Faith

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.