Our Lady of Perpetual Help
                    

PASTOR: Rev. Msgr. John Zeitler
PASTORAL ASSOCIATE: Sister Sharon Erickson, RSM
PERMANENT DEACONS: Deacon Mark J. Hooper & Deacon Neal Linnan

DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Mrs. Barbara Manley
SOUTHTOWNS CATHOLIC SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Mrs. Judith MacDonald

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM

FR. PETER KARALUS

Next weekend (Sept. 4th & 5th) begins a new chapter in my own priestly ministry as I assume the position as Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Vincent de Paul Parishes.  I am eager to begin this exciting yet challenging ministry.  I give thanks for the dedication and ministry of both Fr. John and Fr. Bill and I am humbled and inspired by them.  Since I will be the first pastor of the two parishes, it is also a new chapter in the lives of our two parishes.  Being linked parishes means more than sharing a pastor.  Linking two communities challenges us all to see the larger church – the universal church – which goes beyond parish, vicariate, and diocese.

Our linked situation calls us to be the Roman Catholic Community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Vincent de Paul Parishes.  While individual parishes, we all must see and live as one community of faith.  Southtowns Catholic School, the formation programs for our children, along with other shared events and opportunities are a solid and successful foundation upon which we must continue to build.

It is my prayer and hope, that even though change must occur, your focus will remain clear:

 - First and foremost, we are all disciples of Jesus Christ and each day we strive to live out the Good News as a community – a family of faith.

 - Secondly, that we are all called to be part of the Body of Christ which means we do not live out our faith in a vacuum, we live it together.  Sometimes this requires adjustment, give-and-take, and sacrifice.  It means our personal faith is strengthened by our communal faith and it is not only about each of us as individuals, it is about US together being the Body of Christ.

 - Thirdly, that even though changes occur (and remember that change can be good), your dedication and commitment to our community of faith will hopefully remain strong and it will help you resist the temptation to pull away or leave.  We live in a mobile world with many parish options and I hope you will remain committed and dedicated to our wider community of faith here OLPH and St. Vincent’s.  Remember that your community of faith needs you as much as you need it.

I also want to offer my appreciation to Fr. John, Fr. Bill, and all those who shared ideas and thoughts to compose two proposals for our community’s Mass schedule.  There are so many different considerations that must be taken into account.  In publishing our new schedule which will begin next weekend, please remember the following:

While we will utilize other priests as supply help, that help may not always be available.  The Mass schedule must allow for one priest, when necessary, to celebrate all the Masses.

The Journey of Faith & Grace provides the guideline that if the church is less than half full, the Mass schedule needs to be adjusted.  This is to ensure the quality of our liturgical prayer and celebration and also to avoid extra Masses where the space is under utilized.  We will continue to follow this guideline within our community of faith.

As linked parishes, the schedule provides opportunities to attend Mass at various times.  You may find that the a specific time works best for you to attend Mass, but that Mass may be at a different location.  Or, you may desire to attend a specific location but the time has been adjusted.  Whichever the case, know that we are one community of faith.

If you are a registered parishioner and find yourself attending Mass at the other parish, your monetary offering (when in an offertory envelope) will be forwarded to the parish you are registered at.

The Mass schedule will be evaluated in the coming months and at that time adjustments may be made.

As with any change, there will be wrinkles.  We will iron those out in the coming weeks. 

Specifically, we will address music ministry questions as well as the Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Altar Server and other ministry schedules.  You will be invited to share your ministry at one or both locations.

As we all journey together, let us pray through the intercession of Our Lady and St. Vincent that the Holy Spirit will guide us as disciples of the Lord and lead us to the joy of God’s Kingdom.

Peace and Blessings,

Fr. Peter

Beginning the weekend, September 4th & 5th,
the Mass schedule for our linked Parishes of  

The Roman Catholic Community of
St. Vincent de Paul (SV) and
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) 

Saturday Vigil Mass:
5:00 p.m. (SV)
Confessions, Saturday afternoons at 4:15pm or by appointment. 

Sunday Masses:
8:00 a.m (OLPH)
9:15 a.m. (OLPH)
12:00 p.m. (SV)
6:30 p.m. (OLPH) beginning October 17^th  

During the week, our community is invited to pray:
Monday: 8:30 a.m. Morning Mass (SV)
Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. Morning Mass (OLPH)
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. Communion Service (SV)
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. Morning Mass (SV)
Friday: 9:00 a.m. Morning Mass (OLPH)
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. Communion Service (OLPH)

Come see what MOPS has to offer you this semester.

• If you are expecting your first child, this group is for you!
• If you have any children under the age of 5, this group is for you!
• If you are looking for a place to meet other moms, this group is for you!

If you have any questions about MOPS, please contact:

Sarah Dolph - 254-2434 or

Beth Anne Van Horn - 627-5452

OLPH Lakeview MOPS

ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFERS

Available for Offertory Collections

Our Lady of Perpetual Help is now set up to collect your contributions via Electronic Fund Transfers. Many people already do this for Mortgages, Insurance, Utilities.

How many times have you forgotten your envelopes? By signing up for Electronic Fund Transfers, your donations will be made automatically!

To sign up, click on: OLPH_Authorization_Agreement_for_Direct_Payments.pdf