Dayton Area Harp Ensemble

The Dayton Area Harp Ensemble
Returns to Precious Blood Church | Sunday, July 20 | 3:00 pm

 

We are thrilled to welcome back the Dayton Area Harp Ensemble (DAHE) to Precious Blood Church as they celebrate an incredible 45th Anniversary! DAHE is the oldest and largest harp ensemble in the region, delighting audiences across the Miami Valley and beyond. Their performances blend the rich sounds of Celtic and pedal harps with violin, flute, viola, cello, and percussion, creating an unforgettable musical experience. Founded by the late Joan Seymour and now led by professional harpist Bobbie Strobhar, DAHE continues to honor Joan’s legacy through hundreds of performances ranging from classical and pop to sacred and Celtic traditions.

 

  • Experience the rare beauty of a full harp ensemble with a rich blend of instruments and musical styles.
  • Celebrate a milestone 45th Anniversary with a group that has touched hearts for decades.
  • Enjoy an evening of uplifting, soul-stirring music in a beautiful setting.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or a first-time guest, this is a concert that promises inspiration, reflection, and joy.

Come celebrate the legacy. Experience the music. Feel the harmony. We can’t wait to see you there!

 

We Want to Hear From You!

St. Gaspar Family of Parishes Feedback Form

One of the priorities of the Pastoral Priority Plan is to Implement various forms of communication to keep people engaged with the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes’ purpose, vision, and priorities and inform them of all opportunities available. Goal 1 is to have a communication loop, including information sharing with parishioners and parishioners’ ability to give input to the St. Gaspar’s Leadership Team.

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Phase 3 of Beacons of Light and Next Generation Parish

Phase 3 calls us to focus on cultivating a culture that supports the long-term mission of the Church. Phase Three of the Beacons of Light Initiative aligns closely with the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes Pastoral Priority Plan, the work of the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI), and the Implementation Team in several ways:

Integration of Canonical and Pastoral Visions

Beacons of Light Phase Three focuses on establishing a single canonical parish while fostering unity and collaboration. This goal is mirrored in the Pastoral Priority Plan, which emphasizes unity and the creation of a shared purpose and vision for the family of parishes. The Implementation Team works to operationalize the canonical restructuring mandated by the Beacons of Light, ensuring it is done in a way that respects the priorities set in the Pastoral Plan.

Support from the Catholic Leadership Institute

The CLI’s guidance has been instrumental in forming the values, ground rules, and strategic focus areas for the Pastoral Priority Plan. Their expertise helps ensure that the transition aligns with the broader goals of Beacons of Light while staying rooted in respect, guidance, and accountability. CLI also provides leadership training, including the Parish Missionary Disciple Training, to empower parishioners and staff to live out the mission during and after the transition.

Pastoral Priorities Informing Implementation

The four priorities of the Pastoral Plan—encounter, unity, faith formation and education, and communication—serve as guiding principles for the Implementation Team.

For example:
  • Encounter: The team might organize programs fostering spiritual growth and community engagement to ensure the merger strengthens faith life.
  • Unity: Efforts are focused on overcoming parish silos to create a unified parish identity.
  • Faith Formation: Initiatives ensure all parishioners, from children to adults, continue growing in their faith within the new structure.
  • Communication: Transparent updates help parishioners understand and embrace the changes, minimizing confusion or resistance.
Feedback and Collaboration

Phase Three encourages parishioner participation and input, which aligns with the Pastoral Priority Plan’s commitment to listening to the needs and hopes of parishioners.

The Implementation Team ensures collaboration between the combined parish and finance councils, the CLI, and parishioners to make the transition smooth and mission-focused.

Strategic Alignment

Beacons of Light provides a diocesan-wide framework, while the Pastoral Priority Plan tailors the vision to the local realities of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes. The combined efforts ensure that the canonical and pastoral restructuring isn’t just a structural exercise but also a spiritual renewal that supports long-term vitality and growth. In essence, Phase Three of Beacons of Light acts as the structural framework within which the Pastoral Priority Plan, CLI’s training and tools, and the Implementation Team’s efforts converge to foster a stronger, unified parish community.

View the Pastoral Priority Plan

Preparing Our Hearts to be a Light of Christ’s Love

As we navigate the season of Advent, we are invited to prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of Christ at Christmas. This is a time of anticipation and reflection, a season when we are called to slow down and focus on the deeper meaning of the holiday, beyond the busy rush of preparations. Advent is not only a time to wait for the birth of Jesus, but also an opportunity to actively prepare our lives to reflect His love to those around us.

Our first calling, especially during this holy season, is to be a light of Christ’s love. This light begins in our closest relationships—with our spouse, our family, and our community. Just as Mary and Joseph opened their hearts and home to welcome the infant Jesus, we too are invited to prepare a place for Him—in the way we treat each other, in the patience we offer, in the kindness we show, and in the forgiveness we extend.

In a world that often seems busy and chaotic, Advent calls us to slow down and choose love. It is through small, intentional acts of kindness, patience, and forgiveness that we create space for grace to flourish in our homes and communities. These simple gestures—whether it’s a word of encouragement, an act of service, or a moment of understanding—become powerful witnesses of God’s love and light in the world.

