Evening of Hope

The Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma’s 

“Evening of Hope”  

A Memorable Evening of Faith, Hope, Love, Generosity, and Gratitude 

Faith, hope, love, generosity, and gratitude filled the ballroom at the Eparchy of Parma’s “Evening of Hope” Gala, leaving us with vivid memories that are a gift from God.

The over 100 guests gathered on Saturday, October 19, 2024, 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 delicious meal, a captivating story by the charismatic speaker, Abouna Justin Rose, Bishop Robert Pipta introduced the Society of Blessed Hieromartyr Theodore Romzha followed by a video presentation, and the successful Fund-A-Need. Dick Russ, AM 1220 The Rock, served as the emcee for the evening.

Father Justin Rose, a New Hampshire native, grew up in Bangor and Portland, Maine. While studying at St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH, Abouna (“Father” in Arabic) Justin, who grew up in the Latin Church, encountered the Melkite Church and was soon attending regularly. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1995 and served in Harlem, NY at Emmaus House, a Melkite outreach to the poor and homeless. In 1997, Abouna Justin was assigned as associate of Holy Cross Church in Fullerton, CA and then administrator of St. Philip Mission in San Bernardino, CA where he served for 20 years. For thirteen of those years, he also worked as a Religion and Latin teacher, Director of Campus Ministry and Foreign Language Department Chair at Aquinas High School. He was co-founder and spiritual father of the Melkite Association of Young Adults, co-authored a safe environment program for the Diocese of Newton entitled, “Safeguarding Our Children,” has produced two albums of basic Melkite music and authored the book, “Come, Follow Me: A Byzantine Christian Approach to Disciple Making.” He is currently an adjunct professor of Patristics and Pastoral Theology at Byzantine Catholic Seminary, serves as Pastor of St. George Church in Birmingham, AL and is Protopresbyter and Regional Vocation Director for the Southern Region of the Diocese of Newton.

The event raised over $50,000 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 Bob Hale and exceeded its goal of $10,000, by raising funds for the Society of Blessed Hieromartyr Theodore Romzha to support new vocations.

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

TO DONATE ONLINE: Click here

TO PAY BY CHECK: Make check payable to the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma Foundation putting “Evening of Hope” in the memo line. Send to Judith Matsko – Eparchy of Parma 5000 Rockside Road, Ste. 310 Independence, OH 44131