St. Peter's Recent News

Wednesday, March 31, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 1, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: church basement

On April Sunday, April 11, St. Joseph, Crestline is honored to host the Deanery Divine Mercy Sunday devotion.

12 noon - 2:00 pm - Exposition/Adoration of the Holy Eucharist with availability for Sacrament of Reconciliation

Fr. John E. Brennen
Fr. John E. Brennen, 44, of Galion, OH died Thursday, February 11, 2010 at the Cleveland Clinic. He was born on April 16, 1965 in Fremont, OH to Russell E. and Ann B. (Murray) Brennen. Fr. John was a 1983 graduate of St. Joseph Central Catholic High School in Fremont. He received a Bachelors of Arts Degree from St. Meinard College in Indiana and a Masters of Theology Degree from Pontifical Josephinum College in Columbus, OH. He was ordained as a Priest in the Toledo Dioceses on May 27, 2000. Fr. John was Associate Pastor of St. Peter and Paul Parish in Sandusky, Associate Pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Mansfield and Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Galion, OH.

Fr. John is survived by his mother, Ann B. Brennen, Fremont, OH; siblings, Steven Brennen, Columbus, OH, Terry (Lisa) Brennen, Fremont, OH; niece and nephew, Kelli Brennen and Sean Brennen, both of Fremont.

Visitation: Monday, February 15, 2010 Receiving of the Body and Prayer Service at 4:00 pm with Visitation immediately following until 8:00 pm. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 550 Smith Rd, Fremont

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the church with Bishop Leonard Blair officiating.

St. Peter's High School senior, Nicholas Capaldo, will be the featured performer at the St. Peter's Music Series Concert on Sunday, February 28. The concert will be held in St. Peter's Chuch at 3:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Check the "all-event" calendar for details about the event.

INTERVIEW WITH SANDY LAUER, PASTORAL ASSOCIATE AT ST. PETER'S PARISH
by Laurie Stevens Bertke, Chronicle Writer

A beautiful print of the interior of St. Peter's Catholic Church is on sale with 25% of the profits coming back to St. Peter's. This photo was taken by Gunther Meisse. Click on the link below for more info!

Parish Center Gift Store managers Sarah Bennett and Cheryl Gurski held an open house after Masses on Sunday for anyone wishing to purchase Christmas gifts or gifts for any occasion. In addition to a nice array of cookies and brownies, there was hot chocolate and cider for the holiday shopper.

There are still many items on the shelves, just waiting to complete your gift list! In addition to Christmas items, some on clearance and many new inventory, there are also items for any occasion. Stop by and pick up that perfect gift!

The First ever Richland and surrounding counties printed Community Calendar.
Info on activities at Malabar Farm, Snow Trails, Renaissance Theatre and many other area sites

Cost: $10
Available at the Parish Center
At the Christmas Classic on Saturday, December 5
After Masses on December 5-6 and again December 12-13

Congratulations to the 41 St. Peter's Parish youth who were confirmed on Sunday, October 25, by Very Reverend Michael R. Billian.
Thank you to Sheila Hershiser for sending the photo below for posting to the website.

The new green altar cloth and ambo panels used during this Ordinary Season at St. Peter's were hand woven and donated by Don Yockey. It was first used and blessed by Father Chris on Saturday, June 20, 2009.

Don started weaving about seventeen years ago, shortly after helping to start the Malabar Farm Spinning and Weaving Guild. He has woven rugs, towel, scarves, etc., including nine yards of McDonald Tartan which he used for making his green kilt. He has also donated several hand-woven items for the parish festival.

The altar cloth and panels were made of 10/2 pearl cotton and woven on an eight-harness floor loom. The pattern was Don's own design, adapted from a huck lace pattern. There are twelve huck lace crosses across the cloth representing the twelve apostles. There are three huck lace crosses down each ambo panel to represent the Trinity.

A few weeks ago, Fran Leitenberger was gracious enough to have extra prints made for us that she took at the parish picnic that was held in late August. So, we thought we would post a few for your viewing pleasure! Thank you, Fran!

Please continue to pray for our Confirmation candidates as they finish their preparation to receive the sacrament on October 25. The August class involved working together to constuct a building out of marshmallows and toothpicks and getting the hula hoop around the circle of candidates while blindfolded. Much was learned by having to work together to accomplish the goals. Thank you to Sheila Herhiser for the photos below.

The Diocesan Youth Conference was held the weekend of July 10-12 at Bluffton College with keynote speakers John Angotti and Bruce Deaton for the weekend. Some photos below, courtesy of Sheila Herhiser, including Bishop Blair with the youth from St. Peter's and those who attended from Willard St. Francis, Shelby St. Mary's, and St. Peter's.

From Sheila Herhiser, Youth Coordinator and PSR Coordinator for St. Peter's Parish:

"The Confirmation Potluck Picnic was held on Wednesday July 8, 2009, at Resurrection Parish for our St. Peter's candidates and their sponsors. A three-legged race, lifesaver pass and a scavenger hunt were part of the evening's activities. Our scavenger hunt space was limited because Mr. Skunk decided to make an appearance! What a great evening of fun and eats!"

Location: Knights of Columbus Hall, Park Avenue West
What: A/C-handicapped accessible dining hall; convenient parking; food; games; inflatable rides

Friday, July 17 - Alumni/Adult Night: 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
• dr. simple - Live on stage 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
• Visit with parishioners, family, friends and former classmates
• Adult games of chance, food, and beverages

Sunday July 19: Noon – 7 p.m.
• Chicken Dinner & Chicken Drive-Thru
• NEW inflatable rides for the children
• Adult games of chance, food, and beverages

The 10th annual Back to Heartland Youth Elect Service (YES) weekend was held at the end of June. Volunteer youth, young adults and adults from Mansfield, Crestline, Galion, Monroeville, Norwalk, Bucyrus, New Washington, Tiro, Willard, Plymouth, Lexington, etc., worked sites in the surrounding communities. The volunteers did everything from painting a house, cleaning, and minor repairs to yard work for the elderly or those needing assistance. Some photos below, courtesy of Sheila Hershiser, Youth Coordinator at St. Peter's Parish in Mansfield.

On May 22, Fr. Chris Bazar said the opening prayer, Mayor Culliver thanked the community of St. Peter's for providing the area with a great gathering place for sports, and Fr. Tony Borgia blessed and broke ground on a new facility at Spartan Fields that will provide concessions, restrooms, a classroom/meeting room and parish gathering space. The very same shovel that was used to break ground of the present high school back in the late 1950's was used by Fr. Tony. Some photos below of the ceremony that was followed by some delicious grill-cooked hot dogs and soft drinks.

The men behind the planning: Jim Schmidt, Rand Smith, Randy Payne, Bob Vaccaro, Mike Chambers

Among parishioners, school students, community friends, and friends and relatives who traveled distances to be with him, Fr. Tony celebrated Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, and then greeted well-wishers in the Robert Frye Gymnasium. There was a delicious array of food and all enjoyed the feast along with a program that followed, emceed by Michael Santoro. Thank you to Paul Androw and Richard Krehnovi for providing the photos!

Thank you to Diane Stewart and Sheila Herhiser for sending this beautiful photo of the First Communion children this May 2009.

Parish School of Religion (PSR) ended this year with a lot of enthusiasm. The 5th and 6th grade talked about the gifts God gives us and ended classes with a talent show so the students could share their gifts. Below are the class pictures.

Location: Knights of Columbus Hall, Park Avenue West
What: A/C-handicapped accessible dining hall; convenient parking; food; games; inflatable rides

Saturday, July 18: Noon – 11 p.m.
• 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk - Click here for entry form!
• Pasta Dinner 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• The Caffiends - Live on stage 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Adult games of chance, food, and beverages
• NEW inflatable rides for the children

Sunday July 19: Noon – 7 p.m.
• Chicken Dinner & Chicken Drive-Thru
• NEW inflatable rides for the children
• Adult games of chance, food, and beverages

Members of the St. Peter's Youth Group headed to Park Lanes with Fr. Tony, Fr. Chris, and Mrs. Sheila Hershiser to try their hand at disc-glow bowling. No, there weren't any score of 300 but they had a great time! Photos below, courtesy of Mrs. Hershiser.

‘Old Old West” was a very popular theme for the second regional “Senior Citizen Prom” held on Sunday, March 29, hosted by Shelby St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Many “Seniors” came dressed in their western clothes.

The youth of the Back to Heartland area (Huron, Richland, Crawford counties) wanted to give back to those who have set a great foundation for their faith. The afternoon consisted of fellowship, entertainment, food, door prizes and even some dancing.

The 100 plus guests came in and registered, had their “prom” picture taken and then the youth began the entertainment for the day. Some of the entertainment included “skits” by Sarah Phillip and Elizabeth Lenz of Willard, piano pieces by Shannon Spayde of Willard and Stasia Phillips of Galion, and vocal by Colleen Korte of Lexington.

