SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINAY TIME – July 24, 2022

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION: Elemér & Magdolna Mészáros, by Mészáros & Vareska Families

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK:

FROM THE DESK OF FR. BONA: Many of us travel in the summer and to ensure safe journey we ask St. Christopher, as the patron of travelers, to intercede for us. His memorial is on July 25^th. However, the reformers of the liturgy in 1970 had him delisted as they thought that minimal historical information is just too little. St. Christopher’s cult, however, is very old and can be traced to at least 450 AD. Therefore, in the eyes of the Church, he is still a real saint.

Who was St. Christopher? He was a martyr killed in the reign of the 3rd-century Roman emperor Decius (reigned 249–251 AD). According to the Christian tradition, Christopher was initially called Reprobus, was a Canaanite, and was 7.5 feet (2.3 m) tall with a fearsome face. While serving the king of Canaan, he took it into his head to go and serve “the greatest king there was.” He went to the king who was reputed to be the greatest, but one day he saw the king cross himself at the mention of the devil. On thus learning that the king feared the devil, he departed to look for the devil. He came across a band of marauders, one of whom declared himself to be the devil, so Christopher decided to serve him. But when he saw his new master avoid a wayside cross and found out that the devil feared Christ, he left him and enquired from people where to find Christ. He met a hermit who instructed him in the Christian faith. Christopher asked him how he could serve Christ. When the hermit suggested fasting and prayer, Christopher replied that he was unable to perform that service. The hermit then suggested that because of his size and strength Christopher could serve Christ by assisting people to cross a dangerous river, where they were perishing in the attempt. The hermit promised that this service would be pleasing to Christ.

After Christopher had performed this service for some time, a little child asked him to take him across the river. During the crossing, the river became swollen and the child seemed as heavy as lead, so much that Christopher could scarcely carry him and found himself in great difficulty. When he finally reached the other side, he said to the child: “You have put me in the greatest danger. I do not think the whole world could have been as heavy on my shoulders as you were.” The child replied: “You had on your shoulders not only the whole world but Him who made it. I am Christ your king, whom you are serving by this work.” The child then vanished.

Christopher later visited Lycia (in present day southwestern corner of Turkey) and there comforted the Christians who were being martyred. Brought before the local king, he refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods. The king tried to win him by riches and by sending two beautiful women to tempt him. Christopher converted the women to Christianity, as he had already converted thousands in the city. The king ordered him to be killed. Various attempts failed, but finally Christopher was beheaded. The Greek name Christophoros means “Christ bearer.”

SUNDAY COLLECTION FIGURES: (7/17): Sunday Collection: $798; Special Donation: $50. 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/

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.

AT ST. EMERIC: St. Stephen Day parish picnic will be on Aug. 21. Details to follow.

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 11:15 AM Mass from St. Emeric church will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/saintemeric/ and on the website, https://stemeric.com/

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