Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Diabolical Weather and God’s Grace
How about that crazy weather last Saturday night!  Right as the 4:30 Mass began it became very loud in the church from the hail hitting the church roof.  Even the lights seemed to dim ever so slightly and our electric organ’s volume wavered just a little bit.  Interestingly this was during the blessing of water to prepare for the sprinkling rite.  You may have noticed that this year I have included the optional blessing of salt as well.  The blessed salt is then mixed with the water.  The blessing of salt includes words along the lines of repulsing the works of the evil one. Even more interestingly was right at the moment I went around sprinkling with the holy water and blessed salt, the weather subsided and calmed.  I’m not sayin’...... but I’m just sayin’ ...  From now on I will include the salt blessing whenever we do the sprinkling rite.
 
Ascension (Thursday) Sunday
Scripturally we know that the Ascension of our Lord takes place forty days after the Resurrection, which means of course the Feast of the Ascension will always fall on a Thursday.  This would have been last Thursday for us, and traditionally this has been a holy day of obligation, but in our Diocese, this celebration is moved to the following Sunday (normally the 7th Sunday of Easter), which is today.  So hopefully this is not confusing, but remember the importance is the recognition of the liturgical day, even if the math does not work out perfectly. 
 
Annual Mission Appeal
This weekend please welcome Sam Hardwick, a former DC Service Corps volunteer with Franciscan Mission Service (FMS).  He will visit all Masses and share about FMS’ work internationally and in the United States. As a Catholic, 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, FMS relies on the prayers and financial support of U.S. church communities to serve communities in Central America, the Caribbean, and here in the United States.  Please be generous.
 
In Italy this week
As you read this I will be in Assisi, Italy enjoying some food I imagine and hopefully growing in holiness as I take in the atmosphere of the hometown of St. Francis.  It is a time to connect with our bishop and many brother priests from the Diocese of Cleveland.  Please keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours.  I look forward to sharing stories and maybe some pictures with you when I return.  
 
God bless you all!
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr