Art used with permission from Eastern Christian Bulletin Service

“Living the Word of Christ Together”

Father Bruce Riebe

Bill Fredrick, Robert Kirschner

Michele Wiltshire

440-526-1818

440-526-0016

stjoebyz@sbcglobal.net

www.stjoebyz.com

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Santa Claus, the jolly man in a red suit with a long white

beard—was he real? Or did he first appear in Coca-Cola ads? At

department stores? Illustrating the poem, “T’was the Night Before

Christmas?” The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas,

who was born to a wealthy family during the third century in

Asia Minor, now Turkey. His parents, who raised him to be a

devout Christian, died in an epidemic. Obeying Jesus’ words,

Nicholas gave all that he had to the poor, the sick, and the

suffering. Later when he was Bishop of Myra he became

famous for these saintly deeds. He also suffered for his

faith and was exiled and imprisoned under the Roman

Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians.

After his release, Bishop Nicholas attended the Council of

Nicea in AD 325. The anniversary of his death, December 6th,

became a feast day of celebration. When a person lived as long

ago as St. Nicholas, it is sometimes difficult to separate fact from legend. All the

stories, however, tell us about his character and help us understand why he has always

been so beloved.

Friday is a Solemn Holyday. St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint of Byzantine Catholics. That’s

why he is featured so prominently on our icon screen. The Mirovanije $$ from next weekend

will be forwarded to Cornerstone of Hope in Independence for their annual fund campaign.

This non-profit organization provides compassion and care to grieving families and individuals.

December 1, 2019

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Liturgy Schedule Monday December 2 8:00 a.m. †Andrew Macik by Betty Macik Tuesday December 3 8:00 a.m. †Harry Vasil by Larry/Mary Vasil Wednesday December 4 8:00 a.m. †Helen Kapa by Arline Kral Thursday December 5 8:00 a.m. †Mary T. Romanchok by Romanchok Family Friday December 6 Solemn Holyday: St. Nicholas 7:00 p.m. †Millie Babin by Family Saturday December 7 Vigil Liturgy 4:00 p.m. Intention of the Parishioners Sunday December 8 Immaculate Conception 10:30 a.m. †Carmella Karpovich by Deka Fammily

Altar Servers Lectors Greeters December 6 7:00 p.m. M. & T. Ebert December 7 4:00 p.m. M. & T. Ebert R. Evans J. Pinchot & L. Greb December 8 10:30 a.m. G. Dudick, N. Masters, S. Katrenich K. Lambourne & M. Cohn M. Masters, A. Masters

Those who bless God in their trials will be blessed by God through their trials.

The 2019-20 Annual Diocesan Stewardship

Appeal is underway. The

theme is “Growing in Faith,

Investing in Hope.” Our

goal is the same as last year, $21,100.00.

The Diocese is returning to the practice of

returning to the parish any amount over the

goal. Funds gained through this campaign

will be used for retired priest’s health

insurance and pension plan contributions,

the formation of new clergy, support for

active clergy including relocation

assistance, retreats, faith formation for

youth/families. Combined these items are

budgeted out at nearly $400,000.00, of

which the campaign only partially supports.

Everyone should have received a pledge

form in the mail. Returns should be made

directly to the Diocese. The appeal runs

through April 26. Please be generous with

your pledge.

Next Sunday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

In conjunction with the

Feast of St. Nicholas

we will be holding our

annual celebration

next Sunday. St. Nick

will enter church toward the end of the

Sunday liturgy and lead all the children to

the foyer in the hall where he will meet and

greet them (and leave them with a bag of

goodies/treats), Bring your camera or use

your phone to snap a picture near the tree.

Everyone is invited into the hall for a festive

potluck meal. (If you are going to attend

and haven’t signed the list in the vestibule,

please call Father by tomorrow night to

indicate how many from your family are

coming and what you will bring—dessert,

salad, veggie, potato. The Men’s Club and

Ladies’ Auxiliary will provide the main

course.) During the meal as you wait to join

the buffet line, the A-OK Club encourages

you to take part in a table game, with the

winners earning Handels gift cards. After we

eat, feel free to enjoy some music for

dancing—all in the Spirit of St. Nick!

St. Nick Pot Luck

It’s time for another “First Fry Day

Fish Fry.” Serving will be from

4:00-6 :30 . Carryouts are

available. The “Blue Plate

Special” will be stuffed cabbage

(we buy them from St. Nicholas in

Barberton). Volunteers are needed from 1:30

on thru clean-up.

The Week Ahead The Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday

at 7:00.

Our sandwich making assembly line starts

up again on Saturday, 9:30, in the

Education Center.

ECF Classes Next Sunday ECF classes resume next Sunday at 9:00

sharp!

Richard Szucs was buried

this past week at the age of

75. He succumbed swiftly to a

lingering illness. He had just

been in church the previous

Sunday, left in an ambulance and didn’t

make it out of the hospital. He was a faithful

fish fry worker and Saturday sandwich

maker. Parish sympathies are extended to

his wife Linda and son Rich.

In blessed repose grant rest O Lord to the

soul of Your departed Servant Richard and

may his memory be eternal!

Please Pray Please remember all the sick/suffering in your

prayers, especially Al Holocker (Parma);

Dorothy Tyburski (Altenheim); Judy Zamaria

(Parkside Villa; rehab); Bea Chrustic (home);

Bill Paczak (home); and Frank Mikolay

(home).

Sanctuary Lamp The sanctuary lamp will burn during the

month of December for the intention of the

Protzik family.

Communion Visits Father and St. Nicholas will be visiting the sick/

shut-ins on Friday between the hours of 9-4. We

currently have the following individuals on our

monthly list:

Your Weekly Offering November 24, 2019

Due to an early transmission deadline from

Liturgical Publications for Thanksgiving,

donation amounts from last weekend

were not available. They will be included

in next week’s Byzz Line.

Marge Asmondy—

(Joshua Tree Care Ctr, Westlake)

Paul Asmondy (Legacy, Medina)

Bea Chrustic (home)

Mary Jane Dietz (Greenbriar Healthcare)

Rita Farago (Mt. Alverna)

Betty Fedor (Mt. Alverna)

Michael Grocky (Jennings, Garfield Hts.) Bernadine Hadbavny—

(Malachi House, Hospice Care)

Mary Janocko (Pleasant Lake Villa)

Stephanie Jaryga (home)

Rosemarie Lakner (The Oaks)

Helen Lawer (The Oaks)

Elsie Marchak (Mt. Alverna)

Mary Ann Martinek (Jennings, Garfield Hts.)

Mike Prischak (home)

Helen Sasala (Pleasantview N.H.)

Paul Triffon (Bath Creek, Cuyahoga Falls)

Dorothy Tyburski (Altenheim)

Fr. Lawrence Wolf (Jennings, Garfield Hts.)

Judy Zamaria (home)

(If anyone else should be included,

please contact Father right away.)

Giving Tree This year’s “Giving Tree” recipient, as selected by the A-OK Club, will be

residents at the Rosemary Center in Euclid (a home for individual with

developmental disabilities). There will also be an option for gift cards to assist

families within the parish. To participate, select an ornament, purchase the gift,

bring it back wrapped no later than December 22 at noon.

Our Sympathy

The Ladies’ Auxiliary is

holding their annual “Christmas Cookie Walk”

on December 15 after

liturgy in the hall. Save

yourself some time and purchase baked

goods from our women! Plans are to have a

mini-book containing recipes of all the cookies

for sale.

Jubilarian Celebration Today The Cleveland area Wedding Jubilarian

Celebration is scheduled for 3:00 this afternoon

at Holy Spirit Church in Parma. We have only

one honoree this year: John and Irma Dargai

celebrating 60 years of marriage! Grant O Lord

to Your Servants John and Irma many more

years of peace, health and happiness!

The altar server’s Christmas

Party is December 18. The

sign-up sheet can be found

in the sacristy (deadline is

December 15).

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ACTIVITY CENTER & HALL RESERVATIONS: 440-526-0016

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

The Impact of Faith on Finances

We’ve received so much from Our Lord—life, faith, freedom, and family. Along with these gifts,

we’ve also been given the responsibility to be faithful and faith-filled stewards of our finances. Yet

many of us have allowed a wall to separate our faith lives from our money. As one person puts it,

“I felt the strength of my faith was not being reflected in my finances.”

What’s the biggest problem most people have with their finances? Credit card bills?

Inadequate income? No savings? Too much month left at the end of the money?

While people tend to think these are their major problems, they are just symptoms. The real

problem isn’t so much money (or lack of it) as it is our relationship with God and how we respond

to His call for us to be Stewards of Providence. This includes trusting God to provide for our

financial needs and doing our part to manage our resources in ways pleasing to the Lord. How do

our priorities reflect our beliefs in Him? How much do we include Him, through prayer in our

decisions?

We are partnering with the

Garfield Hts. Knights of

Columbus in collecting

“Coats for Kids.” A box will

be in the vestibule for new

or gently worn coats (through December 15).

ECF Banners Since we are “connecting” the Gospel to the

Divine Liturgy, plans are to keep the ECF

banners in church until the Christmas

decorations go up.

No Blood Pressures in December Because of the St. Nicholas Celebration,

blood pressures will not be taken next

weekend.

Someone you know may need this information:

Alternatives to Abortion—

1-800-712-HELP (4357)

Accessible 24 hours a day.

Serviced by a live person at all times.