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 ETERNAL MEMORY Marked on our liturgical calendar this month can be found two of the five Saturdays on which we publicly commemorate our beloved departed. This year those dates are February 20 and 27 (2nd and 3rd All Souls). On these five Saturdays our Church has us remember publicly those who have departed from us to eternal life with the offering of a Divine Liturgy followed by a Panachida during which all the names of our beloved deceased are commemorated and read. As we prepare for the radiant resurrection of our Savior from the dead, our Church reminds us particularly during the period of the Great Fast that death separates us only bodily from our loved ones, not spiritually. Sacred Scripture, Holy Tradition and the writings of the Saints help us focus on death as a transition from earthly to everlasting life. The beautiful prayer attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi ends,...it is in dying that we are born to everlasting life. Saint Paul, writing to the Corinthians for the first time, declares, I tell you a mystery...we shall all be changed. For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, Death is the end of man s earthly pilgrimage, of the time of grace and mercy which God offers him so as to work out his earthly life in keeping with the divine plan, and to decide his ultimate destiny. For this reason, since a person who has passed from this life can no longer merit God s favor, the Church urges us, the living, to pray on their behalf for their blessed repose especially on the yearly anniversary of death in addition to the All Souls Saturdays described earlier. It has been a respected and pious practice at the time of death to request the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the repose of the newly departed. Although death understandably brings sorrow, grief and lamentation, since as humans we experience these emotions, the evangelist John writes in the Book of Revelation, I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away...god Himself will wipe away every tear...and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (21:1-4) Moreover, as Christians we are inspired by Jesus words to Martha at the tomb of her brother, Lazarus, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me, although he dies, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. (John 11:25) May our beloved deceased rest in peace and their memory be eternal.
February 28, 2016 Glory to Jesus Christ! Liturgy Schedule Monday February 29 8:00 a.m. Lenten Devotions with Supplication to the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday March 1 8:00 a.m. Lenten Devotions with Sermon Wednesday March 2 7:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts ( Dolores Lechko by Richard/Linda Szucs) Thursday March 3 8:00 a.m. Lenten Devotions with Sermon Friday March 4 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts ( Josephine Hanigosky by Family) Saturday March 5 9:00 a.m. 4th All Souls (Requiem Liturgy, Panachida, Hramoty) Vigil Liturgy 4:00 p.m. Intention of the Parishioners Sunday March 6 10:30 a.m. Helen Greb by Lisa Greb/Phil Burne Altar Servers Lectors Greeters March 5 4:00 p.m. C. & G. Lupia B. Fortlage J. & J. Foreman March 6 10:30 a.m. C. & T. Macik, C. Csornok H. Pariza & J. Carrig J. Cohn & G. Karaffa Volunteer altar servers needed for Wednesday/Friday Lenten Services and All Souls Saturday.) The only petition in the Lord s prayer that has a condition attached is the one on forgiveness. During this Jubilee Year of Mercy a great opportunity to be a recipient of this mercy will be March 15. A Reconciliation Service will be offered at 7:00 p.m. It will consist of some brief prayers, a short homily (from Father Miron) and then individual confessions. Five priests will be available. In addition to Fr. Bruce and Fr. Jan, you ll be able to choose between Fr. Dennis Hrubiak, Fr. Andrew Summerson (newly ordained in December) and the aforementioned Fr. Miron. Try and seize this wonderful moment for the Sacrament of Mercy! Have you attended any Lenten Services yet? On Wednesday and Friday evenings the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated (combination Vespers & Communion Service with special Lenten melodies). If you prefer mornings, try the Lenten Devotions on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. The times are listed above. The fourth of five All Souls Saturdays is this week. The Requiem Liturgy begins at 9:00. It will include a Panachida (prayers for the deceased) and the reading of the Hramoty (names of our departed family members). The final commemoration will be on May 14. Next weekend the sign-up poster for the All Night Vigil at the tomb (starting on Good Friday after the Vesper Liturgy) will be in the vestibule. We re looking for one hour time slots to be filled. For many people this is one of the highlights of Holy Week. March 11 isn t just any Friday, it s S.O.M.E Friday (SoOthersMayEat). Watch for details in next week s Byzz Line!
Another Lenten Fish Fry is in the offing on Friday. Serving is from 11:30-1:00 (for lunch) and 4-7 (for dinner). Take-outs are available. There s a lot of competition out there, try and encourage your friends to pay us a visit! We have a fine reputation. The BLESS Group will meet on Monday at 7:00 in the Education Center. The Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday at 7:00. The Finance Commission will meet on Thursday at 6:30. Investment strategies will be re-visited. Sandwich making will take place on Saturday, 9:30, in the hall. Annual Church Clean Up Church cleaning has started after evening services on the Fridays of Lent (up until Holy Week). If you re able to assist, just hang around in the vestibule and you ll be given a task. (The church gets vacuumed every week, but this is our annual thorough cleaning.) Parish sympathies are offered to Marie McGrath. Her mother, Marie Schick was buried recently at the age of 87. GCU Lodge 302 is holding a Game Night on March 12 in the Activity Center. Doors open at 5:30. A light dinner, pop and coffee will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring a favorite game and an appetizer or dessert. Please RSVP to Bea Chrustic (216-475-3052). Non-GCU members are welcome to come! The ByzanTEEN Catholic Forum Group will meet next Sunday in the choir loft at 9:00. All high school students are encouraged to attend. Your Weekly Offering February 21, 2016 Sunday: 10 Student Envelopes: Cash: Candles: Horizons: Initial Envelope Offering: Fuel: Total: $3,530.00 10.00 80.00 127.00 24.00 3.00 50.00 $3,824.00 Interested in E-Giving??? Communion will be taken to the sick/shut-in on Friday between the hours of 9-2. The sanctuary lamp will burn during the month of March in memory of Helen Greb. New altar server and greeter schedules can be found in the mail slots and on our website. The Ladies Auxiliary would like to thank everyone who supported last Sunday s Spaghetti Dinner. The Chinese Raffle winners are listed below. Chocolate Basket Danielle Flowers Italian Basket Janet Marcinik Afghan Basket Frank Hanigosky Kids Basket Bobby Farrell The wreath surrounding the cross on the tetrapod, marking the mid-point of Lent, was donated in memory of Ron Tirpak. Please remember all of the sick/suffering in your prayers, especially Charlotte Picha (St. Augustine Towers; rehab); Mary Jane Dietz (Greenbrier Healthcare; rehab) and Donna Neal (home).
SUNDAY OF THE CROSS Paul reminded the Corinthians, We proclaim Christ crucified. Christ s weakness is stronger than any human strength. The power of the cross is greater than anything the world or evil has to combat it. The Lenten season is one of repentance, self-denial, almsgiving, and prayer. Many in our modern world do not see any wisdom in denying themselves anything. Those swept away in a consumer culture want more and they want it faster, bigger, and better. They also are looking for easy and quick satisfaction, unwilling to wait long. Paul speaks of the foolishness of God and how it is wiser than any human wisdom. Lent is a time to put aside that which we feel and think as humans and put on the attitude of Christ. The cross of Christ is neither very easy nor fleeting, and it will ask us to deny our very selves for him. To the human mind it makes no sense. However, by putting on Christ and seeing with His eyes, we see reality with clarity. Our sacrifice can lead to riches that only a foolish man would cover. But it is exactly there that we are satisfied and fulfilled. Our ByzanTEENS are once again involved with a Honey Baked Ham fundraiser. This year the procedure is a bit different. A gift card needs to be purchased on-line (Go to: honeybakedfundraiser.sbgiftcards.com/stjoseph-byzanteen-fundraiser). If you plan on buying a Honey Baked Ham for Easter or just want to support our teens, make sure you order that gift card. It will be shipped directly to whatever address you d like it to go. If you have questions, call our Youth Director, Ron Misconish (216-392-1540). ByzanTEEN Day of Recollection The ByzanTEEN Lenten Day of Recollection is today at the Cathedral in Parma at 2:00. We d like all of our teens to participate in this spiritual opportunity. The 2016 National ByzanTEEN Youth Rally will be held in the Cleveland area! Notre Dame College in South Euclid is the site. The event is July 7-10. Father is on the planning committee and promises the time will be well spent. The theme is The Lord is my Rock and my Refuge: Fearless. Each day features dynamic speakers, prayer, sports, crafts and the opportunity to meet Byzanteens from all over the country. The Saturday evening dance will be held at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a live band. The cost is $300. (In the past our parish organizations have been gracious enough to help defray some of that.) Registration forms can be obtained from Ron Misconish (216-392-1540) or Father. We would like to be well represented, as we have in the past. Ages 13-19 are eligible (13 by July 10). Register your teens today! No money is due until the June 1 deadline. 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