Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church

Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church Serving southern Springfield Township and northern Green at the corner of Killian and Myersville Roads.

06/07/2026

Hi Folks,
⁣
As I was scampering through the church, I noticed that Father was putting a framed document on the wall to the right side of the altar; of course, I had to ask about the significance of it. He told me that this is a declaration which attests to the fact that the relics of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, and Saint Anthony are authentic “first-class” relics. That means that there is a tiny piece of the body of the saint, such as bone, hair, tissue etc. enclosed in the container called a “reliquary”. “Can I see them?” I asked. “Well, they are embedded in the front center edge of the altar,” Father replied. “So it would be difficult.”
⁣
“Why would we have saint’s relics sealed inside our altar?” I asked. Father went on to explain that it is a tradition that is centuries old. Back in the early Church when it was forbidden to celebrate Mass, the early Christians would often hide down in the catacombs where many martyrs and saints had been entombed. So their Mass took place amongst the relics of these saints. Then, as churches were built in later times, the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 required the tradition of having a saint’s relic nearby, safely enclosed into the altar.
⁣
When the altar here at Nativity was dedicated, the first-class relics of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and Saint Anthony were added. Saint Seton was the first American-born saint. She was a wife and mother of five children who was widowed at the age of 29 in 1803. St. Seton is often called Mother Seton and there are a couple of good reasons why that name fits. She raised her children as well as some of her nieces and nephews. After she became a convert to the Catholic Church in 1809, she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, the first community of religious women established in the United States. She also began St. Joseph’s School, which began the concept of Catholic education in the US. St. Seton was only 46 yr. when she died of tuberculosis, but she certainly achieved an astounding amount of God’s work in her lifetime.
⁣
“So do all Catholic churches have relics in their altars?” I asked. “Not necessarily,” Father replied.” Pope Paul VI made this tradition a highly encouraged, but optional practice.” I guess that this is just one more special feature that we have here at Nativity. The next time you are going to confession, be sure to stop and check out these official documents displayed nearby.
⁣
So long for now from Chatter, your friendly church mouse

05/31/2026

Hi Folks,
⁣
I got out a blank sheet of paper to start writing this note to you and then paused. Looking at this crisp, clean paper I paused to think of all the possibilities. It could become anything I wanted. I could wad it up into a ball and shoot some hoops with my trash can. I could fold it up into a ninja star and throw it. I could get out my colored pencils and draw some beautiful art, or something bad like an angry picture of war. Maybe I should make a paper airplane and go outside with it. I could write a letter to Granny; she always treasures any that I send her. I could fold it up like an envelope, put some money in it, and drop it in the poor box. If I needed to build a fire, it would be helpful to start the kindling. Maybe I should write a poem? Or should I write a prayer petition for the prayer basket? The possibilities are endless!
⁣
Maybe that is how I can look at my life. God gave me a life and a free-will like a blank sheet of paper and now I have endless ways to use it. He obviously has confidence that I can do something good with it; because when I mess things up, He lets me try to do better. It seems there are only two rules to follow—Love God, and Love others as yourself. I remember Father talking about the type of love that Jesus has; it is an unselfish love of someone without expecting anything in return. It means doing something that is in the best interest of another. He instructed his apostles “to love one another as I have loved you”—as one of his final teachings before he demonstrated his love by dying on the cross for all people.
⁣
I remember hearing a story about St. Christopher who started out as a pagan, but re-wrote his story by converting to Christianity. He paid a visit to a hermit to learn how to become more holy. The monk told him to fast and pray, but since he was a big strong guy, he found fasting to be too difficult. So, he asked what else he might do instead. The monk advised him to use his strength to be of service to other people. St. Christopher knew of a river nearby that was difficult to cross, but essential for many people’s travels. So, he willingly carried people across safely; caring for them by putting their needs above his own. One day, he was carrying a small boy on his shoulders across the river, and he felt the boy getting heavier and heavier. Once he reached the shore, the boy revealed that he was the Christ-child, and Christopher had been carrying the weight of the world.
⁣
I heard the Catholic War Vets say that this weekend, America will be honoring the brave men and women who were selfless in giving their lives for others. These citizens were willing to set aside their comfort of home and share their service in the military to preserve the freedom of our country. That sure sounds like the kind of love that Jesus was talking about when He said that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend.
⁣
Well, I guess I have decided what I was going to do with my blank sheet of paper. You are reading it!
⁣
So long for now from Chatter, your friendly church mouse
⁣

Hi Folks,⁣Last Sunday, I went for a visit to Granny’s over at Loyola since I heard that there was going to be a May Crow...
05/24/2026

Hi Folks,
⁣
Last Sunday, I went for a visit to Granny’s over at Loyola since I heard that there was going to be a May Crowning that afternoon. It was a splendid day with a blue sky the color of Mary’s mantle. The retreat house plans occasional events with the help of some of the local parishes coordinating the program; that day, a committee from Queen of Heaven planned the event and Father Durkee was presiding. As I looked around, I noticed that there were folks from several of the surrounding parishes there. After praying a rosary, everyone broke into song, Bring Flowers of The Fairest, as an eager young man named Jakob, assisted by his mother, Brigitte, confidently climbed the ladder to carefully place the floral crown on Mary. It was such a beautiful tribute to the Queen of Heaven and Earth.
⁣
This statue at Loyola, dedicated in 1970, is a shrine for Our Lady of Fatima and the three children whom she visited. Father Durkee said that the funding for the statues came from donations that were collected in cans at the checkout counters of local grocery stores for about two years. The committee from St. Andrew’s Church collected about $14,700 and had an Italian artist sculpt her from white Carrara marble. Our Lady of Fatima is standing with open arms as if to welcome her children.
⁣
I started thinking about how Mary is depicted in so many of the statues we have at Nativity. As I scampered around the beams in the narthex, looking at all the new nativity sets that have recently been added, I noticed one thing they all have in common. The Blessed Mother is always depicted in a kneeling posture at the side of Baby Jesus. She is always the closest one to Jesus, giving Him her undivided adoration, while He is depicted with outstretched arms. The bond between them is one of profound, unconditional love. No other human has been blessed with such great honor, yet Mary never wants the spotlight to be on her.
⁣
Granny says that Jesus is like the sun emitting blinding light; whereas Mary is like the moon who has no light of her own. She only glows brightly by reflecting the light of the sun/Son.
⁣
So long for now from Chatter, your friendly church mouse

05/20/2026

We are hiring! The Parish Office Administrator is the central point of hospitality, communication, and administrative coordination for the parish. As a one person office, this role independently oversees all daily office operations, ensuring that parish administrative, communication, and record keeping functions run smoothly, efficiently, and in alignment with the mission of the Catholic Church. The ideal candidate is friendly, compassionate, highly organized, and exceptionally comfortable with technology. This person will help modernize parish processes by transitioning paper based systems into clear, reliable digital workflows. Confidentiality, professionalism, and pastoral sensitivity are essential.

Apply through the Diocese:

https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/offices/human-resources/employment-opportunities/parish-office-administrator-nativity-of-the-lord-jesus

05/17/2026

Hi Folks,
⁣
During my last visit with Granny, she was making some of her wonderful vegetable soup. I watched as she chopped some wild onions, carrots, and parsley. She added some acorns and Morel mushrooms along with a handful of spring herbs. As it simmered, my mouth watered at the thought of having a bowl of this savory soup along with some corn cake. While I was watching Granny adding a pinch of this and a sprinkle of that, it reminded me of something I had been wondering about.
⁣
“So, Granny,” I began, “Why does the priest add a bit of water to the wine in the chalice during the Mass? Is Father just trying to stretch the wine farther?” “Gracious, no,” Granny explained. “Pull up a chair and let me tell you the many reasons that he does that.” She ladled out two cups of the steaming hot soup and began. “It may have been done at the Last Supper, since it was customary to temper strong wine with a bit of water; so, Jesus may have very well done that too,” Granny said. “But that is not the main reason it is done these days.” She went on to explain how she heard a talk at Loyola where a monk quoted the works of St. Thomas Aquinas.
⁣
St. Thomas said, “In the Lord’s chalice neither wine only nor water only ought to be offered, but both mixed because we read that both flowed from his side in the Passion.” It signifies that Jesus was truly God and truly human. Another reason is that “We see that the people are signified by the water, but Christ’s blood by the wine. Therefore, when water is mixed with the wine in the chalice, the people is made one with Christ.” St. Thomas said that the effect of this sacrament is everlasting life with God. After humanity has been brought into unity with God, it becomes one union.
⁣
“If you taste wine, and then add a little water, it will still taste like wine,” Granny said. “But if you had water, and added some wine, it no longer tastes like water. God will never change, but humans will change if they become united with God.” I was thinking how it would be almost impossible to separate the water from the wine once they had been blended. Even though Jesus is no longer in human form on earth, He is forever united with those who love Him.
⁣
So long for now from Chatter, your friendly church mouse
⁣
⁣

05/10/2026

Hi Folks,
⁣
One thing that is common across all the animals I know is that a mother will fiercely fight to protect her babies. I once saw a small bird, a Killdeer, about the size of a Robin who had her nest on the ground nearby. A raccoon started walking towards the nest, and the mother quickly ran a short distance from the nest and started flopping on the ground while making noisy cries. She looked to be wounded so that the intruder would think that she would be easy prey. The raccoon took the bait and turned his attention away from her nest and went over to investigate. At that moment the momma Killdeer rushed at the raccoon who ran away. What a clever way to save her vulnerable nest of eggs!
⁣
Another time I remember seeing a Black Rat snake slowly inching towards a nest of baby rabbits snug in their burrow. The mother had been out looking for food and came home just in the nick of time. She lunged at the snake and grabbed hold with her sharp teeth. Even though the snake was about 4 feet long, she was not intimidated. They wrestled and twisted on the ground while the bunny kept inflicting bites on the snake until it gave up and slinked away.
⁣
It must be something that God plants into parents that make them instinctively want to protect their most vulnerable babies. I think about how Joseph and Mary did not think twice about leaving their quiet home to flee to the foreign land of Egypt when they heard that Jesus was in danger. Then when Jesus was twelve and they discovered that he was missing from their caravan, they were frantic looking for him. How terribly Mary must have been in anguish seeing her boy suffering at the hands of the Roman soldiers and then crucified, all while being helpless to provide her mother’s protection. Afterwards, I am sure that she provided motherly support for the apostles as they worked to build the Church Jesus began.
⁣
Now, I noticed that the Mary statue in church has a crown of flowers. I heard Ada say that May is a month that is dedicated to the Blessed Mother. She said that it is a long-standing tradition in the church that has gone on for centuries. People can make a little May altar in their home to give Mary a special spot in her honor and be a reminder to say some prayers for her protection and intercession. I have heard that the rosary is the perfect prayer to honor Mary, who is Mother of all the world.
⁣
Luckily, my mom has never had to fight off a predator threatening me, but I am sure that she would if that time ever came. Once she told me that now since I am living on my own, she cannot always be near to shield me from danger. So, instead, she sends prayers to the Blessed Mother who is always able to wrap me in her protective mantle and care for me day-in-and-day-out without fail, even in the tiniest, mouse sized matters.
⁣
So long for now from Chatter, your friendly church mouse

05/03/2026

Hi Folks,
⁣
Did you see those sweet boys and girls who made their first Holy Communion last month? I saw them learning all about Jesus who is truly present in the consecrated bread and wine. They were so eager to receive Him for the first time. I also saw how their families gathered to celebrate this important step in their faith; the Moms and Dads looked so proud. Isn’t that the way loving parents are? They seem to get more joy from the accomplishments of their children than from their own successes. I imagine that Mary felt that way too.
⁣
Can you imagine the joy and amazement that Mary experienced when she witnessed the growth and miracles of her son, Jesus? While at home in Nazareth, she would have been eager for any news of His travels from place to place, teaching throngs of eager followers. I bet her heart was bursting with love to see how her Son drew people to God. Like many mothers, Mary remained humble, deflecting praise or attention back to her Son. I remember hearing that Gospel reading where Jesus gave His mother, Mary, to all people. So, surely when she saw these innocent children receiving Jesus for the first time, she too was beaming with joy.
⁣
With the beginning of May, we have a whole month when we honor Mary. I heard that there is even a special devotion called a May Crowning being planned this month when Mary will be honored as the Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, and our mother as well. Granny said that the practice of crowning Mary originated by Pope Gregory XVI in 1838 and Pope St. John Paul II who had a great devotion to our Blessed Mother issued a ritual in 1987: “Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary”. He wanted to standardize the rite that emphasizes Mary as the perfect follower of Christ.
⁣
I heard some people ask why Mary is given so much devotion in the Catholic Church. I suppose that is because God honored her first by choosing her to be a living tabernacle of His son; but it is ultimately about love. She was the first to love Jesus and become a shining example for others to follow her path that always leads to Him.

So long for now from Chatter, your friendly church mouse
⁣

04/26/2026

Hi Folks,⁣
⁣
As I was lying in the backyard last week soaking in some spring sunshine, I was pondering about Father’s homily last week, and all the Bible readings that I hear lately. After Easter, the first reading at Mass comes from the Acts of the Apostles rather than from the Old Testament as it usually does. I enjoy hearing how the early Church was being formed and how the apostles continued the work of Jesus even though they were met with great resistance. ⁣
⁣
One thing that made me scratch my head was how the terms “apostle” and “disciple” seem to be used interchangeably. Do they mean the same thing? What is the difference? I scampered into church for a spontaneous “ask a priest” question. “So, Father, why are followers of Jesus sometimes called “disciples” and sometimes” apostles”? I asked. “Can someone be both?” “While the terms are often used interchangeably, they represent two different stages of a student-teacher relationship”, Father replied. “The core difference is easier to understand if you look at the origins of the words. Disciple is derived from the Latin discipulus meaning learner or follower, and Apostle is derived from the Greek word apostolos, meaning one who is sent out.”⁣
⁣
Father went on to explain that anyone who follows a teacher to learn their doctrine and way of life would be a disciple. He said that John the Baptist had a following of disciples, and a couple of them later became disciples of Jesus. “Think of a disciple as a student who is observing, learning, and subject to the direction of the teacher”, Father added. “But an apostle is someone who has been sent out as a representative with the authority of the teacher. Jesus had thousands of disciples, and out of those, he chose 12 to be his apostles.” “Oh, so those 12 were disciples first, and then became apostles with the power to perform miracles and forgive sins in His name when Jesus commissioned them,” I replied. “Exactly,” Father said. “And the title of Apostle only refers to those hand-selected by Jesus.”⁣
⁣
“Well, are all these folks I see at Mass considered to be disciples?” I asked. “Absolutely!” Father responded. “We Christians are called to continually learn about Jesus as a disciple who is a living example of His teachings.” Wow, that sounds like I am on a mission from God!⁣
⁣
So long for now from Chatter, your friendly church mouse

