fàA i|ÇvxÇà wx ctâÄ

Spring Newsletter

Pg. 2: Fr. Norm’s letter Pg. 3: CYO Booster Club Fish Fry Pg. 4: NEW - Faith Alive Retreat Pg. 5: NEW - Men’s Night Out Pg. 6: NEW - Active Parenting Workshops Pg. 7: Parish Holiday Events Wrap-up St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church 164 West Market Street Akron, OH 44303

SPRING 2017

While most people think of Lent as a time of “giving something up”, we want to encourage you to become closer in your walk of Faith with the Lord. We have a number of events planned for this Lenten Season. You will read about one of the major ones in this newsletter (the new Faith Alive retreat), but we also want to make you aware of some other opportunities for you and your family. Our Stations of the Cross will now be held on the following Wednesday evenings during Lent: March 8, 22, 29, and April 5 starting at 7 p.m. in our Church. This is to enable the praying of this traditional devotion and will include personal time for prayer and reflection. The evening will conclude by 8 p.m. Our Adoration of the Blessed Eucharist is now being held the first Saturday of every month in our church from 9 a.m. – Noon. The days during Lent that you can spend some time in the presence of the Lord will be Saturday, March 4, and Saturday, April 1. We encourage you to take the time to slow down and be with our Lord for just one hour.

(Continued on pg. 2)

LENT (continued from pg. 1) Confessions will be held at the regularly scheduled times. This is a wonderful opportunity to prepare yourself for Easter. The Diocesan-wide Evening of Confession is scheduled for Wednesday, March 15, 5—8 p.m. In addition to these events, continue reading on page 5 for some wonderful Lenten activities for you and your family to consider doing during this season.

(Continued on pg. 5)

As many parishioners know, we are emphasizing ongoing faith formation and spiritual development in our parish. Too often people may think of our Catholic Christianity as just a bunch of rules and rituals we

are supposed to follow and doctrines we are called to memorize. What can be missed is the rich heritage that our Catholic spiritual tradition offers us in order to develop a deeper sense of meaning and purpose to our lives. We will soon enter into the season of Lent, a wonderful opportunity to grow spiritually in a way that helps us to be more vital, peaceful, resilient, and unselfish in who we are and what we do. A survey of several thousand centenarians (people 100 or more years of age) asked “What is one thing you wish you would’ve done when you were younger?” The most common response was, “I wish I would have been more reflective – taken more time to develop my inner life.” Several reported that, if they had done so, they would have been less reactive to situations, less fearful or anxious, and more calm, centered, and attentive to others.

The heart of our Catholic Christian faith is a call to prayer, a call to enrich our inner life – to trust that our God, our Loving Creator is an interior source of strength and serenity. We need to become less calculating and more contemplative. Prayer is not simply saying words or thinking thoughts. Rather it is an

overall orientation toward life, a stance, a way of living in and cooperating with the Presence of God.

Our parish is emphasizing that each of us is

called to be a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ – to recognize him and be open to him as our Master Teacher. We are to approach our daily life events not primarily asking, “Do we like this experience?” Our greater focus should be, “Lord, what can I learn from this situation? How are you God, not necessarily causing this circumstance, but how are you working through it to foster my growth as a human being and as a person of faith?”

If you have not regularly participated in the

celebration of Eucharist with us at St. Vincent, consider getting back into the habit of weekly sharing in our Eucharistic meal. If you participate regularly, consider inviting someone you know who has not experienced the goodness of God through worship. Recently a woman, who had been away from the church for over 20 years, came back, experienced the sacrament of reconciliation (confession), and stated that her renewed faith gave her joy and peace in a way that nothing else did. She realized for the first time that God’s love was not something she had to earn – that it was a gift to receive, savor, and pass on to others.

Ash Wednesday is March 1. Come for ashes and keep coming back.

A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR

CYO BOOSTER CLUB FISH FRY During Lent parishioners look forward to the Fish Fry every Friday night, 5 to 7 p.m., in the Corrigan Hall. Now in its fifth year, it is a major fundraiser that supports many parish projects, including defraying the cost of student/athlete participation in CYO sports. Rick Davis, in charge of the Fish Fry since its beginning in 2013, notes, "A big reason for the success of the event is the help of volunteers. We can always use more, especially with 7 p.m. cleanup. We are also looking for more donations of prizes for our raffles. In the past we have received tickets to sporting events to use in our raffles. If you have questions, call me anytime (216) 214-2381.” Rick adds, "Our Fish Fry has a good reputation for good food, recipes, and homemade desserts." This year's menu and prices are unchanged from last year. Turnout has steadily climbed to over 150 dinners each week! Mark your calendar: the first Fish Fry will be Friday, March 3, 2017.

