…”Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This is Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, cares for and attends to the need of the flock. The wise flock follows always the gentle voice of the Shepherd. He leads us on the path to a fullness of life. He guides us safely on the path to Heaven. How can we use this week (hopefully filled with spring weather) to reflect on the beautiful image of the Shepherd?
…This Good Shepherd Sunday is a perfect weekend to welcome back Father Bob Jackson to Saint Ambrose. Father Jackson served our parish community from 1993 to1999. He returns ‘home’ as part of our 60th anniversary celebration. This weekend, we also welcome back to our parish many of the Humility of Mary Sisters who so loving, faithfully and generously served our community. They are the bedrock and the foundation of Saint Ambrose School. They will be joining us for the 12 noon Mass. This special anniversary year gives us a chance to express our heartfelt thanks for their witness as religious sisters and their faithful service to the Church and especially to our community.
…This weekend also marks the end of our seminarian intern, Josh Cochrac’s, time with us. Believe it or not, 8 months have passed by so quickly. Josh returns back to the seminary to finish out the school year. He has two more school years before he is ordained as a priest for our Diocese. Josh has been a blessing beyond words to our community. His good spirit, sense of humor, and genuine pastoral care have been such a gift. While he is bringing to a close his ‘formal’ time in our community, the good news is that he will be back with us and spend his summer break at Saint Ambrose. Please join me in thanking Josh for his openness to the Lord and for his generous spirit and faithful service to our community. Please pray for Josh.
…Good Shepherd Sunday is also a good time for all of us to remember to pray for vocations. We are blessed to have our member, Matt Harley, continue his discernment and preparation for the Diaconate Program. We also have two men who are applying to Borromeo Seminary and another who has submitted his application for the Diaconate. Please keep them in your prayers. May many in our community generously respond to the call of the Shepherd.
…We are bringing the 60th anniversary celebration to a close. It’s been a blessing to remember the history of our community – those who have set such a strong foundation for our community. Please join us next Saturday for a wonderful Dinner/Dance – a night of friendship, good food, great music and fun! See today’s bulletin. Please join us for a great night out and a wonderful moment to celebrate the blessing of our community.
…Our celebration of Confirmation last weekend was simply beautiful. One of our Confirmation candidates was actually a member of one of my prior assignments. They were not able to join in Confirmation at their home parish so they joined us. Afterward, they were so amazed and grateful for the warmth, welcome and uplifting music they experienced at Saint Ambrose. “We talked about the “feeling” of your church on the way home and how nice it is to be a part of it. We all loved the music/singing during mass. “ Our parish will be welcoming if we are welcoming. Our parish will have uplifting music if we sing and pray! Praise be God.
…Very often you will hear or see something about ‘strengths.’ Around Saint Ambrose “Strengths” are part of the CliftonStrengths process that is used across the world to help people ‘name’ their God-given talents and strengths. We all are amazingly equipped by God with wonderful gifts and talents. When we develop them – they become our Strengths. It’s an amazing and illuminating experience to be able to ‘name’ and discuss your uniqueness – your Strengths. Over the past ten years about 1000 people have participated in this experience and have found it to be life-giving and enriching. This past week Father Rob, Josh and Father Carlin came together to identify and learn more about their Strengths. The next Living Your Strengths program takes place this coming Wednesday, April 25. See page 8 for more information and to register.
…Don’t forget the Ladies First is meeting this coming Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 6:45 in Lehner Center John. It’s a great night out for the women of our community to share friendship, great food, and to be nourished by meaningful conversation and God’s Word. Please join in.
…This coming Sunday is an opportunity not to be missed…..Dr. Iezzi will be offering a guided-presentation on Living Wills. All of us need to offer our loved ones guidance in terms of health care and end of life choices. It’s a difficult topic to discuss but essential. Dr. Iezzi has helped many of our members over the past many years. Please join us on Sunday, April 29 at 1:00 in Lehner Center John.
…Many thanks to those who have been responding to the Generations of Faith capital appeal to repair and update our Church. This is so important for the life of our community. Last weekend during Confirmation there were buckets and rags all over the place. This is our Church – this is God’s house. This effort…this appeal….is so essential for our community. It’s also a very special and beautiful moment to give a loving gift to God. We need to hear from you and all of our members. Whatever you and God decide is the right answer. We just need to hear from everyone soon. Thank you.
…Last November and December you were so amazingly good to bring in over 2,000 gently used winter coats that a team of our members distributed in the city of Cleveland. You brought so much warmth and peace to so many. One of the team suggested that this is really a GREAT time to collect the winter jackets that you will not need next year – NOW. Please bring them to any of the doors of the Church and we will store them and be ready for next winter (if this winter ever ends!!). Thank you.
…Many thanks for ALL you do for our community. May these days be blessed with the gentle, peaceful presence and guidance of the Good Shepherd.
