Thank you again to those who made a pledge in response to the Catholic Charities Appeal last weekend. What I love about Catholic Charities the most (as there is so much to love about it) is that it covers the many different needs of so many people, right here in Northeast Ohio (as well as throughout the world). It serves people who are hungry, homeless, who have mental or physical disabilities or illnesses and that list goes on & on. It’s also so easy to contribute to as they deduct from your credit card every month (if you prefer that) or they can take payment via a one-time check. You know that the majority of the money contributed will be directly used to help people with a variety of needs. You can learn more about Catholic Charities through the website of the Diocese of Cleveland here: https:// www.ccdocle.org/service-areas. I will leave pencils and pledge envelopes in the pews for a couple more weekends for those who may not have been here last weekend. Feel free to fill it out during Deacon Pat’s homily (LOL) & then just drop it in the collection basket. If you need assistance with the pledge or have any questions about it, please feel free to call the rectory office and we’ll be happy to help you. Thank you again for your generosity. As Jesus said in last week’s gospel, “Give to all who ask of you.” This is one sure way of living in obedience to that command.

Yesterday I met with a company who supplies cameras and door locks and “vaping sensors” to institutions looking for better security. I didn’t know that vaping was a problem in schools but apparently it’s the new “smoking in the bathroom” issue that many schools face. This company has a very feature-filled and comprehensive system of security using the latest technology in cameras and door locks and other hardware and software solutions that allows churches and schools (in our case) to be secure in a society that sees increasing break-ins and security breaches. We presently have cameras in & outside of all our buildings and we do have some doors that can be unlocked without keys but it’s pretty much a mishmash of different technologies & companies that were available as we purchased them over several years. So we are now looking not only to increase our security (especially in our school but in all of our buildings) but to also provide an easy to use system that will save us much time and money over the older technology we are now using. The cameras for instance will be able to read license plates so that if someone comes in our parking lot who is looking to cause trouble, we will have the video which can be sent immediately to the police. We are hoping that a very large grant will be given to us for the installation of this technology and I’m grateful to Mrs. Burns, our school Principal, for all the work she does in securing many grants for us, and to our IT (“Internet Technology”) company for all their work in making sure the cameras & locks and other technology equipment is running smoothly. It’s amazing how much our school (and parish) now depends on technology to keep us meeting the needs of our parishioners & school students. My first concern is for your safety so know that we are always working toward that goal.

Our sympathy to the family of Andrew Sikut whose Funeral Mass I celebrated here on Friday, February 17th. Andy attended our parish school and was a very funny and fun-loving person who was also devoted to his Catholic Faith. His schoolmates were able to share many stories about him and we commended him to God’s mercy through prayer. Please keep him and all the deceased of our parish in your prayers. May Andy and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.