Prettiest church in the diocese, especially at Christmas

I'm partial and quite one-sided when it comes to which church is the prettiest in the city. Hands down, Our Lady of Peace!

Not only are the aesthetics phenomenal, coupled with the Christmas decorations, but add in the heart and soul of the parishioners, and you gain perfection!

Though I had a hard time getting the Christmas spirit this year, it all came together in the end.


I'm not going to lie. Not having Mom or Uncle Bill is horrendous. It's not getting easier, only harder for me.


But this was always our favorite time of the year (still is for me), and by golly, I'm never ever going to let it pass without realizing what the season means and enjoying it to its full extent.


There were many miracles from Heaven this season, especially last week. I still had no tree....and 2 very good friends surprised me by leaving a tree in my front vestibule while I was at work. Shocked. Amazed. Felt like I was in some movie not believing the generosity of their hearts and what they had done for me.

Then my Aunt and Sister put the lights on the tree the following night....


From that moment, the season kicked into high gear and the Christmas Cheer meter was on the rise.





I was a baking fiend cooking dozens and dozens of cookies non-stop for a week. I made our traditional butter balls, pizelles, and gucci daddi's (I honestly have no idea how to spell it, but they are my favorites!).





Many years ago I wrote a poem on how people should act as if everyday is Christmas. I still believe that. Mom, too, was a firm believer in that philosophy which is why we kept a few Christmas knick knacks (the kneeling Santa, a small nativity scene, etc.) out year round.


This year's Christmas letter is the only thing that will be late. I don't know when I will have the time to finish it, but I WILL complete it and will eventually send it out, even if it's actually a New Year's or Valentine's letter!

We kept up all of our traditions including St. Nick, Chrismas Eve at my house, attending Mass together (well, I'm at all of them singing)....spending Christmas all together.....and remembering the reason for the season and enjoying it to the max!

A very merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

I barely 'walked' for peace!

Sunday exhilarated me in a number of ways...

Up at the crack of dawn to participate in our annual 'Run for Peace!'

Let me stop you right there. The name of the race is 'Run for Peace!'

I started out jogging...when I finally caught my breath after the 1st street, I volleyed between jogging and walking for peace.

I dedicated the race to Mom...even made a donation in her name as a sponsorship....and hoped her tennis shoes would lift me up (they did!). I'm still amazed how many people came up to me telling me they think about her every day. One dear friend got a tear in his eye just talking to me about Mom.

Ah, heck, as long as it's for a good cause....I did not collapse on the course...and actually finished, it's a good day! And I finished in enough time to 'jog' over to church and still sing the 11am Mass!


Then the main reading (Jn 8:1-11) on this Fifth Sunday of Lent revolved around the line: "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."


Needs no explanation or break down. The way all of us should live every single minute of every single day.


And I am happy to report--this just in-- The 5th annual 'Run for Peace' a complete success as it brought in a little over $11,000 for the youth of our parish.

The waiting game...

And we wait.

One of the most nerve wracking days I've experienced in a long time.

And we wait.

The fate of all the churches in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese rests in the hands of one man, Bishop Lennon.

And we wait.

The phone rang early Saturday morning and I sprung from the makeshift bed/love seat I've been sleeping in during Mom's rehabilitation.

Nothing yet, and we wait.

The cars of the cluster committee began gathering at the Church Rectory awaiting the arrival of 'the letter.'

And we wait.

Finally, shortly after noon, 'the letter' was hand delivered. The cars left one by one.

Our Lady of Peace had been saved....and hopes that Father Gary would continue to be our fearless leader???

The Bishop says this re-configuration will only strengthen the church in the long run.

But, at this juncture, it appears no one has won. The fruits of this laborious process are months if not years away from being realized.

We are saved, but two churches in our cluster are being closed.

I can not even fathom the mindset of the parishioners at Epiphany and St. Cecilia.

I don't know how I would feel had the tables been turned. It was just awful waiting imagining all outcomes.

I do know having Father Gary at the helm and the character and strength of this parish WILL turn this situation into a positive....and will conquer any roadblocks placed in our way as we strive even harder to continue serving the least of God's children & spreading the Good News.

Today, though on the surface it may look like a time to rejoice, we mourn and pray harder than ever before for the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, the future of the Catholic Community in Cleveland, and for everyone who is going to bed tonight hurting, crying themselves to sleep wondering why it 'appears' as if God has abandoned and forsaken them. (He hasn't. He's closer than you he's ever been. Please don't give up.).