September 25, 2005 Bulletin

SS. John & Paul

September 25, 2005

A community of believers united and growing in Christ to serve as generous and loving stewards of God's love.

Pastor’s Perspective

*”Commitment Sunday”

Thank you for returning the “Stewardship Opportunities” sheet this week. If you still need one, some are available in the literature racks at the back of the Church. Each fall we take a look at the whole area of stewardship and the ways God invites us to use our gifts, talents, time, and resources to further God’s kingdom. Much of stewardship is focused on the family, school, work-related opportunities to be of service and community groups and needs. In addition, please look at how that stewardship can be exercised as an active, participating member of this parish. Don’t hesitate. Get involved. It will help your faith become an even more lively faith.

Little burgundy books, filled with daily meditations on stewardship are free for the taking at each entrance. They provide a way to further our reflection and encourage a few minutes of personal prayer each day. Please use them.

*Lector, Communion Minister and Greeter Formation

Each year we ask these ministries to take a little time for formation, update procedures and re-commit for another liturgical year that begins in Advent. This year the formation days are coming up quickly. Each lector, communion minister or greeter should check the basket next to the Sunday sign-in sheet and take one of the renewal forms. Please fill it out and return it to the office or in the Sunday collection before or at the time of the formation session.

Communion ministers are asked to attend a formation session on Monday October 3rd after the 7 p.m. Mass (about 7:40 p.m.). If you cannot be there, the make-up session is Sunday October 9th after the 11:30 a.m. Mass (about 12:30). We are in need of more ministers to help with distribution of communion at all the weekend Masses, especially the 11:30 a.m. Mass. If you are new to this ministry, the formation session will be the first step in the process of becoming a communion minister. You are assigned to the Mass(es) of your choice every few weeks.

Lectors are asked to attend a formation session on Monday October 17th after the 7:00 p.m. Mass. If you cannot be there, the make-up session is Sunday October 23rd after the 11:30 Mass. Again, we need all current lectors to attend, along with anyone who wants to become a lector this year. Lectors are assigned to the Masses of their choice every few weeks.

Greeter formation will take place on Sunday October 30th after the 9:30 a.m. Mass (about 10:30 a.m.). We welcome anyone who wants to join this ministry, which involves coming to a particular Mass a few minutes early and greeting all who come into Church, handing out a worship aid and being the ‘face of the parish’ to any visitors.

Once again, please look for the “Liturgical Ministry Renewal Form” in the sign-in room and bring it to that formation session, or turn it in ahead of time. It is used to prepare schedules for all the lectors, greeters, and communion ministers. These schedules need to be prepared about a month prior to the end of the previous schedule. Thank you.

*New Altar Servers

We are in need of some more altar servers. Any 4th through 8th grader who is willing to be trained to serve at Mass and be assigned about once a month to a weekend Mass is welcome. You should be receiving a sign-up form through the religious ed classes this week. In the meantime, for the month of October, I ask that current servers check in before Mass to see if we need help. The old schedule is finished, but we will not have a new one until I find out if any new servers need to be added. Thank you.

*Religious Education

This week (Monday and Tuesday) we begin our religious formation sessions once again with parents and children coming together to meet with catechists, discuss what the year will focus on, get the books, and so on. Parents, we want to support your role as the primary educators for your children’s faith.

We need your support as well by registering your children, helping them attend every session, working with them on any follow up material that comes home, attending family evenings during the year (there are three this year), and, most importantly, connecting them and the family to the Sunday worship of the parish.

Religious formation builds in increments, reinforcing what has gone on the previous year, deepening our understanding of each area of Catholic faith. Please contact the Religious Education Office (586.781.9488) and talk to Linda Bauer (Coordinator of program, responsibility for overseeing Sunday Early Chidhood, and Monday/Tuesday grades 1-6, reconciliation, first Eucharist, and initiation programs) or Karen Peters (Associate Coordinator, responsibility for overseeing grades 7-8, high school, confirmation program).

We could always use an extra catechist or catechist assistant or two in the program. If you can help at any level—Sunday 3-5 year olds through grades1-8 or high school—please let the office know. Thank you.

*Parish Council Meets Monday

The parish council will hold its next meeting this Monday, September 26th after the 7 p.m. Mass. All are welcome. The focus for this meeting will be to bring the new members on board as to the goal-setting process that has been going on this past year and to look for ways to make more concrete some timelines and objectives. Out of this whole process is coming some important developments for this parish in all areas of ministry and has implications for any future building projects/improvements to the facilities. I look forward to working with the current council on this visioning for the parish. If you have questions for the council you can contact them at the numbers listed in the bulletin or through a message at the parish office.

*Year of the Eucharist Comes to a Close

The Year of the Eucharist, inaugurated by Pope John Paul II and now being ended by Pope Benedict XVI is coming to a close in the Archdiocese of Detroit as well on Sunday October 9th at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. Elsewhere should be listed some of the events for that day. All are welcome.

The Eucharist is the cornerstone of the Church’s life. It identifies us, molds us, feeds us, sends us to be the body of Christ in the world. We need to continually work at allowing our own eucharistic celebrations to fully reflect that significance. From the reverence and hospitality we show each other and every guest who comes through the doors of the church; to the reverence and openness we have toward God’s Word proclaimed in the Scriptures; to the reverence and praise we give in the great Eucharistic prayer; to the humbling acceptance and reverence we have as we receive communion; to the care we take to not let eucharist stop at the church’s doors but be the center of our daily lives—Eucharist can both celebrate and form us into the body of Christ.

As always you will hear my constant drumbeat: active participation in prayer, song, procession, and ministries. Don’t underestimate the gift we have from the Lord and the gift the Lord makes of us, when we celebrate and live our eucharistic identity.

*Thank You

As summer has come to an end I need to give a special thank you to all the volunteers from the landscaping committee who have kept the church and its outside so beautiful this season. You have done a superb job. A big thank you as well to the ushers who took up the task of power washing and painting the pavilion. It really needed it and looks so fresh now.

Thank you as well for all the prayers during the priests’ convocation. This bulletin is printed before we finished and so I will share more next time. May God be your joy and strength. May the body of Christ be both gift of nourishment for your life and gift of yourself for the life of the world.

Fr. Buersmeyer

Please support our teens by

purchasing

a pumpkin for your holiday decorating.

Thank you!

Here’s what’s
happening!!

Monday, September 26:

* Mass at 7:00 p.m.

*Religious Formation parent /child orientation 4:45 p.m.

*Picnic committee after 7:00 mass

*Parish Council after 7:00 mass

*Adult Bells at 7:45 p.m.

Tuesday, September 27:

* Mass at 9:00 a.m.

*Religious Formation parent/child orientation 4:45 and 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 28:

*Mass at 9:00 a.m.

Thursday, September :

*Adult choir at 7:00 p.m.

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

Parish office hours

Mon. - Wed .— 9 :00 a.m.-7:00p.m.

Thursday — 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday — 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Saturday—12:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Sunday — 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m

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)

October Taize

Wednesday, October 12

6:30 p.m.

From the Music Desk…

Where Have I Heard That Before?

You have probably had the experience of singing something in church, and recognizing the musical tune, though from another setting or associated with different words. This can be somewhat disorienting, and yet it happens for an important reason.

I use, as a case in point, our closing hymn for today, #867, “Praise and Thanksgiving.” Where did you first hear that? Was it at a concert of ancient Scottish music or from a Cat Stevens concert in the 60’s? It could well have been at both events. This hymn is set to the Gaelic tune named “Bunessan,” which is also the name of a village in Scotland, not far from the Island of Iona. It is an ancient tune, which has taken many forms and settings over hundreds of years, including accompanying the text used by Cat Stevens, “Morning Has Broken,” which was written in the late 1920’s by Eleanor Farjeon for inclusion in a popular hymnal of the time.

My point in all of this is that the music which we sing in church is sometimes newly paired with the words of the text. This is a difficult process for hymnal editors, involving issues of both aesthetics and theology, in order to avoid pairing a somber text with a giddy hymntune, or a joyful refrain with a dirge. Yet it allows the reuse, generation after generation, of beloved music which has proven its effectiveness over generations, through new words which recognize changed doctrines or altered social conditions.

The hymntune “Bunessan” originally had a Christmas text, translated from the Gaelic in the 1880’s as “Child in the Manger.” This past month, it was wedded to a new text, entitled “Refugee People,” written in response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, bringing this ancient melody to immediate relevancy in our time. To me, the singing of a hymn to a previously used tune deepens the overall experience, making our worship both creative and universal.

Little Rock Scripture Study

“The Acts of the Apostles”

TEN WEEK SERIES…

The excitement of Pentecost enlivens the early believers in their struggles to establish communities of faith…struggles surprisingly like those of today. You will meet 2 of the early church’s most significant leaders in the persons of Peter and Paul.

FIRST 5 SESSIONS OF THE SERIES …

TUESDAY EVENINGS

OCTOBER 4 – 11 – 18- 25, NOVEMBER 1,

6:30-8:00 PM

AND LAST 5 SESSIONS CONTINUE ON…

TUESDAY EVENINGS

JANUARY 17 – 24 - 31, MARCH 7 - 14,

6:30-8:00 P.M.

Registration needed: Call the parish office at 586-781-9010 or sign up on the poster at the back of Church. The cost for the book is $10.00.

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.

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN WORKSHOP

Thurs. Oct. 13 & 27 6:00-9:30 p.m.

(Choose one evening.)

A light supper will be served.

For all parents, catechists and anyone who works with children. Learn the signs of child abuse and how to prevent this abuse. For more information about registering for this program call Linda Bauer 586-781-9488.

OUT OF LOVE...

The more we do the will

of God out of love,

the more we will

appreciate his love for us.

Lord, save us from

the darkness of broken

promises, and help us

to walk in the light

of faithfulness.

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.

SAYING and DOING

There are two very small, but important words we use often during the course of a day, and an awful lot hangs on them. ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. It’s not the words in themselves that make the difference, but the spirit in which they are said. They can be said off handedly and without sincerity, or they can be said thoughtfully and with great sincerity. At the end of the day what matters is whether or not they are acted on.

In Jesus’ story today, when the father asked his sons to go and work in his vineyard, the first son said an immediate and definite ‘No. I will not go.’ We don’t know why he refused. Maybe he thought, ‘why does it always have to be me? Let someone else go for a change.’ Maybe he had plans for the day , or maybe he was just plain lazy.

It was morning when he was asked to go. But at some point during the day the word ‘yes’ began to faintly sound inside him, then more loudly. There was a struggle within him between his ‘no’ and this ‘yes’. Eventually the ‘yes’ won out and he went to work in the vineyard. Though some of the day was lost, his father would have been happy to see that he changed his mind.

As for the second son, he said an immediate and definite ‘yes’ to his father. But, he didn’t go. We don’t know why he didn’t. Maybe he genuinely intended to go, but forgot. Maybe he put it off. Maybe he felt they could manage without him. At some point in the day his ‘yes’ got fainter and fainter. By evening it had turned into a clear and definite ‘no’. He had given his word. His father was counting on him and would feel let down when he found this son didn’t go.

There is a part of both of these sons in each of us. We’ve all said some important ‘yeses’ and we’ve said ‘nos’ that should and could be turned into ‘yeses’ least we become known and remembered, not for what we did, but for what we didn’t do, for the promises we made but didn’t keep.

In the morning of life it’s easy to say ‘yes’. At first we really don’t know what is involved, but as the day of life goes by this is gradually revealed to us. We may have second thoughts and our yes turns to no. If we want to keep our promises we have to go on saying yes.

We may say no to something early on and then see things differently and redeem ourselves. Many of the saints said ‘no’ to God at first, then changed their minds. We have been given the freedom to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. We may say ‘yes’ to God with our words, and then say ‘no’ to God with our deeds. We profess to believe, but fail to act upon our belief. We must try to turn our promises into fulfillment, and our words into deeds. Every day we can turn one of yesterday’s ‘nos’ into one of today’s ‘yeses’

Adopt-A-Bag Program

October is SS. John & Paul’s turn to participate in Adopt-a-Bag, a program of Samaritan House. We will incorporate this program into our monthly food drive. Brown paper bags for this can be found in the back of church. Each bag will have a label on it listing items for breakfast, lunch, dinner or toiletries. Please pick up a bag, fill with the items listed and return the first weekend of October. Thank you for your continued generosity!

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 ¨

Attention all 9-12 graders!

Our teens have been invited to experience an evening of Ghostbusters! We will join our friends at St. Lawrence for mass at 4:30, dinner to follow, and then on to the Cemetery to see what type of “activity” can be found. The evening should end back here at our church at approximately 10:30 p.m. The cost is $7.00 per person, and permission slips are available in the office. If you have any questions please give Mrs. Peters a call at 781-9488.

Parents: I will need adult volunteers to drive for this event.

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.

We Come to Worship Him

Celebration of the Year of the Eucharist

Archdiocese of Detroit

Sunday, October 9, 2005

Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Detroit

10 a.m. Eucharistic Liturgy

Cardinal Maida invites all the neophytes of the Archdiocese of Detroit

to join him for the celebration of the Eucharist. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will follow the Eucharistic celebration until Evening Prayer at 3 p.m.

3 p.m. ~ 5 p.m. Solemn Liturgy of the Hours

Cardinal Maida invites all liturgical ministers in the Archdiocese of

Detroit to join him for this time of prayer and praise in the presence of

the Blessed Sacrament. Cardinal Maida will preside and has invited

Most Reverend Robert F Morneau, Auxiliary Bishop of Green Bay,

to be the homilist for this celebration.

6:30 p.m. ~ 8 p.m. Evening for Youth and Young Adults

Cardinal Maida invites the youth and young adults of the Archdiocese

of Detroit to come together for an evening of Praise and Worship

recalling the most recent World Youth Day Celebration. Bishop John

Quinn will preside at this gathering.

SAVE THIS DATE…

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29TH!

“TRUNK AND TREAT”

A Halloween event for kids

of all ages, including you!

Beginning immediately after the 5:00 p.m. mass.

It’s Not Too Late

CROP Walk pledge forms are still available in the parish office. The walk will take place on Sunday, October 2 with registration at 1:00 PM at St. John Lutheran in Romeo. The walk will begin at 1:30 PM. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds will go locally to Samaritan House with the remainder going to countries where people must walk to survive. The day for these impoverished is framed by walking miles for water, for firewood, for education, for employment.

Remember, justice to the poor and hungry is a true test of our faith and our willingness to respect the dignity and life of the human person”. Come join us as we walk in solidarity of these people in need. Hope to see you there.

Flu S“File of Life” Card Distribution

Our Health Ministry Team, along with the Washington Fire Department, will be distributing “File of Life” cards at all the masses the weekend of October 15-16.

“File of Life” cards are kept in a red plastic pocket labeled FILE OF LIFE and list the patient name, emergency medical contact, insurance policy, social security number, health problems, medications, dosages, allergies, recent surgery, religion, and a health care proxy. The entire packet is held with a magnet to the outside of the refrigerator.

More than 90% of medical emergency calls are treated without knowledge of the patient’s medical history. The “File of Life” card enables Fire/Police/EMS personnel to obtain a quick and accurate medical history when a patient is unable to offer one. Washington, Ray and Bruce fire departments participate in this program.

Flu Shots

The Parish Nurse Ministry and Health Team of SS. John & Paul will sponsor a flu shot clinic on Sunday, October 16^th from 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM. Flu shots are free of charge if you have Medicaid Part B or Care Choices. You must bring your card as proof of insurance. The cost for those not covered by these insurances is $25.00 for the flu vaccine and $35.00 for the pneumonia vaccine, payable by check or cash. If you will be paying by cash, please try to bring exact change.

Please keep in mind that this clinic is being provided for the convenience of the parishioners of SS. John & Paul. If there is a flu vaccine shortage, clinics may be restricted to High Priority only, meaning those over 65 years of age or those with a chronic medical condition. There is, at this time, no anticipated vaccine shortage.

Christian Service Highlights

Meeting on September 14, 2005

Parish Nurse Ministry

¨ Our AED has arrived! Training for staff and ushers will be held sometime during the next two months.

¨ “File of Life” cards have also arrived and will be distributed at all masses the weekend of October 15th and 16th.

Macomb County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers

¨ We are looking into a process whereby those requesting help can call in and those coordinating the needed help with the volunteers can access these requests. As soon as this is in place, an evening of orientation and registration for volunteers will be held and the program will be in place, hopefully within the next few months.

Respect Life Month

¨ The month of October is designated annually to highlight life issues. This year we will again have a baby shower during the month with items and montetary donations going to Project Hope, a crisis pregnancy center affiliated with Catholic Services of Macomb and located in the Agape Center. Also, a bulletin insert will include how we at SS. John & Paul are addressing life issues in our church and elsewhere.

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. 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. 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.

“Actions are more important than words”

Paul reminds us that Jesus humbled himself and followed the way of God. We are to do the same. If we say we are believers, then we must not stray and do wicked things. If we are not following the way of Jesus, then we must change our ways and become believers. Both Isaiah and Jesus point out that being called virtuous believers is not enough. We will be judged not on what we say, but what we actually do.

Matthew’s gospel today makes it very clear that appearing as if you are a good Christian—obedient to God and faithful to the Gospels—does not guarantee a place in heaven. Appearances mean nothing, actions mean everything.

As followers of Jesus, willingness to do the will of God is a necessary aspect if we are to desire a relationship with Him. In each choice we make on a daily basis, saying yes to the right answer is only part of the decision. Seeing the decision through to an action pleasing to God is the hard part.

In what way do your actions

reflect you actually living your faith?

Which child are you most

like in the Gospel?

Health notes

Emergency Preparedness

Our hearts and prayers have gone out to the victims of Katrina. What about us? In Michigan we are located in an area where a natural emergency could occur. Tornados are nature’s most violent storms. So let us be ready. Here is a supply checklist.

Recommended supplies to include in a basic kit:

¨ Water—one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation.

¨ Food—at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable food.

¨ Battery-powered radio and extra batteries.

¨ First Aid kit

¨ Whistle to signal for help.

¨ Dust mask or cotton t-shirt to help filter the air.

¨ Moist towelettes for sanitation.

¨ Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.

¨ Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).

¨ Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.

¨ Unique family needs such as daily prescription medications, infant formula or diapers, and important family documents.

¨ Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.

Clothing and Bedding

If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Rethink your clothing and bedding supplies to account for growing children and other family changes. One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person including:

¨ A jacket or coat

¨ Long pants

¨ Long sleeve shirt

¨ Sturdy shoes

¨ Hat and gloves

¨ Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

Other items to consider adding:

¨ Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or printout of this information

¨ Rain gear

¨ Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils

¨ Cash or traveler’s checks, change

¨ Paper towels

¨ Fire extinguisher

¨ Tent

¨ Compass

¨ Matches in a waterproof container

¨ Signal flare

¨ Paper, pencil

¨ Medicine dropper

¨ Feminine supplies

¨ Personal hygiene items

¨ Disinfectant

¨ Household chlorine bleach—you can use bleach as a disinfectant (diluted nine parts of water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to purify water. Use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

Important Family Documents

Keep copies of important family records such as insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.

Emergency supplies

Water, food, and clean air are the essential items for survival. Each family or individual’s kit should be customized to meet specific needs such as medications and infant formula. It should also be customized to include important family documents.

Create a family plan since you and your family may not be together when disaster strikes. Be prepared for a variety of situations.

Schools, daycare providers, workplaces, apartment buildings and neighborhoods should all have site-specific emergency plans. Ask about plans at the places your family frequents.

Peggy Benson, RN

Parish Nurse