?God will do what God will do and it doesn?t really matter what we think. We have to embrace it.?
Those were the words from Cleveland Bishop Nelson J. Perez on Jan. 16 as he celebrated the liturgy at the Our Lady of the Elms Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Peace in Akron. He shared that once we promise obedience to God, we must be willing to follow God?s plan for our lives.
?We may have our own ideas about what we are going to do, but when God has different ideas, we do what God wants us to do,? the bishop said. ?Look back and see what God has done in your life already and be open to what God has planned for your future.?
Bishop Perez visited the Akron motherhouse as part of his travels around the eight-county diocese to meet, greet and enjoy fellowship with the faithful.
?This is an opportunity for me to get to know the religious in the diocese on their own grounds and in their own homes,? he said. ?We are blessed with close to 1,000 religious and I want to let them know that the bishop cares for them and that they?re valued by the church.?
After Mass, the bishop gathered in the motherhouse dining room with sisters, associates and friends for dinner and conversation. Sister Valerie Shaul, O.P motherhouse coordinator, presented Bishop Perez with a check for his special ministry to help refugees and immigrants. The money is from donations made by individual sisters during the Christmas season.
?Instead of buying gifts for each other, we donate money to give to a charity,? Sister Valerie said. ?The donation is a way to honor the bishop and support the work he is doing to help immigrants and refugees. As Dominicans of Peace, we are committed to welcoming refugees and immigrants and to compassionate immigration reform.?
Bishop Perez also visited with the Evangelizing Sisters from Tanzania on Jan. 13.
?They are truly very holy women of the Church and Cleveland is blessed by their presence,? he said.
The bishop celebrated the vigil Mass at Our Lady of Peace Parish, and then enjoyed dinner with the pastor, Father Gary Chmura, and Sisters Rita and Jacinta.
