Faith

Remember Saturdays as a kid? No school and few responsibilities meant a leisurely day of sleeping in, watching cartoons, playing with friends and having fun. That’s why 54 students at Ss. Robert and William Catholic School in Euclid earned a special place in the hearts of teachers, clergy and their parents.

“A total of 54 students gave up an entire Saturday to fast, pray and reflect on the meaning of Lent,” said Laurie Heintz, a religion teacher at Ss. Robert and William Catholic School. Heintz and fellow religion teacher Rich Smith coordinated the day-long program called “Famine.” “Mr. Smith and I are so moved by the amount of children who gave up their day for these activities, to really learn, and actually live and follow the life of Christ in his missions. God bless each and every one of these children. They have touched our hearts today in ways that they will never know.”

Throughout the day, Heintz and Smith kept the students busy making special yarn-covered crosses called God’s Eyes, as well as Rosaries. Even though these students were fasting, they still baked cupcakes, cookies and brownies for the parish’s Community Meal this month. “No licking of fingers was allowed!” added Heintz. “The God's Eyes crafts will be given to guests at the Community Meal served at the parish this month.”

From beginning to end, the day was special. The day started with a prayer service about lent and fasting, which was very emotional, bringing tears to the eyes of some of the children.

Because Ss. Robert and William Catholic School has been raising money for “Schools for Water,” a non-profit organization trying to get clean water in Africa, the group chose to hold a water relay race where the children had to carry jugs of water like the children do in Kenya. “In Kenya, the children walk four miles to get their water. Doing this team activity was a realization of how hard it is for the children there who walk in heavy rain with wild animals around just to get clean water. The jugs are extremely heavy, as the students found out today,” Heintz said.

Patrick Sweet, a fifth grade participant, said, “We experienced what it was like for the kids in Africa who have to carry 20 pounds of water for four miles. I only had to carry it five or seven feet and they have to carry it for miles.” Sweet said he would now be more thankful whenever he turns on a water faucet.

On March 3 and 4, 2012, St. John Vianney Parish held their 9th annual Celtic Ball and Hooley. This special event honors those of Irish heritage and celebrates the contributions they make in three areas: Religion, family and community.

Fr. John D. Betters, Pastor of Ss. Robert & William Catholic Parish, was honored as this year’s Religious (Irish) person of the year. He is of Irish descent with his maternal grandparents hailing from County Laois.

Father John was bestowed this honor for his commitment to Catholic education. “I was honored and humbled to receive this recognition and I share it with the staff and parishioners of Ss. Robert & William Catholic Parish,” he states.  Included in the award is a donation of a portion of the event's proceeds which will be used for tuition assistance at Ss. Robert & William Catholic School.

A new Healing Ministry has begun at Boulevard Presbyterian Church. The community is invited to participate in Nia classes on Tuesday’s at 5:00 p.m. 

What is Nia? Nia is a sensory-based, multidimensional cardiovascular movement practice that leads to health, wellness, fitness and deepening of one’s spirit. A holistic alternative to the modern-day fitness routine, Nia empowers people of all shapes, sizes, ages, abilities and backgrounds by connecting the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Drawing from the elements of Martial Arts, Dance Arts and Healing Arts, it fosters awareness as well as the 5 Sensations of Functional Fitness: strength, flexibility, agility, mobility and stability. Nia classes are a safe, non-judgmental place to move, breathe, de-stress, renew a sense of balance and energy, laugh and just BE.

Come join us and taste Nia for yourself! Classes are on open to the community and are on a pay as you are able basis. Suggested offerings for the class are $1-$5 with the proceeds going to the Healing Ministry here at Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 24600 Lake Shore Blvd, Euclid. Classes are led by Ann Gilbert, certified Nia instructor.

Healing Ministry began last summer with an inter-generational bible school, “God’s Loves Heals”.  Along with the Nia classes we will be having a book discussion at 5:45 p.m. based on the healing stories of the bible, “The Healing Light” by Agnes Sanford and “Simple Ways to Pray for Healing” by Matthew Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, and Dennis Linn. Please come join either session or both!

For further information, please contact us at 216-731-8147 or by email at blvdpres9669@sbcglobal.net.

 

InterAct Community Meal will be held at Boulevard Presbyterian Church (24600 Lakeshore Boulevard) on Oct. 8 at noon.

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Come join Boulevard Presbyterian Church Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. for our monthly Neighborhood Prayer Walk! Rain or Shine! Come join us for prayers, even if you are unable to walk.

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Boulevard Presbyterian Church offers a free community meal every third Sunday of the month, Please come join us on Oct. 16 from 1 - 2 p.m. for a delicious meal and companionship. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

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"Fulfilling our Divine Purpose in the Seasons of Life"

A Growing-in-the-Spirit Seminar led by Evangelist Norma J. Faith Walker Bean will be held at Boulevard Presbyterian Church Tuesdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 from 7 - 9 p.m. and Thursdays, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 from noon - 2 p.m. These sessions will help participants understand the Seasons of Life and that God has a divine purpose for each of us. We will look at our life's journeys from a different perspective, which will empower us for a purpose-filled future. Please contact the church at (216) 731-8147 for additional information.

On Sunday mornings Boulevard Presbyterian Church has worship service at 10 a.m.  If you have any questions, please call (216) 731-8147. 

 

The Villa Angela-St. Joseph High community lost one of its stoutest leaders on April 21 when Timothy Robertson passed away while hospitalized at the Cleveland Clinic. He had been on a waiting list for a heart transplant. The highly regarded 66-year-old educator taught advanced placement mathematics at the school for more than four decades until his recent retirement. He also served as the school’s academic dean.

The measure of the regard in which he was held was highly evident as hundreds of students, teachers and other friends and supporters of the East 185th Street school turned out for his wake at Brickman Brothers funeral home in Willoughby. So many came to pay their final respects that people stood in line for two hours, or longer, to reach the viewing parlor where they extended sympathies to his wife, Georganne, and their four children: Jeffrey, Timothy Jr., Melanie and Kevin.

And, in a scene vaguely reminiscent of the classic movie “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” dozens of VASJ students lined the front steps at Our Lady of the Lake church (formerly Holy Cross) on April 27, waiting for the casket to arrive and then escorting it inside for a Mass of Christi

an Burial. As the funeral party entered the church, where Robertson had served as a Eucharistic minister for many years, a solitary bugler played “When the Saints Go Marching In,” an appropriate tune considering that it was the St. Joseph High sports theme song for many years.

cont.

Did you ever hear the saying “if you get lemons, you make lemonade?” Well I have a story for you.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, church and ministries are predominately listed as nouns. Not to dispute a publication that has been in existence since 1806, but in the case of New Praise Ministries these listings are not entirely correct. New Praise Ministries is also a verb: New Praise Ministries is an action, a movement!

Ss. Robert and William Catholic Parish is hosting its inaugural parish picnic on Aug. 22 and you are cordially invited to join us!

The parish picnic begins with 11 a.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard Lennon. Immediately after Mass, we will begin serving food favorites, such as bratwurst, hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, snacks and ice cream until 4 p.m. In between burgers and ice cream, you’ll have the opportunity to bid on your favorite bakery at the pie and cake auction. You will also be able to buy chances on the gift basket auction, have your portrait done by our caricature artist, and ride the Euclid Beach Rocketship.

St. John of The Cross Catholic parish was the first of Euclid’s three new parishes to merge, following the Cleveland diocese’s almost two-year clustering efforts. Father Sal Ruggeri, as the newly appointed pastor, has many goals for this new parish; “Christ’s vision was the Great Commission, which tells us, as Christians, to go forth and spread the Good News. This should be what drives everything that we do. With this at the heart of our purpose for existence, we believe God’s vision for us is to be ‘a caring community,’ committed to providing an environment where all, including children and young people, adults and seniors can meet Christ and grow in their faith.”

The Euclid Observer featured the merged Catholic parish of Saints Robert and William last month. This month, the Euclid Observer shares the progress of the merger of the St. Christine and Holy Cross parishes, which culminated in the celebration of the inaugural mass for the new formed parish of Our Lady of the Lake on Feb. 14. Father Joseph Fortuna, the pastor of Our Lady of the Lake, has been working closely with staff and parishioners to move toward what he said will be a “new normal.”

Alleluia! is the song of the recent Easter Season, a season of hope and joy, a sign of spring and of rebirth. These words also aptly describe the newly-formed Catholic parishes in the City of Euclid. In the last several months, six churches have restructured to form three new parishes.

Father John D. Betters is the 34-year-old, energetic founding pastor of Ss. Robert and William Catholic Parish, formed from the merger of St. Robert and St. William churches. He brings a fresh, welcome enthusiasm to this inner-ring suburban church.