Spirit of the Eagle – September 2015

Spiritual Tidbits for September from Father Tim

Summer 2015 now draws to a close, bidding us farewell on the 23rd of September, at 4:21 a.m.

Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November.
All the rest have thirty-one,
Except February alone,
Which has twenty-eight, in fine,
And each leap year twenty-nine.

How many of you remember learning this as a young child? The origin of the lyrics to “Thirty days hath September” is obscure, but use of olde English can date this poem back to at least the 16th century. As a child I remember always noticing the shadows beginning to grow longer in September, a sure sign of the first hints of fall. The days noticeably begin to grow shorter and shorter as the sun moves south, and continue to do so until we reach the end of Advent and the winter solstice, this year on the 22nd of December. The dark nights then reach their longest depth, and suddenly the glorious and true Sun of Righteousness breaks forth on the 25th and “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” The Old Testament prophet Malachi (4: 2) prophesied, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. I hope and pray your September will be 30 days full of peaceful time. May the long shadows lead you to beautiful moments, and may the Sun of Righteousness arise in your life daily with healing in His wings. ~ Father Tim

September Spirituality Class

Please join us on the 20th of September* after Mass as we will continue discussing Revenge verses Forgiveness, Redemption, Forgiveness verses The Law, Love, Hard-Work and Integrity verses Playing the System, and finally Freedom. How do all these relate to us in our own lives? How do our choices guide us to avoid vice and achieve virtue? How are we to use the Bible, the Holy Saints and Martyrs, the Church Fathers, the Apostles, and — most importantly — the life of Christ to help us in our every day journey back toward God? As a backdrop we will also consider the story line in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. Please come and bring a family member or friend!

Spirituality Class date changed

* Please note the Spirituality Class has been moved to the 3rd Sunday of the month. This will make it easier on me to prepare because Father Neuroth is the celebrant on the 3rd Sunday. ~Father Tim

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The moral condition towards which the interior travail is directed is that of an utter humility. “Everything depends,” says Johannes Tauler, on “a fathomless sinking in a fathomless nothingness.” He continues, “If a man were to say, ‘Lord, who art Thou, that I must follow Thee through such deep, gloomy, miserable paths?’ the Lord would reply, ‘I am God and Man, and far more God.’ If a man could answer then, really and consciously from the bottom of his heart. ‘Then I am nothing and less than nothing’; all would be accomplished, for the Godhead has really no place to work in, but ground where all has been annihilated (i.e., the pure essence of the soul, purged of self-hood and illusion). As the schoolmen say, when a new form is to come into existence, the old must of necessity be destroyed. . . . And so I say: ‘If a man is to be thus clothed upon with this Being, all the forms must of necessity be done away that were ever received by him in all his powers—of perception, knowledge, will, work, of subjection, sensibility and self-seeking.’ When St. Paul saw nothing, he saw God. So also when Elias wrapped his face in his mantle, God came. All strong rocks are broken here, all on which the spirit can rest must be done away. Then, when all forms have ceased to exist, in the twinkling of an eye the man is transformed. Therefore thou must make an entrance. Thereupon speaks the Heavenly Father to him: “Thou shalt call Me Father, and shalt never cease to enter in; entering ever further in, ever nearer, so as to sink the deeper in an unknown and unnamed abyss; and, above all ways, images and forms, and above all powers, to lose thyself, deny thyself, and even unform thyself.’ In this lost condition nothing is to be seen but a ground which rests upon itself, everywhere one Being, one Life. It is thus, man may say, that he becomes unknowing, unloving, and senseless.” ~ Evelyn Underhill, Mysticism

The Children’s Ministry will be the first Sunday, the 6th of September this month after the Mass. It is designed for age 2 through 12 years. Please commit to bringing all related children in your family for this once a month fun and educational class. The children will participate, enjoy, and learn the foundation and building blocks of the Christian faith through bible stories and created crafts. Refreshments provided.

The Provincial Synod will take place October 28th through October 30th in Athens, Georgia. St. Stephen’s ACC will be the host parish. Any parishioners who would like to attend please let me know as soon as possible and forms are available to be filled out. You can also confirm with Mrs. Harriet King at frcharlesking@hotmail.com as well. The 27th of September is the deadline for discounted hotel room reservations.

September Birthdays & Anniversaries

Joanna & Jim Barnett – Anniversary – September 5
Jerri Lenz – Birthday – September 8
Robert Kleven – Birthday – September 12
Gary Blade – Birthday – September 14
Rich Seyberth – Birthday – September 16
Lori Seyberth – Birthday – September 20
Don Prigge – Birthday – September 24
Elizabeth & Michael Robbins – Anniversary – September 24
John Lipscomb – Birthday – September 26
Joyce & Jack Murray – Anniversary – September 29

September Ordo Kalendar Dates

September 6 – Trinity XIV – Celebrant: Fr. Butler – Childrens’ Ministry
September 13 – Trinity XV – Celebrant: Fr. Butler – 11:45 Coffee Hour – Brittany Sams Baby Shower
September 20 – Trinity XVI – Celebrant: Fr. Neuroth – 11:45 Spirituality Class
September 27 – Trinity XVII – Celebrant: Fr. Butler

On another note, the 3rd Annual Psalms Festival will be held on September 19 at Gil Lynn Park from noon until 7 p.m. Volunteers are needed for 2 groups of 3 of us (2 shifts) manning a furnished game booth to represent SJC. This is a great day of Christian music and happy kids playing games and eating FREE snacks. Let’s join the other 8 churches and participate. If you would like to help out for a few hours, please contact Mike Lenz: mike.lenz@zoomtown.com