Dear Parishioners,

 

The word “breakthrough” is most commonly associated with science. We have become somewhat used to hearing about scientific breakthroughs that improve our health, efficiency, and comfort. However, the most significant “breakthrough” for humanity took place almost 2000 years ago. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the breakthrough that changed more than history. It changed our eternal destiny.

​

Jesus Christ broke the bondages of sin and death. He is now the inexhaustible source of grace by which we are forgiven, healed, and given hope. God’s grace through Jesus Christ comes to us in many ways. However, the seven sacraments are sure and true channels of God’s grace by which Christ applies the benefits of his ultimate break through.

​

During this week some of our parishioners will be experiencing the grace of the Holy Spirit through unrepeatable sacraments. First off, on Wednesday, May 1, Bishop Michael Woost will be at St. Peter Parish to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with almost fifty of our young people.

​

Confirmation is an unrepeatable sacrament. When the Bishop (or duly delegated priest) celebrates this sacrament, after he extends his hands and prays for the coming of the Holy Spirit, will anoint the forehead of each confirmand with Sacred Chrism and say, “Be sealed with the Holy Spirit.”

​

Perhaps the image one has with the word “sealed” is that of an envelope being sealed shut. A better image of confirmation would be that of paper being pressed with an embossed stamping device. That device would leave a raised imprint (also called a seal) on the paper. It cannot be washed off or even effectively ironed out. The paper would always have that “seal” on it.

​

So it is with Confirmation. When a person receives the sacrament of Confirmation, they have a special imprinting of the Holy Spirit on their soul that gives them ready access to the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Please pray that our newly Confirmed youth, and truly all the Church’s Confirmed, would live their lives more deeply in the Spirit.

​

Holy Orders is another unrepeatable Sacrament. To be ordained is to be ordained for life. There are three degrees in the Sacrament of Holy Orders: Deacon, Priest, and Bishop. Each degree of Holy Orders conforms a man to Christ for the service of the Church as she seeks to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ.

​

This year St. Julie Parishioner Rev. Mr. Ken DeLuca will be celebrating 20 years of service as a permanent deacon. On May 22, 2002, Deacon Ken was ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Cleveland and has served at St. Julie Parish for those twenty years. As a permanent deacon in our diocese, Deacon Ken was ordained to preach, celebrate the sacraments of baptism and marriage, and serve in a variety of other ways. Though officially retired, Deacon Ken still assists our parish. We are very grateful for his ministry over the years. I personally am grateful for his sage like advice as I became pastor of St. Julie Parish. He told me, Remember, you will be no good to anyone if you do not take care of yourself. May I learn to practice this!

​

Finally, I want to express my gratitude to our second graders who made their First Holy Communion this Saturday, April 27. God’s blessings to you and your families on this important day. Holy Communion is a “repeatable” sacrament. The Eucharist is the way we can encounter Jesus Christ most fully on our earthly journey to our heavenly homeland. Jesus in the Eucharist is to be our abiding consolation and nourishment as we seek to do God’s will on earth.

​

Again, congratulations to our First Communicants and their families. We pray that Jesus Christ be your strength each and every day. We also  pray that you are able to come to Mass frequently and receive Holy Communion often.

​

In Christ,

Fr. Bob Franco

​