From the Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

Thanks to all who gave a response on the sound system demonstration we tried last weekend. One other company will provide a demonstration in the coming weeks. We will compare the two, decide at parish council on one of them, and then seek approval of the finance council and the bishop.

You may have heard that we are joining a new cluster of parishes. Well…yes and no. Rick Krivanka, Director of the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Office, has assisted in the clustering of parishes for our diocese for many years. Recently, I met with him along with the pastors of our two cluster parishes, Visitation and St. Matthew. With Rick’s ‘go ahead’ I am talking to the pastors of St. Vincent and St. Sebastian Parishes. We are discussing the possibility of clustering with these western parishes. My experience these ten months simply tells me there is more interaction between us than with the eastern parishes, and more opportunities to assist one another. Most likely, there will be very little change in our overall clustering goals. I am hoping this will be a more effective and beneficial grouping, and eventually approved by the parish councils and the diocese. Your comments on the idea are welcome.

At the doors you will find a flier entitled, “Brazil 2011”. Michael Kulig, our Newman Representative on Parish Council has an opportunity to minister on the Amazon River. Please take a flier. Mike could use your help this week to make this Mission Trip a reality.

Finally, the first reading today from Acts of the Apostles describes the selection of the first 7 deacons in the Church. We have one who does the work of 7. THANKS, Deacon Ray, for your assistance at the 9:30 Mass, RCIA, Baptism and Marriage Preparations. We appreciate all you and Judy, your wife, voluntarily do to serve us. God bless you both. Peace, Fr. Dan

Holy Mother of God and St. Bernard, pray for us!

Dear Parishioners,

As you entered the front doors of the church, you may have noticed a slight change: the doors open and close with ease. A company, who may have installed them back in 1992, worked all this past week to restore their proper function. The cost will be nearly nine thousand dollars and will come from our Memorial Trust Fund. This fund is restricted to the restoration of major items in the church, like these mammoth doors, not for general maintenance of the church. Your contributions or bequeathment to this fund helps to maintain and improve this beautiful place of worship.

Earlier this week a sound company, Paladin, installed a temporary demonstration of a new potential system for our church. You see in the sanctuary one of the speakers (which if permanent would be concealed).

It will be here through the weekend to see how it responds to various congregation sizes. I want feedback – not from the system – but from you. Please let me know its effectiveness. We are looking for a system that fits the acoustics and the aesthetics of our church.

Sometimes I say things that I assume are heard, but still are missed. Here’s one: FREE PARKING! We signed a lease with the “Polsky” Parking Garage on the south side of the church. If you are here on a weekend for Mass or a Church event, you can park there – free!

We have some quiet sponsors at our parish. They are the professionals and businesses on the back cover of our weekly bulletin. I stopped to thank a couple of them this week for their support. I know they would appreciate your patronage. In the near future we hope to add another page or two to our weekly bulletin. There’s just too much going on to fit in two pages!!

On May 6th Bishop Lennon was here for the Annual Red Mass for judges, lawyers, and legal professionals. We hope it continues here at the parish; in the heart of downtown. It was a prayerful celebration and affirmation of those who work to bring peace and fairness to our citizens in the City and County.

This weekend Fr. Michael Williamson, pastor at our cluster parish of St. Matthew, celebrates his 25th Anniversary of Ordination. Fr. Williamson celebrates Mass here monthly at 6PM. Felicidades, Padre!

On Saturday May 29th, Fr Ralph Coletta will celebrate with us his 50th Anniversary of Ordination at the 11:30 Mass. In 1935, the Coletta family lived on Kling St. here in Akron, 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 some parish assignments in the diocese, 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 the 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! Everyone is invited to this Golden Jubilee.

Need a prayer intention this week? Please pray for our 10 parishioners to be confirmed next Sunday by Bishop Lennon. A peaceful week to you all, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

Have you called Mom yet? More than just to say hello, today’s a time to express love and gratitude. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Thanks for choosing life for me; thanks for all the sacrifices you made; thanks for all you taught me; thanks for the times of apologies and learning from one another’s mistakes; thanks for trying your best, being your best, and bringing the best out of me. Thank you for your love. Can’t call? Then pray! It is a way to honor her, whether living or deceased. Ask God to show her His mercy and grace until she is in the fullness of His light, happiness, and peace. All His commandments are trustworthy, including the fourth.

This Friday our school children will honor the Blessed Mother with a May Crowning ceremony during their weekly 8am Mass in St. Mary church. All are welcome to participate in this beautiful tradition.

You may remember Fr. Albert saying during our Lenten Mission: “Everyday God sends 100 angels into our lives”. This past Tuesday, He for sure sent 10 as interested parishioners wanting to expand our music ministry. We would like to increase our choirs. If you’d like to be another angel, please don’t wait to be asked. You are welcome to join Jim Kintz and our core group any Tuesday at 7pm or Wednesday at 8pm in the church.

We welcome to the Table of the Lord two new Communicants, Michael and Chloe Gunther, who were unable to be with us last weekend. God bless you.

Many times, I have to be honest, the Second Collections challenge my sacrificial giving. They are the anonymous someone or something that is annually in need of my generous assistance. But then, there is a request from someone who touches home. This weekend is one of them. The Newman Centers on campuses throughout our Diocese request assistance. Catholic students who study at public colleges and universities, such as the University of Akron, benefit from our support financially, socially, and liturgically. We do a lot already with the Center located here at the church, the chaplain Fr. Norm residing at the parish, and the ever popular 8pm Sunday Mass. But, we also receive a lot from Newman – Fr. Norm who assists the parish, the music ministry at the Masses, and the Catholic students who participate in various ministries in our parish. I willingly support this second collection that benefits us all here in the parish, and I ask you to help as well.

Within days of my arrival last July, some folks from St. Bernard approached me and asked, “Are you going to move the Tabernacle back to where it belongs?” I have to admit, it wasn’t even on my radar screen as I was still wondering where I packed my socks! But since that week ten months ago, parishioners from both former parishes have asked about the place of reservation of the Eucharist. If anyone has information as to when and how it came to be in its present location, please jot me an email or give me a call. I have my guesses, but I would like to know what you know.

Finally, the event out of Pakistan this past week calls for some reflection and prayer as Christians. Would you consider including in your prayers this week: the families who relive their loss and pain of 9/11; the families who have lost loved ones that served in the Armed Forces these past ten years; our fellow Catholics in Pakistan and predominately Arab countries. And, now, after the death of a man who faces the judgment of God, let us pray and work for peace among people of goodwill.

May our hearts burn within us as we recount the Promises of the Lord Jesus and come to know Him more in the breaking of the bread. His Peace, Fr Dan

Thank you to the many who were involved in the Holy Week and Easter Sunday celebrations. It was a wonderful sight to see so many people take the time to pray and worship as we recall the Lord’s death and resurrection. But, it doesn’t stop there! All our Sunday readings will lead us to the great celebration of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on us.

We welcome and congratulate the children who will receive the Body and Blood Christ for the first time this Easter Season:

Kolbe Ballard, Edwin Colon, Miguel Colon, Yazmin Colon, Fidel Diaz, Chloe Guenther, Michael Guenther, Christopher Kuczkowski, Hayden Mickel, Simon Monsour, Victoria Neely, Mia Novak, Adam Orinas, Myles Parks, Derek Reymann, Brandon Ross, Isabella Thomas-Patterson, Oscar Torres, Tatum Willmont.

As we offer thanks to God for this Sacrament, we thank the parents and catechists who helped to prepare these children. Special thanks to Becky Graham and her team of volunteers who planned the Mass and Reception.

On Sunday, June 26, the Feast of Corpus Christi we will celebrate one of the morning Masses outdoors at the School site, followed by a procession of the Blessed Sacrament and a parish social. More details will follow.

Our PSR program for the children has ended for this year. The Children’s Liturgy at the 9:30 am Sunday Mass will gather on May 22 for its final time this year.

Around Easter the Diocese sends our insurance bill for properties and buildings. This year the amount for both our church and school sites (including the empty St. Mary church and the old St. Bernard school) totals $62,000. We are able to meet this expense by the required deadline of May 1st without incurring a late fee.

It’s so good to have warmer, sunnier days. The flowers are coming up and so are the Snowbirds. We welcome back to the parish our friends and parishioners who have been in the South. It’s good to see you again.

Once again, the Church sets aside an entire month to honor the Blessed Mother. During May we will recite the rosary 30-minutes before weekend Masses. Don’t forget next Sunday, May 8th, is Mother’s Day. Remember your mother (living or deceased) with a Mass and in prayer. His Peace be with you, Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

A Happy Easter to you and your loved ones! We welcome our visitors to the new St. Bernard-St. Mary Parish as we celebrate our first Easter together. We hope your time of prayer with us helps to strengthen your daily life with God. Know you are welcome anytime. The church is open for prayer daily; and the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament makes this beautiful building a spiritual oasis in downtown Akron.

In a very special way we welcome the new Catholics of the Church who entered the fullness of Christ’s promises at the Easter Vigil, April 23. Our thanks go to the RCIA team, led by Deacon Ray DiMascio, who directed the formation of our catechumens and candidates these past nine months. Please take an opportunity to meet and greet our new parishioners in these weeks ahead.

A special thanks to Mr. Jim Kintz, our organist and music director, who led the choirs and cantors through another Easter Season. Our thanks also go to all the liturgical ministers and those who helped to decorate the church. Our prayers and gratitude to those who contributed all the flowers in the Sanctuary in memory of their loved ones. Thanks to the volunteers who even on Easter Sunday are here in our Social Hall serving a hot meal to the homeless and needy God Bless you All!

Remember you are invited to a special Easter Party on Sunday in our Social Hall at 7pm. It’s a chance for folks of all ages and languages to celebrate together the joy of Easter. Peace be with you! Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

So often when a loved one is suffering, we can feel rather helpless. We want to alleviate their pain; take away their suffering completely. But most times we are powerless. There is one thing we can do that is within our power…we can be there with them, physically present. Our quiet presence, particularly when we have to adjust our time schedules and priorities, demonstrates our love and compassion for that person.

Deacon Ray said in a recent homily that our faith and its practice (religion) are about relationships. It’s about our relationship with God who suffered an agonizing cross and death for you and me. It’s about our relationship with those who suffer today, including ourselves the Body of Christ.

Today we begin Holy Week with the waving of Blessed Palms. We rejoice that Jesus has come to save us…Hosanna! Yet shortly thereafter, we hear of his Condemnation, Suffering, and Death. The reading of the Passion today symbolically foretells the events of the coming week – just as Jesus foretold His Suffering and Death to the disciples. How will you respond?

Make this a holy week, a prayerful week with Christ. I encourage you to be present to Him as we remember His Last Supper on Thursday, His Passion and Death on Friday, His Promise fulfilled on Saturday, and the joy of His New Life on Sunday. Make this Week holy by being with Him in prayer and service. Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

Last weekend our bulletins were delivered to the wrong location. For those with internet access, you can always find the bulletin and latest news at our website: www.stbernardstmary.org. Our Thanks to Will Holland who maintains the site for us.

We owe a debt of THANKS to all those who helped clean the pews on Saturday, March 26. It was encouraging to see so many come and work together to make our church shine. Every Wednesday three or four parishioners join to clean the sanctuary and church. If you have some spare time they can sure use your help.

Our thanks to Fr. Albert Haase, OFM, who was here last week to help clean the Church. With an inspiring presentation each evening, his insights and personal examples cleansed us – the Church – with the Cross in which we are Signed and Sealed. Over two hundred people attended each evening session. I hope we have another opportunity to have him back. He really wasn’t that expensive, and as many of you told me, “He’s worth every penny!”

Tomorrow evening will be our last PSR class for the year. We had some very dedicated catechists. We appreciated the cooperation of parents. We welcome your suggestions as we evaluate this year and look to plans for next year.

Congratulations to parishioners Henry Gunther, Marcia Leon, and Alexander Tortorella who made the Honor Roll at Walsh Jesuit H.S. Well Done!

The Knights of Columbus will be here next Saturday to clean the parking lot and flower beds. Can you give a hand? There will also be some flower planting courtesy of a local supplier. Please bring some gloves, trowel, and a trash bag or two. Or just YOU!

Thanks to those able to contribute to the flower fund for the Easter Season. Church decorating for Easter will be announced soon. Please be ready to help!

Again we are in need of persons or families who can create a welcome atmosphere by greeting parishioners and guests as they arrive for Mass. Would you volunteer for Palm or Easter Sunday? Please call the office or speak to an usher about helping. Thanks.

On Sunday, May 1st at the 9:30 Mass we will celebrate the First Communion of our first SB-SM Communicants. Congratulations to these 19 youngsters. A reception will follow in the Social Hall.

Later on May 1st there will be a Holy Hour to commemorate Divine Mercy Sunday. It will be at 3PM.

God give you Peace in the days ahead. Fr. Dan

We owe a debt of THANKS to all those who helped clean the pews on Saturday, March 26. It was encouraging to see so many come and work together to make our church shine. Every Wednesday three or four parishioners join to clean the sanctuary and church. If you have some spare time they can sure use your help.

Our thanks to Fr. Albert Haase, OFM, who was here this past Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to help clean the Church. With an inspiring presentation each evening, his insights and personal examples cleansed us – the Church – with the Cross in which we are Signed and Sealed. Over two hundred people attended our first parish mission, and I hope we have another opportunity to have him back. He really wasn’t that expensive, and as many of you told me, “He’s worth every penny!”

As our Lenten Season continues we reach the half way mark with Laetare Sunday this weekend. This Latin word means “Rejoice” and this Fourth Sunday of Lent is meant to encourage us in this penitential season. How have you been doing? I hope it has been a spiritually renewing time for you. Remember that each Friday we have confessions at 11am, followed by the 12:10 Mass, then an afternoon of Adoration, Stations of the Cross, and Benediction. For those who are able we then gather in the Social Hall for a simple Soup Supper. You are welcome to join your parish community for all or part of these special Lenten Fridays.

Mark your calendar for the Triduum, the “Three Days”: Holy Thursday Mass at 7pm, Good Friday Service at 3pm, and Holy Saturday Vigil at 9:30pm. There is no 5pm Mass on Holy Saturday, but the Mass times on Easter Sunday are the regular Sunday times: 9:30 and 11:30am; then 6:00 and 8:00pm. Please consider inviting a relative or neighbor who may be homebound or alienated from the Church. All are welcome to worship with us.

God bless you dear people. Rejoice! Fr. Dan

Dear Parishioners,

We welcome this weekend Fr. Albért Haase, OFM, from Chicago, Illinois. He will speak at all the weekend Masses to encourage you to participate in our first Lenten Mission together as a merged parish. Everyone is welcome to attend the talks on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM in the church, followed by refreshments in the Social Hall.

The sun is setting later so there is plenty of light. There is free parking in the West Campus “Polsky” Parking Garage to our south, and of course, free parking on the streets. Bring a friend.

I am intrigued by the Mission title: Signed and Sealed with the Cross. We cross ourselves so often that I would appreciate a deeper meaning of something I do routinely and sometimes without much thought. There are many opportunities this Lent to grow in your spiritual life; I hope you will choose to make time to build our parish community by your presence this week.

In the week some parishioners will attend a workshop in Parma on reaching out to those not attending church. This is a volunteer effort that begins with prayer and I ask your prayerful support to this ministry. I’m pleased to see the number of people who are making the new St. Bernard-St. Mary parish their spiritual home. Some have attended for years but never made a commitment to the parish, a few are moving into the neighborhood, and still others were waiting to see how the merger progressed. Yet, there is more we can do to welcome people.

I encourage you to take a moment to introduce yourself and meet someone who you have never noticed before at Mass. I want to support a suggestion that was made at a recent Parish Council meeting. We would like to see one or two more people and even families welcome people at the doors of the church, say hello, and pass out song books. I believe this personal touch goes a long way to create, or recreate, the atmosphere felt at the former parishes. We appreciate very much those already doing this. If you or your family is willing to help, please email me or call the parish office to offer your assistance, or tell an usher you want to help..

The Knights of Columbus and a few volunteers have stepped forward to garden and spruce-up around the church and office. This summer we will replace the statue of St. Mary at the school site. Why? The beautiful and expensive statue was removed for safekeeping. A less expensive but just as appealing statue of the Holy Family will take its place for the time being. As of yet, there is no word from the Vatican regarding the status of St. Mary Church. We wait.

Remember the outreach ministries of the parish and our benefactors in your prayers. See you at the Mission this week. The Lord give you Peace, Fr. Dan

It is hard to imagine the devastation that has fallen upon Japan. News reports detail the destruction and potential calamity from damaged nuclear plants. Our prayers are with those who suffer, and our Catholic Relief Services has responded. If you would like to assist in their efforts with financial aid, place your contribution in an envelope marked for Japan. Any checks can be made out to SB-SM Parish with “Japan” on the memo line. All monies collected over the next two weekends will be sent to the Diocese for forwarding to Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Japan.

N.B. This coming Friday is the Feast of the Annunciation. There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament here until 3pm, and then Stations of the Cross at 5PM at Visitation Parish followed by their Fish Fry.

Someone asked if we can eat meat this Friday because it is the Feast of the Annunciation. Although a Solemn Feast of the Church, and like Sundays not technically a day of Lent, the bishop has not given a dispensation for this day. The obligation to observe the penitential days specified by the Church is serious. Fast and abstinence on the days prescribed should be considered a minimum response to the Lord’s call to penance and conversion. See you at the Fish Fry!

This coming Saturday we will do some early spring cleaning. Please see the notice in this bulletin and consider giving us a hand. Many hands make light work…and there is a lot to be done.

Please take note of our upcoming parish mission and renewal – beginning next Monday, March 28 and going until Wednesday evening, March 30. Each talk and prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM. Parking in the West Campus “Polsky” Garage (to our south) has been secured and is FREE. Following each evening’s service, there will be refreshments in the Social Hall.

As mentioned before, the cost of oil has affected the cost of candles. I hope you understand the increase to $3 for vigil lights, and $10 for the Sanctuary Lamp. Your donation also helps fray the cost of altar breads.

In today’s bulletin you will find the annual financial statement for the Cleveland Diocese.

This Easter 500+ people will enter the Church of Cleveland. Please pray for our own Catechumen, Joe Singleton, and our 10 Candidates in the RCIA process. And also pray that our efforts this Lent to welcome back Catholics to our parish will be fruitful. Thanks, Fr. Dan