YOUNG ADULT LENTEN RETREAT

      Young adults in their 20's and 30's are invited to a retreat, “Jesus, the Face of God’s Mercy” at Bethany Retreat Center in Chardon, Ohio. The retreat begins Saturday, February 13^th at 9:00am and runs until Sunday, February 14^th at noon. The event includes young adult witness talks, time for quiet and for sharing, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Sunday Mass. The cost is $40. For more information, contact Sr. Kate Hine, SND at khine@ndec.org or call 440-476-6094. Register at www.carisministries.org

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

     Love Powers Our Mission at Catholic Charities! Many parishioners received letters in January inviting their support of the Annual Appeal. We are all family. We are our brother’s keeper. In this, the Year of Mercy, we invite you to join Catholic Charities in feeding the hungry, sowing God’s love, bringing light to darkness, and spreading peace. Your support of the 2016 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal is an act of mercy that will change the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ.  

     We appreciate your donation and will take special care to use it wisely in providing essential programs and services to people throughout all eight counties of the Diocese of Cleveland. We invite you to view stories of inspiration and more information at www.catholiccommunity.org/2016Appeal  Please pray for the good work of Catholic Charities and make a pledge today.

MASS FOR LIFE

      In this Year of Mercy, you are invited to join Bishop Richard Lennon at a special Mass to commemorate the 43^rd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. The Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday, January 22 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Stay after Mass to participate in a Rosary for Life. School and parish groups are encouraged to join in solidarity with those at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. The Cathedral is an official Door of Mercy. For more information or to register a group, visit www.ccdocle.org/Mass4LifeCLE or call 216-334-2965.

4^th ANNUAL

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL
 

The weekend of January 30-31, after all the Masses, both Saturday and Sunday, the Altar Society invites everyone in the parish to the lower hall to savor a hearty bowl of soup (your choice of two kinds) with bread, and to spend some time with your fellow parishioners. Adult donation - $5, children under 12 - $2. Proceeds go to the Altar Society operating fund for 2016 and to purchase needed items for the Church.

LATIN AMERICAN - EL SALVADOR OFFERING

Next weekend, January 23-24, we will accept donations for our Cleveland Latin American Mission in El Salvador. It is the main support for two diocesan priests who work in two parishes served by our Mission Office. This appeal also makes a contribution to the Collection for the Church in Latin America that is managed by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and benefits projects and the formation of seminarians, religious and lay leaders in 23 countries across Latin America.

     Here we are in the middle of winter. In a couple of weeks, the Altar Society will trying to warm us with “Soup for the Soul.” A week later, there will a football game called the Super Bowl, and really not much to look forward to other than cold and snow for another six or seven weeks. This is the time for planning summer improvement projects.

     Over the past couple of years, we spent considerable money on the school building and gym. We put a new roof on one of our rental houses and replaced the air conditioning system in Hope House. More work is being planned for the school and gym buildings which might include a new kitchen, along with the possibility of an elevator, but we also need to start looking at the Church, Rectory and Convent buildings along with our parking lots. The Pastoral Council and the Finance Council are working with me to set priorities for this year.

     I would like to involve all the parishioners in making the decision as to what repairs need to be done this summer. We need to consider the importance of the repairs, the cost, and whether we can afford the repair. If anyone has suggestions for repairs, please let me know.

     This project is also a reminder to all of us to support our parish. The parish property is a tremendous asset for us. As good stewards, we need to properly care for and maintain it. This commitment from all of us is the best assurance that we will have a secure future. I look forward to hearing from you.

                                                                          God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice