GESU NEWS & VIEWS Highlights of Parish, School and Alumni Happenings

Spring 2014 Vol. 6 Issue 1

From the Pastor’s Desk…

Fr. Snow sat down with News & Views to talk about his vision for Gesu and what he hopes The Fund for Gesu can do for the future of our Church. In an effort to support the preservation and enhancement of our Church, the people of Gesu have established The Fund for Gesu. As the effort begins, News & Views asked our pastor, Fr. Lorn Snow, to share his thoughts about the purpose and value of this new Fund. N/V: Let’s start with a probing question. Why do you so feel so firmly that now is the time to initiate this fund?

Fr. Snow: That’s a fair question, and easy for me to answer. This is a time for vision at Gesu. We need to see beyond the present, just as did those who preceded us. They had vision and we are the beneficiaries of it. It’s our turn now. We must think about tomorrow –the future—and what Gesu will need to continue to carry out its mission. N/V: Will you please put that past history in perspective?

Fr. Snow: This is all about the people of Gesu. Fr. Seth Walker’s congregation finished building our magnificent church in 1958. In Fr. Francis’ Dietz’s era, the emphasis was on nurturing an environment to give children a strong Catholic education. The people of Gesu, led by Fr. Jack White, built the Family Center and the Marian Chapel. All of those parishioners were visionary, and we can be, too. N/V: OK, we get it. We’re next! So what should be our roles?

Fr. Snow: We don’t have to go very far to see our most pressing need. Actually most of us can’t really see it, but the Church must have a new roof this year. The original roof is still on the building, but we have to replace it now. The builders did the first one right, and I hope we’ll have a new roof that lasts even more than 50 years. Our stained glass windows are magnificent, but some were also close to literally falling out of their frames. We’ve started restoring the windows, and that’s very evident now that the two large windows are removed from the Church for renovation at a local glass art studio.

We also need an access ramp from the Church floor to the Sanctuary and the Sacristy, increased handicapped seating, and automatic doors for entrance to the Church and the Marian Chapel.

The pews and kneelers need attention, our marble surfaces need preservation and sealing, the Narthex walls and ceilings need repair and deep cleaning, the Narthex also needs a handicapped accessible bathroom and a small kitchenette for recep-tions, and we need to make updates to the bride’s room. The McAuley Hall kitchen needs attention, and we want to make the restroom on the McAuley Hall level handicap accessible.

I’m excited about adding the shrines to Saint Ann and to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Placing them where the confessionals are now will give the Church an even more airy appearance. The baptismal font in the sanctuary will be renovated, and, in the ancient tradition of the Basilica at Rome, we’re going to install an immersion baptismal font. These improvements will further beautify the church and enhance our religious experiences. N/V: This is a very visionary and exciting plan, Father, but how much will it all cost?

Fr. Snow: We started studying details and planning for this effort last year. We consulted with talented experts in the areas where we wanted to make improvements. Based on their knowledge, and with close funding management, we believe we can complete these significant enhancements for $2.4 million. Continued on Page 5

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News from Development

Many things have transpired in the development office since the last issue. The Renewing the Mission Build-ing Fund Campaign wrapped up in October. 803 families (33% of the parish) supported the Campaign and pledged $4,274,369. Pledges are being paid through 2016, but total cash received to date is $4,031,514. Your generosity helped create the Madonna della Strada Pastoral Center, strengthened the Endowment and increased accessibility in the Church with the addition of a ramp at the side entrance and an elevator to McCauley Hall. Thank you to all who supported these efforts!

The newest endeavor is to preserve and enhance the Church building. The Fund for Gesu was created to fund nine initial projects in the Church and then remain an ongoing fund for future needs of the building. You may have noticed the work being done to clean and protect the stained glass windows. The cleaning has brightened the inside of the Church and protecting them has ensured us that their beauty will be enjoyed for generations to come. For more information about The Fund for Gesu, please see Fr. Snow’s

Q & A. To date, 257 families have pledged a total of $441,315 toward our goal of $2.4 million. Thank you to everyone who has supported this fund so far! If you’d like to make a gift to The Fund for Gesu, you can do so online through Faith Direct (www.faithdirect.net – use Gesu’s church code OH283), in your weekly offertory gift, or in the enclosed envelope.

I continue to be amazed at the generosity of our parishioners. Whether you are committing time to your faith, sharing your talents in a ministry, or gifts of treasure through financial support, this community flourishes because of its dedicated mem-bers. Thank you for all that you do for Gesu!

Take care,

Erin Julian

Welcome (back) Fr. George I was associate pastor here at Gesu from 2002 to 2007, and I have been back here since last August. In the five years that I was away from Gesu, I was pastor of our Jesuit parish in downtown Detroit for three years, and worked at Walsh Jesuit High School in various capacities for two years. I made some good friends in those five years, but it is good to be back here. We had originally seen this as an interim assignment, but it may turn out to be something a little more than that. I have reacquainted myself with old friends here, and am making new ones. With old friends, I have sometimes managed to remember names, and other times needed to be reminded. With new friends, I may have to hear your name a few times before I get it down. Fr. Snow, Fr. Vincent, Sr. Kathleen, Sr. Linda and everyone here have gone out of their way to wel-come me back and make my re-integration into the life of the parish as smooth as possible. While many of the people are familiar to me, the parish is not exactly the same. The Monday “Leadership Nights” are new to me, and I have felt energized by them. The renovated office building is a major improvement over what we had before, and it’s so nice to have the ramp and elevator in the church, replacing the old chair lift which was always awkward to use. People often ask me if I am still painting. I have not painted since last spring, but I have been doing some photography, and I did a drawing for the men’s retreat flyer. I look forward to getting to know more of you, worshipping with you, and working on various projects. Thank you for the welcome you’ve given me!

ADMINISTRATION Gesu News & Views

Spring 2014

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Gesu School Welcomes Ms. Iemmolo

Ms. Lucy Iemmolo will be the new Principal of Gesu School, succeeding Sr. Linda Martin, who will be retiring at the end of this school year, completing 16 years as Gesu’s school principal.

Ms. Iemmolo (phonetically pronounced YE-meh-low) is currently Assistant Principal at North Royalton Middle School. A life-long resident of South Euclid (“I live in a house my father actually built!!”), she attended St. Gregory the Great elementary school, graduated from Regina High School, earned a degree in Education from Cleveland State University, and has her master’s degree in Education from Ursuline College.

An experienced educator, Ms. Iemmolo began her career as a classroom teacher at St. Mary’s in Collinwood and at St. Margaret Mary in South Euclid. She was assistant principal and then principal at St. Gregory the Great before joining the North Royalton City Schools. Ms. Iemmolo has a variety of leadership skills in instruction, curriculum, and administration. Collaboration on projects ranging from Positive Behavior Support Systems, and Response to Intervention Programs, and enhancing technology in classroom instruction, were among her accomplishments while at North Royalton.

And how does Ms Iemmolo feel about coming to Gesu? “Wonderful! My heart has always been in Catholic schools and shar-ing day-to-day faith-based values with children. I’m proud to become a member of a school community rich in tradition and dedicated to the young people of the Parish.”

Welcome Sadie and Marcia – a great team in Religious Education

Sadie Curtin is a graduate of John Carroll University with a degree in Theology and Religious Studies. She is originally from Erie, PA, but is happy to call Cleveland home. She has been singing at Gesu for 4 years and was thrilled to be able to join the staff full time in August as the Co-Director of Faith Formation. She has truly enjoyed getting to know the wonderful people of this parish and looks forward to meeting many more! Sadie is excited to continue to help parishioners engage in their faith in a variety of ways.

Marcia Leous began her career in college student affairs, but eventually felt drawn to ministry in the church as a lay person. She assumed her first ministerial position in 1985 as Coordinator of Youth Ministry in her hometown of Buffalo, NY. Since then, Marcia has worked as a university campus minister (Boston & Rome, Italy), parish

pastoral associate (Toronto), elementary school religion teacher (San Francisco & Cleveland) and high school theology teacher (Cleveland). Most recently, she taught theology at Notre Dame College in S. Euclid, and worked as a substitute teacher at Gesu School.

Marcia joined the Gesu parish staff as Co-Director of Faith Formation in the summer of 2013. She serves the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland helping to prepare elementary school teachers to be catechists. She is married to Dr. Paul Murphy, a professor and administrator at John Carroll University. Two of their three children are graduates of Gesu School, Daniel (2008) and Julia (2011); and Elizabeth will graduate from the eighth grade in June. Marcia and her family have been members of Gesu Church since 2005. She holds an M.Div. from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, MA, and an M.Ed. from the University of Vermont.

Welcome Aaron Malnick, n.S.J.

We are delighted to have Aaron Malnick, n.S.J., a second-year novice, missioned to our parish. Aaron was born in Aurora, Illinois, graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BS in Marketing which he used to develop a strong, 11 year real estate career in the Chicagoland area. He since completed a Master's Degree in Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago, which compelled him to work in campus ministry at Alvernia University outside of Philadelphia for two years. In the novitiate, Aaron has ministered at Blessed John Paul II grade school in Minneapolis, at L'Arche in Clinton, IA, and as a prison chaplain at the Ramsey County Jail in St. Paul.

ADMINISTRATION Gesu News & Views

Spring 2014

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WORSHIP Gesu News & Views

Spring 2014

Monday, April 14 7:00 p.m. • Communal Reconciliation Service Tuesday, April 15 7:00 p.m. • Evening Prayer 7:30 p.m. • Stations of the Cross (Church) 7:30 p.m. • Rosary for Life (Chapel)

Wednesday, April 16 12:00 noon • Anointing Mass 3:00 p.m. • Confessions 7:00 p.m. • Tenebrae (Chapel) April 17 - Holy Thursday 9:00 a.m. • Morning Prayer (Chapel) 8:00 p.m. • Mass (Church)

April 18 - Good Friday 9:00 a.m. • Morning Prayer 3:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. • Liturgies (Evening Procession at 7:45 p.m.)

April 19 - Holy Saturday 9:00 a.m. • Prayer & Blessing of Easter Food (Chapel) 9:00 p.m. • Easter Vigil (Church)

April 20 - Easter Sunday 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 noon

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Sacramental Prep First Reconciliation was celebrated on January 15 and 22 and the students are continuing to prepare for First Eucharist which will take place in the context of regular parish liturgies during the first three weekends in May. The 10th graders are also continuing to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation which will be celebrated at Gesu Church on Thursday, May 15, at 7:00 pm. Please keep all of those preparing for the sacraments in your prayers!

RCIA Gesu will be welcoming 6 new members into our community through the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. We are so proud of Heather, Jackie, and Natalie Grace who will receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist; and

Kristi, Emir Charles, and Leah who will continue their conversion by receiving Confirmation and Eucharist. Keep them in

your prayers as they continue their journey to Catholicism!

PSR

After compiling the many survey results, after discussion with current PSR families and catechists, discussion with staff

members, and discussion among the Faith Formation Commission and PSR Committee, we are excited to announce that PSR

is moving to Sunday morning from 10:15-11:30 starting in September 2014. The PSR program will include 5

intergenerational programs that will take place on Sunday mornings in place of the regular PSR session. The intergenerational

programs will cover various faith formation topics throughout the year and will be open to anyone in the parish to attend. We

look forward to sharing faith among all ages!

Interview with Fr. Snow (continued from page 1)

N/V: Why don’t we just take the money from the Gesu Endowment Fund?

Fr. Snow: That fund is a 501(c)3 charitable fund that finances capital and other expenditures for operating the parish and school. Its policy is to annually spend 5% of the fund’s three-year average value, which would be $240,000 in 2014.

The Gesu Endowment generally funds operating expenses such as teacher education, spiritual development, outreach, and more. We strive to use endowment money for operating expenses rather than for capital projects. Based on the endowment fund’s withdrawal guidelines, it would not be possible to achieve its goals and also help The Fund for Gesu. N/V: And when do you need the money?

Fr Snow: That’s a wonderfully leading question! We do already have several very generous gifts and pledges to get us underway. We want to pay our bills as we complete the improvements. That approach starts with the roof and the windows. The financial aspect of paying for the improvements is much like the other vision I mentioned – it’s ongoing.

I really believe our parishioners will discern how they can help and make pledges for payment over time. Amounts large and small will add up to achieving our objectives. I have great faith in the people of Gesu. We know how to find a way. Maybe it’s Ignatian Magis! N/V: Thanks for sharing your vision for The Fund for Gesu. Do you have any other thoughts you’d like to share with our readers? Fr. Snow: Gesu is so much more than bricks and mortar. It is the place where we educate our children, nurture our hopes, console and comfort individuals, families, and community in times of difficulty. We baptize, marry, and bury our faithful. We share our faith together.

In plain English, Gesu is close to our hearts. I want Gesu to be here for its people now, and long into the future. That’s my vision. I am humbled by the sheer generosity of the people of Gesu. I am so grateful to have all of you as part of our community. I also believe that we appreciate what we are blessed to have, and understand what we can do to nurture and share it. In that spirit, I would ask that we stretch our hearts to help make The Fund for Gesu an important element in Gesu’s great future. Each and all of us, helping in our own ways, can collectively make this happen.

Gesu News & Views

Spring 2014 FORMATION

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Gesu News & Views

Spring 2014

Service Day a Success Over 900 parishioners celebrated Gesu’s 8th annual Service Day on Saturday, December 7, by volunteering at 45 sites throughout Northeast Ohio. After serving, parishioners returned to Gesu for 4:30 Mass and a community dinner where they had the chance to socialize and discuss their experiences. THANK YOU to all those who volunteered!

OUTREACH

Parishioner Pilgrimage to France Written by parishioner Barb Domski. Photos courtesy of Paul Gordon Photography and parishioner Kathie Johnson.

“A pilgrimage is a special time to vacation, spend time with friends, and to renew our relationship with Christ.

Visiting the Shrines of France is a perfect opportunity to draw us closer together as a community and to remind us of the sacredness of time. A pilgrimage is always an adventure of the heart calling us

to experience Christ in the wonders of the world.” On Saturday, Dec 28, our group of 58 pilgrims arrived in Lyon, France. Our day of travel was completed with dinner together at our hotel in Lyon.

Next stop was Ars, France where we visited the Shrine of St. John Vianney. We continued our bus trip to Paray Le Monial where we visited the Chapel of the Visitation and the Basillica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Lisieux, home of St. Therese, the Little Flower, was the next stop on our pilgrimage. We toured the Basilica of St. Therese and the Carmelite Convent.

Tuesday, December 31, found us in the beautiful countryside of Normandy. We visited the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial where we walked down to Omaha Beach, an incredibly moving experience for many of us. This year, June 6, 2014, will mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion.

The bus brought us to Paris, the “City of Lights”, on New Year’s Eve, a most memorable experience. The Eiffel Tower at night… amazing and beautiful!

New Year’s Day we toured Paris by bus, viewing some of the famous landmarks of Paris such as the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, Les Invalides, the Military Academy, and the Eiffel Tower by day. We visited Notre Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur at Montmartre and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine at Rue Du Bac.

Thursday, Jan. 2 was an entire day in Paris to venture about as we wished. We enjoyed wonderful cafes with the most delicious foods, desserts, breads, and wines… an endless list. We saw the River Seine, magnificent buildings, grand museums and picture postcard views at every turn. We toured some of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world and celebrated Mass in beautifully simple Chapels. Our Shrines of France Tour was a wonderful combination of French culture, friends old and new, and our faith experienced in some of the world’s most sacred places.

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Gesu News & Views

Spring 2014 COMMUNITY LIFE

Shrine of St. John Vianney Chapel of the Visitation Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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COMMUNITY LIFE Gesu News & Views

Spring 2014

Basilica of St. Therese Carmelite Convent

Notre Dame Cathedral

Basilica of Sacre-Coeur Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial One of the many bakeries we visited

Eiffel Tower on New Year’s Eve

The Pilgrims

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Gesu News & Views

Spring 2014 GESU SCHOOL

A Belated Farewell to Gesu’s Retired Teachers

At the end of last school year, we said a grateful good-bye to four teachers who have been part of our school community for many years. Collectively, they had given 146 years to their teaching careers, both at Gesu and other schools. Each in her own way has fostered a love of education and, most importantly, a love of Christ and His message of care and concern for each other. Marlene Kuskin taught at Gesu at two different times in her life. She came to Gesu in the 70's and taught third grade. After her children were born, she returned to Gesu and taught first grade for 19 years. She was a member of the Peace Committee and actively supported the Hike for Hunger. She and her husband, Tom, have been huge supporters of our school's athletic teams. There are no bigger Gesu fans than the Kuskins! As librarian, Rose Valentino initiated many improvements and changes to our school library in her 22 years at Gesu. She was part of the library's expansion to its current location in the late 90's. She was an invaluable resource for both students and teachers who seek her recommendations for good literature. Rose's work with the Scholastic Book Fair program made it possible for our school to expand the number of books in our library. Rose trained and mentored many volunteers over the years. She will be missed by all. Mary-Jo Widmann wore many hats in her role as music teacher. For 32 years, she spanned and planned for the musical interests of students from Kindergarten through Grade 8. We all have wonderful memories of the music shows she produced over the years. Over the years, Mary-Jo took many choral groups to local malls, nursing homes and schools for holiday performances. She helped with liturgical music for the Christmas Pageant, First Communions and our school Masses too. She introduced students to local musicians, the Cleveland Orchestra, and she even sang the National Anthem when we had Gesu Night at Jacobs Field in the late 90's. We also said good-bye to Ellen Hearns who worked in our Intensive Learning program for 36 years. Ellen patiently encouraged many young students who needed that extra boost as they began their studies in the primary grades. Even after students had transitioned from her program, she continued to support them as they moved to the upper grades by helping many with test preparation before and after school. Her annual pizza party in the mobile unit always celebrated her students' successes and hope for the future. No one ever seemed prouder at graduation than Ellen as she watched her "little ones" accept their diplomas. Even then her job was not done - she frequently continued her loving watchfulness with follow-up calls and notes to check on how students were faring in high school. On behalf of the Gesu community, thank you for your years of service and dedication!

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GESU SCHOOL Gesu News & Views

Spring 2014

Passing of a Gesu Legend

We are sorry to inform you of the passing of Ricky Willis. Ricky worked for over 40 years on Gesu's maintenance crew. Parishioners remember him as a genuinely nice guy who usually had a smile on his face. Family members reported how much pride Ricky took in his work at Gesu. After he retired a couple of years ago, he had more time to go fishing with his friends, but he missed his work at Gesu. Ricky would periodically stop by Gesu to "check up on things" and see if they were still being done the right way. Ricky was a man of few words, but on a recent visit, he conveyed all he needed to regarding the maintenance work by giving Fr. Snow the "thumbs up" sign. Ricky was well-loved by parishioners, family members, and friends, all of whom turned up in large numbers for his funeral mass at Gesu. Fr. George and Fr. Snow, both of whom remember Ricky fondly, concelebrated his funeral Mass.

Gesu alum Suzanne McGinness ’98 returned to Gesu last spring. She has written and illustrated a children’s book, “My Bear Griz” which she read to the Kindergarten and First Grade classes (pictured above left). Suzanne spoke to the students about how she began drawing and how that led her to writing her book. Suzanne has another book coming out soon featur-ing a hippopotamus.

Teachers Karen Knaus and Patty Komperda pose with Graham Veysey ‘96 (above middle). Graham returned to Gesu to

give the kickoff speech for the Hike for Hunger last spring. He shared his experiences with the urban farming programs that he has initiated in the Ohio City area. The farms provide food for many restaurants and also food programs that help the poor. He is involved in many interesting projects and achieved a good deal of notoriety for challenging Dennis Kucinich and Marcie Kaptur in their congressional race. A group from the Class of 1947 gathered for lunch at Claddaugh’s Irish Pub on September 17, 2013. Pictured above right (from l-r): Tony Phelan, Andy Kundtz, Joe Schneider, Ray Rhode, Bob Fitzgerald, Bob Micco, Ann Dividson McBride, Frank Kay, Marilyn Hausser Madigan, Don Junglas, Theresa Consolo Weaver, Mary Kay McAuley Futty, Marily McKay Horning and Queenie O’Neill Healey. Bill O’Neill was in attendance but left before the picture was taken.

