PARISH AND SCHOOL STAFF Mr. Bogdan (Don) Pieniak, Parish Administrator Mrs. Deborah Martin, St. Stanislaus School Principal Mr. Dan Kane Jr., Business Manager Mr. David Krakowski, Director of Liturgy and Music Mrs. Denise O’Reilly, St. Stanislaus School Secretary Mr. Fred Mendat, Maintenance & Social Center Manager PARISH ORGANIZATIONS Mrs. Susan Halamek, Pastoral Council Chairperson Ms. Celeste Suchocki, Finance Council Chairperson Mrs. Sophie Wasielewski, Golden Agers President Mr. John Sklodowski, Dads Club President Mr. Rick Krakowski, C.Y.O. Coordinator Mr. Matt Zielenski, St. Vincent DePaul Society Ms. Jane Bobula, Good Shepherd Catechesis Mr. Rob Jagelewski, Parish Historical Committee Mrs. Nancy Mack, MANNA Coordinator Mrs. Grace Hryniewicz, Shrine Shoppe Manager Mrs. Sharon Kozak, Alumni and Development Mrs. Denise Siemborski, Fr. William Scholarship Mr. John Heyink, Building and Grounds Committee Ms. Marianna Romaniuk, PORADA Director Luis Ramirez, Lil Bros President

MASS SCHEDULE Daily Masses: 7:00 AM & 8:30 AM (no 7:00 on Sat.) Sunday Vigil: Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday English Masses: 8:30 AM & 11:30 AM Sunday Polish Mass: 10:00 AM Holy Day English: Refer to Schedule Holy Day Polish: 5:30 PM National Holidays: 9:00 AM DEVOTIONS Daily Morning Prayer: 8:00 AM (exc. Sunday) Saint Anthony Novena Tuesdays after Mass Rosary for Life Tuesdays and Fridays after Mass Avilas prayer for vocations, second Monday of the month OFFICE HOURS The parish office is open from Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday 4:00 to 4:45 PM or by appointment. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Ordinarily on Sundays at 1:00 PM. Alternate times must be arranged with a parish priest. Pre-Baptism instructions are necessary in advance. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE All arrangements must be made with one of the priests of the parish six months in advance. GODPARENT AND SPONSOR CERTIFICATES Those who wish to be sponsors for Baptism or Confirmation must be registered and practicing members of the Catholic Church. If you attend St. Stanislaus but you are not registered, please contact the parish office so that you can be listed as a parishioner here. FUNERALS Arrangements are made through the funeral home. INQUIRY CLASSES (R.C.I.A.): Contact any member of the Pastoral Team. CHURCH HOURS Church is open daily 30 minutes before and after all Masses. For tours or private prayer please call the rectory.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES MASS INTENTIONS

DIRECTORY Rectory & Parish Office 216-341-9091 Parish Fax 341-2688 St. Stanislaus Elementary School 883-3307 Central Catholic High School 441-4700 Pulaski Franciscan CDC 789-9545

STAFF & ORGANIZATIONS

The artist’s sketch on the right depicts the original building with the spires. Corner Stone laid in 1886, and church dedicated in 1891.

PARISH WEBSITE www.ststanislaus.org E-MAIL ststans@ameritech.net PHOTO ALBUM www.picturetrail.com/saintstans

FRANCISCAN FRIARS Fr. Michael Surufka, OFM, Pastor Fr. Leonard Stunek, OFM, Friary Guardian, Parochial Vicar Fr. Placyd Kon, OFM, Parochial Vicar Br. Justin Kwietniewski, OFM, Pastoral Ministry

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 14, Grudnia 2008

Sat 5:00 PM +Albin & Evelyn Bielawski Sun 8:30 AM +Loretta Sper 10:00 AM +Dr. Jan Dzwigala 11:30 AM + Julius Ray and Dr. David Zackowski

1:00 PM Baptism of Gabriel Jacob Sherman

Mon Dec 15 Advent Weekday 7:00 AM Sp. Int. Eddie & Jennifer Timinski & Children 8:30 AM +Jean & Joe Dardzinski Tue Dec 16 Advent Weekday 7:00 AM Sp. Int. Brian & Angela Zuchowski 8:30 AM +Evelyn Minor Wed Dec 17 Late Advent Weekday 7:00 AM +Phyllis Miner 8:30 AM +Genevieve Wisniewski Thu Dec 18 Late Advent Weekday 7:00 AM +Helena, Czesław & Jerzy Jezewski 8:30 AM +Mitchell Dylong 7:00 PM For the Beatification of John Paul II Fri Dec 19 Late Advent Weekday 7:00 AM +Veronica Gnatowski 8:30 AM +Regina Sokolowski 9:30 AM For the Students of Cleveland Central Cath. Sat Dec 20 St. Lucy, Virgin, Martyr 8:30 AM +Ted Kolk