This Advent and Christmas, let us remember that our small efforts are not in vain. Just as God took a humble stable and transformed it into a place of wonder and grace, He takes our humble acts of love and magnifies them. When we allow Christ’s light to shine through us, even in the simplest of ways, we make a profound difference in the lives of those around us.

In this season of waiting and preparation, let us recommit to being Christ’s light in the world. Trust that God will use even our smallest acts of love to create something beautiful and eternal. Let us prepare a place for Him, not just in our homes, but in the relationships we cherish and in the service we offer to others. May this Advent be a time of grace and transformation, as we open our hearts to welcome the love and light of Christ into our lives once again.

Deacon Brian Seibert

2024 Christmas Schedule

Pastoral Priority Plan

Read the Plan Here

Pastoral Priority Plan Feedback

In February of 2024, our St. Gaspar Family of Parishes took a significant step forward in the Beacons of Light process by engaging in a transformative journey known as “Next Generation Parish.” Under the leadership of Fr. Tony and with the invaluable support of the Catholic Leadership Institute, we formed an Envisioning Team with a representative from each of our six parishes. The team has worked diligently over the past several months to create a comprehensive Pastoral Priority Plan to guide our parish community into a vibrant and sustainable future. The Pastoral Priority Plan includes our family purpose, vision, and values, which we hope will inspire and unite us all as we move forward. The details of this plan were shared on September 14/15, 2024. This form has been created to allow parishioners to provide feedback about the Pastoral Priority Plan. The team and our Pastor, Fr. Tony Fortman C.PP.S, will receive the input.

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Explore Catholicism

The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is a comprehensive program designed to guide adults through the process of learning about and joining the Catholic faith, culminating in the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The St. Gaspar Family of Parishes offers opportunities to participate in OCIA at two locations, providing a welcoming environment for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Catholicism and become fully initiated into the Church.


OCIA at Holy Trinity

Summer Program, Monthly on Sundays, 9:45 am
The Downtown Dayton Catholic Churches offer OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults on Sunday afternoons at 9:45 am in the Trinity Center near Holy Trinity Church. All are welcome to learn and explore their faith and what the church teaches. Our next sessions take place on July 28 and August 25. For more information, or to reserve your spot, contact Lynda Middleton at Holy Trinity Church, 937-228-1223 or lyndamiddleton9@gmail.com.


Catholic Life at Precious Blood

Wednesdays, beginning at 7:00 pm
Catholic Life (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults-OCIA), offers a welcoming pathway for individuals embarking on this transformative journey. Catholic Life is specially designed to guide newcomers through prayer, tradition, and teaching of the Catholic Church.  Through weekly small group meetings with priests, deacons, and trained catechists you will be prepared to enter the Church in Easter 2025.  Whether you’re seeking answers to spiritual questions, exploring the meaning behind Catholic practices, or simply curious about the Catholic way of life. Contact Curtis Kneblik for more information via email: ckneblik@preciousbloodchurch.org or by phone: 937-276-5954.

Contact us if you would like to learn more. 

OCIA, Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

Are you curious about the Catholic Church? Catholic Life (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults-OCIA), offers a welcoming pathway for individuals embarking on this transformative journey. Catholic Life is specially designed to guide newcomers through prayer, tradition, and teaching of the Catholic Church.  Through weekly small group meetings with priests, deacons, and trained catechists, you will be prepared to enter the Church in Easter 2025.  Whether you’re seeking answers to spiritual questions, exploring the meaning behind Catholic practices, or simply curious about the Catholic way of life, we want to support and accompany you to an encounter with Jesus Christ and His Church.

For more information, contact Curtis Kneblik, Director of Adult Faith Formation.

Sacred Pilgrimage

On Friday, April 19 join us as we embark on a spiritual journey with Deacon Brian Seibert to two majestic basilicas,  where we will immerse ourselves in our faith’s rich history and profound beauty. Explore the historic Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, known for its exquisite architecture and sacred relics, followed by Mass and lunch at the Basilica. After lunch, we will cross the bridge to Covington, Kentucky, and enjoy a guided tour of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, marveling at its stunning beauty and significance in our faith. We will return to St. Paul around 5:30 pm. We will be chartering a comfortable bus for the pilgrimage, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey for all participants.

The itinerary is as follows: 
7:30 am: Departure from St. Paul’s parking lot
9:30 am: Tour of Basilica of St. Peter in Chains
11:30 am: Mass at Basilica
12:30 pm: Lunch and Fellowship
1:30 pm: Board Charter bus to Covington, KY
2:30 pm: Tour of Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary
4:00 pm: Return trip to St. Paul’s
5:30 pm: Arrival

For more information and reservations, call 937-836-7535. Make checks payable to Precious Blood Church, memo line: Sacred. The cost is $40.00 (includes lunch).

CFF 2023/24 Online Registration Form

Children's Faith Formation

Use this online form to register for our fall Children’s Faith Formation Classes. Geared toward public school children in Pre-K through 12th grade, this program (including some sacramental preparation) is offered on Sunday mornings (9:00am – 10:15am) from September through April. If you belong to a parish outside of our tri-parish region, you must provide a written letter from your pastor giving your family permission to attend our program. High School classes are offered on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.

Please complete this form to enroll your children in our 2023/24 Children’s Faith Formation Program. For Parent/Guardian information, please provide the primary contact person who will is going to be responsible.