Parish Weekly Bulletin

January 11, 2009

Communion Visits to the Homebound -Members of this ministry take Holy Communion and visit with parishioners who are unable to attend Mass.  This service is available for short and long term convalescence.  Please call the Parish Office (791-9030).

Driving Ministry– For parishioners needing transportation to weekend Mass, for health related appointments and grocery shopping.  Please call Donna Piening (791-7449) or the Parish Office (791-9030).

St. Vincent for the Poor – (791-9030)

Prayer Chain – To request prayers for a special intention call the Parish Office (791-9030).

Web site: www.svfchurch.org

Monday, January 12, 2009

Heb 1:1-6  Mk 1:14-20

8:30 AM            Altar Society

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

St. Hilary

Heb 2:5-12  Mk 1:21-28

8:30 AM            Margaret Buckert

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Heb 2:14-18  Mk 1:29-39

8:30 AM            Robert Rering

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Heb 3:7-14  Mk 1:40-45

8:30 AM            Communion Service

Friday, January 16, 2009

Heb 4:1-5,11  Mk 2:1-12

8:30 AM            Marilyn Thiergartner

Saturday, January 17, 2009

St. Anthony

Heb 4:12-16  Mk 2:13-17

5:00 PM            Ron Speed

Sunday, January 18, 2009

1 Sm 3:3b-10,19  1 Cor 6:13c-15a17-20  Jn

1:35-42

These Scriptures proclaim:  Through baptism

we have been joined to the Lord who calls us

to be his disciples.  How well do we listen to

his voice?  How willing are we to do his will?

9:00 AM            Dennis McMurray

10:30 AM          Members of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish

12:00 Noon        Concettina, Meio & Carlo

Monday, January 12, 2009

6:30 AM                        Communion Service – Chapel

8:30 AM                        Mass– Chapel

9:00 AM-5:00 PM           Solemn Exposition-Chapel (stop in for 15 minutes)

9:00 AM                        Altar Society - B

7:00 PM                        Worship Commission-B

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

6:30 AM                        Communion Service – Chapel

8:30 AM                        Mass– Chapel

1:00 PM                        Bible – Chapel

3:00 PM                        Scouts – B

3:00 PM                        Scouts – cafeteria

6:00 PM                        Development – 124

7:00 PM                        PTO - cafeteria

7:30 PM                        RCIA - HH

7:30 PM                        Choir - Church

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

6:30 AM                        Communion Service – Chapel

8:30 AM                        Mass-Church

6:30 PM                        Building & Finance –B

7:00 PM                        Scouts – 124

7:00 PM                        Confirmation Spirit Night-cafeteria/gym

Thursday, January 15, 2009  

6:30 AM                        Communion Service – Chapel

8:30 AM                        Communion Service-Chapel

11:30 PM                      Fun Lunch Bunch-B

5:00 PM                        Scrapbooking-cafeteria

Friday, January 16, 2009

6:30 AM                        Communion Service – Chapel

8:00 AM-3:00 PM           Artist in Residence – HH/Gym

8:30 AM                        Mass  – Chapel

7:00 PM                        Men’s Club Square Dance-café/gym

Saturday, January 17, 2009

10:00 AM                      Blood Drive-HH

3:30-4:30 PM                 Confessions (Fr. Davis) -Church

5:00 PM                        Mass – (Fr. Davis)

Sunday, January 18, 2009

9:00 AM                        Mass (RCIA dism.)  - (Fr. Kunkel)  – Church

9:00 AM                        PREP/EC

10:30 AM                      Mass  – (Fr. Kunkel)  –Church

10:30 AM                      Bingo set up – cafeteria

12:00 PM                      Mass – (Dominican Priest) – Church

12:30 PM                      Bingo – cafeteria

7:00 PM                        Bible Study - HH

8:00 PM                        AA

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Most of Mark’s accounts of events in Jesus’ life are short and to the point.  The account of Jesus’ baptism in today’s gospel illustrates this.  In a few brief sentences, Mark makes clear that Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan.  There is no doubt that John was the lesser of the two figures.  So simple is Mark’s account that it is never clear if anyone heard the voice from heaven, or if only Jesus understood who he was.  What was clear from the words, was that Jesus had a special relationship with God.

Reflection:  At our children’s baptism we promised to train them in the practice of our faith, to bring them up to keep God’s commandments, and to love God and our neighbors.  How are we doing?

JANUARY DAYS

The celebration of Christmas concludes Sunday January 11^th, with the Baptism of the Lord.  Ordinary Time then resumes until we begin Lent in February.  In the meantime, several observances occur this month, including the National Week of Prayer for Church Vocations – January 12-January 18; Martin Luther King Day on January 19 and the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision on abortion (Roe vs. Wade) on January 22.

VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK

From January 11-17, we celebrate Vocation Awareness Week.  A “vocation” is a calling and we all have one.  As God is the source of all lasting good, the vocation He is calling us to will be the one that will bring our lives the greatest joy and satisfaction possible.  During this week, we pray in a special way for those whom God is calling to the priesthood, religious life and Diaconate.  We pray that they will have courage, humility, charity and obedience to hear and respond to God’s call.  Listen as well to God’s call in your own life and be willing to prayerfully discern what He wants for you.  If you have questions call the Vocation Director, Fr. Kyle Schnippel at 421-3131 or e-mail

vocations@catholiccincinnati.org

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

On Sunday January 18^th we begin our annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Some of the saddest chapters in the history of Christianity are the accounts of the division and fragmentation that have occurred within the Church.  All of this has been in direct contrast to Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper: “I pray Father, that they may be one, even as we are one.” (John 17:11)  We will bring our prayer for unity among all Christian denominations to God each day and I encourage you to include this intention in your own personal prayers.

SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY – January 18

Sunday, January 18^th is “Sanctity of Life Sunday”.  We ask that you remember the Lord’s little ones on this special day.  St. Vincent Ferrer has prepared a special pink envelope marked Respect Life on January 18 for your support of the ministry done at Pregnancy Center East.  All monies collected will be sent directly to Pregnancy Center East. The envelope is with your regular Sunday collection envelopes.  This Center offers women alternatives to abortion.  They offer free confidential pregnancy tests, counseling, adoption information, infant clothes and diapers – and a variety of other services.  The Center has a 24-hour help line (321-3100) and is located in the Hyde Park Medical Arts Building, Suite 11 at 2752 Erie Avenue.  Thanks for your financial and spiritual support on January 18.

                                                -Fr. George Kunkel

PRAYER IN FR. GEORGE’S HOMILY ON DECEMBER 28 - The Feast of the Holy Family

A very young old person wrote the following prayer: “Lord, now that I am growing old, keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.  Release me from the craving to straighten out everybody’s lives.  Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy.  Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.  Seal my lips of my aches and pains.  They are increasing, and the love of rehearsing them is growing sweeter as the years go by.  Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.  Keep me reasonable sweet; a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.  Give me the ability to see beauty in unexpected places and splendor in unexpected people. Amen.”

IN MEMORIAM

Your prayers are requested for the souls of Charles Carey whose Mass of Christian Burial was held December 31 and Phyllis Otis whose Mass of Christian Burial was held January 6.

VOCATION VIEW

This is National Vocation Awareness Week.  Delight in God’s call to you in baptism.  What grace do you need to strengthen your commitment?  Remember, God has set you as a covenant to the people.  (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7)

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS

The baptism preparation class is for parents who are having their first child baptized.  The next class will be offered on Sunday, March 8 at 1:15 p.m. in the Community Building Chapel.  You must call the parish office 791-9030 to register.

In The Hospital or Recovering at Home:

So that as a parish we can keep in our prayers those in our community who are ill, St. Vincent Ferrer Parish would like to publish the names of those parishioners and their families who are in the hospital, recovering from an illness or going through treatments.  We ask that you contact the Parish Office at 791-9030.

Glorianne Barbacane, Jim Boyatt, Gerry Brinker, Jenny Castelluccio, William Church, Robert Churchill, Ann Corder, Joe Crachiolo, Bette DiSalvo, Mark Glevicky, Mary Heinlen, John Hill, Virginia Howd, Marie Kleiman, Anne Kowalski, Mary Langemeier, Mary Sue Lawrence, Ann Lytle, Mary Alice Menke, Marilyn Naehring, Maurice Niehaus, Robert O’Keefe, Earlene Retford, Grace Schwallie, George Seurkamp, Marie Sheehy, Phyllis Villari.

OUR DAILY BREAD

Dear Fr. George & parishioners from SVF,

Thank you for remembering Our Daily Bread during this Christmas season!  You have blessed the lives of our guests.

