Saint Stephen Parish Family est. 1853
Call us: 330-652-4396
Dear Saint Pope John XXIII Parish Family,
I want to first thank everyone for their kind reception last weekend. After talking with a variety of people after each Mass, I know that the greatest point of angst was a concern over Church buildings. It cannot be stressed enough that the bishop is determined that both Church buildings, Saint Stephen Church and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church buildings remain open for the celebration of Sunday and Weekday Masses, as well as other Sacramental celebrations. I believe this determination has brought relief to the vast majority of the Saint Pope John XXIII parish community.
With the concern of Masses and buildings taken care of, now attention needs to turn to the life of the parish,
with respect to organizations, programming, social and service activities, finances, etc. This is where some challenges will present themselves. As I stated in my homily last weekend, the merger of a parish is like a marriage, bringing together different ways of doing things and seeking to create one new family. I also stated that there must be give and take. And of course, this will take time. One matter that must be resolved now is that of our religious education program for the parish. After considerable discussion with the bishop and other members of diocesan staff, it has been determined that there must be one unified program going forward. I understand that not everyone will initially welcome change. I hope and pray that everyone will take some time to pray about the foremost goal, which is the forming of our young people in the practices of our faith. I also want to say that when it comes to matters of sports and other extracurricular activities, as well as various custody agreements, we will seek to work to the best of our ability in each case. In some cases, people will have to make a decision about their priorities and where Church, faith formation, and the sacraments fall within those family priorities.
Beginning Sunday, October 6, 2024, the Parish School of Religion (PSR) for Saint Pope John XXIII Parish will begin. The program will meet from 10:10am – 11:25am in the Mount Carmel Family Center on Erie Street. To accommodate our children and families who choose to worship in the Church building of origin, the Sunday Mass at Mount Carmel will move to 11:30am beginning that Sunday – October 6th. When I speak of give and take, each community that now comprises Saint Pope John XXIII Parish is being asked to make a change. The 20 families that previously met on a weeknight for religious education are being asked to come on Sundays. The 150+ individuals who on average attend the 11am Mass are being asked to come at 11:30am. The 4pm at Mount Carmel and the 9am at Saint Stephen will remain at the current time. A schedule for additional sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation is being planned. Please note that the celebration of First Eucharist will take place in which ever of the two Church buildings the family desires. Confirmation will take place at the Cathedral with Bishop Bonnar and Reconciliation will happen at the combined Advent Reconciliation Service. Please note, if you attend an area Catholic School, the Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated in your parish Church, not the Church attached to your school. Participation in the parish sacramental prep sessions at Saint Pope John XXIII is required.
I am asking any and all individuals who have served as catechists or who would be willing to become a catechist – please contact the parish office at 330-652-5825. I am also asking all families with young people in grades K-8 to either use the registration link included in the bulletin or contact the parish office to register your children for the beginning of the catechetical year. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to move the unified parish of Saint Pope John XXIII forward. May we model ourselves after our patron, who Pope Francis has called “the Pope of Openness to the Holy Spirit.”
God bless you all,
Very Reverend John-Michael Lavelle, D.Min. Parish Administrator
Registration Form - bit.ly/2425spjohn23ccdreg
Medical Form - bit.ly/2425spjohn23ccdmed
To Report Your Child Absent - bit.ly/2425spjohn23ccdabs
Parish School of Religion Update 9/15/2024
