Dear Parishioners,
The chest cold I had a couple of weeks ago was just about gone…I just had a little bit of coughing lingering on, but then last weekend it came back in full force. The doctor told me it was caused by a virus that is going around and that the cough lingers on for many people so I just had to do the usual recommended remedy: get plenty of rest, drink a lot of fluids and stay away from parishioners who may think I’m still contagious from it (OK I made up that last part but I did stay away). The other symptom is that all the coughing keeps me from getting a good night’s sleep which means I’m tired throughout the day. When that happens for several nights in a row, it makes for a miserable week. But I offered it up for my many sins & hope that by the time you read this, I’ll be risen from my bed. Or is that risen from the dead? Either way, I hope to be up & about.
Last weekend I joined with our confirmation candidates, their parents & sponsors for a visit to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Euclid, Ohio, which I mentioned I am well familiar with from visits there in my childhood, especially with my grandmother who lived in Euclid. The Sisters gave a great talk about St. Bernadette (to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared) and also a great witness of her own faith. We pray that these Sisters of the Holy Trinity will continue to care for the shrine and be a shining example to all who visit there. So this weekend at the 4pm Mass on Saturday, Abbot Hoover will be confirming these students from our parish, from St. Thomas More and from Mary, Queen of Peace. We welcome all of them and pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to be given generously to those who welcome His presence in their lives.
The Holy Spirit has certainly been working in our parish these last few weeks as we have welcomed new staff members who can share their gifts with us. I’ve already mentioned Angela & Devin Kovic, our new music ministers, and Eric Perusek, our Minister of Engagement. Now I would like to share the news that we have a new Principal as well. Let me share with you the information I shared with the parents, guardians, teachers and staff of our school this past week:
It is with gratitude to God that I am happy to announce the next leader of St. Leo the Great School in Mr. Lorenzo Jones. After interviewing several applicants for the position of principal, Mr. Jones immediately stood out as the person who could bring strong leadership to our school. His many years of experience as the former principal of Holy Hame Elementary School and his most recent position as principal of Villa Angela St. Joseph High School have given him the opportunities to become a knowledgeable and exceptional leader. He is passionate about his calling and known by many in the Diocese of Cleveland as a man committed to the mission of the Church to educate our children in the atmosphere of faith. As a devout Catholic, I am confident he will bring to our parish school the same values that we have held in our Catholic institutions here in the Diocese of Cleveland and in our parish of St. Leo the Great since our very beginning as a community of faith. Mr. Jones has a reputation of being present to parents, teachers and students and as someone who communicates honestly and respectfully with others. I am thrilled to welcome Mr. Jones into this important leadership role in our parish school and look forward to experiencing his love for the education and faith formation of our children.
Fr, James P. Schmitz