Pastor's Column

    We welcome Amelia Rose Lee who is being baptized this Sunday. We pray that she may be raised in the practice of the Faith so that she may learn to love the God who loves her. 

    We celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial this past Wednesday for Rich Bunosky, a long-time and active member of the parish along with his wife Eva of 57 years. Rich has been battling cancer for quite some time and Eva has been an incredible caregiver for him. She took care of him at home for as long as was possible and then sat with him for many hours at Holy Family Hospice Center since the beginning of February. His children (Debbie, Mike, Mark & Chris) were often there to sit with her and to spend time with their dad. Rich was a gentle soul who shared a deep faith along with Eva. Out of that faith came generous service to the parish of St. Leo's over the years. May he rest in God's peace along with all the faithful departed members of our parish. 

    This Monday we will have a Memorial Day Mass at 9am to remember all those who have died in service to our country. We remember them, we honor them, we thank God for their sacrifice, and we pray for them as we commend them all to God's care. God bless them and God bless America. 

    I also ask your prayers for my dad. He will be 89 this July and had been doing pretty well health-wise until earlier this year when he started showing signs of weakness. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure (and has had cardiac problems for several years). But lately he has been so weak he needed to be hospitalized & they seem to believe there is something else very serious going on. I may know more by the time you read this but I just ask for your prayers. His wife of 10 years (as of this June 10th) is 96 and is doing quite well health-wise but of course is very concerned about my dad. Please remember them in your prayers. They are both people of great faith and love. 

    Thanks again for your contributions to our Catholic Charities Appeals in February and this past weekend. How good it is to know that we can do something for the people who need our help. I have learned that generosity is born of gratitude. I pray that God may continue to bless you as you bless your brothers & sisters in Christ through charity and prayer. 

    Again congratulations to the 8th graders of our parish school who are graduating this Saturday after the 4pm Mass, and to all of our school children whose last day of school will be this Friday, June 3rd. We pray they have a safe and enjoyable summer.

Homily...It is Right and Just!

Over the years I have heard so many times, "I don't like going to Mass because I don't get anything out of it." While I believe we ALWAYS "get something" (grace) out of Mass (even though we may not realize it or feel it at the time), we participate in this Sunday worship because we are there primarily to GIVE something, which is the praise of God. This is part of the meaning of the commandment which says, "Keep holy the Sabbath." 

Before we sing the Holy, Holy, Holy, we have a brief dialogue between the priest and the people. First the priest greets the people in the usual way with "The Lord be with you." And the people respond, "And with your spirit." Then the priest extends an invitation: "Lift up your hearts." And the people say, "We lift them up to the Lord." That is why we are there...to lift up our hearts to God. But then the priest says, "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God." And this is the purpose of our worship. To give thanks. To celebrate Eucharist. 

What is the people's response? "It is right and just!" This is rather odd language for us (and was changed about 5 years ago with the revision of the Roman Missal). Where does it come from? In Greek & Roman times, it was an acclamation of acceptance. The Roman leader would announce a new law and the people would acclaim together "It is right and just!" In other words, "Yes, let's do this! It is right! It is just! It is good!" The priest then goes to say that it is indeed right and just, even our duty and our salvation, to give thanks always & everywhere. And then he says why we are giving thanks today. This is what it's all about. We give thanks to the God who provides us with everything, even with his own Body and Blood. It is right and just. 

Pastor's Column

     The month of May is a popular time for wedding anniversaries. Last week Michael & Patricia Surdyl celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the 4pm Mass and this weekend Ken & Mary Ann Perry are celebrating their Golden anniversary as well on Saturday. Congratulations to them and to all who have anniversaries this month.

    On May 10th I had a Funeral Service for Betty Ratka who had been a parishioner of St. Leo's along with her husband Joe of 66 years. We extend our sympathy to Joe, who attends the 8am Mass, and pledge our prayers for him and for Betty.  

    Prayers are also requested for Alice Meder & Daniel Staskiews who are at Parma Care Nursing Home and for Marie Masters, Doris Aigner-Copfer, Rich Bunosky & for all those who are struggling with health issues at this time. 

    This weekend the Diocese requires us to have our 2nd In-Pew Appeal for Catholic Charities. We had our first appeal back in February but in order to reach those who may not have been with us at that time, we also have another appeal a few months later. So I will be leading that at all the Mass & intend to be very brief so that I may also offer a brief reflection on the Scriptures we will hear proclaimed as we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. 

    I heard words from my cardiologist last week that no one wants to hear: "You have to go to the gym!" It appears that when I mentioned Michaela's weight gain a couple weeks ago with the request that you leave her treats up to me, I was deflecting away from my own weight gain (probably from the treats you gave to me at Easter). I bought a life-time membership to a gym a few years ago but it did absolutely no good. Of course I only went for a week or two but still...no sign of change in me whatsoever, so I gave up. I suggested to the doctor that I wait until Lent next year but apparently he isn't Catholic as he didn't think that was a good idea. I'm going to Rome this summer which of course is the epicenter of pasta meals so I'm not sure how that's going to work out. But I must be faithful to the old adage, "When in Rome, do as the Romans!" 

    Congratulations to Tyler Peter who is being baptized this Sunday. As he is baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, may the Holy Trinity remain with him always.

    Next Saturday the 8th graders of our parish school will be having their graduation ceremony AFTER the 4pm Mass but will be joining us for the Mass. Congratulations & best wishes to each of them. 

Homily Thoughts...Disabilities are a Mystery

Every Sunday after the homily, we stand to profess our Catholic Faith through the Creed. We express our belief in One God, Father, Son & Holy Spirit. But the Holy Trinity remains a mystery to us. 

A priest I know put it this way: "The Trinity is not a puzzle. It is a mystery. And those are two very different things. A puzzle has an answer. It is something that you try to figure out, something that you attempt to understand. A mystery has no answer. You cannot understand it because it is greater than you are, something beyond your grasp. You cannot comprehend a mystery, but you can appreciate it. Like a great piece of music it takes you deeper. You cannot solve a mystery, but you can stand before it and allow it to lead you to contemplation. Like beholding a beautiful sunset, it can move your soul."

It is puzzling to understand why some children are born with developmental disabilities. But we can be a part of the mystery of God's love that reaches out to help them. This weekend we will have our 2nd In-Pew Appeal for Catholic Charities. What we donate will be matched to build 7 homes (not institutions) where these children & young adults can live and grow. Be a part of the mystery. May it take us deeper into the life of God's children. 

Pastor's Column

     It seems that Fr. Vesely & I have been running into a lot of parishioners lately when we're out to eat, trying to keep body & soul together. We saw Stan & Rose Kosiba who were celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary, and in the same place we saw Ralph & Tannie Cosiano who were celebrating their 58th anniversary. So congratulations to them and to anyone else celebrating a wedding anniversary, especially at this time of year. We also ran into Bob & Rose Zarko who celebrated 50 years earlier this year in January (congrats to them too!) but they were just out to dinner with their grandson...still a good reason to enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants in the area. 

    A classmate of mine from the Doctor of Ministry program I was in a couple of years ago asked me if we had a minister to tend to those who are very ill, such as those people who are under the care of Hospice, either at home or at a Hospice facility. While we do have people in Hospice, unfortunately we do not have someone who has been able to minister to their spiritual needs during that difficult transitional time of their life. My classmate's name is Robin Imbrigiotta and she felt the call to professional ministry after being a volunteer in her own parish of Our Lady Help of Christians (in Litchfield) for 10 years. Robin as been in active ministry for 17 years as a hospital and hospice chaplain, Certified Pastoral Minister and Spiritual Director, and now as the Director of Pastoral Care at Mount Alverna Village (where Fr. Vesely knows her as he celebrates Mass there every Tuesday morning). The ministry she misses most in her nursing home work is the pastoral home visits she used to make. She enjoys being able to bring the ministry of the Church to those unable to join us here for Mass. So if Robin gives you a call & asks if you'd like a visit, please know that I have given her your name in the hope that she may help me and the parish to minister to you in your illness. She will let me know when you feel the need for me to bring you the sacraments or to just visit & pray with you myself. This is one small way we can continue to reach out to those most in need in our parish. Please let me know if you would enjoy a visit from Robin and we can make those arrangements. Her time allows her to make 2-3 visits a week. As the recipient of the Doctor of Ministry degree, and due to much experience in this ministry especially, I can testify to her qualifications and am glad she can minister to those in our parish. 

Homily Thoughts...Fire, Doves, Geese & Wind

How do we put "flesh" on the concept of a spirit, especially the HOLY Spirit? The gospel writers help us with this. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to the Apostles & to Mary as "tongues of fire" which hovered over their heads. Fire can be strong. Think of the raging fires we've heard recently in Canada, destroying homes & making people rush to another safe place. But fire can be small and gentle too. Today we light the paschal candle one last time to mark the end of the Easter Season. A candle has a small, gentle flame.

The Hoy Spirit, we are told, came upon the Apostles like a "strong, driving wind." Again we've heard recently of the forces of nature that have produced tornados in Texas that have destroyed many properties. But then Jesus "breathes" on the Apostles in the Gospel. Think of the breath of a baby or of a puppy: soft, gentle. 

Finally, the Holy Spirit was represented by the Irish as a wild goose! They are loud, can bite, and always go in flocks to increase their power. But the gospels speak of the Spirit as being more like a gentle dove, peaceful. The Holy Spirit is both powerful and gentle. We need both from the Spirit. We need the Spirit to give us courage, conviction, & strength. But we also need the Spirit to show us peace, gentleness & guidance. What do you need from the Holy Spirit today? 

Pastor's Column

     This past Wednesday we celebrated the funeral Mass for Tom Kinder who was 89 years old and who had been married to his wife Johanna for 60 years. They had celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this past September. They have been long time members of St. Leo's and we remembered the long list of organizations and ministries that Tom was involved with in our parish, most memorably his involvement with the Holy Name and St. Vincent de Paul Societies as he was President of both, and his ministry to the sick & homebound by bringing them Holy Communion as a Eucharistic Minister. We know he will be welcomed into the kingdom after a lifetime of love and service. We continue to hold his wife Johanna close to our parish family and hope she knows of our prayerful support especially during this time. 

    This weekend James Lahiff, member of St. Leo the Great, and his bride Amanda Meyer, began their married life this Saturday. I celebrated the wedding of James's brother Michael exactly 6 months ago at St. James Church in Lakewood. We congratulate James & Amanda & pray that their married life will bring many years of happiness to them, perhaps even 60 years or more. 

    This weekend we also welcome the children of our parish who are receiving the second Sacrament of Initiation as they celebrate their First Holy Communion during the 4pm Mass on Saturday. Our prayer and hope is that they will be with us every weekend to celebrate the Eucharist & join our community in prayer. Our thanks goes out to all those who helped them prepare for this Sacrament, especially our 2nd Grade teacher in the parish school, Megan Monroe & her aid, Mary Corbo, our 2nd grade PSR teacher Joann Duranek, & to Sister Erin, Mickey Stitt, Julie Slattery & Macrina Dodson for their help in preparing for this celebration. 

    We received another quarterly check in the amount of $2500.00 from the Rooted in Faith Foundation, thanks to your continued commitment to that appeal. Thank you for your mindfulness of our parish's financial needs as you offer your financial gift to God each week at Mass. 

    In addition to the Rooted in Faith contributions, we also benefited greatly from the profit for the festival that we had last October. The total profit was $18,500, and that is a wonderful addition to our budget which is always being stretched by the continuous need for repairs and upkeep on our large campus. Again my sincere gratitude to all the people who contributed to that profit by their time, hard work or participation during those two days. I'm looking forward to our next annual festival which is scheduled for October 15 & 16 this year. 

Homily Thoughts...Taken up yet still here

Several children made their First Holy Communion yesterday. As they walked up the aisle, many people were taking their picture. They probably felt pretty famous! We take pictures (especially today with cell phones that have cameras in them) in order to remember what someone looked like on a certain day, or in order to remember a special occasion. 

In Jesus' time of course there were no cameras or cell phones. So at the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples to remember him and those special days in this way: come together for prayer, ask God to bless your bread & wine, and then eat my Body and drink my Blood. Do this in memory of me and in memory of my death and resurrection. And so that is what we do. 

But on this feast of the Ascension, we remember the disciples looking intently at Jesus as he was being taken up into heaven, almost as if they were trying to take a mental snapshot of him since they knew they would not see him in that physical way any longer. But the angels asked them, "Why are staring up into the sky? Jesus has been taken up into heaven but you must be his presence in the world today." So after we remember, but then we share the image of Jesus in the way we live. 

Pastor's Column

     Sister Erin gave us an update last weekend on the state of the parish school. It is very good news to hear that our projected enrollment for the 2016-17 school year is 230 students, up substantially from the 202 students we have presently. As Sister said, we have worked hard to make wise investments in the school, to have the best possible faculty and staff, and to provide an atmosphere of faith which will (and has) encouraged parents to seek out our Catholic faith for themselves and for their children. Our school dynamic has changed over the years along with the make-up of the parish itself, and so roughly half of our students are not of the Catholic faith. But this provides a wonderful opportunity for us to invite others to embrace our faith. We heard last week in the Scriptures that it was God's plan that the Church "open the doors of faith to the Gentiles" when it had previously been the exclusive possession of the Jewish people alone. May God's plan for us be brought to fulfillment by our continued work and through your gracious support. 

    On Tuesday we celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial for a centenarian, Lottie Zale, a parishioner who died at 100 years old. Lottie was a member of St. Leo's Seniors but has been living in Florida for the last few years. She was born on July 4, 1915, which means that they had fireworks on the day she was born & then every year on her birthday! I don't know anyone else who shares a birthday with our country but what a day to be born. Please keep Lottie and her family in your prayers as she now begins her life in heaven which cannot be counted in years. 

    Michaela has been looking a bit plump lately so I put her on the scale & saw that she is now over 18 pounds! She's looking more like a sheep than a dog. I know that my weight seems to be growing at a rate similar to hers so it looks like we found a parish that takes care of us too well. So I'll ask that you leave the distribution of treats for her up to me as she knows how to play the game when she runs begging from one person to the next, with that look that says, "I'mbeing starved." I still need a plan for myself but it wouldn't be pleasant to have both of us on a diet at the same time so I'll make the sacrifice & let her go on one first. What I don't do for my pets. 

Homily Thoughts...You can't follow Jesus without the Church

Pope Francis has some good one-liners. One of my favorites: "You can't follow Jesus without the Church." Some may take exception to that. There are many Catholics for example who feel they do not need to come to Mass every week in order to be considered a Christian or a good Catholic. They ask, "Why can't I just pray to God at home or when taking a walk in the woods?" My answer: You can! But when did you last do that? When did you last stay at home on a Sunday & take even 5 minutes out of your day to pray to God?

Faith is not about belonging to an organized religion. It is about having a personal relationship with God through Christ. Jesus speaks to this personal relationship in the gospel today: "If you love me, my Father will love you and we will come to you and make our dwelling within you." But the scriptures today also speak of the importance of a faith that has a communal dimension as well. The early Christians argued about how Gentiles could become followers of Christ. Did they have to become Jewish first? They called together a council with the leaders of the Church and with the help of the Holy Spirit, answered that question (Gentiles do not have to become Jewish first). But they realized that their faith was a communal one, not just a private relationship. 

Can I, as a Christian, stay at home and pray? Yes. And we all should develop our personal relationship with God. But we also need to pray together, as a community, for God calls us to be one with each other as he desires to be one with each of us personally. As Pope Francis says, you cannot be a follower of Jesus without the Church.