Dear Parish Family,

The Easter season gives us much to celebrate in our Church. Throughout the world and in our own communities, we have newly baptized and professed members of the Church, children and teens who have received their First Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation, newly ordained deacons and priests for our Diocese, and of course our new Pope Leo XIV! Our Church is very fruitful with the activity of the Holy Spirit. We have much to rejoice in!

 

Our readings this 6th Sunday of Easter prepare us for the Ascension of our Lord and Pentecost where the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to and renewed in our Church. The Lord promises to send His Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to remain with the Church through all ages. Revelations shows us how the Twelve Apostles form twelve gates in eternal Jerusalem, gates through which the faithful enter to receive new life in Christ through the teachings, Tradition, Scriptures, and Sacraments handed down to us through the Church. When the Apostles gather at the first Council of Jerusalem in the first reading to discern what is necessary for salvation, they tell the Church, "It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us," reminding us that the Holy Spirit guides the decisions of our leaders faithful to Christ, and assures that there aren't obstacles placed to our sharing in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

 

Again, we have much to rejoice in during this season. God remains with His Church, making our lives bear abundant fruit through the gift of the Holy Spirit given to us each day. Remember to look forward in hope in all circumstances to the gifts of God lavished upon you through His Church!

Thank you for welcoming Fr. Bill Martin and Fr. Mike Sinkler from Unbound two weekends ago. They were so pleased to be at St. Mary's and St. Patrick's and to experience a bit of the St. Patrick country-feel of the rectory where they stayed! Please be sure to pick up a flyer in the back of the gathering space to sponsor a child through Unbound. I know it was Mother's Day weekend when these priests came and some of you may not have had a chance to stay after Mass to learn more and sponsor a child. I am blessed to be able to sponsor a little girl from India and I am excited to write to her and help her and her family with their needs as she grows older. What a wonderful ministry to support. Thank you again for your sponsorship and consideration!

 

Mark your calendars for Father Anthony Donatelli's Mass of Thanksgiving at the 12 pm Mass on Sunday, June 8 at St. Mary's. A reception will follow Mass in the St. Mary's Banquet Room. Congratulations, Father Anthony, on your ordination to the priesthood of Jesus Christ last weekend!

 

Also, mark your calendars for a Eucharistic Procession on Sunday, June 22. We will gather for the 12 pm St. Mary's Mass that day, and have a procession through the Chardon Square with rosary prayers said along the way. Eucharistic Processions are great ways to honor our Lord and give public witness to our faith in Jesus' risen and Eucharistic presence in our community. If weather will not permit an outdoor procession, we will do a shortened procession through the church. A time of adoration will follow the procession until 2:30 pm when we will end with Benediction.

 

I am yours in Christ,

Fr. Scott Goodfellow