We had come from St. Thomas Moore parish, the campus parish at Bowling Green State University. At St. Tom’s most of the students went to the 7:00 Mass. That would be the 7:00 p.m. Mass if you were wondering. It was the style of Mass where when you walked in everyone was talking as they gathered and seemed so genuinely happy to be there. Most of us knew each other’s names too.

So we started our Church hunt in the Cleveland area and saw beautiful parishes and met nice people. Then we walked into St. Malachi’s 11:00 a.m. Mass one Sunday. It is hard to describe when you know you find that thing you are looking for. The atmosphere was right, the people who greeted us were right and the style of the service, with the music and the sharing the holding hands at the Our Father were all just ‘right’. We called the following day and signed up!

Since then we have dabbled in many of the ministries and now found some that are where our hearts and talents lay the most. Again, a perfect fit.

Lately, we have gotten a little more involved in some of the extra things St. Malachi offers. The love and support of each other that you don’t have a committee for and can’t schedule regular meetings for. The kind that just says ‘someone needs help’ and ‘what can you do’. This is where I see the true heart of the Community. This is where people call without hesitation and say ‘here I am’ and ‘what do you need’ and ‘what can I do” or other forms of the statement and without reservation, hesitation or judgment they just do. That is what I love most about St. Malachi. I believe that it is hard to find and know how blessed we are to have it in our families’ lives.

October not only brings another Halloween, but also National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Statistics indicate that every 15 seconds a woman is battered in the United States. The laws in Ohio describe domestic violence as any act of abuse (physical, verbal, sexual or financial) that occurs between family or household members. In addition to the legal statute, domestic violence exists on an emotional plane, revolving around issues of power and control.

The cycle of violence begins with tension. This occurs in any relationship, as stress exists in all our lives. In healthy relationships, tension leads to communication. However, in a violent relationship, this tension leads to an explosion where abuse occurs. The final phase is the honeymoon, where gifts are given and promises are made. Although the apologies may seem sincere, no change occurs. Thus, the cycle repeats itself.

Additionally, statistics show that women are at greater risk of severe injury if they attempt to leave an abusive relationship. From my work in this field, I can attest that we are very fortunate in Cuyahoga County to have numerous resources for both victims and perpetrators. Even though the "awareness" month has almost passed, these resources are readily available. For more information please call The Domestic Violence Center at 216–391–HELP.