Dear Parish Family,
We rarely consider the radical call in Jesus' words about Himself: "The bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and remains in Me and I in him.” The food that nourishes us is Jesus' gift of Himself, of His Body and Blood, on the Cross and in the Eucharist. Jesus summons us to live a Eucharistic life of truth and sincerity, of self-giving love and compassion.
 
This call of Jesus is radical, coming from the Latin radix which means "root". Jesus takes us back to the root of reality, to the heart of who we are, by calling us to live a Eucharistic life. This call of Jesus doesn't abandon reason, but rather fulfills it as it responds to wisdom's call for us to be like God. The Eucharist brings us back to the Cross, the place of total self-offering in love with Jesus.
 
There are so many realities in life we face that are beyond our control, so much evil and heartbreak and madness in the world that leaves us feeling confused, disheartened, or even paralyzed. The Eucharist is the answer to these realities! Eating His Body and Blood means that we offer ourselves with Jesus to the Father for the life of the world.
 
We act wisely by offering ourselves to God even when we don't understand what it will change or why we need to make this self-offering. We simply say, "Jesus, I need You, I love You, and I offer myself to the Father with You" and that is enough. We let God be God and we become more like God through a Eucharistic prayer like this. As you approach the Eucharist this week, try to make this self-offering in love with, in, and through Jesus.
 
I shared last week that Anthony Donatelli has been assigned to St. Patrick's and St. Mary's for his deacon assignment! Anthony was assigned as a seminarian to us this Summer, will be ordained a deacon on October 19, and a priest in May. He will be with us on the weekends to be present and assist at Masses, preach, and celebrate Baptisms and Weddings as a deacon. Please pray for Anthony this year as he prepares for his radical self-offering with Jesus as an ordained deacon and priest!
 
Pray for our students who begin school this week at St. Mary School, at Chardon, and at all other schools. May the Lord bless their minds and hearts to learn and grow as young disciples!
 
Remember to come to the St. Mary Parish Oktoberfest on Sunday, September 15! We start with Polka Mass at 12 pm, and festivities follow from 1-7 pm. Please consider volunteering at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FACA729A0F5C07-50335831-oktoberfest. It's going to be lots of fun, and a great way to celebrate our faith community.
 
The bishops of the United States have issued a statement on the importance of bringing the values of our faith to the decisions made in our public life. In their statement, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the bishops call for "a different kind of political engagement: one shaped by the moral convictions of well-formed consciences and focused on the dignity of every human being, the pursuit of the common good, and the protection of the weak and the vulnerable" (no. 14). We will be sharing information from this document in a bulletin series over seven weeks to help you prepare for the upcoming election. Please consider how the values of your faith can help you make your decisions. For information on Faithful Citizenship, visit www.faithfulcitizenship.org.
 
I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow