Jesus is the "cornerstone rejected by the builders, which has become the cornerstone". He is the good shepherd who laid down his life for us. Through his paschal mystery we have become children of God.

Mon Acts 11:1-18; Pss 42:2-3;43:3-4; Jn 10:1-10

Mother’s Day and World Day of Prayer for Vocations are being celebrated together this year. In Pope John Paul II’s message for the occasion, he reminds us that Mary knew "the agitation of a young heart when faced with the plan of the Eternal God." As children grow up and make life choices, there are undoubtedly times of agitation. Please pray for mothers as they serve role models in responding faithfully to God, and pray for children as they look to their parents for guidance in discovering God’s plan in their lives. May each of our hearts be filled with eagerness and energy to serve the Lord. More information can be found at: www.churchvocatons.com .

Please note: $10,500.00 is needed weekly to pay our bills

PLEASE PRAY

Please keep in your prayers the sick and the homebound of our parish, Frank Battaglia, Ellen Blados, L.C., Mary Cala, Maria Carriero, John Cegonko, Josephine Centrobi, Geraldine D’Amico, Laureen Degi, Eleanor Dembowski, Rita Downey, Dominic Fabrizio, Angelo Farace, Bessie Gentile, Virginia Harley, John Husack, Domenica Hustosky, Casmer Jurkowski, Jessica Kickham, Mary Klutarich, Millie Kulchar, Doris Kostura, Rosemarie Lawrence, Don Lubecki, Elizabeth Miller, James Neitzel, Jeffrey Newbauer, Judith Nagorski, Dane Novak, Stanley Novak, Marianne Pupkiewicz, Josephine Radic, James Rehmer, Doris Russo, Eleanor Sabo, Rachel Selvaggio, Jordyn Sansavera, Esther Schneider, Bonnie Sobiesienski, Ann Marie Spice, Mark Szalek, Lisa Szymanski, Daniel Sholz, Nancy Thompson, Julia Tomaselli, Jean Toth, Stanley Trojanowski, Michael Tustan and Mildred Walter.

This Sacrament will be celebrated on Saturday, May 31 at the 4:30 pm Mass. Those with advanced age or suffering from physical, spiritual or emotional illness are invited to share in this Sacrament.

How about a gift certificate. She could buy herself something at Kohl’s, Penney’s or Kaufman’s—Bath and Body Works or Borders—take herself to eat at Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden or Applebee’s etc. Give her a "Simply Certificate" that is good at a whole list of places. Gift certificates are always the right size and right color! Available after Mass and at the rectory during regular business hours.

For over 80 years, Catholic Charities has provided HOPE to the hungry, homeless, children and families, disabled, and elderly of our community. Please give HOPE to more people – join thousands of others across our Diocese who are giving generously to Catholic Charities the weekend of May 17 and 18. Gifts can also be made online at www.clevelandcatholiccharities.org. For more information you can call 216-696-6525, ext. 1049.

We celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday this weekend since it is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. We have reason to celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday since this weekend one of our own was ordained into the ministry of shepherding God’s flock. Yesterday morning, Ted Bizon became Deacon Ted Bizon as Bishop Pilla ordained him and eight others to the order of Diaconate. Today, he assists at the 11:00 am mass, where he will deliver the homily for the first time as Deacon.

Ted will make a fine deacon here. You know him as co-chair of our Vibrant Parish Life Committee, facilitator with his wife Bernadette of our Pre-Baptismal program, lector and Eucharistic minister at mass, active member of the School Advisory Board, to name a few areas of involvement. After ordination, there will be other areas of ministry in which Ted will be involved. Truly, Ted’s ordination as deacon is a great blessing to all of us at St. Martin.

Another reason to celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday is because today is Mother’s Day. Mothers who love their children unconditionally show us the love of God made real. Let us take the time this day to thank God for our mothers living and deceased.

Fr. Jamie

Anna Jarvis, a Philadelphia schoolteacher, is credited with originating the first observance of Mother’s Day, and the tradition of carnations on that day.

Anna’s mother had created "Mother’s Work Day" to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her Appalachian community, a cause she believe would be best advocated by mothers. Three years after her mother died, Anna organized a "mother’s day" at her church and handed out white carnations—her mother’s favorite flower.

Five years later, the House of Representatives designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, and requested all federal officials to wear white carnations on that day.

Carnations represent the sweetness and endurance of a mother’s love. It has become traditions to wear a white carnation if one’s mother is dead, and a red one if she is living.

The Search Committee has made its recommendation to the pastor from among the applicants who were interviewed for the school principal position. We hope to inform you by next weekend who that person is.

Please come to the school after the 11:00 am mass today for a reception, sponsored by the Parish Council, in honor of our newly-ordained deacon, Rev. Mr. Ted Bizon. Come, celebrate together with him and his family. Ask for a blessing and bring your encouraging words for him.

These groups met recently to get to know each other better and to share information. What is in the offing is a Town Hall Meeting, open to all parishioners, on Sunday, June 1, from 5:30-7:30 pm.

"The best solutions will be those that strive to create collaborative leadership groups that employ the full complement of all the Church’s ministries.

"My fourth conviction is that vibrant parish life is best achieved through the collaborative efforts of several ministries and communities in an area, and that these ministries will often permeate parish boundaries.

"Traditional parish boundaries can be respected without serving as an obstacle to shared parish life throughout the Diocese."

Next Sunday, May 18, Team A will serve our monthly dinner at St. Augustine’s Hunger Center. Please bring your aprons and a gallon of milk. Anyone interested in feeding the hungry please call Bob or Darlene at 216-328-0121.

Bishop Anthony M. Pilla will honor couples married 50 years in 2003 (married in 1953) with a special Eucharistic Liturgy on Sunday, July 27, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Couples who wish to attend are required to make reservations by June 2. For registration forms or more information call the rectory at 216-475-4300.

We honor mothers today because, like the Good Shepherd in today’s gospel, mothers have "laid down their lives" for us. Repeatedly they have laid aside their own plans and needs to assure our safety, growth and happiness. They have given their lives for us. There is more than one blessed mother.

Sat: May 10 Mother’s Day Carnation Sale (C)

Our parish has been blessed by the presence of Jim Piskura who is celebrating his 25^th year as a PSR catechist. Jim teaches the eighth grade and is the Confirmation coordinator for the PSR children. In addition to his work with the children of our parish, Jim is a Eucharistic Minister and serves on the Vibrant Parish Life Committee. Truly, Jim is a role model for our children. God bless you, Jim on your "first" 25 years of faithful service.

During the Easter Vigil Mass, three parishioners were fully initiated into the Church. Rachael Braxton received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Diane Maslowski and Erin Chaloupek received the sacrament of Confirmation. Our parish is blessed by the commitment of these three holy women. Please keep them in your prayers.

The final Confirmation preparation class will be held this Tuesday in the School. All PSR Confirmation Candidates are expected to attend.

The celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Monday evening, May 19^th. Bishop Roger Gries, OSB will be the celebrant. Please keep our confirmandi in your prayers as they continue in their sacramental preparation.

The quickest way for a mother to get her children’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable.

Blessing of Age will be held on Wednesday May 28, 2003 at the following churches:

Ss. Peter and Paul, Garfield Hts.

St. John Neuman, Strongsville

Our Lady of Victory, Tallmadge

St. Jude, Elyria

St. John Vianney, Mentor

Holy Spirit Byzantine, Parma

The event will start at 1:45 pm, with a musical prelude followed by Liturgy. Refreshments will be served. All older adults and their families are invited to join in the day’s festivities. See bulletin board for more detail.

In honor of Mary and the self-less giving of all MOTHERS, both living and deceased, St. Martin’s will be selling carnations for Mother’s Day, May 10 and 11, at all Masses. Donation is $1.00.

Parishioners are invited to share carnations with the "Mothers" in their lives or to place them in memory of loved ones in the vases that will be provided in the daily Mass Chapel near the Holy Family statue and by the Adoration Chapel door.

On Saturday, May 24, all Youth, including the newly confirmed 8^th graders, are invited to join us in a full day of events! From 9:00 am—2:00 pm. Youth Ministry will be holding a CAR WASH on the SMT grounds. All Youth need to be there by 8:15 pm with buckets, sponges and sunscreen in hand. At 4:30 pm, there will be a YOUTH MASS. This Mass is planned especially for the Youth of the parish! Finally, from 5:30-9:30pm a BONFIRE will be held for all members new and old! Please bring a 2-lt bottle of pop to the bonfire; pizza and snacks will be provided. please join in this day of faith and fun!

May 16 - We will celebrate our elders on Grandparents' Day.
May 18 - All are welcome to attend the Art Show.
May 20 - Outdoor fun will be rampant at Games Day.
May 29 - Our wonderful eighth grade class will graduate.

Plans for Vacation Bible School are currently being developed. VBS will be held from June 23^rd through June 27^th at St. Martin’s. Please mark these dates on your calendar. If you are interested in having your child participate in VBS, please contact Diana McCormick at (216) 475-3455 for more information.

A celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of the Nativity BVM, formerly on Aetna Road in Cleveland, is planned for September 7 at St. Joseph Byzantine Church in Brecksville. Reservations are required. For ticket information please call John Stefanov at 216-524-2451.

MARTINEER TRAVELERS

(West Side Market)

(My Fair Lady)

(West Virginia)

(New York)

Please reserve your seat early. Contact Dee Kriz at 216-663-7258 for pricing and more information

The "Where Are You Going?" Retreat weekend is an opportunity for single adults ages 20 to 40 to explore and learn about a life of community, prayer and service, particularly as they are lived by priests, sisters and brothers. The retreat is designed to assist individuals in making a whole-hearted response to their vocation, whatever it might be, without pressure or request for commitment. For more information call 216-696-6525, ext. 3490 or 800-869-6525, ext. 3490. E-mail dvo@churchvocations.com. Go online for information and to register at www.churchvocations.com.