Special Diocesan liturgies for 2010

March 30 (Tuesday) Chrism Mass at 7 p.m.
April 18 (Sunday) Mass for newly received Catholics initiated at Easter Vigil 2:30 p.m.
May 1 (Saturday) Ordination of Candidates for permanent Diaconate 10 a.m.
May 15 (Saturday) Ordination of Priests at 10 a.m.
May 22 (Saturday) Adult Confirmation at 4:30 p.m.
June 5 (Saturday) First communicants at Cathedral 4:30 p.m.
July 25 (Sunday) 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass at 2:30 p.m.
October 23 (Saturday) Ordination of Transitional Deacons 10 a.m.
All celebrations take place at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland.

It's happening this week at St. Paul

Santa Secret Shop Tuesday and Wednesday
The St. Paul Santa Shop will be open this year on December 1 from 8 to 11:15 a.m. and from 12:45 p.m to 2:30 p.m. and on Dec 2 from 8 to 10 a.m. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kristi Woodill at 330.724.9372 or  kwoodill@neo.rr.com.

Tajci Concert is Friday
Internationally known singer and songwriter, Tajci, will appear at Saint Paul on December 4 to perform in concert "Emmanuel: The Story of Christmas." Child care will be available in the Parish Activity Center. St. Paul's Ladies Guild is also providing refreshments.  A large crowd is expected so  if anyone is able to provide baked goods we graciously appreciate it. .  Baked goods may be dropped off in the Activity Center anytime  on Friday. Please contact Tod Wammes at 330.785.1239 or tlwammesfam@sbcglobal.net with any questions.

Emmanual tells the story of Christ's birth through the eyes of a girl who grew up wandering what Christmas was all about and why she was not supposed to say the words 'Merry Christmas' in public. Since 2000, Tajci has shared her emotional story in over 600 concerts throughout the USA . As a teenager she was a pop music superstar in Communist Central Europe. She was often referred to as the pop superstar, Madonna of Communist Europe. At the age of 21 she abandoned her fame and fled to the US where she eventually began performing in churches across America .  This is a free concert that will inspire your Christmas season.

Breakfast with Santa is Saturday
The tenth  annual Breakfast with Santa, sponsored by St. Paul PTO, will be Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to noon in Boeke Hall. Volunteers are needed  Friday starting around 2:30 p.m. when Santa's helpers will be gathering in Boeke to start finalizing the set-up with hopes to be finished in time for the evening Tajci concert. If you have any questions please contact Rikki Horrigan at 330.773.6499 or rhorrigan@neo.rr.com.
 

K. of C. plans $1 million food drive

NEW HAVEN, CT (CNA).- The Knights of Columbus announced Wednesday  its commitment of $1 million to food banks across the U.S and Canada to support families in need. 

“At a time when record numbers are at risk of hunger, and with fewer able to give financially to charity, the Knights of Columbus hopes this program will help both to alleviate the problem, and to encourage other religious and charitable organizations – as well as businesses and corporations – to conduct similar programs,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, who announced the initiative Wednesday morning.

According to the USDA, nearly 50 million Americans experienced food insecurity last year, while statistics in Canada have shown an increase in food bank usage by 18 percent. The Knight's “Food for Families” program is one of the many aspects of the “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” project which was organized in February of this year as a response to the present economic crisis. 

Despite the current economy, members of the Knights of Columbus set records last year by donating 69 million hours of volunteer service and more that $150 million to to charitable causes.

“People may not be able to give a lot of money to Charity this Christmas, but many can give a can of soup to help their neighbors, and the Knights of Columbus are committed to providing them the opportunity to do so,” said Anderson.

John Amedeo at ceremony with Pilla

John Amedeo, shown here with Bishop emeritus Antony Pilla, was among five persons inducted into the Serra Club at the annual Bishop's rechartering ceremony at the Center for Pastoral Leadership (Borromeo Seminary) in Wicliffe on November 6.  Maggie Walker of St. Paul is another new member of the Akron Serra Club, but did not attend because of a prior commitment.
[Photo provided by Rudy DiDonato]

Bishops launch Advent,Christmas website

WASHINGTON D.C. (CNA).- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has created an Advent and Christmas website with suggestions for daily prayers, readings, reflection and action. A collection of Lessons and Carols is also provided for live listening or download. 

Printable calendars in English and Spanish are one new feature of the site, a USCCB press release says. They suggest a family activity for each day of Advent, which begins on Nov. 29, and for each day of the Christmas Season.
Many of the calendar’s reflections are taken from four of the collections from the Spiritual Thoughts Series by Pope Benedict XVI: “Following Christ,” “The Priesthood,” “Mary” and “The Saints.”

The Festival of Lessons and Carols, a service of Scripture and song that dates to the late 19th century, is available for download at the site. It also lists recommended holiday-themed movies, prayers and blessings from the USCCB publication, “Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.”

The site makes suggestions for remembering the needs of the immigrants and the poor throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons and also provides photos of seasonal decorations of Catholic sanctuaries, including the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The Scripture resources of the Advent/Christmas web site focus on the Old Testament. Jem Sullivan, Ph.D., from the USCCB Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis, opens the Advent season with a video about how families can enrich their faith through reading the Old Testament.

The calendars also feature video clips of USCCB members and staff discussing their favorite Old Testament figures, stories and passages.

The Advent/Christmas web site is at http://www.usccb.org/advent/

Mass for Thomas Weiand is Tuesday

Thomas C. Weiand, 77, is now at peace, passing away November 24, 2009.

Dad was born in Cleveland on Nov. 28, 1931 to Charles and Loretta (Theis). He grew up in North Hill and was a member of St. Martha Catholic Church. After graduating St. Vincent High School, he served in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic in Iceland during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he followed in the steps of his father and uncle in the printing business finally retiring from Ohio Litho in 1993.

Tom was a longtime member of St. Paul Catholic Church and was a great father to Tim and Sheri. He took great pride in his cars, keeping them shiny and clean all the time.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and never fully recovered from the passing of his loving sisters, Jeanne and Carol Weiand. Left to mourn his passing are son, Tim; daughter, Sheri (Rick) Edsall; former wife, Sibyl (Ronald) Mohan; the residents and staff at the Village at St. Edward; family and friends.

The family will receive friends Monday 5 to 8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. Funeral services will be held Tuesday 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery where military services will be held. (Anthony Funeral Homes, 330-724-1281,
www.anthonyfh.com)
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH,Sunday, November 29, 2009, page B9, col. 6]

Mass for Robert Griffith is Saturday

Robert James Griffith, 66, of Cincinnati passed away November 21, 2009.

He was born in Akron on February 3, 1943, Bob was raised in Firestone Park and attended St. Paul Grade School. He graduated from Archbishop Hoban High School and the

University of Notre Dame where he was a member of the Fighting Irish Marching Band. With a passion for teaching and serving the less fortunate, Bob volunteered for the Peace Corps after college, serving four years in Tanzania, Africa. He continued his teaching career at several Akron area schools including St. Joseph and St. Anthony Elementary Schools, Perkins and Manchester Middle School and Cleveland Shaw High School. He then moved into the defense contract management field with Gould Inc. and later the U. S. Department of Defense where he served as a quality assurance specialist.

Bob will be remembered for his strong faith, devotion to family and friends, love of gardening and all things "Notre Dame." His work with the Returned Volunteers of the Peace Corps and his commitment to peace, justice and a sustainable future were unwavering.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marie Griffith; and brother, Tim Griffith. He is survived by his siblings and their spouses, Susan (Griffith) and Bill Koch, Dennis and Anne Griffith, Beth Ann (Griffith) and Dana Ball and Lisa (Griffith) and Pat Fahey; sister-in-law, Pat Stemple-Griffith; nieces and nephews, T. Kirk, Shaun and Kevin Griffith, Brian Koch, Dana Marie Wright, Steve and Sarah Griffith, Deanne, Craig and Nick Ball, Kate and Kurt Fahey; great-nieces and nephews Allie, Austin, Abbey, Andrew, Audrey and Jackson Griffith, Brock and Bryn Wright and Sammy Ball; aunts and uncle, Margaret and Joe Colant, Joan Ginn and Betty Ginn and many dear cousins and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, December 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. at NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, 131 N. Canton Rd. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, December 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Church, 1580 Brown St. Inurnment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Following interment, a Tribute Celebration and luncheon will be at 1 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall, 2055 Glenmount Ave., Akron. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Catholic Church, 1580 Brown St., Akron, OH 44301 or SORVO Peace Corps Fund c/o Christine Snyder, SORVO Treasurer, 676 Hadley Road, Clarksville, OH 45113 to fund a Peace Corps project in Bob's memory in Tanzania. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerAkron.com. NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME (330) 784-3334
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH,Sunday, November 29, 2009, page B7, col. 3]

Washington, PA, choir sings for Pope

ROME, Italy (CNA).- The Church of St. Ignazio di Loyola in Rome was the scene of a concert Tuesday evening featuring a Catholic parish choir from Washington, PA..  This was the first stop for the group in a series of concerts in Italy, including one Wednesday for the Holy Father

The concert given by the choir of Immaculate Conception Parish in   Washington, was one of the events in this year's International Festival of Music and Sacred Art in Rome.  The 17th century Church of St. Ignazio di Loyola was the setting for the choir's performance.  They are directed by Dr. Yugo Ikach.

Dr. Ikach is an associate professor at California University of Pa., principal conductor of the Washington Symphony Orchestra and choir director at the parish since 1991.

The group went on to sing for Pope Benedict XVI in the Aula Paolo VI at this morning's general audience.  They later attended the afternoon Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. 

On their schedule for the rest of the week are performances in Assisi and St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice.

It is the choir's first overseas “tour.”  There are 35 chorus members participating and another 40 faithful from the church along for the trip, including spouses and others that came just to share in the experience.  The decision for the group to make the journey to Italy wasn't a difficult one, the director said. 

The group is constantly improving and looking for new challenges, Ikach explained, "We recently started singing with orchestras.  And this year we thought we'd up the ante.We love singing in the beautiful churches of Italy," he added.  "We just feel so fortunate to be here."

Special devotions for Advent

Eucharistic Adoration hours extended for Advent
Eucharistic Adoration will be extended from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, December 15, 22 and 29 Take a break during Advent from the hustle and bustle to spend some time in private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the
Eucharistic Chapel behind the main altar.   
 
Images of Emanuel Advent Prayer Service
An Advent Candle Prayer Service is scheduled for Wednesdays, December 9 and 23 at 6:30 p.m. Keep Christ in the celebration of Christmas and pray with your parish family. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available following the service on Wednesday, December 23, from 7 to 8 p.m.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception is holy day
Tuesday, December 8, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and a Holy Day of Obligation. There will be a Vigil Mass on Monday, December 7 at 7 p.m. and
on Tuesday, December 8 Mass will be at 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
           

Christmas Mass Schedule

Thursday, December 24, 2009, Christmas Eve
4:00 p.m. Mass
7:00 p.m. Mass
10:00 p.m. Mass
Friday, December 25, 2009, Christmas Day
9:00 a.m. Mass
11:00 a.m. Mass
Thursday, December 31, 2009, New Year's Eve
6:00 p.m. Mass
Friday, January 1, 2010, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
9:00 a.m. Mass
11:00 a.m. Mass

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
Saturdays of December 5, 12 and 19--3 to 4 pm. Parishioners are also welcome to any of the Reconciliation times  for students and staff.

Communal Reconciliation Service
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 7 p.m.
 
Opportunities for Reconciliation at our Cluster Parishes
Nativity of the Lord Jesus: December 21 and 22 7:30-8:30 pm
Queen of Heaven: December 22 910 am and 7-8 pm and
December 23 5-6 pm and 7-8 pm
St. Francis de Sales: December 22 and 23 7-8 pm

Click on the Reconciliation link at left for a list of hours in other parishes.

St. Joseph School earns recognition

CUYAHOGA FALLS: St. Joseph School in Cuyahoga Falls is one of only 314 in the country to earn the title of Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for high student achievement.

The program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are ''either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels.'' St. Joseph's  at 1909 Third St. accepts students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

''One way to be recognized is to score in the top 10 percent on the Iowa Basics [standardized tests],'' Deacon Rolbert Kochanski said. ''Most of our students score in the 96-to-100-percentile by sixth grade. We see this more as raising the bar for something we need to keep working towards.''

Nineteen Ohio schools received the 2009 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Award.Seton Catholic School in Hudson is the only other Summit County school to make the list.

Volunteers needed for school lunch hour

Volunteers are needed to help during the lunch hour in the school cafeteria. Lunch hour is between 11:35 and 1 p.m. Basic duties will be to monitor the students, help any student who needs it with opening food or cutting up food, and wiping off the tables. If you are able to help, please call the school office at 330-724-1253.

Shop your way to a better world

CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE THOUGHT
 
Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally the kickoff of the Christmas shopping season.  Not sure what to get the person who has everything?  Can't face another trip to the mall?  Would you like to make your gift-giving more meaningful this year?  Here are some new and unique ways to Christmas shop your way to a better world.  You can protect an endangered species at www.worldwildlife.org or call 1-800-960-0993.  Keep a Uganda woman out of poverty by purchasing handmade jewelry at www.beadforlife.org or call 1-303-554-5901; prices start at $5.00.  Fight childhood illness by buying chocolates at www.sschocolatebox.com or call 1-206-427-2515.  Help a rural farming family here or in a Third World country by giving a chicken, goat or cow at www.heifer.org or call 1-800-422-0474.  Help find a cure for cancer by purchasing bath products at www.lather.com or call 1-877-6-LATHER.  You can find many more creative and worthy ideas at www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com, www.globalinheritance.org and www.greenamericantoday.org.  Happy shopping!

3 pastors appointed; 2 served St. Paul

Two former parochial vicars (assistants) at St. Paul and the new administrator of St. Sebastian Parish have been appointed pastors.

The Rev. Fr. Charles T. Diedrick, whose first pastorate was at St. Barnabas in Northfield (April 1993 to July, 2007), left there to become administrator of St. Mary in Elyria in August, 2007 and was named pastor of St. Mary, effective October 19.  He was ordained June 10, 1978 and his first assignment was at St. Paul from June, 1978 to December, 1982.

The Rev. Fr. Richard A. Evans, who became a parochial vicar at Holy Family Parish in Parma in June 2006 and was named administrator in September, 2007, became the pastor there, effective October 16. He was ordained August 12, 1982 and served at St. Paul from July 1987 to June, 1992.

The Rev. Fr. John A. Valencheck, who came to St. Sebastian as administrator in June, 2008, has been named pastor, effective November 10. Fr. Valencheck was ordained May 30, 1998 and came to St. Sebastian from St. Clare Parish in Lyndhurst where he was parocial vicar from June, 2005 to June, 2008. He was ordained May 30, 1998

Christ the King to close with Saturday Mass

Christ  the King Parish is scheduled to close after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday. The church, which is tucked away on a quiet residential cul-de-sac at 1584 Creighton Avenue, will merge with St. Martha Parish to form Blessed Trinity Parish at the St. Martha site, 300 E. Tallmadge Ave.

A story about the closing by Akron Beacon Journal religion writer Colette M. Jenkins was published in Friday’s newspaper. Click on the headline to read her full story.

It is the third Akron parish to close as part of the diocese-wide restructuring plan to address declining enrollment, financial hardships, population shifts and a worsening clergy shortage. St. John the Baptist Parish closed October 31 and was merged with Annunciation Church to form the Visitation of Mary Parish at the Annunciation location at 87 Broad St. St. Hedwig, at 215 E Glenwood closed  Sept. 26.as part of the St..Martha and Christ the King ,merger.

Bishop Richard G. Lennon will preside at the closing Mass at Christ the King.. After the Mass, a reception will be held in the school gym. . A closing Mass for St. Martha is at 1 p.m. Sunday. Blessed Trinity will celebrate its opening Mass at 11 a.m. Dec. 6.

''The story here at Christ the King is the same as it is for other parishes throughout the diocese and in other regions of the country — different cultural forces have brought us to where we are today,'' said the Rev. Frank Basa, who has served as pastor of Christ the King for 22 years. ''It becomes a question of stewardship. Do we continue to pump money into old buildings where fewer and fewer people are coming? We have to make the best use of our resources.'' 

Basa said any decisions about what happens to the property at Christ the King will be made under the leadership of Blessed Trinity's new pastor, the Rev. Joe Warner. Warner, 50, will be installed during the opening Mass. He comes to the North Hill parish from St. Hilary Parish in Fairlawn, where he served as parochial vicar. Basa will replace Warner at St. Hilary.

In the Cleveland diocese, the number of registered Catholics who regularly attend Mass has dropped from 54 percent in 1970 to 28 percent last year.

The reconfiguration plan calls for 50 parishes to close by June 30, 2010. At that time, there will be one parish for every 2,600 Catholics in Akron; one parish for every 2,200 Catholics in Cleveland;

Diocesan records show that Christ the King, currently serves 193 households.

Christ the King was established in 1935 by Croatian Catholics as a mission of Cleveland's St. Paul Croatian Church. Its first home was the former Hungarian Lutheran Church on Grant Street. The parish property on Grant Street was taken for the construction of Interstate 76. That forced a move resulting in the purchase of 10.5 acres on Creighton Avenue in North Akron, where the existing church was dedicated on Nov. 8, 1959.  In 1943, the Daughters of the Divine Charity came to the parish to staff the school. One of those nuns was Sr. M. Bernadette Evanchec, who currently serves as pastoral minister.

''Quarters, dimes and nickels built this church. A lot of people put a lot of hard work into this parish,'' Evanchec said. ''I've been with this community for a long time and I'm heartbroken that it is closing. But I know God's will must be done. I am sure that the new parish will be a place where we can all come together and share our gifts and talents.''

Tajci concert is next Friday

Internationally known singer and songwriter, Tajci, will appear at Saint Paul on Friday, December 4,  to perform in concert "Emmanuel: The Story of Christmas."  Emmanual tells the story of Christ's birth through the eyes of a girl who grew up wandering what Christmas was all about and why she was not supposed to say the words 'Merry Christmas' in public. Since 2000, Tajci has shared her emotional story in over 600 concerts throughout the USA . As a teenager she was a pop music superstar in Communist Central Europe. She was often referred to as the pop superstar, Madonna of Communist Europe. At the age of 21 she abandoned her fame and fled to the US where she eventually began performing in churches across America .  This is a free concert that will inspire your Christmas season.

Breakfast with Santa is next Saturday

The tenth  annual Breakfast with Santa, sponsored by St. Paul PTO, will be Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to noon in Boeke Hall.  


The breakfast last year earned more than $1,900 for the PTO.


Registration forms for this year's breakfast are available in the narthex. 

Themed baskets or stockings will be raffled off to raise funds for St. Paul School. Please consider donating a themed gasket or stocking in your family's or company's name.. All families and companies who donate will be recognized at the breakfast.. All donations need to be delivered to Boeke Hall by Monday, November 30. 

For more information please contact Rikki Horrigan 330-773 -6499 srhorrigan3@yahoo.com.

Pilgrims, Indians add glow to Thanksgiving Mass

First grade students of Mrs. Suzanne Ingliss, dressed as pilgrims and Indians, again provided a warm presence to the student Thanksgiving Mass on Wednesday at St. Paul Church.

