20970 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126 | (440) 333-2133 | samparish.org May 23, 2021 ● Pentecost Sunday

We Welcome Into The Church Our Newly Confirmed

Ava Marie Amandine Anders  Vincenzo Sebastian Mead Kaitlyn Elizabeth Ann Seton Andrachik Brendan Patrick of Ireland Meaney Gracianne Grace of Lerida Back Annaliese Gemma Galgani Monahan Madison Grace Bammerlin Nora Joan of Ark Mooney Paige Elizabeth of Hungary Bammerlin Joselyn Philomena Moore Daniel St. John the Baptist Becker Colin Michael the Archangel Musbach Matthew Gabriel Bloom Ceili Neorr Connor Bochenek Joseph Charles Borromeo O'Neill Moira Kateri Tekakwitha Burke James Pacetti Patrick Anthony of Padua Canfield Jack Pio of Pietrelcina Pofok Erin Carney Clare Veronica Quinn Benjamin Anthony of Padua Choma Daniel Eustace Raffin Joseph Michael the Archangel Conrad Joseph Isaac Jogues Ramunno Brian Michael the Archangel Conroy Aaron Francis of Assisi Rodstrom Kennedy Gemma Galgani Crandall Emil Edward Kazmierski Rosol Carina Rosalia of Palermo Crestani Robert Emil Kapaun Rosol Alex Joseph Cucit Gianna Catherine of Bolonga Russo Hannah Catherine Laboure Danburg Seth Andrew the Apostle Sebold Nolan Leo the Great Davis Riley Isaiah Singleton Cameron P. Ignatius of Loyola Drozdz Jacob Carlo Acutis Smith Grace Catherine of Siena Fitzpatrick Amara Joan of Ark Sowell Sydney Clare of Assisi Gillard Genevieve Therese of Lisieux Sowell Benjamin Anthony of Padua Gorman William Christopher Sowell Ryan Peter the Apostle Hammond Sarah Dymphna Stanislo Lucy Louise de Marillac Hanna Sienna Cecilia of Rome Stephens Grace Brigid of Ireland Harris Drew Paul the Apostle Styers Henry Peter Hooper Kaylee Luigi Synk Kellen Francis of Assisi Jereb Lily Therese of Lisieux Thompson Elizabeth Katharine Jodon Cristian Juan Diego Trump Lily Anthony of Padua Kowalski Vincent Joseph Valente William Philip Neri Krayer Jack James the Greater Wallenhorst Charles Luke Lanning Tegan Veronica Webb Daniel Michael the Archangel Larkin Brady Sebastian Weir Cael Joseph Luecke Luke Christopher Wilkins Vivian Agnes Malloy Thomas Genesius of Rome Wilson Conor Patrick of Ireland Mangan  ST. ANGELA MERICI PARISH FAIRVIEW PARK, OH

Dear Friends,  of God in a group of ragtag, uneducated, simple people.  Those first Christians huddled in an upper room, frightened for A blessed feast of their very lives, thinking the Romans who had but a few weeks Pentecost, the fiftieth day ago pinned their blessed teacher to a cross would soon be after Easter, the close of rapping at the door. They would be next: found, named, the Easter season as we dragged into court, crucified, dead. Hardly something worth continue our pilgrimage celebrating. of evangelization in the world.  Pentecost Sunday, a joyous occasion in But in that moment when expectation sat down in the Christianity and celebrated with red lap of fear, we are told the Spirit of God rushed upon flowers in the world, is often called the those first believers and the Church took its first ‘birthday of the Church”. Why red? In gasping breath. Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. some countries the feast is called Festa Pentecost is the day when we celebrate the beginning of what Rosalia, the Rose Feast. The Greeks call has spanned almost two thousand years of witness across is Rousalia. But it is in Eastern Europe every culture of the world. We are all the sons and daughters where the red peony, which is also called of those first believers who met in an upper room a long time “Mary’s rose,” has been associated with ago.  Pentecost for over a thousand years. The  understanding is that its “flaming red There can be at times much misunderstanding petals represent the flaming tongues of about Pentecost. Let’s take a look at some of those the fire of the Holy Spirit.” In Germany misunderstandings and then ask, “What does this day the “Pfingstrose” (German for peony) is mean for us?” M to see first that Pentecost is the creation also known as the “Pentecost rose,” and of a special people, not the creation of special effects. churches are decorated accordingly. So We like special effects. We hunger for experience. And if we when you see peonies, think of are not careful, we will read this story and conclude, Pentecost!  “Pentecost is a special effects experience” and miss the  enduring meaning of the story. Far more important than the The beautiful artistic heart stopping gasp of a Las Vegas show, God creates a new representation of people at Pentecost. Special effects are the stock and Pentecost by El Greco trade of Hollywood. And they do it quite well. God’s business gives us a hint at the is creating a new people who are unique: called to trumpet to powerful spirituality the world a distinctive perspective on life. “Listen. Hello! Life of the feast. Here are does not have to spiral down into defeat and despair and some reflections for us disillusionment. Rather, in Jesus Christ, life is like a joyful as we contemplate the birthday party that moves toward resurrection. God has called joy and challenge of Pentecost now in us from the darkness into light. God has set our face toward a this 21st Century:  new reality. We who worship this Pentecost are God’s special  people who live toward and into that calling.”  Pentecost SundayNCYCLE B Text: Secondly, we are wise to remember that Pentecost is Acts 2:111  the birthday of the Church, not its life experience. Y ou  may have seen the movie, “The Apostle,” with Robert Duvall: Happy Birthday a gripping, disturbing film at many levels. One of the many  impressions one has walking out of the theater is that to be a The text from the Book of Acts this Pentecostal Christian is to be a disciple whose faith is like that Lord’s Day begins with these of “the apostle.” When in fact the Scriptures clearly teach that intriguing words: “When the Day of the day of Pentecost was the Church’s birthday, not the Pentecost had fully come;” many Church’s life experience every day.  have always wondered what the words  “fully come” mean. What if ‘Dr.’ Luke Much like our fascination with the birth of our Lord the evangelist is telling us that the at Christmas, w e of faith are tempted to be so festivities of the day, the Jewish fascinated with the birth of the Church we miss the larger Pentecost celebration around the story being told. We think the birth experience is the purpose Temple, had come to its fulfillment? In of life rather than its beginning. God calls us in Christ to other words, the Jewish feast was over M celebrate the Church’s birthday, but to move beyond it into they had done all the celebrating they the life that God calls us to have and to be in Christ. Our best could do. Those who attended the evidence of being Pentecostal Christians to live out our calling festivities were expecting nothing less, to be God’s people through our service to others, our care for nothing more, just worship as they had the poor and needy, our willingness to be generous if all always had it for a thousand years on dimensions of our life. this feast day celebrating the harvest.    There is a third reminder tucked in this text: the coming But what happened that day was of the Spirit empowers the Church to speak of Jesus Christ hardly ordinary. The people and to live in his power and his love. When Peter stands attending the feast came expecting a to preach to the crowd that first Pentecost Sunday, he does Jewish festival. What they ended up not talk about the experience of Pentecost. He talks experiencing was the birth of a new work  about the Christ who is behind the experience of   2   PENTECOST SUNDAY  MAY 23, 2021 

Pentecost. His sermon soars because he tells Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, the story of our Lord’s life, death, and resurrection, which parted and came to rest on each one of pointing that massive congregation to place their faith them. in this One who died and rose again. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit  and began to speak in different tongues, We of Christian faith today can be tempted as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (First to speak more about the spiritual Reading) experiences we have than the Lord we  serve. Not surprising, w e ape the culture in Wouldn’t you have loved to be there? which we live, a culture intoxicated by and with How thrilling! Even more delightful, feelings. Isn’t it interesting when news people look at the wording. The noise was not an interview folk today on television one of their first actual wind but something "like" a wind. questions is, “How did you feel about that?” We are And these were not tongues of fire, but tongues very “into” our emotions, quick to tell people how we “as of fire” (i.e., “as if they were made of fire”). feel about this person or that event. And all of us These were marvels that could not be described have opinions, don’t we?  “as is.” So the writer uses metaphors. Imagine  Peter stood up on the Day of Pentecost and it this way:  talked about Jesus. He said, “Jesus is the one There was this sound that came from the whom you crucified. Jesus is the one God raised from sky, something that sounded like, uh, oh, the dead. Jesus is the one who can set you free.” let’s see, uh, wind! That’s it. It wasn’t wind but Someone has said, “If you are thirsting for the that is the closest I can get. And then stuff that experience it will be the experience that you will looked sort of like chunks of fire, or maybe like have.” But if you are longing for a life brimming with tongues made out of fire. Only it wasn’t really joy and deep meaning, there is only One to follow. His fire. Or tongues either. Oh, I can’t describe it. name is Jesus Christ. Peter talked about Jesus.    It was a presence that is very real but too Now what does this day mean for us? It deep for words. So “as if” becomes a way to means at the very least that w e w ould be help us sense it. We call this procedure wise to dress for the work we have been given rather “metaphor,” or just “comparison.” than the weather. Experiences come and go like the  weather. The weather changes all time, the But why don’t we get to prophesy and talk emotional, trendy weather of the human family. in tongues as the apostles did? Saint P aul Trends and ideas, good and difficult times will come handles this question beautifully in the Second and go. If we dress for the weather, rather than our Reading, but the answer is also found by work, we are going to be sorely disappointed.  recalling who the Holy Spirit is, as we have been  doing in previous weeks. The most essential Pentecost reminds us that we follow Jesus not thing we can say is that the Holy Spirit is because the weather is fair, but because he has completely and truly God. The third person given us good work to do. Our assignment is to of the Holy Trinity comes to dwell within stand up where we work, or where we study, or where us. No wonder it is hard to describe! we live, or where we do our business, and to live our  lives in word and action that dares reveal the good As time went by, the bestowal of the news that grace is alive on this planet. Hope will have Spirit became less dramatic but just the last word. Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, as real. Look, for instance, at Acts calls us to be faithful to our work regardless of the 19:18, in which Saint Paul came upon a weather. We have good work to do. That work is dozen or so disciples who had never even speaking Good News, living the faith we say we heard of the Holy Spirit! He baptized them, and, believe, being God’s people of hope and grace. Happy as he “laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit Birthday, people of God! Amen. came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and  prophesied.” It was the sacrament of Baptism! Some very wise advice! Now here is a reflection Today, when we receive baptism and other from Fr. Foley:  sacraments, we are receiving the Holy Spirit!  But quietly and in ritual form. Christ and his Too Deep for Words! The most Father come to dwell within us. essential thing we can say is that the Holy  Spirit is completely and truly God. Alright, then why do we not act as someone  who has God within us? W ell, like anything  planted so deep, the Spirit's presence must have This is the last Sunday of the Easter time to make its way into our actions, our words, our deeds. Whenever we find patches of season! I ts Mass is vivid and exciting. W e charity or joy in ourselves, or patience and hear from Sacred Scripture the following: kindness, or the ability to endure hardship and  injuries; when we are tempted toward mildness Suddenly there came from the sky and modesty, then we can believe that the Holy a noise like a strong driving wind, Spirit is at work within us. and it filled the entire house in which they were.     3   ST. ANGELA MERICI PARISH FAIRVIEW PARK, OH

It is not as if heavy winds and the Christian understanding of Pentecost. They include Genesis tongues of fire were raging, as 11 (the tower of Babel), Exodus 1920 (the Sinai theophany and in former days. But it is the same covenant), and Psalm 68 (interpreted as referring to Moses' Spirit of Jesus and of the FatherN reception of the Law).  the one we celebrate today. M Fr. John With those elements of the Jewish background of the Foley, SJ feast in mind, watch how Luke tells of the Christian  events on Pentecost in images that allude to those Thank you, Fr. Foley. Fr. Hamm has elements, showing how “the time for Pentecost” was indeed a few insights for us, too:   “fulfilled.” The reconstituted Twelve (with the 120) are gathered The Church's Jewish like the twelve tribes at Sinai. The sound from heaven, the Birthday The endtime gift of filling of the entire house (like the shaking of the entire the Holy Spirit comes to bestow mountain in Exodus 19:18) and the fire recall the theophany at the blessings of the new Sinai. The tongues of fire symbolize the powerful presence of covenant. God (like fire) that will find expression in human words, the  prophetic ministry of the disciples (tongues). Long before it became a Christian  feast, Pentecost had been a Jewish In the larger sweep of the narrative, the Moses feast. Attending to that fact helps us connection is evident in that Jesus ascends with a cloud (Ex 1:9) understand Luke's narrative of what has and then mediates the gift of the word of God for his people (Ex rightly been called “the birth of the 2:4, 11, 18, 33). Thus on the feast of the giving of the Law (the Church.” Pentecostes (Greek for privileged communication of God's word) and the forging of the “fiftieth”) is the Greek name for the first covenant, the endtime gift of the Holy Spirit comes to Jewish feast of WeeksNsocalled because bestow the blessings of the new covenant and to enable the new expression of the divine word in the ministry of the apostles. it occurs seven weeks, or on the fiftieth  day, after Unleavened Bread/Passover. Now it becomes clear why Luke lists the geographical These were the first two of the three origins of the Jewish pilgrims. By highlighting this classic pilgrim feasts of the Israelite inclusive gathering, Luke proclaims that this assembly is in fact religion. the longawaited endtime ingathering of Israel. The Pentecostal  Originally in agricultural feasts, gift is destined for Jews first, but then for “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), “those far off” (Acts 2:39; Is 57:19). Unleavened Bread celebrated the  beginning of the cereal harvest, Some hear in Luke's account a reversal of the story of Weeks the end of the grain harvest, the tower of Babel. W hereas Genesis 11 tells of a sinful and Booths the vintage. Eventually people who wish to make a great name for themselves and are each of these agricultural feasts became scattered in confusion, losing their ability to communicate. Acts a commemoration of a specific event of 2 tells of a people of many languages, gathered and Israel's sacred history. Unleavened “confused” (Luke says deliberately) by a new ability to receive Bread, joined early with Passover, communication, and enabled to become a new community as became the time to recall the redemption they repent from their sin and call upon the name of the Lord. from Egypt. Once that Passover/Exodus  link was forged, it was almost inevitable The rest of the Acts of the Apostles indicates that that Weeks should be associated with the empowerment by the Holy Spirit is not simply some event that Exodus 19:1 places “in the kind of “jump start” to get the Church going but the third month after their departure,” that normal way the community expands through its mission is, the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, outreach. And the reading from Paul's letter to the a meaning many scholars think the feast Christians in Corinth confirms that a local church is empowered already had in Jesus' day. by the Holy Spirit with a diversity of gifts, services, and works  (Second Reading). It is to illustrate this empowerment that Paul These three pilgrim feasts were the develops his teaching on Church as body of Christ. The gifts, in occasions when Jews living in other all their diversity, are meant not for competition or self parts of the Mediterranean world aggrandizement but to build up that body in love. We read Luke, would prefer to visit the homeland. Paul, and John because we live in the same Church that is Indeed, the economy of Jerusalem pictured in their writings. M Fr. Dennis Hamm, SJ depended on the income brought in by  these pilgrimtourists. One estimate is Some great reflections here! My that the population of the city, around favorite older sister always reminds 140,000, doubled during these feasts, me of the constant working of the Spirit in filling the inns and inundating the our lives, the many actual graces we streets.  receive from God as the Spirit prompts us Though they date from postNew to action or goodness. Remember studying Testament times, the liturgical about grace? Sanctifying grace (God’s own readings for Weeks recorded by life in us) and Actual grace is something rabbinical sources surely reflect tradition different. Sanctifying grace is distinguished and provide important background for  from actual grace, which the Catechism   4    PENTECOST SUNDAY  MAY 23, 2021 

