Dear Friends in Christ,

Praise be Jesus Christ! This bulletin represents one of the first steps we’re taking to bring some sort of normalcy back to the life of our Parishes. Our last bulletin article was published March 15, and as we are all keenly aware, much has changed since then. Over the last two months our world has been turned upside down: businesses have closed, many people have been laid off, most of us have been locked or quarantined in our homes, a large number of people have died due to the Coronavirus—including some members of our Church Family—and so much more. Each of us have tried to cope with these changes in our own ways, but it does cause us to reflect upon what the new normalcy will be.

Over the past two months we have had similar experiences in the Parishes. Many of our staff had been laid off, but have now returned. A lot of effort has gone into cleaning and addressing maintenance issues/projects. We have tried to become accustomed to private Masses, with less than ten people for Sunday Masses. Every effort has been made to connect with our Church Family through Social Media, the St. Gabriel Project (phone calls), and our popular “Spiritual Pit Stops.” Life has been difficult, but ultimately God has helped us to overcome every challenge and find hope at moments of despair.

I began this article stating that this bulletin represents the first step to returning to normalcy in our Parishes, and this couldn’t be more true. We have been preparing and planning for everyone’s return, and while it may be slow at first, we cannot wait for the complete return of our Church Family. At this point, we are preparing for the return of public Masses on the last weekend of May—Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of our Church. While many things will be similar, we are actively working on steps and protocols that will help protect everyone’s safety and health. Please stay tuned for further details on the steps we are taking to protect everyone ’s health. Work is also underway for our celebration of First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and the welcoming of our newest members. Finally, long term planning is currently in the works for programming and events in order to consider the “new normalcy” - various guidelines, recommendations, and to account in some changes in our personnel. Please know every effort will be made to provide full communication and transparency as we move forward.

Like you, I cannot wait for the return to a new normalcy, but we must approach this transition with every bit of care and caution. Please know how seriously we are taking our role at St. Ann and St. Joseph Catholic Parishes, but also how anxious we are to gather around the altar of the Lord. In the next few weeks, let’s resolve to lift up in our prayers the upcoming transition and the reopening of our Churches. Please join me in praying for the safe return of all of our Church Family, and that more people will consider joining us and experiencing the hope and love that Christ came to bring. God bless! Sincerely Yours in Christ, Fr. Michael Pastor

Sunday, May 10 Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 6:1-7 1 Pt 2:4-9 Jn 14:1-12 Mother’s Day

Mass Intention: For all deceased mothers St. Ann & St. Joseph Parishes 1:00 p.m. Spiritual Pit Stop for Moms

Monday, May 11 Acts 14:5-18 Jn 14:21-26

Mass Intention: Jean Stierwalt

Tuesday, May 12 Sts. Nereus & Achilleus and St. Pancras Acts 14:19-28 Jn 14:27-31a

Mass Intention: Isabella Combs

Wednesday, May 13 Our Lady of Fatima Acts 15:1-6 Jn 15:1-8

Mass Intention: John Anspach

Thursday, May 14 St. Matthais Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 Jn 15:9-17

Mass Intention: David Watruba

Friday, May 15 St. Isidore Acts 15:22-31 Jn 15:12-17

Mass Intention: Bernadette “Bernie” Mack

Saturday, May 16 Acts 16:1-10 Jn 15:18-21

Mass Intention: David Watruba Ed Streacker

Sunday, May 17 Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 1 Pt 3:15-18 Jn 14:15-21

Mass Intention: Deceased Family of Bill & Evelyn Omler Jim Wammes St. Ann & St. Joseph Parishes

Mallory Abbot, Mary Benner, Pat Merrill Bergmoser, Jean Bisnette, Carol Butzier, Paul Colavincenzo, Jeanne Darr, Phillip Darr, Phyllis Dowling, Virgil Faulkner, Rev. Ray Fisher, Scott Forgatsch, Doug Fought, Erin Furlong,

Therese Gabel, Maria Garcia, Raul Garza, Paul Gonya, Raul Gonzales, James Haas, Claire Hampshire, Sue Homler, Dave Jenkins, Joe Joinville,

Bob Kanan, Kathy Koch, Carol Kromer, Bea Lorenz, Steven Link, Judy McKinney, Don Miesle, Mary Miesle, David Miller,

Dick Morley, Chuck Moyer, Virginia Poseler, the Price Family, Nicholas Reed, Marylou Reyna, Bill Rimelspach, Dick Ross, Eva Sanchez, John & Carolyn Spieldenner,

Steve Szymanowski, Sr., Terry Szyperski, Virginia Valle, Margaret Wagner, Wendy Wehring, Ken Weickert, and Deacon Norb Wethington

Important COVID-19 Update: Catholic Bishops of Ohio extend the temporary suspension of all publicly celebrated Masses/liturgies ending on May 29th, with the hope of publicly celebrating together the Solemnity of Pentecost on the weekend of May 30/31. Each of the bishops of Ohio, once again, dispense the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in their territories from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass during this time. We ask for the cooperation and adherence of all the faithful to the governor’s directives during this period.

This decision has not been taken lightly and, as your bishops, together with you, we recognize the sacrifice we are called to make being physically distanced from the Holy Eucharist and from one another. As your bishops we continue to encourage you to keep holy the Lord’s Day by participating in Sunday Mass by way of televised or livestreamed options and making a spiritual communion. We encourage all the faithful to turn to the Church’s treasury of prayer, praying as a family or individually the Liturgy of the Hours, rosary, divine mercy chaplet, and Stations of the Cross, etc.

In your kindness, please pray for these loved souls who have passed away recently. May God grant them eternal rest: Margaret Lehmann, Jerry Gebauer, Majorie Laird, Ray Longoria, Bob Frey, David Spieldenner, Vivian Kryder, Gerald Borer, George Widman, and Ilex Bragg.

May 8 - May 14 — at St. Ann Parish In Memory of Mary Herman - Given by Her Family

May 8 - May 14 — Blessed Sacrament Chapel at St. Joseph Parish

For all Healthcare Workers - Given by Anonymous

May 1 - May 14 — Main Church at St. Joseph Parish For Jesus Cruz - Given by Maria Alaniz

Kohler’s 818 Club 818 Croghan St.

(419) 334-9122

Open for Carry-Out!

Attention all ministers: As we approach the return of public Masses, please be attentive to your email and Ministry Scheduler Pro! There will be appropriate changes made to accommodate for the new

safety precautions.

Jason and Vickie Kupka are long time members of St. Ann. They were married at St. Ann Church in 1999. The Kupka family has four wonderful children: David, Emily, Molly & Benjamin. Jason

attended St Ann School and Vickie began her teaching Career at St. Ann School. Vickie has been a major part of running our annual Spaghetti Dinner and is also responsible for the delicious breadsticks. Together they have worked many fundraising dinners. Jason and with all of their children have been altar servers for many years. They have served on Pastoral Council and the School Board. Thank you for being such an active part of our Church Family, it is sincerely appreciated!

Let us march forward intrepidly to meet our Redeemer, Jesus, pursuing our onward course without swerving until we come to the assembly of the saints and are welcomed by the company of the just. It is to join our Christian forebears that we are journeying to those who taught us our faith… In the place where the Lord will be everyone’s light, the true light which enlightened every human person will shine upon all. In the house where we are going the Lord Jesus has prepared many resting places for His servants so that where He is we also may be. This was his express desire. Listen to His own words: In my Father’s house there are many resting places. And: I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. You may say, perhaps, that He was speaking only to His disciples, and it was to them alone that He promised there would be many resting places… and what of that statement of His about people coming from all sides to take their seats in the Kingdom of God? Have we any grounds for doubting that God’s will is effective? With Christ, sure, to will a thing is to accomplish it. In short, the Lord as not only shown us the way we are to travel, He has also pointed out our destination. Where I am going you know, He says, and the way there is known to you. this destination is our Father ’s house, and our way to it is Christ., as His own words assure us: I am the way, the truth, and the life… Let us set out, then, upon this way, holding fast to the truth and following in the footsteps of life. Christ is the way that leads us, the truth that strengthens us, and the life that restores us to life in Him. To make sure that we really understand His will, our lord prays a few minutes later: Father, it is my desire that those whom you have given me be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory. How graciously our Lord asks His Father here to grant what He Himself had promised earlier! The promise came first and then the request, not the other way round. Conscious of His authority and knowing the gift was at His own disposal, He made the promise; then as if to exemplify His filial submission, He asked His Father to grant it…. Yes, Lord Jesus, we do follow You. But we can only come at Your bidding. No one can make the ascent without You, for You are our way, our truth, our life, our strength, our faith, our reward. We belong to You; be the way that carries us onwards, the truth that inspires us with courage, and the life that fills us with renewed vigor.

Taken from Magnificat, written by St. Nilus of Sinai

During this difficult time, we are

missing our FACT family very much.

We are looking forward to the day

when we can all be together again!

Know of our love and prayers always!

~ ~

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER All music used with permission of OneLicense A-729175

We are excited to announce this year’s auction will STILL GO ON!

The format and platform will be different… we are replacing an actual stage with a virtual stage!

We invite ALL to join us for this year’s ONLINE AUCTION supporting Bishop Hoffman Catholic School.

Save the dates: May 30 - June 5!

Keep an eye on this page and our website for more details to follow.