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St.
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of the bvm parish parish newsletter
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Inside
A Note From Our
2 Building The Domestic Church Living Stewardship in Our Family as Pandemic Continues
3 A Letter From Our Pastor
4 No Matter the Changes,
St. Joseph School Still Stands!
6 St. Gregory the Great:
Laboring for the Kingdom of God
7 Hope, By Nathan Frankart
St. Joseph Parish 200 Saint Joseph Drive Amherst, OH 44001 (440) 988-2848 stjosephamherst.com Nativity of the BVM Parish 333 South Lake Street South Amherst, OH 44001 (440) 986-7011 nativitysouthamherst.com
September 2020
Parish School of Religion Principal
About the 2020-21 School Year
By MRS. ANGIE EADS PSR Principal fter much consideration, I have decided that PSR will not be offered as an in-person program this year. The coursework for the 2020-21 school year will all be completed online. This is for the safety of the students, their families, and the teachers and volunteers of the PSR program. It is my hope and plan that we will be able to continue with in-person classes for the 2021-22 school year. The program will contain 24 lessons. The first lesson will begin the week of Oct. 5 and the last lesson is scheduled for the week of April 26 to be completed no later than May 7. The program is designed so that one lesson should be completed each week. Your student will not be able to work ahead, but can make up a lesson that is missed. Each lesson will have a short assignment to submit and the completion of this work will be recorded.
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Although we are disappointed that our parish children will be unable to attend PSR in person this school year due to the ongoing pandemic, our parish PSR Principal Angie Eads is confident and optimistic that the online program will be a success as we continue to do our best as a parish family to form our children in the faith.
This year’s program will utilize both a textbook and online tools. Families can pick up these books and the log-in information on continued on back cover
Building The Domestic Church
Living Stewardship in Our Family as Pandemic Continues
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s the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the question of how to strengthen our family faith and continue to live Stewardship as a Way of Life while separated from the sacraments and parish life is being put to the test. Our priests and parish leaders already have found new ways to minister to our parish family from a distance. Now, it is our own time to shine within our own homes. It is our time to seize this opportunity and continue to build our own Domestic Church. What is the Domestic Church? Simply put, it is our family — the smallest body of gathered believers in Christ. The early Church fathers understood the home was fertile ground for discipleship, sanctification, and holiness. And the Domestic Church plays a key role in this as the primary place where we practice coming to intimately love others. Even before the pandemic, in recent years, our Holy Father Pope Francis placed great emphasis on the family, asking us as Catholics to explore the meaning and the theology of the Domestic Church. During his address at the World Meeting of Families during his 2015 apostolic visit to the United States, Pope Francis told us, “Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life to grow in faith.” Now, as the pandemic continues to distance us from our parish community and affects the way we live our faith and practice stewardship, it is now more important than ever to discern the unique role God has in mind for our lives, and the lives of our family members. If your family truly is committed to answering the call to live as intentional disciples of Christ, our response to this call starts in the home through stewardship. As Catholics, we often associate stewardship with sharing our time, talents and resources with our parish. We see it as volunteering and helping to build our parish community. Rarely, do we recognize the need for stewardship in our own homes. But what can you do to live out stewardship as a Domestic Church? page 2
You can set aside time each day for personal and family prayer. If you are still unable to attend Mass, you and your family can participate in the Sunday liturgy and daily Masses in your home via livestream. Read and reflect each day on the daily Mass readings, which are available online at www.usccb.org/bible. Do some online faith formation together. Other ideas include simply being kind to each other, doing something extra for your spouse or children, avoiding criticism, or working on being more patient with a family member who sometimes can be challenging to be around. Help a family member financially during these challenging times. Pray for our family members and each of their unique needs. Spend extra time with a child and our spouse — make that a priority worked into each week. The possibilities for living stewardship within our Domestic Churches are endless. How we treat each other in our homes is as important as praying together when living out stewardship. In a nutshell, live in your home with your faith-filled family celebrating your Catholic identity! Stewardship is not just something we do within the confines of our parish walls. It is meant to be lived 24/7, to be practiced anywhere and everywhere. And it begins with our Domestic Church — our families. By focusing on new ways to share our Time, Talent and Treasure together within our own homes — both during the pandemic and after the storm passes — we can make faith the source and center of our family lives and fulfill our mission as the Domestic Church.
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A Letter from Our Pastor
Remember to Remain Optimistic, Now More than Ever Dear Members of St. Joseph and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parishes,
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r. Don Oleksiak, our Diocesan Administrator, sent this article to all of us priests and deacons on Aug. 10. It is titled, “Optimism and the Parish Priest.” Although it was published in 1949, it sounds like it could have been written for today. The article reflects on the life of a priest who built his philosophy of living upon what he called “The Three Great Refusals,” which are: 1—Refuse to be disappointed; 2—Refuse to be discouraged; 3—Refuse to be offended. The article used a story about the devil’s workshop. After reading it, I thought that you might like to read it too, as discouragement can be a temptation for all of us during these COVID-19 pandemic days: Once upon a time, the devil decided to go out of business. He offered his tools for sale, arranged them attractively, and marked each with its price. They were a bad looking lot: malice, hatred, envy, jealousy, sensuality, deceit and all the other implements of evil. Set apart from the rest lay a harmless looking wedgeshaped tool, much worn, yet priced higher than any of the others. Someone asked the devil what it was. “That’s discouragement, and it is priced so high because it is more useful to me than any of the others. I can pry open and get inside a person’s conscience with that when I could not get near them with any of the others, and when once inside, I can use them
in whatever way suits me best. It is so worn because I use it with nearly everybody, since few people know that it belongs to me.” Discouragement is believed to be the most frequent mischief and sin among the clergy and among religious. It is dangerous as the devil is dangerous and it is so easy to slip into it unaware. Therefore, it is essential at the outset, even before temptation comes, to take a definite stand against it by assuming an attitude so positive that the two will be mutually exclusive. It is well to begin by refraining from wasting vital forces by worrying over things that have gone amiss. Nothing is to be gained thereby. If things do not come your way today,
make them do so tomorrow. They will, if you set about it in the right way. For a refusal to look upon the dark side of events frequently accomplishes much. “I cannot” is a powerful enemy. Adhere to “I will.” You may have in your hand the very key that will open the door; but it may be the last key on the key ring. A doctor knows well how discouragement will hamper the cure of a patient, how it breaks the spirit, and that a broken spirit quickly surrenders to defeat. Discouragement blots out everything that is helpful or friendly to us. It paralyzes ability and self-confidence, destroys efficiency, and curtails effectiveness of every faculty. It hides God’s means and methods. It hides God Himself.
As we continue living with all the stress of the pandemic, political rhetoric and upcoming election concerns, racial tension and a society that moves further and further away from the promotion of the common good, it is easy to slip into discouragement. Once we start down that slippery path, the devil takes hold and leads us down the road to ruin. I encourage you to resist discouragement in your thoughts, in your words and in your speech. We can be people of encouragement to those around us as we remember St. Paul’s words, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” [Phil 4:13]. Please know that I am praying for you and those you love. Thank you for praying for me. That gives me great encouragement. Gratefully in Christ,
Fr. Timothy J. O’Connor, Pastor page 3
No Matter the Changes,
ST. JOSEPH
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here are important changes in store for St. Joseph School this fall, but despite these changes, Principal Amy Makruski wants everyone to remember one very important thing. “At the heart of it all, we’re still St. Joseph School!” Mrs. Maruski says. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused new arrangements and procedures to be put in place for St. Joseph School, but the Lorain County Health Department has provided guidance throughout the planning. The 7:30 a.m. start time is continuing, but there will be a staggered dismissal. The school will follow a Day 1-5 schedule with the FLEX Day removed. Distance learning is an option that will include live portions within the traditional school day. Throughout the planning, the students’ Catholic faith formation has been kept in place. Arrangements are being made for students to view the Mass via
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livestream, if possible, or in-person attendance on a rotating basis. The students’ daily prayer, religion classes, prayer service, sacrament preparation, character education, and service projects will all take place. “Upon learning that school buildings were expected to open in the fall of 2020, I knew that a plan had to be put in place that would help serve our school families, while still keeping them and our staff members safe,” Mrs. Makruski says. “There is no such thing as ‘zero risk’ when it comes to this, or any virus, so a lot of thought and input went into creating the plan. Two surveys were sent out in mid-July to our school families, as well as the school staff to gain their input. I also worked with the diocesan education office and used guidance from Lorain County Public Health to create the overall plan.” It is important to understand that the plan developed for St. Joseph School is a fluid one that will constantly change, as new details about the virus and recommendations for safety become available each day. “It is then our job to look at those and see how they would fit into a school experience,” Mrs. Makruski says. “The process overall has been very unique and challenging. Each school, ours included, has different family types, some with parents working from home, some with parents working out of the home, some where parents are now laid off, and a whole combination of other things. Then you add health components on top of that, and it becomes a real challenge to be able to meet the needs of all of our families. “I am used to meeting families where they are, and using strategies to help them grow and meet their goals
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SCHOOL STILL STANDS! for their children/themselves,” she adds. “But in the case of this virus, that is very hard to do. Overall, it is our goal to look at this as a challenge, but one that we can overcome. We are using a growth mindset, paired with innovation to design a solution that will allow us to continue to provide high quality for our students at SJS this year.” Mrs. Makruski shared a video and slide presentation with parents outlining what the new school year will bring. The program includes the complete plan for St. Joseph School, including the use of face coverings. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade will be required to wear a face covering of some kind. There will be times when the coverings may be removed. All staff will wear face coverings, including masks, face shields or both. Hand washing will be an important part of the students’ day, as well as hand sanitizing. “Our food service will still provide breakfast and lunch, and the students will eat in their classrooms,” Mrs. Makruski says. “Hot lunches will be delivered to the classrooms. We’re working on a plan to provide lunch to the free/reduced cost lunch students who are distance learning.” Although students always look forward to the assemblies and field trips they enjoy during the school year, all such events from August through December have been cancelled. However, events for the 2021 portion of the school year are under consideration.
PRAYER TO BEGIN THE SCHOOL YEAR God of wisdom and might, we praise You for the wonder of our being, for mind, body and spirit. Be with our children as they begin a new school year. Bless them and their teachers and staff. Give the strength and grace as their bodies grow; wisdom and knowledge to their minds as they search for understanding; and peace and zeal to their hearts. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Questions about plans for the upcoming academic year? Call the school office at 440-988-4244. page 5
St. Gregory the Great:
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LABORING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD
ept. 3 is the feast day of St. Gregory the Great. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the Feast of St. Gregory also falls around the time when Americans make our national observance of Labor Day. While a shining example of Christian virtue, St. Gregory the Great also sheds light on the fuller value and purpose of labor and human work. St. Gregory was born in Rome around 540 to a wealthy family, with several family members noted for holiness of life. He was raised and educated during times of great trial, both for the Church in general, and for Rome, a city besieged by several waves of barbarians. Gregory was made prefect of Rome at a young age. He struggled with the call to give all in following Christ, but finally chose a monastic life, donating his estates to the founding of monasteries. His three years of monastic seclusion were some of the most enjoyable of his life. Once Gregory was ordained as a deacon, he was sent to the Court of Byzantium as ambassador, where he struggled greatly with the court’s worldly atmosphere. Having provided, with some difficulty, six years of faithful service to the court, he was joyfully recalled to Rome. Gregory was appointed abbot of St. Andrew’s Monastery, which under his leadership, produced many monks who were later renowned for holiness of life. He was later chosen to be a missionary to England. This demonstrates how highly regarded Gregory must have been by this time, for after he was sent away, an uprising immediately arose among the populace of Rome. A team of messengers was then dispatched to bring him back, which they successfully did. page 6
The death of Pope Pelagius II in 590 led to Gregory being immediately chosen by the clergy and people of Rome as the pope’s successor. Some sources suggest that Gregory was dragged from his bed, while others maintain that he fled from the city and hid for three days. Despite his initial unwillingness to accept the burden of the papacy, Gregory spent the final 14 years of his life devoting all of his energy towards his work as pope. Gregory’s life produced fruit that would continue to mature for centuries to come — guidance for the care of souls, reformation of the liturgy, sending missionaries to spread faith abroad, and much more. He is arguably one of the greatest foundational supports of medieval Europe, and thus, of our own society today. Americans celebrate Labor Day, the yearly tribute given to our country’s workers. The day’s purpose is to remind us of the real social and economic contributions made through the early Labor Movement, up to workers in the present day. As Catholics, we can also celebrate Labor Day with a deeper Christian understanding of its purpose. Jesus spoke often about “the Kingdom of God,” and He taught us that it is already here — however, not in its perfect, final form. Christians receive the Kingdom at baptism, and they also build it inside themselves through the varied ways of working to grow in personal holiness. They also work to build the kingdom, just as Gregory did, by offering Christ-like service in all areas of their lives. Thus, in our own Christian lives, we continue the same work that St. Gregory performed, and to which all of us are called, in the building of the Kingdom of God.
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eace of Christ to you! Out of all the blessings that come with starting a new academic year at Borromeo would be the return to some of the spiritual exercises that are difficult to maintain at home, such as regular meetings with a spiritual director. Recently I met with my spiritual director, Fr. Loya, and he shared with me inspired words of wisdom, which gave me comfort and hope for the future. I brought up how these last few months can make a person feel hopeless, and this was his response to me. “Hope is trusting in what the Lord will accomplish. He already has control of everything in the world — why should we fret over anything which comes our way? The work that He began in creation and brought into new life in Jesus Christ will be brought to perfection one day. In the Gospel of Luke, when Mary proclaims the Magnificat, she claims a litany of different things which God has done for the world. ‘He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
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By NATHAN FRANKART
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.’ Is Mary lying? Because even to this day, these things haven’t yet come to pass — the proud still have power, the mighty still inhabit their thrones, the poor are still poor, the hungry are still hungry, and the rich are still rich. Of course Mary isn’t lying, because she has hope that the Lord is transforming the world to this image of which she speaks. Hope is trusting in what God will bring forth in this world as He brings it to perfection through His Son. This hope grounds us to both our present day, and to the glorious future.” We can rely on hope. It was hope which Christ gave to us after His Resurrection, hope that He will come again in glory, power and splendor. The difficulties and struggles of our time will pass away, and we will be presented with fulfillment of all of our hope, the perfect, eternal and unitive love of the Trinity. page 7
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St. Joseph parish Nativity of the bvm parish
200 Saint Joseph Drive, Amherst, OH 44001
NON PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 58 AMHERST OH
Address Service Requested
Fr. Tim O’Connor Serving Both Parishes Mass: Monday, 9:00 a.m. - St. Joseph Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. - Nativity of the BVM Thursday, 7:00 p.m. - St. Joseph Friday, 9:00 a.m. - St. Joseph Saturday, 4:00 p.m. - St. Joseph 5:30 p.m. - Nativity of the BVM Sunday, 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. - St. Joseph Confession at St. Joseph: Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 precautions. Eucharistic Adoration (Chapel) at Nativity of the BVM: Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 precautions.
Parish School of Religion Sept. 30 between 3-6 p.m. at Door A of St. Joseph Parish School. Registration for this year was completed online. The deadline was Aug. 28 so that textbooks could be ordered. Fees will remain the same at $70 for the first child, $120 for two children, and $135 for three or more children. A sacramental fee of $50 will also be assessed for students in second and eighth grade. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at angela.eads@sjs-amherst.org. You can also call 440-988-4244, ext. 247, and I will return your call as soon as I can.
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Your patience is appreciated as we launch this new PSR format.
This year’s PSR program will be completed online to ensure the safety of our children and our parish family.
For more information about the online Parish School of Religion format for the 2020-21 school year, visit our website at www.stjosephamherst.com. You may also contact our PSR Principal Mrs. Angie Eads at angela.eads@sjs-amherst.org or 440-988-4244, ext. 247, with any questions.