Grow+Go
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
by The Faithful Disciple
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: When was the last time you were “astonished” and “amazed”? Parents might point to the birth of their child. Space enthusiasts might recall Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon. Perhaps we felt that sense of amazement the first time we saw the Grand Canyon or another natural wonder. For the people of Capernaum, Jesus had that effect. He taught with authority. He commanded an unclean spirit. In our modern society with the constant bombardment of news and social media, it can be easy to become numb to the wonder that surrounds us. Perhaps we think we’ve seen it all. Even Jesus and the words that turned ordinary people into extraordinary disciples of the early Church can be something we take for granted or only think about for 20 minutes on Sunday. Our Gospel challenges us to quiet the noise, and Paul encourages us to seek “adherence to the Lord without distraction.” Let us pray that the Lord rekindles our faith, so that we may hear his words again as if for the first time and engage ourselves anew in living according to his teachings.
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
GO: It is very hard to keep exciting news to ourselves. We have an innate desire to share important information and extraordinary events with those whom we love. It could be the call to parents to announce an engagement. Or perhaps telling a friend that you have landed a job or been accepted to college. While these milestones are significant, they pale in comparison to what Jesus has done for us. Through him, we have experienced God’s love, mercy, and redemption, not to mention the direction and means to attain a good life: on earth and with him forever in heaven. Why not share that Good News as well? We don’t have to stand on a street corner to be effective. We can simply let our faith lives enter our conversations, just as our work and other interests do. It could be as simple as, “our priest said something Sunday that really stuck with me,” or “I just finished a remarkable book about Dorothy Day.” As we begin to talk about our faith and listen to others share their insights, we not only grow closer to one another, but can grow in faith together.
WITNESS: Today’s psalm struck a chord: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Next Sunday, make a conscious effort to listen to the readings and music with an open heart (and ears). If something strikes you, consider sharing that with others – be it around the dinner table, on a walk with friends, or during a video call.
Catholic Schools Week
WV Catholic Schools Applaud Accolades
as We Celebrate Catholic Schools Week
January 31 to February 1
National Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate. We know things will be a bit different due to the
pandemic, but it will not contain our pride. Now is the perfect time to applaud our school community and
the impressive accomplishments we have worked so hard to achieve.
Our 24 Catholic schools – 18 grade schools and six high schools – work together as a team of educators,
faith leaders, and families to nurture high achieving and morally responsible young people.
While times have been uncertain our goals remain very clear. Whether in the classroom or remote we are
steadfast in presenting challenging and engaging academics complimented with life and leadership
lessons in empathy, morals, responsibility, service, and faith.
Our schools have gone above and beyond with safety protocols based on the guidelines of the American
Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control, and state and local health departments, so we could
maintain a five day a week plan. When remote learning was mandated by the state our principals reported
full attendance with faculty requiring participation and accountability among students. Principals
continued to have high expectations of their faculty; and in turn teachers did not settle for bare minimum
work or ease grading to a pass-fail curriculum.
We require standardized assessments not once, but three times a year in our Catholic schools to measure
our students’ growth, define areas that need improvement, and identify strengths in order for our
educators to develop the best course of action for student success.
It is that persistence that guides our students to surpass their own expectations. The Class of 2020 in our
six high schools were offered more than $28.4 million in academic and athletic scholarships. That’s
nearly $14 million more than the previous year thanks in part to the encouragement of our teachers,
counselors, principals, coaches, and priests.
As a school system we remain forward thinking and are committed to high standards as we plan ahead.
We have embarked on an intentional growth planning process in 2020-2021. In doing so our schools have
been able to honor and reflect on the past and plan for the future. Each school’s comprehensive plan
strategically focuses on the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and
Secondary Schools(NSBECS). All 24 schools’ plans center around four pillars:
• Mission and Catholic Identity
• Governance and Leadership
• Academic Excellence
• Operational Vitality
This growth process is part of our national accreditation. The diocesan intentional growth plan will reflect
the individual school plans. It is our priority to continually improve Catholic education across the Diocese
of Wheeling-Charleston.
