I failed to mention in last week’s bulletin that Deacon Pat would be leading the Catholic Charities Annual Appeal in my absence (as he did last year when I was recuperating from surgery). And I have come to expect that you responded very generously to our appeal for this worthy cause. With so many institutions asking for our financial help, it can be over- whelming trying to choose which causes we wish to support as so many people in many different circumstances are in need. While I believe strongly in the various specific charities we have even here in our own parish of St. Leo’s, such as buying gifts for children at Christmastime or contributing to the baby bottle campaign which we introduced just a few weeks ago, what I like about Catholic Charities is its broad outreach to so many different people and needs, but within our own Diocese of Cleveland here in Northeast Ohio. I never hesitate to commit myself to this local charitable organ- ization and again thank you for considering participating in it according to your means, if you are able. If you did not have the opportunity to be a part of the appeal last weekend, you can fill out an envelope which we will have available in the church as well as in our rectory office.
We offer our sympathy to Diane Buccier, a longtime teacher in our parish school, on the sudden illness and death of her mother, Genevieve Plona, who was 90 years old. Many of our teachers and school staff were there to offer their prayerful support to Diane and we commend her mother Gene to God’s gracious love and mercy.
We also extend our condolences to Brenda Basalla, our Business Manager, and to her mother, Betty Clancy, who works in our rectory office, on the sudden death of their father and husband, respectively. Though Larry Clancy had been in declining health, his sudden death brings great sadness to his family and to their many friends. I had visited with Larry at his home as he and Betty would enjoy watching Michaela for me on my day off and during some vacations. Michaela loved to sit on Larry’s lap and he enjoyed her company as well. Larry was a man I was happy to know and he will be remembered fondly. Fr. Russ Lowe, a relative, celebrated the funeral Mass at Our Lady of Angels and I was present to concelebrate. May God’s peace be with Betty and Brenda as I thank God for their presence on our parish staff.
Congratulations to Kyle and Sara Hunter on the baptism of their son Liam this Sunday. We will also be celebrating the Sacrament of Matrimony for Liam’s godparents, Joseph & Samantha Fondriest. May God’s grace be with each of them as they enter ever deeper into a relationship with the one who has always loved us.
The parish office will be closed on Monday in honor of Presidents Day, a civil holiday. And please pray for Archbishop-Elect Nelson Perez as he is installed as the new Archbishop of Philadelphia this Tuesday, February 18th. While I am very sad to lose him as the shepherd of our Diocese, I trust that God’s plan will be for the good of all. As of Tuesday, we will not be praying for our local bishop during the Eucharistic Prayer until a new one has been named by Pope Francis, which is likely several weeks or months away.