News - March 2025 RSS Feed

The annual spring meeting of the Eastern Catholic Associates (ECA) was held from March 17-19 in St. Louis, MO, hosted by Bishop Elias Zaidan at the Maronite Catholic Pastoral Center. The bishops discussed administrative matters and topics of common interest.

Have you considered your gift to this year’s Stewardship Appeal? The Eparchy of Parma relies on your continued support to provide for our various programs and outreaches. Please make your gift today!

On March 23, 2025, Bishop Robert and priests from Dayton and Columbus celebrated the Byzantine Catholic Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the St. Thomas More Newman Center at Ohio State University, delighting attendees with this special liturgy on the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the 2025 Byzantine Assembly in Whiting, Indiana, from July 16-20! Join us for a heartfelt gathering to celebrate and deepen our faith, explore the charming city, and enjoy inspiring presentations and local attractions. Registration opens April 1! Check our website for the early bird special!

We're thrilled to announce the enhancement of our Office of Eastern Catholic Formation and Evangelization with the appointment of new Regional Associates. Join us in welcoming Guillermo Barillas, Johnathan Desrosiers, and Rachel Dunaway as they support our mission under the guidance of Deacon John Harden. We look forward to the positive impact they will have on our community and the continued growth of our ECF programs.

Bishop Robert's teaching emphasizes the importance of hope in the Byzantine Catholic tradition, highlighting the diverse roles of priests and encouraging the faithful to embrace community and mission. He calls for prayerful support to steward resources and fulfill the Church's mission.

The Church can be financially well-supported through planned giving, direct donations, and tithing, with experts suggesting that if every Catholic practiced Biblical stewardship, the Church would have a surplus of resources. The Church encourages its faithful to observe one tithe, the first 10 percent of personal income, emphasizing the Biblical principle of offering first things to God.

You don’t need to travel to Europe to encounter the sacred. If you can’t afford a trip to Europe, consider making a pilgrimage here to experience something truly special. This is one of the only shrines in the United States with very large relics of saints from both Eastern and Western Christianity.

The Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma is offering exclusive shirts to express our unity and faith. Wear them at events and daily life. Order by March 31, 2025!

During this Lenten season, please consider the blessings that our Lord has bestowed upon you and your family. Consider the ways you may give back to God and His Church through assisting at your parish, and by giving to the Stewardship Appeal.

We encourage you to pray the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This simple prayer can be repeated throughout the day to help focus on Christ. The Great Fast is a wonderful time to start if you haven’t prayed it in a while.

This collection supports training, social services, youth ministry, pastoral centers, schools, church construction, and evangelization in Eastern and Central Europe, benefiting Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Churches.

During this first week of the Great Fast, we consider ways in which we can share our faith in Christ for all to see. One way to do that is by contributing to the needs supported by the Stewardship Appeal.

Join families from across the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma for a week of faith-focused, family-friendly fun from Sunday, August 3rd (4 PM) through Friday, August 8th (10 AM), 2025, at Cedar Lake Ministries in Cedar Lakes, Indiana, near Chicago.

Please join us in observing Safe Haven Sunday on March 9, 2025. Take advantage of these valuable resources to create a safe and holy environment for your family. Together, we can make a difference.

With deep gratitude for Ed Kiss's exceptional service as our Eparchial Chief Finance Officer, we announce that he is stepping down from this role, at his request, and from any related responsibilities. We are pleased to appoint Matthew McDonald as our new Eparchial Chief Finance Officer.

This month’s issue emphasizes the importance of fasting during the Great Fast, offering activities and lessons to involve children in fasting practices.