August 2020
oncept Monthly
Newsletter
I m m a c u l a t e C o n c e p t i o n C a t h o l i c C h u rc h
A Look at Our Social Events Committee
Working to Unite Our Parish Family Again in Wake of Pandemic
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f the recent experience of the COVID-19 quarantine has taught us anything, it’s the importance of community and social interaction. As fundamentally social beings, God didn’t create us to experience life or faith in isolation. That’s why Immaculate Conception’s Social Events Committee is so excited to be able to host some of our parish’s upcoming social gatherings, each designed to bring the faith community together for fun and fellowship. “That element of human interaction is something that we need so much,” says coordinator Jeaninne Hozian. “Christ brought us that human and divine intersect, and so, as Catholics, we need both the spiritual and the social. These events will hopefully bring people back together and reunite us with that communal sense of being one Body.” Though the future is still uncertain in terms of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the plan
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is to move forward with our annual Clam Bake. The event is currently scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3. Admittance is traditionally $25 per person and includes all your usual clam bake fixings. “It’s really just an event with good food and fellowship,” Jeaninne says. “It’s your typical clam bake where you get your sweet potato, corn on a cob, coleslaw, broth, and all the dessert.” Next on the calendar is the Nov. 13 Spaghetti Dinner. In addition to being a fun-filled social gathering, this particular event usually serves as a parish fundraiser as well. “We’re not completely sure yet how we’ll pull this event together,” Jeaninne says. “Since our Oktoberfest was cancelled, we may include a Chinese auction as part of this evening. Regardless, it will be an event with a set price where people can come get spaghetti, meatballs, rolls, and dessert.” continued on page 5
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Living According to God’s Will
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Forming a Conscience and Moral Code
s Christians, it is important that we recognize the difference between right and wrong — both morally and ethically. Sometimes, though, this line can become blurred. Many situations we encounter in our lives include variables that can leave us internally conflicted and unsure of how to move forward in accordance with God’s will. So, how do we work through these moral conundrums? One way is to develop a solid Christian conscience. A moral conscience exists in the heart of every individual. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “When he listens to his conscience, the prudent man can hear God speaking. Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that he is going to perform, is in the process of performing, or has already completed” (1777, 1778). Think of your conscience as the “angelic” version of yourself sitting on your shoulder, giving you sound advice. While everyone is blessed with a conscience, each individual has a responsibility to develop this conscience from the time they are young. Parents obviously play an important role in developing their children’s consciences. As the primary educators of their children on ethical issues and the Catholic faith, parents have a responsibility to teach virtue to their children and help them to avoid fear, selfishness and pride. As we grow older, we take on the lifelong challenge of continually forming our own consciences, and establishing a moral code that enables us to make the proper judgments. One valuable tool in forming a conscience is the practice of introspection. “It is important for every person to be sufficiently present to himself in order to hear and follow the voice of his conscience” (CCC 1779). In contemporary society, where there are so many distractions and routines, it is extremely
important that we take the time to look inward and truly listen to what our inner voice is telling us. Another way to ensure we are developing a good moral code is by conforming to the mind of Christ. God the Father gave us Christ, physically present on this earth and recorded in Sacred Scripture, as the ultimate example of what to do and how to behave according to God’s will. In turn, when we act in loving imitation of Christ, we are certain to make practical judgments of conscience. The next time you are faced with a moral dilemma, take some quiet time to look inward, weigh the positive and negative outcomes, and listen to the voice of your conscience. Read the Gospels for examples of Christ’s teachings. By making this a regular practice, you will find that the voice of your conscience will come in louder and more clearly than you may have initially expected.
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A Letter From Our Pastor
Understanding God’s Gift of Time Dear Parishioners,
W
ith the arrival of August, I find it hard to believe that summer is just about over! Of course, some of us are trying to squeeze in that last vacation, or just simply enjoying a “staycation” at home, soaking in the glorious summer season for a few more weeks. But for the most part, we’re starting to transition back into the swing of our fall routines. I once heard a quote from a psychologist who said time seems to pass more quickly as we get older because we’re experiencing fewer “firsts.” When we’re continually experiencing new things, time tends to stand still while we’re living them. After we’ve repeated those events numerous times, they don’t faze us much anymore — and before we know it, months have passed, seasons have changed, and it’s time to start the annual cycle again. Yet, we should not allow our time to be something that simply evades our grasp, trickling through our fingers. After all, time itself — every moment on this earth — is a gift from God. We each have 24 hours today and seven days this week to use however we please.
At the end of this summer, we have the opportunity to reflect on how we chose to use our time these last few months. Did we set aside time to pray? Have we allowed for time to serve others? Did we devote time each day to serve God? When we assess the use of our time, we must make a spiritual examination — “Have I been a good steward of the time given to me?” Maybe now is a good time to make some changes in our lives and get more involved. There is no better time than right now to seek out ways to serve God, our parish, and those around us. This is what it means to be a good steward! As the lazy days of summer give way to the routine and activity of fall, remember to keep God in your hearts, in your minds, and on your tongue as we continue our stewardship journey as a parish family. Please pray for me as I continue to pray for you all. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Michael Troha
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Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC
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INTERCESSORY PRAYER FOR THE PRIESTS OF OUR PARISH AND DIOCESE
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t could be said that, perhaps more than ever before, after months of not having regular access to Mass and the Sacrament of Confession, Catholics are coming to realize the significance of these graces in their lives. And yet, pandemic or no pandemic, regardless of the location or situation, what is necessary for these sacraments to take place is a priest who has chosen to say “yes” to serving Christ and His Body, the Church. “I don’t know who said it, but it caught my attention — if there are no priests, there’s no Eucharist, no Reconciliation,” says parishioner Mary Ann Takacs, the contact person for the Avilas at Immaculate Conception. “We really need them, and we need them to be holy priests.” The Avilas is a diocesan-wide organization, with groups of men and women gathering at individual parishes to intercede for our priests, and for vocations to priesthood and religious life. Here at Immaculate Conception, the Avilas meet on the third Tuesday of every month, beginning with 7:30 a.m. Mass, followed by the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and prayers
distributed by the diocesan Avilas organization. Homebound members of the Avilas intercede in similar ways from home. There are also bi-monthly diocesan gatherings of the Avilas, including Mass with our seminarians, prayer, lunch and an opportunity to hear from a priest or religious, who come to share their story. For many who attend, not only is it an opportunity to meet some of those for whom they are praying, but also a chance to learn about their needs and struggles, and how to best intercede for them. “They tell us about their vocation stories,” Mary Ann says. “Some began in very religious homes and some came from homes that were not religious. Some had a real struggle and some knew from second grade that they wanted to become a priest. It’s very interesting — it’s wonderful.” Through the Avilas, people also have the opportunity to anonymously “adopt” a newly ordained priest, committing to pray for him daily, and occasionally sending cards or other signs of support.
The Avilas gather regularly to intercede for our priests and for vocations.
Every other month, the Avilas gather to go to Mass with our seminarians, pray with others from around the diocese, and hear the stories of our priests and religious.
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Avilas of the Diocese of Cleveland “My mom used to say, ‘The devil never sleeps,’” Mary Ann says. “We know that the devil sets traps and snares for the souls of our priests. So, they do need our prayers and we know God hears our prayers. He would not discount our prayers for the sanctification of His priests and religious.” The inspiration for the group comes from their patroness, St. Teresa of Avila. One of four female Doctors of the Church, St. Teresa was known for highlighting the importance of prayer. “St. Teresa of Avila’s focus was the power of prayer,” Mary Ann says. “I’ve heard from many priests who speak
to us that prayer is the anchor in their life and without the real focus on prayer, they tend to drift.” Mary Ann encourages her fellow parishioners to consider becoming involved in this important ministry. “All of us may not be able to be involved in Avilas, per se, but all of us can pray for the priests,” Mary Ann says. “It’s just an extension of praying for your family. They’re part of your life. “One thing that [the priests] always mention is, ‘Keep praying for us,’” she adds. “Every one of them is so thankful for Avilas and they ask us to continue to pray, ‘We need your prayers.’”
If you would like more information, or to become involved in the Avilas at Immaculate Conception, please contact Mary Ann Takacs at 440-946-5330. You can also learn more by visiting www.avilascleveland.weebly.com.
Social Events Committee
continued from front cover
Lastly, the Social Event Committee will close out the calendar year with its annual Immaculate Conception Celebration. Always the Sunday closest to the Immaculate Conception Feast Day, this year’s festivities are scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6. Since this is also the feast of St. Nicholas, there may be special treats and goodies for the children as well. Through these events, Jeaninne and fellow coordinator Marietta Hrach hope to continue building the overall spirit of hospitality within Immaculate Conception — to help build stronger
connections amongst parishioners, strengthening and unifying them in our common discipleship mission. “Each of these events help make us stronger because it brings us together as a family with a purpose,” Jeaninne says. “We share our faith together, as one family of Immaculate Conception Parish. When we do that, our mission is the same — to go out and preach the Gospel. It helps us get to know each other, to learn about each other — because if we don’t really know each other, how can we possibly be on the same mission together?”
The Social Events Committee welcomes new volunteers. For more information or to get involved, contact Jeaninne Hozian at 440-667-7264.
Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC
The Faith Journey of
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eing a performer and a comedian may sound like a fun way to make a living. St. Genesius, an outstanding actor, playwright and comedian in late Imperial Rome, certainly did have some fun for a while. But his career and life came to an abrupt end when his work ultimately led him to Christ. Genesius was a comedian of some renown, but in the fourth century, Christians were often discouraged from becoming actors because ancient Roman comedy was highly sexual, crude and offensive. In the year 303, Emperor Diocletian launched what would be the last great Roman persecution against the Christian Church. So, Genesius used the persecution as an opportunity to write a comedy about Christianity. He thought it might attract the attention of the Emperor, increase his fame, and make him some money in the process. Genesius approached leaders of the Christian community in Rome and presented himself as a catechumen seeking Baptism. He was then invited into a period of instruction in the faith, in order to learn the beliefs of the Christians. He was particularly taken by the idea of Baptism. But at the time, he had no plans to convert to the faith – it was all just a part of his plan to research new material to use for his comedy. But a strange thing happened to Genesius as he began to work on his play, which was to be a comedy on Baptism. As Genesius began teaching the other actors about Baptism, he began to believe, and a desire to be baptized grew within his heart. The opening night of the play was a great success, with Emperor Diocletian in attendance. But at some
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ST. GENESIUS point during the play, the Holy Spirit touched Genesius. He was no longer acting. “You fools, I wish to die a Christian,” Genesius said. When the other actors asked him why, he said, “All my life I have been a fugitive, and only today have I found God.” Everyone, especially Emperor Diocletian, laughed as Genesius spoke. Genesius, standing in a pulpit designed to look like the goddess Venus, began to preach to the audience. He told the crowd how he once hated Christians and enjoyed insulting them. He told the crowd how he deserted his own family as a child because they were Christians. From there, Genesius addressed Diocletian, stating that he wrote the play to mock Christians, but had been converted on the spot during the course of the play, by the power of the Holy Spirit. “I now know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the true God, the Light, the Truth and the Mercy of all who have received His gift of Baptism,” Genesius said. “O great Emperor, believe in these mysteries! I will teach you, and you will know the Lord Jesus Christ is the true God.” Diocletian was furious and stopped the play, having the troupe arrested and beaten, while Genesius was condemned to torture. Through all of his sufferings, he continued to confess that Jesus was God. When this failed to break his spirit, Diocletian ordered Genesius be beheaded. His final words were, “Our Lord Jesus Christ is God and we shall have life in His name.” St. Genesius is the patron of comedians and actors. His feast day is Aug. 25.
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Maintenance Staff Works to Keep Our Parish Family Safe in the Face of Covid-19 P
aul Mrozek has worked at Immaculate Conception for nearly 30 years. As he recalls, the current COVID-19 pandemic isn’t the first time he’s had to adjust how he approaches his day-today work. “We've had SARS and H1N1 as a concern in this area in the past,” he says. “There were a lot of area schools that closed for a while for both.” At the time, when our parish school was open, Paul and staff used a fogger with a hospital-grade disinfectant to clean. The fogger is being used for the COVID-19 precautions. A new, batteryoperated fogger was also purchased. Don Glasier
joins Paul on the Maintenance team, while Daniel Norman and Erik Mrozek also help out part time. When churches were closed from mid-March until the end of May, Paul and the rest of the maintenance team disinfected the office and other areas. Paul also had an opportunity to catch up on various other projects, including some needed tile work. Now that church and the Adoration Chapel have reopened, Paul and the Maintenance team have had a lot of work to do. They have spent time roping off every other pew. And with the 12-foot pews, they added a piece of tape in the middle continued on back cover
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Maintenance Staff to help keep six feet of distance between different families. The Adoration Chapel closes at 2 p.m. each day, which gives the team time to clean. They also clean after daily Mass and funerals. The team members fog the pews with a diluted bleach, clean bathrooms and wipe down all surfaces that may have been touched. Paul and his fellow team members take this work very seriously. They recognize their responsibility to help keep our entire parish community safe
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— but especially those who are at high-risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. “We have a lot of parishioners who are senior citizens and others who have cancer and other diseases,” Paul says. “I want them to know if they come to Mass, we are doing our part to make it safe for them.” In addition, Paul wants to remind parishioners to stay home if they are sick, as this will also help stop the spread of COVID-19.
“I remember my grandma, who was alive during the flu pandemic of 1918, always reminding us to wash our hands,” he says. “I can understand that now.” This summer, with July’s Oktoberfest even cancelled, Paul and staff have had more time to catch up on outdoor repairs, boiler maintenance and other various projects. We thank them for all of their efforts during this unprecedented time in the history of our church and community.
