After many weeks of waiting, the eleven parishes mandated by the Vatican to re-open are beginning to open! Two of the parishes: St. Casimir in Cleveland and St. John the Baptist in Akron celebrated their first Masses on Sunday, July 15. On Sunday, July 22, St. Barbara and St. Patrick (West Park) in Cleveland, and Read more ..
On April 17, 2012, Bishop Lennon announced that he would not appeal the decrees from the Congregation for the Clergy regarding appeals by 12 parishes that were merged or closed. Both in the press conference announcing his decision and in his letter to the people of the diocese, Bishop Lennon stated, “it’s time for peace Read more ..
Sr. Thea Bowman was a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (F.S.P.A.). She helped found the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans and was instumental in the preparation and publication of the American Black Catholic Hymnal, Lead Me, Guide Me. In addition to helping select the songs, she Read more ..
Three young lives violently taken; two other young people shot in sudden, horrific violence. “Tragedy” does not begin to describe what happened in Chardon, Ohio. In addition to the shock and deep mourning, people both locally and nationally spoke of the evil of what had happened. “Evil” is not a word that one is accustomed to hearing Read more ..
On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued a statement announcing a final rule in the new health care reform that “will require most health insurance plans to cover preventive services for women including recommended contraceptive services without charging a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible. The rule Read more ..
May God, the source and origin of all blessing, grant you grace,pour out his blessing in abundance, and keep you safe from harm throughout the year. Amen. May God give you integrity in the faith, endurance in hope, and perseverance in charitywith holy patience to the end. Amen. May God order your days and your Read more ..
Recently, a Byzantine (Greek) Catholic priest friend sent me a very large file of “Christmas resources.” It contains a wealth of information about celebrating the Christmas liturgies in the Eastern rites (Catholic and Orthodox), an incredible compilation of commentaries, reflections and preaching from the Fathers of the Church (especially the Eastern Fathers), reflections on Christmas Read more ..
Advent in Light of the Shootings
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as “Gaudete” – “Rejoice” Sunday. In 2012, in the light of the brutal killing of 20 innocent children and 7 adults in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday and the killings at the mall in Oregon earlier in the week, the word seems hollow – inappropriate “happy talk” in Read more ..