Category: Bulletins and Newsletters

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons below allow you to make an online donation directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin

by Terrie Evans

On this last weekend in June we  look forward to the 244^th Independence Day of the United States of America on Saturday, July 4^th, 2020.  Independence Day is the National Day of the United States that commemorates the formal  Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776.  Before the signing, our Congress declared that the 13 American Colonies were no longer ruled by Britain or its Monarch, King George III.  On July 2^nd, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence and they  were now united, free and independent states, becoming a formal declaration on July 4^th, the actual date shown on the Declaration of Independence.  The resolution was proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia to declare the United States independent from Great Britain’s  as there were conflicts with the British Government over taxes and rights.  The 13 Colonies (New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia)  had a high degree of self- governing with active local elections that made them resist London’s demands for more control. 

Within the years from 1625-1775, the colonial population grew from 2,000 to 2.4 million.  The British found themselves with large debts and decided to increase the tax base with the Sugar and Currency Acts of 1764, the Stamp Act of 1765, and the Townshend Act of 1767.  There soon was much discontentment concerning British Rule and in 1774, colonists elected delegates to the First Continental Congress  in Philadelphia in  September.  At the convention,  delegates penned a draft to explain this proposal and the decision, while a Committee of Five prepared a statement with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. 

One of the signers, John Adams wrote to his wife Abagail: “The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America, I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.  It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more”.

Two signers of the Declaration of Independence , Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both served as Presidents of the United States and died on the same day on July 4, 1826 which  was also the 50^th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.  James Monroe, although not a signer, but a Founding  Father  of our great country who became President also died on the 4^th of July in 1831.  Our 30^th President, Calvin Coolidge was actually born on July 4, 1872. 

Many will celebrate this 244^th July 4^th with family  picnics and parades all while proudly flying the American Flag as we remember those 13 original colonies and the sacrifices those colonists endured to make our country the greatest place on earth to live!  Happy 4^th of July weekend!

It appears that the very first possible day that we may resume the Celebration of Mass at San Antonio Church will be May 31st. The State of Ohio advised that there should be no gatherings in churches up until May 29th. and the Catholic Bishops of Ohio agreed We are not sure if we will actually start that day . Please check back on the website for updates.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons below allow you to make an online donation directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin

by Terrie Evans

On this Father’s Day weekend we wish all the  Dads and Fathers of our Church many prayers of gratitude for the many gifts you have bestowed on all of us.  We also honor all our “Spiritual Fathers” the priests who have served us at San Antonio Church over the years.  This Sunday we honor all the influences of Fathers  who taught us the meaning of strong family ties and the foundation for us to celebrate our Catholic Faith.  It is now celebrated in over 111 countries as a way to honor fathers and  the role they play in parenting and fatherhood.   Since 1910, Father’s day has been celebrated in the United States on the 3^rd Sunday in June.  By 1924, President Calvin Coolidge worked to make it an official holiday  but was defeated by Congress. The proposal was taken up again in 1957 by Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith; but the discussions went on until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation to honor fathers.  In 1972, then President Richard Nixon made Father’s Day a permanent national holiday when he signed it into law.  In the Roman Catholic tradition and in Italy; Father’s Day is celebrated on St. Joseph’s’ Day (Festa Di San Guiseppe) on March 19^th , which was considered a public holiday.  

In many countries,  Saint Joseph is referred to as the Fatherly Nutritor Domini (Nourisher of the Lord) and the putative father of Jesus.  It is thought that Joseph, the foster father of Jesus was assumed to be the natural father of Jesus  therefore; St. Joseph is the Putative Father of Our Lord.  The celebration to honor fathers  on St. Joseph’s Day was originally a Southern European tradition brought to the Americas by the Spanish and Portuguese.  Around the 15^th Century, the Catholic Church supported the custom of a celebration of Father’s Day on St. Joseph’s  Day with  the support of the Franciscan Order.  As in many countries we always reserve the 3^rd Sunday in the month of June to honor all the men from our parish.   

All of  our  San Antonio Church families will always remember  those men who are no longer with us and the many sacrifices the past generations of our fathers and grandfathers endured to give us a better life in this wonderful country of the United States of America.   Please keep them in your thoughts on this day and say a special prayer in their memory.  The Reverend Billy Graham said it best :  “A good Father is one of the most  unsung, unpraised and unnoticed and yet is one of the most valuable assets in our society.”  Happy Father’s Day!

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons below allow you to make an online donation directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin

by Terrie Evans

This Sunday we honor the Feast of Corpus Christi  also known as the Solemnity of the Corpus Christi to celebrate the elements of the Eucharist.  St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church proposed the feast to Pope Urban IV in 1264.  St. Thomas created the feast to focus on the joy of the Eucharist being the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ which was soon extended to the whole Roman Catholic Church.  Traditionally there are processions held  of the Blessed sacrament displayed in a Monstrance followed by the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  Every year in Rome, the Pope presides over the Eucharistic Procession that begins at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran and then proceeds to Saint Mary Major where it concludes with the Benediction.

On this weekend we also celebrate the feast of St. Anthony of Padua (June 13^th) with the tradition of blessing of St. Anthony Bread.  Known as St. Anthony the Wonder Worker, many turn to him for their prayer requests as he is known as the Patron Saint of lost items.  He was known as a great Franciscan preacher, instructor and Doctor of the Church.  He became well known throughout Italy and France as the Hammer of Heretics  for his sermons defending the Catholic Church and helping to strengthen people in their faith.  He was canonized a year after his death by Pope Gregory IX in 1232.  St. Anthony reminds all of us that we should never lose our faith and to forget the  saving power  of God’s love and grace especially in these difficult times.  All proceeds from the bread and ribbon will be given to the good works of the Franciscan  Order. 

June 14^th is also Flag Day to commemorate the adoption of the Flag of the United States by the resolution of the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777 which is also the 245^th  birthday of the United States Army (June 14, 1775).  The week of June 14-June 20, 2020, is designated as “National Flag Week”, President Trump will issue a proclamation to observe the day as the anniversary of the adoption by the Continental Congress of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the Unites States of America.  Many towns will hold parades and events in celebration of all that Americas national flag represents.  Our flag will be displayed in all government buildings with the National Flag Day Foundation holding a special program with a ceremonial flag raising, reciting the Pledge of Alliance and singing of the National Anthem. 

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons below allow you to make an online donation directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin

by Terrie Evans

This Sunday we honor the Feast of Corpus Christi  also known as the Solemnity of the Corpus Christi to celebrate the elements of the Eucharist.  St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church proposed the feast to Pope Urban IV in 1264.  St. Thomas created the feast to focus on the joy of the Eucharist being the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ which was soon extended to the whole Roman Catholic Church.  Traditionally there are processions held  of the Blessed sacrament displayed in a Monstrance followed by the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  Every year in Rome, the Pope presides over the Eucharistic Procession that begins at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran and then proceeds to Saint Mary Major where it concludes with the Benediction.

On this weekend we also celebrate the feast of St. Anthony of Padua (June 13^th) with the tradition of blessing of St. Anthony Bread.  Known as St. Anthony the Wonder Worker, many turn to him for their prayer requests as he is known as the Patron Saint of lost items.  He was known as a great Franciscan preacher, instructor and Doctor of the Church.  He became well known throughout Italy and France as the Hammer of Heretics  for his sermons defending the Catholic Church and helping to strengthen people in their faith.  He was canonized a year after his death by Pope Gregory IX in 1232.  St. Anthony reminds all of us that we should never lose our faith and to forget the  saving power  of God’s love and grace especially in these difficult times.  All proceeds from the bread and ribbon will be given to the good works of the Franciscan  Order. 

June 14^th is also Flag Day to commemorate the adoption of the Flag of the United States by the resolution of the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777 which is also the 245^th  birthday of the United States Army (June 14, 1775).  The week of June 14-June 20, 2020, is designated as “National Flag Week”, President Trump will issue a proclamation to observe the day as the anniversary of the adoption by the Continental Congress of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the Unites States of America.  Many towns will hold parades and events in celebration of all that Americas national flag represents.  Our flag will be displayed in all government buildings with the National Flag Day Foundation holding a special program with a ceremonial flag raising, reciting the Pledge of Alliance and singing of the National Anthem. 

It appears that the very first possible day that we may resume the Celebration of Mass at San Antonio Church will be May 31st. The State of Ohio advised that there should be no gatherings in churches up until May 29th. and the Catholic Bishops of Ohio agreed We are not sure if we will actually start that day . Please check back on the website for updates.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons below allow you to make an online donation directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin

by Terrie Evans

On this last Sunday in May as we gather for our first Mass together since March, we celebrate Pentecost, in the Christian tradition it is the day as promised by Christ when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Apostles and Disciples in the form of tongues of fire. This feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks.   It is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated on the 50^th day after Easter.  The fifty days from Easter Sunday  to Pentecost Sunday are referred to as  Eastertide.  Pentecost (Shavuot)  is also the Jewish Liturgical celebration, the  Feast of Weeks which was originally a harvest feast, but now commemorates the revelation of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai.  

Pentecost is also  called White Sunday in the United Kingdom where many  celebratory festivals with  brass bands and parades with girls dressed in white leading the procession. 

In  Germany it is called Pfingsten and is considered the beginning of springtime, warmer weather and outdoor activities.  Many fairs are held throughout Europe on this day and in France it is customary to blow trumpets during church services to recall the sound of the mighty wind to signal the descent of the Holy Spirit.  In Italy, Pentecost is referred to as Pasqua Rosatum, as churches scatter rose petals from their ceiling to recall the miracle of the fiery tongues.  The Italian name Pasqua Rossa comes from the red colored vestments used for Pentecost.  A popular tradition used in churches all over the world is to use roses for the altar and all church decorations with many parishioners wearing red colored clothes to celebrate the Holy Ghost.  In Germany, green branches from Birch trees are commonly used  as part of the church decorations.   On the night of Pentecost, there is a Vesper service called the “Kneeling Prayer” taken from the composition of St. Basil the Great.  The long poetic prayers are said while everyone prostates themselves as their foreheads rest on the floor.  During these prayers, a petition is added for all those in hell that they might be granted relief and be released from their confinement.  

Across all denominations, Pentecost has been an opportunity for all Christians to honor the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives and to celebrate the birth of the Church.  Catholic and Protestant congregations may hold spiritual retreats, prayer vigils, and litanies leading up to Pentecost and a day when Confirmation celebrations take place.   On this day, 50 days from Easter Sunday, many will pray a special Novena to the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

It appears that the very first possible day that we may resume the Celebration of Mass at San Antonio Church will be May 31st. The State of Ohio advised that there should be no gatherings in churches up until May 29th. and the Catholic Bishops of Ohio agreed We are not sure if we will actually start that day . Please check back on the website for updates.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons below allow you to make an online donation directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday we honor the Ascension of Jesus which occurs 40 days after he rose from the dead on Easter.  This day commemorates the Risen Christ ascending into heaven in the presence of His Apostles.  This feast tells us that when Jesus Christ entered the sanctuary of heaven, He will intercede as a mediator for us and assures us the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  The Ascension is  the concluding work of redemption and the pledge of our own eventual ascension into heaven.   In the Catholic Tradition, it began as a three  day “rogation” to ask for God’s Mercy with a procession of torches and banners symbolizing Christ’s journey to the Mount of Olives and His entry into Heaven.  Rogation days of penance and prayers were similar to Ember days and in 1969 were replaced by periods of prayer extending from one to several days. 

Early Christians would honor the Ascension of Christ in a cave on the Mount around 312 AD.  The village of Bethany is the location of the traditional site of Mount Olivet where those Christians honored the Ascension.  Around 384, the Ascension was venerated on a new site, uphill from the cave.  Luke Chapter  24 tells how Jesus leads the eleven disciples to Bethany where he instructs them to remain in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit.  In  the year 390, a wealthy Roman woman, Poimenia constructed the original church, “Eleona Basilica” Greek for Olive Garden which was destroyed in 614 and rebuilt and eventually demolished.  There is only a 12X12 meter octagonal Edicule or memorial that remains.  Inside of the structure is the Rock of the Ascension as the last remnants of the original basilica.  Also, on the top of the Mount of Olives is a Convent of the Ascension that is maintained by the Russian Orthodox Church.  

Many will pray a Novena to the Holy Ghost between Ascension and Pentecost asking for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  In Christian Theology, the death, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus are the most important events and a foundation of the Christian Faith.  The Ascension has been a frequent subject of Christian art since the 6^th century.  Around the 9^th Century, scenes of the Ascension were being depicted on domes and churches with many scenes having two parts, an upper (Heavenly) part and a lower (Earthly) part.  The ascending Christ may be carrying a resurrection banner or make a sign of benediction with his right hand.  The blessing gesture By Christ with his right hand  is directed towards the earthly group below him and signifies that HE is blessing the entire church.    In His left hand, he may be holding  a scroll, signifying teaching and preaching.  

It appears that the very first possible day that we may resume the Celebration of Mass at San Antonio Church will be May 31st. The State of Ohio advised that there should be no gatherings in churches up until May 29th. and the Catholic Bishops of Ohio agreed We are not sure if we will actually start that day . Please check back on the website for updates.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons below allow you to make an online donation directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin

by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday,  all the parishioners from San Antonio Church send our congratulations and prayers  to the 3 men who were ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 16^th.  Those new priests previously served the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as Deacons coming from home parishes  of St. Cecilia, St. Leo and St. Jude.  The first new priest, Christopher Komoroski was born in Arkansas located to Cincinnati with his parents and two sisters at the age of 10 and attended  St. Cecilia Parish.  He became active with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) while in college which steered him to a devotion to Christ and his becoming a Deacon in the Catholic Church.  Fr. Christopher Komoroski’s favorite prayer is to recite St. Claude de la Colombiere’s “Act of Hope of Confidence in God”. 

The Archdiocese’s second new priest is Benson Lokidiriyo who was born and raised in the remote village of Turkana, Kenya, the eldest of a family of four and along with his younger sister the only Catholics in the family.  He was the only member of his family to attend school attaining a Catholic education through the generosity  of Catholic Missionaries.  He received his Master’s Degree in International Relations from the American University in Nairobi and worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) where he met an aid worker who arranged his passage to Cincinnati in 2015.  He enrolled at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary while working out of St. Elizabeth Seton in Milford and became a Deacon at St. Leo the Great Parish serving  the African Refugees, Guatemalan Immigrants, African American and Anglo Communities.  Fr. Benson Lokidiriyo is very appreciative of all those who helped him achieve his dream of becoming a priest and working within the Archdiocese. 

The third new priest, Andrew Reckers  is a Cincinnati born and raised West Sider from  St. Teresa of Avila where he was Baptized  and  Our Lady of Visitation where he attended grade school.  He  graduated from Elder High School  and from the University of Cincinnati with a Degree in Biomedical Engineering before he enrolled in the pre-theology program at St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in 2013.  He has been a parishioner at St. Jude the Apostle Parish for the past 13 years.   Fr. Andrew Reckers considers his Catholic upbringing, his parents, two brothers and sister for encouraging his vocation to become a Deacon and then enter the religious life as a Priest.  Fr. Andrew Reckers appreciates all  the many Priest Advisors who worked with him through his studies especially Fr. Paul Ruwe, his Spiritual Director.  Please keep all of these new priests in your prayers.

It appears that the very first possible day that we may resume the Celebration of Mass at San Antonio Church will be May 31st. The State of Ohio advised that there should be no gatherings in churches up until May 29th. and the Catholic Bishops of Ohio agreed We are not sure if we will actually start that day . Please check back on the website for updates.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons below allow you to make an online donation directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin

by Terrie Evans

Happy Mother’s Day  to all the women in our lives.  On this day we honor motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mother’s in our society that was first celebrated in 1908 in Grafton, West Virginia.  By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made a proclamation to the United States Congress as a relevant bill while soon being adopted by some other countries.  In the United Kingdom, honoring mothers is referred to as Mothering Sunday and in Greece it also celebrates the presentation of Jesus Christ to the temple.  In Belgium , Mother’s Day (Moederdag) and in France, (Fetes des Meres) with school children making little presents at their primary schools that will be given to their moms on the morning of Mother’s Day.  In Italy, the first Mother’s Day was celebrated on Christmas Eve in 1933 as the “Day of the Mother and Child”(Giornata della Madre e del Fanciullo) to reward the most prolific Italian women every year.  After World War II in Assisi, the  Parish Priest, Rev. Otello Migliosi initiated the celebration on May 12, 1957.  It became so popular that the Italian Senate made it an official holiday in 1958. 

In the Roman Catholic Church, Mother’s Day is associated with revering the Blesses Virgin Mary with special devotions as  groups  of  grade school children who have just made their First Communion leading the procession.   May Crowning’s  have taken place in many churches and at San Antonio, we have held the May Crowning’s since our church was started in 1922.  Many families will have a special shrine devoted to Mary in their homes and gardens as a way to pay homage to her in May and throughout the year.  On Mother’s Day in Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a special prayer service is held to honor the Theotokos Virgin Mary.  

            Mother’s Day is known as  one of the highest church attendance days after Christmas Eve and Easter.  Many worshipers celebrate the day with carnations with colored ones if the mother is living or white ones if she has passed.   In the United States, Mother’s Day is known for the biggest holiday for long distant calls, sales of fresh flowers and greeting cards.

It appears that the very first possible day that we may resume the Celebration of Mass at San Antonio Church will be May 31st. The State of Ohio advised that there should be no gatherings in churches up until May 29th. and the Catholic Bishops of Ohio agreed We are not sure if we will actually start that day . Please check back on the website for updates.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons below allow you to make an online donation directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Excerpts from the letter from the Catholic Conference of Ohio

Yesterday, 27 April 2020, Governor Mike DeWine presented a strategy to begin a multi-phased plan, even while the executive “Stay at Home Order” remains in place.

Out of deep concern for the common good as well as the physical and spiritual
well-being of all the people of Ohio, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio have agreed once again to
cooperate with the governor, and to support and abide by the multi-phased approach to returning to work and eventual public gathering in large groups.

To that end, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio extend the temporary suspension of all publicly
celebrated Masses/liturgies ending on May 29th, with the hope of publicly celebrating together the Solemnity of Pentecost on the weekend of May 30/31. Each of the bishops of Ohio, once again, dispense the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in their territories from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass during this time. We ask for the cooperation and adherence of all the faithful to the governor’s directives during this period.

(Click here for the full letter)

Contributed by Terrie Evans

On this Sunday, we acknowledge the 57^th World day of Prayer for Vocations.  This day is set aside to publicly celebrate  all those who seek  vocations to ordained ministry and religious life in all its forms. For this day, Pope Francis relayed a message  to us concerning the four key words, pain, gratitude, encouragement, and praise as a way to thank priests and support their ministry.  In his letter,  Pope Francis wants those who are called to seek vocations to know  as they  abandon their own security to become one of the Lord’s disciples on this challenging journey,  to realize they are not alone.  For those choosing to enter a religious life are said to have open hearts that will embrace the Love of the Lord and the gratitude from God.  Pope Francis wants us to realize that those seeking vocations will always need encouragement as they move forward  while asking themselves does the Lord really need me to do this?  On this day, the Pope asks all of us to continue to  promote vocations and to  enable  them to discover with gratitude God’s call in their lives and to find courage to say ‘yes’ to God.  In his message,  Pope Francis asked  all those seeking a consecrated a life “ to overcome all weariness through faith in Christ and to make of their lives a song of praise of God, for their brothers and sisters and for thee whole world”. 

On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations,  we pray that parents and grandparents will have the grace to guide their children and grandchildren through the trials of life and to help them discern not just their careers, but also their vocations.  We also pray for and remember all those deceased clergy and   religious Sisters of Charity, Srs. Blandina, Justina, Euphrasia and Sr. Joseph Marion)  who have served San Antonio Church over our 98 year history.   May the Good Shepard welcome them with open arms.   

A Prayer to recite on this day
“Father in Heaven, you sent us your only Son to redeem us and to build your kingdom on earth.  Please give us the wisdom and strength we need to follow His call.  Grant to the faithful a spirit of generosity, that Church vocations may flourish.  Bless our Priests with holiness and courage, that they may lead your people to Christ.  Help all sister and brothers to fulfill their sacred promises and so be effective signs of your kingdom.  Lord, invite more men and women to your service.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.