On this Priesthood Sunday, we celebrate the vocation of priesthood. We give thanks to God for all the priests who served here at St. Francis de Sales and for all the vocations that came forth from this place. I give thanks to God every day for the awesome privilege and joy it is to be able to be a priest! I often say, many people pray for a living; but priests get to pray for a living! We are privileged with the responsibility of praying with and for God’s people. What a gift that is!
This weekend, we welcome in a special way, seminarian Jeremy Gaugler, who is in his third year at Borromeo Seminary. He is from St. Mary of the Falls Parish in Olmsted Falls. He is going to spend the weekend with us as he shares his vocation story at every Mass and encourages men to think and pray about discerning the vocation of priesthood in their lives.
If you know someone who is thinking about becoming a priest or if it has been something on your heart, Fr. Bearer and I are here to help you along the way. Please contact us and we will be glad to help your discernment process.
In the Gospel of Matthew this weekend, Jesus gives us the command: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind...You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” We are truly called to love with everything, with every aspect of our being. St. Therese of Lisieux says “love sets off the bounds of all vocations.” No matter what vocation you are called to live, love is at the center of it all.
And while we celebrate the service that priests bring to our parish communities, in a special way this weekend, we congratulate Kathy Ott, who became a certified Lay Ecclesial Minister for the Diocese of Cleveland on October 24, 2020 at St. John’s Cathedral, Cleveland. A Lay Ecclesial Minister is authorized by the diocese to serve publicly in the Church and to collaborate with others who serve the Church as well as provide leadership in different areas of ministry. Kathy has been studying at St. Mary Seminary since 2016 and is excited to be able to serve the Church on this level and share the fruits of her labor. If you see her this weekend, please congratulate her for this accomplishment! Praise God for all the good work that is being done to build up His kingdom!
God’s peace and joy be with you,
Fr. Jeremy Merzweiler
