Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, New PAC doors to be Installed This Friday is finally the day. Our Parish Activity Center will have its front doors replaced. The old wooden doors which served as an artful entry into what was once the chapel will be removed but not discarded. We have plans to restore the worn wooden doors, which has four carved panels depicting the life of St. Paul. As they should not be used as exterior doors, we are looking for a place for them and a way to display its craftsmanship. More to come later.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Priest Convocation This Tuesday evening through Friday morning, most of the priests of the Diocese of Cleveland will be at Sawmill Creek for our Priest Convocation. Every two years the bishop calls us to get away together for time of reflection, study, prayer, and fellowship. It is a great time for priests to reconnect similar to how Jesus sent out the disciples two by two, but they then returned as a group with the Lord to share how His grace was at work in their ministry. For those days, a visiting priest will cover the regularly scheduled Masses. Keep us all in prayer as we pray for you!

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Congratulations to the Raffle Winners At the time of this writing we do not yet know who will win, but when you read this there will be winners and a nice payout to our parish as well as Visitation of Mary Parish. Thank you to all our top ticket sellers especially Jeanne Bearer, Patty Hogue, and Dennis Klingensmith. Thank you to all who purchased tickets. I can’t wait to see the new doors on the PAC, and then to see the old wooden doors restored. Thanks again to all who participated.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Parishioner Outreach Ever since Covid, many parishes have put extra efforts in maintaining contact with their people, especially those who are disconnected, ill, or homebound. We are doing our best as well. The first line of communication is well… everybody. Each of us is our brother’s keeper in the sense that as Catholics we are meant to share communion with each other in Christ. This means sharing in the sacrament of the Eucharist yes, but that means showing that communion outside of Mass.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Faith Formation Sunday September 15 This weekend we continue our monthly formation session from 9:15-10:15. This month’s topic is: Does God Hear My Prayer? Navigating the Valleys of the Spiritual Life. Discouragement and fear are part of our human experience. Even in prayer, encountering times when we feel disconnected, times of doubt, and even darkness are part of our spiritual experience. Join us as we discuss our rich tradition of saints, mystics, and everyday grace that can help us in our own spiritual journeys and as we encourage each other in faith.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Back to School It is that time of year when many of our kids are venturing back to school. We pray that they all dedicate time to their studies and receive God’s gift of wisdom with thanksgiving. Some of our parishioners attend nearby Catholic schools. Some are educated through home-schooling programs, including co-ops. The past few years, our parish has become a center for a few of these groups.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, O, Canada! The time has come for my annual trip to Canada with my priest friends. Priests love their parishes, but time away is important to reconnect with the Lord and relax a bit. The beautiful surroundings, the peace and quiet, and priestly fellowship help me recharge the spiritual batteries. There will be a few different priests covering Masses here this weekend. Please know that while away I offer Mass every day and particularly pray for our parishioners.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, O, Canada! The time has come for my annual trip to Canada with my priest friends. Priests love their parishes, but time away is important to reconnect with the Lord and relax a bit. The beautiful surroundings, the peace and quiet, and priestly fellowship help me recharge the spiritual batteries. There will be a few different priests covering Masses here over next two weekends. Please know that while away I offer Mass every day and particularly pray for our parishioners. I do have access to internet up there, but only intermittently. Any emails, etc. I will most likely not respond until I return Aug 30.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Feast of the Assumption - Holy Day of Obligation We will follow our regular Holy Day schedule which echoes our weekend schedule: Wednesday August 14 Vigil Mass at 6pm in English Thursday August 15 Mass at 8:30am in English Thursday August 15 Mass at 6pm in Latin (but w/ English readings and orations) Note there is no 7am Mass on Thursday

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, What a Great Weekend! Thank you to all who helped with the Parish Potluck last weekend. We had many volunteers get everything ready and stuck around to clean up after the event. Thanks to all who participated by bringing in deserts and sides, and thanks Dcn. John for grilling! I brought Fr. Thomas Blau, OP, our missionary preacher, over for dinner and he too extends his joyous thanks for the great time had had here at St. Paul’s.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Missionary Preacher Our Annual Missionary Preacher will be coming this weekend of July 27-28. We welcome Fr. Thomas Blau, OP. Let us prepare to hear his words and be generous that the Gospel may continue to be spread. I look forward to taking him to our potluck, so be sure to join us after the 4:30 Mass.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Faith Formation on Sunday July 21, 9:15-10:15 in PAC In honor of this month of July when we celebrate our nation’s independence, our topic this month will be The Virtue of Patriotism: American Catholic or Catholic American? Another reason for this topic is that it is an election year with a political landscape that is, shall we say, interesting. As Catholics how do we engage the political sphere being “in the world, but not of the world?”

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Faith Formation on Sunday July 21, 9:15-10:15 in PAC In honor of this month of July when we celebrate our nation’s independence, our topic this month will be The Virtue of Patriotism: American Catholic or Catholic American? Another reason for this topic is that it is an election year with a political landscape that is, shall we say, interesting. As Catholics how do we engage the political sphere being “in the world, but not of the world?”

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This weekend Adoration and Procession (Take 2) - month of the Precious Blood Back on Corpus Christi weekend we planned on a Eucharistic procession outside, but the weather did not cooperate. Since it is our regularly scheduled adoration weekend, we will try again. There is no rule that limits processions only to that particular Sunday. So, the 4:30 and 8am Masses will have adoration following Communion as usual, then immediately following the 10:30 we will process outside and around our campus. Pray for good weather!

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Next Week “Make up Procession” Back on Corpus Christi weekend we planned on a Eucharistic procession outside, but the weather did not cooperate. So next week since it is our regularly scheduled adoration weekend, we will try again. There is no rule that limits processions only to that particular Sunday. The 4:30 and 8am Masses will have adoration following Communion as usual, then immediately following the 10:30 we will process outside and around our campus. Pray for good weather!

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Church Open for Prayer In the past people have asked if they could stop over in the church and pray during a weekday. I’ve always had to say no since the church was locked due to security concerns. Recently we installed a security door between the church and the school building, so we can now make the church available for some limited hours during the day. The new church open hours are: Monday through Thursdays from 6:15am - Noon, and on Fridays 6:15am- 6:15pm. So come on in and make a holy hour or even a holy fifteen minutes. Let’s try this schedule out. Please let me know if you find it beneficial.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Happy Father’s Day! What a blessing God gives to us through the good fathers in our lives! They are the ones who at their best are an image of God’s fatherhood, as they show forth leadership, courage, strength, and support. Sadly, there is much confusion in our world about the importance of fathers and their proper role within families and society. Today we thank our Father in Heaven first and then show proper appreciation for our earthly fathers.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Outdoor Procession Postponed Last week our outdoor Eucharistic Procession in honor of Corpus Christi did not happen due to rain. Even so we still processed inside the Church. My thought is to simply try again next month. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Stay tuned.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Corpus Christi Adoration and Procession - June 2 It has gone very fast, but the three-year Eucharistic Revival called for by the bishops is coming to a close. In Indianapolis there is a Eucharistic Congress coming up, and our diocese has a delegation going to represent us and give witness to the importance of the Eucharist in the life of the Church. We can connect with what they are doing in our own modest way as providentially Corpus Christi falls on a first Sunday of the month.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, THANK YOU! Last weekend was a great joy for me to celebrate Holy Mass, Faith formation, and fellowship with many of the people of St. Paul Parish. “The days are long, but the years are short,” as they say. Being ordained for 15 years, over ten of which have been as pastor of St Paul’s, I am grateful to God for the many blessings, the great people, and the privilege to serve God’s kingdom in this way. Thank you all for the prayers, cards, and gifts. And thanks, in particular to the parish staff and everyone who made last weekend’s reception possible. May God bless all of us as we continue to fulfill our mission by the grace of God.