Mission Statement God calls each one of us in a unique way. We are called to be one in God by allowing ourselves to be nourished by His Son and enlivened by the Spirit. We participate in the Mission of Jesus Christ by enthusiastically sharing His Good News, praying together, serving others, and proclaiming His healing love to all people. We acknowledge this call in our lives as members of the St. Peter's Parish family.

ST. PETER'S PARISH - SURVEY RESPONSES

September 29, 2006

PARISH QUESTIONNAIRE - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

This column is a direct response to the "Parish Questionnaire" that many parishioners so graciously filled out a few months ago. We hope that this column will serve to answer some of the faith-filled questions/concerns that you have and that, in the process, we will all grow in our understanding of our relationship with our Lord and His Church.

When can a person worthily receive Communion?

In the Catholic Church, we believe that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist: body, blood, soul and divinity. What an honor to be able to receive the fullness of our Lord in this way! Receiving Communion also expresses our unity as members of the Church - the Body of Christ. Because the Eucharist is a sign of our Catholic unity, it would be a false symbol for a person who is not Catholic to receive because they do not share the beliefs and practices of the Church.

Of course, there are times in the lives of Catholics when we do things that are contrary to the unity that we share. An example of this is when we engaged in serious sin. And although we are never truly worthy of the privilege of receiving our Lord in the Eucharist, how much less so when we find ourselves immersed in some sort of serious sin. The graver the sin - the more we separate ourselves from God and one another. In order to restore ourselves to unity with God and one another, we should cleanse our hearts in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To receive our Lord in the Eucharist without first doing so would be likened to offending a loved one and then showing up at their home and acting as if nothing ever happened - and never saying we're sorry. If our loved ones deserve better than that - how much more so does our Lord!

So, in order to worthily receive our Lord in the Eucharist, we should strive to be in a state of grace with our hearts at peace with one another and God. Does this mean that we have to be perfect? Certainly not. But it does mean that we should intend, with all our hearts, to live our lives with our hearts and minds united in the love of Christ.

Can people who are separated, divorced and/or "remarried" receive Communion?

There seems to be a bit of confusion on this topic - so let's take a moment and try to make some sense of it. For the sake of clarity, let's assume that the person we are talking about is a Catholic who was either married in a Catholic church or received the proper dispensation to be married elsewhere (in other words, their marriage was "recognized" by the Catholic church).

If such a person were to separate from his or her spouse, they are free to receive communion so long as they are not in a state of serious sin (which, of course, applies to all of us!).

If such a person were to get a divorce, they too are free to receive communion so long as they are not in a state of serious sin.

And finally, and this is the one that seems to confuse a lot of folks, if such a person were to get a divorce and "remarry" without first going through the annulment process, they would not be free to receive communion. Since their first marriage is a valid sacramental marriage they are not free to enter into another marriage. In order to do so, they would first need to seek an annulment.

Needless to say, not every situation fits neatly into what is described above. So if you or a loved one has any questions regarding separation, divorce, "remarriage," or annulments, please contact one of the priests. Please, we mean it, pick up the phone and give us a call, we would be happy to take some time with you and help in any way that we can. Perhaps this is the opportunity you've been waiting for.

What is an annulment?

When a couple offers their consent during the marriage ritual, they confer the sacrament of marriage on each other. As such, the minister of the sacrament of marriage is the couple themselves. The Catholic Church presumes that marriages are valid. So, when a person who divorces wants to get married again, the Church presumes that the first marriage is valid and that they are not free to enter into another relationship (unless, of course, their first spouse is deceased). Remember, the State of Ohio and the Church are two different entities. When a person gets married their marriage is recognized by both the Church (as a sacrament) and the State (as a contract). A divorce is only recognized by the State (as a termination of a contract). As far as the Church is concerned, the sacrament is valid and the bond of marriage continues - as do any and all obligations resulting from that marriage.

When a person gets a divorce and would like to remarry, the Church examines their first marriage to determine if, right from the start, some essential element was lacking in their consent to marry. If it is determined that something was lacking in their consent, then a sacramental marriage never occurred and a decree of nullity is issued. Does this mean that any children from the marriage are considered illegitimate? No. The children are legitimate - both from the standpoint of the Church and the State.

An annulment process does not determine the guilt of either partner. It is a non-adversarial procedure in which the final judgment is based on a question of fact: Was this a sacramental union, or wasn't it? It's a question of fact, not a question of guilt.

