The Ninevites heard the preaching of Jonah and repented of their evil ways, thus experiencing the Lord’s compassion. Do we repent when we hear the preaching of Jesus? Do we invest our lives in the world rather than in God’s kingdom?

4:30 pm For the Parishioners

9:00 am Jerome Stefanski (Margaret Lapczyk)

11:00 am Bessie and Charles Fiore (Family)

7:30 am Mary Ann Roveri (Lisa Morris)

7:30 am No Mass

7:30 am Communion Service

0

7:30 am Mildred Valduga

(Dominic & Elizabeth Siciliano)

7:30 am Louis Trocchio. (Son-in-law)

4:30 pm George Rericha, Sr. (Hedy and Family)

9:00 am Eleanor Fritsky (Family)

11:00 am Nino Fiore (Family)

The Vincentian Sisters welcome you to come and enjoy their Bethlehem Scene featuring over 1000 angels. Throughout January you are welcome to the Motherhouse at 1160 Broadway Ave., Bedford. Hours are Monday–Friday 9:00 -11:00 am; 1:00-4:00 pm; 6:00-7:00 pm; Saturday–Sunday 1:00-4:00 pm. Groups are asked to call 440-232-4755 to make arrangements.

Please note: $10,500.00 is needed weekly

to pay our bills and avoid going into debt

Our parish mission will be held on the evenings of March 30, 31, and April 1. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this Mission experience of singing, prayer, and Scripture. Share in this journey of mission and celebrate who we are as a parish faith community.

If you wish to receive a statement of your 2002 Contributions, please fill in the information below and drop it in the collection basket. Statements may be picked up at the Rectory on Thursdays only beginning January 23. If you wish to have your statement mailed, please attach a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Name_____________________________________________

Address___________________________________________

City___________________________Zip Code____________

Envelope #__________________

Dear Parishioners,

At this time of year, the Church and/or Diocese often sets aside a particular week to remind us of the essential place that some ministry has in our lives. Last week was a focus on Church unity and the sacredness of life, particularly from its beginning at conception. Today begins a week to celebrate and thank God for our Catholic schools. From the time of the first Catholic immigrants to America, the faith formation and education of children (and adults) has been a high priority. Women and men, rich and poor, religious, clergy, and laity alike have made tremendous sacrifices to build churches and to build and sustain schools–Catholic elementary schools, high schools, universities, and seminaries.

God has blessed us in the Cleveland area with the fruits of those sacrifices. We have many parish elementary schools, lots of Catholic High Schools, several Catholic Universities and Colleges, and our Diocesan Graduate School Seminary. We have every right to be proud of our own school, St. Martin of Tours Elementary School.

We know that there are many challenges in society and in the church that we face when trying to ensure the continuing success of our schools at all levels. One challenge is rising costs. The cost of college education is going sky high, increasing annually faster than the rate of inflation. Our high school and elementary rates of increase are not far behind that of the colleges. We must find ways to make Catholic education financially available to the broad spectrum of families and develop ways to pay our educators wages that are competitive in the market place. The value of a true Catholic education cannot be described in dollar signs, but in the quality of lives of the graduates of those institutions.

Another challenge lies in sticking to the mission of Catholic education. The first purpose of Catholic education is to teach Jesus and his ways to students of all ages, whether Catholic or non-Catholic. If we only produce smart students, good at academics, the arts, and athletics, we are nothing more than private schools. Therefore, we must always keep the primary focus in our education on our Catholic faith–to learn it, to love it, and to live it.

Pray for all Catholic schools, especially our school–St. Martin of Tours Elementary School.

Yours in Jesus Christ the Teacher,

Fr. Jamie

One way to ensure a lasting memorial at St. Martin of Tours Church is to make a bequest in your will for the parish or for the school. Your gift will enable the parish to grow or help families provide for the education of their child(ren).

Fr. Clyde Foster, pastor of St. Wenceslas, Maple Heights, will preside here at 4:30 pm mass on Saturday, February 1, while Fr. Jamie, our pastor, presides at the 5:00 pm mass at St. Wenceslas. Fr. Tom Mahoney of St. Pius X Church, Bedford, will join in the mix of pulpit sharing to communicate mutual concerns and blessings in our three parishes.

Contact the rectory office if you would like to help with serving at coffee and donuts. Our intention is to start up again on Sunday, February 2, after the 9 am mass.

If you would like to be part of a group to examine the possibility of a ‘sanctuary cross’ for the church, please contact Fr. Jamie at the rectory. First step is to get feedback on the desire of the parishioners to have a cross.

Beginning Saturday, February 1, the parish office will no longer be open on Saturdays. So, if you need keys to open a building or room for a meeting, you will need to make those arrangements in advance. If you have business or desire an appointment with the pastor, please make the necessary phone call to secure the appointment.

"I ask that each parish, using the resources to be developed, assess its vitality and vibrancy as a manifestation of ‘parish life’ which the universal Church and our Diocese have envisioned. Discover and proclaim what most gives life in your parish. Identify your best resources and your greatest examples of vibrancy. Discern those areas where you hope to enhance parish vitality. During this time of review and assessment, adequate catechesis will be essential to help our people to understand the vision of parish life that is at the heart of ‘why’ we are undertaking this process."

If you would like to schedule a Mass Intention for the year 2003, please call the parish office at 216-475-4300.

VIBRANT LIFE BULLETIN BOARD,
Thank you to all who put their names on the "houses" on the bulletin board. There is still time to put your name on a house.

You are the "buildings" of the New City of God. In recognition for all that you do, we would like to have you put your organization’s name on a building on the bulletin board and some information about your ministry:
          Organization or ministry

          Description of what you do

          Meeting dates or a contact person 

          What kind of help you may need

We would like everyone to get an idea of all the wonderful work going on at our parish. Thank you for all that you do for St. Martin of Tours!

The St. Martin of Tours CYO and Men’s Club is hosting their annual "Night at the Races." This supports the children of our parish. The horses are set to leave the starting gate on Saturday, February 22, 2003 at the Birchwood Party Center, Northfield Road, doors open at 6:00 pm. For information or to reserve tickets or horses please call Kathy Chmura at 440-232-3096.

February 10 Mountaineers Casino $20.00

Call Dee Kriz at 216-663-7258 for more information. Ask about $5.00 off coupons for these trips. ALL ARE WELCOME!

(from OVERHEARD AT THE COUNTRY CAFÉ, 1998)

Whenever Jesus calls us, let us respond by dropping the nets of busyness and indifference in order to follow him. There is no substitute and no replacement for total commitment to Jesus, who showed his total commitment to us by being nailed to the cross.

Congratulations to the second graders who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time during the last several weeks. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue in their faith journey to the reception of the First Eucharist on Sunday, May 4.

Thank you to Gerri Marks who baked for the reception following the Reconciliation Service and to all those who helped make the service special for our young children. Thanks, also to the visiting clergy who assisted Father Jamie , Father Tim Plavac, Father Chris Weber and Father John Olsavsky.

An informational meeting for parents of eighth graders who wish to be Confirmed on May 19^th will be held in the Church on Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m.

It’s JASON Project Time Again, students in grades six through eight have been learning about marine life in the Channel Islands including the effect of kelp on marine life.  On February 4, students will travel to Case Western Reserve University to interact with current JASON XIV:  From Shore to Sea Argonauts through a live broadcast.

Applications for registration for kindergarten children for the 2003-2004 school year may be picked up in the school office until March 3, 2003. These forms must be returned to school by March 3, 2003.

St. Martin is again participating in the Giant Eagle Apples for the Students Program. Giant Eagle provides the opportunity for students to get FREE computer and educational related equipment into our classrooms. Register for the program at www.gianteagle.com or call 1-800-474-4777. Our School ID Number is 2866. Supporters who registered last year are automatically registered for this year’s program. The program runs until March 22, 2003. Help us earn these needed resources by spreading the word to co-workers, family and friends.

On Saturday, February 8^th SMT Youth Ministry will be going tubing at Brandywine. We will begin this event by attending 4:30 pm Mass together. Then after Mass we will carpool to Brandywine to go tubing from 6:00–10:00 pm. The price for tubing is $15.00 for 4 hours. Your parents will need to pick you up from Brandywine, (or they are welcome to stay and go tubing with us.) If you have any questions, please call Jim Ryba at 216-524-3203.

Catholic Schools Week is here! Celebrate Catholic Schools: Making a World of Difference. Here are the main events of the week:

Sunday, January 26: Science Fair 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Monday, January 27: Community Outreach Day

Students will collect supplies for Rainbow Babies.

Tuesday, January 28: Student Day

Family Fun Night 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 29 Parent Day

Family Open House 12:45-1:45 p.m.

8:30-9:30 a.m. Parish Open House

Grade 5 Letters to Shut-ins

6:00-8:00 p.m. Potluck Dinner

Friday, January 31:  Faculty/Staff Day

To