Living the Word of Christ Together Pastor: Deacons: Office Administrator: Rectory Phone: Office Phone: Fax: e-mail: website: Father Bruce Riebe Bill Fredrick, Robert Kirschner Michele Wiltshire 440-526-1818 440-526-0016 440-526-6464 stjoebyz@sbcglobal.net www.stjoebyz.com (During the Lenten Season the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is offered on Wednesday and Friday evenings. You ve seen it advertised in the schedule for the week, but might wonder what it s about.) Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts The authorship of this ancient liturgy celebrated for many years in the Eastern Church can be traced back to St. Gregory Dialogus who simply may have written down on paper what he had heard at a Presanctified Liturgy. What are Presanctified Gifts? To help explain, for a moment let s think of the Divine Liturgy. Since we are celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus and receiving Holy Communion, the Divine Liturgy is a glorious and joyful church service. The consecration of the bread occurs only at a Divine Liturgy. Since a Divine Liturgy is not to be celebrated on weekdays during the Great Fast, the priest saves some of the consecrated bread the presanctified gifts from a Sunday Liturgy to be used during a weekday Presanctified Liturgy. There is a joyous sadness that exists at a Presanctified Liturgy. The sadness comes in remembering the sufferings and death of Jesus, but there is also a joyous feeling as we prepare for his glorious Resurrection. This liturgy is celebrated only during Lent. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is composed of a broad selection of psalms, hymns, Old Testament readings, litanies and familiar prayers such as the Our Father and the prayer at Communion. We also recite the Prayer of St. Ephrem. This short and simple prayer asks God for guidance as we try to show patience and love to other people and to remain free from sin.
March 18, 2018 Glory to Jesus Christ! Liturgy Schedule Monday March 19 8:00 a.m. Lenten Devotions with Supplication to the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday March 20 8:00 a.m. Lenten Devotions with Sermon Wednesday March 21 7:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts Thursday March 22 8:00 a.m. Lenten Devotions with Sermon Friday March 23 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (Intention of Macik Children/Grandchildren by Family) Saturday March 24 Vigil Liturgy 4:00 p.m. Leonard Burncheck by Carol Burncheck Sunday March 25 Palm Sunday (Annunciation) 10:30 a.m. Intention of the Parishioners Altar Servers Lectors Greeters March 24 4:00 p.m. S. Lupia & C. DeCapua R. Evans D. & S. LaFleur March 25 10:30 a.m. T. Macik, J. Warner, S. Jaroscak H. Oros & J. Klinkovsky A. Percic & R. Percic (Volunteers are needed for the Wednesday/Friday Lenten Services.) When you prune something properly, it blossoms more deeply not less. The same can be said of what we give up or sacrifice during Lent. Done well, a sacred blossoming will take place. Palm Sunday/Annunciation Next weekend is a dual Feast. It s Palm Sunday, but we also commemorate the Annunciation Mary s Yes to the Archangel Gabriel. Marian Hymns will be sung and the propers will be a combination of the two events. Palms and pussy willows will still be blessed at the start of both liturgies. Those in attendance will come forward to receive the symbols of victory to hold during the service. Since there s a Marian component, the mirovanije $$ will be given to the Shrine of Mariapoch in Burton next month as part of their Gala festivities on April 14 at the Cathedral in Parma. Thomas Sunday Potluck The annual Thomas Sunday Potluck will take place on April 8 right after liturgy. Sign-up sheets can be found on the vestibule bulletin board. The Men s Club and Ladies Auxiliary will be providing the meats. Each household is asked to bring a side dish. Help us determine the count by indicating your attendance by Easter Sunday. To spice up the afternoon we ve traditionally honored a volunteer as selected by the A-OK Club. This year it will be John Carrig. Weekday Services This is the final week for the Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Lenten Devotions. There s also just three Presanctified Liturgies remaining two this week and one next Wednesday. (Read the related article on the previous bulletin page.) Everyone should ve received the Holy Week/Easter Schedule and Father s accompanying message in the mail. If you didn t, contact the parish office to make sure we have an accurate address. Confession Times There will be some special designated times for confession. Hopefully everyone will make use of this Sacrament of God s mercy and forgiveness prior to the celebration of Easter. March 24 3:00-3:45 Palm Sunday 9:30-10:15 Good Friday 8:00-?:?? Holy Saturday 2:00-3:30 All-Night Grave Vigil The poster sign-up board can be found in the vestibule for the Good Friday All-Night Vigil. We re looking for people to make one-hour commitments. For many, it has become a tradition and an important time with the Lord. Multiple watchers (keeping watch at the tomb) certainly is acceptable for each hour.
GCU Lodge 302 is sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt (for children ages twelve and under) on Palm Sunday right after liturgy. Participants are asked to bring jars of peanut butter or jelly to be given to the St. Joseph Outreach (monetary donations will also be accepted). For more information contact Diana Simpson (330-205-0476). The Week Ahead The Women s BLESS Group and Men s Fellowship/Book Group will meet on Monday, 7:00, in the Education Center. Sandwich making will take place on Saturday at 9:30 in the Education Center. The choir will rehearse for Easter next Sunday at 9:00 in the loft. Reverse Raffle The Men s Club Reverse Raffle is April 27. Tickets are $100 a couple. Contact Joe Csornok if you are interested (216-524-6344). This is the final week for our Lenten Fish Fries (there will not be an event on Good Friday). Serving is from 11:30-1:00 for lunch and 4-7 for the evening meal. Carry-outs are available. Let s pack the hall! Next weekend you ll have the opportunity to sign-up for a photo session in conjunction with our upcoming Pictorial Directory. (The ability to make a reservation online will present itself on Mondays through Fridays starting March 26.) Photographers from Lifetouch will be in the Education Center on the following days/ times: April 18,19, 20 (2:00-9:00) April 21 (9:00-3:00) May 18 (2:00-9:00) May 19 (9:00-3:00) 50/50 Club Results Congratulations to our February winners. Each received $60.00! #152 Bill Bockanic, Sr. #80 Mary Pinchak #97 Ron Szucs #199 John Schomer Divine Mercy Sunday We once again will be hosting prayers for Divine Mercy Sunday starting at 3:00 on April 8. You are invited to take part. Pussy Willows Anyone bringing pussy willows for next weekend can drop them off in the usher s room. (Please trim any protruding branches.) Community News Your Weekly Offering March 11, 2018 Sunday: e-giving: 18 Student Envelopes: Cash: Candles: Flowers: Building Fund: Easter: Total: $2,855.00 50.00 22.00 81.00 124.10 10.00 60.00 100.00 $3,302.10 Interested in E-Giving??? St. Mary Byzantine Church (Cleveland) is holding a Spring Polka Party on April 8 from 2-6 at the Crystal Chalet. The $10 cost includes the food but not the bar. Call 216-749-7980 for more info. Holy Spirit Church (Parma) is sponsoring a Spring Craft & Garden Show on April 14 from 9-3. (Anyone interested in renting a table should call Lisa at 216-570-8201.) The Garfield Hts. K of C is holding a Night at the Races on April 21. Tickets are $15 and include food & beer. For tickets, ads and horses contact Steve at 440-886-1973.
PARISH INFORMATION St. Patrick Although he is the patron saint of Ireland, Patrick was not a native of that country; he was born in Scotland in 385. When he was just 14 he was captured and taken to Ireland, where he was enslaved. During this time of trial, he turned to God for comfort and strength. He would pray each morning and he felt no sadness. After Patrick had been in Ireland for six years, God came to him in a dream and told him to go home. Patrick escaped and was reunited with his family, but he still heard the Irish calling to him in dreams. Patrick entered the priesthood and eventually became a bishop. After many years of doing great work in Rome, Patrick was sent to Ireland to spread the message of the Gospel because he was able to speak Celtic, and so was able to communicate with the Irish. Patrick s mission wasn t an easy one. Druidism (an ancient Celtic religion) was widely practiced in Ireland, and many Druids would rather have killed Patrick than convert. He and his followers were imprisoned and sentenced to death many times. But Patrick s faith in God was strong, and he knew he could keep going spreading God s name everywhere with confidence and without fear. Patrick preached all over Ireland using a shamrock to explain the Trinity and converting thousands with his quiet, unassuming manner and gentle way of speaking. As a man of God, Patrick was known for him humility and disinterest in material wealth. He wouldn t accept gifts from admirers and often retreated in quiet prayer. By the time he died in 461, Patrick had converted virtually all of Ireland to Christianity, and he is a reminder that God speaks to us through His servants. 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