Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
St. Paul’s “4th Journey” Initiative
I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!  We continue to give thanks as a parish for this 100th year celebration.  Part of our focus is to reach out to others, which is why we started our “4th Journey” to follow the example of St. Paul who reached out to the greater community and preached the Gospel. 
We are starting the second phase of the Journey this month.  Having made connections with most of the people who come to Mass here regularly, we will now move into the phone call portion.  If you did not meet with one of our volunteers yet, you will get a phone call.  It will be a very brief 2-minute conversation just to reach out and connect. Thank you for being a St. Paul parishioner. 
 
St. Paul Parish on the Radio!
Check out AM1260 the Rock Radio for the show, “Where We Worship.”  It aired last week, but you can check out the website of the radio station and listen to Ron McAvoy, Jeanne Bearer and myself sing the praises of how God works through our parish. Unfortunately, that station does not reach to Akron very well, but again check out am1260therock.com to listen!
 
Ad Orientem
You may remember last year that we celebrated Masses of Advent Ad Orientem, meaning toward the East.  This requires the priest to turn, facing with the people towards the altar during the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass.  This symbolic gesture is part of our tradition and an option that can be used in the current form of the Mass. While this gesture may not be as widespread or well known in recent experience or practice, we would like to use it only for Advent to help us enter more deeply into the reality of waiting for the Lord in Advent.  Please attend our faith
formation session this Sunday morning for a discussion on this topic.  I am very open to discussing it with people individually as well.  Feel free to contact me at the rectory. In addition there are pamphlets available in the Narthex that explain it in more detail.
 
Community Ecumenical Christmas Concert
Be sure to attend this now annual event hosted by St. Paul’s.  The area church communities gather to show our love of the Lord.  Even as we have differences of faith, we also share a great deal, which should be honored.  St. Paul’s has really become the de facto host every year because we are able to provide enough space, so please continue to make the parish proud by your attendance and support.  It is Saturday December 7 after the Vigil Mass. See you there!
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr.