The Philipian, A Publication of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church — May 2021

MAY 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

The Italian Marketplace is Almost Here!

Join Us For Food and Fellowship on May 14-15

T

he pizza, the pasta, the eggplant Parmesan — it’s that time of year again! How thrilled we are at St. Philip Neri to bring back one of the staples of our Italian Festival, the homemade Italian food. On May 14 and 15, we invite parishioners and community members alike to come and enjoy our culinary offerings and visit the booths of our artisans and vendors.

Though the traditional festival will not take place this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, our parish is keeping the spirit of this annual event alive through our 2021 St. Philip Neri Italian Marketplace.

St. Philip Neri’s Italian Marketplace Chair, Kathy Burden, is excited to see our parish bring

back this beloved tradition.

“You’ll be able to enjoy what has always been the heart of our festival — our warm hospitality and delicious homemade Italian food — by pre-ordering and paying online,” Kathy says. “Vendors, artisans, and craftsmen will be available outside, socially distanced, to welcome your browsing and business.”

The extensive food menu for the Italian Marketplace includes lasagna, baked ziti, eggplant Parmesan and pizza, as well as the ever-popular sausage and meatballs made from scratch. And of course, everyone will want to top off their meal with the incredible homemade desserts and Italian cookies! New this year is the option to purchase continued on page 5

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Mothers and Stewardship THIS MONTH, WE REFLECT ON

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e celebrate the month of Mary during May, and during this month, we also celebrate Mother’s Day. It seems fitting that we honor our mothers during May since Mary is given to us by God as the example of true Christian motherhood.

Those who are called to be mothers have been blessed by God and called to fulfill a very important responsibility. Mothers are the vehicle through which God brings new life into this world. When we talk about Christian stewardship, we talk about sacrificially returning to God what we have been given. What can more clearly be a demonstration of complete sacrifice than the relationship between mother and child during the nine months of growth in the womb? During these nine months, the child’s life depends on the actions of the mother as her energy and nourishment go directly to the growing baby.

Although this relationship may change to some extent after the child is born, a mother’s sacrifice for her child is far from over after the birth. The role of the mother is critical in the

child’s development — both spiritually and physically — throughout life. Mothers provide the comfort, nurture, and support necessary for their children to become productive citizens and responsible Christians.

The job of a mother is not an easy one. This is a fact that Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew very well. She worried when her young Son appeared to be lost, only to find Him later in His Father’s house. She was probably concerned as Jesus began His public ministry — not knowing what difficulties and rejections He would encounter along the way. And, Mary must have experienced great anguish as she watched her Son’s body being crucified to a cross.

May all mothers look to Mary as their model for motherhood and ask her intercession as they strive to fulfill their God-given role in their children’s lives. During the month of May, let us all take some time to express our appreciation to our mothers for allowing us to come into this world, for loving us, and for serving as an example of what it means to be a steward for life.

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A Letter From Our Pastor

Pentecost: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

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The “Birth” of Stewardship

s we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost on May 23, which is one of the most significant events in the life of the Church, I can’t help but relate the outpouring of the gift of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples as “the birth of stewardship.”

As a stewardship parish, we have come to understand it in our personal lives and our parish life as the work of the Holy Spirit, active and inspiring us to be the disciples Jesus called us to be, just as He did those very first disciples.

It just makes sense to once again realize and acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit in our decisions to be authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.

As every parent knows, birth brings new life to every family, and the “birth of stewardship” here in our parish has brought new life to us, personally and communally, and continues to do so. We had a “Pentecost event” when the message of stewardship was first brought to our parish, and it hasn’t been the same since. Many curious people of our parish and from around the country ask the question, “How did all of this begin?” The only answer is, “moved by conversion, we knew stewardship was going to be the ‘plan’ for our future as disciples and as a parish.” It makes sense.

For some, like me, it took a conversion of sorts to move us from unbelievers to believers, and from fear or suspicion to courage and confidence in the values and ideals of stewardship. Reading the accounts of the Acts of the Apostles, it wasn’t much different for them.

Their experience is our experience and continues to encourage us to be open to the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. That “Spirit” renews the “Pentecost event” in each of us, as we practice discipleship as we know it through the stewardship way of life.

Also, as with each new birth, the life that begins needs to be nourished, nurtured and loved. Through our understanding of the four pillars of parish stewardship — hospitality, prayer, formation and service — we each are called to nourish, nurture and love our parish family with the gifts we bring to each other. And without ever

really knowing how much of an impact we have on each other’s spiritual lives, we trust the Holy Spirit to continue the “good work of faithful stewardship” in each of us and to those around us.

Isn’t that what the first Pentecost event started, and isn’t that what you see in our parish, especially since our own “birth of stewardship”?

