Feb. 13, 2000

There’s a lot going on this time of year, so I hope readers don’t mind my putting the Communications Committee’s interests first. We had a meeting last month to discuss the new challenges brought on by going to a monthly publication schedule for Communio.

Because each issue of Communio is now running more pages than in the past – about double – that places more of a burden on the production team for copying, collating, and stapling. For our part, the editors are going to try to finish up one day earlier, and that means we are going to have to hold the writers to tighter deadlines. On the other side, we are looking for more volunteers for all of the production tasks. We would especially like to see someone step forward to help do the copying. This would ideally be on Wednesday sometime, but we are prepared to be flexible. Evenings are a possibility. Call any of the following people if you can volunteer: Communications co–chair Peter Toomey (440–333–6698), our coordinator of collating and stapling Patricia Coffey (216–221–6621), Judy Bozell and Carol Lavelle at the Rectory (216–781–3110), or even me (home: 216–221–5346; work 440–333–9027; E–mail: alaimo@bigfoot.com).

Meanwhile, we are open to considering outside printing sources, so contact us if you know anyone willing to help with either donated or discounted services.

At the meeting, we set a schedule for the rest of the year for Communio and the Newsletter. Note that we have two–week deadlines now for Communio, while the Newsletter deadline stays at one week prior to publication.

The next issue of Communio will be March 12 with a Feb. 27 deadline, then April 16 with an April 2 deadline, May 14 with an April 30 deadline, June 11 with a May 28 deadline, July 23 with a July 9 deadline, Sept. 3 with an Aug. 20 deadline, Oct. 8 with a Sept. 24 deadline, Nov. 12 with an Oct. 29 deadline, and Dec. 17 with a Dec. 3 deadline.

Meanwhile, the Newsletter will publish next on Feb. 27, and then March 12, March 26, April 16, April 30, May 14, May 28, June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, Aug. 13, Aug. 27, Sept. 10, Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 12, Dec. 3, and Dec. 17.

Visitors to the web site – www.stmalachi.org – know that both publications are there for the world to see. Headlines from both appear on the front page, and by clicking on the headline, you go directly to that story. Also every issue of Communio back to March 7, 1993, when it was known as "Page Two" of the Newsletter, is on the web site, and the only things we’ve deleted are some reprinted articles we had copyright concerns over.

Regular visitors to the web site know that it is ever changing. The calendar, which also starts on the home page, is updated weekly. And recently, the list of links to other web sites has been enlarged. Frank Schiros, co–chair of the Spiritual Development Committee, is going to help with that project and the links now fall under that committee’s page. However, we need more participation from the other committees in general. This is a great resource, take advantage of it.

Thanks to Mike May for all his work on the site, to Bill McLaughlin for keeping the calendar, and to Mary Becker, who also has been working on the site and who I neglected to credit last issue. So a double thank you goes out to Mary.

To add a word about Gen McCloskey, who died last month: In addition to all the other things she started or led, Gen was there at the meetings where we launched the publication that was to become Communio. She was always one of our staunchest supporters and we will miss her.

It seems like this Council year has really flown by. Preparations have already begun for our annual recommitment and for electing new Council members. Please pray about whether you are being called to serve on Council.

If you haven’t been to Coffee Hour in awhile, you’ve missed two new additions. One is the bagels they now serve in addition to doughnuts. Secondly, there is the Council Corner, a place where you can always find at least one representative from Council. It’s in the area by the steps and the permanent counter. I generally try to hang around there during Coffee Hour and we encourage other Council members to do the same.

On the day of the next Communio, March 12, an educational series on Vatican II will start at 7 p.m. Fr. Paul Hritz will kick off the series with a historical overview of Vatican II. Other topics include liturgical reform, lay participation, social justice, human rights, ecumenism, religious freedom, and women’s issues. Both the Spiritual Development and Social Action committees are working on this along with the Anniversary Committee. More details will be announced shortly. Come and help make it a success.

Our thanks to Betty Pellegrine, Cindy DiNardo, Jane Smith, Mary and Lisa Ann Piar, Leslie K. Pressnell, Dolores Sullin, John Lucic, Anila Sulejmanaj, Paul Kunkel, Frank Schiros, Hal Place, and Susan Shipley for writing and/or sending material in.

Finally, there are some novice computer users in the Community who need tutoring. Drop me an E–mail if you can help: alaimo@bigfoot.com.

Thirty years ago, Tony and I came to St. Malachi’s for the very first time. We came for the same reasons you came here. We wanted – we needed – to worship. The liturgy here, presided over by Father Paul Hritz, embodied the spirit of Vatican II. We wanted – we needed – to function as responsible, adult members of the Church – fully participating here, as we did in the rest of our world. We wanted – we needed – to reach out in love to others – to give back from the rich blessings we had received. We found here all that we sought – we found our faith community. We found a place to be and to become, a place to love and be loved, a place to use our talents and discover our gifts, and a place to share our joys and sorrows. We found a place for sacramental life –first communions, confirmations, Eucharist to sustain us, prayer and fellowship in difficult times – ultimately, a place to celebrate the hope of the Resurrection when Tony died so suddenly three years ago.

What we sought and found over these past thirty years are the great gifts that are still here for all who seek: Faith, Hope, and Love. Faith, nurtured and sustained in the

Liturgy; Hope, fostered and increased in community; and Love poured out through the ministries of St. Malachi’s. As we celebrate this Silver Anniversary Year, we give thanks for the blessings of the past and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. And we commit ourselves to passing on these gifts to those who follow us. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Learn more about Catholic social teaching and its call to protect human life, stand with the poor, and care for creation.

Reach across boundaries of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and disabling conditions.

Live justly in family life, school, work, the marketplace, and the political arena.

Advocate for public policies that protect human life, promote human dignity, preserve God’s creation, and build peace.

