TIME CHANGE

Daylight Savings Time begins next Sunday, March 12^th, at 2:00am. Remember to set your clocks AHEAD one hour before going to bed next Saturday, otherwise you will be late for Mass on Sunday.

THANK YOU

We thank everyone who worked so hard to put on our pancake breakfast last Sunday and special thanks to the 109 people who came to our hall enjoy the best pancake breakfast in the area. After all expenses, $555.64 was donated to the parish.

COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCHES IN EASTERN EUROPE

Next weekend we will be accepting offerings for our annual collection to support the Churches in Eastern Europe. The Lithuanian Church receives funds from this collections, and the Lithuanian Bishops have written us to ask you to be generous.

FROM THE DIOCESE

Out of pastoral solicitude, Bishop Daniel Thomas has formally dispensed the faithful of the Diocese of Cleveland from the obligation to abstain from meat on the Memorial of Saint Patrick, Bishop, which will be observed this year on Friday, March 17. Those who choose to partake of meat on that day are encouraged to undertake another penance that day in the form of corporal or spiritual work of mercy. In this way, the faithful Catholic still keeps the penitential spirit of a Friday in Lent and unites oneself more closely with the suffering Christ and His Church.

PRAYERS FOR LITHUANIA

Each year, the Lithuanian Bishops have asked Lithuanian Parishes throughout the world for a day of prayer for Lithuania on the first Sunday of March. As a Lithuanian parish, this weekend we offer our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Lithuania and throughout the world that they grow closer to God through a greater participation in the sacramental life of the Church.

RACE AND GRACE: LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

Join us to celebrate the legacy of Catholic Sisters during National Catholic Sisters week. On Sunday, March 12^th, we invite you to gather for an energizing intergenerational dialogue on race. All are welcome, with a special invitation extended to young adults in their 20's and 30's. This event is sponsored by the Conference of Religious Leaders and the Coalition with Young Adults.
For more information and to register, visit Evenbrite or e-mail to:
coalitionyoungadults@gmail.com

CATHOLIC MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

On Saturday, March 25^th, the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Northeast Ohio is holding its 17^th annual “Answer the Call” conference at the Holiday Inn on Rockside Rd. in Independence, Ohio. Speakers include Tim Staples, a gifted speaker who publishes articles, blogs and produces radio shows and videos for Catholic Answers, Fr. Michael Denk from St. Gabriel’s in Concord whose passion is the Gospel message of the church and building bridges with younger generations using creative social media, and Clevelander Elvis Grbac, a retired NFL super bowl ring winner. He is active in his parish, is a parish retreat leader, and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Theology. For more information, go to www.cmfneo.com.
                                                     

      Last Wednesday, we began our annual journey of Lent. Lent is the season of penance that has been set apart by the Church in memory of the 40 days our Lord fasted in the desert and as a means of sanctification of the faithful. Lent includes days of fast and abstinence, and days we are called to make personal acts of penance. Their purpose is to prepare us to resist all forms of temptation. 

     Lent is the time that we might want to ask ourselves some serious questions about our own spiritual lives: Where is our life really leading us? Do we really believe in Eternal Life and is Eternal Life really our aspiration? Have we tried to grow in the life of the spirit through prayer, reading the Word of God and meditating on it, and receiving the Sacraments?

     Lent is also a time for spiritual renewal. All of us need to challenge ourselves to grow in our spiritual lives and turn our hearts back to the Lord. Our parish offers many opportunities to grow in the spirit during this season. It is up to all of us as individuals to take advantage of these opportunities and grow in the spirit during this special time of the year.

God Bless!   Fr. Joe Bacevice

LENTEN CLUSTER MASS

The first Collinwood Parishes Lenten Cluster Mass will take place on Monday, March 6^th, at 7:00pm at St. Mary Parish, followed by a social in their parish hall. All are invited to join with the members of the other Collinwood Parishes for prayer, reflection, and social time.

BLACK & INDIAN MISSIONS

The annual collection to support the Black and Indian Missions takes place next weekend. This is the oldest designated collection in the United States. We ask everyone to be generous in supporting this important work of the Catholic Church.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION:

On Wednesday, March 8^th, we will have our monthly evening adoration from 6-9pm. If you are able to make a commitment to be present for adoration at a specific time in March, please sign up at the main entrance to the Church.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Every Friday during Lent we pray the Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm. This week the stations will be led by the Altar Society. All are invited to participate in this traditional Lenten Devotion.

CONFESSIONS

All Churches in our Diocese will be open on Wednesday, March 15^th, from 5 to 8 pm for Confessions. All are invited to take advantage of this unique opportunity in our diocese to receive this sacrament. We are reaching out especially to those who have been away for a while so we can provide an opportunity for them to return to the sacramental life of the Church.

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. This movement also 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.