August 21, 2005 

Pastor’s Perspective 

*Religious Formation for Our Children

  How quickly the summer seems to go by and school resume!  That means we also have to begin our preparation for the fall sessions of religious education.  If you have not already done so, please register your child(ren) in the appropriate class: Sunday Early Childhood (ages 3-5), grades 1-6 (choice of Monday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon, or Tuesday evening, but there are limits on numbers and some time slots might be filled), grades 7-8 (Sunday evenings 6:30-8:30, but not all Sundays). In addition, any high schooler is asked to contact Karen Peters so that they can be put on the mailing list for our high school program.  That also meets on certain Sundays of the year, in addition to going on retreats and doing some service projects. 

  I cannot stress enough how important that religious formation is for each child and young adult.  It begins at home and needs to include a rhythm of prayer, of family involvement in the parish especially on Sundays, and these classes.  Our goal is to work toward a family-involved model that would allow us to branch out as we continue to increase in numbers.  Parents, we want to support you in your responsibility to form your child in the Catholic faith.  Help us to help you.  

*Parish Mailing

  You all should be receiving a parish mailing from the staff members and myself, updating you on all the fall activities and schedules.  It will be packed with a lot of information. Please don’t throw it away.  Look it over; pick out what is pertinent to you; look at what is happening in other areas of parish life.  As we look toward September and our focus on volunteering for various ministries, think about how you might spend a portion of your time here or in the community, helping with your time and talent. 

*Parish Website Committee

  There will be a meeting of the Parish Website Committee on Wednesday, August 31, at 7:00 p.m.  If you are interested in helping on such a committee, you are invited to attend.   

*Some Further Questions on the Mass

  A few people have asked why we do this or that at the Mass and where it comes from.  Here are some of those little items. 

¨         The Sprinkling Rite

This sprinkling of the assembly from the water of the baptismal font is called the Asperges. The word comes from the Latin translation of Psalm 51:9 (“Cleanse/purge/sprinkle me with hyssop, that I may be purified”) and the practice came from the monastic custom of sprinkling the rooms of the cloister.  It had a penitential flavor, since verses of that psalm were used and the focus was on being cleansed from sin.  It was brought into the liturgy and done before the main Mass on a Sunday. Now it is allowed to be done at any Sunday Mass and it has a more baptismal focus, reminding us of the life-giving waters of baptism.  

¨         The Kyrie

  You know you are dealing with an ancient part of the liturgy when it retains its Greek wording.  As the main parts of the liturgy were developed, Greek was the most common language for it to be celebrated in.  Kyrie eleison (“Lord, have mercy”) and Christe eleison (“Christ, have mercy) were the common response to every petition in a litany, whether a litany of praise or a litany of petition.  Thus in origin it is really more akin to our Prayers of the Faithful than a separate rite.  But once it gets moved to the beginning of the Mass and the various petitions omitted, it takes on a more strictly penitential sense for the Latin liturgy and the prayers of the faithful are lost.  When the current liturgy re-introduces the Prayers of the Faithful (General Intercessions), it keeps the older Kyrie at the beginning as a penitential rite and adds a new petition form to the end of the Liturgy of the Word.  

¨         Creed or Profession of Faith

  It might surprise you to know that no Creed was prayed at Masses in Rome until the 11th century.  Prior to that it was primarily associated with the profession of faith necessary prior to baptism and the Easter profession of faith of the newly baptized and whole assembly.  Elsewhere, especially in the Eastern Church the creed was prayed as a way to remind people of the core of their faith expressed by the Councils of Nicaea (in 325) and Constantinople (in 381).  These involved some bitter disputes over properly naming God and Jesus and the Church’s leaders did not want the faithful to lose a sense of what the orthodox faith was.  Those early councils and its earliest use always used the plural form “We believe…”.  When translated into Latin it became “I believe… “ (Credo).  The English translation of the liturgy after Vatican II restored the plural form, but there is some talk of going back to the less traditional but Latin-based singular form in the future.

 MiMixing of water with wine

  This started as a practical matter. In the ancient era wine was quite heavy in texture and for all who used it—personally or liturgically—it needed to be first diluted with water.  The practice became unnecessary when wine was made less heavy, but the Church retained the practice and gave it a symbolic meaning.  In the East the water represented Christ’s human nature and the wine his divine nature. In the west the mixing was seen as representing the union of Christ with the faithful. Today, the liturgy combines the eastern and western symbolisms with the prayer the priest quietly prays “By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity.”

The Eucharistic Prayer

  This long prayer has its origins in the earliest Eucharists, patterned after Jewish table prayers called berakah or “blessing prayers”: Blessed is God … who has given us life…who has made all of creation…who has sent his Son…who sends his Spirit on these gifts...etc.  For many centuries in the West only one form of the prayer was prayed, called the Roman Canon and thus that is another name for these prayers: the canon or ‘rule’ of the Mass. 

  In the East the prayers were called anaphoras, meaning a ‘lifting up’ or ‘offering’ of praise to God for all God has done. In all forms of the prayer there is a remembrance, in thanksgiving and praise, for all God has done for us.  Interestingly in the East the focus was not on what we call the Consecration. Rather it was on what is called the epiclesis or “calling down upon”, referring to the invocation of God’s Holy Spirit to come upon the gifts and upon the assembly gathered.  In fact, you did not even have to have the consecration words “This is my body…This is my blood” at all for it to be a true Eucharist, since if you invoked God’s Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit would be effective in making present the body and blood of Christ.   

¨         Commingling

  This very minor action began at Rome, when an outlying church would be brought a small piece of bread called the fermentum, which had been consecrated at the Mass of the bishop of Rome. The priest then placed that particle in the chalice at the outlying church’s Mass as a sign of unity with the pope. But the meaning of this practice was lost as the Church expands and so other interpretations arise, including in one period always using a piece of consecrated bread from a previous Mass in the current Mass so as to symbolize the eternal continuity of the eucharistic sacrifice and, in another era, the idea that the commingling is a symbolic reenactment of the resurrection of Jesus just as the consecration was interpreted as a symbolic reenactment of the death of Jesus.  In today’s liturgy the prayer the priest says quietly points to all of us sharing eternal life through the communion we are to receive.  

*Classes Begin

  I begin teaching my fall classes this week.  On Thursday afternoons I will be at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake teaching a course on Fundamental Theology: What is revelation? How do we know of God? What makes our faith credible? Then on Saturday mornings I will be in Saginaw, for Assumption University, teaching Moral Issues in Our Day: Catholic social teaching, biomedical ethics, marriage, family and sexuality issues, and environmental ethics will all be covered. It should make for an interesting fall. I will try to share some of each course with you. 

* * * * * * * * 

   May we never lose sight of what Eucharist is/does: we gather at the Lord’s invitation, we listen with open hearts to God’s Word, we respond in thanksgiving and praise for all God has done for us, we receive the sacrament of Christ’s body and blood and so become that body of Christ, we are sent forth to be that body of Christ in the world until the next time we gather.  

  Fr. Buersmeyer

World Youth Day

Lord Jesus, keep us close to you in the Eucharist; in the breaking of the bread, we discover your true love which seeks only our good; keep young people close to you as they  celebrate World Youth Day so that through the Eucharist they may be strengthened in charity and service.

Taize Prayer  

Tuesday, August 23

6:30 p.m. 

This month’s Taizé prayer followed

by conversation and refreshments will be on

Tuesday, August 23, at 6:30 p.m.

Weather permitting, we will meet outside!

Hope to see you there!   

  Help wanted!!  

Wanted:   Strong, younger people 

When:  Wednesday, Aug. 24, 9:30 a.m.

  Friday, Aug. 26, 10:00 a.m. 

Why:  Move chairs in church so

  the carpet can be cleaned 

Needed:     No more than 30 minutes 

Please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway or call the parish office (586) 781-9010 if you can lend a hand.

Thank you! 

Calling all singers

to mark their calendars… 

Our first adult choir rehearsal will be on Thursday, September 1, at 7:00 p.m. when we will begin preparing special music for Fr. Dave’s anniversary Mass on September 10. 

From the Music Desk . . .

 Your Important Insights 

  This week you will be receiving a parish mailing, which will include two music-related pages.  One of these concerns start-up of the various choirs, and I will discuss that in next week’s column.  The other sheet, the Music Survey, is a plea for help.  As your recently-arrived music director, it is important to me to know not only what music you have experienced in the recent past, but what the effect of that music has been.  Which hymns or songs have stuck with you, and which have not?  What music has assisted you on your spiritual journey, and what may have been stumbling blocks?   

   As important as the answers to these questions will be, of even greater importance are the reasons for the answers.  I seek to understand the totality of your musical experience as it relates to your participation in the worship of God in this parish.  It is therefore vitally important that I become aware of the background and context of your musical judgments.  In short, I need to know why you believe as you do. 

   So I am asking much of you.  If you could please take some time to think about the questions on the Music Survey, and to remember back over the past couple of years, perhaps paging through a hymnal before or after Mass to stimulate your memories.  And beyond this, please try to express the reasons for your answers. 

   I am grateful for this opportunity to open up communication between us.  One of the challenges of any music director is to escape from behind the console, piano, or desk and to really listen to the voices of those he serves.  The greater your response, the greater will be my understanding. 

Baptism Preparation 

Preparation for baptisms taking place in September or October will be on Wednesday, September 7, at 7:00 p.m. Prior to attending the preparation class you must call for an appointment to come into the office to register your child. 

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. 

Peter

Mt. 16:13-20 

Peter has been called a stumbling  saint. 

He is a great consolation to us  because courage 

fails us all. 

 All of us are mere mortals, who  are inconstant in 

our beliefs.

We must learn to forgive our-  selves momentary 

weaknesses and failures. 

We need to surmount these things  and see the 

world in less rigid  terms. 

We must not judge ourselves or  others by 

momentary inconsistencies, but rather by 

commitment given over a longtime. 

Jesus was well aware of Peter’s  faults but he saw 

that, in spite of everything, his heart was  sound.

Which meant he had the ability to love. 

And in the long run love is what counts.

Witnessing Our Faith   

      It takes a whole village to raise a child.  As members of a faith-filled community, called by our baptism, we have the responsibility to witness our faith to one another and to the children of our parish family. Each of us has been gifted by our Creator to give witness of the Christ that is within, in ways that are unique only to our self.  Each of us is called and challenged continuously, in many ways throughout our lives, to use these gifts.  

      Right now, as you read this you are being called, challenged, and invited to give some serious consideration and prayer to the need of volunteers as catechists and assistants in the religious formation program.   

     With the addition of a third session more volunteers are needed to take on the role of catechist or assistant.   You can be a young, single person, a grandparent, a married person without children of your own,  a parent, or a former catechist and assistant who in the past ‘took time off for a break’.  We’d love to have you back!

       All catechists and assistants are in teams of two for each group of children.   Moving into a third session allows for each group to have their own space.   You will also receive all the support you need.

       If you are hesitant, have questions, or just want more information please call Linda Bauer in the Religious Formation Office at 586-781-9488. 

  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OUR KIDS

Catechists and Assistants:  

Early Childhood-Sun. Morning

(1)       Catechist - 3 & 4 yr. olds

(2)       Catechist - 4 & 5 yr. olds 

Tuesday Afternoon:

(1) Catechist—Gr. 6

(1) Assistant—Gr. 6 

Tuesday Evening:

(1)  Assistant—Gr. 3

(1)  Assistant—Gr. 4

(1)       Assistant—Gr. 6 

Widowed Friends 

  On Friday, September 9, join Widowed Friends for dinner and conversation at the American Polish Culture Center. This is one of the group’s most popular events, drawing over one hundred people. Listen to dinner music and meet new friends in a safe environment. RSVP to Barb at

586-781-5678 or Bill at 248-528-0640 

Worldwide

Marriage Encounter 

  A Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend enables married couples to focus on each other and develop greater intimacy and romance in their relationships. Marriage Encounter weekends are scheduled for Sept. 9-11 and Oct. 7-9. The weekends fill quickly. For additional information, contact Bill and Carol Higgins at 248-528-2512 or birdhaus@wideopenwest.com or Dan and Debbie Waring at 586-286-5524 or wufl@flc.org. 

Retrouvaille 

  Retrouvaille is a program designed to provide help and support to married couples who are undergoing difficulties in their relationship and to aid those who are hurting in brokenness and loneliness. The Retrouvaille program is endorsed by the Catholic Church and open to couples of all faiths. Make your reservations early for the Sept. 9-11 weekend. Call 313-237-6052.

Movie Hotline

  Confused about what movies are appropriate for you and your family? Call the Movie Hotline at 800-311-4222. Reviews include ratings on the basis of moral suitability. 

The priesthood—try it on

  Isaiah said, “Observe what is right, do what is just.” Pope Paul VI said, “If you want peace, work for justice.” Good words from good people.

  If God is the center of your life, if you seek justice and peace, you are in good company. Priests, sisters, and brothers around the world are doing the same thing. For information, call the Vocation Office at 313-237-5875 or visit the website at www.vocationsdetroit.org.

The Keys to the Kingdom 

In today’s Gospel, people are confused about who Jesus is.  But Peter knows he is the Messiah.  Jesus compliments Peter, saying that he is the rock upon whom the church shall be built, and that he is entrusted with the keys of heaven. 

  This Gospel suggests that the key to knowing who Jesus is lies in using the power to forgive others.  We all have that power. To experience forgiving another person is to experience the forgiving power of Jesus and to know who Jesus is and what his kingdom is like.

   Keys and a rock…important symbols for the early Christians as well as for us today. Keys being a symbol of trust and authority, along with responsibility. A rock is a symbol of solidness and strength.  Rocks are hard to break, but they can break other things easily.

  Why is a rock a good symbol for faith? 

  How would you describe your own faith?  Is it as strong as a rock?  Or is it more like a soft, weak substance, such as mashed potatoes, shaving cream, or a dried-out, crumbling leaf?

Hunger Crisis in West Africa 

  Catholic Relief Services (CRS) confirms a desperate hunger crisis in West Africa. Millions of people, especially children, are starving and need food now. News reports say that one in five is dying from malnutrition. For more information, go to www.aodonline.org.

  Contributions may be sent in care of the Detroit Archdiocese. Make checks payable to the Archdiocese of Detroit and indicate “African Food Crisis” on the memo line. Send to: Archdiocese of Detroit, “African Food Crisis”, 1234 Washington Blvd. (C-5), Detroit, MI 48226.

To let live, to let die…

A Catholic perspective on end-of-life decisions 

  Christ the Redeemer Catholic Community welcomes Mr. Paul Long, Vice-President of Public Policy for the Michigan Catholic Conference, on Thursday, September 8, 2005 from 7:30-9:00 p.m.

  This informational presentation will explore Catholic social teachings, the most current Michigan legislation, living wills and durable power of attorney, and a time for audience questions. All are invited. Christ the Redeemer is located at 2700 Waldon Road, Lake Orion, MI. Phone 248-391-1621.     

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 a.m. to A Friend’s House, located in the Agape Center on the grounds of St. Clement parish in Romeo.

  We need assistance on Thursday, September 29. This is something that can be accomplished by one individual.  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. 

Adopt-a-County Road 

   It’s hard to believe that summer is almost gone.    Along with summer’s end comes our last scheduled clean up of 28 Mile Road on Saturday, September 10th at

8:00 a.m.  If you would like to help, you should be in reasonably good physical condition.  It is recommended that you wear long sleeves and pants with work boots or old shoes, a baseball cap and gardening gloves.  Water will be provided. If you would like to join our team, please meet us in the parking lot of SS. John & Paul on Saturday, September 10th at  8:00 a.m.  We will view a short safety video and begin our work.  We usually finish up by 10:00 a.m.  Please leave your name with the parish office by Thursday, September 8th so we will know to expect you.    

Local Blood Drive Coming Soon 

   St. Clement of Rome in Romeo will host an American Red Cross blood drive on Sunday, August 28th from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m..  Please call St. Clement’s parish office at 752-9611 to schedule an appointment.  Walk-ins are welcome.  

Still looking for… 

  Have you ever put together a road rally or been on a committee that planned one? If you have, you are just the person the Hospitality Committee is looking for. 

  We would like to offer a Parish Road Rally in October but need volunteers to come forward and put it together for us.  The committee will help  with planning and the hospitality afterwards. If you are the person(s) we are looking for, please call JoAnne at the parish office. Thank you! 

World Youth Day Weekend
Fri-Sun., Aug. 19-21, call to RSVP

 Coffee & donuts after masses
Sun., Aug. 21 

Hospitality Committee meeting
Mon, Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m. 

Taize prayer/conversation/refreshments
Tues., Aug. 23, 6:30 p.m.

 Parent/candidate Confirmation meeting
Sat., Aug. 27, 6:00 p.m. 

4th Annual Golf Outing—Bruce Hills
Sun., Aug. 28, 1:00 p.m. 

Blood Pressure Check
Sat/Sun., Aug. 27/28, after all masses  

Bathroom remodel

  Well, the construction is finally over and the remodeling of the bathrooms in the church is complete. New countertops were added, along with new sinks, faucets, paper towel dispensers, light fixtures, ceiling tiles, 3’x5’ wall mirror and fresh paint to each bathroom.

  Many thanks go to the project managers, Tom Klakulak and Larry Weathers, for the countless hours they sent in the planning and installing stages and to Bill Greenway, Bill Huellmantel, Rick Giffin, and Bob Lerczak for their assistance in getting this project completed. This project was approved in February by the Building and Maintenance Committee and funds appropriated in the 2005-06 budget.    

 Join us as

     we celebrate... 

Please join the

SS. John & Paul Parish

family as we celebrate

Fr. David A. Buersmeyer’s

25th Anniversary of Ordination

on Saturday, September 10, 2005   
 

Our celebration will begin with

the 5:00 p.m. Mass followed by a

reception in the Activities Center  
 

  Hors d'oeurvres and

  beverages will be served 

Together In Ministry 

New...Family Committee  

  Our first meeting in July proved to be one full of ideas and possibilities about the future.  But our initial focus for our next meeting on August 30, at 7:00 p.m. will be: 

·          planning our October Halloween event which will

       follow the Saturday evening mass on October 29.  

·         creating a list of topics that would offer adults of the parish an   opportunity to gather and learn more about issues that are   important to them.  These topics would be offered at the same   time as the Religious Formation sessions on Monday and   Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday evening. 

         Details about the above events will be put into the bulletin after they are finalized.  If you are interested in joining this family committee, please call JoAnne at the parish office.  

NEXT MEETING:  AUGUST 30, 7:00 P.M.  

Saturday and Sunday

August  20-21, 2005

Robert Leadley by Quayhackx Family

Dorothy Cronenwett by Mollon Family

Marianne Monfils by Family

Anne Richardson by Beil Family

Gloria Delpapa by Family

Vincent Trombley by Family 

Monday, August 22, 2005

Walter Krzycki (90th B-day)

by Greenway Family 

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Margaret Klakulak by Greenway Family 

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Brian Joseph by W. Conway Family 

Saturday and Sunday

August  27-28, 2005

Angela & Joseph Panfalone

by Quayhackx Family

Dorothy Cronenwett by Family

Concetta Badalucco by Family

John & Maxine Sobetski (50th Anniv.)