"Jesus asked, "Who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ - Matthew 16:15_16
This Sunday we celebrate the new Church year known with two weeks known as the Consecration and Renewal of the Church. Just as Bishop Elias will consecrate our new home on December 15th, so we can consecrate our families.
What does it mean to consecrate our families?
The Hebrew word for holiness is “qadash” which means set apart. God is separate from creation in that he is uncreated or above creation. Created things can be set apart for sacred use, which means that they have only one use. A holy cup can only be used for holy use and not for common use. The Jewish people were set apart by law, by eating practices, and by shared feast days. They could not fully participate fully in their surrounding society. Christians are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” (1 Peter 2:9). Christians are holy because we are set aside for God. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24) The word “consecration” entered English from the Latin “consecratus” which likewise means set apart for a special purpose.
To spiritually consecrate our families as holy families means that our homes are holy places, our families are images of the Holy Family and of the Trinity- societies of life-giving love. Individually at baptism, chrismation, and communion we consecrate ourselves. In marriage a family consecrates and dedicates itself to God. In reconciliation we renew ourselves by returning back to God. To consecrate one’s family is to make one’s family a place of life-giving love by building up each other’s faith, practicing forgiveness, and helping each other to become Saints. Our families can be holy families.
As a parish families are invited to take this time from November 3 until December 15 to renew and consecrate families by consecration- or setting aside 15 minutes each day as deliberate, distraction free family time. Twice per week each family is invited to take 15 minutes to pray together and talk about their prayer, once per week each family is invited to discuss a hot topic as a family for 15 minutes, and the other four days families are invited to spend 15 minutes communicating together in any undistracted way they choose. To assist in this a small booklet will be made available to all. Individuals and couples may also participate by consecration- or setting aside 15 minutes each day for prayer. On December 15th, Bishop Elias will bless those families and individuals who participate.
-All Saints Day Holy Day Liturgy Friday, November 1 at 7pm.
-Serving Dinner at St. Vincent de Paul- Saturday, November 2 at 7 pm at 1921 S Gettysburg Ave, Dayton, OH 45417.
-Family Consecration November 3 and November 10 we celebrate the Consecration of the Church and the Renewal of the Church, on December 15th Bishop Elias will be dedicating and consecrating our new home, and during Christmas we see Jesus entering the Holy Family. During this period, we should take time to renew, dedicate, and consecrate our families.
-Home Bible Q & A! Do you have questions about faith or the Bible? Host a Home Bible Q & A. 1) Schedule a date and location with Fr. Alex. 2) Invite your friends. 3) Prepare your questions. Note: this is not a Bible study or Bible meditation, which anyone can initiate
- Thursday November 7, 14, 21, and December 5 - mass and prayer hour for parish renewal and family consecration.
- House of Bread, November 13th 9 am - 2:30 pm 9 Orth Avenue
-Feast of St. Barbara - December 4th.
-Feast of St. Nicholas- December 6th.
-Church Organizing and cleaning November 9th at 50 Nutt Rd.
-Pastoral Council Elections will be Sunday, November 24th after liturgy. We would like to thank those whose three year term of service will end December 31st: Claire Daoud, Joe Eid, Al Faris, Marianna Hartshorne, Don Little, Rita Najem, William Thomas, Jim Zaidan, and Trish Zennie. Their contributions, dedication, consultation, initiatives, and leadership have served the parish through 3 administrators and the purchase of our new home. Please begin submitting your nominations of people, including yourself by turning in the names on a folded sheet of paper in the collection basket with “Nomination”,written on the outside now through October 27th.
-We are beginning a feasibility discussion for starting a Daycare. Please speak with Fr. Alex if you have input or would like to be involved in this discussion.
-We have had suggestions for a men’s club, for a grief support group, and for a retiree get-together club. Please let Fr. Alex know if you would have any interest in any of these groups.
-Thanksgiving Lunch Sunday, November 24th after the 11 am liturgy.
-Christmas decorations- Sunday, December 1 after both liturgies.
- Annual St. Ignatius of Antioch Banquet Saturday, December 14th with Bishop Elias at Yankee Trace at 7pm with live music planned $65 per person with discounted ticket for kids 12 and under.
-Photo directory- during the banquet and before and after the dedication December 14th and 15th, we will have the opportunity to take free family photos, you will receive a free directory. We want every family to take photos.
-Consecration and dedication: Bishop Elias will consecrate and dedicate our new home on December 15th at 11.
-We will need at least 6 adults to read, 8 adults to dress the altar, and at least 10 youth for the processions for the dedication of our new Church.
- Christmas Novena December 16th - December 24th.
- Initiatives- To what is God calling you? What are your hopes, dreams, and ideas for our parish? What do you want to do? Mission, charity, prayers, work, fundraisers, or maintenance? How can we support you?
-Religious education begins November 3 after 11 am.
- Our prayers for those who are recently engaged in our parish.
-We need volunteers to read during the liturgy and to bring the gifts. If you would like to do so, please see George Najem for 11 am liturgy or Jim Zaidan for the 9 am Liturgy.
- Our prayers for new births and new parents in our parish.
- Bible Study every Sunday at 10 am.
- Sunday liturgies 9 am and 11 am
- Confessions immediately before and after liturgies or by appointment.
- The preliminary festival numbers are $41,077.92 Net Profits
- Yellow Springs Street Fair- Gross of $4985
New parish improvement needs
Replacing of water heater Tree Trimming Playground cleaning Framing for two large icons
Asphalt crack repair- should be done before the weather gets cold Roof repair- should be done asap
Carpet repair
St. Ignatius of Antioch Sunday of Consecration of the Church November 3, 2019