VIVIENDO EL JUBILEO
GENERAL That Christian communities may be such as to welcome all consecrated vocations no matter how diverse.
MISSION That all pilgrims who will visit Rome, Jerusalem, and
other sanctuaries may become Christian messengers of the Good News of hope
for contemporary men and women. A second way to live out the Jubilee
is by living justice. Our parish
has covenanted with other Christian communities to end injustices in
Volusia County. We recognize that this is a life long task.
We do not expect that all things can be done
at once or that government and business will respond openly and enthusiastically.
What we do know is that the power God gives us in numbers through prayer
and action can make a difference. Within the next several months
committees will be investigating issues to tackle and develop strategies
we can use. I hope that all parishioners will do their best in helping
with this task.
Another Jubilee goal is ecumenical prayer
and dialogue. Throughout this year there will be opportunities to
pray with people from other denominations and faiths. We will
pray for peace and for unity. We will pray that God will
give us the grace to strive for true unity based in the Holy Spirit.
Continue to watch the bulletin for these opportunities.
Peace,
Fr. Chris
Many of you have already had a chance to meet Fr. Cosimo Fazio.
He is a retired priest living in New Smyrna Beach.
He will be assisting me with Sunday Mass and some daily Masses, especially
when I must be away with military or
diocesan business and on my day off. Fr. Fazio is from New York.
He is truly an answer to my prayers and yours.
No matter what happens to you, if you can draw strength from God and
the people you love, nothing can ever defeat you.
Reba McEntire
I know God will not give me anything I cannot handle. I just wish He
didn’t trust me so much.
Mother Teresa
THE FLOWER
They were both in the nursing home but in
different rooms. He was an Alzheimer’s patient and she was recovering
from an injury. I had given him communion first, then gone on to
her room and given her communion. Afterward, she remarked that it seemed
such a beautiful sunny day and she wished she could be outdoors.
Her nurse agreed and so bundled her in a blanket, placed her in a wheel
chair, and off we went. Soon she spotted some pretty flowers in a
garden and asked me to pick one for her. Then she asked me to take
her to her husband’s room. There she presented the flower to him
and they quickly became rapt in their love for one another. In God’s
grace, his mind was perfectly clear for that moment and they were like
young lovers. Clearly, I was no longer needed or even noticed, so I quietly
left their room.
As a minister to the sick, one is privileged
to witness God’s love to his people and in some small way, to realize that
we have been a part of something very special.
Praise God and blessed be His holy name.
A MEMORY RAMBLE Bob Sayre
It doesn’t seem possible that St. Clare’s has passed
its tenth anniversary! Before the late fall of 1989, Sally and I
(still snow birds then) worshipped at Our Lady of the Lakes during our
mid-fall to mid-spring visits. At the time, we were officially members
of St. Timothy Parish in Columbus, Ohio.
A month or so after our return to Deltona
that year, we built our home here. In 1989, Laurie Seale, a neighbor,
told us that a new parish was being formed; she said services were being
held temporarily in a strip mall storefront on Elkcam Boulevard “not far
from McDonald’s”. We got into our car and searched for the place
but never did find it. Before we could call in the bloodhounds, Laurie
told us that services of St. Clare Catholic Community, the new parish,
were moving to Osteen’s community center. That we found! I’m
not sure if we were at the initial service in Osteen, but I am certain
that the first person we met there was Manuel Iglesias of the hospitality
committee. He warmly welcomed us into the spare concrete-block building.
He made us feel welcome. I liked that, and I liked Manuel.
We sat on folding chairs in the larger of
two rooms as Father Tim Kandel conducted services “in the round”. Guitars
provided the music. Parishioners were already hugging each other
a lot, something missing in other churches. The room may have been bare,
but some of the most beautiful and meaningful Masses I’ve ever attended
were held during the next three years.
St. Clare Catholic Community really grew up
in Osteen; it was a growing, going congregation when it moved into its
own building, Clare Hall, in the spring of 1993. The friendliness has continued
at St. Clare’s! It’s a one-of-a-kind quality that makes church attendance
a pleasurable, rewarding learning experience. Long may it continue!
Manuel Iglesias died a few years ago, but his memory lives within me. At
the door to 5 p.m. Saturday masses at St. Clare’s, I now greet parishioners
and guests. Yes, I remember Manuel often. I only hope I can
do half as well as he did.
They can conquer who believe they can.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
EXPOSITION OF LOVE
Our obliging Webster defines exposition as a large public exhibition.
When we speak of Exposition of the Most Holy Sacrament we do mean a
public exhibition of the Eucharistic Presence of
Jesus Christ waiting for us. After Solomon’s prayer of dedication of
the newly built Temple we are told of fire from
heaven burning up the sacrifices and “because the Temple was full of
dazzling light the priests could not enter it.”
(2 Chron 7:2) There is something much greater happening during exposition
of the Blessed Sacrament. The monstrance is
like a sum emanating rays of light, love and supernatural power to
transform our lives. It cannot be described, only
experienced. Come and see for yourself. God is always greater than
any words can portray.
Did you know? In a historic vote, the UN General
Assembly unanimously voted to proclaim the first decade of the
21st century “The Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for
the Children of the World”. (Pax Christi
newsletter)
Justice in the workplace in the Year 2000
The National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice invites
everyone to seriously look at ways to bring justice to the workplace and
our communities. The Committee encourages articipation in social service
programs such as soup kitchens and shelters, and invites us to look more
closely this year at the workplace. How can we work to bring about for
every worker a living wage that can support a family, provide families
with health coverage, provide a workplace environment that is free of fear
of harassment or firing?
Pray regularly for justice in the workplace
and if you would like to learn more about workers’ issues or the
Committee write to them at 1020 West Bryn Mawr, Chicago, Ill 60660-4627
or on the net at www.igc.org/nicwj.
PLANET EARTH
Findings about our planet were presented to some 4000 scientists in
St. Louis last August. Among the more startling
statistics were:
1. Humans have transformed almost 50% of the land.
2. Habitat loss and species invasions have caused the rates of extinction
from 100 to 1000 times what they would
be without human induced changes.
3. Little or no oxygen to support life has caused the coastal areas
of the world to contain an estimated 50 “dead zones.”
4. Excess fertilizer use and the burning of fossil fuel, which has
doubled the amount of available nitrogen in the environment,
have caused imbalances in the ecosystems.
5. Serious invasions of nonnative species, about 3000 marine species,
are in ship ballast water.
Oregon State University biologist Janet Lubchenco and two colleagues
indicated that we need to take stock of these
changes, understand their implications, and change our direction.
They say we are inattentive stewards; however,
they state “It is encouraging that there is an increasing focus on
the part of the private sector, religious groups and
individual citizens to take responsibility and undertake innovative
action.”
From ENVIRONET, Volusia County Environmental Mgmt. Services, winter 99/00, DeLand, FL 32720
F.R.E..E.
The theme for adult education on February 13 will be:
How to stay married: helpful hints for a good marriage
This session will be held in the main assembly area
Beginning at 2:45 PM.
MEDICAL MISSION TRIPS TO OUR SISTER DIOCESE
Looking for a meaningful and adventurous mission experience in a challenging
yet rewarding setting? Come join our
medical support personnel on mission trips to our sister diocese.
We need doctors, surgeons, dentists, nurses,
Spanish/English interpreters, and others. Trips are in March,
April, August, and November. Call the Mission Office for
more details at (407) 246-4890.
ANNIVERSARY MASS
All couples celebrating their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries (or
any special anniversary) are invited to attend a
special celebration Mass with Bishop Norbert Dorsey on Sunday, February
6 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Parish,
Altamonte Springs. There will be a reception for these couples
and their families in the Parish Life Center immediately
following Mass. There is no need for prior registration.
For info, call the Family Life Office at (407) 246-4865.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
An evening on building relationships will be presented by Dr. Doug
Meske, a nationally known speaker, on Friday,
February 11 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Conference Center,
Winter Park. A cost of $10.00 will be
collected at the door. For additional information contact Terri
O’Sullivan, Family Life Office at (407) 246-4867.
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
A class in natural family planning, a highly reliable method of birth
regulation, will be held at St. Ann Parish in DeBary
on Saturday, February 5. For information or registration, call
Laura & oel Keller at (407) 578-5191 or the Diocese of
Orlando Family Life Department at (407) 246-4865.
ANNUNCIATION 30 + SINGLES INC.
Valentine’s Dance - Friday, February 11th from 7:30 – 11:30 p.m.
Let’s Dance Studio – 391 South Semoran Blvd (just south of University
Blvd) – (407) 679-5992
Admission is $7.00 – call Carol or Eddie for more information at (407)
696-1776
DIOCESAN SPONSORED MORNINGS OF REFLECTION FOR
EXTRA-ORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST:
February 5 St. Paul, Daytona Beach
February 26 St. Joseph, Winter Haven
Cost $3/ person 9:00 A.M. – 12 Noon
PROPER IRRIGATION METHODS
We all must continue to conserve water and one way is through
proper irrigation. If this is done improperly, you invite
disease, increase the need for fertilizer, and you waste water.
Some easy things to remember when irrigating are:
determine when water is needed
determine how much water should be applied
decide on method of application
In determining when to water your lawn, look for these signs:
bluish-gray areas in the lawn
footprints or tire tracks remain long after being made
many leaf blades folded in half
soil sample is dry about the grass roots
Water application should be made depending
on the amount of water present in the soil. Efficient watering wets
only the
turfgrass rootzone; it does not saturate the soil and does not allow
water runoff. Florida soils are typically sandy and hold 1 inch of
water in the top 12 inches of the soil. Most plant roots are in the
upper 12 inches of the soil.
Typically, watering is required two to three
times per week in the summer, and once every 10 to 14 days in the winter.
If
rainfall occurs, irrigation should be suspended according to the rainfall
amount.
Water should never be applied at a rate faster
than it can be absorbed. This seldom happens with small sprinklers.
Avoid extremes in watering frequency and amount. Light, frequent
watering is inefficient and encourages shallow root systems.
Excessive irrigation is harmful to the lawn. Roots need a balance
of water and air to function and grow properly.
The time for watering the lawn is important.
The best time is in the early morning hours. Watering during the
day can
waste water by excessive evaporation. In addition, watering during
hot periods can scald the lawn.
Lawn irrigation should be scheduled to avoid peak residential
water demand if using municipal water. Abide by all Water
Conservation Ordinances.
University of Florida, Cooperative Extension Service,
THE VOLUSIA COUNTY EXTENSION NEWS Article in Oct-Nov 1999
issue – by David Griffis
WILDLIFE NOTES
Did you know that snakes can inflict bites after their death?
Evidence has been shown to indicate that a significant
percentage of ALL snake bites come from dead snakes. Their strike
and bite reflex remains active for about an hour
after death, even snakes that have been decapitated! Snakes can
still manage to shift and lunge to sink their fangs
into those holding them. The same interesting fact applies to
bees. They too can still sting a short time after their
death. Be on notice about these deadly bites!
>From ENVIRONET, Volusia County Environmental Mgmt. Services, winter 99/00, DeLand, FL 32720
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Poverty is a major contributor to violence. The fact that so
many people are poor in a nation as wealthy as ours is a
social and moral scandal that must not be ignored. The disproportionate
impact of poverty on children, women and
members of racial and ethnic minorities must be addressed through just
policies on employment wages, taxes,
welfare, and family life. Dealing with poverty is not a luxury
to which our nation can attend when it finds the time and
resources. Rather, it is a moral imperative of the highest priority.
VIVIENDO EL JUBILEO
GENERAL: Que las comunidades cristianas sean tal que den la bienvenida
a todas las vocaciones consagradas, sin
considerar su variedad.
MISIONAL: Que los peregrinos que visiten a Roma, Jerusalén
y otros santuarios vuelvan de allí misioneros de la
Buena Nueva para brindar esperanza a los hombres y la mujeres de hoy.
Una segunda
manera de vivir el Jubileo es viviendo la justicia. Nuestra parroquia
a llegado a un acuerdo con otras
comunidades cristianas para terminar con las injusticias en el Condado
de Volusia. Reconocemos que esta tarea va a durar toda la vida.
No esperamos que todas las cosas van a lograrse de una vez, o que el gobierno
y los negocios van a responder con entusiasmo. Si sabemos que el
poder que Dios nos concede, por el gran número que somos y a través
de la oración y la acción, va a hacer la diferencia.
En las próximas semanas varios comités van a estar investigando
problemáticas a ser atacadas y posibles estrategias que podrian
usarse. Estamos esperanzados que los miembros de esta comunidad
harán un esfuerzo para ayudarnos en esta tarea.
Otra meta del
Jubileo es la oración y el diálogo ecuménico. Durante
el año tendremos oportunidades para rezar con
personas de otras denominaciones y confesiones. Oraremos por
la paz y la unidad. Rezaremos a Dios para que El nos dé la
gracia para luchar por la unidad basada en el Espíritu Santo.
Continuen pendientes del Boletín Parroquial para aprovechar esas
oportunidades.
La paz sea con ustedes,
Padre Chris