Deacon John’s Stewardship Blog

Thanks to our parish fishermen who donated their Lake Erie walleye, we were able to provide 185 fresh, nutritious meals for those in need at the Dorothy Day House in Youngstown.

Your willingness to share the fruits of your time on the water is a beautiful reflection of Christian stewardship. By turning your passion for fishing into a ministry of nourishment, you directly answered God’s call to feed the hungry. The Dorothy Day House was deeply grateful for this unique, bountiful gift which brought sustenance and comfort to many local families.

Whether you reeled the fish in, helped clean the catch or supported our parish ministries through prayer and tithing, you are vital to our mission. Thank you for your continued stewardship and love for our neighbors in faith.

May God bless you abundantly,
Deacon John

Dear Catechists,

As we begin our new catechetical year, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for volunteering your time and talents. Through the lens of stewardship, we recognize that our time is a precious gift from God. By choosing to share your time with our parish youth, you are living out this spirituality in a profound way.

Being a catechist is more than just teaching; it is a vital ministry of hospitality and faith sharing. You are answering a sacred call to nurture the next generation of disciples, helping them encounter Christ in their daily lives. Your dedication forms the very heartbeat of our faith formation.

Thank you for your sacrifice, your preparation and your willingness to invest in our community’s spiritual future. Please know that our entire parish is praying for you as you embark on this journey. May the Holy Spirit guide you, inspire you and fill your classroom with grace and joy this year.

Love,

Deacon John

Dear Life Teen Members and Parents,

Thank you for making the opening day of our Life Teen Ministry an incredible success! We are deeply grateful for the vibrant energy of our young people and the steadfast devotion of their parents.

To our youth – your enthusiasm and joyful presence brought our mission to life. You remind us that the future of our faith is bright and active. To our parents – thank you for your commitment to nurturing your children’s spiritual journeys and for sharing your family’s time and talents with our community.

Stewardship is about answering God’s call to share our gifts. Seeing our families come together so beautifully is a powerful testimony to the strength of our parish. I look forward to seeing what Jesus has in store for us this year at Life Teen!

Love,
Deacon John

Last Tuesday we celebrated a very special birthday for a very special dear friend to so many here at Saint Patrick Church. Many of us know her as Tess Hickey and she celebrated 102 years of life!

I first met Tess in 2000 when she was the chairperson of the Stewardship Committee. As a member of the committee and a recent new employee of the church, I was invited to attend the International Stewardship Convention in Washington D.C. with Fr. Tim O’Neill, Tess, and a few other members. We came back so inspired with fresh ideas to incorporate in our parish stewardship ministry. We decided to focus on some basic tenets of stewardship, including hospitality, kindness, and gratitude. Tess has always been an example of these tenets, serving with a smile and joy in her heart.

When we arrived at her house on Tuesday, she had the dining room very neatly set for her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who were attending the dinner and celebration. At 102 years of age, Tess continues to serve with a smile and joy in her heart! Thank you Tess, for your many years of love and devotion to our Lord and Saint Patrick Church.

Love,
Karen Bartos