NOVEMBER 2020
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
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’RE WE
GLAD YOU’RE HE RE •
The New Parishioner
Welcoming
Ministry
Sharing God’s Love with Open Arms
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s soon as new members join our parish family, they catch a glimpse of God’s love, as well as the kindness of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Thanks to the New Parishioner Welcoming Ministry, they are welcomed into our community with open arms. “When I started working at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Fr. John was the pastor, and he had said he wanted this ministry to happen so that every single new parishioner would be contacted by phone and
welcomed,” says Volunteer Coordinator Jenny Funk. “So we put together a group of volunteers, and we have been doing it ever since. We currently have about 50 members.” When new parishioners register at our parish, Jenny informs them that a volunteer from the New Parishioner Welcoming Ministry will be contacting them soon. They also receive a welcome bag which includes items such as a map of the parish campus, a booklet from the safety team, a parish cookbook, and a Mass schedule. “Each ministry member is assigned an area, and if a newly registered parishioner lives in their area, Jenny notifies them so they can contact them,” says ministry member Emily Whittlesey. “When I call them, continued on back cover
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ou’ve heard about the three Ts of stewardship, but what about the four Ps? The three Ts – Time, Talent, and Treasure – describe the personal gifts we offer to the Church. The four Ps are the Four Pillars of Parish Stewardship described by the renowned pastor Msgr. Thomas McGread. They are the hallmark of a stewardship parish – Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service. Let’s take a look at each of them to understand how we can improve in each area. Hospitality Christian Kindness “When I was a stranger, you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35). The Gospel teaches that whenever we welcome the least of our brothers or sisters, we welcome Christ Himself. That is why the first mark of a stewardship parish is hospitality. Being friendly is one of the first ways we can be Christ-like toward others. Modern Catholic parishes are often so large and have so many Masses that many parishioners don’t know one another. To create a sense of community, be sure to smile and greet others as you enter and exit the Church. Let’s try harder than ever to be a welcoming community. Prayer Heart-to-Heart with God “Do not become so involved in the work of the Lord that you forget the Lord of the work,” a seminary professor once taught. In other words, don’t get so caught up with parish projects and outreach efforts that you forget to draw aside to spend time with God in prayer. Every great saint has taught that prayer is the most essential component in the life of the Christian. Through prayer, we nurture our most important relationship – the one that will last for all eternity. A healthy prayer life should include communal prayer such as Mass, as well as personal prayer and family prayer. The two biggest obstacles to prayer are
lack of time and lack of understanding of how to pray. We have to schedule time for prayer just as we would for an important appointment. And we have to learn how to pray from other people. Many saints have written spiritual books that describe different methods of prayer. Formation Continuous Conversion Pope John Paul II always emphasized ongoing conversion. From childhood through adulthood, our whole life must be a process of drawing closer to God. He never stops calling us forward to learn more and to examine ourselves more deeply. Very often our society values material things more than interior virtues. But as personal experience shows, when we finally acquire the car or house or “toy” that we wanted so badly, it doesn’t really satisfy. On the other hand, we don’t tend to desire spiritual virtues with the same kind of longing, but when we actually have them, we find them far more rewarding than material things. Service Love in Action “Amen I say to you, whatever you did to the least of my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). This Scripture was one of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s favorites. Each time she picked up a poor and hungry child, she knew she was ministering to Christ. While we may not view ourselves as saints, we too are called to such heroic service right within our own community. As St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “To be a saint is not the privilege of a few, but the duty of everyone.” We have many service opportunities right here within our own parish. If you have the willingness to serve and take the initiative to find where you are needed, you’ll find that there is no end to the families and individuals who truly need help. How can you reach out to them in love?
A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
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MAY SURPRISE YOU Dear Parishioners,
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ou already know that our parish is committed to living as intentional disciples of Christ through the holistic practice of stewardship. What you may not know is that one of our inspirations and mentors is the late Msgr. Thomas McGread of the Diocese of Wichita. Who was Msgr. McGread? Msgr. McGread was a humble, servant priest who created a model for how stewardship should be practiced — both here and in many Catholic parishes across the country. What began simply with Msgr. McGread applying his stewardship principles at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita — where he served as pastor for 31 years — has become a way of life for our parish family and for Catholics around the nation. With such an incredible blueprint from this visionary priest, how could we go wrong? We have truly embraced stewardship here at St. Philip Neri, and for that, I am blessed and grateful. From the beginning, however, the question “What’s in it for us?” had to be on our minds as our efforts to educate parishioners and promote the stewardship way of life were introduced. At first, “What’s in it for us?” seemed to center on what people were willing to do to give back to God as part of practicing their faith and living as disciples of Jesus Christ. While this is important, there is so much more to it. The truth is, “What’s in it for us?” is really about “What’s in it for you?” “What’s in it for you?” perhaps is best explained as one simple principle — cultivating a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. When Christ calls us to discipleship, He is also calling us to be faithful stewards of our time, talent and treasure. Our gratitude for these gifts is best expressed through giving a portion of each back to God. Thus, stewardship becomes a way of life that is also the way to
holiness. Our relationship with Christ is what we get in return. Our efforts as a parish to promote the spiritual benefits of active stewardship are designed to foster a deeper relationship with God for all of us. Membership in a parish family should encourage, support, and celebrate that relationship with the living God, first and foremost. Everything else flows from that. If we are not focused on our relationship with God, then what will define our spirituality? If we have embraced the blessings of stewardship as a practical way of being the disciples we are called to be, we will in turn know a deeper relationship with Christ. We celebrate Thanksgiving this month, which truly is a stewardship holiday since stewardship begins with an attitude of gratitude. I am truly thankful for all that is done here at St. Philip Neri, and for the many parishioners willing to do so much. In closing, let me share one final thought to help you realize the gift that our parish is to each and every one of us. Be grateful for all you have. Be generous in giving something back to God. Be faithful stewards, and you will have done both. That is what’s in it for you, and in turn, that is what’s in it for us! Paraphrasing St. Paul, whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious; if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Happy Thanksgiving, and may God bless you and your family. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O.
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An Opportunit y
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Hospitality Ministry Co-Chair Giselle Fribourg’s daughter enjoys helping set up and serve the refreshments on Hospitality Sundays.
t is a common complaint of our times that people always seem to be in a hurry. More often than not, we have too many places to be and too many things to do, with too little time to do it all. We can become so focused on getting from Point A to Point B that we fail to catch our breath, let alone catch up with a friend or meet someone new. Yet, our faith calls us to live differently — reaching out to others, making connections, and taking the time to act as Christ to one another. Luckily, we have a ministry that provides us the perfect opportunity to slow down and connect with others in our faith community. Once a month, our Hospitality Ministry brings parishioners together in the Parish Center after Mass to enjoy some refreshments and the chance to get to know one another. Participants in this ministry also help with our Newcomer’s Luncheons, the soup dinner on Ash Wednesday, and other parish meals. Betsi Beardon enjoys co-chairing this ministry with Giselle Fribourg, coordinating around 45 parishioners who actively help with Hospitality Sundays or the luncheons. “It’s just a good, warm, caring group of people who love to socialize with the parish,” Betsi says. “Everyone is very friendly.” Betsi first started helping with Hospitality Sundays 10 years ago. At the time, she had a son in middle school who enjoyed serving with her. Participating in our Hospitality Ministry is a fun and simple way for any busy parishioner — or even entire families — to get more involved with parish life. “It’s an easy group to join,” Betsi says. “We send everything out over email and we don’t have meetings. Some people help every month, and some may make a salad or a dessert for our Newcomer’s Luncheon once or twice a year. Children can help at home with baking or can help serve. Teens can get service hours for their volunteer work. We have a teenager in the group now that we’ve seen grow up continued on page 5
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over the years because he has always wanted to help.” While participating with the Hospitality Ministry is a simple way to serve our parish, it provides an invaluable service. Indeed, one of the four pillars of stewardship is hospitality — ensuring that parishioners and visitors alike feel loved and welcome in our faith community. With this in mind, the first Sunday of every month, our parish provides name tags for everyone attending Mass, and the Hospitality Ministry provides the refreshments following each Mass that day. This special time to slow down and “smell the roses” — or in this case, the coffee — is beneficial both to new parishioners seeking to meet people and to current parishioners looking to build on existing relationships. “I think it’s so important to have your fellowship in church and then continue it by being able to get together and talk with your fellow parishioners,” Betsi says. “Our parish has such a welcoming spirit. Everybody has busy lives, but when you’re in church, you have that feeling of family. Then going to the Hospitality Sundays where you can talk and see the kids running around — it gives you a feeling for the spirit of the church.” How great it is that our Hospitality Ministry provides us with these rare opportunities to take a break from the hectic pace of daily life and spend time building friendships in our faith community! If you haven’t already become a “regular” at our Hospitality Sundays, we hope you will join us the next time our parish can gather and take the opportunity to connect and reconnect with fellow parishioners. We also hope that many parishioners will consider helping out with the invaluable ministry. “We can always use more people,” Betsi says. “If you’re new to the parish, joining this ministry is a great way to get out there and get to know people. It’s
Hospitality Ministry volunteers with current Co-Chair Betsi Beardon (at right).
so gratifying to see the Parish Center’s tables full of parishioners on Hospitality Sunday. Some of them stay between the Masses and just keep talking. St. Philip Neri is the patron saint of joy, which is the embodiment of our parish family, and that comes through in our ministry!”
Are you interested in learning more about serving with our Hospitality Ministry? If so, please contact Betsi Beardon at thebeardens@comporium.net.
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M E E T S T. P H I L I P N E R I ’ S
Teresa Thompson: A N S W E R I N G T H E I N V I TAT I O N T O A S T E W A R D S H I P W AY O F L I F E
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personal invitation can make a huge impact on someone’s life. Parishioner Teresa Thompson knows that as well as anyone. Teresa moved to Rock Hill from Ohio in 2011 to become the “Granny Nanny” for her grandchildren. When the youngest started preschool about four years ago, Teresa was able to attend daily Mass on a regular basis. In doing so, she discovered a wonderful group of parishioners who inspired and invited her to get more involved in parish life. Now, you can often find Teresa at St. Philip Neri, helping with numerous liturgical and service ministries around the parish! Shortly after joining our faith community, Teresa began helping with the Italian Festival and Hospitality Ministry, as well as serving as a Eucharistic Minister and sacristan. Once she began attending daily Mass three times a week, her commitment to an active faith life grew even more. “Through my new-found parish friends, I was invited to become more involved in other ministries of the parish,” Teresa says. “Then the more I got involved and the more good Christian men and women I met who were involved,
I wanted to be even more involved.” In 2017, Teresa joined the Rose Garden Guild and the JOY in the Spirit charismatic prayer group. A year later, she became a funeral assistant and sacristan and began taking the Eucharist to the homebound and to Wellmore Assisted Living. Last year, she began helping with church flower arrangements. Teresa wasn’t always likely to step out of her comfort zone to try something new. She still remembers her initial hesitation to read at daily Mass. “My first answer when someone asked me if I wanted to read was ‘no,’” Teresa says. “I used to be one of those people who tried to get away before someone could ask me to do something! I have since asked a few people if they’d like to read during the weekdays, and if they say ‘no’ like I used to say, I just tell them to think about it and let me know if they change their mind. Sometimes, it just takes time to accept that you can step into a different role.” For Teresa, the value in the personal invitation is that others may recognize gifts in us that we have never considered. continued on page 7
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I have met so many wonderful friends here. Without the many mentors at St. Philip Neri, I’m not sure I would have stepped out of my comfort zone to grow spiritually or personally. It’s just a friendly, open-arms parish. They offer such diversity for involvement — there is nothing you can’t find to do if you want to be involved. I’ve grown probably 100 percent in my faith since I moved here.
TERESA THOMPSON
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TERESA THOMPSON
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“I think people see things in you that you don’t see, so you just have to trust,” she says. “I always try to invite other church members and ask them if they want to be involved.” Like reading at the Mass, Teresa may never have pictured herself helping with flower arranging until she was invited to this ministry by Rose Ramos. After watching and learning from Rose, Teresa gained enough confidence to help with church decoration. She has also learned a lot about gardening from the Rose Garden Guild. Fully immersed in the beauty of parish life, Teresa is thankful for the opportunity to live active discipleship on a daily basis — often taking a leap of faith by trying something completely new! “After joining JOY in the Spirit and invoking an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, I have been inspired to give back to my church in thanksgiving for all of my graces and blessings,” she says. “I find joy and satisfaction in whatever I do around the church because it’s all for the glory of God, and He sees and knows all.” With the encouragement and invitation of our priests and parishioners — and the support of her husband, Jim — Teresa has embraced stepping out of her comfort zone to find many ways to pursue a stewardship way of life here at St. Philip Neri. In turn, she has found her faith strengthened and her life enriched. “I have met so many wonderful friends here,” she says. “Without the many mentors at St. Philip Neri,
I’m not sure I would have stepped out of my comfort zone to grow spiritually or personally. It’s just a friendly, open-arms parish. They offer such diversity for involvement — there is nothing you can’t find to do if you want to be involved. I’ve grown probably 100 percent in my faith since I moved here.”
Teresa Thompson has embraced stepping out of her comfort zone to find many ways to pursue a stewardship way of life here at St. Philip Neri.
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
The New Parishioner Welcoming Ministry continued from front cover I give them a brief rundown of what they can expect to experience at our church and see if they have any questions. Many of them have relocated from other places, so I assure them that they will love it here! I also tell them about our parish festival, as well as the various ministries we have at our parish. They are very grateful for the call.” This initial connection helps our parish family be the loving, friendly Catholic community we desire to be. “My area reps often tell me that they have had a great conversation with the new parishioner or family they contacted,” Jenny says. “It is really wonderful for them to make a special connection with our new parishioners.” Essentially, the New Parishioner Welcoming Ministry is a dynamic way to enact the stewardship
pillar of hospitality. As it says in Hebrews 13:2, “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” “It is definitely part of our stewardship commitment as a parish,” Jenny says. “Hospitality has become very important at our parish in recent years. We have also initiated Name Tag Sunday, which has been a huge success. It is all very exciting!” It is also an ideal way for volunteers to give their time and talent. “I signed up for this ministry because I like to talk to people,” Emily says. “I also wanted to do what I can for our parish. I figured it would be an easy job, and they needed me! I believe that everyone should try to sign up for something and get involved. It really helps you to grow in your faith and feel more a part of the parish.”
For more information on how to sign up for this ministry, please contact Jenny Funk at 803-548-7282, ext. 229, or volunteercoordinator@saintphilipneri.org.