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 St. Nicholas Celebration Next Sunday we celebrate the Patron Saint of Byzantine Catholics (St. Nicholas) with our annual potluck following the Divine Liturgy. The atmosphere is always festive. Why not make it a point to attend. (If you haven t signed the list posted in the vestibule, call Father by Monday evening with how many will be coming and what you ll bring to add to the buffet line. The Men s Club and Ladies Auxiliary will supply the meats.) At the close of liturgy that day Saint Nicholas will lead all the children out of church down to the hall foyer where he will meet with them near the Christmas tree. Chances are he ll have a bag of treats for them as well! Once St. Nick is finished with the children the potluck will begin. As tables are called to the dinner line, the A-OK Club has arranged for a fun game of St. Nicholas Family Feud. (Rumor has it that Father will attempt to be Steve Harvey!) When everyone has had a chance to eat, there will be music for dancing (young and old alike). Make plans to attend!
November 26, 2017 Christ is Among Us! Liturgy Schedule Monday November 27 8:00 a.m. Anne Beck by Chris/Deanne Grechko Tuesday November 28 8:00 a.m. Rudy Kozan by Dr. Bogomir Kuhar Wednesday November 29 8:00 a.m. William/Anna Karaffa by Millie Karaffa Thursday November 30 8:00 a.m. James Vaughn by Bob Karges Friday December 1 8:00 a.m. Donald Lang by Bea Chrustic Saturday December 2 4:00 p.m. Sylvestor Ziglinski by Macik Family Sunday December 3 10:30 a.m. Intention of the Parishioners Altar Servers Lectors Greeters December 2 4:00 p.m. S. Lupia & C. DeCapua J. Foreman D. & S. LaFleur December 3 10:30 a.m. A. Steen, J.P. Masters K. Ulrich K. Lambourne & M. Cohn A. Masters & D. Tytko The first duty of love is to listen. Today, as declared by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is a Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. In addition, this week is supposed to be utilized for awareness and education on the theme of Solidarity in Suffering. Bishop Milan has asked all parishes to participate in some way. We will be showing the documentary Faithkeepers on Thursday, 7:00, in the Activity Center. This film presents the history and widespread persecution of Christians across the Middle East. It is packed with stories from children and their parents who have witnessed the violence firsthand (50 minute running time). Invite your friends and neighbors. Giving Tree This year s Giving Tree recipients will be children from Our Lady of Peace Catholic School in Cleveland. Father Doug Brown has indicated that many of the kids are from families at or near the poverty level. In addition, there will be tags for gift cards (if you don t have time/energy to shop but would still like to participate). These will be given to families in our parish in need of assistance. Presents need to be returned by December 17 (wrapped and under the tree). The keepsake angel ornament is yours! Stewardship Campaign The annual Diocesan Stewardship Campaign kicks off this week. All parishioners will receive a form in the mail. In the past the drive started in September, but because of changes in the chancery staff, there was a delay. Our assigned goal remains at $14,000.00. Let s show our support toward Bishop Milan, our new administrator, for this much needed appeal. As in previous years, pledge forms can be returned via U.S. mail or the collection basket. Checks are made payable to St. Joseph Church. We mail a lump sum to the chancery. (This year s form is supposed to contain a section where you can offer your time/ talent in a more concrete manner.)
It s time for another First Fryday Fish Fry. Serving is from 4:00-6:30. Carryouts are available. The Blue Plate Special will be pork loin. Volunteers are needed from 1:30 on through clean-up. ECF Resumes Next Sunday ECF classes resume next Sunday at 9:00. We bid a fond farewell to Gary Julian. He is moving to Kansas City to be closer to two of his adult children and their families. May God grant to His Servant Gary many years of peace, health and happiness! The Week Ahead The Finance Commission will meet on Wednesday at 7:00. Sandwich making for the homeless is scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 in the Education Center. The choir will practice next Sunday, 9:00, in the loft. Interested? Contact Theresa Plishka (570-357-3023). 50/50 Club Results from the 50/50 Banquet will be listed in next week s Byzzline. (We faced an early deadline for this issue because of Thanksgiving.) Anyone interested in joining should contact chairman Joe Csornok (216-524-6344). The cost is $70 with an opportunity to win a weekly prize of $60 and be eligible for cash at the grand drawing totaling $3,000.00. (The cost includes a seat at the November 16 banquet with food, open bar and a live band.) The proceeds go into the parish general fund. Your Weekly Offering Due to an early bulletin transmission deadline, the offering report from last weekend could not be listed. It will be included next week. Mirovanije $$ Mirovanije $$ from today will be forwarded to Fr. Jan Cizmar to benefit his priest friend (and family) in Slovakia (Fr. Jan Sabol). Father mentioned in a sermon that his wife died of cancer at the age of 32 in September. They are facing financial struggles. Communion Visits Communion will be taken to the sick/shut-in on Friday between the hours of 9:00 and 2:00. Sanctuary Lamp The sanctuary lamp will burn during the month of December for the intention of the Chrustic family. Altar Server & Greeter Schedules New altar server and greeter schedules can be found in the mail slots and on our website. ECF Banners on Display in Church The Spirit of Giving banners created by the ECF children will remain in the church until after the Feast of St. Nicholas. Parishioners physically unable to attend church are brought Communion every first Friday of the month by Father and Deacon Bill. We presently have the following men and women on our route. Monthly Visitation List Marge Asmondy (Joshua Tree Care Center) Paul Asmondy (Medina Legacy) Mary Jane Dietz (Greenbrier Healthcare) Anne Doane (St. Luke Lutheran Community) Rita Farago (home) Betty Fedor (home) Bertha Galaida (Parma Legacy) Mike Grocky (home) Mary Janocko (home) Helen Kapa (home) Helen Lawer (The Oaks) Ben Lupia (Anna Maria Nursing Home) Elsie Marchak (home) Mary Ann Martinek (Jennings Garfield Hts.) Helen Sasala (Pleasantview Healthcare) June Slepecky (home) Paul Triffon (Bath Creek Estates) Fr. Lawrence Wolf (Jennings Garfield Hts.) (If anyone else needs to be added to this list, please contact Father.)
PARISH INFORMATION The Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a Cookie Walk on December 10 from 11:30-1:30 (or sooner if cookies are sold out). There will be an assortment of homemade Christmas cookies you can choose from. Containers will be provided. The cost is $10/lb. Gluten free choices will also be available. On that day there will also be a hot chocolate bar (no charge) and cookie decorating for children (2 for a dollar). For more information contact Carrie Hotaling at carrie@hotalingassoc.com. ACME Cash Back Program The ACME Cash Back Program benefitting the Ladies Auxiliary comes to a close at the end of December. When you shop there, please bring your receipts (or those of a friend or relative) to church and place them in the box beneath the mail slots. Parish Post Office Take advantage of our Parish Post Office by sending fellow parishioners a Christmas Card. It s only a nickel (benefitting the A-OK Club) and a full address is not needed (just a name). In the same breath, make sure you check your slot each time you come to church. The Garfield Heights Knights of Columbus is participating in the Coats for Kids program. A number of our parishioners belong to this council (including Deacon Bill the Associate Chaplain). They have asked that collection bins be placed in the vestibule from November 25 through December 10. If you are inclined to participate, please do. Community News St. John Church (Solon) is selling nut and poppyseed rolls on December 2 starting at 2:30. Call 330-840-0331 for more info. St. Mary Byzantine School (Cleveland) is holding a Pizza Brawl on December 7 from 6-8 at Holy Spirit Church Hall (Parma). Eleven pizza parlors will be represented. For tickets and prices call 216-749-7980. AMVETS Post 80 (Maple Hts) is looking for members. No dues. If you would like more info, call Commander Chuck Keshock (216-581-7554). Religious Article Counter Our re-organized religious article counter has a lot of new items. Some may be suitable as gifts. We re anticipating another delivery of Nativity candles. The stand should be open before and after the weekend liturgies up until Christmas. 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