You are invited to attend one of these retreat opportunities hosted by St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Marblehead, Ohio.

The men's retreat will be at Our Lady of the Pines Retreat Center in Fremont, Ohio from March 11-13. The Retreat Master will be Fr. John Freishyn-Chirovsky.

The women's retreat will be at Our Lady of the Pines Retreat Center in Fremont, Ohio from March 18-20. The Retreat Master is Fr. Cyril Pinchak, S.J.

Please click on the images below for more information on registration and schedule of events.

The 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book for the Eparchy of Parma is now available for purchase. This beautiful book, edited and designed by the former editor of Horizons, Laura Ieraci, gives a historical account of the Eparchy of Parma. A chapter dedicated to the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Eparchy can also be found in this soft cover, full color book.

Please click the image below to place your order today!

The Stewardship Appeal has begun for the 2021-2022 year. We thank you in advance for your generosity! Our goal is to raise $220,000 to enable us to fund the following four initiatives:

Development of Parishes – helping parishes with building needs, assisting new missions with basic costs, providing emergency funding to parishes, and other forms of support.

Vocations and Seminarian Education – paying the tuition and related costs for men preparing for the priesthood, financial support for the one-year discernment program for young men discerning the priesthood, and expenses for priests coming from Europe to serve in our parishes.

Works of the Apostolate – evangelization programs, catechesis and religious education, youth and young adult activities, pro-life ministries, and help for the poor.

Retired Priests - financial support for the pension and healthcare costs of our retired bishop and priests.

On his recent trip to Europe, Bishop Milan Lach, SJ met with His Eminence, Leonardo Cardinal Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation of Eastern Churches, to discuss the present situation of the Eparchy of Parma and its challenges for the future. The meeting was held on Friday, 19 November 2021, during which Bishop Lach thanked Cardinal Sandri for the Visitation of Bishop Kicanas to the Eparchy in August and discussed with Cardinal Sandri the pastoral care of the faithful of the Eparchy of Parma. Bishop Lach also met with His Excellency, Archbishop George Gallaro, Secretary of the Congregation of Eastern Churches. Bishop Lach returned from his trip with ever-greater fervor and pastoral zeal for the care of souls in the Eparchy of Parma and our Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Church in the United States.

Most Rev. John Michael Botean, Bishop of the Romanian Catholic Eparchy of St. George in Canton presents this year’s seminar, "After the Deluge: What it Will Mean to Be Church in Post-Pandemic Times." The virtual seminar is available on the Notre Dame College YouTube Channel and is co-sponsored by the Eparchy of Parma.

Our own Deacon John Petrus, M.D., serving at St. Emilian Parish in Brunswick, Ohio, is one of the responders to Bishop Botean's talk.

Please click on the title above to view the presentation.

The 185 guests gathered on Saturday, October 23, 2021 in the beautifully-adorned Holiday Inn South events center in Independence, Ohio to celebrate the love of God and to support the Eparchy of Parma’s mission. The “Evening of Hope” featured a scrumptious meal, singing by students from St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic School, piano music by Caroline Visnovsky and Margaret Burik, a captivating story by the charismatic speaker, Father Mitchell Pacwa, S.J., a stellar video presentation, and the highly successful Fund-A-Need.

The event grossed $93,000 in support of the four established eparchial funds for 1) development of parishes; 2) promotion of vocations and seminary education; 3) the eparchial pension fund for priests; and 4) works of the apostolate. The Fund-A-Need was orchestrated by Auctioneer Chris Fornadel and exceeded its goal of $10,000, by raising nearly $29,000. The Fund-A-Need directly supported the monthly health care premium costs for the retired bishop and 12 retired clergy of the Eparchy of Parma.

A heartfelt thank you is extended by Bishop Milan Lach, S. J. to our sponsors, donors and guests for supporting the “Evening of Hope.” May God richly bless all our donors and guests who helped create a memorable and successful evening.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 22, 2022 for the Eparchy of Parma’s “Evening of Hope” to be held at the Holiday Inn South, Independence, Ohio.

Please click on the title above to view pictures from the Evening of Hope.

On September 15, 2021, Father John Kovach, a retired priest of the Eparchy of Parma, fell asleep in the Lord in El Monte, California, at the age of 81. He surrendered his soul to the Lord in the 56th year of his priesthood. During his years as an active priest, Father Kovach served the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, the Eparchy of Parma, and the Eparchy of Van Nuys (now the Eparchy of Phoenix). Please join us in praying for the eternal rest of the soul of Father Kovach.

The Parastas and Funeral Divine Liturgy for Fr. Kovach were held at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Parma, Ohio. Bishop Milan Lach and seven priests, Fr. Marek Visnovsky, Fr. Dennis Hrubiak, Fr. John Kachuba, Fr. Bryan Eyman, Fr. Bruce Riebe, Fr. Joseph Repko (Eparchy of Parma), Fr. Michael O'Loughlin (Eparchy of Phoenix), and Dc. Gregory Loya (Eparchy of Parma), celebrated the Funeral Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

Fr. John Kovach was buried in a coffin that had been made for him and which he kept in his rectory at the parishes he was assigned to during his active ministry. His final resting place is at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio by the graves of his parents.

In blessed repose, grant, O Lord, eternal rest to your departed servant the priest John and remember him forever. Eternal memory, eternal memory, blessed repose, eternal memory.

The 1st Annual Bishop's Golf Classic was held on Monday, August 23, at Medina Country Club in Medina, Ohio. The day began with registration and an express breakfast, followed by a 9:30AM start. There were 80 golfers including Bishop Milan Lach and four priests of the Eparchy, as well as George Juba, President of GCU, the title sponsor of the event. After the game, golfers were welcomed back to the club for drinks, lunch, and a raffle. During lunch, Bishop Milan Lach thanked everyone for their support of the Eparchy, and invited them to truly enjoy the gift of community that God had given them through this event.

Please click the title above to see the photos from the event.

Please click on the title above to read guidelines for Catholics who choose not to receive vaccines.

You are invited to join Bishop Milan Lach and the people of the Eparchy of Parma at the Assembly of the Byzantine Catholic (Ruthenian) Metropolitan Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 5-6, 2021. There will be talks, breakout sessions, and prayer with the opportunity to connect with the faithful from the entire Metropolia.

Early bird registration at a discounted rate ends August 30, and the deadline for registration at the regular rate is October 15. Please note there will be no refunds.

To register, please click on the title above to print out the PDF brochure. All instructions are given on the brochure to complete registration.

Eighteen teens from the Northeast Ohio area and Michigan camped out and participated in liturgical services, talks, and fun activities at the Shrine of Mariapoch in Burton, Ohio for the Byzanteen Youth Camp of the Eparchy of Parma. The camp was organized and run by the members of the Youth Committee for the Eparchy of Parma. The clergy present throughout the weekend were Bishop Milan Lach, Fr. Marek Visnovsky, Fr. Robert Jager, Fr. Lukas Mitro, and Fr. John Russell. The Nuns of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery were also present, assisting with food prep, activities, liturgical services, and talks. On Saturday night, the last evening of the camp, teens shared their experiences and expressed their gratitude for the liturgical services, the talks, and time for Confession.

The Eparchy of Parma congratulates Bishop Milan Lach, SJ on his 20th Anniversary of priesthood! Bishop Milan was ordained to the priesthood on July 1, 2001, in the Cathedral of the Birth of Virgin Mary the Holy Mother of God in Košice, Slovakia by Bishop Milan Chautur, CSsR.

The Eparchy of Parma thanks Bishop Milan for his love and hard work for our church! We pray that Bishop Milan will always be given the strength to continue to carry out his vocation as priest for the good and salvation of the people of the Eparchy of Parma.

Mnohaja i blahaja lita!

Calling all teens to join us for the Eparchy of Parma's Byzanteen Youth Camp! This camp will be held at the Shrine of Mariapoch in Burton, Ohio, from Thursday, July 22, to Sunday, July 25, and is open to all teens ages 13-18. Please click on the title above to register for this event. Registration closes on July 5, so make sure you sign up as soon as possible! We look forward to you joining us!

Ave Maria University is offering a generous $28,000 scholarship exclusively for Eastern Catholic students! This is a life-changing opportunity for young men and women to study at an authentically Catholic university endorsed by The Newman Guide!

It’s not too late to receive this scholarship for the fall 21’ semester! Click on the title above to be taken to the Ave Maria University website for more information on how to apply. Please share this opportunity with any Byzantine Catholic who is looking to attend a Catholic college.

Ave Maria University is a dynamic liberal arts university offering 31 majors and 28 minors. Tom Monaghan, founder and chancellor of the university has long admired the Eastern Catholic Rites and their deep traditions. Emanating from this profound respect, the university is offering generous scholarships for Eastern Catholic students to study at Ave Maria University.

U.S. Bishop Chairmen for Doctrine and for Pro-Life Address the Use of the Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine.
The USCCB has directed the faithful, that one has the moral obligation to choose either the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccine instead of the Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine when given the ability to choose.
“The approval of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in the United States again raises questions about the moral permissibility of using vaccines developed, tested, and/or produced with the help of abortion-derived cell lines.
“Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines raised concerns because an abortion-derived cell line was used for testing them, but not in their production. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, was developed, tested and is produced with abortion-derived cell lines raising additional moral concerns. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has judged that ‘when ethically irreproachable Covid-19 vaccines are not available … it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.’[1] However, if one can choose among equally safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccine with the least connection to abortion-derived cell lines should be chosen. Therefore, if one has the ability to choose a vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna’s vaccines should be chosen over Johnson & Johnson’s.
“While we should continue to insist that pharmaceutical companies stop using abortion-derived cell lines, given the world-wide suffering that this pandemic is causing, we affirm again that being vaccinated can be an act of charity that serves the common good.”
Please click the title above to be taken to the USCCB website.

The Sisters of St. Basil the Great in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, are celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year. This particular community of nuns were very influential in the Eparchy of Parma by teaching in our schools and they were originally founded at our church, Holy Ghost, on Kenilworth Avenue in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1918, because of the influenza epidemic, many children were left orphans. To provide for them, an Orphange was opened, under the care of two Sisters and three postulants. Later in 1920, these Sisters and postulants were replaced by Rev. Mother Macrina, O.S.B.M., with two other Sisters and six candidates. These Basilian Sisters, under the superiorship of Mother Macrina, began a Motherhouse as a new branch of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great for the "Uhro-Rusins" or "Carpatho-Rusins". On June 19, 1921, the six candidates received their veils. In June 1923, all the Sisters were transferred to the St. Nicholas Orphanage of the Greek Catholic Union in Elmhurst, Pennsylvania, and later after a time in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, they established their Motherhouse at Uniontown, Pennsylvania. - Excerpt from the Golden Jubilee Commemorative Book for Holy Ghost, Cleveland, Ohio, 1959.

Vatican City - Adrian Dancă January 12, 2021 - Vatican News . "With deep sorrow, we inform all Greek Catholic believers and all Romanians that today, January 12, 2021, at 15:20, His Holiness Florentin Crihălmeanu, Bishop of the Greek Catholic Diocese of Cluj-Gherla, died suddenly at the Monastery of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Mother of God from Cluj-Napoca ”: we find this out from a communication of the Press Office of the Greek Catholic Episcopate of Cluj-Gherla, sent through the spokesperson Fr. Daniel Avram.
Born in 1959 in Iași, he moved with his family to Turda. In 1984 he graduated from the Faculty of Mechanics of the Polytechnic Institute of Cluj. He attended clandestine theology classes during communism, and in 1990 was ordained a priest by Bishop George Guțiu. He continued his specialization studies in theology at the Pontifical Urban University of Rome and became a professor at the Greek Catholic Theological Institute in Cluj. In 1997 he was consecrated bishop by St. John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica, being at that time the youngest Catholic bishop in the world. From 2002 he became the bishop of the Greek Catholic diocese of Cluj-Gherla. Succeeding in harmonizing the zeal of pastoring souls and deepening theological culture, in 2005 he received his doctorate in theology at the Urban University.

Please click on the title above to read Bishop Milan Lach's Christmas Pastoral Letter for 2020.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued a statement on the moral acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently available. Please click on the title above to be taken to the Vatican website for the entire statement.