ANNUAL SOLEMN EUCHARISTIC DEVOTIONS: On October 20, 21, and 22, we will hold our annual Solemn Eucharistic Devotions which will begin on Friday, October 20, with a special school Mass at 9:30 AM. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will continue on the main altar throughout the weekend, and we will have our Solemn Closing with Mass and a procession with the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday, October 22, beginning at 5 PM. Our guest homilist for the closing Mass will be Fr. Jeffrey Liptak, Parochial Vicar at St. Basil the Great Parish in Brecksville. Fr. Liptak was ordained to the priesthood this past May. Those preparing to receive their First Holy Communion and Confirmation will also join in our procession to honor the Eucharistic presence of our Lord. Please make every effort to be a part of this special weekend of praise and prayer as we give thanks to God for the gift of Himself in the Holy Eucharist.
This is a very sacred time for our parish family. We are very blessed to have perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our parish. There are not a lot of parishes that are so highly blessed. The good people of our parish have made this possible for over 25 years taking the time to make sure that there is always someone in the chapel with our Lord Jesus so that others in our community can come to pray whenever they need to no matter the time of day or night. Our parish family and community have been blessed in so many ways, most of which we are probably not even aware. We have all received mercy, comfort, support, and consolation without even knowing how it happens. Some may call it “luck”, and some will call it a “coincidence.” There are no such things because it all comes down to the grace of God asked for in prayer even the prayers of people we may not even know.
I am very grateful to all those who faithfully keep holy hours in the chapel so others may have the opportunity to come and pray whenever they need to. We can always use more people to sign up for a holy hour especially in the nighttime hours. It is ideal that there should be at least two people adoring in the chapel at any given time. Those nighttime hours are not for everyone because at times there can be people who need to come to pray because of some difficulty in their life. It is a very safe place to be. Where could any of us be safer than in the presence of Jesus Himself? The Lord will protect us and take care of us no matter what happens. It may not always be in the way we think is best, but He will take care of us. Making a holy hour in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is a ministry in itself. It is a service to others on many different levels. I do not believe that anyone makes a holy hour just for themselves. It may start that way, but it is really done so that others may come and pray and ultimately give glory to God. Pray and reflect. God may very well be calling you to come to Him in the chapel.
The November election is less than a month away. There are still “VOTE NO” signs available in the church and the parish office so if you do not have one yet, please feel free to pick one up and display it in your yard. Last week we had a person who was taking the signs off our church property. The police were called, and we got our signs back so they can be displayed again. This kind of fits the way some people respond to others when their view is opposed in any way. If you do not agree with those who are in favor of this amendment to allow abortion on demand to be included in our state constitution, then they will do what they can to silence our view that life is sacred and needs to be protected from conception to natural death. So, if your sign goes missing, please come and get another one. Let us pray for one another even for those who disagree with the teachings of the Gospel.
Our 8th Graders traveled to Washington D.C. recently for their annual trip. Neither I nor Fr. Pat were able to go, our principal, Mr. Czaplicki, let me know that it was a great trip and all went well. I made about 20 of these trips in the past years with our students and they were always great. Thanks to all who supported the trip with your donations and by participating in the various sales that they conducted to raise the needed funds. Thanks also to our PTO for their support in making it possible for the students to make the trip. One of the main stops is a visit to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and a stop at the St. John Paul II cultural center next door. I am glad the trip went well and everyone returned home safely.
