Pastor's Column, August 17, 2014

Last Sunday before the 8am Mass, I began to experience some discomfort due to the familiar pain of kidney stones. A few weeks ago I had a procedure (lithotripsy) which blasted the stones & it was mostly successful but not completely. Last week my doctor told me what to expect, but of course he couldn’t have predicted it would happen on a Sunday morning. Now by the 10am Mass, everything was back to normal and I am now free of the problem. When I see the doctor this week, I hope he can tell me what foods I need to avoid but he has told me in the past that some people are just prone to this medical condition. Personally I think it’s caused by vegetables. Anyway, thanks for your concern & prayers. But I am well again & plan to stay that way.

We welcome Lennox Walsh into our Catholic family as she is baptized after the Noon Mass this weekend. It’s a blessing to have so many children added to our parish community.

Our cafeteria and school office have been painted and both look great. We also needed to change the florescent lights in the school building since we were using the older bulbs which were not only inefficient but which were getting difficult to replace when they burnt out since it used an older technology which is becoming obsolete. We worked with a company used by many parishes in the Diocese and decided to replace the lights where it was needed most, namely on the first floor, including the classrooms, hallways & cafeteria. The new LED bulbs are not only better for the children (less eye strain) but produce a much brighter light at a much lower cost. I’m sure you’ll notice the difference the next time you’re in the building.

One of the most important ministries in any Catholic parish is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It’s so central to the whole mission of the Church, which is the mission of each parish: to preach the Gospel and baptize those desiring to become Catholic. It’s what Jesus commanded us to do. Our RCIA process, which consists of weekly sessions that will begin October 1st, will take place Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30pm in the Parish Center. So I ask two things of you: first, please invite any adult you know who may possibly be interested in becoming Catholic to call me (or I will be happy to call them). Second, please consider joining us as a team member. All that is required is that you be present when able at our weekly sessions & learn more about the beauty and treasure of our Catholic Faith. Please let me know if I can expect to see you!

Pastor's Column, August 3, 2014

Many thanks to everyone who came to our parish picnic last Sunday. Through the prayers of Fr. Vesely, the rained was held back in the heavens until about 4pm, long enough for us to have a hearty meal and to enjoy each other’s company. Thanks to Pat Daley, a parishioner and DJ who provided the music, the maintenance staff who setup, to our cooks, Matt Kissig & Alex Pavlick, who grilled the best hamburgers I’ve had at a picnic, to the many people who brought side dishes and to Michaela who helped everyone clean their plate. I’m already looking forward to next year’s picnic. 

Please keep in prayer all of the sick & homebound members of the parish, especially Dan Staskiews whom I anointed this past week. We are planning to have an opportunity for those who wish to be anointed at Mass, but please be sure to ask me to anoint you after any Mass if you are going to have surgery or if you are facing an illness that is serious. Take advantage of this sacrament which calls upon God’s healing & strength in our bodily (& spiritual) weakness. 

We were saddened to hear of the death of Sister Eileen Duffy, CSJ, who was a member of the parish staff for many years here at St. Leo’s. We included her picture and other information about her in this weekend’s bulletin. May she rest in peace and receive the reward of serving the Lord & His people so generously.

This week our parking lot is going to be repaired and sealed, as it is most years. We will do our best to keep one side of the parking lot cleared for people to drive on when they come to daily Mass or to the Parish Office. Please excuse any inconvenience it may cause.

We want to bid farewell to Tony & Virginia Pogado who moved permanently back to the Philippines this past week. We are sad when any parishioner needs to move on, but Tony & Virginia were here for many years and were active as Eucharistic Ministers. We wish them well and thank them for many years of service. 

So do you know what today is? (I’m referring to Sunday, August 3rd, in case you’re reading this on Saturday). It’s Hungarian Day! Every year on the first Sunday of August, the Hungarians have a wonderful outdoor picnic in Lorain with real Hungarian food…weiner schnitzel, dumplings, chicken paprikas…all the things that make your tongue say “Wow!” When I was Pastor of the Hungarian Parish in Lorain, they adopted me as one of their own, even though I’m German & Italian. I can’t speak Hungarian, but I sure can eat it!