Living the Word of Christ Together January 29: Three Holy Hierarchs Pastor: Deacons: Office Administrator: Rectory Phone: Office Phone: Fax: e-mail: website: The feast originated around the year 1100 in Byzantium to settle a dispute over which of the three bishops was more important (St. Basil, St. John Chrysostom, or St. Gregory). The feast was established reportedly after a monk received a vision and was instructed that all three were of equal status. Father Bruce Riebe Bill Fredrick, Robert Kirschner Michele Wiltshire 440-526-1818 440-526-0016 440-526-6464 stjoebyz@sbcglobal.net www.stjoebyz.com There are certain characteristics appropriate to the rank of bishop which all three exhibit. All three are dressed in the omophorian, typically wearing the polystarion (multi-crossed) sakkos or phelonion. The alternating light and dark colored cross pattern which compose this vestment reminds the bishop of the many crosses which he takes upon himself in the service of his faithful in the diocese. He serves as the teacher, the maintainer of true doctrines, the disciplinarian, and beloved father for his clergy and faithful. All three figures reverently clasp a book of gospels. Even though these three hierarchs wrote copious volumes of sermons, scripture interpretation, divine liturgies and monastic rules, they are depicted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which supersedes any of their writings. This points out the pre-eminence of the bishop s task in the proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel. All three countenances of the bishops also portray them as men of prayer and frequent fasting. Prominent foreheads for each of these saints indicate the profound wisdom each pondered and taught during their lives, indicating that the Holy Spirit was upon them. Each is bearded, indicating maturity in the spiritual life. All three hierarchs are vested in liturgical vestments which underline their role as presider in the celebration of the Eucharist. Let us join together in prayer honoring them with hymns. Friday is a Simple Holyday. The liturgy will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. (The usual date for this Feast is the 30 th, but because of the first All Souls Saturday, the commemoration is moved ahead one day.)
January 24, 2016 Glory to Jesus Christ! Liturgy Schedule Monday January 25 8:00 a.m. Reinaldo Rivera by Brittany Bockanic Tuesday January 26 8:00 a.m. Louise Pasternak by Jean/Mike Karaffa Wednesday January 27 8:00 a.m. Health of Marie Blasee by Carol Urick Thursday January 28 8:00 a.m. Eleanor O Kresz by Deacon Bill/Nancy Fredrick Friday January 29 Simple Holyday: Three Holy Hierarchs 7:00 p.m. Kathryn Shirilla by Donna Glasko Saturday January 30 9:00 a.m. 1st All Souls (Requiem Liturgy, Panachida, Hramoty) Vigil Liturgy 4:00 p.m. Intention of the Parishioners Sunday January 31 10:30 a.m. George Martinek by Family Altar Servers Lectors Greeters January 29 7:00 p.m. B. Kirschner & C. Lupia January 30 4:00 p.m. D. Kattler & C. DeCapua J. Valus J. & J. Foreman January 31 10:30 a.m. C. & T. Macik, S. Jaroscak K. Strobel & J. Weitzel J. Cohn & G. Karaffa (Altar Server volunteers needed for All Souls Saturday.) True wisdom is the accurate perception of what is really important. ALL Saturday is the first of five All Souls Saturdays. There will be a Requiem Liturgy starting at 9:00. A number of hymns will be sung in Old Slavonic (the requiem melodies flow better in that language). At the close of the liturgy a Panachida (prayer service for the deceased) will be taken along with the reading of the Hramoty names of our departed family members. (The names are retained from year to year, but new submissions SOULS SATURDAYS need to be provided by using the appropriate envelope found in your box.) If you have submitted names over the years please try and attend at least one of the five services. (The next three are consecutive during Lent refer to your calendar, and the final one is on the day before Pentecost.) The 2015 financial report (which will include your individual donation for the year) should be available in the vestibule next weekend. The document will also list statistical information (baptisms, deaths, marriages, converts) and an update on parish investments. Save the date of May 11 for an opportunity to hear internationally known speaker/ author Chris Stefanick. The program is called REBOOT LIVE! It will be held at Assumption Church in Broadview Hts. We are one of six parishes sponsoring this event (along with St. Basil, Assumption, St. Michael, St. Columbkille and St. Matthias). Tickets will be available soon. Another house blessing season is in the books. Father would like to thank those on this year s route for doing their best to accommodate the schedule. Next year the stops will be for parishioners living in the outlying areas.
The annual Spaghetti Dinner sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary is February 21. Serving is from 11:30-1:30. Tickets are $10 (ages eleven and above) and $4 (ages 4-10). The BLESS Group will meet on Monday at 7:00 in the Education Center. The Building Commission will meet on Thursday at 6:00. Sandwich making will take place on Saturday at 9:30 in the Education Center. We welcome to the parish Andy and Kathy Poticny of Parma. It s great to have you! Parish sympathies are extended to Louis (Chris) Colorito. His father, Louis, was buried in Pennsylvania at the age of 88. Your Weekly Offering January 17, 2016 Sunday: e-giving: 9 Student Envelopes: Cash: Candles: Holy Days: Horizons: Initial Envelope Offering: Total: $2,850.00 40.00 18.00 49.00 90.00 10.00 55.00 11.00 $3,123.00 Interested in E-Giving??? The Ladies Auxiliary is in the midst of a membership drive. The by-laws list the purpose of the group as To bring women together for furthering Christ s teachings, promote group Christian activities, develop friendships, build close family ties within the parish and raise funds for the church. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 and typically last less than an hour. Food is provided afterwards (usually pizza/salad). There are two designations of membership: Active (attend monthly meetings and participate in functions) Supportive (attend and assist based on availability) Dues are $5. If you are interested, forms can be found on the desk in the vestibule. (Contact Diana Simpson with questions at 330-205-0476 or dilynnsi@yahoo.com.) Please remember all of the sick/ suffering in your prayers, especially Charlotte Picha (St. Augustine Towers; rehab); Mary Jane Dietz (Greenbrier Healthcare; rehab) and Betty Fedor (home).
Mulligans and God s Ways Let s say that while playing a friendly game of golf, your tee shot goes into the creek instead of on the green. It s a horrible shot, but a mulligan can wipe the slate clean and all you to try the shot again without having to count the previous bad shot in the score. Simply defined, a mulligan provides a perfect second chance to erase a misstep on the golf course as well as in other areas of life. The parable to the Prodigal Son is a perfect Scriptural example of the gift of a mulligan. Long before the younger son reaches home, his father runs to welcome him and erase the distance between them with an unconditional love reflective of God. Forgiveness and reconciliation come before the one who needs it asks. God always offers us a mulligan and He does it with no strings attached. However, God expects that as we pray forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others who trespass against us, we also will offer mulligans to others our children, our spouse, our friends, and those folks we really do not tolerate very well. May we always remember that a mulligan is God s loving gift to us, and one we need to pass on to someone else because of that love. Second chances and do-overs are a beautiful thing! God s capacity to forgive is greater than our capacity to sin; while our sin reaches far, God s grace reaches farther. 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