For Jacob and Annie Bohanon, a favorite pastime is playing board games, and they most enjoy the collaborative ones. The couple approaches life and faith much the same way, collaborating to give of their time at St. Michael.
The Bohanons work together to teach kindergarten and firstgrade Religious Education class es. It’s a natural fit for Mrs. Bo hanon, who teaches kindergarten at St. Michael Catholic School. Jacob, a software engineer, enjoys teaching Religious Education.
“I’ve been teaching Religious Education at different parishes pretty much since I was in the eighth grade,” Mrs. Bohanon says.
Raised Catholic, Mrs. Bo hanon grew up in McCordsville. Jacob, who grew up Lutheran on the south side of Indianapo lis, was an atheist through high school. He then developed a de sire to become Catholic and took classes with Fr. Aaron Jenkins. Jacob was confirmed in June 2020.
“Jacob started attending Young Adult group with me after we started dating,” Mrs. Bohanon says.
“It was a good way to learn more about the Faith,” Jacob adds.
The couple still attends the Young Adult group on Monday nights — the group prays Night Prayer together at 6:30 p.m.
“It’s awesome to have friends that have your Catholic values,” Mrs. Bohanon says.
The couple also participates in the parish-wide First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, covering the 12:30 to 1:30 a.m. shift. They enjoy playing board games with another couple while they wait for adoration — the other couple covers the 1:30 to 2:30 a.m. shift.
In addition, the Bohanons col laborate during the annual fish fry by taking orders in the drivethru. Mrs. Bohanon also serves as a lector.
The couple enjoys the minis tries in which they are involved.
“If possible, find one ministry that you would enjoy and find one person. They can help train you, and it usually blossoms from there. Pray over it and work up the gumption to do it.”
JACOB BOHANON
November automatically brings us to thoughts of thanksgiving and Thanksgiving.
It is both a time of year when we think in terms of being grateful to God for our gifts, and a time when we also formal ly celebrate our American holiday. My memories of Thanksgiving are filled with food, of course, but they are also filled with thoughts of family and a sense of togetherness and a sense of my faith.
But this is also a significant month in the Church from several perspectives. Nov. 1 is a Holy Day, the Solemnity of All Saints. The next day is All Souls Day, a day devoted to all the saints in our lives — living, not living, known, and unknown.
Most of us have people in our lives who have had a profound impact on us — people we can con sider our own personal saints. This month is a won derful reminder to think of them, thank them, and thank God for making them a part of our lives.
Our Thanksgiving holiday falls on Nov. 24 and is a time for families and gratitude. Thanksgiving became official in the United States in 1863, and in his proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln made very clear Whom we needed to thank. “To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so
extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insen sible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God,” Lincoln said. In other words, we all need to thank Al mighty God for our many blessings. Finally, November also brings us to the end of one Church year and the beginning of a new one. The Feast of Christ the King on Nov. 20 officially begins the final week of our liturgical year, and the First Sunday of Advent is on Nov. 27. From the beginning of the month when we thank God for the example of the saints and the saintly people in our lives, to the end of the month when we thank God for everything we have and every thing we are, November is a time to approach the Lord with a grateful heart. That is what stewardship truly is all about — about approaching God, about approaching each day, and about approaching all those whom we encounter with hearts filled with gratitude and love.
Sincerely In Christ, Fr. Aaron Jenkins
Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things to experience. The hugs, words, and support of the parish community, and being present at your loved one’s final Mass, are meaningful ways of experiencing the Lord during this time of grief.
The St. Michael Bereavement Ministry is set up to support parish ioners in this time of grief. The min istry consists of several components — bereavement dinners/funeral luncheons; the Seasons of Hope be reavement group, a six-week program to support grieving families with the aid of Scripture and teach ings of the Church; and the Season of Hope social group, which allows past attendees from the six-week program to gather monthly over dinner.
Anna Morgan, funeral coordinator
The funeral luncheons provide a unique opportuni ty for parishioners to donate their time, talent, and trea sure to support the bereaved. Whether you can make a dish or side at home and drop it off at the parish, receive meals that are dropped off, or help with setup and cleanup, there are many ways to help out, and al ways a need for more volunteers.
Parishioner Gail Probst joined a funeral luncheon ministry at her former parish 12 years ago following the death of her husband. After the parish provided a meal for the 75 family and friends who came to the funeral, Gail offered to pay and was told, “No, you’re part of the parish.” So, Gail decided to start giving back in the same way, by signing up to help provide food for funeral lunches.
Later, when Gail joined St. Michael, she joined our
Bereavement Ministry and brought with her the experience she had gained through over a decade of pro viding meals. One important piece was a free online platform called SignUpGenius, through which vol unteers can sign up to bring what ever food they can contribute to the lunch. Whether you can provide a hot casserole, salad, vegetables, or dessert — any contribution is a way of showing love to those in need.
