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How can we reconcile having faith with the faults and failings of the Church that have been done over time It can be a tough proposition, as we hear the Church proclaim the news of a good and loving God, but then hear and see a very human Church living that divine mission out, to reconcile the two.

 Over the course of the past many years, our parish family has made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many people. Just last weekend we kicked off our celebration of 100 years of faith & life at St. Vincent de Paul. We have only been able to do that through the generosity of so many, those of us who call St. Vincent de Paul home now and those who have given and sacrificed so much so that we can be here and worship today.

One day about a week ago, after daily Mass, a parishioner stopped me with a question, why do we put a part of the host in the chalice at Mass? It’s a good question and one that I thought more than just 1 parishioner might be wondering about so I thought that I would answer the question here.

I just wanted to write a quick note to say thank you for all the prayers & support at the passing of my father. On behalf of my mom, my 2 brothers & me, my dad’s sisters, & our entire family, thank you!

Earlier this week Larry Ploscik, who has served our parish for the past 3 years as our maintenance per- son informed me of his decision to retire at the end of the month. Larry has served our parish so well and so faithfully through KPM, the company that provides us with our maintenance services. Larry, a graduate of St. Vincent de Paul school himself, has served our parish for these past 3 years with dedica- tion and commitment.

 Happy 4th of July! I hope that you are enjoying these summer months and taking advantage of the wonderful weather that we’ve been having! The other day, I read an article about the health benefits of spending time outside. It is so true, spending time outside in nature, whether it be taking a walk in the woods or sitting outside on the back or front deck can have tremendous health effects such as lowering our blood pressure and our stress.

 “Teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1). Those are the words of the disciples to Jesus in the Gospel of Luke right before he taught them the words of the prayer that we know as the Our Father. Prayer is an essential part of our journey of faith and I’ve heard it described, very aptly so, as our relationship with God.

This weekend is Father’s Day Weekend and so I certainly want to take the opportunity to wish all of our fathers, grandfathers, and father figures a Happy and Blessed Father’s Day. We pray too, for all those fathers who have gone to their eternal reward, all those fathers who have lost children, and all those who long to be fathers but can’t.

As you very likely know our parish will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary next year! 100 years ago, on April 17th, 1922, Bishop Joseph Schrembs announced the establishment of a new parish in West Park, Ohio and he placed the parish under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul. 10 days later, Bishop Schrembs appointed Father Michael J. Flanigan as the first pastor of the new parish.

Last weekend the Ascension reminded us that it is now our mission to build up the Kingdom of God in our parish, our community, and our world. I challenged each of us to look for the ways that we might be able to put our gifts and talents to use here around the parish.

 “Help Wanted!” The other day I met a friend for dinner and as we walked into the restaurant, there was a table with a basket of applications. Next to the basket was a sign that bore the message, “Apply today, start tomorrow.” That restaurant is not alone in their search for workers, as these days there are a number of businesses looking for help. So many places are searching for people who are looking for work.

 This weekend, allow me to wish all of our mothers and grandmothers a Happy & Blessed Mother’s Day! There are not enough words to describe all that a mother does and no amount of pay would be enough for what she truly deserves. This weekend we offer special prayers for all of our mother’s living and deceased.

As we enter into the month of May I wanted to share with you and draw your attention to 2 important and exciting events that will be taking place over the course of the month.

Each year, the Gospel that we hear proclaimed on the 4th Sunday of Easter is always taken from the same chapter of the Gospel of John, Chapter 10. This chapter contains what is known as the “Good Shepherd Discourse,” in which Jesus proclaims, “I am the Good Shepherd,” and so this Sunday has come to be known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Good Shepherd Sunday is an opportunity for us to reflect upon how Jesus is the shepherd of our lives and also to pray and reflect upon the call to priesthood in the life of the Church.

 I enjoy watching sports. Though I never was one to play basketball, or baseball, or football on a competitive basis, there are times when I enjoy catching a game on TV or even in person. Every sports team has one goal in mind, to win the championship. Some teams have a better chance than others, but every team starts out the season with that goal in mind of being the last one standing, of being able to engage in that familiar championship tradition of jumping up & down, high
fiving, hugging, pouring champagne over each other’s heads, & hoisting the trophy into the air. We experienced it once here in Cleveland over the past few years & I hope that we’re able to experience it again soon.

First off, let me start by saying that you might not see me this weekend. I am not on vacation, but this Saturday, April 10th, I’m getting the second round of my COVID vaccine & so Fr. Clyde & Fr. Klein are planning on covering all the Masses just in case I happen to have any side effects. If I am able to, I will celebrate a Mass this weekend but at the very least I look forward to celebrating with you once any side effects have passed.

He is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! On behalf of myself & our entire parish staff, please know of our prayers for a most blessed Easter season! Even though we are celebrating & remembering today Jesus’ rising from the tomb, the reality we find ourselves facing is that we are still stuck in the tomb. In fact we have been stuck in the tomb for just over a year now. This pandemic has, in so many ways, disrupted & changed our lives.