The Philipian, A Publication of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church — September 2020

SEPTEMBER 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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Getting Our Youth Involved in the Faith Through the Altar Server Ministry

ncoming eighth-grade student Isabella Diaz just recently reached an important stewardship landmark — her 100th Mass as a St. Philip Neri altar server! Looking back on her now three and a half years of service, Isabella admits that she was initially hesitant about the ministry, intimidated by taking on such an important and public role. Yet, her equal desire to serve won out and she’s been joyfully volunteering ever since.

“Like many young servers, I definitely felt unsure at first,” Isabella says. “I wanted to altar serve a lot, but when it came to me

finally being old enough, I felt a little scared. But it has been such a good experience and only good things come from it. There is no reason to be afraid. Everyone is there to welcome and help you.”

Isabella says that she enjoys altar serving for many reasons. She likes meeting and getting to know other young people from the parish, forming relationships she might not have had the opportunity to build otherwise. She enjoys getting to know the priests and deacons on a more personal level. And lastly, she loves the way it transforms her liturgical experience as she becomes

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St. Philip Neri altar servers have a great opportunity to actively participate in the sacred liturgy.

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Altar Server Ministry a more active participant in the Mass.

“I think it makes me pay attention a lot more,” Isabella says. “I know what is supposed to be going on and I pay more attention. This helps me deepen my faith and listen better, which makes me have a better relationship with Jesus.”

Current Altar Server Ministry coordinator Anne Jones says that she’s witnessed similar effects in the other servers, including her own son. She loves how altar serving gives parish youth an up-close view of the Mass, helping them appreciate the liturgical nuances and planting lasting seeds of faith.

“It’s a great way for youth to get involved and be part of the Church,” Anne says. “It’s a great opportunity to be up-close for key moments and be more intimately involved. I think it’s also a nice way to promote vocations from a young age — to familiarize them with different parts of the Mass and maybe put a little spark of interest, especially for young boys.”

The Altar Server Ministry is open to any boy or girl who has received their First Communion and is mature enough for this special privilege. Prior to beginning, new servers participate in a training session which walks them through things like dress code and ministry expectations, as well as the actual duties performed by them within the Mass. Older, experienced servers are typically invited to these trainings so as to model the behaviors and tasks for new servers. Isabella says this has been something that she has really enjoyed doing, taking on that mentorship role for the younger boys and girls.

“It’s really nice to see the next group coming up,” Isabella says. “It’s nice to see some of the younger kids wanting to help and I’m really happy to be able to meet and help them.”

After completing their training, servers are then scheduled for their preferred Mass times. Anne says ideally, there are three servers per Mass — partnering up younger, less-experienced servers with veteran servers.

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“I think it makes me pay attention a lot more. I know what is supposed to be going on and I pay more attention. This helps me deepen my faith and listen better, which makes me have a better relationship with Jesus.” — Isabella Diaz

Isabella Diaz gets ready to serve on the altar for the very first time on Dec. 4, 2014.

Parents with youth interested in serving may contact Anne Jones at spnatlarserving@gmail.com.

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A Letter From Our Pastor

“Coincidental” Stewardship Dear Parishioners,

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he famous author G.K. Chesterton once said, “Coincidences are God’s way of staying anonymous.” Since fully embracing the stewardship way of life, coincidences have become cherished experiences for which I thank God — and rightly so!

While God stays anonymous, coincidences are His way of interacting with the world He created. Importantly, as we have been continually impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and with many of our circumstances changing day to day, we can be grateful for His “coincidental” intervention.

As I continue to witness the grace-filled effects of the stewardship way of life on our parish, and in my own life, it is definitely God’s hand at work in our lives of faith. If some identify a coincidence as a “surprise blessing” that lifts the spirits and draws one closer to gratefulness to God, we cannot deny that in those circumstances that God is giving us the grace to live and celebrate our faith. So, let’s celebrate the coincidences!

Celebrate the coincidence that Chesterton himself converted to Catholicism late in his life, yet wrote book after book affirming and defending the Catholic faith long before his conversion.

Four years after Chesterton joined the Catholic Church, he wrote a phenomenal book called The Catholic Church and Conversion. It is one of the best works on conversion to Catholicism, as well as a wonderful description of conversion to the stewardship way of life. The same experiences, or “coincidences,” apply when we find ourselves drawn into the understanding, practice and expression of discipleship, known to us as “stewardship.”

Chesterton describes conversion in three steps.

“The convert takes his first step rather

unwittingly when he decides he’s going to be fair to the Catholic Church,” he wrote. The convert to stewardship must also dispel the “myths of stewardship” and give it a chance.

This first step of conversion then leads to a long and enjoyable second step, which is the utter fascination of learning what the Catholic Church really does teach. Chesterton says, “It is like discovering a new continent full of strange flowers and fantastic animals, which is at once wild and hospitable.” For the stewardship convert, it is recognizing that stewardship is a practical way of living the Gospel. It makes sense, and others are doing it with joy and passion. What they have, the convert also wants.

Then, the convert to Catholicism suddenly realizes with a shock that he can no longer be detached and impartial about the Catholic Church.

The convert to the stewardship way of life realizes this is the way he or she wants to live — and makes the commitment to do so.

If this were not true of what Christ has called us to be, I would not be writing this today. If this were not true of our commitment to stewardship, you may not be reading this today. And, if this were not true of a stewardship parish such as ours, we would not be the faithful stewards we are today. Wouldn’t you also agree it is a “coincidence” to thank God for each day of our lives?

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O.

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Meet Parishione The Newest Member of Ou T

he introduction to Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response — the 1992 U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship — serves as a wonderful description of why stewardship is such an important part of living as an intentional disciple of Jesus: “Stewardship is an expression of discipleship, with the power to change how we understand and live out our lives. Disciples who practice stewardship recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all they have and are and will be.”

In order to reinforce our dedication to the stewardship way of life here at St. Philip Neri, our parish has a Stewardship Committee. This group helps the church encourage parishioners to make active stewardship a part of their everyday lives.

Parishioner Diane Cooper recently became a new member of our Stewardship Committee, joining Fr. Fabio Refosco, Parish Communications Coordinator Jen Fredenberg, Business Manager Lynda Curry, and Volunteer Coordinator Jenny Funk.

Diane joined our parish when she moved to the area in 2010. She quickly came to love the active spirit and close-knit community at St. Philip Neri, and knew that she would eventually get involved in parish life.

I knew I needed to get involved to really feel a part of the community and practice my religion. In some parishes I belonged to, I only went to Mass on Sundays and I really didn’t get to know any of the people or the priests. I think when you do that, you’re losing a huge part of why you go to church. Now I know that I need to be involved to have my heart fulfilled and have that sense of being part of the Catholic community.

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“I’ve been a member of 12 different parishes in eight different states in my lifetime,” Diane says.

“I knew I needed to get involved to really feel a part of the community and practice my religion. In some parishes I belonged to, I only went to Mass on Sundays and I really didn’t get to know any of the people or the priests. I think when you do that, you’re losing a huge part of why you go to church.

Now I know that I need to be involved to have my heart fulfilled and have that sense of being part of the Catholic community.”

Knowing firsthand the blessings that come with engagement in parish life, Diane began serving St. Philip Neri as a sacristan and Eucharistic Minister, as well as helping with the Italian Festival and spending time in adoration. She has a long history of involvement in non-profit organizations and was the Chair of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity.

Our Stewardship Committee invited Diane to serve with them after witnessing her dedication to service. Diane was both surprised and honored!

“I was totally humbled, amazed and dumbfounded,” she says. “I had never really thought about stewardship — it was just something you did. I was brought up that you go out to help others and do for others, so it’s just part of my

Diane Cooper

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er Diane Cooper ur Stewardship Committee being. The Stewardship Committee seemed a perfect fit because I really do like to help people.”

Jen Fredenberg considers Diane to be a “wonderful gift” to the Stewardship Committee this year, bringing with her a servant’s heart and many years of experience with non-profit organizations.

Jen looks forward to the months ahead as the Stewardship Committee prepares for the annual parish Stewardship Renewal. During this time, parishioners are invited to reflect on the ways they might be called to serve the parish and community in thanksgiving for God’s many blessings.

“The ultimate goal is to encourage us as Catholics to deepen our relationship with Christ and express that conversion through the gifts of time, talent and treasure back to the parish,” Jen says. “I think the overarching desire to make stewardship a way of life in the parish is resonating with a lot of the parishioners. Fr. Fabio is 100-percent committed to making sure we continue on this journey.”

Jen and Diane — with the rest of the Stewardship Committee — hope that all parishioners will prayerfully consider engaging more deeply with parish life during this year’s Stewardship Renewal process. St. Philip Neri is richly blessed with a vibrant faith family that is growing every day, and there is truly a ministry or parish activity for everyone!

“You need to choose something to do that you know will bring joy to your life,” Diane says. “The Great Commandment is that you love God with your heart and soul and your neighbor as yourself. So I think you need to look inside and say, ‘How do you love your neighbor, how is that done?’”

Diane Cooper recently joined our parish Stewardship Committee.

Our Stewardship Committee invited Diane to serve with them after witnessing her dedication to service — Diane was both surprised and honored!

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THE SIGN OF THE CROSS:

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A Powerful Prayer Tradition in the Catholic Church

ince we say and make the Sign of the Cross so often, it may easily become a rote, perhaps even thoughtless, action. However, it is important to remember that the Sign of the Cross is much more than a simple gesture. Even in its most basic form, the Sign of the Cross — accompanied by the spoken or unspoken words “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” — is a prayer, a creed stating our belief in the Holy Trinity, the dual nature of Jesus Christ, and the dependence of our salvation on His crucifixion and resurrection.

In addition, making the Sign of the Cross is an indication of a willingness to take up our own cross and suffering for the sake of Christ. The prayer is considered one of the greatest weapons against Satan and all demons, and an added strength against the temptations of the flesh.

In the Roman Catholic Church today, the Sign of the Cross is typically made with either three fingers or an open hand touching first the forehead, then the chest, followed by the left shoulder and then the right (in the Eastern Church, the right shoulder is touched before the left). The concept of making a sign, or “setting a seal,” upon the forehead of those who place their faith in the Lord appears in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible — see Ezek. 9:4 and Rev. 7:3, 9:4, and 14:1.

Early versions of the Sign of the Cross were traced on just the forehead, using the thumb and forefinger held together in the shape of a tiny cross. We still see this version of the blessing performed during Baptisms (with the cross traced on the infant’s forehead) and on Ash Wednesday (with the cross traced in ashes on the foreheads of the faithful). Similarly, when the Gospel is read during the Liturgy of the Word, the priest or deacon leads the congregation in forming this small cross on the forehead, mouth, and chest, indicating a

willingness to keep the Word of the Lord in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.

There is no doubt that our early Church fathers were strong believers in the sanctifying power of the Sign of the Cross. A second-century ecclesiastical scholar, Tertullian, and a third century saint, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, both wrote about the necessity of performing the Sign of the Cross at one’s waking and one’s lying down, at entering and leaving a room, at mealtimes, and more. St. Augustine also referenced the importance of marking the cross on the faithful’s forehead during the administration of the sacraments.

It is likely that the sign transformed from the tiny cross on the forehead to the larger, full-body cross used today sometime in the fifth century, when heretics began questioning both the dual nature of Jesus Christ — fully human and fully divine — and the unity of the Holy Trinity. Believers in these crucial Church doctrines began forming the cross with three extended fingers (representing the Trinity), keeping the ring finger and little finger pressed down into the palm (representing Christ’s dual nature), and tracing a cross on their entire upper body so there could be no mistaking the gesture.

Today, the Sign of the Cross still figures predominantly in our prayer life as Roman Catholics.

We commonly perform it upon entering a church; at the beginning and end of the Catholic Mass, a Benediction, or the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; when opening and closing our personal prayers; at mealtimes; and when passing by a Catholic Church (in recognition of Christ, present in the tabernacle). As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, the frequent, intentional use of the Sign of the Cross can help the faithful dedicate each day to the glory of God and provide strength in the face of trial and temptation (2157).

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Building The Domestic Church Living Stewardship in Our Family as Crisis Continues

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s the COVID-19 crisis continues, the question of how to strengthen our family faith and continue to live Stewardship as a Way of Life while separated from the sacraments and parish life is being put to the test.

Our priests and parish leaders already have found new ways to minister to our parish family from a distance. Now, it is our own time to shine within our own homes. It is our time to seize this opportunity and continue to build our own Domestic Church.

What is the domestic Church?

Simply put, it is our family — the smallest body of gathered believers in Christ. The early Church fathers understood the home was fertile ground for discipleship, and holiness. And the Domestic Church plays a key role in this as the primary place where we practice coming to intimately love others.

Even before the crisis, in recent years, our Holy Father Pope Francis placed great emphasis on the family, asking us as Catholics to explore the meaning and the theology of the Domestic Church.

During his address at the World Meeting of Families during his 2015 apostolic visit to the United States, Pope Francis told us, “Love is shown by little things, by attention to small

daily signs which make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life to grow in faith.”

Now, as the crisis continues to distance us from our parish community and affects the way we live our faith and practice stewardship, it is now more important than ever to discern the unique role God has in mind for our lives, and the lives of our family members.

If your family truly is committed to answering the call to live as

intentional disciples of Christ, our response to this call starts in the home through stewardship.

As Catholics, we often associate stewardship with sharing our time, talents and resources with our parish. We see it as volunteering and helping to build our parish community. Rarely, do we recognize the need for stewardship in our own homes.

But what can you do to live out stewardship as a Domestic Church?

You can set aside time each day for personal and family prayer.

If you are still unable to attend Mass, you and your family can participate in the Sunday liturgy continued on back cover

— If your family truly is committed to answering the call to live as intentional disciples of Christ, our response to this call starts in the home through stewardship.

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Building The Domestic Church continued from page 7

and daily Masses in your home via livestream. Read and reflect each day on the daily Mass readings, which are available online at www.usccb.org/bible.

Do some online faith formation together.

Other ideas include simply being kind to each other, doing something extra for your spouse or children, avoiding criticism, or working on being more patient with a family member who sometimes can be challenging to be around. Help a family member financially

during these challenging times.

Pray for our family members and each of their unique needs.

Spend extra time with a child and our spouse — make that a priority worked into each week.

The possibilities for living stewardship within our Domestic Churches are endless.

How we treat each other in our homes is as important as praying together. In a nutshell, live in your home with your faith-filled family celebrating your Catholic identity!

Stewardship is not just

something we do within the confines of our parish walls.

It is meant to be lived 24/7, to be practiced anywhere and everywhere. And it begins with our Domestic Church — our families.

By focusing on new ways to share our Time, Talent and Treasure together within our own homes — both during the crisis and after the storm passes — we can make faith the source and center of our family lives and fulfill our mission as the Domestic Church.