FOCAS 50 Update

 With the new year upon us and a Kroger open again in Kenwood, it is a good time to provide an update on our FOCAS 50 Kroger rewards gift card program.  First of all, MANY, MANY THANKS to all the families who continue to use their FOCAS 50 cards at Kroger.  As you know, Kroger sends us a check every four weeks equal to 4% of the money our parishioners have loaded onto their FOCAS 50 Kroger gift cards.   This money is absolutely critical to our budget and we are very grateful to those families who regularly shop at Kroger and use their FOCAS 50 card. 

This program became a parish-wide effort in July 2004, so we have now been receiving this "free money" from Kroger for 4-1/2 years.  Revenue was down a bit for the parish's latest fiscal year (ending June 30, 2008) and stayed below average through the summer and fall, likely due to the Kenwood Kroger being closed while the Kroger Fresh Fare was being built. 

Here is a recap of the program's results:

• July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005:  $31,396
• July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006:  $32,887
• July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007:  $32,267
• July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008:  $29,256
• July 1, 2008 through November 29, 2008:  $10,661

Now that the Fresh Fare is open, we are hoping to see our FOCAS 50 revenues rebound so that we can get back on track with this important fundraiser.  Do you have a FOCAS 50 card?  Are you using it every time you shop at Kroger?  If you need a card, please stop by or call the parish office.  It's so easy to use, and the results really add up if lots of people participate.  Simply put money on the gift card before the cashier starts ringing up your order.  You can use cash, check or a credit or debit card to load money onto your card.  Then use the card to pay for your groceries and/or prescriptions.  That's all there is to it -- and at the end of the month, Kroger will send SVF a check.  Several times we've earned between $2,800 and $2,900 in a month.  Let's get everyone back on board and see if we can top $3,000!!

If you'd like to help in the effort to get this program back on track in '09, we'd love to hear from you!  Contact Marc Greenberg in the parish office if you'd like to join the committee to help get SVF more FOCAS-ed on maximizing our revenue potential through this unique program. 

Tax Letters for Donations in 2008

Parishioners who want a letter from the parish stating their church donations for 2008 tax purposes must sign up in the back of church to request the letter.  This is a change from previous years, when the letters were sent automatically.  The office will mail the letter to your home, or you can pick it up in the Parish Office, but a letter will only be sent to those who request it.  This new procedure will save the parish hundreds of dollars in postage.

CONFIRMATION:  SPIRIT NIGHT I

On Wednesday, January 14^th, at 7:00 PM, all CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES will be participating in the first of two Spirit Nights.  Spirit Night is an opportunity to bring together all those who are preparing for Confirmation to focus on some of the major themes of this sacrament and its significance.  All Candidates are expected to attend and will meet in the Community Building Cafeteria.

Parent & Child FIRST EUCHARIST MEETING

Parents preparing children to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist are reminded of the Parent & Child Eucharist Meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, January 26^th at 7:00 PM.  Both you and your child are expected to attend. Please bring the children to the cafeteria.  Parents will meet in Hamilton Hall. The evening will include a church tour for the children and a meeting for parents that will give details about the celebration of First Eucharist at S.V.F. and information and materials for remaining projects and activities that are part of your child’s preparation.  For more information, please refer to our recent mailing.

As we launch into the New Year … you may find yourself asking the question “What can I do on Sunday evenings that is fun, safe, Catholic, inexpensive, & close-by?”  Here’s an idea … stop by the Catholic Youth Group at All Saints!  Our next gathering is this Sunday, January 11 from 6:45PM – 8:30PM in All Saints’ Youth Room.

Junior High Catholic Youth Group

We had a dandy kick-off to the New Year last Sunday … personal gifts/resolutions like the three Kings brought on Epiphany, and then a solid round of Apples to Apples.  We’ll also gather on January 18, February 1 (Super Bowl Sunday), February 15, and March 1, from 6:45 – 8:30PM.  We warmly welcome all All Saints, Saint Vincent Ferrer and St. Saviour parishioners in the 7^th or 8^th grades from all schools.

HOW Highschoolers of the Well

Monday evenings from 6:45PM – 8:30PM, in the Youth Room … that’s the when and the where and the HOW.  We will also meet on Thursday (time will be determined) January 22 for our Pro Life effort.  Please try to clear as much of that day as possible (after school & early evening) for our “Right to Life” efforts … details to follow!  That’s the date of the March for Life in Washington remembering the Roe v Wade decision. You don’t need to be in DC to have your voice heard and your actions seen. 

High School Catholics from several schools meet to share, learn, discuss, eat, pontificate, joke, pray, support, laugh, sympathize and empathize, complain and sustain, and enjoy a safe, neat group of peers.  You are welcome to join us … that’s how HOW kids are!

Questions?  Call All Saints at 791-6351,

or SVF’s Kara Feltrup at 891-5597.

ATTENTION! - The Parish Library is now located in the Office of Faith Formation, on the 2^nd floor of the Parish Center.  Hours are 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Mondays through Thursdays.  Stop by to peruse our wide selection.  Book returns can be made at that time, or placed in the blue bin in the main hall.

BLOOD DRIVE

Our Winter Blood Drive will be held on Saturday January 17, from 10AM to 4PM in Hamilton Hall. In this season of giving, please remember those in need of this precious gift, roll up your sleeve, and join us. Please make an appointment by calling Mark Mitchell at (513) 791-0769.

Paper Recycling

Bringing your paper trash to the green and yellow bin next to the school, you are supporting SJ&O activities as well as helping the environment.  We receive about $100 from Abitibi each month that we then use to sponsor mission work and to help support SVF projects. Thank you!!  

ALUMINUM CAN RECYCLING

St. Vincent Ferrer Parish recycles empty aluminum beverage cans.  The can recycling container is located next to the paper-recycling bin. We only accept beverage cans (soda, beer, juice) - no soup cans, sauce cans or other types of cans please.  Please make sure your cans are rinsed and completely empty before putting them in our container. 

DID YOU KNOW?

    St. Vincent Ferrer School will hold a special "Open House" this Friday, January 16, from 9:30 to 11:30a.m. This will be for new parents and students who are looking towards SVF for their faith-filled education. Our staff and students will have special activities taking place around our beautiful school to exhibit a "Day at St. Vincent Ferrer School"! Please encourage your friends and neighbors to stop by and visit with us that morning.

    Our "regular" Open House that begins our celebration of "Catholic Schools Week" will be on Sunday, January 25, from 11:30a.m.until 12:30 p.m. following our 10:30a.m. Mass.

    We look forward to both of these events to enable more people to see how the SVF Parish Community has blessed our children with our staff and facilities!

    Kindergarten Registration and Orientation for the 2009/2010 school year will take place on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 7:00p.m. in our school library.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK-2009

We will celebrate Catholic Schools Week beginning Sunday, January 25, 2009. Our celebration will continue all week thru Friday, January 30. This year we would like to honor a "Distinguished Alumni" from St. Vincent Ferrer School. If you would like to nominate someone for this honor, please send your nomination to Mrs. Suzanne Bryce, PTO Chairperson, at bryce5svf@hotmail.com or Mr.Z., Stephen Zinser, Principal, at zinser_s@svf-school.org. Please include a short description of why this person should be honored. All nominations should be sent by Sunday, January 18, 2009. We look forward to a wonderful celebration. Our thanks to the St. Vincent Ferrer Faith Community for their continued support and prayers for our school!

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE PTO

SPAGHETTI DINNER    

  Mark your calendar now to get out of the house and join your friends at the Annual SVF Spaghetti Dinner! The dinner will be held in the SVF Community Building Cafeteria on Friday,

January 30^th.   Carryout is also available. 

2009 Track Team Registration

St. Vincent participates with All Saints parish for track.  Signups for 2009 track teams (K-8) will take place on Sunday Jan 18 and Sunday Jan 25 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Jubilee Room of the All Saints Parish Center.  Any athlete who is in K -8^th grades for the 2008-2009 school year is eligible to participate.  If you have any questions, please send an email to mmcmasters@cinci.rr.com.

Hello everyone and welcome to 2009....The weather is still very cold and will get colder I am sure, but it is time to THINK FESTIVAL 2009. We have our music in place thanks to Colleen Heidel, and the big name for Friday is THE GRISWOLDS, and the other names will follow. We need a bit of surprise. I am asking that all Booth Captains please contact me as soon as possible if you are still taking on your booth for this year. My address is

pdlflorida@hotmail.com. I am also asking for someone to become my co-chair this year. This job should only be in the hands of one person for three years.  I will be chair for the festival until 2010...then someone will have to step up. Working together with a person for 1 year will make the transition easy.  Festival is June 26,27,28.  –Patti Lowe

BIBLE STUDY

Come and join us for a bible study by St. Paul. Our groups will be doing a 7-week study on the book of Hebrews, beginning the 3rd week in January. This is the year of St. Paul, so we are going to do 2 studies by St. Paul this winter and spring. The first study is by Ignatius Press on the Book of Hebrews. The books were ordered from the Catholic Shop, in Madeira. The times and contact information, if you are interested is as follows: Fridays, 9:30-11am, Room B, contact Kathy Sweeney at 891-6352 or Sundays, 7-8:45 pm, Hamilton Hall, contact Sally Godschalk 984-0174

FATHER- DAUGHTER MEN’S CLUB SQUARE DANCE

Mark your calendar for the annual Father- Daughter Men’s Club Square Dance on Friday, January 16^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building.  See the insert in this week’s bulletin for more details.

ALTAR SOCIETY

The first Altar Society meeting of 2009 will be held on Monday, January 12 immediately following the 8:30 a.m. Mass.  The gathering will take place in room B.  Coffee & pastries are served before the meeting.  Please plan on joining us as all are welcome

FUN LUNCH BUNCH

Seniors 55+

We would like to invite you to enjoy an afternoon with your friends. 

When: The Fun Lunch Bunch meets the 3^rd Thursday of the month, Sept – May.

Our next lunch date is: January 15^th  

Time: 11:30 a.m. Light lunch is served for a small fee. You may stay and play cards or visit with friends.  There is no obligation to attend every month.  There are no meetings or commitments.  It’s just an afternoon out with your friends.  Reservations must be made at least 2 days before the lunch at the Parish Office (791-9030), so we can provide for everyone.

SVF MEMORIAL BRICKS

Remember your loved one (living or deceased) with a Memorial Brick in the SVF Memorial Garden. It is located on the Montgomery Road side of our campus.  The gardens have been a spot of beauty cared for by members of our Adopt a Plot ministry.  Each brick costs $50 to have engraved with three lines of up to 14 characters (including spaces) per line.  Stop in at the Parish Office to order or call Bob or Donna Piening with questions, 791-7449.

BINGO AT ST. VINCENT FERRER

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday; concession provided; instants are sold at 1:00 p.m.; first Bingo game begins at 1:30 p.m.; Bingo will end by 5:00 p.m.  Bingo questions call 324-3788 or Brenda Hauser, 984-8446.

Bingo workers for January 18

George Jutze, Audrey Hager, Maryanne Staubach, Tom Vangeloff, Mary Vangeloff, Betty Hiernaux, Mary Jutze and Shirley Currens

BULLETIN DEADLINES

We need to receive all articles in writing by Monday at 2:00 p.m. You should indicate the dates you would like your bulletin article to appear.  Unless otherwise indicated, all articles will run for 2 weeks. 

BULLETIN INSERTS

Please call the parish office to get your bulletin insert on the calendar.  All inserts must be put on the insert calendar as soon as possible. (The number of inserts are limited to 2 per week) and the copies need to be in the Parish office by Wednesday morning.  This will allow the bulletin stuffers ample time to adjust their calendar for volunteer time.  A special thanks to our volunteer bulletin stuffers, we appreciate your help!

MOVING?

Don’t forget to notify the parish office of your new address and phone number when moving.

FRIENDS OF JESUS is a group for adults with developmental disabilities (18 years of age or older).  This group’s focus is primarily for support, prayer and socializing. Join us for our January Gathering on Saturday, January 24^th from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at All Saints Parish Center, 8939 Montgomery Road.  At this gathering our theme will be “Dance for the Lord” and we will enjoy three talented dancers.   We come together in prayer, have entertainment, do some craft-making and enjoy refreshments.  New members are always welcome but need to register first with Jane Callan prior to attending.  Also, please RSVP to Jane Callan at 793-3546.

25^TH ANNUAL PRO-LIFE ROSARY PROCESSION & RALLY

“Life, What a Beautiful Choice”

Saturday, January 24

Procession: 11:00 am at Cincinnati City Hall, 801 Plum Street. Rally: 11:45 a.m. at Fountain Square. 

MOTHER TERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL RAFFLE

Win a ’09 Chevy Traverse or $20,000 cash.  Get your tickets now! www.mtces.org or call 779-6585.  one for $25 / five for $100