VOL.

SEPTEMBER 10-11, 2011

ISSUE 36

Welcome to
Catholic Church at Fort Gordon, GA

Scripture Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. (Sirach 27:30) Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. (Psalm 103:10) None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. (Romans 14:7) Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you? (Matthew 18:33) Reflection Is forgiving possible without God? Is forgiving possible when only obtaining and owning material things is the main purpose of ones life. Is revenge or anger possible in Gods presence? Is anger destructive towards the spirit and forgiveness nurturing towards the spiritual life?

The recognition of Gods love thus throws light on the human condition. It is a condition of alienation and estrangement from God, others, from the world, from oneself. Yet it is not our sins but Gods love that is basic. When this love touches us, we see how far we have been from God, others, world, and self, and how that distance has been overcome by Gods grace. It is in this way that our forgiveness of others is part of our spiritual growth. It is shown that in reaching beyond the faults committed against us and refusing to allow them to become barriers to intimacy but also in seeking to eradicate the obstacles that exist among people, between them and their world, and between them and their God. We forgive as we have been forgiven and we reconcile, as we have been reconciled.
Dallen, James, The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, edited by Michael Downey, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota 1993, P. 407.

Pastor: Fr. Damian Ilokaba (706) 791-4307 Co-Pastor: Fr. Samuel Aniekwe (706) 791-4307 Contract Priest: Fr. Michael Roverse (706) 791-2945 NCOIC: SSG. Clarence Slaughter (706) 791-4308 Chapel Clerk: Vacant (706) 791-2945 Deacons: - George Foster (706) 860-2379 - Mike Marchek (706) 855-2107 - David Kriegel (706) 869-9781 PLC: VACANT Music Director: VACANT Religious Education: VACANT RE Coordinator: VACANT MCCW: Kim Besel mccwfg@yahoo.com Knights of Columbus: Allen Larson larsonlair05@hughes.net Youth Ministry: Nisa Vera nisa_vera@yahoo.com EME: Judy Kriegel, (706) 869-9781 Altar Servers: Alex Besel adbesel@gmail.com, (706) 855-9275 Lectors: Tom Dean, (706) 860-6946 Ushers: Ron Shannon 706-8685960 Flowers Ministry: Sherry Wodicka swodicka24@gmail.com Editor: Lola Rivera (443) 223-1125

Q: What happens when we are baptized? A: Contemporary Catholics spend a great deal of time preparing for their own or their child's Baptism. There are new clothes to buy, and classes to take, and godparents to select, all leading up to that moment at Mass when the waters of Baptism touch the new initiate. But Baptism-and all sacraments, for that matter-are much more than the moment of celebration. The ritual of Baptism does not bring God's love into being as if that love did not exist before the ceremony. Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God who first loved us from the moment of our conception. Baptism celebrates a family's and a community's experience of that love in the baptized. There are other life experiences-birth, death, washing, growing and so forth-that are celebrated in Baptism. The water represents life, death, cleansing and growth, and it recalls the flood waters of Noah's day and the saving waters of the Red Sea parted by Moses. The candle symbolizes our status as an "Easter people" and signifies the way that the Church "passes the torch" of Christian commitment to those being baptized. The white garment represents the Church's belief that Baptism sets us free from Original Sin. Baptism happens not only to the individual, but also to Christ's body, the Church. That's why the rite insists that we celebrate Baptism in the Christian assembly, with the community present and actively participating. It is the community, after all, who is welcoming the new members, journeying with them, providing models for them, supporting and nourishing them. Baptism begins with God's love and care revealed to us through Christ. It continues with us, the Church, living and enacting God's love and care through Christ to the world. That's a serious commitment.
Retrieved from http://www.americancatholic.org/

MIKE RIVERA, PRESIDENT riveralejos@yahoo.com BILL HOLT, VICE-PRESIDENT wilbil56@aol.com LOLA RIVERA, SECRETARY lolarivera@ymail.com TINA RABY, FINANCIAL ADVISOR gritstwo@yahoo.com

DESIGNATED OFFERING
St. Michaels is conducting a designated offering this weekend for the chapel auxiliary Military Council of Catholic Women. Thank you for your generosity. Please know that this offering is directed by the office of the Chief of Chaplains. Parish Council Financial Advisor, Tina Raby

Attendance: 315 Offering: $1,601.37

Stewardship

Page 2 ~~~~~~ MCCW FT GORDON FOR LIFE

O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life: Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference our out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Pope John Paul II, Prayer for Life, Evangelium Vitae.

September 24th, 2011

Mass at Good Shepherd Chapel @ 5p.m. Followed by Dinner and Fellowship @ the Courtyard Ballroom *** Tables and Chairs for attendees***

Fun is guaranteed!!
Great food, drinks, jumping Castles, adults and children games, door prizes, live music and more entertainment!!! Have questions? Contact the Event Coordinator, Lola Rivera (443) 223-1125 or lolarivera@ymail.com

Pro-Life Rosary
We will start praying the Pro-Life Rosary the first Wednesday of each month starting on October 5th, before Adoration at 6:10pm. Join us!

Pro-Life Mass & Rosary

For your information, there is a Mass the first Saturday of each month at Saint Mary on the Hill, 9:15 am followed by a Pro-Life Rosary at Preferred Health Center right after (approximately 10:15am). This activity is not organized by our parish, but you are invited to participate to support the Right to Life.

~~~~~~~~~~OUR COMMUNITY
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend
A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is like Easter Sunday because it's a weekend full of fresh love, rebirth, and new beginnings. All married couples deserve a richer, fuller life together! Make a special time of growth for you and your spouse. For more information or to register for October 7 - 9 in Savannah, call 904 821-0773 or register on line at www.jaxwwme.com.

Abortion Alternatives
Birthright of Augusta (706) 733-LOVE Birthright national (1-800) 550-4900 Augusta Care Pregnancy Center (706) 724-3733

Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America is alive and well in our community. The BSA has been around for over 100 years, instilling in our youth: leadership, life and survival skills, respect, faith, and courage. The local Boy Scout Troop out of St Mary on the Hill Catholic Church is actively seeking new membership. Please contact their Scoutmaster, Dave Besel at owls@troop8augusta.com. You can also visit their website at: http://sites.google.com/site/troop8augusta

Celebrating Priesthood
Join us in celebrating our priests, showing our gratitude for all they do, at a dinner in their honor on Sunday September 25th, 2001 at the Aquinas High School, Grand Dining Hall. Social Hour 6:30-7:30pm Dinner Buffet 7:30pm Tickets $25/person. Contact Ted Finger @ fingert@aol.com.
***This dinner is sponsored by Serra Club of Augusta, Knight of Columbus Council #677.

Post-Abortion Alternatives
Rachels Vineyard 1-877-HOPE-4-ME

Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes

Please join Fr. Jerry, November 7 - 15, 2011. 9 Days, 14 Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 1 lunch & 6 Dinners. Per Person Rates: Double $2,529; Single $2,829; Triple $2,499, included in Price: Hotel Transfers, Round Trip Air from Bush Field. Brochures and reservation forms are available in the Narthex at St. Mary on the Hill. Deposit of $250 per person due upon reservation. Reservation is based on availability.

Jeff and Margaret Lepak

25th Anniversary, September 13
May God continue to bless you
Send us an email if you are celebrating your wedding anniversary next month, lolarivera@ymail.com.

Faith Renewal
St. Teresas is offering a 9-week series of Faith Renewal called Awakening Faith. This is a conversation- based program that gives inactive or marginally active Catholics a forum where they reconnect with their faith. The series begins on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, 7:30 - 9:00 pm, at St. Teresa of Avila, Room 2, in the Education Building. More information go to www.st-teresa.com, look for our brochure in the Narthex, or call Deacon Joe or Mary Soparas @ mary.soparas@gmail.com or (706) 364-9289. Hope to see you there. God Bless!

Living Rosary at Aquinas H.S.

The 22nd Annual Living Rosary will take place on Sunday, October 2, 2011, at 6:45 p.m., at the Aquinas Football Stadium. They are looking for 20 Team Leaders from area Catholic organizations, churches and schools to commit to organizing 11 team members to participate in the Living Rosary. For information on getting involved email thelivingrosary@gmail.com or call the Church of the Most Holy Trinity office at 706-722-4944 and leave a message for a member of the Walker family to contact you.

Catholic Radio
There are many Christian radio stations in the Augusta area unfortunately none of them represent our Catholic faith. Saint Paul Radio, Inc. will change that. You can listen live to the pro-grams that will be featured on Saint Paul Radio by going to their website: saintpaulradio.org. If you would like more information or have questions, please contact Bernie Hulshof, bhulshof4@comcast.net.

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CCD Kicks Off TODAY at 11:30am at the Religious Education Complex. See you there!!!

Military Council Women (MCCW)

of

Catholic
We need your help to have a successful celebration. If you sing, dance, are a comedian, or have any other talent, this is your chance to share your talent with your Parish. Please contact Herman Gonzalez (706) 951-7883 if you would like to sign up for the entertainment part of the day.

9-11 CYM Remembers ael's will ich

M The youth of St. ce Day of Remembran observe a 10th Annicommemorating the tragedy. A versary of the 9-11 eduled at the balloon launch is sch en house on the end of the CCD op CCD buildfield in front of the are welcome ings. All families attend as we and encouraged to ember the sing, pray and rem New York, Washfallen heroes in ksville, PA. ington, DC and Shan

The MCCW faith study begins this week on Monday, September 12 at 9:00 am in Building 13. This year we will be working on "Catholic Customs & Traditions: A Popular Guide" by Greg Dues. All women of the chapel are invited to attend, and childcare is available upon request. Contact Tina Raby at mccwfg@yahoo.com. The September dates for the study are September 12, 19, and 26.

Side-Dishes and Desserts Needed!!

The Parish will provide meats and drinks for St. Michaels Day. However, we ask our parishioners to bring side dishes and/or desserts. The sign up sheets are located on the kitchens counter in the activity room. Please, take a few minutes to

Altar Servers Training!!!

Altar Server Training will be October 1st, from Noon - 1300 at Good Shepherd Chapel. All current and new servers must attend. A schedule will be drawn up and distributed at that time. For more information please contact Alex Besel at adbesel@gmail.com or (706) 855-9275.

Monday Sep ouncil Meeting t 12, 2011 will be at . The meeti ng G (GSC), soci ood Shepherd Chap al room at 5:30 pm. P el Council m aris eetings are open to all h rishioners. pa-

Parish C

Bible Study
St. Michaels Bible Study will resume on September 13 at 7:30pm. We will start a Bible Study on the Books of Hebrews. Contact Tom Dean (706) 860-6946. Join us!

Monthly Meeting
Please know that our next meeting will be on Tuesday September 13, 2011 in Bldg. 13 at 1830. Social and the meeting starts at 1900 hours. Contact the Grand Knight Al Larson at larsonlair05@hughes.net if you have any question.

God and Coffee

EME and Lectors Training
Training for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and Lectors will be conducted on Sep 14, 2011 following adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 6:30pm. God and Coffee is off for the Summer. This group will resume on September 11 at 11:30am. Contact Tom Dean (706) 860-6946 if you have any question.

Soccer Competition
If you are 10-14 years old and would like to show off your goal scoring skills, the Knights of Columbus are hosting a soccer competition on 24 September from 11:00 - 12:30 am (soccer/football field on Brainard Avenue-next to the new baseball fields). Please look for the flyers and sign up rosters, they will be posted on the Church bulletin boards and CCD classrooms. Contact Dennis or Michael Leanhart (706) 3640223 if you have any questions.

EME, Lectors and Ushers Schedule

The new schedule for Lectors, EMEs and Ushers has been mailed. The Schedule can also be found on the St. Michael's Website and Facebook page. A copy is also posted on the bulletin board and the rear of the Chapel.

All 6th thru 12 grade youth are cordially invited to the CYM Kick-off for the current school year on Sunday, September 11 immediately after the CCD Open House. Please meet in Building 13 for pizza, soda, a logo design challenge for new tee shirts and lots more. If you have any questions please contact Nisa Vera at nisa_vera@yahoo.com or call (706) 589-1071. Did you know that if you sing, you pray twice? Well you do and the next opportunity to learn new music, meet new friends is at the youth music rehearsal on Wednesday, 14 September and 21 September at 6:00 p.m. in the social room at the chapel. We are preparing for the St. Michael's Feast Day mass on 24 September at the 5:00 p.m. mass. If you play an instrument please bring it with you. We do have access to a piano if that is your talent. For Further information contact us.

