June 12, 2005 

Pastor’s Perspective 

*Music Ministry

  Carl Reyes, our parish music minister, informed me last week that he will be moving back to Milwaukee and so could not renew his contract with us.  Elsewhere in the bulletin is a note from him.  He is a very gifted musician and we wish him the best as he serves the people of that area.  He entered right into the parish life and ministry, even though coming in the middle of a year, and he has given us good musical leadership these past seven months.  

  It is always hard to see people come and go so quickly, because we begin to develop an appreciation for their style and gifts and then they are gone.  On the other hand I am appreciative of the gifts and ministry Carl has shared with us these past few months.  It has been good, getting to know him and some of his family—all so musically talented!  All the best to him as he makes his transition. 

  I have posted the parish opening on the Archdiocesan website and in the Michigan Catholic.  As people come forward and apply I will be meeting with them and interviewing them.  If there are several suitable candidates, I will be asking some of the Worship Commission and choir members to help evaluate them.  In the meantime, Carl will be with us until mid-July and we will work out some type of transitional plan for the summer, if that becomes necessary. 

  Ideally we would like a full-time pastoral musician who would oversee the music ministry, organize the choirs, and work as a member of the pastoral staff—and be able to stay for awhile!  Keep this parish need in your daily prayers in the days ahead. Thank you. 

*Congratulations Graduates

  To the graduates of our area high schools and any college grads, class of 2005:  May you discover a path in life that is personally fulfilling, richly challenging, and spiritually rewarding.  May God be your strength. May the Spirit of God guide you. May Christ’s love and example inspire you.

  *Parish Picnic Sunday June 26th

  As our parish picnic quickly approaches, please note the areas of volunteer need so that all gets prepared and goes smoothly.  Everything is listed on the bulletin board in the hallway to the Activities Center. 

  In honor of our 25th year as a parish, we are shifting the picnic to the last Sunday of June, so that it coincides with our patronal feast: the Feast of SS. John and Paul, brothers and martyrs, whose feast day is June 26th each year.  The ushers will be adding chicken and beef to the menu, in order to give the picnic this year a little more emphasis and celebration.  There will music beginning at 2 p.m. and the dinner will be served beginning at 3:30 p.m.  Children’s games will be supervised both before and after the meal and there will be games for us older children: horseshoes, Bingo, card playing, etc. 

  Please note that the picnic does not start until 2 p.m.  This was a deliberate decision in light of recent years, when people went from the 11:30 a.m. Mass to the meal and then were done by 3 p.m.  We want this to be more like a true picnic atmosphere.  Food will be provided, including snacks and beverages, but you are welcome to bring a blanket or a chair and whatever else will make it a comfortable afternoon for you.  

*The Eucharist

  The flow of the Mass, as mentioned during last weekend’s “Teaching Masses” is as follows: we gather and come together as one community at the Lord’s invitation (Introductory Rites); we listen to God’s Word with open hearts, not just minds (Liturgy of the Word);  we respond by giving God thanks and praise, remembering what God has done especially in and through Jesus his Son (Eucharistic Prayer); we receive the gift of the risen Lord’s body and blood (Communion); we are sent forth almost immediately to be what we have received and celebrated—the body of Christ in this world.  All of that is necessary for the Eucharist to truly be Eucharist. The Mass is not just about receiving our communion and feeling close to the Lord.  It is about being invited to Eucharist by the Lord, being nourished through Word and Sacrament by the Lord so that we might become the Eucharist that is broken and poured out on behalf of the many. 

   There are two main parts to any Eucharistic celebration:

 1)   the Liturgy of the Word

2)   and the Liturgy of the Eucharist   (which includes the Eucharistic   prayer and communion).  

  This was the most ancient sense of Liturgy, though we lost some of its significance over the centuries and many were taught that the Mass had three main parts—Offertory, Consecration, and Communion.  Wrong!  Two main parts: we first listen during the Liturgy of the Word and then we respond by remembering, giving thanks and praise and receiving communion   during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.   

  These two main parts are surrounded by three minor parts of the Mass:

1)         the Introductory Rites (Gathering, Opening Hymn, Penitential Rite or Sprinkling, Gloria, Opening Prayer), which take us out of our individual journeys and individual isolation and bring us into one worshiping body of Christ. 

2)         The Preparation of the Gifts, which marks a transition from the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Eucharist and really just has the practical purpose of getting the altar ready, the gifts collected and brought up, and having a little break before we begin the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

3)          The Dismissal Rites (Blessing and Dismissal), which send us forth not to dwell on how great this experience has been, but to bring Christ to the world and transform the world. 

  Over the summer months, as I have time and room, I will look at some of the minor aspects of the Mass as well, which often have a very interesting history—vessels and vestments, gestures and so on.  

*Catholics and Social Security Reform

  It is still too early to know what specific proposals will be forthcoming and voted upon in Congress, pertaining to social security reform, but it is good to be informed ahead of time.  To that end a group of Catholics in the metro Detroit area called Catholics for the Common Good have prepared material for education and discussion.  In May I gave a talk for them on Catholic social teaching.  They have handouts, videos, copies of the U.S. Bishops’ own statement on Social Security Reform from 1999 and other tools.  They can be contacted at ccgmich@yahoo.org or by calling 248-652-1237. 

  If any are interested in pursuing this advocacy at the local level of the parish here, please contact me or our Christian service coordinator, Kathy Mollon.  I would like us to become more involved in social and political issues that have a clear Catholic moral direction to them.  

   May we see ourselves as part of the laborers who help prepare for the coming of God’s kingdom.  May all we do be guided by the desire to serve God with our whole heart, mind, and soul.   

  Fr. Buersmeyer    

 PICNIC

SS. John & Paul Parish Picnic

June 26, 2005

2:00-6:30 p.m.  

Food, music, games and more!  

Sign up on the sheets on the

bulletin board for ways you can help 

Total as of  6/5/05:  $140,496.00 

Diocesan obligation:

$73,681.00

Return to parish: 

$66,815.00  

Participating

Families:  476 

  $73,681.00 

Gifts:  440 

Participation

Percentage:  47.1% 

Average Gift:  $319.31 

Dear Community of SS. John & Paul Church, 

  These past seven months have been a wonderful experience for me and I am indeed enriched by the love and support of the music ministry, staff, and people with whom I closely worked and prayed. 

  I have made a difficult decision to leave this community to be with a loved one whom I met in Milwaukee and whom I, in retrospect, can’t live without. Being near family is one thing, but having a family of your own is a joy you know can’t be replaced. I felt I was denying myself that joy and fulfillment that was passed up by leaving Milwaukee, and regretted it. 

  I will continue to work here with you until mid July of this year. Please pray for me for guidance during this time, as I will pray for a worthy replacement for the pastoral leadership of your praise and worship. You will forever be in my thoughts and prayers. 

  God’s peace,

  Carl Reyes 

  Coffee and donuts 

  We will now offer coffee and donuts monthly during the summer months of June, July, and August and host families are needed.  As you are looking over the various sign-ups on the bulletin board, please consider being a host family for one of the masses.

  The donuts and beverage are paid for by the parish, so there is no cost to you when you host. The host family’s job is serving and cleaning up. The host family for the 8:00 a.m. mass has the responsibility of picking up the standing order of donuts, the beverage, making the coffee, and serving, so it does entail a little more work than the 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. masses. A checklist is sent to you prior to your hosting date so that you will know what to do. 

Graduation Mass 

  A Graduation Mass honoring the 2005 graduates, high school and college, will be held at 9:30 on Sunday, June 12th.  The mass will be immediately followed by a breakfast provided by our eleventh grade parents and our Hospitality Team.  Invitations will be sent to our high school seniors.  If you are a college grad and would like to attend, please call our parish office by Monday, June 6th and let us know how many will be attending.  We are looking forward to a wonderful celebration! 

CHRISTIAN FAITH FORMATION

2004-2005

Religious Formation

Program 

Early Childhood — Sunday

(ages 3-4-5 years)

During 9:30 a.m. Mass 

Grades 1-6

Monday:  4:45-6:00 p.m.

Tuesday: 4:45-6:00 p.m.

& 6:30-7:45 p.m. 

Grades 7-8

Sunday:  6:30-8:30 p.m. 

Loved in Our Sins

Matthew 9:36-10:8 

        He’s in his sixties, amiable, good humored, kind and generous.  He doesn’t draw attention to himself.  He is just a wonderful presence.  Smiling and laughing, talking and mixing in with the crowd, he puts people at ease.  He attracts people to him.  His one and only aim is to be of help to others.  He has no  thought for himself. 

       But he wasn’t always like this.  A few years ago he was almost the opposite.  His presence at any function was an embarrassment to his family.  He was an active alcoholic then, drinking from early in the day.  He was interested in nobody but himself and not capable of helping others.   People avoided him or talked very little to him.  And to make matters worse, he was nasty when he drank. 

      But it’s easy to love him now that he has given up drinking  and turned his life around.  In fact you can’t help but love him.  But it wasn’t so easy in the old, drinking days.  It was nearly impossible.   Yet through the dark years this man’s family continued to love him.  It was this love and concern that soon helped him to face his problem and go for help.  It was their love that brought him around.    

      To be loved in our goodness is really easy, but to be loved in our badness is a wonderful experience. If we are sinners then, Christ loves us not less but more.  It doesn't do us much good to be loved for being perfect. We need to be accepted and loved precisely as sinners. 

       Our task as a Christian is not to win the love of God, but to respond to it.  And the best kind of response is to love others in their faults and in their sins.

       The best way to show our thanks for God for the love he as shown us in Christ is to share that love with others.  Christ chose the apostles and sent them out to others.  He now wants us to reach out to others in whatever way we can.  Our task is a simple one:  we are to be agents of his compassion to others.  

REGISTER NOW for the  2005-2006 Religious Formation Program 

TWO REASONS TO REGISTER NOW: 

  Tuition goes up after JUNE 1  2) Class size is limited

  Tuition:           By 6/1      After 6/1  To be assured of the day and time of your choice, NOW

  1 child:              $65.00         $90.00  is the time to register. Classes are filling up. Once they

  2 or more:        $110.00      $135.00  are filled, second choice will be the option

  NON-Parishioners: $125      $150  

  (Each Child) 

Please help us out by telling  your extended family members who attend our

program as well as  your neighbors and friends who might miss this article. 

“SERENGETI TREK”

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Preschool thru Grade 5 

SS. John and Paul Church

St. Clement Church &

St. John Lutheran Church

 at St. Clement Church  -  August 1-5

9:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.   &  6:00-9:15 p.m. 

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION:  JUNE 15th

 Due to limited space we will only be able to take the first

150  children on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

This is a weeklong faith formation experience that engages children, teens and adults in song, games, crafts and prayer.   

From my own personal experience of this program, I can tell you that it is an exciting, fun-filled time.  I took my granddaughter who was visiting from out-state to it and she could hardly wait for the next day to go back.  

You don’t have to be registered in the religious formation program to take advantage of this opportunity for the special children in your life.   Why not fill out the form below or pick up a registration form on your way out today.  These forms can be found on the tables in the back of the church or in the Parish Office.  If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call — Linda Bauer 586-781-9488. 

NAME  ________________________________________________________ 

PHONE  _______________________________________________________ 

GRADE COMPLETED IN JUNE  ___________ 

Please check time attending:    ______Morning  _____Evening

Please check days attending:    ___M  ___T  ___W  ___Th  ___F  

Cost is $5.00 a day…$25.00 per week.

Make check payable to:   SS. John and Paul Church 

Thanks and Praise” summer program 

   The North Macomb Vicariate will once again host the summer day care program, Thanks and Praise, (formerly known as Mundo Divertido) for Hispanic children in our area.  These are children of parents who both work outside the home, but are unable to pay for adequate child care during the day when they are at work.

  The program will be held at St. Clement of Rome in Romeo and begins on Monday, June 13th and ends on Friday, August 5th.   Currently, the program is in need of two adults to work alternating weeks to supervise the opening of the day from 6:00 – 9:30 AM.  Other needs are for volunteers from 9:00 AM – Noon or 1:00 – 4:30 PM.  Please write your name and indicate your availability on the poster on the bulletin board.

  Also, if you would like to help prepare and serve lunches to the children the week of August 1 – 5, please sign up on the poster as well.  Hours would include prep time (1/2 – 1 hour) and lunch time/clean up (1 hour).  We are looking for teens, retirees, vacationing teachers, families, students needing community service hours or anyone who has the time to give.  Come join us for this enriching experience! 

Dear parishioners of SS. John & Paul, 

  I was placed on your prayer list in October 2004 when I had surgery. Gratefully, I was cancer free! Nevertheless, I developed an opening the size of a cantaloupe in my abdomen and a double bacterial infection of both staph and streptolococcus which caused a lengthy hospital stay.

  The treatment continued at home with nursing care, antibiotics, and an abdominal wound vacuum. While these were all essential in my medical treatment and aides to my recovery, I credit first and foremost GOD; secondly the power of prayer for my cure.

  So it is with deep appreciation I thank each and every one of you for those prayers during my illness and I can finally have my name removed from SS. John & Paul’s prayer list.

    Gratefully,

   Joanne Hebert 

Highlight of Parish Pastoral Council

Meeting of May 18, 2005 

SS. John & Paul Parish Pastoral Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 following the “all commissions” meeting. 

¨         Members exchanged their thoughts and views on the North Macomb Vicariate’s “Together in Faith” draft prior to the “sign off” date of the May 24, 2005 Vicariate meeting.

¨         Council is now accepting nominations for the four, possibly five, openings that will be available during the coming year. Council would also like to make a commitment with one or two parish youth to be contact people.

¨         Questions that arose in regard to the 2005-06 parish budget were all answered to everyone’s satisfaction.

¨         The next regular meeting of Council will be held on June 8, 2005. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  

Christian Service Highlights

Meeting on May 18, 2005 

¨         Samaritan House - First monthly food drive for local food pantries went well.  This drive will be held the first weekend of each month.

¨         Parish Nurse Ministry - Emergency Action Plan recommendations are still under review by Parish Council.  Home visits continue.  Health Ministry team will have a booth set up at parish picnic.  Discussed “File of Life”- a way for first responders to obtain important medical information.  Possible presentation in October.

¨         Macomb County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers – had good response from surveys.  Still need more people in need of home help.  Additional surveys are in racks in back of church.

¨         Hispanic Day Care “Thanks and Praise” to run weekdays from June 13th through August 5th.

¨         Mother’s Day Flower Sale – We sent $293.00 to Birthright.  Will order more next year as we ran out.

Widow/Widowers’ Group – A discussion was held about the need for such a group at SS. John & Paul and how to determine interest in starting this group.  

Highlights of Parish Council meeting

 May 4, 2005 

¨         The regular monthly meeting of SS. John & Paul Parish Pastoral Council was held on Wednesday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. with nine members present.

¨         Council thanked Paul Gielow for filling in and taking the minutes of the March 16 meeting in the absence of the secretary. He did an excellent job.

¨         Members discussed the up and coming Council elections. There will be three vacancies to fill along with possibly a few back-ups.

¨         SS. John & Paul’s updated emergency plan was reviewed and several additions were recommended. It will be sent to Anne Petriches, Parish Nurse, for her approval.

¨         The recent Town Hall meetings about the Parish goals and the Goal-setting Process were discussed and Council was very pleased with the attendance and verbal participation. Members would like to thank Jim and JoAnne Reaume, Lil Horn, Regina Newlin and Barbara Jarzembski who all returned completed summary comment sheets for their “quality” input. All the information has been evaluated and Council would like to welcome everyone aboard as their help is certainly needed and appreciated.

