Beloved Family:
As we mark Trinity Sunday, we reaffirm the identity of God revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the desire of each of those persons to be in a living relationship with us. As we simultaneously mark Father’s Day on the same weekend, I thought it might be a good time to update the Saint Mary Parish community on the journeys of several priests— spiritual fathers— who have been a part of our lives over the years. Some of these progressions and transitions have been published elsewhere (name in the Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine that comes to registered households). However, it does not hurt to repeat information that can be missed, for one reason or another.
First, at the end of June, Fr. Daniel Reed (Parochial Vicar, 2004-2009) enters retirement. He has served the community of Saint Martin of Tours, Valley City, since 2018. He will be succeeded by Fr. William Thaden, with whom I overlapped some years in the seminary and who has been a part of a priest prayer group with me for many years. It will be good to welcome Fr. Bill to the deanery, and we hope that Fr. Dan will not be a stranger as he enters this new phase.
Fr. Christopher Trenta, Parochial Vicar at Saint Mary from 2009-2013, subsequently pursued advanced studies in Rome and is now on the faculty of Saint Mary Seminary. This means he is playing a significant role in the liturgical formation of our deacons and all the seminarians. We are happy to welcome him back for morning Mass here this weekend.
You may recall that Fr. Augustine Lee, who was with us a very short two years, also was sent to Rome by the bishop of his home diocese, Daegu, South Korea, made a brief visit just prior to Christmas this past December. We hope that in the not-too-distant-future, we may be able to host him again.
Fr. Joseph Seebauer, whose first assignment at Saint Mary was abbreviated because he was named pastor of two parishes in Bedford, Saint Mary and Our Lady of Hope, has recently seen through the merging of the two parishes. This cannot be an easy transition for the people of those parishes, as we know how closely so many of us associate our faith with a particular physical space. We pray for the Catholics in that area, and for Fr. Joe in his pastoring.
Fr. Rich Samide, whose assignment as Parochial Vicar of Saint Mary was followed by becoming Parochial Vicar of Saint Angela Merici in Fairview Park, is currently serving as Administrator during a period where the pastor, Fr. Michael Lanning, is navigating some formidable health issues. No doubt, Fr. Rich is up to the challenge. Nevertheless, please commend both priests and the parish to prayer.
Not to take anything away from Trinity Sunday, yet I want to bring as much attention as possible to the upcoming Solemnity of Corpus Christi, next Sunday (June 22). As in the past two years, so this year the 10 o’clock morning Mass will be immediately followed by a Eucharistic procession in the neighborhood. The multi-year Eucharistic Revival may be formally concluded, but we want continually advance awareness among Catholics of the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives—and share that witness with all people! Once again, the 10 o’clock Mass will include bilingual elements (English and Spanish).
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