We are not only making history, but also writing our story of adaptability, perseverance, and unwavering
faith every step along this journey. As I have said countless times, I am inspired by our schools, their
advisory boards, and parishes they love and value each one of our students.
May God bless you always and in all ways.
Peace,
Mary Ann Deschaine, Ed.S
West Virginia Catholic Schools Superintendent
4th Sunday of Advent
St. Michael Church – Fourth Sunday of Advent
55th Street & Grand Central Avenue, Vienna, WV – 304-295-6109
Sat. 5:00 pm Jim Gorrell, Sr. +
Sun. 9:00 am Our Parishioners
Sun. 11:30 am Rev. James R. LaCrosse
Mon. 8:15 am Lou Bogdan +
(Mary & Bill Gavin)
Tues. 7:00 pm Agnes O’Brien Bayley +
(The Bayley Family)
Wed. 8:15 am Suzanne L. Bayley +
(Debbie & Tom Bayley)
Thur. 5:00 pm Gene Stump /Mary Gallagher +
(Cathy Stump)
Thurs. 8:00 pm Thomas W. Bayley, Jr. +
(Debbie & Tom Bayley)
Fri. 10:00 am Commemorative Mass
Association Members
Fri. 12:00 pm For Our Seminarians
Birthdays and Anniversaries:
12/20 Myra Tornes, Kiari Canfield
12/21 Evan Pritchett, Addison Craven
12/22 Brooke Poling, Pat & Harry Helmick (A)
12/24 Anna McCarthy, Savannah Williams
12/25 Manohar Karnam
12/26 Braxton Williamson
12/27 Joan Lavery, Scott Anderson,
Robert Williamson
12/28 Elizabeth Rea, Heidi Asbury, Stacy Tichy,
Bradon Nguyen,
Shirlee & Francis Nelson (A)
Margaret & Chester Meeker (A)
Heidi & James Asbury (A)
Amanda & Aaron Moore (A)
12/29 Gary Klesel, Ann Cardenas,
Ronald Baldevieso
Offerings – $2350.00
Loose Cash – $178.00
Retirement Fund Religious -$904.00
Attendance:148
Catholic Charities of WV: The annual Christmas appeal will be the second collection on Dec. 24/25 masses.
Accepting Enrollment for 2021
For Commemorative Mass Association. Enrollment Forms will be on the table in the Gathering Area. The Annual Association dues are $50.00 for each member enrolled. If you wish to enroll more than 3 persons please use an additional form or attach another sheet.
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We will not be sending out any invoices for advertisement due to Pandemic. We will use your advertisement this year (2021). If you have any questions you may call the office at (304)-295-6109 or speak with Fr. John.
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If you would like to Lector, Usher, or serve as a Eucharistic Minister, please call the Office. Our January schedules are being developed and your help is needed.
Christmas Masses
Currently we can seat about 100 people in the Church. Having four masses should accommodate everyone:
Christmas Eve – 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Christmas Day – 10:00 a.m. and Noon
Parish School of Religion: PSR has not resumed classes at the Church. Your family should have received an Advent calendar in the mail. If your family did not receive one or want more information, contact Arlene Borkowski. (amborkowski@citynet.net, or 304 482 1186)
Knights of Columbus is collecting NEW winter coats in all sizes, there is a barrel in the gathering area to place coats.
Sign-up for Flocknote by texting Michael16 to 84576
1st Sunday of Advent
Mass Intentions:
Sat. 5:00 pm Pete Higgs +
(Nancy & Buddy James)
Sun. 9:00 am Jackie Gallo +
(Rose & Jim Szarko)
Sun. 11:30 am Our Parishioners
Mon. 8:15 am Banning Wolfe Reed
(Dorinda Byers & Eddy Biehl)
Tues. 7:00 pm Suzanna Bayley +
(Debbie & Tom Bayley)
Wed. 8:15 am Kathy Byars +
(Lynda & Lou Molinari)
Thur. 7:00 pm Mary Gorrell +
(Jim Gorrell, Jr.)
Fri. 8:15 am Charles Ludey +
(The Bayley Family)
Birthdays and Anniversaries:
12/06 Charles Seita, William Boyle, Jackson Tranquill
12/07 Brayden Bostaph
12/08 Janet Mancuso, Alison Bradford
12/09 Rhonda Yeager, Matt Brunicardi, Katherine Vickers
12/11 Virginia Moncman, Mary Strobl
12/13 Cheryl Heater
12/14 Alyson Janes
12/15 Doug Morris, Aiden DeAngelo
Grow + Go
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
by The Faithful Disciple
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: I took up distance running some years ago, thanks largely to a group of friends who encouraged me along the way. We’d share the peaks and valleys of our lives as we tackled rolling hills. Those long runs come to mind when I hear Paul give thanks to the Thessalonians for having “endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul here speaks of hope in Jesus ¬– a hope that has the risen Christ as its foundation, and is central to the Christian life. When I think of what lies at the end of a long run, such as water and blissful rest, and how grateful I am for these simple pleasures, I cannot help but rejoice in the hope that St. Paul refers to today. Our catechism makes it clear: “We firmly believe, and hence we hope that, just as Christ is truly risen from the dead and lives forever, so after death the righteous will live forever with the risen Christ and he will raise them up on the last day.” (989)
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
GO: During a particularly challenging time, I confided in a close friend over the phone. She didn’t just offer to pray for me, she actually prayed with me on that phone call. I don’t recall her exact words, but she called on Jesus to help me trust that God would see me through. So often, it can be hard to find the words to encourage others in their faith. When that happens, why not bring Jesus into the conversation? It may seem awkward at first, but offering to pray with another person in real time can be a powerful witness and encouragement. As Christians, we don’t rely on “hoping” that everything will work out in the end; instead, we know that our hope is in Christ Jesus. As the catechism says: “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness.” (1817) It doesn’t get much more direct than that. Reflect on what “hope” looks like for us as Christians. And then tell a friend about it.
DID YOU KNOW? The source of our second reading today, the First Letter from Paul to the Thessalonians, contains the earliest mention within Christian literature of the three theological virtues: “faith, hope and love.” Reread today’s passage, and then read 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8. In prayer, we can ask God to help us grow in all three virtues and show us ways to share them with others.
Grow + Go
October 11, 2020
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Is 25:6-10A
Phil 4:12-14, 19-20
Mt 22:1-14 OR 22:1-10
GROW: I would guess we’ve all experienced lean times along with better times. Ramen noodles and boxed mac and cheese in college, fine dining with “rich food and choice wines” once we got real jobs, then back to pizza and beer when balancing school tuition, car payments, and kids’ growing feet. Paul has seen it all and much worse; after all, he is writing from a prison cell! Yet, rather than focus on his own troubles, he expresses gratitude for the support of the Philippians and assures them that God will provide. Paul is not writing about food, fine wine, or financial security, but the “glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” No matter our circumstances, we, too, can trust that God will give us what we need.
GO: Imagine Paul, stuck in a prison cell – hungry, thirsty, and probably in pain. And yet he seeks to bolster the Philippian Church, assuring them, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me,” and thanking them: “Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.” What a powerful faith, and a witness to gratitude of God’s gifts – including the gift of people who love us. I’ve been fortunate to have met people who, facing a chronic disease, the loss of a loved one, or physical challenges, still seem to be looking out for everyone else. Nearly to a person, they say they draw on their faith – and I’ve had the rare opportunity to hear their stories as an editor for a Catholic magazine. They inspire me to keep talking to God every day, so when that next challenge comes – and it will – I, too, can turn to my faith for strength. And it doesn’t stop there. By our example, we can accompany those around us as they carry their burdens, assuring them that they don’t face their trials alone.
ACTION: St. Paul says:“I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Keep a gratitude journal and write down the ways God has provided for you. Thank God, and then reach out and thank the people who have supported you when things got tough.