Students lead the procession into the church and gathered on the altar for the opening of the Mass.  They also brought the gifts to the altar and presented the petitions.

The costumed students are a part of the student Thanksgiving Mass each year.

In his homily, the Rev. Fr. Ralph Thomas reminded worshipers that Thanksgiving is a special time for giving thanks to God for all his many blessings.

Click on the headline to see more photos.

Bishop’s response to Kennedy ‘eminently reasonable,’ non-Catholic political expert says

WASHINGTON D.C. (CNA).- A non-Catholic political expert says Bishop Thomas Tobin’s request that U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy refrain from receiving Holy Communion is “eminently reasonable” and an “appropriate” encouragement of the Congressman to examine his commitment to his faith.

Rep. Kennedy, a Rhode Island Democrat and son of the late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, was criticized by Bishop Tobin of Providence for his attacks on the Catholic bishops’ opposition to abortion funding in health care legislation. Recently, Kennedy revealed that Bishop Tobin had asked him to refrain from receiving communion because of his public contradiction of Catholic teaching.

Peter Roff, a senior fellow at the Institute for Liberty and a former senior political writer for United Press International, wrote at FoxNews.com that Americans look to “our institutions of faith” to define moral issues like abortion. Though not a Catholic, he said he understands the hierarchical nature of the Church and the role doctrine plays within it.

Speaking with “the greatest respect,” he said that the Catholic Church is not a place where “free thinking” about doctrinal issues is encouraged.

“There is such thing as absolute truth and not all things are relative or left to the discretion of the believer,” Roff continued. If Rep. Kennedy wishes to consider himself Catholic, he should “show appropriate deference to church teachings” about life beginning at conception and about abortion being a sin.

“By asking Kennedy to act of his own volition, rather than threaten to deny him the sacraments or ordering those subservient to him in the church to refuse to offer them, Bishop Tobin is encouraging the Congressman to consider his commitment to his faith -- something one should argue is the appropriate role for a member of the clergy,” Roff commented.

He said the issue is being “spun” as a case of a church trying to impose its will on politicians who represent a “cross-section of the world’s religions.”

While some critics of Bishop Tobin invoke Thomas Jefferson’s phrase about the “wall of separation between Church and State,” Roff said this line appears nowhere in the U.S. Constitution. Jefferson was out of the country when the Constitution was written and the phrase is his own opinion as president in an 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists in Connecticut.

Nowhere does Jefferson suggest that the church should be “prohibited from enforcing its own disciplines within its own walls among its own members, even where matters of public policy are concerned.”

The purpose of the First Amendment, in Roff’s view, was to “protect the faithful from coercion by the state,” not to protect the state from “interference from the church.”

However, he said, it is hard to see how Bishop Tobin’s request is interference.

“If Congressman Kennedy wishes his church to consider him a Catholic in good standing, then he best pay attention to its concerns and act accordingly,” Roff’s essay at FoxNews.com concluded.

St. Paul Drama Club to stage Honk

The musical Honk has been chosen for the St. Paul Drama Club’s annual production. It was announced at the first Drama Club meeting on Tuesday.

Honk, a world-wide stage sensation that has been seen by over 5 million people.  has won multiple awards including the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical (beating the Lion King and Mamma Mia for the prize).

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling", “Honk!” tells the story of an odd looking baby duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother.

Soon after Ugly is born, he is seduced away by a wily Cat who wants to eat Ugly for dinner. Eventually, Ugly manages to escape but has no idea how to return home.

Along his way, he encounters a beautiful swan, Penny, tangled in a fishing line.

After saving her, the two birds fall in love. However, she must return to her flock and fly south for the winter. Eventually, Ugly’s mother finds him frozen in snow.

Luckily, her warm tears manage to thaw him out and he comes back to life – as a handsome swan! Soon, Ugly is reunited with Penny and two swans decide to live the rest of their days in the same pond as Ugly’s loyal mother.

Noelle Colant's poster is on billboard

 Click on poster to enlarge for a better view

A poster designed by Noelle Colant in her last year at St. Paul School is now enlarged on a billboard close to Brown St. and  McKinley Ave.

The billboard gives recognition to both Noelle and  St. Paul School.

In Octoer 2008 as an eighth grader Noelle  received first place in her category in the Safety Kids 2009 Poster Contest sponsored by the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.

There were 48 winners chosen from 1,680 entries submitted.

ClearChannel Outdoor advertising will have each poster on one of their billboards during the year. Noelle’s poster also is on a calendar and was part of a commercial. on WBNX.

Theme of the poster was “Stop Bullying" by telling an adult.

Rep. Kennedy is asked not to receive Communion

Representative Patrick Kennedy has revealed that Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence asked him in 2007 not to receive Holy Communion.

Earlier this month, after Bishop Tobin questioned whether Kennedy met “the basic requirements of being a Catholic,” the Rhode Island lawmaker said that he was "disconcerted" that the bishop had made such a public statement. Kennedy claimed that he had reached an agreement with the bishop to avoid public discussions about his commitment to the Catholic faith. The exchange began when Kennedy criticized the US Catholic bishops for suggesting that they could not support health-care reform legislation if the bill allowed abortion subsidies.

"The bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion,” the Rhode Island representative said in a telephone interview last Friday. Kennedy's statement-- and subsequent news reports-- conveyed the impression that Bishop Tobin's admonition had come more recently, after a highly publicized exchange between the congressman and his bishop.

“I am disappointed that the Congressman would make public my pastoral and confidential request of nearly three years ago that sought to provide solely for his spiritual well-being,” said Bishop Tobin. “I have no desire to continue the discussion of Congressman Kennedy's spiritual life in public. At the same time, I will absolutely respond publicly and strongly whenever he attacks the Catholic Church, misrepresents the teachings of the Church, or issues inaccurate statements about my pastoral ministry.”

“As I wrote to the Congressman in February of 2007, and repeated in my public letter earlier this month, I am willing and even anxious to meet with him, to discuss these matters,” Bishop Tobin continued. “My door remains open. However, it should be absolutely clear the Congressman himself has once again chosen to make this discussion a matter of public record. In the meantime, I will continue to pray-- sincerely and fervently-- for his conversion and repentance, and for his personal and spiritual well-being. I wish him well.”

[Source: Catholic Culture.org]

Read the Bishop’s statement.

Booster Club to elect officers Dec. 17

Nominations and voting for officers of the St. Paul Booster will take place in December.  No nominations for president were made at the meeting on Thursday, November 19 .  Tony Bachmann has declined to stay on for another term.  The December meeting will be Thursday, December 17, after the Christmas program and PTO meeting.

