MASS SCHEDULE
Wednesdays: 7:00pm
Saturdays: 4:30pm (during pandemic only)
Sundays: 10:00am
RECONCILIATION
Wednesdays: 6:30pm
ABOUT OUR PARISH
From the time St Teresa Catholic Church was established in 1937, to the move in 2009, the history of St Teresa is extensive.
Bulletins & Ministry Schedules:
The first reading this weekend from Genesis 22:1-18 is very difficult for many people to hear, much less understand. Abraham is called by God to take his own son, his only one, whom he loves, and offer him up as a holocaust, a living sacrifice to the Lord. What kind of a God would ask a faithful follower, such as Abraham, to sacrifice his own beloved son? It seems barbaric, and totally out of context for our God, a God who is supposed to be a God of life and love. How do we even begin to make sense of such a story?
The story of Abraham and Isaac made the point that it was not the sacrifice that was meant to be central, but rather the manner, spirit and motivation in which it was offered. Although the story is often called the “Sacrifice of Isaac” it is more about the “Testing and Faith of Abraham.” Without hesitation Abraham responded to God’s request, heading up the mountain with Isaac. He prepared the altar and came within moments of striking down his own son – when the messenger intervened and a ram was sacrificed instead. Abraham had such great faith that he was willing to put God before all else, to put the love of God even before the most precious gift in his life and to obey God at any cost. The reward for such a great act of obedience and faithfulness was countless descendants and abundant blessings. We today, the sons and daughters of God, continue to be part of those countless descendants who receive the blessings of Abraham’s commitment to God.
Unfortunately, the obedience and faithfulness that marked Abraham’s life seems to be a rare commodity in our world today. Our obedience to God is often lax, and based on convenience or personal desire rather than truly responding to God. And our faithfulness seems to be based more upon what the world says than upon the foundations of our faith. Part of the calling of Lent is to return to the basics of faith, to hear again the voice of God in our midst as Abraham did and to respond to the Lord in faithfulness and love.
In the second reading St. Paul is writing to the Romans (8:31-34) to introduce himself and to convey the basic teachings of our faith. He proclaims clearly that the depth of God’s love is expressed in the sacrifice of his own son. God tested Abraham but stopped him short of the ultimate sacrifice. God went to the full extent for us. He sacrificed his own son in order to conquer sin and death and offer us the possibility of everlasting life. Paul argues that if God was willing to give up his own son for us, that there would be nothing, nothing that God would not do for us. In other words, if God is for us, who can be against us?
The gospel account of the transfiguration (Mk 9:2-10) takes place right after Jesus speaks to his followers about his passion and the cost of what it means to be a disciple. He tells all those who wish to follow him that we must deny ourselves and take up the cross. It is then that Jesus takes Peter, James and John up the mountain and is transfigured before them. His clothes become dazzling white and Elijah and Moses appear next to Jesus talking with him. The significance of this moment is that it points to Jesus as the fulfillment of all that Elijah and the prophets foretold and the fulfillment of the law that was first given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It also pointed to the resurrection of Jesus after his passion and death; a resurrection that opens the way to eternal life for all. The final command of God is to listen, to listen to God’s word in our lives and to be faithful to the gospel.
May we too respond to the Lord in faithfulness and love.
Blessings and prayers, Fr. Ken & Fr. Tim
are on sale for 2021-2022
Each month you have a chance to win up to $200.
There are 4 monthly prizes given away.
Each ticket is $50 with 100 tickets to be sold.
Contact Ray/Lynn Moeller at 419-586-7312 or rgmoeller86@gmail.com. Or they are on sale at the church office.
Last week we began the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday and the three traditional disciplines/practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This first week of Lent, our readings help us probe the importance of prayer and what that may look like. On Tuesday, the prophet Isaiah (Is 55:10-11) compared the word of God to rain and snow, that comes down from the heavens to water the earth, make all things grow, and then return to God having served it’s purpose. So too, the word of God comes from the heavens, waters everything in our lives, helping us to grow and then returns to the heavens having fulfilled it’s purpose. Prayer helps us attune our ears and hearts to the word of God. The gospel reminds us what our prayer is meant to look like, not babbling on like the pagans who think they will be heard because of their many words. Rather we are called to trust that the Lord knows our needs even before we do, and that our prayer is really meant to be a communication with God. God speaking to us, we listening and us speaking to God trusting that God hears us. In Matthew 6:7-15, Jesus teaches the disciples and us how to pray, addressing Our Father in heaven, praising God, asking thy will be done, that God will provide for our daily needs, forgive us as we forgive others and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
On Thursday, Matthew (7:7-12) tells us to “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” This is not merely bombarding heaven with our wishes, but a way to cultivate an attitude of prayer so that we can recognize the answer when it comes. Centuries earlier, Queen Esther prays to God to save her people from extermination (Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25). Esther’s prayer begins by naming and blessing God. She remembers God always frees those who are pleasing to him. And she approaches God in humility and honesty, vulnerable and helpless. God answers Esther’s prayer and delivers her people, but not the way she expected. We too are completely dependent on God, which is a wonderful and humbling reminder that we need often.
Below is an update on the number of people attending each Mass compared to the approximate number of people who would fit into church with safety and social distancing in mind. We hope this helps those gauging when to return to Masses safely.
St Teresa Masses
Saturday 4:30 PM: 29% full
Sunday 10 AM: 114% full
May this Lent help deepen our communication with God and God’s communication with us.
