For those who do not know already, we celebrate the feast of the Ascension of Christ today rather than 40 days after Easter, which would have been last Thursday. There are a number of places in the United States and Latin America that transfer this feast to Sunday so that the great events of the Paschal Season: the Resurrection, the Ascension, and the Descent of the Holy Spirit are celebrated on a Sunday. The state of Ohio is one of those places. So if you didn’t make Mass last Thursday and you’re a Roman Catholic, not to worry; you didn’t miss a Holyday of Obligation.

This weekend we congratulate Bishop Roger Gries who celebrates 60 years of ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Bishop Roger was ordained a priest for St. Andrew Abbey on May 18, 1963 and during his ministry was Mathematics Teacher, Football Coach, Vice-Principal, and Principal at Benedictine High School. At the Abbey, he served as sub-Prior, Prior, and for 20 years Abbot of the community. For the last 22 years Bishop Roger has served as Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland even though he officially retired 10 years ago. Many of you know him most from his Confirmation Masses and perhaps were even Confirmed by him. We wish him happy years as he continues serving God and his people as Bishop.

We congratulate our eighth graders who will graduate from Assumption Academy on Wednesday, May 31. They are a fine group of boys and girls who I am certain will do well in High school. I would also like to thank those who support Assumption Academy. It requires sacrifice from us, but the results and blessings that come to the parish from its presence make it well worth the investment. We are blessed with a dedicated principal, faculty, staff and involved parents who do their utmost to make Assumption Academy the great school that it is.

I would also like to extend Assumption parish's congratulations to the graduates from middle school, high school and colleges. May the Holy Spirit guide you to a bright and promising future. We need to fill 3 seats on Pastoral Council. Interested parties are cordially invited to our next meeting on June 15 at 7:00pm in the Lower Rectory Hall