Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Priesthood Sunday
We are welcoming a seminarian from Borromeo Seminary. As I write this I do not know who is coming but he will visit us and share his story of discerning God’s call.  Thanks to Ron McAvoy and the Serran Club who set up the wonderful display in the Narthex, which reminds all of us to live our vocation in holiness, and to foster vocations to priestly and religious life.  The Serrans are a group dedicated to praying for and fostering religious vocations.  Perhaps God is calling you to be a Serran. Check them out!

Visitors from St. Mary’s
At the 9:30 Fr. Chris Zerucha, the pastor of St. Mary’s in Akron, along with a couple of his parishioners will be visiting.  Without the EF Mass being offered here anymore, there will be some St. Paul parishioners who may be frequenting the new 1pm EF Mass being hosted at St. Mary’s.  Their 1pm Mass starts next weekend, so they wanted to come and share information and answer questions about their parish. I have known Fr. Chris for some time and we were in seminary together.  I am glad to be working with him to provide pastoral care for those attending the EF Mass.  Speaking of cooperation, I will be involved in celebrating the 1pm Mass at St. Mary’s on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month (except Nov. 12 since I am out of town). 

New Mass Schedule Starts Next Weekend (November 5)
“Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape.”
After broad consultation with parishioners, we are changing our Mass schedule
4:30 Vigil Mass and 8am Mass will remain when they are.  The current 9:30 and 11:30 will combine into a 10:30am. 
I propose this new schedule to begin November 5th and that we examine its fruits over a three month period (taking us through our parish feast day in January).

The New 10:30 Mass
Starting November 5, the 10:30 Mass will have what one might call “a different feel.”  Reviewing all the suggestions have led us to decide using a number of particular options.  The biggest difference for many people may be the broader use of the Latin language.  The Second Vatican Council, while calling for an appropriate use of the vernacular also maintained that Catholics should know all the parts of the Mass in Latin.  I grant that in the majority of places this mandate has not been followed, but we are going to try implementing it at the 10:30.  This means that the readings will be in English along with a few select congregational responses like the Confiteor (I confess…), the Suscipiat (May the Lord accept the sacrifice …), and the Domine non sum dignus (Lord, I am not worthy). There will be a recessional hymn in english as well.  Incense will be used at the times called for by the rubrics and the Mass parts will all be sung (like we do for all our weekend Masses).  Please note that this combination of latin and english is not set in stone.  As we move forward there are other settings we can learn musically and we can discern how best to implement them.  There will be some growing pains with this I am sure, but we will have resources available to help. Also I will offer mystagogy sessions after the 10:30 Mass throughout the month of November (except Nov. 12 since I am out of town).

Voting No on November Issue 1
Thankfully our Bishop and and the other bishops of Ohio have been clear with the moral imperative to vote NO on Issue 1 in November.  The proposed amendment is directly contrary to catholic social teaching on life, rights of parents, and the freedom of conscience for medical professionals. It is not possible for a Catholic in good conscience to vote yes. This is one of those few times a political measure is so clearly repugnant to the natural law. Please continue to learn about the importance of this issue and spread the word to VOTE NO on issue one. 

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr