He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. And no surprise! That s an incredibly long time to fast. Undoubtedly Jesus physical and emotional strength would have been extremely weak after enduring such a marathon of abstinence. And isn t it interesting that the tempter should choose to appear at this particular moment? When bread must have sounded better than ever, the devil comes and tests Jesus, saying, Command that these stones become loaves of bread. How hard it must have been to resist! Surely, Jesus could have caved in. He could have shown the devil his power and had a bite to eat while he was at it but he didn t. Instead, Jesus relied upon the word of God, and battled the devil by holding fast to the truth. One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. What an excellent model this provides for us. We too face temptation of various kinds and degrees. As the first reading from Genesis reminds us, the cunning serpent has been slithering around humanity from the beginning of time. Even when we have all that we need, the devil makes us want more, or want different, than what we have. Today s Gospel calls Satan the tempter for good reason. He tempts us to break God s law as Adam and Eve did when they ate from the tree in the middle of the garden. But Jesus shows us the right response by battling the devil with the truth of God s word. Whatever temptations might beset us, there is power in clinging to the truths that we find in Scripture. In our moments of trial, may we have the strength to claim these truths as our own and, like Jesus, defeat the deceit of the devil. Readings for the Week of March 5, 2017 Sunday: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7/Ps 51:3-6, 12-13, 17/Rom 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19/Mt 4:1-11 Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18/Ps 19:8-10, 15/Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday: Is 55:10-11/Ps 34:4-7, 16-19/Mt 6:7-15 Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10/Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19/Lk 11:29-32 Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25/Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8/Mt 7:7-12 Friday: Ez 18:21-28/Ps 130:1-8/Mt 5:20-26 Saturday: Dt 26:16-19/Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8/Mt 5:43-48 Next Sunday: Gn 12:1-4a/Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22/2 Tm 1:8b-10/Mt 17:1-9 Mass Intentions for the Week MONDAY March 6 ~ Lenten Weekday 7:00 PM Joan E. Haas, Fred & Zoe Haas Rosary and Novena after Mass TUESDAY March 7 ~ Sts. Perpetua & Felicity 8:30 AM Charles Homan, Bill & Pat Homan WEDNESDAY March 8 ~ St. John of God 8:30 AM Mother s Day Remembrance THURSDAY March 9 ~ St. Frances of Rome 7:00 PM Antonio Schender, Aldo Schender FRIDAY March 10 ~ Lenten Weekday 8:30 AM Joseph & Mary Niemiec, Dennis & Regina Kopera SATURDAY March 11 ~ Lenten Weekday 5:00 PM Joe P. Sauric, Pat Sauric SUNDAY - March 12~ 2nd Sunday in Lent 7:30 AM Terry Liebhardt (A), Family 9:30 AM Jimmy Dunsworth, Shell Family 11:30 AM Mass for Parishioners 5:00 PM Henry & Nellie Zupan, Zupan Family Just a Reminder If you ve offered up a Mass for a special intention and are attending the Mass, please be sure to see an usher before the Mass if you would like to take up the gifts in memory of that special person. Weekly Schedule Monday - March 6 7:00 PM PSR 7:15 PM (LHMR) Holy Name 8:45 PM (LH) Men s Basketball Tuesday - March 7 7:00 PM (LHMR) Boy Scouts 8:30 PM (LH) Corn Hole Wednesday - March 8 10:00 AM (ATR) Morning Bible Study 7:30 PM (C) Contemporary Musicians 8:30 PM (LH) Open Volley Ball Thursday - March 9 7:30 PM (ATR) 60 Minutes with Christ 7:30 PM (CMR) Worship Commission 8:30 PM (LH) Men s Basketball Friday - March 10 5:00-7:00 PM (LH) FISH FRY 7:00 PM (C) Stations of the Cross Saturday - March 11 9:00 AM (LH) Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby Sunday - March 12 7:00 PM Parish Mission Begins Church Support ~ February 26, 2017 Total Collection: $9,680.60 Loose Money: $480.05 Envelopes: $9,200.65 Avg. per envelope: $30.77 Number of envelopes used: 299 Student envelopes: 12 Total Households: 531 Thank You and God Bless You!
Losing Someone Special... Have you lost a loved one? The St. Justin Martyr Bereavement Ministry welcomes you to attend a series of informal gatherings designed to support those experiencing grief at this time. The sessions will be from 7:30-9:00pm on six consecutive Wednesdays beginning March 8, 15, 22, 29; April 5 and 12. The sessons will be held at Mr. Chabail s home. You can pick up an invitation in the office, or just RSVP to Joseph Chabail, 951-1663. Information is also on the website. THANK YOU to the Just-In-Timers who once again were called on Tuesday to meet in the church meeting room on Thursday to assist in stuffing envelopes with the Lenten booklet. The booklets were mailed Just-In-Time to reach everyone before the start of Lent. Stewardship Poet Mary Oliver writes, My work is loving the world. The very word work connotes a certain dedication, commitment and obligation. This rings true in Oliver s simple line. As stewards, we have a fundamental obligation to love and embrace the world as ambassadors of Christ. The season of Lent provides us with an opportunity to examine how well we re doing and to make an even greater commitment to exercising good stewardship of all the Lord has entrusted to us. EASTER EGG HUNT The Easter Bunny will be at Lambur Hall on Saturday, April 8 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. for an Easter Egg Hunt for ages 10 and under. There will be goodies, juice, coffee and crafts to be made. The Easter Bunny promises you a gift if you pre-register to Beth Rossetti at beth@stjustin.net or call 946-1177. Donations will be accepted that day to help the bunny defray costs. Everyone is welcome. Always our Children The parents support group for families and friends of gay and lesbian Catholics welcomes you to join us at our next meeting, Sunday, March 12 from 2-3pm in the St. John Vianney Philomena Center in Mentor Ohio. FAMILY PERSPECTIVES Jesus faced real temptations in the desert and he had to make some hard choices. During these weeks of Lent, look at the choices that are facing you. Pray, weigh the actions and ask, What will be life-giving to me and my family? Be open to a new direction from the Lord for not by bread alone shall you live but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Please Pray... Please pray for all of our parishioners who are sick or hospitalized: Hilda Aucelli, Agnes Brown, Frank Brown, Tom Bukovec, Nello Chiudioni, Clifford Coffey, Rob DelSesto, Elizabeth Dravecky, Judith Greger, Jean Hallerz, Mike Hanlon, Carrilynn Horwath, Ava Jusko, William Koshar, Jan Kulas, Kathy Kurchak, Laurel Mackey, Anthony Melaragno, Debbie Orlando, Henry Oschip, Sandi Pandy, Nancy Rendek, Marie Rieck, Sylvia Smiley, Greg Usko, Phil Wolfson, the shut-ins, those in nursing homes, those needing prayers, and all of the intentions written in our Book of Prayers located in the gallery. Many prayers help. To add a name for prayers, please call the parish office, 946-1177 or louise@stjustin.net. Prayer Line Please call Theresa Davison, 942-5761, to add your request to the Prayer Chain. You can reach the Sisters of Notre Dame prayer line at 440-279-1163. Eucharistic Adoration Adorers are needed: Monday: 3:00PM, Marge, 942-8989 Tuesday: 1:00, 3:00 & 7:00PM, Carolyn, 951-4686 Wednesday: 6:00, 11:00PM, Carole, 951-0280 Thursday: 10 & 11:00 PM Sue, 488-1962 Friday: 9:00AM, 6:00 PM, Loretta, 942-7396 Questions? Call Marion, 975-8208 Evening of Confession Wednesday, March 15, our parish and all of the parishes in the Diocese will offer An Evening of Confession from 5:00-8:00pm. Parishioners are asked to evangelize by inviting family or friends who are away from the Church to join in this special Lenten practice. Priests at all parishes will be present for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As Pope Francis says, The joy of God is the joy of forgiveness More information: www.welcomecatholics.com. Compassion, the Musical Save the date! March 31 and April 1 at 8:00pm here at St. Justin Martyr. Bring your friends and family. More information to follow. Look for more information on, www.compassionthemusical.com and in future bulletins.
SJM Lenten Mission March 12-15, 2017 Sunday-Wednesday 7:00PM Mission Monday-Wednesday 9:00AM Mass (Father Conley preaching) Sacrament of Penance following Mass Rekindling the Fire The theme of our Lenten Mission is Rekindling the Fire. The fire that God placed in us needs to be shared. Ignite the fire that has grown dim and walk someone who has been away back to Church. If you are reading this, thank you, but please pay it forward. There are contact cards in the gallery, Please fill one out and drop in the red mailbox for our Homeward Bound Ministry or contact Ron, rrmona@yahoo.com. Father Conley will be available throughout the day for reconciliation, spiritual direction or counseling-please call the office to schedule an appointment. HOW IS THE MISSION CONDUCTED? Father Conley of the Passionist Order will conduct the Mission. The heart of the Mission is the evening service which will begin on Sunday, March 12 at 7:00PM and be held each evening at that time until the close of the Mission on Wednesday, March 15. The services will last about an hour or less. Each night a practical and inspirational sermon will be preached on one of the great themes of Scripture. Topics will include: From Wounds to Wonder, From Magic to Mystery, From Hurt to Harmony and From Grumbling to Gratitude. Father Jack will also celebrate Mass each morning at 9:00am during the Mission (Monday through Wednesday). He will preach a homily on an aspect of spiritual development, but it will not be the same sermon as preached in the evening. The Mission promises to be a time of great spiritual regeneration. Make plans now to attend and rekindle our faith, prayer and service to Jesus! Needed for our Lenten Mission, March 12-15, 2017 Baked goods/appetizers. Please bring with you on a disposable plate when you attend the evening Mission or drop off in the office before 6:45pm. THANK YOU! Are you in need of babysitting services or activities for younger children as you attend our Mission? Please RSVP to RSVP@stjustin.net and include the number and ages of children. In the subject line: Mission Babysitting. CRS RICE BOWLS provide a hands-on way for both families and individuals of all ages to experience the Lenten Season in addition to providing muchneeded support for the initiatives of Catholic Relief Services (CRS). The Rice Bowls and online resources (www.crsricebowls.org) give participants real life connections to people around the world struggling for justice and a glimpse into their lives and culture. Pick up your Rice Bowl in the Gallery. Just in Fun Trip to Blissfield, MI ~ April 28, 2017 Payment due no later than March 21 Can you imagine taking a leisurely trip on a train through the countryside enjoying a five-star dinner and being entertained by a troupe of actors and actresses traveling through your train performing a comical interactive drama? Limited seating. Cost is $99 for the day. Look for more information online, www.stjustin.net or in the Gallery.
Director of Religious Education, Charles Hunt 946-3287 charles@stjustin.net What s Francis Saying Now? Short Messages (Tweets) from Pope Francis When the journey is uncertain and you fall, God, rich in mercy, will extend his hand to pick you up. I invite you to persevere in prayer, so that Jesus wish may be fulfilled: that they may all be one. Proclaiming to all the love and tenderness of Jesus, we become apostles of the joy of the Gospel. And joy is contagious! The Christian heart is always full of joy. Always. Joy received as a gift and kept in order to be shared with everyone. Do not underestimate the value of example, for it is more powerful than a thousand words, a thousand likes, re-tweets or YouTube videos. Lenten Calendars for Adults Additional copies of the Lenten Calendar for Adults can be found in the vestibule of the church. It has spiritual insights and prayers based on the daily readings for Lent. The calendar was especially prepared for you by the St. Justin Martyr Spiritual Life Committee. Our gratitude goes out to Laverne King, Nancy Vitovich, Bob Rubus, Rosetta Scafidi, and Marion Hanna. Catholic Humor Christian One-liners * Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. * Peace starts with a smile. * I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from? 60 Minutes in ChristRCIA for the whole parish! Everyone is welcome to attend 60 Minutes in Christ. These are RCIA classes tailored for initiated Catholics. We meet every Thursday, from 7:30-8:30 in the school s ATR Room. Attend any or all the classes you like. Bring a friend, too!. Contact Charlie Hunt at Charles@stjustin.net or (440) 946-3287 for more information. Topic for March 9 is: Conversion LENTEN BOOK DISCUSSION The Lamb s Supper The Mass as Heaven on Earth by Scott Hahn 3 Fridays: March 24, 31 & April 7 from 3:00-4:30pm in the ATR. Contact the SJM Religious Education Office to register and for more information: 946-3287 or Charles@stjustin.net Pastoral Associate ~ Beth Rossetti 946-1177 beth@stjustin.net Fresh Faith Our Annual Retreat will be held on March 17-18, beginning at 6:00PM with dinner. We will be doing the Joyfully Gifted Diocesan Retreat for Youth Ministry. This will be facilitated by Mrs. Rossetti as the diocesan representative. Any high school teen that would like to explore their Charisms (gifts that were given to us at Baptism), can join us for this retreat. Learning these Charisms is a great way to help guide you on making future decisions that will impact your life. A deposit of $20.00 is required and an RSVP by March 15. Confirmation 2017 Our next session is Sunday, March 5 at 6:00-8:30 in the Spirit Room. Please attend the 5:00PM Mass. The main doors to the school will open at 5:45PM. Our Morning Bible Study Class will begin on Wednesday, March 8 from 10:00-11:30AM. We will be studying the Acts of the Apostles. If you are interested in joining this group contact Beth at the above or drop off your $15.00 book fee to the parish office ASAP. Thanks. All high school teens are invited to join the Living Stations of the Cross practices on March 21, 30, and April 6. Remember this can count for school service hours. Contact Mrs. R. if you are interested. Any adult that would like to help with practices can also contact Beth. Prayer for Those Who Live Alone I live alone, dear Lord, stay by my side. In all my needs, be my constant guide. Grant me good health, for that I pray, To continue my work each and every day. Keep pure my mind, my thoughts and deeds, Help me be kind and to assist others in need. Save me from harm and hateful tongues, From pain and fear and evil ones. When I am sick and in need of care, O Lord, I pray, You will be near. When I feel down or I m in despair, Lift up my heart and hear my prayer. I live alone, Dear Lord, yet have no fear, Because I know that you are near. Amen Author Unknown