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Holy Angels Parish
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When sixty Catholic Wyandotte Native Americans settled in Sandusky in 1749, they joined converts of the Iroquois and Huron tribes for Mass celebrated by itinerant priests on horseback.
Almost a century later, escaping Ireland's potato famine and Germany's political upheaval, Irish and German immigrants arrived in the 1830s and celebrated Mass in private homes. Father Joseph Projectus Machebeul, a missionary, rode horseback in northern Ohio; Sandusky was one of his circuit stops. A railroad connected Sandusky on Lake Erie to the south and during this time, the community became a stop on the Underground Railroad, bringing slaves to free Ohio - a transfer point to Canada.
Father Machebeuf, the pastor in 1840, held services in a large hall lent by a non-Catholic, H.W. Mills, for a congregation of fifty to sixty families. They were Irish and German immigrants with no resources other than their daily wages. Later, Mills donated the present location of five lots, $530, and all the stone and timber for a church. Parishioners hauled stone from nearby quarries and laid the cornerstone for a church in 1841. The church functioned without a roof -- with tent-like coverings used to shelter the congregation -- until 1845 when it was finally completed and dedicated to the Holy Angels. An oxen team traveling through forests and fields before the days of roads pulled the church bell from Toledo in 1846. The first Catholic parish in Sandusky, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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The Holy Angels
Holy Angels celebrates its parish feast day on October 2: The Feast of the Guardian Angels.
The Origin of Angels
The Lord, Himself, gives us some understanding about holy angels. He tells us of the love which causes the angels to rejoice over our salvation and to watch over us on all our paths (Matthew 18:10; Luke 15:10).
God’s love caused Him to give existence to reasoning beings, capable of knowing and loving Him, and participating in his blessedness. The first creation of this love was the bodiless, immaterial spirits who served Him and fellowshipped with Him.
The holy angels, those faithful to God, were strengthened with divine grace and became completely blessed. They are reflections of glory and the radiance of the Holy of Holies encompasses them. Delighting in the ecstasy of the contemplation of eternal beauty, they are possessed of immeasurable love and drink freely from the wellspring of blessedness. They are above all human limitations, limited only by the fact that they are created beings and servants.
The host of heavenly angels is beyond number. Despite their huge number, a perfect and harmonious order exists among the blessed heavenly powers. This order is the very beauty of perfection, wisdom, truth, and love. Traditionally, the bodiless beings are established into nine orders: Angels, Archangels, Powers, Dominions, Principalities, Virtues, Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim. These beings are subject to one another in perfect love and humility.
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Bless the Lord, all you His angels. You who are mighty in strength and do His will, intercede for me at the throne of God. By your unceasing watchfulness, protect me in every danger of soul and body. Obtain for me the grace of final perseverance, so that after this life I may be admitted to your glorious company and with you may sing the praises of God for all eternity. All you holy angels and archangels, thrones and dominations, principalities and powers and virtues of heaven, cherubim and seraphim, and especially you, my dear guardian angel, intercede for me and obtain for me the special favor I now ask: ( mention your intention).
Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Prayer to your Guardian Angel
Angel of God,
my Guardian dear,
to whom His love
commits me here,
ever this day
be at my side,
to light and guard,
to rule and guide.
Amen.
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Parish RegistrationPlease click on the button below to become a parishioner:
Register at Holy Angels
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Saint Mary's Parish
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Six men signed a note to purchase property in Sandusky in 1855, and a few months later, St. Mary Church stood completed.
The German immigrants of the city, who had been worshiping at Holy Angels, succeeded in founding the second Catholic parish in Sandusky. Since that day, two church buildings, five school buildings, two cemeteries, two rectories, and two convents have been built.
The Germans who immigrated to Sandusky were first led by Fr. John P. Dolweck. Appointed by Rt. Rev. Louis Amadeus Rappe, Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, Fr. Dolweck began serving the people of Sandusky in 1853, while still at Holy Angels. Fr. Dolweck was succeeded by Fr. James J. Hamene, who completed the construction of the first church and a rectory. In 1857 St. Mary’s built their first school.
Several pastors served at St. Mary’s during the Civil War era, each contributing to the growth of the parish and school.
In 1873, under the direction of Fr. Nicholas Moes, the parish embarked upon a huge construction project, a new church. Noted architect Franz Georg Himpler was employed to plan and oversee the construction. Seven years later, the beautiful new church was dedicated by Bishop Ignatius Horstmann to Mary, Mother of Sorrows. The largest church in the city of Sandusky, this building continues to serve as a home for all parish activities and the center of faith.
In 1918, Fr. Joseph S. Widmann, who served St. Mary’s his entire 26-year priestly career, died. Fr. Widmann was responsible for building the three-story school still in use. He was also pastor when the new Diocese of Toledo was erected.
Fr. William C. Zierolf succeeded Fr. Widmann and began his 34-year pastorate. Under Msgr. Zierolf, St. Mary’s continued to grow and develop, keeping up with the times and leading the Christian contingent in the city. Msgr. Zierolf inaugurated the four-year secondary education program at St. Mary’s and stayed with the parish when transfer to the Toledo Diocese was completed in 1922. He also purchased land for Calvary Cemetery and added classrooms to the school.
Msgr. Joseph H. Inkrott followed Msgr. Zierolf and served St. Mary’s for fourteen years. During this time, the parish celebrated its centennial in 1955 with a major renovation of the church, and a new elementary school was built in 1957.
Fr. Robert Donnelly assumed pastorate duties as the nineteenth pastor in 1974. St. Mary’s High School had been centralized with the other two Sandusky parishes. Fr. Donnelly instituted Christ Renews His Parish for the spiritual growth of the parish. Also under Fr. Donnelly, sacrificial giving was adopted, and additions to the elementary school were completed.
Fr. Robert Reinhart was appointed pastor in 1981 and served until 1991. Under his direction, the church was renovated and the Commons building was added.
In 1991, Fr. Philip S. Feltman became pastor. Fr. Feltman was instrumental in major additions and renovations to the parish: mausoleum and chapel at the cemetery, reviving Christ Renews His Parish, renovation of the rectory, stained glass window project, renovation of the church interior, maintenance of the church exterior, consolidation of Catholic education in the city, purchase, and installation of a new organ for the church, year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of the parish, air conditioning the church, new baptistery.
In addition to the physical projects and improvements in St. Mary’s parish in 152 years, the parish has contributed to the Catholic presence in the city and the Diocese. Eighteen men from the parish have accepted the vows of Holy Orders. Seventy-one women have professed to religious communities. Twenty-one pastors and seventy-four associate pastors have guided and directed the growth, conformity to, and understanding of our Catholic Faith. More than 20,000 baptisms have been commemorated, 7,000 weddings consecrated and 9,000 funerals celebrated at St. Mary’s.
(St. Mary’s History written by 150th Anniversary Book Committee)
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St. Mary's Our Lady of SorrowsThe title, Our Lady of Sorrows, given to our Blessed Mother focuses on her intense suffering and grief during the passion and death of our Lord. Traditionally, this suffering was not limited to the passion and death event; rather, it comprised the seven dolors or seven sorrows of Mary, which were foretold by the Priest Simeon who proclaimed to Mary,
"This child [Jesus] is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare" (Luke 2:34-35).
These seven sorrows of our Blessed Mother included the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt; the loss and finding of the child Jesus in the Temple; Mary's meeting of Jesus on His way to Calvary; Mary's standing at the foot of the cross when our Lord was crucified; her holding of Jesus when He was taken down from the cross; and then our Lord's burial. In all, the prophecy of Simeon that a sword would pierce our Blessed Mother's heart was fulfilled in these events. For this reason, Mary is sometimes depicted with her heart exposed and with seven swords piercing it. More importantly, each new suffering was received with the courage, love, and trust that echoed her fiat, let it be done unto me according to Thy word, first uttered at the Annunciation. (Catholic Education) >>Read more
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O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.
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Please click on the button below to become a parishioner:
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Saints Peter and Paul Parish
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As the Catholic population increased, Fr. Sidley, pastor of Holy Angels, had to either enlarge Holy Angels or build a new church. The foundation of the church began in the spring of 1866 and on the 22nd of July, the cornerstone was laid by Bishop Rosecrans. The cornerstone had been cut by a parishioner, Lawrence Powers. Mr. Powers' son, LAwrence Jr., was one of the first children baptized in the completed new church.
On Easter Sunday, April 9, 1871 the congregation took possession of their new church. This new, solid and massive structure stands even today a tribute to the wisdom and foresight of its first pastor, Fr. Sidley and his flock. The church is 145 feet long and 71 feet wide. The original tower was 135 feet high. The ceiling is composed of several large arches, heavily groined, delicately tinted and entirely unsupported by columns. The bell, weighing over 4,500 lbs was erected in the tower with great difficulty. It is five feet across at the bottom and nearly as high, and is two inches thick. It was originally rung by a rope passing over a grooved wheel eight feet in diameter. On one side of the bell, the following is inscribed:St. Joseph is my name
my end is God's glory
my mission is Sts. Peter and Paul Church
Sandusky, OhioBishop Gilmour consecrated the altar on the feast of the Ascension May 25, 1872. The Church was dedicated to the Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul. The church was solemnly consecrated on November 3, 1878.
From the Sts. Peter & Paul 125th Anniversary Book
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St. Peter and St. PaulWe celebrate our parish feast day on June 29, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. These two leading saints are considered the founders of the See of Rome, through their preaching, ministry, and martyrdom there.
“One day is assigned for the celebration of the martyrdom of the two apostles. But those two were one. Although their martyrdom occurred on different days, they were one" (Sermon 295, St. Augustine of Hippo).
Peter, who was named Simon, was a fisherman of Galilee and was introduced to the Lord Jesus by his brother Andrew, also a fisherman. Jesus gave him the name Cephas ( Petrus in Latin), which means "Rock," because he was to become the rock upon which Christ would build His Church.Paul was the Apostle of the Gentiles. His letters are included in the writings of the New Testament, and through them, we learn much about his life and the faith of the early Church. Before receiving the name Paul, he was Saul, a Jewish Pharisee who zealously persecuted Christians in Jerusalem. Scripture records that Saul was present at the martyrdom of St. Stephen.
Saul's conversion took place as he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christian community there. As he was traveling along the road, he was suddenly surrounded by a great light from heaven. He was blinded and fell off his horse. He then heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He answered: “Who are you, Lord?” Christ said: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul continued to Damascus, where he was baptized and his sight was restored. He took the name Paul and spent the remainder of his life preaching the Gospel tirelessly to the Gentiles of the Mediterranean world. (Catholic News Agency)
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O holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, I choose you this day and forever to be my special patrons and advocates; thee, Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles, because thou art the Rock, upon which Almighty God hath built His Church; thee, Saint Paul, because thou wast fore-chosen by God as the Vessel of election and the Preacher of truth in the whole world.
Obtain for me, I pray you, lively faith, firm hope, and burning love; complete detachment from myself, contempt of the world, patience in adversity, humility in prosperity, attention in prayer, purity of heart, a right intention in all my works, diligence in fulfilling the duties of my state of life, constancy in my resolutions, resignation to the will of God and perseverance in the grace of God even unto death; that so, by means of your intercession and your glorious merits, I may be able to overcome the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil, and may be made worthy to appear before the chief and eternal Shepherd of souls, Jesus Christ, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth for endless ages, to enjoy His presence and love Him forever. Amen.
Source: Excerpted from “Novena Petition to St. Peter and St. Paul,” CatholicHarborofFaithandMorals.com. For the complete novena, visit the website.
Prayer to St. Peter
O Holy Apostle, you are the Rock upon which Almighty God has built His Church. Obtain for me I pray you: lively faith, firm hope, and burning love, complete detachment from myself, contempt of the world, patience in adversity, humility in prosperity, recollection in prayer, purity of heart, a right intention in all my works, diligence in fulfilling the duties of my state of life, constancy in my resolutions, resignation to the will of God and perseverance in the grace of God even unto death; that so, by means of your intercession and your glorious merits, I may be made worthy to appear before the Chief and Eternal Shepherd of Souls, Jesus Christ, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns forever. Amen.
Prayer to St. Paul
O Glorious Saint Paul, after persecuting the Church you became by God’s grace its most zealous Apostle. To carry the knowledge of Jesus, our Divine Savior, to the uttermost parts of the earth, you joyfully endured prison, scourging, stoning, and shipwreck, as well as all manner of persecutions culminating in the shedding of the last drop of your blood for our Lord Jesus Christ. Obtain for us the grace to labor strenuously to bring the faith to others and to accept any trials and tribulations that may come our way. Help us to be inspired by your Epistles and to partake of your indomitable love for Jesus, so that after we have finished our course we may join you in praising Him in Heaven for all eternity. Amen.
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Please click on the button below to become a parishioner:
Register at Sts. Peter and Paul
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