This weekend, allow me to wish all of our mothers and grandmothers a Happy & Blessed Mother’s Day! There are not enough words to describe all that a mother does and no amount of pay would be enough for what she truly deserves. This weekend we offer special prayers for all of our mother’s living and deceased.

As we enter into the month of May, I wanted to share with you & draw your attention to 2 important & exciting events that will be taking place over the course of the month.

Each year, the Gospel that we hear proclaimed on the 4th Sunday of Easter is always taken from the same chapter of the Gospel of John, Chapter 10. This chapter contains what is known as the “Good Shepherd Discourse,” in which Jesus proclaims, “I am the Good Shepherd,” & so this Sunday has come to be known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Good Shepherd Sunday is an opportunity for us to reflect upon how Jesus is the shepherd of our lives & also to pray & reflect upon the call to priesthood in the life of the Church.

I enjoy watching sports. Though I never was one to play basketball, or baseball, or football on a competitive basis, there are times when I enjoy catching a game on TV or even in person. Every sports team has one goal in mind, to win the championship. Some teams have a better chance than others, but every team starts out the season with that goal in mind of being the last one standing, of being able to engage in that familiar championship tradition of jumping up & down, high
fiving, hugging, pouring champagne over each other’s heads, & hoisting the trophy into the air. We experienced it once here in Cleveland over the past few years & I hope that we’re able to experience it again soon.

First off, let me start by saying that you might not see me this weekend. I am not on vacation, but this Saturday, April 10th, I’m getting the second round of my COVID vaccine & so Fr. Clyde & Fr. Klein are planning on covering all the Masses just in case I happen to have any side effects. If I am able to, I will celebrate a Mass this weekend but at the very least I look forward to celebrating with you once any side effects have passed.