DATES & TIME: MARCH 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and APRIL 7 5:30-7:30 p.m.

2017 FISH FRY MENU

MAIN ENTREES (choose one): I piece of Beer Battered or Baked Cod 4 Pierogies Fish Tacos* (Tacos available Weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7)

All meals include one entrée, two sides, salad, roll, dessert, and drink KIDS MEAL includes: 1 piece of Fish or Pizza, 1 side, desser t, and dr ink PRICE: $12.00 Adults; $10.00 Seniors; $7.00 KIDS 12 & under.

** RAFFLE PRIZES AND 50/50 RAFFLE SOLD EVERY WEEK ** DRAWING WILL TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 7 AT 7:30 p.m.

SIDES (choose two): • Best Mac & Cheese around • Green Beans • Cole Slaw • 2 Pierogies • French Fries

DESSERTS (choose one): • Carrot Cake • Cheesecake • Homemade Brownie

Faith Alive Retreat We are pleased to invite our parishioners to a wonderful opportunity to start the season of Lent in a Faith-filled way with a combined parish retreat called Faith Alive! We are excited to partner with St. Hilary’s Church to present this opportunity to “Find God and let God find you” during the upcoming season of Lent. Mark your calendars! March 3/4 (There will also be a follow-up session that all participants will be encouraged to attend on Monday, March 9, from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) What is FAITH ALIVE Retreat? This retreat, now in its twelfth year, is led and facilitated by our pastor, Fr. Norm. He has conducted this retreat at St. Hilary’s and now has brought it to our parish too! Fr. Norm says that “The overall goal of the FAITH ALIVE retreat is to foster within individual Christians a strong sense of being called into an ever-deepening relationship with God and one another.” What does that mean? It means that those people making the retreat will be able to reflect upon the core values that Jesus lived and how they can follow his way more with their hearts. They will also be able to explore how to live with more authenticity, compassion, justice, and mercy. The retreat will be a combination of music, prayer, time for personal reflection, and presentations by guest presenters. There will also be opportunities for food and fellowship, especially with the parishioners from St. Hilary’s, as well as people from our parish! As we begin the season of Lent, this retreat will provide the opportunity for all of us to better connect with our faith and values, especially in our day-to-day activities. We are all so busy during the week, that this weekend can give us the opportunity to slow down, center ourselves in the Lord and take the time to be with God and to listen to what he would like us to do for him. Fr. Norm mentioned, “We have created four themes for the retreat and they include drawing upon the wisdom and example of our Most Holy Father, Pope Francis.” The themes that will be discussed during the retreat are:

Finding God and Letting God Find You Commitment to Following the Way of Jesus Getting Freed up from all that Weighs You Down Living a More Grateful, Joyful, and Virtuous Missionary Life

Our new Faith Formation Committee has played a role in helping prepare for this retreat. There is also a FAITH ALIVE Retreat Committee that has been faithfully working on the details of the event. The fee to attend the retreat is $35 per person. Fr. Norm and the Faith Formation Committee are hoping for 50 - 80 members of our parish to attend. If you have questions about it, please contact Ellen Dies, our Director of Adult Faith Formation at (330) 535-3135 or Ellen@StVincentChurch.com

A NEW event!

MEN’S NIGHT OUT An evening of Faith, Fellowship, Food, and Football

(Open to men of all Faiths)

Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Corrigan Hall- 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Featuring former

Cleveland Browns Linebacker,

DICK AMBROSE Currently serving as Common Pleas Court Judge

in Cuyahoga County

$15 per guest - includes Football-Themed Buffet Dinner with Appetizers (Cash Bar is available) RSVP Date - March 7th

Questions - Email Bob - Events@StVincentChurch.com

Sponsored by St. Vincent’s Knights of Columbus Council

LENT (continued from pg. 2) Observing Lent in your family doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. Here are some simple things you can do to help your family grow during this season with little to no prep work at all.

