Tour Talk  February 2010

From the Principal’s Desk

By: Patricia Dieckman

            Catholic School Week will be celebrated January 31 through February 5.  The theme is “Catholic Schools - Dividends for Life.”  This is a time to reflect on what makes us unique.  As Catholic schools we focus on our Faith, morals, knowledge, and discipline, all of which help in adult life.  On January 31, St. Martin School will have an open house from 12:30-2:00 p.m.  All are invited to come and visit our school.  Please extend an invitation to your neighbors to come and see what we are all about here at St. Martin.

Registration packets for kindergarten and students new to the school will be available at open house. Registration for kindergarten and new students will be February 9, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Our annual Mission Fair for the benefit of St. Julie School in Uganda will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 12:30-2:00 p.m. in our Parish Center.  A Mardi Gras theme will be carried out in the booths and prizes.  All tickets are twenty-five cents.  We invite you to bring your little ones and enjoy the fun.   This year our students have already collected money to buy books for the library in the St. Julie School.  In December several Notre Dame Sisters from St. Julie’s came to St. Martin and were presented with the books. The sisters also talked to all the students about the mission school in Uganda.  The students were very excited to learn about the boys and girls in Africa and how they live and play.

Our student council held an out of uniform on January 15 to collect money to help buy soccer balls for the children in Iraq.  Also, during Lent, our students will be conducting a Birthday Box Collection so that children and adults who are having financial difficulties

will be able to celebrate their own very special day with a cake and some favors.  We are very proud and thankful of the thoughtfulness and generosity of our school families.

Congratulations to our students, Mary Rust and Teresa Rust, who received scholarships to Mother of Mercy and McAuley High Schools. They have been Admitted with Distinction to McAuley High School.  Many of our eighth graders have received grants to Mother of Mercy and LaSalle High Schools. Ryan Lohbeck, grade 8, is our representative to the annual Scripps Spelling Bee.

During the month of February and the first part of March, students in grades 3 and 5 will be working on their writing samples.  This is a format to analyze their ability to write a story on a specific writing prompt.  It is an opportunity to know if our students are writing on level and to find ways to help those who need more instruction. Students in grades7 and8 are preparing for the LaSalle Its Academic Competition in March.

PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES

Present at the December 3, 2009 Pastoral Council meeting were: Eileen Duffy, Debbie Brunst, Jim Kern, Cathy May, Deron Dickey, Gary Momberg, Kevin Bonecutter, Pat Dieckman, Kevin Weber, and Father Terry Hamilton.  Absent were: Nicole May, Peg Hancock and Vickie Reinhardt.

TASK FORCE REPORTS:

Property and Grounds:  During the meeting on November 16 the following items were discussed: Allgeier & Son, Inc. came back the first week of October to add more topsoil and re-seed the green space.   The flower pots and pumpkins placed at each of the pillars at the church entrance seem to be working.  So far there have been no further accidents since the corners have been "protected". The netting installed in the Red School Gym is too long; therefore it is not pulled up properly when not in use.  This matter is being looked into and a solution should be forthcoming.  Also, individuals who use the Red School basement, (scouts, athletics, youth), need to be more attentive to clean-up details after using the facility:  This includes checking the restrooms, flushing toilets and cleaning the sinks, etc.  A "leave it clean and presentable for the next group" policy should be used.   Our next Property & Grounds meeting is Monday,

February 8, 2010, in Fr. Kotter Room.

Spiritual Life:   RCIA:  One adult will be welcomed by the parish community at the Rite of Acceptance on December 6 at 9:30 a.m. Mass.  We will then have seven adults and nine children journeying toward the Easter Vigil.  Scripture Study:  The Little Rock Scripture Study program continues on Monday evenings.  The Advent bible study, “A Christmas Carol”, started on Tuesday, December 1 and continues for the four Tuesdays of Advent.  Caring Connectors:  The Giving Tree program is in process.  The trees with the gift tags were in place last weekend.  Gifts should be returned to church by December 10.  Knitting and Crocheting for Charity:  This group continues to meet two times each month, making infant caps & booties, prayer shawls, lap ropes and other items to donate to various charities.  St Vincent de Paul was the glad recipient of handmade hats and mittens to distribute to needy families.  Worship Commission:  The Mass on Thanksgiving was beautiful, involving parishioners in the Offertory procession with the offering of non-perishable food items for St Vincent de Paul and also in preparing the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.   The advent wreath fellowship was well attended after both the 9:30 and 11:30 Masses. About 100 families made advent wreaths and enjoyed the company of fellow parishioners.  Adult Faith Formation:  The Communities of Salt and Light program finished tonight (12/3/09).  AFF will continue to promote and sell Fair Trade coffee and chocolates at parish Fellowships.  Sr. Paula Gonzalez will speak after the 7:00 p.m. Mass on 12/8/09, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Her topic will be, “Simplifying Our Lives”.  There will be a special blessing of pregnant women at all Masses during the weekend of December 12 & 13.   Upcoming activities:  A “Mock Mass” for RCIA and any interested parishioners will be held January 18, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the church.   Marriage Enrichment Day will be held on February 13, 2010, concluding at 5:00 p.m. Mass with a Blessing of Anniversary Couples (25, 50, 60 and 60+ years). 

Parish Life:  No formal report.  The formulation of a committee to plan the celebration of

St. Martin of Tours Centennial Celebration will be the subject of a meeting held on January 12, 2010. Part of the Centennial Celebration will include the publication of a new parish directory.  

Finance:  Members from Education Commission were present to discuss the tuition for the 2010-2011 school year at our last meeting.  The Finance Commission is recommending an increase of $250.00 for the out-of-parish tuition rate.  Therefore, the cost of the out-of-parish tuition rate would be $4,250.  Eileen Duffy motioned to approve for the increase of $250.00 for the out-of-parish tuition rate which was seconded by Jim Kern.  Motion was carried.  The Finance Commission is recommending a tuition range for the in-parish rate between $2,750 and $2,950.  This was brought to Parish Council on October 22, 2009, with no objections.  Therefore, tuition will not be set until after registration sometime in late March or early April, 2010.  Debbie Brunst motioned to approve for the range of tuition to be between $2,750 and $2,950 which was seconded by Deron Dickey.  The minutes reflect that a vote was taken and that one member was opposed and six were in favor.  Motion was carried.   Tuesday, February 9, 2010, will start registration for the school year 2010-2011, with registration ending on March 5, 2010.  A “tier” chart will be formulated explaining how the number of students registering will affect the corresponding ranges of tuition.  We need to encourage everyone to register before the registration deadline in order to set the tuition at the lowest possible rate!   Both Finance and Education would like to see more discussion on the future of our school – regional merge?    Since tuition will not be set until late March or early April 2010, Finance does not see a need to meet with the Education Commission on January 14, 2010.  Education Commission stated that they would advertise in the Western Hills Press.  Finance would like for the promotional committee to look into the cost of a billboard.  Our Lady of Lourdes had one last spring and could possibly provide information on cost and whom to contact.

Youth:  A Youth Mass was held on Sunday, November 22.  The seventh graders served in all of the lay roles except Eucharistic Ministers.  They did an excellent job.  Nearly all of the students who had committed to participate did so.  The next Youth Mass will be held on January 24, 2010, at 9:30 a.m.  The sixth graders will serve in the lay roles.  The Youth had a Youth Room Night on November 13.  Many thanks to Amy Richter for coordinating this event.

Athletics:  Football - Congratulations to our Pee Wee team for winning the lower level City Championship! Our Pony team lost in overtime in the semi-finals of the City Championship. Our banquet is 12/12/09 in Fr. Mick Hall.  Soccer – Congratulations to our fifth and sixth grade boys for placing second in the Delhi Post Season Tournament!  Congratulations to our third and fourth grade team for placing second in their league and second in the City Championship!  Girls’ Volleyball – 32 teams entered the fourth grade tournament this year.  The Finals are this weekend 12/4, 12/5 and 12/6/2009.  Baseball – Baseball sign-ups are this weekend December 6, 2009, in the Parish Center for the 2010 season.  Girls’ Basketball – We will have four teams this year.  Practices will begin in February 2010.   General Info:  Papa John nights continue this year every third Wednesday of the month.  A flyer is posted in the school “Home Folder” on Edline.  Mrs. Gilligan’s class won for October.  The next General Meeting will be held on December 14, 2009, in Fr. Mick Hall.

Education Commission:  The misunderstanding concerning the pedophile alert posted by the City of Cheviot crime alert was discussed.  The St. Martin school office did not receive notification and it was later determined that the information was in error and that the Cheviot Police failed to update their alert.  Mrs. Mathis will post on Edline how to access the email list crime alert.   It was suggested that a one week deadline be implemented on the home folder information so that sufficient time is available for information to be posted.   St Martin has applied for the EDChoice Program again next year.  This year the state is requiring that we supply our tuition information as well as our handbook.  There are 14,000 vouchers available for the next school year.  We are keeping our tuition below the maximum allowable by the state to avoid problems which could occur if the state decides to lower the maximum value of the vouchers.  (This year’s voucher maximum was lowered to $4,250, which did not affect us.)  Lee Marlman, Amy Richter and Bill Clark plan to attend the Financial Commission meeting in November to represent the Education Commission.   Mrs. Dieckman proposed that St. Martin School implement a non-refundable application fee due to the extensive amount of work involved in the process.  This type of fee is consistent with other parishes in the area.

Principal:  Grades 7 and 8 went to the Aronoff Theater for the Cincinnati School for the Creative and Performing Arts production of Fame on November 5.  The students enjoyed the performance.  Some of them had never been to the Aronoff and were quite impressed.  Parent-Teacher Conferences went well with about a hundred parents participating.   First Reconciliation was held on Tuesday, December 1 for the second graders preparing for First Eucharist in May.  We will go to Mass on Tuesday, December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and on Thursday, December 10.   Grades 5 and 6 will present a Christmas concert at Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods for a Seniors’ luncheon.  The fifth and sixth graders will perform the concert for their families and anyone else who would like to come on Tuesday, December 15 at 7:00 pm.   Saturday School will be held December 12.   Christmas Break is December 19 – January 3.  Classes resume on January, 4, 2010.

Pastor Report:  Father was pleased with how well prepared the children were for First Reconciliation.  He also indicated that preparations for the celebration of Christmas are coming along nicely.  General News: Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk will celebrate his Golden Anniversary of Ordination and his ministry of service as Archbishop of Cincinnati on December 20, 2009.  Formal invitations have been mailed to all diocesan priests, religious priests with a canonical assignment in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and deacons.

Our next Pastoral Council meeting will be Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 8:00 pm in Room E of the Red School Building.  **Please note this will be the third Thursday in January.**

Deaths

November 2009

Eleanor Singler

Dorothy Morehouse

Elizabeth Genheimer

December 2009

Anna Lunz

Carmella Helms

Mary LaMott

Audrey Blessing

Rona Wolfer

John “Jack” Elsen

William Almond

Welcome New Parishioners

November 2009

Barbara Krollmann

Joann Ware

Michael Ware

Bob & Sherry Shoemaker

December  2009

Kathleen Littner

Matthew Phillips

Erin Hyland

Parish Events 2010

Sunday, January 31 after the 11:30 Mass

Fellowship in conjunction with Catholic Schools Week

Saturday, February 6 after the 5:00 Mass

Spaghetti Dinner/Benefit for Grace Singler

Saturday, February 13 after the 5:00 Mass

Fellowship in conjunction with Married Couples Retreat and Anniversaries - Everyone is invited

Tuesday, March 2 – 6:00 p.m.

Pot Luck Soup & Bread/Greg Nolan Guest Speaker

Sunday, March 7 after the 11:30 Mass

Fellowship in conjunction with Girl Scout Sunday

 Sunday, March 14 -  11:30 a.m.

Alumni Mass & Fellowship

 Saturday, April 3

Easter Virgil with reception to follow

 Easter Sunday, April 4

Easter Egg Hunt after the 11:30 Mass

 Sunday, April 25 after the 8:00 & 9:30 Masses

Fellowship/Coffee & Donuts

 Friday, May 14

Parish Picnic at Stricker’s Grove

 Sunday, June 20 after the 9:30 Mass

Fellowship/Coffee & Donuts

  Friday, July 9/Saturday, July 10/Sunday July 11

Summer Festival at Harvest Home Park

 Saturday, August 28 after the 5:00 Mass

Ice Cream Social

 September 11 & 12 after 8:00 & 9:30 am Masses

Fellowship Coffee & Donuts

 October 8, 9, & 10

Oktoberfest Weekend

 Saturday, October 30 after the 5:00 Mass

Children’s Halloween Fellowship

 Tuesday, November 2

Vesper Service followed by Reception

 November 6 & 7

Fellowship/Lantern Making after all the Masses

 Thursday,November 11

100^th Anniversary Kick-off Celebration

 Sunday, November 28

Fellowship/Advent Wreath Making after all the Masses

MINISTRY OF PRAISE

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING INTENTIONS DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY:

For an increased commitment in our community to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and speak out on behalf of those who are powerless.

That through the intercession of St. Blase, all those suffering from disease of the throat may be cured of their illness.

Pray for the Church, and all who serve the people of God.

For missionaries and teachers who dedicate their lives to helping people recognize Jesus in their midst.

That through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes we may grow closer to her divine Son through meditation of the Rosary.

For God to bless our Parish with love for one another as we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Valentine.

For our Pastor Father Terry Hamilton may he be blessed with health of mind, body, and spirit and always feel the presence of God in his life.

For all the members of our RCIA program, that through our continued prayers and support they may find Christ on their journey of faith.

That all St. Martin parishioners may be blessed with spiritual renewal as they prepare for the Lenten season.

That the world in which we live may one day be a safe haven for all people.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

For all recipients of our parish healing/prayer blankets for their physical, mental and spiritual health.

For the need of all those who have no one to pray for them.