Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church February 2012 Volume 22 Issue 1

Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2012

Schedule of Services 7:00 am—Mass

8:45 am—School Mass 12:00 pm—Ashes only 4:00 pm—Ashes only

6:00 pm—Mass 8:00 pm—Mass (Spanish)

A Litany For Lent Let my fasting turn me to the needs of others, and not my own hungers. Have mercy, O Lord.

Let my charity be a sign of your generosity, not an occasion for sinful pride. Have mercy, O Lord.

Let my prayer make me a witness to your grace, leading me to acts of justice. Have mercy, O Lord.

Let my sufferings make me one with Christ, who suffered For our salvation. Have mercy, O Lord.

Let my good deeds not be merely for show, but for helping your kingdom come. Have mercy, O Lord.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Peace in the Lord! As we enter this last week of Advent, preparing as a community for the joy-filled celebration of the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus Christ─myself, Fr. John and Fr. Christopher─wish to offer a few reflections on this calendar year of 2011, rapidly coming to a close, and a look at things to come in 2012. This past year has been one full of change, challenge, and charity. The departure of Fr. Dave and the arrival of Fr. Christopher, the near-fatal stroke and inspiring recovery of our extraordinary Director of Music, Brian Marble, and the sudden death of a beloved member of our school faculty, Joan Regan, all impacted our parish in a variety of ways. After six years of service to our community, Principal Gary Gelo departed Our Lady of Grace to take on a new role as a superintendent in Florida. In October, Mr. Gelo’s replacement in the role of principal, Cheryl Whitaker, resigned, ultimately because the role was not a good fit. We have welcomed back Shirley Kinlaw, former assistant principal and math teacher, as our interim principal, and Joy Myers is serving the school as our assistant principal. A search team is already in place to begin a nation-wide search for a permanent principal who can lead our school now and into the future, continuing the important mission of Catholic education at OLG. Even with all the change and challenge in the many and varied aspects of parish life at Our Lady of Grace in 2011, we are still thriving as a community. We are growing both in numbers and in faith. As a parish family, we have come together in unprecedented ways to support and care for one another. With continual demonstrations of generosity, such as the impressive outpouring of support for our Thanksgiving baskets, the Angel Tree, and most recently, with helping to operate the Women’s Overflow Shelter for the winter, the parishioners of Our Lady of Grace have embraced the call of Christ to serve Him in the least fortunate among us. Through it all, God’s grace and love have shone brightly at Our Lady of Grace, and we are stronger as a whole from these experiences. As we enter 2012, let us remember the successes and victories of faith, love and perseverance over the past year. Through the grace of God, the love and support of his wife Mercedes and our parish family, Brian Marble returned to Mass two weeks ago, playing the piano and directing our spectacular choir! The entire Regan family was supported through their difficult time with an outpouring of support including a memorial mass attended by countless numbers of current and past students, families, staff, and parishioners. And Phase I of our capital campaign, under the leadership of Paul Dascoli, has brought us almost halfway to our fundraising goal! God’s grace is truly amazing! We continue to grow, needing more and more space for our countless events and programs that are perpetually at work, striving always for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. Phase II of our capital campaign, led by Ann Mason, will begin shortly after the New

Let my broken relationships be healed in reconciliation, leading me beyond my isolation. Have mercy, O Lord.

Let my very life be consecrated to your will, as this Lent leads to Easter’s new life. Have mercy, O Lord.

Have mercy, O Lord! Let my every thought, word, and deed during these Lenten days be a sign of my love for you, and of your love for the world. Amen. ].S. Paluch Company

The Highlighter, February 2012

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Focus on Stewardship By OLG Stewardship Commission

Our Lady of Grace Church is on a journey to make stewardship a way of life. We invite you to join with us on our journey. It will change your life forever.

Many of us know that stewardship involves the sharing of our time, talent and treasure. What is not so well known is that authentic stewardship is a fundamental response to the gifts we have been given from God. Stewardship is the response to the immeasurable love God has for us. In essence, it is a relationship of love between God and the Church.

On this journey, we are asked to take a good look at the six major gifts God has given us; Time, Talent, Treasure, Prayer, Family, and Faith, and share them for His purpose.

2012 Diocesan Support Appeal Begins

Your gift to the Diocesan Support Appeal makes a difference right here at Our Lady of Grace. There are some who ask why they should give to the DSA when they already support our parish and see the many wonderful things going on here at Our Lady of Grace. You may not realize that many of these wonderful things result, in part, from DSA supported agencies that coordinate, train and provide services to us. Faith Formation classes, Youth Ministry,

Evangelization, the Permanent Diaconate, Lay Ministry Training, Elder Ministry, … all these have an impact on our parish.

DSA ministries also reach beyond the boundaries of Our Lady of Grace. Many DSA supported agencies provide services that are well beyond the scope of any single parish. In combining resources, they are able to minister to the diverse populations in the diocese, provide much needed spiritual support on our college campuses, and help create and provide housing facilities with services for seniors, low income families and individuals and other vulnerable populations, among other things.

Your DSA contributions will help make the education of our 17 seminarians possible. We are blessed with the presence of these dedicated and caring young men who will one-day serve the people of our diocese as priests. Eventually they will touch the lives of everyone in the diocese.

Please make a pledge to our Diocesan Support Appeal. As good stewards, we have a responsibility to look beyond our own parish needs to the larger church. Your gift to the DSA might just change the life of someone who desperately needs your help. Become the “Hands of Christ” by responding to His call to support the work of the Church in Western North Carolina.

Year. With your continued gifts of time, talent and treasure, we will be able to achieve our goal of better serving the entire parish community. After the challenges of the past year, 2012 promises to be one that reaps the benefits of a great deal of prayer and hard work of the dedicated families and individuals that comprise this extraordinary community. As the priests of this wonderful church, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve amidst such a vibrant and faith-filled group, who are always working, in the love of Jesus Christ, to continue the worthwhile work of “Building a Community of Grace.” With loving prayers for you and your family for a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year, we remain Yours in Jesus Christ our Lord, Rev. Fidel Melo Pastor

Rev. John Eckert Parochial Vicar

Rev. Christopher Davis Parochial Vicar

Stewardship of Time

Time is a uniquely valuable

gift from God as you cannot buy it, you cannot sell it, nor can you stop it.

Stewardship of Talent

Whether you have one or many talents, they are a

gift from God who instilled them in you

before you were born. Talent is the essence of

who we truly are.

Stewardship of Treasure

This does not mean giving

generous gifts from our possessions. Stewardship

means that we recognize God owns it all. We have been

entrusted with the goods of the earth, yet we own nothing.

We must make those resources we do not need

available to others.

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Baptisms Russell Robert Cobb Stella Lauren Young Katelyn May Luther Lucy Adaire Walker Oliver James Martinez Brady Aaron Henderlite Greyson Lloyd Vest Noah Mebrahtom Woldu Naomi Mebrahtom Woldu Simone Faith Mei-Li Tang Olivia Grace Knighton Vincent Gabriel Lawlor William Joseph Lawlor Isabella Rae Disney Carmelina Jae Beasley

Marriages William Sean Reavis & Miranda Gail Reynolds Michael Thomas Carter & Lisa Marie Banta James Elliott Buckner & Maria Isabel Sciabbarrasi Chad Edward McDonald & Julie Ann Daub Yampier Dupuy & Nensi Tomas John Bamboa Pimentel & Regilda Grace Jucar DeVera

