st. padre pio prayer group newsletter · issue [#]: [issue date] 4! please pray for our sick...

ST. PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP NEWSLETTER

Issue: 1 Winter 2013

Pope Pius XII asked the people to gather in groups and pray. St. Pio accepted the pleas of Pope Pius XII and started prayer groups. They were born from Padre Pio’s heart, with the main concern for the people to pray together. St. Padre Pio stated: “Never grow weary of praying. Prayer penetrates the heart of God and obtains the grace needed.” People who asked for prayers from St. Pio received the benefits and graces of his intercessory prayer. He would also ask the person to pray for him. When somebody thanked him St. Pio would sometimes say, “Do not thank me, but the Virgin.” He had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. That is why the prayer group will meet on the first Saturday of the month to honor our Mother Mary.

Pope Pius XII and the Start of Prayer Groups

Welcome all faithful and new members! Thank you for coming to pray at this St. Pio Prayer Group meeting. Meetings will be the first Saturday of the month at St. Barnabas Church, 9451 Brandywine Road in Northfield Center. The group will begin with Holy Mass at 8:30 am.

Thank you to all who assist with the meeting. I will do my best to serve God in leading this prayer group with the obedience to Fr. Edward Janoch. Any helping hands to make this transition smooth will be appreciated, as well as any talent you have will be put to good use.

Our meeting will start with Holy Mass, the Rosary, Veneration of St. Padre Pio Relic, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. We will then proceed to Fr. Bedell Commons for guest speakers and refreshments. We will be planning some bus pilgrimages as well as projects helping the sick and the homeless. Any questions please contact Cindy Russo 216-‐346-‐3481 or [email protected]

Padre Pio, whose real name was Francesco Forgione, died in 1968. He was made Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in 2002.

“Never grow weary of

praying. Prayer penetrates the heart of God and obtains

the grace needed.”

Issue [#]: [Issue Date]

2


Our Spiritual Director’s Reflections February 2nd is the celebration of the Presentation of the Lord. We know that this Feast is about the baby Jesus being presented in the Temple, on the eight day after his birth, for his circumcision. Simeon and Anna both recognize the presence of the Messiah, the Christ, and proclaim in thanksgiving that they have seen the fulfillment of God’s promise to save them, their people, and the world. “Change is in the air” and a “new story must begin.” The St. Padre Pio Prayer Group is now being given a “presentation in the temple” experience by sharing this ministry in a new place, at a new time, with a new spiritual director. It is said that people do not like it when something changes. It was true when Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law, causing the People of Israel to be confused and not trusting Jesus the Christ. What he was saying and doing was “too hard for them to understand”. This same feeling is with us now. Questions are being asked about changes to the Prayer Group. We are being asked to reflect that change is not to be seen as something bad; causing discomfort and confusion, but should be seen as a time of goodness, growth, and new life. Sometime evil people will make changes for evil reasons, but with God, these times are turned around for good, for “All things are possible with God.” St. Padre Pio suffered because some people misunderstood him. They were afraid that too much attention was being shown to him and not to God. St. Padre Pio was asked to change his daily practices; not being able to hear confessions, pray the Mass in public, or to have visitors. These changes caused him anguish, but he did not lose his faith, instead these things made his faith in God grow stronger. These changes to the St. Padre Pio Prayer Group are going to make our faith in God grow stronger, and with God, a time of goodness, growth, and new life. Some of our spiritual brothers and sisters may not be coming to St. Barnabas for the monthly gathering, but are still connected with us in prayer and to our devotion to St. Padre Pio and his ability to intercede for his spiritual children. I have heard that some people at St. Barnabas Church are very excited that the St. Padre Pio Prayer Group is come here, causing new spiritual children to be “born”; providing growth and new life for the Prayer Group. On a different note, I hope that Abbot Christopher will be able to join us here at St. Barnabas Church for one of our monthly meetings. His heart attack caused and abrupt departure from the St. Padre Pio Prayer Group, but I hope that a more formal good bye can be provided for us and for us to give him a more formal farewell and best wishes. Next month, I hope to provide some biographical information about myself, and my life as a priest. As St. Pio of Pietrelcina said: ”Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” Follow this advice. Yours in Christ, Fr. Edward J. Janoch


3

Mission Statement of St. Pio Prayer Group

1. Spread devotion to St. Padre Pio by spreading his teachings & spirituality.

2. Foster vocations to the priesthood. 3. Pray for the poor souls in purgatory, the Holy Father, & our own personal needs.

4. Support financially St. Pio’s hospital in San Giovanni, Italy.

5. Attend wake services for deceased members & pray the Holy Rosary for them.

6. Obtain permission from the local bishop & designated church where meetings are to be held.

7. The Spiritual Director must be a priest.

Note from Abbot

Christopher Schwartz

Dear Members of our

Padre Pio Prayer Group:

Thank you and God bless you for your kind gift to me, but even more, all of you are good friends! I remember all of you in my Masses and prayers. I can’t drive nor resume all my responsibilities, this comes slowly. It is very important for me and the good of the

group that this change be made. I’ve prayed and I am sure this is what God’s will is.

Please pray and follow it. All of you will be

blessed.

May God love and bless all of you.

~Abbot Christopher

Note from Rita Slivka

I wish to give praise and thanks to our wonderful, loving, caring, and gracious God for all His graces and

help. Thank you St. Padre Pio for guiding us throughout the past years and the future. Many thanks and prayers to Abbot Christopher Schwartz for his

time, energy, and support he has given to the St. Padre Pio Prayer Group from the years of 2001 until 2013. His commitment and devotion to the continuing of our St. Pio Prayer Group was most important. Thanks to Fr. Justin for letting us use the facilities at Assumption Church. Thanks also to the many members of the St.

