Dear Parish Family,

On this Divine Mercy Sunday, we get to see the workings of God's mercy for those who crucified our risen Lord. Mercy is a free gift of God offered to us to reconcile us through Christ to the Father and to our brothers and sisters. We see the outpouring of mercy in the life of the early Church as they willingly and lovingly share all things in common so that no one goes in need. May the sharing in our own parish community be freely chosen so that all may know Christ and His great mercy through the richness of the love that we share.

Please read the notifications below on Parish Council and Finance Council to learn more about what these Councils do for our parish, and how you or a fellow parishioner you know might be called to serve on one of the Councils. Our Parish Council will be engaged in a nomination process over the next few weeks. I also look forward to hearing if you or a parishioner you know with the requisite skills would have an interest in serving on Finance Council.

Parish Council Nominations

Parish Council is a consultative body to the Pastor on major parish initiatives and parish planning. Members are representative of the various ages and ministries at the parish, are active parishioners, and are supportive of the faith and morals of the Catholic Church. We will have nomination forms available the weekend of April 20-21 for two weeks in the pews and near the suggestion box at the back of church. If selected for membership, the nominee would commit to serving on Parish Council for three years, attend 6 Monday evening meetings each year, be responsive to email communications, and maintain confidentiality. If interested in serving on Parish Council, please prayerfully consider nominating yourself or asking a fellow parishioner if you could nominate him or her. Interested nominees will need to attend an information session later this Spring. As Pastor, I will make the final determination of Parish Council appointments after considering the recommendations of Parish Council members and the nomination committee for which nominees would best represent the interests of the parish.

Finance Council Interest
Finance Council is a consultative body advising the Pastor regarding the administration of parish temporal goods. Members are reputable and qualified persons from the parish community, active in parish life and supportive of the faith and morals of the Catholic Church, chosen based on demonstrable skills or expertise in business management and finance, law, accounting, engineering, construction, education, and related professional fields. Finance Council members serve three-year terms which are renewable based on the discretion of the Pastor. If interested in serving on Finance Council, please prayerfully consider reaching out to me to discuss membership. Finance Council members commit to attending 6 Monday evening meetings annually, being responsive to email communications, and maintaining confidentiality.

Collection Counters Needed
Have you been meaning to find a volunteer opportunity to serve your Parish?  This very necessary ministry is in need.  Do you have a knack for balancing your checkbook?  Are you the one that counts back your change at the store?  Then this is the ministry for you.  No formal financial training is required.  Depending on the number of teams, your time commitment is once every 5 or 6 weeks for 3 hours or so on Sunday morning.  Training is provided.  Enjoy camaraderie and fellowship while being an essential part of your Parish.  Interested?  Call Linda Ropchock at (440)285-7051 x112.
 

Chris Loxterman Petition to Diaconate
I am happy to announce that one of our parishioners, Chris Loxterman, has petitioned Bishop Malesic for Diaconate Ordination! Chris and his classmates are slated to receive the Sacrament of Ordination to the Diaconate on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland (1007 Superior Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114). We have a Mass of Thanksgiving scheduled for Chris on Sunday, May 5 at 8:00 am with a breakfast reception afterwards. Please pray for Chris in the weeks ahead that the Lord may ready his heart to receive this Sacrament of Ordination to the Diaconate. I invite you to see the "banns" in today's bulletin announcing Chris' petition to the diaconate. 
 

I hope you are able to enjoy a few minutes of 'daytime darkness' on Monday for this once-in-a-lifetime total eclipse! Remember that the parish office will be closed on Monday, April 8 for the eclipse. 

I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow