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 In his 1980 encyclical Dives in Misericordia, Pope St. John Paul II wrote that the mercy of Christ reveals that the love of the Father is more primary and fundamental than the Father s justice. Mercy signifies a special power of love, which prevails over the sin and infidelity of the world. And mercy alone is able to justify [humanity], to restore justice in the sense of that salvific order which God willed from the beginning. This does not mean that justice is forgotten. In overcoming sin, love transformed into mercy restores right relationships, or justice, by restoring the dignity and value of the offending party. Mercy actually calls the sinner to conversion, the most concrete expression of the presence of mercy. Consider Luke 7:36-50.; While Jesus is dining at the house of a Pharisee, a sinful woman stands behind him bathing his feet with her tears and anointing them with oil. When the Pharisee objects, Jesus replies, Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little. True mercy is the most profound source of that justice which amounts to our living in right relationship with God to living in the communion that is our salvation. Pope Francis' Year of Mercy Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: "If you knew the gift of God!" You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
February 21, 2016 Glory to Jesus Christ! Liturgy Schedule Monday February 22 8:00 a.m. Lenten Devotions with Supplication to the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday February 23 8:00 a.m. Lenten Devotions with Sermon Wednesday February 24 7:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts ( Walter/ B Zaborowski by Judy, Barb, Sue) Thursday February 25 8:00 a.m. Lenten Devotions with Sermon Friday February 26 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts ( Mary Prischak by Michael Savnik) Saturday February 27 9:00 a.m. 3rd All Souls (Requiem Liturgy, Panachida, Hramoty) Vigil Liturgy 4:00 p.m. Intention of the Parishioners Sunday February 28 10:30 a.m. Edward McGrath by Joe/Carol Csornok Altar Servers Lectors Greeters February 27 4:00 p.m. D. Kattler & C. DeCapua D. Sedlak G. & J. Huntz February 28 10:30 a.m. M. & N. Jaryga, J. & A. Loya T. Martinek K. Strobel & J. Weitzel (Volunteer altar servers needed for Wednesday/Friday Lenten Services and All Souls Saturday.) God tells us to burden Him with whatever burdens us. Don t forget about the weekday liturgical offerings during Lent. Check the listing above and try to fit something into your schedule. The morning services are about a half hour in length. The evening Presanctified Liturgies run about an hour. If you notice a few different prayers being taken at the altar on the weekends, it s because the Liturgy of St. Basil is used during Lent (instead of the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom). Next weekend already marks the mid-point of Lent (which ends the Friday before Palm Sunday Holy Week is a time where we intensify our efforts). The cross will be placed on the tetrapod and the vestments will be red. Forty Days for Life is underway. During this time the rosary will be prayed prior to the start of weekend liturgies for the intention of the unborn. The third 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 A-OK Club thanks anyone who participated in National Random Acts of Kindness Week by sending a card/note to one or more of our shut-ins. In conjunction with the Holy Year of Mercy, Bishop John has expressed his desire for parishes to make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral sometime during this period and have the opportunity for confession. To this end the Cathedral will host evening Vespers on the Sundays of Lent. We are scheduled to be part of this on February 21. The Vespers begin at 5:00 and confessions will be available throughout the evening. (Father will either celebrate or concelebrate Vespers.) Bishop John inaugurated the jubilee year Open the Doors of Mercy on December 20 with prayers and a symbolic entrance to the Cathedral of St. John. We gain special graces by passing through that door. Try and fit this into your Lenten spiritual regimen.
Our Lenten Fish Fries continue this week on Friday. Lunch is served from 11:30-1:00. You can come for dinner between the hours of 4-7. Take-outs are available. Be a good advertiser as well! Our meal has a fine reputation in the area. The Building Commission will meet at 8:00 on Wednesday (right after the Lenten Service). The Social Media Committee will meet next Sunday in the hall after the liturgy. We welcome into the Catholic Church and Community of Believers, Luke John Pegher, first child of Andrew and Danielle, baptized, confirmed and fully initiated at the Sunday liturgy. The BLESS Group will meet on Monday, 7:00 in the Education Center. Sandwich making will take place on Saturday, 9:30 in the Education Center. 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! Annual Church Clean Up Church cleaning has started after evening services on the Fridays of Lent (up until Holy Week). If you re a b l e 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.) Your Weekly Offering February 14, 2016 Sunday: E-giving 19 Student Envelopes: Cash: Candles: Holy Days: Horizons: Initial Envelope Offering: Fuel: Building Fund: In Memory of Steve Riebe: Total: 50/50 Club Congratulations to our monthly winners of $55 each! #276 Gene Filipow #241 Nick Dimarco #184 Joseph Karaffa #65 Joseph Steets $2,494.00 90.00 31.00 84.00 103.00 38.00 15.00 3.00 30.00 35.00 50.00 $2,973.00 Have you remembered St. Joseph Church in your Will and/or Trust? #225 Diane Pilat #70 Daniel Schuk #104 Joyce Podojil #267 Bill Skiba #201 Nick Lizanich New altar server and greeter schedules are available in the mail slots. St. Mary Church (Marblehead) is sponsoring a Women s Retreat March 4-6 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey. The topic is Greater Perfection. The weekend director is Fr. Thomas Loya. Pamphlets containing registration info can be found on the vestibule desk. Bringing America Back to Life, the 7 th annual Pro-Life Convention sponsored by Cleveland Right to Life, is scheduled for March 11 & 12 at Embassy Suites in Independence. Ticket order forms can be picked up on the vestibule desk. St. Mary Magdalene (Fairview Park) is holding a Craft Fair on March 19 from 9-3. Ethnic food will be available for purchase. For more info call 440-734-4644.
ByzanTEEN News 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. Tetelestai is a musical play that portrays the Passion of Christ. A performance by local talent is scheduled for February 27 at Divinity Lutheran Church in Parma Hts. All teens from the parish are invited to attend. We ll begin the evening by attending the 4:00 liturgy and then enjoy some pizza in the hall. There is no charge. Please contact Ron Misconish with any questions (216-392-1540). Lenten Day of Recollection The ByzanTEEN Lenten Day of Recollection will be held at the Cathedral in Parma on February 28 starting at 2:00. The theme for the day is Present yourself as a LIVING SACRIFICE holy and acceptable to God. Newly ordained Father Andrew Summerson will be the presenter. Please see to it that your teen attends! There will be pizza at the close of the session. Participants are encouraged to stay for the 5:00 Vesper Service (parents can take part in this as well). We have joined with five other parishes in the area to host REBOOT! LIVE! a practical exploration of our faith and the ways it s meant to impact our lives, including: prayer, work, dating, marriage, parenting and health. Renowned speaker/ author Chris Stefanick will be the presenter. The date is May 11 from 7:00-9:30 at Assumption Church in Broadview Hts. Tickets are $19 (scholarships are available). Contact Father to make a purchase by the end of this month. The event is expected to be a sell-out. 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