Padre Pio Prayer Group who are so generous with their time and talents. Their help is most appreciated. God bless them. As we begin the New Year, let us pray for Father Edward Janoch as our new Spiritual Director and Cindy Russo as our new President. May we always pray that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will bless and protect us. We are looking forward to an exciting

and wonderful spiritual journey.



4

Please Pray for Our Sick Brothers and Sisters Abbot Christpoher Schwatz, Peggy Arnosk, Mark Luboski, Roger Reardon, Ann Lorek, Mario & Elaine Fitica, Marge Dodig, Rose Chuma, John D’Amico, Gregg Danicic, Rita Welling, Dorothy Koncazl, Bernice Jisa, Elena Winzel, Tom Jansen, Michelle Urbancic, Frank Dvorak, Dolores DiLeone, Delores Dean,

Loretta Zawislan, Grace Veccio, Ruth Halpin, Barbara Weisinger, Eleanore Gresko, Marie Uhlik, Lydia Baker, June Feldtz, Beverly Marenchek, Alice Yanoscik, Therese Gregg, Anna McCullough, Frank

Bublinec, Carole Bertoni, Denise Voss, Jo Perz and James Greene.

Let Us Pray for the Souls of Our Recently Deceased Members Albert Incorvaia, Delores Dean and James Parle

Call Helen Husky 440-‐232-‐3462 (Sunshine chairman) to add a member to the list.

Beloved Padre Pio, today I come to add my prayer to the thousands of prayers offered to you every day by those who love and venerate you. They ask for cures and healings, earthly and spiritual

blessings, and peace for body and mind. And because of your friendship with the Lord, he heals those you ask to be healed, and forgives those you forgive.

Through your visible wounds of the Cross, which you bore for 50 years, you were chosen in our

time to glorify the crucified Jesus. Because the Cross has been replaced by other symbols, please help us to bring it back in our midst, for we acknowledge it is the

only true sign of salvation.

As we lovingly recall the wounds that pierced your hands, feet and side, we not only remember the blood you shed in pain, but your smile, and the invisible halo of sweet smelling flowers that

surrounded your presence, the perfume of sanctity. Padre Pio, may the healings of the sick become the testimony that the Lord has invited you to join

the holy company of Saints. In your kindness, please help me with my own special request: (mention here your petition, and make the sign of the Cross).

Bless me and my loved ones. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.



5

Becoming a Spiritual Child of St. Padre Pio

Being a spiritual child is indeed a valuable thing. We are very often filled with zeal and want to enroll everyone we know as a spiritual child. However a person must understand what spiritual childhood is and want Padre Pio's assistance. It is therefore not proper to enroll anyone who does not really understand what all this is about. Padre Pio would accept people only if they were leading Christian lives. He would usually say something to the effect that he would accept them only if they ‘Don't make me lose face.' One of the last things he said before he died was to extend his blessing to the sick, the friars and his spiritual children.

§ Live intensely a life of divine grace. § Imitate the venerable Padre in his love for Jesus Crucified, for the Most Blessed Sacrament, for our Lady, the Pope and the entire Church.

§ Prove their faith by words and actions. § Desire to remain under the protection of the Servant of God, Padre Pio, and to enjoy the fruits of his prayers and sufferings.

§ Practice sincere charity towards all.

Applications to become a Padre Pio Spiritual Child are available; see Cindy Russo.

The following quotes from Padre Pio tell how he

looked after and loved his spiritual family:

"I love my Spiritual

Children as much as my own soul, and even more."

"Once I take a soul on, I also take on their entire family as my spiritual

children."

"To my Spiritual Children, my prayers for you will never be lacking."

"If one of my spiritual

children ever goes astray, I shall leave my flock and

seek him out."

"I shall stand at the gates of Paradise until all my spiritual children have

entered."

Dear Padre Pio, I recall your promise to the Lord, "Lord, I will stand at the gates of heaven until I see

all my spiritual children have entered."

Encouraged by your gracious promise, I ask you to accept me as a spiritual child and to intercede for my prayer requests...(Here state your petitions)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the

Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.



6


From the North: Take I-‐271 south to Rt. 82. Turn right (west) from the exit ramp onto Rt.82. Proceed west approx. 1.5 miles to Olde Eight (at Shell Station) Turn left (south) onto Olde Eight Rd. St. Barnabas parking lot is approx. ¼ mile on the right. From the NorthWest: Take I-‐77 south to Rt. 82 exit (east). Proceed east on Rt. 82 for approx. 5 miles to Olde Eight. Turn right (south) onto Olde Eight Rd. (at CVS). St. Barnabas parking lot is approx. ¼ mile on the right. From the South East: Take I-‐271 north to the Rt. 8 exit. Turn left (north) off of the exit onto Rt. 8 and proceed to Rt. 82. Turn left (west) on Rt. 82 and proceed approx.. ¾ mi. to Olde 8 Rd. Turn left (south) onto Olde Eight Rd. St. Barnabas parking lot is approx. ¼ mile on the right. From the South West: Take either I-‐71 or I-‐77 north to Rt 82 (east). Upon exiting either interstate, proceed east on Rt. 82 thru Brecksville, to Olde Eight Rd. (from I-‐71, approx. 15 mi/from I-‐77 approx. 5 mi.) Turn right (south) onto Olde Eight Rd. at CVS. St. Barnabas parking lot is approx. ¼ mile on the right.

Prayer Group Meeting Dates First Saturday of the Month at 8:30 a.m. February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1

Directions to St. Barnabas 9451 Brandywine Road, Northfield Center, OH

Newsletter designed by Deb Stanzak

st. padre pio prayer group newsletter · issue [#]: [issue date] 4! please pray for our sick...

Documents