July 10, 2005 

Pastor’s Perspective   

*Congratulations New Council Members 

  Last Sunday before the 11:30 Mass we prayed for all those who were nominated to be parish council members and then selected the names in the following order:  Rob Ozella, Mary Havener, Patricia Dobbs, Tom Fletcher, Barb Jarzembski, DickWaligore, and Jim Rielly.  The first four are selected for the new three year terms.  The fifth, Barb, fills a two year vacancy left by one of the departing members.  And the final two—Dick  Waligore and Jim Rielly—though not selected at this time to serve, I want to thank for their willingness to serve.  You will find pictures of our parish council members elsewhere in today’s bulletin. 

*Farewell and All the Best to Carl Reyes 

  We wish Carl Reyes, our current music minister, all the best as he returns to Milwaukee to take up the position he left eight months ago.  This weekend is Carl’s last with us.

  The search for a new music minister is progressing well. I am currently talking with a candidate and trying to arrange for the person to start in August.  In the meantime we will have some guest organists and leaders of music for a few weeks. 

  Fr. Buersmeyer

Ice Cream Social

Two weeks and counting 

Only two more weeks until our annual parish Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 24, from12:30-2:00 p.m. Please join us for a cone or ice cream sundae.  

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

“The Lily of the Mohawks” 

  Many of you will probably recognize this name because of  the Indian River Shrine in Indian River, Michigan.  A statue of her is there to bring awareness to this holy woman who was so loved and honored by the Native American people.  

   She was born in 1656 into the Mohawk tribe of Native Americans and at 18 years old, she was influenced by a Catholic missionary who came to her people to preach the Gospel.  She was baptized and received her First Communion the following year.  Persecuted for abandoning her ancestral beliefs, she escaped to a Christian village in Canada. She only lived a few more years, dying at age 24.  In the short time between her conversion and death, Kateri became known for an exemplary Christian life, marked by prayer, penance, and devotion to the Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin.   

   In 1942, the Catholic church, recognizing Kateri Tekakwitha’s heroic virtues, declared her “Venable,” the first step toward sainthood.  In 1980, she was declared “Blessed” by Pope John Paul II.  It is the hope of many people devoted to her, especially the numerous Native American Catholics, to see her become the first Native American Saint. 

   Thursday, July 14, the Feast of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, marks the 325 anniversary of the death of this venerable servant of God.  In order to increase awareness of this holy woman, to seek her intercession and to pray for her canonization, a special liturgy will be celebrated at the Cathedral of The Most Blessed Sacrament on July 10th at 10:00 a.m.  We will celebrate her anniversary here at SS. John and Paul on Wednesday, July 13th, at our regular 9:00 a.m. mass.  

   We have placed special prayer cards and brochures sharing her life in the book racks in the back of church.  Please feel free to take one and join with us in praying that she one day becomes the first Native American Saint.   

Taize prayer/conversation/refreshments

  July’s Taize prayer will be on July 26 at 6:30 p.m. Hope to see you there! 

“Blest are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear.” 

  The word of God is like the seed sown by a farmer. Much of it runs into peril and does not become fruitful, yet some of it lands on good soil and yields a great amount of grain. 

  Any kind of growth is difficult. As we grow, we suffer and we learn.  As seeds grow, they have to break open for shoots to form.  Then, during their struggle, they can be choked, trampled on, or dried out before they actually become grain to be harvested.  Although difficult, growth does happen—it happens with seeds, with people, and with the word of God. 

  The farmer throws the seeds into the field—some of them grow and some of them don’t. Jesus teaches us about life—some of us listen and some of us don’t. 

  What does Jesus teach us about life that we find it difficult to listen to? 

Reminder Future Confirmation Candidates! 

  All those wanting to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation  must have a scheduled interview to begin your preparation process.  This  interview should only take approximately 15 minutes.  Please make sure you call Mrs. Peters, at 781-9488 to set up your interview.  The interview dates are  July 19th, & July 20th.   Call today so you can get the best date & time that will fit into your schedule.  Thank you! 

Help us help others

  HELP in September!  We are in need of several kind-hearted individuals who could provide 10 simple box lunches for the ten Alzheimer’s patients and team at A Friend’s House in Romeo.  Lunches need to be made, packaged and delivered.  Serving lunches will not be required.  SS. John & Paul will provide the funds necessary to purchase the food as well as any materials that are needed (Styrofoam boxes, silverware, etc.).  The lunches need to be delivered at approximately 11:30 AM to A Friend’s House, located in the Agape Center on the grounds of St. Clement parish in Romeo. The specific dates we need assistance are: 

    Tuesday:  Thursday:

    September 6  September 1

    September 13  September 8

    September 20  September 22

    September 27  September 29 

This is something that can be accomplished by one individual per date.  However, a team of two or three would make the process even easier!  It won’t require a lot of time and it WILL make a big difference in the lives of some of our community’s elderly.  Please call Kathy at 781-9010 if you are interested in assisting in this most worthwhile project. 

Golf committee needs you… 

  First as a player—registration forms are in the literature racks and in this bulletin. Please don’t make us wait…

register now so that we can better plan this annual event.

 Golf outing is August 28 at Bruce Hills Golf Course at 1:00 p.m.  

Secondly—we need prizes for our raffle. If you have

 any you could donate, please bring it to the

parish office. Thank you! 

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. 

STILL

LOOKING FOR

VOLUNTEERS 

 Catechists &

Assistants for:  

Early Childhood-Sun. Morning

(1)       for 3 & 4 yr. olds

(1)  for 4 & 5 yr. olds 

Grades 1-6

Tuesday Evening:

(1)       Gr. 3

(1)  Gr. 4

(1)  Gr. 6 

Monday Afternoon:

(1)       Gr. 5

(2)  Gr. 6 

Do you feel a slight tug at the heart? Maybe ‘Someone’ is trying to tell you something!  You don’t need to have experience...just a love for our kids and the desire to share your faith with them. You will receive all the support you need.  All catechists and assistants are in teams of two.  For more information call Linda Bauer at  586-781-9488.     

The Word is Like a Seed

Mt. 13:1-23 

      A seed, a marvelous thing, is an extremely weak and vulnerable thing.  It depends entirely on the kind of soil in which it is sown.  If the soil is lacking, the seed will come to nothing; if the soil is good, it will produce a rich harvest.

     So it is with a word.  A word is a powerful thing.  It can comfort, inspire, teach, correct, challenge, change a life...or it can come to nothing.  It is completely dependent on the attitude of the one who hears it.

      Some seed fell on a hard path where it had no chance of putting down roots.  Exposed to full view, it was eaten up by birds.   So it is with words that are spoken to people with closed minds.  Prejudice and pride closes one’s mind.  So does fear...of new truth, or hearing disturbing truth.  Some people are unteachable, refusing to learn anything at all.  Then there are those who simply refuse to hear anything at all.

      Some fell on stony ground.  Taking root quickly, it soon withered away because of lack of soil and moisture.   Some of us hear the word and receive it with enthusiasm, but when living the word out becomes difficult, we lose our enthusiasm and quickly abandon it.   How often do we start things but never finish them?

      Some seed fell into ground where weeds and thorns lay in wait.  It got off to a good start, but then the weeds came and it got smothered.    We may receive the word of God, but there are so many other interests in our lives that the most important things get crowded out.  We find we are too busy to pray; so involved in our lives that we have no time or energy left for the things of the spirit.

      Finally some seed fell on good soil, where it put down deep roots, found nourishment and produced a harvest.  When we do hear the word, understand it, and then act on it, our lives are enriched by it. 

      God’s word comforts, guides, inspires and challenges us.  It is like precious seed.   The sower sowed the seed haphazardly:  on the path, on the rocks, among the thorns, and on good ground.  He was extremely generous, wanting to give every part of the field a chance to produce something.

      God keeps on sowing his word in our hearts even though he knows that much of what he sows will be eaten by the birds, or fall on rocks or among thorns.

      In nature the seed has only a short growing season in the early part of the year.  Not so with the seed which is the word of God.  Growth can come at any stage in a person’s life. The seed of God’s word, once dropped into the human heart, never dies.  It’s never too late to act on the word of God. 

Receiving the Word 

The word of God is to the human heart what a seed is to the earth.  However, just as a seed needs soil, so the word needs a receptive heart.  The earth responds to the rain and sun so that even the desert blooms.  But the arid human heart has the power to resist so that it remains barren.   

Lord, soften our hearts with your grace, 
open them with your gentle love, 
so that the precious seed of your word
may take root in out hearts, 
and bear fruit in our lives. 

Make Poverty History 

 In 2000, 149 countries signed on to the United Nations Millennium Goals, developed to halve world poverty by 2015. These goals are:  

¨         Reduce extreme poverty and limited access to food by half;

¨         Achieve primary education for every child around the world;

¨         Promote gender equality and empower women;

¨         Reduce children’s deaths by two-thirds;

¨         Reduce mothers’ deaths in childbirth by three-quarters;

¨         Reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB;

¨         Ensure environmentally safe development (cut in half the one billion people without access to safe drinking water; marked improvements in lives of 100 million slum dwellers around the world);

¨         Develop equitable global partnerships for development. 

In 2005, despite the limited progress that has been made toward meeting these goals, people of good will around the world look to the next decade as a crucial time.  The resources are available to meet the UN Millennium Goals, but world leaders need to show the necessary political will.  In promoting trade justice (promoting fair trade rather than free trade), unconditional debt cancellation for poor countries and development aid of .7% that we promised when signing on to the MDG (we now give only .1% of our gross national product) it is very possible to meet the UN goals by 2015. 

On June 11, 2005, the eight wealthiest nations, known as the G-8 or Group of Eight, agreed to cancel $40 billion in debt owed by 18 of the poorest countries to international financial institutions.  The 18 recipient countries, which will save about $1.5 billion annually as a result of the agreement, are:  Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.  In order to receive the debt forgiveness, the countries will be required to take anti-corruption measures.  Some officials have said that the deal also requires the poor countries to use the money they save on debt payments for health, education or the relief of poverty.  This month, the G-8 will meet again in Scotland to discuss current progress towards Millennium Development Goals. 

As faith-based United States citizens, we can voice our hope that our leaders will do everything in their power to assure that the Millennium Development Goals are met.  If you would like to send a letter to President Bush, the address is:   

  President Bush             

  The White House

  1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,

   Washington, DC20500 

The Vatican’s semiofficial newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, affirmed the need for debt cancellation and recalled that Pope John Paul II presented debt forgiveness to the international community “as a goal of civilization.” 

Sources: 

Cowell, Alan, “Finance Chiefs Cancel Debt of 18 Nations.,” New York Times,

June 12, 2005.

Aldo Caldiari of the Bretton Woods Project, Center of Concern

Jubilee USA, www.jublieeusa.org

Education for Justice, www.educationforjustice.org 

Hospitality committee minutes 

-Kitchen ministry continues planning for Fr. Dave’s 25th anniversary party on September 10th after the 5 p.m. mass.

 -Golf Committee needs donated gifts for the golf outing raffle.

 -A new fall social is being looked at, perhaps a road rally or scavenger hunt. 

-A group of young families will be gathering in late July to brainstorm on future socials for families.  An idea for Halloween is being discussed. 

-The parish recipe book is almost completed.  Look for it in the fall. 

-A letter written by Fr. Dave will go out to all high school graduates with a card from the parish family.

 -Our parish mission for next March will need help from this committee.  Ideas are already being generated.

 -The organization of next year’s parish picnic will be put into the hands of a sub-committee under the Hospitality Committee.  We are looking for new people to be part of this new group.  If interested, please call the parish office or come to the next Hospitality meeting.

 -Next meeting will be on Wed, July 13th at 7 p.m.   

Exemplary Volunteer

Monica Payne 

   Our own Monica Payne was recently recognized by the American Red Cross with the Exemplary Volunteer Service Award.  Monica has been a member of the Romeo Team in Macomb County and its Captain for the past 48 years.  She has volunteered over 3200 hours.  Monica has shown great commitment in staffing all blood drives in this specific area.  She has even gone so far as to make sure all drives were covered with Red Cross volunteers when she was quite ill herself.  Monica has graced all our blood drives with her smiling face and her knack for running a well oiled machine.  Congratulations on this wonderful achievement, Monica! 

Widowed Friends

  Losing a spouse is one of the most life altering experiences that life has to offer.  Going out into a safe, comfortable, friendly environment is instrumental with healing and new growth as we enter our new life.

  Coordinated with “Widowed Friends”, the SS. John and Paul community would like to create a group within our area to help support and address the spiritual, educational and social needs of all widowed.  For interest, comments or questions please call Sue at (248) 651-3411.

  In the next few weeks there will be a casual, informative meeting about “Widowed Friends” and how our parish can become involved in the Archdiocesan wide ministry. 

Golfers and duffers 

  Widowed Friends Golfers and Duffers  meets at 10:45 to tee off at 11:00 a.m. each Monday. This is a casual league, pay as you go. We play nine holes, followed by lunch and laughs. Call Evelyn at 586-751-4172 for the location. 

Teen News

Mark your calendar for July 20th for the next teen gathering.  

All teens in grade 9-12 are welcome to attend a scavenger hunt/bon fire on July 20th beginning here at the church at 7:00 p.m.  After the scavenger hunt we will car pool to Jordyn McIntyre’s for a bon fire, hot dogs, chips, and smores.  If you are interested in attending this teen gathering, please stop by the office for a permission slip.  This will be a wonderful way for our teens to catch up on the happenings of the summer.  If you should have any questions please contact Mrs. Peters at 781-9488. 

A very special thanks goes out to Laura Hester, Deane Maue, Rick Giffin and all the other adults & teens that helped make the picnic games a huge success. This is a very big job to take on with lots of work from behind the scenes.   Bill Gumbleton & his helpers were a huge success with the balloon animals, as well as Caroline Seidel & her helpers did a super job with the face painting. It takes special people to give of their time to make sure everything runs smoothly and our teens and volunteer adults came through again.   Please know that our parish family is very grateful for all your hard work in making these events a huge success.

Hospitality Committee meeting
Wed, July 13, 7 p.m. 

Vacation Bible School leader meeting
Thurs, July 14, 7 p.m., St. Clement  

Coffee/donuts after masses
Sun, July 17 

Senior cards
Mon, July 18, 11:30 a.m. 

Vacation Bible School crew meeting
Thurs, July 21, 6 p.m., St. Clement  

Confirmation candidate interviews
Tues/Wed, July 19/20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Call for appointment. 

Ice Cream Social
Sun, July 24, 12:30-2 p.m. 

Taize prayer/Conversation/Refreshments
Tues, July 26, 6:30 p.m. 

Blood Pressure Check
Sat/Sun, July 30/31, after all masses. 

Vacation Bible School set-up
Sun. July 31, 1:30 p.m.

A family perspective

by Bud Ozar  

  Sometimes our children are like the “rocky ground” or like the busy “path” where the distractions of daily life prevent them from hearing us. But, there are times when they are like the “rich soil” and they not only hear but actually follow us. A parent is like the sower in today’s Gospel and never gives up on the ground or the seed.

Together In Ministry 

Parish Picnic Committee 

  What a blast this year’s parish picnic was celebrating 25 years of parish life for SS. John and Paul!  It took lots and lots of busy hands and feet to provide the fun, food and fellowship that was had by all who attended.  Over 500 people enjoyed one another’s company with the help of great music, singing, and warm, dry weather.

   But...it doesn’t stop here.  We are already gearing up to form a committee for next year’s event.  It doesn’t need to be quite as elaborate as this year’s (due to our celebration of our 25th anniversary), but that doesn’t mean it won’t be as much fun.  But then again that depends on you! 

  Yes, I said you.  Up to now, our parish ushers have graciously planned and provided all the hands needed to pull off this special day.  But it is time that we share the load and thus…we are forming a new committee called the “Parish Picnic Committee.” 

  This committee will be a subcommittee of our parish Hospitality Committee.  We will begin to outline what this means as part of next week’s “Together in Ministry” article.   

Saturday and Sunday

July 9-10, 2005

Julie Radtke by Family

Louis Ranelli by Family

Robert Leadley by Greenway Family

Edward Woytalewicz by Wife & Family

Ken Cauley by Family 

Monday, July 11, 2005

Esther Greenway by Family 

Tuesday,  July 12, 2005

Helen & Edward Nadalosky by

Mollon Family 

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Barbara Stein by LaRaia Family

 Saturday and Sunday

July 16-17, 2005

Marie Gugilmetti by J. Martino

Rod Blonde by Family

Katherine Richardson by S. Schima

Dolores Radzitowski by Family

Dan & Martha Brown by Brinker Family