It's Happening at St. Paul

SUNDAY, February 1
Children’s Choir will sing at the 11 a.m. Mass
PSR classes from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Parish Activity Center.
Coffee & Donuts after Masses in the Parish Activity Center.

MONDAY, February 1 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas Day)
Cub Scout Pack 3081 will meet at 6 p.m. in Boeke Hall
Girl Scout Troop 456 will ,meet at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria
SOLACE support group at 7 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center.

TUESDAY, February 2 Feast of St. Blase
Mass at 8:30 a.m. with a blessing of throats. There will also be a Prayer Service with blessing of throats at 6:30 in the evening.
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
RCIA at 7 p.m. in Room 111
Girl Scout Troop 1080 will meet at 2:45 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Reconciliation meeting of parents, grandparents and godparents at 7 p.m. in the church for an explanation of Reconciliation. This meeting was originally scheduled for January 13 but had to be cancelled because of inclement weather.

WEDNESDAY, February 3
St. Paul Mass and Novena at 7 p.m. in the church
Market Day pickup 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Boeke Hall
Bible Study at 7 p.m. in the rectory
Girl Scout Troop 360 will meet at 2:45 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Chess Club will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 111

THURSDAY, February 4
Stewardship Committee at 7 p.m. in Room 111

FRIDAY, February 6
Student Mass at 8:30 a.m. planned by Mrs. Janet Hazlett's Grade 6 class

SUNDAY, February 8 Scout Sunday
Scout Sunday. Scouts will attend the 11 a.m. Mass
PSR classes from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Parish Activity Center.
Social Justice will meet in Room 111 after the 11 a.m. Mass for the first monthly study session on the Vatican II document “Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World” which defines Catholic social teaching.
Coffee & Donuts after Masses in the Parish Activity Center.

Scouts will be greeting worshipers during February

Everyone can walk with Mileage Club

Four days a week students arrive early at St. Paul's John
Jenkins Gym for exercise with the Mileage Club. Everyone of ALL AGES is welcome to walk for fun and fitness. Monday through Thursday from 7:20 to 7:50 a.m. in the Gym. On Wednesdays and Thursdays parishioners may walk until 10 a.m. The program is directed by teacher Christine Ehasz.

St. Patrick event scheduled for March 7

St. Paul will get a jump on St. Patrick’s Day with a fund raiser planned for Saturday, March 7. Pat Flynn and his Green Blossom Special will provide entertainment, according to organizer Caryn Linter who also coordinated the Halfway to St. Patrick’s Party last October 18 which raised nearly $1,600 and was attended by nearly 200. Tickets will be available beginning the weekend of February 7/8. Get your tables togegther now.

Men's Fellowship Conference is February 28

The annual Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Northeast Ohio “Answer the Call” conference. Is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, at Hoban High School. Men’s Fellowship groujps from area parishes will participate as usual.

Here is the schedule:

8:00am - Registration Begins (along with coffee and donuts)
9:00am - Start of Conference
12:00pm - Lunch and Confession
4:00pm - Closing Mass with Bishop Richard Lennon
5:00pm - Adjourn

The registration fee covers coffee and donuts in the morning and lunch. The registration fee through the parish Men’s Fellowship for groups of 10 or more is $20 or for groups of 5 to 9 $25. Single registration is $40. Student registratin is $15. Priests,Deacons, Brothers or seminarians register free.

For ,more information, click on the headline to see program details or contact Hank Richard 330-644-4514

Speakers this year are:

DANNY ABRAMOWICZ
Former NFL all-pro wide receiver and coach, author of the book “Spiritual Workout of a Former Saint”, and creator and co-host of the new EWTN show “Crossing the Goal” Danny Abramowicz returns to our conference. From a life of ego and booze to a Godly man, Danny is in demand as a speaker for men’s organizations all around the country. He pulls no punches! You’re going to hear from the real deal!

FR. PHILIP CHAVEZ
From the Armator Institute of York, PA., Fr. Chavez is a priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. Ordained in 1993, he has been involved in pro-life work as well as the concerns of marriage and family. Now, embarking in men’s outreach, he presents a forum to restore the hearts of men and strengthen their spirit to build stronger families and a more vital society.

GERRY FAUST
“My dreams may not have turned out like I wanted them to, but I have been so blessed. I just want to help others understand that they can have the same blessings…..”

A popular speaker in Northeast Ohio, former Notre Dame Football coach Gerry Faust will speak on “Faith, Family, Friends and Football”. A 1958 graduate and three time letterman from the University of Dayton, Gerry loves his faith and brings enthusiasm and optimism to our conference.

MOST REVEREND BISHOP GEORGE MURRY, SJ
Appointed fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown by Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Murry holds a Master’s of Divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA, as well as a Master’s and a Ph.D. in American Cultural history from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. A member of the United States Conference of Bishops he serves on the education and domestic policy committees as well as the board of Catholic Relief Services. In November, 2007 Bishop Murry was elected secretary of the USCCB.

There also will be a talk on Reconciliation by the Rev. Fr.. Michael Gurnick of the Diocesan Vocation Office.

Fun of Fun Fest was finding a parking space

Amy Sloan, working the cotton candy machine, was one of the busy workers

Fun games for youngsters formed a perimeter around Boeke Hall for the fourth annual St.Paul Fun Fest on Saturday. There was a big square of tables in the middle with merchandise for sale. There also was a popcorn machine, a busy cotton candy maker and an open kitchen with food. The ticket takers seemed to be doing a good business, but it was a bit early for a report on that. It should have been a good day. At one point around noon at least if was almost impossible to find a parking spot with games going on in Jenkins Gym, the Fun Fest and a funeral all at the same time.

The fun continued after the photographer left, but you can click on the headline to see and album of photos.

Two special feasts this week

There are two special and popular feast days this week.

Monday the Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord or Feast of Purification which occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus and is also known as Candlemas day. The feast day is called Candlemas because that was the day on which the year's supply of candles for the church were blessed. Christians were observing Candlemas in Jerusalem as early as the 4th century A.D. By the middle of the 5th century, candles were lit on this day to symbolize that Jesus Christ was the light, the truth and the way.

Tuesday is the Feast of St. Blase. St. Paul Parish will celebrate the feast day
with a Mass at 8:30 a.m. and a blessing of throats. There will also be a Prayer Service with blessing of throats at 6:30 p.m. in the evening.

St. Blase has been extremely popular for centuries in both the Eastern and Western Churches. He was a physician and the Bishop of Sebaste, Armenia. One legend says a mother brought him her small boy, who was choking on a fishbone stuck in his throat. Blase prayed over the child, and he was healed. Every year on St. Blase's feast, two candles tied with ribbon in the shape of an X are used to bless throats. Here is the blessing:

“Through the intercession of St. Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

A bulletin notice on hospital ministry

When you are admitted to Akron City, or any other local hospital, nursing home, hospice it is important that you notify the hospital’s Chaplain's Office. They will notify the Rectory Office. Lay ministers will continue to visit Catholic patients that come to their attention and distribute Communion. Until other arrangements are made, however, there will not be a priest chaplain available for routine visits. Several will be “on call” for emergencies—to the best of our ability. In the meantime, you can help us provide for this important pastoral care.

If you are scheduled for surgery, it would be best to arrange with Fr. Thomas to be anointed prior to admission. This can be done when you are here for Mass or by arrangement at the Rectory Office. If a patient is in the hospital for a significant period of time—especially in ICU, CCU, hospice or palliative care—please communicate this situation with the Rectory Office 330-724-1263 so that Fr. Thomas can make sure he gives them the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and attend to any other concerns (Reconciliation, Communion, “making peace”, etc.) they may have. The earlier we know of this need, the better.When a call comes in for “last rites” only, when hope of recovery is unlikely, it’s sometimes sad to learn that the patient could have benefited from the Sacraments several days before—when they were still alert and able to participate.

Please also understand that—when a patient has been recently anointed and has, ideally, received the other Sacraments, another anointing is not necessary “at the last minute” to accomplish the “last rites.” As the patient lies dying, the family members and friends who are present can simply “pray him/her into heaven” with the Rosary, the Our Father, the Psalms or other passages from Scripture, and other favorite prayers. Priests are always happy to assist in these difficult times. The reality is, however, that we are not always immediately available. When that happens, we want you to be familiar with what you can do to help.

Mass Intentions January 31 - February 8

SATURDAY, January 31 John Bosco, priest
4:30pm Sunday Vigil
Joseph Antal +

SUNDAY, February 1 Fourth Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00am Joseph Pecko +
11:00am Helen M. Young +

MONDAY, February 2 The Presentation of the Lord
7:00am For the ill and the homebound
8:30am Vincent Thomas + (anniv.)

TUESDAY, February 3 Blaise, bishop & martyr
7:00am Antoinette Valentino +
8:30am Living & Deceased Parishioners of St. Paul

WEDNESDAY, February 4 Weekday
7:00am For Nurses, Doctors & Caregivers
8:30am Teresa Mallardi Mastin +
7:00pm St. Paul Mass & Novena

THURSDAY, February 5 Agatha, virgin & martyr
7:00am For Firefighters and Police Officers
8:30am Morning Prayer and Communion

FRIDAY, February 6 Paul Miki, martyr and his companions, martyrs
7:00am Morning Prayer and Communion
8:30am Steve Vavro, Sr.+ & Steve Vavro, Jr.+

SATURDAY, February 7 Weekday
4:30pm Sunday Vigil
Mary Dodgen +

SUNDAY, February 8 Fifth Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00am Steve Remis +
11:00am Living & Deceased Parishioners of St. Paul

See you at the Fun Fest

Fourth Annual St. Paul Fun Fest
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Boeke Hall.

✮ Games to play!

✮ Prizes to win!

✮ Inflatable Jump & Slide!

✮ Cake Walk!

✮ 50/50 Raffle!


On the menu:


Pizza...................hot dogs................... sloppy joes nachos................popcorn.................... slushies
cotton candy...... and more.

Tickets are 4 for $1

Choosing Joy: Meditation from Henri Nouwen

Joy is what makes life worth living, but for many joy seems hard to find. They complain that their lives are sorrowful and depressing. What then brings the joy we so much desire? Are some people just lucky, while others have run out of luck? Strange as it may sound, we can choose joy. Two people can be part of the same event, but one may choose to live it quite differently than the other. One may choose to trust that what happened, painful as it may be, holds a promise. The other may choose despair and be destroyed by it.

What makes us human is precisely this freedom of choice.

Visit HenriNouwen.org for more inspiration!

Update on the homeless count

A Blog Commentary on January 19 took issue with a Beacon Journal story that reported the number of hiomeless peiople was down 22 percent in Summit County and 13 percent in Stark County.

Today a Beacon Journal article headlined "Homeless tally called flawed" reported that a HUD census might not have included many of them.

In the first major census of people living on the streets since the recession, thousands of volunteers across the country are fanning out in the wintry dead of night this week to count the most desperate members of their communities.

On the streets and in shelters, volunteers conducting the count have found an untold number of hard-luck stories from those homeless for the first time, working poor victimized by the foreclosure and unemployment crises.

Although it will be months before officials compile their final tally of those sleeping in alleys and tunnels, under bridges and overpasses and in cars and tents, they expect the totals to be substantially higher than the last count two years ago.

In this economy, most cities are reporting a huge increase in the need for shelter. They include working poor renters who end up getting evicted when their landlords default.

But some advocates for homeless people say the biannual, federally mandated counts taking place on a single night or at some point this week will omit the majority of homeless people.

The count, which the Department of Housing and Urban Development requires for any community seeking federal funds for homeless programs, includes those on the street as well as people in homeless shelters, transitional housing, and in hospitals, mental wards and jails.

The census, which HUD has required since 2005, does not count those doubled up with friends or relatives, staying in hotels or garages or in any other makeshift, inadequate housing.

Click on the headline to read the story published today.

Teachers, students honored at Mass

Two teachers received service awards and Academic Achievement awards were presented to students after the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Friday.

The Rev. Fr. Ralph Thomas presented First Grade teacher Suzanne inglis an award for 15 years of service and music director Timothy Longfellow for ten years of service. The pastor and principal Rosemary Capotosto both thanked the teachers, PTO and others who made Catholic Schools Week a success.

Students in grades three to eight who excelled academically in all subject areas and did not receive any U’s in conduct or effort were presented Academic Achievement awards..

Mrs. Capotosto, presented the awards. Names of those honored were called out by Mrs. Mary Ann DeKemper, the school secretary. .

Highest Honors (Grade point average 3.7 to 4.3):

Grade 8: Alyse Bachmann, Natalie Bender, Noelle Colant, Kathleen Coughlin, Jamie Dean, Maggi Fatica, Adam Gray, Matthew Kannel Gabrielle Kapper Alexandra Krim, Erin Liggett, Abigail Pilgram and Michael Riegger.

Grade 7: Shannon Hite, Emily Roberts and Jacqueline Wammes.
Grade 6: Michael Altomare, Brady Baldwin, Matthew Bisesi, Faith Chrostowski, Marco Colant, Claire Fatica, Shannon Lloyd, Nicholas McInturff, Michael Roberts, Sydney Sloan and Samantha Woodill.

Grade 5: Allison Bachmann, Marcus Bender, Adam Bugajaski, Alexandria Joyner, Kimberly Maxwell, Regina Neugebauer and Henry Reigger.

Grade 4: Michelle Bojo, Annalise Dawson, Michaela Dornack, Christopher Kuhn, Abbey Lewis, Gabriel Lidderdale, Merideth Paull and Benjamin Woodill.

Grade 3: Emma Coffman, Maeve Cox, Amily Effler, Angelia LaPresta, Emma Leeser, Jared Lloyd, Brian Luck, Jonathan Markowski, Anna Philliips and Meredith Wammes,

High honors (Grade point average 3.3 to 3.69):

Grade 8: Madison Buzek, Zachary Durbin and Angelina Miller.

Grade 7: Erica Hathaway and Cynthia Preston.

Grade 6: Helena Albert, Zane Bellar, Orion Belmont, Gregory Brown, Cameron Krim, Michael Sartoski, Kaitlin Thomas and Amanda Wightman.

Grade 5: Brian Heller, Samuel Smith, Calista Sokolowski, Kylie Walker and Samuel Wilson.

Grade 4: Jesse Bobbitt, Tyler Broske, Paige Harbarger, Daisha Hawkins, Olivia Hutchison, Erika Jordan, Anna Liggett, Lindsey Maple, Adam McClure, Katherine,Neugebauer and Maris Sarlouis.

Grade 3: Blake Baldwin, Brianna Jacobs, Hanna Lidderdale, Benjamin Martin, Gennaro Naccari and Elizabeth Pressman.

Honors (Grade point average 3.0-3.29):

GRADE 8: Brianna Friedl, Kiana Hammond, Hannah Horrigan, Jenna Pavlov and Kristen Walker.

GRADE 7: Andrew Albertson, Kendra Alexander, Tyrus Bradford, Joshua Garey, Brianna Motley and Danny Ratsavong.

GRADE 6: Sidney Conwell, Sean Horrigan, Scott Johnson, Austin Leslie, Isabelle Miller and Jeremy Swords.

GRADE 5: Ryan Canan, Elizabeth Cullison andf Autumn Sias.

GRADE 4: Jenna Garey, Anton McClure, Kemar Parmer and Amanda Schmidt.

GRADE 3: Logan Bender, Emma Izo and Jamie Stumpf.

Verna celebrates birthday in hospital

Verna Fuller, oldest active member of St. Paul parish, missed a special student Mass for her 98th birthday and instead celebrated it in Akron General Medical Center. The good news is that she is to be released from the hospital today to enter rehab.

Verna was not able to attend the Mass for her intention on Friday, January 23, because she was not feeling well. Her son, Bob, said she had a low blood count and low sodium so she went to the emergency room Sunday morning and was admitted. So she celebrated her actual birthday, January 29, in the hospital but was to be released today.

Prayer Intentions for February

Pope Benedict XVI's prayer intentions for February:

General: That the Pastors of the Church may always be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit in their teaching and in their service to God's people.

Mission: That the Church in Africa may find adequate ways and means to promote reconciliation, justice and peace efficaciously, according to the indications of the Synod of the Bishops’ Special Assembly for Africa.

It was a dress down day even for teachers

Beacon Street storyteller with young students in Parish Activity Center

Catching up after a snow day with classes cancelled by heavy snow on Wednesday, St. Paul School was busy today with Catholic Schools Week events.

The Teacher Appreciation Lunch originally scheduled Wednesday was held today in Boeke Hall for teachers and staff.

Today was scheduled as a dress down day for students. Students could donate a book or dress as a book character. Two teachers, Judson Hartman and Debbie Dodson, were dressed in Pooh costumes and joined in the fun.

The Beacon Street Peforming Arts Grpoup gave two presentations in the afternoon first for pre-K through Grade 4 and then for grades 5-8. The storyteller gave a faith-based talk which tied in nicely with the Catholic Schools Week theme “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.”

Friday’s events – Students' Day– will include the regular 8:30 a.m. student Mass planned by Mrs. Shelly Pixler’s Grade 5 and treats provided by the PTO for students.

Click on the headline to view kindergarten students dressed as book characters.

Mass for Vera Rizzo is Saturday

Vera May Rizzo (nee Clor)

Vera May Rizzo, 92, passed away on January 27, 2009, after a long illness, at Bath Manor Nursing Home.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Angelo P. Rizzo Jr., she is survived by her sons, Thomas of Grenora, N.D., Donald (Sandra) of Hickory, N.C., and Robert (Kay) of Tampa, Fla.; seven granchildren, Christopher, Michael, Donald, Jeffery, Jennifer, Nicole and Darren; and six great-grandchildren who always referred to her as "Cookie Grandma".

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1580 Brown St., where friends may call from 10 a.m until service time. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Thursday, January 29, 2009, page B5, col. 3]

February events posted on calendar

St. Paul events for February 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. It is easiest to view the calendar by the month.

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

Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers for February

Lectors for February

Saturday 4:30 p.m. Judy Richard
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Bernie Factor
Sunday 11:00 a..m. Youth lector

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for February

Saturday 4:30
Debbie Dodson
Kelly Dodson
Joyce Gannon
Kathy Hausch
Joanne Heffernan
Patricia Hogue
Denis Randall
Nancy Randall

Sunday 9:00
Gerard Colant
Jo Colant
Patty DiDonato
Rudy DiDonato
Tom Liggett
Joanne Marcius
Kathy Seminaroti
Dottie Thoerig

Sunday 11:00
Dorothy Christner
Diane Clute
Kathleen Deger
Aaron Ruegg
Jason Ruegg
Maggie Walker
Lori Wammes
Tod Wammes

Wall Street Journal editorial raps Pelosi

This is an editorial in the Wall Street Journal on January 27

Speaker Nancy Malthus
Pelosi should abstain from social engineering.
One of the more curious items in the $825 billion House "stimulus" is $87 billion to help states with Medicaid, specifically including an expansion of family-planning services. The implication is that more people mean less economic growth.

Following a White House meeting with President Obama on Friday, Republican John Boehner, the House Minority Leader, asked how spending millions of dollars on birth control will help stimulate the economy. On Sunday, George Stephanopoulos of ABC's "This Week" repeated the question to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who responded that "family planning services reduce costs."

She added: "The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now, and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help states meet their financial needs. One of those -- one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception -- will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government."

The notion that a larger population will produce a lower standard of living can be traced to the 18th-century economist Thomas Malthus. But during Malthus's own lifetime, his prediction was proved false, as he later acknowledged. Population and living standards rose simultaneously, and have continued to do so.

Ms. Pelosi's remarks ignore the importance of human capital, which is the ultimate resource. Fewer babies would move the U.S. in the demographic direction of Europe and Asia. On the Continent, birth rates already are effectively zero, and economists are predicting labor shortages in the years ahead. In Japan, where the population is aging very fast, workers are now encouraged to go home early to procreate. Japan is projected to lose 21% of its population by 2050.

The age and growth rate of a nation help determine its economic prosperity. A smaller workforce can result in less overall economic output. Without enough younger workers to replace retirees, health and pension costs can become debilitating. And when domestic markets shrink, so does capital investment. Whatever one's views on taxpayer subsidies for contraception, as economic stimulus the idea is loopy.

[Blogger Note: President Obama has asked that this be removed from the stimulus package]

Datebook: What's Happening Elsewhere

SAINT ANTHONY SPAGHETTI DINNER FEBRUARY 15
Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 83 Mosser Place in North Hill is serving spaghetti Sunday, February 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets available at the door! Adults: $6.50 Children: $4.50. Carryout orders also available.

DIVORCE RECOVERY GROUP SESSION BEGINS FEBRUARY 20.
The Catholic parishes of the Summit County District, Cleveland Diocese, are
reading out to men and women who are separated or divorced, through a six-week series of Divorce Recovery Group meetings entitled “Come to Jacob’s Well...Healing the Wounds of Divorce and Separation.” The next session is scheduled for six weeks at Queen of Heaven Church Parish Life Center, 1800 Steese Rd., Green, Friday evenings,
February 20 through- March 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information or to register, call Catholic Social Services at 330-762-7481. Pre-registration is required.

EXPERIENCE LENT ANEW FEBRUARY 21
"Experience Lent Anew--Opportunities that Challenge", a new way to see the practices of Lent: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Join us as we expand our conscience and knowledge around the practices of prayer, fasting and charity through special 'immersion' experiences at OPENM and Oriana House. See the role of Catholic Social Teaching and the building of a culture of life and dignity through the building of solidarity. Sponsored by the Catholic Commission, Saturday, February 21, 8:30 to 11 :45 a.m., 795 Russell Ave., Akron. Free and open to the public. Please call 330-535-2787 to register by February 19 in order to have enough resources.

K OF C COUNCIL 3410 SPAGHETTI DINNER FEBRUARY 22
Knights of Columbus Council 3410 serving spaghetti dinner from noon to 4 p.m. at K of C Hall, 2055 Glenmount Ave. Dinner includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread and butter, dessert and beverage. Adults $7 pre-sale, $8.at the door, children $4. Tickets available Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the K of C Hall. Carry out available at 330-773-3410.

JEDNOTA CLUB PEROGI AND HALUSHKI DINNER FEBRUARY 25
Jednota Branch 553 Slovak “J’ Club, 485 Morgan Ave., will be serving a Pierogi and Halushki dinner on Ash Wednesday, February 25, from 4: to 8 p.m.. The price is $6 for adults and $3 for children for dine-in meals. Call in advance for reservations for 10 or more, or for carry-out orders (at an additional 50 cents per dinner.) Call 330-786-9972.


CHRIST CHILD REVERSE RAFFLE FEBRUARY 27
The Christ Child Society will host a “Sopranos” Reverse Raffle on Friday, February 27, 2009, beginning at 6 p.m. at St. George Fellowship Center, 3204 Ridgewood Rd., Akron. Featured will be Michael Sonata, a Frank Sinatra tribute artist, an Italian meal, open bar, silent auction, $2 and $5 side boards and the Reverse Raffle. Tickets for Reverse Raffle, 2 dinners and entertainment is $100. Ticket only is $50 and dinner and entertainment is $30. For reservations call Mary Testa 330-922-3440.

WALSH JESUIT SALE OF USED BOOKS, CDs & DVDs MARCH 7
If your used books, CDs and DVDs are just collecting dust, please consider donating them to the Mothers’ Club at Walsh Jesuit. The sale will be at the school on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the public is welcome! Donations will be accepted at Walsh Jesuit through March 1. For more information, call Sue at 330-723-3315.

Pope rejects Holocaust denial

Pontiff urges SSPX to accept Vatican authority

Catholic World News
Pope Benedict XVI reaffirms his "full and indisputable solidarity" with the Jewish people in mourning the Holocaust, during his regular weekly public audience on January 28. Although the Pontiff did not explicitly mention the fierce controversy over the published remarks by Bishop Richard Williamson denying the severity of the Holocaust, the intent of the Pope's remarks was clear as he pointed to commemorations of the genocidal Nazi drive as "an admonition against oblivion, negation, and reductionism." The Vatican's new YouTube channel drove home the message of solidarity, offering short videos of the Pope's visit to Auschwitz and his talk at a synagogue in Cologne.

The Holy Father did speak about his decision to lift the excommunications of Williamson and three other bishops of the Society of St. Pius X, telling the audience that he took the step as an "act of paternal benevolence" in response to the traditionalists' fervent petitions. "I hope that this gesture of mine will be followed by a prompt commitment on their part to take the further steps necessary to achieve full communion with the Church," he said, "thus showing true faithfulness to, and true recognition of, the Magisterium and authority of the Pope and of Vatican Council II."

Pope expresses hope on traditionalist bishops

By JOHN THAVIS
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said he lifted the excommunication of four traditionalist bishops in the hope that they would take further steps toward unity, including the recognition of the authority of the pope and of the Second Vatican Council.

The pope, speaking at his general audience Jan. 28, said he was motivated by a desire for church unity when he removed the excommunication of Bishop Bernard Fellay, head of the Society of St. Pius X, and three other bishops of the breakaway society.

"I undertook this act of paternal mercy because these prelates had repeatedly manifested to me their deep pain at the situation in which they had come to find themselves," the pope said.

"I hope my gesture is followed by the hoped-for commitment on their part to take the further steps necessary to realize full communion with the church, thus witnessing true fidelity, and true recognition of the magisterium and the authority of the pope and of the Second Vatican Council," he said.

The pope said he considered the restoration of full unity in the church as one of his primary pastoral tasks, one he had emphasized at the inaugural Mass of his pontificate in 2005. This task of maintaining unity, he said, is symbolized by the Gospel account of the miraculous catch of fishes, when the net did not break despite the heavy catch.

It was the pope's first public comment on the lifting of the excommunications, and the first time a Vatican official had specifically raised the issue of the teachings of Vatican II. In his statement Jan. 24 welcoming the Vatican's move, Bishop Fellay had professed loyalty to the pope but said the society still has "reservations" about the Second Vatican Council.

The four bishops were ordained against papal orders in 1988 by the late French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. The Vatican has held on-again, off-again talks with the society since 2000; in 2007 the pope granted wider use of the 1962 form of the Mass, known as the Tridentine rite, which had been another request of the society's leaders.

Vatican officials said the future talks will touch in part on the future status of the Swiss-based society and its estimated 500 priests and seminarians.

NO SCHOOL TODAY

There are no classes today at St. Paul School or in Akron public schools.

The temperature at 6:15 a.m. was 27 degrees with winds ENE at 3 mph,

Extended forecast:: Snow flurries this evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 14F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.

Cluster Choir meets for first rehearsal

Jo Ann Marcinkoski (directing), Jin Yu and Heidi Guttermuth playing piano

The Summit South 6 Cluster Choir met Tuesday evening in the Music Room at St. Paul in the initial rehearsal for the cluster’s first joint musical celebration on Laetare Sunday, March 22, The concert with adult, youth and praise choirs in the four parishes of the cluster is scheduled for 3 p.m. with the location still to be announced.

The adult choir will rehearse again on February 17 at St. Francis de Sales. The Queen of Heaven choir members did not attend Tuesday, but there were more than three dozen singers. Jo Ann Marcinkoski who directed the rehearsal said there should be more than 70 singing at the joint concert.

Joining Marcinkoski was St. Paul’s Jin Yu who has been involved in the music direction and Heidi Guttermuth who will be the organist for the concert. Heidi played piano for the rehearsal session.

Anyone who would like to join is very welcome, Jin Yu said. Contact him by email at yujinyh2003@yahoo.com or call 330-655-5248

Parishes in the Summit South 6 District are Nativity of the Lord Jesus, Queen of Heaven, St. Francis de Sales and St. Paul.

Grandparents Day is an annual hit

Display of individual photos of Class of 2009 in Grade 8 classroom of Mrs. Sarah Mizak

Grandparents Day on Tuesday was a hit as usual -- at least with grandparents. The event which has become a regular part of Catholic Schools Week at St. Paul each January always draws a good crowd.

Students came from their classrooms to sit with grandparents in the Church for an opening prayer service. Mrs. Rosemary Capotosto, the school principal, welcomed grandparents. Students read the Scripture and presented petitions and the pastor, the Rev. Fr. Ralph Thomas, greeted the visitors, talked about the importance of a Catholic School education and thanked them for supporting the schools.

Part of the group whose names began with A-L then went to the Parish Activity Center and the other half went to classrooms. The groups then switrched lcoations There were donuts, cookies, juice and coffee in the Activity Center and displays, exhibits and projects in the classroom,

Among happy grandparents there was school secretary Mary Ann DeKemper shown here with granddaughter Tara Lanham in the Activity Center.

Among those who were probably attending their last Grandparents Day for a while were students whose photos were on the wall of the eighth grade classroom who will be graduating from St. Paul this year. Their teacher, Mrs. Sarah Mizak, took individual students at the Marian Shrine to use in the Class of 2009 display in the classroom.

Click on the headline to see a few more photos in an online album.

200 lunch bags prepared for St. Bernard

Brianna Jacobs and Angel LaPresta frost cookies

Students at St. Paul School prepared 200 lunch bags Monday for the lunch program at St. Bernard Church.

Monday was designated as Service Day for Catholic Schools Week and preparing the lunch bags was one of the projects.. Students in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 2 decorated lunch bags, students in grades 3-5 prepared cookies and students in grades 6-8 prepared sandiwiches and packed the lunches. .

Students also are making valentines for shut-ins and again this year were collecting “Pennies for Pets.” to help a program called “Paws and Prayers” which rescues, cares for, and finds loving homes for homeless cats and dogs.

Hayden Mullenax and Gennaro Naccari
with boxes of lunches ready for delivery

'300' Club tickets for $30, $60 or $90

Click on flyer to enlarge for viewing

Here is news from the St. Paul Booster Club meeting Sunday evenint in Boeke Hall.

“300" CLUB TICKETS
You can get “300" Club tickets now for $30, $60 or $90. The "300" Club calendar year is now Jan. 1, 2009 to June 30, 2009 for $30. Signups in May for the "300" club will be $60 for July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 to coincide with the CYO Sports sign ups. You can also purchase a number for $90 for Jan. 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 Contact Gerard Colant at 330-773-9555 for numbers.

“300" Club numbers drawn this month were:
#346 Denise Johnson
#027 Frank Lancianese
#033 Kitty Factor
#305 Sherri Schott

BOARD POSITIONS OPEN
The Booster Club has board positions that need to be filled for vice president and trustee. The club thanked Gary Chrostowski and John Testa for volunteering and the service given to the club for the 2008 Booster Club Board.

SPORTS SIGNUPS
Spring signups for volleyball and track will be Friday, February 13, at 6:30 p.m.

Coaches are needed for both the third and fourth grade volleyball teams.
Currently there are enough girls signed up for volleyball to field a team for 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade and 8th Grade. Also, seven children are signed up for Track 3-8 grade.

RAFFLE TICKET TURN-IN
A meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday for Reverse Raffle ticket turn in and volunteer meeting. The Reverse Raffle and buffet dinner will be Saturday, February 2`1. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., buffet dinner at 7 p.m. and drawing begins at 8 p.m. Contact Jo Shoup at 773-9555 for ticket. The club needs to sell 200 tickets.

The next regular Booster Club meeting will be Sunday, February 22, at 7 p.m.

That ole pooch is begging again

The old hound dog is out in the hallway again this year at St. Paul School begging for "Pennies for Pets." How could you refuse a pooch with that pleading look on his face?.

Last year students collected $510.58 in pennies for a program called “Paws and Prayers” which rescues, cares for, and finds loving homes for homeless cats and dogs. The organization also makes sure all of these animals are spayed or neutered. All this is expensive.

After hearing the plight of animals from Paws and Prayers, students in Mrs. Jeanette Michel’s third grade launched a program called Pennies for Pets and before long, the whole school was helping.

Worth little on their own, pennies became a more meaningful currency.

So give your kids a few pennies for the hound dog.

Seminarian's Diary: March for Life

James Miller (St. Mary in Akron), Matt Jordan, Michael Joseph (St. Mary
in Hudson), Robert McWilliams (Immaculate Conception in Akron),
and Fr. Dave Ireland (Pastor of St. Gregory the Great in South Euclid).

In this fourth post of our continuing Diary of a Seminarian, author Matthew Jordan tells about his journey to the nation’s capital for the March to Life. Seminarian Jordan is a member of St. Francis de Sales parish.

A Seminarian's Diary: March for Life

By MATTHEW JORDAN
It has been nearly two months since my last blog post, and for this I must apologize. Much has happened since but I want to focus on two experiences that were most noteworthy.

The time from Thanksgiving to Christmas break is supposed to be stressful because exams are looming and teachers are cramming in papers and projects. I, however, got to learn something that is not able to be on an exam or researched for a paper.

During the week of exams, my mother was suffering from kidney stones and double pneumonia. She was not doing well during the middle of the week and could only talk to me for about three-minute increments before she would lose her breath. I only had two exams both on the same day, so my instant reaction was that I should go home. After talking to a few priests, I decided that my duty for the Church, studying and doing well on my exams, outweighed any good I could do by going home. It was the first time when I had to decide between my duties as a seminarian and family. Hindsight allows me to see that I wanted to go home to make myself feel better and there was little I could do for my poor mother. My mother is now back to full health and is back to bringing the kingdom of heaven to Earth.

I had the opportunity to March for Life in Washington DC, with Fr. Dave Ireland’s parish, St. Gregory the Great in South Euclid. I had never been on the March and was looking forward to going with three diocesan and nine Capuchin brother seminarians. We got to Washington on Wednesday and went to the vigil Mass at the Basilica. The Basilica was jam packed with people in every corner of the large building. We ended up finding a spot behind a pillar on the floor. Seeing the 20-minute long procession of deacons, priests, seminarians, bishops, and cardinals reminded me that I am not alone in answering the call of priesthood.

Strong with the feeling of Catholic solidarity, my three diocesan brothers and I prayed the Morning Prayer on the steps of the Capitol to start out the day of the March. The ability to pray on a government building makes America a great nation. We are so blessed to be Americans.

After doing some sightseeing, we joined the rest of the St. Gregory group and marched in the streets. It is difficult to put into words how it felt to march. People in the St. Gregory group asked me to lead the rosary and as I was leading it people from other groups would join in. This is only a small example of the solidarity of the 200,000 plus from all over the nation united for to try to save life.

Both of these experiences are not things I could have learned from school. Although I am learning a lot from my classes, I am learning much more from my experiences.

Sunday Mass was a triple celebration

Confirmation candidates and sponsors at lunch in Boeke Hall

The 11 a.m. Mass at St. Paul on Sunday was a triple celebration. It was the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the patron saint of the parish. It was a Mass for Confirmation candidates and their sponsors. And it was the Mass opening Catholic Schools Week. Following Mass there was open house at the school and confirmation candidates and their sponsors met in Boeke Hall for lunch and a talk by the pastor. A student choir sang at the Mass.

“We have much to celebrate this Sunday,” the Rev. Fr. Ralph Thomas said in his homily.

He spoke of the heritage of St. Paul who spread the Gospel message.“Because of Paul he Faith has spread throughout the world.”.

He spoke of the heritage of John Carroll, the first Bishop of the United States and saints of America like Elisabeth Ann Seton, Katherine Drexel and John Neumann who established churches and schools. “These great saints of America have contributed so much to our country,” the pastor said.

He spoke of immigrants who came to America and helped to build the churches and schools. “In that immigrant Church, the faith flourished,” he said.

“We have raised up through our Catholic schools outstanding leaders,” he said
The role of schools today has changed, he said, and still “we all have something to contribute.”

Before Mass, principal Rosemary Capotostpo gave a welcome to the open house and outlined the many activities planned for Catholic Schools Week..

Teachers at Saint Paul filled the front pews in section on the south side reserved for them and the Confirmation candidates and their sponsors.

After Mass the three dozen Confirmation candidates and their sponsors went to Boeke Hall for lunch and a presentation by Fr. Thomas. Catechetical Leader Shelly Hertzig was ill and could not attend. Each of the candidates got a new “Youth Bible for Catholics” and a bookmark. Sponsors got a handbook on Confirmation.

Visitors to the school open house lingered for two hours to talk with teachers and view all the exhibits spread around the classrooms and hallways.

The colorful cover of the church bulletin on Sunday emphasized the theme of the week, “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.” Inside each bulletin was one of the decorated “thank you” notes designed by students...

Students were busy today with projects for Catholic Schools week, including the preparation of lunches to be given to the lunch program at St. Bernard Church. Grandparents Day on Tuesday will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a prayer service in the Parish Activity Center. The children and grandparents will then rotate between donuts/socializing in the Activity Center and doing a small project with their grandchild in their classroom..


Click on online photo album to see photos of Sunday’s events.

Click on Events this week for a full list of Catholic Schools Week events this week.

You also might like to go to Ohio.com to read about St. Paul’s Catholic School Week in the Upublish section of the Beacon Journal website.

Pinewood Derby is a 'must see' event

A crowd of fans who filled the parking lot and crowded into Boeke Hall agree that the Pinewood Derby is a “must see” event. There were 47 cars entered in the Pinewood Derby of Cub Scout Pack 3081 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Pinewood Derby is a racing event for Cub Scouts who, with the help of parents, build their own cars from pine wood, plastic wheels and metal axles. Cars are positioned at the top of a long, slanting race track and released by a lever for a run down the hill. The pinewood derby was selected as part of "America's 100 Best" as "a celebrated rite of spring" by Reader's Digest.

Winners of the Pack 3081 races were:

Tiger Division......................Nate Kopocs

Wolf Division..................... Michael Hill Jr.

Bear Division......................Quinn Michalec

Webelos Division...............Cole Macken

Family Division...................Lincoln Gayhart

Michael Hill Jr. was the overall winner.

Hill is in the red shirt with Austin Gayhart in the photo here which shows them getting ready for a runoff in the Wolf Division. With them is Cubmaster Tom Evans. Bill Canan is assistant cubmaster.

All of the winners are now eligible to compete in the Tri-Fires District Pine Wood Derby that will be held sometime in March.

Click on the headline to see more Pinewood Derby photos.

Parish seeks pro-life leaders

The parish is attempting to organize and carry out a viable program of education and action concerning pro-life issues.

“As Catholics we need to be encouraging and leaders in these matters that deeply touch our human dignity,” Fr. Ralph Thomas said. “We need to stand up for life by promoting better understanding and putting the teachings our Church in action.”

Anyone who is interested in carrying out the pro-life program is urged to call the pastor at 330-724-1263.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have launched a massive campaign this montn throughout most of the 18,992 parishes across the nation to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act. (FOCA). The essence of the campaign is to inspire action from some 70 million Catholics that would result in pushing back any attempt by Congress to enact FOCA.

The Freedom of ChoIce Act :
✔eliminates regulations that protect women from unsafe abortion clinics
✔forces taxpayers to fund abortions
✔requires all states to allow “partial birth” and other late-term abortions
✔subjects women to abortions by nonphysicians
✔violates the conscience rights of nurses, doctors, and hospitals
✔strips parents of their right to be involved in their minor daughters’ abortion decision

You can call, write or fax Senators Brown and Voinonvich and Representative Betty Sutton.

Click here for information.

Matt Hogue, member of Hoban Pipers Pride

St. Paul's Matt Hogue is featured in a Beacon Journal article about the Hoban Pipers Pride, a bagpipers' group formed at Archbishop Hoban High School.

Hogue, a Hoban sophomore and son of parish secretary Patty Hogue and husband Kenneth, has learned enough since the group was formed last school year that he is now teaching others.

''It's an amazing thing how much they've learned in 14 months,'' said Brother Philip Smith, CSC.

Smith, who heads the school's music department, said it is very difficult to learn to play the bagpipes.

''It takes a long time to build up a resistance to these things,'' he said of the amount of air needed to play the instrument.

Matt agrees. The hardest part, he said is “''starting it, and maintaining the air. If you lose the air, it will sound flat or sharp.''

The six pipers and four drummers are busy preparing for a number of performances, including marching in both the Akron and Cleveland St. Patrick's Day parades.

The effort has been made possible thanks to a donation from the local Ancient Order of Hibernians St. Brendan Division. The donation paid for blue and gold Great Highland bagpipes, which cost about $1,600 each.

''They're really behind us,'' said Hogue of the Hibernians. ''That's pretty inspiring to us to do our best.''

The Hibernian are now considering whether to upgrade the students' kilt garb from McPhearson plaid, which students purchased for about $200, to the blue and gold colors of the University of Notre Dame, Hogue said.

St. Paul parishioners may remember Hogue who starred as Daddy Warbucks in the St. Paul Drama Club’s staging of Annie in March, 2007.

Click on the headline to read the full story on the bagpipers by Linda Golz which appeared on the front of the Community section in the Beacon Journal. You can listen to a video on the Ohio.com site and see several other still photos. Go to multimedia to see the video.
[Photo of Matt Hogue by Beacon Journal photographer Phil Masturzo]

It's Happening at St. Paul

SUNDAY, January 25 Conversion of St. Paul
Catholic Schools Week opening Mass at 11 a.m. followed by open house from noon to 2 p.m.
Mass for Confirmation graduates and sponsors at 11 a.m.. Candidates and sponsors are asked to sit together during Mass. They will gather in Boeke Hall for lunch and discussion. The estimated departure time for this gathering will be between 2:30 and 3 p.m. when parents pick up students from Boeke Hall.
PSR classes from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Parish Activity Center. Eight grade (Confirmation) students will not attend PSR, but will go to the 11 a.m. Mass
Booster Club will meet at 7 p.m. in Boeke Hall
Coffee & Donuts after Masses in the Parish Activity Center.

MONDAY, January 26
Service Projects Day for Catholic Schools Week. Students will prepare lunches for the needy. Students in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 2 will decorate lunch bags, students in grades 3-5 will prepare cookies and students in grades 6-8 will prepare the lunches. Students also are making Valentines to deliver to shut-ins and doing other service projects during the week.
Cub Scouts pack meeting will meet at 6 p.m. in Boeke Hall
Men's Fellowship will meet for prayer and Bible study at 7 p.m. in Room 111. The Bible study passage is John 18: 15-18 Peter denies Jesus.
SOLACE support group will meet at 7 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center.

TUESDAY, January 27
Grandparents Day. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a prayer service in the Parish Activity Center. The children and grandparents will then rotate between donuts/socializing in the Activity Center and doing a small project with their grandchild in their classroom.
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
RCIA at 7 p.m. in Room 111
Girl Scout Troop 1080 will meet at 2:45 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

WEDNESDAY, January 28
Teacher Appreciation Day:. The PTO will provide a luncheon in Boeke Hall for teachers and other staff members from 11:15 to 1:15.
St. Paul Letters Discussion at 7 p.m. in the church. Discussion will be on Letter to the Philippians and Collosians.
Bible Study at 9:15 a.m. in Room 111
Girl Scout Troop 360 will meet at 2:45 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Chess Club will meet at 4 p.m. in Room 111

THURSDAY, January 29
Beacon Street Performing Arts group .at 1 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center for grades pre-K to 4 and at 1:45 p.m. for grades 5-8. Beacon Street performers are a ministry that provides story and song, puppetry and mime, movement and magic for churches, school, libraries and community organizations with a Gospel-oriented theme. It will be a dress down day for students. Students will bring a book to donate or dress as a book character.

FRIDAY, January 30
Students’ Day: The PTO will provide treats and snacks for the students. The regular Student Mass at 8:30 a.m. Friday is being planned by Mrs. Shelly Pixler’s Grade 5.

SATURDAY, January 31
The Fun Fest Carnival, the finale of Catholic Schools Week, will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Boeke Hall and the old gym. There will be games, prizes, an inflatable jump and slide, a cake walk, 50/50 raffle and food. Tickets are four for $1.
PSR classes from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Parish Activity Center
Coffee and Donuts after Masses in the Parish Activity Center.

Student Council members are greeters for the 11 a.m. Mass January 25

Constant reminders–in case you forgot

CALLING ALL ST. PAUL ALUMNi
The Stewardship Committee and Fr. Thomas, our Pastor, are looking for alumni of St. Paul School to help us organize and contact all of our alumni. If you are able to help out, please call Ellen McAvoy at 330-773-7389.

MAURIN CENTER COLLECTION BOX AWAITS WARM STUFF
There is a collection box in the narthex for the Peter Maurin Center. The center is collecting sleeping bags, blankets, tarps, men’s coats, gloves, socks, underwear and thermal bottoms.

ST. PAUL SCHOOL STUDENT REGISTRATION IS FEBRUARY 5
Registration for Pre-K, Kindergarten and any new students grades 1-8 will be Thursday,
February 5, at 9 a.m. .m. in the school. Bring child’s birth certificate and, if Catholic, a baptismal certificate, unless the child was baptized at St. Paul. Registration fee is $110. Call the school at 330-724-1253 with any questions

HELP THOSE WHO NEED GLASSES
The Knights of Columbus Council 3410 in conjunction with the Copley Lions is collecting eyeglasses that are no longer being used and/or need repair. The glasses will be repaired and distributed to the needy. Glaases can be deposied in in the marked boxes in the narthex.

SUNDAY VAN DRIVERS NEEDED
Any parishioner interested in helping out as a driver of the church van on Sunday morning for the 9: a.m. Mass please call Terry at the rectory 330-724-1263 for more information.

CHECK THE LOST AND FOUND
The Lost and Found box is filling up again with a variety of things left behind in the church. Please check it on your way in or out of the church to see if anything may belong to you. After a couple weeks, unclaimed items will be donaed or tossed out..

THE CYO NEEDS OFFICIALS
The CYO is seeking high school students and young adults interested in officiating volleyball and track and field. Training will be provided and officials are paid to officiate. There will be mandatory training sessions. Call the CYO 330-374-8326, ext. 213 or email vrosato@clevelandcatholiccharities.org.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE, TEA, COCOA FOR SALE ON MARKET DAY
Fair Trade coffee, teas and cocoa will be available for purchase at the February 4 Market Day pickup in Boeke.Hall.

THANK YOU FROM COMMUNITY PREGNANCY CENTER
Community Pregnancy Center volunteers were touched with the generosity of parishioners. The effort helped 734 people to know the joy of the Christmas season through a gift of hope. For this, we are extremely grateful.On behalf of the families your support touches,

Datebook: First Friday Club to hear students

To see upcoming area events, click on the Datebook link at left
or on the headline above

FIRST FRIDAY CLUB LUNCHEON TO HEAR STUDENTS FEBRUARY 6
tudent Representatives of four Catholic High Schools in Summit County.will speak at The First Friday Club luncheon February 6 noon at the Martin Center at the University of Akron, 107 Fir Hill. Topic of the program is “Encountering God: Reflections of Catholic High School Students.” Reservations may be made by calling 330-535-7668 or send a check for $14 to First Friday Club of Greater Akron, 795 Russell Ave., Akron, OH 44307.

A prayer for our nation

Gracious and loving God, we come to you in humble prayer for the United States of America.

Bless our President. Give him wisdom and strength to serve the American people and lead our country in ways that are pleasing to you.

Bless our Congress. Instill in them knowledge and understanding to enact laws that protect the sanctity of life—from the unborn to the elderly; and promote the good of all people.

Bless the people of the United States. Make us aware of our responsibility as citizens to uphold the principles of life, liberty, justice and equality. Send your Holy Spirit upon our beloved country. Make us people of faith in time of uncertainty. Make us people of hope in times of trouble.
Make us people of compassion with those who are less fortunate. Make us people of peace in our homes, our communities, our country and our world.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

[Reprinted from this weekend's bulletin]

Mass Intentions January 30 - February 1

SATURDAY, January 24 Francis de Sales, bishop & doctor
4:30pm Sunday Vigil
Catherine “Kay” Tipton +

SUNDAY, January 25 Third Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00am Johanna Sue Knepp +
11:00am Gemma Ross +

MONDAY, January 26 Timothy & Titus, bishops
7:00am Paul & Mary Fanelly +
8:30am Marjorie Jennings +

TUESDAY, January 27 Angela Merici, virgin
7:00am For all missionaries worldwide
8:30am Morning Prayer and Communion

WEDNESDAY, January 28 Thomas Aquinas, priest & doctor
7:00am For all our armed forces
8:30am Agnes Ruth +

THURSDAY, January 29 Weekday
7:00am For the chronically ill
8:30am Morning Prayer and Communion

FRIDAY, January 30 Weekday
7:00am Morning Prayer and Communion
8:30am Josephine Dettorre +

SATURDAY, January 31 John Bosco, priest
4:30pm Sunday Vigil
Joseph Antal +

SUNDAY, February 1 Fourth Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00am Joseph Pecko +
11:00am Helen M. Young +

Sunday is on the Conversion of St. Paul

Sunday is the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. St. Paul’s entire life can be explained in terms of one experience—his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus. In an instant, he saw that all the zeal of his dynamic personality was being wasted, like the strength of a boxer swinging wildly. Perhaps he had never seen Jesus, who was only a few years older. But he had acquired a zealot’s hatred of all Jesus stood for, as he began to harass the Church: “...entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment” (Acts 8:3b). Now he himself was “entered,” possessed, all his energy harnessed to one goal—being a slave of Christ in the ministry of reconciliation, an instrument to help others experience the one Savior.

That ,moment is portrayed by Michelangelo in a fresco produced about 1542-45. The image here is a section of the painting.

One sentence determined the theology of St. Paul: : “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5b). Jesus was mysteriously identified with people—the loving group of people Saul had been running down like criminals. Jesus, he saw, was the mysterious fulfillment of all he had been blindly pursuing.

From then on, his only work was to “present everyone perfect in Christ. For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of His power working within me” (Colossians 1:28b-29). “

[Adapted from Saint of the Day].

VESPERS AT BASILICA OF ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS:
Pope Benedict XVI presides over the vesper service celebrating the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle. From the Basilica of St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls in Rome. The vespers will be aired on EWTN-TV (Warner Cable 50) axt 11:30 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. Sunday..

Obama praises Roe decision on anniversary

President Barack Obama Friday praised Roe v. Wade, the 1973 US Supreme Court decision that struck down laws protecting unborn human life in all 50 states. The full text of his statement follows.

On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose.

While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.

On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women

Obama reverses Bush abortion-funds policy

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Friday struck down the Bush administration's ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information — an inflammatory policy that has bounced in and out of law for the past quarter-century.

Obama's move, the latest in an aggressive first week reversing Bush policies, was warmly welcomed by liberal groups and denounced by abortion rights foes.

The ban has been a political football between Democratic and Republican administrations since GOP President Ronald Reagan first adopted it 1984. Democrat Bill Clinton ended the ban in 1993, but Republican George W. Bush re-instituted it in 2001 as one of his first acts in office.

"For too long, international family planning assistance has been used as a political wedge issue, the subject of a back and forth debate that has served only to divide us," Obama said in a statement released by the White House. "I have no desire to continue this stale and fruitless debate."

He said the ban was unnecessarily broad and undermined family planning in developing countries.

"In the coming weeks, my administration will initiate a fresh conversation on family planning, working to find areas of common ground to best meet the needs of women and families at home and around the world," the president said.

Obama issued the presidential memorandum rescinding the Bush policy without coverage by the media, late Friday afternoon. The abortion measure is a highly emotional one for many people, and the quiet signing was in contrast to the televised coverage of Obama's announcement Wednesday on ethics rules and Thursday's signing of orders on closing the Guantanamo Bay prison camp and banning torture in the questioning of terror suspects.

Click on the headline to read the full story.

Pope discusses new technologies

Benedict XVI's Message for Media Day

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI gave a message for the 43rd World communications Day on January 24 which was titled: "New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship."

"The new digital technologies are, indeed, bringing about fundamental shifts in patterns of communication and human relationships, the Pontiff said. "These changes are particularly evident among those young people who have grown up with the new technologies and are at home in a digital world that often seems quite foreign to those of us who, as adults, have had to learn to understand and appreciate the opportunities it has to offer for communications. In this year’s message, I am conscious of those who constitute the so-called digital generation and I would like to share with them, in particular, some ideas concerning the extraordinary potential of the new technologies, if they are used to promote human understanding and solidarity. These technologies are truly a gift to humanity and we must endeavour to ensure that the benefits they offer are put at the service of all human individuals and communities, especially those who are most disadvantaged and vulnerable."

Click on the headline to read his full message.provided by Zenit.org, the world Catholic news agency.

Pope channel makes debut on YouTube

VATICAN CITY (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI launched himself into the digital age today with the Vatican announcing that a YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/vatican dedicated to his activities and events at the Vatican is now online.

The Vatican’s announcement of its new partnership with Google’s YouTube coincides with the release of the Pope’s annual message for the World Day of Communications, which this year focuses on how to utilize new technologies to promote a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship.

Fr. Federico Lombardi, the director of the Holy See’s press office, described the Vatican’s YouTube Channel at a press conference Friday.

Currently, the Channel contains clips of Pope Benedict XVI delivering his Christmas Message and Blessing, the January 1 celebration of the World Peace Day and some segments of the Pope speaking about the advantages of new social technology. The footage for the clips is being provided by the Vatican Television Center (CTV) in conjunction with journalists and the web team of Vatican Radio (RV).

According to Fr. Lombardi, the new channel will be updated daily with one or two news pieces each day, none longer than two minutes.
[Source: Catholic News Agency]

Blog Note: Tomorrow is the feast day of St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), the patron saint of the Catholic Press. He wrote many pamphlets in addition to his books, “Introduction to the Devout Life” and “A Treatise on the Love of God.”