March 13, 2016 - St. Francis de Sales

Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 13, 2016
Monday, March 14
8:15 a.m. Wendy Harter
(Harry & Michele Valentino)
6:30 p.m. Al Elavsky (Family)
Anniversary – Joan Arnold
Tuesday, March 15
8:15 a.m. Bob Arbogast (Mark & Pam Hinkle)
6:30 p.m. Tom Welsh (Linda Simko)
Wednesday, March 16
8:15 a.m. Adolf Brucker (Hilda Brucker)
6:30 p.m Marie & Philipp Mayer
(Phyllis McFadden)
Thursday, March 17, St. Patrick
8:15 a.m. Ronald P. Evans (Evans Family)
6:30 p.m. Tim Dougherty (Jack Slinger)
Anniversary – Michael Helsel
Friday, March 18, St. Cyril of Jerusalem
8:15 a.m. Lavina Costanzo (Husband)
9:00 a.m. Elsie VanDevere
(Joe & Shirley VanDevere)
6:30 p.m. Patti Szempruch (Family & Friends)
Saturday, March 19, St. Joseph, Spouse of The
Blessed Virgin Mary
8:15 a.m. Shirley Docs (Family)
5:00 p.m. Jean Marchetta (Anna Fana)
March 20, 2016
Palm Sunday of The Passion of The Lord
Month’s Mind – Elizabeth Scaffidi
Anniversary - Jorja Marusiak
7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am - Pro-Populo
Scripture Readings for the Week:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Tell me it is not so...is it really the final full week of
Lent (next week begins Holy Week)? It has been a very
different Lent for me, one of celebrations and
excitements. Here are a few reasons why this Lent has
filled me with joy. Today is the final performance of our
day school's musical Peter Pan (there were even a few
extra pirates on Hook's ship this year--Ms. Buzzelli, Frs.
Durkee, Thomas & Bline "Aarrrr"). Diane Mellody
directed another awesome production with her team and
parental support (especially Colleen McVicker, Dan
Clark, Pattie Rizzo, Susan Russo, Peggy Dolensky)
reminding the children of the gifts they have been given
by God. During this Lent, The Mercy Show (your parish
priests' weekly radio show on 1590 WAKR 10:30 a.m.
Sundays) has given us a chance to bring about a
Catholic presence on everyday commercial radio. You
can even hear it via our parish website. Last weekend
our Parish Pastoral Council offered a welcome-to-theparish dinner to our newest parishioners (thanks
Menches family and Anna Fana). If by chance you are a
newer parishioner and we missed sending you an
invitation, please let us know so that we can invite you to
our next one. The generous donation of a 2016 Cruze by
the VanDevere Chevrolet Thrive and Drive program
allowed us to start our car raffle during Lent. This gives
us a chance to raise tens of thousands of dollars for our
parish's Catholic education programming. We were
given an added surprise by a couple in our parish
(Charles and Kimberly Marshall) who are willing to
donate an extra $10,000 if we sell over $20,000 in raffle
tickets (which we always have in the past). What a
surprise to have both the car and the incentive donations
work together for the sake of our children. This past
week I was notified that Bishop Lennon has officially
given the call to priestly orders to the transitional
deacons of our diocese. So that means our two past
student seminarians, Deacons John Mulhollan and
Deacon James Kulway, will be ordained with their
classmates on May 21, 2016. Please pray for them.
I realize Lent is not all about the joy. Many have
sadnesses and worries, even my own family. For the
past two years, two of my nieces (Nicole and Jennifer)
suffered the sudden loss of their husbands (Dave
Burkett & Michael Helsel) during St. Patrick's day. St.
John Climacus – also known as “John of the Ladder” –
was a 7th century Syrian monk who wrote the Scala
Paradisi (Ladder of Divine Ascent). He described how to
raise one's soul and body to God through following a
path of Lenten virtues. He gave us the concept that the
atmosphere of Lent is a “bright sadness”, because it is a
time of both celebration and mourning. Whatever we go
through in life, even painful sadnesses, can still be lined
with the hope of what Jesus promises! This week brings
with it two saints to help leave us rejoicing and hopeful
during this sacrificial season of Lent, St. Patrick (17) &
St. Joseph (19). Rejoice!
Síochána, Fr. Kieran Bline
Once again, we have shrouded the statues
for Passiontide. This period is an opportunity for us
to reflect on the Lord’s Passion as we come to the
end of Lent. In previous years, I have focused on
the humiliation of Christ and the need to internalize
our devotion to the Passion of Christ. This year, I
would like to go a bit into some of the history of the
veiling. Some historians note that this practice may
have arose from the 9th century custom in Germany
to veil the entire altar during Lent. It was removed
during the reading of the Passion on Wednesday of
Holy Week at the words “the veil of the temple was
rent in two.” The practical reason for this was to
inform the illiterate faithful that Lent had begun. It
was also a practice that the entire parish was
entering a period of penance and it recalled the old
practice of expelling the penitents from the church
at the beginning of Lent by masking the altar, the
Holy of Holies from view. This would last until the
reconciliation of the Lord’s Passion and
Resurrection. Later this practice would be limited
to images of crosses and the saints, and still later,
the images would only be veiled during the last two
weeks of Lent.
But we should also remember that during
these last two weeks of Lent, we begin to enter into
the celebration of the historical events of Jesus’
passion, death, and resurrection. Aquinas tells us
that images and figures no longer do when the
reality is upon us. It is one of the reasons we do
not celebrate the Mass on Good Friday. We do not
sacramentally re-present what we celebrate in
reality during this time, the suffering and death of
Jesus on the Cross. By that same logic, we no
longer present the cross at this time, as well. The
glory of the cross, the saints, and other images are
masked from view while our focus is on the
suffering and death of Christ.
Christus vincit,
Fr. Thomas
MASS
All weekdays 8:15 a. m. and 6:30 p.m.
School Mass 9:00 a.m. on
Friday, March 18
Adoration
All weekdays 7:00 to 8:10 a.m.
and 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. to 6:20 p.m.
Fridays 10:15 a.m. to 6:20 p.m.
Stations of the Cross
Mondays 2:00 p.m. (with School children)
Fridays 7:00 p.m.
Confession
Wednesdays 8:45 to 9:30 a.m.
Saturdays 3:00 to 4:45 p.m.
Night Prayer
Sundays 9:00 p.m. through Palm Sunday
An adorer is needed for our Friday evening 8:009:00 slot. If you are able to spend this hour in the
presence of Our Lord in Adoration, please give
Joanne a call at 330-338-4810.
Here’s What’s Happening
Around the Parish This Week…
The collection for last weekend was
$18,136.65.
Our parish is blessed by your generosity!
Monday, March 14
-Avila Holy Hour after 8:15 a.m. Mass
-Ministry of Consolation 11:30 a.m. (Upper Room)
-PSR 7-8:15 p.m.
-Men’s Group 7:00 p.m. (Upper Room)
Tuesday, March 15
-Bereavement Holy Hour 9-10:00 a.m.
-Women’s Book Study 9:15-11:00 a.m. (Upper Room)
-Choir Practice 7:10-9:10 p.m.
-RCIA 7:15 p.m. (Upper Room)
Wednesday, March 16
-Daisy Scouts 3:00 p.m. (Refectory)
-Choir Practice 7:10-9:10 p.m.
-AA/Al-Anon 7:30 p.m. (Refectory)
Thursday, March 17
-Scripture Study 9:00 a.m. (Upper Room)
Friday, March 18
-Endow 7:15-9:00 p.m. (VHM)
VOCATION CRUCIFIX
Have you ever taken the Vocation Crucifix
into your home? Please prayerfully consider it. If
you or your family would like to pray with the
Crucifix for vocations to the priesthood, religious
life, married or single life, please call the rectory.
We will place your name on the list so the Crucifix
can be presented to you during Mass on a given
weekend or picked up at another convenient time in
the sacristy or parish office.
Joan and Anand Badami received the
Vocation Crucifix this weekend.
Saturday, March 19
-Men’s Scripture Study 7-8:15 a.m. (Upper Room)
-Father/Daughter Dance 6:00 p.m. (Gymnasium)
Sunday, March 20
-Cub Scouts 12:30-2:00 p.m. (Refectory)
-Tenebrae 7:00 p.m. (Church)
Luncheon
All are invited to join our 60+ CLUB for a Spring
Fling Potluck Luncheon on Monday, April 4th at
noon in the Upper Room. Bring a side dish or a
salad to share (main course and dessert will be
provided), your tales from the winter, and maybe a
friend or two. It’ll be nice getting together after a
long but mild season. No RSVP necessary, just
show up!
AGAPE MEAL ON HOLY THURSDAY
All are invited to experience an Agape Meal on
Holy Thursday, March 24th, in the school refectory
promptly at 5:30 p.m. Bring your family or come
alone, and learn about the deeper Jewish context
for our Celebration of the Eucharist! Stay for the
Agape meal then join us in Church for the solemn
beginning of the Sacred Paschal Triduum with the
“Thursday of the Lord’s Supper” Mass at 7:00 p.m.
The parish will be providing the main dish for the
meal and families are invited to bring a salad or
side dish to share with others. Please RSVP to
the parish office by Tuesday, March 22nd at 4:00
p.m. – 330-644-2225.
I would like to take this opportunity to
recognize some very special parishioners of St.
Francis de Sales. Mr. Charles and Mrs. Kimberly
Marshall are more than just parishioners; they are
kind, generous, and loving supporters of Catholic
Education and of our Parish School. Recently, I
met with Charles and Kimberly to discuss this
year’s campaign for a 1:1 technology program for
grades 7-8. In speaking with them, I was made
aware of their genuine desire to see St. Francis de
Sales students succeed, excel, and be prepared for
the next step in their academic career. Both
Charles and Kimberly recognize the importance of
technology in the academic world, but also each
student’s future as they go out into the workforce.
Traditionally, the car raffle proceeds were
divided between the parish and the school. For
example, if we gross $30,000 the school would
receive $15,000 and the parish would receive
$15,000. Charles and Kimberly have agreed to be
the lead donors and put up a $10,000 matching gift
for the school’s portion in order to get the car raffle
sales going. In addition to the many ways Charles
and Kimberly support our parish they have decided
to support this very worthwhile cause. Please join
me in thanking them for their generous funding of
this endeavor. I ask that all of you continue to
show your gratitude for our wonderful donors by
continuing to sell car raffle tickets! Again, I thank
Charles and Kimberly for their support, but I also
thank each of you for your commitment to St.
Francis de Sales Parish School.
Jesus said: "Neither do I condemn you...
Go, and from now on, don't sin anymore..."
So, how many times have we “turned the
other cheek” or simply ignored the fact that
someone wronged us? Not very often, to be sure.
We may not be “casting stones” at those same
people in our lives, but are we actually staying
behind to say, "I forgive you"? It is such a relief to
hear someone say, "it's okay, I forgive you", than to
wonder if you are truly “good” with them.
If we ever encounter someone being called
out in a public setting, as the woman in the gospel,
it seems fitting that we would stand up for that
person as Jesus did. Chastisements should take
place privately, between the accused and the
accuser. Praise and gratitude should be voiced out
loud for all to hear. This seems so logical, yet we
are so quick to scold or point out a weakness in the
company of other people. Let's try this week to
acknowledge the offenses against us in the form of
forgiveness and truly lift someone up by
complimenting their humility to ask for forgiveness.
Never be too proud to say, “I'm sorry”. Remember,
WWJD? Forgive, always. Mercy is a wonderful
thing.
Katie Buzzelli, Principal
Our parish has been blessed through the
VanDevere Thrive and Drive Program with a 2016
Chevrolet Cruze to raffle for Catholic education.
The proceeds from this raffle will support the
educational needs of our Day School and PSR
students, and assist in keeping the building in good
repair.
If you would like an opportunity to
participate in the raffle, tickets are available in the
school and parish offices for $25 or 5 for $100. As
always, thank you for your support. And a big
THANK YOU to the VanDevere Bunch!!!
Each week during this Year of Mercy, look for a new
message from our Social Action Commission on ways
that we can bring this Year of Mercy closer to our hearts.
If you have any feedback from any week, whether it be a
testimonial to that week’s message, or an idea for an
upcoming week, please email those ideas to
mhuggins46@gmail.com.
DIVORCED SEPARATED AND
WIDOWED CATHOLICS
The Divorced, Separated and Widowed Catholics of
Akron is holding a Popcorn and Game Night at the
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Convent Building,
1945 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on Monday,
March 14th. We will start at 7:00 p.m. This event is
free and open to people of all faiths. For further
information, contact Sue at 330-554-5626.
“Sing with All the Saints in Glory!”
March brings us St. Katharine Drexel, Ss.
Perpetua and Felicity, St. John of God, St. Cyril of
Jerusalem, and the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
St. Joseph! But in this month, having a parish Pastor
with “Irish” roots, we must honor the well-known St.
Patrick of Ireland! Believe it or not, he is not known for
partying, wearin’ the green, nor drinking the night away!
Nor is he the excuse for “eating meat” if his March 17th
Feast falls on a Lenten Friday!
St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain, in what
seems to be the town of Kilpatrick. When he was 16 or
so, he was captured by Irish pirates during a raiding
party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend
sheep. At the time, Ireland was a land of Druids and
pagans but Patrick turned to God in prayer and fasting
and his love of God acquired new strength in Patrick’s
soul. In a dream, God told Patrick to return to his own
country via a ship. With lack of money, Patrick could not
sail but later pagan sailors took him aboard. After three
days, reaching land, Patrick wandered 27 days through
deserts, distressed for want of shelter and food. Some
years afterwards God destined him to convert Ireland.
After returning to his family, Patrick spent many years
studying for the priesthood and the mission of his sacred
calling was granted by Pope Celestine. Patrick left all to
serve strangers, many of who were barbarians. Going
into the most remote areas of Ireland, Patrick baptized
many and ordained clergymen. Patrick consecrated
virgins to Christ, and instituted monks. For 40 years his
preaching throughout Ireland converted many. He wrote
his memoir, The Confession, in which he said: “The love
of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did
the faith.” Also, he wrote: “Be still and know that I am
God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be
still. Be.” He died in 464 at Saul, site of the first church
he built.
St. Patrick’s traditional Gaelic Blessing, dear to all:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again
May God hold you
in the palm of His hand.
To pray as St. Patrick did, and to know his
awesome love for God, go online to his “Breastplate
Prayer.” Pray this daily as it will draw you more fully into
the Life of Christ, our All in All.
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT 2016
All parishioners are invited to attend the annual Life in
the Spirit Seminar, held at Immaculate Conception of
Mary Church in Akron, on Saturday and Sunday, April
16-17. The seminar weekend experience is designed
as a spiritual renewal that helps to strengthen
participants’ commitment to the Lord and give
understanding to the ways in which God works in our
lives through the Holy Spirit. This two-day seminar is
an opportunity to re-establish or deepen your
personal relationship with Christ and join in the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit through discussion,
music, and prayer. The seminar is an uplifting
experience open to all adults interested in spiritual
renewal and faith-building. The cost of the weekend
is $10 per person or $15 per couple. If you are
interested in joining, please contact the event
facilitator, Grace Ortscheid at 330-753-8429 or email
ickenmore@yahoo.com.
PALM SUNDAY BAZAAR AT
HOLY GHOST UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Their traditional “Paska Bread, Baked Goods and
Meat Sale” will be held on Palm Sunday, March 20th,
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in their Social Hall. As in the
past, you will be able to purchase Easter meats
(kielbasa, ham, kyshka, etc.) from the Pacula family.
Please place large orders to Winesburg Meats, Inc. at
330-359-5092 in advance. The bazaar will also
feature paskas ($3 and $6.50), and nut, low-sugar
nut, apricot, almond, poppyseed, and lekvar (plum)
rolls ($10), pyrohy, butter lambs, beet/horseradish
relish, and pysanky (Easter eggs). The Ukie Store
will also be open for gift shopping. Pierogies might
also be available at that time. For more information,
call 330-724-8277. The social hall is located at 1866
Brown Street in Akron.
5K AND ONE MILE FUN RUN
Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Cuyahoga Falls is
hosting their 4th annual 5K and One Mile Fun Run on
Saturday, April 30th. This family-friendly event is a
great way to strengthen your healthy lifestyle while
promoting the Arts and Music Programs at
Immaculate Heart of Mary School. Please go to
www.ihm5K.com and register today!
Satur day, Apr i l 16, 2016
St. Fr anci s de Sal es Par i sh Gym nasi um
Li m i ted to 200 pl ayer s
21 year s ol d and over
Fam i l y and fr i ends w el com e
Door s open at 6:00 p.m .
Tour nam ent begi ns at 7:00 p.m .
$30 per person entry fee
Enjoy ballpark food and snacks provided by Menches Brothers
Beer and soft drinks provided; BYOB permitted
Euchre Tournament format will be team play,
every player will be drafted to a Major League team
Euchre Tournament will be 7 innings
Winning team members will receive a prize and medals
All proceeds benefit our St. Vincent de Paul Society
Prior registration required before April 9, 2016
Send a check to St. Francis de Sales or drop it in the collection basket
and list all players on the form below (no minimum number required.)
—— ✂ ————✂ ————✂ ————✂ ——
Player___________________________________________
Player___________________________________________
Player___________________________________________
Player___________________________________________
Phone Number_____________________________________
Email ___________________________________________
Euchre Tournament sponsored by St. Francis de Sales Parish Pastoral Council
Additional information may be obtained by contacting Dominic Rizzo at
330-869-9800 ext. 123 (daytime hours), 330-896-6343 (evening hours), or email him at
drizzo@rcrg.net
SCRIP GIFT CARDS – AN EASY WAY TO EARN CASH FOR OUR SCHOOL!!!
Stop by the Rectory or School during office hours to purchase gift cards:
Acme
Aeropostale
Amazon
Applebee's
Arby's
Babies R Us
Banana
Republic
Barnes & Noble
Bath & Body
Works
Bed Bath &
Beyond
Best Buy
Bob Evans
Bonefish Grill
Bravo
Buehler’s
Burger King
Carrabba Grill
Chili's Bar &
Grill
Chipotle
Cinemark
Circle K
Claire's
Cracker Barrel
CVS
Dick's Sporting
Goods
Dillards
Dunkin Donuts
Fleming's
Game Stop
Gander
Mountain
The Gap
GFS
Giant Eagle
Home Depot
HomeGoods
Honeymoon
Grille (NEW!!!)
iTunes
JCPenney
Jo-Ann Fabrics
Kohl's
Longhorn
Steakhouse
Lowe's
Macaroni Grill
Macy's
Marathon
Marshall’s
Michael's
Old Navy
Olive Garden
Outback
Steakhouse
Panera
Pat Catan's
PF Chang's
Pier 1 Imports
Pizza Hut
Red Robin
Red Lobster
Regal Cinema
Ross Dress for
Less
Sam's Club
Sears
Sheetz
Spaghetti
Warehouse
Speedway
Starbucks
Steak 'n’ Shake
Subway
Sunoco
Taco Bell
Target
TGIFridays
Tinseltown
Theaters
TJ Maxx
Toys R Us
Walgreen's
Walmart
Wendy's
Whole Foods