As stated last week, not every situation fits neatly into what is described above. There are many factors to be considered. If you are divorced and would like to marry again, please contact one of the priests. If you are divorced and have remarried outside of the Church and would like your current marriage recognized as a sacrament, please call one of the priests. This may be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

Other than our schools, what else are we doing for the youth of our parish?

Many who responded to the Parish Questionnaire are concerned about the youth of our parish and what we, as a parish, are doing in order to help them to be more committed to their faith. We share your concern. Of course, our parish schools have been, and will continue to be, the primary mission of our parish. As such, we continue to try and find ways to make our schools more affordable so that they are available to all families in our parish.

As a parish we are committed to educating all of the youth of our parish in the Catholic faith. As such, we offer our Parish School of Religion (PSR) for those students who attend public schools. PSR takes place one evening a week during the academic year. Our PSR teachers are committed to their faith and passing it on to our children.

Our Youth Group is available for all high school age students. This group offers a variety of faith-filled and fun-filled activities to help students learn more about their faith and love of God. Students sometimes seem to equate the practice of their faith with total mind-numbing boredom. Our Youth Group tries to dispel this myth. Our faith is anything but boring - it is life-giving, exciting, and relevant to our everyday lives!

In the near future we will be looking to hire a full-time Youth Coordinator. This person will be responsible for both our Parish School of Religion and the Youth Group. It is our hope that the Youth Coordinator will help the youth of our parish to learn more about the Catholic faith and to find meaning and fulfillment in our Lord. All of the youth of our parish deserve to have a solid foundation in their faith so that as they become young adults they will continue to practice their faith and pass it on to others.

What ever happened to our Small Faith Groups?

While no Small Faith Groups were formed this past Lent or Advent, several Small Faith Groups continue to meet on a regular basis. In fact, one of these ongoing groups has agreed to work together to coordinate the formation of future small faith sharing groups within our parish. This effort is being spearheaded by Joe and Vickie Palmer. You will be hearing more about this in the Fall. At that time they hope to have fresh continuing program suggestions and coordinating materials to help in the formation of additional groups. Please watch the bulletin for further details!

If you are in a group that is currently meeting or if your group is in need of assistance, please contact Vickie Palmer, our Parish Secretary, at 419-524-2572.

Thank you!

What opportunities are available for Adult Education at St. Peter's?

Many who responded to the Parish Questionnaire expressed interest in wanting to learn more about their faith. As adults, we know that we never stop learning. The more we learn - the more we know that we have much more to learn. This applies to all areas of our lives, including our faith.

Since we are blessed to have so many adults who are interested in learning more about their faith, we are in the process of forming an Adult Faith Formation Team. This team will plan, oversee and evaluate specific events regarding Adult Faith Formation at St. Peter's. They will be looking at offering individual presentations as well as the possibility of some three or four-week series. Some presentations will offer basic information about what we believe as Catholics. Others will be more in depth for those who would like to go a bit deeper. Some may focus on a topic that is appealing to young adults while others may be geared more toward parents or seniors. Imagine the possibilities!

In order for this to be beneficial to the faith-life of our parish - we absolutely need your input! If you have any areas of religious education that you would like to learn more about, please contact Sandy Lauer at 419-524-2572 or drop a note off for her at the Parish Center. She will be more than happy to pass along your suggestions to the Adult Faith Formation Team.

And if you've got a moment - please offer a prayer for the success of this endeavor. May the time we take to continue to educate ourselves in our faith bear fruit in our relationship with God and each other.

What's with all of the talking before and after Mass?

This is a topic that came up many times in the Parish Questionnaire. Many people don't understand why people are talking in church before and after Mass. Those who are trying to pray find it bothersome that people are continuously talking around them. Others are grateful for the opportunity to mingle with family and friends. So which is it - a time for praying or a time for talking? Let's take a look and see.

Many Catholics, especially those over the age of forty, were taught as children that you just don't talk in church. It's God's house and our Lord is present in the Blessed Sacrament. When you enter church, you should sign yourself with holy water, walk to your pew in silence, genuflect before entering the pew, quietly lower the kneeler, kneel, and then take some time in prayer in order to prepare for Mass. At the end of Mass, after the final song, you should stay for a few moments and offer various prayers in thanksgiving for what you have received. In essence, it is your private time to be with God in a special way.

Over the last 40 years or so there has been somewhat of a shift in how people think. Not only is going to church a time to be with God in a special way, but it is also a time to be with your parish family. And instead of it being a strictly private time to pray, it is also a time of offering prayers as a community of faith. God is definitely the reason to gather for Mass, but the sense of belonging to a community of faith has grown in emphasis. Of course, there are probably many cultural trends that have taken place during this time that help to make this longing for a sense of community more important than it was in the past.

The problem that we encounter is when generations (with different ways of looking at God, church and community) gather together as one family of faith for Mass. Some people are trying to pray while others may be entering into conversation with their parish family. For some, this may be the only opportunity they have to enter into quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. For others, especially in our society, this may be one of the few opportunities that they have to talk openly with other adults who share their love of God. So what's the answer? The answer is to respect where the other is coming from. For those who are praying - continue to pray. For those who are talking - continue to talk - quietly. If you are praying try not to judge those who are talking. If you are talking, try to do so quietly so you don't disturb those who are trying to pray. And above all else - love one another!

Of course, this problem doesn't just exist before and after Mass but also during Mass. Needless to say, the most important conversation we have during Mass is the one we have in our heart with God. Conversation with others during Mass not only distracts the prayer of those around us but also shows a lack of reverence for our Lord who deserves our unwavering love and affection and undivided attention. Our goal during Mass is to try and enter fully into the mystery that is before us and to be of one mind and heart with our Lord.

As we gather for Mass to worship our Lord, let's continue to be conscious of the spiritual needs of those around us. And in all that we do - may we give glory to God!

In the Parish Questionnaire many parents of young children asked if it would be possible to have a Cry Room in the church.

The answer is a resounding - YES!

The Heritage Room, which is located just inside the main doors of the church to the right, is in the process of being relocated. Once it is relocated, work will begin on transforming that space into a Cry Room. As with any project, it will take some time to complete. Once completed, the Cry Room will be a place for parents to take their children when they get fussy during Mass. Parents are envisioning that it will serve as a respite for them until their child is settled and they are able to return to Mass in the main body of the church.

To all who requested a Cry Room in the Parish Questionnaire - thank you for your input! It is our hope that the new Cry Room will be a help to all of our parish families who choose to use it.

May God bless all of our parents with young children. We love you all!

Have you ever sat at Mass and thought, "Boy, this is boring. I don't seem to be getting anything out of it."

If so, you are not alone!

Sometimes Mass can seem boring. Sometimes it seems like it's the same old thing week after week. Even though we want to "get something out of it," sometimes that "something" just seems to elude us. And we wonder if it's worth the effort. The answer, of course, is YES!

Sometimes, after having a hard week, we go to Mass on Sunday hoping that we will get something out of it. But that's not what Mass is about. We don't go to Mass to get something out of it - but to "put something into it." We go to Mass, first and foremost, to offer praise to our God. We go to Mass as an act of worship - as an act of thanksgiving to our God who has given us so much.

When our hearts are so full of love and gratitude that we can't help but offer praise and thanks to God - it is then that we have taken the first step of really participating at Mass. And I assure you - there is nothing boring about having hearts that are overflowing with love and gratitude!

A number of people have asked why the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle on the side altar and not front and center on the high altar.

The placement of the tabernacle on the side altars of our churches occurred as a result of emphasizing the "active" prayer that is celebrated at the main altar. Our focus, it has been held, should be on the active prayer and sacrifice celebrated at the altar, not on the tabernacle.

Liturgical documents are clear in emphasizing the fact that the primary reason why the Blessed Sacrament is reserved is to provide Communion or "Viaticum" for those who are sick and dying. Secondarily, the documents state, the Blessed Sacrament is reserved for adoration.

Our American Catholic Bishops have published a document entitled Built of Living Stones which provides the legislative norms directing the design and construction of Catholic churches in the U.S. The Bishops of this country could not agree on one arrangement due to the cultural influences in various regions, so they legislated several possible arrangements for the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament.

The first includes the placement of the tabernacle front and center in the church as many people may recall from their past. The second arrangement suggested in this document is a separate chapel of reservation. Norms guiding this arrangement can be found in Built of Living Stones. Presently, Bishop Blair has affirmed these national norms as the guide and policy for the Diocese of Toledo. If, for example, one were to visit Italy, one would notice that most churches, including St. Peter's, have the Blessed Sacrament reserved in a separate chapel off the main body of the church.

A side note - when entering the sanctuary, as the Lectors do to proclaim the readings, they bow to the altar of sacrifice, not the priest. The altar of sacrifice represents Christ and the sacrifice He made for us on Calvary and is always deserving of our reverence.

