Megan Wilson Reitz (Ms Megan) offers Children’s Liturgy of the Word for today, the Feast of the Ascension.
Prayer for Memorial Day, 2020
God of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears,
that we may all deserve to be called your sons and daughters.
Keep in your mercy those men and women
who have died in the cause of freedom
and bring them safely into your kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this though Jesus Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen
—from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers
Laudato Si’ Fifth Anniversary Week, May 16-24, 2020
What is Laudato Si’?
Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for our common home, Laudato Si’ is a moral and spiritual challenge. The ecological crisis, Pope Francis writes, is a summons to profound internal conversion, to renew our relationships with God, one another, and the created world.
Anniversary Theme: Everything is connected
Catholics around the world are uniting in solidarity for a more just and sustainable future.
Ways to commemorate the Laudato Si’ Fifth Anniversary:
- View Pope Francis’ video introduction to Laudato Si’ Week at laudatosiweek.org.
- Consider praying the Common Prayer each day from May 16-24, 2020 following the powerful tradition of a novena. Pick a time and place each day to say the prayer with your family, perhaps while out in the yard or looking out the window at creation. Set aside time to reflect on your call as a person to steward God’s creation.
Additional resources:
- Ignatian Solidarity Network Laudato Si’ Week Events: igsol.net/lsweek
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/index.cfm?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=3b65f554-86fc-4fbd-8f33-9afb7517a512
- Creation Meditation: https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/resource/meditation-creation?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=3b65f554-86fc-4fbd-8f33-9afb7517a512
Catholic Charities Continues to Serve in Times of Need
Please support the annual Catholic Charities Appeal which will include a text message to all of our donors early next week. This text is legitimate and a new way they are communicating with donors and inviting their support. Thank you for supporting the Annual Appeal as Catholic Charities continues to meet the challenges we are facing at this time – together.
Non-Liturgical Activities in Parish Life
With our liturgical life, especially the celebration of Sunday Eucharist, as our priority in this phase of reopening, please know that our staff members and other parish leaders are exploring creative ways to carry on with parish life, including opportunities for faith/sacramental formation, charity outreach programs, and social events (each in light of the COVID-19 status). Our situation can be described before Easter as running a frenzied sprint and now we are setting into a marathon mode which could last at least a year. This will impact how we use our buildings, our grounds, our technology, etc. This depends on the creativity and teamwork of many with every idea welcome as we develop parish life in this new era. We will be addressing many of these needs in the near future.
Pope Francis’ Quote for 05/23-24/20
Jesus taught us to approach God with trust, calling him “our Father”. We can ask God for anything, explain everything, tell Him everything. Whatever our situation or perception of our lowliness, we know that God is always faithful and embraces us with mercy. God is the faithful ally, even if men and women cease to love. God continues to love, even if love leads Him to Calvary….As we remain with God in prayer, let us repeat
Message from Fr. Gurnick, 05/24/20
Dear Friends and Parishioners of Saint Malachi,
Through the power of the Holy Spirit the first disciples were strengthened to overcome their doubts, fears, and anxieties as the Risen Christ commissioned them to go forth and proclaim the Good News. Since that first Pentecost each generation of disciples has had its challenges. Our generation today is faced with the unprecedented crisis of a global pandemic that continues to loom large – with all of its power – causing similar feelings of doubt, fear, and anxiety for so many. We pray that this same Holy Spirit will continue to rest upon us as we face the realities of living out the Good News at this challenging time.
As we resume Sunday Mass on Pentecost (May 30th and May 31st) we’re asked to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit as we decide whether, or not, to personally attend Mass at this time. The gift of wisdom is especially important as we decide what is best for us and for one another. Rooted in charity, our decision to stay home or to return depends on many personal factors. One’s age, health status, level of exposure to others with COVID-19, and personal peace are just a few considerations for a wise and prudent decision.
The Bishops of Ohio continue to dispense all Catholics, especially those who are at-risk, from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass while still keeping the Lord’s Day sacred.
- To our elderly members and those with serious health issues, I encourage you to take advantage of the bishops’ dispensation until there comes a time when it is safer for you to return.
- To those who may be exposed to environments where COVID-19 is prevalent, including our immediate area of the 44113 zip code, I beg you to exercise prudence.
- To those who have tested positive or who have even shown symptoms of the virus, charity requires that you to stay home and isolate from others while seeking medical attention.
- To those who choose to join us please know that a number of protocols have been put into place for everyone’s safety.
Please carefully read the information we are mailing to every registered household. Accompanying the general letter is a brochure intended to assist those planning to attend Sunday Mass. Key to preparation is to check your temperature before leaving home and remembering your facial mask as it is expected for everyone to wear them while on parish grounds. Additional information in the brochure describes what to expect during the celebration of Sunday Mass.
- To those who are undecided, be assured of our efforts to ensure the safety of everyone. Following state and diocesan recommendations, every measure has been taken to make our environment safe while emphasizing a warm and joyful experience. I pray that you will find your footing as you discern what is best at this time.
Please be assured of our prayers as you decide what is best for you and your loved ones. We miss you but we also want everyone to be safe. May the Holy Spirit fill us with peaceful joy as we gradually begin to gather for the Eucharist.
Walking together with Christ,
Fr. Gurnick
This week is Laudato Si’ Week! 05/16-05/24/20
From May 16 – 24, 2020, the global Catholic community will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical letter, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, through prayer, and encouraging each person to care for creation in some manner. Creation includes each of us; so care which keeps us safe during this time of Covid-19 is really care for creation. Consider doing something for the earth around you. We will conclude the week on Sunday, May 24.
The Church will be open from 10 AM to Noon for quiet time with the Lord and one another and time to reflect with the prayer for the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’ which will be available to you as you enter.
Message from Fr. Gurnick, 05/17/20
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Have you wondered what really makes someone a true disciple? Look no further than our Sunday Gospels presented these past couple of weeks. In his address the disciples in John 14:1-12, Jesus advises that the remedy for a troubled heart is to have faith in Him. In John 14:15-21, Jesus promises His disciples an Advocate in whom the spirit of truth will aid them. He then follows up by connecting love with following his commandments, for this is how the world will see Him through us. Faith, truth, love, obedience.
On the surface, these things seem reasonable. But, when tested and tried, these requirements can be outright demanding – even requiring sacrifice. This is especially true when passions are undisciplined and life is comfortable, as scripture reminds us.
In these recent months we all have lived with socially-directed restrictions placing each of us (or, at least households) in isolation. Even as we gradually ascend to heights of “new norms,” facial masks and social distancing will still be in place (perhaps more important than ever). These practices give present shape and form to our lives and how we’re called to interact as a community.
And we will hear some who think this is all a conspiracy while others believe that the sky is falling. Many will go rogue and refuse to respect others in public places while others will not step out of their home out of utter fear for their lives.
If anything, this pandemic proves that when faith, truth, love, and obedience are practiced by disciples and all people of good will, we can live in the midst of this nasty storm. As followers of Christ, when we choose to live as authentic disciples, we live as faithful citizens who are called to love one another with prudence, kindness, gentleness and patience. Filled with the Spirit of truth, we continue to exercise the corporal and spiritual works of mercy while obeying social directives for the safety of everyone.
On a personal level, we are each being tested in our own way. We have and will continue to weather the pandemic and its aftermath for quite some time.
Even as we joyfully anticipate the opportunity to reassemble for public worship on the weekend of May 30th and 31st, we do so with caution so that those who choose to join us can be assured that our gatherings are as safe as possible. For sure, gathering will not be without risk but we each have a personal responsibility to love one another as we observe certain requirements and guidelines. Otherwise, attempting to worship God in faith will be lacking should truth and charity be missing.
This past week, the Diocese of Cleveland issued directives for our liturgical celebrations. On the parish level, having reached out to those directly involved with specific ministries and responsibilities, I continue to work with our staff and other parish leaders to implement these directives. The goal is to provide safety measures while maintaining a warm welcome.
For the foreseeable future, our parish life will continue to look somewhat different. Because we must do everything to prevent the spread COVID-19, for which we do not yet have a remedy, we have to address many things by way of safe distancing, touching, and relating as an assembly. This will necessarily impact our physical space, some of our ritual actions, and how we connect before and after the actual liturgy inside church and outside of church. As we’re beginning solely with the re-opening of public Mass, we will then focus on other important aspects of parish gatherings. For this reason, no organized parish socials or events will be available for the time being.
I am very confident, with the guidelines provided by the diocese and the input of those involved in parish leadership, that we will be able to provide an environment that will ensure a safe and warm welcome for everyone. Specific information will be made available this coming week. In addition to our email distribution, we will also have this information on our parish website very soon.
As we prepare to welcome those who are planning to participate at Mass on May 30th and 31st, we would ask three things: First, if at all possible, please come to the Mass you ordinarily attend. While this is not a rule, it would give us a sense of how to prepare for the usual number of folks. We also are aware that many of our parishioners will not – and should not – be joining us for reasons of age or health. For this reason, we anticipate that our usual count will be far below average. Please remember that the dispensation from obligation to attend Mass remains in place by the Bishops of Ohio. Second, please be prepared to wear a mask and to enter specific doors of the church with hand sanitizer available upon entering the building. Third, please be prepared to receive additional instructions by staff and volunteers as you enter so that we may assemble in a safe and orderly manner. Your cooperation is not only appreciated, it’s absolutely essential out of love and concern for one another.
Faith, truth, love, obedience. This is truly an opportunity for each of us to integrate these pillars as we joyfully anticipate coming together in Christ and resume this important work of our Catholic Faith. Let this new Pentecost be upon us!
Moving Forward Together in Christ,
Fr. Gurnick
Pope Francis Quote for 05/17/2020
Prayer is the breath of faith, arising from the hearts of all who trust in God. Like the call of blind Bartimaeus, our prayer touches God’s heart. Our faith is a cry for salvation, attracting God’s mercy and power. Always persevere in prayer, especially in our darkest moments, and ask the Lord with confidence: “Jesus, have mercy on me, Jesus have mercy on us!” From the Pope’s General Audience, May 6, 2020
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