New Members Cyrille Koussanta John & Mary DeShazor Matthew & Sarah Heeden John & Sherry Felder Steven & Elizabeth Altmanshofer Jerry & Diane Williams Stephen & Debra Parker Michael & Courtney Splawski Ryan & Charlotte Sudano Christopher & Kay Weiss Robert & Angela Lipke Jeffrey & Michelle Sahol John & Reoma McGinnis James & Kathryn Mendenhall Kelly Knowles G. Michael & Lisa Kestler Daniel & Edith Bergman Juan Blas de Jesus Kelly Cleary Brad & Britney Knighton Joan Perry Josip Hmilj Dijana Asentic Robert & Debra Richards Odell & Casey Terrell Akin & Patricia Akinola Jenna Miller Juan & Kaneika Pinto-Rivera Thomas & M. Elizabeth Collins

Deaths—Rest in Peace Harold Robert Scherzer John Andrew Mullins, Jr. John Wallace Grimes

To help us on our journey, each month the Stewardship Commission will feature an organization or a group event that is need of resources. We will share details of the event or organization and will identify specific needs so that we may share the gifts God has given us. We believe that true stewardship does not have religious boundaries and that it encourages virtue and bears the fruit of unity among all people… a great example is the Winter Emergency Shelter for women, also known as WE. WE is truly a multi-faith, multi-generational project that is hosted by the YWCA, it includes volunteers from Our Lady of Grace Church, St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Paul the Apostle, First Baptist Church, Sojourn Community Church, and New Jerusalem Cathedral. The shelter will stay open for only 120 days beginning in December 2011 and hosts a maximum of 25 women during the cold months of winter. Located in the YWCA building in downtown Greensboro, and the shelter opens each evening at 6 pm and closes the following day at 7 am. In addition to having a warm place to stay, a place to safely store their belongings, showers and healthy meals, the ladies also receive pajamas, underwear, toiletries, gloves/hats/scarves and referrals to needed resources in Greensboro. Nightly meetings provide help with resume-writing, job searches and a variety of life skills in addition to Bible Study and prayer groups which are available. Many volunteers are needed to serve at the shelter, donate supplies, provide meals and PRAY for all involved.

Stewardship of Prayer

Prayer is God’s most

powerful gift He has given each of us to share. God wants us to turn to Him each day of our lives,

sharing with Him from our heart, our inner most self.

Stewardship of Family

One of God’s most

precious gifts to us is our family. God has

entrusted us to be the caretaker of this most

precious gift. All children are a blessing of God, the more you invest in them the greater the

reward.

Stewardship of Faith

As Catholics we receive this gift of grace through the

sacraments. Our first relationship is initiated when God adopts us as his children

through Baptism. We also receive grace by receiving Him

in the sacrament of the Eucharist, and when we fail to

be good stewards, we can share in the sacrament of

Reconciliation.

Women are admitted to the shelter at 6 pm and leave the shelter in the morning at 7 am. During those hours, volunteers serve as greeters, overnight helpers, serve meals, and prepare breakfast bags for the women to take out of the shelter in the morning. A staff member is present each night as supervisor of the ministry. Although significant resources are poured into the project from the YWCA, they are still in need of:

▪ Volunteers for all jobs listed above,

especially the overnight helpers ▪ Money for bus passes (which are

purchased at the disability rate: 65 cents for 1 ride—$25.00 for a 31 day pass)

▪ Paper products ∗ Bath tissue ∗ Paper towels ∗ Napkins

▪ Styrofoam cups/lids ▪ Pajamas/gowns for women of all sizes ▪ Quarters for ladies to use at

laundromat ▪ Bleach, laundry detergent,

dishwashing soap, and dishwasher detergent

▪ Bottled water

Please take a look at the list above, are you able to help this mission with giving of one or more of your gifts and share them for His purpose? If you are able to help in any way, please contact coordinators Melanie Gonzalez at fla4me@aol.com or Chris McKinney at chrism@saintmarysgso.com or you may contact Freida Espinosa, Stewardship Commission Co-chair at (336) 420-1362.

The Highlighter, February 2012

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from Our Lady of Grace Women's Club

Ladies! Ladies! Ladies! Come one, come all!

You are cordially invited to attend the annual Communion Breakfast on Sunday April 22, 2012 immediately following the 8:30 AM Mass

Plan to bring your sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts, lady friends or neighbors to the lovely Starmount Forest Country Club just off North Holden Road.

Share a delicious breakfast, celebrate community and friendship, and listen to a delightful program by the Bell Ringers Choir from Christ United Methodist Church, directed by Andre Lash. The Bell Ringers will truly help all of us R-R-Ring in the Spring!

Please make your reservations as early as possible, or at least by Saturday, April 14th. The cost is $15 per person and $7.50 for girls ages 2-17. (You don't need to be a member of the Women's Club to attend!) Please make your checks out to: Our Lady of Grace Women's Club and send them - with the names of those attending - to: Shirley Kinlaw, 603 Shawnee Road, Greensboro, NC 27403 or Lynne Bryant, 205 Country Park Road, Greensboro, NC 27455.

For directions to the Country Club, set your GPS to: 1 Sam Snead Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410

Want to volunteer to help? Or do you need more info? Just call Lynne Bryant at 545-0626 or Shirley Kinlaw at 294-6926 and we'll be glad to answer your questions.

An Invitation ...

The Highlighter, February 2012

Each of us has a mission, each of us is called to change the world, to work for a culture of life, a culture forged by love and respect for the dignity of each human person. Pope Benedict XVI, Address in Hyde Park, London, Sept. 18, 2010

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OLG Women’s Club Women’s Club members sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Lura Lyle, Women’s Club member and long time parishioner.

Angel Tree is a gift to families! Our Lady of Grace would like to thank everyone who participated in the Angel Tree Program—the volunteers who graciously donated their time to assist this project and everyone who opened their hearts to these children and families and succeeded in making their Christmas special. Below is a letter we received from a grateful family:

Our boys had an AMAZING Christmas thanks to the angels who "adopted" them. They are so happy and playing with their gifts non-stop. They LOVE their clothes and shoes and stockings. It was an amazing Christmas morning. The Harris Teeter cards provided Christmas dinner and then some. It was like being in a wonderful TV Christmas movie. It was such an amazing blessing. Please relay our thanks and know we can never find words to convey what they did for our family.

Upcoming Women’s Club Gatherings

Meeting & Lunch─Thursday, February 16 Join us at Bravo Cucina Italiano Restaurant (3324 W. Friendly Ave, Greensboro). RSVP by Thursday, February 9 by sending $17.50, check payable to the OLG Women’s Club, to: Pam Dalton, Treasurer 203 Green Valley Road Greensboro, NC 27403 Hope to see you there!

Monthly Meeting─Thursday, March 15, cafeteria 6:30pm—social; 7:00pm—business; 7:30-8:30pm—Program March’s program will be Kidspath speaker, Jane Gibson. Bring packaged small treats to go in St. Patrick’s Day goodie bags for Kidspath families—i.e. chips, granola bars, gum, playing cards, note cards, candy bars, etc.). Hostesses: Janet Green, Jeannie Hall and Suzie Johnson. Looking forward to seeing you!

See the Women’s Club Handbook or contact Carol Stratton at 851-0436 to find out more!

The OLG Women’s Club December cookie exchange was full of warm smiles and delicious treats!

The Highlighter, February 2012

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The Mission Effectiveness Committee of the Our Lady of Grace School Board invites the entire OLG Community to join them in praying each month for teachers and staff. These wonderful servants are helping in the formation of the children of our parish and would so appreciate our prayers and support. During the month of February, please ask God to bless and sustain:

Mr. Romel, Mr. Oleksiak, Mrs. Patrick, Mrs. Hanner, Mrs. Farrington The Faculty and Staff of Our Lady of Grace School are completing the circle of prayer by devoting prayers each month to specific families of our school community to uplift and support them. During the month of February, we are praying to God for grace, solid support, growth in truth and love, and fruitfulness for the following families:

Lumor, Lush, Starr/Mahood, Markun, Marrujo, McArthur, McCann, McDonough, McNamara, Merendino, Miller, Miller,

Mims, Molen, Moncla, Moon, Moore, Morris, Mullaney, Mullins Murphy, Murray, Myers

Open House Pre-K through 8th grade Monday, February 13 10:00am Tuesday, March 20 10:00am

Between 2006 and 2011, six different OLG School graduates were either valedictorians or salutatorians in area high schools. Come find out why! Join us at 10:00am in the school library for a short presentation and tour of the campus. Can't make the open house? Call Karen Hornfeck at 275-1522, ext. 100 to schedule a personal tour. Let us show you why Grace is amazing!

Middle School Readiness Seminar and Open House on February 8, 6:30pm Middle school can be a challenging time for students as they face new challenges academically, socially and more. Join our middle school teachers as they share tips to help put your child on the path to success during this crucial stage. Stay for a middle school open house to hear parents, alumni and current students talk about their OLG School experience.

Praying together...

On November 19, 2011, Our Lady of Grace School students, families, and staff ran or walked in the NC Marathon in honor of teacher Joan Regan, who passed away after a short illness in September. Father John Eckert ran his first 5k in her honor and the OLG Panther was there to cheer him on! Funds raised by OLG School walkers and runners will go into a "Regan Fund" to be used for the benefit of the school.

Special Find at First Grade Field Trip During a fall field trip to the Piedmont Envi-ronmental Center in High Point, Our Lady of Grace School students made a historic find! First graders from Our Lady of Grace School went on a nature walk during a field trip to the Piedmont Environ-mental Center and learned that the forest can "talk" to them if they keep their eyes and ears open to different clues that are scattered about. Right after the talk, students went on their own investigations and students Adriana Bev-is and Lindsey Ramsey found a 1000 year old spear-head. Representatives from PEC said only one other of its kind had been found on the site previously. After the girls' find, PEC marked the area off for fur-ther research. OLG School was given the spearhead and plans to display it. During the trip, OLG's first grade class also learned about composting, recycling and soil during the trip to PEC. It was an exciting day!

Upper left: OLG Interim Principal Shirley Kinlaw and Katie Regan, one of Joan Regan's children get ready to walk the 5K.

Upper right: OLG students Catherine Bagnoli and Carl Essa get ready to run with the OLG Panther.

Lower left: OLG fourth grade teacher Chris Nunez poses with Olympic champion Joey Cheek who also ran the 5K.

Preschool Story Time on January 31, 10:00am Preschoolers and their parents and/or guardians are invited to a winter preschool story time on Tuesday, January 31 at 10:00am in the OLG school library. Join us to hear a few snowy stories! This event is free and open to the public so please bring a friend!

Our Lady of Grace School first graders Adriana Bevis and Lindsey Ramsey show off the 1000 year old spearhead that the girls found while on a field trip to the Pied-mont Environmental Center.

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On January 8, Boy Scout Troop 111, under the leadership of the Stepnowski Family, prepared and delivered a meal for the Women’s Emergency Shelter. The Boy Scouts donated ingredients to prepare a dinner of chili and salad and a breakfast bag of fruit, cheese, and granola bars, and then cooked and assembled the meals for the ladies of the shelter.

Catholic Schools Week Means Lots of Fun at OLG School!

Catholic Schools Week began early this year for the students at Our Lady of Grace! Students attended a pep rally on Friday, January 27th to prepare for a full week of activities the next week as we celebrated Catholic education across the nation. That night, students in Pre-K through fifth grade were treated to a movie in the gym, complete with popcorn! Students were excited to dress in their pajamas and bring sleeping bags as they watched “Dolphin Tales” together. On Sunday, January 29th, our families, children, faculty and staff members joined together with the loyal and generous parishioners of Our Lady of Grace Church to celebrate Mass at 10am and reflect on this year’s theme for the week: Faith. Academics. Service. We are so blessed to be members of this exceptional parish. On Monday, January 30th, students participated in a Big Buddy/Little Buddy activity as they created homemade cards for parishioners who have recently had babies baptized at OLG or who were married recently at the church. On Tuesday, January 31st and Wednesday, February 1st , parents were invited to have a special lunch date with their child. Wednesday also featured a “Rummage Sale” at which students could purchase gently-used toys, books and games that some of their fellow students had donated to the cause earlier in the week. Proceeds from the Rummage Sale and from collections of “pocket change” during the week were earmarked for the parish Capital Campaign --- just to show how committed the students of Our Lady of Grace School are toward the overall goals of our parish family. Thursday, February 2nd, brought another day of community for our school as families gathered for a spaghetti dinner in our school cafeteria that evening. Middle school students showcased artwork based on Polish and Mexican folk art, a project that was generously funded with a grant from the United Arts Council. Families also brought desserts to share using tradition recipes from their countries of origin. It was fun to see the variety of treats there and many countries were represented, including Ireland, Poland, Italy, Mexico, Germany and many more! It was wonderful to see the rich diversity of our school community! On Friday, February 3rd, our middle school students enjoyed a dance in the school gym and the very next day, OLG students turned out for the OLG/St. Pius basketball games. OLG hosted the annual “Panthers for Pink” event during the games to raise money for breast cancer prevention. Each year, Catholic Schools Week reminds us how blessed we all are by a nurturing community of parents and teachers, students who are eager to learn and a parish who continues to support Catholic education in so many ways. May God continue to bless us – EVERY ONE!

Boy Scouts Help Out!

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA), Greensboro Court #1200 gathered for their New Year’s meeting on January 9 at the home of member MaryAnn Grabasky. The CDA actively engages in many devotional, charitable and educational works. All Catholic women are invited to join the CDA. Contact Elizabeth Grabasky to find out more at egrabus@gmail.com or 299-7151.

The Highlighter, February 2012

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church 201 S. Chapman St. Greensboro, NC 27403

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Greensboro, NC Permit 261

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Prepare the way of the Lord DO SOMETHING EXTRA

How often have you been asked what you are giving up for Lent? Sometimes we never grow out of the childhood habit of just giving up candy or sugar! How about a different approach, by which you make an effort to do something extra to honor God in this season?

• Reconcile yourself with someone you don't like, someone you generally avoid, or someone you have injured in some way.

• Perform acts of kindness for people without expecting anything back.

• Buy a meal for a homeless person. • Resolve neither to listen to nor pass on

gossip. • Take time to sit in prayerful silence--even

if it's only a few minutes each day. • Read all you can about what causes

poverty. Not only will you give yourself some useful lessons in economics, sociology, and biology, you will know better how to serve God's poor.

• Save the cost of one meal a day and donate it to a favorite charity at Easter

Mark Your Calendars! February 22 Ash Wednesday March 9 Knights of Columbus Parish Fish Fry March 12 –14 Parish Lenten Mission with Father David Meconi, SJ April 8 Easter Sunday

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church

2205 West Market Street Greensboro, NC 27403

Mailing/Office Address: 201 South Chapman Street

Greensboro, NC 27403 (336) 274-6520

www.olgchurch.org

MISSION STATEMENT In the Eucharist we receive the true Christ—the foundation of our Church. With Christ in us, we form, nurture and promote love, respect for human dignity, Christian values and teachings within our family, parish, and community through worship and service.

time. (Such as Operation Rice Bowl.) • Study, meditate, and pray with one or two

scripture passages each day. • Do some ordinary daily task, and think

about God while doing it. • If you are sick, confined to the house, or

on the road a lot, pray for the needs of others.

• In a place you go to regularly--your office, the supermarket, school--think about finding Jesus in that place, and what you might do for him.

• Are there special prayers or devotions from your ancestral heritage that might help you grow spiritually?

• Clean out closets and give gently-used clothing and household items to a charity.

• Take bags of grocery items to the local food pantry.

• Take part in a weekday Mass, parish mission, or special Lenten prayer service.

• Keep a crucifix near you. Remember Jesus' death on the cross.