Pastor's Column for April 29, 2018

Last Saturday I celebrated the funeral Mass for Marie Sidor who was married to her husband John for 71 years. The two of them lived at Mount Alverna in rooms that were side by side. I first met Marie & John 2 years ago and have since anointed Marie a couple of times, as did Fr. Vesely just a few days before she died. She and John had two sons, Jack & Dr. Tim Sidor who were raised in our parish and we extend our sympathy to them and to the grandchildren. Pray not only for Marie but for her husband John as well.

Last Monday we celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial for Pal Kis whom I anointed the previous week. I also prayed the last rites for him with two of his daughters. He was with those who loved him when he passed away at the age of 87. Pal had many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even 5 great-great grandchildren. We ask the Risen Lord to welcome him and all those who have died into his prom- ised kingdom.

We also prayed for Rickey Aldridge on that same Monday as we entrusted him to God during his funeral Mass. His brother-in-law Deacon Gerry Scopilliti preached at the Mass and offered prayers at the wake and cemetery. We extend our sympathy to Rickey’s wife Tina and to their children, Rickey and Monica. May he live forever with the Lord.

I’m sure you’ve noticed the numerous holes we have to maneuver around in the parking lot. It seems that this past winter really did a job on it. I have already met with Advanced Paving and contracted for them to repair both parking lots and patch some of the smaller holes but the work cannot be done until the beginning of summer so please drive slowly and carefully and thank you again for your contributions to the Capital Improvements envelope which helps us to pay for these expensive annual repairs.

I also want to thank those who take advantage of their employer’s matching contribution program. It doubles what they are able to contribute and is a big help to us. Does your employer offer something like this? Why not inquire & see if you can take advantage of this if offered at your place of em- ployment?

Next Saturday, May 5th, the second grade students of our parish will be receiving their First Holy Communion at the 4pm Mass. This will be the third sacrament they will have received and we are so happy to celebrate this special occasion with them. It means that they can now join us at the Table of the Lord. Pray that they may receive this great gift weekly, following the example of their parents.

Pastor's Column for April 22, 2018

Last Friday, April 13th, we had 2 funerals of longtime parishioners. Daniel Sholtis has been here since the days of Fr. Lux, our first pastor. Daniel took very good care of his wife Margaret who has since passed as well as of his son, also named Daniel, whose funeral Mass we celebrated just 3 years ago this same month. Daniel was an avid fan of Ohio State and was happiest when golfing with his grandson. May he join his wife and son in the praise of God.

We also said goodbye to Juanita Gallo who, along with her husband Joe, have also been members of the parish for many years. Joe is a faithful usher at the 8am Sunday Mass and has not been able to be with us for several months as he needed to stay home to take care of his wife in her illness. What a source of strength and comfort he was to her. Juanita and Joe also have a son, Joey, whose 2 sons Tyler & Trenton Juanita also enjoyed so much. May Juanita now find the healing of body and soul in God’s kingdom.

This Saturday we celebrate the 25th Wedding Anniversary of Pete & Advia Turlop and on Sunday, the 60th Anniversary of Ralph & Tannie Cosiano. It’s a joy to share in this special occasion with them and we wish them all many more years of happiness.

I’ve been wanting to give you an update on Fr. Vesely but wanted to wait until we met with those in charge of his care at Mount Alverna. While Father Vesely’s walking has improved quite a bit with the physical therapy he has been given, he still has swelling and occasional pain in his knee. They want him to use a walker instead of a cane for the sake of stability, but this also prevents him from driving. Though Fr. Vesely would very much like to return to St. Leo’s (as much as we would like him to return), the recommendation was that he look into the option of assisted living. They believe that an apartment will open for him soon there at Mount Alverna and we were able to see it. It’s directly across from a large room for visitors which would be very convenient as Father gets a lot of visitors from the parish! I, as well as others, would still be able to pick him up to go out to dinner and he would continue to be of great help to the residents there as something of a live-in chaplain. He has been celebrating Mass there once a week for several years and so many know him. Even during these past few weeks, he has been able to pray with and anoint people who need the ministry of a priest. It seems it would be the best option for him. While things are still to be sorted out, I ask for your continued prayers for him. He enjoys so much the cards and visits he has received, so thank you for reaching out to him. I will keep you abreast of what is happening but wanted you to know where things stand at the moment.

Pastor's Column for April 15, 2018

Our sympathies to Nancy Costanzo on the passing of her mother on Easter Day, Luz Viera, whose funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Ambrose Church. May she rest in the peace of the Risen Lord.

A friend of mine who used to be at Jennings Nursing Home let me know about a workshop that will be offered called the “Sacred Art of Living & Dying.” It will take place on April 20th & 21st at Jennings Hall (about 7 minutes away). I think it is so valuable that I’m extending an invitation for anyone to attend and the parish will take care of the cost. We already have two parishioners who are going but wanted to make it known to the rest of the community. Here is some information about it:

“This is the first of four study units providing the histori- cal and theoretical foundation for the Anamcara. Each of the study units is grounded in the contemporary health care sciences and is inspired by the great spiritual traditions and collective wisdom learned from the dying.

Participants learn about the rich cultural history and clinically sound practices for detecting and alleviating spiritual and emotional distress at the end of life. Proven results for patients include reduced anxiety, an improved quality of living and more effective pain management. Caregivers learn valuable models for addressing death anxiety as the most critical issue for the dying person.”

Sessions include:
* Death and Dying in the West
* Medieval Roots of the Modern Hospice Movement * Spirituality and Religion
* Cultural Perspectives on Death & Dying
* Diagnosing Spiritual Pain
* Responding to Spiritual Pain
* Spiritual Dimensions of Grief

Just let us know if you are interested & we will be happy to get you more information or sign you up. Nurses and social workers can receive continuing education units for it as well.

I explained a few weeks ago that the Diocese said we may no longer have an envelope which is marked “Assessments.” So if you used this envelope to make dona- tions, you can instead use the envelope called “Capital Improvements”? This envelope is now sent monthly instead of quarterly. Whether your donation was toward our monthly assessments or toward our capital improvements, it all goes into the same “bucket” so your continued generosity toward our capital improvements is very much appreciated. 

Pastor's Column for April 8, 2018

In the name of the parish community, I extend our gratitude to all those parishioners who helped in any way with the liturgies of Holy Week. Thanks to all our liturgical ministers: ushers, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers & lectors. Thanks to all who decorated the church so beautifully. Thanks to our Mass coordinators who work every week in setting up and cleaning up for our weekend Masses. Thanks especially to all those in the music ministry who worked so hard to provide us with beautiful and meaningful music all week. They work so well together and really help us lift our hearts to God in prayer. And finally thank you all for your generous Easter donations which are a tremendous help to our parish budget.

Fr. Vesely & I also thank you for the cards and edible gifts that help us to enjoy the days following Easter. You are thoughtful and kind.

Helen Lincheck’s funeral Mass took place last Tuesday. She was married for exactly 50 years (her husband John died sadly on the day they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in our church). Helen’s daughter, parishioner Jan Norris and Helen’s son John took great care of their mother during the many years she suffered from dementia and needed constant help. What love they showed their mother in the daily sacrifices they made for her. Helen was devoted to her family and to her faith. May she enjoy forever the friendship of the Risen Christ.

On Easter we passed out a little white book called a “Mass Journal.” It has some brief reflections on the left hand side of each page but just lines on a blank page on the right. We encourage you to bring it to Mass with you and to write down a word or a phrase that struck you during the Mass so that you might reflect on it later in the day or during the week. So often God speaks us not only in silence but in what we hear and see and experience but we’re not always aware of how he reaches out to us. Jot down anything that may be food for thought, whether it’s the words of a song or prayer, something in the scripture readings or homily, or just something you see that you never really noticed before. Many people in other churches have found this to be useful in helping them really pay attention to everything that is happening at Mass so that it may become more fruitful and meaningful to them. We’ll try to keep pencils in the pews throughout the Easter season and keep some on the tables in the church as well.

Our Easter celebration goes on for 50 days for the Lord’s resurrection has eternal meaning for our lives. The Risen Lord will continue to speak to us in these days. Let us listen attentively to him.