The Most Holy Trinity

07 June 2020

Immaculate Conception Parish

Fairbank, Iowa 50629

Today’s Readings Exodus 34:4-9

Daniel 3:52-55

2 Corinthians 13: 11-13

John 3:16-18

Welcome to "The Deacon's Door"

June 7, 2020

“The theologians in the early church tried to describe this wonderful reality that we call Trinity. If any of you have ever been to a Greek wedding, you may have seen their distinctive way of dancing . . . It’s called perichoresis. There are not two dancers, but at least three. They start to go in circles, weaving in and out in this very beautiful pattern of motion. They start to go faster and faster and faster, all the while staying in perfect rhythm and in sync with each other. Eventually, they are dancing so quickly (yet so effortlessly) that as you look at them, it just becomes a blur. Their individual identities are part of a larger dance. The early church fathers and mothers looked at that dance (perichoresis) and said, “That’s what the Trinity is like.” It’s a harmonious set of relationship in which there is mutual giving and receiving. This relationship is called love, and it’s what the Trinity is all about. The perichoresis is the dance of love”. (Perichoresis (from Greek) is a term referring to the relationship of the three

persons of the triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to one another).

–Jonathan Marlowe / “Music and Dancing” – The Dance of Love

This past weekend, in the midst of a global pandemic and of the unrest

that is plaguing our country, Archbishop Bernard Hebda spoke these

words in his Sunday Homily at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, MN.

“We have to believe that the Holy Spirit will once again bring peace.”

“It’s so important to remember that the Holy Spirit will guide us through

this difficult time. As we suffer through the great sorrow that’s in our

hearts at the death of a man who should not have died…”

“And yet, it is the Holy Spirit who has such concern for us in our

poverty, who has such concern for those whose lives have been so

affected by loss of job or otherwise by the COVID-19 pandemic, those

who have lost their livelihoods in the midst of fires and looting, the Holy

Spirit is there, close to us, for sure.”

I had the opportunity to spend some time in a visit with a local business

man this week, who is devastated by what has transpired over the past

few months. The closing down of the economy and now the threat of

riot, unrest and destruction to businesses across our county has caused

the management of his business to close a number of outlets in Iowa,

and as a result, has inform him that after being out of work for the past

two months, he will return to only part time employment.

The depression and anxiety that he is feeling for himself, as well as his

family mirrors that of so many today. Those families who have lost their

income. Those elderly who are left totally alone by the isolation rules

brought on for the safety of our people, especially so many of our most

at risk, the seniors of our society.

As I consider all of this going on, and take time to reflect on this

weekend’s readings on the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, I am

challenged to ask myself, ‘Can I see the impact of the Trinity in my

life today?’ Most all of us have heard the little story called,

“Footprints in the Sand.” When we come to the times in our life when

we walk through the greatest adversity, do we see that there is only one

set of prints in the sand, not because God stopped walking with us, but

because it is those time that He carries us?

During so many of the greatest struggles I have faced in my 71 years

of life, I have come to realize that God has always been there with me.

He has never left me alone. I only needed to be willing to reach out

and take His hand to guide me through the challenges I was faced with.

I know that you and I need to do that same today. (continued **)

Ma

Waverly, IA 5

Lord, We Lift Up to You in Prayer…. LeRoy and Norma Westemeier Marci Willey,

Doreen Bixeman, Ron Babinat, Lindsey Ernst,

Scott McMahon (Jill Heinz brother), Michael McDonough,

Carole Levendusky, Leo Wickman, Mary Ellen Youngblut

Pat Miller, Don Reiter (Angie Auel’s father), Sr. Barbara

Rastatter, Jim Kaufman Sr., Sherry Duffy, Don Brandt, Mary

Ann Ryan, Melvin Sadler, Dianna Snyder victims of hatred,

racism, violence, natural disaster; terrorism, and all in our

parish, our community, and our hearts who are suffering and

in need of Christ’s healing touch May they know His

loving Presence in the eyes, hands and hearts of those who

give them care. May our prayers for help and healing rise like incense

to our God of hope, love and mercy.

Communion To Our Sick Or Homebound Ministry: contact Michelle Weepie 319-635-2428 or Bob Byersdorfer 319-635-2330

I C Parish Prayer Chain Hotline: Please contact

Dorothy E. Duffy (Mrs. Jack) at 319-929-4788

Sacrament Of The Sick ~ Anointing for the seriously ill

or dyng, call the Sacred Heart Parish Center 319-283-3743, or if having surgery speak with Father Atwood in the Sacristy before or after Mass

Baptism Class For Parents: All parents who wish to

have their child baptized at Immaculate Conception parish are required to attend a baptism class prior to scheduling the baptism. Deacon Jim 319-509-1210

I C Cemetery – contact the parish office

Funeral Dinners: Group #1 Jan, Feb, March, Apr

We provide desserts & serve a catered meal

For Rental Of The Parish Center: contact Tammy

Kaufman to inquire about renting the parish center.

I C STAFF ~ Fr. Ray Atwood, Pastor ~

IC Parish Office Wednesday Mornings after 8AM Mass Office at Sacred Heart Parish Center 319-283-3743

Sacred Heart Rectory 319-283-9577 email: dbq151@dbqarch.org

~ Deacon Jim Patera ~ Office at Sacred Heart Parish Center 319-283-3743

Cell phone 319-509-1210

~Glenda Kleitsch IC Secretary/Bookkeeper~

I C Parish Office PH: 319-635-2211 located at 405 Fairbank St I C Parish Office hours:

Mon-Thurs 8AM – 3PM Closed Friday Mailing address: P O BOX 505 Fairbank IA 50629

email: icfairbank@gmail.com website: http://icfairbank.weebly.com/

Archdiocesan website: www.dbqarch.org

~Dan & Lynda Cutsforth, DRE & Youth Ministry~ DRE Office PH :319-635-2211

located in the Parish Center at 405 Faribank St Mailing address: P O Box 505, Fairbank IA 50629

Dan email: dcutsforth@dunkerton.k12.ia.us Lynda email: cutsforthlynda@yahoo.com

~Tammy Kaufman, Facility Rental Coordinator~ PH: 319-404-9071 or email tammy.kaufmanic@gmail.com

Broadcast for Sunday and Daily Mass 1) Go to the sacredheartoelwein.com web site and click on

Facebook. You can also go directly to Facebook if you have an

account and access Sacred Heart Parish of Oelwein facebook

page.

2) Watch Mass on Mediacom at 3PM on the local access

channel (either 79.2 or 81) here in Oelwein.

The Pastoral/Finance Council met on Thursday and are

reviewing guidelines to start church in the near future. These

guidelines will go out next week to each member of the church.

All necessary precautions are being taken into consideration to

benefit the health and well being of everybody at IC Church.

Today we celebrate the Divine dance, a perfectly choreographed interplay of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Together they dance and move as one through three unique Persons with distinctive, yet harmonious, patterns, and steps. They provide a mirror into our soul. Within each one of us, the Divine dance continues, and the music of God’s love continues to inspire, sustain, the recreate us with every step and melody. Can you hear the music that the Triune God is playing? Where is the dance leading you? Our minds can never truly understand or know god. But our hearts can seek and find Him. From beginning to end, God is one and, at the same time, Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. God’s holy Trinitarian dance is calling you to holiness. Join in and dance!!

“Encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace,

and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Cor 13:11)

Follow the advice of St. Paul today. Parents, set an example of

love and peace for your children.

.

** I have come to believe in the reality of the Trinity and in the

power and love that comes from God by my faith and trust. From the

moment of my Baptism, I was immersed not only in the life saving

waters of Baptism, but in the reality of the love and support that was

present in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I can honestly say that I

have grown in my faith to realize the love of the Father, the

forgiveness and freedom of the Son and the power and glory of the

Spirit in my life.

Don’t ask me to explain the Trinity to you in simple words, for it is a

mystery and as many different examples as I have heard over my

lifetime, like the three leaf clover, I realize that it will only become

clear to me when I am face to face with my creator in heaven, Then I

will be able to fully comprehend the magnificence of this great

mystery.

Until that day, I ask all of you to join me in daily prayers to God the

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This relationship is called love, and it is

what the Trinity is all about, a dance of life and a dance of love,

knowing that God will not abandon us during our darkest moments.

“Pax et bonum” (Peace and Goodness)

Deacon Jim Patera 319-509-1210

deacon.jim.patera@gmail.com

~MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS~ Sun June 7 8:30 AM IC For the People Sun June 7 10:30 AM SH Arnold Suhr

Mon June 8 8:00 AM SH Tom & Pat Biver

Wed June 10 8:00 AM IC Wally & Milly Kaufman Thurs June 11 8:00 AM SH For the Sick Fri June 12 8:00 AM SH Shirley Keniston Sat June 13 4:30PM SH Gene & Betty Adams Sun June 14 8:30 AM IC Ronnie Steggall Sun June 14 10:30 AM SH For the People

~MINISTRY SCHEDULES~

*Due to the coronavirus illness, there will be no distribution of the cup until further notice* - Fr Atwood ~SUNDAY, March 22 @ 8:30AM Lector: Anette Myers EMHC 2 hosts (need only 2): Deacon Jim, Anita Destival Servers: Ella Weepie, Freddie Auel Cantor: Bob Organist: Max Gifts: Zimmerman Family Money Counters: Mitch & Jean Sauerbrei, Fred & Leslie Frost

~SUNDAY, March 29 @ 8:30AM Lector: Anette Myers EMHC 2 hosts (need only 2): Deacon Jim, Anita Destival Servers: Ella Weepie, Freddie Auel Cantor: Bob Organist: Max Gifts: Zimmerman Family Money Counters: Mitch & Jean Sauerbrei, Fred & Leslie Frost

HOSPITALITY PEOPLE FOR MARCH Mitch Sauerbrei, Tom Kleitsch, Mike Buenzow, John Even, Blayde Bellis, Kobe Risse, Brody Stark (March 15-8th Graders)

Ask Father:

Answer:

The Stations or Way of the Cross are a traditional Lenten practice in which the faithful walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Stations will be offered after Wednesday Mass in Fairbank (ca. 8:20AM) and after 5:30PM Mass in Oelwein on Fridays (ca. 5:50PM). Please note that this is an extra daily Mass for Lent in Oelwein.

June Congratulatory Celebrations Celebrating 80+Birthdays!! Shirley Duffy on the 5th Maurice Welsh on the 12th Loyola Kleitsch on the 25th Celebrating 50+ Anniversary!! Jerry &Holly Shannon on the 1st Gary & Irene Peyton on the 20th Deacon Jim & Cheryl Patera on 27th

Parish Financial $upport May 31- June 5 Budget $2205 Easter $50 Ascension of the Lord $10 Building Fund $55 Parish Center Debt $150 Pledge Installment $500

Blessings and Welcome into God’s Family!

Oliver Kenneth Little Son of J J and Emily Little He will be baptized here

Sunday at IC Church. CONGRATULATIONS!!

.

Background on the Gospel Reading John 3:16-18 This week we return to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. This Sunday and next, however, are

designated as solemnities—special days that call our attention to central mysteries of our faith. Today

on Trinity Sunday we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity, one God in three persons.

Today’s Gospel is from the beginning of John’s Gospel. The passage we read follows Jesus’

conversation with a Pharisee, Nicodemus, about what it means to be born of both water and the spirit.

Nicodemus approaches Jesus at night and acknowledges Jesus as a teacher from God. Jesus tells him

that only those who are born from above will see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus misunderstands

and questions how a person can be born more than once. Jesus tells Nicodemus that no one can enter

the Kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. Jesus is essentially explaining Baptism,

which we celebrate as a sacrament today. Yet Nicodemus, we are told, still does not understand what

Jesus is saying. Jesus continues by testifying to the need to be born from above so that one might

have eternal life.

After the dialogue with Nicodemus, the author of the Gospel offers his own explanation of Jesus’

words. This is what we read in today’s Gospel, John 3:16-18.

In the context of today’s focus on the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the reading calls our attention to

the action of God, who reveals himself in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy

Spirit. God the Father, out of love for the world, sent his Son into the world in order to save it.

Through the death and resurrection of the Son, we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. As

three persons, God acts always as a God of love; he does not condemn the world but acts to save it.

The Gospel also calls attention to the response that is required of us. God’s love for us calls us to

respond in faith by professing our belief in God’s son, Jesus, and the salvation that he has won for

us. This profession of faith is a sign of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Homily Notes: What did I hear that I would like to remember or think about later???