June 19, 2005 

Pastor’s Perspective

*To All Who are Fathers

  May you know the many ways you are instruments of God’s love in this world.  May your tenacious love for your children and your willingness to put your family first give them a sure experience of God’s love for them, a firm faith in the goodness of life, and a willingness to put their own lives toward the service of others.

  For those who have had a difficult experience as a father or with their fathers: may your willingness to be reconciled lead to the forgiveness and healing that can break down barriers or give you the strength to handle the hurts.

  For all our fathers, living and deceased: thank you God. Bless them abundantly.  Let them know how much they are loved.

*The Image of God the Father

  Sometimes people of faith make the mistake of too literally imaging God the Father as male and as a father.  Such people then look at what makes for a good father and apply that to God.  That is the exact opposite of what the Catholic Tradition does.  Rather, God is beyond male or female, the source of all that is good, and so the source of both all that is truly fatherly and motherly.  God is not a ‘he’ but is God, the Mystery from which all life flows and to which all life returns.  In contemplating that Mystery and how that Mystery has revealed Godself in the course of history, we come to understand what true fatherhood means, as well as true motherhood, what true love means, as well as authentic truth and beauty, and we apply those insights to our own lives as fathers, mothers, people who try to love, who seek truth and fashion things to be beautiful. 

  Christian faith, contemplating that Mystery in light of the faith of the people of Israel and specifically in light of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, comes to a deeply personal understanding of that Mystery as always one yet in a three-fold communion of persons.  That means that God is experienced in three specific, personal ways.  The first is as the never completely knowable ‘Unoriginated Originator’ (as the Greek tradition terms it) of all to whom we surrender in trust.  Tradition uses the name ‘Father’ for that mostly because of Jesus’ own use of that language in his life.  What we learn from developing a personal relationship with God who is Father isn’t how much like human fathers God is. Rather, we learn how much we need to be fatherly as God is fatherly.

* Picnic Next Sunday 2-6:30 p.m.

  To continue our 25th anniversary year celebration and to honor our parish’s namesake day, we have moved the picnic to the last Sunday of June.  Thank you to all who have volunteered to help.  Let’s make this a really picnic atmosphere: bring the lounge chairs, the blankets, the children and the games.  Join in the food, the fun, and the music that will be provided.  Unlike the past few years, the picnic will not begin after the last Mass.  Some preparation teams will be hard at work getting things ready.  But go home, change into appropriate relaxed clothes and come back at 2 p.m to join in the fun. As you can see from the schedule of events, there will be things to do for young and old both before and after the main meal time.  The main meal will include chicken and beef, in addition to the usual hot dogs and pizza, and will be served from about 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

*The Feast of Saints John and Paul

  June 26th is the feast day of SS. John and Paul, brothers and martyrs from the 4th century.  Our parish’s name was created in 1980 (while Pope John Paul II was still a young pope!).  He in turn took his name from the previous Pope (John Paul I) who took the name from the two prior popes (John XXIII and Paul VI).  The people of the parish thought it would be good to have those two names as the parish name, but parishes are not named after deceased popes, unless they are canonized saints.  To have the names that were shared by those four previous popes, the parish turned to the ancient list of martyrs of Rome, which included the brothers John and Paul, whose feast is celebrated in the Church on June 26th. Thus the two-fold name for the parish and the reason for the date of our parish celebration.

  Next week we will include the feast of SS. John and Paul, brothers and martyrs, within our regular weekend celebration.  The bulletin will have an insert with more information on the brothers and on the icon that was commissioned several years ago and hangs on our East wall.

*Parish Council Selection

  Elsewhere in the bulletin you will find the names of those who have accepted nomination to possibly be selected for the parish pastoral council.  There are still a couple of nominees we have not heard from and we would like everyone to see a picture of the nominees before we do the actual selection. So, next week we will run the names again, along with photos if available.  Please pray for each of them.  The value of a selection process, rather than an election one, is that we pray for all the candidates and let a selection by lot make the choice.  Pray that each be given the ability to help in parish leadership over the next three years, if selected, and to take their non-selection, if it happens, as a sign to use their gifts and talents at this time in other ways.  On Sunday July 3rd we will make the selections at the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

  Thank you to Donna Picklo, Ed Mason, and Joe Naughton who have served on the council these last three years.  Thank you to Joe Cymbalski who has served this past year.  Finally, thank you to Lou Wardzinski who remains on the council but will complete his year as council president and to Mary Rose who completes her year as council secretary.

 *Some Questions on the Mass

  As I mentioned during the ‘Teaching Mass’ a couple of weeks ago, I would from time to time take some column space and go into more details on aspects of the celebration of the Mass.  This week, let’s look at the choice of readings which are proclaimed.  One of my students in the Sacramental Theology class I am teaching in Lansing asked “Why do Catholics not have the Bible with them at Mass?”  A good question.  He grew up a Baptist and misses preaching that has people open the Bible to set passages and read along and study.

  The Catholic approach to Sunday Scripture readings is to encourage such reading and study outside the celebration of the Eucharist.  At the moment of the Mass when the readings are proclaimed (notice that word, not just ‘read’, but ‘proclaimed’) we believe that the Living Word of the Risen Lord is able to touch our hearts, calling to mind for us some connection to any or all of the readings.  It might be an image, a phrase, a word, a story, a memory that is stirred, a feeling that is raised, a question to ponder.  To be open to that living Word means that we are asked not to read along in a missalette or Bible or other reading aid (unless someone is hearing impaired and so needs that aid).  Rather, we are asked to listen with our heart to what is stirred up by these readings and/or homily.

  The way the readings are selected is through a three year cycle for Sunday readings: Year A, B, and C.  All the major passages from the gospel of Matthew are read during Year A.  During Year B the gospel of Mark is portioned throughout the year. During Year C the gospel of Luke takes precedence.  The gospel of John is proclaimed in all the years during the Easter season, during Lent in Year A, and during Ordinary Time in Year B.  In that way those who come and open themselves to the Word of God each Sunday, over the course of three years, are fed with just about everything in the four gospels.

  After the gospel passage was selected the Church authorities then selected a reading from one of the books of the Old Testament in such a way that nearly all of the Old Testament books are heard from in the course of three years, and the passage from the Old Testament has a tie in through words or images to the gospel passage.

  In addition to the first reading and gospel reading, the Church adds a second reading from one of the New Testament books other than the gospels.  This is a ‘continuous reading’ in that a whole book will be proclaimed over the course of several weeks in a row.  It is not picked to correspond in image or theme to the other readings, only so that we will hear from every book of the New Testament over the course of three years.  To finish the Lectionary (the book of readings for Sunday), the Church parcels out passages from the Acts of the Apostles in all three years during the seven week Easter season.

  Come consistently to Sunday Mass over three years and we will have had a chance to hear from nearly every book of the Bible.  Learn to listen with heart and not just head and we will have opened ourselves to myriad images, phrases, and stories that God uses to speak directly to our own situation. 

   May this Living Word of God touch each of our hearts this day.   

  Fr. Buersmeyer  

 Picnic  Schedule

2:00  D.J. music under pavilion, Card playing,  Jumping Jupiter (moonwalk) until 4:00

  50/50 ticket sales,   Tattoos and face painting

  Kids games begin…

  2:00—Parachute welcoming

  2:30—Musical chairs, ages 1-6

  Pantyhose game, older youth

  2:45—Bean bag toss, ages 1-6

  Hula hoop game, older youth

  3:00—Balloon game, ages 1-6

  Squirt gun game, older youth

2:30  Volleyball game/bocce ball

3:30  First 50/50 drawing (must be present to win)

3:30  Dinner served (until 4:30)

4:30  Karaoke begins under the pavilion

  Bingo in the tent

  Horseshoes

  Ice cream served

  Kids games continue…

  4:30—Fishing, ages 106

  Sack races, older youth

  4:45—Water balloons, ages 1-6

  Tug-of-war, older youth

  5:00—Ball kicking, ages 1-6

  Water brigade, older youth

  5:15—Clothes pin/tennis ball game, ages 1-6

  Water balloon toss, older youth

5:15  Second 50/50 drawing (must be present to win)

6:30  Picnic over—clean up begins  

Total as of  6/14/05:  $150,066.00 

Diocesan obligation:

$73,681.00

Return to parish: 

$76,385.00  

Participating

Families:  485 

  $73,681.00 

Gifts:  449 

Participation

Percentage:  48% 

Average Gift:  $334.22 

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. 

A note from our Vocations Committee 

  Who has the responsibility to share in the mission of Jesus? We all do. Why? Because we are baptized.

  SS. John & Paul’s Vocation Committee hopes to encourage every parish member to become aware of and enthusiastic about their own unique calling. The committee plans to explore how the reality of God’s call can be accomplished across all age levels, gender, in the home, workplace and community. We are presently planning: (1) a fall program for the religious education students; (2) an early winter program highlighting the many different kinds of vocations; (3) a February Vocation of Marriage program; (4) a spring program emphasizing the unique vocations of seniors.

  Do you have any further ideas? If so, please contact Gloria Westrick at (586) 781-5370, Rose Marie Schultz at (586) 786-5433, Karen Brunner at (586) 781-6763, or Joyce Monte at (586) 781-4541. 

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. 

Not To Be Afraid

Matthew 10:26-33 

      When Jesus sent his apostle’s out into the world to continue his work, he knew that they were fearful.  They had good reason to be so, as they would face hardships and persecution.  And so he said to them, not once, but three times,  ‘Do not be afraid.’

      Courage will sometimes fail us and we will be afraid.  All people who have accomplished great things have known fear.  The prophet Jeremiah from our First Reading spoke of fear. 

      Fear isn’t always a bad thing.   Sometimes it has a protective function that warns us of  danger.  Fear then is a grace.  Fear can also be a paralyzing  handicap,  turning a person  into a coward. 

      To stretch our imagination:  there was a mouse that had a crippling fear of cats.  A magician took pity on it and turned it into a cat.  But then it became afraid of dogs. So the magician turned it into a dog.  Then it became afraid of panthers and so he turned it into a panther.  And then it became afraid of hunters.  At this point the magician gave up and turned it back into a mouse saying, ‘Nothing I do for you is going to be of any help because you have the heart of a mouse.’

      Jesus knew the apostles were afraid.  He understood their fears and took them seriously.  When he told them not to be afraid, he was addressing their fears and trying to give them courage.  He was trying to move them beyond fear, knowing that fear could make them so timid as to be unable to fulfill their mission.

      He suggested that they might overcome their fears if they put trust in God and reliance on God.  He urged them to have complete trust in God, who lovingly watches over the life and death of even the smallest and least valuable of his creatures—the sparrows.  Jesus assured them that God knew every detail of their lives, and would support them in every crisis.

      The prophet Jeremiah lived out his vocation during a time of great turmoil, which saw the defeat of Israel and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.  He lived with constant threats to his life.  Yet, he remained faithful to his calling.  What enabled him to overcome his fears and remain faithful to his mission was the conviction that God was on his side.  ‘The Lord is at my side, a mighty hero.’

      The Lord is at our sides, too.  And while at times we will grow fearful, we mustn’t allow our fears to cripple us.  To live a Christian life requires courage...ordinary courage.

       Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with constancy.  Faith is a great source of courage.  As people of faith, we believe that God will give us the strength to cope with whatever comes.

      The greatest freedom of all is freedom from fear.  We must overcome our fears, in order to live a dignified human life.   Fear and courage are not mutually exclusive.  They can and do coexist.  Courage is not never being afraid.  It is being afraid, and overcoming it, or carrying on  in spite of it.

      To be a disciple of Jesus, the heart of a mouse will not do.  We need a brave heart.  May the Lord give each of us a brave heart.  

I rise today with God’s strength to direct me, God’s wisdom to guide me,

God’s eyes to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, 

God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to uphold me, 

God’s pathway before me, God’s shield to protect me, 

God’s host to save me from temptations,

from one or many that seek to destroy me.   

Amen. 

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!

"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.  

Meet the nominees for our Parish Pastoral Council 

Barb Jarzembski

Barb is recently widowed, and has 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. She has been a member at SS. John & Paul for almost 4 years. She is currently a member of the Christian Service Commission and Soup Kitchen Ministry. Barb also takes an interest in the adult formation at our parish and enjoys reading. 

Jim Reilly

Jim is married with 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. He and his wife have been members of SS. John & Paul for 3 years. They are very happy with the parish family environment here at our parish. Jim’s wife teaches religious formation classes, and Jim is currently active on the Worship Commission. Jim is also enjoying his retirement. 

Tom Fletcher

Tom has been a member of SS. John & Paul for 18 years. He has 4 daughters and 4 grandchildren. Tom stated that he enjoys the spirit of this parish and the people who formed the parish are very special. 

Dick Waligore

Dick and his wife Pat have 2 children (Patrick, age 16, and Katrina, age 13). Dick has been a member of SS. John & Paul for 5 years. Prior to joining our parish, the family attended St. Clement of Rome in Romeo. 

Mary Havener

Mary and her husband Jerry have 2 children and have been members of the parish for 4 years. Mary is active in the Choir and the Worship Commission and is also involved in the Arts and Environment Committee. The family enjoys the size and friendliness of the parish, and prior to SS. John & Paul, they attended St. Anastasia in Troy. 

Patricia (Pat) Dobbs

Pat has been married 37 years to Tom and they have 2 children, a son and a daughter who is expecting a new baby this month. Pat taught for Romeo schools as a substitute secondary teacher for 20 years. Her family was one of the founding families of the parish, and she served on the first SS. John & Paul Parish Council. She also previously served as a catechist for many years when her children were younger. Most recently, Pat had taken care of her frail mother in Port Huron and managed 2 homes, one in the U.P. After her mom passed away, Pat began spending most of her time in Washington and is looking forward to becoming increasingly involved in Parish events. 

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.       

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 18-19, 2005

Helen Guastini by Family & Friends

Isaac Giffin by Family

Nick Pelino by R. Ginste Family

Tony Williams, by J. Martino

James Dushane by Wife & Family 

Monday, June 20, 2005

Joseph Grajewski by Krieg Family 

Tuesday,  June 21, 2005