Blessings and prayers, Fr. Ken & Fr. Tim
Info:
St Teresa Catholic Church
4227 State Route 707 Box 445
Rockford, Ohio 45882-0445
Church Office (419) 363-2633
Residence (419) 586-6648
Rev Ken Schnipke, C.PP.S., Pastor
Fr Tim McFarland, C.PP.S, Parochial Vicar
Celina Cluster Christmas Schedule
CELINA CLUSTER RESUMPTION OF MASSES LETTER MAY 2020
ST TERESA GUIDELINES FOR THE RESUMPTION OF PUBLIC WORSHIP
ST TERESA CHURCH SAMPLE SOCIAL DISTANCING SEATING
Catholic Bishops of Ohio Continue Suspension of Public Masses through May 29, 2020
ARCHBISHOP SCHNURR LETTER TO THE FAITHFUL 3-17-20
Suspension-of-all-Publicly-Celebrated-Masses-Liturgies
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE FROM THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF OHIO & CELINA CLUSTER
Parish News:
St Teresa Family Fun Night 2021 is a meal only this year. Presale tickets for a meal of Boneless breaded chicken OR boneless pork chop with gravy, cheesy potatoes, green beans, roll with butter and a cupcake for $8.00/meal. Deadline to Purchase tickets in March 1, 2021. You can pick up your meal at Rockford Carry Out on Sunday, March 14, 2021 from 11:00am-1pm. Tickets are needed for each meal. Tickets can be purchased from Kristi Schaefer, Trisha Berry, Cheryl Nichols, Mary Beougher, Kandi Baucher or contact the parish office at 419-363-2633.
St Teresa will have an Online Basket Auction March 15-19th on St Teresa Facebook page www.facebook.com/StTeresaRockford/. We will be supporting Rockford small businesses by Auctioning Gift Certificates from local businesses. Help support Rockford businesses as well as supporting St Teresa Parish!
We also have our annual Monthly Money Madness tickets for sale.
- You have a chance to win up to $200 each month for a whole year (Mar-Feb)
- We draw for 4 prizes each month ($100, $50, $25, $25), all tickets are in for each of the 4 prizes.
- Drawing is held the 2nd Sunday of each month.
- Need not be present to win.
- Tickets are $50.00 each.
- Tickets available by contacting Ray or Lynn Moeller at 419-586-7312 or the parish office
Dear Celina Cluster Parishioner,
Several parishioners have asked how things are going in the parish, so we thought we would share some highlights and what is happening at each place.
Diane stteresachurch@bright.net is in the office at St. Teresa most of her regularly scheduled days/hours, but also working some from home and Cheryl crestteresa@bright.net comes in for RE matters as needed.
Cassie ologcassie@gmail.com and Linda ologlinda@yahoo.com are alternating days at OLG Monday through Thursday, but also working some at home.
IC Office Staff (Lindsey llunz@celina-ic.org & Ann ann@celina-ic.org) and RE/Youth staff (Joyce jjohnson@celina-ic.org, Tiffany tpierstorff@celina-ic.org & Gary glocke@celina-ic.org) are mostly working remotely from home, but in the office occasionally for critical matters.
Polly, IC School principal, polly.muhlenkamp@icschool-celina.org is in the office many days coordinating school efforts and other school staff come in as needed for materials. Teachers continue to send educational materials home for children and parents.
Fr. Tim tmcfarland@celina-ic.org and I kschnipke@celina-ic.org are also working from home and the office at the same time since we “live above the store.” We are mostly staying home, but going out for emergency calls and an occasional order out to support local business.
Please know that all the Celina Cluster Staff continue to be available to serve you and respond to needs. You are welcome to contact the parish offices by phone, especially if needing to visit the parish office to make sure someone is available. Please practice social distancing and good hygiene for the safety of all. If leaving a voicemail for Lindsey or Ann, please note they may not hear it for a few days. A sure way to contact any staff member is by email as they check it regularly. If there are any emergencies, please use the emergency cell phone 419-953-6231 and leave a message if Fr. Tim or I are not able to respond immediately. We do monitor the emergency phone regularly and will return calls as soon as possible.
Following the recommendation of the Archdiocese, each cluster parish will continue to pay staff for regular hours whether they are onsite, working from home or unable to work due to the stay at home order. Like many others, they too rely on income to care for their families.
At the same time, each parish is experiencing a significant loss of income as the main source of income for any parish is the Sunday collection. If you are able to continue your weekly offering, that is greatly appreciated as it helps with the regular bills and utilities that we need to keep paying. If you are struggling financially yourself due to the loss of a job, reduced wages or other financial setbacks, we do understand that your family takes priority. Offertory envelopes can be dropped off or sent to our respective parish offices or online contributions can be made to each of the parishes at https://celina-ic.weshareonline.org/index.aspx Fortunately, each parish has also been blest with savings that can be utilized if necessary. Each parish has projected expenses several months out so that we can be proactive if we need to utilize savings.
IC Church remains open for private prayer Mon-Fri 9:00 AM to 7 PM, Sat. 7:30 AM to 4 PM, Sunday 7 AM to 7 PM. OLG is open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM. St. Teresa will be open Wed. 1 PM to 5 PM, Sunday from 10 AM to 12 PM. Bulletins are available online and in each church. As you visit church, please be mindful of good hygiene practices for you and for others, possibly wiping surfaces and objects you touch with disinfecting wipes.
While updating the PAC sign at IC, I noticed a reflection of the world. Indeed, the world has become closer and more connected in a most unusual way in this time of crisis. Let us all “Pray Healing For Our World.”
Blessings and prayers, Fr. Ken & Fr. Tim
Fr. Ken Schnipke, C.PP.S.
IC, OLG & St. Teresa
229 W. Anthony St.
Celina, OH 45822
(419) 586-6648
ADDRESS:
4227 St Route 707 /Box 445
Rockford, Ohio 45882-0445
EMAIL:
PHONES:
Office: (419) 363-2633
Residence: (419) 586-6648
OFFICE HOURS:
M, T, TH 9-11am;
Wed 9-5pm; Fri 9-1
