From the Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

Thank you for your prayers while I was on retreat. It was a well needed and good time of prayer and reflection, and the Lord provided a great place to stay out of the 95° heat, viz. the air-conditioned Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame University campus.

Did you make it to the Walk For Life on Saturday morning? It was held at the UA Athletic Field House. You can still donate to support the Right to Life of Northeast Ohio by sending a gift to Right to Life, 572 W. Market St., Ste.2, Akron 44303. Also, a donation of diapers – any size or brand – can be brought to the church for an area crisis pregnancy center. Let us remember the children, when we pray “Lord…all life, all holiness comes from you… (Eucharistic Prayer III).”

We welcome Fr. Nicholas Jaramillo, MXY, who will ask our support toward the evangelization efforts of the Yarumal Missionaries. Every year, each parish is asked to extend their prayers and charity toward the spread of the Gospel to peoples in other lands and cultures. Many are economically poor and these priests, brothers, and many sisters are a witness of self-sacrificing love. Please give what you are able in today’s Second Collection as the Spirit moves you.

A mission spirit doesn’t have to take us to foreign lands; it can lead us to Market St. or Mull Ave. I’m talking about our cluster efforts with St. Vincent and St. Sebastian parishes. Fr. Kraker, Fr. Valencheck, and I met recently to talk about how we can work together to help those in our pews as well as evangelize the Gospel to our neighbors in West Akron. Areas of collaboration: PSR programs, Youth ministry, Lenten missions, Penance Services, a 9/11 Ecumenical Prayer Service, and other opportunities. We agreed that the three of us can’t do all this. We are seeking three parishioners from each parish to form a Cluster Committee. Maybe you sat on an earlier one and would like to re-enlist, or maybe you’d like to get involved now. If so, please let me know and I can give more information on the formation of this committee. Out of 950 households in our SB-SM parish, I hope we have 3 willing souls. West Market and Mull Avenue – not exactly foreign missions!

Bishop Lennon has approved our request for a new sound system, and once the contract is drawn and signed by him, work will begin in the church. Any contributions to the Memorial Trust Fund will help fray the $47,000 cost to this major improvement for worship.

Finally, for many years there were people who worked hard to see a parish picnic occur at Loyal Oak Lake. Sadly, most are not available this year and no one to step in. So, the place is rented, admission is paid, charcoal grills will be at the pavilion, and park amusements open. Bring your own food. There will be a bilingual Mass HERE in the church at 11:30am, not at the park, and we can go from here. Peace, Fr. Dan

St. Bernard-St. Mary August Calendar

Dear Parishioners,

This past week I’ve been on retreat near Notre Dame, Indiana. Every priest is expected to make an annual retreat. But for many it is a welcome time to spend one-on-one with the Lord Jesus in prayer and reflection. Know that you have been utmost in my thoughts and prayers this past week. I’m grateful for this past year with you and look forward to the future.

Next weekend is our Baseball Night at Aeros. We’ll gather for the 5pm Mass, hot dogs in the Social Hall, and a game at the park. Please be sure to sign up at the parish office. Tickets are $7.

Also next weekend, Fr. Nicolas Jaramillo, MXY, will be with us to speak of the missionary work of his community. This annual appeal for the spread of the Catholic faith is a blessing to many in foreign countries.

At parish council this past month I reported on the overwhelming number of people who said they would like to see the Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:30 P.M. instead of its current time. The signed responses I received showed that parishioners of both former parishes favored a move to a 4:30 P.M. Vigil Mass. The responses came via email, letters, phone calls, face-to-face, and a few came through the collection basket from those who regularly attend that Mass. Reasons varied:

• more convenient in the winter, darker months for the senior parishioners;

• convenient for downtown activities; early-bird dining;

• no 4:30 Mass in the area (St. Anthony and Visitation is at 4 and St. Vincent is at 5); N.B. St. Sebastian is at 4:30

• people who left with the change to 5pm would return; N.B. some came because of our 5pm

With the parish council’s agreement and support we will make a change to a 4:30 P.M. Vigil Mass the weekend after Labor Day (Sept. 10). This will enable us to make all the necessary calendar changes and announcements, especially for returning University students.

I am aware that this change will be an inconvenience to some. Another change! My hope is that you will patiently adjust with us. I am sorry that some will no longer feel at home here with this change. My hope is that you will find a place that will meet your spiritual need in the Akron area.

As I have said, the rationale for this Mass schedule a year ago was simply to balance the 4:30 at St. Bernard and the 5:30 at St. Mary. Now with a year’s experience and the input of real people, I find that the majority of our parishioners from both former parishes would be served better with an earlier Vigil Mass.

May the Lord be with you in your work and play this week and draw you to trust Him more. May your faith and trust in Him give you Peace, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

This coming week I will be away on a private Retreat. Please say a prayer for me as I will remember the parish in my daily reflections and prayers.

Due to my absence this week there will be NO 7:00 AM Mass on Thursday, July 21, and Deacon Ray DiMascio will lead a Liturgy of the Word and Communion Service at 5:10pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The Intentions for those Masses I will pray while on retreat, unless the donor requests at the parish office another date and time. Thanks to Fr. Norm who will celebrate the 12:10 daily Mass.

At Parish Council this past week, we welcomed parishioners interested in sitting on Council for a two-year term. I am looking for 6-8 new members to join 3-4 current members. Some currently serving will remain for one year to bring continuity to our discussions. If you are interested, please identify yourself – or recommend a candidate (with their approval) – to me before August 7th. If we have more than 8 candidates I will call for a ballot election of those willing to serve. Parish Council meets every second Monday at 7pm. Meetings are open to all.

Last week I wrote about the history of weddings at the former St. Bernard. Here are some stats from our marriage records: From 1963 through 1982, there were 50 weddings on average per year. From 1983 to 2008, there were on average 121 per year. One year had 156 weddings. Many wedding requests continue to come in to the office. I will be taking a pastoral approach that directs couples to their parish community to celebrate and live their Sacrament. The pastors in the Akron area with whom I have spoken expressed agreement with this With our parish council, my hope is to focus as much attention on the needs of married couples in our parish who strive to live their Sacrament in our community.

Last week I promised a shorter column!! God bless. Know you are in my prayers this week. Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday we welcome Mary Pat Fry from the Diocesan Configuration Office. At Coffee and Donuts she will conduct a survey on how the merging of the parishes has gone so far this first year. All are welcome.

I hope you are finding some cool places to relax and enjoy these summer months. Please be attentive to neighbors, particularly the elderly, who may be home alone during these hot spells without Air or fans. Showing concern is often an appreciated gesture.

This summer we’ve tried something new and folks have noticed the improvement. We’ve put the big fans in the balcony to circulate the air over our heads. Not knowing all the dynamics and physics of air flow, it simply is an attempt to keep the air moving for a greater number of people while we are praying. Also, the fans don’t seem as loud as when they were at the side altars.

As far as sound waves, we are moving on our plans to obtain a new sound system. This was not an easy decision. Members of the parish and finance councils seem to agree that either system will be a marked improvement and yet neither system will be absolutely perfect. There was little variation in cost. The finance council approved the proposed expenditure of $46,612 for Paladin Professional Sound Company. Bishop Lennon will need to approve this expense from our restricted Memorial Trust Fund. Afterward, the audio installation and the Bose speakers will begin.

Another letter will soon go to Bishop Lennon. It seeks his approval for our parish to cluster with St. Vincent and St. Sebastian parishes to our west. I have met with Frs. Kraker and Valencheck about this proposal. They welcome the idea. Frs. Zingales and Williamson of Visitation and St. Matthew parishes, respectively of our current cluster to the east, are going to cluster with parishes to their north. All of us agree that this re-clustering will provide effective resources to sustain a strong Catholic presence in our regions. It will strive to achieve the original cluster goals. We hope to hear from the bishop over the summer.

This week someone said to me, “Father, I really like it that you stopped having weddings here!” What?! I had to immediately explain that weddings do occur here at St. Bernard-St. Mary Parish. We look forward to celebrating weddings here in this beautiful church building, especially between Catholics, and for the building up of the Church at large.

Obviously there are some thoughts and feelings out there. So let me give a little background on weddings and marriages, and my observations so far.

Over recent decades the former St. Bernard’s became a popular location for weddings. In large part this was augmented by the great service provided by the last pastor, Fr. Paul Schindler. He had his rationale for this ministry; he enjoyed it, and he became beloved and famous for it. God Bless Him!

In 1986, there were 91 weddings at St. Bernard; St. Mary had 12 weddings. And to those celebrating their 25th Silver Anniversary this year – our Sincere Best Wishes! In your love and commitment – God Bless You!!

From 1987 until 2008 there were between 103-141 weddings annually, and the majority of them were witnessed by Fr. Schindler. He was incredible!

Fr. Clyde Foster followed him in 2008 as the Administrator of St. Bernard. Trying to balance the volume of weddings with his duties, he set guidelines based on parishioner or non-parishioner status. Non-parishioners, who obviously did not contribute to the support of the parish, were expected to contribute what a parishioner would have contributed in the collection basket on an annual basis. In his attempt to be fair to the parish, modeled after the practice at the Cathedral, wedding requests declined.

Since arriving last year I have taken hopefully a pastoral approach. It is based on some observations and general guidelines for marriages. I noticed that over the decades exceptions were made for weddings to occur here outside of the bride or groom’s own parish where they lived and/or were registered. Over the years this exception became the norm! So much so, that couples – from anywhere and even of other faiths – have called the parish office looking to secure their wedding date on our parish calendar. The celebration of sacraments, especially marriage, is tied to the life of the parish community and its pastor where the couple has lived, or realistically, will live out their sacrament with that Church on a weekly basis. If an exception is made, it is usually for some pastoral reason that a wedding is held in another church.

Marriages are integral to the life of a parish. Many, many weddings occurred at St. Bernard over the decades, but few marriages stayed. I believe this is significant in light of St. Bernard Parish closing in 2010.

And from what I see, it seems that weddings increased when more priests were living at the parish. They were a significant help to the pastor. Today, I do not have the assistance that allows me to take a large number of weddings and still provide for the pastoral life of a merged parish. More than performing a wedding Mass or ceremony, a pastor is also responsible for the proper and adequate preparation of the couple for their marriage according to Diocesan requirements

I have spoken with Fr. Norm Douglas, who takes time from Heart to Heart Ministry to help us with Masses, and our Deacon Ray DiMascio. They have expressed agreement to a pastoral approach that directs people to their pastors and parishes in which they live.

I will address this topic again with some of the guidelines the Church has regarding weddings and marriages. But for now, I want to acknowledge that there is a substantial change to what people became accustomed to over time. We have not stopped weddings, but we will not be making exceptions as readily as was in the past. I hope together we can do more for couples after the wedding; for our newlyweds, young families, and those celebrating anniversaries in our parish.

Some folks will cheer and others jeer at this, but my desire is to care for those the Bishop assigned me to serve in this parish. I hope people will understand.

Wow! Let me tell you, friends, that it was not my intention to add more pages to the bulletin so I could write more. Next week a shorter column from my desk. Remember to sign up for our July 30th Night at the Aeros Baseball Game. Bring the family! Peace, Fr. Dan

My Dear Parishioners,

A Happy and Blessed First Anniversary! A year ago you and I left some parish that was familiar, comfortable, and seemingly unchangeable. Like an infant whose time had come to enter a new stage of life, we’ve been pushed, pulled, and stretched in many ways these past months. We’ve looked around and found familiar faces and some new ones. We’ve taken some deep breaths and wondered what would happen next. We’ve seen things we’ve liked and things we don’t like. And yet, here we are still breathing and growing. We’ve looked back to what was good. And courageously we press on to what good we can do to become a strong, viable parish community with the Spirit of Christ Jesus being the life blood that unites us into one body.

Sorry, sometimes I get carried away!

But, it is the Truth…Jesus Christ is the reason for being here. He’s the center of our spiritual lives and the center of our life together in this parish. Pray for our parish this week as we mark our first anniversary on July 4th. Remember that Mass on a holiday is 9:30AM. May Christ be visible in the worship and services of our parishioners.

Have you ever noticed how some churches don’t need air-conditioning? The atmosphere is so COLD inside you’d freeze in July. Would you or your family consider being a Greeter at the doors of the church? Greeting our visitors and attending to unfamiliar faces with a smile and a hello goes a long way to create a warm, welcoming environment.

But, let’s not just leave it up to the few who pass out hymnals as you enter or bulletins as you leave. Each of us has the power to extend hospitality. People come to this church because of its downtown location, or convenient mass times. It’s wonderful to hear people say that they felt at home here and would come back again. This first year over 40 households made SB-SM their home parish. Let’s continue to do our part to keep the place WARM year-round.

Here are some random snippets that have come across my desk this week:

- Please consider becoming a member of the parish council; we need 4 or 5 new members for a two-year term. Contact Fr. Dan. Three people from the current council will stay for another year for the sake of continuity. Meetings are monthly and open to all.

- Welcome back to the 5pm Vigil Mass our ushers, John and Mabel Richards. Continued good health to you, Mabel!

- The Corpus Christi Outdoor Mass was enjoyed by many last Sunday at the School. Close to 200 parishioners, alumni, and guests attended the Mass, Procession, and Social in the courtyard.

- Bikers – There’s a group forming to bike up to Brecksville on Saturday mornings, then hop a train back to Akron. Clarence Bechter will call those on the list. If you’d like to join us please call him at 330-645-7469.

- July 16th at 6:30 there’ll be a talk on the Holy Spirit by Elaine Manley. It’s sponsored by the Emmaus Group that meets here every 3rd Saturday in the Conference Room – All are welcome to hear this inspirational presentation.

- The bulletin cover and caption is based on the mission statement that was compiled by a committee for the new parish. We’ve added an extra page to the bulletin. Please take it home and pass it on to someone. All items need to be in the parish office by 5pm on Monday. You can submit your bulletin notice via email to parishsecretary@stbernardstmary.org. Don’t forget our website: www.stbernardstmary.org Support our patrons.

- The Knights of Columbus have done it again for the parish…they are helping to sponsor our Night at the Aero’s Baseball Game on July 30th. Thanks, Men, for the many times you share your time and resources with us.

- Thanks go to a small, but mighty crew here at the parish…our Cleaning Crew. Every Wednesday morning four people are here making sure our worship space is prepared for you. If you could spare an hour, they can use a hand. Thanks Crew for all you do in the Lord’s house.

As we celebrate our first anniversary as a parish, we join with fellow Americans to celebrate the 235th Anniversary of our Nation. It’s time to celebrate the freedoms we share and the efforts we make to safeguard the freedoms of people around the world. Let us pray: for the men and women in our armed forces, for those who defend our Constitution at home, for those who seek liberty and justice in our communities, and for those who are unable to take a holiday in order to serve us, such as Emergency Personnel in our communities.

The Lord keep you in His Peace, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday in honor of the Body and Blood of Christ, I am reminded of something Fr. Albert Haase said during our Lenten Mission: “Jesus has given up everything and has gone on a journey to win my trust and my love”. To think that He still comes to us in the Eucharist at the altar, I am awestruck and humbled. Jesus, who healed the sick and rose from the dead, desires to be with you and me when we gather to worship the Father. He seeks only my trust and love.

So often it is hard to trust. And often we can forget whom we are receiving at this altar. A well-known Catholic author in the 1950s, Flannery O’Connor, overheard a friend of hers claim that the Body and Blood of Christ is merely a sign, nothing more. Flannery shouted back, ‘Well, if it’s just a sign, to heck with it! Who needs another sign?’

Ain’t that the truth!? Don’t we have enough signs in Christianity? Isn’t the cross enough of a sign? Isn’t creation a sign of God’s existence? Why a sign, when He can give us Himself? Isn’t He the Son of God? Can’t He work miracles that we don’t fully understand? Or do we have to understand them all? Can He rather be looking for my trust? Can we trust and love Him and simply do as He commanded: Take and eat…my Body; Take and drink…my Blood. Think about it.

When you come to receive Christ in the Eucharist it is important to be spiritually prepared, pardoned for any mortal/grave sins through sacramental Confession, and hold to the belief of the Church, viz. This is the Real Presence of Christ.

When you come to a Communion Station at the altar, the priest or minister will say, The Body (or Blood) of Christ. Simply nod your head, extend your tongue or cupped hands, and respond clearly…AMEN… acknowledging your belief. It is! I agree! I trust You.

Then, without further ado, get ready to Go with God’s blessing to love and serve Him in your neighbor.

This is our Faith, we’re proud to profess it. Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

Well Dad it’s your Day! What can we say? Thanks? That doesn’t seem to do you justice. We all know how hard you work, how hard you try to make it work out right for your kid. It isn’t easy a lot of times but you still quietly keep plugging along. We’re not always perfect, but your love and forgiveness go a long way. How do you do it? Does your faith give you the strength? Is it your hope for a brighter future in us? Thanks for being there with your support, your watchful eye, your guidance, love, and Christian example.

Whether a Dad is perfect or far from it, the vocation to be a Father is a God-given calling. Please pray for your Dad this week – whether he is living or deceased – prayer helps and honors God for those in our lives who are or are like a Father to us.

Please remember: Next Sunday the 9:30 Mass will be held at the school site, 750 S. Main. It will be held outdoors, so bring along a chair or blanket. It will be inside if it rains. So come on down rain or shine.

Another parish event this summer is the SB-SM Night at the Aeros Game. Mark your calendar for July 30th… Saturday Vigil Mass, Hot Dogs in the Social Hall, and a Night at the Ball Park. Bring the kids!

When we began the new Mass Schedule last summer I said that it was not set in stone, but more like settling cement. It seems all the mass times are working to everyone’s satisfaction, except the Saturday Vigil. I’d like to hear from those who regularly attend the 5PM Mass. Some would like to see it earlier at 4:30PM. (Any earlier and there’s a conflict with weddings.) Let me know what you think via my email or voicemail.

As we approach our first anniversary, I am grateful to the members of the Parish Council. These men and women, who were already on the existing councils in the former parishes, willingly extended their service to bring continuity, cohesiveness, and guidance to this Foreigner! They have served the parish well.

The time has come to seek new members for a two-year term. Some current members will stay on for another year to bring continuity. I would like six new members, with one of these representing University students and one other the Spanish-speaking parishioners. Please consider becoming an advisor. I need your input as I try to serve the parish at large. We’d like to have 6 new members by the end of August.

Parish Council meetings are held the second Monday of the month at 7:00 PM and are open to all. If you’d like to see the Council at work, please join us in the Conference Room of the Parish Office.

Again – Happy Father’s Day! Have a great week and take care of each other. See you next week at the 9:30 Corpus Christi Outdoor Mass. Peace, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

It has been 50 days since Easter Sunday and so we celebrate today, PENTECOST. Coincidentally, you are reading our 50th Sunday bulletin as SB-SM Parish. Our first anniversary is approaching, and it is important to consider how the Holy Spirit has been working in our lives. Can you tell someone confidently, “Jesus is Lord”? What’s happened in your life – through the working of the Holy Spirit – that leads you to say it?

Each of us is different, with different abilities, different views of Church, at different levels of belief, BUT, we are also one in the Spirit of God, members of one Body of Christ. I pray this Pentecost, this 50th Sunday together, leads us to a deeper sense of belonging to one another and a trust that proclaims: Jesus IS Lord!

Please remember the following opportunity for us to celebrate. All parishioners are invited; please bring along a lawn or folding chair or blanket, and, if you like, some breakfast rolls or baked goods to share:

Corpus Christi Outdoor Mass at St. Bernard-St. Mary School – There will be a Mass, Corpus Christi Procession, and Social at the St. Bernard-St. Mary School grounds at 750 S. Main Street on Sunday, June 26th at 9:30 AM (Rain or Shine). THERE WILL BE NO 9:30 AM MASS here in this church that morning. The 11:30am, 6:00 and 8:00pm are as usual here that day.

On the last Sunday of June it is customary to have a second collection for the Holy Father, known as Peter’s Pence. In ninth-century England, King Alfred the Great collected money – a “pence” – from landowners as financial support for the Pope. Today, this free-will offering supports his charitable works to provide emergency assistance to those in need because of natural disaster, war, disease, and oppression.

A suggestion was made to take up a spiritual collection as well for the Holy Father from our parish. Spiritual Bouquet Cards will be available at all the Masses. If you wish to make a prayer commitment for Pope Benedict, please fill out the card and place it in a collection basket or bring it to the office. We will send this spiritual gift and any financial gift on to him.

A Blessed Pentecost and week! Peace, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we welcome into the Catholic Church, Christopher Reed. He will profess his Christian faith with us, be Confirmed, and receive the Eucharist. Christopher was prepared through the RCIA program, but was unable to be here on Holy Saturday. Welcome Christopher to the SB-SM parish community.

We are hoping for cool, sunny weather for our Outdoor Mass on June 26 at 9:30 AM. Please mark your calendar to meet at the school. We’ll have it Rain (inside) or Shine! Bring a folding chair or blanket. There will be coffee and donuts following the Procession with the Blessed Sacrament. For those who haven’t been to our school in a while (the former St. Mary’s), this would be a fun day to visit and pray together.

It bears repeating – Our first St. Bernard-St. Mar Eighth Grade Graduation was held this past Tuesday. Twenty-four students graduated, 12 will be attending Catholic High Schools, six received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence from President Obama, and 16 scholarships were awarded. Congratulations to our students, and thanks to Mrs. Hill, their teacher, the principal, staff and faculty.

I asked the parents of a graduate, who is from another parish with a school, why did they choose our school. The response – they wanted their children to have a multi-cultural, as well as Catholic, education. The diversity of our SB-SM School with emphasis on faith, learning, and self-discipline is a foundation for life. Currently, we have 173 registrants for next year, and tuition is only $2300 per child.

Our hope and prayer is that any reconfiguration of the school districts will not exclude us from accepting children who depend on Ohio EdChoice for their education. We are working to increase scholarships and tuition options to make our school affordable for any low-income family. Please keep our school in your prayers. Happy and Safe Summer Break! Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

As Christians every Sunday is Memorial Day. We remember one like ourselves who made the supreme sacrifice of his life on our behalf, Jesus Christ. This Sunday, as Americans, we remember our own citizens who gave their life for our independence, unity, and defense against all enemies. Flags will be placed at the parish cemetery, and prayers offered at the altar

Fr Ralph Coletta will celebrate his 50th Anniversary of Ordination at the 11:30 Mass. In 1935, the Coletta family lived on Kling St. and young Ralph was baptized at St. Bernard Church that year. His spiritual life developed in the parish and his journey led to priestly ministry on May 20, 1961. After a few parish assignments, he served four years as the Director of the Deaf Apostolate, then nine years as pastor at St. Mary Parish in Wooster, and finally 18 years as pastor of the former St. John the Baptist Parish here in Akron until his retirement in 2005. We are happy to have Fr. Coletta back to where it all began in 1935. God bless you, Father!

Hey! Young families! You are one of the blessings of this new merged parish. There are more of you now. Over the months parishioners have told me how good it is to see so many young people and families at Mass and involved. Your presence and commitment – despite all the challenges of getting everything together on a Sunday – is noticed and appreciated.

One of the qualities of this merged parish is our ability to make room for one another. Your effort to reach out and create a welcoming environment will increase the vibrancy and future of our Church.

This includes the young children who are part of our parish family. Although there is a ‘cry room’ on the second level for parents who are uncomfortable when their child is tired, crying, or distracting, we make room for the children. Who knows there may be another Ralph Coletta in our midst preparing for ordination!!

Our Children’s Liturgy of the Word that occurs during the 9:30am Mass will resume in the fall. Our thanks go to the five catechists who helped the children to hear the story of Jesus, to pray, and to learn aspects of our Catholic faith. I encourage parents to continue their learning during the summer by discussing what you hear in the Mass with your child. The drive home could be an opportunity to ask questions, explain, or pray.

The contemporary 8 PM Mass Choir will continue Sunday nights in the summer.

We welcome back today, Fr. Paul Schindler, who is home for his sister’s Golden Religious Jubilee. Bienvenidos, Padre!

Pray for those in the Armed Forces and for our loved ones who have died in service. Let us pray for peace, His Peace, in our hearts and world. Fr. Dan