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SSLqKEEPING CHRISTMASSSRq
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
The Rev. Ed Noga offers informational and inspirational messages in “Irish Eyes,” the newsletter of St. Patrick Church that is mailed to 3,145 households in 43 states.
The Christmas newsletter, complete with holiday wreath around the shamrock, included activities after Christmas. The 12 Days of Christmas refer to the time period from Christmas to the Epiphany, Jan. 6.
Father Noga said the Catholic Church will celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 8, the closest Sunday to the date. Epiphany also is known as “little Christmas.” It is the day that recognizes the birth of Christ and the visit of the Magi, and their understanding that the newborn Jesus was God in human form on Earth.
St. Patrick celebrates the 12 Days of Christmas with activities. Church members visit homebound members and go to nursing homes, where they carol. “It’s probably been a tradition here for some 30 years,” the pastor said.
The parish Christmas party will take place Jan. 8 on the nutcracker theme, “Let’s Get This Party Crackin’.” Maureen Collins will entertain.
Father Noga said he encourages church members to continue the spirit of Christmas ... “a holiday and holy day” that goes beyond the 12 Days of Christmas. “The joy of Christmas reminds us of how things can be and how we can make them that way,” he said. “We should keep the spirit of Christmas in our hearts year round.”
St. Patrick Church members do that in activities throughout the calendar year. Father Noga said his church mirrors what other houses of worship in the Valley as part of their Christian outreach. The churches “keep Christmas” year round by living out their faith through various ministries.
Last week, Father Noga, along with trained laity from St. Patrick and other parishes, visited inmates in the Ohio State Penitentiary. The group is there from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and reads Scripture with inmates and gives communion. “We visit Catholics and non-Catholics,” Father Noga said, adding those in this ministry go from cell to cell; the group may visit up to 30 inmates.
Father Noga also mentioned the church’s community garden on Cleveland Street. The 4-H group at South Side Academy, next to the church, also gardens there. A group of gardeners from the church used vegetables they harvested to make 100 quarts of vegetable soup, which they sold. Proceeds were donated to St. Vincent de Paul dining hall and its ongoing mission to feed the hungry.
In one plot, the church had grown sunflowers, which brightened the neighborhood. This season, corn was grown and enjoyed at a neighborhood corn roast.
Father Noga said he believes the church’s involvement in ACTION is a duty and education. Through the Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods, the pastor said, clergy and laity “can meet and get to know people of other denominations.”
Debbie DelQuadri, church secretary for 14 years, said St. Patrick sponsors Sauce and Song, a spaghetti dinner and concert, during October, November, December and then February through May. The event from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of the month raises money twice a year for charitable causes. Proceeds of $1,500 went to Catholic Charities to help people affected by Hurricane Matthew; another charity will be chosen.
She also noted there are donations in funds and service to St. Vincent de Paul dining hall and food pantry. The church staffs the dining hall twice a year, she said, adding that some church members are regular volunteers.
Marcy Fessler, new director of faith formation, said the youth group sponsored a candy sale and proceeds benefited an orphanage in Haiti. The youth also will be collecting funds and canned foods for St. Vincent dePaul during the Souper Bowl of Caring project.
St. Patrick’s Christmas tradition includes a holy hour on New Year’s Eve from 3 to 4 p.m. followed by Mass. The holy hour is a time of reflection and prayer for peace in individuals to the world.