CYO offers free movie at Civic July 29

CYO & Community Services and the St. Vincent Knights of Columbus present the movie RUDY at the Akron Civic Theatre on Wednesday, July 29, at 730 pm.

This inspirational story is a must see for families and all those struggling to fulfill a dream. Arrive at 6:30 pm for family activities, give-aways, silent auction, raffle, 50/50, special presentation by Gerry Faust (former head coach of Notre Dame and the University of Akron) and much, much more. There is plenty of free parking around the Civic. For more information call Louise Grizer at 330-762-2961 ext. 220.

No admission charge but donations are appreciated.

Rudy is a 1993 film directed by David Anspaugh. It is an account of the life of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger who harbored dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame despite significant obstacles. It was the first movie the Notre Dame administration allowed to be shot on campus since Knute Rockne, All American in 1940. In 2005, Rudy was named one of the best 20 sports movies of the previous 25 years in two polls by ESPN

Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers for July

Lectors for July:
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Larry Eich
Sunday 9 a.m. Anne Riegler
Sunday 11 a.m. Youth Lector

Extraordinary ,ministers of Holy Communtion for July:

Saturday 4:30	Sunday 9:00	Sunday, 11:00
Carol Couglin	Julia : Gableman	John Amedeo ·
Joyce Gannon .	Kathy Hausch	Asley Barta ·
John Mastrojohn	Nellie Kremer	Brittany Barta ·
Patricia Hogue	Art Mileski	Dorothy Christner
.Hank Richard:	Rosemary Mileski	Karen Matusicky :
Judy i Richard	Angie Roosa	Jeannette Michel
Kenneth Roush	Bob Roosa	David Ruegg
Penny Roush	Suzanne Stanik	Maggie_Walker

Ministers to infirmed:
Larry Eich, Saturday 4:30
Terry Nesline Sunday 8:00
Bob Rachel Sunday 11:00

Letter to editor about St. John Parish

The following letter was published in the Akron Beacon Journal today, Tuesday, June 30:

Decision on St. John made thoughtfully

I am saddened by the anger and misinformation in Barbara Piurkowsky's letter (''Faith shaken by church merger,'' June 12) concerning the merger of St. John and Annunciation parishes.

The decision to merge Annunciation and St. John parishes was made by 30 people from six different cluster parishes over 18 months, and wasn't based on cronyism, greed or deception, but on factors related to location, membership, ministries and other facts and figures. The process has been difficult, inspiring, time-consuming, fulfilling, exhausting, exhilarating and always based on faith and transparent truth.

Some reasons for locating the new parish at the Annunciation site are: St. John the Baptist is an ethnic/personal parish with approximately 320 registered members (some live close and many are scattered) with no boundaries. Annunciation is a larger territorial parish serving East Akron/Goodyear Heights with approximately 1,492 registered members (two-thirds within a two-and-one-half-mile radius).

Annunciation Church is in excellent condition, generates rental income, is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, landscaped with green spaces, and has a senior-citizens apartment, the St. Vincent DePaul Center, HM Life housing, parking next to the church, a lot across the street and soon about 40 more angle parking spaces in front on Broad Street.

Statistics don't show the Annunciation area to be any higher in crime than the St. John area.

The merger of St. John and another parish was an afterthought, after the clustering process was complete and would merge two parishes that still would fall short of the 500 families needed for a full-time priest.

I encourage the people of St. John to participate in the merger process to create a vibrant new parish.

Michael J. Herhold
Akron

Editor's note: The writer was a member of the team that worked on the merger.

4th Century portrait of St. Paul found

The 4th-century portrait was found in the catacombs of St Thecla, not far
from the Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls (Richard Owen in Rome)

Vatican archaeologists have uncovered what they say is the oldest known portrait of St Paul. The portrait, which was found two weeks ago but has been made public only after restoration, shows St Paul with a high domed forehead, deep-set eyes and a long pointed beard, confirming the image familiar from later depictions.

L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, which devoted two pages to the discovery, said that the oval portrait, dated to the 4th century, had been found in the catacombs of St Thecla, not far from the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls, where the apostle is buried. The find was “an extraordinary event”, said Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

Barbara Mazzei, a restorer, said that centuries of grime had been removed with a laser. Fabrizio Bisconti, Professor of Christian Iconography at Rome University and a member of the team that made the discovery, said that it appeared to have decorated the tomb of a nobleman or high church official.

Professor Bisconti said that the catacombs contained hundreds of Christians who had wanted to be buried near St Thecla, a Roman Christian martyr — not to be confused with the friend of St Paul known from the apocryphal “Acts of Paul and Thecla” or the English 8th-century Benedictine nun of the same name.

Pope Benedict XVI, who a year ago announced a “Pauline Year” dedicated to the apostle that ended yesterday, said that it had been “a true period of grace in which, through pilgrimages, catecheses, publications and various initiatives, the figure of St Paul was offered again to the entire Church. His vibrant message among Christian communities has revived everywhere the passion for Christ and the Gospel.”

It is widely believed that the spread of Christianity would not have been possible without St Paul. A Roman Jew from what is now Turkey, he founded churches throughout the Roman Empire. He was executed — it is believed beheaded — in AD65 for his beliefs.
[Source: London Times]

Sessions required for all ministers of Communion

On 1 June 2009 Bishop Lennon issued Instruction: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Assisting at Mass and Communion to the Sick in the Diocese of Cleveland and wrote to pastors, administrators and parish life coordinators indicating that all current extraordinary ministers of holy communion are required to attend diocesan formation sessions before 1 January 2010 in order to continue in this ministry going into 2010.

Formation sessions were offered in June.Additional sessions will be offered in September and October. Notification of the dates for the September sessions will be sent in early August.

The formation sessions are for both those individuals currently exercising this ministry, as well as persons new to this ministry.With the promulgation of the Instruction the regularly scheduled formation sessions for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will continue to be offered biannually in April and October.

Help sought for Bea Ruegg’s ‘Love Box’

Here's a special message from Diane Zak who is seeking help in putting together a little tribute for her mother, Bea Ruegg, who will celebrate her 85th birthday on August 13.

Our Mom, Bea Ruegg, will be 85 on August 13, 2009. We'll be having a short, SURPRISE reception (cake and punch) for her on Sunday, September 20, immediately following the 11:00 Mass in the Parish Activity Center. We want her to feel the love and appreciation that so many people have for her, and so we'll be making her a BIRTHDAY "LOVE BOX".

\We're inviting you (and many others) to participate by attending the reception in the PAC and by sending messages, thoughts, appreciations, and/or photos, poems, art that express your love and appreciation for her. Please help get the word out to those who may not have seen this letter.

So that we can assemble it for her reception, if you could mail what you want included by Friday August 7, 2009 - that would be fantastic.

You can send whatever you want included in Bea's "Love Box" to:
Diane Zak 853 Wisteria Dr.
Barberton, Ohio, 44203 OR you can email your message to:
dmzak@prodigy.net (Put “Bea Ruegg” In the subject of the email-

We hope all of you are well and thank you in advance if you do get a chance to send something. And remember - it doesn't have to be anything long or time-consuming for you. A few heartfelt sentences will mean the world to her, especially assembled with those of the many, many others whose lives Bea Ruegg has touched.

DON"T FORGET.........IT'S A SURPRISE!!!

Thank you,

Diane Zak

For my siblings - Bea's children - and their spouses and children: Richard, Mike and Coletta, Dennis, Donald and Linda, David and Cheryl, Marty and Jeanne, Mark and Buffy, Diane and Dave, and all 24 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

Test supports tomb as that of St. Paul

As he presided at ceremonies closing the Pauline Year, Pope Benedict XVI made the dramatic announcement that new scientific tests have strengthened the traditional belief that human remains buried beneath the altar of the Roman basilica of St. Paul-outside-the-Walls are those of St. Paul himself.

The Pope led a Vespers service on Sunday evening, June 28, to conclude the observance of the Pauline Year. In his homily he mentioned the initiatives that had been taken during the year, especially the pilgrimages that many Christians have made to sites connected with St. Paul's missionary journeys. Commenting then on the Apostle's letter to the Romans, the Holy Father said that the world cannot be renewed unless we ourselves undergo renewal first, and we can experience that renewal only throught the New Man, Jesus Christ. Pope Benedict also took note of St. Paul's references to an adult faith, and said that phrase has unfortunately been invoked by many Catholics who want to uphold only those truths of faith that they find comfortable for themselves.

As he neared the conclusion of his homily, the Pope announced that carbon-14 dating tests have established that bones and scraps of clothing found in the tomb below the basilica date back to the 1st century, thus supporting the belief-- which, he pointed out, has never been contested-- that this is the burial place of St. Paul. That likelihood, the Pontiff said, "fills our souls with profound emotion" as the Church pays homage to the Apostle.

E-mail replies on school funding cuts

I would like to thank you for taking the time and effort to write me regarding provisions contained in or proposed for the state biennial operating budget, House Bill 1. I truly appreciate knowing of your concern that proposed cuts in funding will adversely affect Catholic Schools.

I would like to assure you that I will continue to address this concern with my colleagues appointed to the bi-cameral Conference Committee as we undertake the difficult task of providing a final balanced two-year state budget.

Again, I thank you for your passion and involvement in this tedious, yet necessary, legislative process. Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you have any questions on this or any other matter or feel I may be of service.

Sincerely,

John R. Otterman
State Representative
District 45
77 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6111
Phone: 614-644-6037
Fax: 614-719-6945
E- Mail: district45@ohr.state.oh.us

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your email. I will keep your views in mind during the budget process.

Kindest regards,

Kevin Coughlin
7th Ohio Senate District
Senate Building
Room #222, Second Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone: 614/466-4823
Email: SD27

Pope Benedict’s prayer intentions for July

General: That the Christians of the Middle East may live their faith in full freedom and be an instrument of peace and reconciliation.

Mission: That the Church may be the seed and nucleus of a humanity reconciled and reunited in God's one and only family, thanks to the testimony of all the faithful in every country in the world.

Newspaper reveals quotes from upcoming encyclical

ROME, Italy (CNA).- The upcoming social encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI "Caritas in veritate" - Charity in truth - will bear the date of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, but will likely become public on July 6 or 7, the Italian daily Corriere della Sera said on Saturday.

An article by Gian Guido Vecchi quotes what he claims are several original paragraphs of the Pope’s third encyclical.

"Without truth, without trust and love for what is truthful, there is no conscience or social responsibility, and the social action falls under the control of private interests or logics of power, with destructive effect on society, even more on a society in way to globalization, in difficult moments like the current ones,” the Pope will say in “Caritas in veritate,” according to Vecchi.

Corriere della Sera says the Pope highlights in the upcoming document that globalization is not an evil in itself, but it cannot be left to self-regulation.

“In the midst of the new international economic, commercial and financial context,” the Pope will suggest an international agreement to lead the process of globalization: “an authority that should be regulated by law, should stick coherently to the principles of subsidiarity ad solidarity, should be aimed at achieving the common good and committed in fostering an authentic integral human development, inspired in the values of charity and truth.”

In what Vecchi describes as “a very theological and theoretical” document, Pope Benedict will highlight from the beginning that “the charity of truth, which Jesus Christ has shown to us along all his earthly life and, above all, with His death and resurrection, is the main resource at the service of the true development of each individual human being and humanity as a whole.”

According to the Pope, the current crisis has been sparked by "a deficit of ethics in the economic structures.” A reform of the current system, therefore, will require “a common code” based on “the truth from both faith and reason,” capable of providing “the light through which the human intelligence arrives to natural and supernatural truth of charity.”

Vecchi claims that the Pope will recall the “social responsibility of private companies,” but will underscore that “true development is impossible without honest men, without financial operators and politicians who strongly feel in their own consciences the call for the common good.”

The encyclical will also pay attention to the “ecologic health of the planet,” but will remind that “the duties we have to the environment are connected to the duties we have toward the human person”, because “the first capital to be protected and cherished is the human person in its integrity.”

According to Vecchi, the encyclical will hardly be “good news to the liberals and bad news to the conservatives,” as claimed by some analysts who have not seen the text of the document.

“The Pope quotes Paul VI’s Populorum progressio, which in 1967 denounced the gap between rich and poor countries, but the encyclical also takes from Humanae vitae in criticizing abortion and contraception,” Vecchi writes.

The encyclical, in fact, is likely to say that “openness to life is at the core of every true development,” and regarding the ambiguous policies aimed at “reducing the need for abortion” by means of other social policies, the Pope warns that “if personal and social sensibility toward the welcoming of a new life is lost, even other forms of welcoming (life) useful to social life become fruitless.”

The encyclical will also tackle global injustice, especially world hunger.

“Charity in truth requires an urgent reform to confront courageously and without hesitation the great problems of injustice in the development of the nations,” the encyclical will say.

The document will also say that “food and water are universal rights,” and will remind that the Greek word Oikonomia - from which the word “economy” comes - means the rule or management of the oikos, the home: “the development of all nations depends above all in recognizing that we are one single family.”

Book and Music Sale extended

The St. Paul Book and Music Sale has been extended from Monday through Thurlsday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center.

St. Paul creates great presence at parade

St. Paul contingent marches down Aster Avenue in Firestone Park parade

Students, teachers and parents created a great presence for St. Paul School in the annual Firestone Park Independence Day parade on Saturday,

There was a nice turnout of youngsters with parents, teachers and school staff. Kelly Dodson drove a pickup truck decorated with St. Paul colors and signs with students aboard. Others marched along behind a St. Paul School banner adorned with tigers and tiger paws.

Students of all ages marched along carrying signs. Among the marchers was school secretary Mary Ann DeKemper.

There also was a St. Paul display at the park before the parade. A nice photo board pictured activities at St. Paul and teachers along with principal Robert Brodbeck were there to answer any questions visitors might have. There also was face-painting available for youngsters.

First grade teacher Suzanne Inglis was among those who gathered at the Firestone Research Center marshaling area to complete decoration of the truck and signs for the parade. A number of signs like those shown here had been prepared Thursday night in Boeke Hall.

Pre-kindergarten teacher Elizabeth Campbell and kindergarten teacher Debbie Dodson did much or the organizing work but received help from Mrs. Inglis and teachers Sarah Mizak and Sean Collins.

Click on the headline to see more photos.

A prayer for priests for this Year for Priests

A Prayer for Priests

Oh Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep Thy priests within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may touch them.

Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Thy Sacred Body.

Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Thy Precious Blood.

Keep pure and unworldly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.

Let Thy holy love surround them from the world's contagion.

Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and their everlasting crown hereafter.

[Source: Eucharistic Holy Hour prayer book, J. S. Paluch Co.]

More information on proposed school funding cuts

Action Alert from the Catholic Conference of Ohio
Communicated by Margaret Lyons, Secretary for Education / Superintendent
Office of Catholic Education + Diocese of Cleveland + June 24, 2009

_________________________________________________________________

Dear Pastors, Principals, and Business managers,

By now you have heard that Governor Strickland is proposing massive cuts to address the $3.2 billion deficit in the state's operating budget. These cuts fall disproportionately on health and human services for Ohio's most vulnerable residents and upon parents of the children in our Catholic elementary schools and high schools.

We recognize that summer is a challenging time to enlist support; but this is the window the state government has handed us. Please do what you can to get phone calls and emails to state representatives and senators. They need to hear from the voters.

God bless you and your schools and parishes for the ministry you bring to the people of the Cleveland Diocese.
__________________________________________________________________

What do the proposed cuts mean to our schools and parishes?

1. The proposed reduction in Auxiliary Services is 15 percent ($20.7 million per year), in each year of the biennium. Funding used in our schools to purchase textbooks and provide remedial, speech, and psychological service for students.

2. The proposed reduction in Administrative Cost Reimbursement also is 15 percent ($9 million per year), in each year of the biennium. These reimbursement funds (usually referred to as Mandated Services Money) are often wed by schools / parishes as operating income for the school budget.

3. NOTE: We have no reason to believe that similar cuts would be applied to the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program or the Ohio EdChoice Scholarship "vouchers.”
_________________________________________________________________

What are some specific comments to make to legislators?

1. Education is the foundation for a healthy economic future in Ohio! Do not cut funding or Auxiliary Services that provide necessary services for children in the chartered non-public school (includes Catholic Schools)

2. Do not cut funding for Administrative Cost Reimbursement – reimbursement funds to non-public chartered schools (includes Catholic Schools) for services that are mandated by the Ohio Department of Education to be performed by school administration and teachers.

Attached is an "Action Alert" for you to use, if you wish.

Click here to see the Action Alert posted earlier on this blog which lists contact information for area legislators.

It's Happening at St. Paul

Sunday, June 28
Closing of Pauline Year at Vespers by Pope Benedict XVI on EWTN at noon.
Used Book and CD Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.jm. In Parish Activity Center..
Booster Club will meet at 7 p.m. in Boeke Hall.

Monday, June 29 Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles

Tuesday, June 30
Eucharistic Adoration after 7 a.m. Mass until 2 p.m. in Eucharistic Chapel.
Senior Prayer Hour at 1 p.m. in the Eucharistic Chapel

Wednesday, Juy 1 Memorial of Blessed Junipero Serra,
Bible study at 9:15 : a.m. in Room 111
Jugglers at 7 p.m. in old gymnasium

Thursday, July 2
Stewardship Committee will meet at 7 p.m. in Room 111

Friday, July 3 Feast of St. Thomas, apostle

Saturday, July 4 Independence Day / Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal

Mural will be on display this weekend

Click on image for better view

The beautiful “Year of St. Paul” mural by parishoner Jim Vondemkamp will be on display in the narthex this weekend for the close of the Pauline Year. The mural has been in place in the hallway opposite Room 111 in St. Paul School since the beginning of Lent.. A black and white photo of the mural was publishes in the March 20 issue of the Universe Bulletin.

Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate: the conclusion of the Year of St. Paul at Vespers on Sunday at the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. It will air live from Rome at noon Sunday on EWTN (Warner Cable Channel 50)

Here is the wording in each of the scrolls in Vondempkamp's mural:.

YESTERDAY So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away.. Behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

TODAY Romans - Let hope be sincere. . . love one another with mutual affection, anticipate one another in showing honor. (Romans 12: 9, 10)

TOMORROW For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were Baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves in Christ. (Galatians 3: 26-27)

FOREVER May the God of Peace who raised Jesus Our :Lord furnish you with all that is good through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever. (Hebrews 13: 20-22)

Note on the Wednesday Bible study groups

The Wednesday evening Bible study group that meets at 7 p.m. in the rectory is taking a breadk for the Suumer and will resume meeting after Labor Day.

The Wednesday morning Bible study group which meets at 9:15 p.m. in Room 111 welcomes nyone who is interested in ldearning more about Holy Scriptures.

Wedding Banns

III Rick Bader, Jr. and Brittany Cook

‘Thank You' note from Fr. Berardi

I would like to thank Fr. Ralph Thomas, Deacon Frank Lonteen, the St. Paul Parish Council Hospitality Committee, St, Paul Ladies Guild, all . those who prepared food and all the parishioners and friends past and present who joined with me in the celebration of my 50th Anniversary Jubilee. It was truly a memorable occasion for me and I sincerely appreciate all the time and effort put forth by everyone.

God bless you.

Father James Berardi

Mass Intentions June 27 - July 5

SATURDAY, June 27 Cyril of Alexandria, bishop & doctor
4:30pm Sunday Vigil
Paul Nauer +

SUNDAY, June 28 Thirteeneth Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00am Allison Ferenczi +
11:00am Living and Decesaed Parishioners of St. Paul

MONDAY, June 29 Peter & Paul, apostles
7:00am Betty Capron +
8:30am Beatrice DiDonato +

TUESDAY, June 30 The First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church
7:00am For the poor and the oppressed
8:30am Morning Prayer and Communion :
I
WEDNESDAY, July 1 Blessed Junipero Serra, priest
7:00am Joseph Lukacik +
8:30am For peace in the world

THURSDAY, July 2 Weekday
7:00am For the ill and homebound
8:30am Morning Prayer and Communion

FRIDAY, July 3 Thomas, apostle
7:00am Morning Prayer and Communion
8:30am Edward Regan +

SATURDAY, July 4 Elizabeth of Portugal / Independence Day
4:30pm Sunday Vigil
Living & Deceased Parishioners of St.Paul

SUNDAY, July 5 Fourteenth Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00am Abe & Anna Lonteen + ~
11:00am Dorothy McGough +

Pope on TV at noon Sunday as Pauline Year ends

Join Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday as he celebrates: the conclusion of the Year of St. Paul. It will air live from Romse at noon Sunday on EWTN (Warner Cable Channel 50)

The Pontiff also will celebrate Mass for the Solemnity of the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. It airs live at 4 a.m.Monday with a re-air at 11 a.m.

Cardinal Arinze to speak to Cleveland City Club

Francis Cardinal Arinze wil speak at two separate engagements in the Diocese of Cleveland. First, he will speak at a special forum of the City Club of Cleveland on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 4 p.m. His topic will be 'The Role of Interreligious Dialogue in the World of Today'. Then, the following day he will be the keynote speaker at the annual convention of the Nigerian American Cultural Center on Friday, July 17, at 6 p.m. There, his topic will be the 'Role of the Family in Contemporary Society'.

Click on the headline to read a BBC News profile of the cardinal.

Strickland proposes cuts in nonpublic school aid

Governor Strickland has proposed cutting $59 million over the biennium in aid to students attending chartered nonpublic schools. Proposed are cuts in direct reimbursement to our schools (Administrative Cost Reimbursement) and resources and services such as guidance counselors, remedial assistance, and textbooks (Auxiliary Services).

Click on this Action Alert to read more

Contact information for Ohio legislators:

27th Ohio Senate District
Kevin Couglin (R)
Senate Building
Room #222, Second Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone: 614/466-4823
Email: SD27@senate.state.oh.us

28th Ohio Senate District
Thomas Sawyer (D)
Senate Building
Room #049, Ground Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone: 614/466-7041
Email: senatorsawyer@maild.sen.state.oh.us

45th Ohio House District
John Otterman (D)
77 S. High St
13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Phone: (614) 644-6037
Fax: (614) 719-6945
Email: district45@ohr.state.oh.us

Preparing St. Paul signs for parade

Claire Botas, 4, daughter of Julie and Tim Botas, shows how it's done.
Her sign says "I Love St. Paul School."

St;udents, ;parents and teachers gathered in Boeke Hall on Thursday evening to prepare signs for the Firestone Park parade Saturday at 4 p.m.

Kindergarten teacher Debbie Dodson and pre-kindergarten teacher Elizabeth Campbell along with eighth grade teacher Sarah Mizak, seventh grade teacher Sean Collins and first grade teacher Suzanna Inglis were on hand to help.

Principal Robert Brodbeck also stopped in to see the sign preparation

Students are welcome to march along or ride bikes, wearing St. Paul School colors and carrying signs. Paraders from St. Paul will meet at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Firestone Resarch Cetner in spot 15-A.

St. Paul also is working on having a booth at the festival from 2 to 5 p.m. to display highlights of St. Paul School and to provide brochures. Teachers will be available to answer any questions the patrons might have.

Click on the headline to see more photos.

Many books, CDs to choose from at PAC

Need a good book to read? There are tables and tables of books and CDs displayed in the Parish Activity Center for St. Paul's Used Book and Music Sale.

The hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p,.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday

Blog growth: 25,000 visitors, 2,000 articles

The number under “Visitors” passed the 25,000 mark today. That means there have been more than 25,000 visits in about 21 months. The blog was started Ion September. 23, 2007 with an announcement in the church bulletin. When the blog started, we got only about a dozen visits a day. This year we have been averaqing from 50 to 75 visitors a day. There have been 2,000 articles posted on the blog since it opened.

Beacon article features St. John protesters

St. John the Baptist Parish was featured in a story and photo today on the cover of the Community Section of the Akron Beacon Journal.

The photo showed about 25 parishioners gathered Wednesday in front of the church at 1034 Brown St. to protest the closing and announce they have joined a group of 12 soon-to-be-closed churches called ''Endangered Catholics'' to fight the edict.

''We feel only as a group might we be able to save ourselves,'' said Nancy McGrath of Akron, a member of St. Peter's Church in Cleveland, also one of the parishes on the chopping block.

St. John parishioners have been told they are to merge with Annunciation, 87 Broad St., by Oct. 31.

Protesters noted three main reasons the church should remain open — not the least of which is the $2.3 million the parish has in the bank through a church-sponsored bingo operation and careful financial practices by the retired Rev. Ralph Coletta. Other reasons were ample parking is available and the church is in good condition.

Click on the headline to read the story.

Pope to meet Obama July 10

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI will welcome U.S. President Barack Obama to the Vatican July 10 for an audience scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

Obama will visit Italy July 8-10 to participate in the Group of Eight summit, a meeting of leaders of the world's wealthiest nations. The meeting will be held in L'Aquila, site of a devastating earthquake in April.

After the G-8 summit, the president and his wife, Michelle, are scheduled to fly to Ghana, arriving late July 10.

Although Pope Benedict usually meets heads of state and government in the morning, the Vatican agreed to host Obama's first visit to the papal palace the evening before he flies to Africa.

It is not clear whether Miguel Diaz, a theology professor tapped by Obama to be the new U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, will be present for the meeting. As of June 23, the Senate hearing for the new ambassador's confirmation was not on the public schedule of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Discussions between popes and U.S. presidents usually focus on common concerns regarding world events and the church's concerns over issues or policies with special moral relevance. So in addition to discussing ongoing tensions in the Middle East, especially the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the situation in Iraq, Pope Benedict likely will bring up his concerns regarding abortion policy in the United States and renewed government permission for embryonic stem-cell research.
[Source: Catholic News Service]

Vatican to investigate Wichita 'miracle'

WICHITA, Kan. (CNA).- The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is preparing to investigate an alleged miracle in Wichita, Kansas, where doctors are baffled by the unexplained recovery of a young man who had suffered a severe head injury in an accident that had broken his skull.

When her 20-year-old son Chase was seriously injured in a pole-vaulting accident on October 2, Paula Kear and her family began to pray fervently for the intercession of Fr. Emil Kapaun, and asked their friends to do the same.

Chase’s father, Paul Kear, told The Wichita Eagle that the family was informed “that it was really severe, and that he had fractured his skull from ear to ear, and that there was some…bleeding on his brain.” The Kears were told by the doctors that they “didn’t have a lot of hope” for Chase, and that he would likely die either in the necessary surgery to remove the damaged piece of his skull or from an infection after the surgery.

Miraculously, Chase survived the surgery and walked out of the hospital only a few weeks after the accident that had broken his skull. “It was shortly after we got to the rehab hospital and I just saw these people that work there just amazed,” Paula told The Wichita Eagle. The doctors were unable to explain the recovery, Chase’s parents added.

Chase has made a nearly-full recovery and is currently working a summer job and planning to coach pole-vaulting.

Devotion to Fr. Kapuan is strong in the Diocese of Wichita, whose website includes information about his case for canonization.

Father Emil Kapaun was a Wichita priest and Army chaplain born in Kansas, about 60 miles north of Wichita. During the Korean War, he was assigned to the U.S. Army's Eighth Cavalry regiment, which was overrun in late 1951 by the Chinese army in North Korea.

Kapaun courageously rescued wounded soldiers from the battlefield, risking his own life to save them from execution at the hands of the Chinese. Later taken as a prisoner of war, he heroically worked to tend to the starving and sick, praying for and ministering to his fellow prisoners.

Eventually suffering from a blood clot in his leg, Kaupan was moved to a hospital but denied medical assistance. He died in May 1951, two years before the end of the war.

Pauline Year ends Sunday

VATICAN CITY - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has announced that at 6 p.m. on Sunday 28 June, in the Roman basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls, the Holy Father will preside at First Vespers of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, to mark the end of the Pauline Year.
[Source: Vatican Information Service]

Chaplain dies from Iraq War injuries

Priest Embraced God's Will in Line of Fire

NEW HOPE, Minnesota, (Zenit.org).- Father Timothy Vakoc, an Army chaplain who was injured in Iraq in 2004, died Saturday at the age of 49.

The priest's personalized CaringBridge Web site reported that he was "surrounded by family and friends who prayed him into heaven" at St. Therese nursing home in New Hope

He was wounded on May 29, the 12th anniversary of his priestly ordination, when his humvee was struck by roadside bomb while returning from celebrating Mass for the soldiers in Mosul.

The chaplain was transported through Germany back to Washington D.C., having lost an eye and sustained a severe brain injury. He was later awarded a Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Combat Action Award.

Father Vakoc once said to his sister, "The safest place for me to be is in the center of God's will, and if that is in the line of fire, that's where I'll be."

The priest traveled a long journey over the five years from the explosion to his death. He was initially categorized by doctors as being in a "vegetative state," but was later upgraded to a "minimally responsive state."

It took almost two and a half years from his return to the United States before he began to speak again.

Two weeks ago, in a Mass celebrating the 17th anniversary of his ordination, a journal entry on the retired chaplain's Web site reported that he was able to sing and follow along with the prayers.

It noted that he was participating in Bible studies at the nursing home, and giving blessings with a partially impaired right arm.

Archbishop Harry Flynn, who was archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis when the chaplain returned to the states, celebrated a Mass for the priest one year after his injury.

The prelate said of Father Vakoc: "The Eucharist has entered into his flesh in a significant way, and the suffering Jesus Christ is here before us. Today we pray that Eucharist, which is right here, Tim Vakoc in this wheelchair, will be a sign of Jesus Christ for us and that it will deepen our faith."

St. Paul School to join the parade

St. Paul School will be represented in this year's Firestone Park Parade and Carnival.

Kindergarten teacher Debbie Dodson and pre-kindergarten teacher Elizabeth Campbell will be meeting with students and family members at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Parish Activity Center to decorate signs to hold and a large sign or two to hold to introduce the St. Paul paraders. Parents and teachers will be asked to pass out some literature..

The parade is Saturday, June 27. Students are welcome to march along wearing St. Paul School colors and carrying signs. Paraders from St. Paul will meet at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Firestone Resarch Cetner in spot 15-A.

Even if you canot be in the parade, your help with signs would be appreciated.

A note to parents on the project said:

“Basically we are entering St. Paul School in the Firestone Park Community Parade to hopefully gain some publicity, bring new families to the church and school, create some notoriety for our school and let our FABULOUS children have the spotlight for a few moments.’

St. Paiul also is working on having a booth at the festival from 2 to 5 p.m. to display a trifold board that highlights St. Paul School and to provide brochures.Teachers will be available to answer any questions the patrons might have.

“This is going to be a fun and low key event,” Mrs. Campbell said. “Hopefully the day's activities will foster a sense of pride among the students, parents and staff, and we can all share in some summer fun together."

For questions you may email elizabeth_ann_campbell@yahoo.com or call her at 330-687-0659,

Former parishioner Robert Judy dies

CUYAHOGA FALLS -- Robert A. Judy, 75, passed peacefully to eternal life on June 17, 2009 after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

To all who knew him, Bob will always be remembered as a strong and honest man, a generous and loyal friend, and an amazing husband, father and uncle.

Bob was born in Akron and grew up in Firestone Park. He then proudly served as a United States Marine and retired from the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company after 33 years of service. Bob then pursued a second career of 20 years as the co-owner of Mail-Boxes Etc./The UPS Store in Stow, with his wife, Loismarie (LaCharity) Judy. A resident of the area for his entire life, Bob raised his family in Stow, was an avid golfer, bowler and Kent State basketball fan, and served as a life-long member and third-degree knight of the Knights of Columbus Council #3410 in Akron. A devoted Roman Catholic, Bob and his family were once parishioners of St. Paul's of Akron, Holy Family of Stow and most recently at Immaculate Heart of Mary of Cuyahoga Falls.

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, he was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas B. and Clarus Judy; as well as his wife's parents, Marvin F. and Genevieve LaCharity and his brothers-in-law, Jeffrey Feeman and Marvin A. LaCharity. Bob is survived by his loving wife and sweetie, Loismarie, with whom he celebrated 44 wonderful years of marriage; his adoring children, Sharon (Todd) Stock, Jill (Kevin) Kline, Mark (Beth) Judy and Keith Judy; his beautiful grandchildren, Claire, Erin, and Joseph Stock, Ian, Owen, and Colby Kline, as well as another precious Judy grandchild on the way. Bob is also survived by his beloved brothers and sisters, Thomas (Marcella) Judy, Lois (Clifford) Boeckman, Charles (Jeanette) Judy, Joan Englehart, Maryellen Feeman, Normajeanne (Raymond) Bates and Ralph (Linda) LaCharity; and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. TUESDAY at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, Rev. Fr. Thomas W. McCann celebrant. Friends may call at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, Monday 5 to 8 p.m. Knights of Columbus will conduct rosary service 7 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Summa.
(REDMON, STOW, 330-688-6631)
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH,Sunday, June 21, 2009, page B6, col. 4 ]

It’s Happening at St. Paul

Sunday, June 21 Father’s Day and First Day of Summer
Mission talk by Rev. Fr. Mark Brummel C.M.F., a member of the Claretians

Monday, June 22
Men’s Fellowship will meet at 7 p.m. in Room 111 for Bble study and prayer. The Bible study passage will be Galatians 4: 1-20 Paul’s concern for the Galatians.

Tuesday, June 23
Eucharistic Adoration after 7 a.m. Mass until 2 p.m. in Eucharistic Chapel.
Senior Prayer Hour at 1 p.m. in the Eucharistic Chapel
Jugglers at 7 p.m. in old gymnasium

Wednesday, June 24 Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist
Bible study at 7 p.m. in the rectory

Saturday, June 27
New parishioner registration in the narthex after all Masses
Used Book and Music Sale 9 a,m, to 3 p.m. in Parish Activity Center

Sunday, June 28
New parishioner registration in the narthex after all Masses
Used Book and Music Sale 9 a,m, to 1 p.m. in Parish Activity Center
Booster Club will meet at 7 p.m. in Boeke Hall.

See Datebook for other area events

Worth noting in this weekend's bulletin

Peter Maurin Center cookout is next Sunday
The Peter Maurin Center will be having a cookout for the clients on Sunday, June 28,
If anyone has a used barbecue grill that they could donate it would be greatly appreciated. Donations of covered dishes are needed as well and can be dropped off here in Boeke Hall in Saturday, June 27, 2009 from 1 to 4 p.m.. Volunteers to help with the cookout are always welcome! For more info or questions, please call Susie Gatian 330-773-1204.

Bulletin announcements must be in early.
All church bulletin announcements for the weekend of July 4-5 must be in the rectory by Friday, June 26, due to the July Fourth holiday.

Peter's Pence collection is next weekend
Next week our parish will take up the Peter’s Pence Collection. This Collection allows the Holy Father to cast the light of Christ upon the world by providing emergency assistance to those who need it most around the globe. Please be generous in the next week’s Peter’s Pence Collection.

Schedules for Mass service will be available next weekend
The schedules for lectors and extraordinary ministers of communion for July, August and September will be available next weekend, June 27-28 in the room
next to the organ at the front of the church. If you have any questions about the schedule of Extraordinary Minister of Communion, call Dora Weigand 330-773-7250 and for Lectors call Darlene Musgrave 330-745-4242

Count needed for Community Picnic on August 2
Organizers of the South Akron / Firestone Park “Community Church Picnic” need to know how many will attend so they can order enough meat for the picnic. There is a form in this weekend’s bulletin for you to provide the information. The picnic planned by several churches will be Sunday, August 2, at Firestpone Park. Those interested in helping should call Jeanne Bearer at 330-882-3949

Wedding Banns

III Michael Schaaf and Jennifer Mahoney

II Rick Bader, Jr. and Brittany Cook

Door prizes sought for Ladies Guild card party

St. Paul Ladies Guild will have its “Roses are Red, Violets are Blue” Lite Supper Card Party on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 in Boeke Hall.

Ladies Guild members are asked to donate a door prize of no more than $5 and put in the box in the Narthex.

Questions, call:
Mary Lou Goodhart at 330-773-9379
or Maggie Colant 330-724-9550.

Click on the poster to enlarge for party details.

Mass Intentions June 20-28

SATURDAY, June 20 The Immaculate Heart of Mary
4:30pm Sunday Vigil
All Fathers and Grandfathers

SUNDAY, June 21 Twelfth Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00am All Fathers and Grandfathers
11:00am All Fathers and Grandfathers

MONDAY, June 22 Paulinus of Nola, bishop; John Fisher, bishop & martyr, Thomas More,
martyr
7:00am For the poor
8:30am Russ Musarra +

TUESDAY, June 23 Weekday
7:00am Dorothy McGough +
8:30am Morning Prayer and Communion

WEDNESDAY, June 24 The Nativity of John the Baptist
7:00am For the ill and homebound
8:30am Jean Kerr Speaks + (anniv.)

THURSDAY, June 25 Weekday
7:00am For the unemployed
8:30am Morning Prayer and Communion

FRIDAY, June 26 Weekday
7:00am Morning Prayer and Communion
8:30am Frank Bonifacio +

SATURDAY, June 27 Cyril of Alexandria, bishop & doctor
4:30pm Sunday Vigil
Paul Nauer +

SUNDAY, June 28 Thirteenth Sunday Ordinary Time
9:00am Allison Ferenczi +
11:00am Living & Deceased Parishioners of St. Paul

U.S. Bishops approve Mass to celebrate gift of life

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (CNA).- The U.S. Catholic Bishops voted today at their annual Spring meeting to approve a text for thanking God for the gift of human life.

The idea to have a Mass that celebrates the gift of life was first proposed by Cardinal John O'Connor almost 20 years ago. The text was drafted in 1992 and sent to the Vatican for approval, but a conclusive reply was never received.

The consensus for having such a text was revealed by today's vote on the “Mass in Thanksgiving for the Gift of Human Life”—183 bishops voted to approve it, 3 voted no and 3 abstained.

The bishops then voted to adopt with 179 bishops voting yes, 1 voting no and 1 abstaining.

Also approved was the Spanish-language Lectionary, or Leccionario, by a vote of 182 to 1. Approval on all liturgical items required two-thirds of the Latin bishops, or 163 votes, a press release from the USCCB says.

Due to the absence of some bishops, votes on approving certain sections of the new English translation of the Roman Missal were inconclusive. The final votes will be determined via mail ballots.

Parish festivals, fairs in Akron area

June 19-21 Festival of Lights
St. Barnabas Parish, 9451 Brandywine Rd., Northfield; 6 p.m.-midnight, Friday-Saturday; 3-10 p.m., Sunday. Mass, food, music, games, rides, children’s activities, raffle, Mass. No admission. Public welcome. More information: 330-467-7959

June 26-28 Summer Fest
Holy Family Parish, 3450 Sycamore Drive, Stow. 6-11 p.m., Friday; 1-11 p.m., Saturday; 12:30-5 p.m., Sunday. Carnival, food, music, games, inflatables, children’s activities and raffle. Public welcome. No admission. More information: 330-688-6411, ext. 217.

June 27 Ukrainian Festival
Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Parish, 1866 Brown St., Akron. 1-8 p.m. Mass, ethnic festival, food, music, children’s activities, and raffle. Public welcome. No admission. More information: 330-724-8277.

July 25 Parish Festival
St. Joseph Parish, 215 Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls; Noon to 11:00 p.m. Food/beverage for sale; music, dancing, games, children’s activities. Public welcome. No admission. More information: 330-928-2173.

August 1 Food Fair
Our Lady of the Cedars Maronite Parish, 507 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Fairlawn. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Food, music, raffle. Public welcome. No admission. More information: 330-666-3598.

August 20-23 Fun Fest
Queen of Heaven Parish, 1800 Steese Rd., Green. 6-10 p.m., Thursday-Saturday; noon to 7 p.m., Sunday. Entertainment, food, music, games, rides, children’s activities, raffle, recreation activities, antique, classic and custom car show. Public welcome. No admission. More information: 330-896-2345.

October 17 Simply Slavic Festival
St. Michael Byzantine Parish, 847 Crouse St., Akron. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Food, music, ethnic entertainment. No admission. Information: 330-376-6633.

Pope sends letter to priests for Year for Priests

VATICAN CITY (CNA).- In preparation for the Year For Priests, Pope Benedict XVI has sent a Letter to the priests of the world, calling on them to live out the words of St. John Vianney, “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.”

The Holy Father will inaugurate the Year For Priests during Vespers at St. Peter's Basilica tomorrow, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The celebratory year marks the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of priests worldwide, and is intended to “deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today's world.”

In his letter, the Holy Father praised “the courageous fidelity of so many priests who, even amid difficulties and incomprehension, remain faithful to their vocation.” Speaking of he great role of the priesthood, he recalled the words of St. John Vianney, “O, how great is the priest!...If he realized what he is, he would die.”

The Pope pointed to the example of St. John Vianney, who “devoted himself completely to his parish's conversion” by living a holy and dedicated life of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

“St. John Mary Vianney taught his parishioners primarily by the witness of his life,” said the Holy Father, inviting priests around the world to follow St. Vianney’s example of offering himself as a sacrifice. “It is the priest who continues the work of redemption on earth.”

He continued to speak of the priest’s essential role in bringing the gift of Christ to the faithful through the sacraments and emphasized the importance of the priest harmonizing his life with that of Christ.

Highlighting the importance of the Sacrament of Penance, Pope Benedict said, “Priests ought never to be resigned to empty confessionals or the apparent indifference of the faithful to this Sacrament.”

The Pope encouraged priests to follow in St. Vianney’s footsteps by engaging in mortification for souls and remaining strong in the midst of suffering, saying, “Souls have been won at the price of Jesus' own blood, and a priest cannot devote himself to their salvation if he refuses to share personally in the ‘precious cost’ of redemption.”

The Holy Father concluded his letter by entrusting the coming Year of Priests to the Virgin Mary and encouraging priests to demonstrate “unity with their bishop, with one another and with the lay faithful, which today, as ever, is so necessary.”

Click on the headline to read the entire letter from Pope Benedict to priests.

Mission appeal scheduled this weekend

Each year our parish is called to host a missionary group. The weekend of June 20 & 21, Father Mark Brummel, C.M.F., a member of the Claretians, will speak and make an appeal at all the Masses.

Founded in 1849 by Saint Anthony Mary Claret, a Spanish missionary, the Claretians number more than 3,000 priests, brothers and lay volunteers who can be found in more than 60 countries. The Claretians have been active in the United States since 1902. The motto of the Claretians is "The love of Christ drives us on".

Committed to seeing the world through the eyes ofthe poor, the Claretians strive to respond to the most urgent and timely needs of recent immigrants, youth and families, leadership training and spiritual renewal.

Catholic bishops focusing on liturgy

SAN ANTONIO—The Spring General Meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) starts today in San Antonio, Texas.

The action items will revolve around liturgical items including Mass of Thanksgiving for the Gift of Human Life, the Order of Mass, and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Intentions. The later portion of the afternoon will be dedicated to oral reports on the Pastoral Initiative on Marriage and the Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage.

On Thursday, elections to Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (CLINIC) board as well as debate and vote on all the Divine Worship action items will be held. The later portion of the morning will be dedicated to economic issues.

For the event's host, San Antonio Archbishop José Gomez, the liturgy rightly is at the top of the list.

“We are teachers of the faith, so it makes sense that we give a lot of attention and time to the liturgy,” he said. “The biggest challenge we have is that Catholics do not know the Catholic faith. They know it, but not as much as they need.”

Masses in contemporary, spoken languages were permitted — and translated from the original Latin — after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.

The English-language Mass was published in 1973, according to the conference, and has been memorized by two generations of English-speaking Catholics in America.

In 2001, the Vatican called on all bishops to review those translations for accuracy, and the revisions are expected to be released next year after some promised training. Some worry the change will cause confusion. Others say it'll clarify meaning lost in the first translation to English.

U.S. shrine to St. Paul designated

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (CNA).- The Vatican has designated the Cathedral of St. Paul to be the first national shrine in honor of the Apostle Paul, following the request of Archbishop John C. Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

The special distinction was granted by the Office of the Holy See and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, according to the Cathedral of St. Paul’s website. The cathedral will be the first national shrine in Minnesota and the only North American national shrine dedicated to honor St. Paul. The church particularly honors St. Paul through a series of bronze grills that depict major events in his life, ranging from his conversion to his martyrdom.

A shrine has a specific designation under canon law. It is a church or other sacred place to which the faithful may make pilgrimages for “a particular pious reason.”

Those who wish to participate in the National Shrine can do so by becoming members of the Archconfraternity of the Apostle Paul.

Although the Cathedral of St. Paul already receives over 200,000 guests and visitors every year, the cathedral staff expects that number to increase as a result of the designation.

Pope to visit town of St. Padre Pio

VATICAN CITY (CNA).- The Vatican announced today the details of Pope Benedict XVI's pastoral visit to San Giovanni Rotondo, the town in the Italian Region of Puglia where St. Padre Pio lived.

The Holy Father is scheduled to arrive at the “Antonio Massa” sports ground at 9:15 a.m. on June 21. He will proceed to venerate the tomb of St. Padre Pio at the shrine of Our Lady of Grace, where he will pray and light two candles, symbolizing his apostolic visit and that of Pope John Paul II.

Afterwards, the Pope will preside at a Mass in the Plaza of the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, where he will also pray the midday Angelus.

At 4:45 on Sunday afternoon, the Holy Father will meet with patients as well as medical and administrative staff at the “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza,” the Home to Relieve Suffering, founded by Padre Pio in 1956.

The Pope will then return to the Church of St. Pio of Pietrelcina to meet with priests, religious, and young people.

Pope Benedict will return by helicopter to the Vatican, where he is expected to arrive by 7:30 on Sunday evening.

Hot Meals program at St. John ends abruptly

The Hot Meals program run by Catholic Social Services of Summit County and CYO for more than 20 years ended abruply June 3 when the last free meal was served..

The meals have been offered on Tuesdays at St. John Catholic Church, 1034 Brown St., and on Wednesdays at Catholic Social Services of Summit County, 640 N. Main St., according to Donald P. Finn, executive director of the organization.

There were two factors involved, according to a story in the Akron Beacon Journal today. . One was the resignation of Hot Meals coordinator Donna McDonald, who had worked for the agency for 41/2 year. Finn said. She resigned in mid-May to become a dispatcher with Cuyahoga Falls safety forces.

Another reason is that St. John Church is closing Oct. 31, and Finn said it is unclear whether that location will still be available.,

The free meals are expected to resume in the Fall and a food pantry and emergency assistance program that also are run by the organization will continue through the summer..

Finn said he could have ''cobbled something together'' but instead decided to suspend the program and develop a plan to help the program expand ''simply because the need is there.''

Finn said he is taking this time to make the program better and to find new locations for the meals.

''I think someone should have done something,'' said Joan Feaster, who has volunteered with the group for four years.

Even if the program served only hot dogs and chips, she said, that was better than people going without.

FInn said staffers have handed out lists of other options where people can get free meals.

''We made a point to get to all of our meals'' to tell people and explain their ''alternate options,'' he said.

But, he acknowledged, if those people don't have transportation, it could be a challenge for them to get to another site for a meal.

The need has been increasing because of the economic downturn, with an average of about 160 people being served weekly for the first five months of this year.

Feaster estimated that the church, where she volunteered, served between 120 and 220 plates of food each week, depending on the time of the month and the weather.

Along with people who are homeless and on fixed incomes, the program attracted families that were trying to stretch their food budget, Feaster said.

Others came because they were lonely and wanted to spend time with other people, she said. Participants were young and old and in between.

The meals were served to anyone who showed up.

''We don't question people about why,'' Finn said.

Hour-long line gives congratulations to Fr. Berardi

Fr. Berardi spent more than an hour greeting guests in this long line

The Rev. Fr. James Berardi celebrated his Golden Jubilee –50 years as a priest–on Sunday at an altar just about 25 feet east of the altar where he celebrated his first Mass.

When the new church was constructed at St. Paul, parishioners wanted to retain something of the old church. The altar of the old church thus remains behind the new altar, separated only by a glass wall.

Fr. Berardi, a native son of St. Paul, said his first Mass at the old altar on Trinity Sunday in 1959.

It is not often that a parish is given the honor of producing a priest of the Catholic faith. It is rarer still to have him still celebrating Mass there almost every Sunday.

James Joseph Berardi was born in St. Thomas Hospital on March 16, 1933, to Marie and Joseph Berardi. He was the second of two children.

He and his family were members of St. Paul parish where Father attended grade school for all eight years. In the fall of 1947, Father began as a freshman at St. Vincent High School. He was one of only three students from his eighth grade class at St. Paul's to attend St. Vincent that year. He had no choice in the matter. His father had graduated from St. Vincent High School in 1921 and his grandfather, Frank Berardi, had been the janitor at St. Vincent for many years. Father was told by his dad, "You are going to St. Vincent! Period!" And that he did. While there, he was a member of the National Honor Society, a Latin scholar, a member of the Classical Latin League, Scholarship Team, and an acolyte for four years. Father was also an accomplished banjo player and enjoyed singing and ballroom dancing.

For more than half of his years as a priest --25 plus years– Father Berardi was chaplain of Akron City Hospital until December 2007 when he was forced to retire because of an immune deficiency.

He celebrates one of the Masses each Sunday at St. Paul.

During his homily on Sunday, Fr. Berardi recalled his years as a priest and as chaplain adt City Hospital.

Father Berardi has had the privilege of serving under three distinguished priests. His first assignment was as an assistant at St. Rose in Cleveland under Fr. Edmund Kirby from 1959 to 1964. Fr. Kirby was responsible for building churches in three different parishes, Fr. Berardi also served from 1969 to 1975 under Fr. John J. Hilkert at St. Mary in Akron and from 1975 to 1982 under Fr. Thomas H. Corrigan at St. Vincent. He served from 1982 to 1984 at Annunciation where Fr. Ray J. Horley asked him to become chaplain at City Hospital.

Fr. Berardi incidentally was named St. Mary / St. Vincent Alumni of the Year in 2007,

Fr. Berardi spent more than an hour greeting guests at a reception for him in Boeke Hall following the Mass.

Assisting at the Mass were the pastor, the Rev. Fr. Ralph Thomas, and Deacon Frank Lonteen.Joint choirs from St. Paul and Annunciation sang for the Mass with Adult Choir director Jin Yu and organist Karyn Lintner. Lector was Jamie Dean and altar servers were Jacqueline Wammes and Paige Harbarger.

A poem, “The Old Violin” was read by Jerry Kelly who has been part of Fr. Berardi's drama group which staged a number of programs including skits and songs for a show March 30,2008 celebrating the centennial of Annunciation Church. See th epoem below.

Click on the headline to see more photos from the reception..

A version of this story also appears in the Upublish section of Ohio.com, the Beacon Journal website.

Fr. Berardi’s favorite poem: The Old Violin

Below is a poem read by Jerry Kelly after Father James Berardi’s Golden Jubilee Mass on Sunday celebrating his 50 years as a priest It is the favorite poem of Fr. Berardi, said Mrs. Kelly who read it also at his 25th and 40th celebration. Mrs. Kelly (shown here with Fr. Berardi) was part of his drama group which staged a number of programs including skits and songs for a show March 30,2008 celebrating the centennial of Annunciation Church.

Here is the poem:

"THE OLD VIOLIN"

"Twas battered, scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin
But held it up with a smile.

'What am I bidden, good people,' he cried,
'Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar! now two, only two:
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

Three dollars once, three dollars twice;
Going for three?' But no!
From the room far back a gray haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow.

Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low
Said, 'What am I bid for the old violin?'
And he held it up with the bow.

'A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two,
Two thousand, and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once, three thousand twice;
And going and gone,' said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
We don't quite understand
What changed its worth?' Swiftly came the reply
The touch of the master's hand.'

And many a man with life out of tune
And battered and torn with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game, and he travels on.
He is gone once, and gone twice;
He's going and almost gone.

But the Master's hand comes and the foolish crowd·
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's Hand."

Jane and Ralph McCormick mark 50th

Jane A. (Walsh) & Ralph D. McCormick 50th Anniversary

Jane and Ralph both worked at Ohio Bell after graduation from high school. They met at a Wildcat Strike in 1957 and were married at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Akron on June 13, 1959. They built their home in Greensburg, Ohio, and quick;ly had three sons, whom all are college graduates, David (Beth) of Chicago, David of Green and Dennis (Kathleen) of Columbus,. They have two granddaughters< Mallory and Amanda. In retirement the couple enjoys church work and some trips. They are very active at Queen of Heaven Cstholic Church in Green, Ohio. To celebrate, a Mass at Queen of Heaven and a dinner with family and friends was held June 13 at the 356th Fighter Group Restaurant.
[The announcement with a photo was published Sunday, June 14, 2009 in the Beacorn Journal, page E5, col. 4]

A prayer card for ‘Year for Priests’

Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, June 19.. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father on June 19, 2010.

With the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars.

The prayer card shown here is an icon of Christ the Great High Priest by Marek Czarnecki of Seraphic Restorations in Meriden, Connecticut, It is being used by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during the Year for Priests.

This icon (egg tempera and gold leaf on wood panel, 28” x 22”) is “based on a fifteenth century Greek prototype. Christ is shown in Latin Rite vestments with a gold pelican over His heart, the ancient symbol of self-sacrifice. The borders contain a winding grapevine and altar prepared for the celebration of the liturgy of the Mass; in the borders are smaller icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Czarnecki explains: “I wrote the icon about seven years ago [for seminarians and priests] to be able to see Christ in themselves, and themselves in Christ. We often hear that the icon is called a window; in this case, it’s also meant to be a mirror.” The Good Shepherd reminds the priest that he is to “lay down his life for his sheep.”

If you wish to print the prayer card, click on the card and then hit Ctrl + P on your keyboard. If you wish, you can trim the card. fold it in two and paste together.

Last Mass at last Barberton ethnic parish

The beautiful stained glass doors which are the entrance to SS Cyril and Methodus Church will close after the final Mass at 10 a.m. on Sunday..

The doors show the images of the brother saints who are the patrons of the Slovak church. SS Cyril and Methdus was the oldest and last of four ethnic church in Barberton.

When Murray Powers wrote his history of the Catholic Church in Summit Dounty in 1976, Barberton had five Catholic churches. The oldest–still remaining–is St. Augusttine. The four others, all ethnic churches, were SS Cyril and Methodius established by Slovak immigrants in 1906; Holy Trinity for Hungarians in 1911; St. Mary for Polish in 1912 and Sactred Heart for Slovenians in 1910, St,. Mary and Sacred Heart merged in 2003 to become what is now Prince of Peace and Holy Trinity closed in 2007.

SS. Cyril and Methodius was established in 1905 and Mass was celebrated in a home until the new church was completed. It was begun in 1906 under the direction of Fr. Augustine Tomasik. The parish built an eight-room school with a gym and cafeteria in 1955. The Vincentian Sisters of Charity had been at the parish since 1934. The elementary school which once had 400 pupils dropped to 88 in five years and it was decided to close the building. The parish in 1976 had 600 families First baptism in the parish was May 13, 1906, of Theodore Gregory Palus, and the first marriage was between Francis Szeman (Simons) and Anna Hamila.

In 1979, a flood damaged the already deteriorating parish property. During the rebuilding, the church was completely renovated and major work was done on the school, boiler systems, parking lot and air-conditioning system. The newly renovated church was consecrated in 1986 and the parish celebrated its centennial in 2006.

Bishop Richard G. Lennon will be celebrant for the last Mass. The Church is located at 193 15th St. NW.

The Barberton parish will be the first of six to close in Summit County as part of a diocesan reconfiguration plan. The plan calls for the number of parishes in the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland to drop from 224 to 191 by June 30, 2010, through closings and mergers.

One of St. Paul's neighboring churches, St. John the Baptist, will celebrate its final Mass on October 31 at 4 p.m,. Two other neighbors, Sacred Heart of Jesus on Grant Street and St. Mary at 750 S. Main St. will not close until next year.

See our earlier story.

Several beautiful photos of SS Cyril and Methodius Church were used with a story on the closing by Akron Beacon Journal religion writer Colette M. Jenkins in Saturday's newspaper. You can view the photos online at Ohio.com