Dear Parishioners, On Sunday, March 21st, I will be walking from SS. Cosmas and Damian Parish to St. Rita Parish in Solon. It will be a form of penance I offer up for the sake of you, my dear parishioners. I encourage all of you to give me whatever petitions you would like me to carry as I walk along Rt. 91. If any of you would like to walk with me for part of the route, you are welcome to join me. I will be leaving our parish at 2:00 PM and estimate returning by 6:00 PM. At St. Rita’s we will have a brief prayer before beginning our route home. Doing physical acts of penance has been a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church. The El Camino, which I completed in 2019, was designed as a type of penance. At the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, I saw men crawling on their knees up the aisles of the church. In El Salvador, pilgrims would carry rocks to the top of a mountain. St. John Mary Vianney would sleep on the hard floor. Physical penance is not meant to do harm to the person or the body. It is a way of feeling active in the offering of our sacrifice and labor for the Kingdom of God. How does this activity “build up the kingdom”? Consider it a first step to break the inertia that prevents us from getting started with the daily tasks that would help others and shape our world. People need homes, food, clean water, friendship, education, and more. Yet, we often passively wait for someone to do the work required. May this penance create the momentum to get us started! In addition, there is meaning in my suffering. It may be a struggle, but it is also a way of showing my love to God and to all of you. This is my prayer, connected to Christ carrying His cross. May the sweat of my brow mingle with the blood of my Lord to bring graces to you all.

Ss. Cosmas and Damian Church Twinsburg, Ohio March 21, 2021

Scripture Readings March 22—March 28

Monday Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6, R. v.4ab; Jn 8:1-11 Tuesday Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, bishop Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21, R. v.2; Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56, R. v.52b; Jn 8:31-42 Thursday Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11, R. v.8a & 9a; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 Friday Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7, R. see v.7; Jn 10:31-42 Saturday Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent Ez 37:21-28; Jer 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13, R. see v.10d; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24. R. v.2a; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1—15:47

In Christ,

Father Michael J. Stalla

Mass Schedule & Intentions For The Week All Masses will be livestreamed on the

parish’s Facebook page.

Monday, March 22—Weekday Mass 8:30am The Souls of All Parishioners Tuesday, March 23—Weekday Mass 8:30am John Schiavone Wednesday, March 24 —Weekday Mass 8:30am Leona Rozanc Thursday, March 25 —Weekday Mass 8:30am Lauren Sauter Friday, March 26—Weekday Mass 8:30am Ed Kopp—87th Birthday

Saturday, March 27—Sixth Sunday of Lent (Vigil) 4:00pm Carrie Cipriano Sunday, March 28—Sixth Sunday of Lent 9:00am Ed Kopp— Birthday 11:00am Dorothy Kletchie

“Him whom the heavens cannot contain, the womb of one woman bore. She ruled our ruler, she carried Him,

in whom we are, she gave milk to our bread.” -St. Augustine

The Solemnity of the Annunciation—March 25th.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

The Loaves and Fishes Prayer Teams will not be praying with people after Mass at this time. If you would like to pray over

the phone with someone please call Michele Poletti at (330)524-3931. You can also call or text a prayer request to her.

Offertory (includes EFT): March 13 & 14 $ 8,835.00

Capital Campaign: Capital Campaign Pledges: $ 1,502,310.00 Capital Campaign Money Received: $ 1,271,886.00

Capital Projects: Mortgage Balance $ 452,897.00

Ss. Cosmas and Damian Church Twinsburg, Ohio March 21, 2021

Parish Penance Opportunity! Did you know? We can do penance for ourselves and for others! Fr. Michael will be walking as penance for us

on Sunday, March 21st, beginning at 1 pm. He will be walking to St. Rita’s Church in Solon (5.5 miles each way). Father invites anyone who would like to walk with him, to join him! Many of us know that we’re not physically able to do that, and we don’t want to get stranded along the way. So, for those who would like to

offer sacrifices of penance for Fr. Michael, our parish, and other intentions, there is another option!

Join us here on the church grounds, March 21st , 1-4 pm where we will be able to offer our penance for our Pastor, Fr. Michael Stalla by walking laps around the church during that time (resting as needed), and praying

the holy Rosary. We will keep a tally of laps and time walked near the entrance to the church. Folks can walk as long as they’d like. Or they can pray the Rosary – we’ll keep a tally of how many Rosaries are prayed. The

church will also be open during this time for people who can pray but not walk. Or if you are somewhat coordinated, you can walk and pray at the same time. You will be able to post other intentions for our shared

penance as well. Let’s all turn out, even if just for a little while to share a prayer, or a walk around the grounds. Penance is giving something of ourselves – in time, energy, sacrifice – to make amends for our wrongs and turn

our paths back to God. Let’s celebrate this Lent with all our hearts, our minds and our bodies - for ourselves, our families, our Pastor, our Church and our world. Questions? Contact Joni X 110

Ss. Cosmas & Damian Golf League Preseason Meeting Tuesday, April 6th

at 6:30pm in the MPR All golfers, men & women, 18 years of age and older, and of all abilities are welcome to join. This is a casual league that focuses on

fun and camaraderie. Tee times are on Friday evenings between 4:15pm—5:15pm at

Geneagles with open scheduling to make it easier to fit into your schedule. There will be

more information at the meeting or call one of the people below if you are interested,

but unable to attend. Andy Blust 330-348-3775 Jim Smith 330-425-2896

Parish Pre-Cana Day

Sunday, April 25, 2021

SS Cosmas & Damian's Pre-Cana Day is a special day designed for engaged couples to exclusively focus on one another. Through a series of talks

presented by a team of married couples, you will be given an opportunity to privately dialogue

about your prospective life together; strengths and weaknesses; desires and goals; attitudes about

money, children, family life, and your role in the Church and society as a couple.

The day will begin at 8:00 a.m. in Twinhaven (located on our church grounds) and end at 6:00 p.m. The opportunity to celebrate mass will be

provided during the day. We hope this will be an important, fulfilling day for both of you!

Registration is due by Friday, April 16, 2021 A continental breakfast will be served from 8:00

to 8:30 a.m. Lunch and dinner will also be provided. Mass will be included as part of the

Pre-Cana Day. The cost for the day is $75.00 per couple. Refunds only if notification of absence is

received prior to April 23, 2021

For more information and to register please visit our website sscosmas-damian.org.

Pro Life Lines—Lenten Reflection

“As Christ’s flesh was torn by the instruments of those who scourged Him, so the bodies of babies in

the womb are torn by the instruments of the abortionists. Let us pray that abortionists may repent of these acts of child-killing.”

-Excerpt Taken from: “In the Palm of His Hand”

by Fr. Frank Pavone

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Caron Soltis Linda Braun John Pfeifer Sr. Jonathan Sedor Maxine Barr Bill Rabatin Ralph Sickle Laura Ercolino Sally Raymont Jane Smejkal John Virgili Jennifer Hunt

Pearl Rubino Frank Drago Theodore Gerycz Mark Magda Maureen DeCaro Jimmy Marn Michael Szugye Bill Soltis Pat Noga Chuck McGhee James Nargang

We Pray to the Lord...

Adoration is open 24/7 to those scheduled except from 9am to 8pm on Saturdays

ADORATION OPENINGS We are in need of a few more people to fill Adoration hours. Can you make the sacrifice and sign up for one of these hours

weekly or twice a month?

No long-term commitment is necessary. Sign up to try an hour for just 30 days!

Mondays 3am Tuesdays 1am Wednesdays 3am, 11pm Thursdays 12am Fridays 2am, 3am Saturdays 10pm (alt weeks) Sundays 1am

Please contact Carol Twigger at 330-425-7688

Attention Adorers! Please note that the Adoration Chapel will be closed beginning on Holy Thursday (4/1) at

7pm until 9am on Easter Monday (4/5).

Anyone thinking of ordering a brick for our Marian Grotto, please know that we will be placing an order at the end of

March. Please, fill out the form that can be found on our parish website.

Holy Name Society Scholarship

Any graduating senior from Ss. Cosmas and Damian Parish who wishes to apply may

pick-up an application in the Church vestibule or down-load an application from

the Church’s website at www.sscosmas-damian.org. In order to receive

consideration for the $750 Scholarship, all applications must be completed and returned

to the Parish Business Office marked “Attention: Holy Name Society Scholarship Committee no later than Friday, April 2, by 3:00 PM. Completed applications may also be emailed to rachel@sscosmas-damian.org

by the deadline.

Always Blooming: A VIRTUAL Retreat for Catholic Women Healing from Betrayal Trauma April 9-10, 2021

This retreat is for women seeking healing from betrayal trauma, that is, discovering a spouse’s or

significant other’s pornography use, infidelity, and/or sex addiction. Gather with us this Divine Mercy

weekend as we lay our pain, our sorrow and our betrayals at the Lord’s feet. With expectant faith, let

us open our hands and our hearts to receive His merciful outpouring. Join us for this powerful

virtual retreat experience: talks, meditations, sacred movements, small group healing prayer, Mass and Adoration. Retreat leaders are Father Allen Hoffa, Laura Ercolino of Hope’s Garden, De Yarrison of You Are Made New Ministry, Bonnie West and

Marian West Veilleux.

Find the full schedule and register at hopesgarden.com/always-blooming-virtual-

healing-retreat-april-2021/ or email De: de@youaremadenew.com or Laura Laura@hopesgarden.com

Women’s Group Scholarship

The Women's Group of SS. Cosmas & Damian Church will be awarding a $750.00

scholarship to a high school senior member of our parish family toward

post-high school education. Application forms are available and can be found

on the church website at www.sscosmas-damian.org.

All applications must be completed and returned by the deadline of April 9, 2021. Completed applications can be emailed to

Rachel Pollack at Rachel@sscosmas-damian.org

or dropped off at the parish office.

All prayers and responses will be RECITED

Entrance Antiphon

Give me justice, O God, and plead my cause against a nation that is faithless. From the deceitful and cunning rescue me, for you, O God, are my strength.

Ss. Cosmas & Damian—Fifth Sunday of Lent; March 21, 2021

Second Reading Hebrews 5:7-9

In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

The Word of the Lord All Reply: Thanks be to God

Gospel John 12:20-33

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to his hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgement on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

The Gospel of the Lord All Reply: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

First Reading Jeremiah 31:31-34

The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant, and I had to show myself their master, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the Lord. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the Lord, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.

The Word of the Lord All Reply: Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm

Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.

A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you.

Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in

writing from the copyright owner.

For sanitary purposes please

take this bulletin home with you.

The Creed

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (At the words that follow, up to and including, ‘and became man’, all bow.) And by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen

Altar Flowers Altar Flowers are on hold

for the Lenten Season. They will resume again during

the Easter Season. To find out more about and get

your request on the schedule, please call Elizabeth Innocenzi at

216-533-0515

Are you ready (again) to come back to Prayer Shawl?

How does Monday, April 12 (10 am to Noon) and Tuesday, April 6 (for the evening group

5:30 to 7:30 pm) sound to everyone?

We will be following social distancing with one person to a table, six feet apart, and wearing our

masks of course, and disinfecting our space before exiting.

If you feel a bit apprehensive at this time, come when you feel comfortable. Hopefully we will be able to meet and continue to do so as time

goes on.

The shawls that have been completed prior to and during the quarantine, have been put in

individual clear zip lock bags and will be distributed in that manner to those who request

them now and in the future, so that there is minimum handling of the shawls. Blankets and

shawls are always available in the gathering area for those in need of comfort.

Jesus, Light of the World

When I am afraid and unsure, Comfort me with Your presence.

When loneliness chills me, Warm me with the light of Your love.

When the road ahead seems dark, Guide me with the light of Your way,

When I don’t understand, and my thoughts are unclear,

Fill me with the light of Your wisdom

When I seem like a candle consumed, Replenish me with the light of Your life,

Then, so filled with Your light, Use me so that I, with You may be Light

for the World.

-Fr. Wally Hyclak