Reminder: St. Paul Mass and Novena

The Mass and Novena to St. Paul is at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening (October 1)

PSR classes for 2008-2009 open at St. Paul

Mrs. Shelly Hertzig welcomes students. Second graders (below) seem eager to learn

Parish School of Religion classes for 2008-09 opened Sunday at St. Paul. Students meet each Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Parish Activity Center for opening prayer and then go to various classrooms in the school for religious education. After classes parents are asked to join students at 10:25 a.m. for announcements and the closing prayer. Students are dismissed from the Activity Center at 10:30 a.m.

Parish catechetical leader Shelly Hertzig who welcomed the students Sunday reported there are 110 registered for the classes.

Teachers, aides and office staff volunteers are recruited from the total parish but particular appeal is made to parents of the children attending classes.

Judi Stoerkel is the religious education secretary. She replaces Office staff volunteers are Art Dobbins, David Hartsook and Gene Hertzig.
Catechists this year are:
Pre-School: Mrs. Mary Maxwell and assistant Ms. Julie Factor.
Kindergarten: Ms. Danielle Hertzig
Grade 1: Mrs. Anne Marie Crouse and Mrs. Theresa DeShane.
Grade 2: Mrs. Kathy Hartsook, Ms. Maggie Walker and Mrs. Diane Thanasiu
Grade 3: Ms.. Susie Gatian
Grade 4: Mrs. Annmarie Edwards and assistant Ms. Julie Factor
Grade 5: Mrs. Sharon Wieclaw and assistant Matt Hutchison
Grade 6: Ms. Renee Grant
Grade 7 John Wilson and Mrs. Shelly Hertzig
Grade 8 Jeff Miller and assistant Matt Hutchison

The introduction to the parent handbook begins with this paragraph:

Parents are their children’s most important Religion teachers. They teach by example – by mediating the love of Jesus to their children. Older brothers and sisters also play an important role in teaching and motivating the young. The conclusion is clear. The family has the most direct and lasting influence on the development of a child’s faith.

The Religious Education office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m., to 5 p.m. For any questions about programs or special needs, call 330-724-9311. There is a PSR calendar on the parish website.

Click on the headline to see photos of the opening day.

News from Booster Club meeting on Sunday

300 Club Winners:

#62 Craig & Delia Richmond

#51 Debra Ondecker

#343 Elizabeth Thornton

#347 Wade & Deanna Albertson

Basketball Gym Times
Basketball Gym Times will be drawn for CYO Youth Basketball on Sunday, October 5, at 12:30 p.m. in the Jenkins Gym. Contact John Garey at 330-724-2643 or Jill Joyner at 330-785-0733 for more information.

Volunteers needed for inventory Oct 5

Parent volunteers are needed this Sunday, October 5, for an inventory of equipment and uniforms that will take place from 1. to 3 p.m.

Euchre Tournament is Nov 1
The Euchre Tournament will be Saturday, November 1, in Boeke Hall. Prizes: 1st $250, 2nd $125, 3rd $75. Tickets are $20 per player. Snacks and beverages are included in the cost. . Consolation games of Left, Right and Center and more Euchre games upon elimination from the Tournament. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The Tournament will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.

Adult Men's Basketball Open Gym

St. Paul has open gym for adult men's basketball. Gym times are on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. or Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. The cost is $5 per player. Any guys 18 and over who are parishioners interested in playing basketball should contact Tony Bachmann at 330-724-7938.
[Information provided by Jo Shoup, club secretary]

Saturday was an unusual day at St. Paul

Saturday was an unusual day at St. Paul Church. There was a baptism, a wedding and a funeral all on the same day. A three-event day such as this is not a routine occurrence in any parish.

Benedict XVI's prayer intentions for October

Benedict XVI's prayer intentions for October:

General:
That the Synod of Bishops may help bishops and theologians as well as catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service of the Word of God transmit with courage the truth of the faith in communion with the entire Church.

Mission:
That in this month dedicated to the missions, through the promotional activities of the Pontifical Missionary Works and other organisms, the Christian may feel the need to participate in the Church’s universal mission with prayer, sacrifice and concrete help.

Joseph Antal funeral Mass is Wednesday

Joseph Antal

Joseph Antal, 72, passed away September 25, at his residence.

Born in Barberton on May 3, 1936 to the late Daniel and Kathryn Antal, Joe had been a lifetime area resident. He was a member at St. Paul Catholic Church and was a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3410. Joseph was a 50 year member of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #219 and was employed as a pipefitter for almost 40 years.

Joe was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters, one of whom is Louise Schoonover, who passed away on September 24. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Joan of Akron; son, Joseph D. Antal of Clinton and daughters, Denise (Del) Griggs of Cuyahoga Falls and Kara L. Jackson of Hudson; brother, Emil (Mary Ellen) Antal of Kenowick, Wash. and sister Helen Beidle of Barberton; grandchildren, Bill and Kristen Griggs, Rachel and Carter Antal, and Ethan and Ben Jackson.

The family would also like to extend their sincerest thanks and gratitude to the nurses and staff of both six west at Akron City Hosp
\ital and the Hospice of Summa for the loving care that was given to Joseph during his time there.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St., where the Knights of Columbus will conduct a rosary at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations in Joe's memory may be made to the St. Paul Building Fund, 433 Mission Dr., Akron, Ohio 44301 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis Tenn. 38105. (Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz, 330-724-1281, www.kakfh.com) ANTHONY FUNERAL HOME [Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Sunday, September 28, 2008, page B7, col. 1]

Mass for Salvator Palermo Jr. is Tuesday

Salvator Palermo Jr.

Salvator Palermo, Jr., passed away September 23, 2008.

Born February 27, 1922 in Akron, where he lived his whole life. He served in the US Navy as a salvage diver during World War II. He retired from Bridgestone-Firestone where he was a master mechanic and supervisor. He worked as a plumber, but was a jack-of-all-trades, building his own home and volunteered many hours "fixing things" at his parish, St. Paul's and at the Interval Brotherhood home. From Linguini and clam sauce to Pizzelles, he enjoyed cooking, and was very good at it. He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3410 and a 4th Degree member of the Monsignor O'Keefe Assembly.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; parents, Salvatore and Antonia; sisters, Margaret Cameron and Marietta Palermo; brothers, Carlo and Tony Palermo; brothers-in-law, Joseph and Albert Marziale. He is survived by his daughter, Toni Longville (Jerry); sons, Sam Palermo (Vicki), Michael Palermo (Sherry) Paul Palermo, and John Palermo (Debi); grandchildren, Elisa Gamache, Michele Hyatt, (Marty) Christine Longville, Toni Coeline Longville, Gina Lohrman, (Todd) Angela Berry, Joe Palermo, Giovanni Palermo, Rocco Palermo, Lionel Urquhart; and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Frances Marziale and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. A Mass of a Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 1580 Brown St., Akron, Ohio. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's Building Fund, 433 Mission Drive, Akron, Ohio 44301. (Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz, 330-724-1281, www.kakfh.com) ANTHONY FUNERAL HOME.
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH,Sunday, September 28, 2008, page B9, col.2 ]

Ed Regan funeral Mass is Monday

Edward R. Regan

Ed Regan, went home to be with the Lord on September 26, 2008.

He was born on September 25, 1940 to Victor and Ferne (Nedimyer) Regan. Ed retired from the United States Postal Service.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Gail. He is survived by sons, Patrick and William; loving partner, Joanne Wellock; brothers and sisters, Doris (Ken) Grazier, Tim (Rosemary) Regan, Judy (Jim) Belinsky, Victor (Mary Ann) Regan, William (Denise) Lane, John Dorefice; granddaughter, Megan Regan; several nieces and nephews; extended family, Jerri (Ray) Creadon and children, and Marty Smith.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Ed's doctors and the Palliative Care Center at Summa.

Family will receive friends at the Bacher Funeral Home, 3326 Manchester Rd. on Sunday, September 28th, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial to be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 433 Mission Dr. Akron, on Monday, September 29th at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ralph Thomas, Celebrant. Interment on Tuesday, September 30th, 11 a.m. at Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery, Rittman. Funeral home map, directions, and the Regan family condolence book are available at www.bacherfuneralhome.com (Bacher, 330-644-0024)
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Sunday, September 28, 2008, page B9, col. 3]

Sessions to discuss decisions on voting

Tom Allio and Karen Leith of the Catholic Commission of Summit County will give a presentation on "Forming Christian Conscience for Voting." in two sessions at St. Paul this coming week. . The sessions will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center.

Click on the headline to see a five-point summary article “Brief Reflections on the Role of Catholics in an Election Year”

There are many resources available to help voters on election decision-making. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has a website on Faithful Citizens containing essays on these topics:

Church Urges Humane, Comprehensive Solution to Immigration Issue
Voting by Conscience
The Election and the Environment
Poverty and the 2008 Elections
Moral Questions Regarding Iraq in an Election Year
A Decade Later: Time for a Dose of Reality on Stem Cells
Gay Marriage – Locating the Question
Abortion and Faithful Citizenship
Bringing Facts and Principles to the Health Care Debate
The American Workplace: Economic Policy, Moral Dimensions
Peacemaking and Catholic social teaching

Click here to visit the Faitthful Citizenship site,

Other websites are the Diocesan Social Action Office, www.catholic-action.org, the Catholic Conference of Ohio, www.ohiocathconf.org, the US Catholic Conference of Bishops, www.usccb.org.

Reminder: Booster Club meets Sunday

The St. Paul Booster Club meets at 7 p.m. Sunday in Boeke Hall.

It's Happening at St. Paul

SUNDAY, September 28
Booster Club at 7 p.m. in Boeke Hall
PSR Classes 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Parish Activity Center and classrooms
.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
SOLACE support group will meet at 7 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center.
Cub Scouts pack meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Boeke Hall.
Faithful Citizenship at 7 p.m. in Parish Activitiy Center. Tom Alio and Karen Leith of the Catholic Commission will give a presentation on “Forming Christian Conscience for Voting.”

TUESDAY, September 30
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Church is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Senior Prayer Hour at 1 p.m. with Eucharistic Adoration.
Girl Scout Troop 1080 at 2:45 p.m. in the school cafeteria
Jugglers at 7 p.m. in the old Gym

WEDNESDAY,October 1
Bible Study at 9:15 a.m. in Room 111
Chess Club at 4 p. m. in Room 111.
Bible Study at 7 p.m. in rectory
Market Day Pickup from 5 to 8 p.m. in Boeke Hall.
St. Paul Mass and Novena at 7 p.m. in the church.

THURSDAY, October 2
Faithful Citizenship at 7 p.m. in Parish Activitiy Center. Tom Alio and Karen Leith of the Catholic Commission will give a presentation on “Forming Christian Conscience for Voting.”

FRIDAY, October 3
Women’s Gathering Covered dish dinner and workshop from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sister Cheryl Rose will speak on on "Having faith in God." Dinner will be served by men of the parish.
Student Mass at 8:30 a.m. planned by Janet Hazlett’s fourth grade class

SATURDAY, Octrober 4
Women’s Gathering at 6:30 a.m. to noon. in Boeke Hall. Continental breakfast and workshop from 8;30 a.m. to noon. Sister Cheryl Rose will be discussing "Having faith in God."

SUNDAY, October 5
PSR Classes 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Parish Activity Center and classrooms

Students will be greeting worshipers this Sunday.
Ladies Guild will be greeting during October.

Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers for October

Lectors for October:
Saturday 4:30 p.m. June Rietz
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Bernie Factor
Sunday 11:00 a..m. Youth lector

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for October

Saturday 4:30
Sandy Bojo
Robin DeFago
Debbie Dodson
Kelly Dodson
Carol Eich
Larry Eich
Patricia Hogue
Bob Kerr

Sunday 9:00
Karen Cain
Barbara Hughes
Art Mileski
Rosemary Mileski
Ancgie Roosa...
Bob Roosa
Dottie Thoerig
Kristina Woodall

Sunday 11:00
John Amedeo
Ashley Barta
Brittany Barta
Karen Matusicky
Jeannette Michel
Kelly Reed
David Ruegg
Debbie Starosto

Rosary for Fatima is October 13 at St. Paul

October 13 marks the 91st anniversary of the final apparition of our Blessed Mother at Fatima.

St. Paul parish will celebrate the anniversary and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima at noon Saturday, October 11.. All parishioners and friends are invited to join in reflection as the parish prays the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary.

On May 13, 1917, on a hillside outside Fatima, Portugal, three shepherd children saw a lady "brighter than the sun, shedding rays of light clearer and stronger than a crystal glass filled with the most sparkling water and pierced by the burning rays of the sun." For the next six months, on the 13th day of the month, Our Lady of Fatima appeared to Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

The final apparition, on October 13, 1917, was accompanied by the "Miracle of the Sun." As many as 70,000 people saw the sun dance in the sky, then plunge toward the earth. The sheer number of witnesses weighed strongly in the decision to proclaim the apparitions at Fatima "worthy of belief" in 1930..

There is no better way to celebrate the 91st anniversary of Fatima than to pray the rosary, which the Blessed Virgin asked the children to recite every day. Most Catholics incorporate into the rosary a prayer known as the Fatima Prayer, which was revealed by Our Lady to the children on July 13, 1917. Recited at the end of each ten Hail Marys, it is also known as the Decade Prayer.

V. O my Jesus, forgive us our sins.
R. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

In an address on the May 13 anniversary this year, Pope Benedict XVI said:

The Holy Rosary is not a pious practice banished to the past, like prayers of other times thought of with nostalgia. Instead, the Rosary is experiencing a new Springtime. Without a doubt, this is one of the most eloquent signs of love that the young generation nourish for Jesus and his Mother, Mary. In the current world, so dispersive, this prayer helps to put Christ at the center, as the Virgin did, who meditated within all that was said about her Son, and also what he did and said. When reciting the Rosary, the important and meaningful moments of salvation history are relived. The various steps of Christ's mission are traced. With Mary the heart is oriented toward the mystery of Jesus. Christ is put at the center of our life, of our time, of our city, through the contemplation and meditation of his holy mysteries of joy, light, sorrow and glory.

Click on the headline for article on how to pray the Rosary.

Learned by reading the church bulletin

Stewardship Committee hopes to contact all St. Paul Alumni
The Stewardship Committee and Fr. Thomas, are looking for alumni of St. Paul School to help organize and contact all of our alumni. If you are able to help out, please call the rectory at 330-724-1263 or Tony Bachmann at 330-926-7001.

Right to Life 40 Days Opens; Life Chain Is October 4
Right To Life of Summit county is uniting with 173 cities In 45 states in the "40 Days for Life" campaign which opened September 24 and runs through November 24.. You can. participate in three ways: prayer to end abortion, fasting and peaceful vigil from 8:00a.m. to 7:00p.m. outside the abortion facility at 839 E. Market St. in Akron every day during the 40-day campaign. The annual LifeChain will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2008 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 :30p.m. The chain will form between 692 E. Market St. and 839 E. Market St.

Social Justice Thought: Is bottled water worth $100 billion?
Seventy-four percent of Americans drink bottled water and one of five drinks only bottled water. Worldwide, consumers spent $100 billion on bottled water in 2005. Making bottles to meet Americans' demand for bottled water required the equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil last year enough for more than 1 million U.S. cars for a year-and generated more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide. Each year, 4 billion pounds of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, which are recyclable, end up in landfills or as roadside litter. Only a small number are recycled. About 40 percent of bottled water comes from the same sources as tap water. It is no safer than tap water and sometimes much less safe.

Thanks for Any Help on Hope for Healing Fund
Thank you for your continued support for the Tammy Hutcherson Hope for Healing Fund at the St. Paul Credit Union. Tammy completed treatment in Pittsburgh and is continuing treatment with experimental drugs through her doctor here at home, however, she and her family continue to face mounting expenses. Donations are gratefully accepted at the St. Paul Credit Union, 1762 Brown St., Akron, OH 44301 and may be mailed, dropped off at the Credit Union or placed in the offertory collection. Please makes checks payable to: St. Paul Credit Union with a notation for the "Hope for Healing" fund.

Schedules available for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Lectors
The schedules for October, November and December are available in the front confessional next to the organ. Please be sure to pick up a copy. If you have any questions please call Dora Weigand at 330-773-7250 for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion and Darlene Musgrave at 330-7454242 for Lectors.

Mass Intentions September 27 - October 5

SATURDAY, September 27 Vincent de Paul, priest
4:30pm Sunday Vigil Josephine Dettorre +

September 28 Twenty-sixth Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00am Mary Chopak +
11:OOam Living & Deceased Parishioners of St. Paul

MONDAY, September 29 Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels
7:00am Special Intention for Dennis Allio
8:30am Frances McClarnon +

TUESDAY, September 30 Jerome, priest, doctor
7:00am Helen Slader +
8:30am Morning Prayer and Communion

WEDNESDAY, October 1 Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin, doctor
7:00am For an end to all war
8:30am David Henry +
7:00pm Mass & Novena in honor of St. Paul

THURSDAY, October 2 Guardian Angels
7:00am For the ill and the homebound
8:30am Morning Prayer and Communion

FRiDAY, October 3 Weekday
7:00am Morning Prayer and Communion
8:30am Ed Kocsis +

SATURDAY, October 4 Francis of Assisi, religious
4:30pm Sunday Vigil Edward Boal +

SUNDAY, October 5 Twenty-seventh Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00am Living & Deceased Members of Ladies Guild
11:OOam Steve Vavro, Jr. +

Mason Parvin, father of school librarian, dies

Mason Parvin was the father of St. Paul School librarian Cheryl Childress.

Mason Joseph "Mace" Parvin
Mason Parvin, 90, passed over peacefully with family by his side at Summa Palliative Care.

Mace was born in Ashland but lived his entire life in Akron. He retired from The Akron Beacon Journal after 33 years of service as a circulation manager. You never met Mace without a big smile and a "How are you doing" to greet you. Because of his career with the Beacon, he seemed to know everyone in Akron.

Mace was a kind, caring and wonderful man, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and loyal friend. He was blessed with a happy and long life. He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church.

He loved sports and the outdoors, especially fishing. He loved his annual trip to Canada with his Dad and brother, Harvey. He loved the company of others and sharing one of his many stories about sports. Mason was a gifted athlete earning many honors at Kenmore High School as a left handed pitcher. He was to try out with the NY Yankee's when World War II changed his and so many other lives. Mace joined the U.S. Air Force and due to his athletic prowess they made him a drill instructor and he pitched on the Armed Forces baseball team. Mason was also a skilled bowler with several certified 300 games in his long league career where he made many life long friends.

Mace was preceded in death by his mother and father, sisters, Wanda and Deborah and brother, Donald. Mace is sadly missed by son, Gary (Nancy); daughter, Cheryl (David) Childress; and dear friend and companion of 33 years, Betty Gephardt. He adored his grandchildren, Stacee (Bob) Mikolich and Valerie (Doug) Ambrose; great- grandchildren, Jack and Sam; brother, Harvey (Shirley); sister, Linda (Kenny) Johnson; close friends, Annie and Rick Volk and Maryann and Denny Davis and their families; many nieces and nephews; his loyal Shepherd Mercedes, and a long list of friends.

Heartfelt thanks to the Summa Palliative Care team.

Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends TODAY from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church in Akron. Inurnment of ashes at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church. (Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz, 330-724-1281, www.kakfh.com) ANTHONY FUNERAL HOME
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Friday, September 26, 2008, page B7, col. 3]

Ladies Guild plans
Halfway to St. Patrick's Day

The posters are up.


Tickets are $10



Click on the poster to get the big picture.

St. Paul did not invent Christianity, Benedict XVI says

Vatican -- At his weekly public audience on September 24, Pope Benedict resumed his series of talks on St. Paul, discussing his interactions with the other Apostles.

The Pope again traveled from his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo to hold the Wednesday audience in St. Peter's Square. Having devote the previous week's audience to reflections on his trip to France, the Pontiff returned to the series of talks that he planned for the Pauline Year.

Unlike the Twelve, St. Paul did not accompany Jesus during his public life, and consequently "he felt the need to consult the Master's first disciples," the Holy Father said. In his Letter to the Galatians, St. Paul describes Sts. Peter, James, and John as "pillars of the Church."

Pope Benedict observed that St. Paul's attitude toward the Apostles shows the absurdity of the argument that it was St. Paul himself who "invented" Christianity. On the contrary, the Pontiff said, St. Paul felt the need for the original Apostles to validate his own evangelizing mission. In his epistles, St. Paul emphasizes the importance of "the living tradition of the Church, which he transmits to his communities."

That tradition, the Pope continued, is given life through the Eucharist. St. Paul's writings show that he sees the Eucharist as "the center of the life of the Church." All of Christian tradition should be seen through the light of the Eucharist, which "illuminates the curse of the Cross."

[Source: Catholic World News]

Used Book & Music sale nets $951

St. Paul's Used Book and Music Sale earned $951 for the parish and schoool, a finaly tally by coordinator Ron McAvoy shows.

McAvoy said he would again like to thank all those who helped at the sale, prepared for the sale, donated items and finally those who purchased books and music.

You can see an earlier post which lists those who helped.

Margaret Griffith dies at 91, rites in Tiffin

Margaret C. Griffith, age 91, of Akron, Ohio, died at 11:14 a.m. Monday, September 22, 2008 in Summa Hospital in Akron.

She was born to the late John and Margaret (Thomas) Silvasy on January 25, 1917 in Barnsboro, Pennsylvania. In 1970 in Millersburg, Ohio, she married Gar Griffith and he died in 1991. Survivors include a daughter, Judy (Joe) Rossano of Tiffin; two grandchildren, Mark and Matt Rossano; four great-grandchildren, Dani, Talia, Julia and Alicia Rossano. Mrs. Griffith was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Chaff and a brother, John Silvasy.

Margaret had worked at Firestone Corporation in Akron. She was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Akron, and was an avid Bridge player.

There will be a private graveside service officiated by Rev. Joseph Szybka in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Tiffin. To leave online condolences to the family go to: www.traunero funeralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-3113.
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH,Wednesday, September 24, 2008, page B6, col. 6]

Fr. Thomas on Rome, Education, Vocations

Fr. Thomas talking about his trip to Rome, education and vocations

The Rev. Fr. Ralph W. Thomas, pastor of St. Paul Parish, was scheduled to talk Tuesday to the Akron Serra Club about his trip to Rome, but he talked with equal enthusiasm about the Church here at home.

“We are part of a wonderful Church,” he said in his remarks on his trip to Rome.

One of the things that struck me the most was that when you talk about some of the saints from our childhood and then when you walk down the street and find out that St. Francis lived here and Saint Clare lived here. It makes a big difference.”

People for centuries carried on the faith there, he said. He said seeing bishops and priests from all over the world speaking all different languages, shows the universality of the church.

Fr. Thomas talked about the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for the feast of SS Peter and Paul on Sunday, June 29, when Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople joined Pope Benedict XVI and both delivered homilies for the inaugural of the Pauline Year.

He invited Serrans to visit St. Paul for the Mass and Novena the first Wednesday of each month honoring St. Paul and discussions of his letters the fourth Wednesday.. He answered questions on how to gain an indulgence by visiting St. Paul which is designated a Pauline Year pilgrimage site.

Turning to education, Fr. Thomas said it is difficult for grade schools today which now must change..

“I don’t think we can follow the traditional course of study for many of the children in the inner city and city areas,” he said. “Because their home life and their culture is so troublesome, you can’t follow the normal course of study. You have to deal with the child in a different way.”

Many of our Catholic colleges are doing a good job, he said, in sending young people out to industry and other occupations.

“We hope they will keep their morality” in their work and in how they treat people, he said.

Turning to vocations, Fr. Thomas compared his path to the priesthood with those today.

Fr. Thomas grew up in Maple Heights when the family moved there in 1938, he said. The parish was the center of a social, academic and spiritual life all revolved around a close-to-home parish. He attended Cathedral Latin High School.

“I took two buses and it took 45 minutes to go to school,” he remarked. The Brothers of Mary were the faculty.. When he was about 17 years old, his counselor probably was only 24 or 25 and kept talking to him about the religious life.

“I think my vocation grew out of that,” Fr. Thomas said. “A lot of young men and women don’t have that contact.”

He urged Serrans to join in trying to promote groups of young men who would get together just as Men’s Fellowships do to discuss their faith and their role in the church.

Fr. Thomas was introduced by Ron McAvoy of St. Paul parish who chaired the meeting in the absence of president Bill Wittenauer of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish who was absent for business reasons.

Tom Giffels gave a report on talks with the Rev. Fr. Michael Gurnik, Diocesan vocations coordinator, about plans of the local club to develop a Seminary student scholarship,

Your penny's worth for today

Four different designs for pennies in 2009 (Click to enlarge designs for viewing)

Honest Abe will remain on the front of pennies in 2009.

Abraham Lincoln's image has been on the front of the penny since 1909. That image will remain in place but four different designs will be on the back of coins to be issued next year. The four different images highlight parts of Lincoln's life. These coins will be issued about 3 months apart in the order they happened.

* His birth in Kentucky (1809 to 1816)
* His youth in Indiana (1816 to 1830)
* His professional life in Illinois (1830 to 1861)
* His presidency in Washington, DC (1861 to 1865)

The U.S. Mint has been producing cents for circulation for 215 years since 1793 Pennies which aren't even made of copper anymore (It's zinc with a copper-coating) are considered by many to be growing more and more unnecessary...and expensive. Besides the regular circulating version of these coins, a special version may be made for collectors. This version would contain the same metals as the original 1909 cent (95 percent copper, 5 percent tin and zinc) instead of the modern cent's normal mix (2.5 percent copper, the rest zinc).

The U. S. Mint unveiled the new designs during a ceremony Monday at the Lincoln Memorial. The new coins are part of the commemmoration next year of the 200th anniversary or Lincoln's birth.

Penny Lexicon

* A penny for your thoughts (tell me what you're thinking)
* Not one red cent (not giving up a single penny)
* Penniless, not a penny to his name (poor)
* Penny wise and pound foolish (being thrifty in small things but wasteful in important things)
* Put your two cents in (give your opinion)
* Pennies from heaven (small blessings)
* Penny-pinching (stinginess)
* Penny ante (small-time)
* Penny whistle (toy flute)
* Penny arcade (part of an amusement park with coin-operated machines)

October events posted on calendar

St. Paul events for October are now posted on the calendar on the parish website. Just click on the calendar link at left to go straight to the calendar or click on the website link at left and then click on the calendar button on the website. You can view the calendar by the month--clicking on October..

If you click on a calendar item, a window will pop up with information about the event that you can then print out.

Please check the calendar for dates and events of your organization. Send any additions or corrections to hliggett@sbcglobal.net

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Handing on the faith at St. Paul

Principal Rosemary Capotosto and the St. Paul School teaching staff and Catechetical leader Shelly Hertzig and the PSR teachers were honored at the 9 a.m. Mass on Sunday which was designated Catechetical Sunday. The pastor, Rev. Fr. Ralph Thomas, read the names of each and asked them to step forward in front of the altar. Fr. Thomas gave a brief talk about the importance of "handing on the faith," thanked the teachers and urged parishioners to support the two staffs. He also urged anyone interested in helping with religious education to call the rectory, school or religious education office.

St. Paul students resumed classes August 25. Parish School of Religion clases resume next Sunday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. PSR students meet in the Parish Activity Center and then go to classrooms, returning to the PAC for dismissal.

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St. Paul’s Peace Pole prayer in 4 languages

Planting of Pinwheels for Peace by students after the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Friday stirred some interest in the Peace Pole in the yard in front of the Parish Activity Center where the pinwheels were placed. This was the third year students have placed pinwheels around the pole as part of the observance of the International Day of Peace which is this Sunday. More than 200 pinwheels were made by students for the project.

There are more than 200,000 Peace Poles in 180 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments of peace. A Peace Pole is a monument that displays the message and prayer “May peace prevail on earth” on each of its four or more sides. The prayer is usually printed in a different language on each side.

The St. Paul Pole has the prayer in French on the north side, German on the east. Spanich on the south and English on the east.

French: Puisse la Paix regner dans le monde
German: Moge Friede auf Erden sein
Spanish: Que La Paz Prevalezca En La Tierra
English: May Peace Prevail On Earth

The sides are shown horizontally in our montage above so you can read the prayers in each language. The photo at right shows pinwheels around the pole for the Peace Day observance.

If you know when the St;. Paul Peace Pole was erected or have any other information, pleass send us email.

Poll: Economy, not social issues, willl steer voters

Social issues normally important for religious groups, such as abortion, stem cell research and gay marriage may take a back seat to worries about the economy in the presidential election. That is one of the conclusions of John Green, director of the University of Akron Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Science.

The poll, presented at a conference of Religion News Writers in Washington, DC, indicated that Evangelical Protestant and non-Latino Catholics favor Republican John McCain while Black Protestants, Jews and atheists support Barrack Obama. The poll, however, was taken before either political party convention.

The poll was the lead story on page 1 of the Akron Beacon Journal today.

Click on the chart for reading and then hit control P on your keyboard if you would like to print it.

Click on the headline to read the story on the Beacon Journal's Ohio.com website. The chart appears only with the printed newspaper.

It's Happening at St. Paul

SUNDAY, September 21
Catechetical Sunday Mass at 9 a.m.
Used Book and Music Sale after all Masses in the Parish Activity Center.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Autumn begins at 11:44 a.m.
SOLACE support group will meet at 7 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center.
Men’s Fellowship Bible study and prayer at 7 p.m. in Room 111. The Bible study passage will be John 13: 21-28 Jesus talks about his betrayal.
Cub Scouts pack meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Boeke Hall.

TUESDAY, September 23
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Church is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Senior Prayer Hour at 1 p.m. with Eucharistic Adoration.
Mandatory meeting for parents of St. Paul students at 1 or 6:30 p.m.
Girl Scout Troop 1080 at 2:45 p.m. in the school cafeteria
Jugglers at 7 p.m. in the old Gym
PTO Ways and Means Committee at 6:30 p.m. in Boeke Hall
Liturgy and Worship Committee at 7 p.m. in Room 111.

WEDNESDAY, September 24
School interim reports go home
Bible Study at 9:15 a.m. in Room 111
Chess Club at 4 p. m. in Room 111.
Bible Study at 7 p.m. in rectory
St. Paul Letters Discussion at 7 p.m. in the church.

THURSDAY, September 25
Family Life Parent meeting (Grade 5) at 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, September 26
Student Mass at 8:30 a.m. planned by Shelly Pixler’s fifth grade class

SUNDAY, September 28
Booster Club at 7 p.m. in Boeke Hall
PSR Classes 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Parish Activity Center and classrooms

St. Paul School students will be greeting worshipers during September

Learned by reading the church bulletin

THERE’S A NEW PAPER RECYCLING BIN
There is a new brightly-colored recycle bin in the gym parking lot. In order to earn more money, St. Paul has changed to the River Valley Paper Company to handle all paper recycling. Acceptable items are newspapers, office and school paper, mail, hard and soft-bound books, phone books, magazines, catalogs, and brown paper bags. Cardboard is acceptable if it is tom up. Unacceptable items for recvcling are Styrofoam, metal, glass, trash, aluminum and any type of plastic. Join in helping St. Paul parish and the environment.

FAMILY DINNER NIGHTS ARE BACK
Cici's Dinner Nights are back. Each month when St. Paul students have early dismissal, there are family nights at Cici's Pizza on Waterloo Road. The first this school year is Tuesday, October 14, from 2 to 8 p.m. Drop your receipt in the box by the register and Cici's gives back 10 per cent to St. Paul PTO.. Funds earned help .the PTO to provide appreciation gifts to the teachers, math, literature and science nights, classroom technology, classroom "extras," receptions for the students and much more.

PSR CLASSES RESUME NEXT SUNDAY
Parish School of Religion classes resume for the new year Sunday, September 28, at 9: a.m. in the Parish Activity Center. Students then proceed to their classrooms and are dismissed at 10:30 a.m. from the Parish Activity Center. For any questions about the PSR program, call the Office of Religious Education at 330-724-9311. Mrs. Charlotte Hertzig is Catechetical Leader.

HALFWAY TO ST. PATRICK'S DAY IS OCTOBER 18
Posters are out for the Ladies Guild "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day" Party on Saturday October 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Boeke Hall.The party will feature Pat Flynn and the Green Blossom Special, Irish Step Dancers, and the Hbernian Ceili band. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from Caryn Lintner, our organist, at 330-815-6940 or at the rectory. All proceeds will go towards parish debt reduction. Refreshements will be served.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SPAGHETTI DINNER IS NEXT SUNDAY
The Knights of Columbus spaghetti dinner at the K of C Hall, 2055 Glenmount Ave., will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 28. Dinner includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread and butter, dessert and beverage. Tickets are available at the K of C Hall Monday through Friday from 10 am. to 2 p.m. Adults $7 in advance $8 at the door, children $4. For carryout, 330-773-3410.

Students plant 'Pinwheels for Peace'

Students at St. Paul School joined millions who desire peace in our world by planting
Pinwheels for Peace in observance of the International Day of Peace on September 21. The ceremony at St. Paul followed the 8:30 a.m. Student Mass on Friday.

Students created the pinwheels and wrote their thoughts about "war and peace, tolerance and living in harmony with others" on one side. They drew and painted the other side to visually express their feelings.

More than 200 pinwheels were planted around the peace pole in the yard in front of the Parish Activity Center.

The spinning of the pinwheels in the wind will spread thoughts and feelings about peace throughout the country, the world!

Fr. Ralph Thomas, assisted by Deacon Frank :Lonteen and Grade 8 student Gabrielle Kapper, provided prayers for peace. Music director Tim Longfellow lead singing of “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and the Prayer of St. Francis was said.

The project was coordinated by kindergarten teacher Mrs. Debbie Dodson and Grade 4 teacher Mrs. Janet Hazlett. This is the third year for the program at St. Paul.

Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two Art teachers, Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan, who teach at Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Florida, as a way for students to express their feelings about what’s going on in the world and in their lives. The project was quickly embraced by millions of art teachers, teachers, parents, children and adults who desire peace in our world.

Click on the headline to see more photos of the observance.

For more information on the project, you also can go to

http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com

PTO approves purchases for school

The PTO approved purchase of two Smart Boards for St. Paul classrooms and an Inspiration Station for kindergarten at the meeting Thursday night in Boeke Hall.

One Smart Board will be for the Science Lab/Grade 6 classroom of Judson Hartman and the other for the English Department/Grade 6 classroom of Sean Collins. The PTO approved $4,500 for the purchase of each.

The Smart Boards provide ways to show students anything which can be presented on a computer's desktop (such as educational software, web sites, and other information). and allows teachers to record their instruction and post material for review by students at a later time.

The Inspiration Station for the Mrs. Debbie Dodson’s kindergarten classroom, a portable display board with many features will cost $334.55.

The PTO also decided it will have to cancel the Breakfast with Santa program if no one volunteers to chair the event.

Principal Rosemary Capotosto reminded that parents must attend a meeting either at 1 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23. There will be early dismissal of classes on Tuesday, October 14. The PTO’s first Family Dinner Night will be that day from 2 to 8 p.m. There also will be no school on Friday, October 17, because of teacher In-Service day.

A Chuck E. Cheese Night was scheduled for March 5 at W. Market St.

The Family Dance Night is scheduled for Friday, November 14. Felicia Adams, Suzy Capron and Teresa Lloyd have volunteered to chair.

The PTO will have a new membership incentive this year: a Pizza Lunch for the classroom with the highest percentage of paid PTO memberships.

Proposals scheduled for discussion at the next session:

An advance of $575 for startup money for the Family Dance to be paid back with dance profits.

Approval of $50 for a pizza lunch for PTO membership incentive if donations are not found.

Change PTO meeting attendance incentive to $10 Market Day gift certificate awarded at each meeting and names put in for the $100 Catholic school scholarship.

Payment of $199 per year subscription for kindergarten testing and report program coordinated by kindergarten teacher Debbie Dodson.

Treasurer Lori Wammes reported a balance of $34,054 in funds.

Incoming PTO president Tod Wammes opening the meeting with a reading of the Gospel. The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

The next PTO meeting will be October 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Boeke Hall. The next Ways and Means Committee meeting will be October 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Boeke Hall.

[Information provided by PTO secretary Carly :LaPresta]

Mass Intentions September 20-28

SATURDAY, September 20 Andrew Kim Taegon & Paul Chong Hasang and companions, martyrs
4:30 Sunday Vigil Living & Deceased Parishioners of St. Paul

SUNDAY, September 21 Twenty-fifth Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00 Joseph Lorenzo + (anniv.)
11:00 Victor Alexander +

MONDAY, September 22 Weekday
7:00 For Peace in the World
8:30 June Deckard +

TUESDAY, September 23 Pio of Pietrelcina, priest
7:00 For the ill and homebound
8:30 Morning Prayer and Communion

WEDNESDAY, September 24 Weekday
7:00 For an end to abortion
8:30 John Biller +

THURSDA Y, September 25 Weekday
7:00 Tony Coatter +
8:30 Morning Prayer and Communion

FRIDA Y, September 26 Cosmas and Damian, martyrs
7:00 Morning Prayer and Communion
8:30 Mary Chopak +

SATURDAY, September 27 Vincent de Paul, priest
4:30 Sunday Vigil Josephine Dettorre +

SUNDAY, September 28 Twenty-sixth Sunday Ordinary Time
9;00 Mary Chopak +
11:00 Living & Deceased Parishioners of St. Paul

For The Record: The Reality Behind Clustering

Reprinted from the Cleveland Catholic Diocese website

What is a Catholic in the Diocese of Cleveland to believe about the clustering and collaborative process? Recent reports focused upon some "resistance" from parishes, but this proves to be only a narrow view.

The time consuming and dedicated efforts of hundreds of people have already produced some extraordinary results as the cluster recommendation deadlines are upon us. This has been no easy process, but dedicated and faithful Catholics have produced plans which now will undergo a lengthy review process before Bishop Lennon issues his final directives in March of 2009. It goes without question, that there are already numerous examples where parishes are collaborating with more cooperation and the sharing of ministries to the benefit of all parishioners even before any final determinations. It also needs to be made clear that the process has involved consultation with parishioners, engaging their feedback before any plans are submitted.

Regarding the matter of potential Church closings, a Plain Dealer editorial said this was a necessary “rightsizing” of the Diocese and “The decisions will be delicate and difficult. In their heads, parishioners will know which churches should be closed, but in their hearts, they will find some of the decisions wrenching. In the end, though, the right churches will need to be pruned for the right reasons.” How very true.

What cannot be explained or understood in a single story is the fact that each clustering situation is unique and involves unique realities and complexities.

Let’s revisit the tenets for VPL II as explained in Bishop Lennon’s remarks in May of 2007:

“From the beginning of the Vibrant Parish Life Phase II process we have said we are called to be Church in new ways so that every area of the diocese has the opportunity to further develop vibrant Catholic communities and ministries. We will accomplish this through education, planning and collaboration in the clustering, reconfiguring and effective staffing of parishes including the merging, consolidating or closing of parishes to strengthen and sustain the long term mission and ministry of the Church.”

The Bishop made clear that there was no list of parishes to be closed and that remains the case as the extensive review process is now underway.

There are three realities which have influenced the entire process; first and foremost, are the demographic shifts of the Catholic population within the eight counties of the Diocese. The second reality is finances. The third reality is the decreasing number of priests.

The clustering and collaboration process now continues as the Vibrant Parish Life committee reviews the recommendations, followed by the Bishop’s staff, then a review by the Presbyteral (Priests) Council and finally the recommendations are presented to the Bishop. Final decisions are expected to be revealed in March.

Click on the headlien to visit the "Vibrant Parish Life" web site

Tears of Mary transformed into smile

The tears Mary "shed at the foot of the cross have been transformed into a smile which nothing can wipe away" Pope Benedict XVI said in his homily on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows during the Mass with the sick at Rosary Square at the Marian shrine in Lourdes.

Some 70,000 people participated in the Mass..during the commemoration of the 150th anni\versary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous.

"This smile of Mary is for all; but it is directed quite particularly to those who suffer, so that they can find comfort and solace therein," he said. "To seek Mary’s smile is not an act of devotional or outmoded sentimentality, but rather the proper expression of the living and profoundly human relationship which binds us to her whom Christ gave us as our Mother."

Please click on the headline to go to a special Saint Paul TODAY feature on Mary’s Smile which includes the full text of the Holy Father’s homily, a Czech painting of the Virgin Mary and Child and lyrics to a County Music Song titled “Mary’s Smile."

Fr. Groeschel to speak at Cleveland Holy Rosary

The Rev. Fr. Benedict Groschel CFT, author of more than 30 books and host of Saturday Night Live on EWTN, the Catholic TV network, will celebrate Mass at Holy Rosary Church in Cleveland during a Rosary Congress celebrating the 100th anniversary of the parish.

The Congress will be October 7-12 at the church, 12021 Mayfield Road. Fr. Groeschel will celebrate a "Sanctity of Life" Mass followed by a talk on promoting the culture of life in the family at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 9. Music will be provided by Ulle Laido and the Holy Rosary Choirs.

There will be Eucharistic Adoration 24 hours each day, daily Mass at 12:15 p.m., Reconciliation one hour before each Mass, Divine Mercy devotion at 3 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Rosary and Scripture reading on the hour.

Among other presenters during the Congress will be Dr. Kenneth Howell, professor of religious studies at the University of Illinois. Dr. Howell was a Presbyterian minister for 18 years whose reading on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist started him on a six-year journey that led him to Catholicism. He will speak on the Real Presence at 8:30 p.m. Friday, October 10.

There also will be a children's adoration hour and youth evangelization Misson Wednesday, October 9, a Byzantine Divine Liturgy on Friday and much more. The Congress will open with a Marian Procession at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 7.

The cornerstone of Holy Rosary Church was placed on October 7, 1908.

Click on the headline to go to the parish website where you can download two pages of PDF files on the Congress and learn more about the parish in "The Heart of Little Italy.

Sale to continue after Masses on weekend

The Used Book and Music Sale will continue next weekend in the Parish Activity Cxenter but only for an hour or so after the weekend Masses..

The sale so far has earned $767 for St. Paul parish and school.

Parishioners who still may have items to donate to the sale are urged to call Ron McAvoy at 330-773-7389. Used books, postcards, tapes, DVDs and CDs are being sold.

Click on the headline to see an earlier post with photos

Pope, at Lourdes, remembers victims of terrorism

LOURDES, France (Reuters) - Pope Benedict prayed on Saturday at the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a French peasant girl 150 years ago, and asked the world not to forget the victims of terrorism and hatred.

The pope arrived in the southwestern town of Lourdes on the second day of his visit to France after earlier celebrating an outdoor mass for more than 250,000 people in Paris, telling them the modern world had made idols of money and power.

At Lourdes, Benedict prayed in the grotto where Saint Bernadette Soubirous said she had seen the Madonna 18 times in 1858, and drank water from a spring that believers say has healing powers.

In the past 150 years, the Church has recognised as "miracles" 67 medically inexplicable healings of sick pilgrims who visited Lourdes.

Later, at the end of a candlelight procession around the grounds of the sanctuary, Benedict told tens of thousands who had gathered to hear him not to forget those suffering in the world.

"We think of innocent victims who suffer from violence, war, terrorism and famine; those who bear the consequences of injustices, scourges and disasters, hatred and oppression; of attacks on their human dignity and fundamental rights, on their freedom to act and think," he said.

The pope was speaking spoke two days after the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks against the United States.

FALSE IDOLS

At mass on Saturday morning in Paris, the pope told more than a quarter of a million people that the modern world had turned money, possessions and power into idols as false as the gold and silver statues worshipped by the pagans of antiquity.

"Has not our modern world created its own idols?" he said.

"Has it not imitated, perhaps inadvertently, the pagans of antiquity, by diverting man from his true end, from the joy of living eternally with God," he said in fluent French.


He quoted the writings of St Paul, saying "Money is the root of all evil", and added in his own words: "Have not money, the thirst for possessions, for power and even for knowledge diverted man from his true destiny?"

Click on the headline for the full text.

Used Book, Music Sale continues; $770+ earned

Despite inclement weather, more than $700. was earned for the parish and school at the St. Paul Used Book and Music Sale on the weekend.

The sale has been extended for another Saturday, September 20, again from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Parish Activity Center. Parishioners who still may have items to donate to the sale are urged to call Ron McAvoy at 330-773-7389. Used books, postcards, tapes, DVDs and CDs are being sold.

McAvoy, who is coordinating the sale, said he would like to thank all who worked on the sale including Paul Bearer, Dave and Diana Clute, Marie Cooley, Patty Hogue, Lucretia Johson, Nellie Kremer, Mary Ellen McAvoy, Ron and Ellen McAvoy, Dave and Terry Nesline. Brenda Murphy, \Louise Pescatrice, Jim Sapak, Jim Vondemkamp and Maggie Walker.

McAvoy also expressed special thanks to:

• St. Paul School teachers Janet Hazlett and Debbie Dotson and the kindergarten and fourth grade students for making the bookmarks.
• Maggie Walker for designing and donating the pencils with St. Paul School and address printed on them.
• Jim Vondemkamp for all the time and effort he put into making signs.
• All those who donated all the books, music and movies and all those who came to the sale and bought items.

Click on the headline to see an earlier post with photos.

'Rediscovering Catholicism' book distributed

Matthew Kelly’s book, Rediscovering Catholicism, was made freely available to worshipers at Mass this weekend at St. Paul’s Church.

It was promoted by visiting guest Deacon William J. Yoho Jr. of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Cuyahoga Falls who used a story from the book’s preface in his homily at Masses. Mr. Yoho, who is 45, was ordained in May, 2007.


Kelly, born in Sydney, Australia, has written seven books that have sold more than 450,000 copies. Over the past ten years two million people have attended his talks, seminars and retreats. Kelly, 35, has traveled to 50 counties. His most recent books are The Shepherd, The Rhythm of Life, A Call to Joy and Mustard Seeds. The theme stressed by Kelly is “God calls us all to holiness because God wants each of us to be all we can be.”

Entertainment books for sale

Once again, St. Paul School will be selling Entertainment Books to benefit St. Paul School. Books are $30 and can be ordered from any St. Paul School student. Please call Laura Grubb at 330-785-3767 with any questions or to purchase a book.

It's Happening at St. Paul

SUNDAY, September 14
Used Book and Music Sale after all Masses.
Social Justice discussion At 12:15 p,.m. in Room 111

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Estate planning workshop: First of two workshops on estate planning at 6 p.m in the Parish Activity Center.
Cub Scout pack will meet at 6 p.m. in Boeke Hall

TUESDAY, September 16
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Church is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Senior Prayer Hour at 1 p.m. with Eucharistic Adoration.
Girl Scout Troop 456 at 6 p.m. ion the school cafeteria
Girl Scout Troop 1080 at 2:45 p.m. in the school cafeteria
Jugglers will meet at 7 p.m. in the old Gym

WEDNESDAY, September 17
Bible Study at 9:15 a.m. in Room 111
Chess Club at 4 p. m. in Room 111.
Bible Study at 7 p.m. in rectory
Liturgy and Worship Committee will meet at 7 p.m. in Room 111

THURSDAY, September 18
School pictures
PTO at 6:30 p.m. in Boeke Hall

FRIDAY, September 19
Student Mass at 8:30 a.m. planned by Judson Hartman’s sixth grade class

SATURDAY, September 20
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at 8 a.m. in Boeke Hall.

SUNDAY, September 21
Catechetical Sunday 9 a.m. Mass in church with refreshments afterwards in the Parish Activity Center. No PSR classes

St. Paul students are greeters at Masses during September

Is PD happy to kick life out of Vibrant Parishes?

Caution: This post contains rumors and innuendo which necessitate our comments.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer is at it again. Here’s the headline

Voice of opposition to Catholic diocese church-shuttering plan grows louder
Catholic parishioners say plans would undo neighborhoods

Plain Dealer religion reporter David Briggs apparently has some inside information on proposals of the Vibrant Parish Life committees. There is little the Diocese can do to answer his published report today because the Diocese cannot talk about any decisions without first informing the parishes about the plans. Worse yet no hard and fast decisions have even be made. And yet Briggs has posted a list of the closings and providing what his editors must think are “great quotes” from good Catholics protesting the plan. The PD website even touts an interactive map on the changes, but the map is just a map showing parishes boundaries.

First, the lead on the story:

"Parishioners at St. Casimir Catholic Church on Cleveland's East Side are contacting inactive members and developing a Sunday evening youth Mass to try to save their church.

"At St. Barbara Catholic Church on Cleveland's West Side some 400 people have appealed to the Cleveland Catholic Diocese to allow their parish to remain open, say some activist members.

"And at Immaculate Heart of Mary, where church members learned Sunday that a regional committee is proposing that the Slavic Village neighborhood church be closed, members are encouraging written responses to the bishop and drafting a report to urge reversal of the initial recommendation.

"As the diocese moves toward the final stages of a downsizing plan that could close more than 45 churches in the region, Catholics in some landmark Cleveland parishes are refusing to go along with recommendations that their parishes be shuttered. They are taking their protests public, arguing that closing their churches will doom neighborhoods in parts of the city already struggling with the foreclosure crisis.

"After more than a year of examining facilities, finances and ministries, more than 20 regional groups of parishes are preparing recommendations for closing or merging parishes in response to population shifts to the outer suburbs and a worsening clergy shortage. The clusters have deadlines to submit recommendations ranging from Monday to mid-December. Bishop Richard Lennon is expected to decide by March.

"Cleveland parishes will take the greatest hit, with about 25 in danger of being closed."

And now Briggs' list

Euclid: Proposed mergers of St. Christine with Holy Cross, St. Robert Bellarmine with St. William, and St. Paul with St. Felicitas.

Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland: St. Louis in Cleveland Heights and Christ the King and St. Philomena in East Cleveland to merge with St. Ann in Cleveland Heights. St. Philomena would remain open for worship and outreach.

South Euclid: St. Margaret Mary to merge with St. Gregory the Great. The staff for the new parish would be at St. Gregory. The proposal also recommends keeping both buildings and having a weekend Mass at St. Margaret Mary.

Bedford, Bedford Heights: One proposal calls for merging Holy Trinity in Bedford Heights and St. Mary and St. Pius X in Bedford into one parish. Two other proposals would close either St. Mary or Holy Trinity.

Click on the headline to go to the PD stories. This post will be updated when there is some response from the Diocese.

Seminarian's Diary: The First Two Weeks

This is the first post of a continuing Diary of a Seminarian. The author is Matthew Jordan, a member of St. Francis de Sales parish. Our hope is that the diary might encourage other young men in the Summit South 6 Cluster to consider a vocation. We know you will enjoy the diary. It will carry the label "Seminarian's Diary" so you can find all of Matt's posts.

A Seminarian's Diary: The First Two Weeks

By MATTHEW JORDAN
Beginnings are almost never well remembered. Memories of how things end are what often stick in the mind. That is why I was offered me a spot on the Saint Paul TODAY blog to begin a diary as I begin my college career at Borromeo College Seminary.

For the most basic introductions, my name is Matthew Jordan. I am a member of St. Francis de Sales parish and a 2008 graduate of Archbishop Hoban High School. I am 18 years old and have lived with my parents Walter and Shari, and my sister Elizabeth, 15, all my life.

Now you can see why I was so nervous to make the jump up to the seminary because I had always lived at home and I did not really know anyone who was up there.

The week leading up to leaving went by like a blur. Before I knew it I was waking up Friday morning. I had gone to and served daily Mass for the entire summer. This day felt all so surreal. At the end, as we were genuflecting and singing Servant Song, everything hit me and I started to cry. I realized how I was going to miss everything and did not want to leave anymore.

I arrived at the seminary and I was really nervous. I was told I looked so nervous that one of my classmates thought I was going to leave that day!

The first weekend was orientation and it was a good chance to meet some of the guys. As the weekend went on, I began to meet some of the guys. I realized that it was going to take some time but that I could see myself being friends with many of these guys. One thing that instantly connected with me though was the prayer that was present.

Everyday a seminarian starts out with Morning Prayer at 7:00 AM followed by the Mass. At 5:45 PM, every seminarian gathers for Evening Prayer before going down to dinner. At 9:30 PM, if a seminarian is not in bed, he is expected to go to Night Prayer.

After two weeks, I must say that I already feel at home and that I have truly made the right decision at this point in my life. The academics are a lot harder than I expected, but the challenge is good for me. My prayer life has never been this strong and I have met guys who are not perfect, but are truly devoted to discerning Christ’s call.

One thing I am asked frequently is what can I do for vocations? Everyone has a religious vocation so everyone should pray every day and ask God what is his will. Another thing to do is to encourage people to check out a vocation. That is why I am at Borromeo because enough people encouraged me to look into the priesthood. Lastly pray for all discerning because it is only possible through God. May God Bless us all.

Used Book, Music Sale continues Sunday

Book sale crew (seated from left) Ron McAvoy, Marie Cooley, Jim Vondemkamp
Standing: Ellen McAvoy, Maggie Walker, Lucreita Johnson, Nellie Kremer, Paul Bearer

The weather did not fully cooperate Saturday for the St,. Paul Used Book and CD Sale, but real book and music lovers turned out anyway to buy stacks of books and CDs. There also were pencils monogramed St. Paul School and bookmarks made by students on sale.

If the rain kept you away, you still have another opportunity. The sale will continue after all the weekend Masses. There are still many books, magazines, postcards and music CDs and DVDs available.