Dear Parishioners,

Here’s a complaint I was thrilled to get. A number of parishioners asked why the Daily Mass readings were no longer put in the weekly bulletin.

In order to save space for other announcements and the pastor’s “bagging-on”, the Scripture citations were omitted. Not anymore! You’ll find them listed – happily!! – knowing that folks depend on them for their daily prayer and meditation!

I want to thank the crew who came and prepared a room for Fr. Basa this past week. Your time and talents got the job done. He’ll be thrilled to move in. Thanks also to the ladies who brought food for the remodeling crew on those afternoons.

PLEASE take note that next weekend, Memorial Day weekend, there are the following changes:

1. Fr. Schindler will be at 4:30, 8:30 (SM), and 11:30 Masses during his vacation.

2. NO 1:00 Mass in Spanish here; because of a Pilgrimage to Windsor, OH for Mass

3. Memorial Day 9:30am Mass in St. Bernard Cemetery (weather permitting, i.e. no rain clouds). Bring a chair!

These events are for next weekend only. Thanks!

The Knights of Columbus led a number of other volunteers last weekend to spruce up the Parish Grounds. Wow!! They spent hours mulching and planting for the spring and summer seasons. KUDOS to all who came and GOT INVOLVED!

Our thanks also go to the men and women who cleaned St. Bernard Cemetery two weeks ago. We’ll have Memorial Day Mass there this year.

This week we remembered the life and example of Sts. Isidore and Maria, a farming couple from Spain, who lived during the lifetime of St. Bernard (1090-1153). We cannot forget all the people in our own time who work tirelessly to put food on our table, including the immigrant farm workers in our own and neighboring counties. Nor can we forget all our benefactors and volunteers in the Akron area who contribute to our three Hunger Programs. God bless the work of their hands! Let us pray for them at meal time this week.

Thanks to those who updated their parish records. This is the last week the INFORMATION FORM will be in the bulletin. Please fill it out so we have you in our records. Peace, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

Over the past decade or so we have heard a lot in the Church about BOUNDARIES – one’s personal boundaries, emotional boundaries, sexual boundaries, professional boundaries, etc. In the news this week we heard how a man with no boundaries committed horrific crimes. The Church has learned the devastating effects on people when boundaries are ignored, especially by adults upon children. The emotional damage is devastating when boundaries are not respected. It has been a painful and costly lesson.

However, the lesson has reawakened the importance of having and maintaining boundaries for the health, safety, and wellbeing of others. The Church’s experience has led other institutions, faith communities, and families to value, to set, and to teach healthy boundaries within their groupings. We should find them in families, professional services, and even with our neighbors.

In recent times there seem to be boundaries in the Church that we don’t talk about and often times ignore – parish boundaries. IN NO WAY DO THESE COMPARE TO THE GRAVITY OF ABUSE I HAVE DESCRIBED ABOVE. But parish boundaries are also important; especially if a pastor is to effectively and qualitatively respond to the spiritual and Sacramental care of God’s people in his parish.

The Roman Catholic Church covers the entire planet. She cares for her people within identifiable and manageable boundaries. Every habitable piece of earth is within a geographical diocese served by its bishop. Every area in the diocese is parceled out into what are called parishes (186 in the Cleveland Diocese). Every Catholic household on every street in that parish is served by a duly installed pastor.

The pastor, like a Good Shepherd, comes to know the people, the neighborhood, the issues, the fears, the challenges, etc. of his people within his pasture. He is obligated to respond to their spiritual needs and provide the Sacraments to foster a vibrant Catholic presence in that populated area of the diocese.

And then, so that a pastor can maintain his own spiritual and emotional health in serving his people, Canon Law stipulates that he is responsible to the people in his parish alone. He needs permission to act on behalf of Catholics outside his parish or diocese, especially with requests for a Baptism or a Marriage.

I realize that the boundaries were ignored over the decades. Our Parish church became “everybody’s church” and the “cathedral of Akron”. How commendable! We welcome everyone, even civic events. Any Christian is welcome to pray and worship God with us, no matter where they live. I hope we glorify and serve God fittingly.

But this does not authorize me to be the pastor of Akron or lead people to think I’m going to Copley, Kent, Canton, or even North Hill because someone chooses to attend Mass here. I’m not the pastor of those areas. The pastor who is, is trying to foster a vibrant Catholic presence in that parish with those who have chosen to live there.

My intention here is not to erect an ‘iron curtain’ around our Parish, or be insensitive to families who moved out to suburbs, but to affirm that boundaries exist in our parish, have purpose, and do harm when they are unclear or ignored.

Through the proverbial ‘grapevine’ I heard some people aren’t filling out the Information Form I requested for weeks now in the bulletin. Reportedly they think they are not a parishioner because they do not live in the parish boundaries. TECHNICALLY speaking, they are absolutely right. But, PASTORALLY speaking, former pastors served people beyond the parish boundaries based on their own criteria and availability.

I do the same thing. Even if your home is not in our parish boundaries, I will respond to you and your family if you are meeting my criteria. Namely: YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE KNOWN HERE AND HAVE MADE THE EFFORT TO BE KNOWN HERE; YOU ARE COMMITTED TO THIS PARISH ALONE; YOU HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE MINISTRIES AND MISSION OF THIS PARISH; YOU WORSHIP HERE WEEKLY. So, I don’t care if you live on the planet Mars! If the above applies to you (and it does for many of you) I’m going to jump when you are in need, as your pastor. I will come to you. BUT I NEED YOU TO FILL OUT THE INFORMATION FORM to get there.

My desire is to serve all the people of St. Bernard well. But, I want to make clear that parish boundaries are important, they have a legal and healthy purpose in the Church, and today demand a certain respect for the well-being of our parish. Thank you for your understanding and attention to this matter. Peace, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

Please fill out a Parishioner Contact Information Form located in this bulletin or online. Thanks to those who already have!

Congratulations to Attorney Orrville L. Reed, III, this year’s recipient of the St. Thomas More Award presented here Friday by Bp. Lennon.

May is filled with Parish Events; please feel free to be a part of it all:

May 11 – Church Grounds Clean-up at 9:00am.

May 12 – Mother’s Day – Extra prayers for Moms.

May 18/19 – Pregnancy Center Baby Shower

May 19 – PENTECOST SUN. – wear Red to Mass!

May 26 – Trip to O.L. of Guadalupe; No 1pm Mass

May 27 – Memorial Day Holiday: Mass at 9:30am

In May I will need help preparing a decent room for Fr. Basa. If you have anytime to help Monday – Saturday here’s what I need to do:

-move furniture to another room

-prep ceiling for painting; and paint

-tear out worn carpeting and curtains

-prep walls for painting; and paint

I’ll start as soon as I can. Please call 330-253-5161 and leave your name, number, and hour you can help. I’d like to have his bedroom painted soon, so it can air out before he takes occupancy in early June.

During this Year of Faith we are encouraged to be pilgrims; to strengthen our Christian way of life to God. Cluster Parishes: Sts. Mary, Bernard, Vincent, and Sebastian will make a Pilgrimage – walking from church to church – Saturday, June 1st. Park at St. Sebastian and a bus will take you to St. Mary to begin. We’ll walk to St. Bernard, on to St. Vincent (a water stop), and conclude with 4:30 Mass and the Year of Faith Plenary Indulgence at St. Sebastian. Start time to be announced, but plan around 1:00pm.

This week the pastor of Blessed Trinity on Tallmadge Ave. described to me the influx of refugees and immigrants moving into his parish. Immigration affects parishioners in our Parish too. Do you know our Catholic Bishops’ position?

What, in a nutshell, is the U.S. bishops’ position on immigration reform?

The Catholic Church believes that the current U.S. immigration system is broken and needs to be reformed in all aspects, or, comprehensively. This would include a path to citizenship for the 11-12 million undocumented in the country; a temporary worker program to allow migrant workers to enter safely and humane¬ly; and family-based immigration reform which allows families to be reunited more quickly. The Church also teaches that the root causes of migration—namely, global economic disparities—need to be addressed.

The Church has taken a position on immigration because, besides being an eco¬nomic, social, and legal issue, it is also a humanitarian one, and, ultimately has moral implications. Each day church social service programs, hospitals, schools, and parishes see the human consequences of a broken system: families are divid¬ed, migrant workers are exploited and abused, and human beings die in the desert. This impacts human dignity and human life and should be addressed.

Migration is a major theme in the Gospels. Jesus and the Holy Family were refu¬gees who fled the terror of Herod and Jesus, the Son of Man, was an itinerant teacher while on Earth, with “no place to lay His Head.” Jesus also taught us to “welcome the stranger,” for “what you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me.” (Matthew: 25:35-41).

Gratefully we have been able to aid fellow Catholics and others who come seeking a new life.

Easter Peace, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

Please give your kind attention to the Parishioner Information Form in this bulletin or at our website: www.stbernardakron.com. It explains how to fill it out and get it back to us.

Next Saturday I hope you will join your fellow parishioners and the Newman students for a parish social event. Come to Mass and hear the Derbytown A Capella Choir and stay for dinner and a talent show by Newman Campus Ministry students. Let’s get together and share the diversity in our parish.

On March 2 Newman Campus Ministry sponsored a Spaghetti Dinner in the Social Hall. You can read about their Mission experience which we helped to support in the Newman Column of today’s bulletin.

On Holy Thursday 12 children made their First Communion. A group picture of the class is available to the parents in the parish office. Our thanks to Dennis Roliff Photography, a parishioner, for his kind professional help.

Peace to you, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

Please fill out the Parishoner Information Form to Update your household information for our parish records. Please read below and on the reverse side.

Thank you for your generosity at Easter. Your financial and prayerful support to your parish has been a blessing. Please note those remembered in this bulletin by Easter Flowers.

Peace, Fr. Dan

You may notice a new piece of furniture in the sanctuary as we begin Holy Week. It is an AMBO, or more commonly referred to as a pulpit. Ambo is a Greek word that refers to an elevation or mountain. Some of you may remember years ago how the pulpit stood out in our church – literally! It was along the south wall about 50 feet into the congregation. The priest had to climb a few stairs to get into it. Thus, he was ‘elevated’ above the congregation; similar to Jesus who preached His sermon on a ‘mount’ – i.e. ambo.

When St. Mary’s pulpit had to be returned in July, I began to look for something to replace it. I knew we were not going to build an Ambo on the south wall again, but I believed the Word of God needed to be proclaimed from something more substantial than what we’ve used over the past few decades. I used the General Instruction of the Roman Missal as a guide, paragraph 309:

The Ambo

309. The dignity of the word of God requires that the church have a place that is suitable for the proclamation of the word and toward which the attention of the whole congregation of the faithful naturally turns during the Liturgy of the Word.

It is appropriate that this place be ordinarily a stationary ambo and not simply a movable lectern. The ambo must be located in keeping with the design of each church in such a way that the ordained ministers and lectors may be clearly seen and heard by the faithful.

From the ambo only the readings, the responsorial Psalm, and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) are to be proclaimed; it may be used also for giving the homily and for announcing the intentions of the Prayer of the Faithful. The dignity of the ambo requires that only a minister of the word should go up to it.

It is appropriate that a new ambo be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual before it is put into liturgical use.

Mr. George Malita of Malita Marble and Granite in Cuyahoga Falls designed and constructed this sturdy throne for God’s word. The reader has to walk into it. It is stationary. Yet, the height is about the same as the Altar of Sacrifice to signify the importance of both the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the two altars: of Word and of Eucharist.

After Bishop Lennon’s approval, Mr. Malita installed the Ambo this past Tuesday, the Feast of St. Joseph. It was my hope that the bishop could be here this past Friday to bless the Ambo, but due to a schedule conflict he was unable. So, I blessed it at the 12:10 Mass and Mr. Nate Clarke was the first to proclaim the Scriptures from it.

Finally, for those who may ask – the total cost was $3,500. It was tens of thousands of dollars less than other proposals.

We welcome Bishop Roger Gries who joins us this Palm Sunday and Good Friday. Thank you, Bishop, for your ministry and prayer with us.

Keep in prayer this week our First Communicants who will receive the Lord’s Body and Blood this Holy Thursday and Easter Season: John Paul Antalek, Isaiah Ballard, Erik Bernal, Jesus Bernal, Virginia Dougherty, Brandon Garcia, Gianna Giorgio, Valentina Lopez, Angel Montes, Margaret McCausland, Graceanna Monsour, Mia Parks, Samantha Rister, and Alex Russell.

Our Parish Spring Festival on Saturday, April 20th will begin with the 4:30 Mass. The Derbytown a Capella Gospel Singers will sing and pray with us at the Mass. A Chicken Dinner and Entertainment from our own UA Newman Students will follow. Please plan to attend. There is NO CHARGE. All we ask is for your household to bring a salad/side or a dessert (based on your Last Name). Let’s get together for some fun!

Give your attention to the following articles in today’s bulletin that ask for your response:

“Volunteers Needed” – desperately!

“Holy Week Schedule” – and Easter

First Communion Practice – Monday at 6:15pm

Parish Soup Supper on Holy Thursday – 5pm

Blessing of Easter Food at St. Mary

God bless you in this very Holy Week. Peace, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners, In last week’s bulletin I mentioned that a person could obtain a plenary indulgence in this Year of Faith by visiting St. Sebastian church and fulfilling the spiritual actions prescribed. Some have asked, “What’s a plenary indulgence?”

There is so much written to explain indulgences that I would need the whole bulletin. Let me simply say that all sin (mortal and venial) cries out for punishment. The Sacrament of Penance celebrates our reconciliation with God and imparts forgiveness for the sins confessed after Baptism. Our guilt and eternal punishment (hell) are remitted through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to make amends (reparation) for the temporal consequence of our sins. Although all analogies are lacking, I compare it to the youngster who throws a baseball and breaks the neighbor’s window. The youngster may confess and apologize to the neighbor his bad behavior (mortal) or poor throwing arm (venial) and promise to never let it happen again. And the kind, understanding neighbor may accept the youngster’s contrition and resolve. Yeah! All’s forgiven! However, the window still has to be repaired. The temporal punishment of repairing the window is the youngster’s responsibility not the neighbor’s.

Catholics and Protestants believe that Jesus paid the full price for our reconciliation with God; He won for us God’s mercy and set us free from sin. But is God responsible for making the repairs for us? In the Blood of Christ there is mercy as well for the temporal punishments due to our forgiven sins but with sincere reparation for them. Make sense?

Let’s say the neighbor not only forgives the youngster but sees he is truly sorry and has even begun to play ball far away from the house so it never happens again. So, the neighbor kindly remits the youngster’s punishment and does him the favor of repairing the entire window himself. This would be like a plenary indulgence: forgiveness and full repair of the window because of the youngster’s resolve.

In the Church too an indulgence is given not because certain actions are performed but because of a person’s underlying resolve to be converted, make reparation for sin, and seek closer union with God.

In the 1960s Pope Paul VI updated the Enchiridion of Indulgences. It explains the theology of indulgences better than I, and describes prayerful and charitable actions one can apply to daily life. You can find this on line along with other Catholic sites, like New Advent, that give biblical texts as well.

All are invited! On Holy Thursday, March 28, we welcome 11 First Communicants to the Lord’s Table. To celebrate their growth in the Faith and our communal life in the Eucharist, a Soup Supper will be held in the Social Hall from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. It’s free! But if you would like to bring a homemade soup or bread to share, please contact Roberta Sanders or call the parish office to let us know.

Please note the information in the bulletin regarding the ‘Record Information’ for resident, long-standing, and new parishioners at Easter time.

Parish Council will meet on Monday at 7:00pm. We are working on a directory of Parish Volunteer programs, a Spring Social Event, facility repairs, a new Ambo (pulpit), a request for online or direct-deposit giving; and ideas for our spiritual life.

Church music – we are blessed to have three different choirs at Mass. One day we would like to have the $350,000 it will take for a new organ. But to even better our honor and glory to God, I would like to develop a 12-15 voice choir one day, possibly a capella. If interested, please contact me directly.

May blessings continue for you as we follow the Lord together this Lent. Rejoice, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

We pray for the bishops, who are Cardinals in the Church, as they gather at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican to elect a successor to St. Peter. May the Holy Spirit, that was breathed upon the Apostles by Jesus himself, rest upon their successors as they discern the next Vicar of Christ. Continue reading →

“Sede Vacante” is the term we will hear as of 8pm Rome time this coming Thursday (2pm – E.S.T.). The Chair of St. Peter will be vacant as Pope Benedict XVI abdicates his ministry as the Vicar of Christ, Successor of St. Peter, 265th Bishop of Rome, and the Servant to the Servants of God.

In this week of transition, let us pray with gratitude for Bishop Joseph Ratzinger, Bishop Emeritus of Rome, that his desire for a quiet life of prayer and writing will be fulfilled. Let us pray too for the cardinals who will gather to elect his successor. And, may this historic event lead us also to remember in prayer our own Bishop Emeritus of Cleveland, Anthony M. Pilla, who still teaches in our diocesan seminary in Wickliffe, Ohio.

Speaking of transitions we here at St. Bernard have had a few. The closing of the parish in 2010 and its merging with St. Mary began. Also began the sorting through a wealth of information gleaned at cluster meetings in the years prior. With that information in mind we focused on the new parish with the appeal looming over us. In 2012 Bishop Lennon accepted the Vatican’s decision and re-established St. Mary Parish. He also renamed St. Bernard-St. Mary Parish as St. Bernard Parish. A few parishioners of SB-SM returned to St. Mary and others have remained here at St. Bernard.

It is time to look at updating our outdated parish records. Who are the people of St. Bernard? How many parishioners and households are committed to make this Catholic community a vibrant presence in downtown Akron? We are pleased and willing to serve many Catholics who come from all over Akron and Summit County, but I know not everyone is a parishioner, nor am I the pastor for everyone in Akron and Summit.

So, in this Lenten season you will find information in the bulletin regarding the norms for membership in a parish – they aren’t strict but they aren’t as loose as they’ve been either. Throughout the Easter Season, which begins in April, we will ask you to update your household information for our records. Even if you have been here for years you will need to complete a form. I hope we can better serve you, but if you have a question or concern about this please feel free to contact me.

THIS Friday, March 1, seven of our young people will receive Confirmation from Bishop Roger Gries. The Mass will be at St. Sebastian Parish at 7:00 PM. If a few parishioners would like to attend in prayerful support that would be great! If you are unable, I ask for your prayers on Friday for them, their parents and sponsors, and our catechists – Matt and Mary Ann Jansen. Almost all of the candidates are involved in parish activities.

Please take note of the Monthly Calendar in today’s bulletin. It has the times for Holy Week Liturgies as well as other parish events.

Young families with children, we welcome you to Mass. If you find your child distracted during Mass time, we have a Nursery on the Second Level. In it you will find children’s books and puzzles. From there you can easily hear and see the Mass for your participation. Please introduce yourself to other parents in the area.

Our 11:30am Sunday Mass often draws a number of visitors to our parish to worship. So, in a spirit of welcome, we will ask folks to greet one another before the opening hymn. If you are a St. Bernard regular, please look around for a new face, couple, or family to greet. Thanks.

Some of you may have noticed that the Spanish Mass was moved a few months ago from 6pm Sunday evening to 1:00pm in the afternoon. It reflects the change from an immigrant, single, male population to a community of families. The change in Mass times has increased the attendance. Please remember that Mass in any language is Mass and fulfills one’s obligation to worship God. All are welcome to attend; especially folks trying to learn Spanish. La Paz de Cristo, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we ask for your generosity toward the 2013 Catholic Charities Appeal. Again these funds go directly to those most in need in our 8 County-wide Diocese. Please give your attention to the instructions for filling out the pledge cards during today’s homily, and the collection by the ushers. Thank you. Continue reading →