Parish Newsletter February 2025

Message From Father Angi


Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. “Candlemass” is also a traditional name given to today’s feast because as early as the fifth century, the custom of celebrating this feast with lighted candles had developed. The lit candles symbolized Simeon’s prophecy that Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” Lastly, this Feast has been referred to as the “Feast of the Holy Encounter” because God, in the Person of Jesus, encountered Simeon and Anna in the Temple.


Today’s feast is celebrated forty days after Christmas, marking the day that Mary and Joseph would have brought Jesus into the Temple. Though Mary was pure and free from sin from the moment of her conception, and though the Son of God did not need to be redeemed, Mary and Joseph fulfilled these ritual obligations. At the heart of this celebration is the encounter of Simeon and Anna with the Christ Child in the Temple. It is in that holy encounter that Jesus’ divinity is manifested by a human prophet for the first time. At His birth, the angels proclaimed His divinity to the shepherds, but in the Temple, Simeon was the first to understand and proclaim Jesus as the Savior of the World.


As we celebrate Mary’s ritual purification and Jesus’ ritual redemption, we should see them as acts in which we are called to participate. First, each of us is unworthy of entering the true Temple of the Lord in Heaven. Yet we are invited to enter that Temple in union with Mary, our Blessed Mother. It was her consent to the will of God that opened the door of God’s grace to us all, enabling us to spiritually become Jesus’ “mother” by allowing Him to be born in our hearts by grace.


Ponder, today, your soul being the new temple of the Lord, and acknowledge your need to be purified and offered to the Father in Heaven. As Christ continues to enter into the temple of your soul, pray that He will shine forth for others to see so that, like Simeon and Anna, they will encounter our Lord within you.


Sincerely,


Fr. Steve

St. Gregory the Great Town Hall Meeting

Called for More: Forming Parish

Councils & Next Steps


Location: GA Undercroft

Date: February 25, 2025

Time: 7pm - 8:30 pm

Purpose: Recruitment for Family Councils

Point of Contact: Jeff Zalar


The Saint Gregory the Great Pastoral Council will hold a townhall meeting to discuss the formation of Family Councils. These Councils will administer essential services to our community. The meeting will also update parishioners on next steps in the unification process. An open-floor question-and-answer period will follow.

Volunteers Needed for Fish Fry


We are in the process of finalizing plans for our 2025 Fish Fry Events. Keep an eye out on upcoming bulletins and the Parish website for more information. If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Marianne Glassmeyer at mglassmeyer@outlook.com

Greeters and Gift Bearers for GA Liturgies


How can your family contribute to the success of our liturgies? We are need of individuals, couples and families to serve as greeters (stand at the Gathering Space doors and welcome Mass attendees to our parish) and gift bearers (bring up the bread, wine and collection basket at the Offertory Procession during Mass). We need volunteers for all 3 of our weekend Masses. Signing up in advance allows the ushers to know who is volunteering and not have to scramble to find a family to bring up the gifts.


Sign up here, contact Kay Froehlich (kfroehlich@gaparish.org) or see an usher when you get to Mass. Thank you for volunteering to serve in these important ministries!

Year End Tax Statements


All year-end tax letters to parishioners were mailed out by January 31, 2025. Only parishioners with contributions of $250.00 and over will receive a tax letter. You may call the parish office at 513.231.7440 and request a tax letter if your contribution is less than $250.00.

Family Faith Formation for 2025 - 2026


After careful consideration of the family survey results and the updated Archdiocesan requirements, we are excited to the details for the 2025-26 Saint Gregory the Great Faith Formation options.


Each option is offered as an opportunity for families to grow in faith together. We strive to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to life by exploring our faith through study of our Catholic core beliefs, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Scripture, Sacraments, Saints, Prayer, and through practical application activities based on these teachings.

Cana Dinner at St. John Fisher



Our annual adults-only Cana Dinner, which celebrates the sacrament of marriage, is on Saturday, February 15th at 6:00 pm in Pater Hall at St. John Fisher. All are invited, regardless of your marital status. Dinner will be catered, and coffee, tea and water will also be served.


Please bring your own alcohol and either an appetizer or dessert to share. This always fun event will begin with appetizers at 6:00 pm, followed by dinner at 7:00 pm, and a few games and mingling afterward to round out the evening.


Reservations must be made and paid in advance; the cost is $25 per person. To register, please visit sjfchurch.org/canadinner or scan the QR code.

You can also call the St. John Fisher church office at 513-561-9431 x116 and reserve and pay for your reservation over the phone. Reservations and payment must be received by Sunday, February 2nd. Seating is limited, so make sure you secure your spot today! For questions, please contact Sharon Scott at 513-884-0865 or sascotty65@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!

Narcan Administration and CPR/AED Training | February 5th 

 

Hamilton County Public Health is offering Narcan Administration training, followed by CPR/AED training. This training is free of charge and open to all parishioners. No RSVP needed. You will learn the signs of an overdose, how to administer Narcan in an emergency, how to perform CPR, and how to use an AED. Join us to learn about this life-saving resource and receive a free Narcan kit of your own!

 

February 5th from 7 pm - 8:30 pm Guardian Angels Undercroft

Healing Service at St. John Fisher | February 22nd


Jesus gave his disciples authority over injury and illness and told them to heal the sick. As Christians, we share in that same mission to demonstrate the power of the gospel as Jesus did, and to bring restoration into our spheres of influence. Encounter Ministries with Deacon Russ Feldkamp and Chris Stier are offering a healing service at St. John Fisher for our family of parishes. If you are sick, injured, in physical pain or have some other physical issue, please come to St. John Fisher Church at 7:00 pm on February 22nd, 2025. If you know someone else in the same situation, please encourage them to come as well.

 

Jesus healed in his day, and he heals today! Also, if you are struggling in your faith and believe Jesus and his Church are powerless, come, see and believe.

 

Join us for this free event, which is open to the public.  Experience God’s supernatural love!

 

For more information, visit encounterschool.org/cincinnati and click on “Events & Updates.”

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training FOR ADULTS | March 8th


The St. Gregory the Great Mental Wellness Ministry is excited to offer one of the premier training courses for adults who want to support youth with mental health challenges or substance use disorders -- or just want to increase their knowledge of these conditions and their impact on individuals, families, and the community. This is important training for all adults who interact with youth – including Teachers, School Staff, Parents, Grandparents…


Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA) is an essential training component for strengthening the skills required to reach out to children and adolescents who are struggling with mental health challenges or substance use disorders.


What the Youth Mental Health First Aid course covers:

  • Identifying and responding to common signs and symptoms of youth mental illness (anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, etc.)
  • Identifying and responding to signs and symptoms of substance abuse
  • How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis
  • How to connect youth with help
  • Expanded content on trauma, addiction, and self-care; and the impact of social media and bullying


Youth MHFA Training

March 8th 2025, 9 am to 3:30 pm at Saint John Fisher (Resurrection Room)

(training offered free of charge, through a grant to Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio)


To Register, click here or contact Kendall Keiser, kendallk@sggparish.org 

Mental Wellness Spiritual Support Groups for Adults


The support group started in January 2025 and is held on Mondays and Wednesdays.


Mondays, January 20th — April 14th 7 pm at SJF Nativity Rm


Wednesdays, January 22nd — April 16th 7 pm at IHM Parish Office Bernadin Rm


These adult groups will run every other week until Easter and you can join at any time. New sessions will begin in June.


Please register/RSVP with name, email address & group location (SJF or IHM) before attending via mwmsupportgroups@sggparish.org  or 513-388-4184



SGG Mental Wellness Spiritual Support Groups provide a safe and welcoming space to discuss various aspects of mental health, including anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief, aging, memory challenges, and difficult life transitions. Whether you are facing a mental health challenge yourself or supporting a loved one on their journey, you’ll find understanding, resources, and a community ready to pray and walk beside you.


For questions or to learn more, contact:

Kendall Keiser, Director of Health Ministry 

513-388-4184

kendallk@sggparish.org

Pregnancy Blessing


Expectant parents are invited to receive a special blessing for the health of the mother and baby as you await the arrival of your children. Couples in the adoption process are also invited. This special blessing takes place in Church in front of the Mary statue Sunday, February 16th immediately after the 10 am Mass.

2025 Catholic Ministries Appeal


This is Commitment Weekend for the 2025 Catholic Ministries Appeal. More than anyone in the world, the Catholic Church teaches, feeds, and heals. In our local community, this happens through the Catholic Ministries Appeal. Join us in supporting these ministries! Pledge cards are available in the back of Church for your convenience this weekend. You can also respond by mail or online. To make a gift online,visit CatholicAOC.org/CMA.


Join us for a Night of Prayer on February 11th at 7 pm at Guardian Angels Church. RSVP at catholicaoc.org/news/cma/pray-with-us. Thank you for supporting Catholic Ministries Appeal!

Anointing of the Sick Mass


Saint Gregory the Great Family of Parishes will be offering an Anointing of the Sick Mass at Guardian Angels on March 1st at 3:30. This Mass will include a communal Anointing of the Sick sacrament. If you are suffering from a physical illness, mental illness, or if you have a scheduled surgery in the near future,

please consider attending. If you plan on being anointed that evening, make sure you receive a sticker from one of the greeters and sit in the area of the church designated for anointing.

St. Gregory the Great

Day of Service


The St. Gregory the Great Day of Service is on Saturday, March 15th. A major focus area involves packing personal hygiene kits for men’s and women’s area homeless shelters and packing food “power packs” for after school programs. We are seeking donations of food items and small travel sizes of shampoo, toothpaste, and other essential items. One of the most effective ways to secure products is to order these items in bulk quantities from Amazon. We have set up shopping lists that you can access via the QR codes. This allows you to make your donations and have them shipped directly to the IHM Welcome Center. We encourage anyone who is willing to donate to use the Amazon lists to save both time and money. Please direct any questions to Jim Moyerat jmoyer1@fuse.net or 513-300-3883.

From the Mountains to the Sea Luncheon


The IHM Social Action Commission is sponsoring the "From the Mountains to the Sea Luncheon" to celebrate our two twinning communities.


Our Lady of the Mountains, Stanton, KY - near the Appalachian Mountains

Cultural Center of Batahola Norte, Managua - near the sea in Nicaragua


The luncheon will be held on Sunday, April 6th from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at the undercroft of Guardian Angels Church. Click here to register for the luncheon or purchase raffle tickets online. Please see the flyer for more details.


For questions, contact Sue Keefe at 513-706-2789 or skkeefe37@gmail.com

To make a donation online: ihom.weshareonline.org/TwinningParishDonations

St. Gregory the Great 60+ Newsletter – February 2025

 

February 18 - Afternoon Euchre group in the Blessed Mother Room in IHM’s Welcome Center from 2 pm - 4 pm. Whether you are a novice player or a veteran player, we would enjoy having you participate.

 

February 25 - 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm. Service opportunity at IPM, 4623 Aicholtz Rd (45244). Use this link to sign up to assemble emergency boxes, stock shelves, or assist with clients. Upon arrival, ask for Lydia who will assign you a specific task. Please register by February 18. If you are unfamiliar with using Sign Up Genius, call Dan or Pam at 513-232-4009 for assistance.

 

February 27 - Service at St. Vincent DePaul, Bank St. location, 10 am - noon. We will assist with the destruction of unusable medications. Email us at stg60plus@gmail.com or call 513-232-4009 (Dan or Pam), by February 20 to let us know if you can join us. Carpool available from IHM’s east parking lot. Details provided with your registration.

 

Save the Date for these upcoming SGG 60+ March events:

·      March 4 – Bowling

·      March 12 – Wet Wednesday

·      March 18 – Afternoon Euchre

·      March 20 – Game Night

·      March 25 - IPM service opportunity

·      March 28 – Lenten Fish Fry

 

Looking ahead, the SGG 60+ Planning Team is making plans for a few stage plays in April and May, an April bus trip to Keeneland and a day trip in June to Carillon Historical Park. 

 

Learn more about other interesting opportunities taking place within our SGG Family of Parishes by reading the weekly bulletin.


If you have yet to sign up for the St. Gregory the Great monthly newsletter, you can click this link to add your email address to the distribution list.

Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to Italy - October 2025


Join Fr. Aaron Hess on a once-in-a-lifetime Jubilee Year experience to Italy. 


  • Celebrate daily Mass in some of the most beautiful churches in the world.
  • Walk through the Holy Door in Rome.
  • Receive a blessing from Pope Francis at the Wednesday General Audience.
  • Visit the four major pilgrimage basilicas and experience Mass in the Catacombs.
  • Visit Assisi, home to St. Francis and St. Clare. Tour the beautiful Tuscan countryside.
  • Visit the medieval town of Siena and the hill town of Orvieto with its beautiful Duomo.
  • This pilgrimage will be faith filled, educational and fun. There will be time for prayer and reflection.


Open to all St. Gregory the Great parishioners and their families.

Quality hotels in central locations, delicious Italian food and wine and free time for individual exploration.

All breakfasts and seven dinners included.

Prices start at $3,995 with group airfare from Cincinnati available.

 

Contact Joy Roose with questions or if you are looking for a roommate at joyroose60@gmail.com or 513-205-0719. For details and to register, visit: https://tri.ps/HHkfk

Bible Study Opportunities


St. Gregory the Great Walking with Purpose Bible Study

A Bible study for women titled, Discovering our Dignity, began in September on Friday mornings at 9:30 am and continues until March 28th in the St. Matthew room in the IHM Welcome Center.  Click here for more details.


Bible Study at St. John Fisher starts February 18th!

St. John Fisher will offer The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation by Ascension. The study, co-led by Deacon Tom Gaier, Connie Wehmeyer,and Marty Rauen, is 25 sessions and will start with an introduction to the bible on February 18th at 10:00 am in the Resurrection Room at St. John Fisher. Click here for more details.


Evening Bible Study Begins February 19

Wednesday With the Word Bible Study begins February 19th, 6:30-8 pm, in the St. Francis Room of the IHM Welcome Center. This is an in-depth bible study. Each session begins with Lectio Divina based on one of the psalms. Faith-sharing is welcome, and the pace of the study is determined by the group. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible). For more information, contact Rosanne Thomas at rosannet@sggparish.org.

Follow St. Gregory the Great on Social Media!


Get involved and stay up to date with all that is happening in our family of parishes!

St. Gregory the Great Family of Parishes

@SGGParish

Help Us Communication with You!


The St. Gregory the Great Newsletter began November. Subscribe today through clicking this link!


The GA monthly newsletter will remain for the time being. The St. Gregory the Great email will be focused on news from the family level.

Adult Help Wanted – for “Youthful” Volunteer Opportunities


We are looking for adults that are interested in volunteering with teenagers. We would love a core group of 3-4 adults that would be willing to join our high schoolers at their weekly youth group meeting. If you are interested, please email Alison Richert at alisonr@sggparish.org

St. Gregory the Great High School Youth Group


High School Youth Group is currently focusing on the Resurrection series. This series will continue to meet on Thursdays through February 20th. Our meeting night will then switch to Sundays on February 23rd for the next series.


Upcoming Meeting Times:

Thursday, February 6th at 6:30 pm

Thursday, February 13th at 6:30 pm

Thursday, February 20th at 6:30 pm

Sunday, February 23rd at 6:30 pm


Where: IHM Youth Room (7826 Beechmont Ave.)

Why: A chance for students in grades 9-12 to play games, discuss various topics, and grow in faith and fellowship.


General questions, email: youth@gaparish.org

Follow St. Gregory the Great Youth Group on Social Media


Stay up to date with the St. Gregory the Great Youth Group on social media and join the mailing list.


Click here to register to receive youth ministry text messages or text "SGGYOUTHGROUP" TO 84576

Angels on Call is Here to Help


Do you know of someone in our parish experiencing a loss or hardship? Fellow GA parishioners are ready to lend a hand year-round with acts of service, meals or material items. Simply reach out to the email below. Please note, we will use discretion in all matters brought to our attention. GA is Family.

 

If you're interested in helping with Angels on Call, we'd love to hear from you. You can email us at aoc@gaparish.org.

Children's Liturgy of the Word


Children’s Liturgy of the Word is held on the third Sunday of every month during 10 am Mass. This program is for kids ages 3-7. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering to help, please email alisonr@sggparish.org.

Volunteer Healthcare Professionals Needed

Young Men's Faith and Fellowship

Young Women's Faith and Fellowship


When: 2nd and 4th Wednesday every month from 8-9 pm.

Where: Guardian Angels Catholic Church in the Room B

Age: 20s - 40s

Join together with other women to expand your Catholic faith and build meaningful relationships as we dive into various faith studies from the Blessed is She, Rooted devotional. No prior knowledge or materials needed; come as you are! Contact the group at womensfaith@gaparish.org for more information.  

Fathers Team


Every Friday, GA Fathers meet at 6:05 am to discuss various topics of interest and importance to our roles as dads, husbands, and “brothers”. Each week is a different topic, with outside speakers occasionally. All GA fathers are invited to join in person in Room B (downstairs) or via Zoom. Contact us at GAfathersteam@gmail.com for the Zoom link and for any other info on the group.

Parish Reminders
Make Offertory Donations Online
Giving to Guardian Angels Parish has never been easier. Offertory donations can be made online. If you are interested in establishing a one-time or recurring gift through our online platform, just click the button below. Once you have an account setup, you can make any changes to your giving yourself through the website.
Make An Online Offertory Donation
8am & 10am Masses Streamed Each Sunday
The 8am and 10am Masses are livestreamed each Sunday and can be viewed on our YouTube channel and Facebook page live or they can be played back on either channel at a later time.
GA YouTube Channel
GA Facebook Page
School News

2025-2026 Enrollment


Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is open for K - 8th grade. Preschool and PreK registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now closed. You'll find all the information you need on the school website.


If you missed our Information Sessions but would still like to learn more about our school, we invite you to take a personal tour. A tour allows you to meet with our administration to discuss the classes and programs available through GA and have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. These are typically done during school hours so you can see what a typical day is like for students. Call the school office at (513) 624-3141 to schedule a tour.

School Masses


Please join our school community in celebrating the Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the school year. All-school Masses are offered most Tuesdays for Kindergarten through 8th grade and are live-streamed to the Guardian Angels YouTube channel. Visitors are welcome to attend any school Mass, although seating is limited for all-school Masses.

Please include our school community in your daily prayers!

Other News
Learn More On FORMED.org
 
Did you know that all parishioners have access to a bevy of incredible Catholic content through Formed.org? Parishioners can use this platform to discover the many ebooks, audio resources, movies and Bible studies that are available on your phone, tablet, smart tv or computer.


If you are new to the website:
  1. click on sign-up
  2. Choose I belong to a Parish or Organization
  3. Search Guardian Angels Parish (make sure you select the one on Beechmont in Cincinnati)
  4. Then create your own account

This treasure trove of material is provided as a gift to you as a valued member of our Faith Family.

Stay Connected with GA on Social Media

Stay up-to-date with all things GA by following us on social media. 
Guardian Angels is active on several social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The links to our social media channels at the bottom of every parish newsletter.

Bulletin Advertising Available

Our bulletin publisher is looking for new advertisers and sponsors. Thanks to our sponsors, the bulletin is published weekly at no cost to our parish. Please consider purchasing an ad. Your ad and participation make the bulletin successful, and you attract customers! If interested, please email Scott Franz or call/text him at 614-915-4118


Advertisements and sponsorships can be purchased for a business, family, charity, in Honor or in Memory of a Loved One, or to support the church or a community service organization, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters. We appreciate your support.

Have News to Share?
If you are part of a parish organization and have news you would like to share with our community, please email the parish office. To be included in next month's newsletter, your information must be received by the last Monday of this month.
Guardian Angels Parish | 513.231.7440 | 6531 Beechmont Ave | gaparish.org
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