When it comes to Catholic Schools and Education, the Cleveland Diocese ranks 5th out of the nearly 200 dioceses in the United States. We’re doing a pretty good job! I’m proud that our St. Bernard-St. Mary School is part of this. Our students succeed because of the outstanding teachers and administrators involved in their lives.

And I’m proud and grateful that the parish wants to see this school continue for the benefit of Akron. It takes a lot of work and sacrifice. If you want a closer look – take advantage of our Open House this coming week, or simply join us for Mass on Tuesday mornings at 8:00am to see for yourself.

If you know of someone interested in a quality education in a Catholic environment, please spread the word about SB-SM School and call 330-253-5161.

We welcome Fr. Albért Haase, OFM, back to the parish for our first ever Day of Reflection for Liturgical Ministers. Fr. Albért was with us last Lent for our Parish Mission, and folks enjoyed him so much, we invited him to speak to us on this occasion.

This year our Parish Mission will be a cluster event. Please mark your calendars for February 13, 14, and 15 at 7:00PM at St. Vincent. Fr. Blaise Czaja, CP, a Passionist priest, who will share some words of wisdom. Due to his busy schedule Fr. Czaja will be give our Lenten Parish Mission about a week before Lent begins. Please plan on attending as many nights as possible.

Luckily, we haven’t had to use our new truck and snowplow very often this year. Nevertheless we still have to pay for them. This weekend tickets for our fund raiser go on sale at $40. The truck and snowplow will benefit our parish and school in many ways, but we can’t forget how the truck will benefit feeding the hungry. With a dependable truck we can serve people beyond our parish. The Night at the Races event “Race for Horsepower” we hope to pay off this expense. I want to express my thanks to the committee working on this event, and our thanks to the anonymous donors who have already begun to contribute to this goal.

We welcome to the 6:00 PM Mass in Spanish two of our Diocesan Permanent Deacons. Deacon Miguel Figueroa and Deacon Reinaldo Sanchez will be here to discuss ways they can assist those we serve in the parish who depend on English as a second language.

At a meeting with the Catholic Charities Director for Summit County, Deacon John Green; he and other Churches and organizations are recognizing an increase in Spanish-speaking families living in the North Hill and other neighborhoods. Although our parish remains an open door for new immigrants, those who have been in Akron for years are settling and integrating elsewhere.

We want to meet the needs of persons and families who are most vulnerable when they arrive. And we remain a ‘home base’ for many Spanish-speaking persons seeking a Catholic Church. When families are ready, we help them to connect with the parish in which they live for additional services.

I am also pleasantly surprised by the English-speaking parishioners who choose to attend the 6PM Mass. Although Mass is Mass in any language, their visible support is a blessing to the Hispanic Community.

Finally, the DVD series on “Catholicism” being shown on Wednesdays at 7PM in the school has been a great success. Each of the ten sessions stands on its own; consider joining 50 or so parishioners next week for “The Mystery of God”. There’s always room for one more person seeking a deeper understanding of God and His Church. May He Bless You this Week! Fr. Dan

~ Seeds of Literacy provides basic education and GED preparation to adults in Cuyahoga County free of Charge. Today they are in urgent need of tutors. In order to meet that need they have a couple of upcoming Tutor Training sessions scheduled: Feb. 25th and March 24th from 9AM-2PM. For more information call 1-216-661-7950.

~ Daffodil Days is an opportunity for everyone to join the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer and save more lives. Daffodil Days of Summit County will be March 19-25. Please pre-order by February 21. For more information contact Teri Incorvia at 1-888-227-6446 x2224 or visit the web http://daffodil.acsevents.org/ohsummitmedinacounty.

~ Help children who live in third world orphanages by donating your gently used electronics. Operation Hearts and Home is a registered 501-3C charity dedicated to improving the lives of orphans worldwide. You will receive a letter for tax purposes. For information go to www.operationheartsandhome.org.

~ Ozanam Center is in need of volunteers with trucks to help with furniture pickups. If you can help please call Cathie or Jim Perusek at 330-467-5762.

~ First Friday Club of Greater Akron Speakers for Feb. 3rd will be Student Representatives of the Four Catholic High Schools in Summit County. Their topic will be “Encountering God: Reflections from Catholic High School Students”. Tickets for Luncheon are $15. For information call 330-535-7668.

~ A 24 Hour Retreat Experience for Adults in their 20s and 30s who are looking to deepen their faith & create lasting connections. Fri., February 17 at 7:00pm thru Sat., February 18 at 7:00pm at Bethany Retreat House in Chardon. The cost of the retreat is $25. For more information visit www.CharisMinistries.org.

~ On Tuesday, February 7 at 7:30pm St. Olaf Choir will be making a stop on their Centennial Tour at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cleveland. There will be a video presentation, St. Olaf Choir Centennial Retrospective, at 6:30pm, in the Sanctuary. For tickets: email stolaftickets.com or call 1-800-363-5487.

~ Husband and Wives Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Give your loved one the most meaningful gift of all . . .the gift of your presence . . . your time. Start by attending a Marriage Encounter Weekend with your spouse on February 10-12 at the Cambria Suites in Green. For more information, please call 330-305-9963 or email WorldwideME@schglobal.net.

~ A 24 Hour Retreat Experience for Adults in Their 20s and 30s. Join us for a Charis Seekers’ Retreat from February 17 at 7:00pm thru February 18 at 7:00pm at Bethany Retreat House in Chardon. The cost of the retreat is $25 and includes meals and supplies. Visit www.CharisMinistries.org for more information.

~ There will be a group of local “pilgrims” and Fr. Anthony Suso, from St. Francis De Sales Church, leaving on June 22, 2012 and returning on July 1, 2012 to The Cathedral of St. James, and all the other special sites in Medjugorje. Please contact Betty Schnitzler at 330-958-3903 before February 1st to reserve your spot!

~ Pilgrimage to Shrines of Italy-Venice, Florence, Assisi, and Rome, with Fr. Michael K. Gurnick on November 5-15, 2012. For more information call 1-216-696-6526 ext. 2930.

~ The Women’s Board of Catholic Charities Community Services of Summit County invites you to their Annual Luncheon, Style Show, Silent Auction, and Raffle on Thursday, March 8 at 11am at Guy’s Party Centre in Akron. Cost: $20 per person. Make checks payable to Women’s Board of CCCS/SC. Pre-paid reservations should be sent by March 4th to Mikey Stewart, 45 Bermont Ave., Munroe Falls, Ohio 44262. Include your name, address, and phone number.

Upon arrival I received a pile of 3-ring binders filled with notes from cluster and merger meetings. On one page was a Mission Statement of who and what the new merged parish would be. Here’s what it says:

St. Bernard and St. Mary parishes have a significant historical presence in the Akron community. Coming together as St. Bernard-St. Mary Parish, we continue to welcome both friend and stranger. As members of the Diocese of Cleveland, we answer the call of the Lord Jesus through the practice of our Roman Catholic faith and its rich Tradition. Honoring our common history and faith, we answer God’s call for:

REVERENCE – as a devout people, moved to be transformed by the Holy Eucharist,

COMMUNITY – as a united people from many cultures, ready to share our gifts as the Body of Christ,

JUSTICE – as a loving people, willing to welcome and serve with compassion,

EDUCATION – as a teaching people, committed to instruct and inspire a diverse population through our school and our parish,

FORMATION – as a spiritual people, eager to be nurtured by scripture, sacrament, and reflection.

Since July I have tried to capture an aspect of this Mission Statement with a photo on the front cover of the parish weekly bulletin.

Today’s bulletin and for the next few weeks is a reminder that: We answer God’s Call TO BE FORMED – as a spiritual people, eager to be nurtured by Scripture, Sacraments, and Reflection. The photo is of a meeting of the Rays of Mercy. They come together every Friday at 3PM in the Upper Room, and once a month for inspiring talks and fraternity. They are one of a number of growing small groups in the parish coming together to put into action what our SB-SM Mission Statement declares in word.

Another formation event is our upcoming Day of Reflection for Liturgical Ministers. Please Register. This includes Ministers at the 8PM SUNDAY MASS. Fr. Albert Haase, OFM, will again join us for 3 inspiring talks, Lunch, and Update Sessions for each ministry.

Liturgical Minister’s Day

January 28, 2012 from10am-3pm

At SB-SM SCHOOL 750 S. Main

Please register at the Parish Office so we can order Lunch 330-253-5161 or to Beth Lowe at:

parishsecretary@stbernardstmary.org

Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers,

Music Ministers, Greeters, Readers, and Ushers.

This past Wednesday evening a good number of parishioners, and some Catholics from other parishes, met at the school for “Catholicism” by Fr. Robert Barron. It was a powerful DVD presentation on our faith. Personally, I was ‘amazed and afraid’ that Jesus is the Son of God. Of all the founders of religions in the world, as Fr. Barron points out, Jesus is the only one who calls people to Himself…a relationship with Him, not simply to a path to blissfulness, or to Sacred Laws, or a way of moral living, or wise sayings – but to Him.

There are nine more sessions and each stands alone. Feel free to join us some Wednesday evening from 6:30-8pm in our school cafeteria. It’s free and worth it.

Join us at 2PM today for a Holy Hour for Life. All are invited to join in prayer at SB-SM or at home.

