Almost 6 years ago, Fr. Thomas Bolte was

appointed pastor of St. Boniface and St Mary

Catholic Churches by Archbishop Dennis

Schnurr. His final day as our pastor, June 30,

is quickly approaching. Thank you, Fr. Tom,

for your joyful preaching of the gospel and

for your pastoral service to our parishes.

* Telling the legend of the Pink Panther, encouraging us to slow down and not to get run over by the bus.

* Decorating with Red Balloons on Pentecost, signifying the birth of the Church.

* Establishing Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP), offering us an excellent opportunity to grow

in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and others in our faith community.

* Staging Good Friday Re-Enactments of Jesus’ Life and Death.

* Encouraging us to pursue the Twining Relationship with Dominica.

* Getting us to do the Chicken Dance as if no one is watching.

* Loving the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals no matter how dismal their seasons.

* Demonstrating the Importance of Family and Being Generous to ALL

* Reminding us that life is too short and God wants us to have fun—ride a

roller coaster, eat ice cream, casseroles, etc., speed around in a Dodge Challenger.

Proclaiming “Kodak moments,” making us believe we like saying “cheese.”

* Signifying the importance of perfecting our pronouns — from them and us — to “we and our.”

—— Jim Stammen, "St Mary and St Boniface have been so blessed to have Father Tom Bolte as a

pastor. Father Tom is so exuberant and joyful in all that he does. The Lord’s light shines in and through

him always." —— Jim Niswonger, “He is always at God's work with endless energy. He is spirit-

filled and is a definite, positive presence in our parishes. He has influenced our growth as a community

and has worked diligently to grow and promote our Piqua Catholic School and Center for Early Learn-

ing. Thank you Fr. Tom for your faithful dedication!"

Fr. Tom, as you move on to your next assignment, may Christ in his

Sacred Heart refresh your priestly zeal and reward you with many

happy years!

SP

RIN

G,

20

18

— V

OL

UM

E X

; IS

SU

E 1

Tending the Master’s Vineyard

ST. BONIFACE & ST . MARY CATHOLIC CHURCHES

Reason For the Season

“Farewell Fr. Tom” Thank you for . . .

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Parish Activities 2-3-4

School News 5-6

Religious Ed/Youth Ministry 8

Holy Week Schedule 9

St. Mary 175th Anniversary 10

Celebrate Recovery 12

Parish Notes 15

Please save Sunday, June 3, from 1-3 pm to come to

an Ice Cream Social in St. Mary Cafeteria to honor

and thank Fr. Tom for being our pastor for the past

6 years. Since he “loves” ice cream, we thought this

would be a special way to celebrate all he has done

for our parishes. Ice cream and all of the toppings

along with beverages will be furnished. Please bring

a dozen cookies to share. More information will be

in the bulletin closer to the date.

V OLUME X; ISSUE 1 P AGE 2

Adult Faith Formation Commission:

Past activities:

Christ Renews His Parish: The men’s retreat was held January 20-21 at the DSC.

Women and Men of Team Five are now in formation for the next CRHP retreats in

the fall and 2019. This is a program of personal renewal for parishioners led by

parishioners.

Prayer Workshop: Three sessions were led by Tim Pawlaczyk on types of prayer on Monday afternoons

and Wednesday evenings at the Downing St. Campus.

Lent: Members of the Adult Faith Formation assisted in leading Stations of the Cross at 7:00 PM Thursday

evenings at St. Mary and 2:00 PM Sunday afternoons at St. Boniface.

A half day retreat was

held on March 10th

featuring Msgr. Frank

Lane speaking on

“Christ: Still Present

Among Us.”

Discuss ion groups

using Matthew Kelly’s

Perfectly Yourself book

were held at different

locations hosted and led

by parishioners from

both parishes.

Future activities:

St. Joseph Table: In honor of St. Joseph the Worker (May 1), parishioners are asked to

donate nonperishable food items for the Bethany Center food pantry at all Masses on

April 28th and 29th.

Pentecost (May 20th): Parishioners can remember their Confirmation by

wearing a nametag with their Confirmation name on it. Red balloons will

again decorate the churches.

The Adult Faith Formation Commission is comprised of members from both St. Boniface

and St. Mary parishes: Ann Koehl, Barb Kohl (chairperson), Jim Niswonger, Cathy Oda,

Nancy Peltier, Gloria Stonerock, Chuck Tyler, Bill Watercutter, Noreen Wendeln, Diane

Mengos and Fr. Bolte. Anyone interested in being a part of this commission is welcome.

Questions concerning any of our activities, please contact Barb Kohl (773-9205 or

bkohl@woh.rr.com).

St. B./St. M. Mission Committee: The Mission Committee met on March 5, 2018. We sold many

desserts at the first St. Mary Fish Fry and will be selling them again on March 23. I have to say our group

really knows how to bake. I want to thank the people who make the desserts, get them ready to sell, plus

the ones that call for them. Without these people, I don't know what I would do. (continued on next page)

Parish Activities

TENDING THE MASTER’S V INEYARD P AGE 3

We are looking forward to our visitors coming from Dominica. They are now scheduled to come in

May. The dates have not been decided as of now.

Spring is just around the corner. It will be

time for everyone to start cleaning. Please

donate unwanted items to our group’s

rummage sale on July 7 & 8. Several

people have donated items already. Please

take donations to Piqua Store ‘N Lock;

stop at the office to be directed to our stor-

age units. Contact Don Stonerock (773-

2400) for donation pick-up. Also, more

Mission Movers are needed. Anyone who

can help pick-up items, (large & small)

please call Don. The rummage sale

enables us to support our missions — Ted

and Maruja Gutmann-Gonzalez in Chile;

Sister Sarah, in Guatemala, and our

Dominica Twinning Activities.

As you can see, we are a very productive

organization, and hopefully we can keep it

that way. With your help and with the help of our members, we will be able to keep productive. We are

always wanting new members. Why not stop in to a meeting and see if it's for you. Our next meeting is

April 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the meeting room at Piqua Catholic. Everyone is welcome.

St. Mary Festival: St. Mary Parish will be hosting its 48th annual Parish Family Festival the week-end of

June 8-10 on the parish grounds. Chairpersons of the event are Jerry and Judy Peltier along with Bev and

Clark Brown. Assisting them will be Brad Ulbrich and Gretchen Roeth. Look forward to a fun-filled week-

end with entertainment for everyone. Volunteers are always needed so please help if you are asked or, better

yet, volunteer to help before being asked!! More information and festival raffle tickets will be available in

the near future.

St. Mary Lenten Fish Fries: A HUGE thanks to all of

the chairpersons, volunteers and everyone who came to eat

at the fish fries!! It was another successful year and an

enjoyable time for everyone with great food and a fun time

to socialize. Many individuals really stepped up to help and

that is what is so special about our parishes. Weekly chair-

persons included Andy and Julie Monnin, Joe and Jason

Petitjean, Trent Karn and Rob O’Leary. Bill Uhlenbrock

was in charge of the Thursday night prep team work and

countless others helped to do many other things to make the

fish fries happen. Mitch Hohlbein and his boys contributed

lots of time and that was very much appreciated.

Proceeds from the fish fries are used to purchase items for

the church, school, convent and other needs identified by our

parish. Thanks to everyone who helped in any way. We look

forward to serving you again next year!

Parish Activities Continued

Sr. Alice Gerdeman, of the Divine

Providence Community located in

Melbourne, Kentucky, will speak at all

the Masses on the weekend of July 15 &

16. Her topic will be her community’s

mission work in Madagascar.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in

the world. Its bulging population,

diminishing resources, and economic policies contribute

to the island’s poverty and steady economic decline.

The role of the Sisters of Divine Providence is to be a

sign of hope to the people of Madagascar that a

Provident God does care for them and so do they.

There will be a carry-in dinner after the 5pm

Mass. Please plan to attend and visit with Sister Alice.

Marsha Koon and Mary Ann Bolton are

preparing the 35+ pounds of coleslaw

served at each Fish Fry.

V OLUME X; ISSUE 1 P AGE 4

Parish Activities Continued

Memorial Day Mass: On Monday, May 28, the Piqua Parishes will come together

to celebrate Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Forest Hill Cemetery, which replaces the 8:30am

Mass that day. This annual tribute to those whom we have lost and those who have

served our Country is facilitated by the Yannucci and Zimmerman families. Please

bring a lawn chair. As in the past, should rain occur the Mass will be offered in

St. Mary Church. Everyone is welcome as we honor those in our Parishes who have

gone before us and others we care to pray for and remember.

Respect Life Committee: On Monday, March 12, the Respect Life Committee held a Healing Service

for anyone who has experienced the death of a child. The group encourages a renewed respect for human

life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. We know that many people have lost

a child, which is a great sadness for parents. We always want to believe that our children will live a long

life, and that we will precede them in death. This service is to remember and pray for anyone who has

suffered this loss due to illness, accident, miscarriage, abortion, or violence. During the Lenten season of

2019, we will hold our next service.

Did you guess the location of

the angel pictured in the last

issue of the parish newsletter?

If you guessed Forest Hill

Cemetery, you were correct.

Congrats to Shirley Reiber,

who was the first person

with the correct answer.

Be the first to submit the exact

location of this clock

(jnrhemm@yahoo.com)

and win a pizza!

St. Mary/St. Boniface Ladies

COMBINED DINNER Thursday, April 19, 6:00pm

Caserta Center

Bring your own table service,

a covered dish,

& join us for an evening of enjoyment.

St. Boniface Feast Day Celebration

Tuesday, June 5 6:00pm—Mass

Followed by Sandwich Supper

Dining Hall / Fountain Park

Sponsored by St. B. Family Life

“Let Us Thank YOU for Your Support of Our Parishes”

Watch the Bulletin for Additional Details

St. Mary Altar Society: St. Mary Altar Society

recently sold desserts at one of the fish fries. And now

they are gearing up for the Cake Booth at our 48th

Annual Family Festival, which will be held June 8-10.

Any baked good donations will be greatly appreciated.

School News—CFEL—PCS—LCHS

TENDING THE MASTER’S V INEYARD P AGE 5

Piqua Catholic School and the Center For Early

Learning at Piqua Catholic preschool continues to

strive to be leaders of faith! We encourage our

students to do the right thing in words and actions.

The more good we do, the more virtue we build

within, making us stronger disciples of God. Below

are several events and/or experiences we’ve had over

the past few months, and those to come as we enter

our 4th quarter for the 2017-2018 school year.

May God Bless You Always

Brad Zimmerman, Principal

Catholic Schools Week (January 29—February 2) Activities:

Clayton Poland—who wow'd our students with his science and illusion

show. Clayton had the kids laughing through his story telling, magic tricks

and exploding ping-pong ball volcano!

Open House—which included an Art Show, showcasing the crosses each

class designed and made from many different materials, including music

paper, clothespins, stained glass, etc.. These may seem different but the

end results were breathtaking!

3rd Annual Piqua Catholic Talent Show—where our students entertained

us in a multitude of ways with magic tricks, dancing and gymnastics.

Other activities included Chris’s Cakes, Scholastic Book Fair, Cold Stone

Creamery ice cream, and Press Start, an interactive game show. Our

Cavaliers in Action (PTO) hosted several of the activities. All of these

activities and attendance at the opening/closing Masses showed our pride

in being a Catholic community.

Lent (February 14—April 1)

We teach our students the purpose of Lent and the importance of our

sacrifices during these 40 days before Easter. We encourage them to give

something up (sacrifice) and tough it out for the Lord. We also encourage them to attend Mass every

Sunday, Stations of the Cross, take time for personal prayer and spiritual reading, and receive absolution

through the Sacrament of Confession.

McTeacher Night (March 8)

Cavaliers in Action organized a" McTeacher Night" at the Ash Street McDon-

ald's restaurant, which featured the teachers and staff of Piqua Catholic cleaning

tables, handing out food at the drive-thru, and helping students and parents order

their food at the kiosks and register. It was a huge turn out, raising more than

$750 for the school. A big shout out to Benny and Stacy Scott for hosting this

event and donating 30% of the profit that evening back to Piqua Catholic School.

Thank you to everyone who came out; it was a great time!

March was a big month for our IOWA Assessments. These are very important to our school and the

Archdiocese of Cincinnati to get an accurate measure of our students’ academic growth to identify any

achievement gaps.

Currently

Enrolling

2018-2019

School Year

*****

CFEL

Erin Luring, Director 773-3876

egrant@stpattroy.org

*****

PCS

Brad Zimmerman

Principal

773-1564

zimmermanb

@piquacatholic.org

*****

LCHS

Denise Stauffer

Principal/CEO

498-1161 or 773-8747

d.stauffer

@lehmancatholic.com

V OLUME X; ISSUE 1 P AGE 6

School News Continued Muse Machine (March 12-15)

Muse Machine is a Dayton based organization that sends a

talented artist to our school, who works with all the children from

Kindergarten through 8th grade and helps them create art through

music and movement. Our students worked for a solid week,

creating their version of “Corporal Works of Mercy” and then

performed their show for parents and staff. It was wonderful!

The students had a great time and were so excited to show off

what they had learned, and how they now know how to dance!

Spring has sprung at Piqua Catholic and the halls are filled with

Easter bunnies, kiln fired pots and baskets, as well as, beautiful

drawings of multi-colored birds and fish that our students have

designed themselves! We are gearing up for spring and ready to

get outside!

For the remainder of the year, we are looking forward to a number

of activities: Kindergarten Screening: Friday, April 13

Dayton Dragons Night: Friday, May 11, 7pm. Heater came to

visit our school in February and had the students up and putting

them through their paces, reminding them to get outside and be

active! The Tickets are only $10.00 each and order forms can be

picked up at the school office. Last year we had an amazing

group of parents, students, staff and parishioners all coming together as a Piqua Catholic family, and this

year we reserved even more seats. So plan on coming with us and enjoying a night of baseball!

We have a lot of educational events planned in and out of the classroom before the end of the school year, so

watch the bulletin, Facebook and our website for more information on how you can join our students in

the "Be a Leader of Faith" campaign. Be your own "Leader of Faith!

More Upcoming Events: Confirmation (April 22) - First Communion (May 6)

Jr. High Washington Trip (May 13) - 8th Grade Graduation (May 22) - Last Day of School (May 25)

We are also so excited to introduce our new school app to our parents. This Piqua Catholic app will help us

effectively communicate the Christ-centered activities happening at our school daily. It will be a “one-stop-

shop” for all news and communication related to Piqua Catholic. It includes a great amount of Catholic faith

content including quick access to our daily mass readings, a prayer chain blog where digital requests can be

made for our community to for specific needs, a complete digital bible, and much more! It will give our

parents the opportunity to have a window into the classroom to see the fun and challenging opportunities

they experience daily. We are looking forward to implementing this powerful tool for our staff and families.

CFEL: The Center for Early Learning at Piqua Catholic School and St. Patrick School

are excited to announce the 3rd annual Superhero Fun Run and 5K will be held Saturday,

April 21. Entry Fee for 5K - $20, Fun Run – WITH shirt - $15, Fun Run no shirt - $10.

Early Registration ends April 12th. Same day registration - $20, shirt not guaranteed. The

Race will be held on the Piqua Bike Path at Lock 9 Park. Registration begins at 8:30 on

Race Day, with the Superhero Fun Run beginning at 9:30 and the 5K beginning at 10am.

Awards for the 5K will be presented at 11:30. Can’t Stop Running Company will time the

5K race. The Kona Ice Snow Cone Truck will be there and there will be door prizes and

more! Visit: www.cantstoprunningco.com/local-races to register.

Come dressed as your favorite SUPERHERO!

1st Annual

Monte Carlo Night Saturday, April 14, 7-11pm

Pre-Sale Tickets—$25

At-the-Door—$30

Tickets available at Piqua

Catholic School or after

Mass where SCRIP is sold.

Plan to attend to support

our school and

join in the FUN

Many thanks to our spon-

sors who make it possible to

host this fundraiser.

TENDING THE MASTER’S V INEYARD P AGE 7

“Chaplet of the Divine Mercy” *** Divine Mercy Sunday

There is a beautiful and simple devotion which is available to Catholics and

non-Catholics alike called the Divine Mercy. This tremendously powerful

devotion can do a world of good in a time when it is desperately needed. The

devotion was revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, when Jesus first

appeared to her on Feb. 22, 1931. His appearances and instructions for the Divine

Mercy are chronicled in her Diary. A simple way to remember His message is by

remembering ABC:

Ask for His Mercy, prayerfully repenting of our sins and asking him to pour His

Mercy upon us and the world; Be merciful, letting mercy flow through

ourselves to others; Completely trust in Jesus, because the graces of His Mercy

are dependent upon our trust; The more we trust, the more we will receive. These

instructions apply to wherever we are in the liturgical year. The Divine Mercy

Chaplet is meant to be prayed year round.

In speaking to St. Faustina, Jesus spoke the most consoling words

concerning someone in critical condition. He said, “Whoever will recite the

Chaplet will receive great Mercy at the hour of death…or when they say this

Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying

person, not as a just Judge, but a Merciful Savior.”

Instructional pamphlets and prayer cards will be available in St. Boniface and

St. Mary vestibules on Palm Sunday and also in St. Clare’s Chapel. On April 8th

at St. Boniface, there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:30 pm,

praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet together at 3:00 pm, followed by Benediction.

Chaplet begins Good Friday (March 30)—2nd Sunday after Easter

Divine Mercy Sunday (April 8th) 2:30-3:30pm at St. Boniface

St. Philomena—The Wonder Worker In May, 1802, excavators in the ancient Catacomb of Saint Priscilla in Rome came upon

a well intact shelf tomb. These were the relics of a 13-year old Virgin Martyr. No

previous record existed of a virgin martyr named Philomena. She earned the nickname

“The Wonder Worker.” There was a worldwide Catholic devotion approved by many

Popes, but forgotten since the 1960's.

God obviously wishes to give out His gift and favors through the hands of St Philomena,

and it is His will that we ask for them. Several parish members and more so the

members of CRHP are sharing a personal relationship with “The Wonder Worker.” We

are reading and circulating the books, St Philomena The Wonder Worker. The CD racks

in the back of our churches have a very informative CD of St Philomena. Amazon stocks this book and often

there are used books.

We have a Mass celebrated each month close to the 23rd day at the Marion Mission. This year on

December 24, a Mass will be celebrated in honor of this saint and for the welfare of St. Boniface and

St. Mary. If you ask St. Philomena, she may just make it possible for you to make the CRHP retreat.

V OLUME X; ISSUE 1 P AGE 8

Religious Education/Youth Ministry—Diane Mengos Religious Education and Youth Ministry have been very busy in the last few months!

Our Adult Faith Formation efforts have included wonderful classes on Prayer and a terrific retreat with

Monsignor Frank Lane. Many adults in the parish have become prayer partners for our Confirmation and

RCIA candidates, and they sent cards to these persons for their winter retreats.

Our high school students have enjoyed several excellent Faith Breakfasts, including guest presenters Ms. Erin

Yenney and Mr. Kevin Grieshop. They have also enjoyed experiences with the archdiocese at Encounter and

Cast Your Nets. Our High School Leader Awards in December were bestowed upon Ethan Knapke, Gabe

Knapke, Grace Ryan, Ian LaChey, Kai Drees, Kirstyn Lee, Lexy Casillas, Mikkel Alvarez. Congratulations!

Our Confirmation Retreat

was a rich experience of fun

and reflection at the Trans-

figuration Retreat Center in

Ludlow Falls. We are grate-

ful for our high school and

adult leader teams! Our

Junior High Students also

experienced a special service

day (visiting parishioners in

their homes) followed by a fun night at Skyzone!

Our Grade School Faith Formation students

enjoyed a friendly outreach to our BINGO

friends. A small group decorated 100

cookies, and students gave out cookies, a

Nativity Christmas Card, a church bulletin,

along with singing Christmas songs. Also,

First Reconciliation was a beautiful

experience of God’s love for us, and the

students expressed that appreciation by

singing and signing at the Ash Wednesday

Mass.

Finally, all servers, lectors, musicians,

children’s liturgy leaders, Eucharistic

Ministers, and ushers enjoyed winter

celebrations sponsored

by Fr. Tom at Piqua’s

Brel Aire Lanes and at

Cinemark movies.

* Children’s Liturgy 1st & 3rd Sunday of Each Month - 11am Mass

* Charismatic Mass/Healing Service - 1st Monday of Each Month—7:30pm @ St. B.

* Vacation Bible School—July 16-20

TENDING THE MASTER’S V INEYARD P AGE 9

PALM SUNDAY:

Saturday, March 24: Masses at 3:30pm (St.B.); 5:00pm (St.M.)

Sunday, March 25: Masses at 7:00am & 11:00am (St. B.)

9:00am & 7:00pm (St.M.)

Stations of the Cross at 2:00pm (St.B.)

MONDAY, March 26: All School Mass at 8:30am (St.M.); Confessions 3-4pm (St.B.)

TUESDAY, March 27: St. Clare Chapel Mass at 8:30am

WEDNESDAY, March 28: Mass at 8:30am (St.M.)

Confessions 2:00-3:00pm (St.M) & 5:00-5:45pm (St.B.); St. Clare Chapel Mass at 6:00pm

HOLY THURSDAY, March 29: St. Clare Chapel Morning Prayer at 8:30am

Mass at 7:00pm (St.M.); Adoration in St. Mary Church from 8:00pm until Midnight

GOOD FRIDAY, March 30: St. Clare Chapel Morning Prayer at 8:30am

Westminster Presbyterian Ecumenical Service at Noon; Stations of the Cross at Noon (St.M.)

Rosary Sorrowful Mysteries at 1:15pm (St. M.); Liturgy of Good Friday at 2:00pm (St. M.)

Divine Mercy Chaplet Novena Begins at 3:00pm

Liturgy of Good Friday & High School Reenactment of Life and Passion of Jesus at 7:30pm (St.B.)

HOLY SATURDAY, March 31: St. Clare Chapel Morning Prayer at 8:30am

Confession: 9-10am (St.M.) & 2:15-3:15pm (St.B.); Easter Vigil at 8:30 (St.B.)

EASTER SUNDAY, April 1: Masses at St. Boniface: 7:00am & 11am; Masses at St. Mary: 8:30am, 10:30am, and Noon

2018 Holy Week Schedule

Annual Easter Egg Hunt/Scramble Easter Sunday

Immediately Following the 11:00am Mass

Caserta Activity Center

The children of both parishes and those visiting —

up to & including the 3rd grade — are invited to join in the FUN!

Lots of Eggs & Prizes — Bunny Bags Provided

Sponsored by St. B. Family Life

V OLUME X; ISSUE 1 P AGE 10

The Celebration Continues . . .

(Watch the bulletin for additional info)

1843—2018

St. Mary Church—Celebrating 175 Years

* Opening Mass—January 6

Celebrant—Archbishop Dennis Schnurr; Followed By Carry-In Dinner

* Retreat—May 9

On May 9th, we will be honored by the presence of Fr. Nathan

Cromley, who will join Fr. Bolte for a day-long Retreat, including

2 Masses, 2 Retreat Presentations, Confession, and a May Crowning

for Piqua Catholic School and Faith Formation Students.

An author, inspirational speaker, and EWTN guest, Fr. Nathan has a

very special devotion to our Lady. He is a member of the Community

of St. John and an Ohio native (Toledo). He has studied in France and

traveled extensively in Europe and North America preaching/teaching

as part of the New Evangelization.

We welcome you to attend.

8:30 am: Mass at St. Mary, followed by the Rosary 10:00am-12:00 Noon: 2 Retreat Presentations at St. Mary

1:00 pm: May Crowning –Piqua Catholic Students at St. Mary 5:00-6:00 pm: Confession at St. Boniface

7:00-8:30 pm: May Crowning-Faith Formation Students at St. Boniface

* Mass—Fountain Park Hance Pavilion

August 19—3pm

Followed By Family Picnic/Outdoor Games

* Closing Mass—December 8, 2018—5pm

Celebrant — Bishop Joseph Binzer

Followed by Dinner/Dance

God Bless, Barbara O’Leary

175th Anniversary Planning Committee Member

TENDING THE MASTER’S V INEYARD P AGE 11

Zach Cecil, son of Daren and Angie Cecil and grandson of Amelia

Beeman (in the photo with Zach) will be ordained as a Deacon at

St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati on Saturday, April 28

at 11:00am. He is in his 4th year of the 5-year program to become a

priest.

On Sunday, April 29, he will assist at the St. Mary 9am Mass.

A reception for Zach, hosted by St. Mary Parish, will take place after

Mass in the cafeteria at Piqua Catholic. Everyone is invited to join in

the celebration with donuts, coffee and juice to celebrate this special

event.

