“…How Can We Open Our Hearts…”

…”He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.” This weekend’s Gospel is a familiar story from Jesus’ life and ministry. There are a few key ‘moments’ in the experience that all of us can learn from. First, the man was ‘open to the Lord.’ This act of faith changed everything so much so that Jesus could then open his heart in ways beyond his imagination. From this moment, the man so realized what happens when one approaches God in faith – that he could not help but tell and proclaim it to everyone. At every age, and in every moment of our lives, how can we act in faith and open our hearts more fully and completely to the Lord. The more we do this, the more our lives will be blessed beyond telling. We, too, will be moved to boldly proclaim to everyone the mighty deeds of God in our lives.

…As we enter into the new pastoral and school year, there are many of our members who are opening their minds and hearts to the Lord in service to our community. Did you see some of the new Mass servers these past few weeks? Amid their excitement (and nervousness), they were beaming from ear to ear with excitement and joy of serving at the Table of the Lord. We welcome our new servers. Helen Lanzarotta is also offering a few more training opportunities. What a great way to form the minds and hearts of our young people by being ‘open’ to the Lord and serving at Mass.

…Over the past few weeks, since the introduction of the Stephen Ministry effort to our parish, nine of our members have stepped forward to open their hearts to serving the Lord and our community in this ministry of accompaniment. We are so blessed by their ‘openness’ to the Lord. Simply put, Stephen Ministers will spend the next three months in training so they can best be equipped to walk with our members in moments of need (funerals, divorce, sickness, loss, job transitions, family crisis, etc). It’s a beautiful way to use the gifts of care and compassion, to bring comfort and the companionship of the Lord to our sisters and brothers in their difficult times. If you would like to learn more about Stephen Ministry, please contact Jane (Jbaldwin@StAmbrose.us) or Lisa (lhomady@StAmbrose.us).

…Janet Majka, Deb Houdek and their team are ramping up for a new year of PSR. It’s our hope and prayer that so many of our young people will come with open minds and hearts to learn more about Jesus – His wisdom and His promises. It’s not too late to register for PSR. We have three sessions so everyone can find a time that works for their children/grandchildren (Monday night, Wednesday late afternoon, or Saturday morning). Call the PSR Office for information and/or to register 330.460.7302.

…In the newness of the season, well-known Missy Yarmesch is taking over the leadership of our Sunday morning preschool program called Journey with Jesus. She’s done amazing work in our Littlest Angels Preschool (which continues) and brings that same passion and love of God and God’s children to our Sunday morning program. All children age 3-4-5 are invited to come and learn the stories and songs of Jesus while mom and dad attend either the 9:00 am or 10:30 am Mass. To find out more or to register your child or grandchild, call the PSR Office at 330.460.7332.

…Our theme for the year is Generations of Faith. It’s a reminder that faith and family values are best passed on from one generation to the next. How can you use this year to help pass on what matters most to your children (of every age) and grandchildren? We are here to help.

…Next weekend is Catechetical Sunday. We are inviting ALL in our teaching ministries (of every age and program) to join us at the weekend Masses as we ask the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ, to guide, bless, and inspire all who will ‘teach’ and pass on values of the Gospel to our members. If you were ever a teacher, or always wanted to be one, we can always use some help in the many teaching programs of our parish community. Be open to the call of the Lord to help pass on the wisdom of Christ. For more information contact Janet Majka (children programs) or Jane Baldwin (adult programs).

…After 20 months of discussion, conversation, and planning, next Sunday we will ‘break ground’ for the repair and renovation of the Church. There will be a special prayer at all the weekend Masses. We have invited Abbot Gary and Father Carlin to join all of us at the 12 noon Mass to celebrate the Generations of Faith at Saint Ambrose. We thank God for the strong foundation set in this parish over the past sixty years with the promise of a very bright and hopeful future. Please join us for this important time for our parish community. There will be coffee and doughnuts after all the weekend Masses and a social after the 12:00 noon Mass.

…Next weekend we will include another update as to the timeline and practical realities that will start to unfold as Marous Brothers Construction energetically works on this project with a timeline of being substantially complete by Easter 2019.

…I wish all of you could have been with some of our SAS students the other day as they were talking about how ‘beautiful’ the Church will look when this is complete. We all love our church, and this effort will renew and refresh God’s house for generations to come.

…All of our Littlest Angels PreSchool and Saint Ambrose School parents are invited to a special meeting on Wednesday, September 12 at 7 :00 pm in Hilkert Hall. The school year is off to a great start. The conversation this coming week will focus on next school year and some wonderful opportunities and blessings that we have for our students and school community. Come and learn more.

…Some of the high school and college students who have been involved in our mission trips are working to collect your unused/unneeded/out-of-date smart phones for our mission community. They will be repurposing them to assist students in school research and learning. You can bring the phone and charger to the Parish Office, or drop them in the special bin at the doors of the Church over the next few weeks.

…The Gospel calls us to a deeper openness to the Lord. The more we open our hearts to God, the more we will be blessed beyond words and yet, like the man in the Gospel, we will use our words and our life to proclaim the goodness and graciousness of God. Have a blessed week.