The parish connection - Newport Ft. Loramie Pastoral Region

Newport - Ft Loramie Pastoral Region
The parish connection
VOL 11
WINTER 2015
Non-Profit Organization
N e w p o r t - F t L o r a m i e Pa s t o r a l R e g i o n
U.S POSTAGE
PAID
Ft. Loramie, Ohio 45845
Permit NO.09
Rev. Steven L Shoup, Pastor
33 Elm St
PO Box 7
Ft Loramie, OH 45845
Office Phone: 937-295-2891
Fax: 937-295-3349
SM Religious Education Office: 937-295-2179
SPP Religious Education Office: 937-295-2536
Residence Phone: 937-295-3001
Address Service Requested
List of Patrons
We are grateful to the following businesses/
individuals who donated money to help
defray the costs associated with printing and
mailing our newsletter…

Fancy Cakes by Peg Pleiman
492-3313 - First Communion,
Graduation, and Wedding

Osgood State Bank – 295-2900

Silver Cross Catholic Books & Gifts –
18 S. Main St. – Ft. Loramie
937/295-2040

Eilerman Insurance and Financial
Services – 12 S. Main St. –
Ft. Loramie 937/295-2122
NEW IDEAS WELCOME:
Wilt at [email protected].


From Home Designs - Gail Siegel –
937/295-3948
Cutaway Styling Salon - 15 Elm
Street - Ft Loramie 937-295-2555
If you wish to be a patron of the
parish newsletter, please call Diane
Gigandet at the parish office during
regular office hours (295-2891).
Names of patrons will be listed for 4
quarterly issues after their donation is
received.
THE PARISH OFFICE
CENTER PHONE NUMBER
is difficult to find in the new
phone book. Please take a minute
to mark that number (295-2891)
in your phone book so you have it
available when you need it.
If you would like to submit an article to the newsletter, please contact Jenni
Food For Thought:
ISSUE
4
A Story of Thanks
A blind boy sat on the steps of a
building with a hat by his feet. He
held up a sign which said: "I am
blind, please help."
There were only a few coins in
the hat.
A man was walking by. He took
a few coins from his pocket and
dropped them into the hat. He then
took the sign, turned it around, and
wrote some words. He put the sign
back so that everyone who walked by
would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A
lot more people were giving money to
the blind boy. That afternoon the
man who had changed the sign came
to see how things were.
The boy recognized his footsteps
and asked, "Were you the one who
changed my sign this morning? What
did you write?"
The man said, "I only wrote the
truth. I said what you said but in a
different way." I wrote: "Today is a
beautiful day but I cannot see it."
Both signs told people that the
boy was blind. But the first sign
simply said the boy was blind. The
second sign told people that they
were so lucky that they were not
blind. Should we be surprised that the
second sign was more effective?
Moral of the Story: Be thankful
for what you have. Be creative. Be
innovative. Think differently and
positively. When life gives you a 100
reasons to cry, show life that you
have 1000 reasons to smile. Face
your past without regret. Handle your
present with confidence. Prepare for
the future without fear. Keep the faith
and drop the fear.
The most beautiful thing is to see
a person smiling. And even more
beautiful, is knowing that you are the
reason behind it!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
New CRE for St Michael-- Deb Ranly
Hello! My name is Deb Ranly and I
am the new Coordinator of Religious
Education (CRE) for the elementary
grades, K-6 at St Michael’s. I recently
moved into the CRE position from
working as our CCD Office Secretary
for the past year. Originally from
Minster, I have resided along with my
husband, Kevin, just outside of Fort
Loramie for the past 22 years. We
have two children, Makenzie (16) and
Trey (12), who both attend Fort
Loramie Schools. After taking part in
a few of the classes offered here at St.
Michaels, I began teaching third
grade religion three years ago. This
has been a very fun and rewarding
experience for me. I have served as
cantor for the Children’s Liturgy of
the Word at weekend masses and I
am also a board member of the St.
Michael Education Commission. For
the past ten years, I also was a
Vacation Bible School volunteer. I
really enjoy working with the public
and the children and I am very
excited and grateful to be in this
position.
Inside this
issue:
Food for Thought
1
New CRE
1
St. Ann’s
2
Greif Share
Youth Ministry
2
Year of Mercy
4
Faithful
Sustainability
Symposium
4
Sister Parish
4
St Michaels
Financial Report
5
St Peter and Paul
Financial Report
6
Miscellaneous Events
7
Kids Korner
8
Transitions
9
Senior Citizen
Events
9
List of Patrons
3
10
THE PARISH CONNECTION
Page 2
TRANSITIONS July 8, 2015 to Oct 6, 2015
SAINT ANN ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY by Peg Pleiman
Hello: Fall is here!
The project of restoration
of the Guardian Angel with
Child and the Sacred Heart
statues are in the final stages at
this time. They are planning on
having them complete by the end
of October and back at St.
Michael Church. Parishioner
Jerome Barhorst volunteered to
refinish the stands for the statues
and they look “GREAT”. Thank
You, Jerome.
This past August, St.
Ann hosted punch and cookies
for the CMA Ministries
Thanksgiving Mass. Thank you
Evonne, Peg W. and Paula for
taking care of this.
The next big event
coming up in February will be
the “Casseroles for a Cause”.
Details will come later. Thank
You for making this event a
Huge Success!
This could be your
chance to become more
involved with St. Ann’s by
becoming an officer. The
present officers are willing to
help you with the transition and
are excited about new ideas. Feel
free to contact any of the officers
if you have any questions.
“Thank you” to the
ladies that lead the rosary at the
members’ funeral masses.
“Thank you” Sandy Gehr et
for sending Birthday cards and
Holiday cards to the homebound and assisted/nursing
homes.
Officers: Peg Pleiman, Chr .
Evonne Poeppelman, V. Chr.,
Paula Barhorst, Sec.,
Peg Wray, Treas.
“Journey to Bethlehem,” will be offered on Sun., Dec. 13 from 1-3 p.m. at St.
Michael’s Hall. Lots of games, music and fun activities! Everything is free! Children may
choose which activities they’d like to participate in! A live nativity play with costumed
kings, angels and shepherds along with Jesus, Mary & Joseph will be performed at 1 p.m.
All are encouraged to come at 1 p.m. to help children understand the real meaning of Christmas.
Cookies, punch and hot chocolate will be served. Santa will be there! Grandparents and parents are
invited also!
GRIEF SHARE
Surviving the Holidays When
You’re Grieving – On Thurs.,
Nov. 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. we will
offer an evening for people who
will be grieving the loss of a
loved one this year. In past
years, the holiday season may
have been a time of great
anticipation and excitement …
but this year, the prospect of
facing the holidays without your
loved one may cause anxiety and
dread. You are not alone. Here
you can connect with support,
encouragement, and practical
stress-reducing ideas that will
help you to survive the holidays.
GriefShare, a weekly support
group for people grieving the
loss of a close personal
relationship, will be offered at
the Parish Office Center, from
9:15 to 10:45 a.m. beginning
Sun., Jan. 10 for 12 weeks. It’s a
place where you can be around
people who understand how you
feel & can offer encouragement.
Through the sessions you will
learn valuable information that
VOL 11
Page 9
Baptisms at St. Michael:
Charlotte Marie Eilerman – Jeffrey
& Jacqueline (Massey)
Eilerman
Mason Alexander Siegrist – Chad
& Brittany (Rethman) Siegrist
Gus Nicholas Hoying – Kevin &
Theresa (Barhorst) Hoying
Greta Remy Barhorst – Phillip &
Laura (Marchal) Barhorst
Charlotte Ann Hemmelgarn – Beau
& Regina (Barhorst)
Hemmelgarn
Jaxson Raymond Ahrns – Jerome
& Melissa (Wenning) Ahrns
Callie Rose Barhorst – Keith &
Essence (Larger) Barhorst
Jaelyn Marie Seger – Kevin &
Robin (Keiser) Seger
Ansley Naomi Eilerman – Paul &
Kimberly (Frey) Eilerman
Luke Russell Seger – Clinton &
Julia (Riethman) Seger
ISSUE
4
submitted by: The Parish Office
Baptisms at Sts.
Peter & Paul:
Kyler John Ahrns – Karl & Tyanna
(Adams) Ahrns
Cyrus Joseph Grillot – Carl &
Ruthann (Myers) Grillot
McCoy Mark Schmiesing – Mark &
Kelsey (Schaefer) Schmiesing
Andre Gehle – Christopher Gehle &
Kaleia Sneed
Marriages at St Michael:
Brian & Erica (Meyer)
Seidensticker
Clinton & Shelby (Cantrill) Bulcher
Bryan & Lauren (Holthaus) Blagg
James & Virginia (Stidd) McGowan
New Parishioners at
St Michael:
Joe & Amy Knapke
Chet & Ashley Harrod and family
Anne McGuire
Jeff & Christe Sanders and family
Joshua & Dana Guillozet and family
New Parishioners at Sts.