Congratulations—We Are So Proud of YOU!

Reflections . . .

Success

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent

people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of

honest critics and endure the betrayal of

false friends; To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better,

whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed

easier because you have lived; This is to have succeeded.

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Poet, Philosopher, Journalist

1803-1882

Jim Niswonger (top right) was

installed in the Ministry of Acolyte

on February 25. Jim is in his 1st

year of the 3-year program to

become a Permanent Deacon

GREAT AMERICAN

DODGE BALL TOURNAMENT

The Lehman Catholic High School Teen

Leadership Corps will be hosting the 2nd

Annual "Great American" Dodge Ball Tour-

nament on Saturday, April 14, at LCHS. This

is a single-elimination bracketed tournament with a

pre-registration fee of $50 ($60 at-the-door) per ten-member

team. Profits from this tournament will help defray the costs

of purchasing and installing a motorized American flag for

the school gymnasium. Teams can be created by unlimited

choices (i.e. families, business coworkers, alumni classmates,

friends, etc) For registration material and/or questions, please

contact Melissa Safreed at m.safreed@lehmancatholic.com or

log-on to lehmancatholic.com and click on Special Events.

Be like the bird

That, pausing in her flight

Awhile on boughs too slight,

Feels them give way

Beneath her and yet sings,

Knowing that she hath wings.

Victor Hugo

French Poet and Novelist

1802-1885

V OLUME X; ISSUE 1 P AGE 12

“Hope for the Walking Dead”

America is obsessed with the dramatization of zombies on the big and small screen. It is easy to draw an

analogy with the Hollywood version and the “real world” version right here in our home town when you look

in the eyes of an opioid addict. It is increasingly common to see first responders called to the bike path or

grocery store to treat an overdose victim. What is our response as a parish family?

We are called to love and show mercy to those who fall. We answer the call of love and mercy by entering

the suffering of another and bringing saving help. Mary Ellen Buechter and other parishioners are doing just

that by partnering with an ecumenical mission called Celebrate Recovery. The Celebrate Recovery Program

is a 12 step program with Eight Recovery Principles based on the Bible. The group meets every Thursday

evening from 7:00-8:30 pm at True Vine Church, 531 W. Ash St., Piqua.

Celebrate Recovery’s Eight Principles of Recovery:

Realize I’m not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my

life is unmanageable.

(Step 1) “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.”

Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him and that He has the power to help me recover.

(Step 2) “Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.

(Step 3) “Happy are the meek.”

Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, my God, and to someone I trust.

(Steps 4 & 5) “Happy are the pure in heart.”

Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life and humbly ask

Him to remove my character defects.

(Steps 6 & 7) “Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.”

Evaluate all of my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm

I’ve done to others when possible, except when to do so would harm them or others.

(Steps 8 & 9) “Happy are the merciful.” Happy are the peacemakers.”

Reserve a time with God for self-examination, Bible reading and prayer in order to know God and His will

for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. (Steps 10 & 11) “

Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by example and my words.

Step 12) “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.”

Another way in which our parishes support recovery is through our local Catholic Social Services office. A

portion of our One Hope, One Faith campaign helps to fund resources that help take care of the children of

addicts. By offering parenting classes and counseling to grandparents and other family members left to raise

the children of addicts the opportunity to keep families together greatly increases.

Our parishes also participated and helped to sponsor the 2016 and 2017 Hope Over Heroin religious conver-

sion events which had over 500 people and 50 churches attend. In a crusade type setting many addicts were

baptized. Members of the Catholic Church were there to support and meet with interested addicts and

families in a one on one setting. (continued on next page)

Feature Story: Celebrate Recovery

TENDING THE MASTER’S V INEYARD P AGE 13

Doughnuts & Coffee/Juice Sundays — April 8 & May 6

Sponsored by Family Life at each church

and hosted by parish organizations,

Doughnuts and Coffee/Juice are available

on the first Sunday of the month after the

St. Mary 9am Mass and the St. Boniface

11am Mass — September-May.

Thanks to all for attending and sharing

fellowship.

Afternoon of Praise Concert May 20 at 2:00pm - St. Boniface Church

Many talented musicians from both parishes will be performing.

Please plan to attend.

Will Resume in the Fall September 2

Members of our Catholic parishes are regular attendees and participants of a support group called Families

of Addicts which meets in Troy every Thursday evening.

If you are interested in more information about any of these activities, you may contact Mary Ellen Buechter

at buechterme@yahoo.com or 937-689-0818.

We can all pray for addicts and their loved ones. Most everyone knows someone suffering from this silent

epidemic. We can pray something as simple as asking Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to take away the desire to

use, because miracles still do happen. There are testimonies of miraculous recovery on the Celebrate

Recovery website.

IN RETROSPECT — Thanks, so much, to our contributors:

Adult Faith Formation, Barb Kohl; Afternoon of Praise, Judy Lohnes

Celebrate Recovery, Renee Hemm; Center for Early Learning, Cathy Oda

St. Philomena, Joe McKinley; Divine Mercy Sunday, Judy Lohnes ;

Parish Notes/Dates, Theresa Henderson, Linda Richard, Judy Lohnes

Piqua Catholic School, Cori Knapke, Brad Zimmerman; Reflections, Sylvia Piatt

Religious Education/Youth Ministry, Diane Mengos; Respect Life Committee, Donna Johnson

Retrouvaille, Lynn Maniaci; St. Boniface/St. Mary Mission Committee, Don Stonerock

St. Mary 175th Anniversary, Barb O’Leary; St. Mary Festival/Lenten Fish Fries, Gretchen Roeth

We’d love to hear from you. Please submit items for ongoing features or send us your ideas and

suggestions. Thank you—Renee Hemm (778-1612/rhemm@danhemm.com)

or Rose Hemm (778-8642/ jnrhemm@yahoo.com).

The deadline for the Summer Issue is June 15.

V OLUME X; ISSUE 1 P AGE 14

Congratulations To All of Our 8th Grade, High School, & College Graduates

Graduating High School Seniors from St. Boniface and St. Mary Parish will receive a

special blessing and gift from Parish Family Life Groups at each of the Masses

celebrated on Saturday, May 19 and May 20. Seniors will be asked to come forward

for a blessing from Father Tom and receive their gift. Reservations are not required,

and seniors may attend any of the Masses (sit anywhere) that week-end.

Mother’s Day (May 13)

Father’s Day (June 17)

Best Wishes To All of Our

MOMs & DADs!!!

Happy Ordination

Anniversary Father Angelo C. Caserta

February 24

Father Tony Cutcher — May 15

St. Peter Catholic Church

6161 Chambersburg, Huber Heights,

45424—acutcher@saintpeterparish.org

Father Tom Mannebach — May 15

Good Shepherd Catholic Church

8815 E. Kemper, Cincinnati, 45249

fr.mannebach@good-shepherd.org

Father John Tonkin— May 21

St. Christopher Church

435 National Rd., Vandalia, 45377

jtonkin@stchristopheronline.com

Father Martin Fox — May 24

St. Remy Catholic Church

108 E. Main, Russia, 45363

pastor@stremychurch.com

Father Charles Caserta—May 29

406 “A” N. Main St., Union 45322

Father Thomas Bolte — June 14

Retrouvaille — Marriage Help Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each

other? Do you argue . . . or have you just stopped talking to

each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Have

you thought about separation or divorce?

Retrouvaille is a Catholic-sponsored, confidential

program open to all faiths. It offers a chance to rediscover

yourself and your spouse. It is for couples that have

experienced a breakdown in communication, become

unloving, uncaring, and are thinking of separation or

divorce.

The next program begins the weekend of April 6-8. For

more information or to register call (800) 470-2230 or log

-on to helpourmarriage.org. (Other weekends are

available.)

Prayer Chain To place a prayer request or be

added to the chain,

please contact Gretchen Roeth, 778-0325

or groeth@woh.rr.com

TENDING THE MASTER’S V INEYARD P AGE 15

Baptisms: St. M.

None

St. B.

Elliott David Richard Britt

Son of Eric & Emily (Krempel) Britt

(02/04/18)

Emma Lucille Evans

Daughter of Bradley & Alexa (Schneider) Evans

(02/11/18)

Deaths: “Our sympathy to the family members of

these parishioners who have been called to their

eternal reward.”

St. B.

Madeline L. Fanning (12/23/17)

Edward C. Zabel (12/26/17)

Amy J. Tamplin (02/15/18)

John S. “Jack” Baumann (02/20/18)

Edward P. Wildenhaus (03/01/18)

Dorothy J. “Dottie” Hatcher (03/05/18)

St. M.

Ronald E. Bornhorst (12/21/17)

Altamae Schrubb (01/09/18)

June G. Nicholas (01/16/18)

Donald Stephenson (03/09/18)

C. Michael Terry (03/12/18)

Janice “Corky” L. Buecker (03/12/18)

Weddings: St. B.

Joseph Burton & Stacy McClain (12/30/17)

St. M.

None

New Members: “ Our par i s h fami l y

welcomes/welcomes back . . .”

St. M.: Timothy & Mary Echemann, Matthew &

Becky Janosik and Sarah & Joseph, Daniel & Amy

Knapke and Leander, Jayson & Vanessa Mumaw,

Phil Peltier

St. B.: Luke Braun, Robert Foster, John Gerlach,

Kyle Hager & Jessica Blackburn, Sarah Hager,

John Monnin

Parish Notes

Right of Election (02/18/18): Seeking Baptism: Lori Smith; Carmen Gephart; Joshua & Anna Ray Scherer; Flora, Sophia & Mathew Perez

Non-Catholic Baptism/Seeking Entrance into Catholic Faith: Glenn Devers, Millie White, Lynn Sever,

Shelby Herbst, Regina Duff, Susan Staley, Steve Cruea, Jon, Amanda & Cary Yant, Holly Scherer,

Lindbergh Bingham, Sheryl Hartley, Deborah Shepard

Seeking Confirmation: Nick Rigola, Lauryn Gray, Nicole Reese, Victor Perez

Please keep these individuals in your prayers as they continue their faith journey

towards reception of the Sacraments this Easter.

St. Boniface Catholic Church

310 S. Downing, Piqua, Ohio 45356

937-773-1656 fax 773-2665

Email: stboniface@piquaparishes.org

Masses: Saturday: 3:30pm

Sunday: 7am, 11am

Parish Council President:

Bill Hogston

St. Mary Catholic Church

528 Broadway, Piqua, Ohio 45356

937-773-1327; fax 773-2665

Email: stmary@piquaparishes.org

Masses: Saturday: 5pm

Sunday: 9am, 7pm

Parish Council President:

Jim Stammen

Parish Offices

310 S. Downing, Piqua, Ohio 45356

Website: piquaparishes.org

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Bolte

Retired Priest: Rev. Angelo Caserta

St. Mary Catholic Church

528 Broadway

Piqua, Ohio 45356

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PIQUA, OH

PERMIT NO 407

APRIL

1: Happy Easter!

8: Coffee & Doughnuts

Divine Mercy Sunday

13: PCS KDG Screening

14: PCS Monte Carlo Night

16: Mission Committee Mt.

19: Combined Ladies Dinner

21: Super Hero Fun 5K Run

22: Confirmation

28/29: St. Joseph Food Drive

29: Reception for Zach

MAY

6: Coffee & Doughnuts

1st Communion

9: Retreat / Fr. Cromley

PCS /FF May Crowning

11: PCS Dayton Dragons

13: Happy Mother’s Day

PCS Washington Trip

20: Pentecost

20: Afternoon of Praise Con.

22: PCS 8th Grade Graduation

24: CFEL Graduation

25: PCS/LCHS Last Day

27: LCHS Graduation

28: Memorial Day Mass

JUNE

1: Piqua HS Graduation

3: Corpus Christi

Reception for Fr. Bolte

5: St. B. Feast Day Celebration

June 8, 9, 10

St. Mary Festival

14: Happy “38th” Ordination

Anniversary — Fr. Bolte

17: Happy Father’s Day

Mark Your Calendar

RCIA — For more

info, contact Deacon

Knight— 773-1656

St. Boniface Bingo

Every Monday

& Wednesday Evening

Doors Open—5pm

Upcoming Parish Dates (see parish bulletin for more info)

Winter Newsletter

Assemblers:

Bill Hayes, Rich & Pat Knab,

Barb Kohl, Karen Nickol,

Chuck & Nancy Peltier,

Sylvia Piatt, Sr. Joan Clare,

Tim & Deb Tyler,

Juanita Ventura

Thanks!

St. Boniface Catholic Church

310 S. Downing, Piqua, Ohio 45356

937-773-1656 fax 773-2665

Email: stboniface@piquaparishes.org

Masses: Saturday: 3:30pm

Sunday: 7am, 11am

Parish Council President:

Bill Hogston

St. Mary Catholic Church

528 Broadway, Piqua, Ohio 45356

937-773-1327; fax 773-2665

Email: stmary@piquaparishes.org

Masses: Saturday: 5pm

Sunday: 9am, 7pm

Parish Council President:

Jim Stammen

Parish Offices

310 S. Downing, Piqua, Ohio 45356

Website: piquaparishes.org

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Bolte

Retired Priest: Rev. Angelo Caserta

St. Boniface Catholic Church

310 South Downing

Piqua, Ohio 45356

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PIQUA, OH

PERMIT NO 427

APRIL

1: Happy Easter!

8: Coffee & Doughnuts

Divine Mercy Sunday

13: PCS KDG Screening

14: PCS Monte Carlo Night

16: Mission Committee Mt.

19: Combined Ladies Dinner

21: Super Hero Fun 5K Run

22: Confirmation

28/29: St. Joseph Food Drive

29: Reception for Zach

MAY

6: Coffee & Doughnuts

1st Communion

9: Retreat / Fr. Cromley

PCS /FF May Crowning

11: PCS Dayton Dragons

13: Happy Mother’s Day

PCS Washington Trip

20: Pentecost

20: Afternoon of Praise Con.

22: PCS 8th Grade Graduation

24: CFEL Graduation

25: PCS/LCHS Last Day

27: LCHS Graduation

28: Memorial Day Mass

JUNE

1: Piqua HS Graduation

3: Corpus Christi

Reception for Fr. Bolte

5: St. B. Feast Day Celebration

June 8, 9, 10

St. Mary Festival

14: Happy “38th” Ordination

Anniversary — Fr. Bolte

17: Happy Father’s Day

Mark Your Calendar

RCIA — For more

info, contact Deacon

Knight— 773-1656

St. Boniface Bingo

Every Monday

& Wednesday Evening

Doors Open—5pm

Upcoming Parish Dates (see parish bulletin for more info)

Winter Newsletter

Assemblers:

Bill Hayes, Rich & Pat Knab,

Barb Kohl, Karen Nickol,

Chuck & Nancy Peltier,

Sylvia Piatt, Sr. Joan Clare,

Tim & Deb Tyler,

Juanita Ventura

Thanks!