40 DAYS FOR LIFE

From March 1^st to April 9^th everyone is invited to join other Christians for 40 Days for Life – forty days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. In addition, this movement invites those who are able to give witness by publicly praying in front of abortion providers locations in the area. For more information, or to volunteer, contact John Noall at 216-245-9744 or e-mail at: clevelandpraysforlife@gmail.com

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Our next Pancake Breakfast will be Sunday, February 26^th in our Lower Hall after all the Masses (8:30am -1:30pm). All are invited to come 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. Tickets prices at the door: adults - $7, children 6 to 13 - $4. Save $1 by purchasing your tickets in advance.

CATHOLIC MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

On Saturday, March 25, the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Northeast Ohio is holding its 17^th annual “Answer the Call” conference at the Holiday Inn on Rockside Road, Independence. The conference theme is “What does it take to be a Catholic Man.” The speakers will be Tim Staples, Fr. Michael Denk, and Elvis Grbac. For more information go to: www.cmfneo.com

SEMINARY FUND RAISER

On Friday, February 24^th, students at St. Mary Seminary will have their annual Mardi Gras fund raiser at the Center for Pastoral Leadership (28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe), from 5-8 pm. All are invited to the seminary to enjoy New Orleans style cuisine. Tickets can be purchased at the door: $10 for adults, and $5 for children under 12 years old. For more information, call 440-943-7600.

LITHUANIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY:

Thursday, February 16^th is Lithuanian Independence Day, remembering the 99^th anniversary of the signing of Lithuania’s Declaration of Independence. Our parish joins with the entire Lithuanian community in Cleveland to commemorate this day.

     Friday, February 17^th, at 7:00pm in our Upper Hall, the Vytautas Magnus University Chamber Orchestra from Kaunas, Lithuania, will perform a “Celebrate Freedom Concert,” followed by refreshments. Adult concert tickets: $20 in advance/$25 at the door; 18 and under - free. For tickets and to reserve seats, contact Virginija Motiejunas: 216-289-0608 or: lbcleveland@yahoo.com  

     Sunday, February 19^th, the religious celebration will take place beginning at 9:50am with flag raising at the Freedom Monument in our Neff Rd. parking lot, followed by Mass. This year the children from our Lithuanian School, and the Lithuanian Boy and Girl Scouts will raise the flags, process into the Church, present the Offertory gifts and offer a communion reflection. The independence celebration will conclude with the showing of the film “The Partizan’s Wife” at the Gintaras Restaurant at the Lithuanian Club at 1:00pm. Admission is free.

     We invite everyone to celebrate Lithuanian Independence at the concert on Friday, February 17^th, with our children on Sunday, February 19^th or at the Lithuanian Club on Sunday afternoon.

 The 2017 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal begins in each parish this weekend. Please read the insert in this week’s bulletin which includes parish goal information and an overview of the importance of Catholic Charities in our communities.

     This year’s appeal theme is You Did It For Me. In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for the least among us, you did it for Me.” With your help, we are able to feed the hungry, take care of the sick, and welcome the stranger, just as Jesus has asked us to do. How will we respond as a community of faith?

     As in the past, an in-pew commitment process will take place next weekend, February 11-12. All who have not received the mailing from Bishop Thomas, or have not had a chance to respond to it, will be asked to consider making a generous pledge to support the ministries and services provided by Catholic Charities. If you received the mailing, please respond to it. There is a box on the in-pew envelope to indicate that you have responded by mail. Our parish goal for this year is $14,258.00.

     I invite you to view the stories of inspiration and for more information at: www.catholiccommunity.org/2017Appeal.
 

God Bless!   Fr. Joe Bacevice

5^th ANNUAL “SOUP FOR THE SOUL”

THIS WEEKEND - February 11-12, after all the Masses, both Saturday and Sunday, the Altar Society invites everyone in the parish to savor a hearty bowl of soup (your choice of two kinds) with bread, and to spend some time with your fellow parishioners. Eat in or take-out in the lower hall after the Sunday 10:00 and 12:00 Masses; take-out in the church vestibule after Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 8:00am Masses. Adult donation - $5,(second bowl -$3) children under 12 - $2. Proceeds go to the Altar Society operating fund for 2017 and to purchase needed items for the Church.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
 

Birthright is a pregnancy service that helps pregnant women and new mothers. They are currently looking for volunteers at their Eastside location to answer the phones, make up infant layettes and help women find community resources. No experience is necessary and training is provided. Those interested in helping Birthright help women in the community, please call Toni Sabo at 216-228-2800 for more information.

RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS IN THEIR 20's AND 30's
 

Are you experiencing a lot of change in your life? Perhaps this retreat can help you in that journey by offering an opportunity to meet other young adults and reflect on your transitions as they connect with Jesus’ journey to resurrection. The “What Next” retreat will be held at Bethany Retreat Center in Chardon, Ohio from Saturday, March 25^th at 8:30am until noon on Sunday, March 26^th. Mass is included in the retreat. The cost of $45 includes meals and supplies. Scholarships are available. For more information or to register, see www.CharisMinistries.org or contact Sr. Kelly Rush, SND at krush@ndec.org or call 440-241-3124.