January 23, 2005

Pastor’s Perspective

*Living Our Baptisms: Vocation Committee Meets on Tuesday Feb. 1st 

  Marriage is a vocation. Being single is a vocation.  Teaching is a vocation.  Parenting is a vocation.  Working in business is a vocation.  Permanent diaconate, priesthood, being a religious brother or sister, a monk or nun, are all forms of vocation.  As Christians we believe that every person who is baptized is called by God to live a Christ-centered life.  In whatever way that unfolds, whatever professions and work we do, whatever family and friendships God leads us to, it is all a matter of a vocation.   

  We will be initiating a Parish Vocation Committee on Tuesday February 1st at 7:30 p.m.  A few people have already volunteered to start it.  Any interested parish member is welcome to attend.  The task of the committee will be to find ways to keep before the parish this sense of being called by God in all walks of life.  It will include information and prayer on church vocations such as priest, sister, brother, and lay pastoral worker.  But it will also focus on challenging each of us to live out our baptismal, Christ-centered, vocation in our own situations in life, as well as encouraging the Church to appreciate everyone’s vocation. 

  We are all called by God, claimed by Christ in baptism, invited to a path of life that will bring the greatest strength and healing to this world and our own lives, if we respond.  What  is your vocation?  Come and help the parish initiate this important work. 

*World Marriage Day

  Marriage Encounter Groups have designated the second Sunday of February, February 13th as “World Marriage Day.”  We try to acknowledge marriages throughout the year at the weekend Masses, but for those who want to treat themselves to a special dinner celebration at the San Marino Club in Troy, see the flyer on the bulletin board in the hallway outside the coffee and donut room. 

*Permanent Deacon Information Meeting

  One of our parish members, John Wright, is in the “aspirant” stage of preparation for the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Detroit.  He has written a couple of times of the steps he will be taking, if he continues in the program and is ordained a deacon.  Deacons in the “Permanent Diaconate” can be married or single men.  They are assigned to parishes by the archbishop, participating in the liturgies through proclaiming the gospel, at times preaching and at times baptizing and witnessing marriages.  In addition, they are usually involved in outreach ministries, bringing an ordained presence of Church leadership to jails, hospitals, ministry to the poor, and so forth.  They are called “permanent” because they will not later be ordained to priesthood but remain as deacons the rest of their lives.   

  If you were ever interested in such a ministry and wonder what would be involved, there is an information day at Sacred Heart Seminary on Saturday, February 12, in the morning, beginning at 9 a.m.  Call 313-883-8500 to register.  

*Mass with the Anointing of the Sick

  Our quarterly Mass with the Anointing of the Sick takes place on Monday, January 31st at the regularly scheduled 7 p.m. Mass.  Anyone who is in need of the sacrament is invited to attend.  That would include those who know they will be facing surgery in the next couple of months, those with chronic, serious health issues, physical or mental, those who are elderly, and those still recovering from serious illness.

  The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament that is meant to accompany you and strengthen you in the course of an illness, not a ‘last rite’ or ‘extreme unction.’  You may receive it more than once in the course of an illness, and it is especially appropriate to celebrate it as a community of faith, rather than individually. 

*The Theology of God (continued)

  In the last column on this topic I outlined how the Church found a need to name its experience of God revealed in Scripture and in the message, ministry, and person of Jesus Christ: one God and only one God, who relates to us in a three-personed way.  We cannot know or name how God is in “Godself”.  That is inaccessible to us.  God will always be Other and never limited by our definition of God.  At the same time, God—this inaccessible, not fully knowable God—has revealed Godself, especially in his dealings with his people Israel, in Jesus of Nazareth, whom we call ‘Son of God,’ and in the Spirit of God at work in every generation. 

  Moreover, God as such, truly God, not some secondary or derived experience of God, comes to us for our salvation (divinization) in Jesus.  If Jesus is not both truly God and truly human we are still looking for a Savior.  The genius of the group of 4th century Eastern Catholic theologians we call ‘the Cappadocians’ was to recognize that God’s ‘nature’ or essence is fully expressed and only and always expressed to us as relationship.  God is not ‘some thing’ existing alongside all other things, only spiritual, perfect and supreme.  That type of thinking, as we saw, led to the kind of theism, atheism and agnosticism that is so prevalent in today’s modern world.  

  Take a look at the issue of suffering and evil.  In the pre-modern world the fact of suffering and evil was usually viewed as an indication that humanity radically cannot know God and needs God to escape the sin, suffering, and evil that is out there.  Such suffering and evil did not call into question God’s existence or goodness but rather raised the question of what is the right/best path out of such a situation.  But in the modern world, because we begin to think of God as some sort of supreme Being, existing alongside us and somewhat similar to us, only perfect and spiritual, God is called into question.  We ask “Why did God allow the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Aceh, Indonesia and South Asia and led to the loss of so many people?”  “Why does God allow so many innocent people all over the world to suffer cruelty at the hands of other human beings?”  “Why doesn’t God do something about it all?”    Such questioning of God and attempts to justify God’s existence and goodness in the face of such horror is called “theodicy.”  But all such theodicy eventually fails, I think (though many disagree).  Although some suffering and evil can be given some reasonable explanation for its continued existence, certain types of evil and suffering can never be justified by an appeal to “the need for free will” or “in heaven it will all make sense” or “there can be no good if there is not evil.”  In the end, some evil and the suffering caused by it are abominations and yet are unexplainably part of the fabric of life in this universe. 

  Perhaps the classic expression of the weakness of Christian attempts to explain away evil is in The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.  Dostoyevsky uses the characters of Ivan and Alyosha as contrasts.  Alyosha has gone the way of religious life, is gentle, kind of heart, believes in an all-loving God.  Ivan has gone the way of hard-living, murder and unrepentance.  In the chapter titled ‘Rebellion’ Ivan persuasively recounts to Alyosha the modern case for why theodicy fails.  How can God be justified in the face of the cruelty done to innocent children, even if it were only to be one child? Ivan catalogues a series of horrors that he knows about how various people have treated innocent children.  [And though fictional, they are horrors that take place to this day throughout the world.]  The children suffer now, have unspeakable horror done to them now. If there is a God who can stop this but permits this for the sake of free will or some reconciled existence after death or any other reason, and that is the price of a ticket which gets us into human existence in this world, give back this ticket.  It is a ridiculous price. Ivan would rather not live.  Far better, Ivan believes, to name it for what such evil is—horrific, unjustifiable, deserving of justice here and now and in no way to be made reasonable or acceptable for some greater purpose.

To which I can only reply “Amen.”  If there is such a God, humanity should not worship such a One.   That is why the recovery of our Christian trinitarian understanding of God is so important.  Evil contradicts the meaning of life and destroys the innocent.  Jesus is the victim of such evil.  In Jesus of Nazareth God’s ‘answer’ is seemingly one of weakness and vulnerability in the face of evil.  All he can do is confront it, name the truth, and face the crush of evil, refusing to run away, being crucified to death.  The ‘answer’ that our Christian trinitarian understanding gives to evil is not to explain it or make it reasonable or to set up a calculus that justifies it because of a future reward. Rather, the ‘answer’ is fidelity to the journey of life, for us, obedient to the pattern of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection—our baptismal identity.  The resurrection, then, is not a belief that no matter the amount of suffering and evil, the reward will be worth it.  No reward can justify the suffering caused by true evil.  Rather, resurrection is an attitude toward life that refuses to let death and the mystery of evil have the final say.  My life/our lives are justified  and made sense of by such a stance toward sin and evil.  Whenever we see such evil or suffering, we are called into question, and as Christians we see it as a summons to respond in the way of Jesus Christ.  We live that way because to refuse to is to be unfaithful to the core of who we are.  In being faithful to our baptismal identity we discover a Word at work that gives us meaning in the face of such seeming meaninglessness; a Spirit at work that sustains and guides our human Spirit ever anew; an Other that is not us and yet is related to us in love and so life can be trusted rather than feared. 

