Saul witnesses the risen Jesus and boldly proclaims his Lordship. We proclaim our belief in Jesus by our love for one another. He is the vine and we the branches. Together let us praise his name in our assembly of worship.

Mon Acts 14:5-18; Ps 115:1-16; Jn 14:21-26

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.

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

Please keep in your prayers the sick and the homebound of our parish, Hilda and Chester Augustine, 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, Janet Jankowski, Casmer Jurkowski, Jessica Kickham, Mary Klutarich, Millie Kulchar, Doris Kostura, Mary Krofta, 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, Julia Tomaselli, Jean Toth, Stanley Trojanowski, Michael Tustan and Mildred Walter.

And the recently deceased: Deborah Shaffer and Gerald Horvath.

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.

—Psalm 34

Dear parishioners,

For some time now I have been praying about our parish and about my role as pastor of St. Martin of Tours. It has become evident to me that the parish stands in need of new leadership and that I need a new beginning as well. I have tried; however, there are important areas of parish life that require revitalization, new vision and the plans to get there. This is a critical time in the history of our parish and community, a time for healing, a time for coming together, a time for clarity in goals. These areas are not my particular strengths. Consequently, within the last two week, I have submitted my resignation as pastor to Bishop Pilla and he has accepted it. I am OK with that.

What will happen now is the similar process for choosing a new pastor as happened when I became pastor. Rev. Larry Jurcak, director of Clergy Personnel for the Diocese, has already spoken with the Parish Pastoral Council, the Parish Finance Council, and the Vibrant Parish Life Committee this past week about this process. On Tuesday, June 10, he will come out again with another representative from the Diocese to speak with the parish staff and, in the evening of that day, to solicit concerns and ideas about the new pastor from any parishioners at a ‘Town Hall’ meeting.

Concurrently, the Diocese will inform its priests that St. Martin’s will have the position available. Priests will then have a few weeks to make an application for pastor. The Diocesan Personnel Board, with the information gathered from the meetings at St. Martin’s in hand, will interview the applicants. Subsequently, they will make a recommendation to Bishop Pilla. Bishop Pilla then will make the appointment of the new pastor. He will also reassign me to a new parish. Fr. Jurcak said that his hope is that the new pastor would be in place by Labor Day of this year. Until that time, I remain pastor of St. Martin of Tours and will do my best to take care of the needs of our parish

Please pray for the parish, for the Bishop, the Personnel Board, the priests of the Diocese, for the process of securing the next pastor, and lastly, I ask for your prayers.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Jamie

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.

The ordination mass for the nine deacons was one of wondrous solemnity, marvelous music, and palpable presence of the Holy Spirit. We are blessed to have Ted Bizon as deacon to serve at St. Martin. It was touching that three members of our choirs sang in the Cathedral Choir for the ordination liturgy. It was even better that a good number of parishioners were present at the mass of ordination. To top it all, the Parish Pastoral Council hosted a most welcoming reception for Deacon Ted after the 11:00 am mass last Sunday. We are proud of you, Ted. May God bless your ministry real good.

Mary Mackin, finishing up sixteen years as principal of St. Brendan’s Elementary School in North Olmsted, has accepted the position as principal at St. Martin of Tours Elementary School. She will begin officially on July 1. The parish Search Committee recommended her highly and Mary has agreed to terms. Welcome, Mary, to the Saint Martin School and Parish Community.

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.

"Ours is a family challenge that demands the prayer, cooperation, and creativity of the entire family. I invite all parishes in our Diocese to respond to this call of renewing our mission.

"The solution I envision will depend upon every parish reconsidering its responsibilities for ‘parish life’ in an area wider than its boundaries."

Parents are reminded that parish and diocesan policy require parents to complete a Baptism Preparation Class before the baptism of their child. The next class is Sunday, June 8th, 12:30 p.m. in the Church. Please call the rectory at 216-475-4300 if you would like to attend.

Congratulations to Katelyn Ali, Matteo Beechuk, Victoria Eder, Annamarie Maher, and Adam Tortelli, who celebrated First Eucharist this weekend. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers.

Sun: May 18 Fifth Sunday of Easter

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.

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 24 and 25. Gifts can also be made online at www.clevelandcatholiccharities.org. For more information you can call 216-696-6525, ext. 1049.

Next weekend, May 24 and 25, will be our monthly St. Vincent de Paul food collection. All non-perishable food items would be greatly appreciated to help those in need. Thank you!

Womankind is an organization that provides high quality prenatal care and a full range of support services to pregnant women and their families at no cost to their clients. They are in need of paper towels, bathroom tissue, disposable diapers (sizes infant to 3 years) and Kleenex. If you can help them with any or all of these items please place them with the St. Vincent de Paul Food collection and mark them clearly "For Womankind". Thank you for your support!

A little girl sat through Sunday religion class and learned about the time Jesus went to a wedding at Cana and made water into wine. "And what did you learn from that story?" asked her mother afterward. The girl thought for a moment and answered, "If you’re having a wedding, make sure Jesus is there."

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.

Thanks to all who helped with the Mother’s Day Carnation Sale. We are grateful to those who prepared the flowers for sale, those who did the selling and those who did the buying.

In addition to providing an opportunity to purchase Mother’s day flowers, the sale raised $600. The sale also gave parishioners a chance to do some community building.

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!

Students thoroughly enjoyed this year's Young Author's Day!  They heard Lisa Umina, accompanied by story character Milo, describe how she became an author and enjoyed listening to Ms. Umina her character voices.  Sr. Assumpta and Bishop Gries shared their favorite books with students.  Also, students learned about what a boomerang is and isn't from 1997 U.S. National Champion Gary Broadbent.  Special thanks to the many volunteers who helped with the crafts, snack, presentations, lunch, and games.  Congratulations to all of the student writers, especially to those who received awards for their books.

Mathematicians Colleen Maher, Tamara Manrique, and Matthew Paul received Champion Awards at this year's Math Tournament sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Council of Teachers of Mathematics.  Also receiving awards were junior high students Ashley Brown, Daniel Okienko, Mitch Tekien, Patrick Majercik, Manjinder Singh, and Nick Womack.  Congratulations to these students for their outstanding effort and achievement!

You are invited to attend our Fine Arts Day events on Sunday, May 18.  You may view student artwork from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (refreshments will be served) and then listen to the beginning and advanced bands play from 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  We look forward to seeing you!

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