Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 15, 2015

Monday, February 16 8:15 a.m. Anna Louise Bailey (Family) 6:30 p.m. David Troutman (Family)

Month’s Mind – Mariah Metzler

Tuesday, February 17 8:15 a.m. Paul McFadden (Stephen Heim) 6:30 p.m. Nadine Bolea (Marlene Bolea) Wednesday, February 18, Ash Wednesday 7:30 a.m. Ruth Muzljakovich (Susan Muzljakovich) 9:00 a.m. Jennifer Milhoan (Kathy Studebaker) 6:30 p.m. Dorothy Mayfield (The Burch Family)

Month’s Mind – Daniel Trettel Thursday, February 19 8:15 a.m. Michael Murphy (Ivan, Donna & Amy Weber) 6:30 p.m. Catherine Feltrup (Al & Cathy Feltrup)

Month’s Mind – Mary Wagner Friday, February 20 8:15 a.m. Anton Felder (Liz & Marty Misbrener) 6:30 p.m. Helen Herold (Daughter) Saturday, February 21, St. Peter Damian 8:15 a.m. John Dies (Bud & Bonnie Workman) 5:00 p.m. Margarita Katigbak (Mariza Meredith)

First Sunday of Lent February 22, 2015

7:30 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am - Pro Populo

Scripture Readings for the Week: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

This weekend, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Tradition holds that Saint Valentine was a priest who secretly solemnized the marriages of young couples in Rome in spite of the decree of the Emperor Claudius. Because of this, Saint Valentine is the patron of the engaged and happy marriage. His feast day, 14 February, is typically associated with gestures of romantic love: candies, flowers, dinners, and other rituals such as watching movies that one would consider romantic in nature. One such movie that is taking advantage of the day is Fifty Shades of Grey. It has been marketed as a romance; however, many have expressed criticism that it is anything but. According to the website http://endsexualexploitation.org/fiftyshadesgrey/, Fifty Shades is nothing more than the glamorizing of torture, domestic violence, and abuse. It is about how someone in a position of power seeks to exercise control to intimidate and isolate someone. Such attempts to normalize these behaviors should be resisted on our part. All of this is because of God’s great gift of conjugal love. Conjugal love is the gift that we give of ourselves for the sake of the other. It is a free and total gift of everything we have and are. And like all love, conjugal love has a sacrificial element. It is the subsuming of the self for the beloved. It is not about the fulfillment of desires or achieving satisfaction or release. It is more than simply scratching an itch, even with the consent of all involved. It is possible to give consent to something that is unhealthy, and issues involving sex and sexuality are a prime example of consenting to that which is bad for us. As such, the only place where conjugal love can be properly expressed is within the confines of marriage. Only in marriage are two joined into one. Only in marriage is a life-long commitment of love publically declared for the good of the spouses and the rearing of children, a natural consequence of conjugal love. Because of God’s plan for conjugal love, any portrayal outside of marriage is improper. Any portrayal that reduces it to the mere satiation of desires is wrong. Any portrayal that seeks to legitimize any conjugal act that is not geared for the benefit of one’s spouse and the procreation of children is against Catholic morals and teaching. Even beyond Fifty Shades of Grey, there are many things that seek to run counter to what the Church teaches about sex and sexuality about romance and love. But we must always remember that this is a gift from God. And God’s intentions for conjugal love are for the benefit and blessing of all. For the spouses as they learn God’s will and rejoice in the gift of each other, and for everyone as they see in the love that the couple shares the love and grace that God has for all of us. A free, faithful, fruitful, and total love that is unconditional and ever-present.

Christus vincit Fr. Thomas

A Time For Love!

So you think now that St. Valentine weekend is passing that the big season of "luv" is done? Ha! It is just ready to begin this week. This coming season is not based on feelings or urgings, romantic dinners and sentimental cards, but of true love, is the Passion of Jesus Christ, the only One who IS Love. That's right. This week begins our season of real love, when Ash Wednesday's ashes reminds us that we are already claimed in the Cross of Love. Sadly, all too often this weekend and the next two days to follow have a certain rush that many feel must gravitate towards squeezing in all their vices because the pain and suffering of Lent is going to take away all their fun for forty days and forty nights. These are the people who have been wrongly taught or who have twisted the beauty of what Lent is really about for the faithful. In fact, Lent is all about our return to innocence, our return because of mercy, the return because of His love.

Pope Francis once again calls us back to what we have forgotten and who we are. In his published message for Lent 2015 I believe our Holy Father sees that many find Lent to be painful or without meaning because they have forgotten why Jesus Christ came and what it means to us: "Lent is a time of renewal for the whole Church, for each community and every believer. Above all it is a 'time of grace' (2Cor 6:2)...God's people, then, need this interior renewal, lest we become indifferent and withdraw into ourselves...let us all ask the Lord: 'Fac cor nostrum secundum cor tuum': Make our hearts like yours (Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus). In this way we will receive a heart which is firm and merciful, attentive and generous, a heart which is not closed, indifferent or prey to the globalization of indifference."

As we enter the journey of Lent, whatever we do, we don’t do it alone. We do Lent as a community here in this little part of our world, but also joined to the larger world-wide community as well. Even Jesus, as he walks into the barren, desolate desert, wasn’t alone – yes, temptation was there…yes, Satan was there – but also there in his forty days and forty nights were angels who came to minister to Him. May Heaven minister to us in these our forty days and forty nights of God’s abundant grace, so that we may break free from indifference.

I invite you to use these next few days to prepare well that you might be open to the beauty and adventure of Lent, that your heart may know His. Why not be present with or serve at one of the many outreach centers for those in need or our St. Vincent de Paul Society? Delve in and read one of the many Lenten spiritual writers that are available for purchase at our bookshelf in the main narthex. Be sure to check out our Ash Wednesday Mass schedule and remember to turn away from sin

and be faithful to the Gospel. Remember our beloved Fr. Byrider's devotion to joining the 40 Day Club (come to daily Mass so nothing is missed). This year we are once again offering a Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Mass so no one has an excuse to be short a few days. Confessions will be offered everyday. Stations of the Cross will be back on Fridays at 7:00 p.m.. Join our youth group for Compline (Night Prayer) before the Blessed Sacrament every Sunday of Lent at 9:00 p.m.. The opportunities for a Lenten revival are everywhere! You get it? It's almost here...our chance to start over and bring others to glory! Hmmm.. How will you start it? More importantly, how will it end? Pax, Fr. Bline

Here’s what’s happening around St. Francis de Sales Parish this week…

Sunday, February 15

�Donuts and coffee after all Masses (Refectory) �Play Practice 12:30-4:30 p.m. (Gym) �Boy Scouts 5:00-6:30 p.m. (*VHM)

Monday, February 16

�No School �No PSR

�Scripture Study 7:15 p.m. (*VHM)

Tuesday, February 17 �Scripture Study 9:00 a.m. (*VHM)

�Women’s Book Study 9:15 a.m. (Upper Room) �8th Grade Washington DC Planning Meeting

7:00 p.m. (Upper Room) �Choir Practice 7:00-9:00 p.m. (Church)

Wednesday, February 18 �Ash Wednesday Masses at

7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 6:30 p.m. �Scripture Study 1:00 p.m. (Coutts Home)

�AA/Al-Anon 7:30 p.m. (Refectory)

Thursday, February 19 �Scripture Study at 12:30 and 7:15 p.m.

(Upper Room)

Friday, February 20 �Scripture Study 7:30 p.m. (Upper Room)

Saturday, February 21

�Men’s Scripture Study 7-8:15 a.m. (Upper Room) �Play Practice 3-7:30 p.m. (Gym)

*VHM = Visitation of Holy Mary room, located

inside the new entrance of the school

The collection for February 8, 2015 was $16,683.71. Our parish is blessed by your generosity!

Please keep in prayer the deceased, especially Hope Solomon, infant daughter of

Jason and Julia Solomon. Also, Catherine Quigley, grandmother of day

school 7th grade teacher Carrie Quigley, and George Biecker, father of Diana Pratt.

May perpetual light shine upon them.

MASS

All weekdays 8:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

School Mass 9:00 a.m. on the following dates: wAsh Wednesday, February 18 wFridays: February 27, March 6, March 13 wThursday, March 19 wWednesday, March 25

Adoration All weekdays 7:00-8:00 a.m.

and 7:00-10:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays 9:00 a.m.-6:15 p.m.

(Begins at 10:00 a.m. when there is a school Mass on a Friday)

Morning Prayer Fridays 7:30 a.m.

Stations of the Cross Fridays 7:00 p.m.

Confession All weekday evenings 6:00-6:25 p.m.

Wednesdays 8:45-9:30 a.m. Saturdays 3:00-4:45 p.m.

wDiocesan-wide Evening of Reconciliation:

Wednesday, March 4, 5:00-8:00 p.m. wCluster Communal Penance: Thursday, March 26th, 7:00 p.m., Nativity of the Lord Jesus Parish wParish Communal Penance: Friday evening, March 27th after

Fr. Nathan Cromly’s Parish Retreat

Night Prayer Sunday evenings 9:00 p.m.

(Through Palm Sunday)

UPDATE: 60+ CLUB

We regret to announce the cancellation of our February and March gatherings. With so many of our members being snowbirds, interest during the cold weather months has dwindled. Plans are in the works for an exciting event in April. Until then, stay tuned and think spring!!!

“Everything is Awesome

When You’re Part of a Team”

There is no school on Monday, February 16th in observance of President's Day. This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the season of Lent. Our school will attend Mass at 9:00 a.m. on that day. Please join us! Parent conferences are scheduled for February 19th from 3:30 - 8:30 p.m. on an as-needed or requested basis. Our 7th and 8th grade boys will visit Borromeo Seminary on Friday, February 20th. It is an extremely busy time for our Parish school as we are preparing our students for standardized testing as well as gearing up for all of the normal activities that take place during this time of year. Thank you for your continued support of Catholic education at St. Francis de Sales Parish!

Sincerely in His service, Ms. Parrish, Principal

Attention PSR Families Because we have missed an unprecedented three evenings of class we will be extending some class times to make up for those missed evenings. Please review the following schedule updates: February 16 - scheduled night off February 23, March 2,9,16, 23 and 30th: classes will be extended until 8:15 p.m. Thank you for your family’s cooperation in bringing your children to PSR. We cherish working with each child and watching them grow in their love of God and our faith.

Upcoming dates to note… Sunday, February 22nd: Confirmation Candidates (students only) meet for Mass at 9:00 a.m. (session ends at noon) Monday, March 2nd: First Communion Retreat - 2nd graders meet in the Refectory at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 22nd: Confirmation Candidates and Sponsors - Spirit Day- meet for Mass at 11:00 a.m. and the day ends at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 23rd: All 2nd- 8th grade PSR students participate in Reconciliation Monday, March 30th: All PSR participation in the Stations of the Cross (parents welcome!)

Attention Confirmation Candidates and Parents

Our next mandatory Confirmation preparation

meeting is Sunday, February 22, 2015. This meeting is for Confirmation Candidates only.

We will meet in the Church for Mass at 9:00 a.m.

and we will conclude at noon

VOCATION CRUCIFIX

Bill and Mary Simmons will be receiving the Vocation Crucifix this week. If you or your family would like to pray with the Crucifix in your home for vocations to the priesthood, religious life, married or single life, please call the rectory. We will place your name on the list so the Crucifix can be presented to you during Mass on a given weekend or picked up at another convenient time in the sacristy or parish office.

*Parish Retreat with Father Nathan Cromly, CSJ will be Friday evening, March 27th and Saturday, March 28th until 1:30 p.m. You are in for a treat! *Vacation Bible School will be held this summer from August 3 – 7, 2015.

WOMEN’S STUDY:

DARING TO WALK THE WALK Ready for some new beginnings this Lent that will last a lifetime? Please join some women of the parish in an 8-week DVD study by Jeff Cavins: Daring to Walk the Walk. This virtue-based study shows how to put our Catholic faith into practice through prayer and action. Many have experienced real and often profound change occurring in their lives as they begin living as God intends. We meet in the Upper Room on Tuesday mornings from 9:15 until 11:00 beginning this week on February 17th. For questions or to order a workbook ahead, please contact Lori at gutbrods@att.net.

REQUEST FOR

2014 FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT

________________________________________ NAME ________________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________________ CITY/ZIP CODE ________________________________________ ENVELOPE # ________________________________________ HOME PHONE # ________________________________________ CELL PHONE # Please place this completed form in the collection basket and your statement will be mailed to you.

ONLINE  OFFERTORY  GIVING  Due  to  the  way  in  which  check  writing  seems  to  be  giving  way  to  electronic  giving  for  many  folks  these   days,   our   parish   finance   council   has  developed   a   new   method   for   interested  parishioners   to   make   offertory   giving   via  electronic   transfers.     If   this  method  makes  your  life   easier,   please   call   our   parish   office   at   330-­‐644-­‐2225   and   one   of   the   finance   council  members  will  fill  you  in  on  the  details.  

Have you recently moved or eliminated your landline? Or have you noticed an error on the printing of your contribution envelopes? Please call the parish office at 330-644-2225 and share your updated information with us. We’d like to keep our records straight! Thank you.

St. Francis de Sales Parish

ALTAR SERVER REGISTRATION FORM

Please Print:

______________________________________________________________________ Last Name First

______________________________________________________________________ Address City Zip Code

______________________________________________________________________ Telephone Alternate phone

______________________________________________________________________ Email address

______________________________________________________________________ Sibling name if server or parent name if reader or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

______________________________________________________________________ School Grade

Dear Father,

I would like to become an Altar Server at St. Francis de Sales Parish. I know that this is a very important ministry. I understand that my scheduled Mass will rotate to reflect the needs of the parish. I will try my best to fulfill my role to honor Our Lord at Mass, and to assist at the altar prayerfully and with reverence and respect.

