Friday, March 29
8:30AM Morning Prayer
3:00PM Stations of the Cross both inside church and through the neighborhood
7:00PM Good Friday of the Passion of The Lord (Central Liturgy of the Day)
Saturday, March 30
8:30AM Morning Prayer
3:00 PM Blessing of Easter Baskets/Food
No Confessions Today
9:00PM Easter Vigil in the Holy Night
Sunday, March 31 Easter Sunday
8:00 & 10:00 AM Mass
12:00 Noon Mass
What: The SonWest Roundup Vacation Bible School
Where: St. Brendan Parish
When: June 24-28, 2013 from 9:30am-noon
Who: Children who will be in 4-year-old Preschool through 6th grade during the 2013-2014 academic year.
Cost: $25.00 per child
Completed Registration Forms are due FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2013! - VBS Registration Form 2013
Questions: Contact the Religious Education Office: (440)777-3702 or stbrendanreo@yahoo.com.
Church doors are a entryway from the outside world into God’s house. With that being said, the doors themselves should be impressive and strong. “These sacred portals enhance the religious experience and should not be overlooked in the design of newer places of worship” -God’s House is Our House.
We are excited to share our new church door with the world, and we are proud of Henniger’s craftsman and women who constructed them. Please take a look at this article on their website about the design and construction of the doors and the stained glass.
Read more on their website here: http://www.henningersinc.blogspot.com/
All children who will be entering Kindergarten in fall 2013 are invited to an Enrichment Day on March 2nd from 10 am to 12 pm at St. Brendan School. Activities will include: science experiments, language arts, interactive smartboard math games, and art. This program is designed to introduce children to both Kindergarten skills and the fun of Kindergarten! There is no cost for this program, but space is limited. For more information or to RSVP, please contact the school office (440.777.8433) or email Principal Julie Onacila (jonacila@stbrendannortholmsted.org.)
The students in the PSR Program and the day school will continue their yearly focus of devotions during the Lenten Season.
In February we will take a closer look at the Apostles’ Creed. The students in PSR will write “I believe” statements that reflect the apostolic teachings. Students in the day school will be making an all school mural that will capture each line of the Creed in pictures. The home connection will include each family receiving information about the Creed and a copy of the fundamental doctrines.
Our March devotional study is going to focus on St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. The students in both the PSR Program and the day school will study the Litany of St. Joseph and learn the meaning of his many titles. Together we will create a picture gallery of illustrations depicting each of St. Joseph’s titles that will be displayed in the school. Each family will receive a copy of the Litany of St. Joseph to be prayed together at home.
The Ohio Catholic State Accreditation is a multi-step, two-year process, which we enter into every six years. In year one we begin with an in-depth self-study. The faculty & staff measure the quality of our existing programs and identify means and methods for attaining even higher levels of performance. We collect and analyze data (i.e. parent, student, and faculty surveys, standardized test scores), to determine our areas of strengths and areas for improvement. A strategic School Improvement Plan is formulated for continuous advancement in Catholic Identity and Student Learning.
St. Brendan school faculty and staff met on a regular and on-going basis throughout the 2011-2012 school year to draft the Plan. We formulated goals, strategies (based on research and best practices), and determined the means and documentation for assessing the goals. The plan must go beyond current practice, be sustainable and be measurable. The goals and strategies simply stated are as follows:
Student Performance Goal: Increase reading comprehension by implementing best practices in reading strategies that are consistent with the Common Core State Standards, 21st Century Learning, and technology.
Catholic Identity Goal: Increase faith literacy through the use of varied instructional approaches to teach Catholic terminology, advance student development on how to reflect on liturgical readings and how to apply Scriptural messages in their daily lives.
The process this school year involved preparing for and then having the Internal Validation. This visit is from the Western Area, Assistant Superintendent of the Diocese of Cleveland. The purpose is to thoroughly review and verify that all needed documentation is in accordance with the State Operating Standards and to provide feedback to confirm our readiness for the next phase. Our Internal Validation visit occurred in November 2012 and all necessary documentation was found to be in order and thorough.
In January 2013 we had a two-day visit from an External Validation Team (EVT). The EVT is comprised of a State appointed chairperson from another Diocese and four area Diocesan school principals. Their role is to look at the plan and determine if: (1) there is clarity from an outside perspective, (2) research to support the goals, (3) provide constructive feedback for revision, (4) the plan’s strategies follow a logical order and extend existing programs and practices. To sum up the objective of the visit, it was plainly put by a student that they come to “peer edit” our work.
After the EVT’s suggested revisions are implemented (or not), the plan is submitted to the Cleveland Diocesan Office of Catholic Formation and Education to review the overall improvement plan one more time to ensure that all of the necessary paperwork is in order before sending it to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). Our plan will be sent to Columbus by April 15th for review. First, a committee of principals will read the plan with a critical eye. If the plan meets the established criteria it is approved and then goes on to the next level, which is for the Ohio, Diocesan Superintendents to read. Schools receive Full Accreditation, Full Accreditation with conditions or Accreditation denied.
Results are communicated in late May. With the approval of the State, the plan will be implemented in August and continue over the next four years to enhance and enrich our educational plan.
Tuesday, February 12
The children of the school will put the “Alleluia” to rest for the 40 days and 40 nights of our Lenten Observance. It is a way to remind us that we fast (or go without) this hymn of celebration until it is proclaimed at the Easter Vigil.
Ash Wednesday, February 13
Daily Eucharist
Sunday Eucharist
Stations of the Cross
9:15AM the children of the school lead our Stations of the Cross
7:00PM one of the parish priests leads the stations with musical accompaniment
Confession
Little Black Books
Women’s Day of Reflection
Men’s Day of Reflection with Bishop Pevec
(Sponsored by St. Brendan Holy Name Society)
CATHOLIC EDUCATION AND WEEKEND MASS
What is the success of Catholic Education? As we conclude Catholic Schools
Week today, it’s a good question to ask. The success of Catholic Education comes
down to one word: FAITHFULNESS. One of the best ways for our faith to be
integrated and instilled within our lives is through our presence and participation in
weekend Mass. Our many ways of providing Catholic Education through
St. Brendan School or our Parish School of Religion (PSR) or Keepin’ the Faith or
SPY supports this reality. If these programs are going to be “successful” or even
better, “faith-filled,” then they will support parents and their home life in making
the weekend celebration of Eucharist a priority.
WHY WEEKEND MASS?
The Lord’s Day has been placed on our calendars and in our schedules since the
moment of creation, since the beginning of the world – long before sports practices
were ever scheduled. On the last day of creation, God rested. It was a day in which
God, in a sense, sat back and took in, absorbed, admired, and grew in gratitude for
all that was made. From the beginning that day of creation has been called, “The
Day of the Lord.” It was also on this day of rest, that Jesus, the Son of God, came
forward from his rest in a dark and deadly tomb and brought forth a new creation
called the Resurrection. Since the beginning of creation to the Resurrection of
re-creation, this day has been known as “The Day of the Lord.” It is not “My
Day” – it is God’s Day. So, when Sunday is upon us there should be no surprise as
to what we are called to do.
For our Jewish ancestors they kept the commandment of keeping this day holy.
This has been passed on to us. For centuries, since Apostolic times, Christians
have gathered on Sunday to keep this day holy. In observing this day, they in turn
were kept holy as well. If they persevered in faithfulness, they were preserved in
faithfulness. The same holds true today. If we persevere in faithfulness then we
too will be preserved in faithfulness. Our presence and participation at Eucharist
will help us to persevere and to be preserved in God’s guidance and in God’s way.
So, when Sunday is upon us there should be no surprise as to what we are called to
do.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION AT ST. BRENDAN AND WEEKEND MASS
All of our religious education programs support parents and their home life in
assisting and empowering families in their faithfulness. Children are taught over
and over again the priority of our weekend celebration of the Eucharist. They are
taught that this is the place and time to come and offer, first and foremost, their
thanks to God. In giving God thanks it makes children more aware of having an
attitude of gratitude in all of life. We celebrate at various times throughout the
year the Sacrament of Reconciliation. When children experience the Lord’s mercy
and help in this Sacrament, it makes children all that more able to forgive and
show mercy at other moments in life. When we celebrate Eucharist, which means
listening to God speak to us in Scripture, praying for the needs of one another,
calling and invoking the Spirit, offering praise through hymns and prayers, doing
what Jesus did in remembrance of him (just to name a few) … it makes children
better listeners for God’s voice at every moment of their life, compassionate to the
needs of others, more comfortable to rely on a power greater than themselves, able
to give of themselves through songs and prayer, being able to remember and never
forget someone so great as Jesus in our midst today.
When you choose Catholic Education, you choose to support this in your home life
and so much more. Our presence and participation in the weekend celebration of
the Eucharist is really the only way we will be successful here at St Brendan …
better yet, it’s the only way we will ever remain faithful.
Peace in this Year of Faith,
Fr. Tom
This is a great question to ask at the beginning of Catholic Schools Week which
begins today. Selecting a school for children is a major decision in the lives of
parents. The families in our parish have many viable options. St. Brendan School
is one of those options.
EARLY DAYS
Fr. Kenny, our founding pastor, lived at a time that when a parish was established
a school would be built as well. As those early years of our parish and school
developed, we were in the middle of a booming neighborhood that was primarily
young and Catholic. St. Brendan School housed 600 students who were taught by
several religious sisters and some lay teachers. The purpose of the Catholic school
was to provide a quality academic education while integrating faith and moral
formation into the lives of the children. A Catholic School would assist in passing
the faith traditions onto the next generation. I share this to remind everyone that
from the very beginning a school has been part of our parish culture and
atmosphere. From our foundation having a parish school has been part of our
parish’s daily work and a value that has responded to the signs of the times.
TODAY
St. Brendan School over the years and especially today has responded to the call to
provide a solid foundation for our children in many ways. We continue to strive
for excellence in teaching. Our teachers are immersed in current methods of
education and are given resources to further their own intellectual and faith
development. This provides a foundation of learning in the classroom that is both
quality and engaging.
This year will bring us to the conclusion of a very thorough accreditation process.
Our plan has been reviewed collectively by several area principals along with a
neutral Diocesan appointed chairperson from the Youngstown Diocese. When we
gain approval of our plan from the Ohio Department of Education, we will be
ready to implement our School Improvement Plan in the fall. A summary of the
plan can be found on our school website.
St. Brendan School also has the privilege of making our faith traditions central to
who we are. We make the weekend Eucharistic celebration as a parish community
“the source and summit” of our spiritual lives. From this encounter with Christ,
we are able to do faith formation with the whole family as we do Sacramental
preparation and as we implement yearly liturgical themes. This year we are
developing and exploring many facets of devotions, most recently The Epiphany
House Blessing. School Masses are celebrated to help foster participation and
presence at weekend Mass. We take up the joy and challenge of preparing our
students to be good Christians and faithful disciples which will only empower
them to be a great influence as they move into high school and ultimately into our
society as a whole.
THE FUTURE
For our future growth and development, one piece that we have in place is the
School Advancement Team. This is a team of people who are parishioners who
want to be involved in the school as well as some of our school families.
Several of the people involved are professionals who are knowledgeable in
education, business, and finance. This team of people do work in advancing five
areas of our school: Public Relations, Marketing, Technology, Fund Raising and
Development, and Alumni Relations. This consultative team to the Pastor and
Principal have done great work in these areas. There is still more work to be done,
and we look forward to any parishioner or school family to join in building up
what we have valued from the beginning, a quality Catholic education that is both
academically challenging and spiritually rewarding.
Peace to you in this Year of Faith,
Fr. Tom
The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) has been well into the work of the year. We are
looking to our future. In June, 2014 St. Brendan Parish will be 50 years young.
Our 45th Anniversary was a great celebration of our past. We told our parish story
in many ways and through the witness of many people. We gathered for several
events and moments to help us pray and socialize. The whole 45th year was a great
way to compile pictures and newsletters and to learn all over again about:
• St. Barrett’s Garage
• Fr. Kenny, Fr. Murray, and the many priests and sisters and lay leaders who were (and some still are) part of the parish
• the large impact of a growing school on the North Olmsted community
• Christ Renews His Parish
• the dynamic Youth Ministry, that is ongoing
• seminarians who came to us for parish formation
• the church which is now the Fr. Kenny Center
• the church building we have now and how it came to be
• our involvement in social concerns that took us into places like the Sudan and now Africa.
These are only highlights. The list is ongoing. We celebrated and remembered
and it deepened our belief in what God has created among us as a parish
community.
As we are about to turn 50, it is exciting to begin the process of preparation and
planning. My hope is that we can use our anniversary year to look to our future.
From the Holy Father to our own Bishops in the United States, they are talking
about Evangelization. It is a word that we will be hearing more and more.
Evangelization is the very reason the Church exists. We exist to spread the Good
News and to invite others into it. Evangelization is about each member of
St. Brendan Parish being an instrument of welcome and of invitation. It is about
each member of our community being an instrument of help and compassion. It is
about each member of our community knowing and believing that our personal
time for prayer and our communal time of prayer makes a difference and has an
impact on everyone’s life. Evangelization is about everyone coming face to face
with Christ in the Eucharist that brings us together weekend after weekend and in
the Eucharist we live out day after day. But perhaps, I’m getting a bit ahead of
myself. Pray for the efforts of PPC especially as we team up with our
Evangelization Committee. In turning 50 we look, not only to the years that have
passed, but we also look to what 50 years is creating us to be as we move forward
in God’s grace and love.
IRELAND TRIP
Also, on PPC’s agenda for our 50th Anniversary, we are looking to set sail like
St. Brendan himself, only in reverse. Brendan came from Ireland to America, even
before Christopher Columbus! We are thinking about going from America to
Ireland … and not by boat but by plane. An Ireland trip is in the initial planning
stages for 2014. Let me or any member of PPC know if this strikes an interest in
your future plans. More information needs to be gathered by PPC and more
information will be forthcoming.
Peace in this Year of Faith, Fr. Tom