Our Parish Festival is just around the corner. Yes, it will be different this year (isn’t everything?) but we’re still going to make the best of it. As announced, we will have a take out (only) dinner both Friday & Saturday (next weekend) October 16th & 17th. Great food as always that you can enjoy in the comfort and safety of your home. Remember too that we now accept credit/debit cards for your convenience. We will have additional food items for purchase such as Honey Hut ice cream. And of course we will still have our annual raffle with a grand prize of $5,000.00. So be sure to buy or turn in your raffle tickets this week. The raffle is the biggest part of this fundraiser so anything you can do to help is very much appreciated. I look forward to seeing your masked faces.
A reminder that this Sunday, October 11th, Trapper Jack will be here to offer us a presentation on Mary, the Messenger of God. He was enjoyed by many people when he was with us last year and we look forward once again to his talk in the church at 7pm. He will also be live-streamed so you can watch him at home. Either way, please tune in to see how Mary can help you in your relationship with her Son as we dedicate this month of October to her.
There will be a funeral service for TJ Cusick this Thursday in our church so please continue to remember him and his loved ones during this time. Perhaps you can remember him especially whenever you drive by & see the tree in front of our school building which has been a shrine in his memory.
It was great to see so many people here for the Pet Blessing last Saturday. Pictures can be seen on our website. I wanted to remind you that you’re always welcome to walk your pet in that beautiful area of grass & trees behind the church & rectory buildings, extending out from the shrine area. You should enjoy the peaceful space that provides a haven from the noise & busyness of the world (except for the noise from 480!). I do ask that you be sure to have a leash on your pet however as a couple months ago, two unleashed dogs attacked a deer & her fawn, which caused injuries to the mother & a broken leg to the fawn. I was so sad to have witnessed that. So please, feel free to use that space to walk your pet but be sure they are under your control. Otherwise, our vicious guard dog who acts more like a Michael than a Michaela will be sure to show who’s boss around here as she protects the perimeter of our property.
As I mentioned in my column last weekend, several priests had the opportunity to meet Bishop Malesic this past week & to hear his thoughts about his new home here in Cleveland. When asked the meaning of his episcopal coat of arms, he told us that the motto, taken from a psalm, is “Serve the Lord with gladness.” I can say that he appears to us as someone who has come to serve, and to do so with gladness. It’s wonderful to be able to pray for him by name now during the Eucharistic Prayer when we pray for “Francis our Pope and Edward our Bishop.” We will have cards with his picture on it available for you to take home with you which can serve as a reminder to pray for our new Shepherd.