Sunday

APRIL 17, 2011

PALM SUNDAY

REFLECTIONS from Fr. Bill

Abandonment has two faces. On the one hand, Jesus suffers abandonment not only by his followers but even seemingly by God. On the other hand, Jesus freely chooses an abandonment of his own: letting go of his rightful claim to “equality with God” (second reading,) to his human dignity, and to life itself. For his choice to abandon all, God lifts Jesus in exaltation. This is more than the “plot” of Holy Week; it is the core of Christian life.

Good Friday, April 22^nd, is a day of abstinence from eating meat and also a day of fasting, which is limited to a single full meal (1 full meal, and 2 smaller meals which do not add up to the full meal. No foods between meals.) The law of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years and older. The law of fasting binds all Catholics from their 18^th birthday until their 59^th birthday.

UPCOMING DATES

April 24^th – Easter Sunday

April 29^th – St. Paul Shrine Reverse Raffle

May 1^st – Divine Mercy Sunday

May 8^th – Mother’s Day

H o l y W e e k

Palm Sunday – April 17^th – 10:00 AM

Blessing of Palms, Procession and Mass

Holy Thursday – April 21^st – 7:00 PM

Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday – April 22^nd – 12:00 Noon

Passion of the Lord – Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, Holy Communion, Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday – April 23^rd – 9:30 PM

Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday – April 24^th – 10:00 AM - Mass

HOSPITALITY

Coffee and donuts are served in the Guild Room after Mass on Sunday. Please sign up to bring donuts/bakery, once a month if possible, to help defray costs. Thank you!

Lectors, Servers, and Eucharistic Ministers, if you are unable to serve on your assigned day, please make arrangements for a substitute. Remember to pick up the new schedule in the vestibule of the Shrine at the beginning of each month.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY POTLUCK – MAY 1ST

May 1^ST is Divine Mercy Sunday. A potluck dinner will follow the 10:00 AM Mass. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the vestibule. Please bring a food item to share that day.

Following dinner, we will pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy concluding with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Please Keep in your prayers this week…

Our ill and homebound parishioners, all those serving in the Armed Forces, Victims/Mothers of Abortion, Sr. Bernadette, PCPA, Mary Rice, Artemus Watts, Helen Culp, Owen O’Malley, Beverly Sara, Blain Rapchak, Frank Putrich, Mickey Kociubuk, Mario Oliver, Marie Becker, Tina Ramsey, Lou Lyman, Frances Rericha, Michael L. Sylvester Meates, Julian, Steve Mertes, Georgia Stevens, Albert Jann, Barbra Valgora, Roger Hornyak, Eugene Myslenski, Iris Pogacsnik, Helen Moss, and all who have been commended to our prayers.

FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

The story of Christ’s passion recalls the betrayal and indifference of others that led to his crucifixion. In our homes, family members sometimes feel betrayed or ignored by those who should love them best. Through Christ’s passion and death we have been given new life. We too, can give new life to our family relationships whenever we act with compassion and forgiveness.

REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL

Matthew’s passion account is unique in that he shows how much Jesus seems to be alone in his darkest hour. In our direst of times it would be difficult for us even to imagine the utter abandonment Jesus experienced in his trial, during his suffering, while dying on the cross. At his hour of need Jesus is left alone to face the ultimate abandonment--death itself. Alone.

Jesus’ abandonment actually has two faces. The first face of abandonment: Jesus suffers abandonment not only by his followers but even seemingly by God. First, “all the disciples left him and fled.” Then, he utters that heart-piercing, plaintive cry from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” In the second reading Paul presents another face of abandonment: at the incarnation Jesus chooses to abandon his divinity (“did not regard equality with God something to be grasped”) and even his human dignity (“taking the form of a slave… humbled himself.”) By so abandoning anything that might have brought him exaltation, Jesus demonstrates how completely he chose to

identify with us humans. Jesus freely chooses this second face of abandonment: he let go of his rightful claim to “equality with God” (second reading,) to his human dignity, and even to life itself. For his choice to abandon all, God lifts Jesus in exaltation. This is more than the “plot” of Holy Week; it is the core of Christian life.

By accepting the two faces of abandonment -- abandoning and being abandoned -- Jesus already was showing us the cost of dying to self. Only by emptying ourselves can we share in the exaltation of new life. Only be abandoning the fleeting things that we think will lift us up, such as human status, comfort, or success, can we be lifted up by God to grasp a share of divinity and “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Holy Week reminds us of these demands of self-giving. All of our daily living throughout the year reminds us that, ultimately, like Jesus, we must give ourselves over to God so that we might share in divine life.

5^TH Annual St. Paul Shrine Reverse Raffle

The 5^th Annual St. Paul Shrine Reverse Raffle, is about to take place. It will be at Brennan’s Party Center, on Friday, April 29, 2011. All proceeds from the Raffle will go to the Poor Clare Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and thus support St. Paul Shrine. Ticket sellers should begin turning in sold/unsold tickets if you have not already done so. Tickets are still available, if interested, please see Father Bill.

Fr. Andrew Hohman, OFM CAP.

Fr. Andrew has been serving the Poor Clare Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the people of St. Paul Shrine for almost 19 years as confessor, administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a kind and humble manner. Last summer, Fr. Andrew reached the glorious age of 90. In the middle of February, Fr. Andrew will be retiring as confessor and another Capuchin, Fr. Samuel Driscoll, OFM Cap will replace him. At Fr. Andrew’s request, there will be no public reception, but that we as a Christian community give all thanks and acknowledgement to God for the blessings given to us and to Fr. Andrew through his ministry.

DIVORCED AND CATHOLIC?

Divorce is the sad and painful death of a once precious dream. Faith in Jesus Christ can assist in its healing. Simply being divorced does not separate a Catholic from the Sacraments. Divorced Catholics are encouraged to celebrate the Sacraments regularly. Because of our belief in the life-time commitment of marriage, we urge those who are remarried and without an annulment to abstain from receiving Communion, but to attend Mass with the Christian community. Divorced and remarried Catholics should talk to a parish staff member regarding the possibility of an annulment so that their union can be blessed by the Church.

What have you done for your marriage today?

People have different prayer rhythms but for many couples first thing in the morning is a good time to pray. Never prayed together? Start with a memorized prayer or a Scripture passage. Visit www.foryourmarriage.org for enrichment ideas, spiritual insights, news and resources about marriage.

WORLD WIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

Have you hugged your spouse today? What better way to show your love to your spouse than by taking them to a Marriage Encounter weekend. The next area weekends are scheduled for April 15-17 in Solon, Ohio. Dates fill fast, so early registration is recommended. For more information about the weekend or to register, call Ken and Rose Breen at 440-899-9022 or on the web at wwme.org.

SEPARATED / DIVORCED MINISTRY

A new online newsletter, “Earthen Vessels,” with articles and resources for the separated and divorced is available at: www.clevelandcatholiccharities.org/mfm/divorce.htm

REVERSE RAFFLE - Hope you can be here!

Our Reverse Raffle is set for Friday, April 29, 2011, which is the Friday after Easter. All the proceeds from the Raffle will go to the Poor Clare Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and thus support St. Paul Shrine. As usual, we need ticket sellers. If you are able to give us a hand in helping our Sisters, by supporting this fundraiser, please see Father Bill.

MONASTARY GIFT SHOP NOW OPEN!

The gift shop offers many beautiful items that would make perfect gifts for a Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Birthday, Mother’s Day or any other occasion in which you want to give that special someone a special gift. Stop in and see for yourself!

For your convenience and to provide financial support for the monastery,

the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration

have opened of small gift shop.

Temporarily located in a room near the church restrooms,

the sisters will be available to assist you at the following times:

Monday through Saturday:

10:00AM to 11:30AM

2:00PM to 3:00PM

Sunday:

11:30AM to 3:00PM

All sales directly support the Poor Clares and their ministry of prayer.

Stop in and see what’s available for holiday gifts.

New Catholic Internet Resource

The web site, www.ActiveParishioner.com is a new Catholic resource that aims to bridge the gap between Catholic faith and everyday life – check it out!

WEEKDAY PARKING AROUND THE SHRINE

While we no longer have the benefit of street parking on Euclid Ave., there is still plenty of free parking in and around the Shrine. Should you arrive for daily mass and find our parking lot full, you may park in the lot next to the Center for Families and Children at 4500 Euclid Ave. Free parking is also available in the lot on the north side of Euclid Ave. directly across from our parking lot, used for Sewer District parking. Tell the attendant that you plan to attend the Noon mass at St Paul’s and you should be permitted to park.

The Center for Families and Children own the vacant lot next to our parking lot. The plan was to have the land paved and landscaped this year for parking. When that does happen – and we are told it is still a priority for the organization, the Center has agreed to work with us to allow free parking on their property both on Sundays and weekdays.

Can’t Sleep? Count your blessings, not sheep.

Find your ministry schedule at www.saintpaulshrine.com.

Contact us via email at stpaulshrine@sbcglobal.net

CATHOLIC RADIO

Catholic Radio – WILB AM 1060 – Living Bread Radio – now can be heard throughout nearly every part of the eight counties of the Diocese of Cleveland. AM 1060 is a daytime-only station, meaning it can only broadcast from sunrise to sunset. Its programming includes some of the most prominent teachers and preachers in today’s Catholic world as well as broadcasts of the Mass, rosary and other devotions. The station can also be heard online, 24 hours a day at www.livingbreadradio.com

SUNDAY TV MASS

This outreach ministry to homebound Catholics is made possible with the generous support of our friends at WJW-TV – FOX 8, Adelphia Cable TV, and radio stations

WERE – 1300AM & WELW – 1330AM,

offered by Office of Communications – Diocese of Cleveland.

TELEVISION CABLE TV RADIO

6:30 A.M. 4:00 P.M. 9:00 A.M. 10:30 A.M.

WJW TV – FOX 8 Aldelphia Cable – Channel 21 WELW – 1330 AM WERE – 1300 AM

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STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION FOR THIS SUNDAY

“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” shout the crowds in today’s Gospel. May we be always ready to share our blessings when we are sent in His name!

May the Lord Accept…

the sacrifice you have made this week.

May God bless your generous response in support of the temporal needs of the Shrine of the Conversion of St. Paul. All collections go to the Sisters who are responsible for the finances of the Shrine since we are no longer a parish. Thank you for your generosity.

For the week of April 10, 2011:

Weekday Offering:	$737.00
Sunday Offering:	$484.00
	Thank You!