Reflections on Sunday’s Readings: May 20, 2012

AscensionThis is the feast of the Ascension of Christ. On this day we celebrate the exaltation of Jesus at God’s right hand, the fullness of the meaning of his resurrection. In today’s scriptures we are assured that Christ left us a heritage of spiritual gifts as well as a commission to complete his saving work in our world. The ministry of Christ is continued in the ministry of the Church – we are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel, and undertake our mission “through the Holy Spirit.” Do we get distracted or lose sight of the hard work of living the real message of the gospel (humility, gentleness, bearing with one another…being (John’s “beloved” community)?

Readings for this Sunday:

  • Acts 1:1-11. The ascension of Jesus and his commission to the apostles to wait for the promised Holy Spirit.
  • Ephesians 4:1-13. Live in accord with their faith, and he reminds them that Jesus became one of us in order to empower us with the gifts we need to live that way (for service). Jesus gave multiple ministries to build up the body so that we may come to be fully mature.
  • Mark 16:15-20. The risen Christ continued to work with them. Go and proclaim the good news. Confirm the word through signs of new life.

Henryville Tornado Clean Up by our Youth Group

Over Spring Break, Epiphany’s Youth Group teamed with the Youth Groups of St. Paul and Incarnation and spent a week doing tornado clean up in Henryville and surrounding areas. 18 youth and 8 adults spent their nights camping at Mount St. Francis to be in solidarity with those who don’t have a roof over their heard due to be homeless or the tornado ripped it right off.

They spent  their days either clearing acres of blown over trees and brush, picking up bits of glass and concrete from a yard that the young kids like to run barefoot in and looking for Legos and Lincoln Logs, donning hazmat suits to rip out moldy dry wall and ceiling tiles, and collecting scrap metal for money.

Obituary for Norman Buckley

NormanNorman Buckley, 90, of Crestwood, KY, passed away Thursday May 10, 2012 at his home with his family by his side.

Norman served as Lt. (J.G.) United States Navy in the Pacific theater in World War II as Engineering Officer on Landing Ship Tank (LST) 230. Norman earned a BS and MS in engineering from the University of Illinois. A research and development engineer, Norm was a pioneer in radiant heating and solar energy, holding 11 patents in his field of expertise. Lifetime member ASHRAE engineering society and author of several standard manuals. In the 1990s, he and Mil were sent by the State Department as business consultants in Romania and Bosnia. Norm and Mil traveled extensively, visiting six continents including Antarctica. He was a faithful lifetime member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Good-Bye Party for Sister Larraine

Sr. LarraineOn Sunday, April 29, 2012, we all gathered in the Community Center to say good-bye to Sister Larraine Lauter, OSU, who has been our Minister of Social Responsibility for almost 4 years.  

She won’t be leaving the parish, but will not be on the staff at Epiphany any more. Sister Larraine will continue to worship with us and volunteer for events when she is able.

The Community Center was crowded with folks who came to tell her good-bye, with lots of hugs and kisses. There was lots of good food to share, as well. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped with this gathering!

Sister Larraine’s new job is in a new non-profit agency called Water With Blessings. Most of us are familiar with her work in the area of providing clean water to women and their families in Honduras using an inexpensive filter and a bucket. We all wish her well with this new endeavor.

Youth Group Seniors 2012

Seniors 2012

The Youth Group finished another successful year that included ski trips, retreats, lock ins, hosting a Seder Meal, Red River Gorge climbing trip, Ichthus Christian Music Festival, Appalachia, and an Alternative Spring Break Trip to Henryville, IN.

This year, we honored 3 seniors who will be graduating High School and moving on from Epiphany Youth Ministry.

  • Erin McHugh will be graduating from Assumption High School and will be attending Butler in Indianapolis.
  • Derek Boland will be graduation from Eastern High School and will be attending the University of Louisville.
  • Zachary Kalley will be graduating from Ballard High School and will be attending Ahren’s Vocational School.

The Youth Group also honored Greg Tichenor for his many years of volunteer service to the Youth Group as he will be stepping back at the end of this year.

The Youth Group and I would like to extend the best of wishes to all. Thank you for all you have meant to the youth group.

Epiphany’s new Easter Vestments

If you’ve celebrated with Epiphany recently, you’ve seen the beautiful new vestments we’ve been using for the Easter season. Work began in the winter of 2011, and Epiphany members have logged hundreds of hours in designing and making them. There are many Christian symbols that we use and can identify, such as the cross and the candles. During the Easter season we celebrate our resurrected life in Christ particularly through the waters of baptism and the fire of the Spirit. These primary natural symbols have been with us since the earliest Christian celebrations, and seem especially fitting for us given our natural surroundings.

RCIA Witness by Erica Wellemeyer

EricaErica was received into full communion in the Catholic Church at this year's Easter Vigil. This is the witness she gave to the community the second week after Easter.

As a new member of the church, I’ve been asked how I found Christ in the RCIA process. Well, I’d definitely have to say… Here’s the church - I didn’t find Christ in the building, I definitely didn’t find Christ in the steeple, but if you open up the doors….out come the people and that’s where I really found Christ the most. I found him in all of you. I found him in those of you like Deacon Lucio stepped up and so warmly welcomed us, in those of you who sat behind me giggling and smiling sympathetically (you know who you are)as I tried to get my kids to pay attention during homily, in my sponsor, Rosemary, her husband Donald as well as the other sponsors, Laura and Dan. I found Christ in all of the very talented people who took time to share their gifts with Chesley, Scott, and myself during our meetings, retreats, and dismissals, and in Sister Mary who organized those volunteers with such dedication.

RCIA Witness by Chesley Walsh

ChesleyChesley was received into full communion in the Catholic Church at this year's Easter Vigil. This is the witness she gave to the community the following week.

When Sister Mary ask our RCIA group to reflect on the ways that we have met Jesus on this leg of our spiritual journey, the problem for me was not thinking of ways that I have encountered Jesus during the last seven months, but how am I going to fit in all those ways in a brief testimony.

You see, one of the many great blessings I received from this RCIA process, is developing the ability to identify images of Christ in everyday things. My eyes and mind have been opened to searching for God and Gods grace all around us. Jesus walked among us as a human being, and the presence of Christ is with us still, manifested in so many ways.

I encountered Jesus while breaking open scripture each week. Through reflection on the word, and sharing thoughts and insights within our group I uncovered great meaning and direction.

Reflections on Sunday’s Readings: May 13,2012

Heart of GodThis is the 6th Sunday after Easter. The theme in today’s readings may be summarized quoting from John 15: 12 “My commandment is this: love one another just as I have loved you.” Later on in verse 15 we read: “I have called you friends….” Friendship with God might better capture the essence of the readings this 6th Sunday after Easter. It is important to remember that our relationship with God exists because God took the first move and chose to love us into existence and continues to bestow on us a love that knows no boundaries, is transformative and brings us to wholeness.

Readings for this Sunday:

  • Acts 10:25-26, 34-35; 44-48: Jesus’ message proclaimed by Peter and the other disciples have reached the Gentile populace. Cornelius and his family are the first Gentiles to be baptized. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit falls on anyone who fears God and does what is right.
  • 1 John 4:7-10: “Love One Another” is what Jesus asks of us. This is most challenging! One way we will come to know God who loves us unconditionally is in the myriad ways we give of ourselves for one another.
  • John 15: 9-17: The true measure of being a Christian lies in how we model Jesus’ love.

JustCommunity Easter 2012: Prayers for Faith-Filled Dissenters

logoCollected by Epiphany’s Women’s Concerns Committee

JustCommunity Easter 2012:
“A Place at the Table: Faith-Filled Dissent”

To submit your own prayers and reflections for posting, please send to Sr. Larraine.

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