Jesus was obedient to the Father, even to death on a cross. We need never fear if we turn away from the path of virtue for the Lord is ever ready to forgive us, if we but repent. Remember, the Lord’s compassion and kindness are from of old.

4:30 pm Sue Koteles (Ed and Amy Koteles)

8:00 am Franklyn and Katherine Burger (Sabol Family)

10:00 am For the Parishioners

12:00 pm Mary Trifiletti (Family)

7:30 am Margaret Stroh (Gerry Howe)

7:30 am Tillie Drews (Gerry Howe)

7:30 am Chester Patrzyk (Daughter, Pam)

4:30 pm Walter J.Grabowy (Family)

8:00 am Sue Koteles (Vern Wroblewski and Family)

10:00 am Michael Tilly (Family)

12:00 pm For the Parishioners

All are invited to a planning meeting for our Annual Spaghetti Dinner on October 10 at 7:00 pm in the Rectory basement.

to pay our bills and avoid going into debt

Please keep in your prayers the sick and the homebound of our parish, Elizabeth Baroni, Nick Balishin, Ellen Blados, L.C., Mary Cala, Maria Carriero, John Cegonko, Geraldine D’Amico, Eleanor Dembowski, Rita Downey, Dominic Fabrizio, Cheryl Gesik, Judy Glaros, Helen Glinka, Edward Globokar, Virginia Harley, John Husack, Jessica Kickham, Millie Kulchar, Rosemarie Lawrence, Don Lubecki, Camille Manzo, Elizabeth Miller, Judith Nagorski, Helen Plewacki, Josephine Radic, Clara Rocco, Eleanor Sabo, Jordyn Sansavera, Catherine Schiffbauer, Daniel Sholz, Bonnie Sobiesienski, Fred Tomaselli, Julia Tomaselli, Jean Toth, Stanley Trojanowski, Michael Tustan and Linda Yovanno.

The game is underway! Each $10.00 ticket has 100 chances to win. Every ticket sold benefits St. Martin of Tours.

Sell your tickets and drop your returns into the collections at mass, or mail your returns to St. Martin’s Rectory.

All returns in by October 13^th will be eligible for the sellers’ raffle. You may win on of the $50.00 prizes.

Thanks for helping St. Martin of Tours!

"What do you think?" was Jesus’ question in today’s gospel. In families we sometimes use this same question more as a ploy, to give us time to assess a situation before announcing our solution. Parents and spouses would do well to follow the example of Jesus. His was an honest question. He really listened!

Entertainment books are here — they are available by contacting Maryann Anselmo–216-524-1202; Vera Bednarski–216-642-5613; Sue Kenzig–216-642-7506; Kathy Mamone–216-475-7417; Andrea Sabol–440-439-8616; Debbie Valus–216-524-6366. The price is $25.00 until December 2. After December 3, the price is $30.00 Thank you for your support.

Dear parishioners,

Last Sunday at 10:00 am mass, I commissioned fourteen parishioners to form our Vibrant Parish Life Coordinating Team. They are Al Banones, Bob Bugai, Ed Francis, Phyllis Haaser-Zetts, Mike Kosteinshek, Fred & Pat Lisy, Shirley Mohammed, Dennis & Elsie Osowski, Jim Piskura, Jim Ryba, and Marsha Smith. Their responsibility over roughly the next two years will be to implement Bishop Pilla’s pastoral letter "On Vibrant Parish Life." The implementation focuses in two major directions. The first direction is how we at St. Martin’s can become a more vibrant parish; the second is like it, only on a larger scale, namely, how we can, together with the other parishes in our area, be a more vibrant Catholic Church.

If this process is going to fly, we need to believe that it will. We need to believe that we can effect positive changes and give witness to gospel living at SMT as well with our sister and brother parishes in the community. This is no easy task. It is one that will take honest, soul searching, hard work; realistic goals; and, especially, the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I, personally, am glad that Fr. Matt and Ted Bizon, who will be ordained a deacon for us in May ’03, have consented to co-chair this process. I will be very much involved as well. However, I believe that this will be a good time for me to be a team member rather than chairperson, so that I can get to know much better the team members and what the needs are of the parish.

Of course, all of us are called to participate in this process in our prayers, through our suggestions, and in giving helping hands. In truth, by cooperating with the gifts the Holy Spirit gives us, we are all responsible for the vibrancy of our parish as well as the universal church.

May God’s generous blessings be upon you this week.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Jamie

Frs. Matt and Jamie and Deacon John Bender take communion to shut-ins and to the sick on the First Friday of each month. They will be doing so this Friday, October 4. If you want or someone you know wants a home visitation with communion, please contact the rectory office so that we do not miss anyone who wants the Eucharist on First Friday. Currently, we have about twenty parishioners on our list.

We provide pastoral visitation to hospitalized parishioners as long as we know that someone from the parish is in hospital. As a rule, the hospitals do not notify the parishes. Therefore, family or friends need to let us know who is in which hospital.

Next Sunday, October 6, is Respect Life Sunday. The greatest gift God gives us is the gift of life. Let us treasure that gift especially by cherishing the unborn, the elderly, those who live with handicaps, the poor, the sick, the hungry, the imprisoned, and the oppressed.

These are taken directly from Bishop Pilla’s letter:

"My first conviction is that our chosen method for achieving vibrant parish life for all of our people must be an experience of ‘communion’–growing together in Christ.

"My second conviction is one of deep respect for, and reliance upon, the leadership of those closest to each situation.

"My third conviction is that the priests, deacons, religious and lay ecclesial ministers serving the parishes of our Diocese must be respected and that their faithful cooperation is essential.

"My fourth and final 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."

CLW will start this Sunday. September 28 at the 10:00 am Mass.

It’s never too late to get started. The answer to this question lies in the process called RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). If you want to know Jesus as Lord, come. If you want to share in the faith millions know in the Catholic Church, then the RCIA is for you. RCIA continues on Monday, September 30th at St. Pius X Parish, 400 Center Road in Bedford, beginning at 7:00 pm. St. Martin’s has joined St. Wenceslas, St. Pius X, and Holy Trinity to make a team effort. If you are interested in the Catholic Faith, call the rectory. If you would like to be on the team, let Fr. Jamie or Fr. Matt know.

The fall season is upon us and basketball sign-up’s are just around the corner. Sign-ups will be done in person on September 30 between 6:30 and 8:30 pm, in the lobby of SMT School. You will need to pay in full at this time, which is $45.00, per child per sport. We will also be handing out physical forms at this time. Remember that a physical is only good for one year. After Sept 30, the sign-up’s will be closed so do not forget. If there should be any questions or problems please feel free to contact Steve Crooks at 440-439-2128.

Sometimes after mass our certificate sellers are as lonely as the Maytag repairman. Please stop and support our parish certificate program. If you’re not ready to buy, they will be happy to explain the plan. Sorry we don’t give free samples.

A woman commented to her pastor, "You don’t know how much your homilies have meant to my husband since he lost his mind."

(from HOLY HUMOR, by Cal and Rose Samra, 1996)

Let’s not lose our minds over which child did what the Father asked. Neither one mentioned in the Gospel today got it perfect. One said he would go and didn’t; the other said he wouldn’t go and did go to the vineyard. The way to have the mind of Christ is to say it and do it–to be consistent in word and deed. That’s what the Lord is looking for.

To commemorate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi the Patron Saint of Environment and lover of all Creation, a pet blessing will be held. St. Francis is especially known for his fondness of animals. We invite you and your pet to Church on Saturday, October 5, at 11:00 am. All animals are welcome!

Are you looking for more? Dissatisfied with what the world has to offer? A Thirst for God not Satisfied? Come to the Life in the Spirit Seminar! Fr. Jamie will be the presenter on September 30, for a teaching on "Repentance and Healing."

The Life in the Spirit Seminar will be held on six consecutive Mondays starting September 16, 7:30–9:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church, 340 Main St., Hudson, Ohio. For more information call Ryeo Kim at 330-656-1312.

St. Martin of tours Cub Scout Pack 380 will be selling popcorn after all Masses on October 12 and 13. If you have questions or to place an order please call Kathy Malkus at 216-581-8167. Thank you for supporting our scouts!

The 6^th annual Pro-Life Chain will be held on Saturday, October 12, rain or shine in front of the Planned Parenthood Abortuary located at 19500 Rockside Rd., Bedford from 12:00 (noon) until 1:00 pm. These will be one hour of silent prayer and witness to stop abortion at this facility as well as across our nation and the world. All are welcome to participate.

The weekend of October 13-14 marks the 16^th Annual Blanket Sunday Collection to aid the needy. The collection is sponsored by the Diocesan SVdP Society with the support of WJW-Fox 8, American Greetings Corporation and WDOL 102-1 FM. Check your closets (and maybe even ask your neighbors) for new or like-new blankets, sheets, pillowcases, towels and washcloths. If you gave us everything last year, you can still participate. We’ll gratefully accept a cash donation and do the shopping for you, making your money go even further with bulk purchases of items needed by low income families. So give someone a blanket for the winter and give yourself a warm feeling!

The Martineers wish to say a ‘Big Thank You’ to our fellow parishioners for your jewelry contributions and participation in our jewelry sale. It was a huge success.

Prayerfully the Martineers

We are sponsoring trips to:

Thursday, October 24 Trick or Treat Bag Going to Waterford, Spartansburg, Cambridge, PA

Casino and tour of the Festival of Lights $54.00

For more information or reservations contact Dee Kriz at 216-663-7258. All are Welcome!

Sunday, October 6 between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 pm the Maple Hts. Knights of Columbus will be having their annual Clambake. The dinner cost is $20.00. The Clambake will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 15620 Friend Avenue, Maple Hts. Tickets must be purchased in advance by September 28. There will be no sales at the door. Please contact Dan at 216-662-4550, Lou at 216-662-5344 or Ray at 440-232-3588 for tickets or more information.

The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland has established a hot-line number at which anyone with a concern, a need, a complaint about sexual abuse or any other related matter can get help and can be heard. That phone number is (216) 696-6525 ext. 6600 or 6601.