The St. Philip Be-News-Zi - Happy Independence Day! - St Philip Benizi Catholic Church
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Vol. 44, No. 3 July 2019
Happy
The St. Philip
Independence
Day!
Be-News-Zi
Calendar of Events Conversational Spanish
July 2019 for Active Ministry Members
of St. Philip Benizi Parish
7/4: INDEPENDENCE DAY (Mass at 10AM)
There will be NO 7:30PM Mass; Parish Offices Closed. English-speaking parishioners of St. Philip Benizi parish
ministries have been requesting help in learning Spanish
7/5-6: EUCHARISTIC ADORATION to better communicate with our Spanish-speaking com-
begins the First Friday of every month in the munity. A Conversational Spanish Class is being offered
church, after the 8:30AM Mass and concludes ONLY to active members of active ministries at St.
with Benediction at 7:45AM Saturday morning. Philip’s. Space is limited! The Registration deadline is
Wednesday, August 7, 2019.
7/5: PRAISE & WORSHIP ADORATION-7PM The focus will be on conversational Spanish and the vo-
This Service takes place during the monthly First
cabulary necessary to communicate in Spanish about
Friday, 24-hour Adoration and includes Contemporary
Church activities and ministries. Please register at
Music, Gospel Reading, a Homily, Period of Silence,
SpanishatBenizi@gmail.com by completing the following
Benediction, Sending Song, and Reposition. ALL are
form online, or you may print it and take it to the Parish
welcome! The Blessed Sacrament will be brought from
Office.
the Chapel into the church during this period of adora-
tion.
7/8-12: VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) “SPANISH AT BENIZI”
VBS will be held from 8:30AM – 12:00PM (beginning
and ending in Founders’ Hall) and is open to children Name: ____________________________
entering Kindergarten through rising 5th graders. A small
group of PK4 children will also be accepted! This year’s
theme is: “Ferocious Fun!” (Please see the June Be-
Active Ministry: ____________________
News-Zi for details about the program.)
________________________________________
To register, you may pick up a form in the foyer of the
Hartmayer Education Building, or register online at: Phone Number: ____________________
vbspro.events/p/a77663. The cost is $20/child. Snacks
will be provided.
E-Mail: ___________________________
7/10: SENIOR BREAKFAST & BINGO!
SPB Seniors (55+) are invited to enjoy a delicious break- What Other Languages Do You Speak?
fast in the Knights of Columbus Hall, immediately after
the 8:30AM Mass. Cost is $4.00/person. Join us for __________________________________
food, fun, fellowship and Bingo! (3 games for $5.00)
(Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus) ___________________________________________
7/26: FEAST OF Ss. JOACHIM & ANNE
(Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary) Beginners’ classes will be held Monday evenings
(6–8PM) in the Hartmayer Education Building (Room
106) and will begin on August 19, 2019 and end on
October 28, 2019.
Advanced classes will be held on Wednesday evenings
(6-8PM) in the Hartmayer Education Building (Room
106) and will begin on August 21, 2019 and end on
October 30, 2019.
NO CHILDREN WILL BE ALLOWED
IN THE CLASSROOM
The ministry is seeking volunteers who speak
Spanish to assist in the classroom. Please contact us
at SpanishatBenizi@gmail.com,
or you may call:
7/31: ALTAR SERVER APPRECIATION MASS Mrs. G. Bonilla at (770-477-8941) or (678-571-7607).
@ 7PM (in the church) & DINNER (at the K of C The form above will also be available
the first day of class.
Hall, following the Mass)
July 2019 the John Paul II building. A covered side walk will con-
nect the two buildings.
Dear Parishioners, Founders’ Hall will remain open during the construction
phase and the contractors will avoid working when there
On Monday evening, June 3, 2019, Bishop Bernard is an event taking place in the Hall. The contractors
“Ned” Shlesinger presided at the groundbreaking cere- have asked that during construction, no one is allowed in
mony for our new addition to Founders’ Hall. Approxi- the construction site for safety reasons.
mately fifty parishioners gathered to witness this historic
event. Joining Bishop Ned in breaking ground for this We are very grateful to all of our parishioners for the
much anticipated project were: John Schiavone and support (financial and otherwise) that you have given to
Randy Hood from Catholic Construction Services; Dee this project. I thank you for your continued support and
and Eric McLeRoy of McLeRoy General Contractors; patience during the construction phase. We are still
members of our Building Committee; members of our waiting for Georgia Power to move a power pole and
Kitchen Committee; the Knights of Columbus; friars, and power lines. The contractors estimate the date of demo-
parishioners. Our Liturgy Coordinator, Nicholas Dragone, lition of the present addition to take place in mid-July.
prepared a beautiful Groundbreaking Ceremony which
included a reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthi- If you have not yet contributed to the Kitchen Project,
ans, Intercessory Prayers, a blessing of the site by Bish- please consider a gift. Your contribution will help us re-
op Ned, and the actual groundbreaking. duce the size of the loan we will need to receive from the
Archdiocese. We invite you to be a part of this new addi-
The reading from Scripture was certainly appropriate for tion to our already amazing campus. Help us build for
the occasion: tomorrow and for the glory of God!
“For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, Peace!
God’s building. According to the grace of God given Fr. John
to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,
and another is building upon it. But each one must be
careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a
foundation other than the one that is there, namely,
Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 3: 9-11)
Intercessory prayers were offered for the safety of all
those who will work on the construction project; for all
those who have worked tirelessly to plan, design and
financially support this much needed addition; those who
will make use of this building; and that the work we begin
will contribute to the building up of the Kingdom of God
and the unity, faith, and love of our parish family.
I include one prayer here in gratitude to all those who
have made this project possible:
“May the Architect of our Lives bless all those whose
vision has brought us to this moment: Those founding
families and benefactors who helped establish this
parish and persevered in faith; those committees and
people who worked to plan and design this project;
who labored tirelessly to raise resources; and those
who generously gave and continue to give of their
time, talent, and treasure, we pray to the Lord.”
The new addition to Founders’ Hall will have two levels.
The basement level will contain a new choir room, Music
Director’s office, and a bathroom. The upper level will
contain a new, larger kitchen with state-of-the-art appli-
ances and equipment. In addition, it will contain a new
office for the Pastor and two, smaller staff offices. The
back entrance to the new addition will be located close to
the John Paul II building. This entrance will lead to the
offices, as well as to a stairwell to the new choir room.
The project will also make the lower level handicap ac- (Photos by
cessible by creating a new entrance to the lower level of Susan Douglas)
SPB Groundbreaking Ceremony—“Kitchen Project”
Right: Fr. Vincent Gluc &
Friar Fabian Adderley
We were
happy to
have
Bishop
Ned
preside
during
the cere-
mony.
He is
pictured
here,
blessing
the
grounds
with Holy
Water.
Left: Not having enough
shovels and hardhats to
go around, Fr. John made
sure that Bishop Ned had
(Photos by Susan Douglas)
the opportunity to “break
ground” after the group’s
initial dig.
Many thanks go to all who
attended and participated
in the ceremony.
Thank you also to all who
have pledged or donated
to the much needed
“Kitchen Project”!
Please prayerfully consid-
er making a contribution if
you haven’t already.
“Are YOU Called to Action?” more fully to give that “total and constant gift” of yourself
to others.
Ministry Fair 2019 (August 10-11) “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands,
By Melissa Langlois no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes
through which Christ looks compassion on this
“Today you are being called to commit your- world. Yours are the feet with which He walks to
selves in this way: accepting to follow Christ, do good. Yours are the hands through which He
you proclaim that the way of perfect love passes
through the total and constant gift of one- blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours
self. Wherever people are suffering, wherever are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are His body.
they are humiliated by poverty or injustice, and Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
wherever a mockery is made of their rights, ~St. Teresa of Ávila
make it your task to serve them.”
(~Saint Pope John Paul II)
List of Action Ministries to be
You come to Mass. You study your Bible and listen dili- represented at the 2019 Ministry Fair:
gently to the Homilies. You receive Communion. You
tithe. What more can you do? AIDS Ministry
Put that Faith into Action! The time is now to make, as Altar Care
Pope John Paul II tells us, a “total and constant gift of Altar Servers
oneself” by reaching out your hands to serve others with- Angels of Mercy
in your parish and in your community. Commit your- Boy Scouts
selves to live out your Catholic Faith in real and mean-
ingful ways. Café Ministry
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
You may be asking, “How do I find opportunities to do Craft Group
that?” You may wonder, “What is the best way to go Environmental Ministry
about making real and lasting change in a world so des-
perate for hope and goodness?” To all of these ques- ESL/Citizenship
tions, we answer, “Our powerful Action Ministries!” Eucharistic Ministers
Family Program
During the weekend of August 10-11, 2019, you will
have the opportunity to visit with all of our Action Minis- Filipino Choir
tries and discern which of these is right for you. The Finance Council
theme for this year’s Ministry Fair is “Are YOU Called to Financial Peace University
Action?”…and the answer is an unequivocal “YES!” Francophone Community
We need more hands, more feet, more eyes, and more Funeral Ministry
ears to advance the Kingdom of God in our own small, Hand Bell Choir
but powerful ways. The purpose of this year’s St. Philip High School Youth Ministry
Benizi Ministry Fair is to show all of our parishioners the Knights of Columbus
many opportunities we have to put action behind the
words of our Faith. How can YOU use your hands, feet,
Lectors
eyes, and ears to help? Liturgy Committee
Mass Choirs
Our Action Ministries are filled with faithful servant lead- Middle School/Youth Ministry
ers who seek to ease the suffering of others and reach Ministers of Hospitality
out to those who are alone, those who are ill, and those
who are stricken by poverty and injustice. Our Action Ministry of Care
Ministries also include those committed to teaching and Ministry of Liturgical Environment
spreading the Faith, as well as those who seek to praise Pastoral Council
God through music, liturgy, and song. Prison Ministry
RCIA English
It is our desire to have EVERY parishioner involved in
the important work and prayer of our ministries so that RCIA Spanish
our parish can continue to flourish under the guidance of Respect Life
the Holy Spirit. It will continue to be fruitful for many Sacristans
years to come if we continue to plant our roots and our Social Justice Committee
actions in the rich soil of St. Philip Benizi Catholic
Church.
St. Martin de Porres Society
Stewardship Council
We encourage you to please prayerfully prepare for this St. Vincent de Paul Society/Food Pantry
important weekend. Ask the Holy Spirit to use your Welcome Desk Ministry
hands, feet, eyes, and ears to do His will, and commit
Life and Dignity of the Human Person: A Humanitarian Visit
Sponsored by the SPB Social Justice Committee
On Saturday, May 18, 2019, our interfaith group traveled to Lumpkin, Georgia to visit with volunteers and families stay-
ing at El Refugio and to meet with men who were being held at the Stewart Detention Center. The excursion/immersion
began early in the morning at 7AM with Fr. Luis leading us in prayer. As he prepared us to “welcome the stranger”, Fr.
Luis asked us to be open to God working in our lives. He shared that the time spent together would not only impact the
detainee, but that each of us would be changed by the experience. Looking back on our day, we realized that a pro-
found transformation had taken place in our hearts. Members of the group expressed their personal experiences in
writing. Here are excerpts from our reflections:
El Refugio and the Stewart Detention Center are a stark contrast to each other, but in both places, I guarantee
you will meet Jesus! El Refugio is an incredible ministry of volunteers who literally welcome the stranger among
us. They dedicate themselves to opening their home of hospitality to transient families who are summoned to
Lumpkin, Georgia to visit their loved one who is in immigration custody or facing deportation. The home itself is
beautiful and has charm, not because of any major “look” or appeal, but rather, because of the radical hospitality
that is shared and exchanged. It’s a place where you are welcomed as you are and encouraged to stay as long
as is necessary for your visit. It reminds me and elicits in me the same feelings of being embraced by Jesus!
The Stewart Detention Center, on the other hand, is a place that is stoic and austere with nothing but serious-
ness. I perceived an air of disdain, antipathy towards our desire to visit the detained individuals. In spite of that, I
chose to intentionally bring joy to my interactions and I made the best of it with anyone who would talk to me! I
met families and spoke with fathers, wives, daughters, girlfriends, and children of detainees. They were so grate-
ful for our shared interactions and so joyous that we, as a collective group, were there!
I visited a young man who has been detained for six months. He was aware that he might be stopped at the bor-
der and actually turned himself in to the Immigration Agents at the Rio Grande. He is seeking asylum. He spoke
extensively about the daily fear his countrymen live with – the shortage of food, and the abuse of government offi-
cials, the military, and police.
We had a beautiful encounter with an African- American woman and her three young children. Her husband had
been arrested on May 14. She had driven six hours to see her husband and when she visited him, she said his
spirits were high and that he was asking for a Bible; he was Catholic. The young lady had little knowledge of Bi-
bles and we explained to her that she should get a Catholic Bible, a Spanish one if possible. Information was giv-
en to her about “El Refugio House”, so she could stay there the next time she came to visit her husband. She put
some money on her husband’s account and was on her way out the door when she stopped and came back and
hugged us, saying that we were the grandmothers she never had. It was a heartwarming experience to be able to
help a stranger.
I was struck by the sadness! The faces of the families, including the children, said it all. A couple of the toddlers
got restless, but they are there most of the day to only see their relative for one hour - and through plexiglass!
Those who were bringing clothes, allowed just before deportment, were unable to see their loved ones. Everyone
seems resigned.
I didn’t realize I have that kind of patience in me (waiting for hours to meet the detainee). ,I am blessed I visited
and chatted with Jesus who is in prison.
He barely took a breath as he described the violence in his home country. Caught in the middle of a rising civil
war, he had been imprisoned for two years, but was able to escape through the assistance of a guard who knew
of his village. His brothers were killed; he hasn’t been able to locate his parents. I listened as he described how
he made his way from Africa to the U.S., hoping for asylum. As he spoke on the deliberate killing of young males,
based on their language, it brought images of the Holocaust and of Jim Crow to mind. His hearing is set for late
June. I pray for him.
I think my presence, like the presence of my colleagues and friends from our parish, made an INCREDIBLE dif-
ference. After our hour-long conversation, I sincerely felt that we had made a new friend and now had to give a
final goodbye! As the guard came to usher us out and to take them back to their holding cells, we placed our
hands on the plexiglass that separated us and shared a final smile of “see you later”.
It’s one thing to pray for detainees. It’s another to meet them face-to-face. By doing so, we gain a wider view of
the world by trying to see things through others’ eyes. My faith teaches me that these men are our neighbors and
I am called to love them. I plan to return for another visit.
Submitted by Lois Wolfe,
(on behalf of the participants)
Life and Dignity of the Human Person: A Humanitarian Visit
Left: The members of the group who traveled to El Refugio and
the Stewart Detention Center (above) in Lumpkin, GA to visit with
volunteers, detainees, and their families. God bless you all!
Echoing God’s Word
Have you ever had the experience of being in a canyon or a space where you can hear the reflection of sound waves
coming back to you? We call this phenomenon an echo. Through our encounters, our shared words and visible deeds,
we make present who Jesus is. Did you know that when you are doing this, you are a catechist? It is a fancy word that
simply means to echo. Catechesis, the act of handing on the Word of God, is more than simply teaching religious infor-
mation; it is an exchange of presence, whereby mutual dialogue and sharing of life, we echo what a relationship with
God looks like.
In one sense, we are all catechists because we are all called to echo God’s Word. “Surely, God didn’t mean me? After
all, Jesus spoke with authority. He was the son of God! I am just a mechanic; a nurse; a teacher; a stay-at-home
parent. Do I speak or teach with any authority when I am sharing my faith?” Absolutely, the Church says. We are all
catechists! To prepare us in our work as catechists though, the church expects us to have basic knowledge about the
life of Christ and the teachings of His Church. After all, we cannot share what we do not have. This emphasizes the
importance of Faith Formation for all of us.
There are some among us who are specially commissioned by the Church to share God’s words and deeds with chil-
dren, youth and adults. To prepare those who are catechists in the faith formation of others, the Archdiocese of Atlanta
recognizes three levels of certification. They are basic, intermediate, and advanced; the levels depend on the number
of course hours a person must complete. The course requirements cover Methodology, Scripture, Theology, Faith and
Moral Development, Prayer and Spirituality. The courses can be obtained by attending local Adult Faith Formation
opportunities, diocesan classes and events, or the yearly Atlanta Catechist Conference. They can also be obtained
online. Your parish catechetical leaders (Lorraine Miller, MT Rivera, Darleine Arce, and Susan Baker) can help anyone
who would like to work toward certification. All people in roles or positions that teach the faith are required by the Arch-
diocese to obtain at least the basic level of certification within two years of becoming a catechist.
There is one additional, special designation possible for a catechist: the recognition of Master Catechist. At St. Philip
Benizi Parish, we celebrate the achievement of several of our parishioners as Master Catechists! This means that a
person has completed a minimum of eighteen hours of academic credit, or graduate degree, or certificate program in
Religious Education, Theology, Pastoral Studies, or the equivalent. The person also has at least three years of experi-
ence as a catechist, is compliant with Safe Environment screening and background check, and has three letters of
recommendation, including one from his or her pastor.
We have several designated Master Catechists at our parish, including two of our most recent graduates of the Univer-
sity of Dallas, Ileana Astorga and Zulema Galvan. Congratulations, ladies! Other Master Catechists include: Carol
Gossett, Danilo Campos, Roger Desjardins, Obi Emmanuel and Carol Hamill. We are blessed at our parish to have at
least 3 others currently working toward the goal of Master Catechist certification. These folks exhibit the passion to
know and echo Christ to others. Be the echo! Be a catechist!
Submitted by,
Lorraine Miller
Congratulations to our First Communicants!
Approximately 110 of St. Philip’s children received the Sacrament of First Eucharist on May 11-12, 2019, during five of our
weekend Masses. We sincerely thank our Friars and Deacons for celebrating this sacrament with them and give heartfelt
thanks to Darleine Arce, Religious Ed Coordinator, and the many Catechists and Aides who prepared these children to
receive the sacrament. May God bless them all for their dedication, service, and love. (Photos by Yone Daly, Susan
Douglas, John Lumapas, Cindy Mack, and Bill Piper—thank you for being there to help photograph all the Masses!)
Above (L-R): 4:00PM Saturday Mass; 1:00PM Sunday Mass—Below (L-R): 9:00AM, 10:45AM and 5:00PM Sunday Masses
Above: With Fr. Vincent out of town for the
weekend, Fr. Luis (L) and Fr. John presided
during the First Communion Masses.
Congratulations to our First Communicants!
During his homily, Fr. John asked the children,
“Who wants to go to Heaven?”
Everyone raised their hands until he added,
“Who wants to go now?!”
First Communion Masses are always joyous celebrations as the children receive
the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. As they continue to grow in their faith,
may these children come to understand the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist
and the great gift that Jesus gave us in this sacrament.
Congratulations to our Confirmandi!
Approximately 45 of St. Philip’s teens received the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 26, 2019. We were honored to
have Bishop Emeritus John Kevin Boland of Savannah preside during the Mass and administer the sacrament. Concele-
brating with him were Fr. John Koziol and Fr. Martin Breski, assisted by Deacon Tom Nemchik. We sincerely thank St.
Philip’s Youth Minister, Susan Baker, and the Confirmation Catechists for preparing our youth for this sacrament. May
these students continue on their journey of faith and witness to the Gospel with their lives by loving and serving our God.
(Photos by Jackie Holcombe)Congratulations to our Confirmandi! Far Right: Bishop Boland was interested in speaking with this young man who chose St. Brendan of Clonfert as his Confirmation name. Being Irish himself, Bishop Boland stated that he has been to Clonfert and to the cathedral there, and noted that the young man picked a good Irish Saint!
Our prayers and heartfelt
sympathy go out to
the family of:
Harold O’Shields – (member of St. Gabriel/
K of C Council 11458)
Laura Lockridge, daughter of John & Janet Partington
Ronald Ray, father of Denise Ray Kennard
Ron Boyd, brother of Brian Thomas,
brother-in-law of Monique Thomas
Yadira Jordan, wife of Paul Jordan
Mr. Francis Asuquor, father of Elizabeth Ekpenyong
Victoria Muojeke, mother of Oby Ekwuocha
Susan Allan, mother of David Hinckley,
mother-in-law of Jinsook Hinckley
Robert Evon, brother of Bill Evon
It’s time for a new “Family Album”! “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
The St. Philip Benizi May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
2020 Parish Directory
won’t be complete without YOU –
so please don’t delay and become
part of our parish pictorial history.
It’s a great way of getting to know The Saint Philip
one another too!
Be-News-Zi
Professional photographs will be taken
by Lifetouch photography: Monthly Newsletter of
St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church
July 9- 12, 2019 (Founders’ Hall); 591 Flint River Road
July 13, 2019 (Rooms 205/207 of the Jonesboro, GA 30238
Hartmayer Education Building); and (770) 478-0178
July 16-20, 2019 (Founders’ Hall).
Fr. John A. Koziol, OFM Conv.
Although sign-ups will be closed at the time of Pastor/Publisher
this publication, you may still schedule an
appointment by contacting Melissa Langlois Yone Daly, Editor
at: (770-478-0178, Ext. 150).
Parish Website:
Each family will receive a FREE 8x10
www.stphilipbenizi.org
portrait. There is NO obligation
to purchase any photos!
Deadline: All articles submitted for publication in
the Be-News-Zi must be received in writing (typed) or
via e-mail, by the 5th of each month for publication in
the following month’s edition. Each article submitted
for consideration will be published as approved by
the Pastor and on a space-available basis.
Any questions, comments, suggestions, or articles
concerning the newsletter may be addressed to the
Editor through the Parish Office, or by e-mail:
benewszi@stphilipbenizi.org.You can also read
