Eparchy of Parma

PARMA, Ohio — Fifteen teens from several parishes attended the annual ByzanTeen Lenten Day of Reflection at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Palm Sunday, led by the nuns of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery and Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, of Parma. Inspired by their pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2017, the nuns led the teens in an interactive “pilgrimage” to various prayer stations they set up in the cathedral and on the cathedral grounds that represented different sites in the Holy Land that are significant in Jesus’ journey to the cross, his death and resurrection. READ MORE.

BURTON, Ohio — The nuns of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery celebrated the 10th anniversary of their founding April 3, thanking God for providing the means to live out their call to prayer and hospitality within the Eparchy of Parma. The nuns commemorated the anniversary simply on their own at the monastery; they plan to celebrate with the wider community at their Bridegroom’s Banquet benefit dinner Oct. 19. In the 10 days leading up to the anniversary, the nuns posted previously unpublished photos from their first 10 years on their blog and social media accounts. READ MORE.

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — About 150 people attended the fourth annual Miracle of Mariapoch Gala, a fundraiser for the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariapoch in Burton, Ohio. The May 11 event was held at the New Orleans Party Center of St. Joseph Parish. The pastor, Father Bruce Riebe, began the evening with prayer, and shrine director Deacon Bill Fredrick welcomed the guests. Attendees then wined and dined on an assortment of small plate offerings and desserts, including a doughnut bar, prepared by Bob Dirda and volunteers. READ MORE.

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — Former all-conference volleyball player Lindsay Shirilla has more on her resume than athletic prowess. The Notre Dame College graduate and St. Joseph parishioner works as a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic. This past Lent, she went on her first professional medical mission trip to Honduras. The purpose was to treat people by providing doctor visits, medication and dental work. Her main responsibility was triage. The team would see between 200 and 300 people per day, she said. READ MORE.

BUCHAREST, Romania (CNS) — In an increasingly globalized world where technological and economic developments have both benefited and excluded many, the Catholic and Orthodox churches must learn to listen to each other and walk together, Pope Francis said. Meeting with Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel and the Permanent Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church May 31, the pope said both churches must “go out and engage” with their flocks who fall prey to the uprooting of “traditional values and weakening ethics and social life” that “leads to attitudes of rejection and hate.” READ MORE.

BLAJ, Romania (CNS) — The memory and witness of Romania’s martyred bishops are a reminder that Christians are called to stand firm against ideologies that seek to stifle and suppress their cultural and religious traditions, Pope Francis said. On the last leg of his visit to Romania, the pope June 2 celebrated a Divine Liturgy during which seven Eastern-rite Catholic bishops, who died during a fierce anti-religious campaign waged by the communist regime in Romania, were beatified. READ MORE.