From The Desk
From the desk of Father Shawn Landenwitch:
For Q&A visit Ask Father Shawn
November 17th, 2024
A NOTE FROM FATHER SHAWN on UPCOMING SABBATICAL
Dear Parishioners,
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Priests of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati are eligible to request a sabbatical every 10 years. A sabbatical gives a priest time to recharge from the demands of ministry and helps a priest maintain energy and zeal in his ministry over the course of decades of service.
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A priest has flexibility in how he designs his sabbatical. He could take a course, travel to Rome or some other pilgrimage site, or do something else that will be helpful to him.
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After a delay of several years due to Covid, the Archdiocese is now granting sabbaticals again. They granted me a one month sabbatical, which I will take in February of 2025. Our Parochial Vicar, Father Jarred Kohn, will take over the administration while I am away. Father Greg Konerman will assist with weekend Masses. I am looking forward to the opportunity to recharge, especially with the demands of implementing Beacons of Light in recent years. I also look forward to returning to the parish with renewed energy to serve the Lord as pastor of our family of parishes!
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Be assured of my prayers for you and your families!
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In Christ,
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Father Shawn Landenwitch, Pastor
Rev. Shawn Landenwitch
Pastor
Weekly Homily:
Listen to the Weekly Homily
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2022 Lenten Talk:
Listen to Last Supper: The Passover, the Temple, and the Prayer of Jesus
( Part 1) ( Part 2)
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2021 Lenten Talk:
Listen to Rediscovering Mary: Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope
( Part 1) ( Part 2) ( Handout) (Marian Consecration 2021 flyer) (mary2021.org)
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2020 Lenten Talk:
Listen to Unlocking Divine Mercy
( Part 1) ( Part 2) ( Handout)
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2019 Lenten Talk:
Listen to Parting the Waters
( Part 1) ( Part 2) ( Handout)
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2018 Lenten Talk:
Listen to In the Garden of Eden
( Part 1) ( Part 2) ( Part 3)
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2017 Lenten Talk:
Listen to Bread from Heaven
( Part 1) ( Part 2) ( Part 3)
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2016 Lenten Talk:
December 25th, 2023
Who is this child? Who is this Prince of Peace?
Dear Parishioners,
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War in Israel. War in Ukraine. Political battles at home. When will this fighting end? Our situation seems very dark, but this chaos and turbulence is nothing new. Amid similar turmoil and upheaval, Isaiah prophesied hope: "For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name Him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace." Who is this child? Who is this Prince of Peace?
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Every year at Midnight Mass as we listen to this reading from Isaiah 9, we discover anew that the bringer of true peace is the Baby born in Bethlehem. Jesus is the Prince of Peace because He reconciles us to the Father. Without Our Lord, it would be impossible for us to live in a state of union with God in this life or in the next. He also reconciles us with each other as He unites us together into one Church, and He teaches us the virtues necessary to flourish in proper relationships with others. I encourage us to reflect with gratitude on the peace Our Lord brings to us as we celebrate His birth. May the Lord bless you and your families with true peace, and may you and your families have a Merry Christmas!
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In Christ,
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Father Shawn Landenwitch, Pastor
Father Jacob Lindle, Parochial Vicar
July 30th, 2023
Parish Administration Update
Dear Parishioners,
Since I have become pastor of several additional parishes, have been looking at ways to reduce the time I spend doing administration so that I can have time available for more important aspects of ministry, such as bringing the sacraments to the homebound, visiting parishioners, or preparing talks for RCIA or other adult education. At our recent Parish Council meeting, we discussed the possibility of an adjustment to our offices that would make parish administration more efficient. The office at St. Mary of the Woods and St. Patrick would be open on Mondays. Tuesdays-Fridays, Amy Bihn would work in the office in Bellefontaine together with the staff at St. Patrick.
Benefits
This plan would enable me to supervise two offices (Urbana and Bellefontaine) instead of three. That will reduce the amount of repetition and make communication easier. It will enable us to cross-train employees to cover for each other in case someone is sick or goes on vacation. There will be some cost savings that will benefit both churches, as well as added flexibility. That flexibility is important since we struggle to find volunteers and employees to hire to fill all the roles that need to be filed.
I love serving as the pastor of both St. Mary of the Woods and St. Patrick churches. While any change can be upsetting, know that this change is being considered to help me serve the people of our parishes better. If you have any questions or feedback, please talk to me or to one of your parish council representatives.
With Prayers,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
Q&A
Why is this change being considered?
This change will be very helpful for the pastor and the ministry in the parish with the least negative impact. In comparison to changes in the Mass schedule, a change to the office will be rather minor.
How many St. Mary of the Woods employees would be relocating?
One employee, Amy Bihn, will relocate 4 days/week. Our maintenance and cleaning staff will continue to operate as they do now.
How will this impact parishioners at St. Mary of the Woods?
Most parishioners will not notice any change. The office at SMOW gets very little traffic. Those who want to visit the office can do so on Mondays, they could call the office throughout the week, or they could go to Bellefontaine to meet with staff Tuesday-Friday.
Will this change impact the Mass schedule?
No, this change will have no impact on the Mass schedule.
Will the pastor be available to meet at St. Mary of the Woods?
Yes, he will be available after Masses on Wednesday and Friday, as he currently is, or by appointment.
Is this a step towards closing St. Mary of the Woods?
No. The goal is to improve administration so that the pastor has available time to dedicate to more important aspects of ministry. The health of our parish does not depend upon office hours; it depends on fruitful ministry for the Kingdom of God. If anything, this change will strengthen St. Mary of the Woods and St. Patrick by allowing time for our priests to focus on more important ministry.
St. Mary of the Woods and St. Patrick made the necessary changes in 2016 to their Mass schedule so that one priest can cover the Mass schedule on a weekend. The current arrangement, barring some massive shift in Mass attendance, is sustainable.
Will the finances of St. Mary of the Woods and St. Patrick be intermingled with this change?
No-this change will not impact finances (besides some cost savings). St. Mary of the Woods and St. Patrick will keep separate accounting.
Are other family of parishes combining offices?
Yes. For example, St. Joseph in Wapakoneta has a combined office for the Petersburg family.
Will this impact money counters?
No-those procedures and the location for money counting will stay the same.
Will Urbana keep a separate office?
Yes. Because of geographic distance, staffing considerations, office space limitations, and other factors, it would be problematic to have only one office in our family. The best fit currently is to have two offices.
MARCH 26th, 2023
Beacons of Light Update
We are approximately 9 months into the implementation of Beacons of Light. The first challenge in implementation was scheduling-we had to figure out a way for the priests to cover daily Masses, weekend Masses, confessions, office hours, and other commitments across multiple churches, three offices and two counties. We have tried to avoid an excessive amount of driving time and to limit the number of nights the priests spend 'on the road' switching between rectories.
The second focus was developing a new leadership structure that will be effective for our family of parishes. After multiple parish council meetings and several town hall meetings, we decided to form two Parish Councils to replace the six previous councils. We now have a Logan County Parish Council and a Champaign County Parish Council. Two councils provide a balance between meaningful representation for each church while still being manageable for the pastor.
The next phase in Beacons of Light is to create a common vision for the future. What are our goals for the future for our family of parishes? This planning will include feedback from staff, Parish Councils, and Finance Councils. We will look at principles such as the centrality of the Eucharist, evangelization, and love in action in forming our vision.
This is a very challenging time for our priests as we implement our families of parishes, and I appreciate the prayers, support and kindness of so many of our parishioners. The food some of the ladies from the parish have prepared has been a life-saver! Please keep all of our priests and parishes in your prayers as we continue through this process.
In Christ,
Father Shawn Landenwitch, Pastor
January 29th, 2023
NE-1 Family of Parishes Name
Together with the Parish Councils of Champaign and Logan Counties, we have come to a strong consensus on the name for our Family of Parishes. We will be called the Mary, Queen of Angels Family of Parishes!
Thank you to everyone who submitted suggestions for our name. Since three of our churches are named after our Blessed Mother (Immaculate Conception, St. Mary, and St. Mary of the Woods), it seemed fitting to go with a Marian name. The reference to the angels incorporates St. Michael Church, as well as all the churches that say the prayer to St. Michael at the end of Mass.There were many people who wanted the name 'Our Lady of Fatima', but this name was taken by another family of parishes very early in the process. However, the title 'Mary, Queen of Angels' connects with the angel of Fatima.
I personally think 'Mary, Queen of Angels' is a beautiful title that reveals the high honor in which Mary is held, even in Heaven. As one parishioner pointed out, I had an image of Our Lady of the Angels on my ordination card. We are blessed to have such a powerful intercessor for our family of parishes!
In Christ,
Father Shawn Landenwitch, Pastor
December 25th, 2022
God so loved the world that He sent His only Son
Greetings parishioners!
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The Christmas season is a beautiful time that reminds us that "God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Our life is richer when we recognize that we are each loved and have a purpose in Jesus Christ.
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Amidst all the festivities, the Mass is the most powerful way we can enter into the joy of Christmas. In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus Christ truly becomes present to us, not as a symbol, but as a living reality.
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Christmas offers all of us a time to deepen our joy and gratitude for the gift of Jesus Christ. I realize the past few years have been chaotic with lock-downs and the transition of priests as our parishes have been grouped in new 'families of parishes.' For anyone who might be away from the Church for any reason, we invite you back to rediscover the joy of living as a member of Christ's Body, the Church!
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In Christ,
Father Shawn Landenwitch, Pastor
Father Jacob Lindle, Parochial Vicar
June 5, 2022
Welcome Father Jacob Lindle
At the ordination Mass on May 21, Archbishop Schnurr announced that Father Jacob Lindle will be the new parochial vicar for the Logan and Champaign County Family of Parishes. We are blessed to welcome a newly ordained priest to our parish. His assignment will officially begin on July 1, and the typical term for a parochial vicar is 3 years. Father Lindle is from Our Lady of the Visitation Church in Cincinnati. He attended Elder High School before going to college at Notre Dame.
The job of a parochial vicar is to assist the pastor in providing ministry to a parish by teaching, celebrating sacraments, and helping where needed under the direction of the pastor. Father Lindle and I will often alternate between churches on weekends and share the sacramental responsibilities of our six parishes. Keep Father Lindle and myself in your prayers, and we look forward to welcoming him to our parish in July!
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God Bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch, Pastor
May 10, 2022
Listen to Father Shawn Landenwitch's interview with Holy Family Radio (25 min)
"Fr Shawn Landenwitch, who is the Pastor of two parishes, Saint Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Russells Point and Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Bellefontaine, joined us by phone for an interview at the Spring Spirit Drive. Among the topics discussed was the Beacons of Light initiative going on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati."
May 8, 2022
Beacons of Light Update - may 2022
July 1 is approaching quickly. Beginning that day, Saint Patrick and Saint Mary of the Woods will be joining the four parishes of Champaign County in one family of parishes. That includes Immaculate Conception, North Lewisburg, Saint Mary, Urbana, Saint Michael, Mechanicsburg, and Sacred Heart, St. Paris.
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There are no plans at this point to change our Mass schedule at the Logan County parishes. The biggest change our parishioners will notice is that we will have a rotating schedule of priests. In both Logan County and Champaign County, people are used to seeing the same priest every weekend. Going forward, the pastor and parochial vicar (an assistant priest working under the pastor), will alternate between saying Mass in Logan County and Champaign County. Sacramental needs (baptisms, confessions, weddings, funerals, anointings, etc.) will be shared by the two priests.
