring back this tradition.  Since that time; it has been a very successful venture to not only share our  history, but to showcase our church.  

This year we will offer 7 different types of pizza at $12 each; plus the option of purchasing a quart of our signature pizza sauce at $10 each.  This year we will offer CARRY OUT SERVICE so please remember to make your choice and book a time for CARRY OUT SERVICE from 11:30 AM UNTIL 7:45 PM.  To ORDER BY PHONE, or to buy a Split the Pot ticket for $5 each, CALL DAVE SABATELLI AT 513-405-6444 or ON LINE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/SanAntonioItalianChapelCincinnati.

Pizzas available for order are: The favorite” Ladies of the Lot Pizza” with a light touch of Sauce,  Pecorino  Cheese and Olive Oil  or our Traditional Cheese Pizza with Sauce, Provolone Cheese and edges brushed with Garlic Sauce.  Our Pepperoni Pizza has Sauce, 2 layers of Pepperoni, Provolone Cheese with Garlic Sauce.  The Meat Lovers Pizza contains not just Pepperoni, Italian Sausage but Capicola, Provolone Cheese and Garlic Sauce.  For all the Anchovy Lovers order this pizza with Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Sliced Black Olives, Anchovies, Garlic Sauce and garnished with Parsley.  Our Veggie Lovers Pizza has Sauce, Provolone Cheese, Red &Yellow Peppers ,Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions ,Fresh Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, Provolone Cheese and Garlic Sauce.  We are also offering  2 Dessert Pizzas the 1sthas Peaches Caramelized in Brown Sugar and Topped with a Streusel Caramel Topping.  The 2nd Dessert Pizza contains a Crust brushed with Olive Oil,  Pears, Gorgonzola Cheese, Caramelized Onions and topped with a Balsamic Vinegar Glaze.  Mangia!

News from San Antonio Church – February 21, 2021

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 21, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On this 1st Sunday of  Lent, Invocabit Sunday, we begin our journey  through prayer, penance and almsgiving  as a part of  our Lenten sacrifice.  Lent in Latin is Quadragesima which means Fortieth, the number of days until Easter Sunday.  On Ash Wednesday, Christians begin a period of reflection, self-examination and spiritual redirection.  This liturgical season is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic Churches.  During these 40 days, we recall Jesus Christ’s journey into the desert as we fast and sacrifice a luxury during this somber Liturgical season. In some parishes, they have an annual Lenten Event asking those to donate the value of what they have given up for the benefit of their church’s fundraiser.   Many Christians will pray a daily devotional  every morning or observe the Stations of the Cross.  The colors used during Lent  are violet or blue except in the Anglican church who will  use unbleached linen or muslin known as Lenten array.

Our San Antonio Church Annual Pizza Party is scheduled for Saturday, March 6th with NO DINE IN and CARRY OUT ONLY.  With all the COVID restrictions in place this is the best way to get our delicious LADIES OF THE LOT pizzas to our loyal customers.  We will offer the many varieties of deep dish pies for $12 each and new this year we will offer our homemade San Antonio Pizza Sauce available in quart size for $10.  You can pre order your pizza’s after Mass in the Hall,  by phone or on line with  all the details listed on San Antonio’s Face Book Page.  To pre-order check our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/SanAntonioItalianChapelCincinnati  or by calling  Dave Sabatelli at 513-405-6444.  Dave will also be available after Mass to purchase tickets or for further info.  Our Carry Out Service starts at 11:30 AM and lasts until 7:45 PM on Saturday, March 6th.  Also, Split the Pot Tickets are available at $5 each.  Please  consider buying  your “Take Out Pizza Event” tickets early as there are only a  limited amount of tickets and this popular yearly event always sells out. 