__________________________________________________________ Student Signature

Dear Father,

We will allow our son/daughter to serve at St. Francis de Sales Parish as an Altar Server, and will do all we can to help our son/daughter meet his/her schedule and support them in this important ministry of service.

__________________________________________________________ Parent or Guardian Signature

!

Altar Servers are… “particularly close to Christ Jesus in the Eucharist. You have the enormous privilege of being close to the altar, close to the Lord.”

Pope Benedict 2012 Young people from high school to the 5th grade are invited to become altar servers. Your participation in this very special ministry is both an honor and a privilege. It is a gift to both God and the people of St. Francis. If you are interested please complete the Altar Server Registration form and return it to your Day School or PSR teacher or to the rectory by February 23rd.

The 2015 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal is underway with an in-pew commitment process taking place this weekend. This is not a special collection; rather, the Catholic Charities Annual Appeal represents the chance for all Catholics to make a significant pledge, payable in installments, to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland in order to support its mission of a society that stands united in its support of the “least among us.” Many parishioners have received a letter from Bishop Lennon requesting their support. If you have not received this letter, please respond to the in-pew commitment process today! If you have received the mailing, please respond to it. There is a box on the in-pew envelope to indicate that you have responded by mail. Something wonderful happens when we unite ourselves through Christ with others. Over 399,000 people from every suburb and city in Northeast Ohio benefit from their programs and services each year. Please consider a generous gift to the Catholic Charities 2015 Annual Appeal, and please pray for the success of this important Appeal.

WALSH JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS BOSTON COLLEGE PRESIDENT,

FATHER WILLIAM LEAHY S.J. Please join us at the Walsh Jesuit High School Theater on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. to hear Boston College President, Father William Leahy S.J. speak on “Trends in Jesuit Education.” Speaker series is open to all at no charge. Spouses, friends, students and guests are all welcome! A wine and cheese reception hosted by the Alumni Mother’s Club will be held. For catering purposes, please RSVP by February 26th to Carole Moore at 330-929-4205 ext. 104 or email moorec@walshjesuit.org.

FAT TUESDAY DINNER AND LENTEN REFLECTION

The Loyola Retreat House invites you to join them on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 for spiritual reflection and a feast as we prepare for Lent. Registration and social is at 5:30 p.m. with dinner following at 6:15. The Lenten reflection begins at 7:30 p.m. and is directed by Abbot Clement Zeleznik, OSB. Cost is $25 per person and is due with registration. Call 330-896-2315 for additional information or access the registration form at:

www.loyolaretreathouse.com

POPE FRANCIS’ PAPAL VISIT Saints Peter and Paul Church in Doylestown plans to sponsor a bus tour to Philadelphia in September in conjunction with the Papal Visit of the Holy Father. We would like to extend an invitation to you to join us on this historic pilgrimage! The highlight of the tour sponsored by Wendt Touring, Inc. will be the Papal Mass on September 27, 2015. The tour will commence on September 25 and return on September 28. Price based on double occupancy is $629 per person and 50 spots are available on a “first come/first served” basis. A $100 deposit is due by February 22, 2015. Please contact Regina at 330-658-2364 or Patsy at 330-991-4060 for further details.

GREEN SEASON KICKOFF Join us to kick off “Green Season” on Saturday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30) at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2055 Glenmount Avenue in Akron. Tickets are $15 ($20 at the door) or get a break with a table of 8 for only $100. Tickets are available by contacting the Knights of Columbus Hall at 330-773-3410, or call Caryn at 330-815-6940.

WE WELCOME OUR NEWEST PARISHIONERS

Mark, Christine, Trevor, Dustin and Cayla Burkhart William and Lindsey Cundiff

Mary Ford Kelly Geffert John Horvath

Christ and Christine Kauffman Carl III, Samantha, Lillian, Carl IV and Kensley Konen

Louise Miller Kyle, Rebecca, Esther, Oliver and Audrey Moore Paul, Angela, Constantine and Giovanni Nonno

Cynthia O’Neil Kyle and Katie Ridenour Michael and Linda Sams

Jack Jr. and Cathy Slinger Jim, Rowena, Elijah and Mason Wilkins

William Wilson

AND THE NEWLY BAPTIZED Maddin Harper Adamson

Brynn Angeline Bell Lorcan James McEnaney

Douglas Howard Carl James Lieb

Chase Steven McIntyre James Christopher Meyer

Stella Rose Meyer Mallory Elizabeth Molnar Brian Edward Mongiardo

Jared Michael Paradise Zachary Richard Sipe