Block pary scheduled for July 21

The fourth annual St. Paul Community Block Party is scheduled for  Sunday, July 21, at St. Paul.  There will be lots of great food. beer, games, 50/50 raffle  and prizes. Joe Pappano’s band will be playing in the Parish Activity Center  at 4 p. m. The car show also will back. Questions? Volunteering to help? Call committee chair Renee Amedeo 330-
256-8010 or 330-644-3011.

Scouts present $600 from pancake social

Scout troops of St. Paul Parish presented a check for $600 to our parish. The recent Pancake Breakfast was a successful fund-raisng event that enabled the troop to make this generous donation.

Drivers needed for parishioners

Drivers are needed to drive fellow parishioners who need transportation locally—short trips, no long-term commitment necessary. Call David Clute 330-773-7138 or the rectory at 330-724-1263

Eighth grade graduation is May 29

Eighth Grade graduation is  Wednesday, May 29, at 6:30 p.m.

Mary DiDonato R.N. receives lifetime achievement award

Mary DiDonato, an oncology nurse in the office of Dr. Sandra Hazra, has been awarded the liftetime achievement award of Home Health Heroes by Crain’s Business News,

The award was presented Tuesday (May 21) at the Executive Caterers at Landerhaven in Mayield Heights.

As an oncology nurse, Mary  sees patients at extraordinarily difficult times in their lives. And she offers them more than just 62 years of professional expertise.

The woman everyone calls “Ms. D” earned her R.N. degree in 1951 from the St. Thomas School of Nursing in Akron, and she has focused primarily on oncology nursing since the mid-1980s. That's a long time to build clinical expertise. Indeed, Ms. DiDonato, 83, says one of her main roles in working with the patients who come to the Barberton practice of her current employer, Dr. Sandra Hazra, is to inform and prepare them for the rigors of their treatment plan.

But there's more to it than that.

Late in conversations with new cancer patients, Ms. DiDonato shares a relevant personal detail: She's a breast cancer survivor. Since 1981.

“They say, "Oh. You are. I didn't know that. You look so good,'” Ms. DiDonato said during a video interview. “So it (sharing the personal information) helps. That's my last statement to the patient. It's upbeat, and they leave positive.”

Ms. DiDonato's work extends in other ways beyond the merely clinical. She helps patients with insurance challenges find ways to pay for their treatment, works with the Stephen A. Comunale Jr. Family Cancer Foundation to help patients address other financial needs that arise, and refers patients to Stewart's Caring Place in Akron to offer hope and healing. (Ms DiDonato also volunteers at Stewart's Caring Place.)

“She is phenomenal,” said Hope Bradley, executive director of Stewart's Caring Place, which provides support services, free of charge, to more than 1,000 cancer patients and their family members each year. “You are not going to find another health care person who's going to advocate for (patients) in such a forceful way,” when, for example, it comes to applying some pressure on insurance companies.

“When Mary calls, you answer,” Ms. Bradley said.

Good nurses are compassionate, caring and concerned, not only for the patient but also for the family members, Ms. DiDonato says.

By keeping a focus on those values, Ms. DiDonato said, “I feel I can make a difference.”

Ms. DiDonato has spent her entire professional career in nursing, but she didn't always intend that as her career path.

In high school, Ms. DiDonato said, she worked as a “cleanup girl” for an Akron doctor's office, cleaning the office and generally filling in on duties as needed. By year three in that job, the doctor asked what Ms. DiDonato intended to do after high school, and she responded with her longtime plan: attending the University of Akron to study to become a history teacher.

The doctor suggested nursing, Ms. DiDonato liked the idea, and the rest is, well, history.

Ms. DiDonato says her first teacher in nursing school was “very tough,” focusing on details including crooked hats and insufficiently clean shoes for the nursing students. But she says it taught her the value of paying attention to even the smallest detail — a practice that is critical to patients.

After graduating from St. Thomas School of Nursing, Ms. DiDonato worked for five years at St. Thomas Hospital Center. She then moved on to Akron General Medical Center — where she stayed for 37 years.

Feeling a need to challenge herself, Ms. DiDonato during her tenure at Akron General embraced oncology nursing, according to her Health Care Heroes nomination. She became a head nurse on an oncology unit in 1984, earned her certification soon after and continued in this role until her retirement from Akron General in 1992.

“While serving as an oncology nurse, Ms. DiDonato cared for the body, mind and spirit of many patients, sharing her clinical expertise with the wisdom and compassion of a cancer survivor,” according to the nomination. “This life experience allowed her to guide her patients through the rigors of treatment and provide them with hope in their battle with the disease.”

After a brief retirement hiatus, during which she did volunteer work for Red Cross, the Visiting Nurse Service and St. Edward Village, Ms. DiDonato re-entered the health care world in 1997 in private practice with Dr. Hazra. She began with a part-time schedule but now works full-time in oncology care.

“As an advocate for life-long learning, she continues to integrate new knowledge and interventions into her patient care philosophies, including sharing complementary therapies and prescription for living,” according to the nomination.

The University of Akron in 2007 established the Mary DiDonato Nursing Scholarship “to recognize excellence in nursing practice,” according to the university. Recipients of the scholarship, which is worth $1,000 to $1,499, are “dedicated to the profession of nursing, demonstrating the values of the profession, and involved in volunteerism.”

Beyond her professional endeavors, Ms. DiDonato “has given freely of herself to various Akron organizations,” according to the nomination.

She serves on the board of the Summit County chapter of the American Cancer Society and the St. Edward Home in Fairlawn. Ms. DiDonato volunteers both at Stewart's Caring Place and Visiting Nurse Hospice, and she sponsors and coordinates an annual Nurses Mass at St. Paul's Church in Akron to honor nurses, living and deceased, from Summit County.

— Scott Suttell

Pastor celebrates 75th birthdahy

 
Fr. Ralph Thomas checks birthday cake

About 100 parishioners gathered in the Parish Activity Center  after the 11 a..m. Mass on Sunday to bring well wishes to Fr. Ralph Thomas on his 75th birthday,

Fr. Thomas also received birthday wishes from students at the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Tuesday. Principal Robert Brodbeck presented him with birthday cards from students and students sang Happy Birthay to the pastor.

See more photos

Pastor celebrates 75th birthday, ordination

Parishioners gathered in the Parish Activity Center on Sunday to help Fr. Ralph Thomas celebrate his 75th birthday.

Wednesday  he will celebrate the 48th anniversary of his ordination.

Fr. Thomas was ordained in St. John Cathedral on May 22, 1965 by Bishop Clarence G. Issenmann in a class of 22.

Ralph William Thomas was born May 20, 1938 to Andrew L. and Mildred (Pertz) Thomas at their home in Maple Hieghts.  He was the middle child of five in the famly who all still live in the Cleveland area. Eleanor (John) Avalon lives in Mentor, Robert (Catherine) Thomas in South Euclid, Andrew (Sandra) Thomas in Westlake and Marilyn (Dennis) Jacobs in Maple Heights.

Fr. Thomas attended St. Wenceslas School in Maple Heights and was graduated in 1956 from Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland.  He attended St. Meinrad Seminary in St,. Meinrad, IN, in 1956-59,  St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe in 1959-1961 and St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland in 1961-65.

His first asignment was as an associate (parochial vicar) of St. Vincent de Paul School in Cleveland. He attended the Univeristy of Dayton in 1969 to study theology and sociology.  He was an associate at St. Charles Parish in Kettering in 1971-72 and taught religion at Alter High School in Ketering.  He then served at St. Henry Parish in West Carrollton in 1972-75.

He became involved in social work in 1975-82 with the Development Disabilities agencies in Hamilton County and for the State of Ohio during the Gilligan administration.

Fr. Thomas was then assigned as associate at Good Shepherd Parish in Cincinnnai in  1982-85. He was chaplain at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton from 1985 to 1988.
He did graduate studies in pastoral counseling at Loyola College in Baltimore in 1988-89. He was assiged as an associate at St. Mary of the Falls in Olmsted Falls in July 1996 and at St. Francis of Assisi in December, 1996.

He was assigned as a associate at St. Paul on June 12, 2002 and was named administrator pro-tem on October 4, 2004, He was installed as pastor on June 7, 2005.

Mass for nurses is August 9

 
This year’s annual Nurses’ Mass will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 9. The Peace Together Choir will sing and Fr. Neil Kookoothe R.N. will celebrate the liturgy. A reception will follow in the Parish Activity Center. 

'Pink Lady' card party is August 1

The St. Paul Ladies Guild “Pink Lady” Card Party is scheduled for Thursday, August 1,  in Boeke Hall. Food, raffle and door prizes and more.  Tickets are $7 available at the door. A light supper will be served including coffee, tea, and dessert. Please bring your own cards and games. For more information call Mary Lou 330-773-9379 or Sandi 330-724-2214.

Check out St. Paul Preschool

If you know of anyone who is thinking of registering for St. Paul Preschool, please encourage them to register now. Looking for a less expensive alternative to daycare? Interested in giving your child a great headart on his/her academic career in a faith-based environment? St. Paul Preschool is a state licensed developmental program with the goal of preparing children for Kindergarten. Its comprehensive curriculum integratesplay and hands-on learning techniques to teach Visual andLanguage Arts, Mathematics, Religion, Science, and Social Studies. The children also attend weekly specials with Music, Physical Education, Spanish, and Technology teachers. Currently we serve 4 and 5 year old children. Families who are looking for a full or part-time PreschoolProgram for their 4 or 5 year old child are invitedto call Mrs.DeKemper in the school office at 330-724-1253 for registration information or to schedule an individual tour.

Tour Europe with Fr. Evans

Experiece Alpine Europe (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) November 4-14, 2013 with Fr. Rich Evans of Holy Family Church, Parma.
Fr.Evans is a former assistranrt at St. Paul. Cost of the tpur is $3,099, including government taxes/airline fuel surcharges. Call Fr. Rich at 440-842-5533 for brochures, details and questions.   

Bereavement support group at Holy Cross

The Cleveland Catholic Cemeteries Bereavement Ministry invites you to spend some special time sharing your grief and receiving support from others who have experienced loss. The Bereavement Support Group meets the third Sunday of every month (except June – because of Father’s Day). The meetings are from 3 to 40 p.m.at\ Holy Cross Cemetery, 100 E. Waterloo Rd.. Call Nancy Romaine, Bereavement Coordinator, at 216-883-5420 for further information.

120 attend Religious Education banquet

 There were 120 at the Religious Education banquet on Thursday evening at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Serra Club hears Dr. Karla Bellinger

  From left are Maggie Walker, Karen Ohlin,Dr. Karla Bellinger and Catherine Sulak.

Dr. Karla Bellinger, director at the Center for Preaching, Evangelization, and Prayer and, Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister of the Cleveland Diocese, spoke at the Tuesay luncheon of Akron Serra Club on  communication from the pulpit to the pew and reaching out to young people.

She is a former theology teacher at Our Lady of the Elms High School, pastoral associate at Sacred Heart of Jesus parish and youth minister at Sacred Heart of Jesus...

 

Spaghetti dinner to provide funds For seminarians

Funds for seminarian scholarships will be provided  by a vocational fund raiser from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday (May 310) in Zwisler Hall at St. Sebastian Church. Spaghetti and meatballs dinner will be $8 for adults, $5 for children and $8 for carryout.  For more information, cal 330-869-2685.

Fr. Kraker to celebrate Memorial Day Mass at Holy Cross

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 27, at Holy Cross Cemetery. Mass will be celebrated by Reverend Joseph H. Kraker, pastor of St. Vincent Parish.

Students show skills at art show

 Chris won first is show

There was a nice crowd for the St. Paul Art Show on Thursday evening in the Parish Activity Center.  If you missed it, we are told the display will be kept on exhibit after Masses on Sunday. 

First in show was awarded to eight grader
Chris. Second place in show went to eighth grade Jesse.

Other first place winners were:

Pre-K: Emily "Ocean Commotion"
Kindergarten: Jacob "Shark Hiding"
First Grade: Mackenzie
Second Grade: Jack
Third Grade:  Carly, Inca Ink Design
Fourth Gade: Derek "Paw prints"
Fifth Grade: Jaiden
Sixth Grade: Wyatt
Seventh Grade: Bri
Eighth Grara: Nicole McCullars 

Sorry. We are not permitted to use last names.  

See other photos.

 Jesse won second in show

Fifth grader writes winning D.A.R.E essay/poem

Madison Grayem,  a student in Shelly Pixler’s fifth grde class,  wrote this winning D. A. R.  E.  Essay/poem:

After we had the D.A.R.E program at school,
I realized that drugs don’t make anyone cool.
Drugs seem to be wrapped up in so many lies,
I don’t see why people even “dare” to try.
It seems like everyone’s doing them nowadays,
But I just don’t see why it’s such a craze.
The people who do drugs clearly don’t see
How drugs will affect them and their families.
Though abusers say that drugs give them a good feeling,
Apparently to them, dying is appealing.

In D.A.R.E we also learned about smoking and tobacco use,
And just like drugs, it also counts as abuse.
Many people smoke because their friends told them so,
But if my friends asked me to, I’d give them a big, fat NO!
Sadly, millions of people think it’s fun to smoke,
But the topic of smoking isn’t a joke.

We learned a little about bullying during D.A.R.E.
And that bullying is not at all rare.
Bullying usually happens at school,
And believe me, they’re very cruel.
But bullies don’t have to be mean offline,
Because cyber-bullying happens all the time!
Sometimes, though, you’re not the target of the bully’s attack.
If you want to help stop bullying, you tell an adult and don’t fight back.

I learned a lot in the weeks that the D.A.R.E program was at my school
And to not use the information I learned, I would be quite a fool!

Mass for Roy Dannemiller is Monday

L. W. (Roy) Dannemiller, 89, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2013 at Akron City Hospital after a brief illness.

Roy was born July 22, 1923 in Akron to Leo and Anna (Seidel) Dannemiller and had been an Akron resident his entire life. He was employed by Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. for 38 years retiring in 1982. He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church where he served as an usher as recently as last Sunday.

Roy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Vivian in 1986; and his brother, James (Mary) Dannemiller. He is survived by his son, Gary (Brenda) Dannemiller; daughter, Karen (Michael) Mace; grandchildren, Michelle (Kevin) Brod, Paul (Nicole) and Ryan Dannemiller and Kristofer and Kurtis (Caitlyn) Gilley; great-grandchildren, Dylan and Aubrey Dannemiller and Mason Brod.

Roy was a Third Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3410 in South Akron. Following the death of his wife, he became very active in the council eventually serving as Grand Knight for two years. He became a District Deputy at the state level of the K of C. He was named Knight of the year in 2010 and was honored for 21 years of exemplary service as the financial secretary of Council 3410 in 2011. He always made an effort to attend the K of C Corporate Rosary for a deceased brother Knight.

Funeral services will be held Monday, 10 a.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. and followed at 10:30 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Paul Catholic Church. The family will receive friends Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home where the K of C Rosary will be recited in his honor at 7:30 p.m. In honor of Roy's commitment to the K of C, donations may be made to K of C Council 3410, 2055 Glenmount Ave., Akron, OH 44319.

(Anthony, Akron, 330-724-1281, www.anthonyfh.com)
[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, OH,  Tuesday, May 14, 2013]

Book Club has 37 members

 First Grader Gabe reads a book with Kindergarteners Jordan and Conner

 Second Graders Mackenzie, Olivia and Brylea work together writing a book.

Saint Paul's K-Second grade Book Club has had a very successful first year.  The club met once a week, October-May, with a membership of 37 students.  At our last meeting we talked about why the children enjoyed book club.  Some of the reasons included:

"We get to spend time with our friends and read together."
"We get to spend time with our teachers."
"We can read better."
"I like reading."
"I like when others read books to us."
"We can read to our friends."
"I enjoy the books."
"I like when we had snacks."
"I JUST LIKE TO READ BOOKS!"

Reading should be a joy.  A great opportunity for children is reading during summer vacation.  Children who spend time reading during the summer come back to school in the fall with their reading skills improved.  This will not only help them in school, but will also help them create life-long memories and make powerful connections with books.  Parents should keep these ideas in mind:

  *   Make sure your children have plenty of books to choose from.  Your local public library has wonderful summer reaidng programs for all ages (even adults).
  *   Always take books whenever you go somewhere.  Traditional paper books, audio books, or books to read online all work.
  *   Encourage social reading.  If your child wants to read a book because other kids are reading it, it will give them an opportunity to talk about the book with others.  It only takes a few friends to start a book club.
  *   Make time for reading.  We all have great intentions, but summer can get really busy and slip away before you know it.

Kindergarteners bake muffins for Moms

The kindergarteners baked muffins for their moms in celebration of Mother's Day...

