Rita Gurgol was a parishioner here at St. Leo’s for 64 years. Her two children attended our parish school. We had Rita’s funeral Mass on December 30th and celebrated her faith which expressed itself in part by praying the rosary and having a devotion to St. Jude. Though living with her daughter for the last 6 years, she remained connected to our parish by reading the bulletin weekly. I recalled how the three things Rita enjoyed in her life...sewing, making Polish bread and being a Cleveland sports fan, were all connected with her faith. May she rest now in eternal Christmas peace and may God’s peace be with her daughter Judy.
Lucille Mills has also been a parishioner of St. Leo’s for some time along with her husband Patrick and their son Scott. Lulu was married for 57 years and was a committed mother and doting grandmother. Like our Blessed Mother, who also was a loving spouse to Joseph & mother to their one Son, Jesus, Lu followed Mary’s example as one who created a loving home for her family. As such, Lulu had a devotion to Mary, especially under the title of “Out Lady of Fatima” and always told her son Scott to ask for Our Lady’s intercession. I am confident that Mary prayed for Lu during her life and “at the hour of death.”
After today’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we are once again back into the “Ordinary Time” of the Church’s liturgical year. We go from white & gold vestments to green and the church is cleared of it’s Christmas decorations. How quickly time moves us from one liturgical season to another. Before you know it, we will don the purple color of Lent which begins on February 17th. But for now let us continue to take life as it comes to us with trust in God’s providence.
The Diocese has informed us that seventeen priests have volunteered to be designated as COVID 19 ministers who anoint critically ill COVID patients who are near death. There have been many priests who have contracted COVID themselves (and some have succumbed to it) and so the Bishop is urging us to be cautious regarding our own health for the good of the people we are called to serve during this time. As such, Deacon Pat and Joan and I are trying to avoid enclosed spaces such as funeral homes and are conscious of other situations where the virus is more likely to be contracted so please be aware of this and feel free to reach out if you have questions about our ministry to you or to loved ones at this time. Due to the increased number of COVID cases, we are not renting out the Parish Center at this time until further notice.