Beloved Family:
Blessed Mother’s Day weekend to all of our moms. I am writing this article on Tuesday. I acknowledge that by the time the bulletin is printed and surely by the weekend when many are just reading the paper edition, we very possibly will have received news of the election of the 267th successor to St. Peter—that is, a new pope. While it is a universal fact that we all come into the world and will go forth from this world, the end of one pontificate and the beginning of another is anything but a casual “come and go.”
The same applies when a figure in local parish life transitions. Since May, 2024, we have been richly blessed with the presence of our transitional deacon, James Parisi. He resided with us full time over the summer months and then, as the seminary academic year commenced, has joined us essentially every weekend; even more recently, that time extended into Tuesday midday.
A parishioner recently commented to me, her experience of the calming presence that Deacon James brings with him. Others have remarked on the clarity of his preaching. I concur with both of these named attributes, and at the same time I assure you he possesses a quite playful spirit. Fr. David and Deacon James have cultivated a strong friendship over their shared years of formation. I daresay that with a much more brief period of time, Deacon James has led many people of the parish of St. Mary to experience a real connection—even if the interactions have been brief. That says a lot about his character.
This is Deacon James’ final weekend in his current state of life. Next Saturday, May 17, he and seven other deacons will be ordained as priests for service in the Diocese of Cleveland. While there is no formal reception this weekend, be assured that we are going to celebrate his time with us as well as his presbyteral (priestly) ordination on Sunday, June 1, when he returns to Wooster to celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving at 10 o’clock in the morning (first day of our summer Mass schedule). A reception will follow, in the school gym.
Deacon James: you will be truly missed. We rejoice with your family, with the Church in Cleveland, and for the community of Saint Mary, Painesville, where you will serve your first ministerial assignment as a priest. Thank you for your generous outpouring of self in your time among us. As we offer a prayer on behalf of our mothers, may Our Lady cover you always with her protective mantle.
Mary, on this day when we honor all mothers, we turn to you. We thank the Lord whom you serve for the great gift of motherhood. Never has it been known that anyone who sought your intercession was left unaided by grace. Dear mother, intercede for all of our mothers. Ask your Divine Son to give them the grace of surrendered love so that they could join with you in giving their own “Fiat.” May they find daily strength to say yes to the call to the sacrificial love-the very heart of the vocation of motherhood. May their love and witness be a source of great inspiration for all of us called to follow your Son. Amen.
[note: next weekend, I will highlight the transition of leadership within Saint Mary School, as well as extend initial welcome to our soon-to-arrive transitional deacon, Nathan Michael Frankart.]
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
