HAPPY FATHERS DAY

This Sunday we honor our fathers. In his exhortation “Amoris Laetitia” (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis writes beautifully about the role of the father in a family.         “God sets the father in the family so that by the gifts of his masculinity he can be close to his wife and share everything, joy and sorrow, hope and hardship. And to be close to his children as they grow – when they play and when they work, when they are carefree and when they are distressed, when they are talkative and when they are silent, when they are daring and when they are afraid, whey they stray and when they get back on the right path. To be a father is to be always present. When I say ‘present’, I do not mean ‘controlling.’ Fathers who are too controlling overshadow their children, they don’t let them develop. Some fathers feel they are useless and unnecessary, but the fact is that children need to find a father waiting for them when they return home with their problems. They may try hard not to admit it, not to show it, but they need it. It is not good for children to lack a father and grow up before they are ready.” (177) Happy Fathers Day!

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WEEK

Religious Freedom Week will take place from June 22 – 29. It begins with the feast day of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, includes the Solemn Feast of the Birth of St. John the Baptist, and ends with the Solemn Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. The theme for this year is Serving Others in God’s Love. Religious freedom is necessary if we are to continue to serve others in areas like education, adoption, foster care, health care, and migration and refugee services. All of us are encouraged to reflect on the importance of religious freedom so that the Church might have space to carry out her mission of service and mercy. All are also encouraged to pray for our brothers and sisters who face intense persecution in other parts of the world.

THE FEST

The best gift you can give is your time. This Father’s Day weekend, make sure to invite Dad (and the rest of the family) to spend time with you at the FEST on Sunday, August 5^th. The perfect family day and free event is full of great music, engaging displays, and fun activities. Of course, the highlight of the whole day is the outdoor Mass, beginning at 8:00pm with Bishop Perez. You and your dad are not going to want to miss any of this, so make sure to head out to the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe for a day full of faith, family and friends. For more information go to: www.TheFEST.us

GOLDEN JUBILEE MASS

The date of this year’s Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass is Sunday, July 29^th, at 2:30pm in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist with Bishop Amos presiding. New this year: you can register online at www.ccdocle.org/mfm  The main web page will read “Register for the 50^th Wedding Anniversary Celebration - Click here” in a blue box. Clicking on the link will direct you to the registration form itself. We will not longer be accepting faxed, postal or electronically mailed registrations for this event. If you do not have computer access or a family member who can assist you, contact Laura in our office 216-481-3157.