Pastor's Blog for September 1, 2019

Well August certainly flew by and here we are in September already. So here’s what’s going on as we say goodbye to Summer and prepare to welcome the Fall....This Sunday (September 1st) I will be giving a special blessing to Ray and Jan Norris who are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary. They have been longtime parish- ioners here at St. Leo’s and we are happy to celebrate with them on this special day. Please be sure to congratulate them when you see them and thank them for the example of their faith and faithfulness.

Our Labor Day Mass will take place on Monday, September 2nd at 9am. As you enjoy the long weekend, please remember to thank the Lord for the gift of work which allows us to share in God’s creativity.

Tuesday, September 3rd, is the first day of School for our students here at St. Leo’s. We welcome back our return- ing students and we especially welcome our new students which brings our total enrollment up to 285, 25 more students than last year, which means we needed to add another class to our kindergarten grade. So we now have 2 kindergartens and 2 first grades, which we haven’t had here in many years. This is due in large part to our Principal, Mrs. Denise Burns, and to our Tuition Manager, Cindy Funari. And of course they depend upon the teachers and school staff who not only give our students an excellent education but do so in the atmosphere of faith. God’s bless- ings on them all as they begin this new year.

We offer our congratulations to Ryan McNamara and to Melissa Kitko who will be joined as one in the Sacrament of Matrimony next Saturday, September 7th. They are a wonderful couple who live their faith and witness to it by their presence at weekend Mass. I look forward to celebrat- ing this wonderful occasion with them and ask for your prayers as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

Last week I mentioned that some parishioners were interested in a ministry to the dying and to the bereaved. But I also want to remind you that we hope to offer spiritual help when someone is seriously ill or advanced in age (I’ll leave that specific number up to you!). So often we get called when someone is in need of the last rites or has died but we hope to be present to the sick and to the dying long before that time. Many of you ask to be anointed when you are here at Mass and I am always happy to celebrate that sacrament with you. But please know that you are encouraged to call on us when you or a family member are experiencing a serious illness so that we can offer you our prayers, the sacraments and our support in any way you need it. I know that times such as these can be stressful and there are so many details to attend to, but we hope you consider reaching out to us so that we might be there to support you before it becomes an emergency situation.

Pastor's Blog for August 25, 2019

Last Wednesday we celebrated the Mass of ChristianBurial for Raymond Repko. He was a Police Officer for Shaker Heights and when he retired from the Police Depart- ment he joined the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department. He had a strong sense of family and enjoyed giving flowers and candy to others. He especially enjoyed the Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter gatherings with his family. May he rest in Christ’s peace.

Now that the bell tower roof has been replaced, we arefinally able to repair the hole in the ceiling of the church up against the back brick wall above the crucifix. Along with that repair, we are able to paint the ceiling of the church, both of which are covered by insurance. All of that is scheduled to happen starting October 22nd (since we have to avoid numer- ous weddings which are scheduled for September & October). The scaffolding will be moved from one section to another so my guess is that there will be pews taped off according to what section they are working on. I’m sure you won’t mind this minor and temporary inconvenience during this project. More information will be given as that time draws near.

There have been some parishioners who have attended anumber of workshops on the “Sacred Art of Living & Dying.” They are now in the process of discerning how they can best use the knowledge they have gained in a ministry for our parish community. Presently they are looking at reaching out to parishioners who are in a hospice situation or trying to tend to those who are grieving after the loss of a loved one. What I’d like to know from you is what would you find most beneficial at these times? When a loved one enters hospice, how can we be present to you and to them to offer support? Would you find it helpful to know there is someone who will just listen to you or to walk with you on that journey, whether it is long or short? How can the Church offer its sacramental ministry through Holy Communion, Anointing of the Sick, and the Last Rites? Or are you in need of our support after a loved one has died? Would a Bereavement Support Group be helpful to you? Or would you just like to know there is someone who could walk with you when you experience that change in your life? We are looking to see how we can best serve you but we need to ask what your needs are before we offer our ministry to you. Please feel free to write me or Deacon Pat or Joan a note, send an email, call the parish office, or see us before or after Mass to give us your thoughts.

I will be (cautiously) taking vacation as of this Sundaythrough next Saturday. Still mindful of how I became ill during my last vacation in May, I’ll be hoping for a relaxing and healthy week. My thanks to Fr. O’Grady and Deacon Pat for doubling up this weekend so I can get away. I’ll be looking for the right opportunity to share with you in a homily what I hope to experience while away. All I can say is that it is of biblical proportions...

Pastor's Blog for August 18, 2019

On August 9th we celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial for James Jackson, Sr. who was 89 years old. He was faithful to attending Mass and made sure his children received the sacraments as well. We extend our sympathies to his children, Jim, Debbie & Linda, and as always, I assured them of our prayers for their father.

We also had a funeral Mass on the day after, Saturday,for Gloria Karich who died on July 13th, surrounded by her family and best friend. Her obituary mentioned that “she went to the Lord” and how good it is to see that her faith was noted in that obit. She prayed the rosary and had a devotion to St. Jude. We offer our condolences to her husband John, to her daughters Denise & Colleen, to her step-daughter Holly and to all her family members and loved ones.

Last Monday we celebrated a Memorial Mass forRichard Bernacki who had been an usher here at St. Leo’s for many years. He too was a man of faith who would often be seen with a rosary, especially when he became homebound. He was described as generous, simple, gentle and calm. He enjoyed traveling with his wife of 29 years who died in 2004. May he too rest in peace.

Finally we remember August Bublavy whose funeralMass took place this past Wednesday. I heard of Augie even before I met him here at St. Leo’s because he knew my dad through bowling. But when I met him I knew he too was a man whose faith was important to him. He was a lector and really proclaimed the Word of God well, but he also lived that Word to the best of his ability. We were able to pray the last rites and the Divine Mercy Chaplet for him at the hospital and I had spoken to him just hours before he was taken to the emergency room. He will be missed. We pray for him and for his children, John, Joe, Mary & Paul.

We congratulate Jim & Lucille Huzl who will becelebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary this weekend during the 4pm Mass, with Fr. Vesely as the celebrant. Jim & Lucille are to be seen in the same pew week after week and have been faithful to the Lord as they have been to each other. They are often seen smiling as it’s no wonder as you can see how happy they are together. We are happy to pray with them that they may have many more years together.

We also congratulate Breanne Vedda who will receivethe Sacrament of Confirmation during the 11am Mass this Sunday. She is enthusiastic in learning more about her Catho- lic Faith and is so happy to complete her initiation into the Church. May the Holy Spirit give her the gifts that will ena- ble her to be a gift to the Church.

By this weekend you should see that our baptismal fonthas returned and has been enlarged with some pillars that provide flowing water. The water there will be blessed so feel free to use it to bless yourself as a reminder of your baptism.

Pastor's Blog for August 11, 2019

We have our parish picnic today after the 11am Mass. Ifyou are attending that Mass, it’s a short walk to pick up a hamburger or hotdog. If you attend the 4pm Mass on Saturday or the 8am Mass on Sunday, please consider making the trip again to join us. We’ll have plenty of tables and chairs set up. In case of inclement weather, we’ll move inside and I’ll let you know that at Mass. My thanks to everyone who coordinated this and to our maintenance staff for setting up and taking down.

Another reminder that you can purchase beautiful olivewood carvings in the vestibule of the church before or after Mass this weekend. They make great gifts and help the people in Bethlehem where Our Lord was born.

This Thursday, August 15th, is the feast of the Assumption of Mary. It has been our centuries-long belief that Mary was taken body and soul into the kingdom of heaven at the end of her life and so was the first to experience the fullness of the resurrection after her Son. It reminds us that this is promise for us as well. Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation will be celebrated at 8:30am and at 7pm.

While I’ll be celebrating the morning Mass on that day, Iwon’t be able to greet those coming to the evening Mass as I will be joining in the Feast that takes place every year in Little Italy in honor of Mary’s Assumption. They have a Mass at Holy Rosary Church which is in the heart of Little Italy as well as a procession of a statue of Mary on Mayfield Road. But there is also a great feast with delicious Italian food and desserts from Thursday through Sunday. The square pizza that can be found there reminds me of the true Italian pizza that my mom and grandmother used to make. They also have cavatelli, meatballs, sausage sandwiches and so much more. If you’re Italian like me it’s an obligation to attend and if you’re not lucky enough to be Italian, it’s at least an oppor- tunity for you to wish you were. I should wear my T-shirt that has a word we Italians like to use when someone apologizes to us for some offense toward us: “Fuhgettaboutit.”

Fr. Vesely will be celebrating the 4pm Mass next Satur- day, August 17th in honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Jim & Lucille Huzl. I’ll mention them again next weekend but as always we welcome Fr. Vesely back to pray with us.

The dentist told me that I may have to have my upperwisdom teeth taken out (which I really depend on as the source of my wisdom). I had my lower wisdom teeth taken out when I was in 8th grade and I remember it very well. In those days they put a needle in your arm of Sodium Pentot- hol. When I woke up after the procedure, I was a bit loopy from this medicine. The dentist said, “I heard you are going into the seminary.” And my rather loud response was, “Yep, I’m going to be a preacher!” My poor mother.

Pastor's Blog for August 4, 2019

Well our church roof has finally been replaced.Another big expense behind us. If you feel even the smallest drop of water while sitting in the church, please let me know before we send the final check. Our parking lot was just patched up as well so no more holes or cracks. Though we still have over a month before school starts (after Labor Day), our school is looking great after all the floors have been stripped & waxed and other improvements have been made such as a new floor in the Junior High hallway & new fire resistant doors have been installed. Your contributions to the Capital Improvements Fund continues to be a big help so thank you for allowing us to keep repairing and updating our parish property.

Next weekend we will have people in the church vesti-bule selling their beautiful religious items made out of olive wood from Bethlehem. They make great gifts and benefit the people of the Holy Land so be sure to take a look at what they offer.

We also have our Parish Picnic next Sunday, August11th, from Noon until 3pm. So if you attend the 11am Mass, you can take about 100 steps over to the shrine area behind the Parish Community Center & grab yourself a hotdog or hamburger (and they’re big, juice hamburgers!). If you wish to bring something to share that would be great but not required and of course the food is free. We just want to provide an opportunity to enjoy some good summer food and to visit with fellow parishioners. Music and refreshments are also provided. So we look forward to seeing you there.

I had to take both of my girls to the Vet this past week,and both for similar symptoms but different causes. Abby has a rash that has been deemed caused by “environmental aller- gies” and she needs to take an oral medicine every day for that, likely for the rest of her potentially long life. I do hope she lives many more years but a chronic condition of course requires a chronic depletion of funds out of my wallet. But I’d do it all again because our pets bring us much happiness (if you like pets, that is). Michaela also has a rash but it was caused by her recent grooming (due to no fault of the groom- er) and she too is on the mend. I have a coffee cup that says, “I work hard so that my dog will have a better life.” How true that is. Here are some cat puns that I saw recently: “Cat puns freak meowt. Seriously I’m not kitten.” Here’s another: “Why don’t cats play poker in the jungle? Too many chee- tahs.” A good one to keep in mind: “Petting a cat will leave you feline good.” OK just one more... “Not feline well? Maybe you need to call a purramedic.” You’ll be able to know who are pet lovers by whether they smile or roll their eyes when reading this...