The Fourth Sunday of Easter each year is known as Good Shepherd Sunday and is the day of prayer for vocations. The oldest image of Jesus found in the early Church is the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd carrying home on his shoulders a lost sheep. I once saw a wood carving of the Good Shepherd with Jesus having a smile on his face. The joy of the Good Shepherd was obvious.

     Today Jesus speaks of Himself as the Shepherd and he makes the distinction between the Shepherd and the hired hand. The Shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep, while the hired hand will flee danger.

     Jesus uses this same image when he commissions St. Peter to lead the Church. From the very beginning of Christianity, the image of the Shepherd is used both for our Savior and for the clergy. These images are evident today. We call the Pope the Shepherd of the Universal Church, our Diocesan Bishops are called shepherds and the symbols of their office include the shepherd’s crosier. Leaders of parishes are called “pastors” which call to mind the ancient symbol of the shepherd.

     So it is appropriate to take this day and pray for vocations to the clergy, both the religious and secular, as this is the year of consecrated life. Clergy in consecrated life are the bishops and priests who are members of religious orders (Pope Francis is a Jesuit) while others like Bishop Lennon are members of the secular clergy. The Lord has called each Bishop, Priest and Deacon in a specific way to serve the Church. Members of both the clergy and the faithful are called to support our clergy through prayer and to pray that more will receive the call to serve as members of the clergy.

     In our parish, we also offer prayers of thanks, that next month one of our own, Deacon Lukas Laniauskas, will be ordained a priest for the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and that Christian Raddell will soon complete his second year of study at Borromeo Seminary to become a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland.

     Let us all continue to pray for an increase in vocations and to support our priests, bishops and deacons in their vocations, and encourage our seminarians to continue their journey following their call of ordained ministry.

                         
                                                               God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice

50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
 

The Department of Marriage and Family Ministry, the Office of Worship and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist are pleased to announce the 50^th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. The Mass will be held on Sunday, July 26, at 2:30pm at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist with the Most Rev. Richard G. Lennon as celebrant.

         Everyone in the parish who will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary this year is invited to participate. Those interested are asked to contact Father Bacevice for a registration form. Registration forms are to be completed by June 29.

ROOTED IN FAITH

As the first quarter of the year draws to a close, we received our quarterly distribution from the Rooted in Faith - Forward in Hope distribution. 30% of the money we raised returns to us and is for our own parish. Since this program began, we have received a total of $38,139.00 to be used on parish improvements.
        When we receive our distribution check, I am reminded to make my next quarterly payment. For those who made pledges with quarterly payments, perhaps you can use this time as a reminder to make your next pledge payment. For those who have not made a gift to the Campaign and would like to, contact Angie Pavlik at the Catholic Community Foundation at 216-696-6525, ext. 1303. Our Parish raised $256,543.00 for the campaign, from 99 people. The average gift was $2,591.34. Thank you for your generosity.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Our next Pancake Breakfast will take place on Sunday, May 3^rd in our Lower Hall after all the Masses (8:30am to1:30pm). All are invited to come down and enjoy the best pancakes in North Collinwood. Tickets are now available at the main entrance to the Church after the English Masses, in the Lower Hall after the 10:00 Mass, and at the Rectory during office hours. Adult tickets are $7 and children 6 to 13 are $4 at the door. Save $1 by purchasing your tickets in advance.

CATHOLICS IN THEIR 20's AND 30's

      Looking for something to do that engages your faith? Visit www.cyacleveland.org (Catholic Young Adults) for a calendar of events for Catholics in their 20's and 30's. Listings include social nights, networking events, prayer groups, service opportunities and more. Are you a young adult or parish leader with an event to share? Add it to the CYA calendar. The listing is free.
 

LITHUANIAN COMMUNITY ANNUAL MEETING

The executive board of the Cleveland Lithuanian Community will hold its annual “state of the organization” meeting on May 3^rd. Elections will be held to elect the new executive board. You are asked to suggest a candidate or consider becoming one yourself. Elections for the National Lithuanian Community executive board will be held May 1-15. Ohio candidates are: A. Gudenas, Z. Mascinskiene, R. Širvinskas, and G. Supronas. Voting may be done in person May 3-10 in the parish cafeteria.