September 18, 2005 

Pastor’s Perspective 

*Thank You

  That was such an enjoyable evening last Saturday. Thank you so much to everyone who had a hand in planning it— hospitality committee, staff, worship commission, music ministry, parish council—everyone.  I loved the relaxed atmosphere, the chance to mingle and talk.  Even the weather cooperated magnificently!

  It was also a humbling evening as you offered me your support, encouragement, and congratulations.  The blessing of priesthood, especially as a diocesan priest, is the blessing of people intersecting one’s life in so many diverse yet significant ways.  Again, thank you so much!

  *”Together in Ministry” Weekend

  Each household of the parish should have received a mailing from me this week that included a booklet on “Together in Ministry” and a response sheet on “Stewardship Opportunities”.  We have started using September each year as a time to focus on stewardship. And we are focusing on that theme this week and next.

  This week, “Ministries Sunday,” is a chance to review all the areas of parish volunteer help and request assistance and involvement in those areas.  Have some refreshments after Mass and take a look at all the areas of need.  Next weekend is a “Commitment Weekend,” to which we ask you to bring the completed “Stewardship Opportunities” sheet.   On that sheet are spaces to list areas of current involvement as well as areas you are willing to be contacted about in the future, or to list a skill you would be willing to use, if your schedule permits, or a musical instrument you would occasionally be willing to play at Mass. 

  Stewardship is an attitude that goes to the core of who we are as people of faith.  We are grateful to God and responsible to God.  We are willing to use time, talent, and resources to help this world of ours.  In particular, we are asking you to look at what you can do to help the work of God by volunteering to help this parish carry out the full mission and ministry of Christ.   

*Priests’ Convocation This Week

  Many of the priests will be gathering up at Boyne Highlands for our every two year convocation of priests.  During this time we will be focusing on a process that has been called the “Total Pastoral Plan” for priests.  It is designed to examine all stages of a priest’s life, from seminary formation to first assignment to first pastorate, to middle age (me!), to ending assignments and senior priest status.  It includes looking at support systems for various challenges, be it pastoring a large parish or being pastor of several smaller ones.

  Don’t get the wrong impression, however.  It is not all or even mostly work!  It is a chance to relax, talk informally with one another, pray together, golf and recreate together.  Please pray for the priests this week as we gather.  There will not be Masses at the parish during the week.  In the case of a funeral, the pastoral staff is prepared to lead a wake and funeral home service.  If at all possible, I ask that families try to delay the funeral by a day or so and let it happen on Friday, when I will be back.  However, the staff will do all it can to find a priest for funeral Mass, if that is the desire.  I just can’t guarantee that in all cases we will find one available this coming week.  

 *Update on Priests on Administrative Leave

  In 2002, the bishops of the United States committed themselves to removing from active ministry any priest they believed had committed even one act of abuse of a minor.  It did not matter if the priest had not been or could not be criminally prosecuted.  If the bishop was satisfied that a priest had abused a minor, then that priest was removed.  The cases were then sent to Rome on appeal, as a way to confirm the decision.  Three of these cases recently came back from Rome as complete, including the case of Gary Bueche, the parish’s previous pastor, who admitted to such abuse many years ago, none of it involving the time he was pastor here. 

 The announcement, which you may have already read in one of the local papers, was as follows: 

 “In accord with the provisions of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons, the following priests have been permanently removed from ecclesiastical ministry, are prohibited from wearing clerical clothes and publicly presenting themselves as priests: William B. Brennan, Gary C. Bueche, and Alfred J. Miller.” 

 This makes permanent what had been up till now the temporary situation of each of these priests.

What does it mean?  It means that none of these three priests were “laicized.”  They are still priests.  But it means that they can never act in public nor present themselves as priests.  They cannot publicly celebrate the Eucharist, though they can say a private Mass by themselves.  They cannot be employed in Catholic parishes or related agencies.  They retain the right to their pension, as do all priests who have served at least 20 years, but the pension amount is frozen for them at the current level ($1500 per month).  In cases of need, these priests retain the right to a sustainable allowance from the Church, but that is seen as a last fail-safe.  They are expected to find jobs outside the area of ministry, unrelated to working with or connected to contact with minors. They will be responsible for their own health care.  They must agree to a monitoring process, so that the diocese can always know where they are living and what jobs they have taken up.

  As these cases get finalized they bring back some of the anger, sadness, hurt and disappointment that erupted when all this became public.  As a result of this fiasco, the Church is committed to a process called “Protecting God’s Children.”  All priests, church personnel, catechists and volunteers who work with youth, must attend a workshop.  All must go through a background check so that no registered sex offender is used as a volunteer in a parish.  All parents and parish members are asked to report any suspicious behavior to the civil authorities and church authorities.

  I grieve deeply that priesthood was used as a cover for gaining the confidence of and access to vulnerable people, and then abusing that access.  I cannot imagine the damage that victims have experienced.  But I do know that we have to continue to find ways to acknowledge it, even as we try to move forward.  I  hope that anyone who is struggling with past experiences knows that they would find in the SS. John and Paul people, myself included, an open door and listening, helping heart. 

* * * * *  

   May God continue to give us courage to face the past, the joy to celebrate the present and the hope to look forward to the future. 

  Fr. Buersmeyer  

Ministries Weekend—Sept. 17-18

Representatives from each leadership area will be

available in the social hall with handouts

and to answer any questions you may have. 

Commitment Weekend—Sept. 24-25

Don’t forget to turn in your volunteer commitment sheet

at Mass next weekend as part of your Sunday offering. Stewardship prayer/reflection booklets will be

available at each entrance for your personal use. 

Priests’ Convocation 

Fr. Buersmeyer will be at the Priest Convocation

this week.  There will be no weekday Masses on

Monday thru Wednesday, September 19-21.    

Exploring Spirituality in the New Testament

A Retreat for Women at St. Paul of Tarsus 

  Sr. Arlene Kosmatka, O.P. will conduct a full day spiritual retreat for women on Saturday, September 24, 2005. The topic for the morning session is “Looking at Women’s Spirituality.” The afternoon session topic is “Looking at Women in the New Testament.” A $20 per person charge includes all materials, hospitality breakfast and lunch. Welcome/hospitality begins at 9:00 a.m., morning session at 9:30 a.m., lunch at noon, afternoon session begins at 12:45 p.m., ending with mass at 4:00 p.m.

  For more information call (586) 228-6651. Payment due before September 20 payable to St. Paul of Tarsus Religious Education. St. Paul of Tarsus is located at 41300 Romeo Plank, Clinton Twp., MI 48038. 

CALLING ALL ACCOMPANISTS!

Do you play the piano? Then I could use your

help to occasionally accompany the choirs or the

assembly at Mass. This would be scheduled at your

convenience for particular occasions and compositions.

Please call Al Eppens at church (781-9010) or at home (586-725-9136)

From the Music Desk…

Ringing in Your Ears 

  Wasn’t the Bell Choir amazing last Saturday!  I hope that you appreciated the variety of percussion techniques which they used for their setting of “Tis the Gift To Be Simple,” everything from free ringing to the use of mallets and table damping.  This creates a rich and unique texture of sound which can augment any of the music of our liturgy.

   Handbells were originally designed as a practice instrument for the players of huge tower carillons in England.  Since practice on the carillon itself was both physically exhausting to the players and disturbing to the surrounding community, handbells were designed to allow for private rehearsals.  Some of the English change-ringing cycles were mathematically complex and took hours to ring, so even though the ringers were local village non-musicians, accuracy was important.  Carillons are still popular, as seen in the recent tower construction and installation at St. Hugo’s.

   Due to the generosity of various donors, SS. John and Paul has now expanded from three to four octaves of handbells, and I am seeking additional players.  You do not have to read music (but be willing to learn), and a sense of rhythm is helpful.  I am especially looking for some brawny high-schoolers to handle the largest of the bells.  This is an excellent opportunity for non-singers to directly participate in the music program, and you will emerge with a breathtaking ability to keep time, as well as to “feel” and count out musical rhythms.  It is especially useful for young musicians as an adjunct to school choral or band programs.

   Please consider joining us!  We rehearse on Mondays after the 7:00 Mass for one hour.  If you are interested, just give it a try, and you will be hooked.  Please give me a call if you wish to join or if your have any questions.  My number at the church is 781-9010, and at home is (586) 725-9136. 

CYO Basketball

  Mr. Bob Jiannuzzi has come forward and offered to organize a parish C.Y.O. basketball program for any of our 5th and 6th graders, boys and girls.  Bob has a long history of coaching and working both with parishes and the public schools.  Currently a few of our children play on the C.Y.O. team with St. Clement’s.  If there is enough interest, he will organize teams, coaches and gym time to field our own teams. 

  We will start with the 5th-6th grade teams in basketball.  The season runs from November through early March.  To play on the team the family has to be a registered member of this parish or another parish that does not have a team.  The Catholic Youth Organization has an excellent focus on teaching skills, being competitive, but getting all team members to play.  Games would be once a week, on Saturdays. Practice would depend on squeezing out some gym time from area gyms.  The cost will be minimal and no one would be turned away for lack of money. 

  The key is to see if there is enough interest out there to field a 5th-6th girls team and a 5th-6th boys team from this parish.  If you are interested in having your child involved or are willing to help Bob with some of the organizing details, please give him a call at 586-781-0561. 

CHRISTIAN FAITH FORMATION

2005-2006

Religious Formation

Program  

Early Childhood

(ages 3-4-5 years)

Sunday:  9:30-10:30 a.m.  

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. 

 LESSON PLANNING

All Catechists & Assistants                           

Early Childhood,  Grades. 1-3:

      Mon.,  Sept. 19  —   6:30 p.m. 

Grades 4-8:

      Tues.,  Sept. 20  —   6:30 p.m. 

All catechists and assistants should plan on attending this very important first planning session. If you cannot attend, please call the religious formation office to make other arrangements. 

R.C.I.A. FAMILIES

Sunday, September 25

10:30 a.m. 

This program is for families with young children in grades 2-6 who have never had any kind of formal religious formation for any number of reasons. If you would like more information, please call Linda Bauer in the religious formation office at 586.781.9488. 

Early Childhood (3-4-5 year olds):

Sunday, October 2 — 9:30 a.m. 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

 (Gr. 1-5):

Sunday, October 2

9:30 & 11:30 a.m. Masses    

PARENT / CHILD ORIENTATION

Monday,  September 26   4:45  p.m.

Tuesday,  September 27   4: 45 p.m.   /   6:30 p.m. 

PARENT / TEEN ORIENTATION

Sunday,  October 2    6:30 p.m. 

To be attended by all parents, children and teens.  

Your orientation day and time is determined by the day and time you chose for your child’s weekly formation session.  All families will be receiving a letter in the next few weeks confirming the day and time of their orientation.  

Catechetical Sunday

‘Life Is Christ’

Commissioning of Catechists and Assistants

at the 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Masses 

      The following men, women and young adults have volunteered to be catechists and assistants in our Religious Formation program.  This weekend at the 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Masses they will be asked to come forward and stand before the community to be commissioned in the name of the Church to assist and teach others what it means to follow Christ.

      The ministry of catechizing in the name of the Church has a profound dignity, which is why catechists are formally commissioned by the Church, and so we set aside this day to highlight this ministry and invite the entire church community to think about our responsibility to share our faith with others.    

Early Childhood:  Kathy Demmers, James Demmers, Angela Demmers,

  Danielle Eisenhardt 

Grade 1:  Jill Antoine, Abby Franks, Mary Ann Crimando, Tricia Crimando,

  Janet Smith, Julie Krumholz 

Grade 2:  Kim Osantowske, Kim Ozella, Janet Becker, Karin Blankenburg,

  Charlene Kaczor, Melissa Lyczyski 

Grade 3:  Nicole Peters, Colleen Krumholz,   Sharilyn Kaniuk, 

  Denise Sorenson,  Donna Parrinello, Alecia Waskiewicz 

Grade 4:  Norma Tumey,  Jeanna Chapman,  Barb Giacherio, 

  Brenda Bytner,  Karen Pawloski 

Grade 5:  Shelley Ellis,  Victoria Riedel,  Ceil Gregory,  Connie Ratkiewicz,

  Julie Peyerk,  Jennifer Loebs 

Grade 6:  Tammy Quenneville,  Emily Riedel,  Beverly Keast 

Grades 7 & 8:  Paul Quayhackx,  Martha Catalano,  Joe Fannon,  Laura Hester, 

  Kathy Franks,  Bridgette Bachler,  Celeste Compeau, 

  David McIntyre,  Paula McIntyre 

Sacraments:  Tammie Behring,  Diane Hepner,  Peggy Loyson,  Howard Loyson,    Ashley Peters,  Barb Mason,  Pat Chargot 

CROP Walk Just Around the Corner 

   The CROP Walk for 2005 will be held on Sunday, October 2.  Registration will be at 1:00 PM at St. John Lutheran in Romeo and the walk will begin at 1:30 PM.  This will be the 23rd year of participation by the residents of Romeo, Washington and the surrounding areas in the CROP Walk. 

Over the past years, $209,816 has been raised locally.  Twenty-five percent of that money came directly back to our community through Samaritan House.  Once again, 25% of the collected pledges this year will be allocated to Samaritan House.  The balance of the money has been used by Church World Services to aid those in need around the world.  CWS is a cooperative ministry that provides sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance to people in more than 80 countries worldwide.  Within the United States, CSW assists communities in responding to disasters, resettles refugees, and provides educational resources to those in need.   

This year, we at SS. John & Paul would like to encourage the recruitment of more walkers from our parish.  If you are interested in participating, please pick up a pledge envelope in the parish office.  If you have any questions, please call Kathy at 781-9010. 

Interested in Joining

Catholic Advocacy? 

  In order to bring about social change through support for the poor and vulnerable, the sick and elderly, the unborn and children and families, the bishops of Michigan have created the Catholic Legislative Advocacy Network. It’s simple and quick to use. Simply log on to www.micatholicconference.org.

Baptism Preparation 

  Our next baptism preparation session will be on Wednesday, November 2, 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. 

Vocations Committee seeks ideas and members 

  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. 

A Fall Event? 

  The Hospitality Committee is looking for a few adults who would be interested in helping to plan and implement a fall event.  It has been suggested that we try a road rally, but no one has come forward to help plan one. 

  So...we are now looking at a possible Polaroid or digital camera scavenger hunt, but we need volunteers to come forward and help in the planning.  The committee will help with the hospitality afterwards. 

  If you are the person(s) we are looking for, please call JoAnne at the parish office. THANK YOU!

Meijer Community Rewards — $3 Bonus  

  Meijer’s is running a new promotion in September — for every new member that signs up for the Meijer Community Rewards program in September 2005, the parish will earn $3 in addition to our monthly earnings! Ten parishioners need to enroll and use their Community Rewards card by Oct. 31, 2005 in order for us to earn this bonus. 

  If you haven’t signed up yet for this free fundraising opportunity, please do so this month. There are two ways to register: online at Meijer.com/rewards, click “Join”, then “Meijer Guest Card” or pick up an application at the parish office. Our organization number is 617883. 

  The rest is easy. Just swipe your Rewards card before the last item is scanned. Meijer’s does the rest. There is no cost to you or the parish to use this program. Funds raised in 2005-06 are earmarked for the purchase of a new parish sign on 28 Mile Road. Thank you for supporting our parish. 

¨         Teen session

¨         Need Some Quiet Time?

Retreat at St. Benedicts for all teens in Grades 10-12. Leaving on Sept. 23 at approximately 7:00 p.m. and returning on September 25, approximately 1:30 p.m. Permission slips are available in the parish office. Any questions, please call Karen Peters at 781-9488.

October Taize

Wednesday, October 12

6:30 p.m. 

Retrouvaille

  Retrouvaille is a weekend designed to provide help and support to married couples who are undergoing difficulties in their relationship. The program is endorsed by the Catholic Church and open to couples of all faiths. For the next Retrouvaille weekend, and more details, call 313-237-6052.

A Family Perspective

By Bud Ozar

  Just like the workers in today’s Gospel, children often grumble “that’s not fair.” Parents respond to children according to their needs. Parents aren’t expected to treat their children equally (for their needs are different) but equitably. 

CSA Minute — Catechetical Sunday

  This Sunday is Catechetical Sunday, a day set aside to affirm and support the work of catechists — the men, women and young people who teach the faith in parishes and Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit. It also marks the beginning of a new year of religious education classes in many parishes.

  This year’s Catechetical Sunday theme is “Life is Christ.” Those who have answered the call to bring Jesus Christ and His Gospel to people of all ages truly are stewards of their own faith. Our entire Catholic community is indebted to them.

  Gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal support religious education directors and their staffs through the work of the Office for Catechetics/Religious Education. The office provides consultation concerning policy, curriculum guidelines and text selection, as well as professional growth opportunities and certification.    

The North Macomb Vicariate

Cultural Diversity Team 

Hola Amigos!

  The North Macomb Vicariate Cultural Diversity Team invites you to register for Spanish class. Classes start on Thursday, October 6, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Juan Diego Hispanic Ministry Center, 347 South Main Street, Romeo, MI (located on St. Clement Church property, across the parking lot to the south). Cost is $80 for 8 weeks, a great price.

  Have fun, meet new people, challenge yourself! To register call Emily

Diaz-Torres (586) 484-9038 or Maureen Aman (586) 242-4250. 

Hurricane Katrina 

  Catholic Charities USA is responding to the disaster situation brought on by Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast. Donations will be used to fund local Catholic Charities agencies’ emergency and long-term assistance as needed. Contributions can be sent care of the Detroit archdiocese. Make checks payable to the Archdiocese of Detroit and indicate “Katrina Relief Fund” on the memo line in the lower left corner. Send to: 

Archdiocese of Detroit

“Katrina Relief Fund”

1234 Washington Blvd. (C5)

Detroit, MI 48226 

To donate clothing and/or furniture:

  FEMA  800-440-6728

  St. Vincent De Paul  313-972-3100

  Salvation Army  313-962-5960

  Goodwill Industries  313-964-3900

  Foot Solutions  734-591-3388 

To donate large quantities of food:

  Companies, Manufacturers or Retailers  800-771-2303

  (Second Harvest’s Food Sourcing Dept.) 

To look for missing family members:

  Red Cross  877-368-3317 or www.redcross.org 

To register for family placement:

  Catholic Charities USA  703-549-1390 ext. 162

  www.catholicharitiesusa.org 

To volunteer to help:

  Medical personnel  www.hospitalreliefefforts.org

  Salvation Army  800-SAL ARMY

  Red Cross  800-HELP NOW

  Feed the Children  800-525-7575 

Other hotline numbers:

  U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)  866-641-8102

  FEMA to register for disaster relief assistance  800-621-3362

  www.fema.gov

  United Way: Housing, food, medical  313-226-9453 

“The Last Shall Be First, and the First Last” 

  The gospel story of the vineyard owner and the workers, which appears only in Matthew’s Gospel, can be very troubling to us.  A worker who comes in late in the afternoon gets the same pay that I get, even though I have been working all day.  How is that fair?  I deserve more!  Yet I was given the very amount I was promised.  Why am I so jealous when this master is so generous?

  Jesus tells us that it does not matter when we join in to do the work of God’s vineyard—whether we join early or late—either way we win.  That’s how generous God is. But as the first reading from Isaiah reminds us, God’s ways are not our ways, God’s thoughts are not our thoughts.  God gives with a generosity that exceeds anything we can give.  God’s ways of thinking and acting are as far above our ways as the heavens are above the earth. 

  How are God’s ways different from human ways when it comes to justice? Do you think human society could survive if God’s ways of justice and equity were followed?

Reflection

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

  We all are elated when we unexpectedly receive more than we anticipated or thought we deserved. We may even rejoice when it happens to someone else. But such joy is dampened when we receive what we earned and others get more. It is even worse if they did little to earn it.

  In the parable of the vineyard workers, we are reminded that God’s ways are not ours. We cannot “earn” anything from God. God gives freely to us as He chooses.

  Reflect on your attitude about “earning” things. Do you become resentful of another’s good fortune? Do you always do your best at the job you have undertaken or do you slack off because you feel “underpaid” for your work? Pray for a spirit of gratitude in all things. 

The Lord is good to all and

compassionate toward all His works.

—Psalm 145:9 

World Wide Marriage Encounter

  A World Wide Marriage Encounter weekend is a time for married couples to focus on each other and develop greater intimacy and romance in their relationship. The upcoming weekend date is October 7-9. Weekends fill up quickly. For more 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.

Life Chain

  The 16th annual “Life Chain” will be held on Sunday, October 2, from

2:00-3:30 p.m. “Life Chain” is a peaceful and prayerful witness of pro-life Americans standing at thousands of locations throughout the country praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. Gather your family, friends, and neighbors and participate in this year’s “Life Chain”. For more information and the location of “Life Chain” sites in the Archdiocese of Detroit, contact the “Life Chain” coordinating office at 248-478-8878. 

For Widowed Men and Women

  Widowed Friends, a peer support group in the Archdiocese of Detroit, invites widowed men and women of all ages to come to our “Fall Celebration” and Western Barn Dance on Sunday, October 2, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 25500 Sherwood (north of 10 Mile, between Mound and Van Dyke) in Warren, MI. Square and round dance with mixers and instructions by a fine caller. Meet new friends in a safe setting. Pizza, salad, and beverages will be served. Cost is $15 payable before September 26. Call Mary Ann at (586) 755-0597 or Evelyn at

(586) 751-4172.

Lord Jesus, present in the Eucharist, equally generous in compassion and love, sustain us as we labor in your vineyard day by day; be with us as we “seek first your Kingdom” and pray to follow your Father’s will knowing there is no need to ask for what we need. You sustain us in compassion and love. 

Together In Ministry 

CLW

Children’s Liturgy of the Word 

  The readings in the children’s lectionary sometimes differ from those used in the adult lectionary.  The Church allows some flexibility in the number and choice of readings on Sundays.  However, the gospel is never omitted. 

  After leaving the church, the children gather in one of the meeting rooms and experience the same structure as the adult church assembly. They begin with an opening prayer, followed by the readings of the day.  After the Gospel is proclaimed, the CLW minister does a dialogue homily with the children, making sure the theme of the day is understood at their level. 

  A Profession of Faith similar to the renewal of baptismal promises is recited with the children and then they are asked to add their own petitions during the Prayer of the Faithful. 

  Each child then receives a weekly leaflet to take home.  This leaflet will help parents to reinforce the focus of the children’s session and also to share something the presider said during the adult session.  The children then end their session and return to the main assembly in a respectful manner. 

  Next Week:  How can I help this important ministry of Children’s Liturgy of the Word grow in this parish? 

Saturday and Sunday

September 17-18, 2005

Joseph Williams by J. Martino

Giuseppe DeCarolis by Family

Don LaRose by C. LaRose

Carol Lize by Family 

Monday, September 19, 2005

No Mass 

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

No Mass 

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

No Mass 

Saturday and Sunday

September 24-25, 2005

Edward Woytalewicz by Wife & Family

Emil Petty by Family

Vincent John Norkus by R. Norkus