…”Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” He sprang up!!! Imagine the energy and eagerness to go to the Lord – to respond to Jesus’ call. The Gospel today should inspire each of us to be quick – eager – to spring up and run to the Lord. In our moments of need – spring up and run to the Lord. In moments of joy and rejoicing – spring up and run to the Lord. For wisdom in decision making – spring up – and run to the Lord. It makes all the difference!
…This school year all of our students are reflecting on a passage from Ezra – Rise up, Take Courage and Do it! It’s trying to inspire them (and each of us) to run to the Lord always and often with eagerness, energy and passion. It’s the recipe and path to healing, hope, strength and peace in the Lord.
…We were so blessed to host the Holy Spirit Prayer Ministry last Sunday for a special healing service. Jesus wants to bring each of us the comfort, tender mercy and peace we seek – we need. It’s the promise of this weekend’s Gospel. How can we turn quickly to the Lord in all our moments of need.
…Our parish is blessed with a large group of our members who visit the homebound, hospitalized and those in care and senior facilities. Over 200 people receive Holy Communion thanks to one of our Good Sam Ministers. It’s a beautiful ministry that brings such comfort and peace to those who cannot physically join us at the Table of the Lord. As the winter months approach, we could use about ten new members for our Good Sam Ministry. It takes less than an hour a week (and you don’t have to go every week). If you would like to learn more about the blessing of this ministry and the good it does in the name of the Lord, please contact Fr. Rob at rramser@StAmbrose.us.
…Another way of extending the care and compassion of Christ to our sisters and brothers in their need is through our monthly community meal. Last Sunday 360 people received a great meal thanks to YOU and our community meal team. The support for this monthly program comes from the Souper Bowl of Caring each February. Last Sunday the dishwasher went out of commission which meant that there were lots of dishes/pots/pans to wash the old fashion way (by hand). Special thanks to Cathy Canfield, Patrice Downs, Gloria Praznik, Lynn Rogers, Hannah Rogers, and Laurie Zarefoss for really stepping up. It was also great to see a group of Padua students assisting at the meal. We are so blessed!!
…Thanks for the winter jackets and coats that are pouring in. You will see a trailer by the barn for the coats/jackets. We need about 3000 of all sizes. Please clean out your closet and invite your friends to help. Together we can bring the warmth and comfort of the Lord to so many of our sisters and brothers in the city of Cleveland. We will help blanket our community with the care and compassion of Christ.
…Can you believe that we are at the end of October???!!! This weekend is our first ever Trunk and Treat. So many of our parish ministries will be in the parking lot passing out good information about their ministries in the parish along with treats for all the kids and grandkids. At the same time, our Knights of Columbus are also hosting a Halloween Party for all the kids and grandkids in Hilkert Hall. It’s a great way to strengthen the bonds of family and the family of God. Spring up…bring the kids and grandkids…for a great afternoon at Saint Ambrose. See the bulletin for details.
…This coming week we celebrate the Feast of All Saints and All Souls. All Saints Day (November 1) is a holy day of obligation. Masses will will celebrated on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm and on Thursday at 8:15, 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm. There’s a really good chance that we will have Mass in Hilkert Hall. The hope (and fervent prayer) is that they will be working on the Church roof and adding the new dormers this week. Watch for signs on the doors.
…This coming Friday is the Feast of All Souls (November 2). Please join us for a special Mass at 7:00 pm to remember all of our loved ones who have gone home to the Lord, especially those called home over the past year. Our Good Sams, and Bereavement and GriefShare teams, have prepared a beautiful liturgy that will help bring comfort and peace as we celebrate and remember our loved ones. All are welcome. BTW….please take a minute to sign the Books of Remembrance at the Doors of the Church with the names of your loved ones who have gone home to the Lord. It’s a simple and sincere way of remembering and honoring them.
…I know that some of you have heard the story…but it is well worth repeating….when they removed the steeple from the Church, they found that they never shingled the roof underneath. Thanks be to God we made the hard (and costly) decision to remove the steeple which reveals a source of much of the water that has plagued the Church over the years. The steeple in being rebuilt and will be properly roofed and mounted in a couple of months.
…Did you know that last week our Mission Possible team was in the DR on a special Dental Mission?? The mighty team of 2 dentists, 2 hygienists, and 2 MP team members saw 200+ patients in three days. The team was eager to serve (they sprang into action) as did the members of our mission community who never get to see a dentist. The tooth fairy was very active with all the teeth they pulled!! God bless our mission team. If you are interested in learning more about the mission trip next June, come and hear all the details on Tuesday, October 30. If you’ve ever thought about coming…Spring UP….and join us on Tuesday at 7:30 pm in the school library and find out how you can participate. You may also contact Caitlin (coneill@StAmbrose.us) or Lisa (lcinadr@StASchool.us).
…I have PEACE in my soul!!! That’s the message and the song our second graders are learning as they prepare for First Reconciliation in a few weeks. They will be with us on Sunday for their Rite of Enrollment for First Reconciliation. Please keep all of our young members in your prayers as they prepare for the peace and mercy of Christ sacramentally celebrated in reconciliation.
…Many thanks to those who have responded to our request to increase their weekly/monthly support for our parish. God will bless you for all your goodness and support. Thank you.
…He sprang up!! He ran to the Lord. Imagine if we found the energy and even more, the faith, to spring up and run to the Lord. Have a blessed week.
