Walter Milewski was well known to many people who attend the 8am Mass on Sunday morning. Walter was an usher here for many years but had been confined to a nursing home for the last couple of months as he struggled with his breathing. We celebrated his funeral Mass this past Monday where we remembered his great devotion to the rosary, which he always had in his hands, praying up to 3 rosaries a day. Walter had been married for 50 years to his wife Marie and they enjoyed traveling together. He was one of 10 children and though he had no children of his own, he was blessed with many nieces & nephews. May Walter now join with Mary in knowing the joy of heaven’s reward for a life of faith.
We welcome Claire Kupchella into our Catholic family as she is baptized this Sunday after the 11am Mass. May her parents, married here at St. Leo the Great, know the joy of raising her in the practice of the faith.
On January 22 each year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops ask us to remember the great harm that has been done to the human family through the tragic abortions that have taken place. They have declared this to be a National Day of Prayer and Penance for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. The Diocese of Cleveland will have a Mass for Life this Wednesday, January 22nd at 10:00am at the Cathedral downtown. And the Knights of Columbus have made available to us a holy card which you will receive today which contains a prayer to Mary, as we celebrate the Gospel of Life, written by Pope St. John Paul II. Deacon Pat and his wife Joan, our Pastoral Ministers, will also be lead- ing a Holy Hour this Thursday, January 23rd during which we will pray for a greater respect of all human life. May our prayers and awareness of this tragedy help bring it to an end.
Please see information in this bulletin concerning our Baby Bottle campaign which asks for donations of coins to be used to help expectant women and new mothers. It’s another small way we can show our belief in the sacredness of human life.
I am in continuous talks with a founder of Trinity Travels regarding the planned pilgrimage to the Holy Land at the end of this year or beginning of next year. We are working on the best dates and prices possible so please stay tuned & know we’ll be meeting as soon as we have enough information to share with those who may be interested.
I read a tweet which pointed out that the year 1990 is as far away from us as the year 2050. Amazing to think about that, especially if you were alive in 1990 & feel like it’s in the recent past. My great-niece who was just born will live to see the year 2100 if she lives to be 80, which will probably be considered middle age by that time.
Speaking of dates, I received a letter from the Bishop appointing me to another 6 year term here at St. Leo’s. Together let us joyfully continue to work at proclaiming God’s kingdom among us.