Congratulations

   Congratulations to St. Martin of Tours Class of 2010!  The following graduates received scholarships at their graduation in June:  Ryan Lohbeck, Mary Rust, Teresa Rust, Macey Anderson, Claire Luken, Alex Dickey, Ann Hammann, Zach Leytze, Olivia Maltry, Brad Osuna and Kaitlin Sweeney.

Update on Alumni

   St. Martin of Tours Class of 2006 gathered at mass recently to celebrate their upcoming high school graduations.  Congratulations, your parish family is proud of all of you!

Congrats!

   Congratulations to parishioner, Mary Jo Dangel, who was recently selected to be in Mother of Mercy High School’s Alumnae Hall of Excellence.  Mary Jo was chosen for this award in recognition of her contribution to her profession and her dedication to Mercy.  She is a wonderful role model and inspiration to Mercy students.  Mary Jo’s accomplishments in the field of Journalism made her the perfect choice for this award.  Mary Jo recently retired from the

 Saint Anthony Messenger.

15 Year Tour of Life: Parish & Home

By: Donna Broerman, Editor

   This month marks my 15th year as editor of our parish newsletter. I still remember the day that our pastor called and asked me to take over for the retiring editor.  At that time, I was eager to become involved in our parish since both of my daughters were going to be attending

St. Martin of Tours School.  So, of course I said yes, not knowing that 15 years later I would still be doing this.  I had a wonderful mentor (who became a good friend) in Mary Jo Dangel.  Mary Jo was a professional writer for Saint Anthony Messenger.  When I began this new volunteer position back in 1995, Fr. George Kunkel was our Pastor, Fr. Greg Konerman was our Associate and Sr. Reinette was our Principal.  Lois Sundrup became our first parish Business Manager, Sr.Timothea came on board as our Pastoral Associate and Howard Wiehe was our Deacon.  My oldest daughter, Madeline, was in first grade.  My youngest daughter, Emma, wasn’t even in school yet!  St. Martin of Tours School was busy launching a new kindergarten.  I quickly became involved at school as well: room mom, fundraiser, Girl Scout leader and picture lady.

   The following year, in 1996, Sr. Marian joined our staff as our Parish Nurse.  Madeline was now in second grade and preparing for her First Communion.  Emma was in preschool.  When 1997 rolled around, Fr. Konerman was departing and Fr. Ron Piepmeyer was replacing him.  Our beloved Fr. Robert Mick returned to us and Pat Sheridan became a deacon.  As a volunteer, I continued to edit Tour Talk with Mary Jo by my side.  Along with a handful of dedicated parish volunteers, I also helped to create our first St. Martin of Tours Alumni Association. 

   In 1998, I was offered a part-time paid position as St. Martin of Tours first Development Administrator.  Part of my job description included continuing on as editor of our parish newsletter and taking over our alumni newsletter, Tour Times.  Kitty Lawrence became our first lay Principal and Patrick Sheridan was ordained a priest.  Julie Nienaber was our Youth Minister and Marilyn Wesseler was the secretary at the rectory.  Bill Stuckenburg and Kathy Schmidt joined our staff as PSR Coordinators. Grace Rausch was our school secretary assisted by Ruth Klosterman and Wanda Niesen.  Grace soon retired and Becky Weber took over for a short time before Kathy Mathis became our current school secretary.  We held our groundbreaking ceremony for our new parish center and demolished the old yellow house which stood in the way.  Madeline was now in fourth grade and Emma started kindergarten.

   The dedication of our beautifully restored church and new parish center took place in 1999.  Angela Birkhead-Flight became our Music Director.  Dianne Ullrich became our Youth Minister and later turned that position over to Lisa Kammerer.  My newly formed website committee launched our first parish website.  The year 2000 promised all kinds of computer chaos, but luckily it was all hype.  We survived and I continued on as editor.  We closed the convent and renamed our yellow school building for the Sisters of Notre Dame who taught here at St. Martin.  We came out with a parish pictorial directory for the new millennium.  Madeline became an altar server in sixth grade and Emma prepared for her First Communion in second grade.  My husband, Matt, and I began chairing the Major Award Booth at our parish festival.

   In 2001, Fr. Frank Amburger replaced Fr. Piepmeyer and Steve Mondeik became our seminarian.  Madeline was confirmed and Emma was now in third grade.  As 2002 approached,

Fr. Kunkel was preparing to celebrate his 25^th Jubilee and Jason Bedel became our seminarian.  Long- time teacher Jim Auer retired.   Madeline graduated from St. Martin and began high school at Mother of Mercy and Emma moved on to fourth grade.  My girls lost both of their Grandpas this year when my father and father in law both died within two months.

   2003 was a sad time at the rectory.  We lost Fr. Mick, Deacon Wiehe, and coworker Kathy Schmidt.  Fr. George Schmitz took over for Fr. Amburger. Long- time teacher Mary Jo Martin retired.  In 2004, Patrick McMullen became our new seminarian.  Madeline was enjoying high school and Emma became an altar server.  We welcomed a new Pope in 2005.  Pope Benedict took over for Pope John Paul II.  Patrick McMullen was ordained a deacon and long- time teacher Mary Hamburg retired.  Madeline was flying through high school and Emma was confirmed. 

   In 2006, Fr. Kunkel and Fr. Terry Hamilton, son of the parish, switched parishes.  Sr. Timothea retired and Patrick McMullen was ordained a priest.  Deidre Re became our parish secretary.  Madeline’s high school years flew by!  Madeline graduated from Mercy and Emma graduated from St. Martin.  We said goodbye to Fr. Schmitz in 2007. No replacement this time, as the talked about priest shortage hits home.  Jason Bedel became a Deacon and Marti Barnes joined our staff as Pastoral Associate.  Madeline began college at Xavier University, majoring in French.  Emma moved on to Mother of Mercy High School.  By 2008, Kitty Lawrence retired, turning her position as principal over to long- time teacher Patricia Dieckman.  Fr. Terry celebrated his 35^th Jubilee and Sr. Marian retired.  Jason Bedel was ordained a priest.  Long- time teacher Jim Vassallo marked his 40^th year of teaching at St. Martin.  Laurie Huff joined our parish staff as our Coordinator of Religious Education.  Archbishop Schnurr was announced as the replacement for Archbishop Pilarczyk.

   In 2009, the convent was torn down and some green space has appeared in its place!  Madeline spent her spring semester studying abroad in Paris and Emma was now flying through her high school years. Matt and I celebrated our 25^th wedding anniversary.  Donna Smith joined our rectory staff.

   Now in 2010, our parish Centennial Committee has formed and we are planning a yearlong celebration for our 100 year anniversary.  I have a committee currently working on a new Centennial Directory for our parish.  I continue on as editor of Tour Talk and Tour Times.  Fifteen years have gone by so quickly.  Madeline recently graduated from XU and is preparing to relocate to France in the fall.  She has taken a teaching position for the next school year.  Emma has graduated from Mercy High School and is heading to the College of Mount Saint Joseph.  She will be majoring in Business Administration.

   So, as I sit down this summer to edit my 150^th issue, I fondly recall all of the wonderful people who have crossed my path in these past fifteen years; priests, nuns, lay co-workers, teachers, students and fellow parishioners.  I also fondly recall all of these years spent together with my husband and our two daughters here at St. Martin of Tours.  My immediate family and my extended parish family have made my life truly blessed. 

Summer Festival    2010

                       July 9, 10 &11

Friday: 6-11 pm  *  Saturday: 5-11 pm  *  Sunday: 1-10 pm

                  Harvest Home Park

$11,000 Major Award

Major Award Ticket

 $20 each: only selling 1,500!

         **1^st Prize: $5,000*** 2^nd Prize: $2,000*** 3^rd Prize:  $1,000**

**PLUS SIX $500 Prizes**

                                                 Name ____________________________

                                                Address___________________________

                                                City, State ________________________

                                                Zip Code _________________________

                                                Phone (       )_______________________

                 Entertainment 

   Be sure to tell all your friends about our Entertainment Line-Up for the weekend.  On Friday evening we are bringing in Mike Davis, the renowned Elvis impersonator, who puts on an energetic Vegas type show.  Mike appears weekly at the Hollywood Casino on Thursday and Saturday evenings.  On Saturday, our entertainment will begin with a show by a young local clogging group and then Saturday evening, we are bringing back the “Road Hogs.”  This group performed at our festival last year, and really had the crowd singing and dancing for hours.  On Sunday evening, “The Remains”, an extraordinarily popular band who perform tunes from every decade, will be on hand from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., leading right up to the drawing for the Major Award.  The same four members of this band have been together 20 years and have a huge repertoire of songs and a huge following. 

                                            Games of Chance

                        Kids Games & Rides

                                                     Food & Drinks

                              Sunday Chicken Dinner

 Of course on Sunday, beginning at 1:00 p.m., we will have our delicious chicken dinner.  We have been serving this popular dinner since 2002 and our parishioners show their support by coming back each year.  So, we encourage you to take some time out with your family and friends and enjoy the half or quarter chicken freshly cooked outdoors right there at Harvest Home Park, with those delicious cheesy potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink.  One low price gets you a great meal and perhaps some leftovers for the next day’s lunch. Whole chickens will also be sold.

       Shuttle Bus

   Frustrated with trying to find a place to park at Harvest Home Park? 

Free Shuttle Every Half-Hour from Cheviot Fieldhouse

And St. Martin School to Harvest Home Park.        

      Cruise In

   Tell your friends about our First Annual Cruise In.  We want to see an abundance of souped up and shined up vintage cars.  There is no charge to participate.  Just show up and show off your beautiful vehicle.

Pastoral Council

Present at the May 27, 2010, Pastoral Council meeting were:  Kevin Bonecutter, Deron Dickey, Eileen Duffy, Peg Hancock, Jim Kern, Cathy May, Gary Momberg, Vickie Reinhardt, Kevin Weber and Father Terry Hamilton.  Absent were: Debbie Brunst, Nicole May and Pat Dieckman.

TASK FORCE REPORTS:

Property and Grounds:  Rectory – Fix the cracked bevel glass and replace the lead in the front entrance door to rectory.  The bids on repairing the front entrance door were received from Robert Collins Stained Glass Window Studio.  The cost to fix only the broken glass and bracing bars would be added for $1,204.00; the cost to dismantle the entire window-the panel would be rebuilt with new zinc and the broken glass would be replaced - bracing bars would be added for $2,950.00.  Pastoral Council decided that these repairs, although important, are not crucial at this time.  As it is an ongoing maintenance issue, Pastoral Council requests that we do whatever it takes to find and fix the “heart of the problem” resulting in the peeling of paint near the choir loft.  It was requested that Property and Grounds provide a report on the aforementioned peeling of paint and, as this is a job that needs to be completed, it is not required to come before any future Pastoral Council meetings.  It was also agreed upon that those areas of the church that need painting be painted.  Replace the three rectory storm doors.  The cost would be approximately $600 each. Pastoral Council approved this recommendation.  Restore Fr. Mick Hall – replace ceiling tiles-cost $2,543.39; paint walls; electric update-cost $793 from Kathman Electric; new baseboards - cost $305.00 from West Hill Flooring; new or restore beer tap and have inspection on it per code; new floor; new tables so all tables are the same. Still working on obtaining bids on items.   New Stage Curtains for Parish Center for the valance due to water damage and stage curtains due to damage from a light.  It was recommended a maroon color to hide the dirt and water resistant material as in Fr. Mick Hall.  Pastoral Council approves replacing the Parish Center’s stage curtains.  The bids on re-sealing and filling the cracks on the blacktop which was completely re-done in 2006 are from Westside Paving’s bid for $5,140.00 and Holmes’ bid for $8,086.00.  Pastoral Council recommended going with Westside Paving’s bid of $5,140.00.  The Property & Grounds next meeting is Monday June 14, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. in Fr. Kotter Room.

Spiritual Life:  RCIA: The newly baptized and those welcomed into the church at the Easter Vigil received a special blessing on Pentecost. They will meet for Mystagogy monthly until next Easter. The teams met this week to review the year and begin planning for the summer and next year.  There are currently two adult inquirers.  Scripture Study: Wrapped up on Monday, May 24; will resume in the fall.  PSR:  The summer PSR program will begin on Monday, June 14 and run for two weeks.  They will close with Mass and a small reception on Friday, June 25.  The theme this year is “God Has Chosen Me”.  Registration is ongoing.

Parish Life: Picnic: The parish picnic at Stricker’s Grove on May 14 was a success.  Hundreds of parishioners attended and enjoyed rides, corn hole and food.  The boy scouts made a profit of over $1,000 from the grilled food booth that will be used towards summer camp.  Congratulations to the following: Ruth Sailer won the $500 early bird drawing, Neil Cummings won the $173 split the pot, Sharon Maltry won the 373 pieces of candy, Carolyn West placed first, Eileen Duffy placed second and Nicole May placed third in the cake baking contest, Pauline Boderone won first place for her sugar cookies, Deron Dickey and Dave Hurley won the corn hole tournament for the second year in a row.   Festival: The festival committee met May 17.  The festival is just 8 weeks away.  There is still a need for booth sponsors at a cost of $50 (contact Margie 574-1056).  Volunteers are needed to work the festival. People interested should contact Kevin Weber at 661-3674.  The next volunteer sign-up will be after all Masses on June 5 and 6.  100 Year Anniversary:  Centennial Committee met on May 6.  The committee suggested that the centennial project could be to refurbish Fr. Mick Hall contingent upon the cost.  This could include replacement of ceiling tiles, floor, painting, electric update and a new beer tap. A fund drive for this project could begin at the Centennial kick-off on November 11.  Mary Jo Betz created a design for the centennial logo and it was approved.  Centennial merchandise that will be sold includes: T-shirt (that can be worn by school kids on spirit days), sweatshirt (okay for school), short sleeve polo (white permitted to be worn to school), drawstring bag, Christmas ornament and Christmas cards.  Mary Jo Betz is pursuing estimates for banners for the outside, front of church.  Liz Kissell is heading the History Committee and will be requesting parishioners to provide old pictures.  The next Centennial Meeting will be held on June 17 at 7:00 p.m.  Fellowship: Our next fellowship will be on Father’s Day, June 20 after 9:30 Mass.

Finance:  The financial and budget information were discussed and reviewed with no changes. The 2010-2011 budget was approved by Pastoral Council member Jim Kern, seconded by Gary Momberg and had one abstention.  The next finance meeting is on Thursday, August 19, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. in Fr. Kotter Room (rectory basement).

Youth:  The last Open Youth Night of this school session was held on Friday, May 21.  Thirty sixth and seventh graders met and had a great time.  Prior to that there was a special Youth night for the eighth graders.  There will be a planning session for the Youth activities for the 2010/11 school year during the summer.  The eighth graders served as lay ministers for the Mothers’ Day Mass on Sunday, May 9.  Holy cards were distributed to the women:  mothers, aunts, grandmothers and special role models.  The students did an outstanding job.  The seventh graders will serve as lay ministers on Sunday, June 20 at 9:30 a.m. for Father’s Day.  There will be a treat for all of the men on that day.  It has been a good 2010 school year with students’ participation and involvement with the parish growing. 

Athletics:   The baseball / softball seasons continue despite the weather.   Deron Dickey indicated that the football league split from the GCL and are now part of the Greater Cincinnati Youth Football League (GCYFL) which consists of players from St. Catharine’s and St. Bernard’s under St. Martin’s; cost will be divided by the three schools.  There has been a big discussion about which name to use for the combined teams. (“Cats” is a common name for all three teams’ current names; additional school colors may be added to St. Martin’s current helmets to show unison.)  Since there weren’t enough students signed up to make a team, combining players from other schools provides teams for the kids and is less of a strain on parents both monetarily and with regards to volunteering.  There is also a combo Y-13 baseball team (St. Martin & St. Catharine); however, there are enough basketball players for each school to have their own team.   Interest was expressed in re-starting softball and volleyball teams for the Youth Group.  St. John’s (Harrison), St. James’ and St. Ignatius’s teams are quite popular.

Education Commission:    There are 46 new applicants for EDChoice, 28 for Kindergarten.  The Education Committee is looking into playing a video at the festival (in the dining area) to promote the school at the festival.    Efforts are underway to recruit committee members for the upcoming year.  Only four children were involved in the Enrichment program.  The program will be set up next year so that activities begin earlier in the school year.  Activity volunteers are needed to demonstrate their talents (i.e. knitting, etc.)  Maroon shirts for next year’s centennial will be sold at the festival. 

Principal: No Report.   

Pastor Report: No Report.

Bill Clark will join Pastoral Council as the Education Commission representative & Fred Schlimm and Kevin Weber will be members-at-large for the up-coming year.  Jim Kern will remain the Property and Grounds Commission representative and Cathy May will remain the Finance Commission representative.  Thanks to Gary Momberg and Deron Dickey for their hard work & dedication in their various task force positions. 

Our next Pastoral Council meeting will be Thursday, June 24, 2010, at 8:00 pm in Room E of the

Red School Building.  There will be no Pastoral Council meeting in July.

Memorial Mass Fund

Deaths

Maria Rose

Belinda Walden

Mary Leidenbor

Mary Stewart

Kayla Vennemann

Mary Kessen

George Koch

Thelma Ermert

Esta Stout

Welcome New Parishioners

Joseph Streicher

April Hartung

Tony and Holly Stegman

Roscoe Thompson

Doug and Julie Kirkland

Traci Dowding

Michael Anderson

Kim Parr

Pages for Sages …. For our wisest members ….

Beginning this month, the “Ministry of Praise” column will be replaced with our “Pages for Sages …. For our wisest members …”.  This column will include timely articles related to “ageing and sageing” as well as spiritual material. We hope our wise, senior members find this column enjoyable and helpful.

The following article was in the 2010 Spring Issue of “Balance”, published by Catholic Charities SouthWestern Ohio.  It may be helpful for those considering a retirement community or a long term care facility.

Suggestions on Choosing a Nursing Home

For some the time comes when living at home or assisted living cannot provide the care needed. In many instances a search for a nursing home must be made under duress. Here are a few tips from the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and consumer advocacy groups.

1. Start with the latest available data on nursing homes in your area. Go to www.medicare.gov and click on the “nursing home compare tool”. This will give you data on more than 15,000 nursing homes from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

2. Visit the nursing homes. There is no substitute for what you see, hear and smell when you visit. Visit more than once and at different times of the day and different days of the week.

3. Ask questions about schedule, consistency of assignment of staff, staff turnover, etc.

4. You may also call your long-term care state ombudsman for state rankings beyond the medicare ratings. (In Ohio 1-800-282-1206)

5. Check also the 2009 Long-term Care Resident Survey, released by the Ohio Dept. of Aging. (www.ltohio.org)

6. Call the Caregiver CAREline (513-929-4483 or 800-606-2560) for more detailed information on making a choice.

(This article was adapted in part from “Stressful but Vital: Picking a Nursing Home”, New York Times,3/20/10.)

Saint for July – St. Mary Magdalene

Except for the mother of Jesus, few women are more honored in the Bible than Mary Magdalene. Yet she could well be the patron of the slandered, since there has been a persistent legend in the Church that she is the unnamed sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in Luke 7:36-50.

Most Scripture scholars today point out that there is no scriptural basis for confusing the two women. Mary Magdalene, that is, “of Magdala,” was the one from whom Christ cast out “seven demons” (Luke 8:2)—an indication, at the worst, of extreme demonic possession or, possibly, severe illness.

Father W.J. Harrington, O.P., writing in the New Catholic Commentary, says that “seven demons” “does not mean that Mary had lived an immoral life—a conclusion reached only by means of a mistaken identification with the anonymous woman of Luke 7:36.” Father Edward Mally, S.J., writing in the Jerome Biblical Commentary, agrees that she “is not...the same as the sinner of Luke 7:37, despite the later Western romantic tradition about her.”

Mary Magdalene was one of the many “who were assisting them [Jesus and the Twelve] out of their means.” She was one of those who stood by the cross of Jesus with his mother. And, of all the “official” witnesses that might have been chosen for the first awareness of the Resurrection, she was the one to whom that privilege was given. She is known as the "Apostle to the Apostles."

Comment: Mary Magdalene has been a victim of mistaken identity for almost 20 centuries. Yet she would no doubt insist that it makes no difference. We are all sinners in need of the saving power of God, whether our sins have been lurid or not. More importantly, we are all, with her, “unofficial” witnesses of the Resurrection.

Patron Saint of: Penitents, Perfumers

Copyright © St. Anthony Messenger Press, 28 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Taken from Saint of the Day on www.AmericanCatholic.org and used with permission. All rights reserved.  http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.aspx

The Holy Father’s Intentions for July 2010

Justice in Electing those who Govern
General: That in every nation of the world the election of officials may be carried out with justice, transparency and honesty, respecting the free decisions of citizens.
An Urban Culture of Justice, Solidarity and Peace
Missionary: That Christians may strive to offer everywhere, but especially in great urban centers, an effective contribution to the promotion of education, justice, solidarity and peace.

Just a Reminder…

Don’t forget to sign up for your Centennial Directory Photo Session!

Message From the Editor…

There will NOT be an issue of Tour Talk in August.

Deadline for September’s issue is August 10^th.