From the Pastor

September 20, 2008

Our Parish School of Religion (PSR) is off to a good start. K-5th grades meet Sunday mornings and Grades 6-8 meet Sunday evenings. Mrs. Fredrick and the teachers are very enthusiastic about the program. The number of children enrolled so far stands at 378 (last year we had 322 enrolled). There is still time to register your child.

The Youth Ministry Program will start with Mass on Sunday, September 28 at 6:30p. All youth of the parish and their parents are invited to attend. It will be a good opportunity for you to meet the Youth Ministry Team. Amy Fredrick is the Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry. Nicole Floetker will assist Mrs. Fredrick as the Coordinator of Youth Ministry. Nicole, who has a wide experience in youth ministries and Catholic youth summer camp, is double majoring in integrated social studies and Theology at Ohio Dominican University.

Last week, through bulletin insert, we published a financial report for the Parish Festival. It was an excellent report and we thank everyone who supported the event. We hope to publish a parish financial report for fiscal year 2007-2008 soon.

This summer the parish has completed several maintenance projects. These projects include: roof repairs around the church steeple and over the hallway leading to the sacristy; replacement of cement at the Church side entrance and rectory entrance with new railings; replacement of copper gutters and downspouts around the Church; installation of vinyl siding around the rectory; replacement of rectory windows; seal coating the parking lot. The parish has received a grant in the amount of $35,500 from the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Columbus to defray costs of these maintenance projects.

In a few weeks, we will hold our Stewardship Fair. Read the bulletin for the exact date. Stewardship reminds us of our duty to share our time, talent and treasure. Stewardship is a way of life, honoring God in everything we do with all his gifts; living life God-centered rather than self-centered - thinking of Him first before our own wants. At Our Lady of Victory we have many opportunities for involvement. Every week we report the offertory income and the number who give. Please pray about your support of the Church.

October 14, 2007

PARISH MISSION - Our thanks to all those who prayed for and were supportive of the Parish Mission. The attendance was very good. We thank Fr. Faso for his wonderful presentations; we thank members of the Liturgy Committee and all those who helped in any way.

Father Faso spoke to the children in the Religious Education program Sunday morning; the young people in the evening session were able to attend the mission presentation in Church. Father remarked how attentive and well behaved our young people were!

Those who attended the mission gave a free will offering to Father Faso for the ministries of the Franciscan Order.

In addition, the parish gave Father $2000.00 from the S.J. & Martha Dillenschneider fund. Robert Dilenschneider, former Our Lady of Victory parishioner, has created the fund to promote family life. S.J. and Martha were long time members of OLV. We thank the Dilenschneider family for their interest in fostering family life.

On behalf of Bishop Campbell, the Office of Vocations has instituted the Marian Dinner. Named in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Marian Dinner serves to further cultivate the culture of vocations within the Columbus Diocese. Following the success of the Andrew Dinners, it is the hope of Bishop Campbell that the Marian Dinner will provide an equally significant opportunity for young women who are - or perhaps should be - discerning a vocation to consecrated religious life. The Marian Dinner will be held Wednesday, September 26, 6:30pm, at Our Lady of Victory Parish Life Center.

The purpose of the Marian Dinner is to surface, identify, and connect young women (Juniors in high school through college age) who are open to discerning a vocation to consecrated religious life with diocesan leaders, women religious and clergy. So far, Father Romano knows of two young ladies who have interest in religious life and who hopefully will be attending the dinner. If there are any other young women who have such interest, please contact Father Romano.

The OLV Youth Group will meet this Sunday, September 23, 6:30pm, in Victory Hall. Our new youth minister, Joseph Fino, will preside at the meeting. We are in need of more adult leaders to help with the youth ministry. Parents should see to it that their children continue their Christian formation and attend these programs offered by the parish.

