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March 2020

Nativity’s Life

Dear Parish Family,

Thanks to the hard work and dedication

of our Building Committee our parish has

something to give up this Lent: energy

usage measured in watts. Notice the

huge difference that our new LED church

lights are making (see the chart)!

The more Blessings that we enjoy, the more likely and

easily the words “Thank You” should be flowing from our

hearts and off of our tongues! Counting our Blessings is a

great way to Grow In Gratitude. Are we taking the time and

effort to acknowledge God’s many gifts lavished upon our

parish recently? How can you increase your thanksgiving

this Lent? God bless you, Fr. Kawalec

We Care

This “thank you” letter came to our parish:

“After many months on the prayer list, Mary Sibley

died peacefully on January 16, 2020. Great

appreciation is extended to the “We Care”

Organization under the leadership of Sister Susanne

and Linda Twigg. Their weekly visits brought

friendship, comfort and communion. Their time and

attention brought much joy to her and to all the

homebound. They are a much valued asset to

Nativity. It is in giving that we receive and in dying that

we are born to eternal life.”

You can be one of these dedicated ministers bringing joy

and comfort, as well as the Eucharist, to the homebound of

our parish.

The We Care meets every Monday at noon. The members

bring a brown bag lunch, share stories and

companionship. They progress to the sanctuary for

communion, then take the Eucharist to those homebound,

stay for a short visit. We Care is looking for new members.

If you would like to share your time and make a difference

in a homebound parishioner’s life, call Linda Twigg at 330-

644-7080.

GROWING IN GRATITUDE

Norms for Abstinence and Fasting

As Catholics, we voluntarily perform a daily or weekly self-

penance during Lent, as a way to unite ourselves to

Christ’s Passion and Death for us. Ash Wednesday is a

Penitential Day of Abstinence and Fasting. The days of

abstaining from meat are Ash Wednesday and every Friday

during Lent; the days for fasting are Ash Wednesday and

Good Friday. The Church still teaches that every Friday is

a day of penance; however, each Catholic can choose his/

her own act of penance, such as a prayer, fasting,

almsgiving, abstaining from some unnecessary good, doing

an act of charity, etc.

Following are the Norms for Abstinence and Fasting that

Catholics are to practice, according to the 1983 Code of

Canon Law.

1) Abstinence means no eating of meat, but eggs, milk

products, fish and all cold-blooded animals may be eaten.

Fasting means that only one full meal may be taken during

the day, and two light meals are also permitted; solid food

between meals is prohibited, but liquids may be taken at

any time (see Canon 1251 and commentary).

2) The law of abstinence binds those who are 14 years old

until death (there is no upper age for this law). However,

the law of fasting binds those who are 18 years old until

midnight of their 59th birthday (see Canon 1252 and

commentary).

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Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church

Living Stations

Living Stations has something I’ve found to be unparalleled, a sense of both community and purpose. It’s a chance for teens to hang out with their peers and spend time with a major part of our Catholic faith and walk with Jesus himself.

Living Stations was created in order to help teens relate to The Stations of the Cross. This devotion involves portraying the events of Jesus’ walk to his crucifixion on Calvary accompanied by music from our very own house band: Legacy. Typically, the big draw was that the “acting” portion of the devotion involved no lines and simply standing in place, a technique we found to be both enticing to the youth and effective as a theatrical device. You don’t have to be a classically trained actor to join, just willing to put on a costume and mostly look very sad – or angry as a soldier.

This year we have a plan for the younger grades and those teens not interested in acting, to join our growing Crew. There are many positions available for all talents and interests from stage crew to lights to videography and more.

We began with an information session to talk about what Living Stations is, how to get involved both in front and behind the lights. The devotion is Friday, April 3 at 7:30PM.

Living Stations is a devotion in which I strongly believe. It has such a rich meaning to our faith and I’m so excited for all the new things we have planned. We already have a fantastic crew and the returning and new cast members are going to be so incredible. The creative team and I have been working so hard for almost a year now making changes and updates to make this the best devotion we’ve ever done. We hope you all join us!

Ashley Sklack

Where can you find us?

Website: nativityofthelord.org

Facebook: Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church

Bethlehem Cave and Nativity Museum

Twitter: @nffpcl

Personal: Staff is always here to meet with you. Call for an appointment to make sure appropriate time is put aside or stop

by. Office hours are daily 9:00AM to 4:00PM and by appointment. 330-699-5086

Name Email Extension

Pastor: Fr. Zachary Kawalec father@nativityofthelord.org 1000

Deacon: Dcn. Dennis Smith deacon@nativityofthelord.org 1015

Bulletin: Mary Ann Laston bulletin@nativityofthelord.org 1012

Finance: Karen Treen books@nativityofthelord.org 1011

Maintenance: Kim Haas maintenance@nativityofthelorg.org 1005

Music: Amy Fraleigh music@nativityfothelord.org 1002

Office: Helen Hershberger office@nativityofthelord.org 1010

Religious Ed: Ada Honeck nativitydre@nativityofthelord.org 1016

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Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church

Comfort Quilters We want to send a BIG Thank

You to all who have donated fabric for quilts made for Akron

Children’s Hospital. Since we personally purchase all our

supplies, your help is greatly appreciated. On our wish list:

1 and 2 yard pieces of cotton or flannel, 2 yard pieces of

cotton or flannel and 1 ½ yard pieces of fleece. We can

use cotton sheets for backing in small prints or solid

colors. Thanks again!

If you would like to help, come to our meetings the first

Wednesday of each month at 9:30AM. Contact Joan

Rankine at 330-699-4866.

Blood Mobile Donations for the Red Cross blood

drive have been down at Nativity. We are looking for

people who live life thinking and doing for others less

fortunate. Please consider the gift of blood and your time to

help people in their time of need.

The Blood Mobile is at Nativity Church the first Friday of

February, April, June, August, October and December of

2020 from 1:00 to 6:00PM. Visit redcrossblood.org and use

the sponsor code: NativityAkron – or call 1-800-733-

2767. Please donate. Thank you.

Consecration to the Holy Family

On December 29, 2019, Nativity Parish along with the help

of the Knights of Columbus, consecrated our parish families

to the Holy Family. Together, we prayed the consecration

prayer (found in the card holders inside by the doors of the

church).

What does it mean to have your family consecrated to the

Holy Family? Families devote themselves to the ideal

model of family life. God gave us the Mother Mary, Joseph

her spouse, and Jesus as a model of family life. As

Baptized Catholics, we look to this perfect model and with

the grace of God we try to live out this model.

How do we act when our family is consecrated? Every thing

you do, say, every way you act and interact, and every thing

you endure takes on new purpose and meaning because

you make them holy because you have given these acts

over to the will of God; everything you do can be used by

God for the conversion of others.

A daily renewal prayer that you can use is:

All for the Sacred and eucharistic Heart of Jesus, all

through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary,

all in union with St. Joseph.

Say this prayer with your family at the beginning of each

day. Put a copy on all your bathroom mirrors so each

member can say the prayer. Put it on the back of your cell

phone or any other place you will see every day. (Did you

know that the ministers at each of the Masses on Sunday

say this prayer before they process into Church?)

What are some ways to live God-Centered?

Prayer Life—is your personal and family prayer life in tact?

What are some ways you can enhance both?

Sacramental Life—Does your family participate in Sunday

Mass? Have you gone to Confession?

Learning the Faith—Do you read any books about the

Catholic Faith? Do you discuss any topics and learn about

the Catholic perspective?

Living the Virtues—Do you live a life of faith, hope and

love? Can others see you living these?

Serving Others—How do you serve one another in your

home, work, school, and neighborhood?

Sharing the Faith—Do outsiders see the difference in your

family? Do they recognize you as a disciple of Jesus?

Sanctifying Daily Duties—What are your daily duties? Do

you do them remembering that Christ is present in every

moment?

