Graceful Living Magazine Winter/Spring 2023

LIVING WINTER/ SPRING 2023

MAN ON A

MISSION

RICHARD LANE FINDS HIS CALLING IN MINISTRY

HOLYJOURNEY

SEE THE SITES FROM THE PILGRIMAGE TO SPAIN AND ITALY

FAMILYADVENTURE

A DEACON AND HIS FAMILY CLIMB TO NEW HEIGHTS

DELIVERINGFAITH

AN OBSTETRICIAN SHARES HER PATH TO FULFILLMENT

MUSEUMMASTERPIECES

WINTER IS A PERFECT TIME TO SEE THESE 5 RELIGIOUS PAINTINGS A

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P U B L I S H E R

MOST REV. DANIEL E. THOMAS B i s h o p , D i o c e s e o f To l e d o KELLY DONAGHY S e n i o r D i r e c t o r, C o m m u n i c a t i o n s KEITH TARJANYI M a n a g e r, C r e a t i v e S e r v i c e s ANNIE LUST Social Media Specialist NATHAN VOLKER Sales & Production Specialist ELISHA VALLADARES-CORMIER Contributing Writer SCOTT W. GRAU Contributing Photographer Graceful Living is a special interest magazine of the Diocese of Toledo, in particular for our senior parishioners. Stories of the lives of Catholic seniors contributing their talents to our parish communities are highlighted. If you are interested in sponsorship, donations or advertising, please contact the Communications Department of the Diocese of Toledo: 419-214-4876

Dear Friends in Christ, I am so grateful for all the positive comments I hear regarding Graceful Living in my travels throughout Northwest Ohio. It is your enthusiasm and support that keep this publication going.

Many of the folks featured in this issue are converts to the Catholic faith. Our cover story subject Richard Lane took almost a 20 year faith journey to join the Catholic Church, while Kylee Stewart discovered her love for the faith while attending Central Catholic High School in Toledo. Obstetrician Lillian Miller shares that both her medical practice and her family life changed after a bible study. And you will undoubtedly enjoy reading about the adventures of the Sasala family whose love for the outdoors influenced every member and the path they each took, including becoming a deacon and missionaries.

I am also thrilled to share my recent pilgrimage to Spain and Italy with members of the faithful from throughout the Diocese of Toledo.

That historic journey was nothing short of awe-inspiring. It was a joy and a privilege to experience, and a real blessing to bring the thousands of prayer intentions from our faithful each step of the way.

Another focus throughout this issue is a love of the Holy Eucharist.

As the source and summit of our Catholic faith, the understanding of, love for and living out of the Holy Eucharist is not only a focus of this issue of Graceful Living, but also an initiative happening across our nation, as we are in the Diocesan Year of the National Eucharistic Revival. I invite you to join us from January through April in churches throughout the diocese for time of worshipful prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. I hope you can join us for these highly anticipated events.

BISHOP DANIEL E. THOMAS Rev. Msgr. William J. Kubacki Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia Rev. Msgr. Walter R. Oxley Senior Director/Vicar for Clergy Clergy, Consecrated Life & Vocations Sr. Rose Marie Timmer, RSM Chancellor Mr. Matthew J. Daniels Senior Director, Catholic Education Ms. Kelly M. Donaghy Senior Director, Communications Mr. Bret V. Huntebrinker Senior Director, Discipleship & Family LIfe Mr. Philip R. Renda CFO, Diocese of Toledo COO, Management Corporation

Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Our Lady of Consolation, Carey Sunday, February 5, 2023, at St. Michael the Archangel, Gibsonburg Sunday, February 12, 2023, at St. Patrick, Bryan Sunday, February 19, 2023, at St. Mary, Norwalk Sunday, March 12, 2023, at St. Peter, Mansfield Sunday, March 19, 2023, at St. Michael, Kalida Sunday, April 30, 2023, at St. John XXIII, Perrysburg

As part of the National Eucharistic Revival, the Diocese of Toledo is sponsoring a contest for young people reflecting on the question “What does the Eucharist mean to me?”. Any parishioner or Catholic school student in kindergarten through grade 12 is welcome to write an essay or create a piece of art, music, video, write a poem or take a photograph. Prizes will be awarded by division and some may even win . . . a pizza party with me! Learn more at www.toledodiocese.org/eucharist.

We have much to share and I hope this magazine gives you a glimpse into the rich faith lived out here in our Diocese.

With every good wish and prayer, I am Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,

Mr. Rodney O. Schuster Executive Director, Catholic Social Services

GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 3

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IN THIS ISSUE ON THE GO: Get an insider look at the historic diocesan pilgrimage to Spain and Italy led by Bishop Daniel E. Thomas . . . . . . . 6

WEEKEND GETAWAY: If you are looking for a place to explore history or find delicious food, Fremont is an ideal travel spot . . . . . . . 22

MADE AT CENTRAL: Teacher Kylee Stewart has found her home and heart at Central Catholic High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

MAN ON A MISSION: Richard Lane shares his path to Catholicism and the lessons he has learned while on his journey . . . . . . . . . . . 12

LABOR OF LOVE: Obstetrician Dr. Lillian Miller shares her winding journey to faith, family and fulfillment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

ROAD TRIP: For a unique dining experience take a drive to one of these niche eateries in Northwest Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

ADVENTURE SEEKERS: A deacon and his family have built up an impressive itinerary of significant mountain destinations . . . . . . . . . 16

PILGRIMAGE THROUGH ART: Weekends during the winter are a great time to see the religious artwork at these museums . . . . . . 28

ON THE COVER: Evangelist Richard Lane. Photo

by Scott W. Grau/Diocese of Toledo

GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 5

on the go

See Spain and Italy through the eyes of Bishop Daniel E. Thomas and the pilgrims who accompanied him on the historic diocesan pilgrimage.

The group was a true reflection of the Church in the Diocese of Toledo–bishop, priest, deacon, consecrated religious, and lay men and women. The group admired the magnificent architecture and enjoyed incredible meals, but the focus throughout was on the sacred, truly a prayerful pilgrimage of faith! In addition to the many holy places they visited, they celebrated daily Mass, prayed the rosary and Liturgy of the Hours together, and continually prayed for the entire Diocese of Toledo.

WITH BISHOP DANIEL E. THOMAS

6 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

Toledo, Spain

The first stop on the pilgrimage was an ancient Spanish city set on a hill–Toledo, our sister city. During an unforgettable evening in the Cathedral of Toledo, the pilgrim group was blessed with the opportunity to greet, visit and offer Holy Mass with Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chavez at the High Altar. The following day included a bus tour with breathtaking panoramic city views. In true pilgrim style, they took a walking tour of Toledo. Bishop Thomas recounted, “[The tour] had us marveling at the sacred beauty of the extraordinary Cathedral, the Sacristy and its fine art collection, the El Greco House and Museum and the Church of Saint Thomas.” While winding through the city’s famous labyrinthine streets, they even found a plaque with a shout out to home, “Toledo in Ohio Street.”

Madrid

Madrid offered some of the finest art in Europe, an incredible Cathedral and the vibrant city life of Spain’s capital at St. Michael Market and the Main Square.

The next stop was Avila, best known by Catholics as the home of St. Teresa of Jesus.

Stops included the convent where she lived, her birthplace and the Cathedral of Avila, where Bishop Thomas blessed one of the couples on their wedding anniversary.

Avila

Segovia The pilgrims were awed by the city and home of another great saint, John of the Cross. Segovia was full of history and culture, including the glorious Cathedral of Segovia, the city’s medieval walls and iconic aqueducts.

Assisi, Italy

The journey continued into Italy with the theme of great saints carrying over from one country to the next. Sunday Mass was celebrated at the High Altar in the Basilica of St. Francis, just above his tomb. Then it was on to the Church of St. Clare, which houses her incorrupt body, followed by a visit to Santa Maria Maggiore to pray before the glass casket of Blessed Carlo Acutis. The capstone of the day was Evening Prayer together on the balcony of the hotel, watching a breathtaking sunset!

Norcia

Orvieto

The birthplace of Sts. Benedict and Scholastica was the next destination.

They celebrated Mass, then gathered for prayer with the Benedictine monks as they chanted the daytime hour, enjoyed tasting the beer the monks produce, and were treated to a tremendous "pranzo."

The pilgrims went on to the hilltop town of Orvieto, whose extraordinary Gothic Cathedral, with a stunning facade, houses the relic of the Eucharistic miracle of Bolsena. The pilgrims had the great privilege to pray before the corporal, as well as the relic of St. Luke on his feast day!

Rome The days in Rome were too full of extraordinary stops to describe each, but a few of the most notable were the exquisite Papal Gardens, the ancient catacombs and the unmatched St. Peter’s Basilica.

The final stop of the pilgrimage was several days of incredible experiences in the capital of Italy. During the Wednesday Papal Audience, the pilgrims were so close to Pope Francis, and Bishop Thomas had the opportunity personally to greet him and offer him prayers, support and love on behalf of the entire Diocese.

The next stop was the Pontifical North American College, where the pilgrims were greeted by our seminarian, Andrew Messer. The visit included Mass, a seminary tour and one of the best views of Rome from the rooftop!

The final pilgrimage day was an incredible sendoff.

They began with the great privilege of offering Mass at the Altar of the Tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican Grottoes with Cardinal Edwin O’Brien. Afterward, the pilgrims venerated the tomb of St. John Paul II, an incredibly moving experience as it was his feast day and the 8th anniversary of Bishop Thomas’ installation as Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo! This pilgrimage of a lifetime was surely a source of grace for the pilgrims and all who accompanied them in prayer.

Unforgettable PILGR IM AGES

Maggie McDaniel and Teresa Grodi

Members of the Diocese of Toledo, St. Rose of Lima Perrysburg

JULY 16 - 28, 2023

OCT. 23 - NOV. 2, 2023

WITH FR. DAVID KIDD Join Fr. David Kidd of Toledo’s Central Catholic High School and Toledo’s St. Joseph Parish in Downtown on a pilgrimage of spiritual renewal to Rome & Assisi, Italy and the Marian pilgrimage destination of Medjugorje.

Visit the basilicas of Rome, enjoy a papal audience, walk in the footsteps of Sts. Francis and Clare in the hilltop town of Assisi, experience the peace and beauty of Medjugorje, and so much more!

WITH FR. MIKE DANDURAND Walk in the footsteps of Our Lord, Our Lady, St. Joseph, and the Apostles in The Holy Land! Fr. Mike Dandurand, of Holy Trinity, Swanton, will celebrate Mass daily in many holy sites of our Faith! Visit Jerusalem, Cana, Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem. Stand at the foot of the Cross on Calvary and enter the Empty Tomb of the Risen Lord!

ITALY & MEDJUGORJE

HOLY LAND

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For information or to register, visit our website or contact Maggie McDaniel at 419.290.8782 or G R Amaggie@catholicfaithjourneys.com CEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 11

PHOTO BY SCOTT W. GRAU/SPECIAL TO THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO

MAN ON A MISSION B Y E L I S H A VA L L A DA R E S - C O R M I E R

It took almost 20 years of attending Mass every Sunday for Richard Lane to formally convert to Catholicism. And while it was a bumpy road at times, Lane said he wouldn’t trade a minute of the journey because of the lessons he learned along the way.

IF

it weren’t for his Catholic faith, Richard Lane doesn’t think he’d be here today. “I’d be in a ditch somewhere,” said Lane, director of evangelization at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church in Toledo. “I was going straight to hell with the way I was living my life. I really got saved once I became Catholic.”

GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 13

PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD LANE

“I fell in love with the Mass and Catholic Church,” Lane said.

“I wasn’t church shopping. I would go to another church if someone invited me, but I felt at home in the Catholic Church, and I considered myself Catholic.”

Richard, 57, grew up in Detroit. His father, Dick “Night Train” Lane, was an NFL cornerback who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. His mother, Mary, was an educator who, in her younger days, was the first African-American model hired

by Coca-Cola, opening the door for thousands of female models of color who came after her.

Raised a Lutheran, it was his mother’s influence that drilled into Richard Lane the importance of a relationship with God and observing the Lord’s Day every week. “My mother always said, ‘Boy, you better be involved in somebody’s church,’ ” Richard said.

He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta and began a six-year stint in the United States Army Military Police Corps in 1984. Soon after, Richard remembered his mother’s words and sought out a faith community. At that time, there was a Protestant service as well as a Catholic Mass on base every Sunday.

Richard tried out the Protestant services but didn’t particularly care for it. When he visited the Catholic Mass, however, “I thought, ‘Wow, this seems very Lutheran,’” Richard said. “In and out in an hour, a boring sermon. Religious calisthenics, up, down, sit, kneel, pray. I can do this.”

Richard began what he calls “a 19-year journey of being a non-sacramental Catholic.”

While he didn’t formally enter the Catholic Church, attending Mass was his way of fulfilling his Sunday obligation. “When I didn’t go to Mass, I felt like I was missing something.

I just didn’t realize what it was at the time.”

In 1988, he was relocated to an army base in Oakland, Calif., and began attending a

parish composed of Black, white, Filipino, Vietnamese and Latino Catholics — a “Catholic pot of gumbo,” Richard called it. Parishioners, assuming Richard was Catholic after seeing him attend Mass every Sunday, invited him to be involved. He lectored, served as an usher and sang in the choir. “It was wonderful,” said Richard. “They welcomed me with open arms.”

When he left the Army in 1990, Richard dabbled in a few trades. He worked in executive protection and bodyguard work, as a corporate headhunter, was a salesman for Coca-Cola and a beer distributorship. He moved to St. Louis in 1998 and began attending Mass at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, a heavily AfricanAmerican parish run by the Redemptorists.

It was there that he was first asked for his “Catholic card,” or any sacramental records to indicate his ability to serve in liturgical ministries. When Richard responded he had none, he was told he’d have to become Catholic and enter the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. His response? “I don’t want to go to class for six months,” he remembers saying.

As Richard describes it, even though he had attended Sunday Mass for almost 20 years, the practice of his faith remained limited to fulfilling his Sunday obligation, not something that permeated his character. At the time, he was divorced with a young daughter, struggling with his mental health and career, and falling into sin. “A typical man living a worldly life” is how

PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD LANE

“We have to become what we receive,” Lane said. “If we receive unconditional love in the Eucharist, then we must become love. We must become unconditional truth in a world of lies. Our faith has to be greater than our fear. We have to take the Mass into the streets (and) live it every day of our lives. And that’s the encouragement that I try to bring to everyone that God brings across my path.”

14 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

“I realized what had been calling me to the Catholic Church all my life, and that was the Eucharist.”

RICHARD LANE

Richard sums up his life then.

But after a year and a half, Richard finally committed and entered the Church in 2003, with his daughter joining him the following year.

“That process changed my whole life,” he said. “I realized what had been calling me to the Catholic Church all my life, and that was the Eucharist. At that point, I said, ‘I’m all in, no problems.’”

Ignited with the fire of his newfound devotion, Richard became involved in the parish’s street ministry. The neighborhood around St. Alphonsus was a rough one, full of gang activity, hustlers and prostitutes. But, “the Bible said go and make disciples. (And) it was on those street corners that I met Jesus in the poor, the needy and the suffering.”

He began giving his testimony at other churches, both Catholic and Protestant, using the opportunity to evangelize to all he met.

Still, he felt called to do more. With the blessing of his bishop, now-Cardinal Raymond Burke, Richard began doing full-time ministry as a Catholic evangelist.

For almost 20 years, Richard has traveled to 22 countries to give talks, lead Bible studies and hold parish missions. The encounters he’s had with Catholics around the world have had a tremendous impact on him. “Just knowing that God continues to use this broken, battered and bruised vessel that I am to touch other people’s lives continues to give me strength,” Richard said.

It was during one of Richard’s parish missions at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns that he was approached by Fr. Mark Davis, pastor, about bringing his ministry to the parish level. After taking some time for discernment, Richard felt it was God placing an opportunity in front of him.

Since starting his new role at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns, Richard has helped start a drivethru prayer program, where drivers pull into the parish parking lot and tell parishioners the prayer intentions on their hearts in addition to weekly Bible studies and other initiatives. He has been committed to fostering “a warm, welcome, Eucharistic experience” so parishioners and visitors alike feel they have a home at the parish. 

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GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 15

A FAITH-F

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ADVENT 16 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

ILLED

PHOTO COURTESY RICK SASALA

TURE

TO UNDERSTAND THE SASALA family, a good place to begin is a summer evening in 2004.

Their dark blue ’97 Suburban cruises down the highway. The record high gas prices — $1.92 per gallon — do not deter these travelers. The vehicle is carefully packed. Camping gear in the back. Hiking boots tucked under seats. A cooler in the middle row. Rick is behind the wheel with Nancy at his side. They are midway through a 20 hour drive to a place they’ve grown to love, the Rocky Mountains. This time, they are not alone. In the middle row, Daniel cracks a joke, and Matt laughs. In the back, Lauren reads a book, and Erin scans the landscape for wildlife. It’s their first family trip to the mountains.

The family will make the uphill trek to reach an alpine lake with breathtaking mountain views.

They won’t rush, partly because they want to take in the beauty and partly because the younger Sasalas haven’t even reached double digits. On this trip, Matt is eight, while triplets Lauren, Daniel and Erin are only five.

Lauren, Daniel, Erin, Matt, Jessie, Nancy and Deacon Rick in Sedona, Arizona, 2021

(Above) Maroon Bells, Colorado, 2017. (Right) Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado, 2012. “I believe artists are blessed to view the world differently with a deeper appreciation for beauty and experiences that bring us ‘awe’. In nature, it’s a beautiful sunrise or sunset, mountains, waterfalls, oceans, lakes, farmland or the plains,” Nancy Sasala says.

R

ick was accustomed to the outdoors early in life. Growing up on 120 acres of primarily wooded land, his family heated their home with wood. That necessitated many hours in the summer cutting firewood. Rather than getting tired of the environment, Rick thrived in it. “I spent more days during the summer in a tent sleeping when I was in high school than I did in the house,” he said. Ultimately, the woods were a place he found solace, a fact that has not changed in the intervening decades. “There were two places that I felt at peace: the woods and the church.” After his tent-sleeping high school days, Rick went to Bowling Green State University, where he met his future wife Nancy.

Nancy was an art student, though her family also did their share of fishing and camping.

Nancy remembers the first time she met Rick.

“He had a green wool shirt on, a bandana,

hiking boots and jeans.” It piqued her interest.

“It wasn’t love at first sight but curiosity at first sight,” she joked. They became friends with an appreciation for nature as a common interest. Clearly, nature had a hand in their romance, too. A group hike became a pseudofirst date when the poor weather scared off everyone but Nancy and Rick. They spent an entire day walking through the mud, bonding over their love for photography, being raised Catholic and sharing stories of their families.

They returned to their dorms, tired and dirty, but with the first inkling that they may have a future together. After getting married a few years later, they lived in Colorado while Rick was in graduate school. They returned to Ohio

18 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

“We have had many summit experiences as a family ...

There is nothing like that sense of awe and grandeur that you get at the top of those mountains. And the faith leads you there, too.”

PHOTOS COURTESY RICK SASALA

DEACON RICK SASALA

but maintained an enduring love for Colorado, especially Rocky Mountain National Park.

When their children arrived, Matt in 1996, followed by triplets Lauren, Daniel, and Erin in 1999, there was no question that they would share the love of nature with their children.

“We wanted them to experience the beauty of nature and come to appreciate it and the Creator of it all,” Deacon Rick explained. They spent a few years preparing the children with shorter trips in Ohio before returning to a favorite place, Rocky Mountain National Park, in 2004. In the nearly 20 years since, they’ve made almost as many trips, mainly to mountain ranges in the northern United States and Canada.

Matt has fond memories of their 2009 trip to the coast of Maine. By this time, the Sasalas had traded their Suburban for a minivan, and they loaded it with bicycles. “Imagine four bikes on the back of a minivan and two bikes on top along with a car top – we looked like a traveling circus,” Matt recalled. They arrived at Acadia National Park, the East Coast treasure with mountains, ocean views, pine forests and island lakes. Instead of their regular hiking routine, the family rode their bicycles on carriage roads, rustic broken stone roads that weave through the mountains and valleys. They left behind their bicycles to make the steep hike to the top of South Bubble, a mountain with a view overlooking the park to the ocean beyond.

Lauren recalls the trip in 2012 as pivotal in her life. The Sasalas were back in Rocky Mountain National Park. The variety of this park is one part of the attraction for the family. Visitors can experience the moose and meadow region, the alpine region, the wilderness region, the waterfalls and backcountry or, as the Sasalas did on that trip, the heart of the park. After reaching the summit of Flattop Mountain, a 4-mile hike up to the tundra and to the Continental Divide, Lauren said, “I became a mountain girl; I fell in love with the mountains.”

Mills Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, 2004. “A huge cathedral constructed for the glory and worship of God strikes me in the same way as a mighty mountain which God created for us to admire in awe. Creation itself testifies about its Creator. My belief is that it is impossible to live on this planet without recognizing God because nature is proof of His existence,” Matt Sasala says.

T

here was a turning point around this time. Rick’s father died, and his own Catholic faith took a more prominent place in his life. “I started going to Eucharistic Adoration early in the morning on a weekly basis, reading everything I could [about the Catholic faith] and going to spiritual direction.

That was the pathway,” he explained. He discerned and then entered the Diocese of Toledo's deacon formation program in 2017. The shift impacted the entire family. Deacon Rick said, “I remember [Matt’s] senior year, we did nine First Fridays.

One of those was in January. A snowstorm hit, so besides the priest, we were the only ones there for Mass.” It’s a mentality that followed them on vacation, as well. Rick and the triplets were in the Boundary Waters in 2016. Tucked in Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a vast area of lakes and woods that stretches for 100 miles. With no permanent residents, no motorized

GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 19

(Above) Blue Lake Trail in Colorado, 2018. (Right) Near Valdez, Alaska, 2019. “I see the beauty of the Catholic faith, and because I believe it is true, I have the responsibility to share its beauty with others,” Daniel Sasala says.

boats, not even planes that fly overhead, once you push off from shore, it’s truly just you and nature. The last several miles of their canoeing trip were on a Sunday. “We got up that morning knowing we were going to Mass that evening.

That was our priority for the day,” Deacon Rick said. And they made it to Mass in Minneapolis, as planned, with ten minutes to spare.

Erin and Daniel both point to their 2019 Alaska trip as a milestone. The family flew into Anchorage, where they rented an RV and set off. They spent several rainy days in 6 million acres of untamed wilderness with a single road running through it. The relatively low elevation subarctic forest dramatically contrasts with the alpine tundra and snowy mountains, including North America’s tallest peak, Denali. Daniel described it this way: “Alaska is unlike anything else. Mountains that rise straight from the ground as if it were the teeth of a massive shark and wild rolling plains that you could swear never ended.” Most notable, perhaps, is the wildlife.

The family spotted grizzly bears, caribou, moose and countless other animals.They continued north to Fairbanks and eventually the Arctic Circle, where the summer sun stays out almost 24 hours, offering weary travelers just a few hours of twilight. Their final Alaskan adventure was a boat tour. The stunning glacier views and wildlife were particularly memorable for Erin. “Alaska gives you an awareness of God’s creation, a sense of how big and grand it is,” she said.

In 2021, the Sasalas were in the southwest, a departure from their northern adventures. This was no regular trip; they were in Arizona for Matt’s wedding. The brilliant orange sandstone hills of Sedona are famous for their beauty. The day before Matt married Jessie, this is where they wanted to be. They joined their families to hike a trail with the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area. On the wedding day, the six original Sasalas set out slowly. “We were able to take our time on the trail, reminiscing about the past and what the future held for me and our family. It was nice to have ‘one last hike’ as just the six Sasalas before adding Jessie to the mix as a permanent addition. We decided to spend that time in nature because it’s what we do as a family.

There’s a peace and serenity to being out in nature that is hard to come by in the hustle and bustle of everyday life,” Matt said. That evening, Matt and Jessie wed in The Chapel of the Holy

20 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

Cross, an iconic Catholic Church built into the Sedona red rock.

PHOTOS COURTESY RICK SASALA

J

ust as the four Sasala children advanced in mountain climbing, their faith lives have also strengthened. All of their trips and the stunning views they have seen are part of the reason. “Beauty is where I first encountered God,” Lauren remarked. Matt added, “All of the beautiful places we’ve been to as a family are a gift from God to experience.” The younger Sasalas were unanimous in saying their parents also played a crucial role in their faith formation. “Having parents who made it a priority to actually live out the Catholic faith, even during vacations … created in our hearts a door for which Christ was able to enter through and dwell in us,” Daniel said. In fact, the triplets all made a radical decision after college.

Rather than pursuing traditional careers, Erin, Daniel and Lauren became Catholic missionaries.

Lauren is a missionary guide program manager for Creatio, an organization based in Colorado whose mission is to guide all people to encounter the beauty of creation and the Creator through outdoor adventures. Daniel is a missionary with Fellowship of Catholic University Students, a Catholic collegiate outreach whose mission is to share the hope and joy of the gospel with college and university students.

Erin is a missionary with Christ in the City, an organization that works with the homeless with the goal of creating a culture of encounter where each person is seen, known, and loved.

The Sasalas are now spread across the country in three different time zones, but their shared experiences have created a strong bond. Each family member noted their journeys, those hours spent in the car with one another, are among their most precious memories. “It wasn’t perfect,” Nancy said of those drives. But the long trip made it more satisfying. “There’s a discipline about [a road trip] that makes you appreciate the destination,” Deacon Rick said. That destination, often the top of a mountain for the Sasalas, is impossible to capture in words. Ultimately, his response harkens back to his years in the parish choir. A mountain is best described by singing, “When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze; Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee; How great thou art, how great though art!” 

IF YOU ENJOY READING ABOUT THE LIVES OF FAITH-FILLED SENIORS THROUGHOUT THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO…

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Graceful LIVING LIV ING

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FREMONT

C

WEEKEND GETAWAY

BY ANNIE LUST

Fremont is an ideal destination for lovers of Northwest Ohio history.

Long before settlers came to the area, Fremont — although it was only named that much later — was an important village for Wyandot Native Americans.

Later there was a French and English presence.

During the War of 1812, it was a strategic location where greatly outnumbered Americans held off a British force coming up the Sandusky River. Perhaps most notably, Fremont was the home of President Rutherford B. Hayes. A visit to the charming community offers glimpses to the city's past as well as modern amenities.

PHOTO COURTESY RUTHERFORD B. HAYES PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM

EXPLORE Get ready for some fun! No matter your interests, Fremont can offer some incredible experiences. If you enjoy a bicycle ride, do not miss the North Coast Inland Trail (which doubles as part of the statewide Buckeye Trail, too). Another option is a leisurely drive to see the Historic Barn Mural Trail that winds through the area. If speed is your thing, watch a race at the Fremont Speedway. In the summer months, visiting Ghoul Runnings Kayak Adventures for a river kayak tour guarantees a good time. You can also work with your hands at Pottery Perfection. History buffs will enjoy the Sandusky County Jail Tour.

Of course, the historic Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum is the biggest draw. The sprawling 25 acre estate includes multiple buildings. While there is a particular emphasis on President Hayes, the museum also focuses on United States history, especially from 1850–1917. It also covers Ohio history, containing books on nearly every county in Ohio among its staggering 90,000 book collection. At Christmas there are fine home tours and a model train exhibit!

PRAY

PHOT

EAT & DRINK You will have no trouble finding delicious food in Fremont morning, noon and night. Start with a relaxing morning at Down Thyme Café. You will not find a better lunch than the authentic Mexican fare at El Dorado Taco, a food truck that’s been a local staple for over a decade. Craving something sweet? A visit to Cocoa Beans, where dessert options include homemade chocolates, cupcakes and ice cream, is guaranteed to be a sweet stop. An equally delicious option is El Aguila Bakery, where the pan dulce, empanadas and candy are renowned.

Their most praised offering may be tamales, so grab some to-go if you’ve already filled up on sweets. When dinnertime arrives, The Garrison is a lovely option where the French Onion soup is a favorite. Tackle Box 2 is a decidedly more casual experience — you have to visit to truly take in the atmosphere — but the perch (and other fish) is so delicious that patrons drive hours to enjoy the fare.

There is no shortage of places to pray in Fremont! St. Ann and St. Joseph Catholic Churches are less than a half mile from one another. While the twinned parishes are both beautiful 19th-century brick buildings, they have unique identities: St. Ann is historically Irish, while St. Joseph is historically German.

Their joint mission statement, Grow in Holiness, results in frequent activities. Visit growinholiness.org for parish details. The third Catholic parish in Fremont, Sacred Heart, was founded in 1956 to serve the east side. Visit sacredheart-fremont.org to learn about the many events taking place in this vibrant parish. Finally, Our Lady of the Pines Retreat Center is nestled on 68 acres of evergreen trees. The grounds are open to visitors if you desire a quiet stroll. You can also book a quiet stay in the hermitage or a retreat. For more information, go to pinesretreat.org.

STAY You will find a variety of traditional hotels in and around Fremont, but there are some alternative options, too.

Check out Airbnb, where you can select a historic home, a cottage or other unique accommodations. If you’re visiting in the warm months, you may want to check out the splendid campgrounds nearby, including some located along the river.

GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 23

Obstetrician Lillian Miller shares her winding path to faith, family and fulfillment.

PHOTO BY SCOTT W. GRAU/SPECIAL TO THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO

Love of LABOR

BY ANNIE LUST

24 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

B B

abies were not part of Lillian Miller’s plan. Not for her career and not for her personal life.

“It’s so interesting to see the Lord’s path. If you had told me 20 years ago that I would be where I am now, I would say you are out of your mind,” Lillian said, her voice full of emotion.

Lillian decided to be a physician at 12 years old. She was the youngest of ten children, so she decided on a career that allowed her to care for others Dr. Lillian Miller spends many hours and support herself. inside hospital buildings, but she finds peace in the outdoors, especially the “That’s how I chose woods. Her love of nature stretches back to a childhood surrounded by brothers. medicine. And there Decades later, the forest smell of dirt and leaves is still a comfort to her. was no veering off the path for me.” Obstetrics, however, was not what she had in mind. Not until her plan for family practice didn’t fit and pediatric oncology fell through. Lillian ended up in obstetrics, almost as if someone else had planned it out for her all along.

For years, Dr. Lillian Miller practiced as a traditional OB-GYN. She delivered babies, but she also prescribed contraceptives and performed tubal ligation surgery. Then came a Bible Study. abies were not part of Lillian Miller’s plan. Not for her career and not for her personal life. “It’s so interesting to see the Lord’s path. If you had told me 20 years ago that I would be where I am now, I would say you are out of your mind,” Lillian said, her voice full of emotion.

Lillian decided to be a physician at 12 years old. She was the youngest of ten children, so she decided on a career that allowed her to care for others and support herself. “That’s how I chose medicine. And there was no veering off the path for me.” Obstetrics, however, was not what she had in mind. Not until her plan for family practice didn’t fit and pediatric oncology fell through. Lillian ended up in obstetrics, almost as if someone else had planned it out for her all along.

PHOTOS COURTESY LILLIAN MILLER

For years, Dr. Lillian Miller practiced as a traditional OB-GYN. She delivered babies, but she also prescribed contraceptives and performed tubal ligation surgery. Then came a Bible Study.

Dr. Lillian Miller spends many hours inside hospital buildings, but she finds peace in the outdoors, especially the woods. Her love of nature stretches back to a childhood surrounded by brothers. Decades later, the forest smell of dirt and leaves is still a comfort to her.

GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 25 GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 25

with her to spending more time Lillian is looking forward ving lea is e Sh nt. me en in retire ed by husband and four childr nd rou all, peaceful home sur the area to settle in a sm . nature in North Carolina

PHOTOS COURTESY LILLIAN MILLER

Lillian recalled this pivotal moment in her life, “We read a book called Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free. There was a chapter about family size…I wrote in the notes of that chapter, Lord, I prescribe contraception in my medical practice, and I tie tubes. If I am in any way hurting you, please change my heart. He did. He changed my heart.”

Lillian had never learned about Natural Family Planning in medical training, but she listened to Christopher West speak about the Theology of the Body. “It became clear to me. I either had to quit, or I had to change my medical practice.” It was a difficult, frightening decision. She opted to change her practice to fit her values. There was pushback – hate letters and threats – but her practice flourished.

She has cared for hundreds of patients. She has delivered countless babies. “[My patients] say I blessed them, but they blessed me. The Domestic Church is just so beautiful.”

That appreciation for the Domestic Church has grown beyond her career. She also became a mother.

“My husband wanted six kids, and I wanted zero.

We got married anyway,” Lillian said. Working with families changed her heart. “I thought, I am going to miss this. That maternal instinct kicked on,” she said. After her first son was born, she converted to Catholicism. “But I didn’t understand that Catholic Church,” Lillian explained. With four children in tow, “I ended up going back to the Methodist Church from 1999 until 2010,” she said.

At the same time that she was convicted to change her medical practice, another conviction took hold of her heart. “I started starving for the Eucharist,” Lillian said. She returned to the Catholic Church, made a good confession, then received the Eucharist

Scripture study was a powerful experience for Dr. Lillian Miller.

“I was convicted when I studied Genesis that God is the Author and Creator of life,” she said. It changed the way she practiced medicine.

for the first time in more than a decade.

As Lillian’s love for the Catholic Church grew, it became an essential part of her work. “When my patients are having a long labor, I go to my call room and pray the rosary because I know I am a doctor, but God is in control. I am not in control. Who better to put them in than the hands of the Lord? He is the Great Physician!”

“He has allowed me to walk with Him and take care of His children. It’s such a blessing. And I will miss them,” she said. After three decades in medicine, Dr. Lillian Miller recently retired. It was another tough decision. “I learned the word vocation.

I asked the Lord, ‘What is my vocation?’ I heard Him say to me, ‘your vocation is to be a wife and a mother.’ This is the gift. It took me so long to realize what’s really important here. It wasn’t about being the doctor; it was about being who God created me to be.”

Still, she is sorely missed, of course. Peter Range, Chief Executive Officer of Ohio Right to Life, said that not only will he and his wife personally miss her, but the entire community will: “Dr. Miller has touched countless lives, including our own. She is too humble to admit it, but she’s saved countless lives as well. From helping women in unexpected pregnancies to her calm demeanor under fire in the delivery room, Dr. Miller is a rare combination of grace, love, grit and medical excellence. You simply cannot replace a woman like Dr. Miller in our community and we’ll never be able to replace her for our family. She’s held each of our children in the delivery room, has taken personal calls deep in the night from my wife and has always reminded us of God’s grace in our meetings. There is no one like Dr. Miller and there never will be again.” 

26 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

HOME CARE VOLUNTEERS

A R E A

O F F I C E

O N

To find out how AOoA can help, call

(419) 382-0624

www.AreaOfficeOnAging.com

A G I N G

NUTRITION

Meals and More Food is one of the most essential needs we have.

Many homebound older adults depend on someone like you to step up to volunteer to bring them the food they need. AOoA dining sites are also available for additional meal options.

Delivering meals, tutoring, making friendly socialization calls, and connecting people with programs to save money on health insurance

LIVING BETTER& LONGER O F

N O R T H W E S T E R N

O H I O

GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 27

PAINTINGPI Among the many treasures in and around Northwest Ohio are stunning pieces of

sacred art. You are just a road trip away from admiring true religious masterpieces from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Visit one of these nearby art museums, and take notice of these famous paintings. BY A N N I E LU S T TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART

The Liberation of St. Peter (1660) by Italian artist Luca Giordano. Possibly the largest painting in the museum, this Baroque masterpiece was unveiled in Toledo in 2014. The scene depicts St. Peter’s third imprisonment, captured at a time when early Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire. Bishop Daniel E. Thomas spoke at the painting's unveiling, saying, “For this moment in time, our meditation on Giordano’s depiction of Peter’s miraculous release from prison, with the assistance of the angel of the Lord, reveals to us what it offered to those who were first called Christians. The promise and power of the Holy Spirit to carry them into every time and place.”

COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART

Christ Triumphant Over Sin and Death (c. 1615-1620) by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens and Studio. Sir Peter Paul Rubens was the most influential painter of the Flemish Baroque tradition. His work emphasized movement and color. In this work, Rubens depicted Jesus with a snake and skull underfoot to illustrate His triumph over sin and death. He made several similar versions of this painting, all sending the message of Christian hope.

28 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

PILGRIMAGE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART

The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew (1607) by the Italian Baroque master Caravaggio. Caravaggio is such an influential painter that he requires little introduction. His bold style includes areas of light contrasted with deep shadows.

This work is a dramatic depiction of St. Andrew’s death. According to tradition, St. Andrew went to Greece after Pentecost.

In 60 AD, he was martyred in the city of Patras. He survived two days on the cross, converting bystanders.

CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM

Madonna and Child (c. 1450s) by a follower of the Italian artist Fra Angelico. Fra Angelico was an early Renaissance artist notable for his breathtaking work, but even more so because he was beatified

by Pope John Paul II. Blessed Fra Angelico was a Dominican priest who is now the patron of Catholic artists. Among his artwork wellknown depictions of the Annunciation and the Transfiguration.

A follower of Blessed Angelico’s created this work, which features Mary and the child Jesus. The Cincinnati Art Museum says, “This small devotional painting is characteristic of images produced in Florence in the mid-1400s. The realistic depiction of depth and volume and the tender gestures of the holy figures reflect the influence of Fra Angelico.”

DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS

The Flight into Egypt (c. 1647-1650) by Spanish Baroque painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. This Spanish Baroque painter was renowned in particular for his religious artwork.

He painted almost exclusively for churches and religious orders. This depiction of the Holy Family balances reality and spirituality, a speciality of Murillo’s.

GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 29

The "Emerging Disciples" photo that was used in the Living Christ campaign features Kylee Stewart, along with two classmates, participating in a school Mass.

PHOTO BY SCOTT W. GRAU/SPECIAL TO THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO

when

Fr. Matt Rader saw the promotional materials for the Living Christ campaign, one photo stood out. Like every pastor in the Diocese of Toledo, he was going to ask parishioners to be extraordinarily generous. It’s never an easy task, but it was not unfamiliar. Before his tenure at St. Mary in Tiffin and St. Pius in Sycamore, he’d gotten used to inviting people financially to support mission and ministry in his years as Priest Leader and Director of Formation at Central Catholic High School. The promotional photo brought him back to that place. It was a reminder that the generosity of his parishioners, and all those across the diocese, is lifechanging. If you need proof, says Fr. Matt Rader, just ask Kylee Stewart. She is the young woman who appeared in the Emerging Disciples photo for the campaign; she is a young woman whose life changed because of a Catholic school.

30 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

Kylee Stewart has found her home and heart at Toledo's Central Catholic High School

entral chome

coming

BY ANNIE LUST

GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 31

PHOTO BY SCOTT W. GRAU/SPECIAL TO THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO

PHOTO COURTESY KYLEE STEWART

(Above) Kylee is back in the classroom, now as a teacher.

Here she works with her Theology students. (Right) Kylee visits Fr. Matt Rader at St. Mary Parish in Tiffin.

K

ylee Stewart’s life trajectory changed when she was fourteen years old. As a freshman on her first day at Central Catholic High School in Toledo, she was uniform-clad, standing at her locker. She was there for the academics. “I had no religious background. I had never been to church,” she explained. She expected the idling school buses, the slamming lockers, the squeaking tennis shoes. She did not expect to see a priest run by in a cassock. “I texted my mom and said, ‘Mom, why is the priest wearing a black dress?’” Kylee recalled.

It was the first moment at Central Catholic that made an impression. Over the year, learning about the Catholic faith profoundly impacted Kylee. “It sparked a light,” she said. She felt compelled to be as close to the sacraments as possible. “I got involved with setting up for Mass because that was the closest I could get to the Mass without being able to receive Holy Communion,” she said. As her junior year began, she spoke with Fr. Matt Rader, the cassockwearing priest who first made an impression

“While Kylee’s story is special, the impact Catholic education and Catholic campus ministry has had on her is by no means unique.

Countless other young people through the years and across our diocese have been mentored by joyful witnesses to the living Christ, becoming themselves joyful witnesses to the living Christ.

A contribution to the Living Christ Campaign can perpetuate this cycle of discipleship by equipping school personnel, campus and young adult ministers, and all our lay leaders to have the kind of impact that changed Kylee’s life and impelled her to joyfully witness the redeemer at work within her and around her,” Fr. Matt Rader says.

32 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

“For “For II know know well well the the plans plans II have have in in mind mind for for you: you: plans plans for for your your welfare welfare and and not not for for woe, woe, so so as as to to give give you you a a future future of of hope.” hope.”

Jeremiah Jeremiah 29:11 29:11

J

oin oin us us with with your your prayers prayers and and fi financial nancial support support as as we we share share the the Living Living Christ for the future of our church in Northwest Ohio for generations Christ for the future of our church in Northwest Ohio for generations to to come. come.

FF O OR R M MO OR R EE II N N FF O OR RM M AT AT II O ON N ::

livingchristcampaign.org livingchristcampaign.org As As of of 12/1/22, 12/1/22, we we are are already already at at 78 78 percent percent of of the the goal! goal!

Thank you for your extraordinary participation in this historic Thank you for your extraordinary participation in this historic campaign! campaign!

Campaign Prayer Campaign Prayer

O God, our generous Father, the saving death and glorious resurrection of your Son renews your Church in every way for the work of the Gospel.

O God, our generous Father, the saving death and glorious resurrection of your Son renews your Church in every way for the work of the Gospel.

Ignite in the hearts of your people the fire of love that burns in the heart of your Son. Inspire in us a lively generosity for the selfless service of our brothers and sisters.

Invigorate our commitment to follow more closely Jesus, our Shepherd and Savior.

May the Holy Spirit, who brings Christ to life in each of us, prompt all our efforts for the success of our Living Christ campaign.

O God, generous Father, May Mary, ourour Mother, and all the Saints the saving death and glorious resurrection intercede for us to be joyful witnessesof your Son renews your Church inus every way us. to the Redeemer at work within and among

Campaign Ignite in the hearts of Prayer your people

the fire of love that burns in the heart of your Son. Inspire in us a lively generosity work Gospel. for the selflfor essthe service of ofourthebrothers and sisters.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Invigorate ourincommitment more closely Ignite the heartsto offollow your people the fire of love Jesus,that our burns Shepherdin the and heart Savior.of your Son.

Inspire in us a lively generosity for the selfless service of our brothers and sisters.

Invigorate our commitment to follow more closely Jesus, our Shepherd and Savior.

May the Holy Spirit, who brings Christ to life in each of us, prompt all our efforts for the of ourwho Livingbrings ChristChrist campaign.

May thesuccess Holy Spirit, to life in each of us, prompt all our efforts May Mary, our Mother, and all the Saints for the success of our Living Christ campaign. intercede for usMother, to be joyful May Mary, our and witnesses all the Saints intercede for us to be joyful witnesses to the Redeemer at work within us and among us.

to the Redeemer at work within us and among us.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(Above) Kylee was involved in everything faith-related throughout high school — planning retreats, setting up for Mass and directing Living Stations of the Cross. (At Right) Kylee graduated from high school in 2018. She went to college with the intention of becoming a doctor. She was even accepted into medical school.

on Kylee, about becoming Catholic. At the Easter Vigil Mass in 2017, Kylee was baptized, confirmed and received Holy Communion. As Kylee described the feeling of that Easter Mass, she struggled to express what it meant to her. Then her face lit with joy as she found the closest way to explain it, “I could just feel a sense of home. You know when you walk into your home, and you feel like you can be yourself and [you are] just settled?

My heart was settled.”

At a time in life when many young people are leaving the faith, Kylee chose to embrace it. “Choosing to become Catholic was not difficult.” She continued, “The difficulty is learning that my faith is a choice.

I have to actively choose to participate in a life that God has chosen for me.” In her final years at Central Catholic, part of living her faith meant being involved in everything faith-related. “She began taking a leadership role. We would constantly joke that nothing would have gotten done without her,” said Fr. Matt Rader. She coordinated every retreat. She ran and vastly grew the organization that engages and trains students for special participation in Mass. She planned and directed the living Stations of the Cross. She was chosen to crown Mary at May Crowning. “If it had a cross with it, I was involved,” she joked. Beyond being something fun that

34 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

$750

KYLEE STEWART

TAX CREDIT

Kylee liked to do, she said, “I loved knowing that what I was doing was helping bring kids closer to Christ.”

After her 2018 graduation from High School, Kylee’s faith continued to grow during her time at the University of Toledo. She was accepted into the Christian Leadership Program, a scholarship Corpus Christi University Parish awards to selected University of Toledo students.

The program’s goal is theological and spiritual formation for students to help them develop their gifts and talents as leaders in the Church and the world. In Kylee’s case, it was a success.

“That truly set me up for being able to teach theology,” Kylee remarked. But at this point, Kylee was still planning to become a doctor. She studied biology and chemistry, and she was accepted into medical school.

But her heart was still at Central Catholic. She had stayed connected even after graduation – as the ACT coordinator, working in the Shamrock Shop selling uniforms. “I was always here,” she said, gesturing to the school around her. She could not shake the feeling that Central Catholic was home. So, Kylee turned down medical school. When a long-term substitute position came available just as Kylee graduated college early, she accepted. When the permanent position was open in Autumn 2022, she accepted. Kylee teaches four biology classes and three theology classes. “I love being able to talk about God in the building and being able to incorporate that not just in my theology classes but in [biology classes] as well,” Kylee explained. Ultimately, Kylee finds joy in knowing that her work brings her students a little closer to Christ each day, the same way teachers and mentors, many of whom she now calls colleagues, did just a few years ago for her. 

The Diocese of Toledo Scholarship Fund is a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) that collects funds to provide scholarships to students in grades K-12 to attend Catholic schools.

PHOTO COURTE SY KYLEE STEW ART

PHOTO BY SCOTT W. GRAU/SPECIAL TO THE DIOCESE OF TOLEDO

“I loved knowing that what I was doing was helping bring kids closer to Christ.”

Donors receive a tax credit on your State of Ohio tax liability of up to $750.00 for individuals or up to $1,500.00 for those filing jointly.

We ask you to consider: would you like to give to a student to attend a Catholic school or send your money in the form of taxes to the State of Ohio?

• A tax credit is different than a deduction.

• A tax credit is money back in your pocket on taxes you already owe.

• You can also designate which Catholic school you would like to donation to be directed!

It’s easy to donate, go to dotsgo.org and click the “Donate” button.

You can also send a check to Diocese of Toledo Scholarship Fund:

1933 SPIELBUSCH AVE. | TOLEDO, OHIO, 43604 Following your donation being processed, you will receive donation receipt and instructions to file for a tax credit.

Catholic Radio for the Diocese of Toledo On Air and On Demand at annunciationradio.com and our mobile app.

FAITH ALIVE

With Rodney Schuster

WHERE TO LISTEN Weekdays 7-9am

Thursday 4:30pm

Tuesday 4pm

WNOC 89.7 FM in Bowling Green & Toledo

WHRQ 88.1 FM in Sandusky & Port Clinton

WFOT 89.5 FM … and be sure to listen for these weekly local programs: • Understanding Scripture with Father Dave Nuss • Say Yes To Life with Peter Range • The Virtuous Life with Patricia Oedy-Murray • Faith With Reasons with Ron Finn and Shayne Stanfield

in Lexington & Mansfield

Plus national programs, including Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Connection, The Doctor Is In, Take 2, Called to Communion, Kresta in the Afternoon and more.

On Demand on the Annunciation Radio app and at annunciationradio.com

36 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

WSHB 90.9 FM in Willard

WRRO 89.9 FM in Bryan

A N N U N C I AT I O N R A D I O : P O B O X 14 0 3 8 4 | T O L E D O , O H 4 3 614 | 419 -75 4 -10 0 9 | 87 7-275 - 8 0 9 8

Marketplace COMBINE YOUR FAITH WITH GIFT-GIVING!

Catholic Gift box is more than just a box of goodies! It’s a salvation box for your rerouting of your faith! Each box contains a different subject that will help you connect closer to God.

www.catholicgiftbox.com

New Cremation Garden at Calvary Cemetery

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Tuesday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

4100 SECOR ROAD * TOLEDO, OHIO 43623

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PERMANENT PLACE OF REMEMBRANCE

in the peaceful surroundings that our Catholic cemeteries provide

FOR MORE INFORMATION: (419) 536-3751 | cfcstoledo.org

Calvary Cemetery | 2224 Dorr Street, Toledo, OH

419-474-4740 • www.regers.com Toll Free 1-877-605-0561

CATHOLIC FUNERAL & CEMETERY SERVICES

GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | WINTER/SPRING 2023 37

If you want your dining out to be an experience, not simply a meal, Northwest Ohio can deliver. Visit one of these establishments to delight more than just your tastebuds.

OREGON

UPPER SANDUSKY

Black Forest Cafe

The Steer Barn

This eatery is full of charm! The architecture and food are authentic German. Schnitzel, bratwurst and beer cheese are all on the menu. The toughest decision will be which delicious dish to select!

As the name suggests, this building was erected in 1897 as a barn meant to house animals and store hay, straw and grain.

The original timber and structure are still intact, but the building was transformed into a fine dining restaurant in 1965.

BELLEVILLE

TOLEDO

This is not simply a train-themed restaurant; this eatery is inside the train itself! Hop on the Buckeye Express. This locomotive is a little outside of the diocese, but it’s very close to the Mansfield area.

This Toledo staple needs little introduction, but a list of unique restaurants is not complete without it! After all, where else have you seen a collection of signed hot dog buns? (Can you find the one signed by our Bishop?) Swing by this famous Hungarian-American joint for a hot dog of your own.

Buckeye Express Diner Tony Packos in Toledo

FREMONT

Tackle Box 2

Don’t let the unassuming exterior deter you. Once inside, your senses will be overwhelmed with the fun, kitschy atmosphere. Of course, you cannot come without trying the signature menu item– the perch!

PORT CLINTON

Tin Goose Diner

You’ll be transported back in time with a visit to this authentic 1950s diner. While you savor the classic Americana fare, you have a front-row seat to the runway as airplanes come and go. When you’ve had your fill, visit the attached aviation museum.

For a unique dining experience take a drive to one of these niche eateries in Northwest Ohio.

38 WINTER/SPRING 2023 | DIOCESE OF TOLEDO | GRACEFUL LIVING MAGAZINE

PHOTO COURTESY TIN GOOSE DINER

BY ANNIE LUST

sincera sincera

We put living into senior living.

Dedicated to our healing ministry, CHI Living Communities offers many safe senior living options, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing and Rehab.

And, with our on-site chapels with religious services, robust selection of planned activities, abundant green space, and many other amenities, your choice to move just got easier!

Contact one of our area communities to learn more about all of our services and amenities or visit CHILivingCommunities.org.

The Commons of Providence 5000 Providence Drive Sandusky, Ohio 45870 419.624.1171

Franciscan Care Center 4111 N. Holland Sylvania Rd. Toledo, Ohio 43623 419.882.6582

Providence Care Center 2025 Hayes Avenue Sandusky, Ohio 45870 419.627.2273

St. Clare Commons 12469 Five Point Road Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 419.931.0050

The Gardens of St. Francis 930 South Wynn Road Oregon, Ohio 43616 419.698.4331