"Love for others, and in the first place love for the poor, in whom the Church sees Christ himself, is made concrete in the promotion of justice." – Pope John Paul II, Centesimus Annus (no. 58)

HOW TO GET STARTED – The Jubilee Pledge for Charity, Justice, and Peace is not just about signing a piece of paper. It’s about action. To take the pledge, consider the following steps:

Prayerfully reflect on the pledge on the front of this brochure. Sign it, and keep it where it will remind you of your commitment to act.

Consider how you are already serving the poor and working for justice and peace in each of the areas noted on the pledge. Identify one or more areas that are "weak links" for you.

Find specific ways to strengthen these "weak links" and to ACT on the pledge.

PRAY – When you pray, reflect on how you have succeeded and failed to serve the poor and work for justice and peace in your daily life. Include people who are poor and vulnerable in daily prayers. Make a commitment to choose each day a specific group, a region of the world, or those adversely affected by a recent event to include in personal prayer and during family prayer.

LEARN – Catholic social teaching is a rich resource for building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Periodically read about some aspect of Catholic social teaching. A good starting point is the bishops’ summary of key themes entitled Excerpts from Sharing Catholic Social Teaching.

REACH – Build bridges across boundaries of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and disabling condition. In your parish, neighborhood, school, civic group, and workplace, make a special effort to respect and to include those who are different from you. If you are in a decision–making position affecting others, examine whether you treat those who are different fairly and equally.

LIVE – The most important opportunities to work for justice and peace do not come through special programs, but in the choices we make and the way we treat others every day. Seize opportunities to promote justice and peace at home, through your financial decisions, in your parish, at school, at work, and in community activities.

SERVE – Volunteer regularly in your parish, with Catholic Charities, or with other organizations that serve the poor and vulnerable, defend life, care for the earth, and work for peace. For example, help at a local shelter, join the St. Vincent de Paul Society or Ladies of Charity, help clean up a river, or collect food at work for those in need.

GIVE – The Church’s collections for the poor are excellent opportunities to share what we have. Most dioceses have local appeals to fund Catholic Charities and other organizations. You can work for greater justice and peace at home and around the world by supporting the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services, Propagation of the Faith, efforts to aid the Church in Latin America and in Eastern Europe, and the work of other organizations promoting justice and peace.

ADVOCATE – Advocacy can be done for people and with them. Join a diocesan legislative network, pro–life group, or another peace and advocacy group. Join a community organizing effort. Register and vote in light of a conscience formed by Catholic social teaching. Write or call your elected representatives on issues of life, justice, and peace. Contact your parish or diocesan social ministry leaders for information.

ENCOURAGE – The great jubilee and the new millennium are a time to strengthen our participation in building God’s kingdom. We can do this not only by renewing our commitment to charity, justice, and peace but by encouraging others to do so. Make a copy of this pledge and sign it as a family or share it with a friend. As you act on this pledge, ask a friend or family member to join you, or share with them information on what you are learning or doing.

The Jubilee Pledge for Charity, Justice, and Peace is offered by the Subcommittee on the Third Millennium and other committees of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference as an opportunity for Catholics to recommit themselves to serving the poor and working for justice and peace in the new millennium. As Pope John Paul II has said, "Indeed it must be said that a commitment to justice and peace . . . is a necessary condition for the preparation and celebration of the Jubilee" (Tertio Millennio Adveniente, no. 51).

Catholics in the United States are encouraged to take the pledge as a sign of their commitment to answering Jesus’ call to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mk 12:31). But more than taking the pledge, Catholic believers are called to find ways to act on their pledge, to strengthen their involvement in serving those in need and working for justice and peace here and abroad. For more information on Catholic social teaching and on the pledge, visit our web site at www.nccbuscc.org/jubileepledge.

article about his frustration on a lack of response in gathering enough interest in Spiritual Development. I also read Patricia Peyton’s response about how many of us are busy doing God’s work.

Having been in Frank and Dick’s shoes, I certainly understand their frustration and concerns. I know for a fact that theirs is a tough job. Having been active in the ministries of the Community I also understand what Pat is saying. I for one, pray that this committee continues.

During the three years that I chaired this committee, it was at times frustrating. It was also very rewarding. I tried to plan programs that would be of benefit to as many people as possible. I had "big plans" for my committee – just ask Mary Laubenthal or Barb Parkowski. Was I always successful? Maybe not, but what I tried to be was faithful. Some programs got rave reviews; sometimes only one person took the time to share how that program helped them on their spiritual journey, which was reward enough. There are many people who do not have someone to direct them or someone to go to personally and this is why this committee must survive.

We are not only called to live our faith exteriorly, by participating in the many ministries of our Community or attending Mass, but we are called to take time to be with God interiorly. Time for prayer, reflection, retreat, to be fed, to be healed, to be faithful, to be guided, to help us to be present to God, to be personal with God. For those who need guidance along the way, these programs should be here for them. I can’t imagine what God would think if we had to eliminate Spiritual Development for any reason.

I had a committee who helped out and was supportive. Personally, I was able to call on certain people to pitch in and help out for a specific event. I could not have done half of what was done without the help of others. Neither can Dick and Frank.

So Dick and Frank, this is my prayer for you. I pray that the Lord bless you with wisdom and insight on how God speaks to you as you plan to do the work of God. I pray that God give you patience and strength to see the plans through. I pray that the hearts of those who are being called to serve with you are open. Most of all I pray that you do not worry about success, but that you always remain faithful. God will take care of the rest.

A few weeks ago my Grandma and I went to the St. Malachi Church to feed the hungry. There were very few people helping serve but a ton of poor people. There were almost 200 people that needed food. They got eggs, pancakes, sausage, fruit, juice, and coffee. There are coats if they need them. There are people of all ages that come to eat. The breakfast is the last Sunday of the month at 8:30 a.m. (but everyone is there before that.) My Grandma and the people that help cut are so wonderful. They are always telling people there to have a great day and they are always smiling. The people that are poor are wearing old and dirty clothes but you just smile and know that you are doing a great thing. We hope to see you there sometime. It will be a great experience for you and your family. P.S. The helpers get the extras!

Center, it is my job to organize the Christmas gift program that serves the families who come to our organization for assistance. This year we gave gifts to 200 families with a total of 671 children. Thank you so much for the part you played in bringing joy to 25 of these children.

The gifts of toys and clothing you chose and wrapped were the only ones that many children received this Christmas. Many parents called me to say how grateful they were for the presents and how they couldn’t have provided for their children without this generosity.

While parents in this area struggle all year long to make ends meet, the holidays are especially hard for them. Most of their incomes go for necessities such as food, rent and utilities and there is nothing left over for gifts.

The gifts you gave went a long way in easing this difficult time for families. I wish you a healthy, happy New Year.

On Sunday, January 9^th, we were privileged to listen, once again, to a presentation by our choir entitled "Mary, Did You Know." We had first heard this selection at the 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.

Our Musical/Liturgical Minister, Charlene McEllwee, chose the arrangement and led our most impressive choir. The sound…the blending, the crescendos, made "Mary Did You Know" a prayer for all. It was altogether fitting, as well, that three infants were baptized at this same Mass. Surely the parents and Godparents were most appreciative to have had this addition to the liturgy.

We commend and thank Charlene and the members of the CSM choir. Their prayerful presentation was, for me, the most beautiful piece of music of the holiday season. Thank you for the enjoyment your presentation gave us!

After Thanksgiving all the old missals from our church pews were taken out of their vinyl covers and new ones were put in to start the Advent season. Boxes of the old missals were taken to the recycling center. I wonder how much inspiration was gained from those soon–to–be–recycled booklets? The recycling will begin again when the new missals arrive for the beginning of Easter Holy Week.

I propose an additional use for the Missals. If you hear a reading you like at Mass, gently rip it out of the missal, fold it up and put it in your pocket. Pull it out later. Read it while you’re waiting in line somewhere. Read it in the bathroom. Let God’s Word inspire you later in the day, later in the week.

J. D. Salinger, in his book Seymour – An Introduction, writes about carrying inspiring things around in your pocket. It goes like this: "Used with moderation, a first–class verse is an excellent and usually fast–working form of heart therapy. Once…when I had what might be termed ambulatory pleurisy for something over three months, my first real relief came only when I had placed a perfectly innocent–looking Blake lyric in my shirt pocket and worn it like a poultice for a day or so."

So go ahead, rip it out. It will just go to the recycling center in a few months. It’s likely that nobody else will read it. If someone is looking for readings from past weeks and finds them ripped out, they can just look in another missal. Maybe they’ll get excited if they think someone else was inspired by the verse they were looking for.

Myth: There is a high percentage of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with the majority coming from south of the U.S./Mexico border.

Fact: According to the 1990 Census and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the estimated number of undocumented is only 1.5 percent of the population. Over half of those who are undocumented are persons who entered legally on temporary visas, but did not leave when their visas expired. The largest number of these are Canadians. Eight out of every ten immigrants who enter the U.S. each year enter legally. Of these, seventy–five percent enter to become reunited with immediate family members and ten percent are refugees. (Network, November/December 1994)

Fact: The presence of immigrants actually expands the economic base. Immigrants pay taxes, purchase goods and services, buy homes and create jobs. In a 1998 study, the Urban Institute reported that immigrants pay $30 billion more in taxes to government at all levels than they receive in benefits.

Fact: In July of 1999 the National Council of LaRaza reported: "Legal immigrants throughout the country have been afraid to use safety net programs, such as Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Food Stamps, and other vital services because the changes in the welfare laws limit immigrants who desperately need help." Immigrants who sign up for government programs harm their immigration status and their ability to apply for citizenship.

How does Scripture challenge us to care for aliens? How is the stranger being welcomed by me? By my parish? What efforts are being made to bridge differences of language and culture with persons of other ethnic origins?

Find out if there is an immigrant community or a refugee hospitality house in your area with which your parish could connect. Contact the diocesan Office of Migration and Refugee Services, and/or the Ohio Catholic Rural Life Conference Migrant Leadership Project, (330) 263–6176.

Arrange for an adult education program on issues related to immigration. Invite recent arrivals from other countries to share their experiences with parishioners. Examine the current policies of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, especially in regard to activities at the U.S./Mexico border.

"I have a dream." Those golden words will stand in everybody’s heart for anybody that ever had a dream. Dr. Martin Luther King was a Black man who spoke out against prejudice. As you probably already know, he spoke truth and justice to every American. As brave as any American, a long time hero has died. "Lose faith but keep trust." Those words would mean nothing if you are prejudiced. Here at Harding we will reach out our hands and pull you to the millennium with us. While we’re taking this amazing journey I will guide you step by step to the next millennium. Please, step into the millennium with me. We will fulfill Martin Luther King’s dream.

A hero to one and all, that was Dr. King. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. Martin as a boy loved to read and was interested in his studies. He was a well–behaved, curious, and intelligent young boy.

Martin Luther King Sr. was Dr. King’s father. He was a minister, and his wife was a teacher. Both were well educated and well known in society. Mrs. King always taught kindness, respect and education through her actions. Martin graduated from high school at 15. After high school he studied theology and then was accepted at Boston College. There he earned a Ph.D. and earned the name Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sometime during the 1950’s, Dr. King spoke out about discrimination. A woman named Coretta Scott who believed in him and shared his dream met him and eventually they married. Dr. King was a nonviolent man that believed that everybody was equal and that we should not put a mask on them and hide them from the world. After an arrest was made in Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. King was furious. He was furious because a Black woman got arrested just because she would not get up from her seat on a bus for a White man after a hard day of work. After that, Dr. King upheld a boycott in which no one would ride the bus until both Blacks and Whites could sit on the same side. The boycott had affected the whole United States, not by violence, but by hurting other’s pockets…

Lights dazzling in the air, stars up above a dwelling in a hazy heaven, but inside your world you feel pain, anger, sour tears, passions and desires burned into a great ball of flames and all because of prejudice. A clean refreshing air to cool you off at the end of the day relaxes you, and calms your thoughts, but for others it’s "I’m going to get picked on," "Did I wear the wrong perfume?" "Did I rip something?" Most kids get discriminated against because of the way they look, feel, or what they say. Everybody has discriminated once, but if you are discriminating to be cool or to get people out of your way, that will only lead to shame, embarrassment and humiliation. The worst thing about discrimination is it draws a tear, not a smile…Physical looks are a very important part of why kids get discriminated. Most kids like to look at others that don’t have anything wrong with them, or don’t have a burn on their face or a body part missing. But if we could only lift these masks and look inside the pure and golden hearts they have we could open up our eyes to a new world that is and will be discovered if we keep hope and help each other through this. We will win and Dr. King’s dream will finally fulfill its purpose….

A good way to stop discrimination is to remind others when they were discriminated against. Also it’s a good way to learn about others’ religions; they are pretty fascinating once you learn about them…I’m going to try to put fliers up showing pictures of how discrimination is not cool. Another thing I could do is start clubs or groups telling and understanding about these different types of discrimination so we could help one another…

People all over the world are reaching out their hands and stepping into the new millennium with us. Won’t you?

On Sunday, January 30, the gospel reading was about Jesus commanding an unclean spirit out of a man. In his sermon, Fr. Tony referred to the Liturgy the night before at the Community Christian Formation senior high school retreat. The students had created a skit to explore the significance of this same gospel reading. They cast the reading in a modern light, presenting it as an evening news report. One of the "bystanders" who reportedly witnessed this miracle performed by Jesus was quoted as saying: "I’m originally from Littleton, Colorado. When I saw this, my faith in God was renewed. Sometimes it’s hard to believe in good anymore. In a world where fear and evil are allowed to control the minds of the young, this is so heartening. Peer pressure and fear of rejection block out so many good experiences that could happen. Fear is the means that evil uses to do harm. But this man, this Jesus, was able to see past the fear that other people had for this one fallen man. He used love to conquer hate and heal. He used good to detract evil."

I’m getting this letter off to you this morning on behalf of all your kids – Al, Jim, Mary, JoAnn, Bertie, Mark, Jerry, Tom, Debbie, Jimmy and Eddie, and me – to express our gratitude and love for you for your lifetime of giving, providing, nurturing not only us your immediate family with all your favorite daughters–in–law and sons–in–law, grandchildren and great–grandchildren but also all those you came in contact with over the years – your neighbors, your fellow workers at Ohio Edison, the parishioners at St. Peter’s parish including the clergy, nuns, and the lay members of the parish community.

In our Gospel reading this morning, we are instructed by Matthew about our mission to minister to the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the imprisoned, the stranger – in short to minister to the least of our brothers and sisters. You along with Mom took this message to heart as you lived out this Gospel message throughout your life. You provided us with clothing shelter, nourishment and schooling. But most of all you instilled in us a set of moral principles – a way of life in which God was at the center. You brought us up with the Church as the focal point with weekly and for many years daily Mass and Communion. We prayed together the family rosary. Devotion to Mary was important. It was indeed fitting that Al led us in the scriptural rosary last evening.

As we grew up you supported us by sending us to parochial schools. You were always behind us in our choice of vocations – including religious life, teaching, business, electronics, etc. When we had difficulties such as leaving the seminary or the convent or starting in civilian life after serving in the armed forces or embarking on a new career, or losing a loved one, you were always there to comfort and support us. You always encouraged us in our own families with our own kids.

Your grandchildren brought joy to you in recent years. Your eyes lit up last week several times when the little ones came to visit. You came out of your comatose state when little Ivy or little Vicki came in. You have a very special place in your heart for the little ones.

We remember your love for the church and your volunteer efforts at St. Mary’s School and St. Peter’s Church and School. I remember the night you took me with you to meet Fr. Haas. Msgr. O’Keefe, pastor at St. Mary’s asked you to help Fr. Haas get the store front church on Bartges Street in shape for the beginning of St. Peter Claver Chapel, an inner–city mission for African–Americans. You took care of the wiring for Fr. Haas.

Do you remember when you installed outlets for the new clocks at St. Mary’s school? You took Jim and me to help. We had to install wire molding from the light fixtures to the walls. Your projects later at St. Peter’s were never ending – demolition of the organ in the old church, installation of a new heating system in the new church. Little Carl crawled around in the wall as you were soldering the water lines. You built and installed all the lighting fixtures in the new St. Peter’s Church. I’m sure you are touching base now with all those shepherds – Fr. Bourgeois, Fr. Tivennan, Fr. Bartis, Fr. Cummins and Fr. Patrick. Fr. Tom McGovern remains eternally grateful to this day for all you efforts during his stay at St. Peter’s. On the other hand we remember well your disappointment when St. Peter’s closed.

As the years were not so kind to Mother, your dedication and love for her was always there. Your devotion to Mom as you cared for her, as long as was humanly possible was an inspiration to all of us. You were dreaming about her just last week. You told us that you could see her next to the bed and then you woke up. We know you and Mom are united once again.

We all recall your dedication and involvement at Kunkel Products with Uncle Al. You designed and built those machines, which produced weather stripping and helped Al develop windows and other energy saving devices. We remember Jim Adams buying the business. I’m sure you would be glad to know that Todd Adams who is buying his father Jim’s business is still marketing KELEEZE, which you developed. Those machines you built nearly fifty years ago are still in fine operating condition. Todd got an order recently through his new web page. Kunkel Products has joined cyberspace.

You helped Uncle Al and Uncle Leo with their restaurant diners, seeing to their electrical needs. Do you recall wiring the milk house at Uncle Ed’s new farm in Medina? His sons, your nephews Eddie and Francis, are still raising livestock at the old farm.

When you retired, we remember your old co–worker Bill Stewart at the retirement dinner telling us how impressed he was when you made the sign of the cross when driving past a Catholic Church during the work day. Fred Hawkins, another fellow worker became a Catholic because of your example.

Using your talents in woodworking and stained glass brought much joy to many of us. My neighbor thanks you for the light house you built him a few years ago. Mary Ann still uses the sewing cabinet you built for her 35 years ago. The nuns at Regina Health Center have your stained glass angels and votive light holders. You were about eighty when you went to stained glass school. You showed us that learning is a lifetime pursuit.

Those flower stands and that altar you built for Fr. Al are still in use, I’m sure. I remember you telling me once as you were helping me repair an electrical problem with my old Studebaker, that some guys probably not smarter than us built this solenoid, we should be able to figure out how to fix it, which you did. You taught us to use our ingenuity and tackle the unknown. All of us kids and many of the grandkids have emulated your example in developing our own skills. Carl demonstrated his skills last evening in the beautiful rendition of the song he dedicated to you. This is a beautiful legacy you have left us.

In the neighborhood, you reached out many times. When the neighborhood integrated, you stayed on and kept on being a good neighbor, caring and helping others. I remember your sadness when you told me about driving your neighbor and his grandson to the hospital after the little boy got a hold of gun and shot himself. Racism would be gone if your approach to getting along with others were adopted.

In the past week, as you know, we’ve been around Summit Villa to be with you in your last hours. Last Saturday you held your hands together and asked me to put a ball bearing in there. I’ve been thinking about this. A ball bearing makes a shaft or axle turn freely. Perhaps we should be the ball bearing and apply ourselves to making things work by serving.

Later that day you told me to give the Bishop some water. I said, "Sure, Dad." as I stood there. You said, "Well, do it!" At this point I took a glass of water from the night stand and carried it across the room. When I got back, I said, "The Bishop’s not thirsty anymore." You said, "OK!" On pondering this, I thought maybe you were responding to the old hierarchy. When the Bishop snaps his finger, you have to act at once. Then perhaps it just meant that Bishops tend to be a little dry.

When Jim kissed you good night last week, he placed his hands on your head, which Fr. Al often does after blessing you. You promptly blessed yourself. This surprised Jim a little. This is perhaps a gentle reminder that we all need to keep in mind that we are all priest, prophet and king by virtue of our baptism. We need to bless each other.

A few weeks ago, Dad, one of the aides at Summit Villa saw the family picture on the wall. Jerry told her about us ten kids along with Jimmy and Eddie that you and Mom raised. She said, "Mr. Kunkel, you should get a medal for this." Your reply was, "No way. I just lived out my marriage vows that I took back in 1930."

Dad you had some neat aphorisms. You once told Mary that one can either look at the mud or at the stars. One should look at the stars. When your grandson Martin brought Maria to meet you, you admonished him to always keep his hands on the table and his feet on the floor.

A few years ago when we did your oral history, we asked you about childrearing, being a dad to all of us crazy kids. Your response was: "Well, I think I can answer that the way Jesus did. Jesus loved the sinner, but he didn’t love the sins."

Whenever there was a wedding you always told the happy couple that they should never go to bed angry. That they should take the time to settle their differences and reconcile. Your example in your relationship with mom was a living testimony to this.

Dad, one of your most admirable traits was to accept everyone as they were, not to be judgmental. We never heard you utter a harsh word against anyone. Gossiping and backbiting are not in your vocabulary.

God bless you, Dad! Today we celebrate your life and your legacy. We have truly been blessed by God to have you with us for so many years. Your shining example and simple faith on your pilgrimage to the kingdom give us all courage and determination to continue our lives of service as we too, hear the King say:

…Pentecost is only the beginning. Even when threatened with reprisals, the Apostles are not deterred from proclaiming the Lord…It goes without saying that circumstances have changed enormously in two millennia. Yet the same need to proclaim Christ still exists. Proclamation today must take place also in and through the media.

The Church would feel guilty before the Lord if she did not utilize these powerful means. The advent of the information society is a real cultural revolution, where facts and

ideas and values are constantly being exchanged…For many, the experience of living is to a great extent an experience of the media…

The Church must make energetic and skilful use of her own means of communication, i.e. books, newspapers, periodicals, radio and television…Media presentations which call attention to authentic human needs, especially the weak, the vulnerable and the marginalized can be an implicit proclamation of the Lord…To proclaim Christ is not only a duty but a privilege…

The Great Jubilee of the 2000th anniversary of Jesus’ birth must be an opportunity and a challenge for the Lord’s disciples to bear witness in and through the media.

If the Pope intends to proclaim a new day and call attention to authentic needs, how does our Universe Bulletin fit into the scheme of things? Today it is a pale example of what the Pope is calling for.

I recall from my childhood memories that students from St Rose School would get a day off on condition that we would solicit subscriptions for the Universe Bulletin. It was almost a given that every family in the parish would pay for and receive the Universe Bulletin whether they read it or not.

Copies of the Bulletin could once be found in all the libraries in the diocese. Today the main Lakewood library shelves a couple of dated copies and you have to ask a librarian to find them for you. Circulation was around 126,000 then. Today it may be as low as 26,000. There has to be a reason for such a drastic loss of readership. Could it be that it has lost its relevance to Catholics?

One of the reasons for lack of readership may be its page set up. It’s gone from full page print to a magazine style similar to Free Times magazine or Scene magazine with far less printed pages (20) than either magazine. Fully fifty per cent of it’s pages are advertisements which is a higher ratio of ads to articles than the above mentioned magazines or the PD.

The latest copies that I examined had no national columnists but essentially relied on priests for pious commentaries and women for it’s newsy Sun Post dialogue on recipes and local flavor. The World News section (one or two columns at most) effectively reflects some of the issues of social justice but less so than the Catholic Worker, which is only 1cent per issue in contrast to the Bulletins 90 cents per issue. The National News column is just too vacuous for Catholic interest. Movies are referred to by ratings, telling one in hierarchical manner what not to see and what to see (such as "Toy Story 2"). There is no mention of story content so that one can judge for oneself the appropriateness of the movie.

The point that the Universe Bulletin may be missing is that American Catholics today are more sophisticated, more educated, on average more affluent and with diverse interests regarding Catholic local, national and world news. Readers may no longer routinely respond to hierarchical opinion or decisions.

A relevant and parallel example is a criticism of education by George Shafer, professor of English at Mott College. He states that "as students leave the kindergarten through twelfth grade experience, they enter the real world with a plethora of lofty stories about our storied history. Americans are the survivors of a heroic battle with the iniquitous forces of communism. Precious little is written about the United States pandering to big business or the orchestrated fight against organized labor or the concerted effort to keep minorities in their place (both racial, ethnic and religious).

Few ever hear about segregation (racial, ethnic and religious), or the unequal tax burdens placed upon the poor and middle class. Education is designed to preclude any critical analysis or political action. Such omissions lead to romantic monoliths and this, I believe creates a system that promotes passivity, intellectual indolence and self–loathing."

Do his comments ring a bell of recognition in Catholic American minds? What Catholics need today is to read about the issues raised futilely by Vatican II and Pope John XXIII on collegiality, community, labor, poverty and other national and world news that particularly affects Catholics.

What is especially edifying is that the PD now produces a more informative religion section (in its Saturday edition) than the Universe Bulletin.

Why isn’t the awful and hellish experience of Marge Ellerman, a Franciscan nun, who was arrested and jailed by her own government for protesting the U.S. government and, in particular the existence of the School Of The Americas recounted in the Bulletin? It was in the Catholic Worker and other Catholic publications. What about the ex–Jesuit that was sued for sexual harassment? Or the academic turmoil that has occurred in Catholic colleges because of a Bishop’s mandates on religious teachings? Or the Cardinal in Rome who was indicted for illegal financial dealings? Or the recent vandalism that has occurred at several Catholic churches and institutions.

Catholics need to be informed not only about the good side of religion but the bad side as well in a Catholic paper as well as in secular news items. I think that American Catholics are intellectually prepared to draw their own conclusions. Less informative news could bring the same consequences as our brand of education i.e. a religious dogma that breeds passivity, intellectual indolence and self–loathing.

There is this atheist swimming in the ocean. All of a sudden he sees this shark in the water, so he starts swimming towards his boat. As he looks back he sees the shark turn and head towards him. His boat is a way off and he starts swimming like crazy. He’s scared to death, and as he turns to see the jaws of the great white beast open revealing its teeth in all its horrific splendor, the atheist screams, "Oh God! Save me!" In an instant time is frozen and a bright light shines down from above. The man is motionless in the water when he hears the voice of God say, "You are an atheist. Why do you call upon me when you do not believe in me?" The atheist, confused and knowing he cannot lie replies, "Well, that’s true I don’t believe in you, but how about the shark? Can you make the shark believe in you?" The Lord replies, "As you wish," and the light retracts back into the heavens and the man feels the water begin to move again. As the atheist looks back he can see the jaws of the shark start to close down on him, when all of sudden the shark stops and pulls back. Shocked, the man looks at the shark as the huge beast closes its eyes, bows its head and says, "Thank you Lord for this food which I am about to receive..."

An old saying, paraphrased here, goes, "the sins of the father are often visited upon his children sevenfold." The sense of this paraphrase weaves its way throughout this movie.

A street in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley lends its name to the script. In the fashion of an old and forgotten TV series, it implies that there are a thousand stories to be found on this street. All the passions, traumas and frustrations are dragged out in hurtful and painful dialogue regarding familial relationships. All the stories interlock in a series of happenings but only the one involving a sincerely ambitious policeman has a reasonably happy ending.

There is the rich dying father (Jason Robards) cared for by a wife (Julianne Moore) overwrought by his impending death. An interesting role is the son played surprisingly well by Tom Cruise as a men’s sexual guru who teaches how to "seduce and destroy." Another interlock is a famous quiz show personality (Philip Baker Hall) who practices the hypocrisy of hosting a children’s talent show while guilty of sexually abusing his own daughter. A poignant and sadly played out piece is the child star cruelly imposed on by his insensitive and uncaring father. Once again we have an irritatingly repetitious segment that attempts pseudo tolerance of the homosexual emotions of a former child star who contemplates his miserable life in a gritty bar scene.

All the interwoven stories are resolved in an astounding fashion by a rainstorm of incredible proportions with frogs falling from the sky.

In the beginning of the movie, a voice–over intones, "there is nothing so bad as being poor, and it is worse to be Irish and poor, and it is even worse to be Irish Catholic and poor." The movie goes on to emphasize that special kind of misery. Angela’s Ashes is a biographical account of the youth of author Frank McCourt in Limerick in the ‘30s and ‘40s. McCourt ( played consecutively by Joe Breen, Ciaren Owen and Michael Legge) is forced to helplessly witness his father Malachy’s (Robert Carlyle) wastrel ways while at the same time loving him for who he was. The family is driven from one degradation to another until his father abandons them and his stalwart and long suffering mother (Emily Watson) must carry on the burden of family in the best fashion she is able. She endures heartbreak, shame and humiliation with the homily "beggars can’t be choosers."

Few of the critics of this movie dwell on the unpleasant contacts with the Catholic clergymen and teachers regarding McCourt’s life memories, i.e. begging for the dinner leavings of the priests; turned down for serving as an altar boy because the family was regarded as trash; harsh treatment of the instructors.

The one overall impression is the rain. One reviewer wrote that McCourt stepped in more puddles than Gene Kelly in "Singin in the Rain."

It is cold and flu season. Germs are flying all over the place. People are trying to be polite. They cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough, but they usually cover their mouths with their hands. Then they use those hands to serve us food, shake our hand, grab a doorknob, and give us communion. I would propose a simple practical kindness: Simply sneeze and cough into the inner part of your elbow instead of your hand. Call me crazy but simple things like handwashing and good sanitation have improved the health of more people in history than most other health practices.

Awhile back I wrote a column discouraging people from using the most popular of Internet service providers, America Online. Based on past experience, I concluded that was it was an overpriced, inferior service, especially in the area of handling E–mail. For the last month, I’ve been using AOL on a free trial and my opinion has changed some, but not much. I was using AOL’s version 5.0, the most recent release.

I found connecting to AOL to be much improved. I rarely encountered a busy signal and the speed of loading web pages was as good as any other service I’ve used. Then there’s that cheery southern greeting that can make nearly anyone’s day: "You’ve got mail." However, to get to the internet, you must first pass through AOL’s own screens, and if all you want to do is get on the internet, this is a bother. And AOL senses inactivity, even if it’s a big download, it will disconnect you, a longstanding annoyance.

One advantage AOL holds for new users is easy–to–use proprietary content organized into 18 "channels" such as entertainment, computing, news and families. But once you master the Internet, these offerings seem pretty meager. The difference is like between a local shopping mall and the whole world. Then again, when presented with this choice, some people would prefer the mall. But because the world can be free while the shopping mall costs $22 a month, I don’t think that’s a very good deal.

But AOL’s greatest weakness remains its E–mail component, at least compared to Microsoft Outlook Express, the program I am most familiar with. With AOL’s E–mail, basic sending, receiving and replying are all very simple, but even the next step of sophistication, such as forwarding and attachments, is problematic.

Some aspects of AOL’s E–mail can be bothersome to correspondents outside of AOL. For instance, when you are replying, AOL will not automatically insert the text of the original message. When you are forwarding a message, AOL packages the original as an attachment – I sometimes get forwards from people on AOL and I have to open as many as 10 layers of attachments to get to the core forwarded message. Attaching a file is simple enough, but retrieving it can be tricky. And AOL does not automatically download your mail into your computer, instead keeping it on the AOL system for a short period of time – unless you tell AOL to download it to your machine.

But rather than carp on AOL’s shortcomings, I will offer a few tips for AOL devotees. As is my practice in this column, I’ll address myself primarily to beginners.

Finding attachments: When you get an E–mail with an attachment click on "Download Now," and then select a folder within your computer to put the attachment. A good and easy–to–find–later choice might be the one called "My Documents" that many people have on their Windows machines. Click "save," and come back after you sign off to review the file.

Finding downloaded mail: Go to "My Files" on the top ribbon of buttons and find the "Personal Filing Cabinet." Check out the option called "Auto AOL," this will download your mail into your computer and might make it easier to handle.

Replying: Before clicking on the reply button, first highlight the words from the original message you wish to reply to. This will then appear in the reply message you compose. Even better, highlight the entire message. This makes it easier for your correspondent to put your comments in perspective.

Forwarding: When forwarding outside of AOL, don’t simply use the forward button. Instead, highlight and copy the content you wish to forward, then paste it into a new message. This will save the recipient the trouble of having to open an additional file, which can be worrisome in this day of E–mail viruses communicated by attachments.

Internet: Use Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator instead of the built–in AOL browser for a much better experience of the World Wide Web. Simply start that program after you have logged into AOL. Save "Favorites" or "Bookmarks" to return to sites you like.

Advertising screens: Did you know you can get rid of them? Use the keyword, "Marketing Preferences," and you will be offered several choices to control advertising offers from AOL, including those pesky "Pop–up" screens. There also is the opportunity to express preferences for or against offers from AOL via U.S. mail or phone. Just click on the area you want to control and follow the prompts. The free Internet services make you watch advertising because that is the way they make money. There’s no reason you should pay $22 a month for the same privilege.

So that’s about all I have to say about AOL for now. Tomorrow I will call and cancel, and hopefully live happily ever after without it.

Two more things: One, there is yet another free service worth investigating because, if for no other reason, kids will like it. It is an Internet service based on advertising "The Simpsons" television program. It’s run by the same company that handles the Alta Vista service, and like Alta Vista, the set up file can be downloaded onto a floppy disk. Find it at www.thesimpsons.com. Two, I’m pleased to report that I’ve been using the handheld Palm III computer for the last month and have been very impressed with it. Besides doing all the functions of an advanced handheld organizer, it can be used to retrieve E–mail and, in a very limited way, browse the Internet. It also handles very basic word processing, games and numerous other programs. Prices just went down as new Palms are expected soon.

I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I’m not "saving" anything; we use our good China and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank. "Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I’m not sure what others would’ve done had they known that they wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, or for whatever their favorite food was. I’m guessing; I’ll never know.

It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

Community Council met on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000, in St. Malachi Center. The next meeting is Feb. 13. Peggy Connell shared a reflection on our call to share our gifts as leaders of the Community. Minutes from the last meeting, with the addition of a Christian Formation report and another small change.

PASTOR’S REPORT: A structural review, spearheaded by Horst Quintus found that the Rectory needs a new roof this spring, and some wiring needs to be upgraded. Malachi House and Urban Community School have begun the to study the possibility process of expanding. Steve Gresham has replaced Ed Combs as custodian. St. Malachi Center’s Benefit Raffle gets underway Feb. 9 and the Parish’s Valentine Dance is scheduled for Feb. 12.

ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE: Invitations to dinner will be distributed Feb. 6–Feb. 20, three communion reflections are planned, quilting pieces are being made into banners, St. Malachi pins have been ordered, a Lenten series on Vatican II is planned and an "Appreciative Inquiry" process will be initiated.

VATICAN II SERIES: A six–week educational program by the Social Action, Spiritual Development and Anniversary committees begins on March 12 at 7 p.m. with a historical overview by Fr. Paul Hritz. March 19, 7 p.m.: liturgical reform, presented by Fr. Lou Trivison. March 26, 7 p.m.: lay participation. April 2, 7 p.m.: social justice and human rights. April 9, 7 p.m.: ecumenism, religious freedom and women’s issues. April 16, 7 p.m.: the promise, and Celebration by Beacon Street.

APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY: Explanation: a positively focused goal setting process, based on what is life giving and hope giving. A subcommittee of Council members will meet with resource people to plan a four–phase, year–long process: inquiry/discovery, envisioning, sharing and designing. The 25^th Anniversary year is an appropriate time to reflect on what has been given our Community life and how we can move closer to the goals of our Mission Statement. Council voted to endorse this effort recommended by the Anniversary Committee.

ST. MALACHI MURDER MYSTERY: Please sign up as quickly as possible for the March 4, multi–location event. At $10 a person, one can be a participant or an observer in this progressive murder mystery party.

COMMUNICATIONS: Committee met recently to consider the practical ramifications of moving Communio to a monthly schedule, mainly how to deal with the larger size. A web page meeting is being planned. Most committees have yet to submit anything for the web site and their pages are blank.

SOCIAL ACTION: From a report on the Committee’s Jan. 9 meeting: 25 children from St. Pat’s were recipients of the Giving Tree project. Christmas gift wrapping project benefited Templon, Transitional Housing, West Side Catholic Center and St. Malachi Center. Gifts were also provided to Transitional Housing from Revelation Hair Salon, Geiger’s and Dieter’s Second Sole. Second collections for Honduras and West Side Catholic Center were planned.

WEST SIDE CATHOLIC CENTER: The center has asked the Parish and Community to consider how they want to participate in its building campaign. A joint subcommittee of the Parish and Community feels that the need might best be addressed by a special collection during the Lenten season or on Mother’s Day.

COFFEE HOUR: Need Council members to be present at Council table during Coffee Hour. A sign up sheet was passed around, but other members who are at Coffee Hour anyway are encouraged to stand (or "hang out") near the table. We are also in need of people to help clean up after Coffee Hour.

EXTRAORDINARY PERSONAL NEEDS FUND: After a discussion of the need for such a special effort, subcommittee will meet and make recommendations to Council.

COUNCIL NOMINATIONS: The annual meeting will be on April 9. Community members need to be aware that they are called to stand for election to Council. The nominating committee – Terry Hayes (coordinator), Dick Gibbons, Jennifer Hofford – is beginning its work.

Over the thunderous voices of Coffee Hour, the Social Action Committee met on Jan. 9. Participants were: Mary Becker, Barb Parkowski, Sharon Benyo, Sharon Wriesler, Lois Dingman, Pat Forkas, Fred Leonard and Susan Shipley.

The December Giving Tree Project was reported on by Pat Forkas. She described the recipients as 25 homeless and poor children from St. Pat’s. Donors included St. Malachi Parish and Community. Sharon Benyo described the Christmas gift wrapping that benefited Templon, Transitional Housing, West Side Catholic, and St. Malachi Center. Lois Dingman described purchasing clothing for the Back Door. Anonymous donations consisted of sweaters, sweatshirts, stuffed animals, gift boxes of letter writing material, cards, diaries etc. Members who wrapped gifts were Carol Young, Mary Murray, Jane O. Reilly, Pat Forkas, Lois Dingman, Sharon Benyo and Susan Shipley. Later that week, Carol Young provided wrapped gifts for Transitional Housing from Revelation Hair Salon, Geiger’s and Dieter’s Second Sole.

Pat and Lois summarized the Vatican II educational series and the altar cloth project for the Lenten season. A second collection for Honduras was scheduled for Jan. 30, with a communion reflection. The West Side Catholic Center appeal is to be scheduled soon. Both Parish and Community will be involved.

Meeting participants expressed their interest in concerns such as the working poor, the homeless, orphaned children in need of adoption, foster care, teen pregnancies, getting more involved politically, sweat shops, unfair labor practices, help for drop–in centers and the West Side Catholic Center’s building appeal.

The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 13 after the Community mass in the Rectory. Proposed items for the agenda: plans for political/public action; advocate volunteering; addressing Children in Need issues; information sharing about sweat shops, homeless, working poor; West Side Catholic Center appeal report and volunteering to disseminate fliers for WSC appeal. Other possibilities are grant writing, drives, donations, bake sales, and brainstorming about Latin/South American evangelical stipend appeal for a missionary worker. Come to a Social Action Committee meeting. All members of the Community are welcome to share social concerns and talents. Get involved, the monthly meetings only last an hour right after the Community Mass.

Community of St. Malachi, 2459 Washington Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113-2380
216-781-3110 www.stmalachi.org

Sunday Community Mass 11 a.m. Parish Masses Sat. 4:30 p.m., Sun. 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.

Holy day: Vigil 5:30 p.m., 7 a.m., noon. Weekday: 7 a.m., noon. Legal Holiday: 9 a.m.

We celebrate Children’s Liturgy of The Word every other Sunday, please see the Calendar.

For information on the Sacraments, please call the Community Office.

THE COMMUNITY OF ST. MALACHI is a lay-directed, non-territorial personal parish of the Diocese of Cleveland. Although separate from the Parish of St. Malachi, we join together for many worthwhile activities. All are welcome to worship at the 11 a.m. Community liturgy on Sunday. Community members are expected to actively contribute of their time, talent and treasure.

Communio is a publication of the Communications Committee of the Community of St. Malachi, and is attached to the Community’s regular Newsletter. We publish every other week, except in the summer when the schedule is more directly in the hands of the Holy Spirit. Deadline is the Sunday before publication. You ease our task by submitting materials by e-mail or on disk. All viewpoints of interest to our Community in the context of our journey of faith are welcome here. Viewpoints are those of the writers and not necessarily the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

ã 2000 Community of St. Malachi. Reprinting of articles originating in Communio is encouraged – please contact the Editors for permission.

Newsletter: Mary Englert 216-228-8417,
fax 216-861-5340,
14921 Lake Ave # 10, Lakewood 44107.
E-mail MTEnglert@bigfoot.com

Communio: Dan Alaimo 216-221-5346,
fax 440-333-0068,
E-mail Alaimo@bigfoot.com
Assistant Editors: Luis Gutierrez (216-226-7726) and Joe Pulizzi (216-226-6004)

Calendar: Peter Toomey 440-333-6698,
fax 440-333-6628,
E-mail PToomey@compuserve.com

Volunteers to collate and staple:
Patricia Coffey 216-221-6621

Volunteers to hand out after Mass:
Celeste Grunwald 440-884-9702

Copying and attachments: Judy Bozell and Carol Lavelle 216-781-3110

Communications Committee Co-chairs:
Dan Alaimo – content
Peter Toomey – operations

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