Again it was a great joy for me to see so many people join us for our Easter Masses last weekend. I saw many faces (minus their nose & mouth) which I had not seen for several months or for over a year. To those who have begun the process of returning, welcome back. To those who are still waiting for vaccinations or just for when you feel it will be the right time to return, we will wait patiently for you. But to all, know that it is always a joy for us to know you are praying with us, whether you are with us “live” or via live-streaming.
On April 2nd we celebrated a Funeral Service (as Good Friday is the only day of the year when Mass is not permitted) for Victor Barcelona. Victor was married to his wife Maxima for 55 years. They came to the United States from the Philippines with 4 children in tow because they wanted the freedom to practice their faith. They had 5 children, all of whom attended our parish school and then went on to Catholic High Schools. Their children gave them 10 grandchildren, some of whom have been baptized here at St. Leo’s. Victor attended bible study and spoke often of the saints and prayed the rosary. His faith was so evident in his life. May he who was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, now be surrounded by the saints he often spoke of as his heavenly family.
At Mass Easter weekend, we prayed for a young girl by the name of Genesis Mossage who passed away on April 1st (Holy Thursday). Genesis was a student at our parish school. In December of 2017, she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma which is a type of cancer that occurs most often in infants & young children. Genesis went through chemo and treatments and our school students supported her in many ways. GiGi, as she liked to be called, will be waked this Sunday and we continue to keep her and her family in our prayers. The parish school made a donation to her family through GoFundMe and we pray that God may provide for all of their needs.
Also on April 1st, Sister Patricia Raelene passed away and this past Friday we celebrated her Funeral Mass at St. John Vianney in Mentor where she was raised & where her parents were buried from. I was assigned to St. John Vianney during the years when Sister transitioned from being a Little Sister of the Poor to becoming a Sister of the Holy Spirit in Garfield Heights. I anointed her back in 1994 when she had a brain tumor and gratefully she lived for many years after that. I was honored to preach the homily at her funeral Mass where I was able to share my own experience of her giftedness and holiness. Sister loved Christmas & still had Christmas decorations up in the Villa where she lived at Jennings. There was even a Christmas tree set up in her bedroom where her hospice bed was placed. If you recall, it snowed quite a bit on April 1st and she is probably the cause of that as she loved the snow. There is only one remaining Sister of the Holy Spirit now and so the Order will come to an end at her passing. May God reward these Sisters for all the good they did and for the good that continues to be done through others because of them.