Church of SS. Cosmas and Damian
Calendar of Events

Free Ministry to Traveling Catholics

     A free service to traveling Catholics, 1-800-Mass Times (1-800-627-7846) or website www.Masstimes.org offers locations and times of liturgies at the nearest church.

Help in Healing After an Abortion

     Bethesda, the House of Mercy is a confidential, safe place where anyone suffering after an abortion can experience hope, healing and reconciliation. Founded in 1990 by women who have experienced healing after abortion and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Bethesda provides a healing program where hearts are mended with love. To apply for help, call (216-524-9432).

Altar Server Recruitment

     All young adults, grade level 5 and above, are invited to consider active involvement in parish life as an Altar Server. The ministry is in service to the Lord, the Liturgy of the Church, and the parish community. Ministry training will be announced at a later date.

Adult Altar Servers

     Adult men and women of the parish are asked to consider their involvement as Altar Server for particular liturgical celebrations of the parish; namely, daily morning mass, funerals and weddings. The parish cannot ask children in the day school to leave class on a regular basis, and needs others’ assistance for serving the prayer needs of the parish community.

Altar Servers Needed

     Ss. Cosmas and Damian’s Acolyte ministry is looking for children and adults starting in Grade 5 who would like to join in serving the community as altar servers. We are looking for children and adults to take part in this ministry. Since the parish will be closing its school, we are looking for adults to serve daily masses and funerals. If you or your child would like to serve the parish, please feel free to call the rectory and sign up. Training will begin in June 2007. A specific date will be sent out to those who want to serve. Thank you for your attention. - Justin Pearce (Altar Server Coordinator)

The Thea Bowman Center

     The Thea Bowman Center Staff and Board and participants wants to thank all the parishioners of Saints Cosmas and Damian for their generosity over the Christmas holidays. The Thea Bowman Center has identified some new needs.
     We are in need of dictionaries, calculators, junior high school and high school text books, lockable file drawers, and cupboards, for our Adult Education/GED classes. If anyone can donate any of these items, please contact a parish staff member or your parish representative, Carol Twigger, (330 425-7688) to arrange the donation.
     And of course, we are always seeking tutors for our adult learning program if you can volunteer a few hours per week. Call (216-491-0699) for more information about volunteering.

The Bulletin

     If you have any questions you would like answered, please call Adrianne at (330-425-8141, ext. 415) or email the Parish Business Office: adrianne@sscosmas-damian.org and we will try to answer your questions with bulletin announcements.

Gift Shop Open

     Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine Gift Shop has a wide variety of beautiful First Communion and Confirmation items at vary affordable prices as well as GIFT ITEMS FOR ALL OCCASIONS. We are open seven days a week from 10 am to 4:30 pm all year round and are eager to serve you in any way possible. We are located at 21281 Chardon Rd. near Euclid Ave. (216-481-0900).

Help Wanted

     Additional Greeters and Ushers are needed for all Masses. Greeters welcome parishioners as they arrive at Mass. Ushers assist during the Offertory and Communion at Mass. If you are able to help, please contact John Pfeifer at (330-487-0231).

Needed: Eucharistic Ministers

     South Pointe Hospital in Warrensville Hts. is in need of Eucharistic Ministers. To volunteer or for more information, please call the South Pointe Hospital Pastoral Care Dept. at (216-491-7924).

Traveling Statue of Mary

     The traveling statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary is back. If you would like to bring her into your home for prayer and blessings, please contact Teresa Jindra at (330-487-0956).

Fish Fry at Our Lady of Guadalupe

     Our Lady of Guadalupe Church will be serving seafood, pierogi, pasta and pizza dinners on Fridays in Lent, starting February 19 thru March 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the church’s addition. Dinner kis NOT served on Good Friday.
     Dinner selections range from $6 to $9.50 and include: fried shrimp. Fish (fried or baked), fish and shrimp combo, grilled salmon, potato and cheese pierogies, and a weekly special. Seafood dinners include fries, coleslaw and a roll with butter. New this year is a fried beer battered cod. Child-sized portions of dinner items are $4 - $5 and there is also a kid friendly pizza meal with fries, applesauce, and two cookies. Diners at the church have a choice of punch or tea/coffee included with their meal. Carryout meals are available by calling (330-468-2194)

Altar Server Training

     The altar server training has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 27. The training will be held from 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. I would like the new altar servers that I have contacted to be at the training. Also, if there are any altar servers who feel they need extra help, please come to the training so I can help and fix your problem.

Drew Horvath

St. Rita’s Women’s Prayer Group

     Invites women to our 3rd Annual Luncheon “Life in the Blender” on Saturday, February 27. Our Guest Speaker will be Mary Lou Beers. The luncheon will be held in St. Mark’s Chapel, 32820 Baldwin Rd., Solon from 11:30 to 4:00 pm. Cost is $15. Registration deadline is February 24. For information call (440-248-1350, ext. 149).

Youth Ministry

     WINTER FUN for TEENS! Broomball is a great team activity that is done on ice! Unlike ice-skating, which requires a certain amount of balance and strong ankles, players of Broomball wear tennis shoes or hiking boots. Broomball consists of two teams, trying to get their ball into a goal, using brooms. We have reserved private ice time for this! Our Broomball event will be held at "The Pond" indoor ice arena in Auburn Township on Saturday, February 27. The cost is $13 for the afternoon and includes pizza and pop. Helmets must be worn for safety - you can bring one from home, or borrow one when we get there. Consent forms are available in the Parish Center lobby, at youth ministry events, or can be emailed/mailed to you at your request. Invite your friends! RSVP is required by February 23 to Mrs. Joni Smith.

Cleveland Orchestra and Art Museum Trip

     Come Join the Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Young at Heart Club on Friday, March 5th for an escape from winter with the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall. Pre-show talk, classical pieces with lively dance-like rhythms to uplift the spirit. Lunch at the Wyndham Hotel followed by visit to the Art Museum to explore the newly opened galleries. Trip will depart OLG at 9 am and return about 5 pm. Cost is $65. Please call Peggy Milko at (330-963-6163) ASAP.

Ss. Cosmas & Damian Pre Cana Day

     Pre-Cana is a special day for engaged couples seeking to marry within the Catholic church. Through a series of ideas presented by a team of married couples, engaged couples are given the opportunity to have private dialogue about their prospective lives together. The next Pre-Cana Day at Ss. Cosmas and Damian Church is scheduled for Sunday, March 21, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. This Pre-Cana Day satisfies the Diocesan requirement for marriage. For additional information or to register, contact Eileen at the rectory office at (330-425-8141 ext. 428)

Palm Weaving

     Anyone interested in Palm Weaving can contact Camille Horvath at (330-425-8141, Ext. 615). There will be a palm weaving class held on Tuesday, March 23 and Thursday, March 25 at 7 pm in Finnerty Hall, Our Lady of Victory Church, 105 North Ave., Tallmadge, Ohio.

Mar. 31, 2010

A Journey Through Healing and Faith

     If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, you are invited to attend a six-week adult grief support group hosted and presented by Holy Family Hospice social workers. Sessions run every Wednesday from April 7 through May 12 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm at Holy Family Home, 6707 State Road, Parma in 4th third floor day room. All services are free of charge and refreshments will be served. To RSVP, please call (440-866-6034) by March 31.

Did You Know

     During Lent and Advent, Baptisms are suspended except in cases of dire need? Lent and Advent are times of repentance so we focus on forgiveness rather than the sacrament of Initian of Infants. Baptisms are a community celebration and you are invited to attend them. We schedule Baptisms on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. The next Baptism will take place on April 11, the Sunday after Easter

Deacon Ed

Women’s Group Scholarship

     The Women’s Group of SS. Cosmas & Damian Church is offering a $500 scholarship to a high school senior member of our parish toward a post-high school education. Application form letters are available in the Parish Center Building, on the kiosk in the gathering are, in your school Guidance Office, or by calling Mrs. Fran Turle, (330-425-2061), Scholarship Chairwoman. The deadline for application is April 11, 2010.

From the Desk of Father John

     Today we celebrate the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. We’re back, so to speak to the counted Sundays of the Liturgical Year, the ordinal Sundays of the year that will manifest and reveal to us the wonder and mission of Jesus Christ!
     This year we enter into Cycle C, the Year of St. Luke, though today’s Gospel is from St. John. The Gospel story of the Wedding Feast at Cana tells us 1) that this was the first of Jesus’ signs, 2) it shows Jesus’ high regard for marriage, and 3) tells us that Jesus came to bring abundant blessings to those who believe in him.
     We have much to look forward to, not only in this New Year 2010, but also in our life in Christ! Look to all that will come our way as a sign of the abundant blessings God has in store for us.
     For Your Information: My departure date for Rome is January 25th and my return date will be April 17th. While on Sabbatical I will be staying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome with 26 brother priests from the United States and English speaking countries. I am not sure yet of the “communication” that will take place; the what, when, where and how, but I will make every effort to keep you informed of the educational, social and spiritual opportunities that will be offered to me and the Institute for Continuing Theological Education (ICTE) Priests.
     Many thanks for your continued generosity to the parish in your Sunday offering. Be filled with wonder and fulfill your mission as good stewards.

St. Rita Catholic School

     St. Rita Preschool is taking registration for the 2010-2011 school for 4 year olds. Four-year-old preschool classes are Monday through Thursday from 8:15 – 10:45 am. Tuition is $200 a month. There is a $100 registration fee due at signing.
     Open registration will take place on January 19th between the hours of 8 am to 3 pm in the Primary Building.
     If your child will be four by September 30, 2010, please stop in the St. Rita Primary School office for an application. Please contact Mrs. Gibson with any questions at (440-248-1350 ext. 106)