04/19/2026

Hi Folks,⁣
⁣
Last week, Cousin Cletus came over with a new kite that he got for Easter. It was a warm and windy day, just perfect to launch his colorful kite. We scurried outdoors and Cletus held his arm outstretched while he ran as fast as he could. His kite fluttered and crashed. We added a couple more bits of yarn to the tail for ballast and tried again. This time, a sudden gust of wind caught his kite and lifted it upwards. We shrieked as the kite soared, dipped and danced in the wind; it was like a ballet. Cletus could pull its string to make it swerve and loop, but otherwise, the kite was completely under the direction of the wind. ⁣
⁣
We laughed and enjoyed the beauty of a warm spring day with hopes that the winter cold was finally behind. As we finally plopped down for a rest, Cletus asked, “Do you know where the wind comes from?” I scratched my head and shrugged, “Well, I am no meteorologist, but I suppose it has to do with the changes in temperature of warm air hitting cold air. “ As we rested in the sun, I remembered a reading in John’s Gospel where Jesus was teaching Nicodemus about being reborn of water and the Holy Spirit. “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”⁣
⁣
Maybe that means that I need to stop trying to be in control of everything in my life and just trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. My logical reasoning is very important to help me make good decisions, but I also need to make room for this unseen, but transformative power that helps steer me towards God’s will. I remember hearing about how the Holy Spirit came to the apostles on Pentecost as the sound of a strong driving wind. Then afterwards, those timid men were able to courageously go out and proclaim the Gospel.⁣
⁣
Just as the gusts of wind carried Cousin Cletus’ kite upward, I pray that the Holy Spirit lifts my soul towards heaven.⁣
⁣
So long for now from Chatter, your friendly church mouse

Hi Folks,⁣ ⁣What a glorious Easter! Even though it is celebrated year after year, I never tire of seeing all the rich tr...
04/12/2026

Hi Folks,⁣
⁣
What a glorious Easter! Even though it is celebrated year after year, I never tire of seeing all the rich traditional ceremonies beginning with the ashes at the start of Lent to the lighting of the new Easter candle at the Easter vigil Mass. I am reminded of all the times that I hear of the contrast between darkness and light. In fact, I saw how the church was dark at the beginning of Easter vigil and then the light from the blessed Easter candle spread throughout the congregation as Father processed in chanting, “The Light of Christ”. Then again while renewing your baptismal promises, everyone held a lighted candle as a symbol of the risen Jesus, the Light of the World, and being called to walk in faith as a child of light.⁣
⁣
Sometimes the symbolism of light is in spoken words, and other times it can be in a quiet, silent moment such as a single candle flame, or a beam of sunlight shining at just the right moment. One of those moments happened when I was scampering through the church during Eucharistic adoration a couple weeks ago. I looked up at the large crucifix draped in a solemn shroud of purple, obscuring this image of Jesus from sight. Just then, the sunlight was streaming in and illuminating the cross in a dramatic way. I had to smile as I thought, “Jesus may not be visible, but he never abandons us; His light will always shine.”⁣
⁣
This weekend is the feast of The Divine Mercy; I have seen many of you participating in the novena leading up to the grand celebration that will be Sunday afternoon at Queen of Heaven church at 2:30. Looking at the image of Jesus as The Divine Mercy, I see that symbolism of light yet again. When He appeared to St. Faustina, Jesus held his hand to his heart as beams of light radiated into the room. Jesus used light to symbolize how he pours his merciful grace through baptism and the Holy Eucharist over all the world. ⁣
⁣
In these times when I hear how folks are suffering in tragedy or despair; I am reminded of Granny’s advice that I need to just trust in Jesus. Father’s prayer at Easter vigil sums it all up: “ May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds”.⁣
⁣
So long for now from Chatter, your friendly church mouse

Address

2425 Myersville Road
Akron, OH
44312

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+13306995086

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Place Of Worship

Send a message to Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church:

Shortcuts

Share

Category