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 21, Grudnia 2008

Sat 5:00 PM +Maria Mania Sun 8:30 AM +David Riffle 10:00 AM +Jerzy Kulacz 11:30 AM Sp. Int. Joseph and Ann Pluta

Last Sunday’s Collection 5:00 PM Vigil (76)…...………$1,278.99 8:30 AM (54).…….………...…..$864.00 10:00 AM (60)...…..…………....$545.00 11:30 AM (92)....…..………....$1,041.00 Mailed in (28)...……….…...…$2,708.00 Total (389 envelopes) $6,436.99 Human Development (32) $164.00

Thank you for your generosity

PARISH SUPPORT

MUSIC – THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

SCHEDULE FOR MINISTERS

Corpus Christi Sunday, May 25, Maja 2008 Sat 5:00 PM Lector — Rob Jagelewski Euch. Min. — Michael Wilks, Stan Witczak, Marge & Andrew Flock Sun 8:30 AM Lector — Marcia & Don Stech, Alice Klafczynski, Yolanda Kane Euch. Min. — Alice Klafczynski, M. Mosinski, Adeline Nadolny, Sharon Kozak 10:30 AM Lector — Teresa Cyranek, Bill Bobowicz Euch. Min. — Eucharistic Ministers to be scheduled

NO 11:30 AM MASS ON CORPUS CHRISTI SUNDAY

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 21 Grudnia, 2008 Sat 5:00 PM Lector — Rob Jagelewski Euch. Min. — Mike Wilks, Stan Witczak, Chris Wisniewski, Connie Aliff Sun 8:30 AM Lector — Jim Sadowski Euch. Min. — Marcia & Don Stech, Alice Klafczynski, Sharon Kozak 10:00 AM Lector — Beata Cyranek Euch. Min. — Tom Monzel, Marcie Sladewski, W. Sztalkoper, Ewelina Ejsmont 11:30 AM Lector — Bill Bobowicz Euch. Min. — Larry Wilks, Frank Greczanik, Ron Grams, Stanley Koch

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK

Are We There YET???? It’s Gaudete Sunday….we’re half way there! Half way where? Half way to Christmas! The season has been flying by with numerous seasonal services and concerts. It’d be great to see as many people at the services as at the concerts! Imagine 700 hundred people here last Saturday evening in that horrible weather! The past week was also busy with finalizing the deliveries of flowers and pick-ups of trees. Even the choirs held special rehearsals to brush up on their Christmas music. Everything will soon be in place for that special, holy night! During all this hustle and bustle we still found a few in our parish family who jumped the gun and got to see Jesus a little earlier than they could have imagined. The three women who died this past week joined all our relatives and friends who al-ready enjoy God’s presence in that special way. I’m sharing this following anonymous poem in their memory… I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below With tiny lights like heaven’s stars reflecting on the snow. The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear, For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year! I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear But the sound of music can’t compare with the choir up here! I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring, For it is beyond description to hear the angels sing. I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart I am not that far away, we’re really not apart! So, be happy for me dear ones, you know I hold you dear, And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above I send you each a memory of my undying love. After all, love is the gift, more precious than gold, It was always most important in the stories Jesus told. Please love and keep each other, as our Father said to do, For I cannot count the blessings or the love He has for you! So have a Merry Christmas, and wipe away that tear, Remember, I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year! (author unknown) …...we pray that they are already there……. David Krakowski

Sun 3:00 PM Godzinki. . 6:00 PM Solemn Vespers. Wed 7:00 PM Communal Penance Service in church. Thu 3:30 PM Church Cleanup Crew works until 5. 7:00 PM Mass for the Beatification of John Paul II

Thu 8:00 PM A.A. & Al-Anon in the social center. Fri 9:30 AM Mass for Cleve. Central Catholic H.S. Sat 4:00 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation until 4:45. Sun 3:00 PM Godzinki 6:00 PM Solemn Vespers

Seasonal Responsorial

Wait for the Lord whose day is day is near! Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart! Pan blisko jest, oczekuj Go! Pan blisko jest, w nim serca moc!

