Welcome to Holy Spirit Parish

“So, could you not watch with me one hour?” — Matthew 26:40 Dear Parishioners: A couple of weekends ago we had a seminarian speaking at Mass. I introduced my homily by saying it was going to be shorter so those who leave Mass at Communion could have the courtesy to stay to hear the seminarian. He told me later that he still saw a number of people leaving Mass after receiving Communion. On Sunday we are not obliged to receive Communion but to come to Mass—the whole Mass. We should set aside an hour on Sunday for Mass. (Actually, we should allot the time that the Sunday Mass takes.) Masses here at Holy Spirit tend to run for less than an hour so all parishioners should be able to stay for the whole of the Mass. Leaving early is just that, leaving before the Mass ends. You wouldn’t walk out on a movie before it ends, there would be no closure to the story. You would find it rude if someone walked away in the middle of a conversation you were having. The concluding rites of Mass bring the Mass to a closure. The closing prayer and the final blessing are important parts of the Mass. Often there are special blessings (e.g., veterans, students, etc.) which are missed when leaving at Communion time. I hold that the Mass ends with the “Thanks be to God” at the dismissal. I comment that the priest or deacon does not say, “Go in peace—but sing this song first.” If someone leaves after the dismissal, there is no issue in that. Even so, it is the custom to stay to sing the closing hymn; I’d like to be able to say goodbye to you as you leave—and it takes a little time to for me to get to the doors. Events may occur that require an early departure from Mass, but these will be rare. For those without infants and toddlers and those in good health, this might occur once every couple of years, but not once a week. There is no just reason for a regular—especially not for a weekly—early departure. If you have to leave early regularly, consider attending an earlier Mass so you can stay. At one of my assignments the pastor could take 10 minutes more for Mass than did I. There was a woman who left at Communion time no matter who it was that celebrated the Mass. I told her that if she could stay for Communion when the pastor had Mass, she could stay for all of the Mass when I did. She didn’t. A friend’s dad was a pharmacist at a grocery chain. He was a tad late to work some Sundays. If people complained, he explained, “I was at Mass.” There was little argument with him after that. Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor 

“I like incremental improvements or at least seeing where you're going to go and really being able to understand what's feasible at the time.”--Anthony Levandowski Dear Parishioners: On October 12, 2026, I had a meeting with Holy Spirit’s Parish Council, Finance Council, Building Advisory Group, and the Parish Staff. At that meeting we heard from Shawn McKay from CCS, who reported on the findings of the feasibility study for our upcoming capital campaign. The preliminary study consisted of 20 households being interviewed and 156 e-survey results. Those numbers show that CCS heard from 19% of the parish. Holy Spirit’s response rate to the e-survey is much higher than the average. This says to me that there is great interest in the projects that we would like to do—and that you are interested in and invested in your parish. Your responses show that 90% of the parishioners from whom we heard have a favorable overall perception and that same number said that they are willing to make a gift to the capital campaign (the average response for religious organizations’ campaigns is 79% saying that they are willing to make a gift.) I was happy to see that 67% of the people asked said that the parish is their top philanthropic priority (!) Also, 41% of those surveyed said that they have at least considered giving Holy Spirit in their estate planning (the average is 15%.) When asked if this was the time to move forward, 75% responded that it was. Not surprisingly, only 10% of those asked thought that a $5 million goal was realistic. That was a large number, but it was the estimated costs for the church renovation and addressing the parish office situation. Based on their interviews and experience in fundraising, CCS recommends a $2.5M goal for the parish. I do believe that Holy Spirit is capable of raising $3M-$3.5M. Your generosity has always been overwhelming, even more so when particular projects arise. Know the plans we made categorize what is essential, what is desired, and what is dreamed. We are not adjusting any plan at this time. It is better to complete the capital campaign, see what the final total is, and adjust accordingly. Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor

“There are probably hundreds of thousands of vocations hanging from heaven on silken cords; prayer is the sword that cuts them” —Blessed Fulton L. Sheen Dear Parishioners- This Sunday in the Diocese of Cleveland we celebrate Priesthood Sunday . As has been the custom for many years, the seminarians are dispatched to parishes to speak on vocations to the priesthood. I am happy to welcome Stephen Vavro to Holy Spirit. Stephen is from St. Francis de Sales Parish in Parma, OH, and is in his first year at St. Mary Seminary. Also, I baptized him! For the record, I baptized his sister, too. I didn’t baptize his older brother, but I am the brother’s Godfather. Stephen’s family are some of my dearest friends. His father, Larry, you might remember as being the presenter at our evening on identifying and avoiding fraud. I have been present at most of the major events in Stephen’s life, so I am more than happy to welcome him to Holy Spirit. This year there are 47 men studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Cleveland, a number of which some larger (arch)dioceses are envious. Our seminaries also have some students from the Diocese of Youngstown, the Capuchin Franciscans, and from the Archdiocese of Daegu, South Korea. I know many of these men and they are very fine candidates. We pray that they will one day enhance the Diocese of Cleveland with their priestly ministry. Yes, Cleveland is doing well with vocations; over the last two years we there have been 15 priests ordained for the Diocese. We will add three more this May. There has not been a year in living memory when the Diocese of Cleveland has not ordained at least one priest. This doesn’t mean we don’t need more priests. We always do. We need to continue to pray for more men going into the seminary, for their preference, for those ordained, for retired priests, and for priests who have died. I encourage you to think about the priests that have made an impact in your life: the priest that baptized you, the priest that gave you your First Communion, the priest that married you and your spouse, the priests that have celebrated Masses you have attended, the priests that have heard your confessions, the priests that have anointed you and your loved ones, the priests that have buried your loved ones. Today is a good day to thank God for their ministry and to pray for more priests and seminarians to continue their ministry, Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor

“I went to a garage sale. 'How much for the garage?' 'It's not for sale.'”—Steven Wright Dear Parishioners: There are many things for which Holy Spirit is known: our generosity to those in need, the welcoming and friendly parishioners…the charming personality of the pastor. I dare say that we are especially known for our garage sales. Through most of the summer there was at least a phone call a week to the parish office asking when garage sale is happening. As a sale approaches in the Fall and Spring, ninety percent of the calls are about the garage sale. On garage sale day, when I go over for the 8:30 am Mass, the people are lining up—rain or shine—sometime past the office door and even approaching the rectory driveway. The Ladies Guild runs the garage sale. They also give generously from the proceeds of the garage sale to the parish. They purchased the new bell system so that Holy Spirit could ring out to the community again after the old system went silent. They have given generously to the Renovation Fund as we look to renovation and building. Though this is a Guild activity, the whole parish has an investment in it. The Garage Sale’s success reflects and benefits Holy Spirit Parish. The Guild and I are asking for the help of parishioners who are not Guild members, especially some of the men and youth and young adults of the parish. We need people who can move larger items, carry boxes, etc. Help is needed for the drop-off/set up days, this year Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 27, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. It is especially needed for the first day of the sale Thursday, October 29, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Help is also needed Friday October 30, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, and then with the take down after. If you are able to help you can sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FAEA928A7FEC43-66628265-holy#/ or visit the parish website for the link. For more information, please contact Mary Adams, msemancik7@gmail.com Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor 

"If, then, we establish solid devotion to our Blessed Lady, it is only to establish more perfectly devotion to Jesus Christ, and to provide an easy and secure means for finding Jesus Christ." -- St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary: With Preparation for Total Consecration. Dear Parishioners: October in the Church is a month dedicated to Mary as Our Lady of the Rosary. The celebration of Our the Rosary is on October 7, which was once known as Our Lady of Victory, the title of my home parish in Tallmadge, OH. We always put forward that the purpose of all Marian devotion is to draw us closer to her son, Jesus: Ad Jesum per Mariam (to Jesus through Mary.) That is the point of consecration to Mary. The etymology of consecration is: thoroughly or completely sacred or holy . To consecrate something is to set it aside for sacred use exclusively, like we do to a church or the oil of Chrism. There is another meaning: together sacred or holy . This is a good way of thinking about Marian consecration: trying to be holy together with Mary. While we can never be as holy, we can increase our holiness as we draw closer to her who is closest to her son, Jesus. We use Mary as our ultimate guide and example. Marian consecration is not just a quick prayer, but a substantial investment in one’s spiritual life. It includes: A substantial period of prayerful preparation (typically 33 days). Often, parishes will host small groups that commit to making the consecration together over this time period, but you can also make it alone at any time. A final prayer — the Act of Consecration itself — to be said on the day of the consecration, which is preferably done on a Marian feast d ay . A persistent spirit of trust in Mary’s motherly care and intercession, to endure for the rest of your life. Sessions to prepare for a consecration to Mary will take place beginning Monday, October 12 at 7:00 pm and running through November, with the final act of consecration taking place in the chapel at 10 am on Saturday, November 21, The Feast of the Presentation of Mary. I hope you can join. Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor

“If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.”—St. Francis of Assisi If it were not a Sunday, we would be celebrating on October 4 the Memorial of St. Francis Of Assisi . I have some regret that his feast day falls on a Sunday this year because this year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis in the night of the 3rd to the morning of the 4th of October 1226. St. Francis was born around 1181 and was baptized Giovanni (John) di Bernardone; however, his father, Pietro di Bernardone, a cloth merchant, was in France on business at the time of Giovanni’s birth and the father loved all things French, so he called his son, “Francesco.” My parents had in their backyard a statue of a child St. Francis dress in the Franciscan habit with a hood and waist cord. Though I understand the sentimental aspect of it since it was a memorial for their grandson (my nephew) who tragically died in a vehicular accident at age six, the statue drove me a bit crazy (I know. Short trip.) The reason for this was that it was a sentimental anachronism. The young Francis grew up in a wealthy family. He lived a carefree life. He loved French things like his father. He wore fancy clothes. He spent money freely. He loved the troubadours. He was a soldier and was captured and held prisoner. During that time, he became ill and reevaluated his life—though to be fair, even before this he had a propensity to help the poor. His life really began to change after a pilgrimage to Rome and encountering the poor people there. He returned but began to spend time in lonely and desolate places. He was outside Assisi in the broken-down chapel of San Damiano when he heard a voice speaking from the cross say to him "Francis, Francis, go and repair My church which, as you can see, is falling into ruins." He took it upon himself to rebuild the chapel. Francis’ father responded by dragging his son home, beating him, binding him and locking him in a small room. Francis extricated himself from that situation and in the town square before the bishop of Assisi, removed his clothes, renounced his father and his inheritance and wealth, and took up the life of a beggar. Over time, Francis’ example attracted others and he founded the Order of Friars Minor (a friar is one who lives in the world, which is different from a monk who lives in a monastery), often called Franciscans. He met Clare of Assisi and from their spiritual friendship she formed the female branch of the Franciscans, the Poor Clares. Francis came to se that the call to repair the church was about more than fixing up a building; it was a call to Francis to help repair the Church, people and institution, which are in need of reform in every age. On September 17, 1224 while he was praying, Francis received the stigmata; the wound of Christ physically appearing on his body. As I said above, Francis died the night of October 3-4, 1226. He was canonized a saint two years after his death. I do have a personal investment in this feast of St. Francis. My middle initial F stands for Francis, a name I shared with my Godfather. When I was in Borromeo this meant that both my name days were celebrated with great solemnity and celebration. St. Charles Borromeo’s (a month later on November 4) and St. Francis’ feast were both important days because of the Capuchin Franciscan student who did their college work at Borromeo. Francis was known for his care for nature, for this reason he is often associated with animals and especially as the patron of pets. I often note the irony that the saint who is said to have most resembled Christ, is honored for that by being made into a birdbath. 

“I think money is a wonderful thing because it enables you to do things. It enables you to invest in ideas that don't have a short-term payback.” --Steve Jobs Dear Parishioners: I heard from CCS, who is helping to run our capital campaign and is currently running the feasibility study, that we have had an excellent response to the surveys, both in Zoom and online. This says to me that there is some excitement about our upcoming projects! Even before we head into the parish and diocese capital campaign, we do have expenses related to the preparation for the campaign. The use of CCS for the fund-raising will cost us $240,000 ($40,000 a month for six months). Yes, this seems like a huge fee, but we would have to pay that kind of money for a fund-raising company even if the diocese did not hire CCS. You need to spend money to make money. We are probably getting CCS at a good price because they are working with all the parishes in the diocese, only with some are they doing a campaign like ours that requires the additional cost. As the end of the year comes, parishioners 70 ½ and older can help with a contribution from your minimum required distribution from your IRA. For this it is required: You must be 70 ½ and older Distributions must be made directly from the IRA to a qualified charity Your taxable income can be reduced by up to $100,000, the maximum allowable Only traditional IRA accounts are eligible. The IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution cannot be used with other retirement plans such as a 401(k), 403(b) or a SEP IRA An IRA QCD can be used to fund a Charitable Gift Annuity in an amount of up to $53,000 An IRA QCD cannot be made to a Donor-Advised Fund A sample letter to your financial administrator can be found at: https://www.catholiccommunity.org/ways-to-give/ira-qualified-charitable-distribution When you give to Holy Spirit, you satisfy your required distribution and it is tax-free. If you need information about the parish tax ID number, please contact Nicole Davis, the parish business and operations manager, at ndavis@hspal.org , or 440-933-3777. Please consider Holy Spirit in your minimum required distribution from your IRA this year and through the years of the collecting of pledges for the campaign…and beyond. Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”--Inigo Montoya Dear Parishioners:  Retreat . We often think of that word in the sense of the forced or strategic withdrawal of an armed force from an enemy or “an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable” ( Merriam-Webster.) Monty Python’s grail-seeking knights fleeing from their foes with cries of “Run away!” illustrates the common concept of retreat. In the Church, retreat has a different meaning, but it is about withdrawing, getting away is a temporary escape, not to flee the world and the challenges of life, but to strengthen the Christian to reenter the fray renewed and refreshed. The Code of Canon Law speaks of clerics (bishops, priests, deacons) in Canon 276 4° which says, “[clerics] are also obliged to make spiritual retreats, in accordance with the provision of particular law.” That particular law of the Diocese of Cleveland instructs, “Each priest is required to make an annual retreat. He is entitled to take up to five days.” So…I will be away on retreat this week. I will be back for next weekend’s Masses and confessions. Retreats are not just for clergy, they are good for all the Christian Faithful, including lay persons. I know most people can’t get away for five days of prayer and reflection, but can you find a couple days a year? I bet you can. Chris Hoag, our Parish Catechetical Leader, is offering days of recollection (“mini-retreats”) this fall and spring. Details of the fall mini-retreat, Resting with the Sacred Heart , on Saturday, October 17, are in this week’s bulletin. There will also be a Marian consecration with sessions on Monday nights at 7:00 pm running from October 12 through November 16 . I hope you have an opportunity to avail yourself of some of these opportunities. Not to do so would be… inconceivable . Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor

“Part of being successful is about asking questions and listening to the answers.” --Anne Burrell Dear Parishioners: I received some questions--as to be expected--as we go into the capital campaign to raise the funds for refurbishing the church and addressing our deteriorating, insufficient office situation. I figure if one person is asking, then several probably are, so I’ll address the some of the questions asked so far. The bulletin mentioned a parish’s goal for the capital project is 140% of its annual collection/offering, and that half of that is retained by the parish and half goes to the diocese. Amounts above the goal are either an 80-20 spilt or 100-0 depending on need. My question is, what will the diocese do with what we send from our capital collection? The easiest response is to point you to the Called to Flourish website: https://www.catholiccommunity.org/support/other-ministries/called-to-flourish/case-for-support The preliminary statement expressed a goal of $5 million. If I’m understanding correctly, this would put our annual collections at $3.5 million, but this doesn’t seem correct. My question is, is the $5 million figure in the preliminary statement related to the 140% figure mentioned in the bulletin? No, our official goal if we had not had our own major fundraising needs would have been around $915,000 with around $457,500 thousand going to the diocese. The $5,000,000 is what we think we need to achieve our goal and to meet the diocese’s goal for us together. I’m not clear about the project. Are there separate Holy Spirit and diocesan capital projects, or one unified capital project? Are the parishes allowed to conduct capital projects independent of the diocese? There are two campaign projects for Holy Spirit, the church and the offices. It was thought best to try to raise the funds for both of these together rather than to do one for the church and then one in a year or two for the offices. I have said often that I really wish it could have been one of the other-which would be easier to fund--but both building are at the point needing major work, so we’re shooting big to try to do both. The diocese is running its own campaign, so our campaign is referred to as a joint campaign, since we are running ours concurrent with the diocese's. Normally parishes can do their own campaigns, which the approval of the diocese. Knowing that the Called to Flourish campaign was coming, for the last couple of years the diocese was not approving new campaigns and requiring them to be combined with the Diocese’s campaign. What are the average annual collections Holy Spirit receives? What percentage of those collections go to the diocese? How much (if any) comes back from the diocese? We brought in $681,473 in collections last year. We pay assessment on our collections of 11.5% on the first $575,000 and 16.5% of the collection over that, billed based on the previous year’s collections. We do not pay an assessment on gifts, repairs and improvement donations, etc. If someone gifted us $1,000,00, we would not be assessed on that. If they gave us $20,00 a week in the collection, that would be assessed. While we do not get money from the diocese, we get the services of the legal office, Tribunal, finance office, and the other offices. When I was working for the Tribunal, one of my priest friends, a new pastor said, “You know what I could do with the money I send to the diocese each month?” I replied, “You know what the diocese could do with it?—Pay my salary!” I have never thought of the assessments as unjust. I also prefer assessment to some diocese where there is an annual appeal to raise money for the diocese’s work; a mini-campaign every year, and if the parishioners don’t meet the goal, the parish still has to provide the difference. As such, please allow me to suggest a meeting dedicated to the capital project for parishioners to get a better understanding of all this. Perhaps such a meeting is already in the works. This will come as we move from the feasibility study to the more active campaign. Sincerely, Rev. Charles F. Strebler Pastor