CLUSTER LENTEN MISSION at St. Vincent’s February 13, 14, &15 at 7:00pm. Fr. Blaise Czaja, CP, will be our presenter. He received his vocation to become a Passionist priest when he attended a parish mission in eighth grade. He has been blessed with being able to do this ministry during most of his priesthood. He is a very popular and well received preacher. Frs. Kraker, Valencheck, and I hope you enjoy his insights.

Enrollment in our parish elementary school will open February 1st. We have 180 students currently. Although we had to raise tuition substantially for the coming 2012-2013 School Year, we believe the quality of education and Christian formation in the Catholic Tradition is well-worth it.

Please consider our Catholic School as an option for your child or grandchild. In a multi-cultural student body, a child learns how to get along with others respectfully and to nurture Christian values for life.

Nineteen students graduated from the school in 2007. Seventeen of them entered college last September. This is an outstanding achievement for an inner-city school. (Actually we cannot locate the other 2 students, so it’s possible the entire class went on to college!)

Thanks to the great work of the faculty and administration SB-SM School is a success story that Akronites are hearing about. We encourage your support in the Fr. Hilkert Fund Envelope in your packets, or in volunteer service to our children. Peace, Fr. Dan

Our thanks to the 6-8 people who volunteered at last Sunday’s 8pm Mass to take down the Christmas decorations.  Within a half hour we had a majority of the decorations from the sanctuary returned to storage for next year.  Our organist, Jim Kintz, brought down the trees.  Thanks, Jim.

Visitors will often say, “Oh Father, you have a beautiful church here”.  I’ll tell them, “You’re right.  It is a beautiful Church, and the building isn’t bad either!!”  Your presence and faith is what makes this place shine.

We are setting up a kind of ‘Welcome Wagon’ for the parish.  I am far behind in registration requests from people who want to join this beautiful church/Church.  Some parish council members will now assist by contacting people – about 4-5 households per month.  Would you like to be on this committee?  Cheryl Custer can give you details on what it involves (a phone call and getting information to newly registered individuals or families).  Call the office and let us know.  Your spirit of hospitality would be a blessing to the parish by getting new folks connected to the Church.  I do not need another piece of paper in the office of a registered parishioner.  I need new parishioners registering with you.  If this is your Church, please extend its beauty to any visitors by saying hello, welcome, what brings you?  Let’s all do the work of hospitality together.

Another item at one of the week’s meetings was about the Parish Packet of Offering Envelopes.  Did you know – we send out packets to 937 households?  Each packet contains two months of envelopes.  The printing and mailing cost is $500 a month, on average.  However, fewer than 400 households use their envelopes.

If you do not use your envelopes, PLEASE notify Beth or Cheri at the parish office 330-253-5161 so we can discontinue mailings.

What is the purpose of envelopes anyway?  Your sacrifice is part of the ritual at Mass.  Along with the Bread and Wine, the sacrifices of your daily life are offered to the Lord.  Your charitable giving is part of that offering.  Do you need an envelope to do that?  No!  But, here are two important reasons for using them.

First, it’s a convenience for your records.  What amount you put IN the envelope is between you and God.  The envelope is a confidential record used for individuals who request an “Annual Contribution Statement” (as found in today’s bulletin).  And, it is a record to help me formulate a budget for the coming year.  What you – in good conscience – sacrifice to God is between you and God, and, for me, does not influence my ministry to you.

Second, and more importantly, your name ON the envelope each week helps to verify that you worship and pray with us week after week.  Often people will ask for a Letter of Verification or Eligibility to be a Godparent for a Baptism, or a Sponsor for a Confirmation.  People need to know if you are a “practicing” Catholic.  I cannot give such a letter unless I know you are here worshipping and praying with us; the bare minimum of a practicing Catholic. Your envelope in the collection tells me you’re here receiving Sacraments with your parish community.

So again, if you still do not want envelopes – because you just drop in a personal check; or do Direct Deposit from your bank account (very easy to do); or you asked us to swipe your Credit Card – PLEASE call the parish and tell Beth or Cheri to stop sending envelopes.

I would like to serve you better by having the parish offices open for you on Sunday mornings from 9am to Noon to better serve you.  To do this we would need 4-6 volunteers; one person per Sunday.

Having someone in the office would enable people to drop off or pick up items requested during the week, obtain Sacrament Certificates, answer phones, respond to an emergency, or have a few hours of peace and quiet!   Can you spare three hours once a month?  Call me and we’ll get started.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS – Please register for the Day of Prayer, Lunch, and Reflection for January 28.  Our time together that Saturday will entail some spiritual talks by Fr. Albert Haase, OFM, Lunch, and Updates on how the ministry you participate in has gone so far.  What do we need to do more of?  What do we need to do better or differently?  Your input is vital to this parish.  The day begins AT THE SCHOOL at 10am and hopefully will conclude with Mass by 3:00pm.

God bless you all this coming week.  Pray for our growing parish!  Let’s keep it beautiful!   Peace, Fr. Dan

On behalf of the Parish Staff I extend to you a Blessed Christmas Season.  We hope your prayerful time with us today and in the coming weeks enables you to deepen your faith, reverence, and gratitude to God.

Our thanks and appreciation to the people who decorated the church this year; to those who prepared the music and Masses; and to those who contributed to the floral displays. (The plants are in memory of loved ones.) The sacrifice of valuable time these days, treasure, and talents is a blessing to your parish.  God bless you!

All 185 children at SB-SM Grade School will receive an educational gift this Christmas due to the generosity of many.  The Bethlehem-Giving Tree enabled the parish to extend our charity this year to those we serve throughout the academic year.  God bless you!

Many volunteers joined parishioners and Santa Claus to assist the homeless and hungry on Christmas Eve in our Social Hall.  What a turnout of people and charity in food and winter gifts.  God bless you!

Remember 10:30 PM Mass next Saturday during First Night in Akron.             Merry Christmas!  Fr. Dan

Today is the final day to drop off gifts for the Christmas Eve Breakfast with Santa: caps, gloves (heavy ones), hooded sweatshirts, socks or blankets.  Your generosity has been outstanding for the needy we serve in this parish.  God bless you in this Holy Season.

Remember Breakfast with Santa is this Saturday morning beginning at 7am (for volunteers) in the church Social Hall and Kitchen.

Our celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe last weekend was a wonderful and joyful event.  As you may have seen in the array of flowers brought to her by so many, she is greatly loved and honored. ¡Viva, S. Maria!

Thanks to those who helped this past Thursday to set up Christmas Trees.  We can use as many hands this Friday at 7pm to decorate the rest of the church, if you can spare the time.  God bless you.

From Fr. Norm’s Heart to Heart Ministry, a reminder to keep in our prayers this week all who stay home and care for others.  May their dedication to those in their care be a sign to us of the Gospel lived daily.

As this Advent comes to a close, I direct your attention to the attached reflection by our parishioner, Brian Williams.  In this final week before Christmas, may our celebration be enriched by a poignant article from one who is a faithful member of our community.  Thank you, Brian, for taking the time to share with us.  (Brian and Margaret regularly attend the 11:30 Mass.) 

I will have a special insert in the Christmas Bulletin next week.  Blessed & Peaceful week.    Fr. Dan

KEEPING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

REFLECTION BY BRIAN J. WILLIAMS

At this time of year there is no dearth of written material about Christmas.  Some are funny, some inspiring, and many deserving of the nearest landfill.  An e-mail received several years ago has stuck with me and inspired me to write this reflection.  The subject matter was a parody on the classic Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore.  The opening lines were:

T’was the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away

The reason for Christmas – no one could say.

The author goes on to berate the over-commercialization of Christmas, condemns certain politicians for allegedly diminishing the religious aspect of Christmas, and decries the “political correctness” or overemphasis on respecting diversity which mandates we use the secular greeting “Happy Holidays” instead of the traditional “Merry Christmas”.

I certainly agree that display ads as early as October, the barrage of television commercials inducing us to purchase items of dubious value, pitching tents outside stores to be first in line at midnight Black Friday and perpetrating physical violence while shopping at department stores are all  pitiful examples of the overemphasis of commercialism relating to Christmas.  There is truly too much hoopla, too much eggnog, and too many trips to the mall.

However, I strenuously disagree with anyone who claims that Christ is merely the first syllable for December 25^th.  I refuse to believe that Christ has been or is being removed from Christmas.  Despite what power any government may render or what influence any organization may project, Christ cannot be taken out of this Holy Day.  As inevitable as the sun rising every morning in the East, there is an indelible mark of spirituality placed upon Christmas.

What is my basis for this conclusion?  The reason is what we celebrate is a belief already embedded in our hearts, the acknowledgement of the incarnation; Jesus Christ becoming flesh and dwelling among us.  We anticipate and plan for something we’ve already experienced but seemingly need to experience again and again.  God’s greatest gift has already been delivered, been unwrapped, and is not subject to recall.

Advent is the time to remind us of why we celebrate, of why we should be joyful, not frazzled.  Gathering together to celebrate Eucharist is an opportunity to collect ourselves, marshal our thoughts, our focus, and let more of the incarnate presence fill our inner selves.  St. Augustine wrote that our hearts are restless until they rest in the Lord.  We feel the tension and anxiety of not being where we want to be.  Advent teaches us to celebrate our human longing, to realize that waiting can be a virtue and to enjoy the present for it is a step closer to that day when all of us will come together in Christ.

For myself, I must confess that this reality is one I sometimes don’t want to accept.  Many times when this Season occurs, I have had the attitude of just wanting to endure the Holidays, not enjoy the Holidays.  Too often, I think of football on New Year’s as the focal point.

But there are resources readily available to jump start any negative emotions.  Personally, 26 ½ years ago, God gave me in marriage one of his angels.  Margaret absolutely loves Christmas and being around her inspires me since her indefatigable spirit lifts mine out of any funk and helps me be other centered, not self centered.

Perhaps an even more powerful resource is seeing Christmas through the eyes of little children.  The simplicity of their belief system, the awe and wonder they have when the Gospel story is read (or enacted through a play), the sparkle in their eyes and increased anticipation of excitement as the day draws near.  When we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating the eternity of God.  Children are the sign that the Story will continue to live on beyond our existence.

Yes, Christ is still in Christmas.  Please take the time this week to see His presence in your house.  Look at the Advent Calendar with nearly all the windows now open.  Gaze at your Christmas tree decorated with the special ornaments and the glisten of the lights.  Read again the Christmas cards you have received.  View closely the pictures of family and friends.  Finally, stand in front of the mirror and watch the reflection of the gift imparted by Christ, our Brother.  When you do this, you will see in all of these the reasons we celebrate, the reasons for which we will always celebrate.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

As a parish rededicated to the outreach ministry begun by the parishioners of St. Bernard 29 years ago, I hope we continue to make room in our community for our fellow Catholics of Hispanic heritage.  A recent USA Today article (12/7/11) reported that fewer immigrants are coming to the U.S., and many of those who are living among us have been here for ten or more years. 

Likewise, the parishioners of St. Mary opened the doors of their school to many Spanish-speaking children.  Parishioners provided financial assistance to a number of children so they could grow in knowledge and in their Catholic faith.  As a new parish we are doing all we can to see this vital ministry continue.

We also welcome this weekend our visitors from the Diocesan Office to the Gay and Lesbian Catholic Community.  They will gather for prayer and fellowship here – as they have done elsewhere in the Diocese – to reflect on the message of Christ in this Advent Season. 

This ministry is not new to the Akron area.  Fr. Norm Douglas, when pastor of the former St. Martha Church, helped to implement this ministry to individuals and families coping with the discovery of homosexuality in their child or a family member.  In 1997, the U.S. Catholic Bishop’s Pastoral Letter, Always Our Children, was published intending to reach out to parents of children who are homosexual.   It was also to provide some guidance to clergy in responding to parents and their son or daughter.

Other Catholic ministries have developed over the years.  Groups, like “Courage”, offer support to homosexuals striving to live according to the teachings of Christ and the Church. 

Some may find all this uncomfortable and mysterious.  I can understand.  Yet, every person is entitled to be treated with dignity and presumed to be striving to live a virtuous life in accord with the Gospel.  It is important to know that as Church, and in our Diocese, we are willing to offer ‘loving support, reliable guidance, and ministries suited to the parent’s needs and those of their child’ (pg.2).

Please remember our school children through the Bethlehem-Giving Tree, the hungry and homeless of Akron through our Hot Meals Program, Thursday’s Christmas Trees set-up, and the Penance Service at St. Vincent’s…all detailed somewhere in this bulletin!  Thanks to our Patrons on the back who supply our weekly bulletin…and our Patrons who intercede for us.      Peace, Fr. Dan

Last Sunday we began the new wording for the Mass in English.  You all did great!  Please make use of the Congregational Cards found in the wooden racks on the walls by the doors, or read along in the missalettes.  Please return the cards to the racks.  The Bulletins now will be in the vestibules/lobbies as you leave.

Someone asked me why, in the Confiteor of the Penitential Rite, we repeat three times “through my fault”.  All I could think of was – because it is!  We can forget that sin comes into the world through me, and not just one time but repeatedly. The new wording at Mass, like St. John the Baptist calls each person to an honest and humble look at himself in light of God’s mercy.

Advent is a season to experience that mercy in a sacramental way.  Confessions are heard on Saturdays from 3-4pm, Sunday 5-5:45, and by appointment.  A Communal Penance Service is scheduled for our cluster on Thursday, December 15 at 7pm at St. Sebastian Church.  Priests will be available for the Sacrament.

This is also the season when “up on the housetops” there are things flying around.  Beginning this Monday, workmen from Durable Slate Company of Columbus – not from Santa’s workshop at the North Pole – will be repairing the leaks in our church roof and replacing the missing downspouts on the exterior walls.  Their work will continue through February, 2012.

Once again, John W. Didado, son Gary, and Company has provided us with beautiful calendars for the coming year.  Be sure to get one at the church doors.  God Bless the Didado Family.  Thank you for your gift.

Next Saturday we honor the Patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe, at the 4:30 Bilingual Mass.  It is a rich experience of Catholic faith and Latino culture.  Join us in prayer to the Mother of Christ

Our parish will have a unique honor this Christmas Season; the Nativity Scene depicted in the south side stained-glass window of the church is the Diocesan Christmas card for 2011.  Bishop Lennon requested it and then added a brief history of our merged parish on the back.  It will go out across the diocese and the country, maybe even to the Pope.

See our Christmas Schedule (left), and especially our 10:30 PM New Year’s Eve Mass in honor of Mary, Mother of God.  It is our last Mass of 2011 and hopefully an opportunity for First Nighters to attend.  Take note and invite a friend!

Do you know Fr. Mark Haydu, LC?  He’s the son of our parishioner, Mrs. Jackie Haydu, and nephew to Uncle Mick!  It was a pleasure to have him home this Thanksgiving with us.  He’s the Director of Development for the Vatican Museums.  Please keep him and our seminarians in your prayers.  And best wishes to UA students returning home soon for a month-long recess.

There are 6 openings left for the Pilgrimage Cruise to Alaska (June 19-26, 2012).  I just learned Fr. Norm is seriously considering joining us.  Think about it!  Come on along!  And call the Palmers at Universal Travel (see their ad on the back cover of this bulletin).

If by chance you have a missalette at home, would you kindly return the plastic cover for use on our new missalettes.  Thanks, it saves us from buying more.

PARKING – Just a reminder that this Thursday, Dec. 8, is a Holyday of Obligation.  Parking will be in our small upper and lower lots, and available in the Polsky Deck.  Please let visitors know.    Peace, Fr. Dan

 We welcome all those with us this weekend that are home for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  I hope it has been an enjoyable time to celebrate with your family and loved ones.  We appreciate you choosing to be with us as we too give thanks to Almighty God for all our blessings.

For a little while the celebration of Mass will be a bit disjointed.  Using prayerbooks, missalettes, and pew cards will be a bit awkward, but the sooner we catch on to the new phrases the sooner we can set them aside.  I ask your assistance and patience.  Please be attentive to others in the congregation, especially visitors.  Helping each other with page numbers for the creed and other responses, or getting a Response Card at the entrances would probably make it easier for all.

As we begin a new liturgical year we also begin the Gospel of Mark.  In the coming year we will see Jesus through his eyes and experience.  His Gospel is the oldest of the four, according to tradition.  It is believed that St. Matthew and St. Luke used St. Mark as a source to write to their communities. 

There are only 16 chapters in Mark’s Gospel.  I encourage you to take the time to read it; maybe a chapter at a time (or section of a chapter) to allow the word of God – rich as it is – dwell in you during this season of Advent.

You will find on our bulletin cover another aspect of our mission as St. Bernard-St. Mary Parish.  This mission statement formulated years ago during the merger process describes us as a “Community eager to be nurtured by the Scriptures, Reflection, and the Sacraments”. 

In January we will resume our Adult Faith and Formation Program.   We will be studying the Book of Revelation.  It is a fascinating read and filled with a lot of symbolism that often gets pulled out of context.  Consider joining us on Wednesday evenings.  Watch for further announcements when we are closer to Christmas.

But let’s come back to Advent.  These next four weeks are a time of spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ at the end of time.  Is there something you plan to do as a spiritual exercise in the weeks ahead? Consider the corporal or spiritual Works of Mercy:

• To feed the hungry;
• To give drink to the thirsty;
• To clothe the naked;
• To shelter the homeless;
• To visit the sick;
• To ransom the captive;
• To bury the dead.

The spiritual works of mercy are:

• To instruct those about faith in God;
• To counsel and encourage those with doubts;
• To challenge those in sinful ways;
• To be patient when wronged;
• To be willing to forgive when offended;
• To comfort those afflicted or distressed;
• To pray for the living and the dead.

Please mark your calendar for Thursday, Dec. 15^th at 7pm.  Two opportunities of corporal and spiritual works:  Help some elders of the parish set up those 20’ Christmas Trees – or – Participate in the Cluster Penance Service with Confessions at St. Sebastian Church.  Both can be beneficial in preparing one’s self and others for the upcoming Season.  

Thank you for your patience with the changes in the Mass responses and music.  And again, welcome to all our visitors. Peace, Fr. Dan

St. Bernard-St. Mary Parish DECEMBER Calendar

]]> http://www.stbernardakron.org/2011/11/23/november-27/feed/ 0 http://www.stbernardakron.org/2011/11/11/november-13/ http://www.stbernardakron.org/2011/11/11/november-13/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:38:41 +0000 admin http://www.stbernardakron.org/?p=3447 Dear Parishioners,

We salute our Veterans this weekend!  We wish to honor you for your dedicated service and sacrifice to our country.  You are in our prayers, gratefully.

Monday evening the Parish Council will hold its monthly meeting in the Conference Room.  You may ask, now where’s that? It is located on the lower level of the Parish Offices.  Council sessions are open meetings.

Recently I led a tour of the church.  Of course the focus was on the beautiful windows, walls, and statues.  But, sometimes people still ask me the more practical things about the church; such as, where’s the Bathroom?  Did you know there are three?  The most popular, newer, larger, easily-accessible, unisex one located on the right as you enter the front of the church.  It’s in the stairwell that leads up to the balcony. 

The other two are at the end of the stairwells leading to the basement.  The stairwell by the Blessed Mother’s Altar for Women’s; the stairwell by St. Joseph’s Altar for Men’s. No comments, please! It’s just the easiest way I know to direct visitors. 

Where can I get vigil candles to light?  Just ask an usher – that is, a person who greeted you at the door or who you saw taking up the collection.  They can get them for you and accept your donation, usually $3.  And Holy Water, where’s that located to take home?  You’ll find a tank of Blessed Water located in the Baptistery – the room with the golden metal gates in the southeast corner of the church.  Please bring your own container to fill.  Let someone know if the tank is empty. Deacon Ray, Fr. Norm, or I can bless more for you.

What’s the Upper Room? It’s the room located to the right of the Sanctuary that was once used as a Daily Mass Chapel.  Since it is no longer a chapel, per se, we just refer to it as the Upper Room.  Some things that go on there are the Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 9:30 AM Mass; Choir practices on some evenings; Juan XXIII and Rays of Mercy meet there for prayer.  And some weekends, groups seeking our support operate there, such as the upcoming Newman Campus Ministry Bake Good Sale, Nov. 19^th and 20^th.

Directly across from the Upper Room to the left of the Sanctuary is the Sacristy.  Priest and ministers gather there to prepare for Mass.  Please – enter it using the stairwell on the left instead of through the Sanctuary.

Between the 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM Sunday Masses we have Coffee and Donuts available in the Social Hall located down either side stairwell.  All are welcome; please bring your visitors. 

Also on the lower level outside the Social Hall is the History Room.  Meetings are still held there, PSR classes for Teens, and a collection of memorabilia from both former parishes is on display. 

Both the Social Hall and the History Room are available for non-parish functions.  Please contact Beth, the Parish Secretary, for details.

The work on the new sound system is nearing completion.  We have some minor things to tweek with the 6pm and 8pm choirs at the St. Dominic Altar.

In case you missed it, Bishop Lennon approved our request for Durable Slate Roofing to come and repair our roof leaks.  The work is estimated at $81,000 and may begin as early as December 5^th.  They hope to be done in February, 2012.  Half of the money will come from the St. Bernard-St. Mary Memorial Trust Fund, designated for such work on the building.  The remainder will be covered through our general account, namely, your sacrifices in the weekly collection.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) has begun.  So far, we have two catechumens preparing for the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. In a separate preparatory program, we have six Candidates working with their Sponsor to enter into Full-Communion with the Catholic Church.  Already baptized in another Christian denomination they will deepen their understanding of the faith and receive the Eucharist and Confirmation when they are ready. 

The First Sunday of Advent we will have a welcome ceremony for the catechumens and candidates.  More information on them will be forthcoming.  Jim Griggy will be overseeing these programs as Deacon Ray expands his ministry to the parish at-large. 

If you or a family member is hospitalized we will not know it unless you contact the parish office.  Please let us know so we can respond to your needs.  Akron General and Akron City hospitals each have a Catholic priest on staff to serve you.  I am on call round the clock to bring Sacraments to Catholics at Akron Children’s in times of an emergency or life-threatening situation.   

Please remember that we have limited parking spaces.  You are welcome to use our lots when you are here for church or meetings in the offices.  PLEASE: park in designated spaces, do not block in other cars, and do not park next to the school blocking entrance to emergency vehicles.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

As of today we have 25 people taking the Pilgrimage to Alaska.  If interested in this relaxing, spiritual cruise on June 19-26, please contact the Palmers at Universal Travel (see the back cover). 

Congratulations to Mayor Don Plusquellic on his election to a seventh mayoral term for Akron.  Best Wishes to all our elected officials.  Let us pray for them.

Welcome to Fr. Paul Schindler visiting here this weekend.  Fr. Paul was pastor at St. Bernard from 1982-2008.  ¡Bienvenidos, Padre!             Peace, Fr. Dan

Please take note of the Revised Creed printed in today’s bulletin.  Cut it out and read it over.  We begin praying the words the weekend of November 27^th.

The creed states our beliefs and is a form of our identity as catholic, world-wide Christians.  On a local level we have a Mission Statement.  Since July the bulletin cover has captured in word and picture the statement formulated by the Parish Merger Committee a few years ago. 

Our school is one way we are “committed to instruct and inspire”.  Also at the school is our Adult Faith Formation Program (AFF) on Wednesday nights.   The RCIA Program, Newman Center, Holy Name Society, Women’s Book Study, and Projecto Raices (Project Roots) are some other groups that seek instruction and inspiration as Catholics. These gatherings are open to all interested participants. 

The Revised Roman Missal has arrived.  With the inclusion of all the new saints and prayers, it weighs a ton!  So, to go easy on the servers at the school, I got a smaller, chapel-size edition too.  We owe some gratitude to one of our teachers who purchased these beautifully decorated Missals for the parish and school in memory of a departed parent.  You know who you are.  Thanks!

We will also have in the pews a laminated card with all the revised Mass Parts for you.  I purchased cards with LARGE PRINT for easier reading and participation.  Due to their expense I ask you to use them for Mass and return them to the holders afterward.  The missalettes will have the new words, and music  too.

This week I received permission from Bishop Lennon to begin major repairs on the church roof.  You may have noticed the rain coming down on us during Mass.  Besides the roof, the downspouts will be replaced on the outer walls.  We will also get a thorough analysis of the roof’s condition. It’s possible that with this $81,000 repair job, the roof and slate could last another 90 years.  Work could begin as early as the first week of December, if the weather holds. 

Half of the cost will be paid from the St. Bernard-St. Mary Memorial Trust Fund.  This is a designated fund; for major repairs and improvements on the church alone.  The name of the fund is now: St. Bernard-St. Mary Memorial Trust.  With the new parish, it has a new Tax ID Number.  Contributions to the fund, like bequeaths, should have the current Tax ID number.  Please call the Parish Business Manager for details.

Ruth and Dick Reinhart and Tom Maximovich are working on our new History Room located off the Social Hall.  There will be a display cabinet with memorabilia from both former parishes.  The beautifully crafted model of the church that was in the Baptistery will be on display there too.  The room will continue to be a place for parish meetings and spiritual programs.  Surrounded by the photos and artifacts of our history, we will continue to make history.

Anyone know about the Knights of St. John?  A lot of memorabilia was found.  Any info would help.

It seems the recent tour of our church was fun and informative.   We’ll do it again in the coming year.

With the help of a couple volunteers and staff the Corbett Center got a major cleaning and some painting.  The center is located straight ahead as you enter the upper parking lot.  It is affectionately known as the “Bologna House” on the streets of Akron.  Every morning Monday through Friday, the hungry come for some hot coffee, juice, fruit, and a bologna sandwich. 

Those we serve are good people but needy.  They do their part to keep the property neat and orderly.  And as I get to know many of the folks, I can tell you they are very appreciative of what the staff, benefactors, and above all, our volunteers do day-after-day to provide for their needs. 

If you have time on a Thursday morning to help make bologna sandwiches (about 600 are needed weekly), or pick up bakery goods in Montrose or Springfield on your way to town the folks would be blessed.  And our few volunteers would appreciate it too.

The Mass Intention Book is open.  Those who want to have a loved one or petition prayed for at Mass may contact Beth in the Parish Office.  No calls or emails please. 

I’ve been told that there is a marked increase in Daily Mass attendees over previous years.  With the merging of the parishes there is a greater opportunity to come together to pray.  Remember that we have an 8am Mass on Tuesdays at our school as well. 

Why do the church bells ring at Noon and 6PM?  The “Angelus” Bell began in the Middle Ages.  When monks were called to prayer by a chapel bell 3-5 times a day, the faithful near the monasteries would stop to pray in the fields and towns.  They’d pray 3 Hail Marys out of devotion to Christ’s Incarnation through Blessed Mary.  Eventually a phrase was added before each Hail Mary: 

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary…

Behold the Handmaid of the Lord…

And the Word was made flesh…

Traditionally, the bell strikes three times for each Hail Mary, then a pause for one of the phrases.  Then, the bell may toll 33 more times for each year of Jesus’ life.  It’s quite a tradition in the Church, and a good prayer practice to develop.  You can find copies of the Angelus in the vestibule book rack if you would like to stop and pray.  Our tower bell tolls at Noon and 6PM.  (We don’t toll at 6AM.   Father’s sleeping!) 

Besides the monks and nuns of today, people of other faiths (Buddhists, Muslims, and Jews) also stop at Noon to pray.  Let us pray for Veterans this week, and for peace in our world.    God bless you, Fr. Dan