Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Newsletter — November 2021

November 2021

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

Knights of Columbus:

Bringing the Faith Alive in Service and Fraternity

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harity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism — these are the four guiding principles of the Knights of Columbus. Everything that the Immaculate Conception members do falls into one of these categories.

Greg Schmidt has been a Knight for about six years and is currently serving as Grand Knight with our parish’s chapter. For Greg, involvement in the Knights has been an overwhelmingly positive experience — he admits he wishes he would have gotten involved earlier. The organization has been a great way for him to serve both our parish and the greater Willoughby community.

“My dad was always a Knight,” Greg says.

“It meant a lot to me to get involved in honor of my dad.”

Greg has also found the Knights to be a great place to meet other like-minded men and has made lifelong friendships through the organization.

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For one recent project, the Knights partnered with several local organizations to build a women’s center that provides free prenatal care. They also donated funds to purchase ultrasound equipment for the center. Knights members pitched in to help with the construction of the center.

“We try to help out anywhere we can and get done what needs to be done,” Greg says. “Many hands make light work. It’s amazing what happens when you have a bunch of people, with different skills and different gifts, all working together.”

An October spaghetti dinner was the first dinner fundraiser the Knights have had the opportunity to host since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fundraisers support several worthy causes — one being a scholarshiptype program for parents who have more than one student at Mater Dei Academy. continued on page 2

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Knights of Columbus The Knights also installed a Nativity scene in downtown Willoughby each Christmas season — this has been a project for at least 40 years. The Nativity scene can even be seen in the popular movie A Christmas Story.

Recently, the rectory needed a new roof over the entryway. The Knights volunteered their time to complete the project. They also prepare sandwiches for the soup kitchen. In March, they plan to start a men’s weekend retreat.

“We are trying to help people in human needs and help with spiritual growth if we can,” Greg says.

“Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights with this principle. He was looking for ways to help people in his poor parish. He wanted people to look after each other and that’s what we do.”

As Greg notes, being a member of the Knights has given him more trust in the Lord. In times that he has assisted with big projects, he wondered how they would get done — and the Lord has shown His faithfulness time and time again.

“Our humanity wants to hold us back,” he says.

“When you know the Lord wants you to do something,

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it’s amazing how it gets done. Your faith grows, and you see the amazing things that can happen.”

Greg invites other men of the parish to consider joining the Knights of Columbus. It’s a fun way to meet people — there are monthly business and social meetings — and to give back.

“The Knights is a great way to offer your time, talent, and resources,” Greg says. “If you are interested in living out your service to Christ, this is a great way to do that.”

“We try to help out anywhere we can and get done what needs to be done. Many hands make light work. It’s amazing what happens when you have a bunch of people, with different skills and different gifts, all working together.”

— G reg S chmidt

If you would like to learn more about the Immaculate Conception Knights of Columbus, please contact Greg Schmidt at 440-479-6234 or justgregjts@gmail.com.

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A Letter From Our Pastor

Giving Thanks to God for the

Dear Parishioners,

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Gift of Time

he next several weeks are certainly a busy time for us as Catholics, good stewards, good citizens, and faithful members of the Church and our parish. There are celebrations and commemorations both inside and outside the Church that are momentous in terms of faith, citizenship, and living as people of thanksgiving and gratitude.

We celebrate Veterans Day to honor and thank all those men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces in one capacity or another.

Indicative of the importance of this day, every year at 11 a.m. Eastern, the President of the United States lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

We all understand that Americans celebrate a day of Thanksgiving on Nov. 25. What more can we say about this? It is a day that was based in faith from its very beginnings, and it is an indication of how much we have to thank God for in terms of the gifts we have received — our lives, our families, our Church, our Lord and Savior — everything we are and everything we have.

No sooner are Thanksgiving Day celebrations concluded, than we begin that glorious season called Advent on Sunday, Nov. 28. This prepares us for and

leads to Christmas. Indeed, this is both a busy and extraordinary time of year! There is, of course, much more on which we could focus and about which we could think, meditate and pray, but that is more than enough for us to consider and absorb.

From a stewardship perspective, I would like you to not only participate and focus on all the particular things that are about to happen, but also on one of our special gifts — the gift of time. The gift of time, which we all receive from God in equal amount, is precious because it is a nonrenewable resource. Although some of our time is committed because of family responsibilities, work responsibilities or simply personal needs, we have an element of freewill with how we spend a certain amount of it. We need to spend some of that time in prayer, in thanksgiving, in worship, and in works of mercy and ministry. Our time is perhaps more precious than any material gifts we receive from the Lord. How are we doing with that gift?