God has blessed our parish family and continues to do so, as the Holy Spirit continues to pour out gifts upon us and send us forth to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. As we grow and mature in our stewardship efforts, how fortunate we are that the stewardship way of life has become our way of life. May we always give thanks to God for the Holy Spirit’s gift to each of us — for, when we do, it seems only natural to be inspired to live discipleship as it was intended to be lived in the first disciples and in each of us.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O.

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Legion of Mary

Brings the Love of Our

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rom hosting our annual parish tradition of the Blessing of St. Joseph’s Table, to promoting Marian devotion in beautiful ways, the Legion of Mary members emanate the love and goodness of Our Lady.

“The Legion is such a blessing to me and to everyone else who is connected with it,” says Lillie Petrie, who currently serves as President of the Legion of Mary. “It is a loving, forgiving influence in my life. The Legion sees itself, in truth, as a Legion of Mary, united to her mission and guaranteed her victory. Its members become living images of Mary.

The Legion brings Mary to the world, and she gives light to the world and sets it all ablaze.”

According to their website at legionofmary.ie “The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbor on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries... With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organization with several million members.”

The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active cooperation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual welfare of each individual.

Each unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium. In addition to Lillie, the officers of our

During their meetings, Legion of Mary members pray the Rosary, discuss prior and proposed apostolic works, do spiritual reading, and study the Legion of Mary handbook.

parish’s praesidium are Vice President Pat Kern, Treasurer Joseph Jannetta and Secretary Christie Brown. It currently has seven active members and 108 auxiliary members. It meets every Wednesday from 10:30 to 12 p.m. year-round, in Room 1B in the church basement. During their meetings, members pray the Rosary, discuss prior and proposed apostolic works, do spiritual reading, and study the Legion of Mary handbook.

The spirituality of the Legion of Mary is based on the Blessed Virgin Mary herself and all her

“The Legion is such a blessing to me and to everyone else who is connected with it. It is a loving, forgiving influence in my life. The Legion sees itself, in truth, as a Legion of Mary, united to her mission and guaranteed her victory.

Its members become living images of Mary. The Legion brings Mary to the world, and she gives light to the world and sets it all ablaze.” — L illie P etrie

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Blessed Mother into the World attributes, as well as the precepts of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary.

“The legionary, lost in the depth of Mary’s soul, shares her faith, her humility, and her Immaculate Heart — hence the potency of her prayer — and swiftly is transformed into Christ, which is the object of all life,” Lillie says. “In and through her legionary, Mary participates in every duty and mother’s souls, so that in each of those worked for — not only is a person of Our Lord seen and served, but seen and served by Mary, with the same exquisite love and nurturing care which she gave to the actual body of her Divine Son.”

As far as their apostolic works, its members participate in the life of our parish in a rich variety of ways — visiting the sick and the homebound; collaborating in apostolic and missionary undertakings sponsored by the parish; making rosaries to distribute to various groups within the church community and beyond; assisting and facilitating in Eucharistic Adoration; promoting and participating in the Pilgrim Rosary, Patriotic Rosary, and Rosaries offered at funerals; assisting with the Bereavement Ministry; attending Right to Life rallies as “prayer warriors”; and actively promoting the extension of the Legion of Mary.

This September, active and auxiliary members will gather for the 100th Anniversary of the Legion of Mary. All parish members are also invited. For more information about this wonderful ministry, please contact Lillie Petrie at 803-225-0407.

The Italian Marketplace your favorite foods in bulk. All food will be preordered and paid for online, making for an easy pick-up on May 14 and 15.

In addition to our food and vendors, you won’t want to miss the Charitable Drawing hosted by the Knights of Columbus in their role as an Ultimo Sponsor of the Italian Marketplace. The drawing will take place on Saturday, May 15, with all proceeds benefiting the St. Philip Neri Future Growth Fund.

continued from front cover We hope everyone will plan on supporting this year’s Italian Marketplace. With the authentic food, the raffle tickets, and the many original items for sale by our vendors, this event offers something for everyone.

“In the spirit of our patron saint, St. Philip Neri, patron saint of humor and joy, come and join us at the Italian Marketplace,” Kathy says. “Benvenuti — all are welcome! And mangia, mangia, mangia!”

The Italian Marketplace will be held on May 14 and 15. All food must be ordered and paid for online at https://spnitalianfestival.com/food/.

Use the QR Code for fast and easy access to the Italian Marketplace website.

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The Mom’s Group: Supporting the Vocation of Motherhood

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otherhood is truly both a blessing and a vocation. However, it can also be a lonely journey. That’s why, here at St. Philip Neri, we have a Mom’s Group that provides a space for mothers to grow in faith and fellowship.

The Mom’s Group gathers at 10 a.m. throughout the school year on the second and fourth Mondays of each month to study the Bible or a book.

Another women’s group watches the children if moms need help. On the “off” Mondays, some group members gather at a home for a play date and Rosary — the kids play and the moms pray.

“Sometimes a child will start to cry or need something,” says group member Teresa Hill. “Their mom goes to help and the rest of us carry on praying.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group has taken a break from gathering. Before the pandemic, there had been a group of about 10 to 12 women meeting on a consistent basis. Teresa looks forward to when they can gather again, as the Mom’s Group has been a real source of fellowship and friendship.

“The group was formed because a group of moms realized that moms need fellowship with other moms, with time to pray, a place to encourage one another and make friendships,” Teresa says.

In the past, the group has studied the Gospel of Luke, Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly, and Kingdom of Happiness: Living the Beatitudes in Everyday Life by Fr. Jeffrey Kirby. Although the members often do a book study, this is a casual group. If you miss a week or two and get behind on the book, Teresa says you are still welcome. Moms are also welcome to join the group at any time.

Teresa first became involved with the Mom’s Group when she saw an announcement in the bulletin, after moving to our parish about five years ago. She’s been involved ever since.

Children dress up as saints during a Mom’s Group gathering.

The kids also get to know other kids from the parish and are able to form friendships. The group is made up of mostly moms in their 30s, but some older moms join from time to time.

“We appreciate when some of the older moms are there, because we can all share our joys and struggles and get advice,” Teresa says.

In addition to meeting, the moms are also there for each other, whether it’s bringing meals for the birth of a baby or lending a hand or a hug during a struggle.

“It’s nice to have a good group of friends that are Catholic,” Teresa says. “It makes such a difference when you have that underlying, shared belief system.”

If you would like to get involved in the Mom’s Group, please watch the bulletin for announcements regarding a return to meetings once COVID-19 precautions have lifted.

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Patron Saint of Holy Fun The Faith Journey of St. Philip Neri

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an a saint have fun on the way to attaining holiness?

Many would say that St. Philip Neri definitely fits that bill.

Born in 1515 in Florence, Italy, St. Philip Neri showed his fun side from the time he was a boy.

One such incident almost cost him his life. Seeing a donkey loaded with fruit for market, the impulsive and spontaneous little boy jumped on the donkey’s back. Surprised, the donkey lost his footing, and along with the fruit and young Philip, tumbled into a cellar.

Miraculously, Philip was unhurt.

Philip’s father struggled financially, so 18-year-old Philip was sent to work with an older cousin who was a successful businessman. During this time, Philip found a favorite place to pray in a spot upon a mountain that had been turned into a chapel.

During these hours of prayer, Philip is said to have decided to leave worldly success behind and dedicate his life to God. Eventually, Philip went to Rome. In 1548, Philip formed a confraternity with other laymen to minister to pilgrims who came to Rome without food or shelter.

The spiritual director of the confraternity convinced Philip he could do even more work as a priest. After receiving instruction from this priest, Philip was ordained in 1551.

As a young priest, Philip learned to love to hear confessions. Young men especially found in him the wisdom and direction they needed to grow spiritually.

But Philip began to realize these young men needed something more than absolution — they needed guidance. So, Philip began to ask the young men to come by in the early afternoon when they would discuss spiritual readings, and then stay for prayer in the evening.

Philip understood it wasn’t enough to tell young people not to do something — you had to give them something to do in its place. So, at Carnival time, when the worst excesses were encouraged, Philip organized a pilgrimage to the Seven Churches with a picnic, accompanied by instrumental music for the midday break. After walking 12 miles in one day, everyone was too tired to be tempted!

Philip was known to be spontaneous and unpredictable, charming and humorous. He seemed to sense the different ways to bring people to God. One man came to the Oratory just to make fun of it.

Philip wouldn’t let the others throw him out or speak against him. He told them to be patient, and eventually the man became a Dominican. On the other hand, when he met a condemned man who refused to listen to any pleas for repentance, Philip didn’t try gentle continued on back cover

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Patron Saint of Holy Fun words. Instead, Philip grabbed the man by the collar and threw him to the ground. The move shocked the criminal into repentance and he made a full confession.

Humility was the most important virtue he tried to teach others, as he continually worked to learn it himself. Some of his lessons in humility seem cruel, but they were tinged with humor — like practical jokes — and were related with gratitude by the people they helped. His lessons always seemed to be tailored directly to what the person needed.

Philip did not escape this spiritual mortification himself. As with others, his own humbling held

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humor. There are stories of him wearing ridiculous clothes or walking around with half his beard shaved off. The greater his reputation for holiness, the sillier he wanted to seem.

But Philip was very serious about prayer. He was so easily carried away that he refused to preach in public and could not celebrate Mass with others around. But when asked how to pray, his answer was, “Be humble and obedient and the Holy Spirit will teach you.”

Philip died in 1595 after a long illness. His feast day is on May 26, just in time to kick off the season of summertime fun.

PRAYER TO ST. PHILIP NERI: St. Philip Neri, we take ourselves far too seriously most of the time.

Help us to add humor to our perspective — remembering always that humor is a gift from God. Amen.