FEBRUARY 2021
the phi lipian
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F S T . P H I L I P N E R I C AT H O L I C C H U R C H
Gifts Received and Shared
By Fr. Fabio, Pastor
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s we reflect on 2020, our first thoughts may be of the challenges, sacrifices, and heartache that we have experienced. On so many levels, the past year has been a test of our faith and trust in God. Despite the trials we have faced, we must still give our gratitude, glory, and praise to God for all that he has given us. At times, we may struggle to recognize the gifts God has placed in each one of our buckets. As a faith family and your Pastor, I can say that our bucket continues to overflow with your gifts of prayer, service, and financial support. Just as you so generously continue to share during these challenging times, so do we as a faith family. Even though our Sunday offerings are not meeting our current budget, we continue to continued on back cover
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Formation Transformed Through Christ “Jesus not only calls people to him but also forms them and sends them out in his service.” From Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response
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his month, we are emphasizing the third pillar of parish stewardship — formation. Formation is the process of studying Christ’s teachings and incorporating them deeply into our lives. It is a lifelong effort by which we “put on Christ” (Rom 13:14) and are “transformed by the renewal of our minds” (Rom 12:2). Above all, our formation should include studying Scripture and Church teaching. It should also include discussion with other Catholics and honest self-assessment. Its goal is to “discern the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:2). Because formation helps us understand God’s will, it therefore leads naturally to good stewardship. When our minds are transformed through Christ, we become like Him — as Christ gave His life for us, so we give our lives to others. Formation is not just an individual task. Instead, it is a communal responsibility that, when applied, will further help St. Philip Neri to grow as a stewardship parish. Each one of us has an inherent need to give — to move from “selfishness to selflessness,” as the Diocese of Wichita’s document The Pillars of Parish Stewardship aptly states. Formation is
a process of spiritual growth, and it leads to a deeper understanding of loving others as God loves us. Naturally, then, our Catholic formation should not end upon celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation, or turning 18 years old. Formation is a formidable task that we as Catholics should participate in for the duration of our lives. It involves “education of the mind and conversion of the heart” (The Pillars of Parish Stewardship), and helps us to lead the stewardship way of life rather than just understand it. This Lent, why not make formation a part of your penitential renewal to Christ? Start off by reading 10 minutes of Sacred Scripture a day, or by studying a chapter of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on a daily basis. Read a biography of your favorite saint for an example of an individual who lived as a disciple of Christ, and use this person as a role model when tending to your daily tasks. Keep an eye on our weekly parish bulletin for faith formation opportunities at the parish. Before long, your commitment to formation will lead you to naturally live the Catholic faith and understand stewardship in ways that you never imagined before.
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A Letter From Our Pastor
Sharing
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Love in Different Ways
hat’s the most widely observed saint’s day in February — the one that’s kept even by those who aren’t practicing Catholics? Undoubtedly, it would be St. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. The irony is that his feast isn’t even on the General Roman Calendar of feasts to be observed throughout the world. That doesn’t mean that he’s not recognized as a real, historical person, or as a genuine saint, but only that his influence throughout the Church has not been as significant as that of other saints. So who was St. Valentine? There are several St. Valentines, as the name was not a rare one in the ancient Roman Empire, but the saint we celebrate was a priest of Rome martyred in the late third century. Still, that doesn’t explain how his feast came to be celebrated as the day one sends letters, cards and presents as expressions of romantic love. The truth is that the custom of sending tokens of love comes not from any direct connection with St. Valentine, but from the ancient belief that birds begin to pair off on Feb. 14. And if courtship in the natural world occurred then, it must be appropriate for humans, as well. The association between St. Valentine and love notes is a later development. Nevertheless, it’s not wrong to connect the two. Love has many aspects, and our conception of it is richer if we keep more than one of them in mind. Martyrdom is the result of loving God more than our earthly life. St. Valentine was a martyr because of his love — his love for Jesus Christ and His Church. If he had not loved God so much, he could have repudiated his Lord and saved his life. We, in turn, express our love by sending cards and gifts on St. Valentine’s Day. But isn’t that what stewardship as a way of life is — a little martyrdom? Not to push the image too far, but when we are faithful stewards, we give up a little portion of our lives out of our own love for
Christ. Most Christians will not be called on to be martyrs, in the sense of forfeiting our physical lives for God. But we are called to give up some of our comforts, indulgences and riches because of our love for Him. So then, as you prepare to celebrate and share your love with your Valentine this month, remember St. Valentine and his love for Christ. As well, keep in mind that God loves us, and return that love with your own toward Him. Loving God will be reflected in how you prioritize your use of the time, talent and treasure God has entrusted to you. As St. John wrote (1 Jn 4:19), “We love because he first loved us.” Happy St. Valentine’s Day! Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O.
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Service and Outreach in Actio
his past autumn, our St. Philip Neri faith community participated in several service opportunities and outreach initiatives that, especially in this time of COVID, had a profound impact on both our parish and local communities. As we proceed into Lent, let us consider the importance of almsgiving during this penitential season and reflect on how we may continue to share our gifts with those in need. The Angel Tree Gift Drive The COVID-19 pandemic changed how we worship, interact, and serve. Of course, this also meant that our 2020 Angel Tree Gift Drive looked a
bit different from past years. And while this year’s drive was held virtually — via the SignUpGenius platform — rather than with the traditional tags on the tree, participants still gave to those in need through various Angel Tree initiatives. These included children’s gifts, heating bill relief for area residents, gift cards for senior residents in subsidized housing, and funding for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. We thank all those who participated in the 2020 Angel Tree Gift Drive, which meant that we could still connect with our wider community, even if we couldn’t be together in-person.
St. Philip Neri Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Over the years, our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive has continued to be a successful initiative — but in 2020, it certainly proved to be an essential form of outreach. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, families were facing tremendous challenges in keeping food on the table, and we needed to help. So, between Nov. 19 and 22, our community collected and delivered 10,360 pounds of food to the Fort Mill Care Center. We are so grateful for your generosity during this year’s Thanksgiving Food Drive!
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on at St. Philip Neri and Beyond St. Philip Neri Catholic Social Teaching Ministry: Fair Trade Event — Alternative Christmas Giving The Fair Trade Event took place — both live and virtually — on the weekend of Dec. 5 and 6. Every sale during the Fair Trade Event supported communities in need around the world. This event offered our community members an opportunity to find that uniquely perfect Christmas gift for a friend or a loved one while also making a positive difference for someone across the globe. St. Philip Neri Women’s Group: Rada Fundraising Event and Sock Collection for the Children’s Attention Home The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 meant that our parish’s Women’s Group could not hold its annual Bake Sale fundraiser. So, in finding other ways to live out its ministry mission of giving back to the community, the group sponsored a special contactless fundraiser through Rada Cutlery, an American-made product with a lifetime guarantee. Participants could find a fantastic Christmas gift without having to leave their own homes, all while supporting the mission of our Women’s Group. The Sock Collection for the Children’s Attention Home, which took place through mid-December, is another way the Women’s Group carried out its mission. Via the donation box in our parish’s gathering space, parishioners could provide an essential item for children in need. St. Philip Neri Child Development Center December Service Project The St. Philip Neri Child Development Center kicked off December with a service project to benefit the Fort Mill Care Center. From Dec. 1-15, volunteers collected 684 pounds of canned goods and non-perishable food items. The Child Development Center’s next Service Project will take place in February. Thank you to our wonderful CDC families for your support and generosity!
The St. Philip Neri Child Development Center December Service Project was a success, with 684 pounds of canned goods and non-perishable food items collected for those in need.
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Celebrating the Miracle of St. Blaise Feast Day, Feb. 3
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his month, we reflect on the life of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, who is one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers” — a group of Catholic saints whose intercession is believed to be effective against diseases. Every year on Feb. 3, we celebrate the feast day of St. Blaise, during which parishes around the world bless the throats of the faithful. So, as we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, we may look toward St. Blaise’s example and pray for his intercession during these difficult times. Though we do not know much about the life of St. Blaise, tradition tells us that he was born to wealthy, saintly Catholic parents. Born in Armenia, he devoted his life to medicine and helping the sick. He was a physician, until he was begged by the people to become their bishop. He was appointed by the Church as bishop of the Diocese of Sebaste. Around the year 313, when the Roman Emperor Licinius was persecuting the Church, Blaise lived as a hermit in the woods among animals that he befriended. One day, a group of hunters found Blaise and seized him. Upon their trip to the governor, they encountered a woman whose pig was being attacked by a wolf. Blaise commanded the wolf to leave the pig alone and, upon his command, the pig was freed unharmed. Blaise was then taken to prison, where he miraculously healed a boy who was choking to death on a fishbone. While Blaise remained in prison, the woman whose pig he had freed brought him two candles to serve as his light so that he could read the Scripture.
It was from the miracle of saving the choking boy that the custom of praying to St. Blaise to cure all ailments of the throat was born. And, so, after still refusing to recant his Christian beliefs, he was suspended from a tree and his flesh was torn with iron combs or rakes. Blaise was then thrown into a lake to drown. To the surprise of his persecutors, he surfaced and walked upon the water, and he invited his persecutors to join him. They should do this, he said, to show the power of their gods. The pagans took him up on his invitation, and ultimately they were drowned. Blaise was then told by an angel to return to dry land to receive martyrdom. He was beheaded on the shore and immediately went to heaven. Because of his prison experience and his great reputation as a healer, St. Blaise’s intercession is invoked for the healing of diseases affecting the throat. The candles that the clergy place upon our throats while blessing them symbolize the candles that enlightened St. Blaise’s cell as he studied Sacred Scripture — connecting his spiritual life to the physical healing. Let us remember to invoke the intercession of this great healer upon any ailments that might be affecting us, either physical or spiritual — especially those pertaining to the throat. The blessing of the throats is done by the priest holding two blessed candles near the throat in the form of a cross. The priest says, “Through the merits and intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver thee from all diseases of the throat, and preserve thee from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
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Supporting Stewardship in Our Parish
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e have many opportunities to share our stewardship in support of our parish. By contributing to our parish endowment, your gift will continue to support our parish mission for many years to come, therefore helping to secure our future. The St. Philip Neri Church Parish Endowment With the approval of the Bishop of Charleston, Fr. Fabio, and the Parish Finance Council, St. Philip Neri formally established a Parish Endowment in 2019. The endowment is designed to secure the future needs of the parish and also support the spiritual and temporal welfare of St. Philip Neri Parish. The Endowment Fund assets are held in trust and accounted for separately. Endowment assets are invested in funds pooled with other parishes to earn a higher rate of return. Funds are overseen by the Diocese of Charleston Catholic Community Foundation Board of South Carolina. Why Support the Parish Endowment Endowment funds are permanently endowed, meaning your donations will provide funds to the parish indefinitely while creating a meaningful legacy for families and individuals. The interest generated by your gifts will support the mission of our church.
Gifts may include but are not limited to, cash contributions, bequest and trusts, real estate, and life insurance. The Diocese of Charleston Catholic Community Foundation of South Carolina The Catholic Community Foundation was established in May of 2017 as a separate not-forprofit corporation by Bishop Robert Guglielmone. The mission of the Foundation is to support the religious, educational, and charitable programs throughout the diocese by promoting philanthropy to secure long-term funding for ministries and services in our parishes, schools, and affiliated organizations. The mission requires that wise stewardship is exercised in the administration and investment of the Foundation’s assets. Members representing 10 parishes in the diocese with a variety of career experiences — including backgrounds in finance, investments and education — serve on the Foundation’s Board. Board members give perspective and input that comes directly from the parish level. If you have any questions about the Catholic Community Foundation or our Parish Endowment, please contact Business Manager Lynda Curry at businessmanager@saintphilipneri.org.
St. Philip Neri
Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID City, ST Permit #
C AT H O L I C C H U R C H 292 Munn Road East Fort Mill, SC 29715 803.548.7282 saintphilipneri.org
Gifts Received and Shared tithe 10 percent to ministries in our community, diocese, and around the country. We also remain committed to and continue to support Catholic education. During the first six months of our fiscal year — July 2020 to December 2020 — 14 percent of Sunday offerings provided tithing funds of $76,400 and $30,000 for Catholic education. Thank you for continuing to strive to fulfill our mission as a stewardship parish and using the gifts that God has so freely given us to bless and serve others. God bless, Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O.
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