Dear Parishioners,

 

The last day of school for North Ridgeville Public Schools and for St. Peter Parish School was Thursday, May 29. I want to extend a word of congratulations to those who are graduating from school at any level this year. I have heard from parents who have children graduating from middle school, high school, and college. May God’s grace guide and bless your next steps in life.

 

I also pray that God bless our summer with rest and growth. This time of year, recalls a faded phrase from my seminary days: There is no vacation from vocation. For seminarians it reminded us that, though we were not under the watchful eye of the seminary, we still needed to conduct ourselves as seminarians preparing for our vocation. The phrase can also be applied to everyone. Though the pace of life shifts for many people during the summer, we are still called to participate in weekly Mass, pray, and do good works. In work and in leisure, we strive to be faithful to Christ.

 

We have a bit of a renewal going on at St. Julie’s this spring. It began with a new cement walkway from the parking lot into the church. The old sidewalk was broken and had become a tripping hazard. I am grateful for the new walkway. I am also grateful for the new rugs. I can honestly tell you: we have rolled out the red carpet for you. Our new rugs beautify our space and welcome us into God’s presence.

 

Finally, I am grateful for the interior renovation in the St. Julie Rectory. The two guest rooms were reconfigured to create a larger living space with a small exercise room. The movers arrive at St. Peter’s on Wednesday morning to move us over to St. Julie’s. We will continue to oversee and serve both parishes. However, St. Julie Parish will be the place where we sleep and rise each day.

 

Besides celebrating Pentecost next weekend, Fr. Isidore and I will be making a second appeal for the annual Catholic Charities campaign. If you have not yet given to or pledged to Catholic Charities in 2025, I encourage you to participate. Your generosity will bless others. And God, whose memory is perfect, will remember the good we have done.

 

And speaking of Pentecost, there will be a third Mass at St. Julie’s that day. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement will be doing its annual diocesan charismatic Pentecost Mass at St. Julie Parish on Sunday afternoon. Exuberant song and praise will begin at 2:00 p.m. The Mass itself will start around 2:30 p.m. Prayer for healing as well as a reception will follow the Mass. All are welcome.

 

Today we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. One simple word that sums up this mystery in the life of our Lord is GO. Jesus goes to the Father, leaving earth for heaven, leaving time for eternity. He goes to the Father to plead on our behalf as the eternal High Priest. And from his place at the right hand of the Father, Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit upon his people.

 

However, Jesus is not the only one on the go. In his final words, Jesus tells his apostles to go. They are to go into the world and proclaim the gospel. Those who turn from their sins and believe in Jesus who died and rose from the dead, can be forgiven and share in God’s life-now and forever.

 

With our new Pope Leo XIV, who spent much of his priesthood as a missionary, let us ask the Holy Spirit to make us authentic witnesses of the Lord Jesus.

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In Christ,

Fr. Bob Franco