Pastor's Column for November 1, 2020

Once again I ask you to see the homepage of our website (leothegreat.org) for links that will offer you guidance from the Church as we approach the elections this Tuesday. You will find a YouTube video there which discusses a recent Pew Research Study that has been named “8 Facts about Catholics & Politics in the U.S.” as well as a letter to the people in the Diocese of Cleveland by Bishop Malesic who offers us an overview of the teaching of the bishops concerning how Catholics vote. I think you will find, as I have, a clear and concise understanding of how people of faith can and should approach this most important topic. You are always welcomed and encouraged to speak to myself, Deacon Pat or Joan Berigan, if you feel the need for more clarity with regard to Church teaching in this matter. You can even make an appointment with any one of us on our website and can choose the manner in which you would like to meet (in person or remotely via FaceTime or Zoom). We are always available to you in your spiritual needs. 

A holy hour with the Blessed Sacrament exposed will take place this Sunday, November 1st, from 7pm until 8pm so that we might pray for the wisdom & guidance of the Holy Spirit to be given to us and to all Americans who will be voting. You can also join us remotely by watching the livestream on our website. 

This weekend we celebrate the feast of All Saints on November 1st which this year falls on a Sunday (normally it is a holy day of obligation when it does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday). The day after, November 2nd, is the feast of All Souls where we pray for all of the faithful departed who are not yet members of the saints but who are being prepared by God to join them in the heavenly kingdom. We purchased a projector and large screen for use in the church and we intend to display on it this weekend the names of all those who have died in the parish during this past year (since last November 2nd). We ask you to keep them in prayer as we celebrate Mass this weekend. 

October 1, 2020 marked the 35th anniversary of the opening of the St. Leo Preschool. To mark that anniversary, John & Jeanne Sabol have created a 12-minute presentation on the Preschool which can be viewed on our website & on our parish YouTube channel. It features a number of current and former parishioners and at least one future priest (see if you know who that is!). Be sure to check it out. 

I want to thank Deacon Pat & Joan Berigan for making a generous donation toward our landscaping efforts, especially by the Marian shrine. We appreciate everyone’s generosity toward making our campus one that we can all enjoy. 

I will be celebrating all of the weekend Masses (with Deacon Pat preaching at one of them each weekend) while Fr. O’Grady takes some time off for health reasons. He has been a great help to me and I know how much you appreciate him celebrating Mass with us every weekend so please keep him in your prayers and ask the Lord to bless him in every way. 

Pastor’s Column for October 25, 2020

I want to repeat here what I spoke about during the 4pm Mass last Saturday when we heard a gospel passage which discussed political issues in Jesus’ time such as taxes, the Roman government & about Caesar, the man in office at the time. On the homepage of our website, I put a link to a YouTube video produced by the Word on Fire organization which was created by the popular Bishop Robert Barron. He and the content producer had a 20 minute discussion regarding Catholics & Politics where Bishop Barron answered questions based on a recent article by the Pew Research Center called “8 Facts about Catholics & Politics in the U.S.” (which I’ve also linked on the website). What I most appreciated was how he pointed out that when someone asks him whether he is a Republican or Democrat, his response is, “I am a Catholic before all else.” Though every bishop, priest & deacon has a political opinion like everyone else, when we represent the Church, we speak about issues that are important to us as Catholic people. The Pew Research Center said that Catholics are split down the middle politically: 48% identify as Republican & 47% as Democrat. So the Bishop pointed out that issues that are typically associated with those on the left, are values that are upheld in Catholic Social Teaching over the Church’s very long history, like concern for the poor, social justice, migrants, refugees, opposition to capital punishment & concern for the environment. And issues usually associated with those on the right are also upheld in Catholic Social Teaching, such as religious liberty, opposition to abortion & euthanasia, defense of the traditional family, opposition to gender choice & gay marriage. So Catholic Teaching speaks to issues on both sides.

What the Bishop finds regrettable is that a majority of Catholics (62%) believe churches should keep out of politics, which is very troubling as faith and politics both have to do with the issues we face every day in society. 75% of Catholics also believe the Church should not endorse a political candidate, which the Church agrees with. 

I then pointed out that the (first) letter Bishop Malesic wrote to the faithful of the Cleveland Diocese (published in the bulletin & on our website) adds to Barron’s remarks by saying that while we must consider all the issues when choosing to vote for a particular candidate, some issues are more weighty or fundamental than others. For example, the bishops have said that “the threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself...” and that “while we are not a ‘single issue’ Church...these additional rights flow from and are rooted in the fundamental right to life itself.” I believe the message from Bishop Barron and Bishop Malesic need to be heard and reflected upon together. 

I urge you to watch the video mentioned above, to read Bishop Malesic’s letter, & to read the other articles which I’ve linked on our website. Each of us needs the guidance of the Holy Spirit to inform our conscience and to help us vote accordingly. 

If you’re feeling heated up just by the mention of politics in this column, it’s probably just the heat that was just turned on in the church this past week. So enjoy the warmth and keep a cool head as we get closer to the election next week. And always remember that God is in control no matter what happens & asks that we trust he will remain faithful to us always.

Pastor's Column for October 25, 2020

I want to repeat here what I spoke about during the 4pm Mass last Saturday when we heard a gospel passage which discussed political issues in Jesus’ time such as taxes, the Roman government & about Caesar, the man in office at the time. On the homepage of our website, I put a link to a YouTube video produced by the Word on Fire organization which was created by the popular Bishop Robert Barron. He and the content producer had a 20 minute discussion regarding Catholics & Politics where Bishop Barron answered questions based on a recent article by the Pew Research Center called “8 Facts about Catholics & Politics in the U.S.” (which I’ve also linked on the website). What I most appreciated was how he pointed out that when someone asks him whether he is a Republican or Democrat, his response is, “I am a Catholic before all else.” Though every bishop, priest & deacon has a political opinion like everyone else, when we represent the Church, we speak about issues that are important to us as Catholic people. The Pew Research Center said that Catholics are split down the middle politically: 48% identify as Republican & 47% as Democrat. So the Bishop pointed out that issues that are typically associated with those on the left, are values that are upheld in Catholic Social Teaching over the Church’s very long history, like concern for the poor, social justice, migrants, refugees, opposition to capital punishment & concern for the environment. And issues usually associated with those on the right are also upheld in Catholic Social Teaching, such as religious liberty, opposition to abortion & euthanasia, defense of the traditional family, opposition to gender choice & gay marriage. So Catholic Teaching speaks to issues on both sides.

What the Bishop finds regrettable is that a majority of Catholics (62%) believe churches should keep out of politics, which is very troubling as faith and politics both have to do with the issues we face every day in society. 75% of Catholics also believe the Church should not endorse a political candidate, which the Church agrees with. 

I then pointed out that the (first) letter Bishop Malesic wrote to the faithful of the Cleveland Diocese (published in the bulletin & on our website) adds to Barron’s remarks by saying that while we must consider all the issues when choosing to vote for a particular candidate, some issues are more weighty or fundamental than others. For example, the bishops have said that “the threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself...” and that “while we are not a ‘single issue’ Church...these additional rights flow from and are rooted in the fundamental right to life itself.” I believe the message from Bishop Barron and Bishop Malesic need to be heard and reflected upon together. 

I urge you to watch the video mentioned above, to read Bishop Malesic’s letter, & to read the other articles which I’ve linked on our website. Each of us needs the guidance of the Holy Spirit to inform our conscience and to help us vote accordingly. 

If you’re feeling heated up just by the mention of politics in this column, it’s probably just the heat that was just turned on in the church this past week. So enjoy the warmth and keep a cool head as we get closer to the election next week. And always remember that God is in control no matter what happens & asks that we trust he will remain faithful to us always.

Pastor's Column for October 11, 2020

Our Parish Festival is just around the corner. Yes, it will be different this year (isn’t everything?) but we’re still going to make the best of it. As announced, we will have a take out (only) dinner both Friday & Saturday (next weekend) October 16th & 17th. Great food as always that you can enjoy in the comfort and safety of your home. Remember too that we now accept credit/debit cards for your convenience. We will have additional food items for purchase such as Honey Hut ice cream. And of course we will still have our annual raffle with a grand prize of $5,000.00. So be sure to buy or turn in your raffle tickets this week. The raffle is the biggest part of this fundraiser so anything you can do to help is very much appreciated. I look forward to seeing your masked faces.

A reminder that this Sunday, October 11th, Trapper Jack will be here to offer us a presentation on Mary, the Messenger of God. He was enjoyed by many people when he was with us last year and we look forward once again to his talk in the church at 7pm. He will also be live-streamed so you can watch him at home. Either way, please tune in to see how Mary can help you in your relationship with her Son as we dedicate this month of October to her.

There will be a funeral service for TJ Cusick this Thursday in our church so please continue to remember him and his loved ones during this time. Perhaps you can remember him especially whenever you drive by & see the tree in front of our school building which has been a shrine in his memory. 

It was great to see so many people here for the Pet Blessing last Saturday. Pictures can be seen on our website. I wanted to remind you that you’re always welcome to walk your pet in that beautiful area of grass & trees behind the church & rectory buildings, extending out from the shrine area. You should enjoy the peaceful space that provides a haven from the noise & busyness of the world (except for the noise from 480!). I do ask that you be sure to have a leash on your pet however as a couple months ago, two unleashed dogs attacked a deer & her fawn, which caused injuries to the mother & a broken leg to the fawn. I was so sad to have witnessed that. So please, feel free to use that space to walk your pet but be sure they are under your control. Otherwise, our vicious guard dog who acts more like a Michael than a Michaela will be sure to show who’s boss around here as she protects the perimeter of our property. 

As I mentioned in my column last weekend, several priests had the opportunity to meet Bishop Malesic this past week & to hear his thoughts about his new home here in Cleveland. When asked the meaning of his episcopal coat of arms, he told us that the motto, taken from a psalm, is “Serve the Lord with gladness.” I can say that he appears to us as someone who has come to serve, and to do so with gladness. It’s wonderful to be able to pray for him by name now during the Eucharistic Prayer when we pray for “Francis our Pope and Edward our Bishop.” We will have cards with his picture on it available for you to take home with you which can serve as a reminder to pray for our new Shepherd.