New Finance Officer for The Eparchy of Parma

Mr. Marty Kopmeyer, Eparchial Chief Finance Officer, asked to be relieved of his position in November of 2022 and provided time for an orderly transition.  Mr. Kopmeyer needed more family time.  A search was underway for his replacement for several months.

Mr. Edward Kiss has been hired as the new Finance Officer of the Eparchy of Parma. Ed is an active Catholic and a retired CPA in the State of Ohio.  He has broad and varied experience that will benefit our Eparchy.  Among other things, he worked in real estate development and created courses and seminars to teach bookkeepers and accountants to use the latest accounting software.  He is local and is already familiar with many of our churches in Northeast Ohio.  Ed is also active in the Knights of Columbus as a 4^th Degree Knight.  I look forward to working with Mr. Kiss as steward of the goods of the people of the Eparchy of Parma.

Welcome aboard, Ed!

Dignity of Life Threatened by Proposed Amendment to Ohio’s​​​​​​​ Constitution

In Ohio, the dignity of life in its earliest stages is threatened by groups proposing an amendment to Ohio’s Constitution for the November 2023 ballot that would enshrine and expand abortion at the expense of protections for preborn children and women. The Catholic Conference of Ohio strongly encourages Catholics and all people of good will in Ohio to work against including the proposed amendment for the November ballot and, if it appears on the ballot, vote against the amendment to prevent countless deaths of preborn, innocent children. Click here for the full letter.

Byzantine Catholics kick off Great Lent with focus on need for forgiveness from God, each other

Sacraments are celebrated by five bi-ritual priests: Father Joe Weber, Father Paul Niemann, Father James Theby, Father James Deshotels, SJ, and Father Steven Hawkes-Teeples, SJ. As part of the Eucharistic Revival, the St. Louis Mission will be hosting a Come and See, where Catholics are invited to experience how the West meets the East in the sacred celebration of the Eucharist. Sessions will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Louis Byzantine Catholic Church on April 16 and 23 and May 7 and 28. Spots are limited. To register, visit archstl.flocknote.com/signup/110733.

Falling Asleep in the Lord of Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest John Kachuba

On Sunday, February 12, 2023, the Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest John Kachuba, a retired priest of the Eparchy of Parma, fell asleep in the Lord at his home in Westlake, Ohio, at the age of 75.  He surrendered his soul to the Lord in the 49th year of his priesthood; he would have celebrated his 49th Priestly Anniversary on May 12 of this year.  During his years as an active priest, Father Kachuba served many years as Director of Religious Education for the Eparchy and as Protosyncellus, in addition to his parish assignments.  In his retirement, Father Kachuba served as the Chaplain for the GCU (Greek Catholic Union) and assisted in celebrating Divine Liturgy for the Nuns of Christ the Bridegroom Monastery in Burton, Ohio.  Please join us in praying for the eternal rest of the soul of Father John.

For a full obituary, click here.

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.

Wishing Bishop Milan Farewell

On Sunday, February 5, we said farewell to Bishop Milan Lach, who has served us faithfully since 2017. Our Eparchy has been truly blessed by Bishop Milan's gift of self as he worked to strengthen and grow our Byzantine Catholic Church here in the United States.  As our bishop, he often had to make difficult decisions, but like a true spiritual father, he did all for love of the Church and for the salvation of souls. A beautiful Divine Liturgy was held at Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cleveland, Ohio, followed by a dinner, at which around 272 people attended, hosted at the Social Hall at Holy Spirit Church in Parma, Ohio. 

For more photos, click here.

Welcoming Bishop Kurt as Apostolic Administrator

On Sunday, January 29, we welcomed Bishop Kurt Burnette as our Apostolic Administrator. A beautiful Divine Liturgy was held at Dormition of the Mother of God in Cleveland, Ohio, and we were especially grateful to Bishop Milan for phoning in and offering his own words of wisdom and prayers for Bishop Kurt and our Eparchy. A parish social was held afterwards where Bishop Kurt took time to personally meet all parishioners. For more photos, click here.

Bishop Kurt Burnette Appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of Parma and the Eparchy of Phoenix

On Monday, January 23, our Holy Father, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Kurt Burnette as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Eparchy of Parma and the Eparchy of Phoenix in addition to his duties as Bishop of the Eparchy of Passaic and Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Eparchy of Toronto.  The Holy Father has also appointed Bishop Milan Lach, SJ as Auxiliary Bishop of the Eparchy of Bratislava in Slovakia.  Please keep in your prayers Bishop Burnette and Bishop Lach, as well as the Eparchies of Parma and Phoenix, during this time of transition.  The Eparchy of Parma extends many thanks to Bishop Lach for his service and love to the faithful of the Eparchy of Parma over the last five years, and extends a warm welcome to Bishop Burnette in his new ministry in guiding us as our shepherd. 

Click here for a message from Bishop Kurt and here for a farewell letter from Bishop Milan.

Day of Protection for the Unborn

In Eparchies and Dioceses throughout the United States, January 23 (when Jan. 22 falls on a Sunday as it does this year) is designated as a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. As Catholics we are called to observe this day through the penitential practices of prayer, fasting and/or giving alms, in a way similar to our Lenten practices. Check out these pro-life resources: https://airtable.com/shrFqX4o3wR5Ev3b4 

A new issue of Horizons is out!

In this issue, we provide a synodal synthesis of the Great Lakes Deanery, offer perspective on what it means to be a mission-orientated family, and continue to share unique components of our Byzantine Rite, such as The Holy Eucharist and Holy Mysteries and the celebration of the Feast of the Theophany or our Lord with the Traditional Blessing of the Water and the Blessing of Homes. See what’s been happening around the Eparchy! Click here to subscribe.  

 

Blessing of the Chancery

On Friday, January 13, Bishop Milan blessed the Chancery building and staff with the Jordan water from the Feast of Theophany, that they might be protected from the demons and be witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the good of the Eparchy.

Opening of the Grand Ball Season

Organized by Dormition (Cleveland), St. John’s (Solon), St. Joseph’s (Brecksville), and Holy Resurrection (Euclid), our first St. Stephen’s Veselitsa took place on December 30, 2022. Guests of all ages danced together, sang, played games, and celebrated the opening of the Grand Ball Season, as well as an 86th birthday and an engagement! Word on the street is the party lasted until 2:30AM!

Be sure to check out the next issue of Horizons for more photos of this special event!

On December 31, 2022, His Holiness, Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, fell asleep in the Lord.  Bishop Milan Lach and the clergy and faithful of the Eparchy of Parma offer their condolences and prayers for his soul and our parishes will be celebrating the Panachida for him.  The Funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict was celebrated by His Holiness, Pope Francis, in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 9:30 am (3:30am Eastern Time). You can watch a recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZWu0NBsfuA (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

• July 13-16: Annual Family Camp
• July 20-August 8: World Youth Day Pilgrimage to Lisbon, more information coming soon!
• August 14: The 3rd Annual Bishop’s Golf Classic
• October 21: Annual Evening of Hope