Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 26th, 2026 | | |
The fourth evangelist, John, offers a discourse from Jesus about being shepherd and sheep gate. The voice of Jesus assures the late first century Christian community of the importance of listening to his voice and resting in his safety. Jesus promises to keep the flock (the Christian community) safe from thieves and robbers. For the community today, it is important that our music and liturgy focus on the voice of the shepherd and not get too impressed with having our own voices, gifts and talents get in the way.
The selection from the Acts of the Apostles exhorts people of faith who have heard the message to be “baptized…for the forgiveness of your sins” and “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The words of Peter have been prescient for many generations, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” The more things change, the more they stay the same. In all times and generations, the culture has been a challenge to living a life of faith in Jesus Christ and being witnesses to the world of God’s power over sin and death.
The words from the First Letter of Peter offer us a glimpse of how we are to embrace suffering to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Whereas our culture embraces vengeance and revenge, the redemptive suffering and sacrifice of Jesus our what we are to embrace. Like the non-violence of Ghandi and Martin Luther King, we are exhorted to “return no insult”, not to threaten but to hand ourselves over willingly for the sake of our faith. Doing so, we will be saved by the shepherd who knows his sheep.
Liturgy.com
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Read the latest issue of Diocese of Cleveland's online magazine HERE. | | | Click the button below ⬇️ and add your cell number. We will ONLY send important event updates or cancellations due to weather or emergencies. Thank you! | | Set up a mass by filling out the form on our website (click picture above and scroll to Mass Request), or call the rectory 216.696.1926 or send an email to office@stwendelincleveland.org with the month/day you prefer. | |  | |
Pray for the health of Richard and Sheryl Carroll, Judy Thiede, Jenny Weaver, Linda Pacanosky, Dennis Vok, Denise Turner, Nancy Simala, Jane Hilf, Terry Chura, Red Rodio, Frank Novak, Steve Dabrowski, Larry Blasius, Roselyn Cowell, Fr. Kropac and for many special intentions for strength, mercy and healing.
Reply to this email to add a name or intention to our list.
| 6th Annual Birdies for Babies is Thursday, April 30th at Topgolf. 2 hours of golf, raffle prizes and fellowship supporting Zelie's Home and the women and children it serves. zelieshome.org/events | | | |
Year-End Giving
This season of giving is a perfect time to express your gratitude for the blessings in your life by making a year-end gift to our parish. As you plan your charitable contributions for 2025, please know that we gratefully accept gifts of cash and appreciated assets, such as stocks or bonds, and grants to our parish from donor-advised funds.
You can make a gift to our parish using your IRA
As Christian stewards, we are called to help make our Church a strong community of faith and a beacon of service to others. This includes supporting the financial needs of today while ensuring a stable foundation for the future. One way to contribute is through your IRA. If you are 70 ½ or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) of up to $108,000 directly from your IRA to your parish. This gift will not be taxable income and can satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD). Looking ahead, you might also consider naming our parish as a beneficiary of your IRA. Click here for more details, consult your financial advisor or contact Mary Lou Ozimek at 216-696-6525 x4070.
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A Free Will-Writing Resource
We’ve partnered with FreeWill to make it easier for our community to create their Catholic legacy. Using this online tool, you can write a legal will for free and protect your blessings, while including the necessary language to create an eternal legacy gift in your plans. This resource takes 20 minutes or less and can be paired with an attorney for more complex estates. We invite you to visit www.catholiccommunity.org/freewill to write a free, legal will.
| | What can YOU do to help? Become a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, a Server or an Usher. Send an email to office@stwendelincleveland.org with your name and the ministry you're interested in helping with. | ➡️ Join the Moriah House Meals Group that prepares a hot meal for the residents of the WSCC's Moriah House. On the 3rd Saturday of every month, meet up in the STW parking lot with prepared foods to deliver. You don't have to participate every month. To join this great service group, text or call Carol at 2164104068. | | |
Make a will. Make an impact rooted in faith!
August is National Make-A-Will Month, and there’s no better time to create or update your will. Catholic Community Foundation offers a free resource through FreeWill, a simple online tool that can help you plan ahead in about 20 minutes.
Your will reflects your values—caring for your loved ones and strengthening faith-based stewardship for generations to come.
Visit FreeWill.com/CatholicCommunity to put your faith into action.
| | | Listen to all things Catholic at AM 1260 The Rock here. Deepen your and your family’s faith, AM 1260 The Rock offers daily Mass, devotionals, apologetics, and much more. Don’t forget about AM 1260 The Rock’s own Wisdom From The Rock, where you can hear Daily Gospel Reflections from local priests and deacons, special interviews, and more. | |
Do you get a birthday card from Fr. Kropac in the mail? If not, we do not have your current information! Click here and update for us. | | |
Want to learn more about our parishioners? Check out the Parishioner Profile Book (blue 3 ring binder) in the back of the church and get copies of all of the stories printed so far.
Nominate yourself or a friend to be the next subject of Parishioner Profiles, just reply to this email with your suggestion.
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