PERSONAL THOUGHTS ON EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

I began roughly 10 years ago, signing up for 40 Hours Devotion during Lent. I found sitting quietly in the presence of the Eucharist was deeply meaningful and I left church calm and happy. When Father Kawalec extended it to every Thursday, I signed up. I found my life didn't afford me much quiet time so I believed this would give me that much needed space. Like many of my generation, I need to get reacquainted with my faith. I use my time before the Eucharist to catechize myself, studying the Bible, the Church Father's, and the Catechism of the Church. I've read many books by Matthew Kelly and Bishop Robert Barron. Currently, I'm working my way through Theology of the Body. I find reading spiritually meaningful materials only enhances the experience. There is something truly different when sitting in the presence of Jesus.

I am beginning my third year this year and would encourage anyone debating this form of worship to join us during this Lenten season. My time slot is from 7pm to 8pm and during Lent, we have added Vespers and Benediction in the last half hour of Adoration. All materials are provided. If that seems like too much, you're welcome to join me once Lent is over. Jesus and I will be waiting for you! - Carol Chimera, parishioner

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Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church

March to June 2020

Regularly scheduled events:

WEEKLY

We Care Mondays at noon

Scouts Mondays at 7:00PM

Choir Wednesdays at 7:30-9:00PM

PLN (religious ed) most Wednesdays during the school year 6:30-8:00PM

Bible Study Thursdays 10:00AM

Adoration Thursdays noon – 8:00PM

MONTHLY

Coffee & Donuts 2nd Sunday after Masses (Not April or May)

Catholic War Veterans 1st Monday 7:00PM

St. Vincent de Paul 1st Tuesday 7:00PM

Parish Council 2nd Tuesday 7:00PM

Prayer Shawl Ministry 2nd Tuesday 10:00AM

Holy Name Society 3rd Tuesday 7:00PM

Building Committee last Tuesday 7:00PM

Comfort Quilters 1st Wednesday 9:30AM (not July and August)

Silver Stars 3rd Friday 11:30AM

SPECIAL EVENTS

April 3 Living Stations 7:30PM

April 9 Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00PM

April 10 Good Friday Liturgy of the Word 7:00PM

April 11 Holy Saturday blessing of the food 2:30PM Easter Vigil 8:00PM Gaudemus Celebration following Vigil

April 12 Easter Sunday Masses 8:30 and 11AM

April 25/26 First Communion at Masses

May 3 May Crowning 11:00AM Mass

June 28 Eucharistic Procession after 11:00AM Mass

LENT 2020

Thursdays of Lent: Adoration Noon-8:00PM with Vespers and Benediction at 7:30PM

Fridays of Lent: Stations of the Cross 7:00PM (February 28—March 27)

Lenten Mission: Monday and Tuesday, March 9 and 10 at 6:30PM

Evening of Confession: Wednesday, March 11 from 5:00-8:00PM

Living Stations: Friday, April 3 at 7:30PM

Triduum: April 9-11

Easter Sunday: April 12

HEARING LOOP

The LOOP is a series of wires

under the church carpet and also

laid down just in front of one pew in

each of the four banks of pews,

these wires are covered by a

brown industrial tape on the floor

tiles. Two electric driver units,

installed into our sound rack in the

sacristy, produce and control the low-frequency signal that the

people’s hearing aid T-Coils pick up from the microphones and digital

piano. The only weak signal might be in the back one or two pews on

the St. Joseph side of the church, but all the other pews have strong

signals and should be great for hearing the LOOP system. Please be

patient and experiment with where you sit for Mass.

Advanced EarGear is located at 2828 S. Arlington Rd., across from

Home Depot; they invite our parishioners to call and make an

appointment for any assistance 330-785-0800. Or just stop into their

store, tell them that you are a parishioner of Nativity of the Lord Jesus,

and they will turn on your T-Coil for FREE.

Even if your own audiologist tells you that your hearing aid doesn’t

have a T-Coil to work with our LOOP system; please contact

Advanced EarGear to double-check. Your audiologist does NOT

always know the technical details of your hearing aid.

Culture Project will be back at Nativity of April 15 to

speak to parents. Don’t miss this last opportunity to

hear from these young missionaries! There will be

time for questions as well.

CULTURE PROJECT speaks to Adults

April 15, Wednesday

Church

6:45—8PM