Pastor's Column for July 1, 2018

As we celebrate our July 4th holiday this week, I invite you to begin the day by joining us for 9am Mass as we give thanks for the great blessing of belonging to this country. This is also an important time for us to pray that God may restore unity to us despite our great diversity. There is no doubt that our country is experiencing a time of great division these days. Regardless of our political affiliation or views, we all need to learn how to engage each other respectfully in conversation. Pope Saint John XXIII, when opened the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960’s, also sensed a great difference of opinion regarding those who took a more liberal or conservative view of the Church. He wrote, “In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.” Good words for us to heed even today.

A note regarding the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick: it is a good thing for family members to call when a loved one is seriously ill, requesting that they be anointed. Many hospitals and hospice centers also have a Catholic priest as Chaplain but if they are not available, do not hesi- tate to call us. However the Church would like to accompany such a person at the beginning of their illness instead of anointing them “at the 11th hour” or shortly before they are expected to pass. So I would encourage you to notify us early on when a loved one has become seriously ill so that we may not only anoint them but be present and available to them throughout the course of their illness to offer support, even if their illness is not terminal. When we are called just hours before someone has “made a turn for the worst”, it may not be possible to anoint them if I am away from the parish or some situation keeps me from being able to be present to them immediately. So please do not hesitate to call long before someone reaches that stage. We also have now a Deacon and his wife, besides myself, who are able and willing to visit and bring Holy Communion to those who are in a Hospice situation especially. We want to do whatever we can to minister to those who need us at such a difficult time.

Beginning this weekend we will return to the practice of processing toward the altar from the back of the church instead of from the sacristy door. So you’ll hear the bells ring behind you instead of in front of you to signal the beginning of Mass. We will use the “cry room” to prepare for Mass but parents with small children are still welcome to use that space. That room is also used as the “bride’s room” before weddings so it has many purposes. I can also make faces at you from there without you knowing it.

Pastor's Column for June 24, 2018

Bob Terry had been in a wheelchair for the past 3 years but is now free to walk with the Lord. We celebrated his life & funeral Mass last Saturday and extend our sympathies to Shelley Aigner and to his two living children. He was always smiling when Shelley brought him to Mass & I am glad he was able to pray with us even though his prayer was from his heart. May he and all the faithful departed rest in God’s peace.

Pope Francis has chosen 14 men to be the newest cardi- nals in the Church and will elevate them this Friday, June 29th, on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. One of them is his chief aide in helping the homeless and poor in the city of Rome. He has also named prelates who are in Iraq & Paki- stan where Christians are a minority. You’re probably wondering when I will “receive the red hat” as we say (the Pope gives the new cardinals a red “biretta” or hat that they wear for certain occasions). I have a black biretta but I’m not counting on it ever turning red. While I like to visit Rome (as I will be in October with some parishioners), I don’t really want to work there. Daily pasta would be great but I’d have to buy a lot of new clothes. Speaking of Pope Francis, when we had our last school Mass, I asked the children if they knew what well-known person was about to be married (Prince Harry). One of them answered with great enthusiasm: “Pope Francis!” Now that would have been a wedding people would have tuned in to watch!

I’ve been a bit negligent sharing some of our parish’s history with you as I’ve promised as we celebrate our 70th anniversary. So here’s a bit of history from our beginning: The first Mass of the parish was celebrated at the Ben Franklin Auditorium on Sunday, October 17, 1948. There was a simple announcement in the bulletin of Our Lady of Good Counsel that spoke of the birth of St. Leo’s and gave the parish boundaries. The Diocese had already bought land from Alvin to Portman on the other side of Broadview, close to Schaff Road. It was all empty & full of weeds. But Fr. Lux didn’t think it was a suitable place & so he spotted the land where the church currently sits but said that it was a swamp. And the woman who owned the land would never sell to a Catholic! But Fr. Lux had connections & he had someone else buy the land from her! He bought the land right up to the railroad tracks (on the other side of 480 now), knowing that a highway would be going through (he later sold the land to the State so they could build 480 & that helped pay for the church). Our first Pastor was a shrewd and clever businessman as well as a prayerful priest.

Pastor's Column for June 17, 2018

We welcome Raelynn Hope Molloy who entered into the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism last Sunday, and Amelia Mendez who is being baptized this Sunday. May they grow in the knowledge of God’s love.

I wanted to let you know that as of May 31st, the Catholic Charities Appeal raised $11,102,800.00 from 41,362 donors in the Diocese of Cleveland. Here at St. Leo’s, $60,937.00 was pledged by our own parishioners which is 98.5% of the goal given us. Thank you so much for coming to the aid of so many in need.

I was so saddened by the news that the predominately Catholic country of Ireland recently voted in favor of legalized abortion. I know that unwanted pregnancies can be so difficult for people who are not prepared or able to care for a child but there are also options available (like adoption) which can and should be seriously and prayerfully considered. We must pray that people be open to the grace of God who alone can change minds and hearts. I am proud of the fact that here at St. Leo’s, we help those who need prenatal & maternal care through places like Providence House, Maggie’s Place, & Womankind which we donate to during Advent & Lent. Thank you for recognizing the dignity of all God’s children.

One night last week I was awoken by some ruckus and Abby’s screams in my living room. Abby nose to nose with a raccoon (though gratefully there was a glass window between them). The raccoon climbed on the roof of the garage which is right outside my living room window. I was surprised that the sight of Abby did not scare it away though I was not surprised that Abby was not at all intimidated by the raccoon (as Michaela & I were!). Gratefully it went away & I haven’t seen it since though we did have a company out called “Catch a Critter” who reminded me that raccoons carry rabies & that I should be careful of getting near one. Did he really think I had to be warned about that? I was also made aware that a coyote has been seen in the area as well and while they look an awful lot like dogs, they aren’t quite as tame as Ms. Michaela so I will keep my distance from them as well. We have also spotted skunks on the property. I admit I am prejudiced against certain critters even though God made them all. But some are meant to be looked at from a distance.

My dad and his wife just celebrated 12 years of marriage last Sunday and both are doing quite well. As I wish my dad a Happy Father’s Day, I also extend the same to all the men of the parish who live or act as a father to others, including Father Vesely, who was so happy to be here a couple weeks ago. We look forward to his visit again next month. We also remember our deceased fathers and grandpa’s and ask God to show them his loving kindness.

Pastor's Column for June 10, 2018

Congratulations to the parents of Joshua Kindry who was baptized here on May 27th. Ray & Jan Norris are our parishioners and are Joshua’s grandparents. We give thanks for the gift of children and the gift of faith.

This weekend we celebrated a Memorial Mass for Raymond Smith who passed away peacefully at the Malachi Hospice Center the day after I gave him the last rites. He had been receiving Holy Communion at home by one of our Eucharistic Ministers. May he be free now from the cross of illness and know the peace of Christ.

We also extend our sympathies to Tara Kenaga on the death of her mother Dianne Holland whose funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Church in Fremont, Ohio. May Dianne and all the faithful departed Rest In Peace.

Deacon Pat Berigan will be introducing himself at the 4pm and 8am Masses this weekend as he did at the 11am Mass 3 weeks ago. Again we are happy to have him and his wife Joan join us on the Pastoral Staff here at St. Leo’s. Please keep them in your prayers that they may minister well.

I received word from the nephew of Irene Venesky that she has moved out of the parish in order to enter assisted living in Macedonia. Irene is a gentle woman with a smile that makes you feel so comfortable in her presence. We wish her well in her new home and will stay in touch with her. She turned 90 earlier this year. If you would like her address and or phone number, please call the rectory office. I’m sure she would be so happy to hear from you.

I want to express my gratitude to all of our altar servers who are so helpful to the priests who celebrate Mass here at St. Leo’s and who are so faithful to this ministry. I am especially mindful of 2 servers who have been serving since they were in the 5th grade in our Parish School and who have just graduated from high school. Alyssa Lizzini first served Mass on Easter Day. She attended Padua High School and has been involved in basketball, drama, and as the secretary for the National Honor Society. She will be attending the Cleveland Institute of Art on a scholarship to become an illustrator.

Patrick Criscuolo attended St. Ignatius and has participat- ed in the Labre Homeless Ministry (sharing food & friendship with Cleveland’s homeless) and in the Arimathea Pallbearer Ministry (where the students act as pallbearers at funerals when the family cannot provide any). Patrick went on a mission to Louisville, Kentucky and was on the crew team at St. Ignatius. He has held a seasonal job at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & joined scouting as a Tiger Cub in first grade. He earned his Eagle Scout rank from the Boy Scouts of America in 2017. He will be attending Canisius College and plans to major in biology leading to a career in the medi- cal profession. God has blessed them both with many gifts! We are proud of them and grateful for their service to us over the years.

Pastor's Column for June 3, 2018

I will not be with you this weekend. Our family has this tradition of going to Vegas when a niece or nephew turns 21 and so there was a trip planned for this past week. My sister in Florida asked me if I wanted to go to Vegas with them or to dog sit for her in Florida. I’ve been to Vegas enough times to know the odds...that you’ll come back with less money than you brought there, so I chose dog sitting. It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make so that my family can enjoy their trip out west. I’ll put up with the heat, the loneliness of being in the pool by myself, and the boring days of doing nothing but eat- ing and reading a good book.

We are extremely grateful for a very generous donation given to us by a parishioner named Georgianne Mroczka. Sadly Georgianne passed away back in November and her funeral Mass was celebrated here at St. Leo’s. Georgianne’s generous donation has enabled us to welcome three new people to our staff, (Deacon Pat & Joan Berigan and Nathan Noga) and they will have a direct impact on the lives of the parishioners through their ministry here. I think Georgianne would be happy about that. Here are just some of the words that her sister Christine Woodland used to describe her: “The most important part of her life would be to spend time with family and friends. She would drive great distances alone to be with family for special occasions or just to be there for you. She went to great lengths to keep a very detailed family history that she updated and shared on a regular basis. She was the organizer of monthly luncheons with the people that she had worked with in the past. She always had a positive attitude and was very generous. She would listen wholeheartedly to her family and friends and would be there to support them in any way she could. She was never judgmental. She looked for the best in people and would take their problems and stories to heart. She would write notes and letters to nieces and nephews to encourage them in their goals and take the time to listen and encourage them to go on. She was quick to remind you of your good qualities and character. She was always interested in whatever you were doing. She would keep you up to the wee hours of the morning just talking. There were so many times when talking and remembering old times would have you laugh so hard you would have happy tears running down your face. And that was probably one of my best memories of her....... laugh until you cry those happy tears.” May God reward her for her generosity to us and for her great love of others.

Our sympathies to Tom Richlovsky on the death of his father, Simon, who was 97 years old, and was buried in his parish of St. Charles in Parma. God’s peace be with him