Parish Weekly Bulletin

2007-2008

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL

Chairperson Gerald Shannon 791-9313

Vice-Chairperson Barry Auer 984-1041

Member-at-Large Bill Mountel 793-7634

Member-at-Large Mary Kay Lynch 731-7155

Member-at-Large Peg Halpin 631-7301

Member-at-Large Conrad Neuman 793-3165

Athletics Rick Sanz 791-0545

Building & Finance Ray Bauman 984-4239

School Comm. Denis McGrath 733-9264

Worship Debbie Kamp 891-4168

Development Comm. Tom Kronenberger 792-0109

Community Life Sandie Wubbolding 561-1911

Social Justice Comm. Chris Homan 745-9958

Festival Comm. Patti Lowe 793-1112

Communication & Volunteer Recruitment Comm.

Gerald Shannon 791-9313

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).

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

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Friday, February 22, 2008

Jesus satisfies our thirst for eternal life. Through his Spirit his grace has been poured into our hearts. God satisfies the thirst of the Israelites whose hearts had become hardened and rebellious.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Friday, February 22, 2008

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Many thanks to Patti Lowe and the many parishioners who assisted her in making this years Mardi Gras very successful. It is estimated that the profit from the Mardi Gras was approximately $13,000. We are grateful to all SVF parishioners who attended or assisted in any way.

St. Vincent Ferrer and All Saints Parishes will host a Mission, February 25-28. The topic for the Mission is “Hope Does Not Disappoint Us”. The Presenter is Father Rob Jack who is on the faculty of Mt. Saint Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati.

The Monday, February 25 and Wednesday, February 27 sessions will be held at St. Vincent; the Tuesday February 26 and Thursday, February 28 session will be held at All Saints. All evening sessions will begin at 7:00 p.m.

On February 26, Reconciliation will be offered at All Saints; on February 27, choirs from both parishes will present a Lenten Concert at St. Vincent.

For those finding it difficult to attend an evening session, morning sessions will follow the 8:30 a.m. Mass on February 25 & 27 at All Saints and morning sessions will follow the 8:30 a.m. Masses on February 26 & 28 at St. Vincent’s. Each morning sessions will be from 9:15 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

The Parish Lenten Reconciliation Service will be celebrated at All Saints Church (as part of our Inter-Parish Mission) on Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m. There will be six priest confessors.

It was a real joy to celebrate the Rite of Sending Forth with our Catechumens and Candidates for Full Communion in the Church along with their sponsors last Sunday – and then to accompany them to the Cathedral for the Rite of Election. Please keep these Candidates in your prayers as they prepare for the Easter sacraments.

The Scrutinies are an integral part of the Lenten purification period for our Elect and Candidates who will be receiving the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. They are celebrated on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent. The Scrutinies are prayers of protection and healing for the Elect and Candidates. They raise up whatever keeps us from the transforming love of God, and they also raise up those dimensions of life that welcome the loving presence of God.

We celebrate the 1^st Scrutiny Rite next Sunday (February 24) at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Please pray for our Elect and Candidates.

Please return your Letter of Intent as soon as possible. Fr. George Kunkel has asked all St. Vincent Ferrer parishioners to increase their Sunday Collection for 2008 by at least $100. If you need another Letter of Intent Form call the SVF parish office at 791-9030.

If you could help lead the rosary about once every six weeks on Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m., please call Fr. George at 791-9030. We could use some new leaders of the rosary.

This year during Lent Stations of the Cross will be on Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. on February 20, [no Evensong on February 27 due to the Parish Mission] and again on March 5 and March 12.

An important part of our Lenten alms-giving here in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has been our participation in the annual Archdiocesan Appeal. Over the years, this appeal was known as the Archbishop’s Fund Drive and more recently, as the Archdiocesan Fund Drive. This year, the appeal has a new name – Catholic Ministries Appeal. The name change is intended to put greater emphasis on the important Archdiocesan ministries that it funds. These include: the education of seminarians, deacons & lay pastoral ministers; Catholic Social Services; Chaplains for hospitals and prisons; College campus ministers; St. Rita School for the Deaf; and the retirement fund for diocesan priests. The appeal begins on the Second Sunday of Lent, February 16 & 17. Information was sent through the mail to all registered parishioners. Please make all checks payable to “Catholic Ministries Appeal” and mail them directly to the Archdiocese using the white “CMA” envelope mailed to each household.

Today we hear the voice of God tell us to listen to his “beloved Son”. These words are a call to the Apostles and to us to listen to Jesus – really listen. When we truly listen to another, we focus totally on the person. We make eye contact, pay attention to details, and avoid distractions. When we really listen to Jesus, we follow his teaching – and are transfigured. His values become our values; his peace becomes our peace; his way becomes our way. We grow strong in faith, willing to risk comfort and security – even our lives – for love of God and others. Listening to Jesus leads to our being transfigured and glorified in the eternal life that Jesus our Savior brings.

Prayer Moment: I hear your voice call me to a holy life, God, according to the grace bestowed on me in your Son, Christ Jesus.

Your prayers are requested for the soul of Pasqualina Cosco whose Mass of Christian Burial was held February 12.

The baptism preparation class is for parents who are having their first child baptized. The next class will be offered on Sunday, March 9 at

1:15 p.m. in the Community Building Chapel. You must call the parish office 791-9030, to register.

This Lent Jesus invites us to go up on a mountain, to spend extra time in prayer. Don’t be afraid of what you might experience. Trust that God is leading you to greater understanding. (Matthew 17:1-9)

Please keep in your prayers all the men and women who are currently in the military serving our country.

STEWARDSHIP OF OFFERING

Sunday February 10, 2008

Weekly Offertory

Sunday Collection $13,257

Pledge Connect & other donations $609

Weekly Donation Total $13,866

Other Collections

Ash Wednesday $1024

Churches in Eastern Europe

Fiscal Year Offertory

Offertory Budget to Date $653,148

Offertory Received to Date $570,797

Offertory Budget Deficit to Date -$82,351

Finance Fact: Our parish spends about $500 each year for salt to keep our parking lot and walkways clear.

Our next-door collection for our St. Vincent for the Poor Society will take place February 16 & 17^th. The baskets will be in the back of Church. Your generosity is appreciated.

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.

Florence Bailey, Glorianne Barbacane, Gerry Brinker, Joe Crachiolo, Bob Ford, James Grever, Mary Heinlen, John Hill, Virginia Howd, Mary Langemeier, Bonnie McLaughlin, Marilyn Naehring, Richard Nurre, Clara Stites, Phyllis Villari.

must participate in a Child Protection Workshop and be Fingerprinted prior to volunteering

New parish volunteers who will be working with children this school year, or those who have not yet had a chance to be fingerprinted or take the workshop will have the opportunity to participate in them at neighboring parishes.

Additional Child Protection Orientation Workshop and Fingerprinting dates and times can be found at www.catholiccincinnati.org , the Archdiocesan website. Click on “Fingerprinting Information”, then onto “Sites” and “Calendar.”

For further information please call Marc Greenberg in the Parish Office at 791-9030.

FIRST EUCHARIST - EUCHARISTIC SUNDAY IV Eucharistic Sunday IV will be held February 24^th, during the 10:30 AM Mass. Children preparing for First Eucharist and their families will gather to celebrate the theme “We Give Thanks.” In the Prayer of the Faithful the Christian community prays for the needs of the whole church. We respond to God’s love for us by our prayerful concern and service to one another.

Operation Rice Bowl - This Lenten season PREP and School students join in collecting coins for Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl. Operation Rice Bowl makes a huge difference to people all around the world, and our participation will challenge us to expand our own horizons. Together, we can effect tremendous change:

Second Week of Lent – This week the focus is on the people of Mali. Mali, in West Africa, lies in the Sahara Desert. Catholic Relief Services help people to start business to sell food and household goods in their cities. This independence helps families provide food and education for their children.

All Saints/St. Vincent Ferrer Religious Education Program is again being offered this summer. This seems to be an excellent opportunity to collaborate with All Saints in our efforts to provide an alternative quality religious education for our children, for those who may be interested. SVF Sunday PREP will also continue as usual.

This two-week summer program will be held June 16^ththrough June 27^th, from 8:30AM – 12:30 PM, Monday ~ Friday, at All Saints.

Anyone interested in more information regarding the requirements and registration for attending the program is asked to contact the Office of Faith Formation at 791-6321.

NOTE: The summer program is not designed to prepare children for sacramental preparation for Grades 2, 7 & 8.

Consider taking one of our spiritually renewing companions for a leisurely break on a quiet evening or afternoon. Stop by the ushers’ room located near the main entrance of the church to browse the wide selection of reading material in the bookcase.

This month the SVF Social Justice and Outreach Commission will meet on Tuesday, February 19 at 7:00 pm in Room B (old Music Room). All are invited to attend. Please call Chris Homan at 607-5996 if you have any questions.

St. Vincent Ferrer Social Justice Commission is once again sponsoring a dinner for Over-the-Rhine residents at Nash Trinity United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 9th, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Help is needed in advance to prepare casseroles, bake cakes or to make cash donations to cover expenses. Serving help is also needed for the dinner. Please contact Julie Morency, 793-3031 or Sarah Stagge at 984-4081 with questions. Donations may be directed to the Parish Office, Attention: Urban Missionaries. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Thank you, thank you generous food donors for your donations of food for the poor these many years. This food helps to reduce the suffering of families, many with hungry children. Much of the food donated by St. Vincent Ferrer parish continues to be received by the West End Emergency Center, led by Sr. Judy, SND for many years. It is distributed by the Center to needy families located in the Over the Rhine area. Additionally, a Food Pantry has been maintained at SVF for years, which is also supplied by your donations. It may surprise you, but people in our own area may also have needs. Our Parish staff occasionally receives requests for food needed by both parishioners and non-parishioners. The staff, with knowledge of the Pantry inventory, can provide some necessary food to these individuals and families.

GOD BLESS YOU, each and every one of you donors for your faithful contribution to the food barrels at Church. Please make sure your donations have a current expiration date.

APPALACHIAN MISSION TRIP Dates have now been set for a mission trip to Auxier, Kentucky through Hand in Hand Ministries. The trip is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7-Saturday, May 10. For more information about joining a group of SVF parishioners on this outreach, call Connie Dunn at 791-7506.

We wish to thank all of the SVF parishioners, staff, faculty and students who support the recycling program throughout the year by collecting their paper trash and taking it to the recycling bin. Bring your paper trash to the green and yellow recycling bin on the SVF parking lot near the community building. This has been a terrific way to save trees while earning money for SVF! Remember, only paper, magazines, and newspapers are accepted. NO PLASTIC BAGS, CARDBOARD or PHONE BOOKS. Thank you!

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.

1:15 pm First race begins - each person will receive a grandstand seat & racing program voucher

Cost: $54 per person (non refundable) – drivers tip included – If you are unable to attend, you are responsible for your replacement.

Make checks payable to: St. Vincent Ferrer 7754 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236

SVF is currently collecting coins for "Pennies for Patients". This supports the Leukemia Society.

You may send any donations to school with any of our students, or just stop by our office.

Kindergarten Registration for all of our parishioners will continue throughout the month of February.

Old glasses cluttering up your drawers? Donate them to the Give the Gift of Sight Foundation by putting them in the Give the Gift of Sight box in the back of church. The foundation takes gently used prescription or nonprescription glasses and sunglasses and gives them to individuals with poor vision in North America and developing countries. We will be collecting until Friday, March 14. Please donate and change someone’s life! Any questions? Contact Ellie Diemer Grade 8 at SVF school 791-6320.

Thanks to all who have been collecting Pop-Tabs for us. Our 6th Graders continue their drive to collect One Million Tabs. Please continue sending your tabs to Mrs. Frost and our Sixth Grade Class. Our current count is 430,000.

The following students have earned honors for the second quarter: St. Xavier – First Honors: Scott Boyle, Steven Boyle, Michael Cardone, Kevin Chase, Scott Feltrup, Charles Glaescher, John Muething, Scott O’Brien, Connor Sambrookes, Mark Vangeloff – Second Honors: Tristan Carter, Zachery Mountel.

Congratulations on a job well done! Any High School parishioner who made the honor roll needs to have their school provide us a list so your name can be included in the bulletin.

If you find you have a need for magazine subscriptions later in the year, go online to www.qsp.com to place your order using Account #: 425005521. This will help save you money and continue to support our school.

It will be EASY to remember when the Fish Fry events will be held at SVF this year. Due to increasing requests and great response from the parish, the Athletic Commission will be hosting Fish Fries February 22, 29, March 7, 14 Please spread the word. Plan to include your family and friends so we can make this a successful endeavor! If you know someone who works in the area, please tell them it's a great place to stop on the way home.

The Boy scouts at SVF will also be helping the Athletic Commission to host the Fish Fry events on February 22 and March 7. We will have a Spirit Night on March 7. This will be an evening of celebration of all of our athletes who have participated on any of our St. Vincent Ferrer sports teams. Bring the entire family - grandparents and relatives are welcome!

Dates for the festival are June 27, 28 & 29. The festival committee has been hard at work coming up with new and exciting venues that will be sure to please all age groups. A big thank you to Colleen Heidel who has been able to get our entertainment for the weekend. Saturday night headliner “The Rusty Griswolds”… more information on the entertainment for Friday and Sunday coming later. BOOTH CAPTAINS: It is very important to let us know if you plan on being captain for your booth this year. Please e-mail Patti at pdlflorida@hotmail.com If you will not be a captain this year and have yet to find a replacement we need to know as soon as possible. Booth captains are currently needed for the following: Bid-n-Buy, Golf Booth, Big Card Poker and the Party Booth. All it takes is a group of friends to organize these booths. Call Patti Lowe at 910-0668.

The February meeting of the SVF Men's Club will begin after the "Lenten Concert-Combined Choirs" Program at approximately 8:40 PM in the cafeteria as usual. All men of the parish are encouraged to attend the Mission and join us afterwards for the meeting, and remember, there is free parking.

The Lectors’ new schedule for March, April and May – We are about to put together the next quarterly schedule for lectors. Any questions or concerns should be directed to Paul Rich (561-2493) by Tuesday, February 19.

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

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.

This year’s event will take place immediately following the 9:00 AM Mass on Sunday, March 9th, and will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blue Ash at the I-71 / Pfeiffer Road Exit. A full service breakfast buffet will be provided. As always, this uplifting event is open to every male member of the parish, and extended family and guests are invited to attend. To better accommodate the hotel catering staff, please RSVP to John V. Mock by February 29th @ 513.504.6972 or preferably via email to: jvmock@fuse.net. Be sure to indicate the number of adults and children under 12 that will be attending. Make checks payable to St. Vincent Ferrer Church and send to John Mock at 6730 Michael Drive, 45243-2022. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 for children under 12. There is a family rate of $20.

About the speaker: Steve Specht will be the featured speaker at the annual SVF Father-Son Communion Breakfast. Mr. Specht is the Head Varsity Football Coach at St. Xavier High School. The Associated Press has personally recognized Coach Specht as Coach of the Year. The topic of his talk will focus on the importance of a faith-based vision in life with an emphasis on how he has applied it in the game of football.

The Golden Wedding Jubilee Anniversary Mass, for couples celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary, will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains. Please call the Parish Office, 791-9030 if you are celebrating your 50^th Anniversary so that your name can be given to the Archdiocese and an invitation to the Mass issued. All couples celebrating their 25^th, 50^th, 60^th, 70^th or 75^th Anniversary should also call the parish office and will be mailed a scroll. The deadline to call the parish office is March 2.

The upcoming Cincinnati Catholic Men’s Conference is Saturday, March 1, 2008. We are planning to have all St. Vincent Ferrer attendees sit together. For more information call Mark Wellinghoff at 891-3511. Conference speakers include: University of Cincinnati football coach Brian Kelly, TV’s The Apprentice finalist, Tarek Saab, Pastor of St. John’s in West Chester, Father Mark Burger. Tickets are $40 and include lunch.

Doors open at 11:30 p.m.; 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.

Bingo workers for February 24: Leisa Grothaus, Mary Ungram, Cathy Grisby, Jodi Kastner, John Grinder, Paul Cowens, Audrey Hager, Janet Lavelle and Clara Grinder. You are responsible for finding your own substitute if you are unable to work on your assigned date. There will be a list in the parish office in the Bingo mailbox listing names & numbers.

We need to receive all articles in writing by Monday at 3:00 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.

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!

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

Join us to witness to the Sanctity of Life and pray for the unborn. Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, a local chapter of an international movement, invites you and your family to join over 150 men, women, and children for a Mass & a rosary procession to the abortion site. We meet at 8:00 a.m. at Holy Name Church at Auburn & McMillan every Saturday in Lent. Questions: 232-5650.

At 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, Sr. Tobin Lardie HM will speak on the topic "The Catholic Church and Immigration" in the Bartlett Pastoral Center at The Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary's Seminary, 6616 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati. This lecture will examine various social, moral and legal aspects of today’s complex immigration issue in light of the teaching of the Catholic Church. It will explore some of the challenges & implications facing the nation today & highlight suggestions from Catholic Bishops for immigration reform & policies that reflect Catholic values & traditions.
Sr. Lardie has long been associated with the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) in San Antonio, Texas.

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).

Mass Intentions & Readings

for the Week

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Friday, February 22, 2008

Calendar for the Week

Monday, February 18, 2008

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Friday, February 22, 2008

Sunday, February 24, 2008

PARISH LIBRARY

HAPPY WANDERERS