Dear Parishioners,

A Blessed Pentecost to you all! Red is the color of the day and the stalks of wheat among the flowers are reminders that the Holy Spirit bears fruit in our lives: “love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and chastity” (Gal. 5:22,23). Along with the gifts of the Spirit, I pray that our parish community brings forth these spiritual qualities as well.

As we take time to Memorialize those who gave their lives in service to our nation, let us pray also for their families whose sacrifice and pain is often endured quietly. For parents, spouses, and children who lost a loved one in war or peace time – our prayers and honor. Once again flags will decorate the graves of soldiers in our St. Bernard-St. Mary Cemetery on Maple Street.

Each Memorial Weekend, Fr. Paul Schindler (Pastor of St. Bernard, 1982-2008) makes his way to our church doors from El Salvador. Fr. Schindler now pastors nearly 22 parish communities. The Archbishop of San Salvador recently told him, ‘you don’t have a parish, Father, you have a whole diocese!’ We welcome Fr. Schindler back and wish him restful days in the U.S.

This past week Mr. Terry Kowalski accepted the position of Principal of St. Bernard-St. Mary School for the next Academic Year. An enthusiastic Catholic, he comes with leadership skills and 19 years of experience as principal in Cleveland Public Schools.

Terry is married and the father of five; one at Akron U. Although the school will return to St. Mary at its re-opening, I believe he will bring new ideas and vision to the Mission of serving the greater Akron Community with a solid Catholic Education.

At Masses this weekend we ask God’s blessing upon Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Joanne Oakes. Somewhat as a surprise, an entourage of family and friends are with us at the 4:30 Mass to celebrate their 65th Wedding Anniversary! What a gift to the Church!

At the 6:00 Mass in Spanish, parishioners will honor our graduates from SB-SM Grade School and various High Schools. Felicidades, Graduates of the Class of 2012! Dios les bendiga abundantamente!

Keep in mind – There will be NO 6:00 PM Mass in the church next weekend, June 3. We are celebrating Mass on pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady in Windsor, OH. Also, there will be NO 9:30 AM Mass in the church the weekend of June 10. We are celebrating Mass on the School grounds (750 S. Main) for the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, along with a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, and the usual Coffee and Donuts. More information next weekend.

The Spirit is a movin’…A ‘Social Concerns’ group is meeting to discuss ways we can live the Gospel even more faithfully in the parish. We are beginning by forming ourselves, first. We will be reading the book by Megan McKenna entitled Rites of Justice. She helps to integrate the celebration of the 7 Sacraments with our daily lives attuned to works of justice, mercy, and peace.

Visit your favorite online book site, purchase a copy, and join us this June in the Parish Conference Room.

Besides our fallen soldiers and families, please say a prayer this week for our youth, our graduates, and school children set for Summer Break. Peace, Fr. Dan

 

Queridos Hermanos:

La Iglesia celebra Pentecostés este fin de semana (50 días después la Resurrección del Señor). Por casi 2000 años el Espíritu Santo ha sido el líder de la Iglesia Católica. Desde los Apóstoles hasta sus sucesores, los Obispos de hoy, el Espíritu de la Verdad y de la Vida nos ha guiado. Reza por nuestro obispo, Richard Lennon, y por todos los feligreses que han recibido el Confirmación del Espíritu este año.

Felicidades a los alumnos de nuestra parroquia que se gradúan este mes o el mes de junio:

Margaret Bernal Ana María Lunes

Frank Cabrera Mayra Macías

Ilmer T. Eider Chinguad Ramón Pinzón

Sabrina Rubio-Torres

Celebramos con ellos este domingo en la Misa y una fiesta después en el Salón Social.

Bienvenido al Padre Pablo Schindler que está con nosotros este fin de semana y va a celebrar la Misa.

NO hay Misa el próximo domingo a las 6:00pm. Celebramos la Misa de la Trinidad en Windsor, Ohio durante nuestra Peregrinación allá. Lleva lonches para el picnic por su familia. El autobús sale a las 11:00 AM en punto desde el frente de la Iglesia en calle de Broadway y regresa a las 5:00 PM.

¿Es esta parroquia tuya? ¿Cómo? Por ahora, he decidido que no voy a emplear un director de ministro hispano, menos yo como Párroco. Cada uno de nosotros tiene la responsabilidad de compartir en la construcción de una comunidad viva y vibrante con Cristo en el centro. Celebramos que TODOS de nosotros hemos recibido el Espíritu Santo de El por el bautismo. Entonces, ¿Dónde están los frutos del Espíritu en la comunidad si solo pocas personas estén trabajando en el viñador del Señor? Queremos servir a uno al otro y podemos hacerlo con su ayuda en las áreas de:

Ministros del Altar (lector, monaguillos, saludar)

Equipo Pastoral

Ministros de Jóvenes

Preparar Eventos/ Limpiar de los Eventos

Servicios de Ayudar a las Familias

Grupos de Oracion

Voluntarios en nuestra escuela

Servicios de Traducir (Interpretes)

Gracias por su atención del Espíritu Santo en su vida y en la vida de Su SB-Sm Iglesia. La paz, Fr. Dan