„Radujcie się!” Ewangelia , którą Kośció ł

przeznaczył na dzisiejszą niedzielę, stawia nam św. Jana Chrzciciela przed oczy. Jest to postać bardzo ciekawa. Stoi na przełomie Starego i Nowego Testamentu. Z jednej strony Jezus mówi o nim, że jest największy spośród narodzonych z niewiasty, a z drugiej strony zapowiada on większą, wspanialszą rzeczywistość - „Królestwo Boże, gdzie najmniejszy większy jest niż on” (por. Łk 7, 28). Fragment Ewangelii, który słyszymy w czasie Mszy św. jest wzięty z tzw. Prologu, rozpoczynającego Ewangelię według św. Jana: „Na początku było Słowo, a Słowo było u Boga”. Prolog mówi o Jezusie, który jest wcielonym Słowem Boga. Wzmianka o Janie Chrzcicielu jest jakby przerwaniem tego hymnu na cześć Jezusa - Bożego Słowa. Dlaczego? Bo Pan Bóg potrzebuje ludzi, którzy jak Jan Chrzciciel głosi Słowo Boże przy pomocy ludzkiego słowa. Jan Chrzciciel nie był Słowem, ale posłanym, aby wszyscy uwierzyli przez niego. Wiemy, że ci, którzy uwierzyli Janowi, później uwierzyli w Jezusa. Ci zaś, którzy nie przyjęli świadectwa Jana, pozostali zamknięci na słowa samego Pana.

I tak jest do dzisiaj. I dzisiaj, tak jak dwa tysiące lat temu, i zawsze, trzeba ludzi, takich jak Jan Chrzciciel i Apostołowie, będą świadczyć o Bożym Słowie, które w Jezusie stało się Ciałem, aby radość, którą przychodzący Pan przynosi, stała się udziałem wszystkich.

Tak, radość. Zbawienie, pokój i radość. Trzecia niedziela Adwentu nazywa się „Niedzielą Gaudete”. To łacińskie słowo przetłumaczone na polski, brzmi: „Radujcie się!” Jest to wezwanie, jakie św. Paweł Apostoł kieruje do Tesaloniczan, w Liście, który słyszeliśmy jako drugie czytanie dzisiejszej Mszy św. Patrząc na wydarzenia współczesnego świata widzimy tak mało powodów do radości. Wiadomości o napadach, których ofiary mierzy się w dziesiątkach zabitych, ogólnoświatowym kryzysie gospodarczym, który wielu z nas dotyka w bardzo konkretny, a nawet bolesny sposób, nie nastrajają nas do radości. A jednak „Radujcie się!” Chodzi tu o inną radość, niż tylko sukces ekonomiczny czy ogólnoświatowy pokój.

Dlaczego mamy się radować? Co jest tym powodem do radości, do której wzywa nas Apostoł Narodów? Przyjście Pana. Pan jest blisko. Trzecia Niedziela oznacza, że minęła już więcej niż połowa Adwentu. Coraz bliżej do Bożego Narodzenia. Jednak Apostoł ma na myśli inną radość. Jest to radość z oczekiwania na przyjście Pana. W tym tygodniu przekonałem się, że ta radość była obecna w życiu i w godzinę śmierci dwóch osób z naszej parafii, które spotkały się z Panem w ostatnim tygodniu. Jedną z nich odwiedziłem na kilka godzin przed śmiercią. O drugiej dowiedziałem się już po śmierci, kiedy rozmawiałem z wdowcem. te dwie kobiety wyraziły w godzinę swej śmierci radość, że umierają, bo idą na spotkanie z Panem. Te dwie osoby nie chciały, żeby najbliżsi, którzy pozostali, płakali, ale żeby się radowali razem z nimi, bo one idą do lepszego świata, i już za chwilę spotkają się z Panem. Dzięki takim ludziom wiem, że radość, o której pisze św. Paweł Apostoł jest czymś rzeczywistym.

o. Placyd

PASTORAL MESSAGE DECEMBER 14, GRUDNIA 2008

Common-Unity Often it takes a common danger or disaster to bring people close to one another. People live as neighbors and yet do not know each other, until a tragedy in the area occurs. Then they get together, shoulder to shoulder and discover they belong to the same human family. Then they begin to recognize each other, appreciate each other, become loyal comrades and

encounter one another. They begin to learn that happiness is not rooted in material possessions, but in sincere and warm human relationships. Often our own self-interests can alienate and isolate us from others. Friendship sets us free. Jesus taught us this at the Last Supper—at the Paschal Meal, and reminds us of that at every Eucharistic Liturgy we attend. He reiterated this notion by saying that “I am the vine, you are the branches.” We know that apart from him we can do nothing, but wither and die. People need a supportive community; there is a lot of loneliness in the world today. People who need people, as the song goes, are the luckiest people in the world. People wish to be acknowledged, accepted and appreciated—simply for sharing the dignity of human beings. It must be noted that there is no such thing as a solitary Christian –existing by oneself. Nowhere is this more true than in the church—at the liturgy. Some people ask, “Why should I go to church? Why can’t I just worship God in my own way ? Isn’t religion about my personal relationship with God? As Father Flor McCarthy explains: “From the earliest times, following Jesus was never just a private, personal matter. Christians came together to live in community, to profess their faith in Jesus Christ, to witness to his resurrection, and live by his teachings. The profound reason for this is given to us by Christ himself, when he said, ‘I am the vine, you are the branches.’ The vine and the branches are one. There is a mutual interdependence of branch and vine, and branch with branch. To say, ’I will follow Jesus but not the Church,’ is to separate Jesus from the Church, to cut off the branches from the vine.” We ought to establish and maintain the same connectedness with Jesus as did the first disciples. You and I receive the same resurrected Christ, listen to his voice in the gospels, and witness his love in the community of our brothers and sisters. The celebration of Christmas is a celebration of the family and church community. Each needs the other for support. We begin our celebration by approaching the Baby Jesus in the Nativity scene. Then, hopefully continue our spiritual journey with Jesus through the church year until we escort him into Jerusalem where he is put to death and then celebrate his glorious resurrection on the third day. What this all means—is that our connection with Jesus must firm and permanent —especially, at Mass attendance every weekend—and not simply on the two celebrations of Christmas and Easter. Our attachment as branches to Jesus the Vine is never “part-time” - it’s “always” and “full-time”. It continues into eternity. Let the celebration of Christmas help us to unite with Jesus as church and as family. Christmas is the exchanging and sharing of God’s love and peace with one another — always and everywhere. Fr. Len

ST. STANISLAUS CLEVELAND, OHIO

THE INFANTS AND TODDLERS OF SLAVIC VILLAGE I fed you when you were hungry! When you were shivering from the cold, I gave you warmth! When you were naked I clothed you!….When? When I donated food items to the Infants and Toddlers of Slavic Village! When I went through my children’s clothing and donated the things they had out-grown! A toy they no longer played with—did it bring a smile to your face? When did you last feed Him, give Him warmth, or make Him smile? The baskets are in the back vestibule waiting for your kind donations. Please think of our Lord and be generous! A drawing for “Lunch for Two” at Otto Moser’s will take place on Dec. 21st and Jan. 18th. Just fill in an entry form when you place your gift items in the baskets. Thank You!

We await your coming. Come, O Lord

ST. STANISLAUS SCHEDULE OF HOLIDAY LITURGIES

Sacrament of Reconciliation Wednesday, December 17 (Polish & English) Communal Penance Liturgy 7:00PM Every Saturday Polish & English Confession 4:00PM

Christmas Liturgies

Wednesday, Christmas Eve Family Christmas Mass 5:00PM Kolędy & Christmas Carols 11:30PM Midnight Christmas Mass 12:00PM Thursday, Christmas Day English Christmas Masses 8:30 & 11:30 AM Polish Christmas Mass 10:00 AM

Daily Masses

Friday-Saturday, Dec. 26-27 8:30AM Mon– Wed Dec 29-31 8:30AM

The Year of our Lord 2009

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, falls on Thurs-day, January 1. Saint Stanislaus Parish will celebrate the day with one Mass in Polish and English at 10:30 AM. Fr. Mike will preside at a Mass at 5:00 PM on New Year’s Eve at Saint Hyacinth. Please check the Mass schedules of neighboring churches for other Mass times.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES IN AREA CHURCHES

In addition to the weekend private confessions regularly scheduled at St. Stanislaus and neighboring parishes, Advent Communal Penance Services and special private confessions will be offered in the Slavic Village Area. Take advantage at this holy season to present yourself for the graces of the sacrament. May the peace of Christ fill your Advent and Christmas days. Holy Name Church: Sat. Confessions 2:30—3:45PM. Dec. 17, 22, and 23 Confessions 3:30 —5 :00PM Immaculate Heart of Mary: Confessions Sat. 3:00—3:30PM Penance Service & Confessions: Dec 7, 1:00PM (English), Dec 22 & 23, 8:30 AM—9:00AM (Polish and English. St. John Nepomucene: Confessions Sat. 3:00—3:30PM Communal Penance: Dec 15, 7:00 PM, Christmas Confessions Dec 22, 3-4:00PM and 7-8:00PM. Sacred Heart of Jesus: Confessions Sat. 4-4:30PM Christmas Confessions: Dec 18, 22, & 23, 7-8PM Our Lady Of Lourdes: Confessions Sun. prior to 12:30 Mass. St. Hyacinth: December 20, 4:30 PM

MASS INTENTIONS FOR 2009 Every Mass is celebrated for the sake of the whole Church community, and each person attending brings his or her own prayerful intentions to Mass. The intention of the priest is listed publicly so that everyone else may also join in his inten-tion as well. WE STILL HAVE MANY OPEN MASSES FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH, as well as the other months of the year. If you have a special intention or would like to remember a deceased relative or loved one, contact the rec-tory to reserve a date.

SPOWIEDŹ ŚW. 19 grudnia 2008 w godzinach 4:00 do 7:00 PM będzie spowiedź po polsku w kościele Niepokalanego Serca Maryi na Lansing.

RITE OF ACCEPTANCE At the 11:30 Mass Sunday, Nov 30th three RCIA candidates and catechumens assembled publicly for the first time this year and declared their intention to become members of the Church. St. Stanislaus Church in turn, carrying out its apostolic mission, accepted them as persons who intend to become fully initiated members of our faith community. Received into the order of Catechumens were Linda Todorovich and Christina Aiello. Also, Diana Golob wished to complete her initiation into the Church through the Sacrament of Confirmation. May the Holy Spirit guide them on their journey as we offer them our support.

COMMUNITY NEWS DECEMBER 14, GRUDNIA 2008

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS. Next Class will be on January 4, 2009 12:30 PM at St. John Nepomucene call 641-8444

Sklepik z art. Sklepik z art. Sklepik z art. Sklepik z art. religijnymireligijnymireligijnymireligijnymi i kafejkai kafejkai kafejkai kafejka Godziny otwarcia:

Sobota 4:00 PM—6:00 PM Niedziela 9:30 AM—1:30PM

Tel: 216-206-4947

Open bOpen bOpen bOpen before and efore and efore and efore and after Mass after Mass after Mass after Mass !

ST. STAN’S HISTORICAL FACT by Rob Jagelewski

. Father Anton Kolaszewski was a towering figure in the history of our Parish. Father Kolaszewski envisioned the building of our present church and carried through with the building of the church from 1886– 1891. The church was built for the cost of $250,000. Father Kolaszewski accrued a debt in the building of the church some of which he hid from the Diocese. He had problems with Bishop Ignatius Horstman. This eventually led to his resignation as Pastor in 1892. He was succeeded by Father Benedict Rosinski. Father Kolaszewski traveled to Syracuse, New York and became involved with the Polish National Church. He returned to Cleveland in 1894 without Bishop Horstman’s permission and built Immaculate Heart of Mary, as a Polish National church. Father Kolaszewski was excommunicated from the Catholic Church. All Parishioners of our Parish, who followed Father Kolaszewski to Immaculate Heart of Mary were excommunicated as well. Father Kolaszewski and the community of Immaculate Heart of Mary were reconciled with Bishop Horstman in 1908. Father Kolaszewski resigned and Father Methodius Kielar OFM from St. Stanislaus was named Administrator of Immaculate Heart of Mary. Despite the involvement in the schism of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Father Kolaszewski is still a very important historical figure for us. He also established Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish to relieve overcrowding at St. Stanislaus.

VISITVISITVISITVISIT ST. STANISLAUST. STANISLAUST. STANISLAUST. STANISLAUSSSS

SHRINE SHOPPESHRINE SHOPPESHRINE SHOPPESHRINE SHOPPE

Open after Weekend Masses CHRISTMAS GIFTS ON DISPLAY

OPłATKI (CHRISTMAS WAFERS)

The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, will make Christmas Wafers (opłatki) available to parishioners at the Shrine Shop or Rectory. The packets contain 4 wafers for a donation of $2.00 or more per package.

Slavic Village Holiday Harvest Market Foods & Crafts Festival... Friday December 19th from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Americana Cafe, 3664 East 65th Street, in the heart of the historic Warszawa District. …FEATURING SOME OF THE FINEST LOCALLY GROWN & FRESHLY PREPARED FARM, GARDEN, & HOMECRAFTED SEASONAL PRODUCTS! …Order your Holiday treats, a la carte ‘heirloom’ vegetables, farm products, & produce “Share Bags” *… -- pick up & enjoy for the upcoming Holidays!...

Tuesday, December 9th our Elementary School presented a special Christmas gift to their parents and the parishioners of St. Stanislaus. Thank you to all who participated and special thanks to our Music Teacher Ms. Rebecca Norton.

Check Out youtube — Christmas Wafers: Good for the Soul! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dOa6Qdzz29M