Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Prayers after Mass - For Protection of Life October is Respect Life month, and we live in a world where the gift of life is actively threatened in many ways. Because the “Culture of death” has so infiltrated our culture, the temptation is to become numb to it or unconsciously (and even consciously) to avoid it in polite company. Sadly, this response is somewhat understandable due to the sheer magnitude of this evil. The reality overwhelms and paralyzes us; we do not want to admit that in our country, the land of the free, we have killed over 65 million innocent children.

Training for all new and current Altar Servers will be held in the church Saturday, October 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 12noon. Training will cover both Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Mass. Parents of servers are encouraged to attend if possible. Questions, contact Hanna Lidderdale or Joe Guzi

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Prayers after Mass - For Protection of Life October is Respect Life month, and we live in a world where the gift of life is actively threatened in many ways. Because the “Culture of death” has so infiltrated our culture, the temptation is to become numb to it or unconsciously (and even consciously) to avoid it in polite company. Sadly, this response is somewhat understandable due to the sheer magnitude of this evil.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Prayers after Mass - For Protection of Life October is Respect Life month, and we live in a world where the gift of life is actively threatened in many ways. Because the “Culture of death” has so infiltrated our culture, the temptation is to become numb to it or unconsciously (and even consciously) to avoid it in polite company. Sadly, this response is somewhat understandable due to the sheer magnitude of this evil. The reality overwhelms and paralyzes us; we do not want to admit that in our country, the land of the free, we have killed over 65 million innocent children.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Feast Days At the time of this writing I am celebrating my Patronal Feast Day! September 21 is the feast day of St. Matthew, who was an Apostle, Evangelist, and a Martyr. Everyone knows and often celebrates their birthdays, but as Catholics we remember too that we are connected with the saints of the past because those saints are present to us now through our being united in Christ.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Coming Soon: Heart of the Shepherd Campaign Perhaps you have heard of The Heart of the Shepherd Campaign for the Cleveland Diocese. This is a fundraising endeavor that Bishop Perez started way back before Covid started in order to renovate the seminary building, which has needed major work for years. Most of the parishes of the diocese have already gone through it, and we are slated to have ours in the next couple months

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 20 Years Ago Celebrating anniversaries is such a beautifully human and joy filled experience. Birthdays, wedding days, Baptism days, feast days, confirmation days, and so many others are occasions to thank God and bring us continued blessing. But in our fallen humanity, we also must commemorate tragedy. I find it odd to say the anniversary of 9/11 because the word “anniversary” is so associated with good things. Since we should never forget, it is perhaps more aptly named a memorial day, so that we remember the events of 9/11.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It’s good to be back! I returned last week from some vacation time. Due to covid it had been quite a while since I had some time away. But I am glad to be back so we can continue working together as we strive to grow in grace to fulfill the mission God has given to us. Thank you to all the priests who helped me out covering the Mass schedule. Thank you to all the ministers who assisted the priests. Thank you to our parish staff who worked on some projects while I was away.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Vacation Time Last week I was in Kentucky spending time relaxing, swimming, and hiking with a few priest friends. Presently I am in Seneca, South Carolina visiting my sister and her family, whom I have not seen since well before COVID. Thank you to all our visiting priests who are celebrating Masses. Please know that I am keeping you all in prayer and today I am offering Mass for all St. Paul’s parishioners.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Vacation Time I am writing this from Somerset, KY. Taking some needed rest and relaxation with a few priest friends is helping to recharge the old batteries. Thank you to all our visiting priests who are celebrating Masses. Please know that I am keeping you all in prayer and today I am offering Mass for all St. Paul parishioners.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary This year the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (a holy Day of Obligation) falls on a Sunday. I encourage everyone to make special prayers to our Lady even outside of Mass to honor the great gift God has given to us in her. For she goes before us, uplifted by God’s grace in a unique way, sharing in God’s life and interceding for us. She shares fully right now in that for which we hope to experience in the fullness of time when Christ comes again. The great truth to reflect upon is that even though she is so full of grace, she is not distant from us, but close to us, like any mother, giving us the helps we need.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, St. Paul’s Swag and Active Wear Last weekend we had some samples of new St. Paul Parish “Swag.” This weekend and next you have a chance to order items. Volunteers will be in the Narthex after Masses. You can fill out the form and cut a check right there, or simply take the form home and bring it back with your check. The order form can also be downloaded on the website (sorry you cannot make the order online though). So, make a list of hoodies, polos, mugs, and stickers you want to use to support St. Paul’s. The order forms need to be returned to the rectory by August 18th.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, St. Paul’s Swag and Active Wear This weekend we have some samples of new St. Paul Parish “Swag.” For the next two weekends, August 8th and 15th, you will be able to order items. Volunteers will be in the Narthex after Masses. You can fill out the form and cut a check right there, or simply take the form home and bring it back with your check. The order form can also be downloaded on the website (sorry you cannot make the order online though). So, make a list of hoodies, polos, mugs, and stickers you want to use to support St. Paul’s. The order forms need to be returned to the rectory by August 18th.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Traditionis Custodes Last week Pope Francis issued what is called a motu proprio. It is a legislative document that makes a change to current church law (known as canon law). The pope issues this on his own initiative with the authority he has as pope. This has nothing to do with infallible statements of dogma. A pope can never issue a motu proprio in order to make an eighth sacrament or to change the church’s moral teaching.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, What a Success! Thank you to everyone who volunteered to host the potluck last week - it was a great success! There were well over one hundred people there. There were a number of people who stopped me and said they wanted to be there but could not make it, so there would have been even more! We had new as well as long time parishioners, young and old, and people making new connections and reconnecting with old friends. We prayed, we ate, and we had fun. There was good food, a lively atmosphere, and I even played euchre with some of young adults. I can’t wait until we do it again!

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, New Parishioner & Welcome Back Potluck Thank you to all who are attending the Potluck this weekend. Hopefully many are able to come. It is a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow parishioners and also to meet new ones! As we navigated through Covid we tried to stay connected with people as safely as possible. Also, we adjusted our Sunday schedule adding the 9:30 Mass, which has been a great help to many people in the wider area. A good number of these folks are registering with the parish and looking to be involved. I hope today’s potluck is a success in acquainting new people and building up the bonds that make us St. Paul Parishioners!

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Happy Independence Day! God bless America! I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday and making a special effort through prayer and works to show appreciation for those who have died to defend us. Also, we thank all who serve in the military, police, and first responders. We should not forget too “the little guy” - those who are honest, hard-working, and persevere to help their local community - often unseen or recognized by the media. What makes a country great is the majority of people humbly serving God and neighbor.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Thank you Ladies Guild! Wow, what a great Rummage sale the Ladies’ Guild hosted two weeks ago! Thank you to all the ladies who helped (and I think a few men showed up too) putting many hours of hard work into a great event for the parish and the whole community. Especially since we did not have the sale last year due to covid, this year the PAC was full of items. It was well organized with patient and friendly people giving good witness to Christ and to our parish. I am so proud of what they did. I do not know the exact amount, but I heard the earnings were around $4300! Thank so much for your dedication to our Lord and St. Paul Parish!

We are planning a “Welcome Back Parish Potluck” to get together, enjoy a meal, get reacquainted with fellow parishioners, and meet and greet new parishioners. For planning purposes, we would like to have an idea of how many people will be attending our Parish Potluck on Sunday, July 11, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. The parish will provide the meat for the meal. Please fill out the information in the bulletin and put it in an envelope marked “Potluck” and drop it in the offertory basket or you can email the info to stpaulakr@sbcglobal.net. Thank you for helping us out and we look forward to an enjoyable event!

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Happy Father’s Day! A child’s dad is the person who images God the Father to his sons and daughters. When our dads fulfill their role as loving protector, guardian of the family, self-sacrificing provider, and spiritual head of the family then they image God the Father to their children. While only our Heavenly Father is perfect, He has seen fit to gives us earthly fathers, who even if not perfect, have great potential to convey God’s grace. May we honor our fathers today and thank them for their sacrificial love and example. In this month when we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we pray for our fathers to grow in their relationship with Christ and to love as He loves with a Father’s heart.