St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church — Apr 2023

St. Francis Solanus

Monday Night Rosary: A Community of Prayer Gathering Faithfully in Christ

Whenwe look around our commu nity, country, and world, there are always people who need prayers. And, we know one of the most powerful Catholic prayers is the Rosary. Mary has specifically asked that the Rosary be prayed, and there’s no time like the present to pray the Rosary with fellow parishioners. All are welcome at 7 p.m. on Mondays in the Friars Chapel at St. Francis Solanus.

Bob Haas has been gathering with the group as often as possible for several years. He gives all the credit for this ministry to Phil and Sherry Kemner, who have led the Rosary for more than 40 years. Each decade includes a reflection, which is one thing that Bob appreciates.

“I don’t like rushing through the Rosary,” he says. “I like having time to reflect and pray together slowly. I don’t find it very prayerful when it’s rushed.”

Bob and his wife, Jane, attend as often as possible. About 12 to continued on page 5

Gathering to pray the Rosary

St. Francis Solanus

Cultivate Your Personal Garden for Christ this

Everyone loves springtime. The weather is warmer and beautiful flowers are blooming all around us.

But anyone with a beautiful garden will attest that the flowers do not magically appear as if the season change itself miraculously makes the flowers bloom. Beautiful flowers and lush gardens are the result of the gardener’s hard work.

Imagine that a man is given some flower seeds. The man then buries the seeds in the ground and leaves them on their own. As the months pass and rain falls, some seeds may receive enough nourishment to bloom. But simply burying seeds in the ground will hardly make for a gorgeous garden. Rather, if the man truly wants to enjoy many beautiful flowers, there is much care and work ahead. Recognizing the hidden beauty within these simple seeds, he must cultivate the ground, plant the seeds in a solid foundation, then water and fertilize them throughout the year. Only then will he see the proper fruit these seeds were made to bear.

This simple illustration speaks to the heart of us this season — not only as we look around at the flowers, but more importantly as we reflect on the springtime of the Church. We are celebrating the great feast of Easter when, through His death and resurrection, Christ offers us the greatest gift of all — eternal life with Him forever. This celebration leads us to reflect on the many gifts God has given us in this life and the fruit they will bear, especially as we look to life eternal.

He has given each of us a multitude of gifts so that we can better serve Him and bring others to Him. Do we notice the hidden potential of our gifts? Do we see them, like the seed — as seemingly small, yet so full of fruit? Everything we have — our time, talents, and treasure — is a gift from the Lord. Do we accept gifts in gratitude, then put them to use by cultivating and nourishing them so they will bear the proper fruit?

Just like springtime flowers that we enjoy, our time, talents, and treasure need to be cared for. Our gifts need to be cultivated and nourished. Only then will we see them for what they are — wonderful gifts given by God meant for His greater glory.

Like the seeds, if we use our gifts flippantly, we may see some fruits here and there. But we are called to so much more — we are called to build a beautiful garden. We are called to offer God the most beautiful flowers of all.

This season, as we look at all the beautiful flowers around us and enjoy God’s creation, let us think about the seeds in our own lives. Ask yourself if you have accepted the gifts God has given you — your time, talents, and treasure — and have cultivated and cared for them properly. Or, do they just sit dormant within you yearning to bloom?

a le TT er from our pas T or

Easter: The Ultimate Victory

Dear

Parishioners,

BecauseEaster Sunday is on the second Sunday of the month, we spend over half of April bathing in the joy of Jesus’ victory over death. His Resurrection is the source of our hope for eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

If you were to seek one characteristic word for the Easter season, that word would be Alleluia, which fills the liturgy during this period. Notice how many Easter hymns contain the word Alleluia. It comes to us via Latin and Greek from the Hebrew Hallelujah meaning, “Praise the Lord.”

The Hebrew Hallelujah is a word of pure praise, used in the Jewish liturgy and found at the beginning and end of many of the Psalms. It was even recorded in Revelation — see chapter 19 for examples. In fact, the essence of Alleluia ought to be at the center of our Christian lives.

What do I mean by “Alleluia living,” if I may call it that? I guess I’d best summarize my thoughts by saying it means incorporating Christ’s victory into the core of our own lives. Knowing that Jesus Christ died on the cross and then rose again from the dead should not be some abstract idea that has no relevance to our own life. The faith that the Resurrection is true is the basis of Christianity.

Perhaps for most of us, death is not very real, or at least not something we think about often. Most Americans don’t live on farms where the deaths of animals are regular occurrences. And most people die conveniently out of sight in nursing homes or hospitals, not at home surrounded by their families. We try to keep death out of sight.

But Christianity recognizes that death is real and that it is the final result of sin. Death is hostile to us —

St. Paul even states, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor 15:26). However, Jesus has won the victory over death. While we ourselves will experience death until Christ’s Second Coming, the crucial battle is over and has been won.

We have faith that Jesus has risen, and that fills us with the hope that we too will share in the Resurrection. St. Paul explained it in this way: “For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ” (1 Cor 15:22-23).

That hope then brings joy to the Christian’s life — joy because Christ is victor, joy because He shares His victory with us. That we trust death is not the end is the basis of this joy. And that’s what is at the heart of “Alleluia living,” a joy that radiates through all of life even when we experience pain and suffering, even in the midst of financial turmoil, and even during times of personal sorrow.

This Easter season, let’s live out Jesus’ reassurance, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16:33). We can be joyful because we don’t need to fear, and with that promise of ultimate security, we then dare to share the time, talent, and treasure God has entrusted to us and use them in His service.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Steven Arisman, Pastor

St. Francis Solanus

WOMEN’S SAINT

Growing in Faith and Fellowship

Whenwe listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, incredible things begin to happen. Karen Weiman and Kelli Lunt, the founders of the Women’s Saint Study, attribute the Holy Spirit to the success and beautiful things that have come out of this group since it began two years ago.

“Honestly, it was one of those inspirations of the Spirit,” Karen says. “I just felt a calling to have a place in the parish where women of all ages and stages can come together and journey with the saints. We can look at their examples and tap into the grace to grow in our own holiness.”

Initially, the group began meeting once a month and reading books about the lives of saints.

“Someone who was attending the study approached us and suggested that we could have a speaker who shares about a different saint every month,” Kelli says. “We thought this was a great idea so the first hour of our meeting is the saint talk and the second hour is discussing our book study.”

This format helps to include women who may not have participated in the book study but are able

to come for the speaker. They can learn and share in fellowship during that time and leave for the book study, though they are always welcome to stay and participate. Every few months, the group has a meeting that welcomes the men from the parish to join. These meetings have bigger presentations for the saints that last the whole two hours.

“It is incredible to hear about the saints and their diverse experiences that led them to holiness,” Kelli says. “Some of them didn’t start from a place of virtue. We challenge everyone to share something that really stood out to them and I always enjoy hearing the extraordinary things but also the ordinary. I think those ordinary things are important to realize. Holiness doesn’t mean your life is filled with extraordinary experiences and we see that when we study their lives.”

“So many things have come together in this group that couldn’t be planned,” Karen says. “It is so obvious for us that it is not of our doing. We have a dedicated group of regulars who come monthly, but others come when they can and it

Karen Weiman, Kelli Lunt, Fr. Steven Arisman, Lauren Scharmer (guest speaker) gather at a Women’s Saint Study presentation.

Through friendship, study and openness to the workings of the Holy Spirit, this group has flourished over the last couple of years.

SAINT STUDY

Fellowship on a Journey with the Saints

is beautiful to see how they contribute with their own perspectives and for others, they happen to come to a meeting that was exactly what they needed to hear and learn about.”

The members of this group include women from their 20s to their 80s. There are single women, young moms, seasoned moms, and grandmas. All are welcome to come and learn about the examples that the saints give us.

“It is amazing to learn from each other and experience spiritual motherhood within this group,” Karen says. “It isn’t a matter of age or experiences. I learn from others who are young-

er than me and older than me. We all have something to offer. And here we get to offer that spiritual motherhood to others as well as receive it.”

Through friendship, study, and openness to the workings of the Holy Spirit, this group has flourished over the last couple of years.

“We know that spirituality grows in community,” Karen says. “Here we have an opportunity to influence each other, but also have the influence of these saints. We have fellowship and friendship with each other and we are opening a door to have fellowship and friendship with the women in heaven.”

The Women’s Saint Study meets the first Tuesday of each month, from 7-9 p.m., in the St. Francis parish center. The group takes a summer break beginning in June and meets again in the fall. Women of all ages are invited to join.

Monday Night Rosary continued from front cover

20 people attend each week. It’s also been a way to get to know people, as the attendees often visit a bit afterward.

“I’d like to see more people come and pray,” Bob says. “Just try it, as it might help you on your spiritual journey.”

As a visual person, Bob has several Rosary books that he can read while focusing on a piece of classical art. He also loves to pray with various online resources. He suggests trying a variety of resources to find the best way to pray the Rosary. If you struggle to pray the Rosary, you may not have the right guide yet.

“Our Blessed Mother asked us to pray the Rosary, and I try to do that at least a couple times per week,”

Bob says. “The Rosary draws us to Jesus — that’s the whole point. Mary always draws us to Jesus.”

Bob appreciates that Phil and Sherry always display a statue of Mary and even decorate with flowers at times. It reminds him of the Rosary’s importance.

In addition to his participation in the Monday Night Rosary, Bob uses his woodworking skills for projects around the parish and to make crosses and crucifixes. He’s also on the team for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and sings with the 9 a.m. choir. He serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and helps change the messaging on the outdoor signs.

“It’s good to get involved,” says Bob. “I appreciate all the people I’ve gotten to know over the years.”

Come pray the Rosary on Mondays at 7 p.m. There is always room for more people.

St. Francis Solanus

St. Francis Choir Shares Talents to Enrich Our Worship

Aswe enter into the Easter season, our St. Francis Choir has brought us through Lent with their voices and the music they have prepared since the beginning of February, creating a more somber mood with a change to the English chant for the Mass settings. There also has been a quieter, more reflective choral literature for meditation after Communion.

“We began working on music for the Easter season the first week of March,” says Jill Steinkamp, Director of Music. “With such a joyful choir and the excitement of new Easter choral literature to learn, it has been truly hard to bury the ‘Alleluia!’”

During Ordinary Time, the choir uses organ and piano accompaniment. However, in preparation for Easter, Jill has been working to incorporate some brass instruments.

The choir normally practices from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, but the schedule was adjusted during Lent to 7-8 p.m. to allow the members to attend evening Mass and the soup supper.

Our St. Francis Choir members have had the opportunity through their participation to deepen their understanding and appreciation for sacred music and the impact it has on the celebration of the Mass.

“The St. Francis Choir has transformed from a group of people who individually like to sing, to a unified choir that blends their voices to create music that lifts the spirits and encourages the congregation to participate fully in the Mass,” Jill says. “Through rehearsing and becoming familiar with older hymns, to strengthening our cantors for Responsorial singing, our choir has become an integral part of our 9 a.m. Mass each week.”

The choir’s work enriches our worship at Mass,

and it also serves as an expression of stewardship for the members.

“Not only do our choir members come to Wednesday practices and sing at most 9 a.m. Masses, but they practice our choir music on their own time as well, making sure that they are giving their best to God and the group,” Jill says. “Though our choir members smile when a kind word is spoken to them after Mass about the wonderful music, they are not singing for praises or applause, but instead are singing to join hearts in praise during the Mass.”

Although the number of choir members has fluctuated, there normally are 16 members singing each week at Mass.

“Though we are not a large choir, we have definitely grown in spirit and vocal strength over the past few years,” Jill says.

If the group’s singing has served to inspire any of our parishioners to join, new members are most welcome any time during the year.

“The best time is always right now,” Jill says.

To learn more or to join, contact the church office at 217-222-2898, or Jill Steinkamp at jsteinkamp@stfrancissolanus.com or 217-257-2253.

Several members of our St. Francis Solanus adult choir gather for practice.

Responding to the Glory of Christ’s Resurrection at Easter Dying, He Destroyed Our Death; Rising, He Restored Our Life

“He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.

On the third day He rose again from the dead” – Apostles’ Creed

As we have recently come to the end of our Lenten journey toward Easter, let us take a moment to meditate on three pivotal lines from the ancient creed, which comprise the central events of our redemption.

Far from being a mere myth or legend, in Jerusalem around the year 30 A.D., Jesus Christ — the Son of God made man — was tortured at the hands of the Romans. He was flogged, beaten, spit upon, and crowned with thorns. He was made to carry the cross through the crowded streets to Golgotha and, once there, He was crucified — He was nailed to a cross and died. Just as someday we will each be laid in our graves, Jesus was laid in His.

The most obvious question that confronts the observer of this horrific reality is “why?” Luckily, Christ made the impetus for His self-sacrifice quite clear: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life” (Jn 3:14-15).

The reasons Christ died on the cross are twofold, one negative and one positive. The negative cause is sin. Only in witnessing the cost of redemption — the death of the Son of God — can we begin to comprehend the profound magnitude of sin: “You have been purchased at a price,” says St. Paul (1 Cor 6:20).

Conversely, Christ willingly accepted the cross because of love. St. John famously says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).

Uniting these two causes, St. Paul says, “God

proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).

In His limitless compassion, Christ entered into the fullness of human suffering — physical torment, emotional agony and utter isolation — so that He might share complete solidarity with mankind. Accordingly, His passion and death not only accomplished our redemption, but by the cross, He also showed us the way to true discipleship. For Christ taught His disciples long before His crucifixion, “if anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23).

Christ’s is the final and perfect covenant between God and man, and it is a covenant of love, with Christ Himself as its high priest. Nevertheless, this covenant is not based on love as popular culture conceives of it, but love as Christ displayed it: “The way we came to know love was that He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16).

Joined with the passion, Christ’s Resurrection is

St. Francis Solanus

1721 College Avenue

Quincy, IL 62301

(217) 222-2898

stfrancissolanus.com

Responding to the Glory of Christ’s Resurrection at Easter

continued from page 7

the key to the entire Gospel — for in rising from the dead, Jesus proved true His bold promises. He had prophesied to the apostles, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again” (Jn 10:18). The Resurrection vindicates this promise and validates His teaching and miracles.

Furthermore, Christ, “the firstborn from the dead,” opened the door to eternal life and to new creation (Col 1:18). Out of the darkness of despair, the scattered and frightened disciples saw the risen Christ and were renewed and transformed. Filled with faith in the crucified and resurrected Savior, they evangelized the known world.

St. Paul summarizes the centrality of the redemp-

tive power of the Easter Triduum with his characteristic zeal: “If Christ has not been raised, then empty (too) is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15:14-17).

This Easter, let us respond to the glory of Christ’s Resurrection by exclaiming, as St. Thomas the Apostle did, “My Lord and my God!” And may each of us be filled with faith in God of our salvation, hope in the rewards He has won for us, and love for Him who has deigned to bestow them on us.

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