Father Sweany reflects on the Gospel for the 5th Sunday of Lent: John 11:1-45, the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

In today's message, Father Sweany gives ideas on how we can pray the Stations of the Cross at home, offers suggestions for other prayer resources and some updates on other topics of interest.

On Friday at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, Pope Francis stood in St. Peter's Square to pray and to deliver an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi: a message to the world. The event was streamed on the website of Vatican News. The Holy Father granted to all participants the Plenary Indulgence before imparting the Urbi et Orbi Blessing. We encourage you to join with us to pray with the Holy Father and be inspired by his message to the world. The service is the first one hour of this video.

Father Sweany answers some questions that he has received while we all "stay home" because of the coronavirus pandemic and suggests some ways we can pray during this time. Click to see the video

Click to see Father Sweany speak to St. Anselm Catholic School and School of Religion Students who are at home because of the Coronavirus.

Father Sweany talks about the new "normal" he is experiencing while we all stay home because of the coronavirus. Click to view.

Father Sweany is celebrating a private Daily Mass in the chapel in the St. Anselm parish office throughout this time when public Masses are suspended. He is praying for the daily Mass intentions and for all of your intentions as well. St. Anselm pray for us. Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for us.

Here is what is changing at St. Anselm Parish going forward.

As I am sure you have been, I, too, have been following the progress and the reports about the COVID-19 Virus. Governor Mike DeWine issued an order preventing gatherings of over 100 people to help curtail the spread of the virus. Mass and other religious services, such as funerals and weddings, were excluded from this order and are still permitted. As such, the Diocese has encouraged all parishes to maintain as regular a Mass schedule as possible for those who wish to gather for prayer. However, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass has been dispensed for the weekends of March 14/15, March 21/22, and March 28/29. It is possible that this may be extended as conditions warrant. Click for more.

The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland shared information with all parishes on March 10 regarding public health concerns in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19. The statement outlined additional preventative steps that should be taken in preparing liturgical celebrations. Click for the full statement.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 our parish and all of the parishes in the Diocese will offer “An Evening of Confession” from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Parishioners are asked to invite family or friends who are away from the Church to join in this special Lenten practice. Priests at all parishes will be present for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. More information is available at welcomecatholics.com.

Sister Therese Dugan, SND, former faculty member at St. Mary Seminary, will help us explore the invitation and inclination to pray more deeply this Lent amid the challenges of our surrounding culture. Sessions will be on the Tuesdays of Lent (except St. Patrick’s Day): March 3rd, 10th, 24th, and 31, 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the St. Anselm Hospitality Room. All are welcome

Registration is now open for Saint Anselm CYO Track and Field. All eligible PSR and school children grades Kindergarten through 8th grade are welcome to join us. Deadline for registration is 2.29.20. Click here for registration packets.

The Pastoral Care of the Sick for the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (emHC) session which was previously scheduled for November 11, 2019 at St. Anselm Parish, and cancelled due to the weather, has been rescheduled. The new date for this session will be Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 6:30-9:00pm at St. Anselm Parish. Click for registration information.

If you are considering a Catholic education for your child, know someone who is, or just want to see what all the excitement is about, please come and visit St. Anselm School on Sunday, January 26th from 10:00—1:00 p.m. We will be featuring the STEM Education program. Registration will begin on Monday, January 27th. Private tours are always available and can be arranged by calling the school office (440-729-7806) for more information. St. Anselm School is an EdChoice Scholarship Provider.

All are welcome to the free Thanksgiving Day dinner at St. Anselm on Thursday, November 28, 2019, from noon to 3:00PM in Kelly Hall. Click here for the flyer for the menu details and how to volunteer if you would like to help.

Reservations are being taken for Bella Notte, St. Anselm's 2019 Gala Benefit to be held on Saturday, November 2 at Guido's Generations Event & Reception Center. No reservations after October 23. Limit of 275. Get your tickets before they sell out! Click here for Invitation and RSVP Registration Forms.

Registration is now open for Fall 2019 CYO Basketball to students in grades 3 through 8 in the following order: 1. St. Anselm students, 2. St. Anselm parishioners who regularly attend PSR classes and 3. Student athletes that are members of Divine Word Parish. Registration Deadline: 10.18.19 Click here for registration forms.

Recently Pope Francis said “I invite everyone to discover the beauty of the prayer of adoration and to exercise it often.” Did you know that St. Anselm Church has Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday? The Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance after the 7:30 AM Mass and reposed with a prayer service at 5:00 PM. Why not stop in on Wednesdays and offer prayers of adoration. See what a difference it makes in your day.