CHURCH OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY Inside this Issue A Note from Our 1 Volume I, Issue XII December 2010 Pastor

Bicentennial Event 2 A Note from Our Pastor –Advent Lessons & 200 Years . . . And Counting Carols As Catholics we rely on Sacred Scripture and as the two fonts or Faith Formation sources of divinely revealed Truth. The ’s Constitution on Divine Revela- 2 tion, Dei Verbum¸ describes this dynamic relationship by saying, “…both of them, flowing out of the same divine well-spring, come together in some fashion to form one thing, and move towards Serra Club 3 the same goal.” (no 9) We are who we are as a Church because we strive constantly to be faith- ful to what God has revealed to us in the Bible and to what is revealed to us under the guidance History of the 4 Dogma of the of the Holy Spirit through our Tradition as taught by the Bishops of the Church. Immaculate This parish is roughly one-tenth as old as the Church and has been a place where the Conception Sacred Scripture has been proclaimed and the Sacred Tradition has been lived. Whether we re- call the preaching of past bishops, pastors, or priests, or whether we think about the ministry of Potluck Dinner & 4 evangelization and education that has been accomplished through Immaculate Conception Catho- St. Nickolas Party lic School, we have striven to embody – to make incarnate – the Truth that has come to us over the centuries. Although this community was formed almost 1800 years after Jesus and the Apos- School News 5 tles walked the face of the earth, we recall that we are part of something much larger than our- selves. We are a parish in the Diocese of Savannah, headed by our bishop. We are part of the A Great Christmas 5 universal Church which has “branch offices” in every country amidst the staggering diversity of Gift human cultures. We are also part of the communion of saints, praying for those in Purgatory Parish Picnic 6 who await their place at the heavenly banquet table, and anticipating the day when, by God’s mercy and grace, we can share in that eternal banquet with the Church Triumphant in heaven. Welcome to the 6 “To Remember Is To Understand” has been the theme of our bicentennial year and Parish many, many people have worked hard to make this a memorable celebration. When we re- member the words of Scripture and the teaching of the bishops, saints, and theologians of the December 2010 7 Church’s history, we can then begin to understand what it is that God is asking of each one of Events us. When we remember those who sacrificed to form us as Christians and to build this parish, we can understand the task that we are called to accomplish today. When we look at the cross and remember that God has been merciful and forgiving, we understand that our goal is to be merciful and forgiving in the hope that, having become more like Jesus Christ, we will be found worthy to see God face to face when our life on earth ends. As much as it was a celebration of our past, our Bicentennial year should have given us an opportunity to envision our future. In a small way we have begun that by initiating the Bicen- tennial Foundation which can help us maintain our parish campus in the years to come. We have completed renovation projects and built a lovely Rosary Garden to beautify the church grounds which can be appreciated by future generations. What we will ultimately be judged on, however, when we stand before God’s throne is how much love we have shown to those who are poor, to those who are suffering, those who are threatened with violence or death. This 200th anniversary should be remembered as much for what we have begun in the life of our parish as it is for what has been remembered from years gone by. May God bring to completion the good work He has begun in us.

720 Telfair Street PO Box 2446 Pastor Augusta, Georgia 30903 Page 2 of the Most Holy Trinity

Bicentennial Event Advent Lessons and Carols On Sunday, December 5th at 4:00 p.m. Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church Choirs will sing a Festival of Lessons and Carols as the final concert and event of the Bicentennial Year of Celebration. Our 10:30 am Mass Choir, 12:30 p.m. Mass Choir of Women's Chamber Sing- ers and Schola Trinitas will sing this service of Lessons and Carols.

The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song that dates to the late 19th century. In this service, we listen to nine Scripture lessons which recount the Fall, the promise of a Messiah, the Incarnation, and the Great Commission to preach the Good News. Each lesson is followed by a carol or other hymn that reflects on the lesson’s message and a brief prayer.

This performance is free and open to the public, but a love offering would be appreciated to aid in the choirs' future need in presentations to the CSRA community. We invite you to pray and reflect to prepare your hearts and minds for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Faith Formation by Rebecca Quinn Shelt A visit to Camp Gravatt’s for the Most Holy Trinity Confirmation class has become a tradition each year. On October 16, I had the privilege of taking these young teens and Confirmation students to this day camp. Yes, I was nervous. This camp was established in 1949 as an Episcopal summer camp. It is nestled in beautiful Aiken in over 260 pine- covered acres with two man-made lakes. Nowadays, this camp serves all denominations or professional corpora- tions who come for Team Building exercises in the relaxing environment. Our Confirmation students are encountering their last Sacrament of Initiation. During this journey and after Confirmation, they will make choices regarding what talents and how much time they desire to give back to the parish that has given them so much. Stewardship - A word they are hearing a lot about lately! In order for each student to get the most out of this Sacramental year, they must learn to respect and care for each other and feel like a team. This is similar to our parish family. We each have certain gifts to offer our parish which should be accepted with respect and care as we ready, as a team, for God’s coming reign! The students practiced communication skills, team building, trust, leadership and goal setting by giving situations requiring problem solving, designed to create frustration and the need to fulfill all the skills previously listed. For example, the students had to get on and then off a balance that would tip with weight. If it hit the floor, they had to start over. Potentially frustrating, after the first try failed, they discussed and decided what went wrong and inventoried everyone’s ideas on how to better the effort. Communication was so good, it only took two tries. There were immediate leaders who stood out and began respectfully and calmly giving ideas and directions, such as Olivia Hall and Joshua Lubeck. While Clare Fox and Dylan Davis were extremely creative in their problem solving. Each confirmand discovered an obvious, or more abstract, God-given talent, such as leadership, creativ- ity, or as David Thomas simply, yet excitedly discovered, “I can row a canoe fast!” And about those canoes, while I was in mine with Jamie Kling, I was officially initiated into the group as Youth Coordinator. She flung water on me “accidentally” with her paddle. Then she discovered slimy algae that stuck to her paddle so she made sure it somehow found its way on my legs. But, it was all in good fun! Spenser King said he learned not to lean too far over in the canoe because it will tip. And it did. He and Phillip Layman capsized, but for us it was exciting to witness their rescue! Spenser went on to remark about how “we began to appreciate each other and openly discuss ideas and solve problems without being negative toward each other at all.” Clare Fox said the car ride to the camp was a bit quiet and awkward and Liam Wolff and Matthew Eyrich agreed. But then they said; now they’d have no problem coming up with conversation! Olivia Hall pointed to another student and said, “I think we’ve been in the same Faith Formation class for 3 years and said about 3 words to each other, and now I feel like, we’re like, friends!” I actually had Anna Marie Walker, a teenager; ask me, “Did you have a good time?” I couldn’t believe she thought to ask me. And I told her I had a blast! Volume I, Issue XII Page 3 Maura Jabaley, Parish Council President Serra Club Friendship and a shared Catholic faith have grown an interna- tional organization devoted to supporting those who accept the call to the priesthood and a religious life. Fellow Catholics and new friends from the Augusta Deanery of the Diocese of Savan- nah are now a part of that, with official formation of the Serra Club of Augusta in November 2009. Through prayer and direct contact with seminarians, priests and religious, Serrans offer spiritual support and encourage indi- viduals to discern a vocation as a priest or sister. The club serves a two-fold purpose: providing structure for helping men and women understand and embrace the priest- hood and religious life; and opening paths of helping support “those who have chosen to follow God in a more personal way and be witness of His love for each and every one of us,” explains President-Elect Michelle Migone. The beginnings of Serra Club were in 1934 in Seattle, WA., out of dinner conversation by four people talking about Christian values in their lives. As more people expanded the group over time, they for- mally organized to encourage vocations of priesthood and religious life. Since they chose Spanish Fran- ciscan missionary Padre Junipero Serra as their patron, the Serra Club was established in 1935. Early in 2009 two people in the Augusta Deanery, Michelle Migone of St. Mary on the Hill Church and Richard Ramirez of Church of the Most Holy Trinity, had similar thoughts. Their initial conversations grew into the idea of a local chapter, and the dream culminated in a special Mass, charter ceremony and officer installation celebrated by Savannah Diocese Bishop Kevin Boland at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity. Fittingly, Richard is the first president of the Augusta Chapter, and Michelle is the first President-Elect. And Augusta Serra has joined more than 700 Serra clubs in 40 countries with more than 18,000 men, women and permanent deacons on six continents. Co-chaplains of the club appointed during formation by Bishop Boland were Fr. Michael Lubinsky of Church of the Most Holy Trinity and Fr. Mark Van Alstine of St. Mary on the Hill. Fr. Van Alstine is now assistant director of vocations at the diocese and Fr. Lubinsky is sole chaplain. Meetings are held the fourth Saturday of every month at St. Patrick Hall following 10:00 a.m. Mass at MHT. Speakers have included seminarians talking about their discernment and study; priests and sisters reflecting on their journeys up to and through a religious life. Holy Hours are scheduled for the second Wednesday of every month, rotating between the parishes of the deanery. All events are advertised in the area church bulletins and “The Southern Cross.” The club already has achieved national recognition with the bi-monthly newsletter, “Serra Spectrum,” being selected “most outstanding newsletter” for 2010 by the USA Council of Serra International. Offi- cers are: Richard Ramirez, president; Michelle Migone, president-elect; Terry Wick, treasurer; Jennifer Hitt, secretary; Jeff Ryan, communications; Dee Campbell, vocations; and Shannon Kaiser-Jewell, editor. Club membership is open to all practicing Catholic laypersons and permanent deacons from all the Augusta Deanery area parishes. Members are encouraged to attend club meetings, participate in activi- ties sponsored by the club and share responsibilities by serving on committees. Individuals interested in joining can email [email protected]; attend a meeting, Holy Hour or other sponsored activity; contact us on Facebook at Serra Club of Augusta; or call 706-737-8946. Page 4 Catholic Church of the Most Holy Trinity

History of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception By Frankly Speaking Consider this! It is inconceivable that God would allow His Son to be born of a woman with the slightest taint of sin on her soul – including Original sin! From all eternity, Mary, the Mother of God, was on the mind of God to be part of the redemption story. To engage His “plan” it was or- dained that Mary be born without sin. Aside from Jesus, no other human has ever been preserved from Original Sin. The sinlessness of Mary was always part of Sacred Tradition; but never defined as a dogma until Pope Pius 1X declared it a dogma. A dogma, is not the creation of the Church. It is simply the church exercising her magisterial prerogative as teacher of the Universal Church. The declaration of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception is a beautiful example of the collegiality of the pope in consulting with all the Bishops of the world on December 8, 1854. The world bishops, in perfect unity with the Pope, eagerly expressed their desire for the dogma to be defined. The Immaculate Conception Dogma is not found explicitly in Scripture; although the dog- matic definition appeals to certain Biblical texts. When Gabriel greeted Mary, he simply began, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” Full of Grace clearly alludes to Mary’s sinless soul. One cannot be fuller than full! The tribute of her cousin, Elizabeth: “How is this that the mother of my Lord, should come to me…Blessed are you among women” Luke 1:28, further alludes to the sinless state of Mary as well as her status as Mother of God. Part of the exact wording of the papal bull, Ineffabilis Deus is as follows: Mary was from the first moment of her conception, by the singular grace and privilege of almighty God and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, preserved free from all stain of original sin. In light of Mary’s sinlessness, Pope Pius X11, in 1950, supported the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception by defining another Dogma: The Dogma of the Assumption of Mary. Since Mary was free from original sin; she was also free from the consequences of original sin, death! Therefore, she was assumed into heaven, body and soul thereby circumventing the sentence of death and corrup- tion. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass Schedule: Wednesday, December 8 – 12:15pm & 6:30pm

Potluck Dinner & St. Nicholas Party We want to celebrate the holiday season and wind up the Wednesday Night Pro- gram for 2010. So, Most Holy Trinity is hosting a St. Nicholas party on Wednesday, December 8. December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass is scheduled at 6:30pm in the church. Please bring your covered dish to St. Patrick Hall prior to Mass. Immediately after Mass, come back to St. Pat- rick Hall for covered dish dinner, entertainment, caroling and even a visit by St. Nicholas himself! Volume I, Issue XII Page 5

School News A Donation from St. Joseph Parish African American Ministry

The St. Joseph African American Ministry (SJAMM) is shown presenting a check in the amount $1000 to Michele Hill, rep- resentative of Immaculate Conception Catholic School. The donation was for the purchase of playground equipment. It was a community project for SJAMM.

Pictured L-R: Ervie Brayboy, Pat Walker, Matilda Williams, Kathy Dukes, Ruby Quarles, Michele Hill, Debra Owens-Broughton, Betty Jones-President, Harold Jones, Robert Walker. Not pictured Virginia Pierre, Norma Burts, Deacon James Lloyd, Rose Aluka, Dr. Marilyn Willis.

A Great Christmas Gift!

Please consider buying yourself or a loved one a copy of the publication of Windows of the Soul. It is a book of prayers and iconography, illustrated by the windows of Most Holy Trinity. Copies of this book, written to commemorate the Bicentennial of the Church of the Most Holy Trinity in 2010, are available for purchase at the church office. All proceeds benefit the Church.

The cost of each book is $15-cash or checks only, please.

Come by the church office Monday-Friday, 9am-4:30pm to purchase one or several copies of the book.

For further information contact the church office, 706.722.4944. Page 6 Catholic Church of the Most Holy Trinity

Parish Picnic The annual Parish Picnic on October 24th was such a huge success, drawing a crowd of about 200 people, thanks to the MHT parishioners and the Parish Life Committee. The Parish Life Committee consists of representatives from 17 sub- committees active in the parish who selflessly give of their Time, Talent, and Treasures. If your committee is not represented, your presences are greatly desired. When an event, such as the annual Parish Picnic comes up, Parish Life organizes all the individual committees to offer support and assistants to make each event at our parish successful. This committee also helps ensure that the calendar doesn’t become overbooked, and everyone sees their events become reality. This picnic was the first culmination, of many, to become reality after many meetings, prep work, emails, and sweat! Thanks goes out to Mr. Bill Harper and Dr. Nancy Sutton who organized liturgy and music. The Holy Mass was remarkably organized and, oh, so peaceful. Fr. Lubinsky gave a thoughtful homily. And, oh, the food! To further ensure a wonderful time was had by all, the Knights of Columbus deserve a big thanks for organizing all the hamburg- ers and hotdogs and the fixin’s. The CCW went well out of their way to provide drinks for all. And the parishioners were so gracious with their giving of delicious sides and desserts which left our church family anything but hungry for the rest of the day! The Alleluia Community and a few others assisted with signage, music rehearsals, and live music entertain- ment all afternoon by Sue Hymel’s son and friends. We hope to hear from them again! Sue Hymel and Judy Hartney cantored heavenly throughout the Mass. Natasha Wolf, on violin, and Molly Eyrich, on piano, harmonized beautifully especially given that these four only had one rehearsal! While some individuals basked in the sun, others relaxed in the shade, all watched the children, and big “children,” enjoy music from the Alleluia Band or participate in activities provided by the Youth Group. The Youth Group worked hard on creating activities which required days of woodwork and painting such as “Sponge Face,” Bocce Ball, hula hoop contests, sack races, Frisbee toss, volleyball, soda toss, and the ever popular water balloon toss. A special thanks goes to the Kling family for providing an adorable piglet for the “Kiss the Pig” Youth Fund- raiser. Parishioners were asked to donate money as a vote for who they wanted to see kiss a pig. When time came to count the money, it wasn’t necessary. Mr. Harper’s pot was full! When the moment came, Mr. Harper was a gentleman of course and gave that little piglet a peck on the top of the head. That pig went squirming and squealing as if it had been bit. Regardless, the Youth Group is grateful for the funds raised for their projects. Clean up was easy as EVERYONE pitched in and for that Parish Life gives a HUGE thank you! It was so great to see everyone working together for a common goal: Parish Family Fellowship.

Welcome to the Parish We would like to welcome those parishioners who have joined our parish:

Mr. Paul Jones, II Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambert Mr. and Mrs. Francois Delcroix December 2010 Things to Remember Dec. 1-NativiSun “Tea”-6pm-St.Mon Patrick Hall Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Dec. 8-Holy Day-Mass 12:15/6:30pm-Church 1 2 3 St. Francis Xavier 4 St. John of CATHOLIC CHURCH Dec. 8-Potluck Dinner/St. Nick Party-after 6:30pm Mass- 1pm Over 50s- 7pm-RCIA-SPH 8pm-AA-SFHCR Damascus St. Patrick Hall OF THE SPH 7pm-Choir-MS Youth/ Dec. 14-Parish Penance Service-7pm-Church MOST HOLY TRINITY 6pm-Nativi “Tea” Confirmation Dec. 16-IC Christmas Program-6pm-St. Patrick Hall SPH Service Day Regular Schedule Dec. 24-4:30/6:30pm Mass/11:30pm Music-Midnight Mass 7pm-Choir-MS 11am-CCW- Sat Vigil Mass: 5pm Dec. 25-10am Mass Sunday Mass: SFHCR 8am, 10:30am, 12:30pm Daily Mass: Mon-Fri 12:15 p.m.; 5 2nd Sunday of 6 St. Nicholas 7 St. Ambrose 8 Feast of Immacu- 9 St. Juan Diego 10 11 St. Damasus Fri 9:00am, Sat 10am late Conception Penance/Confessions: Advent 8pm-AA-SFHCR 7pm-RCIA-SPH 8pm-AA-SFHCR 6pm-KoC-SPH Mon-Fri 11:30 -12 noon, 4pm Advent 12:15/6:30pm- Sat 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Lessons & Carols- Mass-Ch Holy Day Masses: Ch 7:30pm-Potluck/ 12:15 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. 5pm-ACF-TBD St. Nick Party- Miraculous Medal Novena Mondays SPH after the 12:15 Mass 7pm-Choir-MS Adoration and Holy Hour: Thursday after 12:15 p.m. Mass 12 3rd Sunday of 13 St. Lucy 14 St. John of the 15 16 17 18 concluding at 4:00 p.m. Advent Cross 8am-Soup 6pm-IC PTO 12pm-MDO 9:30am-Baptism Blood Drive 7pm-Advent Pen- Kitchen Christmas Pro- Christmas Party- Prep Class ance Service-Ch 7pm-Choir-MS gram-SPH SPH 1pm-AAM-SPH Calendar Key 7:30pm-KoC- 7pm-Holy Hour- 7pm-RCIA- 8pm-AA-SFHCR AAM-African Am Ministry PC3rd Floor Ch TBD ACF=African Christian 8pm-AA-SFHCR 7pm-Choir-MS Fellowship CH=Church 19 4th Sunday of 20 21 St. Peter 22 23 St. John of 24 25 Christmas FF=Faith Formation Advent Canisius 7pm-Choir-MS Kanty Office Closed Midnight Mass-Ch KoC-Knights of Columbus 5pm-ACF-SPH 8pm-AA-SFHCR 4:30pm-Mass-Ch 10am-Mass-Ch IC=Immaculate Conception 6:30pm-Mass-Ch School 11:30pm-Music- NO 5pm Vigil PC=Parish Center Ch Mass RG=Rosary Garden SFH=St. Francis Hall 26 Feast of Holy 27 St. John 28 Holy Innocents 29 St. Thomas 30 31 St. Sylvester I SPH=St. Patrick Hall Family Office Closed Becket No Vigil Mass SPHCR=St. Patrick Hall 8am-Mass-Ch Conference Room 10:30am-Mass-Ch WNS=Wednesday Night 12:30pm-Mass-Ch Supper Church of the Most Holy Trinity PO Box 2446 Augusta, GA 30903

Celebrating Catholic presence in Georgia for the past 200 years

1810-2010

“To remember is to understand”

Church of the Most Holy Trinity Staff 706.722.4944 www.themostholytrinity.org

Fr. Michael Kavanaugh, Pastor [email protected] ...... Ext. 304 Fr. Mike Lubinsky, Parochial Vicar [email protected] ...... Ext. 308 Rev. Dr. Kent Plowman, Permanent Deacon [email protected] ...... Ext. 313 Rev. Mr. Elmore Butler, Permanent Deacon Dr. Nancy Sutton, Organist/Director of Music/Choirs [email protected] ...... 706.722.3686 Mr. William Harper, Director of Liturgy/Over 50s [email protected] ...... Ext. 305 Mrs. Rebecca Quinn Shelt, Director of Religious Education/Youth Ministry [email protected] ...... Ext. 314 Ms. Debbie Young-DeRoller, Administrative Coordinator [email protected] ...... Ext. 307 Mrs. Helen W. Griffin, Secretary/Receptionist/Bulletin Editor [email protected] ...... Ext. 300 Mrs. Doris Downs, Office Assistant [email protected] ...... Ext. 301 Mr. Bob Meismer, Facilities/Maintenance [email protected] ...... Ext. 306 Catholic Church of the Most Mr. Jonathan Pike, Principal [email protected] ...... 706.722.9964 Holy Trinity-Augusta, GA