St. John of the Cross Parish

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April 2, 2020   
Catholic Bishops of Ohio Extend Suspension of All Publicly Celebrated Masses/Liturgies  
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today (April 2, 2020) Governor Mike DeWine extended the executive “Stay at Home Order” to continue to curb the spread of the Coronavirus in the State of Ohio. Out of deep concern for the common good, as well as the physical and spiritual well-being of all the people of Ohio, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio have agreed once again to cooperate with the governor’s direction.
To that end, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio extend the temporary suspension of all publicly celebrated Masses/liturgies at least through and including Sunday May 3rd. The Bishops of Ohio dispense the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in Ohio from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass during this time period.
This decision has not been taken lightly and, as your bishops, together with you, we recognize the sacrifice we are called to make by being physically distanced from the Holy Eucharist and from one another.
Trusting in the graces flowing from the celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord, we remain mindful of the hope that does not disappoint. As your bishops, we continue to encourage you to keep holy the Lord’s Day by participating in Sunday Mass by way of televised, live-streamed, or radio broadcast options and making a spiritual communion. Keeping in mind the gift of plenary indulgences offered to us by the Church, we encourage all the faithful to turn to the Church’s treasury of prayer, praying as a family or individually the rosary, divine mercy chaplet, the Liturgy of the Hours and Stations of the Cross, etc.
Please join us in praying for all who are suffering from the Coronavirus, for all health care workers and first responders, and for an easing of the anxiety and tension caused by this pandemic. Relying on the Motherly care of Our Lady, Health of the Sick, we unite our sufferings to those of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and we trust in the glorious hope of His resurrection.
 
Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr Archbishop of Cincinnati
Most Rev. Joseph R. Binzer Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati
Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan Bishop of Columbus
Most Rev. Jeffrey M. Monforton Bishop of Steubenville
Most Rev. George V. Murry, S.J. Bishop of Youngstown
Rev. Donald P. Oleksiak Diocesan Administrator of Cleveland
Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas Bishop of Toledo
Most Rev. J. Michael Botean Romanian Eparchy of Canton
Most Rev. Bohdan J. Danylo Ukrainian Eparchy of St. Josaphat
Most Rev. Milan Lach, SJ Byzantine Eparchy of Parma

April 1, 2020

Dear Parishioners,
I woke up today and realized it was April Fool's Day. I wondered for a few brief moments if all that is going on right now in our world was just a joke and/or a bad dream. I suppose not! However, I am affirmed everyday at the goodness of our awesome parishioners and community. So many people have been stepping up to help in lots of various ways.
As we enter Holy Week this coming weekend, we have a unique opportunity to enter this Holiest of Weeks in a whole new way. With many of our traditions and ways of worshiping limited this year, we can and should reflect on this most Sacred Week with a renewed sense of awe and wonder. I encourage you to participate and pray with the Live Stream Liturgies:
Palm Sunday Masses will be at 4 pm and 11 am Holy Thursday Mass will be at 7 pm
Good Friday will be Stations at 12Noon and Passion Service at 3 pm
Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at 7:30 pm Easter Sunday Mass at 11 am Go to www.srweuclid.cc and click on LIVESTREAM. These Liturgies are for both St. John of the Cross & Ss. Robert & William Parishes.
A few other important updates:
Blessed Palms & Easter Reflection Books will be available at BOTH Ss. Robert & William and St. John of the Cross. You can drive up to the Rectory Garages at either parish and we will give them to you. You can return old palms to us and we will burn and/or bury. The times will be 5:30 - 6:30 pm on Saturday and 12:30 - 1:30 pm on Sunday.
Confessions will be available at St. John of the Cross on Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday. They will be from 6 to 7 pm. Deacons Joe & Tom will be there to make sure we are attentive to social distancing. Only Face to Face will be available. Restrooms will be closed so please make sure you go before you come.
While there will be No Easter Food & Basket Blessing, we will have Holy Water Bottles & Blessing you can do at home available for pick up on Holy Saturday, April 11 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at BOTH St. John of the Cross and Ss. Robert & William. You can drive up to the Rectory Garages at either parish and we will give them to you. You can also drop off your Easter envelope at this time too, if that is convenient. Save a stamp.
I am anticipating that the Bishop's will extend the suspension of the Sacraments and Mass through May 1 to be in line with the federal order. I have not heard yet and will let you know as soon as I hear. However, Divine Mercy Sunday (April 19) Prayers and Novena will be offered LIVESTREAM starting at 2 pm. I will also offer some additional Confession times Easter week. More about this Novena can be found at http://www.divinemercysunday.com/.
I am still accepting pictures to hang in the pews at Ss. Robert & William so we can see you and pray for you and your loved ones as we celebrate the LIVESTREAM Mass. Email them to me fjb@srweuclid.cc or frjohn@sjceuclid.com or mail or drop off at either parish.
I would also like to collect names of Healthcare workers who are on the front lines of this pandemic. Each day at LIVESTREAM Mass we will read the names we receive and add them to a list we will keep in front of the altar. This way we keep them in the forefront of our prayer. Send names to Renee or Deacon Tom at rbarber@srweuclid.cc or deacontom@sjceuclid.com.
Be assured of my continued love and prayers! I feel blessed that no one I have heard of from either St. John of the Cross or Ss. Robert & William as having COVID - 19, but I know people who know people. So, let's keep praying and supporting one another. We are in this together. I love you and please, please let me know if you need anything! Just call or email me.

Peace, Fr. John

St. John of the Cross needs your support now more than ever!  Join the parishioners who are using Faith Direct for automated giving to St. John of the Cross.  Faith Direct offers a safe and secure way to donate to our parish in this time of uncertainty.  There is no cost to you, and the program provides a great benefit to our parish.  Sign up today by clicking here.
Thank you for your continued support of our parish family.

God Bless You,
Fr. John

eGiving with Faith Direct

Many of you are aware and take advantage of the convenience of electronic giving to our parish and we are grateful for that.  We believe it is time to upgrade to a more streamlined online provider for our eGiving needs through Faith Direct.  For those of you who have yet to join us in giving online, I strongly encourage you to do so.  Here’s why:
Faith Direct enables parishioners to make your Church contributions through either direct debit from your checking/savings account or through your credit/debit card.  No more writing checks or searching for envelopes on the way out the door.  Now you can apply the convenience of direct debit to your parish offerings in much the same way as you may now use it to make your mortgage, car or tuition payments. Faith Direct also offers you personalized offertory cards to replace your envelopes for the collection basket.
Visit faith.direct/OH960 to enroll securely online.
 

Welcome to the ​    Catholic Community ​of St. John of the Cross

We are the Body of Christ, nourished by the Eucharist, joyfully committed to living the Gospel message, and working together to share our gifts. We are called to humbly serve our Lord, one another and our community as disciples of Jesus.  

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Please keep the following parishioners in your prayers. May they know the peace and comfort of God’s love and find strength in the support of friends, family and our parish community.
 

Prayer During A Health Crisis

Compassionate and Loving Father, in the face of confusion and concern impart to us the calm of your presence. In You allow us to find hope and healing. Be with those who serve the sick and give them Your caring hands. Be with those who lead and give them Your Spirit of wisdom.
Be with those who have fallen ill and give them Your comforting heart.
Wrap your arms around our world and hold us in your love. Allow us at this time of trial to then serve as instruments of that love to all we meet. We ask this in Your Name.
Amen.                                                   

St. John of the Cross and Ss. Robert & William has recently bought a subscription to FORMED.org for the entire Parish to use. We have found this amazing resource that we know you will love. FORMED.org has compiled the largest library of comprehensive and inspiring Catholic content. Visit our FORMED Community... You can visit the Community Page for SS Robert and William/St. John of the Cross by clicking the following link https://srwsjceuclid.formed.org to see our active discussion groups and featured content. If you are not yet registered on FORMED this same link will allow you to first set up a new account as part of our on-line FORMED Community.