Pastor's Column for February 2, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

       Today we are celebrating a special feast that is called the Presentation of the Lord. It is always celebrated on February 2nd so this year the 2nd falls on a Sunday. It is celebrated on this particular day because it occurs 40 days after the birth of Jesus  (40 is a very biblical number: the Israelites were in the desert for 40 years, Jesus was in the desert for 40 days, the Ascension was 40 days after Easter, etc.). It commemorates the Jewish Law when the first-born son was to be taken to the Temple in order to be presented to God in thanksgiving. This, Mary & Joseph did as faithful Jews. When Jesus was presented in the Temple, an elderly man by the name of Simeon (whose wife was Anna) recognized that this child was the promised Messiah. He spoke to the parents of Jesus and his words have become part of our night prayer known as the “Nunc Dimittis” which means “Now let depart” or “Simeon’s Canticle” or the “Song of Simeon” based on what he said: “Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” So Simeon was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. Therefore he tells the Lord that he (the Lord) can now let him go (die) in peace because his eyes have seen the Messiah who is a light to the world.

Here’s the fun part of our celebration today: we begin Mass as everyone holds a lit candle (representing of course Jesus as the light of the world seen by Simeon) and the priest blesses the candles that are used in church throughout the year: the vigil candles in front of our statues, the vigil lamp by our tabernacle, the candles on our altar of sacrifice (the main altar) and the altar of repose (the tabernacle altar), and the candles that the people hold during services like today’s and the Easter Vigil. Hence this day is also known as “Candlemas” Day since the blessing and procession of candles takes place at the beginning of Mass. The observance of this feast dates back to the 6th century in Rome. So more on the meaning of this feast for us today in my homily.

This is a Sunday of blessings…not only of candles, but of throats. February 3rd is the feast of St. Blasé when we bless throats as we ask for his prayers (he was known to have saved a boy from choking on a fish bone). Normally Deacon Pat and I would administer this blessing individually but since he is sadly not here today I will offer a general blessing at the end of Mass. Here is the prayer that I will offer: “Through the intercession of St. Blasé, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness, in the name of the + Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

And there’s one more blessing I’ll offer today…on the new stained glass windows that you saw were installed last weekend. St. Cecilia, the patroness of music, hovers over the musicians on the wall to the left of the Holy Family, and then the window of the Nativity or Birth of Christ, flanked by two smaller windows, adorns the large wall behind where the choir members sit. This window will remind us that the first Mass celebrated in this “new” church was on December 24, 1969. It will remind us too that the Incarnation is to be remembered and celebrated throughout the year, not just on December 25th. My gratitude to all who donated to these windows donations that were given without any special request attached to them. 

 Fr. James P. Schmitz

Pastor's Column for January 26, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

         Last Saturday (the 18th), I had a funeral service at Yurch Funeral Home for Miroslava Pinjuh, who was known simply as “Myra” by her loved ones. I had the opportunity to meet with her daughter Stella along with Stella’s husband Eric to learn more about Myra who was a wonderful woman of faith and a great mother. Myra, originally from Yugoslavia, and her daughter lived in Rome for about 10 years, close by the Vatican, then both of them came to the United States when Stella was about 10 years old. Myra was the owner of two restaurants, the Adria and the Croatian club, and also went back to school and became a craftswoman for Crescent Metal Products. She loved her family and was compassionate and accepting of everybody. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Though I was not able to celebrate Mass last Wednesday due to a scheduled routine medical procedure (which needed to be rescheduled after all), January 22nd is the Annual Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. On this day, we pray for the victims of abortion and for those who have had abortions, and that our nation’s leaders might be cognizant of the needs of the unborn, establishing laws to protect them. It is a day to remember that our Catholic faith boldly and tirelessly professes, as it has for 20 centuries, that all of life is sacred, from conception to natural death. We will never cease to profess this truth, regardless of opinions on the matter, for we believe this to be the truth that has come to us from God. Let us keep praying that we might reach out in compassion to all women who find themselves faced with this decision and support them with love and truth and action in caring for them and their unborn children.

This is Catholic Schools Week and once again I must say how fortunate we are here at St. Leo’s, to have a parochial school which has served the community, even those not of the Catholic faith, since our parish was founded over 75 years ago. We have a Principal, Mr. Lorenzo Jones, who, along with Ms. DeAndre Branner, our Assistant Principal, who work tirelessly for the good of our students. They both have done an excellent job at bringing together a team of teachers and staff who work closely together in establishing a strong, disciplined, and caring community. Let us continue to pray for them and for the passing on of our Catholic values and morals to the diverse children who have been entrusted to our care. 

As I get older, it becomes more difficult for me to write hand-written notes to thank people for their kindness to me at Christmas so the last few years I have tried to let people know of my appreciation when I see them in church. I’m always behind in doing this, in part due to the many people I need and want to thank, along with the fact that I only have a few minutes of time to talk to people before Mass, especially as I’ve been having many more people coming to confession before all of the Masses (a wonderful thing to experience!). So please do not take my tardiness as a sign of a lack of appreciation as I thank God for all of you and for each of you as you have given me so much support over the years. If by chance I miss thanking you in person, please know how deeply grateful I am to you for your kindness. This Saturday, February 1st, will be the 11th anniversary of my installation as Pastor. May my 12th year here be as joyful as the last 11 years have been. 

 James P. Schmitz

Pastor's Column for January 19, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

         On Friday, January 10th, I celebrated a funeral Mass for Dana Farago. She was married to Leonard (deceased) for 48 years and had 3 children to whom we extend our sympathies: Kathy, Tim & Patrick. Dana had 3 grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters. Dana had a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary which was expressed by her daily praying of the rosary. She was also a teacher at St. Monica for 30 years and taught 1st graders for all 30 years! She enjoyed children and must have been a great blessing to them. She was also a golf player and played for 70 years, which I find incredible. She had other hobbies too like playing cards and gardening but most of all she enjoyed Thanksgiving with her family. We thank God for the example of her Catholic faith and pray that she may find her reward now in God’s kingdom.

As you know, I am available for confessions both on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning (and any time by request). On social media, someone posted a picture of a sign they saw in Ireland where there was only one priest available for confessions. The sign read, “Confession today will be until exactly 5:30PM (emphasis theirs). There is only one priest available for confessions today. Make your confession direct and to the point and confess only your sins and offenses (emphasis theirs). No need to explain why you did it. Thank you very much.” This made me chuckle, first because I like how direct the Irish are, and secondly because they apparently have the same thoughts we American priests have too! I know that sometimes people want to give some background information regarding their sins but some can turn into very long stories, excuses, justifications or just plain novels. Such information is not necessary. If the priest needs more information from you, he will ask you for it. But we are there to forgive sins and encourage anyone who would like to have a longer conversation to feel free to make an appointment with us. We just try to keep the line moving for the sake of those who are waiting. 

Not infrequently we have adults inquire into receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation for themselves. For a variety of reasons, some have never received it. I know that for a time many here at St. Leo’s were not confirmed because they moved the time for confirmation from elementary school to high school. Whatever the reason, I would invite you to let me know if you are not confirmed but would like to receive this Sacrament. For one, it completes the triple sacraments of Initiation into the Church and of course bestows the unique grace and presence of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live out our baptism. It would be a very easy process as I would meet collectively with those who are not confirmed and then we can give options for receiving this sacrament in the near future. So please reach out to me & let me know if you are interested.

You may have heard that this year of 2025 is a Jubilee Year for us in the Catholic Church. It is a holy year that began on Christmas Eve 2024 and ends on Epiphany next year in 2026. The theme of the Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope.” It is a time of celebration, forgiveness and reconciliation and happens every 25 years. Our last Jubilee Year was in the year 2000 which had the theme of the Father’s Mercy. They are biblical and so a great time for us to seek spiritual renewal and a stronger connection to our faith. The Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica and the other 3 major basilicas are opened and remain open for the duration of the Jubilee Year. Millions of pilgrims (including several of us from St. Leo’s) will travel to Rome to walk through these Holy Doors and may receive a plenary indulgence. There is a Jubilee mobile app you can download for free. You’ll see the logo & prayer for the Jubilee every week in this bulletin.

 Fr. James P. Schmitz

Pastor's Column for January 12, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

         I’m sad to tell you, if you have not already heard, that Father Ned Weist died this past week on Monday afternoon. Father Dan Schlegel (pastor of St. Raphael in Bay Village) and Father Jim Winnings (Parochial Vicar at St. Raphael) were visiting him when he died and so prayed the last rites for him. Father Dan has been friends with Father Ned since they both ministered here together at St. Leo’s. Father Weist has been helping out with Mass at St. Raphael for some time during his retirement and so his wake and funeral will take place there where all the parishioners know him. The wake and funeral will take place during this week in which I am writing this and so it will have already taken place by the time you read this. I have a funeral here on Friday, January 10th when Father Ned’s funeral is taking place so unfortunately I won’t be able to present for his but I will be attending the wake and Vespers service for him on Thursday. We still have a large stone with Father’s name on it over by the side entrance of our school and it has been there since he left here for his assignment at Our Lady Help of Christians in Litchfield. I’m glad that we have something here that will remind us to pray for him whenever we see it. Please keep Father Weist in your prayers. May he receive his reward after a lifetime of loving and gentle service to the Church.

While Deacon Pat’s health has not worsened since his time in the hospital, I’m also sad to report that his condition has not improved either. He is alert and able to communicate but his answers to questions are usually very short and sometimes incorrect. He does not initiate conversation but seems to be aware of his condition and is cooperative. His wife Joan is currently looking into other living conditions for him but needs to wait on availability. Deacon Pat will need some more therapy but does not show real signs of improvement. The muscle in his right eyelid will not work in keeping that eye open but he is reading well with his left eye, though his sight is somewhat blurry. He looks good and appears very content but it’s difficult to see him not being the more talkative or outgoing person that we know him to be. At this point, we must just accept that his future health and recovery is unknown to us and we must take it day by day or week by week. I really miss talking and laughing with him and having him at my side during Mass. And of course I feel especially concerned about Joan who carries the burden not only of caring for all of his needs but in finding a suitable place for him to live as she sees how his recovery is coming along. Plus of course she carries the burden of living without him at her side and of doing all that he did in the household. So please keep both of them in your prayers and let’s support Joan as well as we continue to pray in hope for Deacon Pat.

I’m very grateful to David Eller, a longtime parishioner along with his wife Denise, who took wonderful pictures in the church during our Christmas Eve Mass last year (last month!). He also put together a nice slideshow and you can view both on our website (leothegreat.org). We hope to have him take more pictures of parish events during the year that we’ll publish on our website so thanks to him for that gift to our parish.

I’m hearing lately of a number of people who are looking for affordable housing but I understand that prices have risen dramatically in recent months. If you are aware of more affordable homes either for sale or for rent in the area, please let me know so I can direct people to check them out. And let us all pray that everyone may find a suitable place to live as we remember how even Jesus said that he had no place to lay his head. 

 Fr. James P. Schmitz

Pastor's Column for January 5, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

Now that Christmas is behind us (though not really as Christ is always being born among us), I again want to thank all those who played a role in our liturgies during these last few days and even now as our Christmas celebration continues all the way through January 12th. Many people commented on how beautiful the church looks so we’re grateful for the time & energy put into that. I’m also grateful for the music which helped lift our minds & hearts to God. It’s especially good to hear the handbells being played. As always, thanks to the Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, the Ushers, the Altar Servers, the Mass Coordinators & Sacristans (am I missing anyone?) for their ministry throughout the year.

This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany and so our “missing” figures of the manger scene have once again returned. This feast has several meanings for us but I don’t want to get ahead of myself so I’ll let you think about that for a moment as you read this.

Last week I let you know that we’re including a QR code in our bulletin which will allow parishioners or visitors especially to make a donation to the parish very easily. You just scan it with your smartphone and it will open to a site which makes contributing very easy.

Well again we have another, but different QR code which will open up a letter written by Bishop Edward Malesic to all the people of our Diocese of Cleveland. It was issued on December 15th (and honestly, I have not had the chance to read it yet, but I will have done so by the time you read this column). The bishop’s goal is that every member of the diocese will embrace its message. If you don’t do smartphones, don’t worry…a copy of this letter will be included in the January/ February mailing of the Northeast Ohio Catholic Magazine which every Catholic receives free of charge at their home. This letter, titled, “A Flourishing, Apostolic Church” is also on the diocesan website and can be downloaded as a PDF, along with a glossary and a discussion guide. (Both are available in both English and Spanish). The Bishop also recorded a video message regarding the letter that you can view on our website (along with links to the letter itself). This letter focuses on three key areas of church life: worship, evangelization and service. These are at the heart of every parish ministry and are the primary reasons why a parish exists. I will be speaking more about this in my homilies and will write more about it here once I have prayerfully digested it myself. I look forward to sharing it with you and always welcome you to ask me questions about it or to just share your thoughts about the Bishop’s vision for the future of our local church here in Cleveland.

We welcome our school students back this week and I ask the Lord to bless each of you as we enter into this new Jubilee year of 2025 (more on the meaning of that to come soon too!).

Fr. James P. Schmitz