Dear Parish Family,

The Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord which we celebrate this weekend draws us deeper into our Lord's mystical and Eucharistic presence with us. Matthew's Gospel concludes with Jesus' parting words to His disciples: "Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Jesus promises to remain with us in a real, incarnate way, not just in memory or in spirit. If we truly believe that the Son of God took on our human flesh in the Incarnation, then consequently we must also believe that He remains with us in the Eucharist after His Resurrection and Ascension. If we don't believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, then it will be impossible for us to take the Incarnation (Christmas) or Resurrection (Easter) seriously. Jesus is present in the Eucharist so that we might know God who is present with us in every spiritual battle we face, and that He may strengthen us with His Body and Blood to take up the Cross and experience His victory over sin and death.

Congratulations to Fr. Duckhyan Fabian Han on his ordination to the priesthood this Saturday, May 20! Fr. Fabian will be our Parochial Vicar starting late June and will be with us for his four-year assignment. He is from the Archdiocese of Daegu, South Korea, and completed his graduate studies at St. Mary Seminary here in Cleveland. I had him out for a tour of St. Mary and St. Patrick Parishes earlier this month, and I know he is excited to begin his ministry with us, as I know we are excited to receive the blessings of his priestly ministry. Please pray for Fr. Fabian and his classmates who receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders to the Presbyterate and celebrate their Masses of Thanksgiving this weekend. 

We likewise pray for our Confirmandi who are receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this Sunday with Bishop Malesic presiding. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are poured upon each of the baptized in the measure we are willing to ask for and receive them. We pray for a generous openness of our Confirmandi that they may fruitfully exercise the fullness of the Spirit's gifts as they live out each day this Sacrament of Confirmation they receive this weekend.

Please also pray for our 8th grade graduates and our school children and their families as they end their year at St. Mary School. Our 8th graders graduate this Tuesday, and our Pre-K students graduate on Thursday. We are blessed to be able to support a Catholic School and offer a wholesome Catholic education in partnership with families who are the primary educators of their children in the faith.

I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow