Dear Parish Family,
“God did not make death.” This stark opening line from our first reading is answered at the end of that same passage: “By the envy of the devil, death entered the world.” God made us to live eternally with Him, through Him, and in Him. By enticing us to sin, the devil knew we would die because of our disconnection from God, the source of eternal life. Thanks be to God that He refashioned even death to achieve a twofold end: (1) to put an end to sin and (2) to open back up the way to eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Wherever the evil one puts up an insurmountable roadblock, God will always find a way in Christ to lead us back to Him!
Please join us next weekend in gratitude for Joe Trivisonno's 38 years of music ministry at St. Mary Parish! The 10 am Mass on July 7 will be his last Mass as the music director. We will celebrate Joe following the 10 am Mass in the cafeteria at our Pastries with Parishioners breakfast. Consider writing Joe a note of gratitude for his years of service and dedication to our music ministry, our parish, and the many musicians he has worked with and supported throughout the years.
Angel Scholarship Fund Results
Thank you to all who invested in our Angel Scholarship Fund (ASF)! I’m happy to announce that as of April 15 we had over $265,000 contributed to assist with tuition assistance at St. Mary School! We had $196,000 contributed by December 31, 2023, and the April 15 extension brought in another $65,000 that people used to get the tax credit in 2023. I am also proud to say that St. Patrick Parish was responsible for investing $35,000 towards our total! For a parish that is about one tenth the size of St. Mary's, this is incredible. Thank you, St. Patrick and St. Mary families, for your support! Let's keep up the good work and raise over $300,000 with this year's ASF!
Contributions to ASF are open year round, and you can certainly take advantage of investing in ASF this Summer while it’s on your heart and mind. You will receive a dollar for dollar tax credit off what you owe on your 2024 state income tax, up to $750 per individual or $1,500 for a married couple filing jointly. Through this tax credit scholarship program, the State of Ohio allows you as the taxpayer to choose to invest your tax money into tuition scholarships at the school of your choice.
Catholic Charities Annual Appeal Results
I am happy to announce that we met our parish goal for Catholic Charities! We raised 100% of our $135,000 parish goal. Thank you for commitment to assisting our brothers in sisters in need throughout the Cleveland Diocese!
Our parish office will close early on Monday, July 1 for a staff retreat. The office will be open until 11:30 am that day. Please pray for our parish staff who faithfully serve us as we encounter the Lord for spiritual renewal. Our parish office will also be closed on Thursday and Friday, July 4-5, in honor of Independence Day weekend. Mass on Thursday, July 4 will be at 9:00 am.
I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow