Sunday, April 12, 2020: Easter Sunday

FR. JARETT’S CATHOLIC Q & A

I have a son with a family of his own who does not see the need of going to mass every week. The reason he uses to defend this decision is that he knows too many people who call themselves Christian and then act completely opposite the rest of the week. How can I respond to this?

“While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ He heard this and said, ‘Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.’” (Matt. 9:10-12)

It’s interesting how we as humans place certain expectations upon others, and then forget about placing similar expectations upon ourselves. So, my question to your son would be, is he waiting on a Christian Catholic Church full of earthly saints before he will see the need of God’s strength in this sacrament of the Eucharist?

Now, please don’t get me wrong. I see this Catholic dilemma every week. So many of us Catholics going through the motions every Sunday and then not making any effort to live out our Christian faith to any degree during the rest of the week. However, it begs this question. If this dilemma causes us to lose faith in God, in Jesus Christ, and in His Catholic Church, where have we placed our faith? Let me use an example.

During seminary, one of the priests who had inspired me to pursue priesthood, who had showed me qualities that I desired to have in my own priesthood, was accused, convicted and sent away to prison on charges of sexual misconduct. This news caused me great distress in my own vocational discernment. At one point, I seriously thought about leaving seminary and choosing a different path. If this was the type of thing that a priest, who had greatly inspired me, could do, then perhaps I didn’t want to be a priest. Who’s to say that I couldn’t be tempted to the same things, and by leaving seminary, at least I would not become a hypocritical priest.

Then, my spiritual director posed this question to me, “How has God’s call, God’s voice in your life changed as a result of the actions of this priest?” The only answer that I could come up with was that God’s call and voice had not changed. In my prayer I still felt as though God was calling me to priesthood. I realized that I had been allowing the struggle of another human being to affect my own relationship with God and His call in my life.

How easy it is to get so caught up in the horizontal aspect of life; the people around us, our family, friends, fellow parishioners, and to allow the sin of our brothers in sisters in Christ to affect our vertical relationship with God. The Church is made up of human beings, and if we place our faith in them, we will always be disappointed, because we tend to be weak and to sin. However, if we place our faith in God, and in the rock of His Church, we will never be let down. I’m sorry but the Church is not a museum of saints, it’s a hospital for sinners. You’re going to have to come up with another excuse to skip Sunday Mass.

In Christ’s Loving Service Your Pastor, Fr. Jarett ([email protected])

Sunday, April 12, 2020: Easter Sunday PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tithing: Your Gift to God Masses, Intentions & Services Fiscal Year: July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 Wed. April 15 7:00 a.m.+ Arlen & Mary Jane Polifka Collection for the week of April 5 $ 2,630 Fri. April 17 7:00 a.m. Living & Deceased of Gene Weekly Collection to meet Fiscal Budget: $ 17,443 Fiscal Year Budgeted: $907,025 & Theresa Flax Family Collected Year to Date: $663,229 *Faith Direct collected twice a month.* Mass Intentions will continue as scheduled. Fr. Jarett will say them privately. The parish tithe for March went to St. Paul’s Catholic Mission, First Call for Help, Community Due to COVID-19, the parish office is closed at Assistance Center, and Catholic Charities. this time. If you need assistance, please call and leave a message. (785-628-1446) Here are some options to continue your financial support to St. Nicholas of Myra. Readings for Days in the Octave of Easter Monday, April 13 1. The Diocese has made available parish offertory Acts 2:14, 22-33 / Mt 28:8-15 giving to your parish. Parishioners can tithe on-line Tuesday, April 14 without leaving your home. It is simple and easy to Acts 2:36-41 / Jn 20:11-18 use on the diocesan website. Just go to Wednesday, April 15 Acts 3:1-10 / Lk 24:13-35 salinadiocese.org/development/parish-offertory Thursday, April 16 choose St. Nicholas of Myra – Hays complete the Acts 3:11-26 / Lk 24:35-48 form and click ‘Donate’. Every Monday they will send Friday, April 17 us a check with a list of donors so we can give you Acts 4:1-12 / Jn 21:1-14 credit for your donation. You also have the option of Saturday, April 18 paying by credit card. Acts 4:13-21 / Mk 16:9-15 Sunday, April 19 2. You can sign-up on Faith Direct. You can enroll on Acts 2:42-47 / Jn 20:19-31 our website at https://stn-church.com/ or us eGiving with Faith Direct. To enroll securely online go to WE WELCOME IN BAPTISM Kaycee Josephine Kuhn, daughter www.faithdirect.net. Our parish code is KS870. of Dustin & Mindy Kuhn. She was baptized on Sunday, April 5. 3. If you do on-line bill pay, your bank will send a check to St. Nicholas of Myra for your tithe. St. Nicholas of Myra Blood Drive will be held on Monday, April 13, from 4. For those using tithing envelopes or donation, you noon to 6pm, at St. Nicholas Parish can mail to 2901 E. 13th St. Hall. Please contact the Parish Office Thank You! at 628-1446, to make an appointment

Outdoor Pantry Thank you to the Please check out our Website at parishioners who have generously http://stn-church.com/. donated, serving the needs of our fellow brothers and sisters who are temporarily going through difficult times. Are You Being Called to assist with our new pantry? There are many ways to do so: donate non- perishable food (be sure to mark through the bar code), or assist in the organization of food storage and volunteers. Contact Gracemary Melvin (785-259-6251) or any member of the Evangelization Commission for more information.

Sunday, April 12, 2020: Easter Sunday PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The K of C crosses will be picked up on -- Due to the development of COVID-19, Saturday, May 2, instead of Saturday, April 18. all events are subject to change at any time. You can find the most current and up to date Catholic Answers Live Have information on HFE’s website or Facebook a question about the Catholic page. faith? Catholic Answers Live is a LIVE call-in program -- For more information go to www.hfehays.org designed to offer Catholics and non-Catholics alike an -- You can support HFE by recycling your aluminum opportunity to talk to some of the leading apologists cans in our trailer across the street North of the and theologians in the Church today. It airs on Divine school/church in the small gravel parking lot on 19th! Mercy Radio from 5-7pm, M-F. The call-in number is: Simply bring by a trash bag of them to drop off 1-888-318-7884 (1-888-31-TRUTH) anytime! We still accept all Box-tops, but please check the expiration dates! We can give your pull Parishioners Helping tabs to HHS for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Parishioners America! Thanks for your continued support! Because God created and instructed SALINA DIOCESE ANNOUNCEMENTS us to serve one another: Purpose: to raise awareness of St. Nicholas parish families who are going through difficult times The Bishop’s Annual Appeal – Call to Share We Donations: Will be distributed anonymously at the have already raised $32,266.67 in faithfully discretion of Fr. Jarett to a St. Nicholas family in generous pledges to our appeal! 117 families have need. joined us in making a pledge, and we are so grateful. Suggestions: Because it is sometimes difficult to Families have pledged at various levels, and we are identify those in need, it is essential that members of deeply grateful for each gift, no matter the size. St. Nicholas of Myra assist in this process. We ask that our entire parish community contribute in APRIL – “We are all called to combat every form of making us aware of persons in need. slavery and build fraternity– all of us, each one **Please utilize this “Parishioner Helping according to his or her own responsibility” (Pope Parishioner” lock box for both donations and Francis). Human trafficking demands our attention – suggestions of those who may appreciate receiving let’s work together to end it. U.S. Catholic Sisters an anonymous donation. **Contact Gracemary Against Human Trafficking. Melvin, Evangelization Commission social (www.sistersagainsttrafficking.org). USCSAHT is a awareness chair, (785-259-6251). 501© 3 organization. 2039 N Geyer Road, St. Louis, MO 63131

CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE - During these everchanging times it is more important than ever for families to look to each other for comfort and support. There are an abundant number of resources available online to help you keep the faith at home. This is a great opportunity to sign in to or register for your Formed.org account currently being offered for free to every parishioner at every Parish in the Diocese. Many parishes are also live streaming Masses on their webpages or Facebook accounts as well as offering additional resources. If you have not already joined in the Diocesan Study on the Eucharist, perhaps its impact will be even more significant during this time when we are unable to Have a Blessed Easter! receive.

Sunday, April 12, 2020: Easter Sunday SALINA DIOCESE ANNOUNCEMENTS SALINA DIOCESE ANNOUNCEMENTS

An invitation from Bishop Vinke: “Our Blessed The Office of Family Life will be hosting a Mass for Mother gave life to the One who is our Life.” She is mothers who have lost a child at any age, either our loving Mother who desires to help us in our before or after birth, on Thursday, May 7, at needs. As the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of 10:30am, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Salina, I would like to extend an invitation to all of our Concordia. Personal invitations will not be sent out. parishioners to join me in a special statewide rosary If you would like to participate in this Mass, please crusade every Thursday to help us pass a human life call the Office of Family Life at 785-827-8746. If you amendment to the Kansas Constitution. This would like to submit 1 or 2 photos of your child, amendment will reverse the Kansas Supreme please scan and email them directly to Court’s decision to grant a constitutional right to [email protected] (please include their abortion. I believe that our prayers have the power name, birthday, and year of death.) to change the hearts of our legislators and with the help of the Blessed Mother, we will be able to MADE FOR MORE with Christopher West & Mike overturn this ruling. I thank you for your willingness Mangione is coming to St. Thomas More Church in to participate and I encourage you to join me in Manhattan on May 13. Tickets are now on sale and praying for an end to abortion and respect for all life will sell out! Grab your tickets today in a parish office from conception to natural death.” To join the Rosary in Manhattan or online at Crusade visit kansasrosarycrusade.org/. www.corproject.com/events/manhattan. Tickets are $25. MADE FOR MORE is an inspired blend of teaching, live music, and art that taps the deepest Any allegation of the abuse of a desires of the human heart revealing their ultimate minor, may be reported to the Kansas Protection Report purpose and goal. Join Christopher West and Mike Center (1-800-922-5530), the Mangione as they offer a vision of the Gospel like KBI Crime Hotline (1-800- you’ve never heard through the lens of Saint John KSCRIME) or Paul II’s Theology of the Body. This event is [email protected]. appropriate for ages 16 and up. Please contact Deacon Wayne Talbot at St. Thomas More Parish The Diocese of Salina fully (785-776-5151) if you would like more information or participates in all criminal if you are interested in helping with the event. investigations related to abuse perpetrated by a member of the clergy or other Attention MEN! Mark your calendars for the 2020 church official. Diocesan Men's Conference scheduled for For the safety of children and the healing of those Saturday, Aug. 15, at Immaculate Heart of Mary who have suffered abuse, the Diocese of Salina provides an Abuse Response Hotline (1-785-825- Parish in Hays. Featured speakers will be Patrick 0865); an Abuse Response Email Coffin former host of Catholic Answers Live, and ([email protected]); and an Abuse current host of The Patrick Coffin Show Response Online Submission Form (http://www.patrickcoffin.media/); and our very own Fr. Andy Hammeke. It promises to be another great (www.salinadiocese.org/safety-security). conference! Registration for the event will open Reports will be responded to promptly by the online May 1. Diocesan Assistance Coordinator. All reports are confidential with the exception of those involving the SCHOLARSHIPS abuse of minors, which will be immediately reported The following scholarship applications are now by the Diocese to the proper authorities, as required available through the parish office. Marymount by Kansas State Law and Diocesan Policy. Memorial Educational Trust Scholarship (new and This bulletin announcement provided by the renewal application available). Eligibility Diocesan Office of Safety and Security requirements include being an active registered member of a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Salina; must attend a Catholic college as fulltime student. Monsignor Clement Kruse Scholarship Fund: applicant must be an active registered member of a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Salina. Deadline for both scholarships is July 1.