From the corner office for May 8, 2022

From the corner office is Father Mike's weekly bulletin column.

“Christ is risen!” “INDEED, He is risen!” YES…. We still-CONTINUE to celebrate the entire Easter Season! This, now the Fourth Sunday of Easter, we see Paul and Barnabas moving into the area of Antioch, preaching to the gentiles. This passage from Acts of the Apostles might seem like it is starting to show division within the early community, but actually it is showing a “going forward” to the nations. The Second Reading continues with the theme of vision of, “…a great multitude…” supports this new kingdom of God as we all stand before God. It is the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel of John where we find the talk of the Good Shepherd. Jesus shepherding all of us to God and the eternal kingdom. These readings this week make a very broad gathering of all of our brothers and sisters to be shepherded together. It’s a messy, smelly job dealing with these sheep. I think of Pope Francis’ encouraging (in particular, to us priest, deacons, and religious) all of us to smell like our sheep. We all need to help others, and this is where we will grow as a community, as the parish family of St. Thomas More.

Fr. Mike

From the Pastor’s Desk:

There have been a few questions about the recent movie Father Stu, starring Mark Wahlberg, about the actual Fr. Stuart Long from the Diocese of Helena currently playing in theaters. I am not one to get involved with recommending or discouraging particular things for you. But the concern is viewing the movie since it is Rated-R, for adult content, language, and who knows what else. It is based on a true story of conversion, the drama of life, medical matters of inclusion body myositis (similar to ALS, MS, and Parkinson’s) of this priest. It is raw and the story of life, and (also) not kid-friendly. If you feel drawn even close to considering to view it now or later, it is fine to see it. I hope to find time to see it, as it is not often we have a decent movie come out involving the Church. There are bishops endorsing the movie, so I hope this helps settle your conscience…

On the parish side, continual prayers of support to our First Communion children who join us all at the table of God and our Confirmation class as they continue to prepare for “their sacramental step forward…”

NEWS about the Synod:

The wrap-up for the Synod here at St. Thomas More was completed and submitted to the Diocese. We are arranging to make it available for everyone to view either through our website page or as a hard-copy in the church (next weekend). Please continue to keep in the loop on this important project. Thanks!

Find more information on the Diocese of Cleveland website.