The Gym Clean Up was a success.  Thank you from the club to all who helped:   Tony Bachmann, John Garey, Jenna Garey, Josh Garey, Gerard Colant, Marco Colant, Jo Shoup, Christy Breiding, Jeremy Swords, Tod Wammes, Michael Sartoski, William Bobbitt and  Ryan Testa.

Thank you to Joe Giacamo for the generous donation.  The Booster Club Board will use the donation to purchase new basketballs and repair the damaged uniforms.

 The November 300 Club winners were:

326   Christy Breiding

015   Sean & Laura Grubb

225   Norma Sartoski

041   Mike Hausch

229   Sandi and Lance Baldwin

Gym cleanup crew at work

Photos provided by Jo Shoup

Fr. Joseph Gamba dies at 93

DOYLESTOWN -- Rev. Father John Joseph Gamba, age 93, died November 21, 2009 at Doylestown Health Care Center, after receiving the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments. He had been in failing health for some time.

He was born October 30, 1916 in Amalfi, Italy to Marco and Natalina (Montewla) Gamba and was educated and ordained

a priest of the Dominican Order in Italy. He was a priest of the Columbus Diocese and served in Columbus at Christ the King Parish, Our Lady of Victory, St. Peter's and was hospital chaplain at Ohio State University Hospital. He also served at St. Nicholas Parish in Zanesville, St. Mary's in Lancaster and in New Philadelphia. He was Pastor of St. Genevieve Church in Calmoutier from 1970 to 1981 and at the same time was chaplain at Apple Creek Developmental Center. He then retired to Doylestown and served at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and was the chaplain for the Knights of Columbus in Wooster.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Ernesto Gamba and a sister, Maria Rotondo. He is survived by nieces and nephews and special friends, Fr. David McCarthy and Regina Jung.

A special thanks to Doylestown Health Care for their loving care.

The wake will begin with Vespers at 3 p.m. on Monday, November 23, 2009 at Sts. Peter & Paul Church at 161 W. Clinton St., Doylestown, 44230. The wake will continue until 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Bishop James Griffin will be the principal celebrant. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lockbourne, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 161 W. Clinton St., Doylestown, OH 44230. (Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-658-2211)
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Monday, November 23, 2009, page B5, coll. 3]]

Mass for Marilyn Kouri is Wednesday

Marilyn May Kouri, 73, passed away on November 21, 2009 in Fort Ashby, West Virginia.

She was born on January 24, 1936 in Akron, Ohio to the late Clarence Price and Donna Mahon. She attended South High School and married Lawrence Kouri in Akron. She retired from the Morgan Adhesive Company. Her hobbies included painting, writing and coin shooting. She was a devout catholic and a member of St. Paul Catholic Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Kouri; brother, Joseph Price; and son, Joseph Kouri. She is survived by her sons, Daniel and Larry Kouri and daughter, Dawn Kouri; grandchildren, Daniel Jr. and Joshua Kouri, Michael Joseph Aubry, and Ashley and Lauren Kouri; siblings, Gladis, Gary and Mary Jo; nieces and nephews, Mark, Keith, Steven, Jenna, Eddie, Chris and Mary Kay.

She persevered with an Irish wit and an Irish charm. She loved and she was loved by her husband, children, sisters and brothers. For those that are waiting for her, please take care of her and for those Marilyn left behind, we will see you soon enough. With broken hearts we bid you farewell. Thanks Mom.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Dunn-Quigley Funeral Home (811 Grant St., Akron). Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Paul Catholic Church. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH,Monday, November 23, 2009, page B5, col. 4 ]

Noticed in the bulletin

Akron Bible Church needs help
We have been asked once again to assist the Akron Bible Church in providing food baskets for the needy in the surrounding community. This year the donation will be two items, canned green beans and canned corn. Please bring your donations to the Narthex no later than December 10.

K of C Coats for Kids
South Akron Knights of Columbus, 2055 Glenmount Ave.,is taking new or gently worn coats, hats and gloves for needy children this Christmas. Drop off your donations at the club today!! The office is open Monday-Friday, 10a.m. to 2 p.m. and the lounge is open at 6 p.m.,Monday through Friday.

Save those Acme receipts
Please save all your Acme grocery store receipts. St. Paul
School will receive 5 percent  of all eligible purchases between now and March 6.Receipts may be dropped off in the Narthex in the designated bags, in the Gymnasium or sent in with your student.

Mountains removed for coal

CATHOLIC SOCIAL JUSTICE THOUGHT

In Appalachia today, miners and residents are locked in bitter conflict.  At issue is Mountain Top Removal (MTR), the hotly contested form of strip mining in which coal companies blast the tops off mountains to get to the coal and scrape debris into valleys and streams where it pollutes the water, destroys the ecosystems, blights the landscape and poses long-term health risks for the surrounding communities.  In an era of heated debate about America's reliance on foreign oil and increasing energy costs, few of us realize that coal remains an important energy source. However, the methods of mining and processing it are significant causes of global warming.  Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith.  We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God's creation.  Did you know that more than 470 mountains have been destroyed for coal; over 1,000 miles of streams have been buried in debris, coal slurry/sludge sits open in impoundments filled with toxic chemicals; 25 tons of dynamite are used to blast mountains in West Virginia every day -- equivalent to a Hiroshima bomb every week.  This is not just a battle to save the environment for the sake of fishes, birds and trees.  It is a battle to save the communities and health of the people in these communities.  Learn more about MTR at www.ilovemountains.org, www.ohiocitizenaction.org or www.coalcountrythemovie.com.  Also watch the new documentary, Coal Country, which shows all sides of this issue fairly; it is educational, entertaining and appropriate for all ages.

Sister-in-law of Fr. Ralph Coletta dies

STOW -- Mary Coletta, 88, passed away at her home on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, surrounded by her loving family.

[Mrs. Coletta is the sister-in-law of the Rev. Fr. Ralph Coletta, pastor emeritus of St. John the Baptist parish]

She was born in Castel Di Sangro, Province of Aquila, Italy, on October 18, 1921 and came to the United States in 1935. It was then that she and her parents made their home in Akron, Ohio.

She was employed by Goodyear Aircraft as an executive secretary and later became secretary/treasurer of the J.P.Polo Contracting Company, which was founded by her father. She married John Coletta in 1947.

