SOLEMNITY OF ST. STEPHEN OF HUNGARY – August 21, 2022 (transferred)

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Blessed be King Saint Stephen!

TODAY’S MASS INTENTION: Deceased Members of the Karetka Families, by Imre Karetka family

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK:

FROM THE DESK OF FR. BONA: Today we celebrate the feast of King St. Stephen, the patron saint of Hungary. With the permission of the diocese, we can also liturgically commemorate the founder of the Christian Hungarian state. St. Stephen is one of the most influential figures in Hungarian history, and much could be written about his accomplishments. One of his works is Admonitions (also known as King Stephen’s admonitions to his son Prince Emeric). It was written around 1020 and the work has been revered for centuries as the foundation of the Hungarian historical constitution. In fact, it was always listed as the first law of the Corpus Juris Hungarici. It has ten short chapters and in this column, I would like to share with you the second chapter that deals with the respect for the ecclesiastical order.

“Indeed, in the Royal Palace after the Faith itself, the Church holds second place, first propagated as she was by our head, Christ; then transplanted, firmly constituted and spread through the whole world by His members, the Apostles and Holy Fathers. And though she always produced fresh offspring, nevertheless in certain places she is regarded as ancient.

However, dearest son, even now in our kingdom the Church is proclaimed as young and newly planted; and for that reason she needs more prudent and trustworthy guardians lest a benefit which the divine mercy bestowed on us undeservedly should be destroyed and annihilated through your idleness, indolence or neglect. Because whoever undermines or disfigures the dignity of the Holy Church works to mutilate the Body of Christ. After all, the Lord himself said to Peter, whom he raised to be the guardian and overseer of the holy Church: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” For he called himself a rock, and he did not speak of a church built of wood or stone, but the newly won crowd, the chosen people, the flock of God, which was taught in faith, washed in baptism, anointed with oil, and called the holy Church built on Himself. If someone in his passion causes the members of this holy Church or her little ones to be scandalized, according to the teaching of the Gospel, he is liable to have a millstone tied around his neck and to be thrown into the depths of the sea, that is, he will be cast out of the dignity of power and will remain outside the Church of the righteous in a worldly misery, like a heathen and publican. And so, my son, you must guard the holy Church with flourishing diligence day by day, so that it may increase rather than decrease. The first kings were also called great because they caused the Church to increase. You should do the same so that your crown is more famous, your life happier and longer.”

SUNDAY COLLECTION FIGURES: (8/14): Sunday Collection: $605. Special Donation: $1,000. 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/

TODAY (8/21): ST. STEPHEN DAY PICNIC at ST. EMERIC. 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.

EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION: Legion of Mary of the Diocese of Cleveland invites you to a traditional Eucharistic Procession on Saturday, September 3, 2022 beginning with Holy Mass at 11am at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland. The event consists of Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Kevin Estabrook, Legion of Mary Spiritual Director, a procession through the streets of downtown Cleveland while singing hymns in honor of our Eucharistic Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a return to the Cathedral for the recitation of the Rosary and closing prayers. RSVP is not required and all are welcome to attend. Worship Aid is provided. For more information please email contact@legionofmarynorthernohio.org  or visit https://www.facebook.com/legionofmarynorthernohio/

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/    

This post is also available in: Hungarian