FROM FR. SCOTT: November 20, 2022
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November 18, 2022Dear Parish Family,
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. This is the last week of Ordinary Time before we enter the Advent season next weekend. The liturgical year ends just as it begins: with a preparation to meet Christ. Just as we now prepare ourselves to meet Christ at His Second Coming, so will we prepare to meet Him during the Advent season at His First Coming at Christmas. It's all too easy for the next few weeks to be consumed by holiday preparations. Commit to daily prayerful preparation by focusing on your relationship with Jesus. What does your heart most need from our Lord? What does our Lord want most from you?
Angel Scholarship Fund Presentation and Q&A with Accountants (Nov 29 and Dec 10)
Everyone benefits when we can turn taxes into tuition! Catholic education is more important than ever. An easy way to support St. Mary School at no net cost to you as a donor is with the Angel Scholarship Fund. To engage the community at large, I would like to invite you all to attend a short presentation and Q&A on the Angel Scholarship Fund in the St. Mary Parish Banquet Room. You can attend on Tuesday, November 29 at 6:30 pm OR Saturday, December 10 at 1:00 pm.- At this session you will hear the what, why, and how of making a contribution, have time for Q&A, and be able to spend individual time with accountants and financial advisors from the parish to help answer your questions and to assist you in making a contribution this year (up to a $750 tax credit for individuals, or $1,500 for married couples filing jointly).
- You will be in and out in under an hour, and you will know the key facts and impact that this new tax credit will have to (1) make a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your state income tax liability, (2) make Catholic education more affordable to our families, (3) make Catholic education more sustainable by reducing the St. Mary Parish subsidy for the school, and with costs lowered for families and the parish, to (4) devote more of our parish offertory to increase the outreach of our ministries in the parish and school.
- You can bring your state tax return (Ohio form IT 1040) to review with one of the accountants to see how much you owed last year in state taxes and approximate how much you will owe this year.
- A recording of the session will be available on our Angel Scholarship web page (linked below) after the sessions for those unable to attend either session.
Inclement Weather Policy
As we prepare for wintery weather, keep in mind that we follow the Chardon school closure plan to determine our own closures. When Chardon schools are closed, we will close the school and offices, and cancel all AM parish events, with the exception of the St. Mary Chardon daily Mass (come with caution). PM group or event organizers will need to assess conditions to determine whether or not to cancel. A posting of the inclement weather policy will be posted at our entrances throughout the winter season.
Anointing Masses This Weekend
This weekend, we celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick at all of our weekend Masses. Those eligible for receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick include those who are seriously ill in body, mind, or spirit; those preparing for surgery; those diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses or awaiting a diagnosis for one of these illnesses; and those who are experiencing the debilitating effects that come with age. If you have only a minor illness that does not fit into one of the above categories, please know you are in our prayers as a Church family, even if you cannot be a candidate for Anointing of the Sick at this time. If you or your loved one is in need of anointing, please bring yourself or them to one of our Masses. If you are unable to attend these Masses this weekend, please reach out to our parish office to schedule a time for Fr. Spisak or me to anoint you or your loved one.
Faithfully United Note of Gratitude
Thank you to all our families who responded to our Faithfully United Stewardship program this Fall! Faithfully united in Christ, we pledged over $155,000 in new commitments to the parish and received over $48,000 in one time gifts. I am humbled and grateful for your continued YES to our Lord and to our parish family. Please see the note of gratitude below with full details.
Thanksgiving Day Mass, Traffic Delays, Office Closures
Start your Thanksgiving morning with Mass here this Thursday at 9:00 am. Please remember that the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot starts at 8:30 am, so routes to the church from the Square and 5th Avenue will be blocked. See attached map for route blocks and plan your travels to church accordingly. Keep in mind the parish office is closed Thursday and Friday this week. I wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!
Turkey Trot Map
I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow