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This arrangement will be a challenge for our priests. It will be important for our parishioners to understand that our priests have the responsibility to cover six parishes, so we appreciate everyone’s flexibility in making this work.
God bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
April 17, 2022
The Lord is Risen, Alleluia!
Today we celebrate the definitive victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death. With the darkness we see in the world today, especially the war and innocent lives lost in Ukraine; Easter gives us hope in knowing that goodness will triumph. The darkness we see in the world is only temporary. On our part, we simply need to put our full trust in Jesus Christ and unite ourselves deeply with Him in a life of prayer and in the sacraments. Those who do so will one day share in Christ’s victory when the faithful will rise to new life!
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Congratulations to our newest members of the Catholic Church! At the Easter Vigil Mass, Sierra Harris and Aaliyah Speert were baptized and Madde Beck and Reagan Kennedy (already baptized) were received into full communion with the Church. Please pray for their continued growth and perseverance in the faith! The Easter Vigil reminds me of how important it is for our Church to grow with new members. The faith is worth everything to us, and we should desire that everyone we know comes to embrace that faith.
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May all of you and your loved ones have a Blessed Easter!
God bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
December 25, 2021
Welcome Jesus into Our Lives
Merry Christmas to all our parishioners, families, and visitors!
The Christmas feast is a powerful reminder to us of where true happiness is found. True happiness is found in knowing and loving Jesus Christ, who showed His love to us by becoming man and entering history as an infant over 2,000 years ago. He came without any worldly wealth or comforts, but he was welcomed with love by the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph.
This Christmas, I encourage us to strive to welcome Jesus into our lives with the love that the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph showed. That love will truly transform us and our families to be more like the Holy Family. We are truly blessed to be disciples of Jesus Christ! May the Lord bless you and your loved ones this Christmas season!
God bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
December 12, 2021
Beacons of Light Update
As many of you have heard, the Archdiocese has decided that our new 'family of parishes' will include both Logan County parishes (St. Mary of the Woods and St. Patrick) and Champaign County parishes (Immaculate Conception in North Lewisburg, St. Mary in Urbana, St. Michael in Mechanicsburg, and Sacred Heart in St. Paris). I am thankful that the Archdiocese, based on our feedback, decided to separate Springfield into a separate parish instead of including it with our parish family.
I do not anticipate that there will be any immediate need to change the weekend Mass schedule when our family of parishes is implemented on July 1. We currently have two priests in our family of parishes: one pastor in Logan County and one pastor in Champaign County. The current Mass schedule is suitable for two priests. We will still have two priests assigned to our family of parishes come July 1, 2022.
Our family of parishes will be assigned a pastor and a parochial vicar. A vicar is a priest that works under the pastor to assist with the needs of ministry. The pastor is in charge of all the administration and all decisions, but will typically delegate certain responsibilities to the vicar. Pastors often stay in a parish for two 6-year terms (although there is discussion of allowing pastors to stay longer). Vicars typically stay in a parish for a maximum of 3 years. After a newly ordained priest has served as a vicar in two different assignments, he would be considered eligible to become a pastor.
Now that the parish groupings have been determined, the Archdiocese has begun work on the assignment of priests. They would like to limit the movement of priests as much as possible for the sake of stability, while at the same time acknowledging that a lot of priests (maybe about 40%) will need to be moved. Whenever possible, one of the current pastors in a family of parishes will be appointed as pastor. Any other current pastors in the family of parishes will be moved to a new assignment either as a pastor or a vicar somewhere else, or in some cases the priest will be eligible to retire.
We will know the priest assignments by the Spring of 2022, but possibly as early as February. The new assignments will take effect July 1, 2022. At that point, each family of parishes will begin a 5-year process that will help the different churches to coordinate and work together more effectively. There will be a lot of decisions that will be made going forward at the local level to help the parish administration to be more cohesive.
I know that uncertainty and change can be unpleasant for our parishioners, our staff, and our priests. I encourage us to be patient and prayerful throughout this process. The Archdiocese is doing their best to make good decisions that will benefit the long-term health of our parishes. If you have any questions about this process, feel free to ask me or check out the website: catholicaoc.org/beacons-of-light
With prayers,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
April 11, 2021
Communion Rail: Q&A
Dear Parishioners,
Our St. Mary of the Woods Parish Council and many parishioners have been requesting a communion rail for years. The following Q&A is meant to help us understand the devotional and theological reasons behind the communion rail, and to answer some practical questions.
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Will people be forced to kneel at the communion rail?
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No. The U.S. bishops decided the norm in the U.S. in recent decades is to receive standing, but the Congregation of Divine Worship is clear that individuals have the right to receive kneeling. The universal practice of kneeling was standard for many centuries before the current practice.
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The traditional Latin Mass, which we offer twice a month, follows different rules. The faithful receive communion kneeling (if they are physically able) in the traditional Latin Mass, following the 1962 rubrics. Standing and communion in the hand are not permitted in the 1962 rubrics.
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Why are many parishes going back to communion rails?
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There has been a revival in the Church regarding Eucharistic devotion. As many Catholics rediscover the traditions of the Church, more and more of the faithful prefer to receive kneeling. We see this growing trend in our own parish. Some parishioners would like to kneel, but would have a hard time getting back up without a communion rail.
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In addition to allowing communion to proceed reverently, I anticipate the communion rail will produce great spiritual benefits. Instead of people being ‘in motion’ as they walk through communion lines, parishioners get a few moments to pause before and after communion as they kneel or stand by the rail. This enables them to cherish the moment and open themselves to graces in a way that is difficult to do when walking through a normal communion line. I anticipate that many people who have never used a communion rail will fall in love with it once they experience its use.
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Are communion rails barriers between the people and God?
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No. Communion rails were never intended to be barriers to prevent access to God. This is a false idea that, while circulated by some, has no basis in any Catholic teaching, belief or practice. Given the height and design of communion rails, they make very poor barriers.
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Communion rails are sacred places where people are nourished by the Bread from Heaven. That is why they were designed with great beauty and care. The architectural style of communion rails was often similar to the altar, because they were seen as extending from the altar: the Eucharist is consecrated on the altar, and then received at the rail. Heaven and earth meet at the communion rail; it is a place of communion, not a barrier.
In Christ,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
April 4, 2021
The Lord is Risen, Alleluia!
Dear Parishioners,
Today we celebrate the greatest feast day in the Church year-the Feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! This is a day of joy and hope. Joy-because Jesus Christ conquered death. He is alive and He is present with us, especially in His Church and in the sacraments. Hope-it is our hope to one day participate in the Resurrection of the Living. Hope in eternal life can carry us through many trials in this life. St. Paul speaks about this hope as he tells us, 'Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard.... what God has prepared for those who love Him' 1 Cor 2:9.
Easter Sunday reminds all of us just how thankful we should be as members of the Church. The blessings Christ has won for us far exceed anything this world can offer. May you and your families and loved ones have a blessed and joyful Easter!
In Christ,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
March 14, 2021
The Equality Act: A Catholic Prospective
Dear Parishioners,
What do we as Catholics believe about the issue of transgenderism? How do we balance Christian charity and compassion with the truth that God created us male and female (Gen 1:27)? Below are several important points for reflection.
Transgender ideology is bad for those with gender dysphoria
Modern medicine has real limits; we do not have the ability to transition men into women or vice versa. Gender reassignment surgery doesn’t actually accomplish what it claims. God created us male and female, and there are real physical and spiritual differences between men and women that go even deeper than genetics. When a person seeks to live as the opposite gender, they are seeking a goal that is impossible to attain. This leads to a life of perpetual frustration. This is why, as the US Bishops highlighted in their letter to the US House of Representatives, gender reassignment surgery is linked to higher rates of suicide and other damaging psychological consequences. Transgender ideology leads people down a destructive path.
The word compassion means to ‘suffer with.’ The response of Christian charity to those with gender dysphoria is to walk and suffer with them as we help them to live in accord with the truth of their creation. Christ offers a path of healing so we can discover and embrace our true identity as men and women created in the image of God. This leads to authentic fulfillment rather than to despair.
Transgender ideology is bad for the common good of society
The United States was built of the concept of objective, God-given individual rights. For example, all people have a right to life, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech. Transgender ideology bases the concept of rights on the subjective psychology of the individual. For example, a person who is biologically male has a ‘right’ to be female if he wants to be a woman.
Can we base the concept of rights on subjective psychology? If I think I’m an Asian female, do I have a legal right to scholarships for Asian women? If I think I own your house, do I have a legal right to live in it? Imagine the chaos that would result if we based ‘rights’ on subjective factors. What will actually happen is that whoever wields the power of government would determine who has what rights. In effect, we would move from a free society of objective human rights to a society where artificial ‘rights’ are imposed through the power of government to the benefit of some and the detriment of others. That system is where we find ourselves today.
Effects of the Federal Government’s push for Transgender ideology
On his first day in office, the president issued an executive order that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. The US House of Representatives recently passed the Equality Act, and it now moves on to the Senate. It is critically important for all Americans to understand the true intent of these laws/policies. Catholic teaching prohibits unjust discrimination against anyone. No one should have to fear that they will be attacked physically or verbally, or that they would be blocked from access to medical care, food, housing, or other necessities. Pope Benedict stated, “It is every person’s right to gainful and decent employment free of unjust discrimination.”
However, the Equality Act and the president’s executive order were not written to protect individuals from unjust discrimination; they have a very different goal. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a letter in 2019 to the US House of Representatives expressing concerns that “The Equality Act would impose sweeping regulations to the detriment of society as a whole.”
This is a partial list of the effects of the Equality Act:
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“An individual shall not be denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual’s gender identity.” -The Equality Act. This applies to school bathrooms and locker rooms, which creates major privacy issues for children and society as a whole.
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Doctors/nurses will be legally required to perform sex reassignment surgeries regardless of whether it is in the best interest of their patient, and regardless of their freedom of conscience. It violates their Hippocratic oath to do no harm.
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Children would have a ‘right’ to be given puberty-blocking medications and have life-altering surgeries. The US Bishops have warned, “Under the Equality Act, refusing this type of treatment could be used by states to take children away from their parents, as has already occurred in certain places such as Cincinnati in 2018.” This violates the rights of parents, as well as medical professionals, while isolating children from the wisdom and protection of their parents.
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This bill will effectively end male and female sports as we know them. Boys and girls could switch at will between teams, which would put girls at a disadvantage.
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People would be required to address others by their ‘preferred pronoun’ in workplaces, schools, churches, etc.
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This bill explicitly exempts itself from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was a bill that was passed with bipartisan support in 1993. This means that churches, Catholic schools, and other religious organizations (hospitals, homeless shelters, adoption agencies) would be legally required to follow all the requirements of the bill, despite contradicting deeply-held religious convictions.
This legislation is designed not as a shield to protect the vulnerable, but as a sword to attack people of goodwill. It will eliminate Religious Freedom and any legitimate boundaries that uphold the rights of men and women, boys and girls. Anyone that believes there is a legitimate difference between men and women will be criminalized for violating a re-written 1964 Civil Rights Act.
While this legislation might be promoted as ‘compassionate,’ it actually will radically reshape society in a way that is harmful towards the very people it is intended to help. Even if this bill fails to become law, these policies can still be advanced through executive orders and other regulations.
What can we do? Educate yourself, your family, and others who are willing to listen about what this bill really intends to do. Contact U.S. Senators and Representatives to express your displeasure with this legislation. And most importantly, pray and do penance for the conversion of our society! For more info, see: https://www.usccb.org/equality-act
In Christ,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
February 26, 2021
Top 5 Reasons to attend Mass!
Dear Parishioners,
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since lockdowns began for Covid-19, but we are blessed that life is slowly returning to normal as natural immunity and vaccines become widespread.
I want to take this occasion to personally welcome everyone back to church! I look forward to when we can once again pack our church every Sunday safely and without fear!
I also hope that we all return with a renewed appreciation for the Eucharist. In that spirit, I would like to pass on to you my ‘Top 5 Reasons to attend Mass!’
#5: Worshipping together
We can (and should) pray alone, but it’s also critical for us to pray together. Imagine how pleasing it is to God when He sees countless millions of us gather each Sunday together in worship as brothers and sisters in Christ! The Church is God’s family, and a family that prays together stays together. You are a child of God-don’t miss out on our family gatherings!
#4: It enriches our minds
Listening carefully to the word of God and worthily receiving the Eucharist at Mass can elevate and purify our minds. We learn to hear God’s voice more clearly and to discern God’s will in our lives. The Mass helps us to focus on important truths that might otherwise be forgotten in the chaos of life: repentance, forgiveness, faith, hope in eternal life, and true charity towards God and neighbor.
#3: The Lord’s Day
One the 7th day of creation, God rested (Genesis 2:2). God consecrated one day every week for us to enter into His rest (Genesis 2:3). Sunday is a special day set aside to give glory and thanks to God, and in particular to celebrate the Resurrection. The primary way in which we keep the Lord’s Day holy is by attending Mass, but also by dedicating extra time to prayer, family, and recreation. We become more human and more like God when we honor the Lord’s Day.
#2: The Foot of Calvary
Imagine for a moment what it would have been like to have been present at the foot of the cross. It would have been a life-changing experience. The Mass brings us to the foot of the cross, making the true sacrifice of Jesus Christ present to us today under the appearance of bread and wine. This is why Christ, after offering His Body and Blood at the Last Supper, commanded the apostles to “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19). How blessed we are to partake of this sacred banquet!
#1: The Eucharist
The closest we can come to Jesus in this world is in the Eucharist, which is truly His Body and Blood. “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54). The Eucharist is a foretaste of Heaven because it brings about communion with God.
“The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with him and make your souls everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in Heaven.” -Saint Mother Teresa.
Check out this short inspirational video on YouTube for a view of the Mass you may have never seen before: The Veil Removed.
I look forward to seeing everyone back at church soon! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or our office staff. Know that I have been praying for you and your intentions during this time, and I will continue to do so.
In Christ,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
January 3, 2021
THE GIFT OF FAITH
Greetings Parishioners!
Today we celebrate the journey of the three Magi to Bethlehem to adore the newborn King. Although the Magi brought their own gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, they received more than they gave. They received the gift of faith. They received an audience with the King of Kings. They were able to behold the one who would bring salvation to the world.
We don’t have to go on long physical journeys to adore Our Lord; we are fortunate to be able to adore and worship Jesus in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the greatest treasure of the Church.
As we celebrate this Epiphany, we follow the example of the Magi. We lay down our treasures before Him-our time, our resources, our desires, and our very selves. In doing so, we receive far more than we could ever give!
May God bless you and your families this Epiphany!
Father Shawn Landenwitch
December 25, 2020
Christmas Blessings!
Greetings Parishioners,
Merry Christmas to all our parishioners, families, and visitors who are with us to celebrate this wonderful feast day!
This year has had its share of hardships with lockdowns of churches, schools and businesses, mask orders, social distancing, and those sickened by the spread of Covid-19. Perhaps this year can give us a renewed appreciation for what Jesus Christ has done for us. When Christ became man, He shared in our suffering. As we experience isolation from lockdowns and social distancing, we can celebrate Christ reconciling us to the Father and to each other. When we face fear and uncertainty, we can look to Christ with absolute trust in His plan for us.
While 2020 has been a challenging year in so many ways, we end the year by celebrating with joy the arrival of Jesus Christ, the hope and light shining in the darkness. The struggles we have faced are also an invitation to a greater trust and appreciation for our Lord Jesus Christ. May the grace and love of Jesus Christ conquer the darkness in our lives!
May God bless you all and your loved ones this Christmas season!
Father Shawn Landenwitch
December 6, 2020
Shortage of Priest Coverage
Greetings Parishioners!
Both of the retired priests who resided in Logan County (Fathers Nartker and Rodenfels) have moved out of the area. Mass help is now more difficult to find.
If I ever get sick and am not able to celebrate weekend Masses, we will try to find a priest to cover the Masses. If we are not able to find coverage, we may have to cancel Masses in Logan County. If that is the case, parishioners can go to masstimes.org to find another Mass to attend, whether in Marysville, Champaign County, Wapakoneta, or some other area. Even though the drive time might be longer, Catholics have a moral obligation to make reasonable efforts to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, even if it is cancelled in their usual parish church.
While the Sunday obligation has currently been lifted during COVID-19, I do expect it to be reinstated at some point in the coming months (no date has been determined yet).
We will notify parishioners by OneCall if there is ever a need to cancel Masses. Please contact the parish office if your phone number is not in our OneCall system to sign up for important notification.
Please join me in praying for the continued health and wellbeing of all our parishioners during this difficult time.
God Bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
December 6, 2020
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Covid-19 Vaccines:
Moral Considerations
Dear Parishioners,
There are many moral factors that Catholics should consider when making a decision as to whether to be vaccinated or not. One concern of Catholics is that some vaccines are developed using cell lines that originated from the tissue of an aborted fetus. This is morally wrong. The vaccine being developed by Astrazeneca falls into this category. The Covid19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna were not developed or produced using cell lines from an aborted fetus.
We have an ethical obligation to avoid the vaccine developed by Astrazeneca (and any other Covid vaccines that use embryonic cell lines). Individuals will need to weigh the risks/benefits in making a decision regarding the other vaccines that are available. These vaccines promise a high rate of protection against Covid-19, but that must be weighed against unknown long-term effects from newly developed vaccines. If you do intend to get a vaccine, be sure to speak with your medical provider to ensure you are getting a morally acceptable vaccine.
God Bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
May 31, 2020
Welcome to the Catholic Church!
Dear Parishioners,
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Today we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost! Pentecost is known as the birthday of the Church because, after receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the apostles began to preach and baptize converts into the Catholic faith. We pray for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our parish on this feast day. We pray that the Holy Spirit will enliven our hearts and souls and enable us to be bold and courageous witnesses to Jesus Christ. We pray also for our evangelization groups that are working to bring people to a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ and His Church.
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This is also the first weekend that public Masses can resume since the middle of Lent. I know this time has been a trial for everyone, but it is truly a joyful occasion to have everyone back worshipping together in Our Lord’s house. A number of people have told me how they’ve come to a renewed realization about how important the Mass is in their lives. It brings me great joy to once again celebrate Masses publicly, and I hope that people return with a renewed love for the Eucharist.
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The sacraments of initiation for those in RCIA were moved this year from the Easter Vigil to the Pentecost Vigil due to the Coronavirus shutdown. I invite everyone to join us in welcoming the newest members to our parish and to the Catholic Church. Please pray for: Rich Armstrong, Della Baker, Heidi Baker, Scott Coleman, Josh Conklin, Austin Green, Angie Marcinko, Mike Mullins, Kaije Snider, and Todd White.
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Congratulations, and welcome to the Catholic Church!
Father Shawn Landenwitch
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April 29, 2020
Coronavirus Response Update:
Dear Parishioners,
As many of you might have heard already, the bishops of Ohio have decided to extend the suspension of public Masses through May 29th. They are hopeful that public Masses will resume the weekend of Pentecost on May 30/31. The bishops continue to be concerned for the safety of their people in trying to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
This suspension of public Masses is a trial for all of us. I know people are experiencing a variety of emotions, and I understand why some are angry or frustrated. It is difficult for me as a priest to not be able to offer the Mass publicly for our people, and I know many of our parishioners have not received the Eucharist for over a month. However, I am hopeful that we are through the worst of this situation and that May 30th will come quickly.
I continue to pray for all of you each day, and I am continuing to celebrate Mass daily for you and for your intentions. We will continue to livestream Masses on Sundays until public Masses resume. I am still offering confessions as scheduled, along with other sacraments (including the anointing of the sick, baptisms and the Eucharist) for those who request them.
Thank you to all of you who have generously continued to support the parish and St. Vincent de Paul during this shut-down. As you know, our expenses at the parish continue, and I want to be prepared to help parishioners and members of the community in need. Both parishes now have online giving, or you can mail or drop off donations at the parish office.
If anyone is in need of anything (whether it's food, medicine, or just someone to talk to), please let us know. Even though we can't come together at public Masses right now, our community is still strong. I am encouraged by the way people are watching out for each other. Please keep me, our Archbishop, and your fellow parishioners in your prayers!
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
Read Father Landenwitch's Coronavirus Response Letter for April 29th.
Read Catholic Bishops of Ohio Letter for April 28th.
March 17, 2020
Coronavirus Response:
Greetings Parishioners,
This Lent will certainly be a Lent to remember. I know the cancellation of Masses throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has caused many emotions: many are surprised, others are fearful about what will happen, and still others are upset as our usual routines are thrown into chaos. Other people have lost their jobs or had their occupations affected negatively by the government's reaction to the virus.
I encourage everyone to remember that God is greater than any virus or chaos caused in our nation! He is unchanging, and abundant grace is available at this very moment. Perhaps this is a chance for us to embrace a renewed appreciation for the sacraments. We can often take things for granted until we go without them. Perhaps this is a time for a renewed intensity in our life of prayer. Often we trust too much in the world around us and not in God.
For those who are spending extra time confined to their homes, I encourage you to use that time to enhance your life of prayer. Make this Lent into more of a retreat, with time to listen to the voice of God and place our trust in Him. Check out the Divine Mercy talks on the parish website. Please heed Our Lady's request to pray the rosary daily! We need Mary's intercession now more than ever!
Confessions will still be available on Thursday evenings (1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursdays at St. Patrick, 2nd and 4th Thursdays at St. Mary of the Woods). If any of the homebound desire to receive the Eucharist, contact the parish office.
There will be Masses livestreamed on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati website and Masses that can be viewed on EWTN. I will be posting a homily on our parish website each weekend. I encourage households to gather at the time they would ordinarily go to weekend Masses and read the Mass readings (available on the USCCB website), make an act of spiritual communion, and unite their hearts to the Mass I will be offering privately at that time. I included an act of spiritual communion below.
I encourage people to limit your exposure to the media; don't spend all day listening to reports about the coronavirus. A lot of the reports are not balanced and are scaring people needlessly. It may help to keep things in perspective. 50,000 people died this year in the U.S. as a result of the flu; less than a hundred have died in the U.S. (as of the time I write this) of the coronavirus. We have survived viruses before, and we will make it through this one.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me, and know that I am praying for you as well. I am offering Mass each day for you and your intentions. I will be saying all the Masses privately that were previously scheduled, so all Mass intentions will be honored. For those who are able, I encourage you to continue to support the parish financially. We will be losing several Sunday collections, and I anticipate that there might be a lot more people in need of financial help soon if there is not a quick turn-around in the economy.
With Prayers,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
Read Father Landenwitch's Coronavirus Response Letter.
View Archbishop Schnurr's letter.
COVID-19 Response information can be found here.
The archdiocesan website will be live-streaming a daily Mass and weekend Mass from the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains. Daily Mass will be available online at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday Mass will be live-streamed at 11 a.m.
Visit Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
All live-streaming Masses will also be available on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CatholicCincinnati/.
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
February 9, 2020
Church Renovation Update:
communion rail Questions
Dear Parishioners,
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We are making progress on the planning for the renovation! New lighting for the wings is on order and we are getting quotes for a new sound system. Our sound system, while a good system for 1994, is at the end of its life. There are major differences in sound quality and volume throughout the church. A new system should improve the audio greatly in the church. New equipment for the choir will also improve the sound quality of the music at our Liturgies.
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With the installation of a communion rail, some parishioners have asked whether people will be required to kneel for communion. The answer is no. Currently, parishioners are free to choose to kneel or to stand. The same will be true when the altar rail is installed.
Whether Catholics are allow to kneel for communion was, years ago, a controversy. The U.S. wanted the norm to be standing. Many Catholics were forced to stand and scolded for kneeling. However, The Vatican clarified that the faithful have a right to kneel if they so choose. Pope Benedict distributed communion to people kneeling and on the tongue as a signal to the entire Church about the reverence that should be shown to the Eucharist.
As the pastor, I am encouraged to see the deepening and renewal of reverence towards the Eucharist. This will bear tremendous fruit for our parish and for the salvation of souls!
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God Bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
December 22, 2019
Merry Christmas to you and to all of your loved ones!
Dear Parishioners,
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Isaiah 9:2 tells us, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." It's easy to be discouraged by the darkness around us. At Christmas, we celebrate the great light that shines in the darkness--Jesus Christ. His coming is proof that God has not abandoned us, and that He has a plan. His coming as man reveals that He desires to draw each of us into personal communion with Him. In that relationship, we find new life and new hope. The shepherds give us a perfect image of that transformation. They were out tending their flocks in the dark of night when angels appeared, lighting up the night sky and filling the silence with hymns of praise. We can imagine that their lives were never the same after that encounter with the angels and the Holy Family; they would have been overwhelmed with hope and joy. Christ desires to transform each of us as well.
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I encourage each of us to rediscover the power of a relationship with Jesus Christ this Christmas. Seek the Lord anew in the Eucharist, in reading Scripture, and in a life of prayer. Devotion to Mary in particular opens up incredible doors in our spiritual lives; who can better lead us to Christ than His own mother? The closer we come to Christ, the brighter the light shines within us. The more distractions crowd our life, the less clearly we perceive the light. Take some time to pray about how much richer our lives are because of our faith in Jesus Christ. In this relationship, we find the purpose and the truth that enables us to orient our lives in the proper direction. We are privileged to be able to worship a God who is so merciful that He became one of us to save us!
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May you all experience the joy of knowing the true light of the world, Jesus Christ, this Christmas season!
Father Shawn Landenwitch
December 8, 2019
Church Renovation Update:
Greetings Parishioners!
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I mentioned a few weeks back that we are in the planning phases of an interior renovation of our church. It has been about 25 years since the last interior work. Quite a few parishioners have expressed to me their excitement about the upcoming work. It is important for the future of our parish to enhance the beauty of our church and our worship of God. We were originally going to start work late this year, but we now plan on starting early in 2020.
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We plan on updating the sound system in the church with new wiring and speakers. To better match the wings to the center section of the church, we will remove the drop ceilings and replace them with drywall. We will replace the florescent lighting on the wings with ceiling-mounted fixtures that will coordinate with the fixtures in the center section.
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We are redesigning the sanctuary platform. We will be replacing the carpet in the sanctuary platform with wood. I want to widen the platform so our altar boys can be seated in the sanctuary. We will install an altar rail for the benefit of our many parishioners who kneel to receive the Holy Eucharist.
The biggest change to the aesthetics will involve the painting of the church interior. We are working with Blanck Studio of Art, the company that painted the sanctuary of St. Patrick Church in Bellefontaine and St. Joseph Church in Wapakoneta. They are very talented artists, and we will have a design proposal from them soon. The painting is tentatively scheduled to take place around September Of 2020.
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Work is progressing in consultation with Parish Council, so if you have feedback, feel free to talk to members of Parish Council about this exciting project!
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God bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch, Pastor
November 17, 2019
Reflections from the Holy Land:
I would like to take a moment to share some highlights from my recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was an amazing experience! One of the highlights was the Mass on Mt. Tabor. This mountain has a majestic view of the entire area around Galilee. It was the location of the Transfiguration, and also where Christ commanded the apostles to go and baptize all nations (Matt 28:16-20) after His Resurrection. It was powerful to reflect on the majesty of God at the very place where He revealed His glory to the apostles, and to know the Eucharist I elevated at Mass is the same Lord of Glory!
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I spent some time in quiet prayer in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, just a few feet away from the empty tomb. I meditated on John 20, the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene. In particular, I focused on what she would have experienced as she first encountered the Risen Lord. It’s amazing how being at a location like that can cause the events to come alive! I had a similar experience offering the Mass on Calvary, as I reflected on the words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
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A pilgrimage like this is a powerful way to strengthen our faith! It reinforces the fact that our faith is not based on mythology or fiction, but real events that took place at real places that we can visit today.
God Bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
October 20, 2019
Holy Land Homilies:
FOOTPRINTS OF GOD PILGRIMAGES
A special thank you to Steve and Janet Ray for recording and sharing the homilies.
Holy Land October 2019
For the Ray's Journal of the Pilgrimage,
Visit https://www.footprintsofgodpilgrimages.com/pilgrimage/holy-land-for-everyone-october-2019/
Homily 1 Galilee
Visit https://youtu.be/T-y6tUro0N0?t=141
Homily 2 Tabor
Visit https://youtu.be/rG9tKz3zToM?t=140
Homily 3 Beatitudes
Visit https://youtu.be/vHqdD5Cu-RY?t=90
Homily 4 Capernaum
Visit https://youtu.be/KxJTjySiLzE?t=335
Homily 5 Bethlehem
Visit https://youtu.be/D7-PhSWqXm8?t=187
Homily 7 Gethsemane
Visit https://youtu.be/OLZuovZSCos?t=266
God Bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
August 18, 2019
COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION AT MASS:
As many of you are aware, we have gone from four to two distribution stations for Communion at Masses through the summer. Some parishioners have wondered why this was necessary when they see plenty of distributors at the 8:00 a.m. Mass. However, four distribution stations require twelve extraordinary distributors (four at each Mass), every weekend, even when some parishioners are on vacation. We were not able to accommodate that this summer. It helped to have seminarians here for many of the Masses to distribute, but we still were not able to adequately cover all the 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. Masses.
While this change was made because of scheduling issues, there are important reasons why the Church teaches that lay distributors should only be used when necessary. Because the priest acts in the person of Christ at Mass, it is preferred that people receive Communion from the priest. It reinforces the connection that we are being fed Communion by Christ That reality is not as clearly conveyed when the distributor is not an ordained minister. That is why a priest is an 'Ordinary distributor," while a lay person is an "extra-ordinary distributor," used only when needed in extra-ordinary situations.
Going forward, we plan to return to four distribution stations at the 8:00 a.m. Mass after Labor Day. We will keep the two distribution stations at the 6:00 p.m. Mass because of the lower numbers of attendance and extraordinary distributors at Mass. Next summer, we may go back to two stations at the 8:00 a.m. Mass, when we have the additional 10:00 a.m. Mass.
Thank you to everyone who generously volunteers in liturgical ministries at our parish. get countless compliments from visitors that are inspired by our reverent liturgies!
In Christ,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
July 7, 2019
Parish Pilgrimage for 2020:
Dear Parishioners,
Join fellow parishioners on a pilgrimage from May 25 through June 6, 2020. The pilgrimage will include visits to the site of the apparitions of Mary in Fatima (Portugal), the burial place of the apostle James in Santiago de Compostela (Spain), and the healing baths of Lourdes (France).
A presentation for those considering being a part of this pilgrimage will be held at the Winner Harvest Barn, 7317 St. Rt. 47, on July 21st at 2:00 PM. Brochures with additional information will also be available soon. If you have other questions, please contact Charity Thiel at Saint Mary of the Woods (937.468.2091) or Father Landenwitch. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity!
Update: Register by Monday, September 9 2019
If you missed the informational meeting, you can pick up a brochure with more information from the parish office. Contact Jim and Charity Thiel or Father Landenwitch with questions.
We are now accepting reservations/deposits. Please register by Monday, September 9. The trip will be opened up at that time to people outside of the parish if additional seats need to be reserved.
God Bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
June 9, 2019
The Holy Spirit is alive and active in our parish:
Dear Parishioners,
Thank you for your generous response on my 10th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood! It was great to see so many people turn out for the celebrations! We are blessed to have a vibrant parish that is truly a spiritual family. The Holy Spirit is alive and active in our parish, and it was beautiful to witness the fruits of that.
I have been grateful for all of my assignments as a priest through the years. I loved teaching and ministering at La Salle and Alter High School, and I feel truly blessed to serve all of you here at St. Mary of the Woods and St. Patrick. I am looking forward to many more fruitful years of service here in Logan County!
Thank you for all of your prayers for me, thank you to everyone who donated gifts to help fund my sabbatical, and thank you to everyone who was involved in the celebration! I offered a Mass of thanksgiving for all those who volunteered their time and effort. Be assured of my continue prayers!
God Bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
April 21, 2019
The Lord is Risen, Alleluia!
Welcome to everyone visiting our parish this Easter: family, friends, and guests! Easter is the greatest feast day in the Church year, commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
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We congratulate everyone who was received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Please pray for the newest members of our Church, that they may persevere in living out the faith!
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The Resurrection marks the beginning of the New Creation - a creation without the effects of sin and death. Jesus Christ’s resurrected body is not subject to aging and decay like our bodies in this fallen world. His resurrected body is made for eternal life. We hope, if we persevere in fidelity to Jesus Christ, to share in His resurrection on the last day. At that time, our souls will be reunited with our bodies in the general resurrection. This is our Christian hope; a hope that is stronger than death.
May you all have a Blessed Easter!
Father Shawn Landenwitch
March 13, 2019
STATIONS OF THE CROSS:
We are blessed to have our Stations of the Cross repainted for this Lent! This project began with a proposal by Parish Council. The Stations were painted by Cassie Hassel, who lives in Bellefontaine. She is the same artist that painted the 4 statues in Saint Patrick Church. As you can tell from her work, she is a very talented artist. She worked long hours to finish them by Ash Wednesday so we would have them for the entirety of Lent.
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There are so many details in the Stations of the Cross that came to life once they were painted in color. I was struck by details like the face of Jesus on Veronica’s veil in Station VI and the nailing of Jesus to the cross in Station IX. I noticed the rope around Jesus and details in the garments of soldiers for the first time. Cassie commented on how impactful it was to paint the scenes from the passion of Jesus, which is something she said is ‘so close to my heart.’
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It is my hope that the Stations will deepen our appreciation of the passion of Jesus and lead us into a deeper relationship with Him. I encourage everyone to come out at least once or twice during Lent to pray the rosary and Stations on Monday nights at 6 PM. People can also pray the Stations on their own any time the church is open!
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God bless,
Father Shawn Landenwitch
February 1, 2019
Introduce people to Jesus Christ:
St. Patrick's and St. Mary's taking steps to increase mass attendance.
Listen to an interview with Father Shawn Landenwitch (18 minutes).
Visit Peak of Ohio article.