Mrs. Mendelsohn’s third grade class reads their Martin Luther King essays at the University Height City Council meeting (above left). Current 8th graders after a volleyball game against the faculty during Catholic Schools Week. Teachers were victorious in three close games.

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Fall Sports Highlights

The fall sports season proved to be no different at Gesu, providing plenty of excitement and success. This fall Gesu fielded 11 volleyball teams, 5 football teams, 2 girls’ soccer teams, a boys’ and girls’ cross country team and a cheer squad. The Boys Varsity Cross Country team brought home Gesu’s

first CYO City Championship since 2007! The boys championship cross country team featured runners in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. They were coached by Ralph Bruening, Steve Farrington and Ed Rockwood. The Girls Cadet Soccer team featuring players in grades 4th – 6th won the Cadet Championship this year in an outstanding effort over St. Rita. The girls Cadet Soccer team was coached by Eliot Kijewski and Dave Krus. Winter Sports Highlights Gesu fielded 35 CYO basketball teams in grades 4th- 12th. Additionally, we had 5 teams competing in the 3rd grade basketball league for a grand total of 40 basketball teams. Gesu Morrissey Classic

The annual Gesu Morrissey Classic Basketball Tournament was yet again a success featuring

31 of the best teams throughout the city. With top-notch competition and unparalleled

experiences the Morrissey Classic continues to be the premier diocese CYO basketball

tournament.

Gesu News & Views

Spring 2014 GESU SCHOOL

Sr. Linda with new music teacher

Mary Margaret Platz at her first

Christmas Concert

2nd graders using the new iPads

with their classroom Smartboard

8th graders read a story to 1st grade students

at Archbishop Lyke School before they

distributed Christmas gifts sent by the school.

Katie B. as an angel in the 3rd

grade Chrstmas pageant

Sadie Curtin and Marcia

Leous, our Faith Formation

Directors.

Sr. Linda’s Jubilee Mass

Gesu Church

2470 Miramar Blvd. University Heights, Ohio 44118 Phone: 216-932-0617 www.churchofthegesu.org

Gesu Mission Statement:

Gesu Parish is a caring, ethnically diverse Catholic community which shares a common belief in Jesus Christ and the sacramental life of the Church. With the Eucharist as the center of our lives, together we are committed to values that are both Gospel and family-centered. We believe that, as a Spirit-filled community, we must promote the spiritual, liturgical, evangelical, educational and ecumenical growth of our family and faith. We pledge ourselves to bring God’s Word to the world in which we live and to enliven that world by our own example of faith and truth. We do this “for the greater glory of God” and in the name of Jesus. Parish and School Staff:

Rev. Lorn Snow, S.J., Pastor Dr. Joe Metzinger, Director of Music Ministries Rev. Michael Vincent, S.J., Associate Pastor Ms. Carolyn Pelley, Assistant Music Director

Rev. Mark George, S.J., Associate Pastor Mrs. Erin Julian, Director of Development Aaron Malnick, n.S.J. Mrs. Kathy Barile, Business Manager Sr. Kathleen Flannery, OSU, Parish Life Director Sister Linda Martin, O.S.U., Principal

Mrs. Meg Madrigal Wilson, Pastoral Minister Miss Mary Carol Jones, Assistant Principal Rev. Dr. James O’Donnell, Deacon Mrs. Amy Fanning, Preschool Director Mrs. Marcia Leous, Co-Director of Faith Formation Mr. Joe Gehring, Youth Minister Ms. Sadie Curtin, Co-Director of Faith Formation Mr. Joe D’Amato, Athletic Director

Volunteer Editorial Committee:

Anne Caputo and Margie Caputo

Printing courtesy of Dee Printing, Inc. Design courtesy of JAC Business Communications. Information about article submissions: Gesu News & Views is published three times a year. To submit articles, information, and/or photos, please

email development.gesu@gmail.com, or mail them to the address above, Attn: Gesu News Committee. * All efforts have been made to provide accurate information. Please contact us for corrections.

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