February 6, 2005

Pastor’s Perspective

*Ash Wednesday

  This Wednesday we once again will be marked by the ashes that call us to repentance, conversion, a change of heart and mind.  Jesus tells us in the gospel of Matthew that only hypocrites like to walk around letting people know they are fasting or praying or giving alms (charity).  We hear that gospel and consciously identify ourselves as one of those hypocrites by publicly receiving the ashes.  Through our Lenten prayer and penance we desire to come out of the season of Lent with lives that are more in tune with the gospel, hearts more generous in charity, spirits more in sync with God’s Holy Spirit.  In short, less hypocritical.  Though it is not mandatory in any way, let your schedule on Wednesday be inconvenienced.  Enter consciously into the season of Lent with a desire to do and be better and come to one of the services with ashes.

  The two services (7 a.m. and 12 noon) are brief, allowing those who are working to come and then get back to work.  The other two times (9 a.m. and 7 p.m.) will be within the Mass.  For Religious Education families we will include the distribution of ashes as part of your Tuesday evening family Lenten night, which takes place this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.  The service with ashes will take place around 7:40 p.m.  Anyone else who cannot make the Wednesday times is welcome to receive ashes at the Tuesday evening time.

  When ashes are given, there are a number of options for the words used.  For older children and adults we ask you the question: “Will you turn from sin and believe in the good news?”  when you respond “Yes,” you are then marked with the ashes in the traditional “Remember, you are dust and unto dust you will return.”  For younger children, the question usually is “Will you do what you can to follow Jesus?” and when they say “Yes,” they are marked with the ashes as above.  For the youngest children we simply mark them with ashes. 

*Lenten Penance

  Please remember to fast on Ash Wednesday, February 9th (one main meal, two smaller ones for sustenance as needed but together not to equal the full meal, no eating between meals, water and juice anytime, ages 18-59, health reasons can excuse).  There is something about fasting that throws our normal bodily and physical routine off center, reminding us to turn to prayer.

  The other mandatory day for fasting is Good Friday (March 25th).  Ash Wednesday and Good Friday along with all the Fridays of Lent are to be days of abstinence from meat (ages 14 and up but all are encouraged to participate if possible).  In addition, we are strongly encouraged to choose other Lenten penances (prayer, fasting, almsgiving or charity are the three traditional areas) which will be more personally suitable to each of us, helping us to stay focused for the season.

  Finally, if possible, since catechumens preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church extend the Good Friday fast through the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil, we are encouraged to share with them and do the same.  One may substitute an alternative penance at one’s discretion for any of the above, for good reason.  None of the above is under what used to be called “the penalty of sin,” but some keeping of the spirit of the season is considered essential.

 *Fridays of Lent

  In particular, I ask as your pastor that you not let the Fridays of Lent become typical Fridays.  Yes, abstain from meat and then do something else, at least on Friday (fast, prayer, attend our Friday sessions, etc.), so that we have a sense of being in the season together.  Knowing others are entering into the spirit of  the season on Fridays can encourage each of us to maintain some type of Friday penance.

  At the parish we have the Friday Soup and Prayer evenings, beginning this Friday with a day of prayer and Adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.  We will begin with a Mass at 9 a.m., place the Blessed Sacrament on the altar for Exposition throughout the day, and end with a Benediction service at 7 p.m.  The soup and bread meal will be available from 6-7 p.m. in the Activities Center.  

*Lent

  Why do we do all of this in Lent? The spirituality of the season of Lent has often taken its inspiration from the forty day period in Jesus’ life, following his baptism in the Jordan river.  During that time, the gospels say, Jesus fasted and prayed and was put to the test by the devil.  Seen in that light, our Lent becomes a season for fasting and prayer, focusing not on the peripherals of life but on our relationship to God and others.  

  Fasting and prayer leads to a heart willing to serve the needs of others, a generosity of spirit, heart, and action that truly make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.  Like Jesus, our baptismal identity is put to the test and we choose not food or what simply satisfies our immediate needs.  Rather, we choose God. We choose life that comes from following the way, the pattern, of Jesus’ own life. 

Seen from another vantage point, however, Lent is also a sharing in the preparation of those entering the Church.  Prior to their celebration of the full sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), they are to use the Lenten period as one of retreat and spiritual preparation.  We accompany them by our own spiritual preparation, with a special emphasis on the sacrament of Reconciliation, so that we leave the Lenten season, fully reconciled to God and the community of faith, willing to take on the mission of the gospel as it gets played out in our own circumstances of life.

  In all cases, Lent is one of these seasons that is ‘voluntary’ and yet if we refuse the gracious invitation of God and don’t enter into the season, we seem to deny something that is at the core of the Christian life.  Let us not refuse but say “Yes” to this season.  

*Lent Mailing Correction

  All of the above is reiterated in a special mailing home to all registered parish members.  Please look it over and note the various activities and times for Lenten events.  I did make a mistake on the two dates that we will have Friday Lenten speakers along with Taize prayer.  Father John West will be with us on Friday February 25th (not February 11th), helping us understand Pope John Paul II’s calling this year a “Year of the Eucharist.” And, I will be speaking on March 11 (not March 25th) on the question of suffering and evil in the world as it relates to God.  

*25th and Memories

  Included in the mailing is the official invitation to our 25th anniversary Mass as a parish on Sunday February 27th at 11:30 a.m.  Please note that we included a card in each mailing, asking you to share your name along with a story or memory, thought or prayer, connected to this parish.  Please do this.  What a gift it will be to the parish now and in the future to have these memories, prayers and stories as part of its living history.  You can drop them off in the Sunday collection or at the parish office anytime.  

*Free “Sunday’s Word”

  We purchase a lot of copies of “Sunday’s Word” which includes all the Sunday readings and psalms for the entire church year.  Since the readings are on a 3 year cycle there are separate books for each of the three years.  Currently we are in “Year A.”  These copies are free. We want to get them into the hands of as many people as possible, who will use them to read over the Sunday readings before coming to Mass, or reflect on them after attending.  They do us no good sitting on the shelf gathering dust.  Please ask any staff member for a free copy of the Sunday readings. 

   May our ‘journey into the desert’ this Lent help to strip away that which keeps us focused on a false sense of self.  May our prayer, fasting and almsgiving unite us more closely Christ.

    Fr. Buersmeyer

ASH WEDNESDAY

FEBRUARY 9, 2005 

7:00 a.m.:  Prayer service with ashes

9:00 a.m.:  Mass with ashes

12:00 noon:  Prayer service with ashes

7:00 p.m.:  Mass with ashes  

Friday, February 11

Day of Adoration beginning

with Mass at 9:00 a.m. 

Soup dinner 6:00 p.m.

followed by benediction  

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 

LENTEN TAIZÉ PRAYER 

  Many of you have asked for some background on the history of Taizé Prayer.  We will be having weekly opportunities for this style of prayer throughout Lent and offer the following information on the history and purpose of this unique form of prayer. 

  Taizé is a tiny village hidden away in the hills of Burgundy in the eastern part of France.  Since 1940 it has been the home of an ecumenical community of brothers whose prayer, three times each day, is at the center of their life.  Today, Taizé is a place to which visitors of all ages and backgrounds come on pilgrimage in great numbers to join with the brothers in prayer and reflection.  

  Each prayer time is begun with the ringing of bells at the monastery.  This is followed by song chants, psalm reading, scripture, and intercessions.  Song is a very important part of this form of prayer and the songs chosen are repetitive and therefore easy to follow.  Over 200 pieces of song have been written by Brother Robert, the community’s musician,  in various languages to allow people of all countries to gather together to pray in song. 

  This form of prayer has found its way into the worship of congregations throughout the world.  Here in the United States it is very popular because the music allows for silent/quiet prayer and gives life to the prayer setting quite unlike anything previously experienced.  Our Lenten Taizé prayer will use the Stations of the Cross as our focus. 

  The weekly Lenten Taizé prayer schedule is designed to give you various

opportunities to join us.  The same prayer is repeated twice each week.  The first week’s prayer time is…

  Tuesday, February 15, 6:30 p.m. and

  Thursday, February 17, 6:30 p.m. 

Roots of faith both fragile and strong

  The Collection to Aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe is sharing in the full restoration of a Catholic society at the crossroads. Its goal is to protect the growth of hope, “ hope which is stronger than every fear and doubt, hope that has sustained the faith of our brothers and sisters of the Churches of the East during times in which it was hard and personally risky to believe and to hope” (Pope John Paul II, New Vocations for a New Europe, no. 3).

  This collection will be taken next weekend throughout the Archdiocese. Please use the special envelope when you make your donation. Thank you to the many generous U.S. benefactors. You demonstrate your concern for the universal Church by opening your arms to hundreds of critical projects that shelter the roots of faith, and help the Church thrive. 

Funeral luncheon

  Thank you to the following people for helping at last Saturday’s funeral luncheon. Captains Peggy Wright and Sandra Bollaaert called upon Mary Ellen Rose, Shirley Schima, Catherine LaRose, and Jim Wright to assist them at the reception. You all did a fantastic job. Thank you to all the bakers who provided a delightful assortment of cakes. The family and guests offered many compliments for your tasty desserts and kindness. God bless you all for your service in Christ.

  Geri and Sue 

CHRISTIAN FAITH FORMATION

2004-2005

Religious Formation

Program 

Early Childhood — Sunday

(ages 3-4-5 years)

During 9:30 a.m. Mass

Sessions:  Feb. 13, 27

No Session:  Feb. 20  

Grades 1-6 — Tuesday

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

Session: Feb. 8, 22

Lenten Family Evening:  Feb. 8

No Session:  Feb. 15 

Grades 7-8 — Sunday

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Sessions: Feb. 6, 27

Mar. 6, 13, 20

No Sessions: Feb. 13, 20  

For Catechists

& Assistants 

TAIZE PRAYER

Tuesday,  February 15

6:30 p.m. 

This is your opportunity to spend time this Lent praying and singing together during this special time of meditative prayer.  Please plan on joining us.   

SACRAMENT OF

RECONCILIATION FOR

GRADES 4, 5 & 6 

Tuesday, February 22

during regular

Religious Formation Sessions 

All children who have made their First Reconciliation will have the  opportunity to celebrate this sacrament as part of their Lenten preparation.   

ATTENTION!

RELIGIOUS FORMATION FAMILIES! 

LENTEN FAMILY EVENING

  TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY 8 AT 6:30 p.m. 

For ALL families in the religious formation program, we strongly encourage you to come together and travel the Lenten journey with us.  We will travel through Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter through scripture, reflection, song,   The evening will end with an ash service. Planned as part of the religious formation program calendar, this is NOT an optional off day. 

Salt of the Earth, Light of the World     

      Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world.’  When Jesus tells us to let our light shine, the light he is talking about is the light of our good deeds, especially our deeds of love.  People take notice of good deeds, and they don’t have to be spectacular.  They may be very simple and ordinary and give effective witness to the light.   

     When Jesus tells us to let our light shine before people, he didn’t mean we should advertise our good deeds or brag about them, but to do them.  If we do them, they will speak for themselves.   A good life is a strong and effective witness, and in itself a proclamation of the Gospel.  The light will shine when we are genuine, when we see that the truth is told, that justice is done, when we show mercy, compassion and love. 

     In order to  produce its effect, salt has to be mixed in with the food.  And a light has to be put in a high place in order to be able to reach people.  So we Christians have to be in the world, but not allow ourselves to be absorbed by the world.  We have a very positive role to play in the world.  We have something to offer, even though the world may not always welcome it.  

Let Your Light Shine 

The most important thing about each of us is our capacity for goodness. We can be a source of light. We have hands that can care, eyes that can see, ears that can hear, tongues that can speak. feet that can walk and above all hearts that can love. Unfortunately, through laziness, selfishness, and cowardice, our light can be dimmed, so that we become shadows of the people we could be. 

Lord, help us to believe in our own goodness, and to let the light of that goodness shine. On seeing this light others find their way, and you will be glorified. 

 “Food for Thought”

Fridays during Lent 6:00-7:30 p.m. 

  February 11   –    Adoration all day followed by soup and Benediction

  February 18  –     Soup, presentation on Birthright of Macomb,

  followed by Stations of the Cross

  February 25   –    Taize Prayer followed by soup and Lenten

  speaker, Fr. John West

  March 4  —          Soup, presentation on Macomb County Interfaith

  Volunteer Caregivers, followed by Stations of the Cross

  March 11 —         Taize Prayer followed by soup and Lenten

  speaker, Fr. Dave Buersmeyer

  March 18  —       Adoration all day followed by soup and Benediction 

If you would like to donate soup, bread or help set up or clean up,

please sign up on the poster in the hallway to the Parish Center.

Thank you! 

Soup Kitchen News 

  Thanks to everyone who participated and donated food for December 21, 2004.  Once again the soup kitchen volunteers out did themselves.  We served a delicious spaghetti lunch.  Our next meal served will be February 15, 2004.  We will serve a spaghetti lunch with salad and fresh fruit.  Donated items should be delivered to the parish kitchen before February 15, 2004.  Please mark your bags SOUP KITCHEN.  

  We will meet at SS. John & Paul at 8:30 AM and car pool at 8:45 AM to the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen in Mt. Clemens. 

  Please call Pat Sagert at 586.781.7035 so I can plan accordingly.  Special thanks to Barbara Jarzembski for assisting with phone contacts. God bless you for being so generous and helping those less fortunate. 

Samaritan House Food Drive

February 12th and 13th     

Please bring your non-perishable food itemsFebruary 12th and 13th so we can help restock the shelves of the Samaritan House food pantry. 

Suggested items for the month of February are cooking oil, sugar, jelly, canned meat, cereal, canned fruit, flour, peanut butter, coffee. 

Thank you for your generosity! 

Operation Rice Bowl 

  Our parish will be participating in Operation Rice Bowl as part of our Lenten observance this year.  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services which calls Catholics in the United States to promote human dignity and to foster global solidarity with the poor around the world through prayer, fasting, learning, and giving during the Lenten season. 

  Each student in Religious Formation classes grades 1-6 received a Rice Bowl and an accompanying home calendar on Tuesday, February 1st during class.  Likewise, Rice Bowls and calendars will be distributed to 7th and 8th graders during class on Sunday, February 6th.  All Rice Bowls are due back to church by Tuesday, March 22nd. 

  If you are not a Religious Formation student and would like to participate in Operation Rice Bowl, please check with the office after February 6th to see if there are any extras. 

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:

  Tuesday  —  March 1, 15, 22, 29

  Thursday  —  March 10, 24 

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. 

Information for Caregivers 

  “Community Resources for Caregiving Families” is the topic of the monthly caregivers support group meeting on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 from noon to 2:00 PM in the conference room at the Agape Center in Romeo.  Suzanne Szczepanski-White, Director of Senior Services for Catholic Services of Macomb, will review the variety of support services available for dependent adults and their caregivers. 

  All participants will receive a copy of Creating A Healthier Macomb’s 143-page Seasons of Life Community Resource Guide, as well as other support materials. 

  Sponsored by Catholic Services of Macomb, the caregivers support group is for anyone caring for or concerned about an aging family member.  On-site respite services will be available across the hall at A Friend’s House Adult Day Services, for a small fee.  Pre-registration is required.  The Agape Center is located at 347 S. Main in Romeo, on the grounds of St. Clement of Rome Church. 

  For additional information or to pre-register for on-site respite services, call A Friend’s House at 586.336.6839.

Electronic Sunday offerings 

  Electronic Sunday Offerings is a pre-authorized payment plan where parish members authorize monthly or bi-weekly deductions to be made from their checking or savings account to the church’s account. There are three options for withdrawals: 

1.         Half on the 15th of the month and half on the 30th (or last business day)

2.         Withdraw the full amount on the 15th of the month

3.         Withdraw the full amount on the 30th of the month (or last business day) 

  If you would like to have your contributions made electronically, just fill out the Electronic Sunday Offerings form that is available in the office or in the literature racks. Keep the second (yellow) copy for your records and return the top (white) sheet to the office via the weekly offertory collection, after mass on Sunday, or via the U.S. mail. You will be notified of the deduction on your monthly bank statement. Thank you for considering this new way to contribute to the stewardship of our parish.  

 TEEN NEWS

·          Next teen session

Why not bring a friend and join us at our next teen session on Sunday, February 6, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

·          Attention all seniors

Each year the family of James F. Coughlin, a former Executive Director of the Catholic Youth Organization, offers the youth a chance at a $1,000 scholarship. If you are interested in receiving this information, please stop by the office and pick up a packet, or call Karen Peters at 781-9488. 

Vatican II continues... 

The February insert will be titled “Called to Holiness and Service: Lay Ministry.” It will focus on how the role of all Catholics within the Church has changed since Vatican II. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, more individuals are claiming their rightful roles as active members of the People of God.  Because of this,  the Church, and indeed the world, are being transformed. 

REMINDER...VATICAN II IS AVAILABLE ON VIDEO!

Our library has sets of Vatican II videos  to be checked out through the parish office.   

25th Anniversary reminders 

·          We’re still accepting photos for our parish photo album. If you and your family would like to be included, please send your photo to 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 your names. 

·          Also, 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. Be sure to include your name so that we can get them back to you. 

·          Our 25th anniversary year-long celebration will begin at the 11:30 a.m. Mass on February 27, 2005 followed by a reception with light refreshments in the Activities Center. Please invite any former parishioners you may know of to this mass and reception.  

Sharing Tree thanks 

Dear Friends of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, 

  We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your generous donation to our Christmas Fiesta.  Your donation helped to provide over 220 children and parents at our Annual Christmas Party with toys and games.    A thousand thanks!  We could not have done it without you. You are remembered in our prayers. 

  Gratefully yours,

  Sister Mary Barbara Philippart, SC  Michelle D. Macey

  Pastoral Associate  Fiesta Coordinator 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Dear Friends, 

  The tinsel is gone, the boxes packed away, but the memories of the last weeks are vividly alive in our hearts as we remember ALL that you GIFTED us with during the Christmas season. 

  We are overwhelmed with your generosity, kindness and outreach in the name of  Jesus.  With God’s blessings and your help we moved a mountain of gifts this year.  Your many gift certificates were a joyful treat for those who would not experience Christmas this year without your donations.  Our people drove away with your gift cards or the presents for their families saying Thank You/Gracias.  There were so many joyful homes because of you and how you live the Gospel to help the least of your sisters and brothers in Christ. 

  I am very grateful for your contributions to this parish because I know how many families would not be helped without you, so I too say Thank You/Gracias for helping us answer the gospel call 

  Sincerely in the Lord,

  Donna Belli

  Christian Service Coordinator

  St. Maximilian Kolbe/St. Francis 

Little Rock Scripture Study

TOPIC: 

The Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus 

WHEN:

Mondays from 6-7 p.m. on the following weeks:

February 14, 21, 28

March 14, 21

April 4, 11 

WHERE:  Parish Center 

WHO:  All scripture lovers, young and old alike 

This study compares the particular insights found in the passion

and resurrection accounts of the four gospels. 

Examining these events, the core of our faith, will

challenge you to incorporate both the pain of the cross

and the hope of the resurrection into daily living. 

Please register  by signing up on the board

 in the hallway going to the Parish Center.  

Cost for the books is $10.00 

Together in Ministry

Youth Ministry   

  In 1976, our Catholic Bishops across the country gathered to show their support and concern for the young people of our country.  They published a resource titled “A Vision of Youth Ministry.” In it they stated that “Youth Ministry is the response of the Christian community to the needs of young people, and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community.”   

In 1997, this document was rewritten putting stronger emphasis on the call to all young people to personal discipleship, to service and evangelization, and to parish leadership. 

  Realizing that this is a tremendous responsibility for one person, we have formed a team of Youth Ministers to assist in the task.  Using this new document as a backdrop, our SS. John and Paul Youth Ministry Team attempts to involve, continue to catechize, strengthen leadership skills and deepen the spirituality of each young person in our parish.   

  Because the teens gather at church only once a month for a formal session, we offer various opportunities throughout the year for involvement in service, training for liturgical ministries, social opportunities, and opportunities to participate in leadership roles in the formation of the young.   

  Youth Ministry is largely a ministry based on relationships and so attention is  given to events outside of the parish, including events in the school setting or wherever else teens gather.   One of our primary goals is to help these young people stay connected to our parish family.  Staying connected to a church during young teen years will help to ensure a connectedness when they are adults.  

NEXT WEEK...COMMENTS FROM THE TEENS OF THE PARISH

FOLLOWING WEEKS...COMMENTS FROM OUR YOUTH MINISTERS, AND THE QUESTION ...“WHERE DO YOU FIT IN?” 

Saturday and Sunday

February 5-6, 2005

Edward Woytalewicz by Wife & Family

Gerald Hatcher by Wife

Bob Henk by Family 

Monday, February 7, 2005

Katherine Miracola by C. LaRose 

Tuesday, February 8, 2005

Lorraine Geromin by Greenway Fam. 

Wednesday, February 9, 2005

For the parishioners 

Saturday and Sunday

February 12-13, 2005

Helen Scheff by Stec Family

Mary Ryan by Smolinski Family

Sandra Sustrich by Bernie

Matthew Hunsucker (1st Anniv.)

by Family