The Closing Rites

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 3:20 Dear Parishioners: You probably notice that we fly two flags in front of the parish office—the flag of the United States and the Vatican flag. That we fly both recognizes that we are citizens of the United States and we are a people of faith. As Catholic Christians, we have dual loyalties. This idea is not something new, it was expressed in the Letter from Diogenes, which was written sometime in the mid-AD 100, which states, Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs. They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life. Their teaching is not based upon reveries inspired by the curiosity of men. Unlike some other people, they champion no purely human doctrine. With regard to dress, food and manner of life in general, they follow the customs of whatever city they happen to be living in, whether it is Greek or foreign. And yet there is something extraordinary about their lives. They live in their own countries as though they were only passing through. They play their full role as citizens, but labor under all the disabilities of aliens. Any country can be their homeland, but for them their homeland, wherever it may be, is a foreign country. We are first and foremost people of faith. Therefore the voice of faith has to speak louder to us than any politician or political party. I have long decried the defining of a moral issue through the questions: “Does my political party agree with this or not?” Instead of: What do the Gospels, the Scriptures, the Catechism, and the Church say about this? If you had gone with the first approach, you will always come into conflict with the Church; if you go with the second, you will always come into conflict with the political. The difference is that the Church speaks with a moral voice. It is not just another political opinion. It is about what is truly right and wrong. It is about the salvation of souls and the salvation of the world. We are to form our consciences by giving Church teaching the benefit of the doubt. Just because the Church says something we find challenging to our beliefs, be it concerning life issues, war, gender, et al., that we personally disagree with does not allow us to discount the Church’s teaching or the authority of the Church to speak on it. When one of our political leaders disagree with Church teaching, we are reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy: “First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.” — (1 Timothy 2:1-4) We pray for them that they may know the Truth. This world and its political divisions and ideologies are transitory, the Kingdom of God is eternal. St. Thomas More just before his execution for refusing to assent to Henry VIII’s claim that Henry was the head of the Church in England, stated:  “I die the king’s good servant, and God’s first.” The best way we serve our nation is by serving God first. In that way, our loyalties become united in serving the common good. Sincerely, Rev. Charles J. Strebler Pastor

“There never was a good war, or a bad peace.”—Benjamin Franklin Dear Parishioners: Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” The first words that Jesus speaks to his disciples on the evening of the first Easter was a greeting wishing them peace. Even then peace was elusive. It has remained so throughout history even until this day—even a quick read of the headlines reminds us of this. Peace remains our hope and our prayer. It is what we are to be about as Christians, in all parts of our lives. We must realize that war and conflict are always against the Risen Lord’s wishes for us. Because Christ’s victory and the Kingdom of God are not fully realized and will not be until He comes again, there are some situations where war is a regrettable reality. Great Christian minds like Saints Augustine and Thomas Aquinas developed the idea of a just war . To be clear, just war theory is not a way of encouraging war but establishes moral limitations on war should it happen . A just war is based on several principles: · Just Cause: The war must face a real, grave, lasting, and certain threat, such as protecting innocent lives from aggression. · Last Resort: All peaceful alternatives must be exhausted. · Legitimate Authority: The war must be declared by a proper, responsible authority. · Right Intention: The goal must be to secure a just peace, not vengeance or territorial gain. · Proportionality: The damage and costs of the war must not exceed the evil being corrected. · Probability of Success: A war cannot be waged in a futile cause. Accompanying these are the principles that in war must be observed: · Discrimination/Non-combatant Immunity: Distinguishing between combatants and civilians, protecting innocents from intentional attack. · Proportionality of Action: The force used must not be excessive relative to the military objective. As Christians, our wish is that of the One whose Name we bear, peace . We are to make peace our goal. Admittedly, few of us have any way to influence global politics and bring an end to interactional conflict. We can bring peace to our homes, schools, and workplaces. Sometimes the first step is bringing about peace in ourselves. What we know as The Prayer of St. Francis (though it isn’t actually in his writings) “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace” needs to be our prayer for ourselves and lived out in our lives because Peace is Christ’s prayer for us. Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor 

"To a Christian, Easter Sunday means everything, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ." – Bernhard Langer Dear Parishioners: Back when I was in early high school, two of my classmates were having a discussion about which day is more important, Christmas or Easter. They came to me for my thoughts. The question was, “Which day is more important, Christmas or Easter?” (Yes, it seems that even then I was the go-to guy for theology questions.) I offered that Easter was the more important day. I remember explaining that without Easter, there would be no need for Christmas. Now I can say with some nuance that the Son, the second person of the Trinity, became incarnate in Jesus so that we could be saved. Maybe Easter doesn’t have some of the sentimental trimmings of Christmas (carols, decorated trees, stockings hung by the chimney with care, cookies); still, it has its own trappings (bunnies, baskets, colored eggs), but these just don’t seem the hit in the same way Christmas’ do. But all these are the extras and incidentals of the seasons. Christmas promises a future salvation; Easter is the celebration of that salvation. Christmas is the gift of peace; Easter is gift of hope. Christmas is the child Jesus being born as a human; Easter is humanity being reborn. Christmas is our God entering a broken world; Easter is God fixing that broken world. Christ’s victory over sin and death. The gates of heaven are blown open after being slammed shut by sin. The suffering of the cross of Good Friday and the silence of the tomb of Holy Saturday have given way to the overwhelming Easter joy of the resurrection—what’s not to love? Easter is enhanced by the somber sparsity of Lent. Coming after the days of fast, it stands all the more as a day of joy and celebration. The high point of the Church year is Easter Vigil, the central celebration of the Church of Christ’s resurrection and victory. It is the high point of my year as well. I am always moved to the core as we hear the Easter Gloria, the moment when the promise becomes the reality; the expectation becomes fulfillment; death becomes life; defeat becomes victory; the moment we celebrate the Resurrection; the moment is described as being when “all heaven breaks loose.” Easter is the Feast that gives our lives meaning and hope. I fully concur with the Exsultet, The Easter Proclamation, at the Easter Vigil, Our birth would have been no gain, had we not been redeemed. Easter is my favorite day of the year. It is my prayer for all, long-time parishioners, new parishioners, and visitors that know the abundant blessings of this Easter Day, succinctly summed up in the words, CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA! Sincerely, Rev. Charles J. Strebler Pastor

“This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Say to daughter Zion, ‘Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Matthew 21:4-5). Dear Parishioners: Jesus is greeted as the King of Israel as He entered His own city of Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday. Rightfully so, as He is the King, truly. However, this week proves Him to be a different kind of king. I recall the line introducing the Seventh Station in Clarence Enzler’s Everyone’s Way of the Cross , which as Jesus speaking the words, Behold…the poorest king who ever lived. Christ is a king who is betrayed, denied, beaten, scourged, dressed in a royal-colored cloak, and then, as the Passion from the Gospel of Matthew that we hear this Cycle-A Palm Sunday, tells us, He was treated as a king out of mockery, Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Jesus is the king whose throne is an instrument of torture, the cross. Where, they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews . He is a king, not honored, but mocked, derided, and ridiculed, He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. His royal tomb was borrowed from a friend. Though proclaimed a king in mockery, He truly was, indeed, a king; all that was done to Him did not make Him less of a king, but more of one—just not a king as we expect. As unexpected is that He would come into the fullness of His kingship on the third day. As, The Way of the Cross: puts it, His death was so that, [The Father] might restore all to [Him] a hundred-fold in the glorious resurrection —but more on that next in our celebrations a week from today. I invite you all to enter into this Holy Week by attending the various services. Enter into Jesus’ passion and death so that you can know a hundred-fold the glorious resurrection in your own life. Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor

“No matter where you go, there you are."—Buckaroo Banzai Dear Parishioners: This isn’t so much Holy Spirit news as it is Avon Lake Catholic news. St. Joseph parish will be getting one of the six (!) newly-ordained priests as a parochial vicar (the canonical term for one who is sometime know as an associate pastor). Which of the six it will be won’t be known until the 15th of April when the ordinandi (those to be ordained) received their assignments from Bishop Malesic. The men will be ordained on Saturday, May 16 at 10 am at the Cathedral. They begin their assignments on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. While the new priest is assigned to St. Joseph, there is a likelihood that he may be helping out with the occasional Mass here at Holy Spirit. Also, given the intermingling of staff and parishioners between the parishes (I always say that Avon Lake is one community with two parishes; parishioners have their primary allegiance but will go to Mass where and when meets their schedule best), there is a very good chance you will be meeting the new priest at some point. An implication of a new priest coming is that Fr. Dan Fickes will be moving out of the rectory. We need the space that Fr. Dan currently occupies for the new priest—we are not going to put a parochial vicar in guestroom. Fr. Dan has lived here for almost a decade. He will continue to be chaplain at St. John Westshore Hospital but will be finding a new residence. Where that will be has not been definitively determined at this time. We thank him for the times he has helped out at Holy Spirit, though his departure does not mean he might not be back for assistance in the future. Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor 

“Rejoicing and repentance must go together. Repentance without rejoicing will lead to despair. Rejoicing without repentance is shallow and will only provide passing inspiration instead of deep change.”—Timothy Keller Dear Parishioners: This Sunday we celebrate Laetare Sunday . Laetare is Latin for “Rejoice.” This Sunday is just past the half-way point of Lent. The rose vestments worn this Sunday are a break in the somber and penitential purple; they are a sign of joy in the midst of penance. In that spirit, I thought I’d share something about which we can be joyful. This is the chart of attendance at Holy Spirit’s weekend Masses. As you can see, we have been making a gradual increase in attendance each year. It is fascinating to me how it basically follows the pattern each year for ebb and flow of the attendance. The spike in March 2024 was because Easter was in March, rather than April that year. December 2022 really spiked because Christmas was on a Sunday. Would I like to see more people at Mass, yes, of course! Still, I’m glad to see us growing each year. It seems that I am seeing new faces and families each weekend. It is little-by-little, but we are growing. This is not just a “hooray for Holy Spirit” (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but is good news for the Church everywhere. In that we rejoice! Thanks to Larry Maloney for putting this chart together, building on the work of the late Pat Pattison. Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor

“For me, an assist is the same as getting a basket.”— Nikola Jokic Dear Parishioners: I got an Easter basket each year until after I was ordained. For many years it was hidden; one year in high school I finally found it the Thursday(!) after Easter. The year I got my first car, I had a suspicion, so when I returned home from Easter Sunday Mass, I pulled into the driveway, parked, and immediately went to the car's trunk, opened it and voila! there it was. Eventually, I asked my mom to pass the word on to the Easter Bunny that I was usually exhausted after being up late for the Easter Vigil and then up early for Easter Sunday Mass and didn’t have the energy for the search, so the hiding came to an end. The Easter Bunny shopped for me at the West Point Market in Akron, so he left me imported chocolates and good cheeses. Not all children and youth are lucky. The Friends of Jesus Ministry groups at Holy Spirit and St. Ladislas (our parish’s FOJ mother parish) are doing something to remedy that. They are preparing baskets for 250 children in foster care. They need our help. They are asking for items for the baskets. Please see the bulletin (page 9), parish website, or newsletter for the items they are requesting. This is another great opportunity for your Lenten almsgiving. The FOJ group is a group for parishioners with special needs—and their families are enjoying it, too. There have only been a few of meetings here at Holy Spirit and I have been able to make it to two of them. They have been evenings of faith and fun. The group began at St. Ladislas and has germinated a group here. I am glad to see this group grow at Holy Spirit and also to see the cooperation between the groups at both parishes. That is what the Church should be. I thank you for your support of their efforts. There will be bins in the narthex the weekend of March 14/15 in which you can place your donated Easter basket items. Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor

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“Confession is an act of honesty and courage—an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.”—Pope St. John Paul II Dear Parishioners: I often liken confession to taking care of your car. If your car breaks down, you take it in to get it fixed right away. So, if you become aware of a serious/mortal sin in your life, you should get to confession right away—if at all possible before the next Sunday so you can receive the Lord worthily in the Eucharist (and not add on the sin of sacrilege). If your car doesn’t break down, you still have to take it in periodically for the tire rotation, oil change, and other maintenance. If you aren’t aware of serious sin, it is good to get to confession every so often for spiritual “maintenance.” I tell people that the minimum should be every three to four months. Some people go in Advent and Lent, but I point out there is much more time between Lent and Advent than between Advent and Lent; I usually suggest a time in July or August as well. The Diocese of Cleveland Night of Confessions will be on Wednesday, March 4 . Almost every parish in the Diocese of Cleveland will have an opportunity for confessions from 5—8 pm . I will be hearing at Holy Spirit and have another priest hearing confessions with me. What I like about this time is that there is no rush to get though the confessions before Mass. There is ample time for hearing the confessions of those who come, especially for those who have been away for a while. As we have done in the past, we will have the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the church. I invite our parishioners to come and spend some time in prayer with our Eucharistic Lord, especially praying for those going to confession—and each year I get some who have been away for decades! Pray also for the priests hearing confessions that night. I ask that we have at least two people in the church from 5—8pm. Please sign up for a time on our website at hspal.org. Confessions will also be a part of our Parish Mission, March 8—11 , lead By Father Jewel Aytona, of the Fathers of Mercy. This is a wonderful opportunity to enrich your faith in the season of Lent. Mark your calendar . Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor