Dear Parish Family,

One of the great themes in these Scrutiny Gospels for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent, as well as for the Passion Narrative next Sunday is the theme of substitution. Jesus takes the place of the sinner (the woman at the well), the outcast (the man born blind), and the one who is dead (Lazarus). In the Passion Narrative, Jesus is condemned to die although He is innocent. Barabbas, who is guilty and whose name means "son of the father", is freed while Jesus, who is innocent and who is the Son of the Father, is condemned to die in his place. 

Substitution does not mean that we have no role when Jesus does everything for us. Since we are baptized in Jesus' death and resurrection, we allow Jesus' Paschal Mystery to be lived in us. Jesus "takes our place" in absolving the sins of our fallen human condition, and we "take His place" being raised and seated in His divinity at the right hand of the Father. There is a mutual sharing of our life with Christ, even if this sharing is very unequal (Jesus' gift far outweighs anything we could ever offer in return). This is how we understand God's justice (equality, fairness) as mercy (offering what we need for salvation and life even though we don't deserve it and have no way of repaying anything in return of equal value). 

Through our mutual sharing of life and love with Christ, God only requires that we consent to let Christ live in us, that we might cooperate with His grace that brings us back to life. Our responsibility becomes one of faith, trust, and unconditional surrender to Jesus. Having received reconciliation and life through Christ, God equips us to do the works of Jesus, to offer and invite others into His life. 

I wanted to let you all know that we received word that Fr. Fabian's assignment will conclude at the end of June this year. This is part of a recent change of assignment lengths prompted by the Archdiocese of Daegu, South Korea, for their priests serving in the Diocese of Cleveland. The change from a 4-year to a 3-year assignment aligns with the needs of the Archdiocese of Daegu and Visa renewal dates for foreign priests serving in the United States. We will enjoy the next few months with Fr. Fabian and plan a farewell Mass and reception for him sometime in June. We will be receiving another Parochial Vicar this June from the Diocese of Cleveland to serve at St. Mary's in Chardon and St. Patrick's in Thompson. While this news comes as a surprise and with sadness, I am most grateful for having Fr. Fabian serve here the past three years. Let's keep Fr. Fabian in our prayers as he concludes his assignment with us in the next few months. Please read his message in today's bulletin as well.

This week we have our Lenten Communal Penance at St. Gabriel Parish on Monday at 7 pm, Taize Prayer Service at St. Mary's on Tuesday at 7:15 pm, Confessions on Wednesday at St. Mary's from 6-7 during the last hour of Eucharistic Adoration, Fish Fry at St. Mary's on Friday from 4:30-7 pm, and Stations of the Cross at both St. Patrick's and St. Mary's at 7 pm. Make it a great week!

I am yours in Christ,

Fr. Scott Goodfellow

FROM FR. FABIAN:

I’m sad to share with you that I will be leaving my home, St. Mary and St. Patrick, this June. But I can leave with many happy memories of serving you together with Fr. Scott, Fr. Gary, the deacons, and our wonderful staff.

It's sad to go, but at the same time, I’m excited to return to my family and friends and to minister to the Korean people. So it’s bittersweet. Since hearing this news, I’ve been reflecting on the life of Jesus, who traveled from town to town. Surely, it must have been difficult for Jesus to leave his loved ones and friends. However, I believe he left with a joyful heart because there were people to serve in other places as well.

I still have a few months left to be with you. During that time, I will serve you with even greater joy and pray for you more. I feel truly blessed because you are the first parish family I met as a priest. Your love, prayers, and support have made me a good priest.

In Christ's love,

Fr. Fabian