Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church

Our Lady Queen of the Americas mourns the passing of our beloved Pastor and leader, Fr. Stephen Anderson.  The OLQA community is heartbroken in this time of loss, and offers its utmost in prayers and gratitude for Father Steve during this Lenten season. More information is to come as soon as it is made available.

Visiting hours are Monday, April 1st 2-4pm & 6-9pm at the church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, April 2nd at 11:00am at OLQA.

Obituary:

The Reverend Stephen A. Anderson, pastor of Our Lady Queen of the Americas Parish, Conneaut Lake, died on Monday, March 25, 2013, at the Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Father Anderson was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on September 25, 1953, the son of Albert Leroy and Dolores Jean (Gahr) Anderson. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, Erie, Divine Word Seminary, Girard, and Saint Mark High School Seminary. He graduated from Gannon College (University) in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in German and later, in 1989, with a Masters degree in English. Seminary studies were completed at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, New York where he received a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 4, 1979 at Saint Peter Cathedral in Erie by the Most Reverend Alfred M. Watson.

Following ordination, he was assigned in June of 1979 as Parochial Vicar at Saint Callistus Parish, Kane, Pennsylvania and in 1980 as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Erie. In July 1984, he was assigned to the faculty of Elk County Catholic High School where he taught German, English and Theology. Subsequent appointments included chaplaincy ministry at Mercyhurst Preparatory School and Gannon College (1988–1991) and Mercyhurst College (1988–1998) where he also served as a member of the faculty. In 1998, he was appointed pastor of Our Lady Queen of the Americas where he served until his death.

Father Steve was pre-deceased by his parents, a sister, Mary Ellen Anderson and a brother, Philip. He is survived by a sister, Suzanne (Jim) Hudson of Erie and a brother, Paul (Shirley), of Birmingham, AL, an aunt, Sally Borland, a sister-in-law, Yevet Anderson, a niece, Jamie Hudson and numerous nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Gabriel.

Visitation will be at Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church, 155 South 9th St., Conneaut Lake, PA on Monday, April 1, 2013 from 2 – 4 and 6 – 9 p.m. The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Erie.
Donations can be made in Father Steve’s name to Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Jeff Monreal of The Monreal Funeral Home, 35400 Curtis Blvd., Eastlake, OH, and Rocco R. Tedesco III of Hatheway-Tedesco Funeral Home, 614 Baldwin St., Meadville, PA, www.hatheway-tedesco.com.

A full audio recording of Fr. Steve’s Funeral Mass is available here.

Dear Parishioners,

Fr. Steve has asked me to pass along a message about some exciting news here at OLQA – and that is that a new photo directory is in the works!  He’s asked me to share the signup link here, where you can select the number of people in your group photo, and choose a time to sign up.  This will be taking place in late April.  The link can be found here:

From Fr. Steve:

Looking through our directory of five years ago, it’s shocking and hard to believe that about 30 people have died since then, some parishioners have moved elsewhere, and so many wonderful new families have joined our parish. So . . . it’s time to update a new directory for our parish. THIS IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO CELEBRATE THIS YEAR OF FAITH AND THE ARRIVAL OUR NEW BISHOP. This undertaking will begin in late April with the taking of pictures . . . and the book should be complete and ready to distribute by the end of the summer. I’m hoping EVERY family will participate. It’s at no cost unless you wish to purchase pictures. Otherwise, you receive a free picture and will be in the directory. Pets are, of course, welcome to be part of this. The company we used last time has been bought out by another company who also purchased Olan Mills. More information will be coming . . .

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the parish office!

-Garrett

Dear OLQA Parishioners,

As mentioned by Father Steve at Mass, we’re excited to announce the availability of audio sermons right here on the OLQA website.  They can be found in the right-side navigation bar, just below the bulletins.  These gospel readings and sermons are currently audio-only, and should play just fine on any decently-recent computer or mobile device.  Additionally, they’re in .mp3 format, so you’re able to download them and take them on the go with you!

If anyone has any issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at garrettmiller@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to assist in any way that I can.

-Garrett

HOLY GROUND THRIFT STORE. The Samaritans Holy Ground Thrift Store will be holding its second annual CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND. Deck your halls with beautiful, gently used and fantastically priced Christmas decorations including lights, wreaths, bulbs and ornaments and much more. Visit the Samaritans from November 19th through Monday December 3rd and let us help put some of the MERRY into your Christmas.

Christmas Wonderland Hours:
Mondays – 5:30 until 7:30 pm
Thursdays – 9 am until 6 pm
November 19th until December 3

HOLY GROUND THRIFT STORE. Fall into a bargain at the Samaritans Holy
Ground Thrift Store located behind Our Lady Queen of Americas Church
in Conneaut Lake. Like the variety of colors in the leaves we offer a
variety of items from gently used clothing, shoes, coats, costumes to
a variety of house hold products including dishes, pots, linens, and
decor. You will fall into savings with our already low prices and our
daily specials. Come visit our friendly volunteers and see what
treasure we can find for you. On the corner of 285W and 6W in
Conneaut Lake we are open Mondays 5:30 until 7:30 pm and Thursdays
from 9 am until 6 pm. We encourage to help your neighbors out by
dropping off clean gently used items on Mondays 9 – noon and 5:30
until 7:30 and on Thursdays Noon until 5 pm.

We are in need of volunteers!! What a great and easy way to help out
your neighbor. We still have (6) 3-hour shifts: Mondays from 9 am
until noon and 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm; and Thursdays from 9 am until
noon, noon until 3:00 pm and 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Please contact
Pat Kaider at 382-1213 if you are interested.

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY SAM! . . A timeline of the Samaritans of the Conneaut Lake area.
The year is 1982, a child dies of malnutrition in Conneaut Lake Area. Seem hard to imagine? A group of Our Lady Queen of Americas women’s bible study group thought so. Thirty years ago they fore-fronted an effort to provide the residence of Conneaut Lake with the basic human rights food, clothing and shelter.
Supported by the ministerium of CL, in conjunction with the Erie County Food Bank, Second Harvest and the Center for Family Services, qualified families could receive food on a monthly basis. In the early years, 80-90 families received food from the kitchen of OLQA and clothing seasonally from The Trinity United Methodist Church. A Clothing and Furniture Warehouse in East Fallowfield Township Building thrived for 15 years starting in 1986 with the proceeds used for assistance in rent and utilities to those in need. Greenwood Elementary later become home to the thrift store until 2008.
With only the spirit of the Samaritans surviving, it took 2 years, 1 priest, a monetary donation and a thriving community of support to open THE HOLY GROUND THRIFT on Sept 23, 2010. A permanent home to the Samaritan’s vision of the women 30 years ago and the men and women who volunteer to keep it thriving today is located behind Our Lady Queen of America’s church in Conneaut Lake. Within a year, the current officers and a newly appointed Board of Direct (represented by four area churches), created bylaws, incorporated the organization, became sales and real estate tax exempt and the name “Holy Ground Thrift Shop” was registered with the commonwealth allowing Samaritans to be legally compliant with all governmental agencies.
Currently in operation, the Holy Ground Thrift store generated $15,710.00 in annual revenue with the assistance of its dedicated crew of 50 volunteers alternating twice a week to maintain weekly hours of operations. 133 sources donate regularly helping 106 households in the local area with a large percent of revenue being paid for delinquent utility bills. This need continues to grow annually. NINTY families benefit from the food pantry on a bi-weekly scheduled thanks to the eight loyal volunteers working 50 hours a month.
Paralleling the Samaritans, The Gift for Kids branch of the Samaritan organization began around the same time, 1986. A program depends on a community of good Samaritans to bring the Christmas spirit to kids 13 years and under in the Conneaut School district -still in operation and still growing. This year gift sponsors and 30 volunteers made it possible for 260 children to receive the spirit of Christmas under their tree.
The Samaritans of Conneaut Lake Inc. served more clients this past year with more money, incurred over $10,000.00 in operating expenses and ended the fiscal year with almost exactly the same amount started with. God does provide.
A reason to celebrate? WE think so! Happy 30th Sam! Come help us celebrate the organization and the dedicated community of volunteers of the last 30 years on JUNE 9th. Bring your food, clothing and household donations, enjoy a cupcake & beverage and shop our specially priced Holy Ground Thrift Store items. Your bargain purchase continues to help your neighbor. Help your neighbor . . . Shop Samaritans.
• JUNE 9th, 2012
• 9:30 to Noon
• Holy Ground Thrift Store located behind Our Lady Queen of America’s Church on Rt 285 & 6.

     The Altar Rosary Society is creating a scrapbook that will include the past to the present.  If you have any ARS pictures, memorabila, and memories, plus unneeded scrapbooking materials and/or time you would be willing to donate to this project, contact Mary Anne Shay at 382-8402.  Anything regarding OLQA’s ARS would be appreciated.

Dear OLQA,

Our Lady Queen of the Americas church has recently established a Facebook page for our parish community to connect and share stories, links, photos, and memories.  If you have a Facebook account, please find us here, and feel free to use this ubiquitous social networking tool to connect with fellow parishioners!  Additionally, please don’t forget that anyone is able to share and post comments on our very own OLQA website that you’re reading now – we like to use the internet as a two-way communications medium for our parish community.  We have some other exciting new technical developments in the works, so please stay tuned!  If I can be of any assistance, or for website suggestions, please don’t hesitate to email me at garrettmiller@gmail.com !

-Garrett

The Secular Franciscan Order (formerly known as the Third Order of St. Francis) is a community of men and women in the world who seek to pattern their lives after St. Francis of Assisi and, through him, Christ Jesus.  We meet the third Tuesday evening of every month at 7:00 p.m. here at Our Lady Queen of the Americas.  If you are interested, you can contact the parish (382-7252).

Dear Parishioners,

If you are reading this, OLQA’s new WordPress-enabled community site is live!  Feel free to have a look around, comment on posts, or contact us with any information or other features that you would like to see!

Best Regards,

-Garrett