St. Mary’s

St. Mary Parish Chardon, OH (440)285-7051 www.stmarychardon.org May 2019

M essenger We, the Roman Catholic community of St. Mary Parish under the patronage of our Blessed Mother,

will proclaim, celebrate, and live out faith in God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and who sanctifies us in word and sacrament.

Families Reenact the Journey to Emmaus at the First Communion Retreat

WOW Ladies Day of Prayer

St. Mary School Second Graders Explore the Classic Story “Charlotte’s Web”

RCIA Members, Sponsors, Clergy and Team After the Easter Vigil

Building the Chapel of the Divine Child in Nicaragua

Bishop Perez Celebrates the Sacrament of Confirmation

From the Pastor Feast of Saint Damien By Father Dan Redmond

Dear Parish Family, May 10th is the feast day of one of

the most beloved saints in the last two centuries. It is the feast day of Saint Damien de Veuster of Moloka’i. His story is one of great faith, perseverance and sacrifice.

Joseph de Veuster was born in Tremelo, Belgium, in 1840. When he was only 13 years old, he had to quit school to work on the family farm. Still, he heard the call to serve Christ and his Church. Six years later, Joseph entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He took the name of a fourth century physician and martyr.

His brother, Pamphile, was a priest in the same congregation. Pamphile became ill and was unable to go to the Hawaiian Islands as directed. Instead, Damien volunteered to take his place. Eventually, in May 1864, two months after arriving, Damien was ordained a priest in Honolulu. He was assigned to the island of Hawaii.

In 1873, he journeyed to the Hawaiian government’s leper colony on the island of Moloka’i. The colony had been set up seven years earlier. Leprosy was known as Hansen’s disease. The colony was served by a team of four chaplains who took that assignment for three months each year. Damien decided to stay permanently.

Damien worked tirelessly to serve their physical, medical and spiritual needs. He obtained government support for the colony. He built new houses and a new church, along with a school and orphanage. People’s spirits were lifted. He was able to attract the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse to help staff the colony in Kalaupapa.

Eventually, Damien contracted leprosy and died of its complications at the age of 49. After Hawaii became a state in 1959, it chose Damien as one of its two representatives in the Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. Pope Benedict XVI canonized him as a saint on October 11, 2009.

So many lessons can be drawn from St. Damien’s life. Perhaps most compelling is that he showed the world that human compassion could alleviate the sufferings of this terrible disease. As a man of faith, he saw Christ in all those he served so faithfully.

(information for this article was taken from www.franciscanmedia.org).

Fr. Dan Redmond

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Saint Damien de Veuster of Moloka’i

Father Dan Redmond

We have a new parish faith resource and it it totally FREE! As you may have heard, each of us have been given a gift this spring – a subscription to the nationally recognize Catholic material on FORMED. This is free to everyone within the St. Mary parish boundary – parishioner or not. To sign up simply go to: stmarychardon.formed.org to sign-up for full access to all of the materials. Since launching this service on the weekend of March 3, over 120 of people have created an account and enjoyed over 80 hours of content. These statistics are as detailed as the information gets, and is intended to help us make decisions on future use of this service. Any personal information is safe. Formed is an online resource that provides Catholic content in the areas of:

• Family entertainment Videos for all ages Audio dramas

• Scripture study Daily and weekly reflections on

the readings Full scripture studies

• Adult faith formation Sacraments Basis of our faith Spiritual development Marriage enrichment

• Young adult learning What we believe and why Biographies of the saints and

religious leaders

• Child oriented material Sacraments Faith development

The format of the material varies to address many learning styles and preferences – including movies, video series products with discussion guides, audio books and short items for download, eBooks for download.

While most of the material is good for all ages, there are also programs geared more to specific groups such as women, men, teens, young adults, children, those seeking to see who Christ is, and those wanting to deepen their relationship with our Lord. With all that said, there are still three major features of Formed that we as a parish are just beginning to use and understand, but that can add significantly to the value of FORMED.

1. Use of FORMED in group discussions. Many of these programs are structured to allow participants to watch the material in advance, then gather for discussion to enhance understanding and enjoyment of the information, so we may share the message with others.

2. Ability to SHARE on social media our favorite parts of programs. Each item has a quick link to SHARE the topic via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or email

3. Ability to comment on specific topics or materials. You will notice there are viewer ratings and comments for most materials. As we move forward with St Mary Chardon groups and more people participate, we will be able to use the comments and ratings specifically on the St Mary site to allow for dialog on topics and to request what subjects we all would like to see discussion groups formed on.

Please consider signing up soon to take a look at the wealth of information that is available. If you are having any difficulty, please see any staff member after mass, or send a quick email to Jeannette Stone at jstone@stmarychardon.org or Tom Peshek at tpeshek@stmarychardon.org.

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Teaching Formed — New Faith Resource By Deacon Tom Peshek

Several of the high quality Catholic materials on the

FORMED website.

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Reaching Out

The Parish Team working on the “Be My Witness” self-study process has completed this phase of the program by discerning the priority actions most need to enhance St Mary Parish as a source of the New Evangelization. We began the process in fall 2017 by surveying parishioners. The survey looked at the ways our parish is – or could be – a beacon of Evangelization in the community. The areas explored fell into these five categories:

• The Sunday worship experience • The feeling of Welcome • The sense of Belonging • Opportunities for Witness • Reaching out in Mission

The team would like to sincerely thank those who replied to the survey and especially those who took the time to provide comments. This input helped the team determine the recommended actions below and the parish group that will lead in moving forward. Together we can make lasting improvements in our Evangelization efforts. Specific dates and action plans will be coming from the lead groups in the next months.

Be My Witness: Parish Actions Underway By Deacon Tom Peshek

Sunday Matters – Action Steps Lead Group(s) Target Date

Periodic refresher training sessions for ushers, Eucharistic ministers, and lectors to enhance worship.

Worship Commission

Ushers in June. Ministry refresher fall 2019

Establish a homily feedback board. Deacon Larry

Welcome Matters – Action Steps Lead Group(s) Target Date

Redesign, enhance and maintain parish website. Parish Staff Summer 2019

Extend hours for parish office/information desk on Sundays, during seasonal or special events.

Parish Staff Initial plan summer 2019

Install automatic doors on west entrance for increased handicap accessibility.

Finance Council

Select, schedule, and train greeters to welcome all people attending Mass.

TBD

Install new, improved parish sign at street. Mass times priority, and other events.

Finance Council & Parish Staff

Investigating options now

Improve signage for gym/CYO access. Facilities Manager & Boosters

Fall 2019 upgrade

Welcome - continued on next page

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Belonging Matters – Action Steps Lead Group(s) Target Date

Identify existing groups in/of the parish and publicize/promote groups.

Parish Council & Be My Witness Phase 2 Team

Fall 2019 and ongoing

Identify groups whose needs are not currently being met within the parish. Communicate and suggest programs to address these groups. (i.e. young families, youth, home bound, single parents, divorced, Stevens ministry seniors, etc.)

Parish Council Fall 2019

Witness Matters – Action Steps Lead Group(s) Target Date

Personal follow-up with newly registered parish-ioners. Establish contact group or committee for consistent connection with new parishioners.

Parish Council Spring 2019 and ongoing

Welcome new parishioners by offering house blessings, personal registrations, and discussion.

Parish Staff Spring 2019

Improve parish website focus for event sign-up, communication, payments, promotions, etc.

Parish Staff Summer 2019

Investigate joint activities with other churches in community.

TBD

Mission Matters – Action Steps Lead Group(s) Target Date

Develop catalog of services in the community including list of Catholic and other help organizations for the benefit of all people who come to us for assistance.

Parish Staff Fall 2019 first publication

Publicize and communicate parish groups and witness stories in various parish publications.

Parish Council & Evangelization Team

Fall 2019

Institute small groups for faith development and provide information on existing parish groups.

Be My Witness Phase 2 Team

Ongoing

Welcome Matters - Action Steps (Continued) Lead Group(s) Target Date

Improve communications for sporting event access and emergency access.

Facilities Manager & Boosters

Summer 2019 inform parish Fall 2019 inform groups

Improve adult education: new resources and promote wide use of those resources, group communications and faith formation.

Mrs. Stone Spring 2019 FORMED and ongoing

It is our hope that as these improvements move forward, each parishioner will feel empowered and motivated to assist as each can. We are really looking forward to the changes, both minor and those more significant, which will move us forward as a welcoming community that spreads the Good News of the Gospel in all that we do.

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Teaching

This spring, 109 eighth grader students were confirmed by Bishop Perez, becoming fully initiated into the Catholic Church and 65 second grade students excitedly received another sacrament of initiation, First Holy Communion. Both groups prepared to receive these sacraments by attending preparation classes and a culminating retreat.

The full day Spirit Day Confirmation Retreat led by St. Mary Life Teen, leads the candidates into a deeper understanding of their Catholic faith with a variety of activities revolving around the Holy Spirit and Confirmation. Witness talks such as “Why I Love the Mass” and “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit” are presented by teens with planned follow up activities. Skits, singing, and dancing help get the candidates more excited about being confirmed. The day concludes with Mass.

Second grade is also a big sacramental year. After receiving the mercy of Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, they immediately begin preparation to receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the very first time.

To increase their love for Jesus, all second graders participate in a half-day retreat focused on Jesus and the Eucharist. Stations such as baking unleavened bread, making a personal First Communion banner, and traveling with Jesus on the Road to Emmaus are just some of the planned activities. Students even get to practice receiving Communion with unconsecrated hosts and wine. Singing and a prayer service blessing the bread they created with their own hands conclude the retreat.

These preparation programs and retreats are possible through the prayers and support of the parishioners of St. Mary Parish and the help of many volunteers. Catechists, bakers, group/table leaders, and section leaders, are just a few of the ways volunteers support St. Mary’s sacramental programs. If you are interested in helping with either of the sacramental preparation programs at St. Mary Parish, please contact the PSR office at jstone@stmarychardon.org or 440-286-6531.

Confirmation students (right)

listen to teen witnesses at the

Spirit Day retreat.

PSR

St. Mary Chardon

Parish School of Religion

Sacraments of Initiation By Jeannette Stone

Student receives the light (right) after her first Reconciliation.

Bishop Perez (far right) celebrates

the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Second grade family (above) takes home

the blessed bread they made during the Communion retreat.

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Reaching Out Bereavement Ministry By Ester Laczko

The Bereavement Ministry serves the parish family when there is a death. We help the family plan the Mass and provide a luncheon if it is desired. Our ministry co-ordinators Delores Kaveleski and Ester Laczko are stepping down and Judy Kordos and Marge Goss are stopping up to provide this service in the future.

We truly appreciate all the families that help to provide and serve those that are bereaved. We are always in need of help, especially on the food teams. If you are able, please call the parish office at 440-285-7051. and leave your name and number. You will be contacted with more information.

Teaching Life Teen By Sherry Loxterman

Life Teen is almost finished for the year and we had a busy second semester with the planning for Spirit Days, which is the 8th grade confirmation retreat. Spirit Days was a success, and on Sunday March 31st, we had the 8th grade Life Teen Kickoff, so the 8th graders could come and see what Life Teen is all about. We had about twelve 8th graders that came, and everyone had a great time just playing various games. As we finish up the year, we are finishing up life nights on the Mass, and Senior Honoring, which is for the four seniors, who will be graduating this year. They are Abby Nelson, Katie Lazuka, Elise Praetzel, and Natalie Kankula. We wish them all well as they embark on a new chapter in their lives with going off to college. May the Lord grant them courage and strength!

Lastly, to the high school teens of St. Mary Parish, we will have some activities this summer, so please keep an eye on the bulletin for various events. We will resume Life Teen in September, and it will be every Sunday from 6 to 8pm. Thank you and we wish all the parishioners of St. Mary Chardon a wonderful Easter season and summer and if there are any questions about Life Teen, please contact us at lifeteen@stmarychardon.org. God Bless! Chris and Sherry Loxterman and the entire Life Teen Core Team.

Life Teen graduating seniors at Spirit Days: (left to right)

Abby Nelson, Katie Lazuka, Elise Praetzel, and Natalie Kankula

Teaching Makerspace Planning By Friederike Winterstellar

It is hard to believe that we began the fourth and last quarter of this school year. In a few weeks, our 8th graders will be graduating and moving on to high school. We held our annual Viking Quest Spring Fundraiser in March. This fundraiser supports our school to continue to move forward in innovative learning and best teaching practices. This year’s funds were dedicated to our Makerspace and a sensory path for the elementary grades. We are excited to announce that, once construction has been completed over the summer, this room will give all of our students an opportunity to become critical, creative, and innovative thinkers. Our goal is to encourage students to become self-directed learners- active and engaged. The Makerspace will include many opportunities for all age groups: Pre-K through 8th grade and house items, such as flexible furniture, a Lego wall, a 3D printer, a green screen with video equipment, a white board, and other machinery that may be accrued in the future. The sensory path will be applied to the flooring in the K-5 hallways. A sensory path is a colorful, creative and playful way for kids to build sensory pathways,

connections in the brain that are responsible for sight, touch, sound, etc., which enable kids to complete complex, multi-stage tasks. It is a great way for kids to develop motor skills like balance, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness, and is made with stickers that can be stuck to any surface. All of this will contribute to continuing to make St. Mary School the excellent educational institution that it is! Thank you for your generous support! We will also be adding a new Pre-K class for our 4-year-old students. This class will meet three times a week in the morning and afternoon. Summer camps will be offered on a weekly basis from July 8 - August 2nd. Please call the school office to find more about this great enrichment opportunity. Thanks to our parents and parish community for all your support. We are very excited about all the wonderful things happening at St. Mary School. God Bless,

Friederike Wintersteller Principal

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Students enjoy knitting club with Mrs. Brown.

(right)

CYO basketball team celebrates their winning

season. (far right)

Addison Boehnlein (above) earns first place

in the Life Works essay contest sponsored by the

Diocese.

Beacon of Light Ministry students make blankets with seniors.

Programming robots in STEM classes.

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Come join us for our biggest festival yet!

More rides, more food, more games and

more fun for the whole family.

Plus, a $15,000 grand prize raffle!

*Sumrada (Friday) *Gringo Stew (Saturday)

*Spazmatics (Sunday)

*Joey Tomsick and the Shotskis (Sunday)

*Homemade Food *Rides *Casino

*Games *Entertainment

*Raffle *Kids Games and Entertainment

Participating 6th Annual Parish Festival June 14 – 16 By Chris Graham

Celebrating

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The RCIA Journey of Faith By Deacon Larry Boehnlein

As members of St. Mary parish community we are excited to welcome 2 individuals to full initiation into the Catholic Church. They have participated in the RCIA program this past year because of a desire to be part of the Catholic Community of faith. As catechists and team members we have journeyed along with them growing our own faith lives. They have each written the following about themselves and their personal faith journey to share with you. My name is Jensine Swick and I currently work as a critical care registered nurse. My husband’s name is Brian and we have an almost 2 year old son named Justice. As a family we enjoy spending time outdoors gardening, camping, and riding bikes. I believe my faith journey truly began when I met my husband while serving overseas for the US Army. We really got to know each other when our tour ended, and I instantly learned how important God was in his life. Over the next few years, I finally realized what was missing in my life: the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. My journey throughout the RCIA process has been filled with learning, questions, exploring this faith, and reminding me that it’s ok to fail, because this isn’t the end of the journey, it’s only the very beginning.

My name is Denise Tirabasso, I’m married to my husband Dan. We have a family of five wonderful adult children and are blessed with one beautiful granddaughter. I work full time as a secretary for University Hospitals. In my free time I enjoy being with family and friends, walking, working out and taking vacations to the ocean. I started attending St. Mary’s with my husband 14 years ago, I’ve felt my faith grow over that time but still felt I was yearning for something more so I decided to join RCIA. The journey has been spiritual, helping me to form a more meaningful relationship with God. It has also been an educational journey, learning about the Mass, Eucharist, and Prayer. I’m looking forward to the Easter Vigil and receiving the sacraments as I continue to grow in my Catholic faith. In September we will resume our RCIA journey of faith; if you or someone you know has not begun or completed their sacraments of initiation into the Catholic Faith we welcome you to join us on this exciting journey. For more information or to any questions you might have call Deacon Larry at 440-285-7051 ext. 21. May the blessings of the Easter Season be with each of you as you continue on your own journeys of faith.

Jensine Swick Denise Tirabasso

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Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

June 1 and 2 During All Masses

“Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.” (CCC 1513)

The Journey Continues By Gary Burling

Everyone is on a journey. Some may struggle with exactly “where” they are going, but for most of us, we KNOW that God has called us by name and we are on a journey to be with Him forever in Heaven! And that’s why St. Mary’s Men’s Ministry is called: Men on a Journey! Our goal is to help men support men on this journey through life. We learn in the book of Proverbs: “Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another.” So, too, do we “sharpen” each other and help each other, and pray for each other as we gather together as Men on a Journey! Join us for one of our regular activities. We meet every other Monday evening from 7:00 – 9:00 at St. Mary in the Community Room for Men on a Journey! – Bible Study Edition. We have used some wonderful video series to explore specific books of the Bible and to better understand the Mass. Each session is chock full of great information, and each gathering allows us to ask questions, share our insights and have great fellowship – so please join us anytime your schedule allows. You do not need to start “at the beginning” of any particular study. Jump in when you can – we would all benefit by your presence! Our schedule in May and June is: Monday May 13; Monday May 20, Monday June 3; and Monday June 17. Once you see the pattern of every other Monday, you can figure out when we gather but we also post our meetings in the bulletin.

Our other regular activity is Men on a Journey! – Monthly Men’s Prayer and Discussion Group. We meet the last Saturday of each month at 7:00 am – 8:30 am – also in the Community Room. This allows us to join together in prayer and discussion and still have the ability to tackle a lot of “Saturday chores” during the rest of the day. Oh, we also have a fun quiz to keep us sharp and help us continually learn about our Faith! Finally, we have Men on a Journey! – Men’s Retreats. These are special events and so we advertise when a retreat is being held. Our most recent retreat was earlier this year in January. We had a great turnout and our guest speaker, Jim Hogan, did a fantastic job. We serve a continental breakfast, a light lunch and adjourn early in the afternoon. This allows time for those with a family to still spend time with them on the weekend. (see a picture below of some of the men enjoying lunch at our January retreat – RESOLUTION!) The journey continues and we invite you to join with us. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me: Gary Burling – gt2784@roadrunner.com.

Praying

Enjoying food and fellowship (below) at the Resolution men’s retreat.

St. Mary’s

Messenger Church of St. Mary Chardon

Catholic Diocese of Cleveland 401 North Street Chardon, OH 44024

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID CLEVELAND, OH PERMIT NO. 688

ROAR! God is Good!

June 24-28

St. Mary’s Catholic Vacation Bible School 9:15am-12:30pm Kids age 4 thru 7th grade

Bible Adventures + Crafts + Saints + Experiments + Games + Music + Fun!

Information, Registration and Volunteers: www.stmarychardon.org