During this trying time we have missed many regulars at Mass due to health issues or the extra precautions they might need to take for their own protection.  Over the last few months we have welcomed  Gregg and Lisa Eilerhurst and  Dave Sabatelli’s sister and brother-in-law, Larry and Eileen Vickery.  They have been attending  our 9:00 AM Sunday Mass and volunteering  with our twice monthly Lunch on the House Tuesday’s.  Our church community always welcomes new faces at our Mass so, please introduce yourself to make them feel a part of San Antonio.   

News from San Antonio Church – February 14, 2021

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 14, 2021

by Terrie Evans

Our San Antonio Church community sends its heartfelt condolences to Fred Brandewiede and his family on the passing of their beloved Matriarch Dixie.  We have missed Fred and Dixie at Mass while she battled many health issues.  They were dedicated to San Antonio and were there with us for our many milestones and  celebrations.  Dixie (Klemme) and Fred met when they both worked for the FBI and were married at St. Lawrence Church on May 26, 1962.  They were together for 59 years and shared  their love to their family and friends. She leaves sons Mark, Matthew,  daughter Melissa and their spouses.  Dixie’s  children were  her greatest assets as were the grandchildren she adored,  Allison  Molly, Jessica, Emma, Nikki, Michelle and her 4 great grandchildren.  We will always remember Dixie and her infectious smile as  Fred, and his family and friends mourn their great loss. 

We also send our condolences to Deacon John and Colleen Gerke  on the passing of their Patriarch, Paul Gerke.  Paul was a  resident of St. Bernard and was married to the late Rose Marie (Strum) for 60 years.  Together they raised Cathy, John, Sue, Peggy, and Rob in the Catholic Faith and welcomed 18 Grandchildren and 27 Great Grandchildren with the same religious values.  Paul was a descendant of the  Gerke Brewing Family who operated the Company from 1882-1912.  He was a member of IBEW 212 for over 60 years and passed down his electrical expertise to his son John who tackled our much needed repairs at San Antonio Church..

On this Sunday we celebrate World Marriage Day to honor the lifelong commitment and love a  husband and wife share while working through good and bad times.  In 1982, 43 Governors proclaimed the day as a celebration  that was changed to World Marriage Day in 1983.  In 1993, Pope John Paul II gave all married couples a special Apostolic Blessing .  A Prayer for Married Couples:  “Almighty and eternal God, You have blessed the union of married couples so that they might reflect the union of Christ with His Church:  look with kindness on them.  Renew their marriage covenant, increase your love in them, and strengthen their bond of peace so that, with their children, they may always rejoice in the gift of your blessing.  We ask this through Christ our Lord – Amen.”

On Wednesday, February 17th we enter the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday and 46 days of penitence before Easter.  The ashes we receive are from the burning of those palm leaves from the past Palm Sundays.  In ancient times, ashes were used to express grief and to show sorrow for sins and faults.  Christians all over the world will make a Lenten sacrifice during this liturgical season.  Fr. Len will officiate at our 12:00 noon Mass and distribute ashes for us. 

News from San Antonio Church – February 7, 2021

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 7, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On this 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time we honor all those men and women religious on this World Day for Consecrated Life.  This day is set aside to commemorate  those in the Catholic Church who have lived to follow Jesus Christ.  Consecration – is any formal designation of a person, place or thing for the service of God  that is characterized by the public profession of poverty, chastity, and obedience.  Those faithful following this stable form of living strive for dedicated service for the kingdom of God with  different forms of Consecrated Life that may be lived in institutes or individually.  Congregations were not recognized until the 16th when only institutions granted solemn vows as most simple vows were bestowed on those oriented toward social service and for the evangelization throughout Europe and in mission areas. It wasn’t until December 8, 1900 that they were finally approved and recognized as religious.

During  the French Revolution, the government tried to abolish the Christianization of  the country of France.  The French government had forbidden any form of religious life when the Jesuit, Fr. Pierre-Joseph Picot de Cloriviere founded a new society,  the Institute of the Heart of Jesus.  He also founded The Daughters of the Heart of Mary.  In other Catholic Countries, congregations increased as a result of  depriving thousands of monks and nuns  their income that was  always controlled and held by their communities.  This forced them to find a new way for them to continue their way of living a religious life as a secular institute to avoid being a religious society by the government. 

On February 2, 1947, Pope Pius XII recognized secular institutes as a new category of the state of perfection and in 1983, the Code of cannon Law recognized secular institutes as a form of consecrated life.  Secular institutes are those “in which the Christian faithful, living in the world, strives for the perfection of charity and work for the sanctification of the world especially within”.    

Prayers of the Faithful for Consecrated Life:  “For those Consecrated to God by the vows of Chasity, Poverty, and Obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits.  We pray to the Lord…. For those who have responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be a consecrated person that they may experience the support of the Church as they continue their growth in holiness.  We pray to the Lord…”

Please remember Ash Wednesday and the start of the season of Lent is February 17th.  San Antonio Church will have Mass and a distribution of Ashes at 12:00 noon with Fr. Len Wenke officiating.  

News from San Antonio Church – January 31, 2021

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 31, 2021

by Terrie Evans

During the first week in February, we celebrate and honor The Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas (Tuesday) and also the Feast of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr (Wednesday).  On February 2nd, we commemorate Candlemas also called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.  It falls 40 days after the birth of Jesus  and  is also a day when churches have processions  in the Methodist, Lutheran, Orthodox or Roman Catholic Churches as parishioners  bring their candles from home to be blessed for the New Year.  These blessed candles represent Jesus Christ as  the Light of the World for them  to bring that light into  their homes.  Candlemas is considered a feast of Hope, Renewal, Purification and Humility.

The Presentation of Jesus is also commemorated on February 2nd according to the account of the Presentation of Jesus in Luke 2:22-40.  In ancient times, laws were in accordance for when a new mother could enter the Temple after giving birth.  A new mother was considered unclean for 40 days after delivering a first born son and not allowed to touch anything holy or even go out in public.  After the 40 days had passed, the parents were expected to present their son at the Temple and offer a sacrifice.  The offering usually was a lamb  or if no means were available, two pigeons or turtle doves could be given.  The Presentation of Jesus is the 4th Joyful Mystery and  the first of Seven Sorrows of Mary.  A Collect Prayer in honor of the Presentation of the Lord:  Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore your majesty that just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, we may be presented to you with minds made pure.  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.

On Wednesday, we commemorate the Feast of St. Blaise one of the  Fourteen Holy Helpers; who became one of the most popular saints from the Middle Ages.  He had many followers  throughout Europe in the 11th and 12th Centuries who started out as  a physician and later became the Bishop of Sebastea now Turkey.  In his early life, Blaise was known  as a healer of ailments that attack the body.  Once he concentrated on their bodily afflictions, St. Blaise worked on their spiritual ills.  He became known for his  holiness, miraculous ability, good will and piety while performing  miracles on people as well as animals.  There is documentation of him healing a choking child and on the feast of St. Blaise, a special blessing is given to protect against injuries and illnesses of the throat.  A priest will take two blessed candles and recite a prayer as he touches the throats of those being blessed.  In Italy he is known as San Biagio; where his remains rest in the Basilica over the town of Maratea. 

News from San Antonio Church – January 21, 2021

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 24, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On this 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we look forward to the feast days  for this week.  On Monday, January 25th we honor The Conversion of St. Paul as we celebrate this event in the life of Paul the Apostle. According to the New Testament, he ceased the persecuting of early Christians which led him to become a follower of Jesus. Paul was not a follower of Jesus his conversion occurred after Jesus’ Crucifixion.  This feast is also celebrated in the Anglican and  Lutheran Churches.  The collect  to St. Paul (Opening or Formal Prayer) in the Roman Missal:  O God, who taught the whole world through the preaching of the Blessed Apostle 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.

Tuesday, January 26th we honor two of St. Paul’s most trusted disciples, Timothy and Titus.  Timothy became a convert of St. Paul, accomplished apostolic work   and had oversight of the Churches of Macedonia.  Churches at that time needed doctrines and had divisions within the Christian community while addressing matters such as marriage, celibacy and virginity.  Titus also became a great help to the Apostle Paul and was responsible for the Church at Corinth.  Titus who  became  not only an administrator and peacemaker of the Apostle Paul  but a great friend to him as well. Titus would go on to be the Administrator of the Christian Community on the Island of Crete where he corrected abuses and appointed Presbyter-Bishops(one who exercises oversight in the Community).  Saints Timothy and Titus played crucial roles in the early Church.

On January 27th, we celebrate the life of Angela de Merici, an Italian Religious educator who founded the Company of St. Ursula in 1535.  Established in Brescia, Italy, she gathered 12 young women who wanted to dedicate their lives to the service of the church through the education of girls.  They were the first teaching order of women religious.  Her goal was to elevate family life through the Christian education of future wives and mothers to which she dedicated her life.  When she  died at the age of 65 on January 27, 1540 her body was clothed in the habit of a Franciscan Tertiary or Third Order. 

On Thursday, we honor the Dominican Friar, Philosopher, Catholic Priest and Doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas.  Born in the Kingdom of Sicily in 1225, he is considered one of the Catholic Churches greatest theologians and greatest  philosophers of the western world.  In 1265, Pope Clement IV selected him to serve as Papal Theologian and in 1268, the Dominican Order assigned him to be Regent Master at the University of Paris.  He was the foremost classical proponent of natural theology in the areas of ethics, natural law, metaphysics, and political theory.  He is the Patron of Catholic Schools. 

News from San Antonio Church – January 17, 2021

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 17, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On January 17th, we acknowledge  World Religion Day; to learn about the common elements of different faiths.  Established by the Baha’i Faith in 1949 who believe that all humans are born equal and have the same rights and duties irrespective.  The Baha’i Faith  emerged from Persia in the 19th century and follows three core principles; the unity of God, religion and humankind.  World Religion Day was 1st celebrated in the United States in 1950 and is now observed in 80 countries as a way to enlighten us about all the  major religions.  Over 70% of the world’s population practice  Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, or Sikhism.   

This is also the feast day of St. Anthony the Abbot (not the 3rd century Franciscan, St. Anthony of Padua) known as the “Father of Monks” who is known for his devotion to animals.  He was known as a hermit who  spent periods of time praying and fasting in the dessert with his only companions, the animals.  In 1110, men founded  the Order of Hospitallers of St. Antony to combat ergotism (St. Anthony’s Fire). Those monks were remarkably successful in treating this ailment of gangrenous poisoning.  They wore black robes with a blue Tau Egyptian Cross (a symbol of life and history against epidemics) as they rode into villages ringing little bells to attract alms.  Afterwards, they hung the bells around those animals to protect them from disease.  He is considered a protector of cattle and in the past, his image was placed above the stable doors. 

The symbols for the Saint are :  A man with a pig by his side, a Bell, T shaped staff and a Tau Cross with a bell on the end.  Throughout Italy, St. Anthony the Abbot is celebrated with blessings of farm animals, bonfires (Falo di S. Antonio) and feasts.  The blessings were thought to keep harmful forces away from their homes, land, horses, chickens, bees, salt and feed for the animals.  A tradition that is still in practice; is to donate pieces of  butchered pork to be auctioned for charity on his feast day.  Those who donated the hams, chops and sausages were expected to bid high on the butchered pork to raise more funds.  In the past, they money would go to the priest or a nearby food bank. 