After the entertainment, a Prom King and Queen were crowned by a random drawing. Don Yockey of Mansfield St. Peter's was king and Carmella Fink of Willard St. Francis was queen. Door prizes were passed out and then the 25 youth on the team served a meal of rigatoni, salad, bread and homemade pie for dessert.

“What a wonderful day of intergenerational sharing. The youth provided service, entertainment and hospitality while the adults helped in the kitchen and the ‘Seniors” got to sit back and enjoy the afternoon,” stated Linda Weilnau of Willard who helped in the kitchen.

If you saw it, you know! This past weekend, students and parishioners and friends of St. Peter's pulled out all the stops and put on a wonderful production of "Godspell" in the Robert Frye Gymnasium. Congratulations to the directors, Bill Johnson, Bill Asher, and Lew Friend! Congratulations to the band members! Congratulations to the choir! Congratulations to the cast! Congratulations to the crew! Photos below!

Audio

Lighting

Concessions

Lighting

Video

Band

Cast and choir - curtain call

Display on history of "Godspell" production 30 years ago directed by Doug Finlayson here at St. Peter's

Thank you to Richard Krehnovi for submitting the photos below!
With his dynamite camera, he took these action shots during the production without a flash!

On his recent visit to Rome, Fr. Chris was as close to Pope Benedict XVI as these photos depict.
Thanks, Fr. Chris, for sending these so we could post on the website.

If you are planning to attend the St. Peter's Spring Auction (theme: Golf) on Saturday, March 28, take a look at just a few of the items that will be up for bid!

Michael Jordan autographed basketball with a display case and certificate of authenticity
White OSU football signed by Archie Griffin with certificate
Football signed by Tyrrell Davis with display case and certificate
Riddell Patriots helmet signed by Drew Bledsoe with certificate
Seventeen various sports trading cards
Wine ensemble including 8-bottle cooler, wine, wine glasses, corkscrew set, and crystal bottle chiller
Attic Club Kids doll has with additional outfits
Camera (i633 Polaroid) including usb "Hannah Montanna" port
Willow Creek nativity set

and all kinds of Easter treats! The St. Peter's Easter Bake Sale is coming up in a few weeks. You can access the News Journal photo gallery to see the baking of the poticas that took place yesterday!

At this month's 4th floor staff meeting, everyone enjoyed a delicious stew and salad lunch prepared by Brenda and the cafeteria staff in special celebration of Fr. Tony's 52nd birthday!!

A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew
Location: St. Peter’s Robert Frye Auditorium in High School

Friday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 22 at 2:30 p.m.

Adults: $ 10.00 · Students: $8.00 · Seniors: $ 8.00 Group rates: 10 or more - $1.00 off per ticket 25 or more - $2.00 off per ticket

Friday Dinner 6:00 pm, in cafeteria Menu: Baked Fish, Salad, Macaroni & Cheese, Dessert, Drinks Cost: $6.00

Saturday Dinner 6:00 pm, in cafeteria Menu: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Salad, Rolls, Dessert, Drinks Cost: $6.00

Call St. Peter’s for information.
For tickets or more information, please call St. Peter’s Music Office at 419-524-2572, ext 2113 email johnson. bill2@stpeters.tld.pvt.k12.oh.us

Back to Heartland Junior High Gathering was held on February 15 with the theme “Walk in My Shoes”. The day focused on the participants experiencing different handicaps and listening to speakers share their stories. A mixer, dance, and supper were held and ended with the celebration of Mass. The Spiritual Director for the day was our own Fr. Chris.

The Back to Heartland High School gathering was held on Martin Luther King weekend. The theme for the weekend was the Ultimate Gift. Participants spent time in small groups discovering their gifts. The weekend also included a dance, concert by Will Walk, Sacrament of Reconciliation, liturgy, and speaker. The Galion Knights of Columbus provided everyone with a home-cooked spaghetti supper. This is an annual event for high school youth with post high school team members.

Thank you to Sheila Hershister, St. Peter's Youth Group Coordinator, for sending the photos below.

Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent was performed by the St. Peter’s Choir, Children’s Choir and Hand Bell Choir, and Contemporary and Instrumental Ensembles under the direction of Bill Johnson, Director of Music and Liturgy. Sponsored by the St. Peter’s Music Series, the program was held in the Church on Sunday, December 21, 2008.

Lessons and Carols services are a great old Advent Tradition, providing a wonderful way to enjoy music of the season, while spending some time in prayer and reflection on the real meaning of the season.

They did it again! With their beautiful little voices and gold bows, under the direction of Mrs. Beverly Brook, the Minisingers charmed and entertained the members of the Catholic Women's Club at their annual Christmas luncheon. Photos below!