Dear Parish Family,
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. We honor the Holy Family as the model of the human family. Their faithfulness to God and to one another, purity of heart, joy, endurance in suffering, and compassion for the poor are virtues that we can emulate in our families.
 
Holy Day - Solemnity of Mary Mother of God
I look forward to celebrating New Year's with you this year for the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. We have Mass on New Year's Eve, Tuesday, December 31, at 4:00 pm at St. Patrick's and 4:30 pm at St. Mary's. Mass on New Year's Day is at 9:30 am at St. Patrick's and 10:00 am at St. Mary's. This New Year's Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God is a holy day of obligation.
 
Jubilee Year of Hope
This week our Church embarks on a special Jubilee Year of Hope through 2025. St. Mary's has been selected as one of the Jubilee Host Parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland this year.  At a Jubilee parish you can obtain a plenary indulgence by participating at Mass, Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, or by spending time in Eucharistic Adoration and praying an Our Father, the Profession of Faith, and invoking Mary the Mother of God. This is an amazing opportunity before us this year, and I encourage you to take time to come to St. Mary's or another parish established as a Jubilee site this year to further your spiritual growth in Christ!
 
Those unable to participate in these visits to our Jubilee parishes can obtain a plenary indulgence by uniting themselves in spirit with those taking part in person and reciting the Our Father, Profession of Faith, and other prayers while offering up their sufferings or hardships of their lives. 
 
We will have a special cross on display for the Jubilee Year after this weekend, and we will celebrate special Jubilee Masses throughout the year. The first Jubilee Mass will be held here at St. Mary's on Monday, January 6 at the 7:30 am Mass. Special texts for the Jubilee Masses will be prayed on these occasions. We will have one Jubilee Mass per month throughout the Jubilee Year
 
Fatima Holy Hour Date Change
Due to New Year's, Our Fatima Holy Hour will be rescheduled to Wednesday, January 8^th at 6:00 pm. 
 
Livestream Camera View and Ambient Microphones
With the new livestream system in place, please note that the livestream camera on the mantle above the sanctuary will only be used when something special is happening in the back of the church (baptism, a special procession like in OCIA, and Stations of the Cross). If you are concerned about being on the livestream, please see attached photo of the camera zone and avoid the area. Again, this camera view will not be used for most Masses.

Also, we have installed a microphone in the back of church to pick up ambient sounds in the church to make the audio livestream experience more full and rich. There's also an ambient microphone in the banquet room between the serving area and the AV cabinet. These microphones are only active when the livestream is on, but it is something everyone should be aware of. Most churches that livestream have a setup like this to help with livestream sound quality. The livestreams go live 10 minutes before the start of Mass and last until 10 minutes after the hour. For instance, the 8 am livestream begins at 7:50 am and ends at 9:10 am. Please see attached photos of ambient microphone so you are aware of their locations. I know all of us will be on our best behavior and never say anything we shouldn't say since we're at church! :)
  
 
 
I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow