…”Joshua addressed all the people: “If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve.” Joshua poses a great challenge – question. Who do we serve? It is the strong house and wise person who chooses to ‘serve the Lord.’ One of my favorite Church songs was written by Tom Booth, “I will choose Christ, I choose to love, I choose to serve.” Joshua’s question gives all of us good food for thought. Who do we choose to serve? How do we live out our response, “I will choose Christ, I choose to love, I choose to serve.”
…Every day and week, I am humbled and blessed to see so many in our community choosing to ‘serve’ the Lord. I see it in the garden. I hear it in our classrooms. I witness it in the soul-stirring care and compassion that you give to one another in times of need. I clearly saw this commitment to the Lord today (Tuesday). In the morning, one of our young families had their eight year old undergoing emergency surgery for a brain tumor. The outpouring of prayer was inspiring and impactful. The organization of meals, and care for the rest of the family, was a blessing beyond words. Later in the afternoon I saw Dennis, just days after being in the hospital, cleaning out the walk in fridge and freezer to make sure that all the ‘left overs’ were going to feed the street folk in Cleveland and Akron. The examples go on and on. We are blessed as so many choose to serve the Lord in our community. We are blessed.
…School is back in session. Special prayers for all of our students and faculty/staff/administration. May this year be filled with God’s grace and blessing. May God keep all of our schools safe and free from all evil and harm.
…The return to school also ‘triggers’ the new pastoral year for our community. On Monday morning, I walked through the Mother Theresa Room out to the patio, this is what I saw: in the Mother Teresa Room (the only room left) was a group planning for the upcoming Ramserfest. On the patio was a group from our school planning for a GREAT year for our students. Twenty feet beyond the patio were several of our building and grounds volunteers installing a fence to create a more fitting backdrop for the Mother Teresa statue (Feast Day on September 5). All this within fifty feet, and a clear sign that our parish year is up and running. It’s also a clear witness that so many choose to serve the Lord and our community. We are so blessed.
…Many of you have commented that “the fence is up…the trailer is in….and the Saint Ambrose statue has been moved.” All are signs that something is going to happen pretty soon to repair and renovate our Church. Today’s bulletin contains an update concerning the project – it’s cost and timeline. We have been working very, very, very hard to get the best possible price and engage in value engineering to control the cost. Even with our best efforts, as you will read, the cost for the project has increased. The bulletin explains all the details. The Parish Finance Council and Vision 20/20 team have been discussing every aspect of the project. While we are hoping to move forward soon, it’s most important to first share with you the most up-to-date information. If you would like to learn more information, please join us on Monday, August 27 at 7 pm in Hilkert Hall. You can also view the recently updated video of the Church at: www.Stambrose.us/vision2020.
…With the start of the new school year comes the start of a new year in our Parish School of Religion. We are so blessed, as a parish community, to offer the best possible faith formation to all of our students. There are opportunities for all of our young people from age 3 through high school. Please see today’s bulletin for information or contact the PSR Office at 330460.7302. BTW…this is a GREAT day to register for PSR.
…I had a great meeting with Caitlin O’Neill on Tuesday to review all the efforts and programs for our high school students. The FIAT Kickoff is on Sunday, September 9 following the 5:00 pm Mass. Speaking of the 5 pm Mass, Max Menkhaus has been working to grow the music ministry for our evening Mass. They sounded great last Sunday, and really helped all of us pray and worship the Lord. Caitlin is always looking for some parents to join her in creating a youth ministry program that connects with our teens. She could use your help. For more information, contact her at COneill@StAmbrose.us.
…”Who will you serve?” Thanks to our bulletin publisher (LPI), in the next few weeks you will be receiving your annual Ministry Directory. It comes as a gift to all of us as a way of inspiring us to share our ‘gifts’ with the Lord and our community. There are some extra copies at the doors of the Church this weekend and on the bookrack. “Who will you serve?” We would love to help you share your gifts and talents and serve the Lord in our community.
…It’s exciting to see all of our CYO sports teams all over the campus. Flag football is huge…imagine a swarm of our youngest members all over the football field. It’s just fun!!! Volleyball is in full swing, along with Cross Country and regular football. It’s a blessing to see so many of our adults working with our student athletes to teach them both prayer and their sports. I watched the football coach with his team ‘taking a knee’ the other day. Truly a blessing to see so many serving the Lord and helping our students develop their gifts and talents.
…Take a walk around our campus this week. The flowers and gardens are radiant. They truly are radiant. God bless all of our members who serve the Lord by tending the patches!!!
…Janet Majka is looking for some helpers in the PSR program. A few hours a month can make all the difference.
…This week we commission our new Stephens Ministry Team. We celebrate and thank God for those who are choosing to serve the Lord and our community. In this ministry they will ‘walk with’ our members in their times of need. They have been trained to extend the care and compassion of Christ in a helpful and supportive way. We are blessed by their commitment to serve the Lord.
…Thank you for all the ways you serve the Lord and our community. May these final days of August be blessed by a very good and gracious God.
