UPCOMING EVENTS AND MINISTRY UPDATES
This week...
Monday 5.5-
Whole Family Catechesis- 6 pm in the classrooms. Join us for our Cinco de Mayo celebration in conclusion of this formation year!
Tuesday 5.6-
TNT: Following Christ: Hearing God in Scripture @ 7 pm in the classrooms. Find out more about the upcoming course to concretely grow in your discipleship. See below for details.
Wednesday 5.7-
"Catholic Cofee Break with Fr. Michael Denk" on YouTube @ 12 pm where we'll explore the readings for the upcoming weekend's Masses.
Saturday 5.10-
Vigil Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter - 4 pm Mass.
Sunday 5.11-
Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter- 10 am Mass.
This week's 'Tuesday Night Teaching':
Following Christ
Following Christ is a 7 week course for those who’ve encountered Christ and have decided to commit their lives to discipleship but may not know how best to do that. Whether a seasoned disciple or someone for whom a relationship with Christ is new, Following Christ provides an opportunity to receive practical teaching on how to live as a disciple of Jesus. Better yet, you get a chance to live out the truth that you’re not alone. He’s provided you with other people, other disciples, with whom to share your journey. This is the perfect follow up to the “Discovering Christ” or “Alpha” courses. We will meet on seven consecutive Tuesday nights, beginning on April 29th and concluding on June 10th from 6:30-8:30. How will you respond to his invitation to “Come, Follow Me”?
If you're ready to go further along this journey of discipleship, please register either with the form found in the bulletin or by clicking the link found here. I hope to see you there!
Save the Date:
Beginning on Saturday May 17th!
From the Diocese:
Bishop Malesic Pens First Pastoral Letter,
"A Flourishing Apostolic Church."
The letter, “A Flourishing, Apostolic Church,” is housed on the diocese website and Bishop Malesic also recorded a video message regarding the letter. The letter has been uploaded onto the church's website as well: stmatthiaschurch.org/pastoral-letter. It is available in a downloadable PDF, along with a glossary and a discussion guide; all are available in both English and Spanish. All materials are available at dioceseofcleveland.org/pastoral-letter. I've also included the document and the glossary below. It is the sincere hope of Bishop Malesic and Fr. Michael that everyone read the document.
Fr. Michael's article from last weekend:
My Dear Parishioners,
The Bishop recently replaced the last norms from 1990. He is asking parishes to either form or modify existing Parish Pastoral Councils according to these norms.
“All our work as a church ought to be rooted in the belief that Jesus is with us, asking us to be missionary disciples. Our parishes, as centers of worship, evangelization, and service, must strive to help people fall in love with the person of Jesus Christ, especially present in a unique way in the Eucharist. Our Parish Pastoral Councils are tools in service to that bold vision. They are crucial sources of advice and counsel to our pastors and parish life coordinators as they discern how best to move forward together in service to our Lord.”
“The purpose of a parish pastoral council is twofold: To assist the pastor in implementing the Church’s vision for parish life as a center of worship, evangelization, and service. To assist the pastor by receiving and evaluating feedback on existing activities and new initiatives within the parish.”
Their gifts and talents are also meant to help the pastor in “his plan of implementing the Church’s vision for parish life as centers of worship, evangelization, and service in a welcoming environment.”
“The Church's vision for parish life is as centers of worship, evangelization, and service in a welcoming environment. The pastor and council are to keep in mind that "in the process of renewal and restructuring, the Parish has to avoid the risk of falling into an excessive and bureaucratic organization of events and an offering of services that do not express the dynamic of evangelization, but rather the criterion of self-preservation.”
“The Pastor is to preside over the Parish Pastoral Council and must be present at all its meetings. Even though a Parish Pastoral Council is consultative (not decision-making or voting), the pastor may, at his discretion, designate individual members to assist in his management of the council in these optional roles. Pamela Ziss has been our chairperson from the previous council, and I have asked her to continue her role as we transition to this new parish council. The chair assists in developing an agenda for and facilitates meetings. The Vice-chair, Pat Biel, shares in the chair’s work and performs responsibilities in the absence of the chair, and the recording secretary, Lisa Weber, takes written notes during meetings to record the Council’s discussions in either minutes or summaries of the meeting as directed by the Pastor. The members will serve two to three-year terms. “The only agenda the Parish Pastoral Council should seek is God’s will.”
Quite some time ago, I invited all parishioners to prayerfully consider joining our newly reformed parish council. In past bulletin columns, I have introduced them, and you will find in this bulletin a flier with all of their pictures. There is also a poster in the gathering area, and whenever they are at mass, they will be wearing name tags and greeting people before and after mass.
I hope you always feel comfortable talking to me about anything. You can always catch me after mass, but I do ask if you can let the flow of people saying their quick goodbyes go first, so I am not distracted and can give you my full attention! The parish council members are also there before and after mass, and you can approach them as well “to receive feedback”.
These could be different elements of the mass that helped you worship, or the fruitfulness of your evangelization and service. It could also be ideas that you have for our parish. If you have any concerns, it is also helpful to share those as well because it’s never good for us to bear those concerns on our own, and those concerns are helpful for the parish council and me to know.
I myself am very excited about the new council, and there is great enthusiasm, hope, and positivity in the council as well! I’m grateful for your service to me and to the parish, and I look forward to the wonderful work that we will do together for our parish!
May you know my love for you and The Father’s love for you through my priesthood,
Fr. Michael
The New Evangelization: Podcasts, Social Media, and More
Check out this past week's Catholic Coffee Break episode below!
Like and subscribe to our channel! Evangelization is as easy as sharing the link!
Be a part of the show by emailing your comments, questions, and reactions to ccb@stmatthiaschurch.org.
This past 6 months we, through the podcast, have begun a partnership with All Saints Federal Credit Union. Find out more about them here. Great people and a great mission, "People Helping People." Please check out some of the deals that they've developed for parishioners of St. Matthias the Apostle and listeners to the CCB:
- Any new member to All Saints FCU will receive a $25.00 Gas Card when they open an account and mention St. Matthias or the Catholic Coffee Break. [Until 2025]
- Any new or existing member of the credit union will receive a .25% credit rate discount on an approved New or Used Vehicle loan when they mention St. Matthias or Catholic Coffee Break.