EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINAY TIME – July 31, 2022

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION: András Karácsony, by the Karácsony Family

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK:

FROM THE DESK OF FR. BONA: Every year on August 2^nd, there is an opportunity to receive the “Portiuncula Indulgence” or also known as the “Great Pardon.” The word “portiuncula” means “little portion” and was the nickname St. Francis gave to a small chapel. This chapel was dedicated to St. Mary of the Angels (Our Lady of the Angels) and was very dear to St. Francis of Assisi (hence the nickname he gave). This chapel is considered to be the cradle of the Franciscan Order. In 1209, as the quarters of Rivo Torto became too small for the newly forming Religious Order, St. Francis obtained from the Benedictines the use of the Portiuncula, for which he paid a basket of fish. The chapel and the surrounding small parcel of land were in disrepair. Just as he had done at San Damiano, St. Francis rebuilt the chapel, adding small huts (cells) and enclosing it all in a protective hedge. It was there that St. Francis gained a more vivid understanding of his own vocation. He held the annual meetings of the friars (Chapters) there and it is where he desired to spend his final earthly moments; dying in his nearby cell October 3, 1226.

St. Francis felt that the Portiuncula was a place filled with God’s grace. In 1216, at the request of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Honorius granted special privilege (plenary indulgence – a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins) to all those who would visit the little chapel. Liturgically, the order began to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Angels on this day. The beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli that now surrounds the Portiuncula chapel was begun in 1569 (completed in 1684) by decree of Pius V. It was meant to accommodate the huge crowds of pilgrims who came on August 2nd for the Portiuncula Indulgence. Later the Holy See has approved this indulgence for the whole world.

The conditions to obtain it: Anyone who on Aug. 2 visits a basilica minor, a cathedral, or a parish church with the intention of honoring Our Lady of the Angels and recites the Creed, the Our Father, and prays for the Holy Father’s intentions, may receive a plenary indulgence. In addition, a plenary indulgence requires that the individual be in the state of grace by the completion of the acts, and have complete detachment from sin. The person must also sacramentally confess their sins, up to about 20 days before or after the indulgenced act, and receive Communion that day.

SUNDAY COLLECTION FIGURES: (7/24): Sunday Collection: $377; Special Donation: $350. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY in supporting our parish. Thank you for sending in your offertory donation through the mail, or through the PayPal option found on the website: https://www.stelizabethcleveland.org/donations/

PRAYER INTENTION: On  Thursday, August  4th,  Bishop-Elect  Michael  Woost  will  be  Ordained  to  the  Episcopacy and will serve the Diocese of Cleveland as an auxiliary bishop. He has taught at the Seminary for the past twenty years and has two brothers who are also priests.

9 NIGHTS OF NIGHT PRAYERS (AUGUST 7-15): Each evening, during the 9 Nights of Night Prayer, nine churches in the Diocese of Cleveland will open their doors at 8:00pm to offer a time of Night Prayer beginning at 8:15pm. St. Emeric will be one of those nine churches. Join us during these nights to be nurtured with Sacred Scripture and refreshed by the loving presence of God. The last night (8/15) there will be an ice cream social as well.

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD (August 6): The Lord Jesus reveals his divine glory to the apostles Peter, John and James. The Old Testament testifies, in the form of Moses and Elijah, that he is the Messiah, and the voice of the Father declares him to be the Son. With this, Jesus prepared his disciples so that they would not be scandalized and despairing by his suffering. He is the Son of God even on the cross, but he remains the Risen One in heavenly glory. The feast (together with the noon bells) was ordered by Pope Kallixtus III in 1457to be celebrated worldwide in commemoration of the victory of János Hunyadi at the battle of Belgrade in 1456.

ST. STEPHEN DAY PICNIC at ST. EMERIC: St. Stephen Day Picnic will be held at St. Emeric church on August 21. Mass of St. Stephen will be at 11:15AM, Picnic food from 12:30-4PM (Debrecen sausage, staffed cabbage, gyulás, bread, lángos (elephant ear), cookies, coffee; children menu: hotdogs). A blessing of giant bread at 1PM, music throughout. No need to RSVP.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK, especially, Jay Kovács, Kathy Szabó, Kamilla Szabó and Anna Melega, Dorothy Fromhercz, and Alex Szaday.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE DECEASED.   

THIS SUNDAY the 9:15 AM Mass from St. Elizabeth church will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/saint-elizabeth-of-hungary-church-cleveland-oh-384926355393572 and on the website, https://stemeric.com/

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