January 26, 2017
…”Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God…’Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.’” Saint Paul’s words really express the thought that I would have for all of us, “Consider your own calling….” How is God calling you to grow in holiness? How are you being called to deepen your commitment to walk with the Lord? How can you give yourself more fully and freely in service to the Lord? As we hear and respond to the call, in all our weaknesses and inadequacies, God will bless us….strengthen us…empower us…to do great things. So much so that our boast…is always in the Lord. Consider your own call. It’s real. It’s clear. It needs your response.
…As I walked the campus this past Tuesday, it was inspiring to see so many responding to ‘the call of the Lord.’ Many were participating in spiritual programs (ALPHA, Scripture Study, Faith Sharing). Others were learning (parents at Sacramental Prep). Some were serving (Fish Fry Planning Team and the Knights of Columbus). All were responding to the call to holiness and serve. All were enjoying good friendship and working to strengthen our community of faith. Consider your own call…
…Saint Ambrose School and Littlest Angels Preschool are set for an amazing week. It’s Catholic Schools Week. We are blessed with a strong and dynamic school program. We are blessed with directors, faculty and staff who passionately believe their call is to share our Catholic faith and to teach and instruct our young energetic and bright-minded students at Saint Ambrose. Stop by the school on Sunday for our Open House. See our students’ work, meet our faculty/staff and experience the good energy and family-spirit that fills our halls and classrooms.
…Special thanks to Mrs. Lisa Cinadr and Mrs. Catherine Mitchell for their leadership in our school and preschool programs. They have assembled a strong team to work with our students. We are blessed. This past week we learned that Saint Ambrose School is among the ‘finalists’ for the National Catholic Education Association Innovation Award. We will know in April our final placement. The school is being recognized for a project which had our students research homelessness in Cleveland, work to address the needs and to develop an APP that would allow for greater connections to support and resources. It was an amazing combination of faith, service, compassion and technology. I am very grateful to Beth Szijarto and Sheri Ricciardi for their great work on this special program and especially in our STEM program at SAS. Come and see for yourself. Contact Breanne Logue to arrange for a private tour (BLogue@StAmbrose.us).
…A thank you note from this week…”We are so grateful to the Saint Ambrose Church family for partnering with us in reaching out with Christ’s love to people who are often losing hope. We appreciate you more than you know and thank God for your kindness and generosity (200 boxed lunches).” – Haven of Rest Ministries in Akron).
…Next Sunday is the Super Bowl and for us, it’s Souper Bowl of Caring. Our junior high and high school students will be out in full force trying to raise the $12,000 needed to support our monthly community meal program. We provide over 4,000 meals over the year to those in need and to so many of our homebound members. Together we can take care of lots of people….in the name of the Lord.
…We made the mark!!! Last week we received word that we met (and exceeded) our Catholic Charities goal for 2016. You wonderfully gave $118,605 (or 101.7% of our goal) to help our diocesan efforts to take care of hundreds and thousands across our region. Thank you for your goodness.
…Consider your own calling…..coming in Lent we are inviting you to do something different… meaningful…special. We are working to connect hundreds and hundreds of our members (you) into a four week faith sharing/scripture based/discussion group. It’s easy. It’s meaningful. It will make this the best Lent ever. Watch for more details. It will make all the difference in helping you deepen your faith and grow closer to the Lord.
…The tragic death of the Cleveland Police officer reminds me, and hopefully all of us, of the challenges of keeping all of us safe. We pray for those who serve to protect us and those who stand in harm’s way to keep us safe…and fight for our freedom. Let’s pray especially for all who serve in our local police and fire departments.
…Consider the call……this past week I met with Lynn Tobon and Kathy Ralofsky. They did a wonderful job in making sure our Church was beautiful and inspiring for Christmas. We are so blessed. We are already planning for Lent and Easter. In the conversation they said, “Father Bob we are really happy to do our part for our parish….we just need to get some help.” They need some folk who can give a couple of hours before each big liturgical season to put wreathes, etc. together (all the training provided) and/or help move plants and such. A dozen sets of hands….for a few hours before Advent, Lent, etc….can make all the difference. They also could use a couple of people who can do a little sewing (mostly hemming banners, etc). If you can help, please reach out to them. It’s a great way to share your gifts and talents for the glory of God and the good of our community. Lynn can be reached at LTobon96@yahoo.com and Kathy at KRalofsky@roadrunner.com and Helen Lanzarotta at HLanzarotta@StAmbrose.us.
…Consider your own calling….we still need a few more folks to help us once a month…for 2-3 hours…with Friday night Bingo. It’s fun. It’s easy. It’s extremely helpful for the good of our parish. Willing to at least learn more?? Contact Mike Mascio at MMascio@StAmbrose.us.
…Thank you for the thousand ways you respond to the call of the Lord in your life and for the good of the work and ministry of our parish community. Let’s pray, especially in this Catholic Schools Week, that all of our students will keep their minds and hearts open to the call of the Lord.
