Winter 2017
PARISHNEWSLETTER
A New Year...Let your Light Shine!
As we enter the New Year, 2017 promises to be a blessed and exciting year for
our parish community. On June 13, 2017, our parish community will mark it’s 60th
Anniversary. It will begin a year of opportunities for us to give thanks, celebrate and
look forward, as the family of God, united in faith and love. Over the years, and for
so many, Saint Ambrose is family…it is home….it is a special place of God’s abiding
presence. Saint Ambrose is a well-spring of God’s grace and mercy. We are blessed.
We need to celebrate and give thanks to God. Watch for details.
In the final days of 2016, Bishop Lennon approved our request to begin a
process of looking at the needs of our Church and develop a set of plans that
can be reviewed, discussed and eventually approved. The Church is 35 years old.
It has been well-used and some parts of the Church are well-worn (carpet and pews,
along with some infrastructure needs addressed - sound system, HVAC, lighting,
etc.). The planning process will also give us an opportunity to discuss some things we
would like to consider (some of the religious art, etc.). Watch for details as we outline
a process of education and discussion so we can use the new year to develop a good
plan that will serve our parish community well for decades to come.
As you look to the New Year, please take a few minutes to review this newsletter and
our parish website. How can you use your gifts and talents, in this New Year, to
let your light shine? How can we, together, be a beacon of hope and mercy to our
community and all who come to us in their time of need?
As always, please let me know if there’s anything I/we can do for you and your family
([email protected]).
Blessed New Year!!
Father Bob Stec
P.S. The 60th Anniversary will kick off with our 10th Annual Parish Festival
(June 22-26). Please hold the dates. We still need a few more people to join the
planning team. Let me know if you are interested or would like some additional
information ([email protected]).
IN THIS
ISSUE
Welcome to Our Parish
Upcoming Events
Lent Faith Sharing Groups
FIAT
Winter Carnival
page 2
page 3
page 5
page 7
page 8
For latest Parish or School information, please visit www.StAmbrose.us
We are a Catholic Community of Faith, Centered on Jesus Christ who is Everything for us!
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We welcome 59 new families to Saint Ambrose!
A warm welcome goes out to the many families and individuals who have recently joined our parish community.
May you find Saint Ambrose to be a place where you are always welcome!
Justin & Stephanie Garcia
Kevin & Stacy O’Barsky
Teresa Alexander
Staci Paden
Kathleen Gattozzi
Elizabeth Allard
Theresa Gill
PatriciaPalzes
Eileen Aranyos
Richard & Kathleen Pender
Kevin & Amanda Glawe
Robert & Kathleen Bailey
David & Pamela Phillips
Andrea Barksdale
Eric Graham
Adam & Anne Griffith
Sarah Price
Cody & Nicole Bertke
Jose & Ivelisse Ramos
Stephen & Alison Hanudel
Bonnie Bischof
Richard & Peggy Hibler
Dean & Christine Rustic
Lucille Brezina
George & Shawna Serna
David & Maria Hinchliffe
Linda Brody
Glen & Erica Stevenson
Donna Burns
Steve & Melanie Horley
Adam & AshleyTreaster
Kevin & Julianne Jakub
Brian & Desiree Buskirk
Emilia Twarowski
Ryan & Jacquelyn Cuglewski
Eddy & Brooke Janczewski
Betty Kobak
Joseph & Beth Ann Vadini Jr.
Shane & Rosie Daddario
Wayne & Elizabeth Voit
Raul Davila
Adam & JacklynKornokovich
Ted & Barbara Warholic
John & Kathleen Kwiatkowski
Robert Deunk
Nick Wasylow
Danar & Hannah Lambert
MarilynDiTeodoro
Benjamin & Carol Yost
Julie Lynch
Ellen Dunlay
Jason & Brandi Zygadlo
James & Paulette Mascardine
Daniel & Katharine Eureka
Edward & Barbara Merrill
Cindy Evans
Trudy Miller
Kimberly Fox
God Bless those Baptized in 2016
Anthony James DeSimone
Logan Maximus Elsing
Coulson Scott Fridley
Cameron James Graham
Francesca Michaelina Janczewski
Daniel Patrick Kelly
Kyle Andrew Kramer
Kaylee Rose Karpati
Conor Gregory-James Lasker
Hadlee Rose Maag
Christopher James Mackey
Ava Anne Maslanka
Sydney Louise McNulty
Best Wishes to our Newlyweds
May God be the center of your marriage and the foundation of your family.
Preston and Lacy Baker
Benjamin and Gina Dotson
Anthony and Alicia Fazekas
Craig and Judy Fillimger
Scott and Betty Ann Hodan
Adam and Jacklyn Kornokovich
John and Stephanie Milini
Keith and Melinda Okress
Brian and Courtney Marie Poe
Alex and Lacy Rudiak
Andrew and Patty Sanzotta
Raymond and Amy Schmitz
Jason and Stephanie Swiderski
Steven and Jennifer Wirkus
ALL LIST UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 26, 2016
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2017 Men’s Renewal
Women are challenged everyday with the busyness
of life. Join us as women of all ages will enter into a SpaThemed Retreat Day where you’ll relax with friends, share
laughter and stories and strengthen your relationship
with God. Our retreat will include prayer, Bible study, quiet
reflection, Reconciliation and a service project, as well as
time for laughter and spending time with friends. What a
great opportunity to rest in God’s faithfulness during the ups
and downs of life and really have the chance to experience
God’s presence and Grace.
Christ Renews His Parish 2017 Men’s Renewal is free and
open to all Catholic men age 18 and over. Men’s Renewal will
allow you to make new friends while growing your relationship
with Christ. Join us for our next men’s renewal weekend on
March 18 and 19, 2017. This will be a wonderful opportunity to
be provided with the spiritual tools needed to bring clarity on
how to effectively blend Church, Family and Community.
February 4
For more information, contact Lisa at
[email protected] or 330.460.7315.
World Marriage Day
February 11
What a gift for Valentine’s Day! Mark your calendar for
this special celebration starting off with 6:00 pm Mass,
followed by dinner, live music and dancing.
Tickets (only $35 per couple) will go on sale soon in the
PLC. FREE Babysitting will be provided for children age 2
and up.
Contact Deacon Tom or Helen Sheridan at
330.460.7322 or [email protected] with any
questions.
May the waters of Baptism prepare you for walking the path as a Child of God.
Reagan Marie Angeli
Alessandra Marie Augustyn
Ava Rose Bailey
Brynleigh May Benson
Silas John Biven
Cooper Thomas Blackman
Mila Grace Brasacchio
Stella Marie Brasacchio
Arabella Marie Brown
Michael Joseph Buzancic
Anthony Michael Cain
Lyllia Joy Caraballo
Michael Peter Cunningham
Lavender Springs Spa Retreat
Malloy Therese Olivio
Austin Michael Prechtl
Piper Jean Rausch
Bailey Nichole Ritchie
James Ashton Roth
Emmeline Kate Shultz
Madelyn Grace Smith
Gianna Catherine Solano
Benjamin Ryan Swander
Cameron James Joseph Vince
Jacob Luke Wujcik
March 18 and 19
For more information or to register, please contact Vic
Preisel at 440.915.2330 or via email at victorpreisel@gmail.
com or Alex Molchan at 216.926.0440 or via email
at [email protected].
2017 Men’s Fellowship Group
Are you looking for good friendship and
spiritual companionship?
Men’s Fellowship meets on the second and fourth Thursday
of each month from 7:00-8:30 pm in Lehner Center-Luke.
Open to all men 18 and over interested in being a Catholic
man living daily in a world of mixed messages and pressures at
home and in the workplace. Come see what it’s all about!
Note: this is not a prayer group or Bible Study, but a group of
and for men in supporting their journey in their faith. Contact
Deacon Tom at [email protected] or 330.460.7322.
Senior Events
Our senior group has a great 2017 schedule lined up for you! We’re excited to bring some
new ideas and fun activities throughout the year. Watch the weekly bulletin.
You are most welcome to join us for gentle Yoga every Wednesday, from 9:00-10:00 am ($5 a session; no
contracts to sign). Also, make sure to join us on the first Wednesday of the month for blood pressure testing and
a coffee social from 9:00-10:30 am.
Contact Helen Sheridan at 330.460.7322 or [email protected] for any questions or concerns.
Angels on Wheels
Our Angels on Wheels Ministry is a wonderful group of volunteers who
graciously use their culinary talents for our parishioners in need. Our volunteers
not only bring a home-cooked meal to those families in need (due to a recent
hospitalization, surgery, death in the family, etc.), they bring God’s love, care
and compassion into their life when they need it most. Since our ministry’s
beginning, we have brought over 100 meals to families. Wow, that’s a lot of
delicious food—but more importantly, there is so much goodness and God’s
grace in making every single meal. We are blessed with all of our volunteers for their compassionate hearts, dedication to
serving others and, of course, their delicious cooking skills and talents.
If you are interested in joining our ministry—providing a few meals per year for those in need—or if you know someone that
could use a meal, contact Lisa at [email protected] or 330.460.7315. We have eager volunteers that really want to
serve the Lord by serving others.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” –Matthew 25:35
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Divorce Care
New Series Starting Monday, January 23
6:00-8:00 pm
Are you facing the struggles of divorce or separation?
Loneliness? Anger? Betrayal? Depression? Financial
cutbacks necessitating huge life changes? Helping kids
adjust?
You are not alone! There is help, hope and healing in
Christ, and Saint Ambrose offers a powerful Christ-centered
support group through the Diocesan approved, nondenominational Divorce Care. We offer adults peer support,
free materials and the Divorce Care 13 week video series on
topics of interest, with expert counselor and pastor input on
how to heal most effectively in Christ. You may find yourself
up in wonderful and surprising places on your journey with
Him as you recover. Meetings run continuously on Monday
nights, which coincide with Divorce Care for Kids.
Contact Diane Capretta 330.351.5471 or DCapretta8@
gmail.com for more information on the adult group.
“He is all about Resurrection and new life!”
All in All….
Divorce Care for Kids (DC4K)
New Series also Starting Monday, January 23
6:00-8:00 pm
This Lent, allow yourself to grapple with deeper questions, find
greater meaning and purpose in your life, and actually come to a fuller
understanding of who Jesus is and who Jesus can be in your life.
Is your child struggling from your divorce or separation? Are
you looking to help your child heal? Divorce Care for Kids (DC4K)
is a scripture-based program designed to help children (aged 6-13)
of families experiencing divorce and separation. Each session is full
of games, fun activities, arts and crafts, stories, exercise, videos and
music that are centered on a weekly theme.
Instead of giving something up for Lent, do something different….
something that will help you truly grow closer to the Lord.
Throughout Divorce Care for Kids, your children realize that they
are not the only ones going through this. They develop friendships
with others who understand how they feel. They will learn how
to sort through their feelings and will learn how to have healthy
relationships—with you, your family and with God. Best of all,
children will learn how God’s love can strengthen them and help
them turn tears to hope and joy.
Our new series will be starting on Monday, January 23 from 6:00-8:00
pm in the School, Lower Level Preschool Room. We will continue to
meet on Monday evenings for 13-weeks, which coincide with the
Divorce Care for adults support group. We are also looking to have
an afterschool session on Mondays or Wednesdays, so if this option is
of interest to you, please let us know.
This Lent, join a Lent Faith Sharing Group.
It’s easy...meaningful...and will be a great blessing in your life.
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Watch for more information in the coming weeks. In the meantime, open your heart
to do something different this Lent….something that will really make a difference….
something that will connect you to a deeper faith in Jesus Christ.
For more information, contact Jane Baldwin at [email protected]
If you think your child(ren) would benefit from Divorce Care for Kids
and would like more information, or would like to register your child,
please contact Lisa at 330.460.7315 or [email protected].
Saturday
February 18th
A fun t!
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If you do anything this LENT, join one our Lent Faith Sharing
Groups – Are you in?
Door
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B I NNeon Bingo!
During this upcoming Lenten Season, we are looking for families/individuals who
want to offer programs in their homes or individuals who want to participate in
these groups. In just 10 hours you can open up your home, sponsor and facilitate a
weekly session. We have all of the resources. To learn more, contact Jane Baldwin at
330.460.7381 [email protected].
TICKETS $25.00
Did you know?
Includes: all BINGO Games, Neon Dauber
and Italian Dinner
For 2016, our Community Meals fed 4,077! Each year
the number has increased for the number of people
served. God Bless you for your goodness!
Pre-sale at Saint Ambrose Office
(330.460.7300 or [email protected])
Please 18 years and older only.
• Do you give up or do something up for Lent? Give up 1 hour for the Lord a week
and grow spiritually.
• Do you want to be challenged this Lent? Join a friend’s Lent Faith Sharing Groups?
• Do you like to get together with friends? Talk about your love of the Lord and
make more of a difference in your lives.
We are blessed with an incredibly large parish, with over 15,000 members and 5,000
families. In communities this large, it may be difficult to not feel lost in the shuffle.
At Saint Ambrose, we pride ourselves on making sure YOU are given the care and
attention you need. One of the many ways we accomplish this is through Small
Faith Sharing Groups in homes. Launched in the fall, many of our parishioners have
opened their homes to host nights of reflection, classes, prayer groups...you name it,
we do it. Now that we’ve gotten a strong hold on the ground level, we are looking to
expand.
DJ and Music, Black Lights,
Minute-to-Win-It Games
Not your Grandma’s bingo!
mes
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N
Ten BI 400 pots!
$
$300 &
rall
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$1,000
Four gatherings of one hour.
Takes place in homes of our members
Reflection and Discussion on Lent Scriptures
Will help you connect the Word of God to your daily life.
No pressure….it’s designed for your comfort and ease.
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In Loving Memory
Eternal rest, grant unto them, O
Lord, and let perpetual light shine
upon them, May the souls of the
faithful departed through the mercy
of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Joanne Abramczyk
Stanley Bovit
Richard Tomasz Bujnarowski
Betty Castaneta
Robert Cebula
Donald J. Chambers
Eugene Dougherty
Stefan Feitl
Helen Feltes
Robert Ford
George Frederick
Josephine Godec
Deborah Grumbling
Dolores Hall
William Michael Haskins
Michael Andrew Hunter
Richard Irish
Danny Jones
Linda Sue Kamentz
Ted King
Marian Lariviere
Mary Luks
Germaine S. Lynch
Thomas Malinoski
Steven Meade
Homer Michaud
Aloysius Mullen
Noreen Nemeth
Richard Niskala
Joseph Palmer
Alice Piecuch
Dorothy Pytel
Dolores Roll
Karen A. Roman
David Ryan
Richard Sadie
Linda Siegel
Ricardo Stawicki
Karl H. Stechele
Ernest Strancar
Gerald Talmon
Dorothy Marie Thompson
Margaret Vargo
Mildred Weiss
Judith Wells
Dorothy Wolfert
Eldon F. Young
Margaret A. Zarefoss
LIST UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 26, 2016
If you experience the loss of a loved
one, know that we are here for
you. Please call the Parish Office at
330.460.7300 and let us know how
we can support you and remember
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your loved one.
Everything
for every student.
Every day.
SAINT AM B R OS E S C H OOL
Letter from Principal Cinadr
Dear Saint Ambrose School Families,
I‘m inspired by the love, care, warmth and commitment I’ve seen here – we are an amazing
community! Littlest Angels Preschool and Saint Ambrose School are blessed in numerous
ways, and I feel a deep sense of gratitude and honor in guiding such an impressive school
as ours! We’ve had a positive and powerful start to the 2016-2017 school year. As you
know, my mantra has been, “Promise, Pledge” to provide everything for every student
every day. Kudos and many thanks to our teachers and staff who have committed to
working with each other and with me to accomplish this goal. Together, we have reviewed
our strengths and areas for improvement so that we properly provide all that each of our
students needs and deserves. Here are a few exciting updates and significant ways we are
working for all children:
Saint Ambrose
School Open House
See all of the great opportunities that
Saint Ambrose Catholic School offers its
students. Saint Ambrose students receive
a complete education focused on values,
academic fundamentals and self-confidence
from preschool through grade 8.
JANUARY 29:
Tours available 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
To schedule a personal tour or visit, contact
us at [email protected]
or 330.460.7318
Souper Bowl of Caring
Let the Countdown Begin!
Join FIAT, Ablaze and Saint Ambrose School as we team
up again to raise money for our monthly community
meal program. Help us “Tackle Hunger” again this year on
February 4-5 after all Masses
Be sure to come out to Saint Ambrose the weekend of February 4-5 and help
the cause. We will have teams at all the doors before and after Masses to collect
donations, and of course great Super Bowl food items will be on sale in Hilkert
Hall. You don’t want to miss this great event!
“Do Something” in 2017
FIAT Nights Sundays 6-8pm
Start your New Year with FIAT! Join us on Sunday evenings for 5pm Mass followed
by FIAT in Hilkert Hall from 6-8pm. Each week we have great food, meaningful
conversation, and a lot of fun! Join us for our next FIAT night on Sunday January
22nd, and our annual FIAT’s Got Talent on Sunday January 29th. See you there!
RCIA
2017 promises to continue the momentum we began. You can trust that you will not find a better
faith and educational experience for your children. Thank you again for your trust and partnership.
With the Holy Spirit leading the way, we are building His kingdom, one child at a time. I pray that the
light and peace of Christ will radiate in your hearts and homes!
Heather Lee Elizabeth Brown
Mark Richard Hackett
Daniel Asher Matthew Hronek
Kevin Allen Patrick Koelliker
Leslie Victoria Therese Nienaber
Littlest Angels Preschool
As the Christmas season comes to a close and we begin the season of winter, we look to Jesus to
be our light in these sometimes cold, dark, snowy days. Our little angels love to sing, Jesus is the
light, I’m going to let Him shine! Let Him shine, let Him shine, all the time!
Confirmation Session
February 12
Attention Confirmandi! Don’t forget – our next
Confirmation Session is coming up on Sunday,
February 12. We will start with Mass at 5pm in the
Church, followed by our Confirmation Session
from 6:00-7:45 pm in the Gym. We look forward to
seeing all of you as we get closer to celebrating
the Sacrament of Confirmation!
Questions? Call Caitlin at 330.460.7387.
We hope and pray that you continue to find great joy in your
commitment to the Lord and God’s embrace in your life.
Sincerely in Christ,
Lisa Cinadr, Principal
330.460.7350 | [email protected]
January 26-28
Each year we join tens of thousands of people
from across the nation in the annual March for Life
in Washington DC. This year we’re blessed with the
opportunity to go with our own parish community
for this wonderful experience. Head to
www.myFIAT.us or call 330.460.7387 for
more details, or to sign up. Spots are filling
quickly, so sign up today for this one-of-a-kind
opportunity.
www.SaintAmbroseSchool.us
SCHOOL CULTURE: We are in formation of young people in the ways of the Lord, ways that
contemporary society sometimes tries to thwart. Sometimes difficult for all of us, but always critical
and important work. We are working on strengthening the heart of Saint Ambrose School and
building a stronger caring environment for all.
INTERVENTION: We have increased intervention services and are pursuing the Jon Peterson
Scholarship for families with students who have special needs. Our goal is to provide everything for
every student, every day and this is a HUGE step forward!
TESTING/MAP ASSESSMENTS: I am happy to report that the first round of MAP assessments shows
positive test scores and gains in reading and math. Teachers are already differentiating instruction
better and monitoring progress of their students more closely. Writing is next on the list for increased
attention as HSP students begin to use the Criterion® web-based writing instructional tool.
STEM CERTIFICATION: I’m very grateful to our team and the teachers, all of whom are working to
provide data that will designate us as one of the first STEM-certified elementary schools in Ohio, and
the first in Medina County. March for Life
Angela Sue Cecilia Paroda
Kellie Michelle Genevieve Ritchey
Lydia Lou Schiffrik
Jessica Lee Joseph Till
Jessica Christine Faith Woods
Food Fast
February 17-18
Back by popular demand – our Food Fast retreat!
Are you looking to start your year with a unique
retreat experience? Do you want to learn more
about issues of hunger and homelessness in our
region, and how you can make a difference? Join
us for 24 hours of fasting, friends, service and
more. Details can be found at www.myFIAT.us
or by calling 330.460.7387.
Our classrooms are wonderful places for learning, growing in our relationship with God, living faith skills and preforming acts of
kindness. A simple smile, hug, sharing a toy, a phone call to a friend or a listening ear can make a big difference in someone’s day! We
try to be a light to others through our actions, words and deeds. May your hearts and homes be full of warmth and Jesus’ light this
winter and may we share that light with others!
“Let your light shine before men in such a
As we bundle up, scrape our car windows, and shovel our driveways, may we all be reminded way that they may see your good works,
of this verse and see the beauty and awe in God’s winter wonderland! Let your light shine! and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Catherine Mitchell
330.460.7361 | [email protected]
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Matthew 5:16
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Thank you for making our
12 Days of Christmas so wonderful!
“Thank you so much for what your ministry did for my wife as she battles breast
cancer. The 12 Days of Christmas was so uplifting, the gifts were so appreciated,
but it was the thoughtfulness, the notes from the children, and the prayers from all
of you that made all the difference. Thank you to each and every person in this ministry and at Saint Ambrose.”
“Words are not enough to express what joy, comfort, and soul touching inspiration you have given me
through your thoughts and prayers. Each day, between the gifts and notes and
prayers, were so very uplifting. Thank you so very much.”
“I want to thank u so much for including our family in this ministry. So thoughtful,
giving, loving ....all of The above. I feel like Saint Ambrose is just a warm blanket that
makes you feel so warm and loved. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
GREAT
FAMILY
FUN!
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Knights of Columbus
Summer Festival Team
FIAT & Ablaze
Saint Ambrose
Winter
Carnival
Shake off the Winter blues!
Saturday, January 28
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Hilkert Hall
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20¢ games and kids prizes Activities and Games for all ages
Food and your favorite carnival snacks!
Fun for the whole family
bring your kids and grandkids for
another GREAT family night at Saint Ambrose!