Living the Word of Christ Together Pastor: Parochial Vicar: Deacons: Office Administrator: Rectory Phone: Office Phone: Fax: e-mail: website: Father Bruce Riebe Father Jan Cizmar Bill Fredrick, Robert Kirschner Michele Wiltshire 440-526-1818 440-526-0016 440-526-6464 stjoebyz@sbcglobal.net www.stjoebyz.com INDEPENDENCE DAY Americans celebrate Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, as the birthday of the United States of America. It is the anniversary of the day on which the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A committee led by Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration, which is a powerful statement of the colonies decision to become an independent nation and break ties with Great Britain. The city of Philadelphia held the first celebration of Independence Day on July 8, 1776, just four days after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Officials read the Declaration aloud, bands played, and city bells rang out. In 1941 Congress designated July 4 as a legal holiday to be observed in all states and territories. Independence can be a good thing, but not when it comes to a relationship with God. In times of prosperity, the nation of Israel often became arrogant and the Israelites forgot their need for God. At other times they depended on Egypt or their own strength for security. Each time this happened, God warned of impending judgment: I will bring an end to Israel s independence (Hosea 1:4). He rebuked Israel for talking about depending on him but not living that way (Isaiah 48:1-2). Perhaps our American spirit of rugged independence hampers our ability to fully rely on God. Sometimes we depend on God for our salvation but find it hard to look to him for daily guidance, strength, and material provision. Somehow we feel we should be earning our own way. But when we become believes, we adopt a declaration of dependence on God. Fully depending on Him is the only way to break ties with Satan and sin.
July 3, 2016 Christ is Among Us! Liturgy Schedule Monday July 4 Independence Day No Liturgy Tuesday July 5 8:00 a.m. Poor Souls/Aborted Babies by Bogomir Kuhar Wednesday July 6 8:00 a.m. Mary Prischak by Michael/Millie Karaffa Thursday July 7 8:00 a.m. Christine Krause by Deacon Bill/Nancy Fredrick Friday July 8 8:00 a.m. Richard Georgantes by Bob Karges Saturday July 9 4:00 p.m. Intention of the Parishioners Sunday July 10 10:00 a.m. Eugene Glasko by John/Debi Shirilla Altar Servers Lectors Greeters July 9 4:00 p.m. J. & J. Kodek D. Sedlak J. Pinchot & L. Greb July 10 10:00 a.m. J. Fekete, T. Grzymkowski, T. Martinek H. Oros & J. Klinkovsky N. Jaryga & B. Kirschner We would worry less about what others think of us if we realized how seldom they do. Our picnic is only two weeks away! Let s hope for good weather. Chicken dinners will be available from 12:30-2:30. Burgers, dogs and Italian sausage can be enjoyed all day long! The schedule for that Sunday (July 17) is: 11:00 1:00 1:00-3:00 1:00 2:00-4:00 2:30 3:30 4:00 Divine Liturgy at the St. John Paul II Chapel (seating provided) Entertainment by Billy Fischer Face painting Corn Hole Tourney (co-ed for teens/above champs get Tribe tix) Kids and adult games (prizes) Polka Band Split Raffle Main Raffle Raffle tickets can be returned via the collection basket or U.S. mail (or bring them to the picnic). Please use the main lot for parking, except for those with a difficult time walking. We re appealing for bakery items (something suitable for warm temps). Volunteers are needed for a few jobs (check the list on the vestibule windows). MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND!!!
This week is the ByzanTEEN National Youth Rally at Notre Dame College in South Euclid. Around one hundred teens from around the country will be gathering for a long weekend of faith, fun and fellowship. We will be represented by: Marissa Cohn; Clarice Cohn; Alexis Hotaling; Jessica Jaroscak; Greg Karaffa; Kristi Karaffa; Payton Karaffa; Jason Kodek; Justin Kodek; Joe Loya; Andrew Loya; Meghan Loya; Dominica Lupia; Sal Lupia; John Paul Masters; Maryanna Masters; Nate Masters; Kalea Percic; and Rachel Senick. Ron Misconish will be among the chaperones. Father is part of the planning committee. Thanks to the Men s Club and Ladies Auxiliary for donating $100 for each kid. Please pray for a successful rally with hearts drawn closer to God! Ron has announced that this event will be his last as our Youth Coordinator. With two toddlers he wants to spend more time at home. Many thanks for his efforts with the teens for the past number of years. Fr. Jan will temporarily take over this responsibility until a new person steps forward. Do you have an interest? Contact Father Bruce right away. The summer altar server outing is July 13 to Cedar Point. Those attending need to sign the list in the sacristy by July 5. Most of our groups/organizations (Advisory Board, Men s Club, Ladies Auxiliary, A-OK Club) will not be meeting this month. Formal meetings resume at the regular times in August. Our sandwich making assembly line for the Men s Shelter in Downtown Cleveland is shutdown until August 6. Meals will be provided for the homeless during that time by Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries. Our New Orleans Party Center is nominated as one of the best venues in Cleveland to hold a wedding reception. We d like to come in #1 in this category! To help us make that happen, please go to cleveland.cityvoter.com to vote. Your Weekly Offering June 26, 2016 Sunday: 6 Student Envelopes: Cash: Candles: Holy Days: Total: $2,955.00 6.00 51.00 90.00 101.00 $3,203.00 Interested in E-Giving??? Thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary members who provided refreshments at the recent Holyday liturgies at the St. John Paul II Chapel. Thanks also to those who helped get the grounds at the pavilion/chapel in tip-top shape. Much gratitude to those who took shifts at last weekend s Home Days in Brecksville (maybe we ll add a new parishioner or two). And thanks to everyone who week in and week out volunteers time/talent in various capacities for the Glory of God and His church! Banns of Marriage I Michael Georgiadis & Carmelina DeNigris The A-OK Club is encouraging everyone to get involved in the annual July BeAGiver Project. The recipient is Voices in the Dark. This charitable organization out of Cleveland is the advocate voice for companion animals who have been neglected, abused, abandoned, forgotten or surrendered. They are a no-kill foster based animal rescue. All support received helps animals in their care. To assist, simply pick up a bag in the vestibule. Attached to it you ll find a list of needs. Return the bag by the end of the month. Someone you know may need this information: Alternatives to Abortion 1-800-712-HELP (4357) Accessible 24 hours a day. Serviced by a live person at all times.
Church Etiquette Reminders 1. Please be on time for the start of the Divine Liturgy. 2. Cell phones and electronic equipment should to be turned off upon entering the church. 3. The proper way to enter and exit the pew is to bow and make the sign of the cross. You may also choose to venerate the icon on the tetrapod. 4. The church proper is primarily for prayer and meditation. Casual conversations should be limited to the vestibule. 5. Parents should encourage their small children to participate in the liturgy. If your child is distracting others it is okay to take him/her into the vestibule until he/she calms down. Parishioners are encouraged to be supportive and understanding of families with young children. 6. Mirovanije (the distribution of blessed bread and anointing with oil) is a sacramental that is included as part of the Divine Liturgy and should be observed as such. 7. Before leaving the pew, please tidy up and remove litter. Bringing food into church is discouraged. 8. When lighting candles please extinguish the wooden stick in the sand. 9. Be considerate of others in what is worn to church. God is not concerned, but some apparel may serve as a distraction. 10. Use caution and courtesy when driving on the church grounds. All of our lanes are twoway. Obey handicapped and no parking signs. (Reserved spots are also for the handicapped only.) (Our Parish Advisory Board came up with these Church Etiquette reminders nine years ago.) PARISH INFORMATION ACTIVITY CENTER & HALL RESERVATIONS: 440-526-0016 PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: 440-526-6464 (24 hours) CONFESSIONS: One half hour before liturgies for fifteen minutes and by request MEN S CLUB: 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. LADIES AUXILIARY: 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. A-OK CLUB: 2nd Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. COFFEE SOCIAL: Every Sunday after liturgy EASTERN CATHOLIC FORMATION (ECF) CLASSES: Sundays 9:00 a.m. 10:20 a.m. BULLETIN INFORMATION DEADLINE: Tuesday noon