Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Newsletter — June 2022

June 2022

oncept Monthly

Newsletter

I m m a c u l a t e C o n c e p t i o n C a t h o l i c C h u rc h

Deacon Fabian Duckhyun Han Welcomed Once Again to Our Parish Community

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ery soon, Immaculate Conception parishioners will be happy to recognize a familiar face around the parish! Deacon Fabian Duckhyun Han, who spent last summer with us as a seminarian, is joining us for his transitional diaconate year beginning May 23.

“I’m very excited,” says Deacon Fabian, who was ordained in April. “Last year I was a seminarian, but this year I'm coming back here as a deacon, so I can do more than last year. Now I can do Baptisms, preaching, marriage, and funeral liturgies.”

In this ministerial role, Deacon Fabian will be able to serve in many capacities around the parish.

“We’re looking forward to having him back," says Fr. Michael Troha. "Everyone is."

Deacon Fabian will enter into parish life in many different areas, assisting our clergy with various liturgies, ministries, community outreach, events, and more. He will once again help out with our annual Vacation Bible School and Oktoberfest programs.

“He is going to enter into the pastoral work of the parish as if he was a newly ordained priest,” says Fr. Troha, adding that there are certain sacraments he cannot perform, such as celebrating Mass and hearing Confessions.

Originally from South Korea, Deacon Fabian joined us last summer as a seminarian. His home Archdiocese of Daegu has a partnership with our diocese, which has allowed him the opportunity to study continued on page 5

37940 Euclid Avenue

Willoughby, OH 44094

Deacon Fabian Duckhyun Han looks forward to seeing all of the parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish, and is excited to journey with our parish family in the months ahead.

440-942-4500

www.immaculate.net

Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC

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STEWARDSHIP

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Keeping Our Stewardship Commitments in the Summertime

he kids are out of school and our fast-paced lives centered on school and youth sports activities have slowed down. Our own internal clocks are now on summer time. We’re ready for a break from our hectic lives.

And while we take vacations and enjoy the leisurely pace of the season, we need to remember that summer is not the time to take a vacation from God. In fact, summer can serve as the perfect opportunity to grow in our relationship with God, especially since most of us have considerably more free time.

So, instead of neglecting our faith due to busy days and late nights, try these simple steps to embrace God during the quieter summer months and during your vacation.

Get More Active in a Parish Ministry The summer is actually a perfect time to get more involved in a parish ministry. Because we no longer have to get the kids to and from school, or get them to sporting events or other activities that normally occur during the school year, our schedules are a bit less cluttered.

Summer is indeed a perfect time to fill some downtime with service to God through ministry and giving of your talents. Take a look through the parish ministries to find something that suits your particular interest or talent.

Vacation Bible School, for Kids and Adults Vacation Bible School is a great way for younger children to learn about God through songs, activities and fellowship. The fun-filled lessons build upon Gospel teachings while keeping kids’ attention. For older children, it is a great opportunity to offer service by being a team leader or assistant. Adults can also help plan, decorate, organize and teach during the week. It’s a wonderful activity for the entire family!

Give Thanks for the Sun Praise God for the sun, time off from school and easygoing days by visiting the adoration chapel to say a quick prayer. Bring a journal or rosary along to help stay focused. Little children can even bring a religious coloring book to give thanks to God on their terms. Or, before heading to the pool, why not attend daily Mass with the kids? It’s a perfect way to start the day and set the tone that — vacation or not — God is still an important part of your family life.

Don’t Take a Vacation from Mass Often while on a vacation away from our parish family, we are not familiar with where to attend Mass. Don’t let that be an obstacle for you. Check out masstimes.org in order to find out where and when to go to Mass. In addition, if you are lodging at a hotel, the concierge will assist you with directions to the nearest Catholic Church.

Summertime Stewardship of Treasure The prime reason for keeping up our pledge all summer is that God doesn’t go on vacation. He continues to sustain us throughout the summer months. He persists in pouring out blessings on us, even during the hottest weather. He keeps on meeting us in His sacramental presence when we go to Mass wherever we travel. As God remains faithful to us during the summer, we are called to be faithful in our commitments to Him and our parish family, even during our vacation time.

So, enjoy the warmer temperatures and the relaxed atmosphere. Just don’t forget Who provides the sun and the sand! And most importantly, remember to take God with you wherever you go on vacation!

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A Letter From Our Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

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Embrace the Holy Spirit

ou’ve all heard homilies about Pentecost, which comes on June 5 this year.

Pentecost was the day when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles while they were gathered for prayer in Jerusalem.

Coming 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, the descent of the Holy Spirit turned the apostles from a collection of fearful followers looking for some direction into a band of courageous witnesses ready to declare their faith in Christ to the whole world.

You’ve heard that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church because that was the day when newly filled with the Holy Spirit, St. Peter preached the first Christian sermon, inviting his hearers to turn to Jesus as their Savior and their Lord. Those who accepted the invitation were baptized and “were added” to the Church (Acts 2:41). That day marked the beginning of the Church’s public mission, which continues to the present.

But the Holy Spirit’s actions in the Church were not limited to the apostles in an ancient time. He remains active down to the present, guiding the pope and the bishops as they go about their work of sanctifying, teaching and ruling in the Church. The Holy Spirit acts in the sacraments to make them effective signs of grace. We see the Holy Spirit’s work in the witness of the saints through whom He continues the work of salvation.

The Spirit, moreover, acts not only in the Church as a corporate body, but also in the lives of individual Christians. We become temples of the Holy Spirit at our Baptism. Then at Confirmation, which is our own personal Pentecost, we receive the seal of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit unites us more closely to Christ, increases the spiritual gifts we have been given, and strengthens us to spread and defend the faith.

Ultimately, Pentecost is more than simply a feast celebrating something that happened a long time ago.

Of course, the coming of the Spirit we read about in Acts 2 took place just once. But the Holy Spirit remains active today, guiding the Church as a whole, but also

working in the life of each individual Christian to make us holy.

Maybe you don’t feel as if the Holy Spirit is working in your life. Well, God the Father gave us free will, so we can choose whether or not we’ll obey Him. And God the Holy Spirit, being united in the one Godhead with the Father and the Son, honors that freedom.

He’ll never force us to turn away from sin or compel us to obey God’s commandments.

The Spirit offers us grace. He will beckon us toward heaven, and occasionally we may feel Him nudging us along, but we always have the freedom to choose God or to reject Him. Perhaps you’ve made a commitment to worship at Mass at least weekly and spend some time each day in prayer. Maybe you have promised to use some of your talents in parish ministries and service to the community. You may even have turned in a card at our last renewal to indicate your pledge of a portion of your treasure to be used in God’s service.

I hope you’ve done all of these. If so, both the Holy Spirit’s grace and your response were involved in your decision. And the Holy Spirit will give you the strength to fulfill your commitments.

This Pentecost, make the Gradual verse we’ll sing just before the Gospel your personal prayer: Alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia.

If you do, you’ll find the Holy Spirit working even more strongly in your life. You’ll be happier, and the world, at least your little corner of it, will be a better place.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Michael Troha

Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC

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CHURCH

Cantors Share Talents in Bringing Prayerful Music to Mass

usic is an incredibly powerful kind of prayer, showing God’s love for us and our love for Him. In Sing to the Lord a New Song: Music in Divine Worship, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops put forth what music should be like during the Mass: “God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God,

“

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Y ou’d be surprised how

far you will come by joining the choir. Maybe you will want to move to leading the congregation as a cantor.

— Mike Kelley, Music Director

Cantor Jan Savaroli

"

the giver of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises.”

Here at Immaculate Conception, we are blessed with 12 cantors who aid in worship at the Saturday 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. Masses. They also serve as the psalmists during the 11 a.m. Mass when the choir sings.

“Cantoring is a time to pray with the parish and lead them through the music of the Mass,” says Mike Kelley, Music Director.

Mike would love to see more people step forward to serve as cantors. Some of our cantors started more than 20 years ago, and others have started just in the past year. Cantors need to be able to hold a tune and mix prayer and music. They also need to have the conviction to lead the congregation in singing.

If you love to sing but aren’t quite ready to cantor, please consider joining the choir, which sings each week at the Sunday 11 a.m. Mass.

Mike especially loves the music at certain liturgies and services — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil are his three favorites.

“People are moved to tears,” he says. “We are stirring emotions and leading people closer to God.” In the end, the goal of the music at Immaculate Conception is to lead people to God. It’s not a performance — it’s to aid the celebration of the liturgy.

“As a cantor, you have to be there spiritually and emotionally,” Mike says. “You are not there to distract. You are there to lead people to Christ.”

Cantor Diana Makr

continued on page 5

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Cantors Share Talents in Bringing Prayerful Music to Mass continued from page 4 Mike invites folks with some singing talent to learn more.

Joining the choir is a great first step to becoming a cantor.

“You’d be surprised how far you will come by joining the choir,” Mike says. “Maybe you will want to move to leading the congregation as a cantor.”

As Mike points out, the music never needs to be perfect.

It’s always a way to lead people toward a richer liturgy.

Cantor Pat Livingston

Cantor Jack Petersen

If you would like to learn more about serving as a cantor, or to join the choir, please contact Mike Kelley at 216-374-8961 or icmusicministry44094@gmail.com.

Deacon Fabian Duckhyun Han here. He will continue his studies while serving as a deacon in our parish this year, then after his ordination will spend his first four years of his priesthood serving in the Diocese of Cleveland.

Deacon Fabian first heard the call to the priesthood when he was an altar server at Mass, following his First Communion. His upbringing in the faith was largely impactful for him and influenced his decision to pursue the priesthood.

“My mother’s side has a long Catholic history," he says. "I’m the seventh-generation Catholic on my mother’s side. There is also one nun and one priest.

When I was a kid, I saw them and that was really helpful to enter this journey. I felt that God was calling me, so I answered.”

Deacon Fabian's journey towards the priesthood has been long, having first entered studies 13 years ago when he began high school. He has faced

continued from front cover

challenges along the way, particularly when he had to leave seminary for a year to recover from brain surgery several years ago.

“My classmates and seminarians, many people around me, they prayed for me," he says. "I got the power to continue this journey again.”

Deacon Fabian looks forward to seeing all of the parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish and is excited to journey with our parish family in the months ahead.

“

I’m very excited.

"

Last year I was a seminarian, but this year I'm coming back here as a deacon.

— Deacon Fabian Duckhyun Han

Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC

O

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The Church, a Universal Family The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

n June 29, Catholics celebrate the feast of two of our Lord’s principal Apostles, foundational human cornerstones of the Church of Rome.

The first missal reading of this feast day tells us of the miraculous deliverance of Peter from prison. This illustrates the concrete fact that despite persecutions, Christ and His chosen followers will be triumphant in this world, and in the world to come.

The second is of Paul summarizing his own “pouring out” of his life as a libation. The way in which he poured it out is overwhelmingly significant — he gave his life as a missionary to gather all nations into God’s unified Kingdom.

The Holy Gospel recounts Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah.

After this confession, the “keys to the Kingdom” were conferred onto him.

These “keys” became the fundamental building block supporting the ordained priesthood and episcopal government of the Church.

In his homily on June 29, 2005, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI shared: “The Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is at the same time a grateful memorial of the great witnesses of Jesus Christ and a solemn confession for the Church — one, holy, catholic and apostolic. It is first and foremost a feast of catholicity.”

The celebration of our catholicity is a celebration of our unity in Christ. This unity endures unto the end, as our strength and fortress in the face of evil and the trials of earthly life.

Sts. Peter and Paul remind us that our faith is founded on something much higher than ourselves, on an entity which raises horizons beyond our human

frailties and imaginings. Our holy faith is founded upon the rock, Jesus Christ.

Pope Emeritus Benedict described further: “When Peter and Paul came to Rome, the Lord on the Cross who had uttered the first line of that Psalm was risen; God’s victory now had to be proclaimed to all the nations...”

Let us embrace all of the graces which these beloved saints have won for us. Let us imitate their example, and so follow Christ with unwavering resolution. As did the Blessed Virgin, let us persevere in serving the one holy, catholic, and apostolic church in all that we say and do.

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Drawing From the Traditions of Spirituality in Our Catholic Church

f you knew that the person who loves you most in the world was longing to spend some time with you, would you want to meet with them? What if this person was also the only one capable of saving your soul for all eternity, not to mention blessing you abundantly on earth?

It would seem ridiculous to say “no” to getting to know them just a little better, right?

That being said, you may wonder how you can best go about getting to know this particular person. To do just that, as Catholics, it is important that we seek out and read things from our Catholic Christian tradition — immersing ourselves in the spiritual works of those who have found Christ in a very deep way in accordance with the Church.

Indeed, there are many great saints who have flowered out of the community of believers, and we can turn to them to get to know God better.

Over the centuries, the Catholic Church has been profoundly touched, enriched and enlightened by spiritual masters whose works are powerful enough to convert souls. It is also important to recognize that the spiritual traditions in the Church express many of the same ideas but in different ways, bearing witness to the ineffable, mosaic-like beauty of Catholicism.

St. Benedict began the first formal monastic tradition in the western Catholic Church, basing it on the Rule of St. Benedict. To this day, Benedictine spirituality is centered around the recitation of the

Liturgy of the Hours, simplicity and the appreciation of the Holy Eucharist.

The Franciscan spiritual tradition began with St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. These saints brought about the Counter-Reformation that still marks the Church with splendor today. St. Francis is widely known for his Gospel-centered living, love of poverty, devotion to Christ Crucified, and mercy for all men and creatures. The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure, as well as The Little Flowers of St. Francis both help one to learn more about this magnificent saint.

Similar to St. Francis, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila also sparked a critical reformation within the Carmelite Order, which later influenced the entire Church in a positive way. Carmelite spirituality is a desert spirituality, which bases itself on silence, deep contemplative prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours, outstanding penance, and various traditional Catholic devotions. The Story of a Soul, which is the autobiography of renowned Carmelite St. Therese of Lisieux, the Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila, and the works of St. John of the Cross all capture the essence of Carmelite spirituality.

Furthermore, Salesian spirituality stems from the great life and work of St. Francis de Sales. The Introduction to the Devout Life is a fantastic primer for those desiring to enter more profoundly into a life of union with Christ. continued on back cover

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Drawing From the Traditions of Spirituality in Our Catholic Church continued from page 7 Ignatian spirituality is known for educating people on the discernment of spirits. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, as well as The Discernment of Spirits by Fr. Timothy Gallagher are excellent resources for learning more about this powerful spiritual tradition.

Last but not least, The Fulfillment of All Desire by Ralph Martin is modern-day spiritual work that can help those who are seeking Christ, to find Him. The rich variety of spiritual traditions we have in the Catholic Church are an indication of how diverse our Church is. There are so many different ways of following Christ and praying — and to do so, we can draw from the spiritual "greats." But of course, we must always pray in the way that God is leading us, in a way that we can truly encounter God in conversation.