¨         Approximately one or two commissions have been deemed responsible for each goal along with several “support” commissions. These Goal-Setting Allocation Reviews will be presented to the appropriate groups.

¨         In the fall, a sub-committee will be designated to monitor and review the goal-setting progress. This will be executed either quarterly or twice a year.

¨         The next regular meeting of Council will be held on May 18, 2005. 

The faith community of SS. John & Paul Parish extends sympathy and prayers to the family of Dorothy Crononwett who was buried from our parish on May 16, 2005. May she rest in peace.

25 years ago in May... 

¨ Thirty-four students were confirmed by Bishop Arthur Krawczak on May 3. Confirmed were:  Gerard Alcini, Patricia Barber, Kimberly Berridge, Anne Bisson, Timothy Brown, Patrick Brunner, Jeffrey Cameron, Debbie Catenacci, Karen Chamberlain, Robert Cococetta, Roberto Cracchiolo, James Diebboll, Tom Drouillard, Robert Gilman, Michael Hric, Donald Jacques, Kathryn Levanen, Melissa Lewis, Richard Masiarczyk, Edward Puz, Christopher Radke, Elizabeth Rebar, Mary Rebar, James Recchia, Holly Richards, Christine Rolfs, Karen Sattler, Stephen Shore, Jeffrey Votruba, William Turko, David Waring, Janine Willoughby, Shelley Wilton, and James Worful. 

¨ Thirty students received First Eucharist on May 4. They were: Eric Achatz, Ryan Arnold, Jill Binkowski, Jo Ann Chmielewski, Todd Commyn, Darryl DePestel, Teddy Dobbs, Lisa Gilman, Jennifer Grzanka, Nicole Heckman, Ellen Ann Jacobs, Christine Johnston, Aaron Kuselski, Donya Kussad, Jodi Lackowski, John Milostan, Todd Nowaczyk, Robert Ottaviani, George Perazza, Francesca Pernice, Christopher Probst, Christopher Puzzuoli, Jeffery Rogers, Eugene Schneider, Gary Selke, Jeffrey Spada, Lisa Tosch, Shelia Vandeberghe, Jason Verellen, and Kristina Yearego.    

Macomb County Interfaith Volunteer Caregiver survey 

   The survey to identify those in need of home help and those who would like to provide this help was distributed last weekend at all the masses.  If you have not done so already, please take a moment to look it over and fill it out.  The forms can be returned to the parish office or dropped in the collection basket.  If you have any questions regarding this program, please call Kathy in the parish office.  Thank you for considering participation in this worthwhile endeavor! 

Blood drive June 23

  SS. John & Paul will be hosting  an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 2:00-8:00 p.m. here in the Activities Center. Look for sign-up sheets the first two weeks of June. 

Attention Bakers 

  We are in need of volunteers to bake cookies for our upcoming blood drive.  We need about ten people willing to bring two dozen homemade cookies before 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 23rd.  If you would like to help out in this way, please contact Kathy at the parish office.

Things to ponder 

...People can alter their lives by altering their attitude.

 ...The world is full of beauty when your heart is filled with love. 

...Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

...I cannot change yesterday. I can only make the most of today and look with hope toward tomorrow. 

GOLF OUTING

SCHEDULED FOR

AUGUST 28TH   

MARK YOUR

CALENDARS NOW! 

Bruce Hills Golf Course

$55 cost includes 18 holes of golf, prizes, plus buffet dinner. 

Registration forms will be in the parish bulletin the weekend

of June 4-5 

Teen News         

¨         Cedar Point —Teens grade 8-12,please join us as we celebrate the youth of our parish with a day trip to Cedar Point on Wednesday, June 22. We will leave from the SSJP parking lot at 6:30 a.m. sharp and return at approximately 11:30 p.m. The cost is $30 which includes transportation and admission to the park. All participants must have a completed permission slip, (don’t forget the medical release part located on the back of the form). You can pick up a form in the office. You will also want to bring money for snacks, lunch, dinner, souvenirs, etc. We will provide a breakfast snack on the bus on the way there and a snack for on the way home.

  If you would like to bring a friend, they will be required to have a completed permission slip, and a check made out to SS. John & Paul for $47. All teens will be expected to stay in a buddy system and check in with the outing leader once during the day. Failure to do so will keep you from coming to future outings.

  Permission slips must be turned in by June 7. If you are including friends, please include a separate check and remember, they will go on a waiting list. After June 7, those on our waiting list will be put on the bus in order as they come into the office. This is on a first come, first served basis. If we cannot accommodate friends, their check will be returned to them. Call Mrs. Peters if you have any questions, 781-9488. 

¨     Honors night — I recently was invited to an honors night at one of our high schools. When I arrived, I found myself feeling especially proud that I knew so many of the teens being honored that night. A lot of the teens being honored were from our parish. These teens are hard working students that give it their all in everything they do. I feel so lucky to be able to work with all the teens of this parish. They’re just terrific! 

  Mrs. Peters 

      Trinity Sunday  

  The Trinity is a mystery...impossible to fully understand.  But God has opened up the mystery to us through revelation.  Through the revelation of God in scripture and through the  Church, we are invited to come to know the Father, through the Son in the power of the Spirit.

  We can come to know God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through prayer and through reading Sacred Scripture.  We also come to know God through showing our love for others. 

Glory Be to the Father 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,world without end.

Amen

Baptism Preparation 

  Beginning in June, Baptism preparation will take place every other month, no longer every month.

This means that you must notify the office sooner so as not to miss the preparation session.   A schedule of meeting dates will be available if you call the parish office.  The session for June is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7th, at 7:00 p.m. 

  Prior to the preparation session, you must call the office to set a time to register your child for the Sacrament.  This meeting takes only 15-20 minutes and can be done Monday through Thursday, morning or afternoon.

Vatican II

This week’s insert “Sharing Our Heritage of Faith.” 

  We encourage our parish community to provide resources, programs, small groups, and activities to nurture faith growth from birth through the later years of life.

  How can you become more of a lifelong learner in terms of your Catholic faith?   

Summer Taize prayer 

  We are planning special Taize prayer times for June, July, and August. Each of these prayer evenings will include Taize prayer, a time for conversation on the prayer reading, and also a time for refreshments. Weather permitting, these prayer evenings will be held outside so that we can enjoy the beautiful summer weather.

  Our June date is schedule for June 21 at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to help with refreshments, please call JoAnne at the parish office.  

A Family Perspective

By Bud Ozar 

  From the first moment of conception, a child devours a parent’s time, energy and resources so that parents often feel consumed with no more to give. In this sense, parenting is a Eucharistic action. Children consume our flesh and blood and Christ is present in this life-giving self sacrifice. This is the priesthood of parenting.

Together In Ministry 

RCIA Team

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults   

  Throughout the year, the pastoral team of the parish meets with adults and/or families who wish to learn  about the Catholic Church so that they can discern whether or not they wish to be part of our faith community. 

  The decision to become Catholic takes time and a team of people dedicate their time to walk with those coming forward with questions and concerns about this faith decision. 

  To begin with, most often the initial step comes from you, the parishioners, who value their faith and beliefs in the Catholic church enough to spread it to those not of our faith tradition.  We often neglect our responsibility to outreach to others by inviting them to consider joining our church community.  This week’s gospel tells how Jesus simply says, “Follow me.”  

   Next week we look at ways we can get better at saying, “Follow me” to those who may be waiting for an invite to be part of a faith community.  

Saturday and Sunday

June 11-12, 2005

Carlo Busignani by Gai Family

Gus Goike by Greenway Family

Robert Leadley by SSJP Choir

Beatrice & Patrick Clancy by Family

Dan & Martha Brown (50th Anniv.) 

Monday, June 13, 2005

Dominic Tringali by J. Clancy Family 

Tuesday,  June 14, 2005

Leo Zynda by J. Klein