 Aurora read the directions to her group.They added the incredients  Jacob adds milk while Caroline watches measuring cup

They mixed the dough. Samantha and Sky fill the muffins tins. They then enjoyed Muffins with Mom.  Caroline and mom Carrie Smith)

Prietos mark 50th anniversary

Tani and Sue Prieto were married on May 11,196 3 at St. Paul's Church. They are the proud parents of Manuel and (Denise) Prieto and blessed with two grandchildren, Jordan Elizabeth and Ryan.

Tani is retired from Fazio's and Seaway Foods and Sue has been a licensed realtor for 38 years. The couple enjoy spending time with their family and friends. They celebrated their anniversary with a family dinner and are planning to spend time this Fall in Spain with family and friends, where they met in 1959.

Crowning of Blessed Virgin statue

Anna Horn crowns statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the pastor, Fr. Ralph Thomas watches. The ceremony was at the vigil Mass of the Ascension at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 11.

A poem for Mother's Day

Lord, are there roses in your garden
On the shores of jubilee
Would you pick a dozen of your best
And deliver them for me?
For you see, today is mothers’ day
And I can’t visit my mom
For it wasn’t very long ago
The angels came and took her home.
So if there are roses in your garden
On the shores of Jubilee
Would you pick a dozen of your best
And deliver them for me?
Would you take them to my mother
And tell her that I love her.
Tell her that I miss her
In oh! So many ways
But I have joy in knowing
We’ll meet again someday
And we’ll pick roses together
On the shores of Jubilee.

Written by: Lynn Casstevens May 1, 2008

Thoughts on Mary by the pastor

MOTHER OF OUR SAVIOR
 
In our Catholic tradition we honor Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the
Church.

It has been somewhat of a challenge for the Church throughout history to keep devotion to Mary of Nazareth in balance and proper perspective. Our Church, understanding Mary’s special role in the
history of salvation for all God’s people, honor her with faith and love. She has a privileged position among all the saints. Mary has been and continues to be a source of inspiration, consolation and joy for all the members of the\ Body of Christ.

As we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary we pray with her for a genuine renewal of faith within the Church today. As
she was attuned to God, and the grace of the Holy Spirit,\may we too center our lives on Jesus Christ, her Divine Son.

In this Year of Faith, proclaimed by Pope Benedict Emeritus, may we all rejoice along with Mary—to know\ and love Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord.

Today on this Mother’s Day—we offer her a crown of flowers with our love and trust in her prayers for all our\ families.

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Religious Education director leaves St. Paul

Lisa Davidson, director of religious education, has been invited to a position in ministry at her home parish. She will conclude her position here at St. Paul this weekend

We want to express our appreciation for the enthusiasm and dedication she brought to our youth and parishioners over the past year. We wish her andher family many blessings. We pray now with trust that St. Paul will be blessed with a candidate to meet our needs

Spectacular raises $15,192

The 2013 Spring Spectacular and Silent Auction was again a huge success. Proceeds from both the Reverse Raffle and Silent  Auction totaled  $15,192.90 for our school. A sincere “THANK YOU” to Fred Cafarelli and Tony DiDonato for ticket sales and to Anne Bitong and Karen Duvall for all their hard work coordinating all the details involved that resulted in such a fun evening for all who attended. A big “THANK YOU” is also in order for all the parishioners and friends who attended, bought raffle tickets, made donations and helped out with everything on the night of the event. Wecould not do it without you! See you next year

Sisters seek support for elderly poor

The weekend of May 25 and 26, the Little Sisters of the Poor will be with us at all the Masses to seek your financial support for their ministry to the elderly poor. The Sistersare committed to welcoming the needy elderly, regardless of race or religion, into their Home on Richmond Road in\ Warrensville Heights. Ohio. They receive them asmembers of our large family, caring for them and preparing them for when God calls them to their Heavenly Home
.
Your generosity will be deeply appreciated.

Bishop Lennon on finding of 3 Cleveland women

Bernie and Mary Factor mark 65th anniversary

Bernie and Mary Factor were married on May 3,1947  at St. Paul Catholic Church and have been members of St. Paul Parish for more than  85 years. They raised 10 children.
   
They  celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary with their 10 children, 24 grandchildren and 17  great-grandchildren.

Bernie a veteran of  World War II, 2nd Armored Division,  served from 1942 through 1945. While he was overseas, Mary worked for Goodyear and the Navy from 1941 to 1948.  

See a full feature on the Factors published in October 2009 on  Saint Paul TODAY.