Rev. Kevin McCaffrey - Pastor
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Welcome to Our Parish!
Fr. Kevin McCaffrey |
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The Week Ahead
Monday, July 15, 2019
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Friday, July 19, 2019
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Sunday, July 21, 2019
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Divine Mercy. Lord, I Trust In You!
WE NEED ADORERS FOR THE FOLLOWING DAYS/TIMES: Tuesday: 12 noon (Temporary)and 11 p.m. Friday: 11 a.m. Please call the Parish Office if you can help. 330-854-2332 |
Look below for more exciting things going on in the Parish & School!
Encountering God In Daily Life
Personal Stories about Encounters with God
God's Presence in the Silence
In the mid 70's, I worked at the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Plant 1, in Akron. Back in the day, these factories were quite huge, with Firestone employing over 3,000 in its 3 Akron faciliites.
To fully appreciate what our Good Lord did on this day, I need to briefly set the stage. I was one of three production supervisors working in the curing room. The curing room is where the raw or "green" tires are vulcanized. This room took up the entire first floor of the plant, housing approximately 80 curing presses which handled large truck and aircraft tires. The constant noise was deafening. Communicating with someone was done by talking (actually shouting) directly into their ear, or via an intercom system that was set up to be louder than the roar of the plant. Although we had a small office on a mezzanine level overlooking the production floor, the three of us spent most of our time on the floor. Office time was usually for writing end of shift reports, an occasional break, or lunch, and turning the shift over to the next crew.
The office provided some noise relief, although the dampened roar could still be heard and felt through the glass walls, along with the never ending intercom calls. The office also had a constant banging of teletype machines (keep in mind this is the 70's!), along with phones that rang almost continuously.
My two co-supervisors were both good guys. Garland was a good Christian, while John did not have Our Lord in his life. Sometimes at the end of our shift, if we had our reports finished and were waiting for the next shift supervisors to arrive, Garland would ask John if he was ready to ask the Lord into his life, keeping the conversation light-hearted so as not to turn John off to this topic. When the times dictated, I would also share what it's like having the Lord in my life.
This went on for some time, until one day, at the end of our shift, John said he thought he was ready to ask the Lord into his life. Garland and I were thrilled to hear John say this. The three of us moved our chairs close together so that we could hold hands while Garland led a prayer on John's behalf.
Although I don't remember the entire prayer, I remember that we bowed our heads as Garland asked the Lord to send His Spirit down upon us as John accepted Him as his personal savior. This didn't last but a few minutes, during which I felt God's overwhelming presence with us in that office. I opened my eyes, which were filled with tears, after Garland's short prayer and saw that he and John also also had tears running down their faces, along with such peaceful smiles. What we failed to notice during our intimate time with God was the total silence in the office, no roar to be heard or felt, no teletypes banging away, and no phones ringing. Only after our prayer did we realize this silence, at which moment EVERYTHING returned to its full sound. We just looked at each other, speechless, as we realized He made the silence while He was there with us.
~John Varga
In the mid 70's, I worked at the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Plant 1, in Akron. Back in the day, these factories were quite huge, with Firestone employing over 3,000 in its 3 Akron faciliites.
To fully appreciate what our Good Lord did on this day, I need to briefly set the stage. I was one of three production supervisors working in the curing room. The curing room is where the raw or "green" tires are vulcanized. This room took up the entire first floor of the plant, housing approximately 80 curing presses which handled large truck and aircraft tires. The constant noise was deafening. Communicating with someone was done by talking (actually shouting) directly into their ear, or via an intercom system that was set up to be louder than the roar of the plant. Although we had a small office on a mezzanine level overlooking the production floor, the three of us spent most of our time on the floor. Office time was usually for writing end of shift reports, an occasional break, or lunch, and turning the shift over to the next crew.
The office provided some noise relief, although the dampened roar could still be heard and felt through the glass walls, along with the never ending intercom calls. The office also had a constant banging of teletype machines (keep in mind this is the 70's!), along with phones that rang almost continuously.
My two co-supervisors were both good guys. Garland was a good Christian, while John did not have Our Lord in his life. Sometimes at the end of our shift, if we had our reports finished and were waiting for the next shift supervisors to arrive, Garland would ask John if he was ready to ask the Lord into his life, keeping the conversation light-hearted so as not to turn John off to this topic. When the times dictated, I would also share what it's like having the Lord in my life.
This went on for some time, until one day, at the end of our shift, John said he thought he was ready to ask the Lord into his life. Garland and I were thrilled to hear John say this. The three of us moved our chairs close together so that we could hold hands while Garland led a prayer on John's behalf.
Although I don't remember the entire prayer, I remember that we bowed our heads as Garland asked the Lord to send His Spirit down upon us as John accepted Him as his personal savior. This didn't last but a few minutes, during which I felt God's overwhelming presence with us in that office. I opened my eyes, which were filled with tears, after Garland's short prayer and saw that he and John also also had tears running down their faces, along with such peaceful smiles. What we failed to notice during our intimate time with God was the total silence in the office, no roar to be heard or felt, no teletypes banging away, and no phones ringing. Only after our prayer did we realize this silence, at which moment EVERYTHING returned to its full sound. We just looked at each other, speechless, as we realized He made the silence while He was there with us.
~John Varga
If you have had an experience of God, we want to hear about it! Please contact the rectory so we can add it to the bulletin and the website!
God Bless!
To read more Encounters with God click below
God Bless!
To read more Encounters with God click below
New Learning Corner
Welcome to our new Learning Corner where we will talk about different aspects of the Catholic Faith or Mass each week. On our first installment we feature Brother Casey, as he explains the introductory rites of the Mass. You can either scan the QRL code below with your camera on your phone (it will then open up the video in YouTube) or you can click the link below.
To see previous Learning Corner Codes and Links, please click on the box below.
Garage Sale
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SPJ Youth Group will be collecting donations for the garage sale to be held June 20, 21, and 22, in the Parish Social Hall. Proceeds from the sale will help defray the participants' costs, who will be attending the Kentucky Mission Trip. If you have any items to donate, contact Jackie Prosise via e-mail, bjprosise@sssnet.com or call 330-268-3227 for pick-up arrangements.
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ATTN: ALL RUNNERS AND WALKERS - SPJ SMART RUN & WALK IS COMING!
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THE 2ND ANNUAL SPJ SMART RUN ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2019 @ 8 AM
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT SPJ SCHOOL REGISTER AT: https://register.chronotrack.com/r/51003 CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE ALL THE INFORMATION |
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R.C.I.A.
Interested in learning more about our Catholic faith? Classes are open to any Catholic interested in learning more about his or her faith, as well as any non-Catholic interested in learning about the Catholic Church. There is never any pressure put on anyone to become Catholic; that is a work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s soul. If you know anyone interested in the Catholic faith, please invite him or her to the classes. If you plan to attend, or if you have any questions, please call Fr. Kevin at 330.854.2332.
Interested in learning more about our Catholic faith? Classes are open to any Catholic interested in learning more about his or her faith, as well as any non-Catholic interested in learning about the Catholic Church. There is never any pressure put on anyone to become Catholic; that is a work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s soul. If you know anyone interested in the Catholic faith, please invite him or her to the classes. If you plan to attend, or if you have any questions, please call Fr. Kevin at 330.854.2332.
Holy Hour
Holy Hour. Just one hour with Jesus. The time goes by so fast. There are two book cases in the Peace Chapel. One holds mostly Bibles and references. The other is an assortment of works, from different cenfuries, written for different audiences. I read because that way I won't fall asleep, and imagine myself being chided by Jesus, "Could you not stay awake with me for one hour?" Though there are times when, without a book to read, I have slept. When the words from a book leap out at me, I pause and meditate on what they say. I repeat the words out loud, quietly, and let them sink in deeply. The Imitation of Christ. a book which inspired St. Therese, the Little Flower, written between "1478-7427 by Thomas a' Kempis, sits on the shelf. About 10 books down is one of Matthew Kelly's newer books, written within the past five years. At Holy Hour, you never know what book you will find, or which book will find you. It will be the right book. How do I know? Because the books that find me answer the questions that only God knows I asked. And when that happens, which is often, I am reminded that I am not alone in the chapel. And I am tremendously humbled. Never think for one second that you aren't holy enough to make a Holy Hour. Never think that those who seem more saintly than you belong there, rather than you. Holy Hour changes people. It changes their thinking; it changes their lives. And where else can you get the answers to questions that only God knows you asked? Try it. Make a Holy Hour.
Karen Nelsen
Holy Hour. Just one hour with Jesus. The time goes by so fast. There are two book cases in the Peace Chapel. One holds mostly Bibles and references. The other is an assortment of works, from different cenfuries, written for different audiences. I read because that way I won't fall asleep, and imagine myself being chided by Jesus, "Could you not stay awake with me for one hour?" Though there are times when, without a book to read, I have slept. When the words from a book leap out at me, I pause and meditate on what they say. I repeat the words out loud, quietly, and let them sink in deeply. The Imitation of Christ. a book which inspired St. Therese, the Little Flower, written between "1478-7427 by Thomas a' Kempis, sits on the shelf. About 10 books down is one of Matthew Kelly's newer books, written within the past five years. At Holy Hour, you never know what book you will find, or which book will find you. It will be the right book. How do I know? Because the books that find me answer the questions that only God knows I asked. And when that happens, which is often, I am reminded that I am not alone in the chapel. And I am tremendously humbled. Never think for one second that you aren't holy enough to make a Holy Hour. Never think that those who seem more saintly than you belong there, rather than you. Holy Hour changes people. It changes their thinking; it changes their lives. And where else can you get the answers to questions that only God knows you asked? Try it. Make a Holy Hour.
Karen Nelsen
Prayer for Our Parish
(As Composed by Parish Council)
Heavenly Father, You have called each of us to be a member of SS. Philip & James Parish. Here we unite in worship, and are sent forth to share Your love and make disciples. Lord, we long for our parish to be so on fire that we draw people to You. Empower us with Your Holy Spirit as we strive to work together in this most important mission. Please make our parish amazing, through Your infinite power and grace.
Amen.
(As Composed by Parish Council)
Heavenly Father, You have called each of us to be a member of SS. Philip & James Parish. Here we unite in worship, and are sent forth to share Your love and make disciples. Lord, we long for our parish to be so on fire that we draw people to You. Empower us with Your Holy Spirit as we strive to work together in this most important mission. Please make our parish amazing, through Your infinite power and grace.
Amen.