April 17, 2005 

Pastor’s Perspective 

*Mass for the Anointing of the Sick Monday April 25th

  Every three months the parish celebrates a Mass which includes the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  This quarterly Liturgy is coming up on Monday, April 25th at the regular 7:00 p.m. Mass.  We especially invite anyone who is facing upcoming surgery, those who have chronic serious illnesses and health problems, people recovering from serious surgery or hospital stays but who find themselves still weak, those who are elderly and frail, and people struggling with serious emotional and mental health. 

  The common denominator for receiving this sacrament is a person with a serious physical or mental condition (in contrast to something that is more routine and minor), old enough to understand the difference between a sacramental sign and mere magic (usually defined as the “age of reason” or about seven years old, though pastoral discretion is allowed here), with a faith that wants his or her life to be fully united to Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.  The key is that faith.  Whenever we are anointed, prayers are prayed for recovery, strength and healing, along with forgiveness of sins and any spiritual healing that is needed.  But the core of the sacrament is a strengthening of our faith, no matter what occurs. 

  There is always an unspoken “addendum” to any prayers for healing, which parallels Jesus’ words in Gethsemane: “God our loving Father, we pray for healing/success in surgery/life/recovery…but not my will but your will be done.”  In other words, no matter the course of the illness or the recovery, we are willing to be witnesses to faith, trusting that the Lord walks with us.  In that way, the sacrament of Anointing is not so much the community’s caring for the sick person as it is a mutual caring and witness.  We witness to our faith in God and our willingness to be companions of those immersed in suffering.  Those anointed witness to us of their faith in the midst of suffering, so to strengthen us.  Where they are, we will one day be.  Thank you to all who come forward for the anointing.  You are a witness and gift to this community.

*Last Rites for the Pope?

  In the course of Pope John Paul II’s final illness, we were given very detailed updates by the media.  Not surprisingly, some of the details missed a true Catholic understanding of what was happening.  Some talked about the ‘sacrament of the infirm’ which was a translation from the Italian.  That is exactly what we mean by the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.  More misleading, however, was when certain ones in the media talked about Pope John Paul receiving the ‘last rites’ and equating that with the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. 

  For those old enough to remember, the sacrament of the sick used to be called ‘Extreme Unction,’ which was seen as the ‘final anointing’ before someone died.  In many cases, people even delayed receiving this sacrament until the very point of death, so closely was this sacrament connected to dying in the minds of Catholics.  I still find this today, when certain ‘old time Catholics’ don’t want the priest to come and anoint, because in their minds it means not an anointing for strength and healing but an anointing preparing for death! 

 One of the great changes flowing from the Second Vatican Council forty years ago was a renewed understanding of this sacrament.  Looking at the history of how the sacrament developed, the renewed Rite of Anointing of the Sick recovered the ancient sense that the Church community celebrates this sacrament to accompany the person during their struggle with serious illness.  We are to pray with the person as they first encounter serious illness and throughout that illness, not waiting till the point of death.  Although the sacrament can still be administered up to the point of death, the final sacrament that a person is encouraged to receive is not the anointing of the sick but holy communion.  It is given the name ‘Viaticum’ because it is the last sacramental union with the risen Lord that is to accompany us ‘along the way’ as we approach death. 

   That means that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick ordinarily is to have occurred prior to Viaticum.  Since only a conscious person who is able to give the assent of faith is to receive communion that means that the Anointing of the Sick ordinarily is to be celebrated while the person can consciously participate.  There are, in a sense, then, no ‘last rites.’  Rather there is a care for and prayer for the sick and the dying that usually includes an anointing, if they haven’t already received it, holy communion if they are capable of receiving it, and a blessing.  But we try to begin that process early on in the course of the illness, not waiting to the point of death.  To delay the prayer and the sacraments is to give in to a magical view of them, as though they guarantee the person will get to heaven.  I’ve even had families try to insist on anointing the body of the person who has already died!  How silly.    Sacraments are always about faith, not magic.  They strengthen and nourish that faith at various key moments in our lives.  The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a very powerful witness to that faith.  I encourage you not to wait or delay but allow the community to celebrate it with you, if you are in need.  

*Catholic Services Appeal

  Elsewhere is the form to fill out, to let me know who can help on the first two weekends of May, as we take pledges and audit pledges for the yearly Catholic Services Appeal. 

  All parish households will receive a letter from me next week, asking you to participate in this annual archdiocesan-wide appeal.  Each parish is given a mandatory amount they have to raise, either through pledges or else it comes out of regular operating money.  The amounts are tied to the typical income that a parish receives on Sundays and holydays, as well as to the comparative levels of median household incomes in a parish.  The incentive to a parish to raise the mandatory amount during the C.S.A. drive is that any money over and above the mandatory amount comes back to the parish for its own use 100%.  In other words, all money donated during the C.S.A. helps the parish 100%, either by helping it reach its mandatory target amount or coming back to the parish after that. 

  Please begin to consider how you will be able to support the C.S.A. this year.  A form and envelope will be included in my mailing to you.  Be generous.  It is the most effective way to give money to help the parish.

  *Confirmation Preparation Night for Parents and Young Adults Tonight (Sunday)

  This Sunday night (April 17th) at 6:30 p.m. is a mandatory session for all young adults who want to be confirmed, along with one or both of the parents.  Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation into the Church.  For these teens it will be their final sacrament of initiation.  We deliberately separated it from their 8th grade catechetical sessions so that they would have to make a choice, whether they are truly ready for this sacrament or not.  It is a commitment to allow one’s life to be a public witness to the Catholic Christian faith.  It is a sacrament that for them leads them into a more adult, mature ownership of their Catholic identity.  It is a great witness to the family and the Church that their faith is important to them.   I hope nearly all of our 8th graders and others who are eligible choose to be part of the process.  But it needs to be actively desired and chosen.  In addition to this spring meeting, there will be several sessions in the fall, along with some opportunities for service, a retreat, and sessions with their sponsor.  

*New Parish Council Members

  Four or five parish council members will be finishing their three year terms this June.  We will be in need of new members to replace them.  Please think about whether you would be a good candidate for the council.  Meetings are monthly except during the summer.  Members have to be at least 18 years old and registered in the parish.  The strongest council is one that has members who come with a variety of ages and backgrounds.  Please consider this service to your parish community and look for more information in the weeks ahead in the bulletin, which will be provided by the council. 

   May the spirit of the risen Jesus continue to energize your spirit, bringing you joy and strength. 

  Fr. Buersmeyer   

Taizé prayer continues 

We are going to continue to gather for Taizé Prayer once a week.  You are all invited to join us in this unique prayer style.  Hope to see you there. The schedule for the Easter season is as follows: 

¨         Tuesday, April 19th, 6:30 p.m.

¨         Wednesday, April 27th, 6:30 p.m.

¨         Monday, May 2nd, 11:00 a.m.

¨         Thursday, May 12th, 6:30 p.m.

Baptisms  

Benjamin Michael Gauss

Andrew John Dukaj 

Baptized April 16, 2005  

Mass with anointing of the sick 

  We will celebrate the 7:00 p.m. Monday evening Mass on April 25th with an anointing of the sick.  This sacrament is for: 

¨         anyone who has an ongoing serious health situation

¨         anyone facing surgery in the next few months

¨         anyone who has had surgery or hospital care and still recuperating

¨         anyone suffering from depression or mental illness 

  We encourage families with relatives who are homebound to make an effort to join us as we celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. 

Mass for the election of the Pope

  As the conclave of the College of Cardinals commences, all parishioners are invited to a Mass for the Election of the Pope. Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Francis Reiss will be the celebrant of this special mass at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral on Monday, April 18, at 5:15 p.m.

  Blessed Sacrament Cathedral is located at 9844 Woodward Avenue, between Grand Boulevard and Davison, in Detroit. It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Detroit. For more information about the mass, including driving directions to the Cathedral, call 313.865.6300 or check the web at www.aodonline.org 

Adult Confirmation preparation 

  Any adult interested in being confirmed at this year’s Confirmation Ceremony at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral on Sunday, May 15th at 10:00 a.m. is asked to contact JoAnne at the parish office.  Classes to prepare for this Sacrament will be scheduled in mid-April. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

“Serengeti Trek” 

Week of August 1–5     

We will be joining St. Clement of Rome this summer for VBS; however, we need many, many volunteers such as:  STATION LEADERS (adults),   CREW LEADERS (teens),  SNACK volunteers to bring a part of the snack for the week and  DECORATING / ARTIST for set-ups.  The program will be offered twice a  day….HOWEVER, you need only sign up for morning or evening, whichever fits  your schedule.  For more information please call Linda Bauer in the Religious Formation office at 586-781-9488 ext. 14. 

Name______________________________________

Phone ______________ 

  Volunteering for:  _____Station Leader      ____Crew Leader      ____Snack   ____Decorating/Artist 

CHRISTIAN FAITH FORMATION

2004-2005

Religious Formation

Program 

Early Childhood — Sunday

(ages 3-4-5 years)

During 9:30 a.m. Mass

No session:  April 24

Sessions: May 1, 8 

Grades 1-6 — Tuesday

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

Sessions: April 26

May 3, 10

No session:  April 19 

Celebration

of First Eucharist  

This weekend the following children received their First Eucharist. We ask that you keep them and their families in prayer as they continue on their faith journey with the Lord.  

5:00 p.m. — Joshua Fabian 

 9:30 a.m. —  Micayla Compeau 

11:30 a.m. — Logan Arnold

Andrew Behring

Jonathon DiLorenzo

Jacob Kaczor

Kristi Raffa 

Catechists Gathering

Tuesday, April 19

6:30 p.m. 

For all Catechists and Assistants. Join us for our last session where we will be brainstorming, planning, and evaluating for next year.   

Compassion and Healing

2nd Reading:  1 Peter 2:20-25 

Compassion is not learned without suffering.  Unless we have suffered and wept, we really don’t understand what compassion is, nor can we comfort someone who is suffering.  Unless we have walked in darkness, we can’t help wanderers to find their way.  But if we have suffered, we become pathfinders for others.  And it is by reaching out to others that we ourselves are healed.   

  Jesus bore the marks of our violent world on his body.  Those wounds were the proof of his love.  They were the mortal wounds the Good Shepherd picked up in caring for his sheep. The wounds of Jesus are a source of consolation, courage, and hope to us in our sufferings. By his wounds we are healed. 

      If we can draw encouragement from the wounds of others, how much more so from the wounds of Christ, the Good Shepherd.  His wounds help us to recognize our own.  The sacred, the precious wounds of Jesus are a source of consolation, courage and hope to us.  Truly by his wounds we are healed.  

Upcoming celebrations of

First Eucharist 

Watch here weekly for the children who will receive their First Eucharist at the following Masses.  We ask that you keep the following children in prayer as they take another step in their journey continuing to grow in their faith and in relationship with our Lord.    

April 23  — 5:00 p.m.

 Gabrielle Anderman, Anna Cumming  

April 24 — 9:30 a.m.

Christopher Adsit, Kelsey Krawiecki  

April 24 — 11:30 a.m.

Alexis Jandreski, Fiona Theodoroff  

April 30 — 5:00 p.m.

Brendan Adams, Karley Quenneville, Sherry Wagner, Alexandra Page

  May 1— 8:00 a.m.

Aaron Bawol  

May 1 — 9:30 a.m.

Lauren Dix, Christopher Prohaszka, Ann Kaniuk  

May 1 — 11:30 a.m.

Charles Barr, Josephine Parrinello, Erin Barg,

Antonio Angeli, Olivia Becker, Shane Gardner, Jasper Gardner 

Emergency Preparedness Meeting 

   Catholic Services of Macomb and RSVP will present a session on emergency preparedness on Wednesday, April 20th  at  7:00 PM in the Social Hall.  Topics covered will include evacuation of the home; hazardous material emergencies; what to include in an emergency kit; preparation for power outages; emergency communication plan; and what to do with pets in an emergency.  Please join us for this informative evening.  

Adopt-a-County Road 

   Spring is finally here!  Along with the spring flowers poking their heads out of the ground, the birds singing and the warmer, longer days, most likely you’ve also noticed quite a bit of debris piled up along side our roadways.  This is the time of year when SS. John & Paul’s road crew puts on our bright orange vests and swings into action!  Do you need super powers to help?  No, just be in reasonably good physical condition.  Don’t have your own attractive orange vest?  No problem, we’ve got boxes full!  Wondering what could possibly go with a bright orange anything?  Members of our clean up crew find that long pants, a long sleeve shirt, work boots, baseball cap and gardening gloves complete their ensemble quite nicely.  Don’t be shy about accessorizing with bug spray and a water bottle.  Some things just never go out of style!

  If you would like to join our team, please meet us in the parking lot of SS. John & Paul on Saturday, May 7th at 8:00 AM.  We will view a short safety video and begin our work.  We usually finish up by 10:00 AM. Our stretch of road is 28 Mile between Mound and Campground.  Please leave your name with the parish office by Thursday, May 5th so we will know to expect you.    

Focus:  Hope food delivery

   The sponsoring churches for Samaritan House take turns making FOCUS:  HOPE food deliveries throughout the year.  SS. John & Paul is responsible for these deliveries on Wednesday, April 20th.  Food is picked up and instructions and directions to the homes are given at Samaritan House at 10:00 AM on April 20th .  The deliveries are all local and take approximately 1 ˝ -2 hours.  If you would like to help make these deliveries, please call Kathy at the church office by Tuesday, April 19th.

Samaritan House Pantry Needs 

  Thank you to all who donated to our Samaritan House food drive this past weekend.  Items needed for the month of April are:  Cooking oil, sugar, spaghetti sauce, jelly/jam, pancake mix and syrup, boxed oatmeal, deodorant (men’s and women’s), shampoo, dish soap and laundry soap.  All other non-perishable items and cash donations are always gratefully received.

  Please drop off your donations during business hours Tuesday and Wednesday 10 AM – 6 PM and Friday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  If these hours/days are inconvenient, please leave items on the kitchen counter in bags clearly marked “Samaritan House”. 

TEEN NEWS

¨         Attention Grade 8-12 teens

You are welcome to join in the World Youth Weekend Event here in Michigan. We will enjoy a night under the stars in North Branch, then travel by bus downtown to do some type of Habitat for Humanity, take a Focus Hope walk, Mass at the Cathedral, and then back to spend the night at the Focus Hope building. This adventure will take place on August 19-21 and we will need your commitment for this adventure immediately. For more information and to reserve your spot, please call Mrs. Peters at 781-9488. 

¨         Motorcycle Show at Stony Creek

Teens are needed to help with a motorcycle show at Stony Creek to benefit the Samaritan House, on Sunday, July 31. Teens will be asked to walk around and sell 50/50 tickets. If you are interested in helping, please give Dan Frechette a call at 248-576-1182 after 6:00 p.m. 

¨         Next teen meeting

Sure, you can bring a friend to our next teen meeting on April 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. You don’t want to miss this! 

Catholic Services Appeal 2005

  As in the years past, we will be needing a number of volunteers to work on the CSA appeal. If you would like to help, please fill out the form below and return it in the next couple of weeks. You will be contacted by phone to confirm when and how you can help. 

Promise to Protect.

  Pledge to Heal” 

  The Archdiocese of Detroit, along with other dioceses across the country, is seeking to find better ways to respond to allegations of sexual abuse by persons representing the Church.

  If you have been a victim of abuse by anyone and are interested in participating in this project, we invite you to complete an anonymous, confidential questionnaire before May 4, 2005. No individual who completes the questionnaire will be identified by name or by location.

  The information collected will be compiled and reported for all dioceses and archdioceses. There are two ways to access the questionnaire: (1) Visit the website at www.victim-outreach.com to complete the questionnaire online, or (2) contact Mary A. Lentz at 100 North Main St., Chagrin Falls, OH 44022, to obtain a paper copy. 

Have you noticed...    

  Each week there are colorful little “Table Cards” on the tables in the Parish Center where coffee and donuts are held.  These cards  share thoughts on the weekly Gospel or scripture stories heard at mass.  Hopefully, you will take a moment and read the card either to a friend or family member and share your thoughts on the reading.  Or you can simply read it and think about it as the week goes on.  Whatever way you choose, we hope it will add a little insight or prayer to your weekly activities. 

  This week has traditionally been known as “Good Shepherd Sunday”. Sheep are easily lead astray because they will follow each other anywhere. That is why they need a good shepherd they are familiar with, someone they know and trust.  We need Jesus in the same way sheep need a shepherd. Knowing about Jesus and praying to Jesus is what helps us to be good disciples and encourages us to continue following Him even when we are discouraged or disheartened by the trials brought to us in every day life. 

  When have you needed a “good shepherd” to lead you and keep you from going astray? 

Widowed Friends golf and lunch 

  Widowed men and women are invited to come and golf. Golfers and duffers will meet at 10:45 a.m. to tee off at 11:00 every Monday starting May 9th. This will be a casual league, pay as you go. We will play 9 holes, then have lunch and laughs at the Cracklewood Golf Course in Macomb.  

  Call Evelyn at 586-751-4172 or Patti at 586-610-9357 if you are interested in golfing and meeting new people and having fun. 

Prizes needed 

We are running out of BINGO prizes for the nursing home where we conduct BINGO for the residents. The following are some suggestions: 

¨         Sugar-free soft candy or snacks

¨         Sugar-free mix for juice

¨         Candy bars (plain)

¨         Jewelry (necklaces, clip-on earrings)

¨         Small jewelry boxes

¨         Cologne or perfume

¨         Kleenex tissues

¨         Small stuffed animals

¨         Small trinkets

¨         Scarves

¨         Hand or body cream/lotion

¨         Any items you feel someone at a nursing home would enjoy

¨         NO CANDLES OR SHAMPOO 

  Please mark your donations ‘BINGO PRIZES’ and leave them in the kitchen or bring them to the parish office. 

Soup kitchen news

  Thanks to everyone who participated and donated food for February 15, 2005.  Dan Frechette did a great job leading the group after a last minute call to fill in for Pat.  Thanks, Dan! 

  Our next meal served will be April 19, 2005.  We will serve a spaghetti lunch with salad and fresh fruit.  Donated items should be delivered to the parish kitchen before April 19th.  Please mark your bags SOUP KITCHEN. 

  We are looking for more people to donate food items for the Soup Kitchen.  If interested, please call Pat Sagert (586) 781-7035 or Barbara Jarzembski (586) 336-1450.  The group meets the day of the luncheon at SS. John & Paul at 8:30 AM and car pools at 8:45 AM to the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen.    

Vatican II continues..

Today’s Church: A Look in the Mirror 

When you hear the word “church”, what image comes to mind? Do you think of the Pope and his Vatican officials or the bishop and his staff? Or perhaps “church” brings to mind your pastor and the various ministers in our community.

  Vatican II’s vision of church places the emphasis on the church as the people of God, you and me...all the baptized people of God...the Church. And all of us, together with the hierarchy, are called to build up the community of the church.

  Today’s insert of Vatican II will help us to understand this picture of church and will point out the important role we all have in moving forward the Vatican II vision of Church.

Funeral Ministry Team 

  We are looking to expand our funeral ministry team. Our needs vary depending on the number of funeral requests we receive.   

  We presently have a team of seven that take part in the vigil service, the funeral mass, or the cemetery committal service. A team member chooses to be part of one aspect or all three depending on the time frame. As a participant at the vigil service, a team member would assist the presider as reader. At the funeral mass, the team member would assist in set-up, as a Communion minister or lector, and possibly as an acolyte. At the cemetery, an assistant acts as reader.  

  Training is done by a present team member and/or Fr. Dave or JoAnne. If you are interested or need further explanation of the different roles, please call JoAnne at the parish office, (586) 781-9010.  

I am able to help with the C.S.A.

in the following way: 

April 30 — 5 p.m. Mass o (before and after Mass)

May 1 —  8 a.m. Mass o   9:30 a.m.o   11:30 a.m.o  

May 1 — 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. help open and audit C.S.A. gifts/pledges o 

May 7 —  5 p.m. Mass o  (before and after Mass)

May 8 —  8 a.m. Mass o   9:30 a.m.o   11:30 a.m.o 

May 8 — 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. help open and audit C.S.A. gifts/pledges o 

 Name: ________________________________

 Phone: __________________________________  

The Michigan Catholic:

Special subscription offer 

  With the election of the Holy Father’s successor, the Catholic Church will now embark on a new chapter of history. You and your family can participate in it more fully by subscribing to The Michigan Catholic. 

  At this time, we are offering a one-year subscription (49) issues for only $20. That’s $4.00 off the regular subscription price and 59% off the newsstand price. This is an offer for new subscriptions only, not renewals. 

  Subscribe today while this special offer is still available: send name, address, phone number, and parish name to The Michigan Catholic, 305 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226. Payment may be made by check or money order, Visa or Mastercard (include card number, expiration date and the name on the card). 

  In addition to keeping you informed of the activities of our new Holy Father when he is elected, we are the only publication that tells the story of Catholics locally in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Build up the life of faith in your home by subscribing to The Michigan Catholic.

Together In Ministry 

Kitchen Ministry Helpers 

  We have 2 little kitchen ‘elves’ that work hard to keep our kitchen clean and stocked with supplies.  They come in whenever needed to check our cupboards for hospitality needs like cups, glasses, etc, and also make a point to keep clutter and grime from accumulating on our counters and sink area.    

  Once a year we try to give the kitchen a ‘spring cleaning’ including wiping down cupboards and straightening the inside of the cupboards.  If you would like to help with this year’s project (it will be scheduled in May or June), please call the parish office and leave your name and someone will call you. 

  A BIG thank you to our kitchen helpers, Anna Lanni and Sandra Bollaert.  You are greatly appreciated by staff and parishioners alike!

Saturday and Sunday

April 16-17, 2005

Frank Martino by Jean Martino

Beatrice & Patrick Clancy by Family

James Dushane by Wife & Family

Emilio & Maria Tersigni by Family

Mary Berg by Dula Family 

Monday, April 18, 2005

John Larsen by LaRaia Family 

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Dolores Radzitowski by Family 

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

John MacDonald by Greenway Family 

Saturday and Sunday

April 23-24, 2005

Adolph Schmitt by Family

Rudi Dietrich by Family

Jerome Bultinck by Mollon Family

Dominic Tringali by J. Clancy Family

Luverne Hosking by Family

Edward & Bernice Bujak by Hosking Fam.