Every month we give everyone in the Parish two opportunities to spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament: The first Friday of the month from 8:00-9:00am, and the second Wednesday of the month from 6:00-9:00pm.

     Having these opportunities for prayer was requested by several parishioners and taken on as a ministry of our Holy Name Society. It was my hope from the beginning that interest would grow in this devotion, and individuals would commit to spending specific time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Liturgical regulations require that at least one person be present for adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

     It is getting more and more difficult to have people commit to a specific time of prayer and on two occasions this year, there was no one in the Church with the Blessed Sacrament at the end of the session. The latest occurrence was last week, April 8^th, and we almost had a tragedy. Deacon Pecek came to Church to repose the Blessed Sacrament and lock the Church and found no one there. As he was locking up, he collapsed in the front vestibule. When he regained strength, he picked himself up off the floor, finished locking the church and went home. It turned out that he had a heart attack. Whether it was mild or severe, any heart attack at his age is serious. If there was someone in the Church, he may have gotten help faster.

     During May and June, I want everyone in the Parish to seriously consider the possibility of spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and to commit to a specific time, be it fifteen minutes, a half hour, or longer. In the Book Room, there is a sign-up sheet to indicate your willingness to be present. Please sign up. We will continue to announce these times in the bulletin and, if after two months, we can’t fill all the time slots, we will discontinue this practice here in our Parish. I am hopeful that we will have a renewed interest in this devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

 

                            God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice

HOME MISSIONS

There are many places here in the United States and in its overseas dependencies where the Church is poor, communities are scattered, and priests are few. Money given to the Catholic Home Missions Appeal helps Catholic communities across America survive and thrive by underwriting evangelization, religious education, education for future priests, training for lay ministers, and poor parishes that would have to close their doors without outside help.
       The Catholic Home Missions Appeal helps strengthen the Catholic Church at home. More than ninety-two cents of every dollar contributes goes directly to the missions. We will be accepting donations for this appeal next weekend. Please use the envelopes provided.

HEALING AFTER DIVORCE

In any endeavor, taking the first step is always the most difficult. The First Step Program of our Diocesan Tribunal helps individuals navigate the part of healing and closure after divorce, of which the annulment process is an important aspect. The next First Step program will be on Tuesday, May 12, at St. Gabriel Parish in Concord at 7:00pm. For more information contact Father Bacevice, look at the Tribunal website www.dioceseofcleveland.org/tribunal or call the Tribunal Office at 216-696-6525, ext 4000. There is no fee for this process.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

On next Pancake Breakfast will take place on Sunday, May 3^rd in our Lower Hall after all the Masses (8:30am to1:30pm). All are invited to come down and enjoy the best pancakes in North Collinwood. Tickets are now available at the main entrance to the Church after the English Masses, in the Lower Hall after the 10:00 Mass, and at the Rectory during office hours. Adult tickets are $7 and children 6 to 13 are $4 at the door. Save $1 by purchasing your tickets in advance.

CATHOLICS IN THEIR 20's AND 30's

      Looking for something to do that engages your faith? Visit www.cyacleveland.org (Catholic Young Adults) for a calendar of events for Catholics in their 20's and 30's. Listings include social nights, networking events, prayer groups, service opportunities and more. Are you a young adult or parish leader with an event to share? Add it to the CYA calendar. The listing is free.

 

HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR PLANTS?
 

This Sunday is the last day to place your flower and vegetable orders from the Altar Society’s plant sale. Order blanks can be found at the entrances to the church on the bulletin tables. Return your order in the collection basket or drop it off at the rectory.