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Michael Troha

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Honoring Our PARISH VETERANS for Living

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LIVES OF STEWARDSHIP

s we walk down the streets of our cities and towns, the great majority of us feel relatively safe, comfortable, and free. This sense of security, however, is not something we should take for granted. Much of it has been won for us by the blood, sweat, and tears of our veterans. At our parish, we are blessed to have several veterans among us, including Bruce Trolli, John Perry, Patricia Livingston, Dominic and Mary Federico, George Kochik, and Brent Woerner.

Coming from all walks of life, they joined the military for different reasons.

“Needing help with college tuition, I enrolled in the Army Student Nurse program and became an Army Nurse after graduation,” Patricia Livingston says. “Army Nursing, as a caring profession, was a natural outcome of my faith, which calls us to care for and serve others, including members of the military and their families. After seven years, I left active duty but continued in the Reserves for several more.”

Throughout their time of service, many veterans have felt that the presence of God was with them in a mighty powerful way — one they will never forget.

“When deployed to Iraq, I carried the same pocket Bible that my father took to Korea,” says Brent Woerner, who served as Commander of the Willoughby American Legion. “It was over my heart every day I put on the uniform. I knew that if I had it, God would be with me every day. Having weekly Mass gave us time to reflect and pray as well.”

Looking back, veterans such as George Kochik believe that prayers offered for them on the home front were more than answered.

“I spent almost eight years in the Navy — two years serving in schools; three-and-a-half years of sea duty; and two years of shore duty in the USA,” George says. “Even though the ship I served on was built for duty in Vietnam, I was fortunate not to serve in a war zone during my time in service. To this day I believe my parents’ prayers helped change the ship’s destination overnight from Guam/Vietnam to Naples, Italy.”

Furthermore, by giving themselves most generously in service to our nation and our world, they discovered the true meaning of stewardship in an extraordinary way.

“As far as stewardship goes, being in the military taught me discipline in both my personal and professional life,” Brent says.

As a sort of “training ground” for their heart, their time in active service helped them grow in charity, a virtue which they continued to practice long after leaving the military.

“To this day, I continue to provide time and talent to the church by volunteering with various functions and ministries,” Brent says.

According to Patricia, the desire to help others didn’t fade away after she left the Army.

“After I finished up with the Army Reserves, I continued serving as a nurse in the civilian world for over 30 years,” she says. “Then after retiring, I found myself wanting to continue to serve. Two members of this parish invited me to join them in the Society of Mother Teresa, so I did. And my love of singing brought me to the Adult Choir. Thus, I am continuing to give some of my time and talent to stewardship efforts.” continued on page 5

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Honoring Our Parish Veterans Amazingly, some of them even find opportunities to reach out to other veterans in need.

“Today, I volunteer at our local hospital (Lake West Medical),” George says. “There, as a veteran, I am honored to visit the veterans we serve in order to thank them on behalf of the hospital staff for their service to our country and to spend time visiting with them. Our volunteer ladies and gentlemen knit, crochet, or quilt patriotic red, white, and blue blankets which they give to the veterans along with their prayers for their speedy recovery.”

As we celebrate Veteran’s Day this November 11, let us keep our veterans in our heartfelt prayers, that God may bless them for all of the heroic sacrifices they have made for our beloved nation.

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“After I finished up with the Army Reserves, I continued serving as a nurse in the civilian world for over 30 years. Then after retiring, I found myself wanting to continue to serve. Two members of this parish invited me to join them in the Society of Mother Teresa, so I did. And my love of singing brought me to the Adult Choir.

Thus, I am continuing to give some of my time and talent to stewardship efforts.”

— Patricia Livingston

Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC

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Teaching Our Children the True Meaning of Stewardship

hat is your response when someone compliments your child’s achievements in art, music or sports? Do you say “thank you” as a kind response, or do you thank God for granting your child the gifts necessary for success?

As parents, we serve as the primary educators of our children. Teaching them from a young age that their talents — whether in soccer, chorus or painting — come not from us, but from God, is essential to teaching stewardship. God graciously grants each of us unique skills and abilities, and it is our job to use those gifts to glorify Him. As parents, aunts, uncles, or older siblings, we can guide children in our lives to recognize their God-given gifts. We can further encourage children to use God’s gifts to their full potential, and then thank Him for bestowing them. This teaches young Catholics how to be good stewards. Indeed, not utilizing our talents brings to mind the parable of the servant who buries the treasure his master gives him, instead of using it to create more treasure. God wants us to use our talents wisely and thankfully.

Teaching children to utilize their talents to build God’s kingdom is only one step of the threefold stewardship message. How your children spend their time is also important. As we move through the hustle and bustle of our day — balancing school, chores and extracurricular activities — do we find time to spend with God? It often seems as if 24 hours is not long enough to fulfill our many daily tasks.

So, how can we find the time to teach and demonstrate the importance of sharing our time with God? Simple time offerings include praying on the way to school, stopping by the church to pray for a friend in need, or thanking God for a good outcome on a test. Even learning about a saint over dinner and praying as a family before bedtime can be a valuable time offering to the Lord.

As parents, finding daily prayer time ourselves is also necessary, both for our roles as good stewards and as an example to our children. How wonderful for a child to witness their parent in quiet prayer devotion!

The third tier of stewardship — treasure — is most frequently overlooked when educating our children.

Birthday money from Grandma and allowance money doesn’t count — or does it?

All gifts we receive are really from God, and the “first fruits” of those gifts should be generously returned to God — even if they come from Grandma.

Starting as early as grade school, children can understand the concept of giving back to the allgiving God if we simply take the opportunity to teach it to them. Witnessing our weekly tithe is a great start, but encouraging them to give in their own children’s offertory envelope is also important. Knowing they are returning to God in thanksgiving will fill them with joy!

Of the many lessons parents instill in their children, teaching them to be good stewards should be a top priority. Our goal as parents is to get our children to heaven to be with our creator, God. Teaching them to be good stewards is a great way to ensure entry.

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The Importance of Loving God

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More Deeply at Mass

hen young people see a person that intrigues them, that attraction becomes the topic of conversation at every opportunity. This attraction alters behavior so that we become enthralled with the other and desire to share our enthusiasm.

Imagine if we were more enthralled with the presence of Christ in our lives. Imagine if we fully recognized that Christ is truly present to us in His precious Body and Blood, and present as well in the proclamation of His Word and in the gathering of our community, praying and singing (see Sacrosanctum Concilium [Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy], para. 14).

Recognizing the living Christ in all these ways would awaken in us the desire to be with the One who is the object of our most fundamental, pure, and holy attraction to our merciful, loving, and gracious Savior.

If we were to recognize the presence of Christ in these beautiful ways, wouldn’t our desire to be more completely in His presence increase? Surely our desire to be better stewards of our time

with the Lord would grow. Our attention to the readings and other prayers of the Mass would bring about within us deeper communion with the One who suffered and died for us. If I recognized that God is the answer to all my pangs of hunger, that Christ is my way to the Father, and that the Holy Spirit works to convert my heart and soul every day, would I not seek to fill that hunger at the banquet of the Lamb?

While active participation in Sunday Mass is an obligation for Catholics, we also will do well to see the lovely, motherly care the Church shows us in establishing that requirement. The Code of Canon Law states clearly in paragraph 1247, “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.”

Sometimes, we might hear that as an overbearing rule. But it might more correctly be understood as our Mother, the Church, helping us learn what is best for us. At Mass, we hear the living Word of God proclaimed. He speaks to us. We receive as hungry, needy sinners, the precious Body and Blood of

Christ. We encounter Christ’s living presence in our brothers and sisters worshiping God with us. If we truly understood that amazing truth, then how might it affect our lives? How might it affect our relationships? How might it impact our decision to bring our children along to Mass? How might it awaken within us a deeper attraction, fascination, desire for the Lord?

Generally, when we find ourselves fascinated with someone, we do not decide to spend as little time as possible with them. We do not ration our time with them. We want to spend time with them, to see them, to listen to them, to get to know them, to develop a healthy, loving relationship with them.

Considering our reliance on the Lord of life and love, our fascination with His mercy, His goodness, His willingness to call us to Himself, maybe we should ask ourselves about what happens in us at Mass. As I prepare to come to Church, do I find my mind turning to a receptive welcome of the Lord, just as I’ll be welcomed at the door of Church? Have I dressed for the important weekly (or daily) continued on back cover

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Loving God More Deeply at Mass moment of meeting my King? Do I expect some profound wisdom from God in the readings? Am I open to correction, to challenge, to affirmation in the readings of God’s Word? Do I intently pray along with the priest presider throughout the Mass? Do I make an offering of my life, along with the bread and wine? Do I genuinely hunger for the Body and Blood of Christ? And do I long for that blessing that sends me on my way with the mission to build the Kingdom?

Instead of worrying about what “counts” when it comes to Sunday Mass, maybe we should work hard at fostering our love for the Eucharist, our desire for eternal life, our attraction to the Master who calls us into a life of active discipleship. Instead of a merely heavy-handed requirement, maybe we can see more clearly that being at Mass together helps nourish us for a whole week of building God’s Kingdom.

Coming with those expectations, desires, and hopes, leaving early when unnecessary would disappear as a temptation instantly. Coming late because other things have taken priority would not typically happen, other obligations notwithstanding. Christ desires our company at Mass, from beginning to end. Let’s draw near to Him.

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