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

9:00 am Eleanor Fritsky (Family)

11:00 am Nino Fiore (Family)

7:30 am Margaret Puleo (Family and Friends)

7:30 am No Mass

7:30 am Communion Service

0

7:30 am Mr. and Mrs. Segula

(Ed Segula and Dawn Turk)

7:30 am Clifford Ainsworth

4:30 pm Olive Rocchicciolo (Dee Kriz)

9:00 am Lillian Wasielewski (Husband, Stanley)

11:00 am Josephine Granatosky (Family)

Please note: $10,500.00 is needed weekly

to pay our bills and avoid going into debt

And the recently deceased: Helen Plewacki, Daniel Ferrara and Robert Rybicki.

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 Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

The Feast of the Presentation, also called Candlemas, focuses on Christ as the ‘light of the world.’ In baptism each of us received a candle, lighted from the Easter candle. The light of Christ is to burn brightly in the hearts and lives of we who believe. This light is to brighten and warm us on the journey of discipleship. We are to take that light out to others and to build up the church.

We are to have the heart of Jesus, to see things as he sees them, particularly in seeing each human being with love as God sees them. This is difficult when we are at odds with others. How do we love Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, or anyone else, near to us or far away, when there is anger, bitterness, strife, misunderstanding, disagreement, and, perhaps, hatred between us?

That’s where we need to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. It is not enough to want to have a heart like Jesus; we need to grown personally and spiritually by cooperating with the Holy Spirit moving within us. This is challenging for me, because of my own patterns of self- centeredness and pride. I know, as pastor, how tempting it is to want to lord it over people or to act as if I have all the answers, which I do not. Certainly, I need transformation by the Holy Spirit.

Finally, the light of Christ will lead us in ways to seize opportunities to do the work of making disciples. Jesus calls each of us to go into the world, seizing every opportunity. He wants us to know he will open the hearts of people and will pour grace upon them. But, we all have a job or ministry to do. Let us take up the challenge to go and make disciples of all the world.

‘Light’-heartedly,

Fr. Jamie

As of February 1, the rectory office hours are as follows: Monday-Thursday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. The office is now closed on Saturdays. However, appointments can be made by phone for keys needed for the church or school or for meetings with the pastor.

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. Since last week, Fr. Tom Winkel, pastor of St. Mary in Bedford, has asked if he can join in the pulpit sharing. That makes four pastors who will take part in this process over the next several months. Fr. Tom Mahoney of St. Pius X Church, Bedford, Fr. Foster, Fr. Winkel, and, of course, Fr. Jamie will take part in these opportunities to share the Gospel and to share concerns from the respective parishes.

Coffee and donut holes are served after the 9:00 am mass. You can even come early for the 11:00 am mass for a bit of refreshment and fellowship.

There is still room for others who would like to be involved in the investigative process to determine the need and desire of a ‘sanctuary cross’ for the church. Half a dozen have expressed an interest in this project. If you are interested, let Fr. Jamie know. First step is to get feedback on the desire of the parishioners to have such a cross.

We lucked out again! Through the Schiavonis, Gary and Mary Ann, parishioners residing in Valley View, we pulled the date of Sunday, August 17, 2003, for our annual parish picnic. After Easter we will begin our preparations for another fun parish event.

"I envision this self-selected clustering effort as the beginning phase of a larger discernment process that will renew parish life in every area of our Diocese. We each must do our part to plant the seeds and lay the foundation for collaboration and unity that will deepen with time. If the future of ministry is to be vibrant and viable into the next Millennium, it will take a stated vision, a thoughtful and prayerful discernment, a conversions of hearts and minds, and most especially courageous and cooperative parish leaders. I am confident that the Spirit is moving among us and will renew our local Church."

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!

In today’s Gospel, Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the temple where he is consecrated or set apart to serve the Lord. Each of us is consecrated in our baptism to serve God’s purpose and then molded by God in our family. Do we talk and pray together about seeking and following God in our homes?

Patient: Doctor, is there anything you can do to cure my snoring?

Doctor: Does it disturb your wife?

Patient: No, it only embarrasses my wife. It is the rest of the people in the church who are disturbed!

(from THE RETURN OF THE GOOD CLEAN JOKES, compiled by Bob Phillips, 1986)

What is disturbing on the Feast of the Presentation is that the child Jesus is to be the source of the rise and downfall of many, a sign of contradiction, and that the heart of Mary will be pierced as with a sword. Following Jesus comes with a price. Not only did Jesus take up the cross; we, too, as his followers, must take up the cross daily in our own lives. That is the price of following in the Lord’s footsteps.

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.

Coffee at 7:30AM in the church lobby, prayer and discussion from 8 to 9AM

This months theme will be " Now I lay me down to sleep" a simple guide to prayer. We are an expanding group of parish men who desire to grow spiritually and develop friendships with those having similar desires. Open to all Men of the parish at no cost.

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.

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.

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!

To