“Everyone needs comfort and compassion,” Gail says. “This is a way to help bring that.”
A form is available on the parish website, where you can submit your email address so that you will be notified when there is a new luncheon scheduled. The email will contain a SignUpGenius link where you can register to set up, serve food, or clean up afterward. If you do not have access to a computer, that is not a barrier — please contact Christie Murphy to get on a phone chain list so you will receive a call when there is a need. Luncheons may serve anywhere from 25 to 125 people.
Gail points out the mutual benefit of serving at the funeral luncheons in whatever way one can.
“I’m almost 80 and I am capable of accepting a dish, but not able to cook for everyone,” she says. “Through serving in this ministry, you build up relationships and friendships between the people who make the food and the people who serve the food. You get to meet other members of the parish that you may not have known before, and build up a camaraderie.”
The meal occurs at the end of what is usually a try ing process for families, during which they are not only grieving the loss of a loved one but typically are having to make numerous important decisions involving the funeral and the funeral Mass.
“Recently, we had a funeral meal, and one of the family members who came raved and said how won derful the food was, saying they had never seen any thing like that,” says Anna Morgan, funeral coordina tor. “They were very complimentary to the women, dinner coordinator, and everyone who helped serve and bring dishes.”
Anna is there to accompany the bereaved in a way that makes the process as easy and peaceful as possible.
“I get to be the face and voice of Christ to the family directly at the funeral phase,” she says. “I’m the first face because I’m meeting them directly.”
Anna has learned over time how important a place the funeral Mass holds for the grieving.
“I try to make the Mass the most important part of the process,” she says. “It’s a way for the community of faith and the Church community to honor and pray for the person. This is their last participation on earth of the Eucharist. After what’s been a hard long time of de cisions and new things for the families, such as dealing with funeral homes, I try to make the most important part the easiest.”
To prepare to accompany families, Anna leans into prayer. Ahead of each funeral, she arrives early to sit
and pray, asking God for the grace to be the face of Christ, “even when there are family divisions.”
“I pray that I may be loving in words and actions,” she says. “It’s still a process and I’m still growing. We’re learning all the time.”
Anna learned a lot early on in her accompaniment experience, which was an opportunity for a lot of grace.
“One of the first funerals was for a two-day-old child that had died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome,” she says. “That was the beginning of grace. My heart was breaking for the young couple. In that, you have to turn to God for understanding. This couple came in broken, naturally. And at that moment I felt a supreme obligation to be very Christ-like to them because my works weren’t going to take away their pain — and maybe being Christ to others would offer some com fort.”
“I felt broken too,” she adds. “How do you wrap that death around your mind and heart? I prayed. It wasn’t by my grace that I was even able to make it through the funeral — it was His grace. He gave me grace and comfort for this couple. I didn’t have to un derstand why but just let myself experience His peace and comfort. You can’t explain or rationalize that.”
Living out stewardship in such a valuable way has given Anna, Gail, and the luncheon volunteers much in return, as they share community and fellowship both with one another and the grieving members of our community.
If you would like to become involved in this ministry, please contact Christie Murphy at cmurphy@stmichaelsgrfld.org or 317-462-4240. You may also sign up at www.stmichaelsgrfld.org/b
The word “talent” often conjures up images of stage performers in the spotlight, captivating awestruck audiences with their impeccable musical or acting skills.
While these talented performers are certainly deserv ing of applause, the majority of the population sits hidden in the shadows, staring on in amazement while feeling overlooked — and perhaps wishing to possess such tal ents themselves. But even when we feel overlooked and untalented, God knows better. As Christians, we are all called to dig deep and trust that we are uniquely blessed with valuable talents and abilities, even if our talents aren’t so obvious or don’t garner applause and accolades.
Along with “time” and “treasure,” “talent” is one of the “three Ts” of stewardship. Exploring our natural in clinations and preferences, especially when guided by the intricacies of our unique personalities, can unearth God-given talents.
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same spirit,” writes St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians. “There are different forms of service, but the same Lord.”
Some people have the gift of working peacefully with children. Equipped with patience and gentleness, they are able to guide young souls to the Lord. Yet, others shudder
at the thought of a classroom full of 5-year-olds, and instead seek the quiet solace of behind-the-scenes tasks — cleaning the church, sewing altar cloths or stuffing envelopes.
Our interests and abilities are varied, and our volun teer options are endless, as we are called to give our tal ents back to God in loving service. Examine your heart and prayerfully discern your gifts, then direct those gifts towards serving the people of God.
H. Jackson Brown, Jr., author of Life’s Little Instruction Book, once said, “Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it is going to be forwards, backwards, or sideways.”
If our gifts of talent are not guided by the discipline of prayer, just like an octopus on roller skates, we will get no where fast! Yet, if we keep our eyes on the goal of heaven and serve the Lord with joyfulness, our efforts will produce a bountiful harvest. In the words of St. Paul to the Corinthi ans, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully.”
The next time you sit quietly in the shadows behind a glaring stage spotlight, rest assured that your talents are no less impressive in the eyes of God, and will always be “applauded” when directed to the service of His people.
Our interests and abilities are varied, and our volunteer options are endless, as we are called to give our talents back to God in loving service. Examine your heart and prayerfully discern your gifts, then direct those gifts towards serving the people of God.
When we live in stewardship, we willingly give back to the Lord the gifts He has given us. And what better way to present the gifts of music than to take part in our Music Ministry? Under the direction of Music Director Jonathan Higgins, we have four ways to do so.
Our 14-member choir sings for the Liturgy once a month from September through May, and the Schola also sings once a month from September through May. There are several instrumentalists, including our organ accompa nist. And our cantors participate in all liturgies.
The choir is open to parishioners who are at any level of music ability, preferably able to read music.
“It is open to any level, but some ability helps,” Jona than says.
The Schola, an abbreviated term for Schola Cantorum, meaning “school of singing,” is a specialized singing group open to parishioners by audition or invitation.
“The music we sing in Schola requires the members to sing our own part or to chant,” Jonathan says. “It is a higher level of music. There are four of us.”
The organ accompanist is joined by several other in strumentalists when appropriate.
“Any music that happens at the church, I do — wed dings, funerals, Sundays, Holy Days, and the Liturgy of the Hours,” Jonathan says.
Whatever the occasion that includes music, that mu sic will have an impact on the listeners, especially during Mass.
“Music in the Liturgy is at the service of Liturgy,” Jona than says. “It always helps the purpose of the Liturgy. Peo ple worship the Lord and become better through the mu sic. Concentrating on the music will often make one more
able to praise God, and also change our hearts and minds, and the way we live our life. Through it, people sing and listen and internalize what they are singing.
“Singing is more elevated, and it does make more special, how we look at the Liturgy,” he adds.
Those taking part in various parts of the Music Min istry find themselves growing closer to God, particularly through prayer as they work together. The choir begins and ends each rehearsal with prayer. But the very act of singing the lyrics for Liturgy helps strengthen that connection.
“Most of what we work on is singing for Scripture — so we internalize it, we have it in mind, so it allows you to internalize the Word,” Jonathan says.
When the musicians internalize the Word and engage in fellowship with other Catholics in the Music Ministry who share the same interests, the members find this helps to strengthen their faith.
Those taking part in the Music Ministry have often felt a call to share their gift. They have told Jonathan that they felt the Lord called them to join. Or, when someone suggested they join, they believe that was the Lord telling them to do so.
“I’ve been told, ‘It’s a gift I can give,’” Jonathan says. “Others say it is a way of being able to pray and being able to sing and lead helps them with their prayer, as well.”
Those taking part in the Music Ministry also offer a gift of their time. The cantors practice an hour before Mass and have received their music for review about 10 days in advance. The choir meets two to three times a month on Thursday evenings and sings on the second Sunday of the month. The Schola sings depending on the month and the Mass to be offered.
Anyone interested in joining the choir is welcome to speak to Jonathan Higgins after Mass. Those interested in serving as cantor should contact Jonathan for an informal audition. There is no specific time to apply — Jonathan will talk with prospective musicians on a “rolling basis.” He can be reached by calling the parish office at 317-462-4240.
519 Jefferson Blvd. | Greenfield, IN 46140 317-462-4240 | www.stmichaelsgrfld.org
LORD’S DAY MASSES:
Saturday 5 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 and 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 6 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m.
CONFESSION:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday 5:30-5:50 p.m.
Saturday 4:00-4:45 p.m.
continued from front cover
They especially enjoy having the opportunity to lead our youngest Catholics in the faith through Re ligious Education. The couple grows in faith through the eyes of the little ones they teach.
“It’s nice to take it back from the first principles of the faith,” Jacob says. “You can refresh yourself on details that are easy to overlook and things that are taught in the Bible and Scripture.”
“The little ones ask these pointed questions of things we, as adults, take for granted,” Mrs. Boha non says. “They help you have a personal relation ship with God. They see God as their father and Mary as a mother.”
Mrs. Bohanon enjoys being able to share her faith through teaching at the school. Having received her own education in public school, it’s truly a bless ing for her to have faith be an interconnected part
of education.
“Christ is our focus in everything we do,” she says. “Prayer is there, and I love that. I can’t imagine going all day without talking about faith with the little ones.”
The Bohanons recommend other people get in volved in a parish ministry or two at St. Michael. You don’t have to make a lifelong commitment, and you will be surprised at how much fun you will have!
“If possible, find one ministry that you would enjoy and find one person,” Jacob says. “They can help train you, and it usually blossoms from there. Pray over it and work up the gumption to do it.”
“Just try it one time,” Mrs. Bohanon adds. “You can always make it through one time, and you can find out from there if you like it.”