Dear Parishioners,

         I expressed our sympathies to the family of Yukiko “Kate” Ward, whose funeral Mass I celebrated on Friday, February 24th. Kate was married for 42 years and had 2 sons and 2 grandchildren. She worked as a finance manager for different Catholic churches. Most interesting about her life was that she joined the Catholic Church in Japan and then came to the United States in order to become more involved with the Church. In this way, she was something of a “missionary” as she witnessed her faith in this country. May she rest now in God’s peace.

        This past Monday, February 27th,  I also celebrated the funeral of Ernestine Wisniewski, mother of Karen Baracz and her brother Richard (deceased). She was also a grandmother of 4, great-grandmother of 7 and great-great grandmother of one. “Ernie” was known for welcoming all to her home, especially her family. She was spoken of as being the “heart and sunshine” of the family. She was married to her husband Elmer (also deceased) for 73 years! They enjoyed traveling together, especially to Florida, where they both led very active lives & were active members of the Church. May they both enjoy the heart and sunshine of heaven, who is God. 

        As we celebrate our 75th Anniversary this year, I continue to learn more about the history of our parish. I heard a gentleman come in the front office a couple of weeks ago & he told the Office Manager, Nina Capone, that his dad was the architect for our church. So I went out to talk with him. His father’s name was Dick Rauschenbach of Rauschenbach, Casini & Urban Architects & Engineers in Independence, Ohio. It was great talking to him. I hope we can get him to tell us a bit more about his father’s work and I’ll be happy to share that with you. 

       Our Fish Fry’s continue to be a great success as many come to enjoy such good food at very reasonable prices. As I write this, I especially look forward to the lobster dinner that will be an option this week (March 3rd). I hope you all have a chance to come enjoy the delicious food & the opportunity to see fellow parishioners & our neighbors. Thanks to all who work hard each week to make this a staple of our Lenten observance each year.

Although I mentioned this at the 7pm Mass on Ash Wednesday, I want to again wish Deacon Pat Berigan a belated Happy Birthday. He turned 70 on Ash Wednesday but due to that day of fast & abstinence was not able to enjoy a really hearty birthday meal so he’s been trying to catch up ever since. Though we tease each other a lot & share many laughs and meals during the week, I can never tell him and his wife Joan how much I appreciate their ministry here at St. Leo’s & enjoy their friendship. They came here just when Fr. Vesely was leaving St. Leo’s to move into Mt. Augustine so God provided me with their presence and assistance at just the right time. It is a real joy for me to have them here and I know how much you gain from their presence  as well. I told Deacon Pat that his 70th birthday coincides with a change in his retirement age which I have moved up to age 85 (to ensure he is still here until I am able to retire). Actually I will have only 12 more years but just in case the Bishop asks me to give him a couple more years, I’d like to ensure the Berigan’s are still here if I am as well. I was able to meet their 4 children & enjoy a birthday dinner with the whole Berigan family. What a great family Deacon Pat & Joan raised. Though I won’t tell you the year of Joan’s birth, I can tell you that her birthday is August 30th and that her husband has caught up with her.

Fr. James Schmitz