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Weekly Bulletin September 3, 2023
by Terrie Evans
On this 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, we send condolences to the LaRosa family on the passing of two of their family members. They lost Peter Schmidt husband of Jean Schmidt and beloved father to Emilie (Schmidt) LaRosa, father-in-law to Nick, (Grandson of Donald “Buddy” LaRosa) and Grandpa to their children, Michael, and Anthony LaRosa. Peter passed away on August 20th at the age of 73. Peter was buried on August 25, 2023, from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. We also send our heartfelt sympathies to the LaRosa and Ciambarella Families on the loss of Joseph Ciambarella who passed away suddenly on August 24, 2023, at the age of 70. Joseph “Joe” was the much-loved husband to Denise (LaRosa) Ciambarella and cherished father to the late Jenna Ciambarella and Nicole (Ciambarella) Staley, son-in-law, Todd Staley and proud Papa to grandsons, Elton, Lennon, and Simon Staley. Joseph “Joe” was the son of the late Joseph Sr. (1919-1990) and Mary (Nesi) Ciambarella and son-in-law to Donald “Buddy” and the late Jo Ann (Augustine) LaRosa. Joe also leaves his two sisters Lena (Denny) Doppes, Patty (Tom)Martin, and brothers-in-law, Michael (Lisa), Mark (Cara), Tommy (Maria) LaRosa and many nieces and nephews. Always a West Sider, Joseph “Joe” kept up with those many friends he grew up with, especially those from the Ramundo Family who will mourn his passing. Please keep all these grieving family members in your daily prayers at this very difficult time.
On Monday, September 4th we Commemorate the Federal Holiday created by the labor movement when the average American worked 12 hours days during the long 7-day work week. At that time most workers toiled in mills, factories and mines in dire conditions that were unsafe for the recent immigrants who were not allowed breaks or sanitary facilities. The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882, and by 1885 was celebrated in industrial centers throughout the country. In 1887, the state of Oregon became the 1st state to officially recognize Labor Day as a holiday. When it became a Federal Holiday in 1894, there were already 30 states celebrating Labor Day. On September 4th we honor the American laborer and the contributions and achievements of all those past and present American workers who helped build our great country and are big a part of our country’s history. We remember all those past generations of men from our families who toiled and sacrificed at menial jobs to feed their families and worked to help establish prosperity and the well- being for a better community in their new home.
On Tuesday, September 5th, we commemorate the International Day of Charity on the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta who died on September 5, 1997, at the age of 87. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 with her work in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress which she felt was a threat to peace. The International Day of Charity was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to raise awareness to call all of us to become involved in charitable, philanthropic, and volunteer organizations. The date for this annual event was chosen to honor Mother Teresa of Calcutta and to never forget her dedication to those in need. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution which was co-sponsored by 44 Un Member States that represented all 5 Regional Groups of the United Nations. These Member States commemorate the International Day of Charity by encouraging charity through education and public awareness activities. This day is a call for us to give back and by doing so find causes we can promote. By 2014, there were International Day of Charity fundraisers and events scheduled around the world to fund charities, volunteer, or attend a charity event. Within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the Catholic Church provides social services and other ministries that promotes the goodness that leads to peace, joy for all of us to lead a full life.
On Thursday, September 8th we celebrate the Christian Feast day of the birth of Mary, nine months after the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated in Western Christianity and in some of the Eastern Churches. The legend states that St. Maurilius from the Diocese of Angers in France instituted the feast around 430. The earliest documentation that commemorates Marymas (Birth of the Virgin Mary) originates from a hymn written in the 6th Century taken from the Georgian Chant book of Jerusalem. The first Liturgical celebration of this feast is connected to the Marian Basilica built in the 5th Century on the site known as Shepherd’s Pool and thought to be the home of Marys’ parents. The Basilica Sanctae Mariae ubi nata est was dedicated in the 6th Century and is now called the Church of Saint Anne in Jerusalem. Under the Marian title, the devotion to Mary is widely celebrated in cultures around the globe with various prayers and hymns, especially the Novena in Honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In France, Marymas is known as “Our Lady of the Grape Harvest” for those winegrowers who bring their best grapes for a blessing from the local church. At the blessing, there will be a statue of Mary with the best of the harvest placed in her hands and around her feet. A special blessing will be said before the meal with some dishes prepared with the grapes from the harvest. In Goa, India on the feast of Mary’s Nativity, the family celebration called Monti Fest, this thanksgiving festival celebrates the harvest of new crops and blessing of the grain. Flowers will be adorned on the statue of Mary; and before lunch is served, the priest will bless a branch of grain that will be added to the dishes being served. There are Cathedrals dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Milan, Italy, Juneau, Alaska, and Biloxi, Mississippi. In Lorain, Ohio the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish was founded in 1898 to serve the Polish American Community; and in High Hill, Texas the historic church was dedicated to Mary was built in 1906.