Saint John of the Cross Roman Catholic Parish

140 Richmond Rd. Euclid, OH 44143 216-289-0770

September 27, 2020 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners, I hope you had a good first week of fall. I think as we look to this season we can reflect on the greatness of God’s beauty in creation. For me I continue to behold the greatness of all our wonderful parishioners. Not a day goes by that I am not truly amazed at the way in which you all work so hard to grow in your relationships with God and to bring His love to your sisters and brothers in Christ. While the life of the parish is still somewhat limited by the pandemic, I am seeing and hearing about such great things happening. One of the great blessing to our parish over the last few years has been Nancy Powell. She is a beautiful soul who is on fire with the love of the Lord. About a year ago, she accepted my offer to help grow the spiritual life of the parish. She helped in doing some good outreach to our parishioners with our Spiritual Evangelization Committee, she worked to set-up the parish library, she has helped get spiritual materials and books in your hands to grow in your relationship with Christ, she has helped me start the racism taskforce, she helped reach out to the other churches in Euclid, she is a great presence in our healing ministry and has helped basically anywhere she can. She will be retiring this week. Her last official day is October 3. While she is retiring, she has assured me she intends to stay active and involved in the life of the parish with her husband, Bill. Her retirement will allow her more time to spend with family and friends. We have been BLESSED by her ministry to our parish and will be forever grateful. As we continue to rebuild after the shutdown, we are working on two projects to enhance the accessibility of our church building. Last year we began to formulate a strategic plan for the parish. This plan is on hold as we continue to move through the pandemic. However, what became very clear is that we need to work to continue and grow an active, vibrant parish that responds to the needs of those aged 50 and over. While a parish should and will always welcome and support people of every age, our small, but mighty parish will focus on its strength! The strength being the parishioners 50 and over. The first project is to create a handicap entrance in the northwest corner of the church building. This entrance, currently, is the closest to the handicap parking spaces and the “flat” portion of the parking lot. However, there are steps and heavy doors. We will put in an ADA ramp with rails, new light weight doors (matching the main doors) and electric openers for the door. We will include some non-slip carpet and good lighting in that vestibule. This will allow people with mobility issues to enter the church in a simple and safe manner. The second is an overhaul of the church sound system. Francesco and members of our music ministry are currently working to review the wants and needs and come up with solutions. This will include the ability to loop with hearing devices and hearing aids. I will share much more in the coming months about this, but I wanted to keep you in the “know.” I am excited about these projects as I think they are in line with our strengths of the older parishioners and music ministry. They allow us to continue to thrive and be proactive in growing! Next Sunday, October 4 at 1 pm will be our annual pet blessing on the Feast of St. Francis! Please plan on bringing your pet and we will be happy to offer him or her a blessing! Make it a great week! See you in Church.

Peace, Fr. John

From Our Pastor

PARISH OFFICE HOURS:

OPEN: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 am to 4 pm

CLOSED: Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

Phone Number: 216-289-0770

St. John of the Cross (140 Richmond Road):

Masses: Saturday Vigil at 4 pm.

Sunday, 7:45 am. (in the shrine weather permitting); & 10:15 am

Monday, 8:30 am Tuesday, 6:30 pm Wednesday, 8:30 am Thursday, 6:30 pm

Morning Prayer: Friday, 8:30 am

Adoration: in the Church every Friday, 9 am to 2 pm.

Masses At Ss. Robert & William: Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 11:30 am Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: 8:30 am *All six SRW Masses will be

LIVESTREAMED

Confessions: St. John of the Cross Saturday 3 pm; and Ss. Robert & William Saturday 2:30 pm

Monday, September 28 8:30 AM (JB/TS-P)† Rose Burrello

Tuesday, September 29 6:30 PM (JB) † William Carrick

Wednesday, September 30 8:30 AM (JL) † Joann Korzinowski

Thursday, October 1 6:30 PM (JL/TS) † John Burrello

Friday, October 2 No Mass (8:30 am Morning Prayer; 9am-2pm Adoration)

Saturday, October 3 4 PM (JL/TS) † Anna Pepock

Sunday, October 4 7:45 AM (JB/TS) † Marianne Chinchar 10:15 AM (JB/TS) † Ike Dulaney

PRAYERS NEEDED Evelyn Adamczak, John Ballard, Noella Burrows, Barbara Contorno, Constance Durrah, Mary Frain, Joe Hocevar, John Hocevar, Andrew Jarm, Anna Jalovec, Nick Kaluza, Peggy Kiikka, John Malovasic, Joe Matejka, Ronald Maxey, Sheila Moore-Baka, Rudy Myeress, Larry O’Donnell, Linda Palko, Joan Raddell, Pat Rossoll, Mary Rot, Jerry Scarniench, Judy Schmidt, Rose Simek, Colette Suhy, John Tarmann, Rita Vaitkus, Abbie Vernon, Nick Zanella

The Fruit of Discipleship

This chapter focuses on a parish in that town and state up North. (Ann Arbor, MI). A standout parish of only about 900 families that has produced a significant amount of Priestly vocation. The name of the parish is Christ the King Parish. Parishioner, Francisco Gavrilides, says the keys to their success are as follows:

• The Mass is alive, reverent, and expectant, a shared experience with God.

• A remarkable sense of responsibility and services marks the community.

• Discipleship is central to the parish The mission statement is as follows:

• Surrender to the Lord Jesus in the power of the Spirit in the heart of the Church.

