Dear Parishioners,

         We celebrated a Memorial Mass for Roberta Macy, the aunt of Mary Piechowski, our Associate Organist. Roberta was described as someone who was “born to serve others,” which is a wonderful thing to say about a person. She worked as a registered nurse and had a warm, welcoming heart. Please keep her in prayer as we commend the souls of the just in the loving hands of God.

         I also had a funeral Mass for Donald Pollack, who was married to his wife Joan for 63 years. Donald suffered from Parkinson’s during the last 15 years but attended Mass regularly when he was able. He and Joan have two daughters and a granddaughter, and we express our sympathy to his wife, children and granddaughter. Donald had a love of acting and was a thespian in the Little Theatre for many years. He used to enjoy rehearsing his lines with his two daughters. He also enjoyed Cleveland sports and photography. May he and all the faithful departed rest in peace.

The Bishop has asked all priests to draw your attention to a proposed amendment to Ohio’s Constitution which claims to recognize reproductive freedoms but which in fact furthers a culture of demand that removes current safeguards for women. As Catholics, we find the proposed amendment dangerous, unjust, and contrary to our belief in the sacredness of all life. Groups are currently collecting citizen signatures to add the amendment to the November 2023 ballot. More informational resources are coming, but in the meantime, please decline to sign any petition to put this amendment on the November ballot. Also please pray, learn and volunteer by visiting the “Protect Them Both” resource center at www.ohiocathconf.org/protect. This website is the official voice of the Catholic Church in Ohio on public policy, advocating for the dignity life at all stages, immigrants, Ohioans in need, and Catholic education. Please also cut out of this bulletin this Prayer to Defeat Ohio’s Abortion Amendment, called “Protect them Both” and put it where you can pray it often (please even pray it now!):

Ever-living God, you give life and desire a future for all your children. Take hold of our nation, state, and community and awaken in every heart awe for the gift of life. Send your Spirit to strengthen us with wisdom and fortitude as we defend mothers and children in Ohio from laws that disregard their health and safety. Mary and Joseph trusted in you and welcomed Jesus into our broken world. Father, we ask their intercession to protect the reborn and their mothers, and to guide all parents in raising their children. May they help us build a civilization of love by upholding the sacredness of life, preserving parental rights, and accompanying pregnant women in need. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Lady, Mother of the Family, pray for us! St. Joseph, Protector of the Unborn, pray for us!

   Last week, on the feast of Corpus Christi, we invited you to take home a small booklet written by Bishop Robert Barron called “This is My Body…a call to a Eucharistic Revival.” We still have some copies left so please be sure to take one home this weekend if you did not get one last weekend, and feel free to give a copy to someone you know who may benefit from this explanation of the great gift of the Eucharist. We will order more if necessary so please let us know if you cannot find a copy on the tables in the church. As Catholics, we really need to have a better understanding and appreciation of this great gift given to us each weekend. Let me know what you think of the book!

Fr. James P. Schmitz