The parish mission will be held October 6-10. Fr. Charles Faso, O.F.M. will be the speaker. Fr. Faso, a Franciscan priest, was at St. Peter’s Church, in the loop of Chicago, for 20 years as musician, liturgist, confessor, teacher, pastor and fund-raiser. His full time ministry is preaching the Word of God through parish missions, retreats and days of recollection. Fr. Faso’s joy and humor help in hearing and experiencing the wonders of our Faith. Father will speak at all weekend Masses on October 6 & 7; mission talks will be given Sunday evening through Wednesday, at 7:00pm. Father will also celebrate the 8:00am Mass, Monday, October 8 through Wednesday, October 10, with a short talk. On Sunday morning, October 7, following the 8:30am Mass, Father will talk to the children. We thank the young people of the parish for making posters to advertise the mission. Please pray for the success of the mission.

The Keystone of the Knights of Columbus identity is dedication to the Church. Knights of Columbus councils, and individual knights, serve the Church in a variety of ways, including:

acting as parish board members, lectors and ushers; helping organize Church celebrations; aiding parish renovation projects; encouraging religious vocations to the priesthood and religious life; supporting Catholic schools and religious education programs.

As a Catholic fraternal organization dedicated to charity, unity and fraternity, service to the community is a top priority for the Order. Family is vitally important to the Knights of Columbus. They treasure young people as the hope for the future. The Order assists young people in many ways. OLV Council 12900 is holding an Open House, for men of the parish interested in joining the Knights of Columbus, this Wednesday, September 26, 7:30pm, in Victory Hall.

September 16, 2007

A Parish Mission will be held from the weekend of October 6-7 through Wednesday, October 10. The mission preacher will be Fr. Charles Faso, O.F.M. The mission theme: “Be Inspired and Renewed”. MORE INFO (pdf)

Purpose of the mission: To energize and revitalize our faith so that it can be manifested to our children and family; to make Jesus real in our everyday lives; how to be effective parents and teach our faith to our families. We ask you to please talk about the mission, especially to the un-churched.

No other parish activities will be scheduled during the mission. We ask parish groups and organizations to open their meetings with the following prayer for the success of the mission:

May the Lord be above us to inspire us,
Beneath us to support us.
May the Lord go ahead of us to guide us,
And be behind us to protect us.
May the Lord be alongside us to accompany us today and always!

On Sunday, September 16, we begin Religion Education classes for our young people. I thank our catechetical leaders and catechists for their enthusiasm and eagerness to share the Faith with our young people. I know that, as in the past, the parents will cooperate.

This year, Catechetical Sunday will focus on the theme: “Catechesis: Encountering the Living Christ”. At the 11:00am Mass this Sunday, our catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the Faith and being a witness to the Gospel, as well as to rededicating himself or herself to this mission as a community of faith.

The parish RCIA process (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) will begin Thursday, September 27, at 7:30pm, in the Parish Center. Anyone who has even a mild interest in the Catholic Faith is invited to attend. The RCIA focuses on Christian initiation of adults through the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, celebrated at the Easter Vigil.

Teenagers who want to enter the Church can join adults in RCIA. For the program to be effective, Catholics need to create a welcoming community within the parish. It is in the parish that we uniquely experience church and live out the Catholic commitment. Only through the witness of Catholics, and the sharing of their faith experience, can those who are searching come to understand what Catholicism means. The example, witness, and sharing of the Catholic way of life with those who are searching is evangelization.

A parish mission will be held the week of Saturday, October 6 through Wednesday, October 10. The mission preacher will be Fr. Charles Faso, O.F.M. Fr. Faso is in full time preaching ministry through parish missions, retreats, and days of recollection. His joy and humor help in hearing and experiencing the wonders of our Faith. As a mission is a very important event in the life of a parish, we ask you to mark your calendar and pray for the success of the mission.

As a bulletin insert today, please find a financial report of our parish festival. We thank all those who helped in any way; festival and committee leaders, workers, festival patrons, and those who donated food and other items.

The parish RCIA process (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) will begin Thursday, September 27, at 7:30pm. Anyone who has even a mild interest in the Catholic Faith is invited to attend. The RCIA focuses on Christian initiation of adults through the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Teenagers who want to enter the Church can join adults in RCIA. For the program to be effective, Catholics need to create a welcoming community within the parish. It is in the parish that we uniquely experience church and live out the Catholic commitment. Only through the witness of Catholics, and the sharing of their faith experience, can those who are searching come to understand what Catholicism means. The example, witness, and sharing of the Catholic way of life with those who are searching is evangelization.

The parish has hired Joseph Fino to be the new Youth Minister. Joseph, who grew up in Westerville, graduated from the University of Miami, in Ohio. Mr. Fino has been active in young life and has been involved in youth ministry teams. As we once again thank Beth Simmonds for her ministry to our youth the past five years and for her volunteerism, especially in youth related ministries, we extend our welcome to Joseph. Anyone who is interested in serving on the youth leadership team, please contact the parish office.

The National Catholic Youth Conference will be held this fall, November 8-10, in Columbus. We encourage all high school age youth to attend. For a reservation and information, please contact Joseph Fino, through the parish office, 488-2428. The registration deadline has been extended through September 7. The parish, and the Knights of Columbus, will absorb a portion of the expenses.

A parish mission will be held the week of Saturday, October 6 through Wednesday, October 10. The mission preacher will be Fr. Charles Faso, O.F.M. Fr. Faso is in full time preaching ministry through parish missions, retreats, and days of recollection. His joy and humor help in hearing and experiencing the wonders of our Faith. As a mission is a very important event in the life of a parish, we ask you to mark your calendar and pray for the success of the mission.

The parish has hired Joseph Fino to be the new Youth Minister. Joseph, who grew up in Westerville, graduated from the University of Miami, in Ohio. Mr. Fino has been active in young life and has been involved in youth ministry teams. As we once again thank Beth Simmonds for her ministry to our youth the past five years and for her volunteerism, especially in youth related ministries, we extend our welcome to Joseph. Anyone who is interested in serving on the youth leadership team, please contact the parish office.

Parish Festival: We thank everyone for making our Annual Parish Festival a great success, especially Franz & Sharon Harris and John Drake, co-chairs. Many thanks also to all the committee heads, the sponsors, silent auction donors and anyone who helped in any way. One cannot place a price tag on the spirit of fellowship that prevailed throughout the two day event! A financial report will be published as soon as all necessary information is available.

The National Catholic Youth Conference will be held this fall, November 8-10, in Columbus. We encourage all high school age youth to attend. For a reservation and information, please contact Joseph Fino, through the parish office, 488-2428. The registration deadline has been extended through September 7. The parish, and the Knights of Columbus, will absorb a portion of the expenses.

A parish mission will be held the week of Saturday, October 6 through Wednesday, October 10. The mission preacher will be Fr. Charles Faso, O.F.M. Fr. Faso is in full time preaching ministry through parish missions, retreats, and days of recollection. His joy and humor help in hearing and experiencing the wonders of our Faith. As a mission is a very important event in the life of a parish, we ask you to mark your calendar and pray for the success of the mission.

New beautiful railings have been installed in front of the Parish Center. This was a donation to the parish by Fortin Ironworks. We thank the Fortin family for their generosity.

After ten years of service to the parish, as the Director of Religious Education, Sister Pat is taking a sabbatical; following the sabbatical leave, Sister will pursue other ministries. In gratitude for the work Sister Pat has done for the parish, a reception in her honor will be held this Sunday, June 3, after the 11:00am Mass, in the Parish Center.

Fr. Joseph Yokum was ordained a priest for the Columbus Diocese on Saturday, May 26. I baptized Fr. Yokum and gave him his First Communion, when I was pastor at London, St. Patrick. During my pastorate in London, Fr. Yokum attended the parish school. I rejoice with his family at his ordination to the Priesthood. Father has agreed to celebrate Mass at Our Lady of Victory on Saturday, June 9, at 5:00pm, before he reports to his new assignment. Let us welcome the newly ordained Fr. Yokum.

We thank you for your support of the Montana de Luz orphanage in Honduras. We assure the young people of the parish, and the adult supervisors, of our prayers. They will be in Honduras from June 6 through June 13.

We have completed another successful year of Religious Education. I have enjoyed the spirit of love and enthusiasm always so evident among the staff, parents and children. Our thanks to everyone, and in a special way to Sister Pat, for having created a pleasant environment.

Let me remind the parents of their responsibility to see that their children continue to attend Mass during the summer months. Sister Pat, after ten years as the Religious Education Director, will take a sabbatical; after that she will pursue other ministries. To show our appreciation of her many years of service, the parish will host a reception in her honor on Sunday, June 3, at 12Noon, in the Parish Center.

Fr. Joseph Yokum was ordained a priest for the Columbus Diocese on Saturday, May 26. I baptized Fr. Yokum and gave him his First Communion, when I was pastor at London, St. Patrick. During my pastorate in London, Fr. Yokum attended the parish school. I rejoice with his family at his ordination to the Priesthood. Father has agreed to celebrate Mass at Our Lady of Victory on Saturday, June 9, at 5:00pm, before he reports to his new assignment. Let us welcome the newly ordained Fr. Yokum.

Sister Pat, after ten years as the Director of Religious Education program at Our Lady of Victory, will leave in June. Sister will take a one year sabbatical after that she will pursue other ministries. Under Sister’s leadership, the Religious Education program has more than doubled. It is always a joy to observe the great spirit of cooperation, community and love among the children, teachers and parents.

I encourage you to support the Bishop’s Annual Appeal that begins next weekend, May 5-6. Our parish family has been asked to raise $49,142. As you prayerfully reflect upon a gift in proportion to your financial blessings, please know that the Bishop and I are grateful to you for your sacrifice.

In raising Jesus from the dead, God turns the way things are into the way God intended them to be: death loses its grip on human lives; the power of sin is destroyed; those in hopeless situations can experience the deliverance of God. In raising Jesus from the dead, God confirms what Jesus Himself preached: with God, all things are possible.

Jesus, rejected, despised and executed as a criminal, becomes the risen, ever-living Lord of glory. In raising Jesus from the dead, God promises what Jesus Himself foretold: “Everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I shall raise them up on the last day”.

At Easter, God gives us a preview of this last day. In raising Jesus from the dead, God proves that good is more powerful than evil; that death cannot snuff out life for ever, that love is stronger than hatred.

Thank you to all those who contributed towards making the celebration of the birth of our Savior so beautiful. We thank the choir, those who decorated the church so nicely, the servers, lectors, ushers, Eucharistic ministers and anyone else who contributed in any way.

We thank you for making Our Lady of Victory Parish your spiritual home and for participating in its support. May the New Year bring you God’s continued blessings and His peace.

As we open and cherish our gifts, and the love of others that they express, as we hear again and again the word Glory sung, or seen on our cards, and as we absorb the glow of Christmas lights and candles, let all of these remind us that God has sent His only Son, Jesus, to become flesh, one of us.

”God loved the people of this world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life.”

Last weekend was a very busy one at OLV. Saturday, on the occasion of Veterans Day, the veterans of the parish who served in WWII attended Mass followed, by dinner in Victory Hall. After dinner, the names of the deceased veterans of the parish were read and moments of prayerful silence were observed. The veterans present were acknowledged and given a medal. The event was organized by Tom Eviston of Victory Council 12900, Knights of Columbus. We thank Mr. Eviston and the members of Victory Council for a truly beautiful evening.

Also, the Women’s Club Bazaar was held Saturday, and was attended by many. On Sunday, the Spaghetti Dinner was held and enjoyed by many. We thank all who worked at the bazaar and the dinner. The two events involved 150 parish volunteers and helped raise $5000 for the parish!

This Sunday, the parish will hold a Pancake Breakfast to benefit the Holy Childhood Association. The HCA was started in France over 160 years ago. The goal was, and still is, for the children of rich countries to help children of mission countries. In the mission lands, one child dies every 8 seconds from drinking contaminated water. That is 6000 children daily! Many children die each day from preventable causes such as malaria, and respiratory illnesses. In Africa, statistics show that per minute: 2 children die from malaria, a woman dies from complications during pregnancy, 9 people become infected with HIV, and 3 people die of TB. According to UNICEF, 30,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world.” We ask you to please be generous.