This fall, the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults RCIA will begin at the 9:30 am Mass on September 12 followed by an opening session in the Newman Center immediately following Mass. Please contact Deacon Ray if you are interested in joining us for this year’s RCIA journey.
St. Bernard-St. Mary Parish offers the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) starting in September and concluding at Pentecost the following year. Inquirers are invited to an introductory inquiry session on August 19, 7 pm at the Newman Center. This is a chance to ask questions, understand the process and continue your spiritual journey. Several members of last year’s RCIA group will be there to share their experiences as well as our dedicated group of catechists and team members who will be leading this year’s journey.
Dear Parishioners,
Next weekend our new Mass Schedule goes into effect. Please take home the insert in today’s bulletin as a reminder and tell your friends. The change will be an inconvenience for our 4:30 Sunday worshipers. I hope as many as possible can join us at one of the other two evening Masses or at our two morning Masses. There is room for all of us.
Our daily Mass Schedule also changes. St. Mary’s only had an evening Mass, so we will now offer one at 5:10pm three days a week. It’s the same time as on holydays. Hopefully, we will be able to provide an opportunity for prayer to downtown workers on their way home from a long workday.
For parents who had children attending ISR this past year, I beg your patience. We will have religious education classes in the Fall. They will be held at the school on S. Main. I am looking at Adult religious education and formation programs as well. There is a wealth of programs available to help strengthen our faith, knowledge and spiritual life as Catholics. We want to do all we can to assist parents in their obligation to instruct their children in the Catholic faith.
These weeks we have had some fruitful discussions about our three outreach programs to the homeless and hungry in the area. A good number of parishioners have been reaching out to the hungry at this site for over 30 years. We have discussed how we can coordinate serving times, volunteers (and we need more), and resources in a way that the needy can be fed physically while others come to be fed spiritually for Mass and other Sacraments.
In celebration of the Assumption of Mary, we will pray the Rosary together a half-hour before each of the weekend Masses on August 14 and 15. Please join us.
I want to express my thanks to all of you have prayed for me and the parish. What a blessing! I’m grateful the Lord has sent me. There is much to do but I believe if we pull together we will find “something greater than Jonah here” – Jesus Christ, our Lord. He is what matters to the Father. May Christ keep our eyes fixed on the things of heaven this week. Let’s keep looking up.
In Christ’s Peace, Fr. Dan
On August 14/15 the Little Sisters of the Poor will be accepting donation for their care to the elderly poor in Warrensville, OH. Your generosity will be deeply appreciated.
Soon school will be re-opening, but already you will find in your packet of monthly envelopes an envelope for the Fr. Hilkert Fund. It is related to our parish school. Mr. Ken Jonas, a Finance Councilman, offers this brief explanation of the fund for our consideration:
This fund was generated by Fr. Hilkert, former pastor of St. Mary Parish, due to his great belief in Catholic Education. The young must be trained preferably by both parents and family. Each generation has many things handed down to the next generation verbally and requires verification by doctrinal truths. This doctrine is taught in the Catholic School to all.
In order that the school is not limited by personnel, a lifetime trust fund was generated. This trust requires that 100% of funds be used for the operation and/or maintaining of the school. This includes all original funds provided by Fr. Hilkert, and any contributions by parishioners and other donors.
This trust is not large enough to fund the school totally. The parish funds have supplied any additional funds to keep the school solvent. Any donation we can make supports the school alone and benefit the children.
We will learn more about the excellent work the parish school will provide to Catholics and non-Catholics in the Akron area. We welcome your support to this trust fund.
Please join us at our next installment of Grounds for Faith on Friday, August 13, 2010. Linda Hart will present the topic: “The Christ Child Society: Challenging Poverty: One Child at a Time.” We will also be collecting monetary donations, new socks, and new underwear for the Christ Child Society. This event sponsored by CYO, and is an opportunity for young adults to come together to listen to a speaker, enjoy coffee and refreshments, discuss, and socialize. All single and married young adults are invited to attend. Events are held at Guardian Angels Parish 1676 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. Copley, Ohio 44321 . Doors open at 6:45 and the speaker begins at 7:00. Babysitting is available on-site during the event from 6:45-9:00 for children ages 0-12. If you need babysitting you must RSVP by the Monday before the event. A donation of $2.00 per child is appreciated but not required. Please e-mail us at groundsforfaith@yahoo.com with questions, babysitting RSVP’s, or if you would like to receive our e-mail newsletter.
The First Friday Club speaker for its August 6th luncheon at 12 noon at the Martin Center, will be Philip Maynard, Chairman, ASW Properties Ltd. His topic: “The Joy of Giving.” Reservations can be made by calling 330-535-7668.
Are you aware of this enrichment for married couples? The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops remind us to “celebrate and reverence God’s vision of human sexuality”. Married couples who use NFP report many benefits to strengthen their relationship. More information is available at their website: www.usccb.org /prolife/nfp. For classes available in our area please call the parish office for locations.
Dear Parishioners,
You may see a familiar face at our church doors this weekend, Fr. Paul Schindler. Fr. Schindler spent many years as a missionary in El Salvador. In the early 1980s after the murder of Archbishop Romero and some of our Cleveland missionaries, he was brought back home. He was made pastor of the former St. Bernard’s in 1982. After serving here in Akron for 26 years, he returned to El Salvador in 2008 to retire. Recently, the Archbishop of San Salvador asked him to serve as pastor of one of the largest parishes in the capital city. Father accepted. So much for retirement! We welcome Fr. Schindler to the new parish and hope he has a restful vacation with friends here in Akron. BIENVENIDO!
Best Wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Nick Stohovitch who celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary this weekend. Congratulations and our prayers for you.
You may see something missing at the former St. Mary Parish. In order to safeguard the religious items around the church building, Mr. Dave Klein and Mr. Richard Williams carefully removed the Stations of the Cross and the Crucifix that stood on the north side and moved them inside. Thanks for your help.
Please take note of the new weekend and daily Mass Schedules listed in today’s bulletin. We will soon use other media to inform parishioners and visitors of this change effective August 7th with 3:30 Confession and the 5:00 pm Mass.
Our Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist will attend a brief update session soon. This is intended primarily to better our service to the people at Mass. If you bring Communion to the homebound, you may find this update helpful.
There are a number of people who are homebound in our parish. In August I would like to begin or continue First Friday Communion Calls. If there is a family member or neighbor you know who would like a visit, please call the parish office with their name and contact information.
We are currently looking at our Religious Education Programming for the parish. Information will be coming soon regarding registration, location of classes, and catechists. If you have been a catechist for either St. Bernard or St. Mary Parishes and are willing to assist, please call the parish office and let us know.
Please pray for your fellow parishioners, especially those in hospital or undergoing illness. St. Mary and St. Bernard, pray for us. Fr. Dan
Any items for the bulletin must be in the parish office by Tuesday Noon. Beth will try to include your notice or information in the upcoming week’s bulletin. All bulletin items are also posted on the website.