The World Day of Prayer for Vocations always falls on the 4^th Sunday of Easter, which is also called Good Shepherd Sunday because of the Gospel readings. This year, May 11^th also happens to be Mother’s Day. How can we celebrate these two important days together in a harmonious way? We can start by remembering the words of Pope St. Pius X: "Every vocation to the priesthood comes from the heart of God, but it passes through the heart of a mother." In reading this quote from Pius X, I was inspired to look for some stories about popes and their mothers. I hope you will enjoy the ones I found:

     Pope Pius X was a very humble man and had a saintly mother. Because they were so poor, she worked as a washer woman and a school janitor to earn enough money so that he could go to the seminary. When elected pope, he was embarrassed and uncomfortable with the pomp and circumstance of his office. "Look how they have dressed me up," he lamented to a friend. His mother was present at his installation and kissed his large papal ring, as is the custom. She then presented him her tiny hand with her wedding ring and said, "Now you kiss my ring – for without it, you would have never received yours."

     In an interview for a Spanish language newspaper, Pope Francis’ sister, Maria Elena Bergoglio, recounts how their mother discovered he was interested in the priesthood. At age 19, young Jorge Bergoglio initially felt drawn to study medicine. Wanting him to have a quiet place to study, his mother prepared a special room for him by cleaning out the cluttered room on the family’s terrace. One day, the future pope’s mother entered the room to clean it. But she ran into a surprise – books of theology. The pope’s sister recounted the conversation between mother and son: "Jorge, come here. You told me that you were going to study medicine." "Yes, mother." "Why did you lie to me?" "No, I did not lie to you mother; I am going to study the medicine of the soul." Surprised by the news, his mother wept, because she understood that he would have to leave home to study. His father, however, rejoiced in his son’s vocation. Eventually his entire family embraced his call to priesthood. Jorge Bergoglio was ordained a priest in 1969, and elected Pope in 2013.

     As we pray for vocations, let’s not forget to pray for our mothers. 

                           God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice

FIRST COMMUNION

    Indre Sasnauskas is receiving her First Communion this weekend at the 10:00 Mass. We congratulate her on achieving this important milestone in her life and welcome her to the table of God’s children.

MONTHLY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Wednesday, May 14^th, we will have our monthly Eucharistic Adoration in the church from 6:00-9:00 pm. All are invited to spend some quiet time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

HONORING OUR MOTHERS

This Sunday, is Mothers Day, the day we honor our mothers. On this day, we remember the prayer of blessing given to new mothers on the day their child is baptized: "God the Father, through his Son, the Virgin Mary’s child, has brought joy to all Christian mothers, as they see the hope of eternal light shine on their children. May he bless (our mothers). They now thank God for the gift of their children. May they be one with their children in thanking God for ever in heaven, in Christ Jesus our Lord."

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

     The World Day of Prayer for Vocations is being celebrated this Sunday, the 4^th Sunday of Easter. All of us need to be aware of the need for prayers for vocations to the priesthood. Here are some suggestions for prayer:

     Join the Invisible Monastery. Pledge to pray for vocations on the international website www.invisiblemonastery.com  It was inspired by a Vatican document urging Catholics to "organize an invisible monastery" in which many persons, day and night, are committed to continuous prayer for priestly vocations."

     Pray the rosary for the priests in your life. When praying the rosary, offer the first decade for the priest who baptized you, the second for the priest who gave you your First Communion, the third decade for the bishop who confirmed you, the fourth for the priest who witnessed your marriage, and the fifth for the priest who will anoint you at your death.

COLLECTION

This weekend we are accepting donations for the Office of Catechetical Services. This office focuses on supporting and enhancing the catechetical initiative (PSR programs) throughout the Diocese and supports faith formation for all including adult faith formation, catechetical leader training and catechist formation for teachers of religion, media literacy, and the Newman Campus Ministry program. Please use the envelopes provided for this collection and please be generous.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE

Thank you to everyone who participated in the spring campaign of 40 Days for Life. God has abundantly blessed the 40 Days for Life mission, and 728 babies, mothers, and families were spared from abortions where campaigns were conducted this spring, including seven in Cleveland/Painesville. We look forward to praying with you in the 2014 fall campaign, September 24 through November 2.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Birthright, a pregnancy service which helps pregnant women and new mothers, is in need of volunteers to answer telephones, make up infant layettes and help women find community resources. No experience is necessary and training is provided. If you are interested in helping us help the women and babies in our community, please call Toni Sabo at 216-228-5998 for more information.

UNION OF ACADEMIC SCOUTS