How you can help end Darfur genocide

A column about Darfur by Tom Allio, executive director of the Catholic Commission of Akron, is featured on the opp-ed page of the Beacon Journal on Page A11 of Monday's newspaper. Here are the lead paragraphs:.

Quick and decisive action must be taken on behalf of the suffering people of Darfur when the United States assumes the presidency of the U.N. Security Council this week. The first priority ought to be to implement U.N. Resolution 1706, which authorizes the deployment of 20,000 U.N. peacekeepers.

The peacekeepers would be given the mandate to protect civilians in Darfur. It is imperative that the United States seize the moment at the Security Council and do all in its power to catalyze international action that would ultimately stop the genocide.

One sign of hope for Darfur occurred last Monday. Sudan agreed to allow 3,000 U.N. troops to help 7,000 beleaguered African Union peacekeepers who have been unable to quell the region's four-year-old war. Khartoum has been stalling this deployment for several months.

Sudan finally bent under pressure from the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, some Arab and African countries and China. China is a player in this conflict because it buys two-thirds of Sudan's oil exports and sells Khartoum weapons and aircraft.

Diplomats remain cautious about this agreement to allow the U.N. peacekeepers because Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, has a history of backing off his commitments. In fact, the New York Times recently reported that Sudan has been flying arms and military equipment into Darfur in planes marked with the U.N. emblem, which is in violation of Security Council resolutions.

For almost four years, Sudanese armed forces and a government-backed militia, known as the janjaweed, have been fighting two rebel forces in Darfur.

The purpose of the rebels is to push the Sudanese government to address the political and economic marginalization that exists in the region. As a result, the government and the janjaweed, who are nomadic fighters, have attacked civilians and ethnic groups closely tied to the rebels.

According to the Save Darfur Coalition, some 400,000 people have been killed; more than 2.5 million have fled their homes and are in refugee camps in Sudan and Chad; and more than 3.5 million men, women and children rely on humanitarian aid from international relief organizations just to survive.

Click on the headline a bove to read the full report by Allio.

For more information, we suggest checking the Catholic Relief Services website on Darfur and then view the 60 second PSA featuring Catherine Hicks, star of the TV program 7th Heaven

First Communion is Saturday, May 5

A class of 45 will receive First Eucharist at Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 5. Members of the parish have been asked to pick up prayer cards to pray for the students. Father Ralph Thomas, assisted by Deacon Frank Lonteen, will give Communion in both forms to the First Communicants. The St. Paul PTO will host a reception in Boeke Hall after the Mass. Familiies who are having individual photos taken should remain in the church.

On Sunday, May 6, there will be a May crowning at the 11 a.m. Mass with a procession by the students to celebrate devotion to Mary, the Mother of our risen Savior.

All First Communicants and their parents also are invited to a Corpus Christi celebration of Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangerlist with Bishop Richard Lennon on Saturday, June 9, at 4:30 p.m.

Pray for vocations is Sunday at St. Vincent

All parishes in the Cleveland Diocese will be observing an hour of Prayer for Vocations. In our area the servies will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Vincent Church, 164 W. Market St., Akron.

As we pray for vocations, it is a good time to remember all the associate pastors who have served St. Paul's parish Here is our list..

Rev Francis H. Diederich, 1931-1945*
Rev Charles L. Byrider, 1941-1943 *
Rev Ira R. Still, 1943-1944*
\Rev Martin Scully, 1944-1949*
Rev John Kilcoyne, 1945-1950
Rev Francis P. Boehnlein, 1947-1948*
Rev Frederick C. Dietz, 1949-1952*
Rev Warren J. Werwage, 1949-1954*
Rev James P. McCann, 1950-1955*
Rev Charles E. Hogan, 1952-1952*
Rev CharlesJ. Donovan, 1952-1953*
Rev Eneas P. Sweeney, 1953-1958*
Rev Victor Lambur, 1954-1959*
Rev JosephJ. Horan, 1955-1962*
Rev George J. Schmalz, 1956-1956*
Rev LawrenceJ. 8ayer, 1958-1963
Rev Donald W Abel, 1959-1964*
Rev Charles 1. McCabe, 1962-1971 *
Rev Mark R. Blinn, 1963-1966*
Rev Hugh C. Whelan, 1964-1964*
Rev Paul J. Wysocki, 1964-1965
Rev Raphael E. Durant, 1966-1972*
Rev Albert L. Shimalonis, 1966-1967*
Rev John Wittreich, 1967-1969
Rev William J. Englert, 1969-1973
Rev William E. Black, 1971-1974*
Rev Paul J. Rosing, 1973-1978
Rev Samuel R. Ciccolini, 1974-1976
Rev Robert J. Carlin, 1976-1977*
Rev David J. Halaiko, 1976-1977
Rev Charles Ryba, 1977-1982
Rev Charles T. Diedrick, 1978-1982
Rev R. Stephen Vellenga, 1982-1987
Rev James T. Klein, 1983-1987
Rev Richard A. Evans, 1987-1992
Rev Albert Kunkel, 1990-1991
Rev Steven K. Brunovsky, 1992-1997
Rev Robert E. Stein, 1997-2002
Rev Ralph W Thomas, 2002-2005
* indicates Deceased

Girl Scouts spaghetti dinner May 11

St. Paul's Girl Scouts will sponsor a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 11, in Boeke Hall. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. For reservations (required) stop at the table in the narthex April 28-29 and May 5-6 or call Mrs. Lori Wammes at 330.785-1239 or Mrs. Betsy Roberts 330-310-4180. Takeouts available with a reservation The menu includes salad, spaghetti and meatballs, fred and butter, dessert and beverages. There also will be door prized and a kid's coloring contest. . Proceeds benefit troops 14, 456, 522 and 1271. Fund-raising goal for this year is $1,500 to help support troop activities.

Darfur refugees plea for U.N. help

EL-GENEINA, Sudan (AP) -- Refugee leaders pleaded with the visiting U.N. refugee chief Tuesday for better security as he toured camps around this increasingly lawless regional capital, where feared janjaweed militiamen roam freely and have infiltrated the police forces.

The fighters, blamed for widespread atrocities in Darfur, rode with police and army units in armed pickup trucks through el-Geneina as U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres met with local authorities.

Gunshots and clashes from the janjaweed occur almost daily, residents say. "The last killing happened five days ago," said Ibrahim Harun. "A janjaweed killed my neighbor because he wanted his cell phone."

The situation is even worse in neighboring refugee camps, tribal leaders told the UNHCR chief.

"They shoot at us day and night," said sheik Ibrahim Ali, a traditional leader of the Massalit tribe, who make up most of the 31,000 refugees from other parts of Darfur crowded into the Krinding camp on the outskirts of el-Geneina.

"Nobody chases or arrests any of the attackers," he told Guterres. "What we need is for the U.N. to send peacekeepers so that we can go back to our villages."

Another sheik, Mohammed Adam, said attacks were reported to the African Union, which has 7,000 peacekeepers in Darfur, some of them in a compound next to el-Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state. "But nothing changes," he told Guterres.

Residents and international workers in the area estimated that over half of government forces here are now infiltrated by militiamen. The Khartoum government denies supporting the janjaweed and calls them bandits they cannot control.

A Sudanese official in El-Geneina acknowledged the problem but said the local government had no control over the militiamen's activities. "The security services don't even inform us when the janjaweed come in town," said the official, who spoke anonymously because of the sensitivity of the issue.

More than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million made refugees in Darfur since 2003, when ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-led Sudanese government, accusing it of neglect and discrimination. The government is accused of arming the janjaweed as a counterinsurgency tactic, and the militiamen are blamed for widespread rapes and killings against Darfur civilians.

Guterres was on a two-day visit as the UNHCR prepares to bolster its operations in West Darfur, one of three provinces that make up Darfur.

Click on the headline to read the full Associated Press story.

See also the crisis information on the Catholic Relief Services website

Genevieve Niewierowski rites Thursday

Genevieve Niewierowski (nee Wieclaw)

Genevieve Niewierowski (nee Wieclaw) left this earth to be forever with her heavenly Father and united with her husband, Joseph, on April ,23, 2007 after a long illness at the age of 82.

Jennie was born November 27, 1924 to Walter and Mary Wieclaw in Ravenna, Ohio. She graduated from Ravenna Township High School in 1943 as valedictorian. She worked for The Akron Coffee Company as a secretary. On September 28, 1946, she married the love of her life, Joseph, and they began their journey through life together. She was a stay-at-home mom who raised their three children and took care of Joe's parents. They enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, especially Poland. Jennie was a devoted grandmother, known as Non to all her grandchildren, spending countless hours with them. She never tired of instilling in them their Polish heritage. She was life long member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Akron. She served many years as a sacristan, lector and Eucharistic minister. She also was a member of St. Paul's Mission Circle, Ladies Guild and K of C Wives, serving as president and any other capacity she was called to serve.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Joseph, in 2000; and is survived by son, Bruno (Kathy) Niewierowski; daughters, Joan Niewierowski and, Kathy (Chuck) Zabur, all of the area. Nonnie will be deeply missed by nine loving grandchildren, Dr. Brad (Judi) Niewierowski of St. Louis, Mo., Michelle (Steven) McNichols of Tampa, Fla., Melissa (Jeff) Detzel of Cincinnati, Ohio, Patrick (Dana) Clark of Akron, Amy, Thomas and Sarah Clark and Alexi and Stephen Zabur. She was blessed with three great grandchildren; Nathaniel McNichols, Colin and Ethan Detzel, and soon to be the fourth great-grandson from Patrick and Dana.

Our special thanks and prayers to all the wonderful and loving staff at Traditions et Bath who cared for our mother. Also, Connie, Betsy and Terri from Hospice Care, who provided their quality and loving care for her.

Funeral Services will be held Friday 9:30 a.m. at the Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Funeral Home, 95 W. Waterloo Rd., and 10 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday 4 to 8 p.m at the funeral home, where St. Paul Ladies Guild will recite the Rosary at Thursday 4:30 p.m. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Visiting Nurse Hospice Program.

(Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz, 330-724-1281, www.kakfh.com)

[The Beacon Journal,, Akron, OH, Wednesday, April 25, 2007, page B6, col. 6]]

Note: She was president of the St. Paul's Ladies Guild in 1977 and a member of Parish Council in 1994

$20,000 GAR challenge to benefit school

You have until July 15 to double your money for St. Paul School.

The GAR Foundation will match, dollar for dollar, your tax-deductible donations to Saint Paul School between now and July 15.

Please accept the $20,000 GAR Challenge for the benefit of St. Paul School.

Checks should be made payable to St. Paul School. Envelopes are being provided to make your contribution. You will notice a grey starburst with the words “Excellence in Catholic Education since 1926 and addressed to St. Paul Parish School, 433 Mission Drive, Akron, OH 44301. Our St. Paul School marked its 80th anniversary in 2006.

The cost of operating St. Paul School will be just a bit over $1 million for next year, or about $4,300 per student. Tuition only accounts for a little over half that amount.

Currently, with approximately $180 million in assets, the GAR Foundation is the largest foundation in Summit County and the fourth largest in Northeast Ohio. Grants totaling $5 million to $10 million are distributed annually.

The GAR Foundation was born out of the financial success and growth of Roadway Express, Inc. and its chairman and major shareholder, Galen J. Roush. In 1956, Roadway Express became a publicly owned company, with the family controlling just over 50% of the stock. Over the next ten years, Roadway's annual revenues grew from less than $43 million to more than $134 million. The price of Roadway stock also steadily increased.

In 1967, the Foundation was established as a trust and, upon the advice of Mr. Roush's attorney, Lisle Buckingham, half of Mr. Roush's estate was designated to fund it. The name "GAR Foundation" is an acronym for "Galen and Ruth."

From the beginning, the Foundation's philanthropic emphasis concentrated on northeastern Ohio with a preference for activities in Akron. The geographical area of giving changed in 1995, with primary consideration being given to organizations located in Summit County.

Diocese of Cleveland Celebrates 160th Anniversary

Bishop Richard Gerard Lennon, the tenth bishop of the Cleveland Diocese, celebrated Mass at noon Monday (April 23) in Saint John Cathedral to mark the 160th anniversary of the creation of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. On this date in 1847, a papal bull Cum in Statu Ohio created the new diocese which covered the northern portion of Ohio where approximately 10,000 Catholics resided and the first Bishop, Louis Amadeus Rappe, was appointed to serve as the first Bishop.

Concelebrants at the Mass were Bishop Emeritus Anthony M. Pilla , who served the longest tenure as Bishop in the history of the Cleveland diocese, along with the auxiliary Bishops.

Today, the Diocese serves a Catholic population of 797,937 Catholics across eight counties of northeast Ohio with 231 parishes, 49 of which are nationality parishes. The Diocese operates the largest school system in Ohio with 145 schools serving 57,180 students from pre-school through high school.

Mother/Daughter/Granddaughter Breakfast

The Ladies Guild will be sponsoring our annual Mother/Daughter/Granddaughter Breakfast on May 6, 2007 in Boeke Hall following the 9 a.m. Mass. This is open to ALL ladies of the parish and their daughtersl granddaughters over the age of 6 years. Please make reservations by calling Pat Rinella, 330-773-4626 or Pat Delagrange, 330-724-0466, in order for us to know how many guests to prepare for. DeadUne for reservations is Thursday, May 3, 2007. This year a "free-will offering" will be accepted in lieu of a set charge. Sr. Elaine Eggert will also be there to enlighten us on the Madonna Plan. Please make your reservations early.

Pray for our First Communicants

We are asking our parish community to support the children in the First Eucharist program by picking up a prayer card located in the Narthex. The children will receive First Eucharist on Saturday, May 5, 2007. Your prayers will enrich the children and their families with grace during their time of preparation for knowing Jesus in the Eucharist

May crowning will be Sunday, May 6.

Come and celebrate devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary at the procession and May Crowning on Sunday, May 6, 2007. The ceremony will follow the 11 a.m. Mass in the Church

Simple tasks can help

The Community Pregnancy Center can use your help in accomplishing great deeds for women with children. We have an immediate need for someone to come in, on your own schedule, to help out by cleaning donated baby items for distribution. We give things out in the name of Jesus so we only give out items in good condition. Please call Teri at CPC, 330-825-1900. Any other help is graciously accepted and greatly appreciated. We have a place for all who have a willing spirit.

Looking for musicians

We are looking for musicians of all types who would like to play in a parish assembly--for recreation. church activities, and worship. Please sign up in the Narthex after Mass or call Craig Richmond at 330-745-7962.

Fr. James Berardi to receive. award

Congratulations to Fr. James J. Berardi upon his receipt of the Father Thomas F. Mahar Outstanding Alumni Award from ST. Vincent-St.. Mary High School. The award honors graduates of St Vincent, St.. Mary and St Vincent-St. Mary High Schools who exemplify the spirit and values of Catholic secondary education in one or more of five related areas including ministry, youth service to school, service to community and professional achievement.

Donna Casto-Simpson rites Monday

Donna Casto-Sampson (Lovell) passed away April 19, 2007, at the Hospice Care Center in Copley. She fought an extremely brave battle for a year with pancreatic cancer.

She was a life long resident of Akron, Ohio and a graduate of Garfield High School. She was a remarkable loving and devoted mother, wife, grandmother, sister and friend.

Donna had a heart of gold in every sense of the word for her love of cats, which was admirable.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Mary Ann Lovell, twin nieces and brother-in-law, Rex Sampson.

The ones she dearly loves and leaves behind are her husband, Robert Sampson; son, Michael Casto, Jr.; daughter and son-in-law, Michele and Bryan Kavalecz; grandson, Tyler Kavalecz, whom it seemed to her impossible that she could leave her most precious love of her life. Sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and John Ziga; brothers and sisters-in-law, Louis and Laurene Scala, Tony and Margaret Lovell, and Richard and Laurie Lovell. Six nephews, one niece, and one great nephew and many loving cousins. She also leaves behind her loving father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Lois Sampson and family.

Also left to mourn her loss are special friends that she was blessed with.

Donna wanted all her love ones to know when tomorrow starts without her, she is always right there in their hearts.

Donna and her family wish to publicly acknowledge their love and gratitude to Father Ralph Thomas without his guidance, she would of never found the peace to get through the past year.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Funeral Home, 95 W. Waterloo Road. Funeral Services will begin Monday at 9:30 a.m., at the funeral home and will continue at 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul Catholic Church in Akron. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations in Donna's memory may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, 433 Mission Drive, Akron, OH 44301, Friends of Pets, or to the American Cancer Society. (Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz, 330-724-1281, www.kakfh.com) An Anthony Family Funeral Home
[The Beacon Journal,, Akron, OH, Saturday, April 21, 2007, page B7, col. 1]

Deacon Lonteen, former St. Paul priests mark jubilees.

Deacon Frank Lonteen and a number of former associate pastors at Saint Paul are among those featured in the Diocese of Cleveland Jubilees 2007 in the latest issue of the Universe Bulletin.

Deacon Lonteen, pastoral minister of St. Paul, will celebrate his 25th anniversary with a Mass at the church at 11 a.m. June 10 with a reception to follow

Former St. Paul associates honored in the Universe Bulletin included Father Albert A. Kunkel, 50 years; Fr. David J. Halaiko, 40 years, and Fr. Richard A. Evans, 25. Bishop Roger W. Gries, who serves in our area, and Father Paul E. Schindler, pastor of St. Bernard Church, both will celebrate 50 years. .

Fr. Kunkel, retired chaplain at Francesca residence in Akron and former pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Barberton, will celebrte his Jubilee with a Mass at 1 p.m. May 27 at Prince of Peace Church in Barberton with a reception to follow.

Fr. Halaiko, pastor of Nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ in Springfield Township, will celebrate his 40th anniversary with a Mass at 11 a.m. May 20 at the church.

Fr. Evans, associate pastor at Holy Family Church in Parma, will celebrate his 25th anniversary

Fr. Schindler, St. Bernard pastor, will celebrate his 40th anniversary with a Mass at the church at 10 a.m. May 20 with a reception to follow.

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Fr. Stein named pastor at Doylestown

Fr. Robert E. Stein, a former associate pastor at Saint Paul, will become pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Church in Doylestown, the oldest parish in the Cleveland Diocese, on May 1. Fr. Stein, who has been parochial vicar of our cluster parish, Saint Francis deSales, will replace Fr. David J. McCarthy, who will retire and become pastor emeritus. First pastor of the Doylestown parish was Fr. Basil Shorb who recorded the first Baptism in 1837.

The assignment change was announced in the last issue of the Universe Bulletin,

Parishes help provide water in Tanzania

Parishioners at Queen of Heaven Church in Green are getting excited about clean water. Not for themselves, but for some 1,500 students in northern Tanzania.

The excitement comes from knowing that they are helping three schools stay open with a ready supply of clean, safe water. Along the way parishioners are learning that much of the developing world has no safe water supply.

The improvement is all because of a homily last fall by Deacon Robert Bender, the parish’s pastoral minister.

“It’s been a very positive thing,” Deacon Bender said of the ongoing campaign at the Summit County church to raise funds for the Water for Life Project to benefit the Narumu Primary and Secondary Schools and Usari Primary School.

Deacon Bender decided to bring up the subject of water after hearing about the efforts of the Diocesan Council on Global Solidarity to raise funds for a water purification system that the schools desperately needed. So he called his classmate, Deacon Rocky Ortiz, to offer help. Ortiz staffs the council as part of his responsibilities within the Diocesan Social Action Office.

While delivering that November homily Deacon Bender held up a pint of bottled water to explain how Americans spend billions of dollars annually on such products even though they have water readily available from the tap. Around the world, he explained, more than 1 billion people don’t have access to safe water.

His plan was simply to raise awareness in the hope that a few dollars would come in for the project in the east African country. His point struck home. After Mass a parishioner approached and handed him two $50 bills. Deacon Bender knew he had to do more and began talking with parishioners about the dire need for water around the world.

Since then the parish has collected about $1,000 for the effort through several creative projects. One person took the initiative to sell bottled water at the parish’s Lenten fish fry. Next to him was a hand made display about the plight of people without access to safe water.

Supportive efforts, from fundraising to engineering and planning, have come from several other parishes. Funds also were collected at Saint Paul.

Click on the headline to read the full story by Dennis Sadowski in the Universe Bulletin–or better yet, be sure you subscribe and read the diocesan newspaper.

Gov. Strickland speaks at legislative breakfast

Most Reverend Richard G. Lennon welcomed Governor Ted Strickland, Governor of Ohio and numerous other state and local legislators from the eight-county area of the Cleveland Diocese to Parmadale on Monday morning for the opportunity to hear Governor Strickland speak on his budget vision for Ohio.

Governor Strickland stated that the 11.4 million people in Ohio face big challenges and that all needs simply cannot be met due in part to flat economic growth within the State.

“Let me say to you that I understand that not every part of my budget is acceptable to everyone. And what I’m trying to do is address what I think are the broad critical issues that must be addressed if we are ever going to do more than what I think we’ve been doing in the past, and that’s simply playing around the edges without addressing in the most direct way the most serious matters facing us: health care, education, and the problem of tax burdens and a tax system that I think has been regressive. And I believe this budget goes a long way toward trying to change the paradigm and get us headed at least in the right direction, so that more of our people will have opportunity, more of our people will have access to health care, and more of our people will have access to an affordable education,” said Strickland.

Immediately following his speech, the Governor left the Legislative Breakfast to to keep the other appointments of his day.

[Source: Cleveland Diocesan newsletter]

Click on the headline to read the full story by Robert Polymsky

Cub Scouts clean up for Earth Month

Cub Scouts of St. Paul's Pack 3081 were busy Monday cleaning up debris around the rectory and parish grounds as part of an Earth Month project. Leading the Cubs was Webelos den leader Paul Neugebauer who has been active with Cub Scouts for four years. Saint Paul's also still holds a charter for Boy Scout Troop 81 although it is not active. Click on the photo to enlarge for a better view

'Bob’ Hazlett funeral is Thursday

Paul Robert "Bob" Hazlett, 80, died April 15 at Akron City Hospital, after "fighting the good fight until the bitter end."

Born in Akron in 1926, Bob was a lifetime resident. He was a graduate of both the Hower Vocational School and The Cleveland Institute of Art. He was employed for nearly 40 years by The Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. as a commercial artist. Besides his family, Bob's passion in life was art, especially painting. He taught art classes at The Massillon Art Museum and exhibited his art at local shows for many years. Bob also loved camping and traveling with his family. He served his country as a member of the United States Army during World War II and The Korean Conflict. He had been a member of St. Paul Catholic Church for over 50 years, where he served on Parish Council and was a eucharistic minister. Bob was a member of The Akron Society of Artists as well as The Whiskey Painters of America.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Paul B. and Mary Ann Hazlett; sister, Mary Jane Shea. He is survived by the love of his life for nearly 54 years, Frances, his "Lady and a scholar"; children and their spouses, John and Karen of Akron, Paul and Elayne of Clinton, Mary of Akron, Patricia and Joseph Dudek of Green, Stephen and Janet of Akron, and Michael and Diana of Canal Fulton; grandchildren, Raechel, Matthew, Shawna, Katherine, Christopher, Brian, Kevin, Andrew, Jacob, Joshua, Mikhayla, and Ryan; as well as, many other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Funeral Home 95 W. Waterloo Rd. Funeral services will be held Thursday beginning at the funeral home at 10:30 and continuing with a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church in Akron. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to The St. Paull Catholic School Endowment Fund, 433 Mission Drive , Akron, OH 44301.(Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz, www.kakfh.com, 724-1281) AN ANTHONY FUNERAL HOME
[The Beacon Journal,, Akron, OH, Tuesday, April 17, 2007, page B6, coll.5]

Note: Celebrant for the Funeral Mass will be the Rev. Fr. John M Jenkins, emeritus pastor of St. Paul.

Please complete the 2007 Parish Survey

Father Ralph Thomas is urging all families in the parish to take the time to complete the 2007 parish survey. Parishioners should be receiving the survey in their mailbox this week or next and should return them by Friday, May 11.

"As our parish family changes, so do our needs, and it is helpful to periodically renew and enhance our understanding ot the perspectives held by each of our members in planning for the future," Father Thomas wrote.

Your identity will not be known unless you choose to make it known by signing the survey. You can either mail the survey back to the parish office or drop it in the offertory basket.

Click on the headline to read the letter from Father Thomas.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Is there a need for priests, brothers, sisters and deacons?

Let us come together as a diocese from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29, to pray for vocations and hear vocation stories.

In our area, the service will be at St. Vincent Church, 164 W. Market St., Akron.

Social Justice Thought for Week

"The migrant family should not be seen as a problem, but rather as a reserve for humanity,” Pope Benedfict XVI said on World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The Pope recalled that the Holy Family of Nazareth was also a migrant family. They emigrated from their home country to Egypt to flee Herod's persecution.

"It is an illusion to think that migration can be blocked or checked simply by force. Migration and the problems to which it gives rise must be addressed humanely, with justice and compaswsion...” Please keep migrant workers and their families in your prayers.

Solace group sessions begin April 16

Grieving alone is not only difficult; it can lead to problems, fears and doubts that could be handled more easily in this group situation. No one can take your grief away, but being with others who understand, can ease the pain. SOLACE is 6 weekly sessions, which hegin on Monday, April 16, 2007, at 7 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center.. Your questions about this group can be answered by June at 330-773-3177 or Terri 330-330-724-1263..

Organ concert at St. Sebastian April 27

Dr. Roger Nyquist will be presenting an organ concert at St. Sebastian Church, 476 Mull Ave., Akron, on Friday, April 27, 2007 at 8 p.m. The program will feature the Allen Renaissance Quantum organ. Come listen to music from around the world, organists from California and Pennsylvania and sounds from organs around the world.

Family Planning classes begin April 29

Getting married? Already married? Should you consider the magic of Natural Family Planning? Want to learn more about the effects of contraception? If you want to follow Church's divine teaching on contraception and lead a more natural, healthy lifestyle, you can find out more about the magic of NFP at the next series of NFP classes at Mercy Medical Center at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 29.. For more information or to register call 1-800~223-8662. Natural Family Planning is 99% effective.

2007 Camp Christopher season

Youth, Families, Seniors--Join us this summer at CYO Camp Christopher--a place to grow in nature, community and spirit! Our 2007 camping season provides opportunities for everyone including Resident Camp for ages 7-16, Day Camp tor ages 5-12, Family Camp tor all ages, Special Populations Camp for adults with disabilities, September Song Camp for ages 50+. Applcations are now being accepted. For more information, call Camp Christopher at 330-376-2267, ext. 203. Also, visit the website at www.akroncyo.org\camping. Open House will be Saturday, May 12,2007 from 1 to 5 p.m.

St John Ladies Guild card party

St. John's Ladies Guild "Spring/Fling Card Party" will be held Saturday, April 21, 2007, at noon at the Firestone Park Community Center on Girard Street. A light lunch will be served. Tickets are $6 each. Call Claire Ilbarger at 330-773-1630 or Maryann Muskinski at 330-699-2586 for tickets

Neighbors helping neighbors

CYO and Community Services is pleased to announce the annual Home Service Project 2007: Neighbors Helping Neighbors. The event is scheduled for May 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 125 volunteers are needed to perform spring cleanup projects such as mowing lawns, weeding flower beds, trimming bushes and raking leaves for older adults that are having difficulty keeping up with the demands. of home ownership. To volunteer, call 330-762-2961, ext. 232.

Pope Benedict XVI's Easter message

The text of the Urbi et Orbi (Easter) message of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, is on the parish website. Just click on the headline to go there.,

Chicago Tribune changes death penalty stand

The Chicago Tribune has favored the death penalty since at least 1869. When the editorial board came out against it., "the newspaper might have expected a rise out of readers and politicians previously aligned with traditional thinking that favored capital punishment," says Trbniune columnist Timothy J. McNulty. "There was barely a ripple, a few heartfelt letters to the editor, a few calls, and almost all accepting and welcoming the new attitude."

Saint Paul PTO Spring Family Dance

All parish families are invited to a night of dancing and fun from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 20, in Boeke Hall. A DJ will provide music, teaching line dances, and playing games for prizes. Pizza, snacks, drinks, and goodies will be available for purchase. Admission is $3 per person or $10 per family. All children must be accompanised by an adult. The dance is a program of Saint Paul PTO. Contact Nancy Kannel at 330-773-6375

Congratulations to newly baptized

Congratulations and blessings
to the newly baptized:

Caroline Jean Smith
daughter of Brian & Carrie Smith
born October 1, 2006
baptized March 18, 2007

Riley Jane Pribanich
daughter of Jason & Wendy Pribanich
born December 7, 2005
Baptized March 18, 2007

Hayli Rebecca Rentz
daughter of Megan Kapper
born September 17, 1999
baptized March 18, 2007

Divine Mercy Sunday at two parishes

The North and South Summit District Parishes are sponsoring a celebration of DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, April 15, 2007 at two sites: St. Joseph Parish, 1761 \Second St., Cuyahoga Falls, and Queen of Heaven Parish, 1800 Steese Rd., Green. The Devotions will consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament beginning at 1 p.m. and the singing of the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. with additional prayers, benediction and veneration of the image. A free hot dog/ice cream social will follow at the Queen of Heaven site. All are encouraged to attend either servlce.

Risen Christ in place for Easter Sunday

Parish Council President Tod Wammes (left) and Tom Liggett adjust the statue of the Risen Christ placed on the altar for Easter Sunday. Raising it up were Jim Carmany, Gerald Colant, Tony Bachman, Dave Nesline and Ron McAvoy. In the foreground is Beacon Journal photographer Lew Stamp who shot a photo which appeared on Page B3 of the Local News section on Easter Sunday.

Click on the photo to enlarge for a better view.

Behind the scenes

Sacristans prepare
for Easter Sunday

Dottie Thoerig (with iron), Millie Borisuk (center) and Rosemary Mileski irton the altar cloth on Holy Saturday to prepare for Easter Sunday services.

The woman also arranged the flowers around the altar.

Click on the photo to enlarge for a better view

Dora Weigand makes Easter wreaths

Something new
for Easter

Dora Weigand gets an assist from her sister, Sister Barbara, in hanging one of two Easter wreaths she made to hang in the narthex of the church for Easter Sunday.

Dora esimates she spent about six hours attaching the flowers and ribbons to the grapevine wreath rings. They are about 36 inches in diameter.

Sister Barbara was visiting for the weekend from Monroe, Michigan.

Click on photo to enlarge for better view.

Bishop Michael Murphy dies 1915-2007

Bishop Murphy, priest for 65 years
His first assignment was vicar with office at St. Bernard's in 1976

By Connie Bloom
Beacon Journal staff writer
Bishop Michael J. Murphy was a man of confidence and conviction who enjoyed hobnobbing with Akron leaders of the late 1970s during his tenure at St. Bernard's Church.

``When Bishop Murphy was ordained in 1976, his first assignment was to be vicar of Summit County,'' said Bob Tayak, spokesman for the Diocese of Cleveland.

``We had a different structure at that time. He had an office in the rectory at St. Bernard's from 1976 to 1978, then was named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Erie, Pa.''

It didn't take long for Murphy to endear himself to Akron-area parishioners. Then, after only two years, he was gone,but not without some drama.

In 1978, the Akron office of the FBI launched a search for the bishop's Napoleonic ring, snatched from the rectory. The 172-year-old ring had once belonged to a European archbishop.

It featured an amethyst mounted in yellow gold and bore an inscription that translated to Joseph by the Grace of God and the Will of the Emperor (Napoleon), Bishop of Metz, 1806.

Despite its monumental history, it was valued at only $2,000.

Bishop Murphy died early Tuesday in Cleveland. He had been in critical condition after suffering a serious fall several weeks earlier.

He was 92, a priest for 65 years.

Murphy was born July 1, 1915, in Cleveland, the son of the late William and Bridget Murphy, and educated in Cleveland schools, Niagara University, Catholic University and North American College in Rome.

He completed his studies for the priesthood at Cleveland's St. Mary Seminary.

``He was really well-known partly because he taught theology at St. Mary's Seminary,'' said Tayak.

Bishop Murphy formally succeeded to the See of Erie in 1982 and retired in 1990.

He was very active in pastoral work until the accident, Tayak said.

A wake and Mass will be held on Easter Sunday and also on Monday in Erie, Pa., followed by a funeral procession back to Cleveland for burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, 7916 Woodland Ave., at about 5:15 p.m. Monday.

[Akron Beacon Jourrnal, Thursday, April 6, 2007, page B6, col. 1]

See his obituary on the Erie Diocese website which also has a slide show of photos of the bishop through the years and some of his reflections–a very good collection.

There also is a nice two-page pdf file on the Cleveland Diocese website There also is a link there to the Erie Diocese website.

Matilda R. Schmidt services are Wednesday

Matilda R. Schmidt, age 97, passed away April 1, 2007.

She was born in Barberton and was a lifetime resident of the area. She was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church and the Secular Franciscan Order.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Paul; son, Jack; and daughter, Maryann McDougall; grandsons, Tom Schank and Joe Kalil. She is survived by her son, Paul (Norma) of Cuyahoga Falls; daughters, Joyce Rish of Akron, Janet (Paul) Schank of Arizona, Rita (Bill) Jansen of Arizona; 18 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren and three great -great-grandchildren. "A special thanks to the staff at Pebble Creek and Heartland Hospice for all their loving care."

Calling hours will be Tuesday 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Funeral Home 95 W. Waterloo Rd. where funeral services will be Wednesday 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by Mass of the Christian Burial 10 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be given to St. Paul Catholic Church 433 Mission Dr. Akron, 44301.

(Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz 330-724-1281 www.kakfh.com)
An Anthony Family Funeral Home
Published in the Akron Beacon Journal on 4/2/2007.