We are always in need of more disciples to help spread the Good News of the Gospel. Please spend one or two moments in contemplation discerning being a part of the evangelization ministry. Please contact Deacon Tom: deacontom@sjceuclid.com or call 216-289-0770 ext. 112

Euclid Hunger Center-

You may drop off your donations at the Church.

• cereal, canned fruits/vegetables, canned

tuna/chicken, soup;

• toiletry items (deodorant, toilet paper,

toothpaste, soap, feminine hygiene items)

Liturgical Tribute Fund All money that is donated to this fund in memory of a loved one or friend, or a special occasion will be used to purchase items utilized in our

worship and help us to do all that we can to assure that we have what we need to worship reverently and well.

Sincere thank you for your donations to our Liturgical Tribute Fund…

In Memory of Thomas Jarc……......Milena Jarc & Family

The PSR program between Ss. Robert & William and Saint John of the Cross is underway!

Sunday, September 13, was the first day of class. Following the directives of the SRW day school, PSR students will learn remotely, through a web portal, until Sunday, October 11.

At that point, students will meet in age-level classrooms with one of four catechists:

Grades K-1: Chris Raddell

Grade 2: Marybeth Kelly

Grades 3-4: Chris Barni

Grades 5-6: William Knox

Before the weather

forces us indoors,

consider joining an hour-

long, outdoor SoulCore

session, a prayer

experience that

combines the prayers of

the rosary with core strengthening, stretching,

and functional movement. They are currently being held in the outdoor

shrine at St. John of the Cross on Monday

evenings, an hour before sunset (currently

6:30), and Saturday mornings at 9:30. There is no cost, but a suggested donation of

$10, for those who are able. Dress in

comfortable clothing or sportswear and bring a

fitness mat if you have one.

Fr John’s previously suggested we write notes to residents of our local assisted living homes. The SJC Legion of Mary delivered your notes and cards to these facilities. We have been told that residents were so very happy to get these messages, cards and notes.

We would like to continue this small project and to let the residents know that we care about them…what a joy it is to find a letter or card in their mailbox and know someone is thinking about them, especially during this COVID time. In the weeks to come, you can drop your notes in the designated basket in the Gathering Space or bring them to the Parish Office during office hours. There are blank cards and writing paper if you need some at the table, as well.. Thank you for the Joy you will share!

REFLECTIONS ON RACISM ISSUES FROM THE SRW/SJC RACISM TASK FORCE

This summer, when Deacon Tom asked me to participate in the Racism Task Force, I agreed immediately. As a Catholic person grappling with the issue of race that is again at forefront of American political discourse, I felt the Holy Spirit was offering me an avenue to make our Church and our Country a better place for all of God's children. I thought I would start attending our meetings and leave with a strong sense of accomplishment, a sense of fulfillment. It turns out, I was wrong. It turns out, this is hard. This is very hard. It is hard to take a good look at myself and admit to the times I have sinned by allowing the differences between me and my brother or sister to stand in the way of me seeing Christ in them. It is hard to come to understand that my whiteness has led me to have a different experience than my black and brown brothers and sisters. It is hard to recognize that racism is a sin I have committed, our Church has committed, our Country has committed. It is hard to talk about the root causes of racism and whether there are policies and choices that can reduce the impact racism has on our country. And it is particularly hard to do all of this in a time when our Country is so divided, and respectful political, social and religious discourse so often devolves into base name calling. This is hard. But I suppose it's not supposed to be easy. Christ never promised us easy. And he never promised us immediate results. What he did promise us was his strength and his salvation. He promised to stand with us and asks us to stand with him and with all of our brothers and sisters. So where does that leave me? Well, it leaves me in the same place—this is still hard. Real change will not be easy, will not be quick. But, Christ stands with me. He stands with us. I will do my best to stand with him and with all of my brothers and sisters. With him, this is hard, but the burden is shared.

Parish Staff

Rev. John D. Betters. Pastor frjohn@sjceuclid.com, Ext. 103 Rev. Gerald Bednar, Priest in Residence Rev. John Loya, Priest in Residence jloya@dioceseofcleveland.org

Deacon Tom Shetina, Deacon deacontom@sjceuclid.com, Ext. 112

Dr. Francesco Binda, Director of Music fbinda@sjceuclid.com, Ext. 104

Luke Brown, Wellness Minister lbrown@sjceuclid.com, Ext. 106

Terri Burrello, Sacristan

Karen Duke, Office Manager kduke@sjceuclid.com, Ext. 100

Jim Granito, Business Manager jgranito@sjceuclid

Tom Hagen, Maintenance Director

Nancy Powell, Spiritual Care Minister npowell@sjceuclid.com, Ext. 101

SJC Prayer Hotline 216-289-0770, Ext. 120

Call and leave a short message with your request. We can also offer prayers of thanksgiving. All information will be kept confidential.

Your Financial Stewardship Last Week’s Giving.………………………………………..$3,139.00 Last Week’s Maintenance Giving.………….....…..$1,861.00 Faith Direct* - Half Month Giving ………………...$ Faith Direct* --Half Month Maintenance….. $ *Online Faith Direct Collections will be posted twice a month for both Giving and Maintenance. Thanks for your generous support toward our mission to serve God!

Parish Family Life Events

Baptism

Expectant parents are to attend a Baptism Class prior to scheduling a Baptism. Contact the parish office to discuss arrangements.

Marriage

Wedding arrangements are to be made at least six months in advance. Contact Fr. John at the Parish Office.