Ascension Sunday © 2022 INTRO: When I was deciding to become a priest, I wavered back and forth while in the seminary if I could do this or not. How could I get up everyday and have to preach, heal, and minister and do it well? My spiritual director kept saying: “You have it within […]

6th Sunday of Easter 2022 c INTRO: I WAS A YOUNG BOY in the early or mid-sixty’s when the SIGN OF PEACE originated in the Mass. I distinctly remember my mom and dad a bit hesitant about this “gesture.” I heard them “talking” and questioning it. We kids thought it COOL! However, my parents embraced […]

Dear Parishioners, This weekend will be the Ordination to the Priesthood for Deacon Joseph Menkhaus and the celebration of his first Mass at his home parish church, Saint Monica in Garfield Heights on late Sunday morning. These are always beautiful events for the one to be ordained, his family, and his parish families. I know […]

Fifth Sunday of Easter © INTRO: When I was first learning how to cut the lawn in our family home, I was in Jr. High …. And …. I thought it was a bit UNUSUAL, but my father was explaining to me that I had to cut the grass ON THE DIAGONAL!! And then the […]

Dear Parishioners, Let us all rejoice in this wonderful news! We continue to pray for Bishop-elect Woost. Many blessings, Father Jim (Diocese of Cleveland Website, May 9, 2022) Pope Francis names new auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Cleveland Pope Francis has appointed the Rev. Michael G. Woost as auxiliary bishop of Cleveland. Bishop-elect Woost […]

Fourth Sunday of Easter © INTRO: True story: Many years ago, fire was consuming an apartment building in New York City. A blind girl was trapped on the fourth floor, perched on a window ledge. Firefighters could not maneuver their ladder truck between the buildings, so a net was set up to catch the teenage […]

KEEPING THE FAITH INITIATIVE Dear Parishioners, In August 2022, IHM Elementary School will welcome wholeheartedly eighteen students (at the time of writing this letter and most assuredly more students to register in the next few weeks, probably totaling forty students) from Saint Joseph’s Elementary School which will be closing its doors after almost one hundred […]

Dear Parishioners, On Wednesday afternoon April 27, 2022, Deacon Joe received his first priesthood assignment from Bishop Malesic. He will be going to Saint Bernadette Parish in Westlake. It is a four-year assignment. Saint Bernadette Parish 2256 Clague Road Westlake, Ohio 44145 http://saintbernadetteparish.org His first Pastor is Father Philip Racco. The School Principal is Maureen […]

Dear Parishioners, Due to significant financial stresses and a steep decline in enrollment, it has been announced that St. Joseph Parish Elementary School in Cuyahoga Falls will be closing in June at the end of the current academic year. News of this closing brings with it a deep sense of sadness because for nearly 100 […]

Second Sunday of Easter C 2022 INTRO: I have had it mentioned to me several times by all sorts of people: “I feel like I’m losing my faith.” People would say that they have had an intimate relationship with God, but now they feel empty inside, and have even begun to question whether God exists […]