In an effort to understand why some people DO NOT attend Mass or go elsewhere to be spiritually nurtured, the Parish Questionnaire was designed to help give some insight into why members of St. Peter's DO attend Mass. So, the following are some of the main reasons people stated in the questionnaire that they attend Mass. The answers are in no particular order.

- OBLIGATION - Many respondents said they feel they have an obligation to attend Mass. While attending Sunday Mass is certainly an obligation that we all have as Catholics, more often than not, those who responded seemed to view this obligation as begin rooted in love - as a loving response to the love that God first offers to them.

- BELIEF - Many believe, and rightfully so, that attending Mass on Sunday is part and parcel of receiving and obeying the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath. For many, going to Mass on Sunday is like waking up and going to work on Monday morning - it's just a part of our weekly cycle of life.

- SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT - This seems to be a common thread that is woven through most of the responses. People need the spiritual nourishment, strength, and peace that only our Lord can provide.

- EUCHARIST - Receiving our Lord in the Eucharist, being one with Him, and having that sense of unity with Him is vital to the spiritual lives of so many in our parish. To NOT receive the Body and Blood of Christ, to many, would be like NOT breathing. We need both in order to live.

The Pastoral Council, Parish Core Staff, and the priests all had the opportunity to read over each and every response to the questionnaire. We were truly edified by your responses. To read over the reasons why so many of you attend Mass and what the Eucharist means to you was uplifting to say the least. Thank you to all who took the time to fill out the questionnaires and for the witness you gave to those of us who read them. There are many saints in the making living among us here at St. Peter's.

A number of people who . . .

responded to the Parish Questionnaire said that they found it distracting when people leave Mass early. Some couldn't understand why people don't stay until the final song is over - wondering what could possibly be more important than being with our Lord.

I wonder - why do people leave things early? People leave a sporting event early only when the score is lopsided and it's obvious who is going to win. Do people leave Mass early because they know how it's going to end? What about leaving a movie early? I can only imagine doing so if it's really just a pathetic movie. Mass certainly isn't pathetic - so that can't be it! What about if you are at the home of a friend or family member for a meal? Would you ever consider leaving before the meal is over? I don't think so. That would just be rude. So why would someone leave Mass early? The only reasons I can think of are that there is an emergency or that they have something better or more important to do. True emergencies are understandable. But what could possibly take priority over staying until the community is finished celebrating Mass together?

Priests find it discouraging when, after communion, they look out and there is a mad dash to the door. It's almost as though people got what they came for, the Eucharist, and then they leave - without even taking a moment to pray and reflect upon the gift of our Lord that they have just received. Not only does this attitude of ingratitude trivialize our Lord's presence in the Eucharist, but it is a poor example to others as well - especially our children. It is often said that the "younger generation" doesn't show reverence in church or for the Eucharist - I wonder why?

Unfortunately, there are also those folks who not only leave early - but arrive late as well. They don't have the opportunity to take some quiet time before Mass to prepare nor do they have the opportunity to offer a moment of prayer afterwards. Rush, rush, rush! Slow down! As a consequence, these same folks also never have the opportunity to interact with anyone else in the community - it becomes a strictly private act of worship - with no thought for anyone else.

A side note - please introduce yourself to your priests before or after Mass - they would love to get to know you!

Sounds and Bells During Mass

Have you ever noticed all of the "sounds and bells" in church on a given Sunday? Sounds like beeping, ringing, buzzing, etc.? These many sounds come from cell phones, pagers, hand-held video games, and a variety of other electronic devices. And while technology may be great, the noise that is generated is not a welcome addition at church.

It seems that the more gadgets we get, the more we become attached to them - not ever wanting to be without them. Of course, this can take a spiritual toll on us. We are literally surrounded by technology that keeps our minds constantly occupied. Many people just can't seem to tune it all out any more - not even to take one hour a week to offer praise and thanksgiving to God. We all know that a quiet space to pray and meditate is a rarity in today's world. And due to an increasing number of electronic devices that keep us ever connected to the world around us, it's hard to even escape from the interruptions of the world at church.

It is truly amazing how many people answer their phones in church - or at least glance at the screen to see who is calling - all the while being distracted from the celebration of Mass and being a distraction to those around them (This goes for text messaging as well!). Many people check their cell phones the moment Mass is over and even make calls before they get out of church. Talking on the phone in church, whether during Mass or not, is just not an acceptable practice - period.

And what about the example we give to our children? What we are telling them, in essence, is that a phone call is more important than being reverent in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. A church becomes just another building - and it's perfectly okay to chat away on the phone. Being "connected" to others becomes more important than being "connected" to God.

When children play with hand-held video games in church - they are being taught that it's THEIR wants and needs that count. They are being taught that they don't EVER need to be without their gadgets - even in church. Forget about others around them who are trying to pray. Who cares that Christ is physically present in the Blessed Sacrament? It's all about you! Please, for the love of God (literally!) help our kids to learn that it's okay to have some time without gadgets. Church is a place for PRAYING- NOT PLAYING!

We all need a place in our lives that we can go for some peace and quiet - to be with God. Our church is one of those places - let's make a conscious effort to keep it that way.

MASS INTENTIONS . . .

enjoy a long history in the Catholic Church. From the earliest centuries it was customary for the faithful to ask the priest to offer Mass for the repose of the soul of a loved one - commending them to the love and mercy of God. This practice continues to this day.

While the Eucharist is celebrated for everyone, both the living and the dead, the priest prayerfully holds in his heart the person for whom that particular Mass is being offered. Because the intention is essentially a spiritual act, its announcement at Mass neither adds nor subtracts from it. Apart from funerals, the name of the person for whom a particular Mass is offered is not mentioned during Mass. As such, here at St. Peter's, Mass Intentions are listed in the Bulletin for the upcoming week. The one thing we must always remember is that, even though there may be a particular intention at each celebration of the Eucharist, each and every Mass is celebrated equally for all.

One more thing! While we're on the topic of Mass Intentions, let's take a quick look at a common misperception. Because there is a nominal fee associated with Mass Intentions ($10 in our diocese) some people mistakenly think that they have "bought a Mass." This, of course, is not the case. Mass cannot be bought or sold. Mass is a spiritual endeavor. So as to avoid even the appearance of "selling Masses," it is to be noted that the stipend is a free-will offering. No one is ever denied a Mass Intention due to an inability to pay.

The small stipend attached to Mass Intentions is simply intended to help support the work of the church as well as serving as a small sacrifice on the part of the giver. Giving alms is a good thing. When we do so, we do so with the intention of helping to spiritually unite ourselves to the supreme sacrifice of our Lord. It is always a commendable practice to sacrifice something of what we have for the benefit of others - both the living and the dead.

Several people . . .

who responded to the Parish Questionnaire were concerned about spreading germs while holding hands during the Lord's Prayer or shaking hands during the Sign of Peace. Since the cold and flu season will be upon us fairly soon, it seems like an appropriate time to respond to this concern.

If you have a cold or have recently been sick, just tell those around you that you don't want to pass anything along to them. If you are particularly susceptible to colds or other illnesses, just tell those around you that you're trying not to get sick. It's really just that easy. And remember, no one is REQUIRED to hold hands during the Lord's Prayer or to shake hands at the Sign of Peace, even though it is certainly a nice gesture.

And if you have the flu - please stay home! Don't come to church while you are sick. Stay home and get some rest so you can get better. Stay home so that you don't pass your illness along to others. Jesus was human. He understands illness. He understands our need for rest when we are sick. He understands that even though we may want to be at Mass, illness sometimes prevents us from doing so. It is NOT a sin to stay home and miss Mass when you are sick.

Tip of the day: A small bottle of hand sanitizer in your car or purse couldn't hurt!

Some who answered the Parish Questionnaire . . .

were wondering if we offer financial aid to non-Catholic students who attend St. Peter's. The answer is a resounding YES! Financial aid for students is based on financial need - not religious affiliation. The reason we offer financial aid to both Catholics and non-Catholics speaks to who we are as a people of God. We believe that all people are created in God's image and likeness. Hopefully, this is not just something that we say - but something that we try to live out in our day-to-day lives.

Part of our Parish Mission Statement says that we are called to "participate in the Mission of Jesus Christ by enthusiastically sharing His Good News, praying together, serving others, and proclaiming His healing love to all people." Let there be no mistake - this is precisely what happens in our schools on a daily basis. Students who receive a Christ-centered education in our schools are given the necessary tools to live out this same mission in their lives. When our students and graduates allow Christ to enter fully into their hearts, not only are THEY transformed by His healing love, but the effects of this love are also felt in families, workplaces, and society.

The seeds of Christ that are planted in the hearts of our students grow and mature over a lifetime. Who knows what our Lord can do through the faith and love of one student/graduate. Far be it from us to deny our Lord the opportunity to plant that seed in the hearts of our students - both Catholic AND non-Catholic.