It is truly amazing that we are now in the second month of the new year. The weather seems to be more of a challenge these days than it has been in the past several years. This winter is more like “a real Ohio winter” many of us remember while growing up in the area. I can echo some of the phrases I heard growing up in Barberton when the “older” people would talk about such things. Please indulge me in a little look back. I remember when I was in the sixth grade at Sts. Cyril and Methodius School in Barberton during January the temperature was twenty-one below zero. There were no “wind chill” temperatures in those days. We went to school. I was lucky, since we only lived a block or so from the school. They sent us home by 1 PM because the boilers could not keep up. Then there was the blizzard of 1978 when everything shut down for several days. When I was a kid, they used to talk about the blizzard at Thanksgiving in 1950. That was just a little before my time. At any rate, it is nice to remember how things were at various times and we survived, by the Grace of God.
There are many people and situations that need our prayers such as the wars that are going on in various places around the world. We pray for peace and for the leaders of our world to turn to God for wisdom and grace. In our own country we need to pray for all the unrest in some of our communities, especially with immigration issues and the safety of all those involved. I think we need to pray for our media in this country that they may be reporting what is going on and not just pushing a certain agenda as they so often seem to be doing. All in all, we must turn to God more as individuals, as communities, and as a nation. Let us live more as a nation who truly believes in our national motto, “In God we trust,”
The 2026 Catholic Charities Appeal will take place next weekend in our parish. Please refer to the insert in this week’s bulletin which includes our parish’s goal and an overview of the importance of Catholic Charities in our communities. This year’s appeal theme is “Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world.” Your generous support will bring peace to the lives of others, to offer dignity, possibilities, and companionship to those who are most vulnerable.
Our in-pew commitment process will take place next weekend, February 14-15. All who have not received the mailing from Bishop Malesic or have not had a chance to respond to it, will be asked to consider making a generous pledge to support the ministries and services provided by Catholic Charities. If you have received the mailing, please respond generously to it. No need to fill out an additional envelope this year, stating you have already given. We invite you to view stories of inspiration and more information at Catholic Community. org/2026Appeal.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Julie Carrick will lead our two-day Lenten Parish Mission, drawing from her book Savior & Sustenance. Through inspiring talks and original sacred music woven throughout each evening, Julie will guide us into a deeper understanding and love of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. This mission is for the whole family engaging, heartfelt, and practical, offering real ways to live and share our Catholic faith in everyday life. Julie’s music, written specifically for Savior & Sustenance, lifts the soul and deepens reflection. During the mission, you will not only encounter the wondrous details of Christ’s life, death, and Resurrection, but also hear powerful, modern-day testimonies of Eucharistic miracles and transformations that flow from receiving Holy Communion. Each of us is invited into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who gives Himself to us completely in the Eucharist. If you know someone who has grown lukewarm in their faith, please invite them. This mission is a beautiful opportunity to rekindle hearts and reignite a love for Christ and His Church.
Monday & Tuesday, March 2–3 Evening Sessions at 7:00 PM
As members of a living Church, our faith must be personally experienced and then shared. Through the grace of the sacraments and especially in the Eucharistic embrace, Christ draws us closer to Himself and invites us into eternal life.
We are very happy to have Julie Carrick return to Sacred Heart Parish during this holy season of Lent. Julie has been with us in the past for a few concerts. We will be able to listen to her beautiful voice again and she will share her faith and insights into the Eucharist. Please make plans to attend and spread the word.
