Parish Happenings

Morning Retreat With Mary
A nice crowd enjoyed a Morning Retreat With Mary - Mary, Woman of Hope on Saturday, December 9. Thank you to Sr. Mary Dion Horrigan, SND, who guided us through Mary’s Annunciation and My Life, Mary: Hope and Advent Light, and Being HOPE in our world. 









 

Live Nativity
A beautiful presentation of the Live Nativity was held December 9 & 10. Thank you to the Women’s Auxiliary of the Mantua Knights of Columbus #3766 for helping us celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. We appreciate all of those who played the parts, the carolers, set-up/take-down crew, collection & cocoa workers, costumers, and all those who helped in any way.  

"I loved the kids reaction . . . Upon approaching Mason started yelling "I see him, I see him, I see baby Jesus". They were collecting canned goods for the 4C's so I let each kiddo pick 2 items to add to the bag, they were so proud of their full bag!!"

   - Jennifer Hirsch

"What a beautiful Live Nativity this evening. So proud of my nephew Jake, niece Jen and her boyfriend Dylan for being involved! To all the others involved and all of the choir!!! Thanks to all who came out in the cold to catch a glimpse of this awesome event!!! "   - Jeanine Maczko

Blessing of the Backpacks
There was a Blessing of Backpacks at Masses August 26/27. Thank you to Deacon Gerry Scopilliti for facilitating this special ritual for our students.We pray as well for the teachers and administrators in our schools. May they also be sustained by your blessing. May they be reminded that this congregation embraces their call to teaching and learning and surrounds them with love and care as well.

Mass at the Cathedral for St. Joseph Parish
There was a very nice turn out for the August 6 Mass at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown for the parishioners of St. Joseph. Msgr. Peter Polando welcomed the group saying it was the biggest group that has come so far to these Masses acknowledging each parish in the diocese (part of the Pastoral Plan for Evangelization for the Diocese of Youngstown goal of including parishes in the life of the Cathedral itself). Those attending:  Bill Bash, Bob Zamrzla, Michelle Ward-Clayton, Mike Minor, Barb Colin, Jay & Greg D’Aurelio, Lonn, Dan & Lonna Safko, Marianne Berzinskas, Mary Ann Feddor, Marty Hura, Jerry Land, Amy Powers, George & Kathi Trares, Cindy & Ron Clark, Kay Brezovec, Diane Sanderson, Abe, Jessica, Isaac & Izabel Szoka, Marlene Hornyak & Jackie Pender.

Beautiful Parish Additions

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, a new crucifix was added to our altar space on March 11, 2017. Due to the crumbling condition of our Blessed Mary, a new statue was added as a gift from the Kotkowski family. It was given in memory of Rita Kotkowski because of her devotion to the Rosary.
 
Both the Crucifix and Blessed Mother statue were obtained from the warehouse of Henninger’s in Cleveland (authorized agent for the disposition of items from closed parishes in the Cleveland, Youngstown, Toledo and Steubenville Dioceses).
 
The Crucifix came from St. Hedwig Church in Toledo (the original Polish church of the Toledo Diocese) and was a “Mission Crucifix”. Details from the 1975 History of Saint Hedwig Church (parishioners wrote this book in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Parish):

“To the left of the pulpit, on the west wall from the Church is the very large Crucifix known as the ‘Mission Crucifix’. It is an integral part of the parish church décor as it is a reminder of the establishment of the parish as a place designated for the preaching and living of the Gospel of Christ Crucified. A gift of the Redemptorist Order, it contains a written record of the Parish Missions from 1893 to 1927. This legend is found in an arch type window at the foot of the Cross; it reads:

          Pamiątki                                                          In Remembrance [of]
          Misyi Sw.                                                         Parish Missions
 
od 5=12 Lutego 1893                                5-12 February 1893 (would’ve been in the old church)
od 15=23 Lutego 1902                             15-23 February 1902 (first Mission in new church)
od 11=26 Lutego 1911                              11-26 February 1911
od 24 Lutego do 11 go Marca 1917          24 February to 11 March 1917
od 18 Listopada do 3 go Grudnia 1922    18 November to 3 December 1922
1-16 Pazdziernika 1927                             1-6 October 1927”
 
The Mission Crucifix is believed to be from the original church which was located down the street from the “new” church. St. Hedwig Church closed September 2012 and merged with St. Adalbert Church now known as the parish of Saints Adalbert & Hedwig. St. Hedwig Church was not used for any purposes since July 1, 2014 and became a maintenance burden. The church lost its consecration (no longer used for sacred or liturgical events) on August 25, 2016. You can go to http://www.stadalbertsthedwig.org/parish_history.aspx and scroll down to bottom for St. Hedwig Building Virtual Tour.
 
The newly acquired Blessed Mother statue came from St. Stanislaus Church in Maynard, Ohio, (near Wheeling, West Virginia) in the Steubenville Diocese (Founded: 1888; Completed: 1904; New Church: 1963; Closed 1/2/2015). It was one of four parishes in that area that closed in a short time span. St. Mary’s in St. Clairsville, Ohio was responsible for finding homes for items and Henniger’s became owners through them. We thank the Kotkowski family for their generosity for their donation to St. Joseph's.

We appreciate the time and talent of Deacon Gerry Scopilliti, John Kruis, Frank Scopilliti, and Bill Curtin who installed the new item and moved the Risen Christ to its new location above the Narthex doors.
 
Likewise, our Saint Joseph statue is deteriorating and will be replaced. Rick Cermak, a local artist and member of St. Joe's, is currently carving a new piece that will be placed in the corner where the tabernacle used to be located.