Mary was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish where she was actively involved in many ministries including Rosary Altar Confraternity, Mother of Sorrows Choir, Mission Circle 66 and the National Council of Catholic Women. For the past five years Mary coordinated a group of women dedicated to the ministry of providing hand-made rosaries to those whose lives could be touched by prayer. In just the last five years Mary and her friends made over 30,000 rosaries, which were sent throughout the world to those in military bases, prisons, missions, and hospitals.

Mary's additional memberships included the Castel Di Sangro Auxiliary, the M.S.C. Auxiliary, and most recently, the Christ Child Society.

Preceded in death by her husband, John, in 1984, and her parents, Joe and Josephine Pietropaolo, in 1986, she is survived by son, Ralph (Christine) Coletta of Akron; daughters, Joanne (Robert) Wiseman of Stow, and Mary Jo (Kevin) Keller of Cuyahoga Falls; grandchildren, Cherie (Bruce) Arthur, Jacqueline Coletta, Robert (Amanda) Wiseman, Joseph (Cynthia) Wiseman, and John, Michael, Matthew, Joseph and Daniel Keller; brother-in-law Reverend Father Ralph V. Coletta; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 22, from 1 to 8 p.m. at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, Ohio. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 23, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Father Ralph V. Coletta, celebrant, and Father Thomas McCann, concelebrant. Burial will take place at Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron 44333. Mary dedicated her life to giving back to others. She was most happy when surrounded by her family, and God granted her dying wish. Mary's video tribute will be available at www.redmonfuneralhome.com

(REDMON, STOW, 330-688-6631)
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Friday, November 20, 2009, page B4. col. 5]  

Action Alert: Urge legislators to restore funds

The state budget bill, as passed by the House and Senate and signed by the Governor, cut $59 million over the biennium in aid to students attending chartered nonpublic schools.
 
The cuts were in:
• Direct reimbursement to our schools (Administrative Cost Reimbursement)
• Resources and services such as guidance counselors, remedial assistance, and textbooks (Auxiliary Services).

As a result, a Catholic school of 350 students is now receiving, on average, $43,500 less in state-funded assistance in 2009/2010; a high school of 800 students is receiving, on average, $99,000 less in 2009/2010.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio has issued an Action Alert urging Catholics to contact state legislators to urge them to restore the cuts.  Click on the Action Alert for details.

Contact information for state 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

Catholic schools have a long track record of excellence.
• Many have been in existence since the 1800s.
• Almost 100 percent of the students graduate.
• Over 90 percent of their students pass the Ohio Graduation Tests in reading, writing, math, science, social studies on the first try.
• There is a high rate of parent involvement and parent satisfaction.
• There is a long history of educating low-income and immigrant families in economically challenged neighborhoods.
• Catholic school students on EdChoice scholarships, who have been tracked by independent researchers, show steady academic gains, and these gains increase for every year students remain in a Catholic school.

Ohio claims that education is the state.s #1 priority . . . but not for its nonpublic school students.

Ohio used to be committed to supporting the education of all of its students -- no matter where they went to school. By restoring funding, Ohio can once again become a model for other states.

Serrans to attend Immaculate Conception Mass

Members of Akron Serra Club will attend the 9 a.m. Mass on Tuesday, December 8, at St. Vincent Church for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Serrans will meet for breakfast after Mass at the Akron Family Restaurant near St. Vincent.

Bishops approve new missal translation

BALTIMORE, Maryland (Zenit.org).- The U.S. bishops' conference completed its approval of the final portions of the new translation of the Roman Missal for use in the United States. It now awaits the Vatican's confirmation.

The vote took place today at the conference's fall general assembly, which is under way in Baltimore through Thursday.

Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, New Jersey, chairman of the Committee on Divine Worship, explained today before the vote that this was the conference's last chance to send its recommendations to the Holy See. The Vatican has asked for the submission of all input by the end of this month.

The translation has been in progress for the past six years, and the conference has been gradually voting on the various parts of it in their assemblies.

The translation of the Proper of Saints, the Mass prayers for the feast days of saints, was approved by 195 prelates, with 23 opposing and 4 abstaining, thereby winning the necessary two-thirds of the conference's bishops.

The Roman Missal Supplement translation, with extra material added in the 2008 reprint of the Missale Romanum, was also approved by a vote of 203 to 15, with 3 abstentions.

The translation of the Commons, consisting of Mass prayers for the feast days of saints who have no proper prayers, was ratified by the conference 200-19.

The U.S. Propers, including prayers for specific days on the U.S. liturgical calendar such as Thanksgiving Day and Independence Day, was approved by 199 bishops, with 20 opposing and 1 abstaining.

Lastly, certain U.S. adaptations to the Missale Romanum were approved 199-17.

With this approval, the texts will go to the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments for the final "recognitio" (permission), after which the new translation will be implemented.
 
Bishop Serratelli noted that the "recognitio" is expected at the beginning of 2010, but that it will take another 12 months at that point for the publication of the missal. The date for use will be set at that time, he said.

"We have come to a historic moment," he said as the voting on the translation was concluded this afternoon.

"After hours of discussion and debate, we have completed our work as a national conference on the translation," the prelate affirmed.

He acknowledged that even the best translation will not suit everyone's preferences, but he reminded the conference that there is something greater in this work.

This missal, the bishop said, is not composed of the "expressions of an individual," but of a community. The prayers "pass on the faith from one generation to the next," and thus it is an important task to provide translations that are "accurate and inspiring," he said.

"No translation is perfect," Bishop Serratelli affirmed, "but the new translation is good and worthy of our use."

He urged his fellow prelates to catechize the people in preparation for the coming liturgical changes. The prelate announced that many publishers are already preparing material to help in the implementation of the new missal.

He exhorted parishes to "begin now" to prepare their people, for priests to review the approved translations on the Web site of the conference Committee on Divine Worship. In the Spring, he said, 20 workshops will be held around the country to help in the preparation.

Cardinal Francis George, the conference president, affirmed that with the coming changes, "there is a tremendous moment of religious renewal that is possible now."

Click here to download a PDF file showing the changes.

Getting ready for the beginning of a new year

The Church celebrates the First Sunday of Advent -- the beginning of a new liturgical year – on Sunday, November 29.

During the Advent season families should spend time together preparing for the approaching celebration of the birth of Christ. An Advent wreath can be a great focal point for family prayers and holiday celebrations.

An Advent wreath is a wreath of laurel, spruce or similar foliage with four candles that are lighted successively in the weeks of Advent to symbolize the light that the birth of Christ brought into the world. Traditionally three of the candles are purple, the color of kings and of penance. A rose-colored candle is used to mark the Third Sunday of Advent as a time to rejoice over the closeness of Christmas and the coming of Christ.

Children love the beauty of the simple traditional ceremony. Lighting candles in an Advent Wreath is a simple way to start a tradition of family worship in the home. Those who participate will cherish the experience all their lives.

Each day your family should gather around the Advent wreath, generally before the evening meal. The proper number of candles are then lighted and a prayer is said.

BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH 
It starts at the evening meal on the Saturday before the first Sunday in Advent with the blessing of the wreath. (The head of the household is the one designated to say the prayers, following which various members of his family light the candles. If the group is not a family, then a leader may be selected to say the prayers and others appointed to light the candles.) The following prayer can be used.

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All: Who made heaven and earth.

Leader: O God, by whose Word all things are sanctified, pour forth Your blessing upon this wreath and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from You abundant graces. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The wreath would then be sprinkled with water. Then follows the prayer which is said before the evening meal each night of the first week in Advent.

FIRST WEEK The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first week. After the prayer, the family's youngest child lights the first purple candle. (Family embers can also take turns lighting and blowing out the candles on each night.)

Leader: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first week.


SECOND WEEK The prayer that follows is to be repeated each day of the second week. After the prayer, the oldest child lights the first and second purple candles.

Leader: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The two candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of the second week.

THIRD WEEK The joyful Sunday in Advent (known as "Gaudete") is represented by rose (or pink) instead of the penitential purple color. Each night during the third week the mother of the family lights the pink, as well as the two previously burned purple candles, after the following prayer has been said.

Leader: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The three candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of the third week.

FOURTH WEEK The prayer that follows is to be repeated each day of the fourth week. After the prayer, the father lights all four candles.

Leader: O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of Thy Grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The four candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of the fourth week.

After the fourth week, the penitential season of Advent is over and the time to rejoice is at hand. The Advent wreath is transformed into a Christmas wreath. Ribbon and candles are replaced with red ribbon and long red or white tapers (to be lighted at breakfast on Christmas morning) and, if desired, other festive decorations can be added.

In addition to having an Advent wreath as part of your family's Christmas celebration, create your own Advent calendar of actions you and your family can take each day to bring you closer to Christ. Write the schedule activities on a calendar that is prominently posted. These activities could include donating toys to a drive for needy children, bringing used clothing to a collection for homeless people, volunteering at a soup kitchen, reading a Christmas poem or story aloud, attending Mass together or placing a crèche in your home.

U.S. bishops issue pastoral letter on marriage

The bishops of the United States have issued a 60-page pastoral letter on marriage that offers an overview of Catholic teaching on the sacrament while addressing the challenges posed by contraception, same-sex unions, divorce, and cohabitation.

The draft of the document, which earned praise from pro-life and pro-family leaders, underwent nearly 100 changes before it was approved by a 180-45 margin. For example, in the section on contraception-- which cites Humanae Vitae seven times-- the sentence “this is an intrinsically evil action” was changed and expanded to read:

    This is objectively wrong in and of itself and is essentially opposed to God’s plan for marriage and proper human development. It makes the act of intercourse signify, or speak, something less than the unreserved self-gift intended in the marriage promises.

The draft’s key paragraph condemning the legal recognition of homosexual unions remained unchanged:

    The legal recognition of same-sex unions poses a multifaceted threat to the very fabric of society, striking at the source from which society and culture come and which they are meant to serve. Such recognition affects all people, married and non-married: not only at the fundamental levels of the good of the spouses, the good of children, the intrinsic dignity of every human person, and the common good, but also at the levels of education, cultural imagination and influence, and religious freedom.

Food summit turns down UN funding appeal

ROME — Pope Benedict XVI decried the steadily worsening tragedy of world hunger on Monday after a global summit rebuffed a U.N. call to commit billions of dollars a year for a new strategy to help poor countries feed themselves.

The meeting at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization did unite nearly 200 countries behind a pledge to increase aid to farmers in poor countries to help the developing world lessen its dependence on foreign food aid.

Only hours after the three-day summit began, some 60 heads of state and dozens of ministers rejected the U.N.'s call to commit $44 billion annually for agricultural development in these nations. The final declaration also omitted a pledge, sought by the United Nations, to eradicate hunger by 2025.

"Hunger is the most cruel and concrete sign of poverty," Benedict told the delegates after the document was approved. "Opulence and waste are no longer acceptable when the tragedy of hunger is assuming ever greater proportions."

The last previous papal appearance at a food summit in Rome came in 1996, when Pope John Paul II delivered a speech.

U.N. officials say roughly 1 billion people — one of every six people on the planet — don't get enough to eat.
As the conference opened, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told participants it was unacceptable that so many go hungry even though the world has enough food.

Helping the poor become self-sufficient lies at the core of food security, he said. "Our job is not just to feed the hungry, but to empower the hungry to feed themselves."

FAO, which is hosting the conference at its headquarters, says the share of international aid that is allocated to agriculture has steadily declined over the last three decades. Helping the hungry has largely entailed rich countries sending food assistance rather than technology, irrigation help, fertilizer or high-yield seed. Much of this food aid is purchased from the wealthy nations' own farmers.

While the summit agreed on the need to increase agriculture's share of international aid, it did not allocate the $44 billion annually — 17 percent of overall foreign aid — the FAO says is necessary to feed a population that is expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050.

While content with the general policy shift, FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf voiced frustration over the lack of specifics in unusually frank comments.

"I am not satisfied that some of the concrete proposals I made were not accepted," he told a news conference. "There was no consensus on this and I regret it."

Vatican Radio called the lack of a firm money commitment "disturbing," while humanitarian groups claimed the summit had largely failed. Greenpeace called the declaration "empty rhetoric," while Oxfam said the strategy it laid out was "honorable" but that nothing had been done to ensure funds and hold governments accountable for their promises.

Interpretations on the outcome varied greatly.

FAO's Assistant Director-General Alexander Mueller said governments kept away from firm commitments due to the economic crisis and because they expect they will need to channel money to the developing world at next month's summit on climate change in Copenhagen.

Delegates from the United States, the world's No. 1 food donor, say they believe wealthy nations should follow the specific needs of each recipient country rather than allocate a fixed amount to agriculture.

"What this declaration represents is a significant change — not just an acknowledgment of a problem but an articulation of solutions, with a focus on country-led programs and strategies," said the head of the U.S. delegation, acting administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development Alonzo Fulgham.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, meanwhile, announced that more than one in seven American households struggled to put enough food on the table in 2008, the highest number since the agency began tracking food security levels in 1995. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said it could be even higher in 2009.

Kanayo Nwanze, the president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, said poor countries cannot expect the rest of the world to come up with all the money they need and should instead invest a greater share of their own public funds in the sector.

"We cannot expect international assistance to move countries out of poverty, out of hunger," he said.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Upcoming events at St. Paul

PTO and Booster Club
PTO and Booster Club meeting is Thursday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m.  in Boeke Hall. PTO meets at 6:30 p.m. and Booster Club meeting follows.

PTO Fall Family Dance
The St. Paul Fall Family Dance will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday in Boeke Hall and is open to all parishioners. Cost is $3 per person or $10 per family.  All children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the dance. Questions? Call Teresa Lloyd 330-724-0997  

Eucharistic Adoration
    Special Eucharistic Devotion for  Sunday, November 22 from nioon to  8 p.m. and Monday, November 23 after the 7 a.m. Mass to  7:p.m. for vocations. All families are encourages to take some time in prayer during these hours. We specifically encourage parents to stop in for prayer on Monday before they pick up their children from school.  Arrive a little early, park your car, and go to the church to pray. If you have never experienced Adoration it is just a quiet time to pray and listen before Christ. No special training or preparation necessary. Not only can you have this special time with our Lord but the Monstrance for the Blessed Sacrament was blessed by Pope John Paul II in Rome and is on loan to St. Paul ’s for this special event.

Santa Secret Shop
The St. Paul Santa Shop will be open this year on December 1 from 8 to 11:15 a.m. and from 12:45 p.m to 2:30 p.m. and on Dec 2 from 8 to 10 a.m. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kristi Woodill at kwoodill@neo.rr.com.

Tajci Concert
Internationally known singer and songwriter, Tajci, will appear at Saint Paul on December 4 to perform in concert "Emmanuel: The Story of Christmas."  Emmanual tells the story of Christ's birth through the eyes of a girl who grew up wandering what Christmas was all about and why she was not supposed to say the words 'Merry Christmas' in public. Since 2000, Tajci has shared her emotional story in over 600 concerts throughout the USA . As a teenager she was a pop music superstar in Communist Central Europe. She was often referred to as the pop superstar, Madonna of Communist Europe. At the age of 21 she abandoned her fame and fled to the US where she eventually began performing in churches across America .  This is a free concert that will inspire your Christmas season.

Breakfast with Santa
The tenth  annual Breakfast with Santa, sponsored by St. Paul PTO, will be Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to noon in Boeke Hall. Registration forms will be available in the narthex. Themed baskets or stockings will be raffled off to raise funds for St. Paul School. Please consider donating a themed gasket or stocking in your family's or company's name.. All families and companies who donate will be recognized at the breakfast.. All donations need to be delivered to Boeke Hall by Monday, November 30.
For more information please contact Rikki Horrigan 330-773 -6499 srhorrigan3@yahoo.com.

Class of 1979 reunion is November 28

Several members of the class of 1979 have organized a reunion to be held Saturday, November 28, 2009.  This is open to any and all, if you attended anytime in the 70's please join us. You do not need to be a graduate of the class of  '79.  Meet us at Papa Joe's in the valley at 7 pm. (1561 Akron Peninsula Rd.)   We are gathering in the Tuscany room. Pay as you go, order as you like.  Bring your memories, photos, and memorabilia.  

RSVP to:

Mary (Cain) Markowski 330-773-5759 mmarkowski@neo.rr.com 

Rich Garbinsky rgarbinsky@pinnaclesports.org 

Russ Guenther 330-714-8822.    rguenther@neo.rr.com     

Clearance sale on St. Paul cookbook

The St. Paul Parish cookbook is on clearance sale.  The cookbooks are available at the St. Paul Credit Union at 1762 Brown Street or by contacting Mary Markowski mmarkowski@neo.rr.com 330.773.5759.  The reduced price is $10. These will make amazing hostess and holiday gifts.  Act quickly, supplies are limited.  Proceeds go to the St. Paul School Parent Teacher Organization.

Bishop Rhoades to head Notre Dame's diocese

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI appointed on Saturday Bishop of Harrisburg, Penn. Kevin C. Rhoades as the ninth Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, the diocese that includes Notre Dame University.

Bishop Rhoades will replace Bishop John D'Arcy, who until Saturday was the oldest bishop governing a diocese in the

U.S. He was prominent early this year for his strong stance against President Obama’s Notre Dame invitation.

Bishop D’Arcy strongly criticized Notre Dame University President John Jenkins, C.S.C. for honoring the President despite his pro-abortion stance, and made good on his pledge to stay away from the graduation. He decided at the last minute to attend what he called a “prayerful” graduation alternative organized on the campus by ND Response, a student-led pro-life group.

Bishop Rhoades was born November 26, 1957, in Mahanoy City, Penn. and graduated from Lebanon Catholic High School in 1975.

He enrolled at Mount Saint Mary’s College (now University) in Emmitsburg, Maryland in the fall of 1975 and studied there for two years. In 1977, he entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Penn., earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy there in 1979. He did his theological studies at the North American College and the Pontifical Gregorian University, both in Rome, from 1979-1983. He also studied Spanish at the University of Salamanca in Spain during the summer of 1982.

He was ordained a priest of the Harrisburg Diocese on July 9, 1983. Besides being a parochial vicar at Saint Patrick Parish in York, he ministered in the Spanish-speaking apostolates at Cristo Salvador Parish in York and Cristo Rey Mission in Bendersville. 

In 1985 he returned to the Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned advanced degrees in dogmatic theology and canon law.

In 1988, he returned to the Harrisburg Diocese to serve as assistant chancellor under then-Bishop Keeler. During this time, he also ministered as the director of the Spanish apostolate.In 1995 he accepted a full-time faculty position with Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary. 

In March 1997, he was named rector of the Seminary, an office he held until his appointment by Pope John Paul II as Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg on October 14, 2004.

Bishop Rhoades served until today as President of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference and as Co-chair of the Pennsylvania Conference on Interchurch Cooperation. 

“Naturally, it will not be easy for me to bid farewell to my family and friends, my brother priests and the faithful of the Harrisburg diocese," Bishop Rhoades said in a statement.  “My greatest joys as Bishop have been in being with the people, teaching the faith, and celebrating the sacraments.”

He noted his new diocese differs from the Diocese of Harrisburg in that it has five Catholic colleges and universities "including the internationally renowned University of Notre Dame." 

“I ask for the people’s prayers that I might be a true shepherd after the heart of Christ,” he added.

Bishop Rhoades will be installed as Bishop D'Arcy's successor on January 13, 2010.