Essay Contest
All Catholic students in grades 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are invited to participate in the 2012 Knights of Columbus Essay Contest. Students are encouraged to write a 500 to 750 word essay on the theme of: "The Responsibility of the Catholic Citizen In a Free Society. The contest opens the doors of young minds, enabling the entrants to be creative, thoughtful and introspective in their work. All contestants on the local level are recognized for their participation in the contest. Participants are required to furnish written parental consent. For entry forms and additional information contact: Timothy McCarthy @ 706-831-1104.

CTOF Contracts Info

The following CTOF contracts are available for FY12. Music Director Religious Education Coordinator Parish Life Coordinator Contact Fr. Damian if you are interested in any of these positions.

RE Notes by Sherry Wodicka

Volunteers Needed
We are in need of several Catechists and substitute teachers to help with the CCD program, grades Pre-K through High School. Co-Teachers and assistants are needed too!! Anyone interested in volunteering to teach Religious Education this year, please contact Sherry Wodicka. Swodicka24@gmail.com or (706) 592-6478.

CCD Registration!!
CCD begins this weekend. Register your child is you have not done it so at the Religious Education Complex Building 5 at 11am.

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A Study on the Book of Ezekiel
The book of Ezekiel portrays a prophet's agony over the waywardness of a people who persistently rejected God as their King. Despite multiple opportunities to repent, Judah remained hard-hearted and ultimately faced devastating consequences. With blunt imagery, Ezekiel accurately describes the adultery of the people of Israel, and the depths of their ruin because of it. But even in the midst of the coming judgment and doom, God spoke a message of hope: the promise of future restoration for His people. Ezekiel was a priest who was called as a prophet during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity in Babylon. Jehoiachin had been king of Judah only three months and ten days when the Babylonians laid the first siege to Jerusalem. But Jehoiachin's reign abruptly ended when he was taken away in chains to Babylon. That first siege would not be the last, however. God called Ezekiel to warn the people still remaining in Jerusalem of the total destruction that was yet to come, because they continued to prostitute themselves to the immoral practices and false gods of foreign nations. When God called Ezekiel, He set him as a watchman among both the captives in Babylon and the degenerate in Jerusalem, equipped with spiritually charged visions backed by the Word of the Lord. Ezekiel's task was to speak what the Lord told him to speak, regardless of the deaf ears that his words would fall on. In so doing, he saved his own soul. But the souls of the rebellious still holding to their wicked ways were destined to suffer the final judgment of God at the hands of the Babylonians. The only way they could avoid destruction was to repent of their rebellion and come humbly back to God. The book of Ezekiel, with its strange descriptions of creatures and beings, can be better understood when divided into sections. The first section, chapters 4 through 24, verifies that God was justified in judging Judah. Through the mouth of His prophet Ezekiel, God describes His love for His people. He took them at birth and made them His own. He clothed them, and gave them a name among the other nations. He covered them, protected them, and nurtured them. As they grew, God continued to care for Judah, but they continued to reject Him, giving themselves over completely to wickedness. Despite all He had done for them, they "persisted in unfaithfulness." (Ezekiel 15:8) In the second section, chapters 25 through 32, the heathen nations are judged. Persistent enemies such as the incestuous Ammon and Moab, as well as Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt are named. These nations had, at one time or another, joined against the nation of Israel, weakening them politically with their tyranny, and destroying them spiritually with their idolatry and immorality. Generation after generation, they systematically stripped Jerusalem of her integrity, her fortitude and her identity as a nation of God. It is among these messages that the prophetic images of Lucifer are found. Represented by the king of Tyre, Lucifer is described in great detail as one who was beautiful and full of wisdom, but was overcome by pride. Because he attempted to usurp the throne of God, he was thrown from heaven, taking a third of the angels with him. Lucifer, who became known as Satan, then continued to violently oppose God by turning His people from Him, just as the foreign nations had turned Judah from Him. And the future destruction of the nation was sure because of it, just as it had been for Lucifer. The third section, chapters 33 through 48, promises the future blessings for God's covenant people. In chapter 34, God condemned the shepherds that He had appointed over the people of Judah, the priests, scribes and religious teachers, who led Israel astray. Caring not for the welfare of the poor and orphaned, the widowed and the downtrodden, these corrupt leaders grew fat on the meat of the sacrifices, wealthy on the temple treasury, and power hungry on the regulations of the Law of Moses. Like sheep without a shepherd, Israel suffered spiritually for lack of true leadership. God then breathes hope into the desolation of His people by reminding them of the promised Messiah who would one day gather His flock to Himself. "And like a valley of dry bones coming back to life, God's people would one day be renewed by His Holy Spirit and be drawn back into a life of blessing and protection." (Ezekiel 37) It was this promise of hope that another prophet looked for, one who dwelt among the captives in Babylon. By faith, the prophet Daniel stood unmoved against the leading pagan nation. And through dreams and visions given to him by God, he revealed the fate of the nations of the world. Written by Amy Miller. Retrieved from http://www.sharedfaith.org

LITURGICAL LIFE
Weekend Masses Saturday 17:00 Sunday 08:30 & 10:00 Daily Mass Mon, Wed, Thurs. 11:30 Mon-Friday DDEAMC 11:45 Penance/ Reconciliation Saturday 16:00 Sunday 08:15 (Also by Appointment) Rosary Saturday 16:30 Sunday 08:00 Communion (Sick/Homebound): Deacon George Foster Weddings Deacon George Foster Baptisms Deacon Mike Marchek Liturgy Deacon David Kriegel Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Deacon Mike Marchek Adoration Wednesday 18:30 Religious Education (RE) Sunday 11:30 (RSO and RE Complex)

Today, we remember the almost 3,000 victims, their families and friends of the deadliest terror attack in U.S. history. They will be always remembered. May the almighty God give their families and love ones the peace, strength and comfort that only He can give. We also pay special tribute to those who risked their lives to save others.
Access Parish updates, Council meetings minutes, current newsletters, and more

http://stmichaelparishfg.blogspot.com/

PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY

Please remember in your prayers all those who are deployed, their families and friends during their deployments. If your love one is one of them, or you know any deployed military personnel send us his or her name, so we can include it in our daily prayers. Send your prayer request to lolarivera@ymail.com. Susan Wersal SSG Carl W. Thompson COL Michael Apicella HM1 Genell Cody COL William Walker SPC Brendan G. Fitzpatrick SFC Nathan Varner SrA James Varner CW2 Clarence W. Raby, III COL Mark Ziemba

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host by the Divine Power of God -thrust into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

PRAY FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS

Please pray for our expectant mothers and their babies. If you are a member of St. Michaels Parish and expecting a baby, or have a friend or relative who is a expecting a baby, please send us her name to add it to our list @ lolarivera@ymail.com.

Bulletin Announcements
Bulletin announcements must be submitted to lolarivera@ymail.com by Sunday 3 PM.

Alicia Sanchez

Amelia Torres

Mya Parms

Kirsten Fontimayor