Good afternoon folks, We wanted to update everyone, that although Lake County is at the Purple Level, we will be open for our regularly scheduled Masses this weekend for the first weekend of Advent!

Saturday (Vigil) 4pm                                                                Sunday 8am and 10am

Please take the proper precautions in regard to your health and follow CDC guidelines in our ongoing efforts to keep yourself and others safe. We want to reassure everyone that we continue to be diligent and committed to thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting St Anthony of Padua Church.

Saturday's Mass will be recorded and posted to www.stafh.org and our St Anthony Facebook page Saturday evening.

God bless you always!

 

 

Fr Fred's weekly letter-November 29th, 2020 (1st week of Advent)

My Sisters and Brothers of St. Anthony Parish,

    IT’S A NEW YEAR—liturgically speaking. Welcome to the holy and beautiful season of Advent and the beginning of a new Church year. New beginnings are always great opportunities to renew our efforts, to re-focus our goals, and to look ahead with great
hope that our God has wonderful plans for us as individuals, as families, and as a parish. We embark on this new liturgical year with hearts filled with gratitude for the abundant blessings of God. I pray that your Thanksgiving, however you were able to celebrate the day, has enabled you to feel more blessed and grateful than ever. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring, especially these days. What we do know, without a doubt, is that our God will never abandon us, and will always give us what we need.
Advent is a time to open our hearts with joyful expectation for the coming of the Lord, not just on Christmas, but every moment of our lives. Take time to be still and to listen to God in your heart. Focus on the things that ultimately matter. Never lose hope,
vision, and the power of Christ’s love.

   I had a chance a week or so ago to meet with members of our Parish and Finance Councils, as well as with staff members, to start looking at and planning where our parish is going and how we can all renew our vision for our future. Often it is hard for
any of us to see beyond the pandemic, but this will pass, and we do need to look beyond. We talked about our future in very exciting but challenging ways. I am continually impressed by how much our leaders and people genuinely care about this
parish. We discussed goals for the future that go beyond just getting people back to Mass and offering a variety of activities—not that those things aren’t important—but truly engaging people in the life of the parish. We talked about the paramount importance of faith, and Christ being the reason for all we do. We want to put together an ongoing plan of what our objectives and values are, and what practical steps we can take to achieve those goals. To accomplish this, we need everyone to be an active
player—to share your vision, ideas and hopes, and to do your part to help our parish to achieve our goals.

   We are a community, a family, not just a group of people who periodically stop by. We are called to serve the needs of our people and those of the larger community. However, the only way we can do that is for all of us to be servants and good stewards. Advent is a very good time for each of us to pray about our part in bringing Christ into our midst and continuing to build a community of vibrant and living faith, and genuine and life-giving love. New beginnings are always very hopeful. However, they are not just events on the calendar, but primarily decisions and commitments of the heart. I pray that all of us will give our best to help forge a bright and fruitful future for St. Anthony Parish.

May God’s peace and love fill your lives this Advent and always. Peace be with you.

In God’s love,
Fr. Fred

 

Fr Fred's weekly letter-November 22nd, 2020

My Sisters and Brothers of St. Anthony Parish,   

   The shortest and perhaps most impacting homily I ever heard—many years ago—was on this feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe—the feast we commonly call “Christ the King”. It went like this: “If Christ is your King, prove it”. That was it. I will
always remember it. However, I also remember asking myself, how does a person show or “prove” that he or she really believes and shows that Jesus is our King?

   Today’s Gospel gives us the best answer I know of. It is not by crowns and gowns, accolades or honors, tributes or flowers. Jesus said very clearly, “When I was hungry, you gave me to eat. When I was thirsty . . .” You know these words. They end with, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers (or sisters) of mine, you did for Me.” Could the Lord have been any clearer”? Jesus’ Kingship was one of selfless service, limitless compassion, and unconditional love. He said very clearly, “I
did not come to be served, but to serve; to give my life as a ransom for many”. The throne of Christ the King is the Cross. Homage to the King means imitating His way and reaching out to the poor, the forgotten, the marginalized and those often considered lost and of no value. The person who is sincere about acknowledging and following Christ the King “proves” it best by tremendous love and care for the poor and needy—the least of our brothers and sisters. So, the question is, who (or what) is King
in your life, and how do you show it?

  This is also the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Next weekend we begin the beautiful season of Advent. Preparing for the coming of the Lord is more than just getting ready for Christmas. It requires patience, stillness and listening, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence. It is enhanced by a special effort to reach out to those who are neglected or feel isolated, or whose lives are filled with sadness or despair, to bring them the light and hope and joy of Christ. Perhaps the changes in life brought about by the challenges of the pandemic can enable us to bring about changes in our spiritual lives brought about by the Holy Spirit. Start with reinforcing the Eucharist as the center of your life, both in celebration and in how it shapes and guides your actions and
priorities. Our parish will be offering opportunities to deepen your love for the Eucharist, and how it can continue to grow as the center and source of all you do. New beginnings, like Advent, can always be wonderful opportunities to set new goals and
achieve new heights of holiness.

  Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. I know things may be different this year in how and with whom we can celebrate, but “giving thanks” is primarily a matter of the heart, and certainly not something we restrict to a particular day or tradition. The grateful person ultimately is a person who finds true interior joy. Life may not be easy, but God is so good and continues to bless us and do amazing things for us. Thank you for all you do, especially for St. Anthony Parish. I really encourage you to come to the Thanksgiving (Eucharistic) Table of the Lord. Mass on Thanksgiving Day is at 9:00 am. There is no better way to give thanks and to begin this special day.

   Have a great week. Stay healthy, warm, and filled with God’s peace and love. Be clear and let everyone know who the King is in your life.

In God's Love, 

Fr Fred

________________________________________

Sunday October 25th, 2020

1st Communion 2019-2020

 

 

May the Light of Faith shine forth from our parish as a beacon to guide our community to the Lord. When life seems difficult and troublesome, may our faith offer us security and strength. When we come together to celebrate God's gifts may the Holy Spirit fill us with joy.

 

 

Check out our Parish's catechetical (PSR) program by clicking on the icon below.  For more information contact Steve Biro at steve@stafh.org

For more informaton concerning the RCIA process, please contact the parish office 440-354-4525