  The question “Why does God allow…?” becomes instead “Where and who are we in the face of such suffering and evil?”  “Why do we build in such a way that the poorest and the greatest numbers always face the worst of the natural disasters?” “If we have the technology to give a few minutes warning, and we do, why didn’t nations spend the resources to build such systems?”  “Why do we not feed every person in this world?”  “Why is there not a system of human justice in place that can deal with cruel acts of one human being to another?” “Why are we so complicit with evil and fearful of it and not more trusting of God and confrontative of evil?” And so on. 

  The world’s overwhelming response to a natural disaster such as the recent tsunami speaks well of our desire to overturn suffering.  But our acceptance of unjust social structures, huge gaps in health and welfare among nations and people, focus on our creature comforts no matter the expense to others, and many other things speak to the need to embrace our Christian trinitarian faith more fully.  If we do, we will discover a relationship to God who is Other than us and yet always related to us, a God who for us and our salvation relates to us in a multi, three-personed way, which our Tradition has named in different ways but which is summed up in our prayer: “To the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.” 

   May we face life unafraid, willing to confront sin, injustice, evil; responding to suffering and hurt; discovering that our lives are always sustained by our relationship to the tri-personal God.  

  Fr. Buersmeyer    

2004 contribution statements   

  We have mailed 2004 contribution statements to all those parishioners who have contributed $250 or more during 2004. If you did not receive a statement but would like one, please call the parish office (586) 781-9010 and we will be happy to send you one. 

  Please note, your 2004 CSA donation is not included on your statement. You will receive a statement directly from the Archdiocese of Detroit for any donation they received over $250.00 

Mass with

anointing of the sick 

Monday, January 31, 2005

during the 7:00 p.m. Mass 

Vatican II continues… 

  We hope you are enjoying the Vatican II bulletin inserts. However, it is hard to tell if they have been a valuable tool for you to learn more about this subject. If you have been reading the inserts, please let a staff person know so that we know this resource is being used. If you missed one of the articles, we have extras in the office that you can ask for. 

  Our next insert is titled, “Called to Holiness and Service: Ordained Ministry”. The Second Vatican Council gave major consideration to the ordained ministry of deacons, priests, and bishops. The Council Fathers looked intently at both the life and ministry of those ordained for service to God’s people.  

  The focus of this next insert will be on the ministry of priesthood. It will address the function of the priest in today’s Church, the cultural context in which priesthood is being lived out, and then asks the question, What does the future look like for the priesthood? 

Available on video 

  Reminder...our library has sets of Vatican II videos that are available to be checked out through the parish office. NOTE: One of our videos is missing — No. 4 of the set called “The Faithful Revolution, Vatican II”. If by chance you borrowed it and just forgot to return it, please do so as soon as possible so others can view it. Thanks!

Sunday readings

  Books containing the Sunday readings for cycle A are available. We encourage anyone interested in preparing themselves for the next Sunday’s reading to ask for a book. If you know of someone that is unable to attend mass because of a health condition, consider taking one of these books to them. They are available to anyone who requests one, and they are free for the asking.  

CHRISTIAN FAITH FORMATION

2004-2005

Religious Formation

Program 

Early Childhood — Sunday

(ages 3-4-5 years)

During 9:30 a.m. Mass

No Session:  Jan. 30

Sessions:  Feb. 6, 13, 27

No Session:  Feb. 20     

Grades 1-6 — Tuesday

4:45-6:00 p.m. & 6:30-7:45 p.m.

No Session:  Jan. 25

Session: Feb. 1

Lenten Family Evening:  Feb. 8     

Grades 7-8 — Sunday

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Sessions: Jan.  23, 30 

Presentation of First

Eucharist Candidates 

Sunday, January 30  at the

9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Masses 

All children preparing for their first Eucharist will be presented to the community by their parents for recognition, support and prayers.    

ATTENTION!

RELIGIOUS FORMATION FAMILIES! 

LENTEN FAMILY EVENING

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY 8

6:30 p.m. 

This evening  is for ALL families in the religious formation program.  This is NOT an optional off day.  Planned as part of the religious formation program, we strongly encourage you to join together and travel the Lenten journey with us.

Allow the Light to Enter 

      ‘The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light.’  Jesus described his own mission when he said: ‘I am the light of the world.’ 

      We welcome the light; however, in certain circumstances we might fear it.  We fear it because it shows up everything — things we want to see and things we would prefer not to see and want to keep hidden from others, even from ourselves! 

      A priest was invited to bless a woman’s house.   As he went from room to room, he noticed that everything was in place and immaculate.  Not a cobweb to be seen anywhere.  He sprinkled holy water and prayed as he went, the woman escorting him from room to room.  Even the cats on the couch weren’t spared.  One of them jumped up.   The blessing disturbed something in this neat and orderly house. When all the rooms were done and they reached the top of the stairs that led to the basement, the woman told the priest that he didn’t want to go down there.  So he left it at that.  Later he wondered why she refused to take him to the part of the house that most needed a blessing.  Did she not want to embarrass him or did she not want to embarrass  herself by letting him see all the junk piled up down there.  

      Isn’t it just like ourselves ?  We tend to hide the parts of ourselves that most need to be redeemed.  For this reason we don’t allow the light to shine into the dark areas of our lives and of our society.  We don’t find it easy to talk about those dark areas.  Instead, we try to cover them up and hide them away.  Yet it’s those very dark areas that have the most need for light and could benefit from it. 

      Every house, every person, has a ‘basement’ area where old hurts, hates, painful memories and fears are locked away.  We show the world a tidy beautiful place, while we have a dump somewhere hidden behind the scenes.  We could let the light of Jesus shine upon those grubby parts of ourselves.  Those who came to Jesus in their darkness were sent away bathed in light. 

      There were those who refused to acknowledge their need of his light and rejected it.  We need to acknowledge our darkness and our need of light.  This is why Jesus began his preaching with a call to repentance: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’   To repent is to admit our darkness, and to open ourselves to the light. 

     The light of Christ comes as a friend.  His light brings healing not hurt, freedom not oppression, life not death.  Those who follow Jesus will always have the light of life.  By living in it, we becomes sources of light to others, a lamp for their paths.  

 Meals on Wheels needs volunteer drivers 

   The Macomb County Community Services Agency (MCCSA), Senior Nutrition Program (Meals-on-Wheels) is in need of volunteer and substitute drivers to deliver meals in our community.  Volunteers are requested to drive a lunch route, approximately 1 hour, twice a month.  Drivers will also need the use of a personal automobile.  Mileage would be reimbursed.  The meals are delivered 5 days a week, as well as holidays.

  For more information, call Macomb County Community Services Agency Senior Citizens Nutrition Program at 586.469.5228. 

Vicariate pantry needs 

   The North Macomb Vicariate Pantry, located in the Agape Center on the grounds of St. Clement in Romeo, is in immediate need of the following items:  Diapers (all sizes), baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, coffee, vegetable oil, salt, sugar and flour.  These items can be dropped off at the Agape Center on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

  The North Macomb Vicariate Pantry serves all who are experiencing a food shortage emergency in the north Macomb area. 

Thanks MCREST volunteers! 

   On Thursday, January 6th, SS. John & Paul Parish prepared and served lunch to the MCREST residents housed at St. Clement in Romeo.  We would like to thank volunteers Sue Keller for shopping and organizing and Barbara Quayhackx, Melanie Krieg, Brian Conlon, Cathy Radtke and her daughters Allison and Olivia who used their snow day from school to help out!  Thanks, too, to our dessert bakers, Chris Alverson, Eddie Ghidoli and Shirley Schima,  The cookies were enjoyed by all!  You all made a great team! 

In prayerful memory  

   January 22 marks the 32nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion.  On Sunday, January 23rd there will be an Interfaith Memorial Service at 3:00 PM to be held at Power of Faith Ministries, 24502 Campbell St. in Warren.  Included in the service will be a life presentation talk by Dr. John Barkay and singing by the Voices of Faith Choir.   

  For more information about this event, contact Dan Melnyk at 586.754.5251 or Dot Nowak at 586.751.0945  

Help us help others 

   HELP in March!  We are in need of several kind-hearted individuals who could provide simple box lunches for the ten Alzheimer’s patients and team at A Friend’s House in Romeo.  Lunches need to be made, packaged and delivered.  Serving lunches will not be required.  SS. John & Paul will provide the funds necessary to purchase the food as well as any materials that are needed (Styrofoam boxes, silverware, etc.).   

  The lunches need to be delivered at approximately 11:30 AM to A Friend’s House, located in the Agape Center on the grounds of St. Clement parish in Romeo.  The specific dates we need assistance are:

 Tuesdays  Thursdays

March 1  March 3

March 8  March 10

March 15  March 17

March 22  March 24

March 29  March 31 

  This is something that can be accomplished by one individual per date.  However, a team of two or three would make the process even easier!  It won’t require a lot of time and it WILL make a big difference in the lives of some of our community’s elderly.  Please call Kathy at 781-9010 if you are interested in assisting in this most worthwhile project. 

15th Annual Walk for Warmth 

   The Macomb County Community Services Agency’s 15th Annual Walk for Warmth takes place Saturday, February 19th at St. Therese of Lisieux Church in Shelby Township at 9:00 AM. 

Walk for Warmth is an event held to raise funds and promote awareness of the emergency needs of low-income families and individuals.  All funds raised stay in Macomb County and are used to prevent heat-related emergencies, such as repairing or replacing dangerous malfunctioning furnaces and preventing heat shut-off.  Join hundreds of other walkers for a fun-filled event while helping those in need. 

The day begins with registration and continental breakfast at 9:00 AM, followed by the three mile walk at 10:00 AM.  Lunch is provided after the walk.  There is a minimum pledge of $10.00 per walker.  If you are interested in participating or in sponsorship of this event, please call 586.469.6999  

Children in the middle:  divorce education for parents and children 

   CARE (Community Assessment Referral and Education) will sponsor a workshop for families with children ages 9-16 years old who are going through a divorce.  The workshop will be held on Thursdays, beginning February 3 through March 17 (no class February 17) from 7:00 – 8:30 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church at 38900 Harper (south of Crocker) in Clinton Township. 

  The workshop will help children deal with the trauma of divorce.  Ideas on parent-child bonding, parental cooperation and personal responsibility, anger management and communication skills will be addressed.  Class fee is $48 per family which includes the book fee.  For more information or to register, call CARE at 586-541-0033.  

Photo album 

  We’re still accepting photos for our parish album Send it into the parish office with your names on the back. We’ll return it to you after scanning it into a database. Or, if you have a digital photo, e-mail it to us with the names.

  Remember, we are still looking for photos of past parish events, family sacraments, daily Mass in the old rectory or elementary school, etc. that span our early years as a parish and will help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary. Send those in also, and we’ll be sure to get them back to you. 

Chuckles

Only in America… 

...Do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes and candy bars at the front. 

...Do people insist they need a diet coke with their double cheeseburger and large fries order and then talk about having surgery for being too fat. 

...Do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters. 

...Do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage. 

...Do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight. 

...Do we have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

Knights of Columbus

free throw championship 

  All boys and girls ages 10-14 are invited to participate in this basketball free throw championship on January 29 at 8:30 a.m. at the Duncan Elementary School on 26 Mile Road between Hayes and Schoenherr. Similar gender and age groups will compete against each other. 

  Age of eligibility is determined by age of the participant as of January 1, 2005. Proof of age is required. High school participants should check with their school’s athletic director regarding possible eligibility conflicts. Prizes will be awarded and winners will advance to the district, regional, and state levels of competition. 

  The more participation, the better the competition! So bring all your family and friends and help make this year another great success. For further information contact Chuck Gietzen at (586) 677-2505 or Ed Hughes at (586) 566.8476. 

Try it on—the priesthood 

  When Jesus invited Peter, Andrew, James , and John to “come after” Him, they “immediately abandoned their nets and became His followers.” They did not hesitate to follow, despite the sacrifices. If you think Jesus is inviting you to “come after” Him in a unique way as a brother, sister, or priest, why are you hesitating? Find out more about the life God offers you. For information, call (313) 237-5875 or visit www.vocationsdetroit.org. 

CSA minute — Project Rachel 

  January 22 marks the 32nd anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in the landmark case, Roe vs. Wade. One out of every four women in the United States has had an abortion. Many of these women find living with the memory of what they have done very difficult. They suffer, oftentimes feeling separated from God, their families and even themselves. 

  Your gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal allow our local Church to help women, and men, who have been touched by the tragedy of abortion. Project Rachel, a confidential healing ministry, provides help, support and the compassion of Christ through the Church to help these individuals come to terms with their loss, guilt, anxiety, depression and loneliness that are common following an abortion. The ministry also offers the opportunity for reconciliation. 

  For more information on Project Rachel, please call (888) RACHEL5 or e-mail projectrachel@aod.org. 

A Family Perspective

By Bud Ozar

  It is not guaranteed that our children will follow in our footsteps. Our job is the same as John the Baptist in today’s Gospel, to “testify (in our words and life) that Jesus is the Son of God.” After that, our children are free to accept or reject our testimony.  

World Marriage Day 

  On Sunday, February 13, from 3:30-9:00 p.m., couples will have an opportunity to bless their marriages in a truly extraordinary way. 

  At our annual World Marriage Day Dinner, you’ll enjoy a sit-down dinner, dancing, and a prayer celebration at the San Marino Club in Troy. Well-known author, speaker, and producer Steve Ray will be our guest speaker. His topic will be “Men, Marriage, Sex & Heaven.” 

  The cost is $50 per couple. Teresa Tomeo and her husband, Dominic, will once again emcee the event. For more details call Rich and Fran at (586) 795-0568 or e-mail waldenluv@att.net. 

TEEN NEWS

¨         Next teen session is

  February 6 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

St. Lawrence open house 

  To begin National Catholic Schools Week, St. Lawrence School will be hosting an open house on Sunday, January 30 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. If you are interested in sending your child/ren to St. Lawrence School, or if you are interested in learning more about Catholic education, please join us. 

  Registration for 2005-06 St. Lawrence Preschool will be from February 7-11. Anyone interested in sending their child to St. Lawrence Preschool may pick up a registration form in the school office the week of January 30. Registrations will be accepted beginning at 8:00 a.m. February 7.

Baptisms 

Congratulations to those children who were baptized December 19, 2004: 

McKenna Lynn Castillo

Heather Valero Adams

Nicholas William Arnold 

Welcome to our parish family! 

Together in Ministry

Ministry to the Homebound  

  There are several groups of people who extend our parish outreach into the homes of parishioners who are unable to stay connected to us physically because of ill health or other personal reasons.  The care and concern shown by these ministers to the homebound speaks loudly of their desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus as he, too, cared so deeply for the sick and suffering in his midst. 

  The different groups that play a role in this extensive outreach to the homebound include:

·          Communion Ministers to the Sick

·          Parish Health Ministry Team

·          Christian Service Senior Assistance team

·          Card Ministry Team

·          Pastoral staff

·          Parish community at large 

  Each of the above groups plays an vital role in ministering to the homebound and maintaining their identity and connectedness to our parish family.  Next week we will begin to describe these roles so that we all have a better understanding of our own responsibility in this ministry.  

  Again...remember to keep these special ministers in your prayers.