Three years can change a lot. For three years, one man preached, healed, and gathered a humble band of followers. Then, one night, He gave them His very Body and Blood, He died, and on the third day He rose. Although it may not have initially seemed like it to the world beyond Jerusalem, three years changed everything.
The three years of the National Eucharistic Revival have now come to a close. What has changed? For me personally, these years stretched my trust in the Lord in ways I never expected. He called me to places and things I did not understand at first, and through it all, I got to know Him better, because He was my constant guide. From 2022 when I first sensed the Lord asking me to return home from the convent where I was discerning His plans for me, to 2024 when – one week after I attended the National Eucharistic Congress as a delegate for our Diocese – I was blessed to meet the man who I will marry this December, these years have transformed my life! All the moments of fear, doubt, frustration, anticipation, gratitude, and, finally, joy ultimately crowd around Our Lord in the Eucharist who was with me every minute. His presence gave me all that I needed, reviving me again and again. He desires to do so for all of us!
Three years changed my life. How much has happened in our world in these years. Often, we fixate on the troubles that continue to mount in our country and the world. At times they appear so overwhelming that spiritual realities like the movement of the Eucharistic Revival seem like irrelevant footnotes. Yet, these spiritual realities are the only ones that endure. The one thing that never changes is the Truth: Jesus is here. He renews His presence with us every day. Our nation took three years to remind ourselves of that Truth and let it change us. In the final weeks of the Eucharistic Revival, I feel the Lord has sent our nation a sign of hope in the election of the first American Pope. Revival is only just beginning, and the seeds of these three years will bear fruit in the decades to come if we cling to the Truth of Jesus in the Eucharist.
May we all abide in Him,
Colleen Wilson
Tickets are on sale for Mass at the Akron Rubberducks Stadium on Sunday, August 10. Join us for a day of worship and family fun as a parish community! Praise and Worship begins at 10:45 a.m. followed by Mass at 11:00. Visit https://www.gofevo.com/event/sfdsmassattheballpark25 to purchase tickets.
Thursday, May 8, the Cardinals of the Catholic Church, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, selected Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the next Successor of Peter. He has taken the name Leo XIV. Who is this new Pope, the first American Pontiff? Read more about him here and read his first words to the Church and the world.
Have you been away from the Catholic Church for a while? The Lord is always ready to welcome you back and our parish community is here to support you. We invite you to a gathering in the Memorare Center on Wednesday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. to hear stories from others who have found their way back to the Church and to ask whatever questions you have.
Registration is now open for 2025 Vacation Bible School - To the Heights: Lead with Love, June 16-20. Campers will learn about the life of a soon-to-be saint, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Use the links below to register a camper, register as a volunteer, or make a payment for registration fees and volunteer t-shirts. Contact Abby Gresser with questions at agresser@stfparish.com or 330-644-2225 ext. 204.
Camper Registration
Adult Volunteer Registration
Teen Volunteer Registration
Payment Form
All are welcome for an Agape Meal, a gathering of Christian fellowship before the Mass of the Lord's Supper on April 17th. Please RSVP using the link below or by calling the Parish Office at 330-644-2225.
Click here to RSVP!
Mark your calendar for Mass at the Akron Rubberducks Stadium this summer on August 10th at 11:00 a.m.!
