Category: News

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin November 20, 2022

by Terrie Evans

On Sunday, November 20^th we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe also referred to as Feast of Christ the King.  This feast was added to the liturgical calendar in 1925 by Pope Pius XII for the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.   In his encyclical, Quas Primas in response to the growing secularism (A system of thought that rejects any reference to god or religion).  When Pope Pius XII instituted the Feast of Christ the King, he wanted to remind Christians that their allegiance was to their spiritual ruler in heaven as opposed to earthly supremacy claimed by dictators at that time.   In 1926, Pope Pius XII gave his blessing for the establishment of the 1^st church dedicated to Christ with the title of King.  This young parish with 225 members, located in the Mount Lookout suburb of Cincinnati was operating out of a pharmacy in the Lin-Del Building.  The new Pastor, Fr. Edward J. Quinn was a WWI Army Chaplain who used his Army Mass kit for the churches very 1^st Mass.  By May 1927, the Sanctuary and Church built by famed church architect, Edward J. Schulte (1890-1975) (also designed San Antonio Church and the only 20^th century architect to design 4 cathedrals) was consecrated.  The Cardinal Pacelli School was then established, named after Pope Pius XII (Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli). 

At one time, the feast was honored on the last Sunday in the month of October but in 1969, Pope Paul VI moved the feast to a new date, the final Sunday of the liturgical year which then assigns it to the highest rank of solemnity.  In the Catholic Church, the commencement of a new liturgical year starts on the First Sunday of Advent. The Feast of Christ the King has an eschatological dimension pointing to the end of time when the Kingdom of Jesus will be established in all its fullness to the ends of the earth.  The Feast of Christ the King leads into Advent, with the Church anticipating Christ’s second coming.  Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, spoke of the power of Christ the King in this way: “It is not the power of the kings or the great people of the world; it is the divine power to give eternal life, to liberate from evil, to defeat the dominion of death.  It is the power of Love that can draw good from evil, that can melt a hardened heart, bring peace amid the harshest conflict and kindle hope in the thickest darkness.”  The liturgical color is white for the Mass on this feast, which is also observed by the Lutheran, Anglican, Moravian, Methodist, Nazarene, Reformed and United Protestant Churches. 

On Monday, November 21^st we honor the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to recall the presentation of Mary in the Temple when she was three years old. This day marks the event when Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne brought her to the Temple to consecrate her to God.  Pope Sixtus V authorized this feast in 1585 for the entire Church after a reference to this event in the apocryphal (hidden) Book of James.  In the East, this Feast honoring the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary can be traced as far back as the 8^th Century and in the Eastern Orthodox Church, this is one of the twelve Great Feasts and one of the days when women named Mary (Mapia) and (Despoina) celebrate their name day.  In the Roman Catholic Church, The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates that dedication of herself which Mary made to God from her very childhood under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  The three feasts, the Birthday of Our Lady, the Holy Named of Mary, and her Presentation in the Temple correspond in the Marian cycle with the first three feasts of the cycle of feasts of Jesus, Christmas, the Holy Name of Jesus, and His presentation at the Temple.   November 21^st is also “Pro Orantibus Day” as a day of prayer for the cloistered religious for them to be “totally dedicated to God in prayer, silence, and concealment”.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin November 13, 2022

by Terrie Evans

During the week of November 14^th through the 18^th we honor the following saints on their Feast Day.  On Tuesday, November 15^th, we remember St. Albert the Great, the 1^st German Dominican.  Born Albert Magnus (!200-1280) was widely known as a philosopher and scientist who was considered the greatest German philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages.  St. Albert was very interested in the works of Aristotle and in doing so, studied several Muslim Scholars.  At that time, the Islamic world led Europe in the fields of Science and Medicine.  He wrote 38 volumes on subjects ranging from Philosophy, Geography, Astronomy, Law, Friendship and Love.  St. Albert died in 1280, was beatified 342 years later in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV and was Canonized 309 years later in 1931 by Pope Pius IX. He is the Patron Saint of Medical Technicians, Scientists and Philosophers.

On Wednesday, November 16^th, we honor two saints, Margaret, and Gertrude.  St. Margaret was born in Hungary and in 1057 at the age of 12 arrived in England at the court of English King Edward the Confessor.  At the age of 22 after the Battle of Hastings Margaret fled to Scotland and became   known as “The Pearl of Scotland”.  She would bring English Monks to settle in a Benedictine Priory in Scotland and it was there Margaret would go on to build a church in 1072.  She was married to Malcolm III, King of Scotland and she became the mother of three Kings of Scotland, Edgar, Alexander l, and David l.  Malcolm III died in battle in 1093 and Margaret died 3 days later.  St. Margaret was canonized in 1250 by Pope Innocent IV and is also venerated in the Anglican Communion.   St. Gertrude is also honored on Wednesday, November 16^th.  She was born in 1256 in Saxony and by the age of 5 was placed in the care of the Benedictine Nuns where she received a good education.    Gertrude would later join the order and become the Abbess at the same Monastery until moving her nuns to another Monastery in Hefita.  St. Gertrude was well versed in Sacred Literature and wrote and composed her writings in Latin.  She was characterized by her great devotion to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord in His Passion and in the Blessed Eucharist and her love for the Blessed Virgin.  St. Gertrude died in 1302 at the age of 46 and is considered the Patron Saint of the West Indies.

On Thursday, November 17^th, we honor the Feast Day of St. Elizabeth known for many good works in helping those less fortunate.  St. Elizabeth of Hungary was a Princess in the Kingdom of Hungary, born in 1207 and died in 1231 at the age of 24 in modern day Germany.  At the age of 4, Elizabeth was promised in marriage to Louis IV of Thuringia, her future husband.  Elizabeth was living in the same household with his family and had fallen in love with Ludwig during their childhood.  The young Elizabeth was married in 1221 at age 14 and had two sons and one daughter.  In 1223 Franciscan Friars arrived and at this time, Elizabeth became very interested in the ideals of St. Francis of Assisi and adopted them in her life.  Her charitable efforts pleased her husband and with his support they both   continued her work until his death in Otranto, Italy while he took part in the Sixth Crusade.  St. Francis of Assisi heard of her good works and sent her a personal message of Blessing before his death in 1226.  She built a hospital for the poor and sick at Marburg before her death in 1231 at the age of 24.   Due to miracles being reported between August 1232 and January 1235, Elizabeth was Canonized by Pope Gregory IX on May 24, 1235.  St. Elizabeth is often depicted holding a basket of bread or other items of foods or beverages to characterize her devotion to the poor.  In 2007, the city Marburg proclaimed the year “Elizabeth Year” to commemorate her good works with Pilgrims coming from all over the world for this celebration.  The Friars and Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis took part of this celebration with members of the Order holding special events to honor her in chapters all over the world.

On November 18^th, the Catholic Church holds the Feast Day for the Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles Peter and Paul to honor the Apostles who are believed to be buried there.  Built by the Emperor Constantine the Great during the 4^th Century, the Basilicas have been visited by pilgrims from all over the world.  Their significance in the Church is referenced to the obligation of Catholic Bishops to make a Quinquennial Visit Ad Limina, a requirement to go “To the tombs of the Apostles” Rome every 5 years to report on the status of their Dioceses or Prelatures.  This requirement was set in 1585 by Pope Sixtus V in 1585 who established the norms for these visits.  In 1909, Pope Pius X decreed that a Bishop needs to report directly to the Pope on the state of his Diocese once every five years, starting in 1911.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin November 6, 2022

by Terrie Evans

National Vocation Awareness Week will be celebrated throughout our country from November 6-12, 2022.  As practicing Catholics, we all believe God has a plan for us to live our own vocations.  Vocations means “Call” with some of us being called to marriage, to the priesthood, or to a religious life.   Pope Benedict XVI said, “Each of you has a personal vocation which He has given you for your own joy and sanctity.  When a person is conquered by the fire of His gaze, no sacrifice seems too great to follow Him and give Him the best of ourselves.  This is what the Saints have always done, spreading the light of the Lord….and transforming the world into a welcoming home for everyone.  This annual weeklong celebration of the Catholic Church is dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education.  National Vocation Awareness Week began in 1976 (46 years ago) by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to support those who are considering a particular vocation.  During this next week, our San Antonio Church Community is asked to pray for those young men and women who are called to serve the Church as Franciscans, Dominicans, Benedictines, etc.  We are also asked to pray for those who work with the youth in our schools within the Archdiocese and for all the Priests, Brothers, Sisters, and Deacons who have dutifully served San Antonio Church in the past and present throughout our 100^th year history.  We can never thank enough – Fr. Bill Ferris, Fr. Frank Jasper, Fr. Mike Savino, Fr. Rudy, Fr. Ralph Westerhoff, and Fr. Pat McCloskey for serving not only our church community but other parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

A Short Prayer for Vocations: 

God Our Father,

We thank you for calling man and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, Deacons, and Consecrated Persons.

Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call.

May our San Antonio Church Community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

A quote from St. John Paul II: “The way Jesus shows you is not easy.  Rather, it is like a path winding up a mountain. Do not lose heart! The steeper the road, the faster it rises towards ever wider horizons.”

Please remember, on Friday, November 11^th, we observe Veterans Day to honor all our Military Veterans.  In 2001, the U.S. Senate Resolution 143 designated the week of November 11^th-17^th as National Veterans Week.  Our San Antonio Church Community has many military members who have served in our country’s wars who are part of the 19.5 million Veterans within the United States, and part of the 500,000 World War II veterans still living.  These were the dedicated men who led troops into battle, served multiple deployments over years and came home to start families and became the greatest generation who built companies, communities and led our country to prosperity.  Many were the sons of Immigrant Italians who were first generation Italian American men who enlisted and were proud to serve and defend our country.  Our San Antonio Church Community is honored to have quite a few still attending Mass with us on Sundays.  There were many distinguished Veterans who are no longer with us that are listed on the Honor Roll Roster in the Hall.  Please take a moment to read their names.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin October 30, 2022

by Terrie Evans

Every November we as Christians honor two important days, the 1^st is “All Saints Day” to celebrate and honor all the Saints of the Church, whether they are known or unknown on November 1^st.  The day is spent by attending church services, praying for the dead and visiting cemeteries.  Observance of this day started in the 4^th Century to commemorate Christian Martyrs.  By the 9^th century, Churches in the British Isles held the commemoration of all Saints on November 1^st which was then observed by Pope Gregory IV and then extended to the whole Catholic Church.  In theology of the Catholic Church, All saints Day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven.  “All Saints Day” is a time set aside to give God solemn thanks for the lives and deaths of his saints whether they are famous or unknown. 

There are different traditions throughout Europe that are customs on “All Saints Day.”  In Austria and Bavaria, it is a tradition for Godfathers to give their God Children a braided yeast pastry (Allerheiligenstriezel).  Belgians will visit the graves of loved ones and place chrysanthemums to remember and honor them.  In France, wreaths are placed at each tomb or grave and in Germany, “All saints Day” is considered a silent day to only allow public entertainment if the solemn character of the day is preserved.  In Poland, families will gather at the cemeteries of loved ones to tend to the graves and then leave candles and flowers in their memory.  In Portugal, after Mass and visits to the cemeteries, Portuguese children will take part in the tradition Pao-por-Deus by going door to door to receive cakes, nuts, pomegranates, and candies to celebrate all the Saints in heaven.  

The second date is November 2^nd, the Roman Catholic Church along with other Christian Denominations honor “All Souls Day” to Commemorate all the faithful departed with a day of prayer and remembrance.  In Italy it is known as “Commemorazione di tutti fedeli defunti;” with many traditions being associated with Purgatory as bells toll to comfort those being cleansed, and candles will be lit to light the way for the poor souls languishing in darkness.  In the Catholic Church, the Faithful refers to all Baptized Catholics to remember the souls in Purgatory.  We are taught that the purification of the souls in Purgatory can be assisted by the actions of the Faithful on earth.  The Faithful on earth can assist those souls who have not fully atoned for past transgressions by prayers, alms, deeds, and especially by the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. 

“All Souls Day” is a time when we particularly remember those who have died.  The prayers appointed for that day remind us that we are joined with the Communion of Saints, that great group of Christians who have finished their earthly life and with who we share the hope of resurrection from the dead.  As we remember all our deceased loved ones who have passed on from our lives, please keep those from our church community who are no longer with us and who we have lost since in the last year from November 2021- 2022.  Martha (King) Andriacco (1943-2022), Kevin Bocklet (1962-2022) Edward (Eddie) Carota (1956-2022), William (Billy) Milazzo (1962-2022), Butch Prinzo (1939-2021) George Purtell (2022), Roy Romelli (1934-2022), Mary Louise (Stevens) Russo (1935-2022), Elsie (Farson) Ventre (1931-2022). 

Please do not forget to set your clocks back 1 hour for next Sunday, November 6^th.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin October 23, 2022

by Terrie Evans

Our San Antonio Church community sends its deepest sympathy to Frank Russo and the family of Mary Louise (Stevens) Russo on her passing on October 6, 2022.  She leaves children Pam (Russo) Baechle, Tony & Sheri Russo, and Perry & Cinamon Russo and their families.  Mary Louise was the daughter of Dominic (1904-1987) and Virginia (Guerrera) Stevens (1910-1970) who resided at 1966 Queen City Avenue and grew up around many extended family members while attending San Antonio Church.  After her marriage to Frank Russo, they became longtime supporters of San Antonio Church until her passing.  They were active and attended many fundraiser events throughout the many years they were members.  Mary Lou was very knowledgeable about the history of San Antonio Church and was always available to help Terrie Evans with her research for the 100^th Anniversary family stories for the detailed Centennial Book.  Mary Lou was a great lady who had many friends and extended family members who will miss her presence at our 9:00 AM Mass on Sunday.  She also leaves Grandchildren:  Ryan, Jason, Samantha, Amanda, Nick, Nicole, and Hunter.  Mary Lou’s Great Grandchildren, Braelyn, Christian, Sawyer, Finn, Jett, Baker, Aubrey, and Luke.  Our condolences and prayers are with all of you.   Her funeral Mass was held at San Antonio Church on October 12, 2022, with Fr. Len Wenke officiating.

This Sunday, October 23, 2022, is World Mission Day to support in solidarity the life-giving presence of the Church as we remember the poor and marginalized in more than 1,150 mission dioceses.  This day was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1926 for the whole church with the first worldwide Mission Sunday collection taking place in 1927.  This Sunday is celebrated as the feat of Catholicity and the universal solidarity as Christians all over the world recognize their common responsibility to aid the evangelization of the whole world.  Collections will take place wherever a Church is present to promote poorer parishes, overseas diocese and helping communities build schools, clinics, parish halls and even churches.  On this Sunday, Pope Francis calls each one of us to be witnesses to Christ and to recall the bond between every missionary and Christ himself.  His message for this World Mission Sunday is “You Shall Be My Witnesses” as Pope Francis states “Disciples are sent by Jesus to the world not only to carry out, but also and above all to live the mission entrusted to them; not only to bear witness, but also and above all to be witnesses to Christ.”  Pope Francis says “The call to Mission, is the invitation to step out of ourselves for love of God and neighbor as an opportunity for sharing, service, and intercessory prayer.  The Mission that God entrusts to each one of us leads us from fear and introspection to a renewed realization that we find ourselves precisely when we give ourselves to others.”  

On this World Mission Sunday, please join our Holy Father Pope Francis in supporting his missions.  As we continue to pray and respond to his call at home, we all share in those celebrations taking place in every parish and in schools throughout the world.  As we gather on this Sunday, our prayers and financial support will help bring the Lord’s Mercy to the most vulnerable of communities in the Pope’s Missions.  In carrying out this mission and with the efforts of our almsgiving in our church community regardless of its size it is fundamental importance to the goal of World Mission Sunday.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin October 16, 2022

by Terrie Evans

On this 29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we celebrate the fest days of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque a nun who advocated for the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Hedwig, a German Duchess who dedicated her life to the poor, orphans, and widows.  St. Margaret Mary was born in France who at a young age became committed to the Blessed Sacrament.  After making her First Holy Communion, she became bedridden for 4 years all the time praying to the Blessed Mother for a full recovery from the rheumatic fever that ravaged her body.  She never lost her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and by the age of 24, she entered the Visitation Convent in France on May 25, 1671.  She took her vows in 1672 and started receiving revelations of the Sacred Heart first in 1673 and in 1675. 

In these revelations the Sacred Heart asked her to receive Holy Communion on the 1^st Friday of every month, attend Adoration of the Holy Eucharist every Thursday, and always celebrate the Feast of The Sacred Heart.  Mary Margaret went on to promote observance of the Feast of the Sacred Heart to her Mother Superiors and to King Louis XIV who she asked to consecrate the nation of France to the Sacred Heart in 1689.  They both declined, but it was not until after her death that the Jesuits advanced her cause with her writings on the Devotion to the Sacred Heart, published in 1698 are now used extensively by Catholics.  St. Margaret Mary died on October 17, 1690, at age 43 and in 1824 was declared Venerable by Pope Leo XII and when her tomb was opened in 1830, two people were cured of their afflictions.    

On September 18, 1864, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was Beatified by Pope Pius IX and 56 years later in 1920, she was Canonized by Pope Benedict XV.  She is the Patron saint of Polio Patients and Devotees of the Sacred Heart.  Her incorrupt body is preserved in the Chapel of the Apparitions within the Visitation Monastery in France where pilgrims from all over the world have journeyed and reported many miracles attributed to her.       

On this Sunday we also honor St. Hedwig (1174-1243) who is considered the Patron saint of the Republic of Poland, Brandenburg, and Berlin Germany.    She grew up at the Andechs Castle in Bavaria with siblings Agnes, Gertrude (Mother of St. Elizabeth of Hungary) Matilda, Bishop Ekbert of Bamberg, Archbishop Berthold of Kalocsa, and Henry, Margrave (Medieval Title for a Military Commander) of Istria. As a young teen, Hedwig married eighteen-year-old Henry I, high Duke of Krakow, they welcomed 7 children.  After their last child was born the couple vowed to promote and facilitate the Growth of Christianity in Germany, Poland and throughout parts of Europe. 

In 1202, Hedwig and Henry built the Trzebnica Abbey, a Cisteercian Convent for Nuns.  When Henry I died in 1238, he was buried at the Abbey and Hedwig would later enter the convent to become a Lay Sister who would invite friends from all over Europe to till the lands around the Abbey establishing many villages, towns, and cities.  St. Hedwig and Henry helped found many convents, monasteries, hospitals, and Churches while living a very religious life promoting their Christian Faith.  St. Hedwig, Duchess of Silesia, and Poland died in in 1243 and was Canonized by Pope Clement IV on March 26, 1267.  She once said “Would you oppose the will of God? Our lives are His.” 

This Sunday is also the conclusion of Sukkot, the 7-day Jewish Festival known as the Feast of Tabernacles and the Festival of Booths.  For this observance, a sukkah will be constructed with walls of wood, canvas, or sheets to be free standing or on the sides of a building or porch.  The sukkah will be decorated with hanging decorations and artwork and will serve as shelters to resemble those that were built in the fields at harvest time.  It is used for daily prayers from the Torah, meals and some even sleep in the sukkah during this 7-day festival.  It is like harvest festivals and marks the end of harvest time and the end of the agricultural year in the Land of Israel.  It is also intended to recall the type of fragile dwellings the Israelites used during their 40-year journey in the desert after their Exodus from slavery in Egypt.  It is also celebrated by Christian denominations that observe holidays from the Old Testament who base the festival on the fact that Jesus celebrated Sukkot in the Gospel of John 7. The holiday by Christian Groups dates to the 17^th century.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin October 9, 2022

by Terrie Evans

San Antonio Church welcomes everyone to our Annual Spaghetti Dinner that dating back to 1936 when the choir stepped forward to start a fundraiser that would help raise funds for the church.  There are family members from every generation who have dutifully served over the last 86 years and the next group of volunteers who are present on this Sunday are the descendants from those original families.  All the parishioners from San Antonio Church appreciate our patrons who have supported this event and we thank all those dedicated workers, bakers, and cooks who made this day a success.  Buon Appetito to all!

On October 9^th, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890) St. Denis who died (258AD), and St. John Leonardi (1541-1609). St. John Henry Newman was born in England and was ordained an Anglican Priest in 1825 and soon was dissatisfied with the Anglican Church and their policies.  In 1832 while on a Mediterranean tour, visited Rome and met with Nicholas Wiseman, a Catholic Priest and started to read the writings of St. Augustine of Hippo about the Church Fathers.  By 1842, he was living a Monastic life and by 1845 was received into the Catholic Church by Dominic Barberi from the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ.  St. John Henry Newman journeyed from England to Rome in 1846 where he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Giacomo Filippo Fransoni with Pope Pius IX then awarding him a Doctor of Divinity Degree.  He went on to establish Catholic Universities and in 1879 was made a Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII, suffered from ill health in 1886 and died in 1890 in Birmingham, England.  Pope John Paul II declared him Venerable in 1991 with Pope Benedict XVI beatified him in 2010 after two miracles were attributed to him.  The first was declared from his intercession in 2001 and the second in 2018 with St. John Henry Newman Canonized in 2019 by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. 

St. Denis was the Bishop of Parsi in the 3^rd Century during the persecutions and was killed along with his companions Rusticus and Eleutherius in 258 AD.  St. Denis and six Missionaries were sent by Pope Fabian to convert people back to their Christian Faith.  With the help of St. Genevieve, St. Denis along with Clergymen Priest Rusticus and Deacon Eleutherius were very successful and the pagan priests became jealous and wary of the group and wanted them arrested.  After being imprisoned, St. Denis, Rusticus, and Eleutherius were slain on the highest hill in Paris, Montmatre.  They were buried in the Basilica of St. Denis started in 475 A.D. by St. Genevieve and the people of Paris.  The Basilica would later become the burial place of the Kings of France.  

The 3^rd Saint to honor on this Sunday is St. John Leonardi (1541-1609), a Roman Catholic Priest and founder of the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God of Lucca.  At the age of 17, he began his studies to become a pharmacist when he became certified at 27.  Soon after, he felt God was calling him to the priesthood and soon he was studying toward his goal and was ordained on December 22, 1572, at the age of 31.  He dedicated himself to adolescents at his Parish in Lucca and went on to organize a group of laymen to work with him in prisons and hospitals.  He would continue his work in Rome where he met St. Philip Neri who became his Spiritual Director and good friend.  St. John Leonardi was then given the task of reforming the Monks of Vallombrosa and the Benedictine Congregation of Montevergine. 

In 1603 he founded the seminary of the Propagation of the Faith for the training of Missionary Priests.  He died in 1609 after contracting influenza after assisting victims of a deadly plague in Rome.  His relics are interred under the altar in the Church of Santa Maria in Campitelli in Rome.   St. John Leonardi was Beatified by Pope Blessed Pius IX in 1861 and Canonized in 1938 at Saint Peters Basilica.   He is considered the patron saint of Pharmacists and Clerics regular of the Mother of God of Lucca.

Monday, October 10^th is Columbus Day, the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World.  He was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451 and when he was 41 years old was asked by Queen Isabella of Spain to discover a new route to China and the East Indies.  On August 3, 1492, Columbus along with 90 men sailed on the flagship Santa Maria along with two other ships, the Nina and Pinta.  He landed in the New World in the Bahamas two months later, October 12, 1492.  Over the years, Italian Americans have continued to celebrate this discover with Columbus Day Parades, Dances, Festivals and Educational Programs.  The month of October is considered Italian Heritage Month because of the efforts of Christopher Columbus.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin October 22, 2022

by Terrie Evans

On this 1^st Sunday of October, all Catholics are called to reflect on those who are the most vulnerable in society.  We are all responsible for those individuals   and to defend, protect and pray for them during the month of October.  As a church community we are asked to consider local pregnant and parenting women in need so we may better support them and to keep informed on local efforts.  We must keep our hearts open to anyone who is facing life changing circumstances as we “walk in their shoes” and join them on their journey while praying that Christ’s love will accompany them.  Tell them that God will always be with them.   

Pope St. John Paul II once stated to a group of American Bishops, “The pro-life movement is one of the most positive aspects of American public, and the support given it by the Bishops is a tribute to your pastoral leadership.” On this Respect Life Sunday, let us be grateful for the pastoral leadership of the American Bishops, and we answer their call to promote respect for the lives of unborn children, and to serve women in problem pregnancies with love and compassion worthy of the name “Christian.” For more information on the Church’s Pro-Life efforts and the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, please visit https://www.usccb.org/prolife. 

There are Pro-Life events scheduled within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center at 5440 Moeller Avenue, Norwood Ohio.  On the first Saturday of the month, a Pro-Life Mass & Rosary takes place from 9:00 – 11:00 AM followed by coffee and a speaker.  The next Mass and Rosary will be Saturday, November 5^th, followed by December 3^rd, and then January 7, 2023.  If interested, please contact Jerry Schmidt at (513) 509-9841 or jschmidtgj@fuse.net.  All these Pro-Life Masses & Rosaries are leading up to the March for Life 2023. 

Please remember the March for Life is scheduled for January 19 & 20, 2023 to celebrate, value and protect every life. The March is held every January and will continue every year until a culture of life is restored in the United States of America.  There are about 900,000 abortions performed annually as many legislative battles loom with the goal to not only change laws at the state and federal level, but to change the culture to hopefully make abortion unthinkable.  Many young people will be in attendance including teens and college students who travel with Catholic Schools, Churches, and Youth Groups.  In 2022, attendance was said to be in the tens of thousands with over half of the marchers under age 30 who started their day delivering roses and then lobbying members of Congress.  The March for Life begins with a rally at the National Mall, followed by the March down Constitution Avenue where it ends on the steps of the Supreme Court. 

Many Presidents and political figures have supported this day by addressing the throngs of participants.  In 1987, President Ronald Reagan and then President George W. Bush (2003-2009) both spoke remotely supporting this” national tragedy” and “noble cause”.   In 2006, U.S. Representative Steve Chabot spoke to the marchers and his stance against abortion.  In 2017, Mike Pence became the first Vice President and the highest-ranking federal official to address the marchers.  In 2018 and 2019, President Donald Trump addressed the 45^th and 46^th March via satellite from the White House with Vice President Pence speaking at the event in person.  And in 2020, President Trump became the first U.S. President to attend and speak at the March for Life.  The March for Life official website (http://www.marchforlife.org) Many in our church community have grandchildren and great grandchildren attending Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati who will travel to the 50^th March for Life in January 2023.  Please check with their schools to offer any support or assistance as needed.