JULY 2022
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
WELCOME
Nicole Cordle
AND
Karen Wiley
TO
Our Parish Staff S
t. Philip Neri is excited to announce the two newest additions to our parish staff. We welcome Nicole Cordle, who will serve as our Family Faith Formation Coordinator, and Karen Wiley, who will serve as our new parish Care Coordinator. Nicole Cordle, Family Faith Formation Coordinator “I am very excited to be serving as Family Faith Formation Coordinator!” Nicole says. “I grew up at St. Philip Neri and have just returned after several years away.” Most recently, Nicole spent two years in Australia where she served as a missionary with NET
Ministries, a Catholic youth organization. “Serving with NET Ministries gave me an opportunity to work with hundreds of children and young adults across Australia through youth ministry events, retreats, faith studies, and encounter days at Catholic schools,” Nicole says. “It was a wonderful and life-changing experience that led me to pursue full-time work in ministry.” Currently, Nicole is a graduate student in the M.A. Theology program at the Augustine Institute. She received a Post-Graduate Diploma in Theology from Catholic Theological College and a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre and Vocal Performance from Oklahoma City University. Nicole is passionate about helping young people encounter Jesus, experience His love, and embrace His Church. continued on back cover
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STEWARDSHIP: What to do With a Windfall?
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businessman sells some property for a nice profit. A woman retires from a 20-year career at age 43. A high school student discovers he has an exceptional talent for playing the piano. What do they have in common? Each person has recently received a windfall – an unusually large gain of money, time, or talent. Now each must answer a question: What to do with this newfound gain? The businessman, already somewhat financially successful, finds that the profit from the sale of rental property is unexpectedly large. For the first time, he feels an urge not to save it, but to share it. The next Sunday, even though he already contributes to his parish, he puts a larger sum in the offertory basket. He also knows of a local charity that supports low-income mothers and mails them a generous donation. After her retirement from the Air Force, a woman finds she has a large amount of time during the day. Her husband works full-time and her two children are in high school. She hears a quiet voice asking, “How can you give back for all that you have received?” She calls her pastor and explains that she has the time to play a significant role in a parish ministry. He asks her to re-invigorate their newcomer’s ministry and visit
each new family, to which she happily agrees. In his high school music class, a tenth grader discovers an amazing talent to play the piano. After encouragement from family and friends, he joins the ensemble at the Sunday morning Mass. He even volunteers to play at special functions at the parish when needed. In all three cases, the businessman, retiree, and student have received something of value, and have made deliberate choices to share it with others, particularly within their parish. Of course, it could have been different. The businessman could have taken an especially extravagant vacation. The woman could have done any number of things with her free time (couldn’t we all?). The young pianist could have used his talent to form a band or make a recording. And the truth is that they can still do all those things. But having received such wonderful gifts, their gratitude compels them to share a portion of them. After all, what do they lose by sharing what was already a gift to them from God? We’re all gifted and are called to share on a daily basis. But when the big blessings come, let’s pray for the grace to be even more generous than ever.
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A Letter From Our Pastor
Stewardship and Discipleship Begin With Love Dear Parishioners,
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n John 13:35, Jesus says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” So many times, the Lord calls us to love one another. And as Pope Francis gathered with a large group of teenagers one Sunday in April 2016, the whole theme of his homily was built around that message. It is a message that is equally appropriate for all of us, young and old. Pope Francis is well aware of modern technology and modern communication, especially with how it is so prevalent among today’s youth. He also said in that homily, “Happiness cannot be bought; it is not an app that you can download on your phones, nor will the latest update bring you freedom and grandeur in love.” The pope explained that “Love is the Christian’s identity card, the only truly valid ‘document’ which identifies us as followers and disciples of Christ.” Nevertheless, we must work to constantly renew this card, because if it ever expires, we cease being witnesses of the faith. If we are really followers of Christ, then genuine love needs to shine forth in our lives. As Pope Francis said, “Before all else, love is beautiful, and it is the path to happiness.” Who among us does not want to be happy? We all strive for that, and the Lord gives us a formula for achieving it. It may seem simple on the surface, but we all know how difficult it can be. Love — the kind of love to which we are
called by Jesus — is work. Lots of work. It takes effort, renewal, conversion, and persistence. During his homily, Pope Francis completely captured the essence of stewardship, and of love. He declared, “Look to the Lord, who is never outdone in generosity. We receive so many gifts from Him, and every day we should thank Him… Let me ask you something. Do you thank the Lord every day? Even if we forget to do so, He never forgets, each day, to give us some special gift. It is not something material and tangible that we can use, but something even greater, a lifelong gift. He offers us His faithful friendship, which He will never take back.” Gratitude is, of course, at the very basis of stewardship. It is this thankfulness that should inspire us whenever we run up against one of life’s many roadblocks — those things that make it hard for us to love as we should. If we rely on the Lord, we can accomplish this love. As the pope said in closing on that day in April, “Loving in this way, you will be recognized as disciples of Jesus. And your joy will be complete.” Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O.
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A Look at the National Eucharistic Revival Celebrating the Real Presence of Christ
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2019 Pew Research study found that only one in three Catholics believes in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and Precious Blood. With this statistic largely in mind, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched a three-year Eucharistic Revival, titled “My Flesh for the Life of the World.” The revival will culminate with the National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024 in Indianapolis. Here at St. Philip Neri and throughout the Diocese of Charleston, we will be taking part in this revival with a series of events and special devotions, including a focus on Eucharistic Adoration. The National Eucharistic Revival is the joyful, expectant, grassroots response of the entire Catholic Church in the United States to the divine invitation of re-centering our lives on the Real Presence of the Eucharist. In South Carolina, this movement seeks to
ignite fervor for the Most Blessed Sacrament in the hearts of the faithful through teaching, practice, and evangelization. We all need healing in our lives, yet many of us are separated from the very source of our strength. Jesus Christ invites us to return to the source and summit of our faith — His body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Holy Eucharist. Why Now? Because we need the Eucharist. And our world needs the Church. Scandal, division, disease, doubt. The Church has withstood each of these throughout our very human history. But today we confront all of them, all at once. Our response in this moment is pivotal. Amid these roaring waves, Jesus is present, reminding us that he is more powerful than the storm. He desires to heal, renew, and unify the Church and the world.
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The Eucharist and Stewardship as a
WAY OF LIFE I
n 1992, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published a groundbreaking pastoral letter titled Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response. This document was designed to be an invitation to follow Christ, Who gave of Himself for us. Each of us is called to serve our neighbors and to be stewards of God’s creation and of all that has been entrusted to us. However, to truly understand stewardship, we must look to the Holy Eucharist — the total gift of our loving Savior to us. Stewardship is our response to that gift. Even the word “Eucharist” implies stewardship. The word finds its roots in the Latin word eucharistia, which in turn came from the Greek word eukaristos, which simply meant, “gratitude” or “thanksgiving.” Since we are called to be a stewardship people, how fitting is it that we celebrate an act of thanksgiving and gratitude at the focal point of every Mass — namely, the reception of Jesus’ gift to us, the Eucharist. In Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, the bishops tell us “The Eucharist is the great sign and agent of this expansive communion of charity… we enjoy a unique union with Christ and, in Him, with one another. Here His love — indeed, His very Self — flows into us as disciples and, through us and our practice of stewardship to the entire human race.” When we receive Christ’s Body in the Holy Eucharist, we
hear the minister say, “The Body of Christ.” To this, we respond, “Amen” – which means in Hebrew, “Yes; it is so.” This is the essence of stewardship. We should enter the church for Mass out of gratitude. We recognize the presence of the Lord in Holy Communion, and then we truly receive the Lord. What’s left after we receive the Eucharist is going out into the world to fulfill our stewardship mission in love of God and neighbor. This holistic experience is the essence of stewardship. We are grateful, we recognize the Real Presence of the Lord, we receive the Lord, and then we share what we have received. Christ’s gift of the Eucharist is an invitation to us. We are called to give beyond what is convenient or comfortable. We are called to forgive even when forgiveness may not be deserved. We are called to
love as God loves us. The Eucharist is stewardship celebrated. The Mass is more than a ritual. It is an actual encounter with God, with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. What we experience in the Eucharist should, in turn, translate into our daily lives. We are committed to the Church, which is Christ’s body. We show our love for His body through acts of charity and generosity. We spend time in prayer, expressing our gratitude and our love. God’s greatest gift to us is Christ’s great love for us — this was shown when He was crucified on the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins and to give us eternal life. God’s love for us is without limit, and He offers Himself to us in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Stewardship is how we respond to that gift.
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The Importance of Catholic Faith Formation Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from the 2022 book, Stewardship Starts at Home: Using God’s Gifts To Grow As Disciples Of Christ In Our Domestic Church, written by stewardship expert Lisa McArdle and published by Catholic Stewardship Consultants. This excerpt is reprinted with permission from CSC.
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here are Four Pillars of a Stewardship Parish — Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service. The third pillar — Formation — teaches us to know and love our God and our faith. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Directory for Catechesis (2005, #20), there are six tasks of faith formation that constitute a unified whole by which faith formation seeks to achieve its objective. This primary objective is the formation of disciples of Jesus Christ. The six tasks of formation promote knowledge of the faith, promote knowledge of the meaning of the liturgy and the sacraments, promote moral formation in Jesus Christ, teach us how to pray, prepare one to live in community, and participate actively in the life of the Church, and promote a missionary spirit that prepares one to be present as Christians in society. Take a moment to consider how fully you are currently formed. When is the last time you read a book about the Catholic faith? When is the last time you participated in a Bible study? When is the last time you read and reflected on the readings before Mass? Or looked up something in the Catechism? Frequently, the last faith formation parishioners receive dates back to when they completed their Confirmation preparation or attended their last religious formation class as a middle or high school student. This means decades may have gone by since parishioners and family members have experienced formation. If that is the last time that you have formed yourself or that members of your families have formed themselves, don’t panic. You are not alone. This realization is an opportunity for growth. A chance to dip your toe back in the water of faith formation and even to learn alongside the members of your family, including the youngest members who are also learning. Don’t ever feel embarrassed that you don’t know an answer to the faith questions asked to you by your children or grandchildren. Instead, learn together!
Remember, the more fully you are formed, the better you will understand God’s calling for your family. Furthermore, the more you are formed in the faith the easier it will be to answer the call of discipleship. Being properly formed in our faith and listening to God’s call allows us to understand if we are on the right path or if we need to redirect. Being prayerful and wellformed are key to our following His plan for our lives instead of our own wishes and desires. Remember, as stewards, we strive to listen to God and use the gifts He has given us to serve those he places in our paths. Thankfully, it is easier now more than ever to form ourselves and our families. There is no need to search for faith-formation opportunities. These options can be sent directly to our smartphones and tablets. Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire ministry sends free daily readings along with a brief gospel reflection straight to our inboxes. Matthew Kelly’s Dynamic Catholic offers Lenten and Advent opportunities with free, reflective videos that also arrive via email. Blessed is She even provides an endearing female faith formation perspective — perfect for women young and old. Plus, if you want to form yourself specifically in Scripture, you can also opt for the free podcast, The Bible in a Year featuring the entertaining Fr. Mike Schmitz, from Ascension Presents. Honestly, the possibilities are endless. Formation is the fuel that keeps your family moving forward as stewards and in becoming all that Christ is calling you to be. Have confidence as you incorporate this ongoing learning into your daily routines.
To find out more about the Stewardship Starts at Home book, visit www.stewardship-starts-at-home.company.site
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Summer Stewardship for Children
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chool is out! We hear many children say, “I’m bored!” or “there’s nothing to do!” Here are a few ideas to help children grow in their understanding of Stewardship as a Way of Life. Stewardship Committees may want to include one option every few weekends in the “Children’s Corner” of the parish bulletin. “Bean a Good Steward”: Give children several bean seeds and a small pot or plot of ground. Have them prepare the soil, plant the seed, and give it water. Make sure it is in the sunshine! Talk to them about the importance of taking care of God’s seed. (The seeds will sprout quickly in the summer heat!) Have a neighborhood Talent Show: Talk to your children about how everyone has been given a talent from God, and they could plan a special show to entertain the neighbors, family members, and friends. Encourage them to recruit participants with a variety of talents such as singing, dancing, showing an art project, telling a story, reading a poem, or showcasing an athletic skill.
Decide on a place, date, and time. They should create invitations and handle all the work. Plan and carry out a neighborhood clean-up and recycle day: Make one day each week a “stewardship of your neighborhood” day. Give each child a garbage bag and latex gloves. Make one garbage bag for recyclables and the other for garbage. Go for a walk, pick up the trash, and put it in the proper bag. When you get back to your house, put the material collected in the proper receptacle. Write a Litany of Gratitude: Give your children a special notepad and pencil for recording a Litany of Gratitude. Ask them to write down things for which they are grateful all during the day. Some examples might be a kind word from a friend, a beautiful flower, the softness of a puppy, some help with chores, a favorite song, a refreshing swim, cold lemonade, etc. At the end of the day make the litany part of your night prayer. Have as a response, “Thank you, God, and help us to care for all you have given us.”
St. Philip Neri 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
WELCOME
Nicole Cordle
AND
Karen Wiley
continued from front cover “My hope is that our faith formation ministries here at St. Philip Neri will ignite faith in the hearts of young people, engage and support families, and build meaningful community,” Nicole says. “Please reach out to me with any questions or just to say hello. I look forward to getting to know you all.” Reach out to Nicole at familyfaithformationcoordinator@saintphilipneri.org or 803-548-7282 Ext. 226. Karen Wiley, Care Coordinator “I love Jesus and His Church, and I am truly blessed to be able to serve Him here at St. Philip Neri where I have been a parishioner for 20 years,” Karen says. Karen is the widow of
John Wiley who also faithfully served this parish. Karen has six children, five children-in-law, and 17 grandchildren. For 16 years she taught sixthgrade math at the intermediate school in York. After retirement in 2018, Karen spent two years as a missionary volunteer with the Olancho Aid Foundation as a high school teacher of Catholic Spirituality and then as the principal of Santa Clara elementary school in Juticalpa, Honduras. “Now it is my pleasure to serve as Parish Care Coordinator at St. Philip Neri,” Karen says. “I thank God and all of you for this opportunity and pray for the Godly wisdom and grace to do it well.” While Karen already knows many of you, she looks forward to developing new friendships through this ministry. Reach out to Karen at carecoordinator@saintphilipneri.org or 803-548-7282 Ext. 225.
