May 1, 2005 

Pastor’s Perspective     

*Pope Benedict XVI

  Pope John Paul II was pope for so long (27 years or so) that, even though I’ve been ordained nearly 25 years, I’ve never prayed for other than “Pope John Paul” at each Eucharist. It is not easy shifting this routine into a new prayer for Pope Benedict! 

  Many have asked what I think of Cardinal Ratzinger becoming pope.  Will he be good?  Will he be too conservative?  Will he be holy?  Will he emphasize doctrine or liturgical reform or what?  While it is human nature to speculate, I don’t think that makes much difference.  He will be as he will be.  We hope for a prayerful, holy, and good symbol of the Church’s unity.  He might be as I would like.  He might be significantly different.  But we do not look to the pope for our faith. We look to Jesus Christ.  The pope’s role is to be the bishop of Rome, the visible symbol of unity for our Church, its chief shepherd.  Our role is to be a living witness to Jesus in our own life situations.  We pray for the pope each day. We approach his talks and writings with an openness to learn from his wisdom.  We accept him as the pope the Church needs at this time. May God pour out on him the gifts of God’s Holy Spirit that he may lead our Church to be the visible sign and instrument of Jesus’ ministry in this world.  

*Vocation Committee Meets Monday

  The parish committee on promoting vocations meets this Monday at 8 p.m., following the 7 p.m. Mass.  All are welcome to join in this work.  The focus is on how to promote the Christian vocation of every parish member.  Thus we start with what we have in common—our baptism.  How is God asking us to live out that vocation in different ways?  In the course of next year we would like to find ways to highlight the reality of God’s call and our response in several ways, including the vocation of marriage, the vocation of retirement and seniors, the vocation of work, and the vocations of priesthood and religious life. 

*Religious Education

  Thank you to Linda Bauer, Karen Peters, and all the many catechists who have worked with our children and young adults throughout the last eight months.  As the Religious Education year comes to a close for this year, please help them plan for next year by returning the registration forms in the next couple of weeks.  If you need a form, please contact the office (586.781.9488). 

  The seventh and eighth grades will be scheduled for 15 Sundays from October through March, 6:30-8:30 p.m.  We compared the attendance from last year with the new schedule this year and found that attendance was much better.  The first through sixth grades will continue to have a choice between Tuesday afternoons (4:45-6:00 p.m.) and Tuesday evenings (6:30-7:45 p.m.).  In addition we are adding a third choice, Monday afternoons (4:45-6:00 p.m.).  This will allow for smaller classes, absorb some of the growth in registrations, and give each catechist their own classroom. 

  We are always in need of willing parents and single adults to help in the religious formation endeavor.  You can work with an experienced catechist as an assistant or be a catechist.  We provide training throughout the year so that over a period of time most catechists can be certified by the archdiocese.  It is a commitment of time and creativity, but it is a gift that is priceless: sharing the faith with the next generation. Please consider helping by contacting the Christian Formation Office (586.781.9488). Thank you.  

*Rite of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary May 10th

  We will close the Religious Education year with a final family formation night on May 10th.  All religious education families, parents and children, are asked to participate. In fact, the whole parish is invited to participate in this ‘May Crowning’ prayer, more properly called “The Rite of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”  The prayer will include a procession, praying the rosary, the litany to Mary, ending with the crowning of Mary’s image (the statue) in the Church.  Please join us.

*The Rosary

  May is traditionally one of the two months (October) that Catholics have tied to a devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  One of the ways that families or individuals can enter into that prayer is through praying the rosary. We have some pamphlets on how to pray the rosary in the literature racks in the back of church. 

  In addition to the traditional five Joyful, five Sorrowful, and five Glorious mysteries of faith that are connected to praying the rosary, Pope John Paul II added five Luminous mysteries (or ‘mysteries of light’).  In memory of him, in honor of Mary, and to draw oneself into a closer relationship with the risen Jesus through this prayer, I especially encourage you to use those five luminous mysteries for meditation as you  pray each decade of the rosary: 1) Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan river; 2) the wedding feast of Cana; 3) Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God and calls us to conversion; 4) the Transfiguration; 5) the institution of the Eucharist.   

*Monthly Food Drive

  Our local food pantries have been running short of non-perishables and face a typically lean summer, when even more food is necessary, since children will not be on school lunches.  As a result, our Christian Service commission has decided to change our every two month food drive into a monthly food drive.  We will highlight that need and the new monthly appeal in May by asking you to place your donated food into baskets around the altar next week at any Mass (May 7/8).  After that, keep in mind that the first full weekend on any month will be a Food Drive weekend.  A few items from many will help keep the food pantries stocked. Thank you.      

*Macomb County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers

  We have joined with a number of other churches in a program that matches the needs of seniors and others with the time and talent of volunteers.  It is called the Macomb County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers (MCIVC).  It has the potential to tap many of us on our own schedule, allowing us to respond to the specific needs of people in our area.

   For it to be as effective as possible, we need to surface the names both of those who have needs and those who have the ability to give a little time each month, on their own schedules, to respond to such needs: for rides, to shop, to go to doctors, to get to church, to clean up the yard, occasional laundry, or other chores, to simply make a visit, to read to someone whose eyesight is failing, to use your handy skills to help someone who can no longer take care of a problem, and so on. 

  I will be sharing a bit more on this important outreach next week.  Please look as well for more information in the upcoming bulletins. On the weekend of May 21/22 someone from the Christian Service Commission will walk us through everything that is involved and be asking both for the names and needs of people to surface as well as the names of those willing to be a volunteer caregiver on any level.  Again, what I want to stress is that you are the one who decides if you have the time to give in a specific instance.  It tries to match your willingness to help and your own schedule with the needs of someone in this parish or area.   

*Catholic Services Appeal

  As we move into this year’s Catholic Services Appeal I again ask that people look toward a minimum gift of $300, if at all possible.  This needs to be done on the basis of equity. So, many can give significantly more, and some have to give much less. That is understandable. A reminder as well about the effectiveness of giving to the parish through the CSA.  It is the most effective way to give a significant donation, since it helps the parish 100% of every dollar donated.  Either it will pay off the mandatory target (really a bill or lien) that we must come up with, or, if we go over the target, will come back to us for our  own use 100%.  The amount we raise in the CSA does not affect future targets.  We are not penalized for doing well on the CSA, in other words.  So please be as generous as you can, given your circumstances.  Let’s try to pass the 50% participation rate this year (last year we were at 48% of registered households). 

*Calendar Planning

  I have asked the pastoral staff to work with the various commissions and committees to come up with a tentative calendar for the next fiscal year (July 2005-June 2006).  If you know you will be meeting as a group or have a need for parish space for some purpose, please contact the appropriate staff person or parish office, so we get that on the parish calendar.  

*Choir Concert May 15th

  The choir has agreed to help us end the Easter season with some spirit and life by holding a choir concert on Pentecost Sunday, May 15th at 4 p.m., in honor of the parish’s 25th anniversary year.  All the choirs will have a part—adult, children, bells, contemporary.  Plan on an enjoyable afternoon.  Those who have attended previous ones know how uplifting and fun they are. 

  In addition, you will notice that the choir is trying to add another octave to their handbells, asking for donors to sponsor one of the handbells as we did in the past.  Please see the article elsewhere in the bulletin and the sign on the bulletin board.  

*Evening on Questions of End of Life, May 23rd

  I will be leading a discussion on end of life issues on Monday, May 23rd after the 7 p.m. Mass (7:45-9 p.m.).  I will share some of the Church’s wisdom in this area, but would see it as more of a discussion on the issues/concerns you might have.  In light of the recent Terry Schiavo case, a lot of misunderstandings seem to have arisen as to what the Church’s teaching is and how to approach such decisions.

*Next Sunday: the Feast of the Ascension

  The bishops of Michigan and Ohio moved the celebration of the Feast of the Ascension from Thursdays to Sundays.  That means that next week we will celebrate the feast of the Ascension.  I bring this to your attention, because you might wonder why we didn’t add a Mass on Thursday for this.  It is one of those decisions that has not yet penetrated down to every parish, and so some parishes incorrectly celebrate Ascension still on a Thursday. 

  The reason behind the decision is the desire for as many people as possible to hear the Scriptures of the Ascension proclaimed.  The Ascension is part of the core of our faith—in the creed we pray ‘on the third day he rose again and ascended into heaven’—and too many people were not connecting to this part of the Easter mystery when it was celebrated on a Thursday. 

   As we move toward the end of the Easter season (Pentecost, May 15), let us begin in earnest a prayer of openness to the Holy Spirit.  When we pray to God to come to us in the person of the Spirit, it is a recognition that, in the midst of our routines and expectations, something new, something of God and not just of us can always happen.   

 “Come, Holy Spirit, fill us with the fire of your love.  Weave together all the many parts of our lives so that the totality of who we are is a gift to this world and healing to us personally.”   

  Fr. Buersmeyer

Taizé prayer

schedule   

¨         Monday, May 2nd, 11:00 a.m.

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

Parish Pastoral Council

Member Nomination Form  

I would like to nominate the following person (s) to serve as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council. You may nominate yourself.  

Name: _______________________________________  

Phone: ___________ 

Name: _______________________________________  

Phone: ___________ 

Name: _______________________________________ 

 Phone: ___________ 

Music Box 

New Handbells

Look for the sign up sheet in the hallway this week for handbell memorials! The 12 new bells in the 4th octave that we would like to order will cost $250 each. Some bells are big and some are small, but the cost is the same. If you would like to memorialize a loved one in a bell handle, sign your name on the board and we will contact you. Thank you.  

Spring Concert at SS. John & Paul

All are invited to the 25th Anniversary Spring Concert on Sunday, May 15, at 4:00 p.m. here at the church, followed by a reception. The concert will be a celebration of Easter, Pentecost, and of remembering our Veterans. 

If there are any instrumentalists in the parish who would like to perform with us, please let me know. A dress rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, May 11, at 7:00 p.m. in church. We need winds, brass, strings, percussionists, and keyboardists to add to the wide dimension of sound. 

Carl Reyes

Office/extension: 781-9010 ext. 20 

CHRISTIAN FAITH FORMATION

2004-2005

Religious Formation

Program 

Early Childhood — Sunday

(ages 3-4-5 years)

During 9:30 a.m. Mass

Sessions: May  8

This is the last session of the year 

Grades 1-6 — Tuesday

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

May 3, 10 

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.    

M ay 7 — 5:00 p.m.

Kaitlin Luttig,  Alexandria Covins, 

Nickolas Rossol 

May 8 — 9:30 a.m.

Bradley Sorenson,  Breanna Sorenson 

May 8 — 11:30 a.m.

Tommy Schneider, Abigail Clements,

Joshua Marinkovski, Amanda Zepp,  Christian Konieczki 

May 14 — 5:00 p.m.

Mario Chiesa, Tyler Culver,

Jacob Kulczycki, Raechal Soave 

May 15 — 9:30 a.m.

Chase Porter, Amanda Gardner 

May 15 — 11:30 a.m.

Benjamin French, Nicholas Gerds,

Matteo Mazur, Nicole Mendalski

Brendan Schmidt, Joseph Tabenske

Learning From the Sea-gulls 

  It’s a chilly day by the seaside, far too windy for anyone’s comfort.  But the gulls don’t seem to mind the wind.  In fact, they seem to enjoy it.  We watch them flying about: they go with it; they go against it; they soar into the sky; they plunge back to earth.  All the time they are using the wind, they are availing of its power.  And we reflect on how we, the disciples of Jesus, are so easily blown off course by the winds of adversity. 

     Lord, send us the Holy Spirit who will enable us

to turn the hard and easy to our advantage,

 so that everything that happens to us

may bear us along the road to your kingdom.  

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. 

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

MAY CROWNING

Honoring the Blessed Mother

Tuesday,  May 10   6:30 p.m. 

For all Religious Formation families.

 Please bring your rosaries and join us in prayer.  

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.    

Monthly food drive 

  SS. John & Paul will be implementing a once a month food drive beginning on the first weekend of every month to benefit our local food pantries. Monthly food drives can help alleviate the food shortage so many food banks are experiencing due to loss of funding and a drastic reduction in donations. 

  The first monthly food drive will be the weekend of May 7 & 8 at all the masses.  Donated food should be taken into church, kept at your seat, and presented at the altar during the offertory.  After this initial “kick-off” food drive, on the first weekend of each month there will be large baskets placed in both vestibules of the church.  Donated food should be deposited in these baskets.  Thank you for your generosity and your willingness to ensure the success of these food drives.  

Mother’s Day Flowers 

   Carnations will be available for sale the weekend of May 7 & 8 at all masses at the church doors.  Suggested donation is $1.00 each.  All proceeds will benefit Birthright of Macomb, a non-profit agency helping moms and families in need. 

TEEN NEWS

¨         Attention teens — who is ready for a wonderful day at the ball park?

Mrs. Peters has 25 tickets available on a first-come, first served basis for the Tiger game on Sunday, May 15. Please call Mrs. Peters ASAP if you are planning on attending the game. Teens have until May 7 for your tickets. After that date, the tickets will be open to the parish. We will leave the church parking lot at 11:00 a.m., car pool down to the ball game, and return by approximately 5:00 p.m. Why not join us? 

¨         Teens — we need your help!

The parish picnic will be held on Sunday, June 26. The teens have been asked to do the parish games. We need lots of volunteers and ideas for games. Please call Mrs. Peters, 781-9488, if you are available and willing to help 

¨         Next meeting

The teens WILL NOT meet on May 8th (Mother’s Day)! Enjoy spending this special day with your mother. Our next gathering will be on May 15 for the Tiger game. 

Depression in Seniors presentation 

   A special community presentation sponsored by Macomb County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers on depression in seniors will be held on Monday, May 23rd at 10:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 38900 Harper Ave. (Harper, just north of Metro Parkway, in Clinton Twp.).

  The speaker will be Suzanne Szczepanski-White, Director of Senior Services, Catholic Social Services.  Ms. White will address such issues as the causes of depression among seniors and what can be done to help those suffering with this condition.  All are welcome.  For more information, please call 586.983.3633. 

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 

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. 

“Be sealed with the

gift of the Holy Spirit” 

  Jesus came to teach us the way of God.  Jesus promised us the Spirit—the Spirit of Yahweh, the Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit that is alive in all of us through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.  When we honor Jesus in our hearts and our actions, we are following the way he taught us to live, and the Spirit is alive and acting through us.

  Jesus’ commandments are very simple; take care of the little ones; love God; love one another; serve one another; believe.  When these simple commands are not followed, the world suffers.  When they are followed, it is the Holy Spirit at work in us.   

“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,

and enkindle in them the fire of your love.” 

Vatican II continues… 

  This week’s Vatican II insert is titled, “Our Church:  Called to be a Sign of Joy and Hope.” This insert focuses on how the Church looked outward to discover its role in today’s world;  a world of which it is a part, but a world that in many ways had ceased to take it seriously. 

Macomb County Interfaith Caregivers Survey

   You (or someone you know) may need periodic assistance in order to remain living at home on your own.  Likewise, someone who needs periodic assistance in order to remain living at home may need whatever time, talents and energy that you have to offer.

  SS. John & Paul community will soon be implementing a program partnering us with Macomb County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers whereby volunteers of all ages are matched with adults who are in need of a variety of supportive services.

  Please watch the bulletin next week for a “Home Help Assistance/Volunteer Opportunities” survey insert.  The survey will help us determine what services are needed and in what areas volunteers would like to help.  Please take a minute to familiarize yourself with this survey.  In a few weeks, the same survey will be passed out at all the masses and will be reviewed with the congregation, at which time the surveys can be completed and turned in. 

  In the meantime, if you have any questions about this exciting partnership, please call Kathy in the church office at 781-9010.   

Blood Drive coming soon 

   The SS. John & Paul Health Ministry Team will sponsor a Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, June 23rd from 2:00 – 8:00 PM.  You are an eligible blood donor if you are 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health.  There is no upper age limit.  Currently, southeastern Michigan is chronically short of blood and will be in even shorter supply in the summer months when the need for donated blood increases.  If you have never donated, please consider doing so at our next blood drive.  Your donation will help save the lives of up to three people and it does make a difference! 

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. 

Highlights of Worship

Meeting April 11, 2005 

¨         The Easter Triduum was reviewed and suggestions made for improving next year’s celebration. 

¨         The choir is preparing for a spring concert on May 15 at 4:00 p.m. 

¨         We will celebrate the parish namesake on June 26. 

¨         Parish picnic will be June 26 in the afternoon.

 ¨         May Crowning will be the evening of May 10. 

¨         Fr. Dave’s 25th Anniversary mass will be September 11 at 11:30 a.m. 

The Vocation Office

for the Archdiocese of Detroit presents 

“AN HONEST LOOK

AT THE PRIESTHOOD”

An overnight retreat for men

16 years of age and older who are

discerning the priesthood  

MSGR. MICHAEL LeFEVRE

(Rector of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral)

Retreat Director  

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

MAY 6-7, 2005

Retreat begins at 7:00 p.m. Friday and ends after 4:00 p.m. liturgy and

dinner on Saturday  

SACRED HEART MAJOR SEMINARY

2701 Chicago Blvd.

Detroit, MI 48206 

Pre-registration is required

Please contact the Vocation Office

to register by Monday, May 1, 2005

313-237-5875

Meijer community rewards 

  We received a check from the Meijer Community Rewards program for $144.93 for purchases made in March. Since April 2004, we’ve earned over $1,819.00. So far 136 parishioners have enrolled in this fundraising program, with all proceeds earmarked for the purchase of a new sign on 28 Mile Road. 

  If you would like to enroll in this free program online, go to:

Meijer.com/rewards, click “join”, then Meijer Guest Card OR you can pick up an application at the parish office. Our organization number is 617883. Thank you for remembering the parish when you shop. 

The priesthood—try it on 

  It’s often difficult to do the right thing, even when you feel especially drawn to it. In today’s society, many obstacles hinder what has always been held as good. Those same obstacles can make it hard to pursue a vocation to be a priest, sister, or brother, But if you confidently follow Jesus, who calls you, He “will never leave you orphaned.” For more information, call 313-237-5875 or visit www.vocationsdetroit.org. 

Dear God…

  ...I bet it’s very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it.

  Nancy 

  ...Is it true my father won’t get in Heaven if he uses his golf words in the house?

  Anita  

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 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. 

Monday, April 25, 2005

Edmund Jarzembski by B. Jarzembski 

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Bob Henk by LaRaia Family 

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Anna Tirone by Sebastian Family 

Saturday and Sunday

April 30-May 2, 2005

Frank & Laura Payne by Dobbs Family

Maria Guidi by Gai Family

Margret Gardner by Family

Walter Krzycki (90th B-Day) by Family