1. Go to Mass as a family on Ash Wednesday. 2. Do good deeds and make sacrifices as a family. Good “blanket sacrifices” are no music in the

car, no eating out, or drinking only water during Lent. 3. Set up an offering jar. Spare change goes into the jar for the length of Lent and then is

donated. 4. Light Lenten candles on your dinner table each night (much like an Advent wreath) 5. Go to confession as a family. 6. Attend a Stations of the Cross service. 7. On Good Friday devote one hour of silence at your house from 3-4 p.m. (Jesus died at 3). 8. Lenten cleaning - rather than the idea of “spring cleaning” -- clean one area of your home

every day during Lent. Your house is beautiful and clean for Easter! 9. Do some of the works of mercy together as a family.

10. Read the Bible together as a family daily. 11. Decide one day of the week during Lent to go “screen free” as a family. 12. And the number 1 easy thing that takes no extra effort that you really can do as a family …. Save all of the Easter celebrating for the Easter Season!

NEW— ACTIVE PARENTING WORKSHOP

Catholic Charities Community Services of Summit County and

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

PARISH HOLIDAY EVENTS WRAPUP

The Altar Society's Christmas Ornament Sale was so successful that they plan to make it an annual event. President Ellen Green reported at the January meeting, "We sold 270 out of 350 which covered our production costs and left us with a profit. But more than that, we were pleasantly surprised that most didn't buy just one but would also buy some as gifts for family members and friends, the most being 15." The remaining ornaments will be available through the Altar Society while supplies last. This first edition featured the stained glass window of our patron saint, St. Vincent de Paul. Although a decision has not yet been made as to which window will be used next, St. Patrick has been suggested the most.

Other highlights from the holidays (and January)… Thank you to all the people who helped decorate our Church for Christmas! It looked stunning and we received numerous compliments on how beautiful it looked! We thank all of you for your time and talents to make our church sparkle! Our two holiday events were also well attended and were evenings of great fellowship and wonderful food! Around 100 people attended the annual Christmas event sponsored by the Altar Society. This event, always held the first Saturday in December, is a wonderful kick-off to the holiday season!

The following week were two nights of the Madrigal Dinners sponsored by our Music Department. Good crowds attended both evenings to feast on a Madrigal-themed dinner and to hear the wonderful voices of King Harman, Queen Lolita, and their court! And in January, the Knights of Columbus had a sold-out crowd for its annual Knight at the Races! Over 225 people came out for a night of good food, great fun and some pretty close horse races! This is the second year in a row that this event has sold out and it is quickly becoming one of the hottest tickets in our parish! We thank all of our parishioners and guests for attending these events! And we especially thank all of the people who volunteered their time, talents, and treasures to make sure these events were planned, staffed, and executed! Our parish is alive and growing and it is wonderful to see not only the activity at our parish, but to see the people here enjoying the many events our parish community has to offer!

Welcome Fr. David Halaiko!

Fr. Dave is the recently retired pastor of Nativity of our Lord Parish in Springfield Township. He is in residence at our parish as a retired priest and is residing in the rectory. You will see him throughout our parish community. Make sure to welcome him to St Vincent’s!

MASS TIMES Saturday Vigil: 5 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 and 11 a.m. Weekdays: 6:30 a.m. Holy Days: 6:30, 9 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul Church 330-535-3135 www.stvincentchurch.com Find us on Facebook at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CYO Booster Club - Fish Frys - Corrigan Hall - 5 - 7:30 p.m. March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 April 7 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - 9 a.m. – Noon - in Church Saturday, March 4; Saturday, April 1 Faith Alive Retreat with St. Vincent and St. Hilary parishes Friday, March 3 Saturday, March 4

Stations of the Cross Wednesdays (March 8, 22, 29, April 5) during Lent from 7 p.m. – 7:45/8 p.m. Diocesan-wide Evening of Confession Wednesday, March 15, 5—8 p.m. Men’s Night Out - An Evening of Faith, Fellowship, Food, and Football! Featuring Guest Speaker Dick Ambrose Tuesday, March 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Corrigan Hall; $15 per guest Tenebrae Wednesday, April 12—Time to be announced Looking ahead to May Altar Society May Breakfast - Sunday, May 7 - more details to come…

Knights of Columbus Breakfast - Sunday, May 21 - more details to come...