Jesus said: “My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”

Just stop for a moment and soak that in.  Jesus knows you.  He delights in you.  He is speaking to you and wants you to follow Him.  If we stop and listen, if we stop and open our eyes to where Jesus is and where He wants us to be, our lives will change forever.

Just this past week, I attended a deacon anniversary Mass for Deacon Ray Herrick as he celebrated 20 years of service to the Diocese of Cleveland.  At the end of Mass, our Bishop Malesic reflected on how God calls us and takes us places we could never imagine.  It truly is an adventure.  As we approach Deacon Ryan Arto’s ordination this coming Saturday, May 17, I am filled with excitement for how Jesus will continue to bless and guide soon-to-be Fr. Ryan Arto’s ministry in the coming months and years.  Come support him either at his ordination on Saturday or on Sunday here at St. Francis de Sales at 11:00 a.m. for his Mass of Thanksgiving.  The reason we have ordinations is because Jesus is still calling men to be His priests and deacons to serve the Church.

But it doesn’t stop there.  Jesus is calling all of us into a true way of worship, evangelization and service for others.  Just last week, it was great to see so many people come to our Listening Session led by Fr. Ference on May 1 and share their hearts and hopes for our future parish life.  Like our Bishop Malesic mentioned in his pastoral letter, everything that we do flows from a life of prayer.  Mission flows from relationship.  Thank you for those who attended the listening session.  I am looking forward to having more listening sessions in the future.  If you wanted to be there and couldn’t come to share your heart or thoughts on parish life, please email me with them at frmerzweiler@stfparish.com.  If we are going to “Be faith-filled. Be of service. Be Devout,” we need YOU to make it happen, to help live it out and to form it the way our God wants it to be here at St. Francis de Sales.  Thank you for your continued support and prayers as we continue to listen to His voice together.

Seek Him and Follow Him,
Fr. Jeremy

P.S. Happy Mother’s Day!  We love you and are so grateful we have you in our lives.  Without you, we wouldn’t be here!  God bless you all!