Parish Church of St. Jerome

A member of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion

Around the Parish

 February 8, 2012

In this week’s Gospel reading we have the “touching” story of Jesus reaching out and healing the leper. If you have ever visited other “high” churches, you may notice that the exchange of peace can be quite different from that at St. Jerome’s. I found this poem which I thought was engaging regarding touch and the importance of it.

I will be preaching on the power of touch this Sunday.

See you then!

Pax,

Bishop Rick

Touch in Church

What is all this touching in church?

It used to be a person could come to church and sit in the pew and not be bothered by all this friendliness

            and certainly not by touching.

I used to come to church and leave untouched.

Now I have to be nervous about what’s expected of me.

I have to worry about responding to the person sitting next to me.

            Oh, I wish it could be the way it used to be;

            I could just ask the person next to me:

                        How are you?

            And the person would answer:

                        Oh, just fine,

And we’d both go home…strangers who have known each other for twenty years.

But now the minister asks us to look at each other.

I’m worried about that hurt look I saw in that woman’s eyes.

Now I’m concerned,

Because when the minister asks us to pass the peace,

            The man next to me held my hand so tightly

            I wonder if he had been touched in years.

Now I’m upset because the lady next to me cried and then apologized

And said it was because I was so kind and that she needed a friend right now.

Now I have to get involved.

            Now I have to suffer when this community suffers.

Now I have to be more than a person coming to

observe a service.

That man last week told me I’d never know how much I’d touched his life.

All I did was smiled and tell him I understood what it was be lonely.

            Lord, I’m not big enough to touch and be touched!

The stretching scares me.

            What if I disappoint somebody?

                        What if I’m too pushy?

                                    What if I cling too much?

                                                What if somebody ignores me?

“Pass the peace.”

“The Peace of God be with you.  And with you.”

            And I mean it.

                        Lord, I can’t resist meaning it!

I’m touched by it, I’m enveloped by it!

I find I do care about that person next to me!

            I find I am involved!

                        And I’m scared.

O Lord, be here beside me.

You touch me, Lord, so that I can touch and be touched!

So that I can care and be cared for!

So that I can share my life with all those others that belong to you!

            All this touching in church—Lord, it’s changing me!

                        --Ann Weems in Reaching for Rainbows

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February 12th ~ 11:00 PM

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

The First Lesson: 2 Kings 5:1-14

The Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Psalm 30

Gospel: Mark 1:40-45

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PRAYER & PRAISE

(Individual prayers will remain in the newsletter for 30 days unless you notify the church to continue)  

Those who are ill or healing:  

 Lucille Neal (Ken Neal's mother), Vicki Shivel, Marilyn Currant, Lori Thompson, Steve Schoelen,  

 Tracy Warner (Lee Warner's sister in law), Gary Baldwin,

 Karen English, Alyce Shaver, Tom Bertram, Jan & Steve Lee, Eula Mae Bodenstein

Special Intentions:  Lee Warner, Michael Surbaugh,

 Marke Burroughs and Mike Feess,

Savannah and Lacey Smith (Melinda Shaver's Great-niece and niece),

Kirk Boudreaux, Audrey Bergeron, Chris Cook, Daniel Rosario,

Collins Shipley (Rita's Daughter)

In celebration of the birthdays of

Rita Taylor (2/18)!!!

In Thanksgiving for:

Jordan, Johnna and Emma Stevenson

Welcome to David Wiegand!

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UPDATE ON MORTGAGE MATCHING FUND!!!!

Again more donations have been received and will be matched dollar for dollar,

in memory of Dr. Robert Coffey.

Please continue to bring your donations.  

All funds will be matched until the Mortgage is paid off.

Currently the balance is $9,475!!!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

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The Cypress Gallery

Valentine Show

Featuring

~ Virginia Harrison ~

International Clay & Glass Artist

And Artists From

~ The Tulsa Glass Blowing Studio ~

Opening Event

February 10, 2012

6pm to 8pm

Show Will Continue Through The Weekend

117 West Cypress

Historic Downtown Coweta, Oklahoma

918-486-9455

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UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS!!!

If you signed up to be a volunteer for the Marti Gras celebration, please plan to attend a meeting in the Event Center after Sunday’s church service.  The meeting is to discuss assignment of volunteer duties.  If you have any questions, please contact John Voegele at 918 630-0332.

SOLD OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donations may be dropped off during church office hours (please call first)

 or Sunday when you're coming to mass!

For tickets please call Donna Eastham at 918-931-2336 or the church office! 

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help with Mardi Gras

 - please contact John Voegele at 918-630-0332 or johnvoegele@cox.net

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Invitation to our Lenten Study

Living the Questions

Beginning Sunday February 26^th

Join us following mass for a light Lenten meal as we begin our Lenten study series.

Living the Questions is an open-minded alternative to studies that attempt to give participants all the answers, but instead strives to create an environment where participants can interact with one another in exploring what’s next for Christianity.

Each week there will be a DVD presentation on a theme of faith, presented by scholars such as Marcus Borg, John Bell, Walter Brueggemann and Matthew Fox. Weekly topics include: “Living the Journey", “Embracing Mystery” and “Evil and Suffering”. Each session will run for approximately an hour. All are welcome.

More information and signup sheets to follow.

Living the Questions

Lenten Study Schedule

February 26          An Invitation to Journey - Bishop Rick

March 4                 Prayer: Intimacy with God - Kathy Cox

March 11              Embracing Mystery - Br. Matthew

March 18              Compassion: The Heart of Jesus’ Ministry - David Scruggs

March 25              Evil, Suffering & a God of Love - Dr. Melinda Shaver

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Ash Wednesday Services with imposition of Ashes

on Wednesday,February 22nd at 12 noon and at 6:00pm.

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The 15th annual Red Ribbon Gala is on Saturday, March 10, 2012

Honors Charles Faudree

The following is an excerpt from the Tulsa Cares/Red Ribbon website:

Preparations for the Party of the Year are in full swing and we’re hoping you’ll join us on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Southern Hills Country Club for Tulsa CARES’ 15th Annual Red Ribbon Gala.

The Redder The Better is the theme as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Tulsa CARES and pay special tribute to one of America’s most celebrated interior designers, Charles Faudree.

Tulsa’s own Charles Faudree has long been associated with giving back to our community. It is with great pleasure that we announce the 2012 Red Ribbon Gala will honor Charles for his many years of generous dedication to Tulsa CARES.

We are asking that all his dear friends and supporters join us as we celebrate Charles’ legacy as a true philanthropist and visionary leader. By becoming a patron sponsor of this event, your contributions not only support a great cause, but honor the years of selfless service that Charles Faudree has given so many.

For more information: http://www.tulsacares.org/redribbongala.html

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Around the ECC:

Check out their web site!!!!!

Saints Clare and Francis

Ecumenical Catholic Community

URL: www.stsclareandfrancis.org

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Changes for the directory:

Howard Brewer and Steve Kendall - address change:

4321 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa, OK  74135

sailorman69@cox.net

Sam Burr - new phone number:

918-710-4108

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The Garden Grocery Food Pantry is in need of volunteers!  

AND the Pantry is in need of the following food items:

Spinach or other greens (no green beans)

Rice

Spaghetti

Mac and Cheese

Ramen Noodles

Any kind of canned meat

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COUPONS are needed for shoppers that find the bargains to assist the food pantry! 

Please bring your extra coupons and leave them in the Undercroft in the tray marked "Coupons"!

Thanks!

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Thought for the week!!

Ahh . . . Friendship

A man, fond of practical jokes, decided late one night to send his

friend a collect telegram which read: "I am perfectly well."

A week later, the joker received a heavy parcel...collect...on which he had to pay considerable charges. 

Upon opening it, he found a big block of concrete which had this message:

"This is the weight your telegram lifted from my mind."

Have a great week!

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PARISH OFFICE HOURS:

    Tuesday: 9:00- 3P.M.

    Wednesday: 12:00- 4P.M.

    Thursday: 9:00- 3P.M.  

    *For appointments to visit with Bishop Rick on Wednesday evenings

please call 582-3088

or you can email Sylvia at stjadmin@stjerometulsa.org

    Garden Grocery Food Pantry Hours of Operation

    Wednesday: 5:30- 7:00 P.M.

    Thursday: 1:30- 3:00 P.M.

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"It is not the judgments of men which open or shut the Gates of Heaven." ~ St. Jerome