Last week's poll
We were excited to confirm 56 (mostly) ninth-graders last week as fully initiated members of the Catholic Church! So we asked...what was the most special part of your Confirmation?
Of 1,463 people who receive this weekly email, 111 responded to our little poll. Here's what you said:
- 24 said their favorite part was choosing their Confirmation saint. Fr. Tony's is St. Joseph; Jennifer's is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; who's yours?
- 22 said choosing their Confirmation sponsor. We hope that person has continued to pray for you!
- 1 said receiving the confirmation slap as a soldier of Christ was her most special memory. We're sure it was certainly memorable!
- 50 said receiving the Holy Spirit and knowing you're fully initiated in the Catholic Church was the best part. OK, so it was kind of a trick question ... it's all the best part!
- 1 joked that it was the party and gifts! There's always one...
- And 13 admitted they really didn't remember their Confirmation. Maybe you should ask the Holy Spirit for an outpouring of grace to remind you!
Such a sacramental time of year! Last week was Confirmation, this week is First Eucharist, and next week is Holy Orders, as Mark is ordained a deacon! As we plan our celebrations (and order food for the May 12 reception), could you please let us know...
Do you plan to attend...
Mark's ordination at the cathedral at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4
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Mark's Mass of Thanksgiving at noon Sunday, May 12
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Both!
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Neither, but I'll be praying for Mark and his family
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Maybe. I'm unsure if I can come to either, but praying nonetheless
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I'll watch the livestreams and pray from home.
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This Sunday is the last Life Teen Mass until Sept. 8
Come and worship with our teens and the Life Teen Band one last time before summer! Sunday's Mass at 5:30 p.m. will return on Sept. 8.
Have a great summer break!
This week's bulletin is available here.
Just click on the image of this week's bulletin to be taken to a digital version. Read it for much more information than we can include in this e-newsletter!
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Jesus offers a quintessential stewardship statement in today’s Gospel reading: “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
Jesus Christ offers us the fullness of eternal life. Do our lives reveal that this is what we want? Do we believe that by hearing the Word of the Lord and responding we not only produce “good fruit,” but abide in the very life of God?
Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council
Mental Health Matters
Reflections from Sacred Heart Counseling
April 28, 2024
If you have not heard of St. John Vianney or read about his life, you should consider doing so. St. John Vianney serves as a great example to those who struggle with comparison and insecurity.
If you are unfamiliar with his life, he was a Catholic priest in France during the 19th century that was evaluated by the Church and his educators as being “intellectually slow and ignorant” before he was ordained. His mentor convinced the Church to ordain him on holiness alone instead of his lackluster knowledge of philosophy, theology, and Latin. He was then sent to a small parish in France, where the Church thought he would do the least amount of damage since they considered him to be somewhat incompetent. There he continued his path to holiness through prayer and sacrifice.
Years later, so many people were making pilgrimages to see him and go to confession with him that train tracks and a larger church needed to be built to serve everyone. He died in 1859 and was canonized in 1925.
Many people desire to be smarter, prettier, or more talented, amongst other things. These can feed insecurity about who we are and our capabilities in this world and in our Church. However, St. John Vianney serves as an example of the true priority -- holiness and relationship with Christ.
When insecurities lead to issues such as anxiety and depression, consider reflecting on the life of St. John Vianney and his example of holiness despite his imperfections and deficits.
- Luke Brown, LPCC
National Day of Prayer is Thursday
Since nearly the beginning of our country, a day has been set aside to pray as a nation in gratitude for our blessings. That tradition continues as, on the first Thursday of May, throughout the country people will pause to call for personal repentance and to pray for the United States.
Clergy and members of Medina-area churches will gather Thursday, May 2, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church to participate in a 9:15 a.m. ecumenical prayer service attended by 400 students of St. Francis Xavier School and members of the community.
Reflections will be shared by Pastor Arthur Ruffin of Second Baptist Church, Rev. Henry Pearce of Medina Presbyterian Church, Rev. Kelly Aughenbaugh of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and Deacon Paul Kipfstuhl of St. Francis Xavier Church.
Prayer Service: 9:15 a.m. Thursday, May 2
St. Francis Xavier Church
Please join us and show your support for a world in which we are united in prayer as brothers and sisters under our one God. All are welcome!
Celebrate Mark Tomecko's ordination
to diaconate on May 4
We are thrilled that Bishop Edward Malesic has assigned our parishioner Mark Tomecko to OUR PARISH following his May 4 ordination as a deacon for the Diocese of Cleveland. After five years of preparation and formation, Mark will be ordained Saturday, May 4, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland.
All are invited to attend the ordination of Mark and his five classmates. No tickets are required. Free parking is available in the adjacent garage; it fills up, but street parking is available nearby. (You may want to plan to arrive by 9:30 a.m.)
The following week, on Sunday, May 12, we will celebrate Mark's Mass of Thanksgiving at our noon Mass.
A reception will follow in the church basement social hall.
Plan to attend this special Mass (it will also be livestreamed) to pray with Mark as he begins his service to the Church.
Please continue to keep Mark, his wife Denise, and their children Grant and Allison in your prayers as they reach this new milestone of the journey!
Our very popular summer camp program for young children is accepting registrations! Vacation Bible School is open to children ages 4 through those completing 4th grade (right now). Some 94 of the 150 available slots are full! Don't wait to register!
Volunteer for VBS from the comfort of your home!
Please pray for our recently deceased parishioner
- Kathryn (nee Colaner) Conley-Snugg, 90, who died Thursday. She is the mother of parishioner Michael Conley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at St Peter Church in Canton.
Have you given to the Catholic Charities Appeal?
Thank you to the 11% of St. Francis Xavier's households who have contributed to Catholic Charities this year. You have pledged $132,020 toward our $132,190 goal. We're 99% there!!
All parishes that reach 100% of their goal by May 1 are not required to participate in the Catholic Charities In-Pew #2 Appeal in June.
Can you help us get there?
Can you help us get there?
Recently, letters from Father Tony and Bishop Malesic went out to households in the parish soliciting support for Catholic Charities. Donating to the 2024 Appeal is a direct way to transform the lives of nearly 400,000 people across the eight counties of our diocese. Your generosity addresses both immediate needs and contributes to the long-term well-being of our neighbors. It empowers individuals and families, and fosters positive, lasting change. United in our Catholic faith, let's show our love for one another through our support of the Catholic Charities Appeal.
Donate today: click below or text CCHOPE to 41444.
Thank you for reading, and for your continued prayers and support of St. Francis Xavier Parish!
Blessings,
Jennifer Webb
Director of Ministry & Communication
Jennifer Webb
Director of Ministry & Communication