A prayer for the blessing of all animals:  Lord God, You are King of heaven and earth.  You are the Word of the Father, and through You, He has given us all created things for our support.  We beg you now to consider our lowly position.  Just as You have given us help in our labors and needs, so in Your most kind mercy, bless these animals with a heavenly blessing and guard and preserve them. Be so kind too, as to give us, Your servants, along with benefits that do not last, Your unfailing grace, so that we may gratefully praise and glorify Your Holy name, who live and who are King and God with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

News from San Antonio Church – January 10, 2021

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 10, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday we commemorate the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River and the end of the Christmas Season.  In the Roman Catholic Church, the Baptism of the Lord is observed as a distinct feast in the Roman Rite, the manner of celebrating the sacraments and other ecclesiastical ceremonies authorized by the Diocese of Rome.  At one time, the Baptism of Christ was celebrated on Epiphany which commemorates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ and the wedding at Cana.  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 in 1955.  In the history of the church, The Tridentine Calendar had no feast of the Baptism of the Lord for almost four centuries. 

It is celebrated in the Catholic Church and also the Anglican and Lutheran Churches on the 1st Sunday following the Epiphany of Our Lord.  In Eastern Churches this feast is called Theophany (Manifestation of God) because at the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan God appeared in three persons.  The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan is the second Epiphany or manifestation of the Lord; the past, the present, and the future are made manifest in this Epiphany.  At the time of His Baptism, Jesus descended into the River Jordan to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget the Son of God.  This important event is of the second creation which the entire trinity intervenes.

Many of the incidents that took place at Christ’s baptism are symbols of what happened at our own Baptism.  At Christ’s Baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, he was proclaimed the “Beloved Son “of The Father and the heavens were opened to him.  At our own Baptism, the Trinity entered our soul, we became the adopted sons and daughters of God and heaven was opened to all of us.

On this Sunday in Rome, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, our Pope will baptize babies in the Sistine Chapel, a custom initiated by Pope John Paul II.  A prayer to honor the Baptism:  Almighty ever-living God, who when Christ had been Baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

News from San Antonio Church – January 3, 2021

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 3, 2021

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday, we honor the Feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the whole world as represented by the Magi from the East. The traditional date for Epiphany is January 6th , but is celebrated on the closest Sunday and honors the day the Wise Men reached Bethlehem – the day of the revelation of Jesus’ Birth.  It is sometimes called the Baptism of Jesus, Three Kings Day and in some traditions celebrated as Little Christmas.  Epiphany may have been originated in the Greek-speaking eastern half of the Roman Empire as a feast to honor the Baptism of Jesus.  An early reference to Epiphany as a Christian Feast was in 361 A.D. by Ammimanus Marcellinus, a Roman soldier and historian who recorded many of the events of the early church.

The time frame of Epiphany includes the commemoration of His birth; the visit of the Magi, all the events in Jesus’ childhood which includes the Baptism of John the Baptist and the miracle (changing water into wine) at the wedding at Cana in Galilee.  In many cities throughout Italy, a traditional Epiphany procession will move through the streets, leading to a Nativity scene. On the Feast of the Epiphany, throughout Europe, the priest will wear white vestments as he blesses Epiphany water, Frankincense, Gold and Chalk.  The chalk will be used to write the initials of the three Magi, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar over the doors of churches and homes.  The initials in Latin are interpreted as Christus Mansionem Benedicat or May Christ Bless this House.

Today, we will bless the chalk to take to our homes for a New Year’s Blessing.  In ancient times, the priest would announce the date of Easter on the Feast of the Epiphany, a tradition that dated from a time when calendars were not readily available. It was necessary for the church to publicize the date of Easter since many celebrations of the Liturgical Year depended on it. The announcement of the date would be sung or proclaimed at the Ambo by a Deacon, Cantor, or Reader after the reading of the Gospel or after the post communion prayer. 

In Italy, children will await a visit on the eve of Epiphany by a woman known as La Befana, “The Italian Christmas Witch”.  The legend tells of a friendly Italian witch who rides around on a broomstick looking for the Wise Men who are on the road to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.  She declined their offer to accompany them on their journey because she was too busy doing her housework.  So now all Italian children will wait for a visit from La Befana, the good hearted and hardworking old woman who will bring treats to the children. The name la Befana comes from the Greek word Epifania, the Italian name for the religious feast, Epiphany.