Peter & Paul:
Don & Teresa Reck
Teresa Brown
Deaths at St. Michael:
Mary JoAnn Utz
Mary M. Moeller
Marietta C. Holthaus
Elmer J. Rethman
Joseph E. Slonkosky
Deaths at Sts. Peter &
Paul:
Vernon Hilgefort
Alvin Barlage
SENIOR CITIZEN EVENTS
Senior Citizen Ministry – Upcoming events for our senior citizen ministry are:
 Thurs., Nov. 19, 2015 – Go to Entertrainment Junction, Westchester, Ohio to see
their large indoor display of three time periods of trains. Cost is $11.50 for senior
citizens. Planning to leave at 9 a.m. and return in the afternoon.
 Thurs., Dec. 10, 2015 – Christmas sing-along, potluck and Bingo at St. Michael
Hall. Starts at 12 noon for lunch.
Please call Rose Meyer @ 295-2891, ext. 106, to make reservations for any of these events. If you would
like to receive e-mail reminders of upcoming events, send an e-mail to [email protected]!
will help you through this
difficult time. The cost of the
series is $25.00. If you are
interested, please call Rose
Meyer @ 295-2891.
The Library is Open! The St. Michael Libr ar y has expanded fr om one
bookcase to two – with lots of great Catholic books and CDs on many topics: Mary
and the saints, Catholic marriage and parenting, inspiration, Catholic prayer and
spirituality, and more! The bookshelves are located in the back of the Chapel, and
materials may be borrowed by members of both parishes on the honor system –
please return them when you are finished so that they are available to others. “W hen
we pray we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us.” – St. Jerome. Take
advantage… and let God speak to you through a good book.
THE PARISH CONNECTION
Kids’ Korner
submitted by: Sharon Holdheide
Page 8
VOL 11
Page 3
Youth Ministry
ISSUE
4
by Kevin Schulze
We invite people to many
different things, whether it’s a
party, hanging out, “Like” a page
on Facebook, try a certain food or
product, or dinner, because we see
a good in that thing and want others to experience that good as
well, and be able to share in that
good with them. For some things
we invite a few close friends and
family, and for some things we
invite our 1k plus Facebook
friends. For small birthday
parties, we send out a few
invitations for the people closest
to the birthday celebrant so that
the celebrant can be showered in
love and affection and feel their
life is appreciated by those around
them, and so those close to them
can feel special to be a part of his/
her life. For weddings, the couple
desires to invite as many people,
within practical reason, that have
been a part of their life, to share in
their joy and show them their
appreciation for their support,
while their guests enjoy sharing in
the couple’s special moment and
day.
and long for others to know of its
good as well. The lack of
invitation leaves people feeling as
though someone doesn’t want to
share in the good with them, or
that the good really wasn’t that
great. We know that in more
cases than not, we want to invite
everyone we know, and only
practicalities limit our list. If
there was an opportunity to gather
every person we knew and were
close with, to celebrate and share
a common good, we would jump
at the chance and send out the
invitations hoping we didn’t miss
anyone.
Whatever the “thing” is that we
invite for, we know of its good,
Of course invitation opens a door
to rejection, but not inviting never
The opportunity is here and
available and costs nothing.
Every Sunday, we experience the
source and summit of our
Christian faith, and share in the
most important moment in all of
humanity. We experience love in
its deepest sense and are filled on
the Bread of Life. We grow and
are nourished and cannot find
substitute anywhere else. Is this
worth the invitation?
opens any door. If we see that
Mass is truly the best good in our
lives, our desire to share it should
extend beyond our spouse and
children, to our co-workers,
neighbors, friends, and
acquaintances. You never know,
the only thing holding them back
may be that someone has never
invited them. Share the invitation,
and let God do the hard work!
“Every Christian is challenged,
here and now, to be actively
engaged in evangelization; indeed,
anyone who has truly experienced
God’s saving love does not need
much time or lengthy training to
go out and proclaim that love.”
Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium
Stay in contact with us:
Facebook: NFL Region Youth
Ministry
Twitter: @nflregyouthmin
Email: [email protected]
Email cell number to Kevin for
text reminders
THE PARISH CONNECTION
Page 4
FEAST OF THE
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015
This is the beginning of the Extraordinary
Jubilee of Mercy.
‘Be Merciful like the Father’
EL SALVADOR ENCOUNTER
SOLIDARITY SKYPE SOCIALS
Hey, high school students! Join us on Sundays, November 1 & 29, January 24 and Febrary 14 from
9:00a -10:45a in the Parish Office Center. Meet young people from San Cristobel, El Salvador
through SKYPE and build bridges of peace and solidarity. Chat with Kevin Schulze about the
details.
FAITHFUL SUSTAINABILITY SYMPOSIUM
All are invited on Saturday, November 7, 2015 beginning at 8:30am with a light breakfast and
registration at St Joseph Parish Life Center, 101 West Pearl Street, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Local experts
will facilitate workshops from 9am-1pm on topics of energy efficiency, recycling, composting,
sustainability best practices, native Ohio plants and planting with energy conservation in mind.
Explore how we, the local Church, can reduce our environmental footprint and increase our
commitment to energy efficient homes, schools, and parishes. $5 includes light breakfast and lunch.
Please RSVP by Wed., Nov. 4 with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Catholic Social Action Office
513-421-3131 ext. 266.
SISTER PARISH WITH SAN CRISTÓBAL, EL SALVADOR
Thank you to all who donated to the Summer Solidarity Project and Mission Breakfast. This will be a
big help in establish effective communication between our parishes.
Upcoming Sister Parish Meetings are Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Dec. 9 at 7:15pm.
An information meeting on the El Salvador Encounter on May 31 - June 7 is in the Parish Office on
Tuesday, Jan. 12 @ 7:15pm
The photos are from Fr. Orlando’s visit to our pastoral region on Tue., Aug. 11, 2015. Thank you to
all who came to celebrate mass, meet Fr Orlando, extend hospitality and celebrated global solidarity!
VOL 11
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ISSUE
4
ADVENT OUTREACH
Home visits are made to parishioners
who are homebound or who live in
extended care homes. 50+ visits are
made. Teams of 2 or 3 adults are invited
to participate on Thursday & Friday,
December 11 & 12 after 8:25am mass.
Contact Ann at the parish office
937.295.2891
x105
You are invited to be ‘One on the Journey’.
An information meeting is Tuesday, January 12 at 7pm (after mass) in the
Parish Office. Dates of travel are May 31 - June 7, 2016.
Pope Francis is quoted from Misericordiae Vultus #14: “The practice of
pilgrimage has a special place in the Holy Year, because it represents the
journey each of us makes in this life. Life itself is a pilgrimage, and the
human being is a biator, a pilgrim travelling along the road, making his way to
the desired destination.”
Friends from El Salvador: Omar &
his grandma, Concepcion
A TASTE OF CRS RICE BOWL “One on the Journey”
You are invited, Monday, January 25 to St Michael’s Hall.
Doors open at 5:00pm. Taste international foods made from CRS Rice Bowl
recipes at 5:30pm, and meet a CRS representative from the field through
SKYPE. The 2016 Rice Bowl countries of Rwanda, Madagascar, Columbia,
Laos, and Honduras will be highlighted through “rapid learning stations”.
Engage in the mission of Catholic Relief Services, as you become “One on
the Journey”.
SS. PETER & PAUL FAMILY NIGHT
Travel the World with CRS Rice Bowl and be “One on the Journey” Wednesday, February 3 from
6:30-7:45pm at Ss. Peter & Paul Church. Don’t miss family night for parents and children grades 1 - 8.
Participants travel the world through “rapid learning stations” and visit the CRS Rice Bowl ‘spotlight
countries’ of Rwanda, Madagascar, Columbia, Laos, and Honduras. Taste, see, touch, smell, and hear the
lives of people from around the world… without leaving Newport, Ohio.
400 CASSEROLES FOR A CAUSE
January 30 thru February 15, 2016. Pick up an empty casserole pan from church, make one of the
recipes provided, freeze your work of art, and return the frozen casserole on Monday, Feb 15 between
6-7pm to either St Michael’s Hall parking lot or to Ss. Peter and Paul parking lot behind the Church.
This outreach is sponsored by St. Ann’s, SPP Ladies Sodality and St Vincent de Paul.
2016 LIVING IN CHRIST RETREAT ‘Mer ciful Like the Father ’ Febr uar y 25, 26, 27 at St
Top: F r Steve, F r Orlarndo & Elba
Moreira listen to Indianapolis musician,
Michael Bell, sing his original composition
‘Romero’.
Left: The fiesta after mass
Michael’s Hall Thursday & Fridays from 6-10pm & Saturday, 8am
-12pm. This popular and powerful retreat with shared stories of
faith includes a meal each day. Registration begins Jan. 4 to adults
of all ages. “The experience is transformational”. And, there is no
cost but your time.
THE PARISH CONNECTION
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VOL 11
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