identifies as "God's interventions, whether at the beginning Jesus promised. It is precisely the Holy of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification." Spirit who made it possible for us to be this So, in short, sanctifying grace is God's permanent gift way today. A great joy! Jesus went to residing in the soul that properly disposes us to love God heaven: the first man before the Father. and neighbor, and actual grace is God's temporary  interventions that prompts us to collaborate with the Lord Perhaps that is why we get so as we continue to grow in holiness. One writer has said in excited each year for the rather blunt terminology: Actual grace is a supernatural celebrations of the Sacrament of push or encouragement. It’s transient. It doesn’t live in the Confirmation in our parishes. This year soul, but acts on the soul from the outside, so to speak. It’s we have five different celebrations due to a supernatural ‘kick in the pants’. It gets the will and the pandemic. For me this year, I am intellect moving so we can seek out and keep sanctifying especially excited and honored to have my grace.  grandnephew Charlie coming up from  Columbus to celebrate with us here at SAM. As I said, rather blunt. But it gets the point Congratulations, Charlie. Along with all the across that God is lovingly urging us to goodness families, we are proud of you!  and love at every moment of our existence.  Perhaps a jolt or battery recharge to keep us from And speaking of the Spirit, a good complacency. For example, why did I suddenly get the urge reminder to pray for our clergy meetings this to call a friend who is in trouble? Perhaps a ‘kick’ from the month with Bishop Malesic. We are Lord to bring love and care into that person’s life. A bolt discussing the importance of Catholic from the blue! A prompting, an urging, a persuading gift to education and schools. So keep us in prayer stimulate our call to love! Actual grace derives its name, as we look to the future.   actual, from the Latin actualis (ad actum), for it is granted We are also continuing to pray about by God for the performance of salutary acts and is present the pandemic and the ‘light at the end and disappears with the action itself. So now you know a of the tunnel’ for returning to Mass and bit more perhaps about the action of God’s love in our lives the many ‘normal’ activities of our faith at every moment of our existence. Hint: to experience lives. I shared with you the words of actual grace, it’s good to be quiet and a tad reflective as we Bishop Malesic re Mass obligation and other listen to our hearts, our consciences, and the voice of our issues as they relate to the CDC in the loving God in the very recesses of our souls. No wonder nation, the issue of vaccinations and their quiet time is important in our lives at all times!  necessity, the protocols of masks and  And let’s not forget why the apostles weren’t distancing as that affects us, and the sad to say farewell to Jesus at the ascension, communications of the of Ohio and the something so intimately tied to the celebration of dioceses of Ohio. We’ll keep you informed Pentecost. The Spirit w as at w ork even then no as we enter into June. Keep us your prayers doubt. Why should we too rejoice at seeing Jesus for the world during this COVID time and for ascending into heaven? Because the Ascension completes all who need our regard. Amen!   Jesus’ mission among us. Indeed, if it is for us that Jesus And keep our descended from heaven, it is also for us that he ascends newlyordained there. After having descended into our humanity and priests for the redeeming it M God, the Son of God, descends and becomes Diocese of Cleveland man, takes our humanity and redeems it M he now ascends in your prayers. into heaven, taking our flesh with him. He is the first man Here they are. They who enters heaven, because Jesus is man, true man; he is look rather young, I God, true God; our flesh is in heaven and this gives us joy. think! Congratulations Now at the right hand of the Father sits a human body, for to them. These four men were ordained to the first time, the body of Jesus, and in this mystery each of the Priesthood/Order of Presbyters by Bishop us contemplates our own future destination. This is not at Edward C. Malesic on Saturday, May 15th: all an abandonment; Jesus remains forever with the Alexander V. Clark of St. , disciples M with us. He remains in prayer, because he, as Akron; Cameron D. Popik of St. Adalbert, man, prays to the Father, and as God, man and God, shows Berea; Alexander C. Spenik of Mother of Him his wounds, the wounds by which he has redeemed us. Sorrows, Peninsula; James T. Winings of St. Jesus’ prayer is there, with our flesh: he is one of us, God Dominic, Shaker Hts. Let’s pray for them as man, and he prays for us.  they undertake their lives of ministry to the And this has to give us confidence, or rather Church and pray for vocations from our own joy, great joy and hope! And the second reason parish of SAM. Amen.   for joy is Jesus’ promise. He told us: “I will send you And now more insights into prayer the Holy Spirit”. And there, with the Holy Spirit, that from Pope Francis:  commandment is made which he gives in his farewell: “Go  into all the world and preach the gospel”. And it will be the Catechesis on prayer: The Struggle of power of the Holy Spirit that leads us there into the world, Prayer  to bring the Gospel. It is the Holy Spirit of that day that   5   ST. ANGELA MERICI PARISH FAIRVIEW PARK, OH

Dear brothers and sisters,  pray must remember that faith is not easy, and sometimes  I am happy to resume this faceto it moves forward in almost total darkness, without points of face meeting, because I will tell you reference. There are moments in the life of faith that are something: it is not nice to speak in dark, and therefore some call this “the dark night”, because we hear nothing. But I continue to pray. front of nothing, to a camera. I t is not  nice. And now, after many months, thanks to The Catechism lists a long series of enemies of the courage of Msgr. Sapienza, who said, prayer, those that make it difficult to pray, that put us “No, we’ll do it there”, we are gathered here in difficulty (cf. nos. 27262728). Some doubt that prayer again. Msgr. Sapienza is good! And finding can truly reach the Almighty: why does God remain silent? people, finding you here, each one of you If God is Almighty, He could say a couple of words and end with your own story, people who come from the matter. Faced with the elusiveness of the divine, others all over, from , from the United States, suspect that prayer is a merely psychological operation; from Colombia… That little football team of something that may be useful, but is neither true nor four Swiss brothers, I think… who are over necessary: and one could even be a practitioner without there… four. The little sister is missing, I being a believer. And so it goes on, many explanations. hope she arrives… And seeing each one of  you pleases me as we are all brothers and However, the worst enemies of prayer are found sisters in the Lord, and looking at each other within us. The Catechism describes them thus: helps us to pray for each other. Also people “Discouragement during periods of dryness; sadness who are far away but always make that, because we have ‘great possessions’, we have not themselves close to us. The everpresent given all to the Lord; disappointment over not being heard Sister Geneviève who comes from Lunapark, according to our own will; wounded pride, stiffened by the people who work... So many. They are all indignity that is ours as sinners; our resistance to the idea here. Thank you for your presence and your that prayer is a free and unmerited gift” (2728). This is visit. Take the Pope's message to everyone. clearly a summary that could be extended.  The Pope's message is that I pray for What should be done in time of temptation, when everyone, and I ask you to pray for me, everything seems to waver? I f w e look at the history united in prayer. of spirituality, it is immediately seen that the masters of the  And speaking of prayer, Christian soul were very clear about the situation we have described. prayer, like all Christian life, is not a To overcome it, each of them offered some type of “walk in the park”. None of the great contribution: a word of wisdom, or a suggestion for dealing people of prayer we meet in the Bible and in moments fraught with difficulty. It is not a question of the history of the Church found prayer elaborate theories, of preconceived theories, no, but of “comfortable”. Yes, one can pray like a advice born of experience, which shows the importance of parrot M blah, blah, blah, blah, blah M but resisting and persevering in prayer.  that is not prayer. Prayer certainly gives It would be interesting to review at least some of great peace, but through inner struggle, at these pieces of advice, because each one deserves times hard, which can accompany even long to be explored further. For example, the Spiritual periods of life. Praying is not something Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola is a short book of great easy, and this is why we flee from it. Every wisdom that teaches how to put one’s life in order. It makes time we want to pray, we are immediately us understand that the Christian vocation is militancy, it is reminded of many other activities, which at the decision to stand beneath the standard of Jesus Christ that moment seem more important and more and not under that of the devil, trying to do good even when urgent. This happens to me too! It happens it becomes difficult. to me. I go to pray a little… and no, I must  do this and that… We flee from prayer, I In times of trial, it is good to remember that we don’t know why, but that is how it is. Almost always, after putting off prayer, we realize are not alone, that someone is watching over us that those things were not essential at all, and protecting us. Saint Anthony the Abbot, the and that we may have wasted time. This is founder of , also faced terrible times in how the Enemy deceives us. Egypt, when prayer became a difficult struggle. His  All Godly men and women report not biographer, Saint Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, recounts only the joy of prayer, but also the one of the worst episodes in the life of the hermit saint when tediousness and fatigue it can bring: he was about the age of thirtyfive, a time of middle age at times it is a difficult struggle to keep that for many people involves a crisis. Anthony was to the time and ways of praying. Some disturbed by the ordeal, but resisted. When he finally saints continued it for years finding any became serene again, he turned to his Lord with an almost satisfaction in it, without perceiving its usefulness. Silence, prayer and concentration reproachful tone: “But Lord, where were you? Why did you are difficult exercises, and sometimes human not come immediately to put an end to my suffering?” And nature rebels. We would rather be anywhere Jesus answered: “Anthony, I was there. But I was waiting to else in the world, but not there, in that see you fight” (Life of Anthony, 10).  church pew, praying. Those who want to  6   PENTECOST SUNDAY  MAY 23, 2021 

Fighting in prayer. And very often, prayer is this pivotal part of parish life. We looked combat. I am reminded of something I experienced and found David Becker M a longterm close up, when I was in the other diocese. There was a parishioner with his wife Rosemary M who married couple with a daughter aged nine, with an illness that recently moved on from a career at The the doctors were unable to diagnose. And in the end, in Plain Dealer. He was interested in hospital, the doctor said to the mother, “Madam, call your managing our parish sacristy (a HUGE husband”. And the husband was at work; they were laborers, job) as Katie Whitmore moves on to Law they worked every day. And he said to the father, “The child School this summer. And he is also will not survive the night. There is nothing we can do to stop working in tandem with Ellie to serve in this infection”. Perhaps that man did not attend Mass every the front office M another HUGE job at Sunday, but he had great faith. He left, weeping; he left his any parish. So, thought you’d like to wife there with the child in the hospital, he took the train and know. I hope you will get to know these he travelled seventy kilometers towards the Basilica of Our great people who have dedicated with Lady of Luján, Patroness of Argentina. And there M the work life to your benefit. We are blessed Basilica was already closed, it was almost ten o’clock at night, to have them on board. So stop by and in the evening M he clung to the grates of the Basilica and introduce yourself.  spent all night praying to Our Lady, fighting for his daughter’s  health.  Again congratulations to  our wonderful second This is not a figment of the imagination: I saw him! I graders and their families saw him myself. That man there, fighting. At the end, at on the occasion of their First six o’clock in the morning, the Church opened, he entered to Holy Communion. We had three First salute Our Lady, and returned home. And he thought: “She Communion sessions this year and will has left us. No, Our Lady cannot do this to me”. Then he went have had five Confirmation sessions by to see [his wife], and she was smiling, saying: “I don’t know the end of June. God bless them all as what happened. The doctors said that something changed, they now journey with Jesus in love, and now she is cured”. That man, fighting with prayer, Jesus who is the Bread of Life and the received the grace of Our Lady. Our Lady listened to him. And true Vine. They are now stronger I saw this: prayer works miracles, because prayer goes branches on his vine! And again, to our directly to the heart of the tenderness of God, who cares for Confirmation candidates, w e say us like a father. And when He does not grant us a grace, He congratulations. Also to everyone will grant us another which in time we will see. But always, graduating from PreSchool to doctoral combat in prayer to ask for grace. Yes, at times we ask for programs. Best of luck. Now it’s time to grace we are not in need of, but we ask for it without truly think about those college loans! And wanting it, without fighting… We do not ask for serious things answer letters from the development in this way. Prayer is combat, and the Lord is always with us. offices of high schools and universities.  Oi vey!  If in a moment of blindness we cannot see His  presence, we will in the future. W e w ill also end up Oremus pro invicem. Soli Deo repeating the same sentence that the patriarch Jacob said one Gloria.  day: “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I did not know  it” (Gen 28:16). At the end of our lives, looking back, we too will be able to say: “I thought I was alone, but no, I was not: Father Michael J. Lanning, Pastor Jesus was with me”. We will all be able to say this. Thank you.  Thank you, Pope Francis for your constant and beautiful reflections for us. It cannot be easy for  our pope to keep on top of all the world’s happenings M Preschool from the challenges in the Middle East to the pandemic to India to global warming. He must have the true presence of Enrollment  the Spirit to keep him on the right track!  for the 20212022   Before I forget, I want to make sure  you have met and are getting  acquainted with our new front office St. Angela Merici Preschool program personnel: David Becker and Ellie still has openings in our Munday. Some may remember Ellie as PreKindergarten Enrichment (5 day), a longtime and esteemed elementary our PreKindergarten (4 day) and our teacher in the diocese, who served many 3 Year old class (2 day) in the years at OLA. She has been working and ministering with Kathy Lynch, our DRE, for afternoon. years now in PSR at SAM. She also has  added to her ministry part time in the front office. With the Visitsamparish.org/preschoolfor retirement of Mrs. Crable, we needed to find the right folks for  more information or to apply.

7   ST. ANGELA MERICI PARISH FAIRVIEW PARK, OH

8   PENTECOST SUNDAY  MAY 23, 2021 

O$ % P$! I (  FINANCIAL REPORTS (Pray for one another)  VV@C7``V` Q`7 In your prayers, please remember those in need of healing, especially: Frances   Allington, Maureen Ashdown, Donna Bartos, Frank $5 Bartos, Paul Boscoe, Bill Bringman, Mary Ellen Bringman,  J V1 Ella Burns, Lainey Chisholm, Levi Chisholm, Andy $ 5 Corcoran, Joseph Crupi, Ken DeCrane, Deacon Kenneth  JC1JV DeLuca, Francisco DerasSolits, Jean DiRuggiero, Peggy  Drew, Aranka Gajzer, Woody Granger, Ann Hawk, Frank :7 5 Hawk, Hank Hout, Megan Keefe, Barb Loyer, Fr. Jim Lee, Robert Lynch, Maureen Materna, Imelda Moenter, Deborah Mortack, Mike O’Donnell, Mary O’Hern, Frances Parcaro, Michael Pitts, Marion Rich, William Schmidt, ``V`1J$R Margaret Simmons, Ann Stromp, Matthew Yaroma, Kimberly Yaeger, Charlotte Zak and Daniel Zak. $55 $ 5 R%& I P  Please pray for Thomas Kilbane, Fr. Thomas McGovern and Fr. Daniel P. Redmond. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. JJ%:C%R$V  ``V`1J$

  JC1JV``V` Q`7   V`HVJ :$V   Monday, May 24NBlessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church  8:30AM Marianne A. Synek    Tuesday, May 25NSt. Bede the Venerable, Priest and Doctor of the Church; St. Gregory VII, Pope; St. Mary Magdalene  de’Pazzi, Virgin  8:30AM Ben Stefanek R  Wednesday, May 26NSt. Philip Neri, Priest  8:30AM Ed Manning  With summer Thursday, May 27NSt. Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop  vacation right 8:30AM Daniel C. Kocon  around the corner,  Friday, May 28NSt. Christopher Magallanes, Priest, and please be sure to Companions, Martyrs  SLOW DOWN in 8:30AM Kyle Smith the parking lot!  Saturday, May 29NSt. Paul VI, Pope; BVM  8:30AM Pakie Cafferkey Father’s Day Mass 4:30PM Nīna Cattigan Cards are the perfect  way to remember our Sunday, May 30NThe Most Holy Trinity  fathers, both living and 7:30AM Joseph Kāućhuk deceased, at our 9:30AM Dorothy & Wilfred Marquard Father’s Day Mass. The cards are 11:30AM Terry Gravens available in the Parish Center office for 5:30PM For the Parish  just $2 each.

9  

   F + M $% I T  READINGS FOR THE WEEK A$  S$(%     SUNDAY:Vigil: Gn 11:19 or Ex 19:38a, 1620b or Ez 37:114 or Jl 3:15 / Ps 104:12, 24, 35, 2728, 29, 30 / Rom 8:2227 / Jn 7:3739 Extended Vigil: Gn 11:19 / Ps 33:1015 / Ex 19:3 8a, 1620b/ Dn 3:52, 52, 53, 55, 56 or Ps 19:811 / Ez 37:114 / Ps 107:29 / Jl 3:15 / Ps 104:12, 24, 35, 2728, 29, 30 / Rom 8:2227 / Jn 7:3739 Day: Acts 2:111 / Ps 104:1, 24, 2930, 31, 34 / 1 Cor 12:3b7, 1213 or Gal 5:1625 / Jn 20:1923 or Jn 15:2627; 16:1215

MONDAY:Acts 1:1214 / Ps 87:13, 57 / Jn 19:2534  Reese Marsh, Matthew Martis, TUESDAY:Sir 35:112 / Ps 50:58, 14, 23 / Mk 10:2831  Captain Christopher WEDNESDAY: Sir 36:1, 45a, 1017 / Ps 79:89, 11, 13 /Mk Salisbury, 10:3245 

THURSDAY: Sir 42:1525 / Ps 33:29 / Mk 10:4652 

FRIDAY: Sir 44:1, 913 / Ps 149:1b6a, 9b / Mk 11:1126 

SATURDAY: Sir 51:12cd20 / Ps 19:89, 19, 11 / Mk 11:2733 

NEXT SUNDAY: Dt 4:3234, 3940 / Ps 33:46, 9, 1820, 22 / Rom 8:1417 / Mt 28:1620 

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WESTGATE SUNOCO Out of the Woods TIM JACKSON, MAI Tree Service, LLC 20960 Center Ridge Rd for all your real estate appraisal needs! Foreign & Domestic • Diagnostics & Repair tree removal • tree trimming Complete Plumbing Service stump removal • brush chipping 440.773.5749 IRR.com/Cleveland Jake & Chuck Jacobs-Family Owned crane work Commercial & Residential (440) 331-1127 (440) 331-1136 Jerome M. McKeever Licensed • Insured • Bonded www.westgatesunoco.com (216) 780-3760 [email protected] Chris Bauer 440-333-3345 SAM Parishioner

JAMES A. DUNSON, JR. RICHARD W. DUNSON DUNSON & DUNSON CO., LPA ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW 21851 Center Ridge Rd., Suite 410 • Rocky River, Ohio 44116 (440) 331-3191

ACCOUNTING BUSINESS Casey O’Conor, D.D.S. SERVICES ORTHODONTIST John W. Mino 3906 Rocky River Drive Certified Public Accountant Cleveland, OH 44111 RickRucker.com Parishioner Free Consultation (216) 288-8642 Work: 216-252-2322 • Cell 440-829-1016 251-1232 • www.DROCONOR.com • Proudly Serving YESENKO’S LAWNCARE Landscape Design / Weekly Lawn Maintenance Veterans Fall Clean Up • Mulching • Snowplowing • Bruised Credit Shrub Removals • Shrub Planting BOB YESENKO Owner/Operator Applicants Accepted 440.666.3776 • Investment Friendly Programs CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOMES • Various First Time North Olmsted - Cleveland - Berea (216) 251-6566 Homebuyer Options Family Owned & Operated Since 1933 • www.chambersfuneral.com • JUMBO Financing Traditional Services & Cremation Up to 95% LTV Cleaning, Care Giving, Cooking, House/Pet Sitting and Wall Murals Church References $20-$25/hr Call Terri at 216-741-1695 [email protected] Tim Esther, Agent While other insurers just see your home 19280 Lorain Rd and car as a bundle or a combo deal, Fairview Park, OH 44126 I take the time to see what they mean Bus: 440-333-8030 to you and give them the protection they deserve. LET’S TALK TODAY. [email protected] Holy Family www.timesther.com St. Augustine Health Ministries Heating & Cooling State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, 1706808 Bloomington, IL David Slife Dick Slife Home Health Care · Palliative Care · Hospice Furnaces • Boilers • A/C (216) 221-0310 Get the care you need www.slife-hvac.com wherever you call home. 24 Hours Emergency Service .. 13729 Madison Ave. • Lakewood 6707 State Road, Parma, OH 44134 440.888.7722 Mary O’Malley 440-331-3044 • www.bperio.com sales associate parishioner Accepts VA, Medicaid, Medicare, and most insurances Real Estate Services Alumni 1983 O: 440.835.2800 C: 216.406.9195 Phone 440-243-2122 Fax 440-243-8588 27115 Knickerbocker Rd. Bay Village, OH 44140 Olivia-Class of 2013 • Brooke-Class of 2015 • Paige-Class of 2018 570 N. Rocky River Drive [email protected] Berea, Ohio 44017 www.howardhanna.com Chloe-Class of 2020 • Julius-Class of 2023

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