WASHINGTON – Seven U.S. bishop chairmen of committees within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have issued a statement in the wake of the death of Mr. George Floyd and the protests which have broken out in Minneapolis and in other cities in the United States.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism; Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church; Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development; Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities; Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of Scranton, chairman of the Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs; Bishop David G. O’Connell, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, chairman of the Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development; and Bishop Joseph N. Perry, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, chairman of the Subcommittee on African American Affairs have issued the following statement:

We are broken-hearted, sickened, and outraged to watch another video of an African American man being killed before our very eyes. What’s more astounding is that this is happening within mere weeks of several other such occurrences. This is the latest wake-up call that needs to be answered by each of us in a spirit of determined conversion.

Racism is not a thing of the past or simply a throwaway political issue to be bandied about when convenient. It is a real and present danger that must be met head on. As members of the Church, we must stand for the more difficult right and just actions instead of the easy wrongs of indifference. We cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. We serve a God of love, mercy, and justice.

While it is expected that we will plead for peaceful non-violent protests, and we certainly do, we also stand in passionate support of communities that are understandably outraged. Too many communities around this country feel their voices are not being heard, their complaints about racist treatment are unheeded, and we are not doing enough to point out that this deadly treatment is antithetical to the Gospel of Life.

As we said eighteen months ago in our most recent pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts, for people of color some interactions with police can be fraught with fear and even danger. People of good conscience must never turn a blind eye when citizens are being deprived of their human dignity and even their lives. Indifference is not an option. “As bishops, we unequivocally state that racism is a life issue.”

We join Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis in praying for the repose of the soul of Mr. George Floyd and all others who have lost their lives in a similar manner. We plead for an end to the violence in the wake of this tragedy and for the victims of the rioting. We pray for comfort for grieving families and friends. We pray for peace across the United States, particularly in Minnesota, while the legal process moves forward. We also anticipate a full investigation that results in rightful accountability and actual justice.

We join our brother bishops to challenge everyone to come together, particularly with those who are from different cultural backgrounds. In this encounter, let us all seek greater understanding amongst God’s people. So many people who historically have been disenfranchised continue to experience sadness and pain, yet they endeavor to persevere and remain people of great faith. We encourage our pastors to encounter and more authentically accompany them, listen to their stories, and learn from them, finding substantive ways to enact systemic change. Such encounters will start to bring about the needed transformation of our understanding of true life, charity, and justice in the United States. Hopefully, then there will be many voices speaking out and seeking healing against the evil of racism in our land.

As we anticipate the Solemnity of Pentecost this weekend, we call upon all Catholics to pray and work toward a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for a supernatural desire to rid ourselves of the harm that bias and prejudice cause. We call upon Catholics to pray to the Holy Spirit for the Spirit of Truth to touch the hearts of all in the United States and to come down upon our criminal justice and law enforcement systems. Finally, let each and every Catholic, regardless of their ethnicity, beg God to heal our deeply broken view of each other, as well as our deeply broken society.

Please click below for new policies and guidelines

POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

The church will be opening and we will again be able to celebrate Mass together!

We would like to have face masks available for those who come to Mass and do not have one or forgot theirs at home. If you are gifted with the talent of sewing and could make face masks lease drop them in the rectory attention Barbie Byrne. Masks will be laundered, bagged individually and available for those who come to Mass and do not have one or forgot theirs at home. Those who take a mask will keep it for their personal use and remember to bring it next time they come to church!

Please leave your email address so you can stay connected and updated.

Our Mission
The Catholic Church's mission is to carry out and continue the work of Jesus Christ on Earth. The Church, and those in it, must: share the Word of God and help those in need.

Please take a minute to enroll right now. You can use their simple, 

secure online enrollment form.

Contact Us

Resources for the Homebound

If you are unable to leave your home during this COVID-19 crisis, please know that Holy Family is here to help.  Parishioners have stepped up to volunteer to do your shopping for groceries, pick up medicine and deliver them to your home, while taking all necessary precautions that stay within the CDC guidelines.

If you would like to request assistance, or know someone who needs assistance, please reach out to the Rectory Office at 330-688-6412; ext. 213 or email [email protected]

God Bless You.

Office Hours

TEMPORARY HOURS

Mon - Fri: 9am- 12pm

A PRAYER FOR UNCERTAIN TIMES

May we who are merely inconvenienced,
remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors,
remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home,
remember those who must choose between preserving
their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children
when their schools close,
remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips,
remember those that have no place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money
in the tumult of the economic market,
remember those who have no margin at all.
we who settle in for a quarantine at home,
remember those who have no home.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our
arms around each other,
let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.

We ask this through Christ the Healer.

Amen.