FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – May 15, 2022

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION: Deceased Members of the Gyékenyesi Family, by Pál & Irén Gyékenyesi

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK:

FROM THE DESK OF FR. BONA: (1) The Sacrament of Confession: This sacrament was established by Christ on Easter Sunday when he said to the Apostles: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23). We can rightly say that the sacrament of reconciliation is the gift of the Resurrected Lord to us. The Apostles handed this power to their successors, bishops (who then called on priests to help them in this ministry).

Nowadays, the regular participation in this sacrament has fallen to extremely low levels. Almost everyone goes to receive Holy Communion, but very few go to confession. Sometimes people argue, why go through the intermediary (a priest), I can just talk directly to Jesus and He forgives me. In response, I would like to mention two points:

1. We need to remember who insulted whom. It was we who insulted our Infinitely Good Lord, and it is He, who sets the terms of reconciliation, not us. In his great mercy, He died for us on the cross and established the sacrament of confession as the ordinary way of receiving forgiveness. It is His will that we avail ourselves of this sacrament (God never does unnecessary things – everything he says or does has a purpose). Thus, when we bypass confession, and “go directly to God,” we are rather presumptuous (or even arrogant), as we are basically ordering God how He needs to forgive us.
2. I would like to ask people who claim there is no need to go to confession as they asked God Himself for forgiveness, how do they know they have received it? Did they hear God say something back to them? How do they know that they were sorry enough, that they prayed enough, that they did enough penance? In confession, through the ministry of the priest, Jesus does say the words of forgiveness to us. We no longer have any doubts, the uncertainty is removed, and we can truly rejoice, because we know for sure that we have been forgiven and are freed from the burden of sins.

Let us take advantage of this Easter sacrament. People need not to go to their pastor for this sacrament, but they should go to a church where they can make a good confession. The Sacrament of Confession is truly one of the greatest gifts we have ever received.

(2) Thank you: I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate very much the hard work of all of you who help with the running of the parish. In major matters our small one, everyone’s work is valued. May God reward your generosity!

LAST WEEKEND’S COLLECTION (5/8): Sunday offering: $802; Special donation: $600. 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/

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW AUXILIARY BISHOP: Pope Francis has appointed the Rev. Michael G. Woost as auxiliary bishop of Cleveland. Bishop-elect Woost is a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland and currently serves as a member of the faculty of Saint Mary Seminary. In addition, he was recently appointed as the interim director of the diocesan Office for Worship. Bishop-elect Woost will be ordained to the episcopate during Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Thursday, August 4, 2022.

NEXT SUNDAY HOME MISSION APPEAL: It offers financial support to missionary activities that strengthen the Catholic Church in the United States, and in its territories and former territories.

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

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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