DECEMBER 14, 2008   A PATH is our reflection symbol for the third week of Advent.  A path can be a small thing like a shovel-wide way through a few inches of snow, or a mighty thing like a road dug right through the middle of a mountain such as those awe-inspiring tunnels of the Pennsylvania turnpike.  No matter the size of it, making a path takes conscious effort.  It clears a space for two-way travel, for things to come and to go.  If we had no pathways to our houses, it would mean that we wanted no one to come in and that we wished never to go out.  The path that we prepare for the Lord in our hearts and in our communities is like that: it takes our conscious effort, it allows two-way movement, and it signals a desire for contact.  If we have prepared a pathway for the Lord, we have opened up a path of trust.  We trust that God will come to us with forgiveness and mercy.  We clear away our fears and misgivings, our hatred and isolation, our sins and refusals to love that obstruct a clear pathway for us to go to God and for God to come to us.  We then meet God on the cleared path of our hearts in a joyous union of love.  (Reflection by Joan Lawson)   THE WINTER JOURNEY OF ADVENT   In this time of darkness, We choose to look toward the Light. In this time when so many suffer, We choose faith, not despair: We choose the work of compassionate justice.   As we move through Advent together, Hungry for transformation, for hope, Our steps themselves Transform us, nourish us. We are on constant pilgrimage, Moving to the heart of things, Reaching beyond what any one of us Can reach alone.   The brightness of the Incarnation Guides us as we continue, With the promise of the Prince of Peace As the bright star in these dark nights.   By Jane Deren, Education for Justice   www.educationforjustice.org   Our celebration is called GAUDETE SUNDAY because today’s Mass begins with the opening antiphon: “Gaudete in Domino simper”—“Rejoice in the Lord always.”  Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and could not find a parking place.  Looking up to heaven he said, “Lord, take pity on me.  If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up my Irish whiskey during Advent and Lent.  Miraculously a parking place appeared.  Paddy looked up again and said, “Never mind Lord, I found one.”   DECEMBER 7, 2008 ROCKS are our symbol for the Second Week of Advent this year.  The prophet Isaiah says that the rugged land shall become a smooth plain and the rough country a broad and fertile place.  Let the rocks in the sanctuary remind us to move aside the rocks of our sin to make a path for the Lord.  Our readings today speak comfort to us, assuring us that as we do that sometimes-difficult work of making our hearts clear for the Lord, God remains with us, patient, sustaining, and forgiving.  In his letter to the Romans, Saint Paul assures us that “where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.” Let our Advent work be to use the shovel of faith and remove those rocks that are our sins, and in doing so to rely on God’s grace and trust in God’s forgiveness.   A NEW FACE TO THE BULLETIN   This week we introduce a new cover on our weekly bulletin, which incorporates input from the Parish Pastoral Council.  We hope to use seasonal photos of the outside of the church and grounds throughout the year.  I would encourage all the parish shutterbugs to submit your pictures capturing some unusual angle or perspective. PARISH PLANNING   Now that our parish has been awarded the 2008 National Clergy Renewal Grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc., the members of the Parish Pastoral Council at the November meeting began to discuss and plan for the “beautyway” period ahead for all of us.  Members began to consider · The matter of parish leadership, the role of Pastoral Council and the planning for “supply”/visiting clergy. · How can/will the parish be renewed in my absence through programs and activities that are proposed and funded in the grant? And, How can we all get the most out of this renewal period? The meeting began with prayer reminding us that we have all be commissioned with the Spirit to bring Jesus’ peace and power to our world.  We also engaged in a formation activity that brought to our attention that change is a constant feature in our lives and that with faith and in God’s embrace we can face the future.       November 30, 2008   THE SHOVEL is our symbol for the First Week of Advent this year.  During Advent, the Church places before us the words of the prophet Isaiah, who calls us to make the mountains of our lives level, and to fill in the valleys, so that we may prepare a straight path for the Lord to enter our hearts.  Let our garden shovel remind us to pick up our spiritual shovels and do some work in our hearts, breaking up the hard spots of resentment, bitterness, and regret, and mixing in the love that softens our hearts and makes us able to grow as disciples of the Lord.  The gospel this Sunday calls us to be watchful, alert, and READY!  Let’s use our shovels right now and make our hearts ready for the Lord who has come, is with us, and will come again.         The Election Day Bake Sale was a tasty success.  Thanks to everyone who planned, baked, sold and made this event so wonderful.  Special thanks to Amy Kernan who coordinated the bake sale.  The bake sale raised $745.00!!   Periodically we need to be reminded that safety and courtesy override convenience.  We have been placing orange cones around the rectory garages because some are beginning to park at the corners and block (or at least make difficult) entering or exiting the parking lot.  This was especially important last Saturday night when we needed to get emergency vehicles to the front entrance to assist a parishioner who fell.  The best way to get a good parking spot is to come early!         ADVENT REFLECTION         Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, (Seek That Which Is Above, 1986) wrote: "Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent’s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church’s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope.…     It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope."     November 23, 2008   Growth is the only evidence of life. John Henry Newman, Apologia pro vita sua, 1864, convert and cardinal   The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions. Ellen Glasgow   We would rather be ruined than changed; We would rather die in our dread Than climb the cross of the moment And let our illusions die. W.H. Auden, poet   When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Victor Frankl, holocaust survivor and psychoanalyst    These citations and others have been swirling around my head lately and for several reasons.  First, there is a change in our 12 noon Mass, la santa misa en español.  Fr. John Reiss abruptly notified me that he was no longer available to preside at this service.  This left us in a huge quandary: how would we continue to minister and provide catechetical formation to the Spanish-speaking members of our parish.  To make a long story short, I am taking weekly Spanish lessons with Sr. Jeanette Abi-Nader, HM at Villa Maria, PA every Friday and slowly twisting my Italian mouth around Spanish words and prayers.  La santa misa is sort of a hybrid situation at this moment but moving along positively.  Catholic Charities is providing us with some part-time catechetical and liturgical assistance with Efrain Ranous.  Efrain is from Guatemala and has a master’s degree in religious education.  We are very grateful for him and the diocesan support.   Secondly, the Diocesan Strategic Executive Committee met last week to being the task of rebuilding and revitalizing our parishes.  There is going to be change in our diocesan parishes and institutions.  Those assembled were asked to articulate their hopes for the process.  Here are some of the comments: we are called to be facilitators of collaboration, we are to witness to Christ and to be supple instruments of the Gospel, our process is to reach out to the marginalized, we are to seek the good through growth and change, we must be positive and expansive, we are to be models of hope and seek new ways of looking and doing, we are position the church for the next generation, communication is essential to the needed changes and to rid false rumors, good communication equals no surprises, we are to be energized to live the Gospel, we must all learn to deal with change, the greater good of the whole diocesan church is critical, we must listen and let the Holy Spirit guide, we must learn to grow in changing times, we are called to employ wisdom and compassion in deliberations, and we must be witnesses to hope, remember we are pilgrims on the journey and embrace the Spirit.     November 16, 2008   GOOD NEWS 1   We have received this notice from Youngstown CityScape, “Dear Fr. Daprile and Albert Mihalik,  We are pleased to inform you that St. Brendan Parish has been selected to receive a Youngstown CityScape Second Annual Beautification Award.  CityScape is a grass roots organization dedicated to revitalizing Youngstown’s downtown and gateways.  We believe that what people see in the city is a reflection of the city’s attitude and status.  Because of your commitment and hard work, the appearance of these areas is a source of pride and inspiration to the entire region as it continues to move forward.”   GOOD NEWS 2   St. Brendan Parish has received a grant of $45,000 to enable me to participate in the 2008 National Clergy Renewal Program funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc.  We are one of 133 congregations across the country to receive this grant (and only two other Catholic parishes!).  This year’s grants total nearly $5 million and go to 20 denominations in 36 states.  Almost a third of the grant will be used to cover expenses, clergy help and renewal experiences for the parish during my absence.   The national press release states: “The Endowment’s larger goal is to bolster the good work that America’s pastors and congregations accomplish day in and day out and to reinforce and build upon important work done on both sides of the pulpit.  ‘In our religion grantmaking, we hope to strengthen the efforts of today’s excellent pastors because it is no secret that pastors who have reconnected themselves to the passions that led them to the ministry in the first place are more likely to lead healthy and vibrant congregations,’ said Craig Dykstra, Endowment senior vice-president for religion.”   “We will walk the beautyway” captures the vision and spirit of St. Brendan’s proposal.  Borrowed from the Navajo, “beautyway” suggests harmony, happiness, goodness and well-being.  In mid-August 2009, I will travel to Ireland for two weeks to walk the ways (and maybe ride some of the waves) of St. Brendan and be immersed in the ways of Celtic spirituality: earthiness, the divine infused sense of nature, the Trinity, hospitality and the great stories of life.  Then I will go to Roncesvalles, Spain to walk the 500 mile camino francés (the medieval pilgrimage route across the north of Spain) to Santiago de Compostelo, the traditional burial site of St. James.  Walking the camino takes approximately 33 days (one day for each year of Jesus’ earthly life) and I will be traveling with Fr. Jim Schutte from Cincinnati.  Back in the United States, I will take painting lessons—a long repressed desire—and then, will spend significant time in Santa Fe, New Mexico to paint en plein air (in the openness, outdoors) and be immersed in the surrounding art communities.  This is but a quick summary of the renewal period’s highlights.   I am grateful, honored and thrilled at receiving this grant.  There is a lot of preparation yet to be done and dozens of details to be ironed out.  I will keep all posted as particulars unfold.  Deo Gratias!     November 9, 2008   MARY, DISCIPLE OF HOPE is the title of a new, original statue on the eastside of our church. The Mary statue was dedicated on Saturday, November 1, 2008, All Saints Day by Rev. James M. Daprile, pastor, and witnessed by more than 40 parishioners and project donors.  Musicians were Kevin Gura on guitar and Stephanie O’Leary on flute.  The program was developed by Joan Lawson.  Afterwards, the Liturgy Committee (Deb and Mark Flora, Jennifer and Tom Gatto) hosted a reception of cider and donuts.  The landscaping was done by Al Mihalik.  The statue was hand-chiseled from Indiana limestone and weighs approximately 1,400 lbs.  It was designed by sculptor Norbert Koehn of Cleveland.  Mary’s halo has a field of stars that ties into the symbolism of St. Brendan, our patron, who navigated by the stars.  Mary is holding a bouquet of calla lilies, flowers of our time and symbolism of purity and fidelity.  Koehn was born in Germany and trained in the famous sculptors’ school in Oberammergau.  He has been a resident of the United States for 28 years.  His wife, Victoria, also is a sculptor. They have two sons.  (copy by Deb Flora, photo by Bob Casey)       WE ARE GRATEFUL to the many generous donors who brought this project to completion.  To date they include:  Don Scherl, Dan and Pam Mihalik and Family, The St. Brendan Atlar and Rosary Society, Mary Morley, In memory of Edie, Ron and David Dota, Adrianna (Audrey Zaksek), Teri Laret, Geraldine (Jerry) Beene, Catherine (Kay) Roser, Cathy Chance, Marie Chance, Angie Phillipone, Fred and Shirley Merlo, and Christine Kalhoun.  Thank you.   MORE THANKS to Fred Capogreco and Jessie Hooper who sanded down and re-varnished the church doors this past week with the Indian summer warmth and sun.  These doors get pretty beaten up because of the southern exposure and this new finishing coat makes them glisten again.  And thanks to Fred who weekly makes the brass door handles shine brightly.    November 2, 2008   ON THIS FEAST OF ALL SOULS and the days which surround it, the Mexican community celebrates "the Day of the Dead."  Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.  At the grave family and friends, adults and children, have a picnic: they tell stories of their dead and share the food they brought.  It is an expression of the undying bonds of love that unite them to their family members who have passed to the other side.  They also believe that the spirits of their loved ones are alive and, in some way, still with them.   We don't have to be of Mexican descent to celebrate the lives of our deceased family and friends.  Aren't we doing something similar to what our Mexican brothers and sisters do when we gather at Eucharist on this day?  We share stories from the scriptures, the family stories we have in common.  We then eat the "favorite foods" that nourished our deceased brothers and sisters: the eucharistic bread and wine that sustained them in their living and dying and that gives us hope that someday we will again eat at a banquet table with one another and the risen Lord.   This is a time to go to visit the cemetery and share stories of the dead with our children.  We could recall their lives, how they lived their faith and passed that faith on to us.  We might open family albums for our little ones and, like a storybook reading in the evening, tell them the stories of their deceased grandparents, uncles, aunts, and our friends.  We could include prayers for them as we pray bedtime prayers with the little ones.   In our part of the globe it is Autumn and nature seems to be "passing away" around us.  But we have firm hope that, after a season of rest and bareness, the earth will come alive again.  We also have a secure hope, based on Jesus' promise to us, that he has given us eternal life and that, with him and one another, we shall rise "on the last day."   At the end of every funeral Mass, we pray: Merciful Lord, turn toward us and listen to our prayers: open the gates of paradise to your servant and help us who remain to comfort one another with assurances of faith, until we all meet in Christ and are with you and our sister/brother forever.  Amen.     October 26, 2008   STATUE OF MARY DEDICATION Our new outdoor statue of Mary will be dedicated on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 1:00 pm.  The statue will reside in the garden on the south side of the church (where the dahlias are).  All are invited.  Please join in this festive celebration honoring Mary.     PARISH TRIP 10/21/08                       Bill Lawson shares the history of the Burt/Radio Building and show us plans for the new Mahoning Valley Historical Center.                     Enjoying one of the courses at Café Cimmento with George, the owner                     Tony explaining the wine being tasted   October 19, 2008   THE COMPREHENSIVE DIOCESAN PLANNING PROCESS HAS BEGUN.  Bishop George Murray has appointed Msgr. John Zuraw as Vicar for Planning.  The first phase of the process was to meet with the priests of our 7 (seven) diocesan deaneries (regional and county grouping of parishes—we are in Mahoning South) to look at the road ahead.  These meetings were attended by 97% of our active diocesan priests.   The next step is to complete a 17 (seventeen) page PARISH AUDIT.  This document seeks specific data on parish statistics, sacramental information, liturgical life, staff description, school, elementary CCD / faith formation, youth ministry, RCIA, parish outreach, parish buildings and grounds, cemetery, parish activities and organizations, and parish finances.  Within these categories trends are sought.  For instance, what was the Christmas Attendance in 2001, 2004 and 2007?  This type of trend question is also applied to sacraments, finances, faith formation/school.    As important as data is, there are significant evaluative questions, such as what is the distinctive nature of the parish?  Is there any thing the parish does particularly well?  Are there specific concerns facing the parish?  How do we collaborate and share resources?  Are there problems?  How do we see our future?   These items will be discussed at the Parish Pastoral Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2008.  This meeting will look at the first draft of our parish audit but more importantly will discuss the trends and begin to frame our responses to the questions above.  At this meeting persons will be recommended to me to serve on the deanery planning level.  The parish committee—as directed by the planning process—will be comprised as following: One (1) Pastoral Council Representative One (1) Finance Council Representative One (1) Staff Member Two (2) General Parish Representatives  The deanery meetings will begin in January 2009 and will review the parish audits and begin to identify the best way for our parishes to respond to the significant issues and challenges we face as a Church.   If you would like to participate in the Pastoral Council meeting this Tuesday or if you would like to serve as a General Parish Representative at the deanery level, please contact me immediately.  I will be happy to supply any additional information or answer questions regarding the process (to be best of my ability).   Bishop Murry has stated firmly “participation in this process is not optional and is mandated.” by all persons, parishes and institutions of the diocese.     October 12, 2008   EXTRA EFFORT AND INGENUITY   During the month of September our Bingo crew offered some incentive (an additional card) to the players if they brought in some canned food item.  We got this card from Sr. Mildred Ely, HM, Manager of the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry:  “’Blessed is the heart that finds joy in giving.  Blessed is the heart that bring love to living.”  Thank you for your donation of $11.00 in cash and 730 pounds of food.  As you know, the number of people in need is growing.  We are able to serve them because of the thoughtfulness and generosity of all of you.  We are grateful for your extra effort and ingenuity.  God’s peace and happiness to each of you.  Our grateful prayers to all.”   DIOCESAN (AND HENCE PARISH) POLICY DURING THE ELECTION SEASON   Parishes and other Catholic organizations are encouraged to share the Church’s teaching on the relationship between Christian faith and political life.  We strongly urge all parishioners to register, to become informed on key issues and to vote.  The Church does not support or oppose any candidate, but seeks to focus attention on the moral and human dimensions of issues.  (Faithful Citizenship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007)   Parishes and other IRS-designated section 501(c)(3) church organizations are prohibited from participating in political campaign activity. We do not authorize the distribution of partisan political materials on parish property.  (Faithful Citizenship) (1)  We do not endorse or oppose candidates, political parties, groups or candidates, or take action that reasonable could be construed as endorsement or opposition.  (2)  We do not authorize distribution of partisan political materials or biased education materials (those that support or oppose—or exhibit a bias for or against—any candidate or party) on church property, in church publications, or at church activities.  Authorization should be given only after materials have been approved by the diocesan attorney.  Non-partisan materials, like information provided by the League of Women Voters, can be distributed.   Parish Practice:  No partisan political materials or biased education materials are permitted on our bulletin boards, vestibules, website, information racks, parking lot or property.  No partisan political materials or biased education materials can be distributed during any liturgical service, meeting or activity using/leasing parish facilities (Bingo, parish committees, Blockwatch, AA, Summit Academy, Potters Wheel).  Inform the pastor immediately if there are any questions or violations of this practice so that appropriate measure can be taken.   TO UNDERSTAND HOW to be Catholic and a faithful citizen, consider attending Matt Abramowski’s presentation on Monday evening at 7:00 pm in Maxwell Hall.   OCTOBER 5, 2008   MARY STATUE  A statue of Mary, carved from Indiana limestone has been commissioned for our parish.  I intend to make a shrine to Mary on the east side of the church.  Several folks have stepped forward so that we could advance this project.  I am now seeking additional donors to bring this to completion.  This is an opportunity to memorialize your family or an offering of gratitude.  Please contact me if you would like more information or to see the artist’s model.   OUR FUTURE   Soon the Diocesan Planning Committee will ask us to complete a Strategic Audit of the parish (an instrument that will evaluate and assess our ministries, worship, services, formation. And physical plant, etc.).  And the parish will need to provide 2 parishioners to be part of the Deanery Planning Team.  Parish Pastoral Council will be the medium through which we will operate and there will be parish meetings to gather input and share the process.  If you are interested in serving on this committee or have some particular skill that will enhance the parish or diocesan process, please let me or Deb Flora, Chair of Pastoral Council, know.   HIGH LIFTS have hoisted workers around the church, school and rectory tuck pointing the masonry joints in the bricks.  This project was necessitated because of the blistering of plaster around and three south church windows, the new cracks in the church ceiling near the school doors, and water problems in the classrooms and offices.  Hopefully, the buildings have been tightened up for the winter onslaught.   THE DAHLIAS have been absolutely dazzling.  See the last hurrah before the frost.   CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL PARABLES  Samuel Leibowitz, criminal lawyer and judge, saved 78 men from the electric chair.  Not one of them ever bothered to thank him.   Many years ago, as the story is told, a devout king was disturbed by the ingratitude of his royal court. He prepared a large banquet for them.  When the king and his royal guests were seated, a beggar shuffled into the hall, sat down at the king's table, and gorged himself with food. Without saying a word, the beggar then left the room.  The guests were furious and asked permission to seize the tramp and tear him limb from limb for his ingratitude.  The king replied, "That beggar has done only once to an earthly king what each of you does three times each day to God.  You sit there at the table and eat until you are satisfied.  Then you walk away without recognizing God, or expressing one word of thanks to Him."  The parable in today’s gospel is about the gross ingratitude of God’s chosen people who persecuted and killed all the prophets sent to them by God to correct them and finally crucified their long-awaited Messiah.         SEPTEMBER 21, 2008   PASTORAL PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF PARISHES AND SCHOOLS in the Diocese of Youngstown was the topic of the Mahoning South Deanery (regional) meeting of priests last Wednesday.  Msgr. John Zuraw, director of Planning, gathered 13 priests of our area to begin a discussion of long range planning for our diocese.  Here are a few of the items that were part of the conversation:   1.  We were asked “What constitutes a vital or vibrant parish/school?”  There was general agreement that the factors from the 1992 “Walking Together: Collaborating for the Future” project still ring true.  The qualities are: Evangelization (the way the parish continues to spread the good news of Jesus), Worship (Eucharist and other expressions of sacramental and prayer life in the parish), Word (the proclamation of the Scriptures and traditions of the Church), Community (inclusivity and cohesiveness of the parish), Service (commitment to works of compassion and justice), Leadership (calling forth the gifts of visioning, planning, empowering and evaluating for the service of the community), and Stewardship (sharing of time, talent and treasure for the fulfillment of the parish’s mission).   2.  Currently, there are 104 active priests of the diocese.  The youngest priest is 27 and the oldest is 78.  There are15 priests between 70 and 78.  There are 15 seminarians over 9 years of training.  There will be no ordinations in 2012, 2015, and 2016.  The average age of our priests is 66.   3.  The diocese has 114 parishes.  There are 20 priests that pastor two parishes.  Or another way of putting it, 41 parishes (about a third of the diocesan parishes) share the services of 20 priests.    4.  Among the challenges the diocese faces are: shifting population centers, changing roles of religion in the lives of American Catholics, the responsibility to embrace new immigrants, changing expectations of parishes and schools, and the diminishing number of priests.   5.  Some of the concerns of the priests were: the process must affect every priest and institution in the entire diocese, we must all take ownership of the process, we do not want to waste our time, there must be a diocesan vision, there must be efforts to avoid both a lack of commitment to implement the plan and efforts to avoid any sabotaging of the plan.   6.  The next two steps will be (a) a Strategic Audit of every parish and institution, in order to have accurate, honest and complete data; and (b) creating a Deanery Planning Team, which will consist of 2 members of every parish in the deanery.  If you are interested in serving on this committee, please let me know.   7.  This is a huge and serious undertaking that will affect us all.  May the process be cloaked in prayer, secure in the Gospel and tradition, shielded from selfishness, engaged in hope, and expressed in love.     SEPTEMBER 14, 2008   ANOTHER WOW PICNIC!   Even a few raindrops did not deter our parish celebrations.  The amazing aspect of our 4th annual outdoor Mass and picnic is that everyone participated in some wonderful way: planning, setting up, donations (our second collection yielded $567.00 for paper products and rentals), baking, cooking, preparing, enjoying games, making music, serving, bringing food for the poor, supporting and tearing down.  Thanks to everyone, and especially to Linda Feher and Joe Kachurek, who coordinated the whole event.   This event was a great expression of our parish’s vitality.   BEHIND THE HEADLINES   You may have read the article or seen the report about the closing of Summit Elementary School, which leases our building.  I have met or discussed this past week with pastors, local educators and folks from Summit Academy Management (SAM) about this situation.               SAM is challenged by the closing of Summit Elementary (one of 23 schools in their system) and is currently appealing the ruling.  Because more than 85% of the students are “at risk” (learning disabled, autism, ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome), 98% receive special education services through their Individual Education Plan (IEP) and have reading abilities generally two (2) years below behind their peers, Summit’s students do extremely poorly on standardized tests like the Ohio Achievement Test.  SAM acknowledges that assessment and accountability are important and is seeking different and creative tools to measure academic progress.  This is the substance of their appeal and efforts with the Ohio Department of Education to seek  alternative assessment measures.  If you would like more information on these initiatives log on to:  http://www.summitacademies.com/LearningChallenges/tabid/138/Default.aspx               Additionally, SAM is exploring the possibility of reorganizing the 3 (three) Summit Schools  in Youngstown so that the elementary school can continue its academic services and at our location.               From my perspective, the parish welcomed Summit Academy because their mission to educate  children with disabilities is consistent with our parish’s mission and the Gospel to care for the marginalized and to reach out to those in need.  I support SAM’s efforts to appeal the closure and their  efforts to seek alternative and appropriate testing measures for children with disabilities or special needs.  I also recognize the importance of assessment for students and accountability of public funds.  I hope and pray that all parties will bring creative and effective energies to resolve this issue for our children.   MARY STATUE   After a few fits and starts, the outdoor stone statue of Mary is back on track.  Several folks have stepped forward so that we could advance this project.  I am now seeking additional donors to bring this to completion.  Please contact me if you would like more information or to see the artist’s model.       AUGUST 31, 2008   WHAT IS THE LABOR OF A CHRISTIAN?   Matthew’s Gospel answers in this way: “whoever wishes to come after me must deny oneself, take up the cross and follow me.”  Here are some examples of labors of faith.   Twenty-three year-old Valerie Price went to Somalia to work as a nurse.  She wanted to help people who had nothing.  She wanted to offer them a better way of life.  Valerie was concerned about her safety, but nothing could stop her from doing her work.  She was put in charge of a feeding center in Mogadishu.   Through her efforts, children who had been near starvation were fed.  Valerie even established a school so the children could learn and have some hope for the future. She became nationally known for her committed service.  Valerie, however, was killed by armed bandits outside the school she had started.  She was willing to risk her life to help other people.   Maximilian Kolbe was born in Poland.  It seems that his early years – while good – were not that remarkable. He was devoted to Mary.  He became a priest.  His faith was important to him.  But when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, Kolbe saw the writing on the wall.  He knew that if he were to be a person of faith – and be true to his faith – he would probably have to suffer.  In February 1941, because he spoke out against the horror of the Nazis he was arrested and imprisoned at Auschwitz.  On July 30, 1941 a prisoner escaped from Auschwitz and in retaliation the commandant of the camp lined up the inmates of cellblock 14 and ordered that ten of them be selected for punishment.  They would be consigned to an underground bunker and starved to death.  Ten men were selected.  One of them Francis Gajowniczek, cried out in tears, “My poor wife and children! I will never see them again.”  At this point Maximilian Kolbe stepped forward and volunteered to take his place.  The commandant accepted his offer and so Fr. Maximillian Kolbe assumed his place among the condemned.  By August 14 Kolbe was dead, his body cremated in the camp ovens.  He was canonized last year by Pope Benedict XVI.   Dom Helder Camara was an archbishop of the poorest and least developed archdiocese of Brazil.  But he has been described as "one of the shapers of the Catholic Church in the second half of the twentieth century."  Early in his life he was part of a conservative political movement inspired by Italian fascism.  But as he became more and more involved in pastoral work in Rio de Janeiro, he became increasingly affected by the poor. In trying to relate the message of the gospel to their sufferings, he underwent a radical conversion which finally reached the point where  he himself was labeled a Communist and called “the red bishop.”  His was an outspoken witness for peace and social justice in a land ruled by a brutal military dictatorship.  He moved out of the bishop’s palace and lived in a modest house among the poor.  He encouraged the training of lay catechists.  His house was sprayed with machine gun fire, his diocesan offices were repeatedly ransacked, he was banned for thirteen years by the government from any  public speaking, the newspapers were not permitted to mention his name, and even the Church in Rome continually questioned his orthodoxy.  Valerie, Maximillian Kolbe and Don Helder Camara did not choose to suffer – they chose to  labor for the Gospel.  May the inspire our labors to carry the cross of Jesus.     AUGUST 17, 2008     PARISH PICNIC NEWS   Our 4th Annual Parish Outdoor Mass and Picnic will be held on Sunday, September 7, 2008.  We will gather in  the backyard of the rectory.  Mass will begin at 10:00 am and the picnic to follow with chickens and hams cooked  on a wood fire by the Palm Café.  Linda Feher and Joe Kachurek are organizing our celebration this year.  There will be games for kids, door prizes, and music.  We need your help in the following areas:   A special collection will be taken up on August 23/24 to provide for dishes, cups, paper products, plastic silverware, trash bags, ice, pop, coffee, rentals and various needs.   Every person is asked to bring one non-perishable item (either food or cleaning product) that will be placed in a pick- up truck that morning and delivered to St. Vincent de Paul so that the poor and hungry might also share in our feasting.   Every family is asked to bring a dish to share according to the following: A – E   Desserts F – H   Salads: Green/Jello/Pasta/Potato I – L    Potatoes/Rice/Pasta M – T  Fruit U – Z   Vegetables: Hot and Cold The food tables were mouth-watering last year and we look forward to another tasty array of foods.   Bring your lawn chairs and tents.  We are especially in need of tents that you use for tailgating parties, backyard events or camping.  There is some shade in the rectory backyard and a few more tents will provide for a bit more comfort.     AUGUST 10, 2008   DAZZLING DAHLIAS, busting-bright-gold black-eyed-Susans, handsome hydrangeas, gushing grasses, and striking exotic papyruses are abounding around the church and rectory.  This spring and summer our grounds have been gorgeous thanks especially to the efforts of Al Mihalik, who with great pride tends to the tasks of watering, weeding, chasing beetles, staking and pruning.  As the psalmist says, All creation sings the glory of God.   HAVE YOU SEEN BATMAN?   No, not the movie with Christian Bale and Heath Ledger that is in the theaters now, but Dave the bat-trapper tromping in and around the rectory.  After six years, colonies of bats have come to roost in the rectory attic, basement and eaves, again!  As done in the past, natural evacuation methods are being used to encourage them to find other hospitable sites, and yards and yards of wire mesh are being used to plug the various entry points.  Let’s hope, these creatures of God can sing their song outside very soon!   ANNONYMOUS MAIL   Ordinarily when I get mail with no return address or name I throw it out without reading it.  If someone cannot identify themselves and their convictions or comments, them I do not consider the letter or contents much worth my time or effort either.  When I got back from vacation, there was an envelope on my desk addressed “Fr.”.  I opened it up, did not see a name and was ready to throw it away when I noticed the person also sent a picture, of Abe Lincoln on a five dollar bill.  So I put my usual suspicions aside for a moment and took a chance on reading the note: “You need a haircut.  Find a barber.”  I know that this letter was sent in jest because where can you get a haircut for $5.00?  It’s nice to have an opinion,  but it’s also important to be grounded in reality.  So, in the name of my hair (and some underpaid barber), I sent Abe’s picture and my signature on a check to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry so that they will have a few more bucks to help feed the hungry and that should be our real concern!   BECKONING BEAUTY   At the entrances of the church you may have noticed some new artworks adorning our gathering space. In the vestibules are two works by the Loveland, OH artist, William Schickel.  These are serigraphs (a printmaking technique  that uses a screen) with spontaneous drawing with enamel paint.  The titles are “Visitation” (1985) for the piece in the main vestibule and “Jesus Among the Children” (1985) in the south entry way.  If you would like more information, there is a descriptive article by Rev. Joseph Goetz (a former professor of mine) on Schickel’s work on the nearby tables. “Angel with Trumpet” by the Akron artist Don Drumm has been moved and installed in the west church entrance. Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996), born and grew up in Tokyo, was a Japanese printmaker in the 20th century.  Watanabe was famous for his biblical prints rendered in the mingei (folk art) tradition of Japan.  “The Good Shepherd” captures this biblical image with Asian elegance.  His works are part of the Vatican collections.     JULY 27, 2008   VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2008: Adventures in the Search for the Kingdom of Truth The Adventurers The Adventuring Staff & Assistants The Adventure Review: Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Light!     JULY 20, 2008   GOSPEL THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK   FOR COMPULSIVE WEEDERS   Here is a piece of advice from the towering 20th century theologian Karl Rahner to enthusiastic weed-gatherers: "The number-one cause of atheism is Christians themselves.  What an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable is the presence of those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles.  Perhaps, the best defense of God would be to just keep our mouths shut and to live as He told us.  The gospel would then have such a power  and attraction that we wouldn't have to worry about defending it.”   SEPARATION ANXIETY    Our Gospel parable indicates that there will be a separation of weeds and wheat; and later Matthew indicates a separation of good and bad fish (13:47-50), and of sheep and goats (25:31-46).  But this "harvest" will  take place on God's time-table not ours.  Hence, instead of asking the question why God allows evil to exist (terrorists, criminals, diseases, hurricanes, etc.), let us ask what God expects from us.  God wants us to take a good look into the field of our own lives to see what is growing there.  Let us work with Him to pull out the “weeds" in our own personalities.  Then  we need to start treating the so called "evil ones” as Christ did.  Why did he not weed out Judas who betrayed him, or Peter,  who denied him, or James and Andrew who were ambitious, or Thomas who doubted?  Jesus saw the weeds in their lives,  but he saw also saw the wheat.  He knew that with encouragement the wheat would prevail.  And it did.  As the great Russian novelist Dostoyevsky wrote, “Even the most honest man has stolen something in his life, but this doesn't mean that all people are thieves'.   A CONTEMPORARY PARABLE from retreat director Anthony De Mello, SJ:  A woman dreamed one night that she  walked into a brand new shop.  Much to her surprise, she found God working behind the counter.  She asked God, "What do you sell here?"  "Everything your heart desires," God replied.  It was incredible.  She was talking face to face with God.  "I want peace of mind and love and happiness and wisdom and freedom from fear," she told God.  Then almost as an after thought she added, "not just for me, but for everyone on earth."  God smiled, "I think you've got me wrong, my dear.  We don't sell fruits here.  Only seeds."   FINAL JUDGMENT GROANER   Two priests died at the same time and met St. Peter at the Pearly Gates.  St. Peter said,  “I’d like to let you guy in, b