Living the Word of Christ Together Pastor: Deacons: Office Administrator: Rectory Phone: Office Phone: Fax: e-mail: website: Respect Life Sunday Father Bruce Riebe Bill Fredrick, Robert Kirschner Michele Wiltshire 440-526-1818 440-526-0016 440-526-6464 (24 hrs.) stjoebyz@sbcglobal.net www.stjoebyz.com Ten years ago, the Catholic bishops of the United States initiated the Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty. Speaking as pastors and teachers, we issued a statement at that time, A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death, in which we considered the reality of capital punishment in the United States. We urged a prudential examination of the use of the death penalty, with the aim of helping to build a culture of life in which our nation will no longer try to teach that killing is wrong by killing those who kill. This cycle of violence diminishes all of us. Since that time, significant gains have been made. Several states, including New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, Illinois, Connecticut, Maryland and most recently Nebraska, have ended the use of the death penalty, and other states have enacted moratoria. Death sentences are at their lowest level since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. However, there is still a great deal of work to be done, and we must recommit ourselves to end this practice in our country. We join our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in anticipation of the forthcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy, and renew our efforts in calling for the end of the use of the death penalty: Today the death penalty is inadmissible, no matter how serious the crime committed. It is an offense against the inviolability of life and the dignity of the human person, one which contradicts God s plan for man and society and his merciful justice, and impedes the penalty from fulfilling any just objective. It does not render justice to the victims, but rather fosters vengeance. - Pope Francis, March 20, 2015 Our faith tradition offers a unique perspective on crime and punishment, one grounded in mercy and healing, not punishment for its own sake. No matter how heinous the crime, if society can protect itself without ending a human life, it should do so. Today, we have this capability. The Church s opposition to the death penalty should not be seen as indifference to the sinfulness of crime and attacks on human life, but as an affirmation of the sacredness of all life even for those who have committed the most heinous of crimes. As Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, whose own father was murdered, recently said: Our refusal to resort to the death penalty is not because we fail to appreciate the horror of the crime committed, but because we refuse to imitate violent criminals. The Scriptures remind us: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Lk 5:7). As Christians, we are called to oppose the culture of death by witnessing to something greater and more perfect: a gospel of life, hope, and mercy. To help build a culture of life, capital punishment should be abolished. Faithfully In Christ, Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski Archbishop of Miami Chairman Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development Seán Cardinal O Malley Archbishop of Boston Chairman Committee on Pro-Life Activities
October 4, 2015 Glory to Jesus Christ! Liturgy Schedule Monday October 5 8:00 a.m. Dan Protzik by Mike/MaryAnn Protzik Tuesday October 6 No Liturgy Wednesday October 7 No Liturgy Thursday October 8 No Liturgy Friday October 9 No Liturgy Saturday October 10 4:00 p.m. Al/Elsie Bohovic by Gans Family (Liturgy at St. John Paul II Chapel) Sunday October 11 10:30 a.m. Intention of the Parishioners Altar Servers Lectors Greeters October 10 4:00 p.m. C., G., & S. Lupia & D. Kattler J. Valus October 11 10:30 a.m. M. & N. Jaryga, J. & A. Loya T. Martinek K. Strobel & J. Weitzel Man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them. SLAVtemberFEST Hopefully your plans next Saturday will include a stop at our SLAVtemberFEST. The 4:00 liturgy next week will be part of the festivities and will be held outdoors at the St. John Paul II Chapel. If you like Slavonic, a number of the hymns will be sung in the old language. The complete schedule, including menu items is listed below. 1:00-3:00 Slovak beer & Spirits, Snacks, Hayrides, Music 4:00 Divine Liturgy at the St. John Paul II Chapel (including hymns in Old Slavonic) 5:30-7:00 Adult Dinners (Halupki, Pirohi, Halushki, Kielbasi/Kraut, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans) Children Dinners (Chicken Tenders/Chips) Bakery (donations needed) Refreshments (Slovak Beer, etc.) 7:00 Bacon Roast 7:00-10:00 Live Polka Music (Tom Katrenich Band) Hayrides, Bonfire (Campers are welcome Friday and Saturday night) The input was excellent at last weekend s parish meetings. The feedback gathered will assist the Finance Commission in future decisions concerning investments. Thanks to everyone who attended. Father Attending Meeting Father will be in Phoenix this week for the Metropolitan Youth Commission Meeting. (Planning the 2016 National ByzanTEEN Rally at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, July 7-10.) He ll be leaving Monday and return Friday evening. In case of an emergency, contact Fr. Marek Visnovsky at St. Mary Church in Cleveland (216-741-7979) or Father Bruce can be reached on his cell (440-227-5037). After careful review of the deteriorating condition of the parking lot and walkways, the Building Commission has decided that it is necessary to renovate the parking lot and replace most of the existing concrete walkways surrounding the church, including all of the concrete at the west (front) entrance of the church. The renovation of the lot will include a total repaving of all asphalt areas as well as adjusting the heights of catch basins and installation of concrete pads at dumpster location. Glen Ramage Architects has been retained to develop plans and specifications for this project, which will be bid later this year. Work will begin in the spring of 2016. Contact Deacon Bill with any questions or concerns. In conjunction with Respect Life Month a playpen is situated in the vestibule. We ll use it to collect the items listed below for Maggie s Place, a home for unwed mothers in Parma. Burp Cloths Toilet Paper Paper Towels Napkins Wall Clocks Sensitive Skin Newborn Diapers Sensitive Skin Baby Wipes Olive Oil (for cooking) Diaper Bags Also, Forty Days for Life started on September 23. We will pray the rosary prior to the weekend liturgies for the duration of the time period for the intention of the unborn.
GCU Lodge 302 is holding a Hunter s Moon Dinner Dance in the Party Center on October 24 from 7-11. Tickets are $25. Father will be the DJ. Halloween costumes are optional. The proceeds will benefit the Autism Society of Greater Cleveland. For more information and tickets contact Judy Weitzel (440-526-8395). Sandwich making will take place on Saturday at 9:30 in the Education Center. The women s BLESS Group will meet on Monday at 7:00, in the Activity Center The next choir practice is Wednesday at 7:00, in the loft. Please remember all of the sick/suffering in your prayers, especially Charlotte Picha (St. Augustine Towers, rehab); Mary Jane Dietz (Greenbrier Healthcare, rehab) and Millie Karaffa (home). Trunk or Treat for the kids is set for October 25 after liturgy. Next week s Byzz Line will offer more details. RSVP s for Octogenarian Sunday on October 18 are due by next Sunday. The Coming Together schedule at the Cathedral in Parma for October 10 is as follows: 9:00-9:30 9:00-6:00 9:40-10:00 10:00-10:30 10:30-11:00 11:00-11:45 12:00-12:30 12:30-1:00 1:00-2:00 2:00-2:15 2:15-3:15 3:30-4:30 4:30-4:50 5:00 Check-In & Continental Breakfast Childcare Open Welcome Pray 3rd Hour Remarks from Bishop John Keynote Speaker: Dr. Barbara Lutz Come Together: Reflection & Discussion Pray 6th Hour Lunch Remarks from Protopresbyter Best Practices in Parishes Come Together: Going Forward Closing Message from Bishop John Divine Liturgy Your Weekly Offering September 27, 2015 Sunday: E-giving: 10 Student Envelopes: Cash: Candles: Holy Days: Total: $2,890.00 50.00 10.00 34.00 177.00 30.00 $3,191.00 Interested in E-Giving??? The mirovanije $$ from today will be forwarded to Pharmacists for Life (matching funds project) based in Columbus. Assigned Goal: $14,000.00 (Pledge forms can be returned via the collection basket or by U.S. mail.) Fifty three donors have contributed a total of $10,335.00. 74% 100% Sensory Delights of Autumn Sights Leaves changing colors, children jumping in leaves, acorns, Harvest Moon, migrating birds, flowers, insects and animals getting ready for winter, neighbors raking leaves, jack-o-lanterns Smells Fresh baked bread, homemade applesauce, cider, pumpkin pie, smokey bonfires, scented candles Sounds Honking of geese, rustling of leaves, campfires crackling, silence of summer nights Touch Pumpkins, gourds, mums, hay bales, warm sweaters and blankets, cooler breezes Tastes Harvest fruits and vegetables, pumpkin seeds, soup, zucchini bread, baked apples Blood Pressures Taken Next Weekend 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.
Stop Federal Funding of Planned Parenthood The release of undercover videos showing a willingness by Planned Parenthood officials to traffic in fetal organs and tissue has quite properly stirred strong reactions in Congress and the general public. A bill To prohibit Federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America was introduced in both House and Senate (S. 1881, H.R. 3301). Consideration of the Senate bill was blocked but can be brought up again. Please contact your Senators and Representative today! Recommended Action Send e-mails through NCHLA s Human Life Action Center. Nchla.org/ actiondisplay.asp?id=319 Contact your state representative and senators by phone. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your members local offices. Additional contact info can be found on members websites at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov. Follow us on Twitter@nchla and retweet our posts. Repost this alert to Facebook or other social media platforms. Basic Message Please support efforts to deny federal funds to Planned Parenthood. American should not be forced to subsidize the nation s largest abortion network. S. 1881/H.R. 3301 would reallocate federal funds from abortion providers to mainstream health facilities so there is no reduction in funding for women s health. Background On August 3, 2015, a Cloture Motion to limit debate and allow a vote on the bill to defund Planned Parenthood (S. 1881) failed to receive the 60 needed votes in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) supports S. 1881. However, in a procedural move, he voted against the Cloture Motion so he can ask for the vote to be reconsidered at a later time. On August 3, 2015, Cardinal Sean O Malley urged support for this legislation to stop federal funding of Planned Parenthood. See: usccb.org/news/2015/15-119.cfm. Also see his earlier statement: Cardinal O Malley: Planned Parenthood s Work Reflects Throwaway Culture Decried by Pope Francis, at: usccb.org/news/2015/15-117.cfm. 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