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.

  Traditionally around this time of year, new Deacons & Priests are ordained for service to the local Diocese. This year, Bishop Malesic ordained 5 men as Transitional Deacons (on the way to Priesthood) & will ordain in May, 4 men for service to the Church of Cleveland as Priests. Let us pray for these men as they take up the call to ordained service in the Church & for all of our seminarians who are discerning God’s call in their lives. Our Church needs more good, holy, & loving Priests & we can certainly pray that God opens the hearts & minds of those whom He calls. I am thinking too, of inviting us, as a parish community, to pray, in a very specific way in the upcoming year for 1 of those men who is preparing to be ordained as a Priest next year. I think that it would be a wonderful way for us to show our support & prayers.

  On this Good Shepherd Sunday I want to say too how happy I am to have been called by, then Bishop Perez, to serve as your shepherd here at St. Pat’s. The years that I’ve been with you so far have been nothing short of a blessing in my life. There have been challenges, yes, there are still plenty of opportunities & room for growth, no doubt, we will walk & we will grow together. Please continue to pray for me, as I do for each & every one of you, that I may continue to be the shepherd for you that God has called me to be & that I may always be open to learning & growing with God & with you!

  Have a blessed week!