Father Franz on Current Saint Stephen Events
A LETTER FROM THE PASTOR
Dear Parishioners:
In the life of a parish, as in the life of a human being, there ntcessarily occur many changes. Some current examples at St. Stephen's are:
Church-Tower Damage—Lightning struck the church tower on Wednesday, May 31st, damaging a stone finial and part of a railing. Repairs await the completion of the erection of scaffolding. Bids are being sought for the repair of the stone. The lightning also inflicted damage to the circuitry of the church organ and public address system, both of which have already been partially repaired. The insurance of the Diocese of Cleveland is expected to cover the costs of repair.
Vibrant Parish Life Planning—Our parish committee continues to. think about how St. Stephen's will deal with the shortage of priests in the next ten years. Possibilities mentioned include:
(1) Clustering with our neighbor, St. Colman Parish;
(2) Clustering with our suburban partner, St. Bernadette Parish;
(3) Clustering with a group of neighboring parishes, for example, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, La Sagrada Familia, St. Michael the Archangel, and St. Boniface.
Please note that clustering does not involve the closing of parishes, but rather increases working together. Each parish will submit its suggestions for clustering to Bishop Lennon before October 1st of this year. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will guide our planning and that of the other parishes as well.
School Expansion—Due to growing enrollment, it will be necessary for Metro Catholic Parish School to find additional space. After much discussion concerning safety codes and other factors, the school requested that the convent chapel be converted into school space. I gave my permission. Construction is expected to take place this summer.
Change is not always welcome or easy, but let us trust in God's Providence, which will provide what is needed as we move into the
future.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. S. Michael Franz Pastor
Dear Parishioners:
In the life of a parish, as in the life of a human being, there ntcessarily occur many changes. Some current examples at St. Stephen's are:
Church-Tower Damage—Lightning struck the church tower on Wednesday, May 31st, damaging a stone finial and part of a railing. Repairs await the completion of the erection of scaffolding. Bids are being sought for the repair of the stone. The lightning also inflicted damage to the circuitry of the church organ and public address system, both of which have already been partially repaired. The insurance of the Diocese of Cleveland is expected to cover the costs of repair.
Vibrant Parish Life Planning—Our parish committee continues to. think about how St. Stephen's will deal with the shortage of priests in the next ten years. Possibilities mentioned include:
(1) Clustering with our neighbor, St. Colman Parish;
(2) Clustering with our suburban partner, St. Bernadette Parish;
(3) Clustering with a group of neighboring parishes, for example, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, La Sagrada Familia, St. Michael the Archangel, and St. Boniface.
Please note that clustering does not involve the closing of parishes, but rather increases working together. Each parish will submit its suggestions for clustering to Bishop Lennon before October 1st of this year. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will guide our planning and that of the other parishes as well.
School Expansion—Due to growing enrollment, it will be necessary for Metro Catholic Parish School to find additional space. After much discussion concerning safety codes and other factors, the school requested that the convent chapel be converted into school space. I gave my permission. Construction is expected to take place this summer.
Change is not always welcome or easy, but let us trust in God's Providence, which will provide what is needed as we move into the
future.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. S. Michael Franz Pastor
posted by HHAR at 2:20 PM
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