The Parishes of. Sixth Sunday of Easter May 6, 2018 MALLIA'S MOMENTS. May 6, Page 1

Transcription

1 The Parishes of Page 1 Sixth Sunday of Easter MALLIA'S MOMENTS by Fr. Joe Mallia In today's Gospel, we hear Jesus tell us that if we love him, we would follow his commands. That does not sound like a very fair deal; as if it were a one way street where we mindlessly follow Jesus and it does not seem that he cares about what we have to say. But that would be a very shortsighted understanding of the text and an incorrect one at that. What does Jesus really mean then? To fully understand this statement, we must understand the nature of discipleship. Jesus issues an invitation to us to follow him. It is not a demand that we follow, but an invitation that requires us to reflect on and understand fully what we are being asked to accept. If we accept as true that Jesus is the Son of God, that his words are truth and that he died and rose for our salvation, then we are also accepting to live by what he taught. To follow what he commands comes out of our acceptance that his words are spirit and truth. So then why would we not want to follow what he commands? By living out his commands we are on the way to experiencing the fullness of life and love. We prove we love him when we do what he has asked especially when we know that what he asks us to do is the right thing to do. The command of Jesus is not a one way street at all, but a path to ever lasting life and the experience of love in its fullness. Once we understand that we are not loved because we follow the commands, as if that is all there was too it, we see how very life giving this teaching is. The following of the commands without accepting Jesus is not possible on the long term. We could do it for a few years even, but at some point we will fall away because we never really accepted the first part of the invitation to begin with. We must first accept who Jesus is before we make his commands a part of our every day life. Not very mindless at all when you think about it. As we pray, let us always understand our commitment to Jesus comes from our acceptance of truth; who Jesus is and that what he has taught us is the path of life. May we never stray from that path or if we have, may we find our way back. God bless. Have you completed your Sacraments? Would you like to join the Catholic Church? There are many people who for a variety of reasons were only baptized as Catholics or made their first communion, but were never confirmed. Maybe you were baptized into a different Christian tradition and now would like to be confirmed in the Catholic Church, or you have never been baptized at all. What ever the case may be, if you are interested in being fully initiated into the Catholic Church there is no time like the present to make that happen. To find out what you will need to do, please call our faith formation office and talk to Susan and she will guide you along the path. We have a wonderful team of people who work together to help you in being one with us as fully initiated members of the Church. Were you married, but not by a priest or deacon? Church law requires that every baptized Catholic be married by a Catholic priest or deacon and two witnesses. The failure to do so invalidates the marriage. So, your marriage is civilly legal, but is not recognized by the Catholic Church as a sacramental union. Some people believe that getting married by a minister is the same thing, but it is not and it definitely is not the same to be married by a civil authority. Though it may have been a very nice ceremony by the water or in a park, the marriage needs to be witnessed by a priest or deacon. The process to do this is actually very simple. It requires you coming to see either of the priests or Deacon Alan and to take care of some paper work and finally choose a date to have your marriage "convalidated" (the official term by the way). Please feel free to call us and set up a time when we can take care of this situation for you. You can make the ceremony as big or small as you want. We can do it on the actual anniversary or another date. We can do it on the weekend or weekday. We can do it after a mass or at a special time. The point is that we would like to help you have a sacramental wedding. Please call for more information. Have you been divorced and wondered what the process for an annulment is? The first thing is that we are sorry that your marriage did not work out. The next thing is to clarify some misconceptions. If you are a baptized Catholic and were not married by a Catholic priest or deacon, you do not need an annulment. However you do need to fill out some paperwork, but you do not need to go through the whole process. There is a different route for that situation and usually only takes about six weeks to get the decree allowing you to marry in the Catholic Church. If you were married in a Catholic Church, then the process is a bit longer but not that difficult and most of the work is actually done by the Church. You need to come see either of the priests or Deacon Alan to help you start the paper work. The document will be given by us and we will walk you through it. It is an interview on paper, there is no formal trial and you do not need to have contact with your former spouse if you do not want to. The annulment only declares that there was a lack of the essential elements of a sacramental union in the relationship. Annulments do not declare that there was never a marriage. There was a civil reality to that marriage but that does not mean there was a sacramental one. Legitimacy of children is a civil matter and not a church one; in fact legitimacy is not an issue for the church and we are not allowed to note such things on any official record. Further, unlike divorces which deal with what happened during the marriage, an annulment focuses on what happened prior to the marriage. It seeks to see what was going on in one or both of the parties involved that did not allow them to establish the proper framework for the Continued on Page 3

2 Pastor: Reverend Joseph Mallia Phone: (586) Ext. 119 Associate Pastor: Reverend John Nedumcheril Phone: (586) Ext. 221 Deacon: Alan Gwozdz Phone: (810) Ext. 222 Flock Notes: Text # and type SAHF in the text Screen for updates. Facebook: Webmaster: webmastersahf@hotmail.com Main St., Richmond, MI Website: - staugustinerichmond@comcast.net Parish Office: (586) Fax (586) Office hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and Monday - Thursday 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Director of Music Ministry - Joe Agosta Kaleb Leenknegt Office of Faith Formation: (586) st.augustinefaithformation@outlook.com Hours: Monday - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Tuesday - 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Holy Family Parish Main Street Memphis, MI Website: - cwullaert@holyfamily-online.org Parish Office: Fax: Office hours: Monday - Friday. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Closed for lunch 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Director of Music Ministry- Joe Agosta joeyagosta@yahoo.com Bookkeeper/Parish Secretary - Barb Quigley Ext. 227 Office Manager - Catherine Wullaert Ext. 237 Faith Formation - Susan Finley Ext. 229 sfinley@holyfamily-online.org Youth Ministry - Jennifer McClelland Ext. 228 st.ahfyouthministry@gmail.com The Divine Mercy Missionary Center Ext. 246 All Saints Knights of Columbus # Grand Knight Larry Pfeifer GK10501@mikofc.org Sunday Masses: Saturday - 4:30 p.m. Holy Family Memphis Sunday 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Holy Family Memphis Daily Masses: Tuesday - 7:00 p.m. & Friday - 8:00 a.m. Adoration on Fridays following Mass until 9:30 a.m. Adoration on First Fridays until 8:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., before 7:00 p.m. evening Mass Saturday, 3:30 p.m. in the Church, or by appointment. Youth Ministry-Jennifer McClelland Ext. 228 Holy Day Masses: 6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. St. Augustine School Howard St., Richmond MI Website: School Office: Principal - Tina Silvestri Ext. 131 Secretary - Judy Rey Ext. 130 Secretary - Lisa Hunter Ext. 129 Bulletin Submissions Deadline: 12:00 p.m. on Friday for the following weekend; deadline changes near major holidays. Please submit electronically to staugustinerichmond@comcast.net or cwullaert@holyfamily-online.org. Announcement deadline: Thursday 5:00 p.m. Sacrament of Baptism: Please contact the parish office to schedule a baptism. It is recommended that parents seeking Baptism for their child attend two baptismal preparation classes. Sacrament of Marriage: In accordance with the guidelines of the Province of Michigan, engaged couples must contact the Parish Office six months prior to the desired date of marriage and complete required preparation. Sacrament of the Sick: Notify the Parish Office of any need for hospital or home visits.

3 Page 3 MALLIA S MOMENTS Continued from Page 1 - We need volunteers to work at the Parish Celebration at sacramental union to be established. That is why, if you Holy Family and the St. Augustine Festival. These are divorced, you really need to come see one of us so events are major fundraisers for our parishes and help us that we can help you use the process to heal the wounds provide many of the services we have at our parishes, of the past and to guide you towards establishing a new especially for our children. Many people do not know relationship that will reflect God's love in your life. that tuition charged at the school and faith formation do not cover the costs of these programs. At Holy Family our faith formation program is subsidized around $70,000 per year and at St. Augustine the school and faith formation programs are subsidized around $300,000 per Congratulations to our First Communicants We offer our congratulations to all our 2nd graders who are making their First Communion this weekend. We offer them our prayers and support as they continue to grow in their relationship with Jesus. Just a reminder to parents that they make the commitment to raise their children in faith at their baptism and that their work is not done. It remains a problem that half the children who will make their first communion this year will not make their Confirmation. If we see our faith as hoops to jump through or boxes to check off, we are missing the whole point of our faith as a relationship with God, and we have merely made it a group we have joined. The Catholic Church is not intended to be a social group or even a benevolent society, but a group of disciples who follow a way of life established by the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. Please therefore, bring your children to church each week, enroll them in faith formation or our school and pray with them every day. God bless you on this day and always. Don't Forget: - On May 19th we are having a dance for all high school age students (ages 14-18) at the gym in the Life Center at Holy Family. The dance is from 7-11 pm and the cost is $8.00. Proceeds will be donated to charity. Hope to see you there. - Now is the time to sign up for the Young Adult kickball league. Games will be held on Wednesday nights starting July 11th. To sign up, contact me at : frjoe.mallia@gmail.com. All are welcome to join if you are the ages of Please RSVP if you are planning on attending the closing mass and dinner at St. Philip on May 26th. We need to have a count to properly prepare. year. That is why we urge families who benefit from these programs to help volunteer to work these events. Please help in any way you can. Thank you. - Thank you to Barb Quigley and the parish finance committees who have worked so hard in getting the budgets done before the due date. This is always a tedious task in projecting income and looking at future expenses that are needed, but they worked very hard to be good stewards of the financial resources you provide each year. You can tell from last weeks reporting that we are doing well, but we need to keep up our efforts. It is important that you contribute each week either by an envelope or direct deposit donation. Even when you are away for a long period of time, those contributions help to keep the cash flow steady and makes handling the bills a much easier task. You can also see what impact achieving our CSA target has been to our parish and what a financial benefit the overage has been to our parish. I promise to keep working to make sure we are good stewards and be open about our financial health, but we all need to keep doing our part to make sure that we can handle the spiritual as well as the temporal needs of our parish community. Thank you again. - Thank you to all our catechists and our Faith Formation Program leadership for all their hard work in teaching our children and preparing them for the reception of their Sacraments. As the year of formal classes ends, I wanted to express my profound gratitude to all of you. Have a great week and God bless you all.

4 Page 4 F A I T H M A T T E R S St. Augustine & Holy Family Vacation Bible School Pre-school 6th Grade JUNE 25~29, AM-NOON IN THE HOLY FAMILY LIFE CENTER We are pleased to announce that in celebration of Deacon Mark Livingston s ordination to the priesthood on May 19th, he will offer a Mass of Thanksgiving at each of our parishes. Saturday, May 26, :00 p.m. Mass at St. Augustine Saturday, June 2, :30 p.m. Mass at Holy Family A light reception will follow Fr. Mark s Mass of Thanksgiving at each parish. B.O.L.D. Youth Ministry ( Cost: $15 per person (early registration) ($20 per person after June 8th) Please help us get ready for Shipwrecked. We are in need of some things to help make VBS a success again this year. Yarn any color or thickness and any type (even partial skeins will be greatly appreciated and we would also appreciate thicker or decorative yarn too) Glue Sticks Wrapped Candy On the first day, please send in a white t-shirt for each child attending. (Mark their first and last name on the tag or inside top edge.) Thank you. Feast of Corpus Christi Walk with Jesus June 3, 2018 Building Our Lord s Disciples Holy Family May 13 Contact Jennifer, Jessica, or st.ahfyouthministry@gmail.com or (810) Ext. 228 with questions, comments and concerns! St. Augustine May 6 May 20

5 E V A N G E L I Z A T I O N Page 5 Infinite Value for Souls Today during Mass, I saw the Lord Jesus in the midst of His sufferings, as though dying on the cross. He said to me, My daughter, meditate frequently on the sufferings which I have undergone for your sake, and then nothing of what you suffer for Me will seem great to you. You please Me most when you meditate on My Sorrowful Passion. Join your little sufferings to My Sorrowful Passion, so that they may have infinite value before My Majesty (Diary,1512) My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, may I meditate frequently on the sufferings of Your Passion. May I join my little sufferings to Your sorrowful Passion that they may have infinite value for souls. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! The Holy Family Altar Society needs your help with the set up / tear down for the Holy Family Rummage Sale. Here are some ways you can help. Pray for Those Who Serve Our Country DC1 Troy Baran TSgt Trent Beish FNE3 Nathan Bilbrey Maj. Lisa Marie Boggs FC Nathan Burgess PVT Samuel Calderone MAJ Joseph Cannon MSgt Christopher Capoccia MAJ Kevin Chamberlain Adam Dickson 2LT Christopher Edwards SFC Samuel Feldman CWO3 Jason Garcia PO1 Jeremy Gauthier SSgt Craig Grabowski PVT Brent Gracey LT USN Adam Haag LTCMDR Ryan Haag Maj. Michael A. Hoffman, DDS PO2 Michael Jahr Cpl Pietr Jahr PFC Virginia Jahr Cpt. Jack Johnston MSgt Joseph Korotko Sgt Connor Koveck CPT David F. Kuntz SSgt Brendan Pfeifer Maj. Christopher Platz PVT Brad Quant MSgt Kevin Quant SrA Christopher P. Raska Eric P. Raska Lt Paul Raska Col Matthew Rettke 2LT Tyler Rettke POHM2 John-Christopher Sbraccia SSgt David Siegrist MAJ Cormac Smith LCpl Timothy James Spruytte SSG Raymond Stier E4 Brandon Stoops PFC Christopher Tishler AB Logan VanBuren Warrant Officer Jeffery Weis POHM3 Nicholas Wohlfiel LCpl Mark Zyble This is a good opportunity for Honor Society Students. Volunteer sheets will be available from an Altar Society member. Please call Julie Roosen at or the parish office (810)

6 St. Augustine Parish Page 6 St. Augustine Mass Intentions Monday, May 7, 2018 Mass 8:00 am Helen Riley 12th Anniversary Remembrance req. by her Family Tuesday, May 8, 2018 No Mass Scheduled Wednesday, May 9, 2018 Divine Mercy Chaplet Mass 8:00 am Judy Lewandowski Rondeau 10th Anniversary Remembrance req. by Dolly & Benjy Bertossi Thursday, May 10, 2018 Mass 8:00 am William Jahn req. by The Jahn Family Friday, May 11, 2018 No Mass Scheduled Sunday, May 13, 2018 Seventh Sunday of Easter The Ascension of The Lord Saturday, May 12, 2018 Mass 6:00 pm Lillian Dolan, req. by Kathy Dolan Audrey Mackley, req. by her Family Lucille Martindale req. by Gordie & Diane Lillian Martindale req. by Gordie & Diane Angela & Anthony Palmeri req. by the Palmeri Family Helen Dheygere req. by Elmer & Sue Schweiger Alfons E. Inson -Special Intention req. by Uncle Ted & Aunt Diane Sunday, May 13, :30 am Mass For St. Augustine Parishioners 9:00 am Mass Sylvia Shinska req. by Joe & Susan Burghardt Grace Raska 26th Anniversary Remembrance req. by Betty Raska & Family Frances Orzel, req. by her Family Dorothy Mach, req. by her Family Patrenella Heath, req. by her Family Ann Papuga, req. by her Family Caroline Glowniak, req. by her Children Leonard Domagalski Birthday Remembrance req. by Jennie & Family St. Augustine Parishioners Baptized in Christ April 28, 2018 Delilah Rose Jerzewski Daughter of Jack & Ashley Jerzewski St. Augustine Wedding Banns II. Corey Jandron & Stephanie McColman Festival Notes and News A Friendly Reminder... If you took a yard sign or magnet last year and did not return it please drop it off at the Parish office. The committee will need to change the dates for Festival. Thank you. Festival Sign up There are 2 ways to sign up this year to help at the Festival. You can sign up online at : or on the board at the back of the church. Please only use one or the other to sign up and provide an address or phone number. You will receive a reminder prior to the festival. If you do not have an address then you will receive a phone call. If you have questions or need more information please feel free to call me at Thank you and we look forward to another fun filled and successful festival. Teri Manteuffel Festival Chair Dear Fr. Joe & St. Augustine Parish Family, Thank you once again for your generous donation to the Good Samaritan fund. The almsgiving and Holy Thursday collections will be put to use helping those in need. Thank you for your servient hearts. Together we can be involved in caring for others needs. God s Blessings, Pat Bartosiewicz Good Samaritan Fund Please Pray for St. Augustine Parishioners at home or in the hospital... Antoinette Agosta Julie Ames Vera Barjaktarovich Mary Lou Brickel Marjorie Brohl Sue Broughton Louis Canter Jerry Caporuscio Bailey Ann Clapper Dossie Collins Mary DeWitte Jennie Domagalski Marc Dreim Gail Duetsch Gary Duhamel Joan Elam Ronald Fistler Carol Fogal Shelley Frontera Marlene Gillis Alison Gray Maryann Herrmann Rosann Holmes Terry Horn Helen Kaczperski Sylvia Kaltz Dave Kammer Baby Kennedy Dave Kisskalt Betty Kolp Tom Kowalski Arthur Lambert Barbara Lambert Ann Lipior Eugenia Lipior Roger Lumley Tony Manchik Janet Mantovani Alfreda Marecki Jim Mazzala Darlene McVannel Dan Moomaw Johny Muller Kandy Murray Tom Obee Charles (Tom) Ozark Robert Pack Bryan Pawlowski Gary Penzak Rich Platz Carol Pollari Darren Polansky Jeanette Ponski Peter Pytleski John Pytleski Barb Reinke Jessica Ricketts Frank Ryan Carolyn Scarlett Pat Scheuer Arlene Schweiger Rose Segatti Bernadette Sharpe Dennis Sharpe John M. Sharpe Mary Slago Deb Snider Carol Stanzione Joshua Stevens Danielle Stislicki Lily Suess Lloyd Suess Stanley Swidersky Mary Szczerbinski Sue Thomas Sharlene Todd Michael Ureel Bridget Urquhart Mary Valpredo Cynthia Walker Debbie Whiting Terry Whiting Larry Wilson Maxine Wilson Lisbeth Yaek Joseph Yelencich, Jr. Mary Yelencich St. Augustine Parishioners Celebrating Eternal Life in Christ James (Corky) Walsh

7 St. Augustine Parish Activities Page 7 Gifted with the love of Jesus Christ, we strive to share that love with our community. ~ This Week Ahead at St. Augustine ~ Monday, May 7, :00 p.m. - Bible Study with Fr. Joe at Holy Family Life Center 8:00 p.m. - AA Meeting & Al-Anon (Hall) Tuesday, May 8, :00 p.m. - K of C Meeting (Hall) Wednesday, May 9, :45 a.m. - Reconciliation 6:30 p.m. - RCIA at Holy Family 7:00 p.m. - Parish Council Meeting (Room 7) Thursday, May 10, :00 a.m. - Christian Service Meeting (Room 7) 6:00 p.m. - St. Michael Cemetery Committee (Chapel) 6:00 p.m. - Cantor Practice (Church) 7:00 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal (Church) Friday, May 11, :00 p.m. - School PTC Sponsored Road Rally Saturday, May 12, :00 p.m. - Reconciliation (Church) Sunday, May 13, :00 a.m. Mass - May Crowning 1:00 p.m. - Squires Meeting (Hall) 6:30 p.m. - B.O.L.D. Youth Ministry at Holy Family St. Augustine Graduation Mass St. Augustine Parish invites High School and College graduates to a special celebration honoring the Class of Please join us at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 20, If possible, wear your cap and gown. We request that our graduates gather in the parish hall at 8:30 a.m. and from there we will process to church. Graduates may take a part in the Mass by participating in the offertory procession or if you have been trained, by participating in another ministry. Please think about offering your talents in some way. If you would like to attend and participate in the Graduation Mass or have any questions, please contact Lisa Hamel at St. Augustine Parish Council Nomination Forms are in the Pews Are you being called? We are in need of some new parish council members; and on Pentecost Sunday, May 20th, Father will draw the names for the new members. No experience is necessary! Just be willing to give two to three hours of time on the second Wednesday of each month from August to June. Parish Council nomination forms are now available in the pews. Please consider submitting a form to serve on your parish council. Want to nominate someone? Please ask them first. Any questions, please call me at Thank you in advance for taking the time to listen to God s calling. Chris Shinska Parish Council Chair May Crowning at St. Augustine Sunday, May 13, :00 a.m. Mass All children of the parish are welcome to join us for our May Crowning honoring Mary our Mother. Flowers will be provided for you. Meet in the back of church about 10 minutes before Mass to line up. After presenting a flower to Mary all children will return to sit with their parents. First Communion children are encouraged to wear their First Communion dresses and suits for this special occasion. SCRIP Sales At St. Augustine Sunday, May 20, 2018 after 7:30 & 9:00 a.m. Masses Scrip gift cards will be available to purchase on Sunday, May 20th after 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. Masses in the School Entrance Hallway. Also enjoy coffee & donuts & fellowship. Memorial Day Mass Monday, May 28, 2018, 8:00 a.m. at St. Michael Cemetery Chapel

8 Page 8 Holy Family Parish Holy Family Mass Intentions Saturday, May 5, :30 PM Lorraine Deschamps (1st anniv.) by her children Eugene Stocks by the Family Vincent, Angeline & Bill Nalewajk by Rose Kujawa & her daughter & grandchildren Souls in Purgatory by Doug & Karen Fournier Sunday, 10:30 AM Earl Bubel by Diane Bubel & Family Stan Mazur by the Family Joann Hayes by the Family 5:30 PM For the Parishioners Monday, May 7, 2018 No Mass Scheduled Tuesday, May 8, :00 PM Pete Connolly by Bob & Judie Parks For the intentions of Faith Fetty & Zeke Fetty by their Grandma, Alaina Prior Wednesday, May 9, 2018 No Mass Scheduled Thursday, May 10, 2018 No Mass Scheduled Friday, May 11, :00 AM Sylvia Shinska by Marty & Chris DeYonker Saturday, May 12, :30 PM For all mothers For the Parishioners Sunday, May 13, :30 AM Hank & Louise Weis by Diane Bubel & Family Lorraine Deschamps (1st anniv.) by the Burg Family For the intentions of Henry & Darlene Kreger on their 60th wedding anniversary For all mothers 5:30 PM Stan & Betty Mazur by Stan Mazur Sylvia Shinska by Jim & Julie Wessel For the health of Robert Olszewski by the Family For all mothers FAITH FORMATION Register NOW for ! It is quick and easy! Call or Susan Finley to verify your children s names, grade in the fall and any changes to phone numbers, your address or emergency contact. If you are new to our program, please stop in the office to fill out a short registration form. St. Augustine (586) Or Holy Family (810) sfinley@holyfamily-online.org Newly baptized at Holy Family on April 29, 2018 Christian Matthew Battani, son of Paul & Luz Battani Kaulder Michael Dickson, son of Adam & Melinda Dickson Prayer List. Intercessory prayer reflects God s own character of outgoing love and mercy. Please pray for: Ed Marnon (1) Rick Marnon (1) Holy Family Parish welcomes the following families who joined the parish during the month of April Mr. Jeffrey Weidner Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School third quarter Honor Roll: Matthew Spanich. Congratulations!!!

9 Holy Family Parish Activities Page 9 Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday :30 pm Altar Society Meeting 7:00 pm Bible Study 9:00 am Rummage Sale Set Up 6:30 pm Confessions 7:00 pm Mass 8:00 pm AA 9:00 am Rummage Sale Set Up 6:30 pm RCIA 7:00 pm Parish Council 9:00 am Altar Society Rummage Sale 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Divine Mercy Missionary Center / Store Open 8:00 am Mass 9:00 am Altar Society Rummage Sale 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Divine Mercy Missionary K of C Flower Sale 3:30 pm Confessions 4:30 pm Mass MOTHER S DAY 10:30 am Mass: May Crowning 5:30 pm Mass SAVE THE DATE! HOLY FAMILY S FUN FESTIVAL PARISH CELEBRATION June 16th and 17th Rummage Sale, May 17th, 18th, and 19th Please NO TV's, computers, stuffed furniture or mattresses. DINNER / SHOW Presenting: Billy Ray Bauer Saturday, June 16, 2018 Tickets available in the Parish Office.

10 Page 10 St. Augustine School St. Augustine Catholic School Like Us on Facebook There s plenty of excitement brewing in second grade.it s time to celebrate First Communion! The other afternoon I strolled down the school corridor with 14 second graders behind me. Their shirt tails were hanging out and some of the girls had lost their headbands and barrettes by day s end. I smiled at the long line as we paraded to church. They strayed, staggered and swayed as they positioned themselves in front of the altar to greet the Lord with genuflection. Even in their bedraggled school uniform and crooked line, they somehow looked angelic. We practiced how to receive Jesus as their First Communion was fast approaching (May 6). I watched the stubby fingers hold Jesus and listened to the squeaky Amens. They behaved so reverently that soon I was swept into the sacredness of the moment. I couldn t help wondering how many black suits and immaculate white dresses covering tiny, trembling bodies will remember their First Communion as the holiest, perhaps one of the happiest of their lives? I remember mine. (My second grade memories of Assumption Grotto School in Detroit came flooding back!) April in the Third Grade There were a couple of exciting events that happened in the month of April in the third grade at St. Augustine School. We all started off the month celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus on April 1 st. When we returned to school after Easter Break, we continued working on our multiplication facts and prepared for our trip to the Armada Fair Grounds for R.E.D. (Rural Education Day). R.E.D. is sponsored by the Macomb County Farm Bureau and has volunteers from the agricultural community. Our third graders, along with third graders from throughout Macomb County, had a fun hands-on experience looking at agriculture and how it helps them in their everyday lives. We saw farm animals, including a three-week-old calf, greenhouse plants, a bee keeper, and much, much more. Other than the cold temperature in the unheated barn, we all had a great time! The highlight of the afternoon was when the Poster Contest winners were announced. Two of our St. Augustine 3 rd graders, Jorma Schlegel and Mary Beth Klein, received first and third place. Another accomplishment in the third grade was again having the entire class master the multiplication facts. When we came back from Christmas Vacation, we began working hard on memorizing all our facts. We practiced every day. Each student earns an I Mastered the Facts shirt once he or she completes 100 facts in under 5 minutes, twice in a row, without making a mistake. Again, the third graders have made the goal. So on Wednesday, we all proudly wore our I Mastered the Facts shirt to Mass. Way to Go Third Graders!!! Ellen Kauffman 3 rd Grade Teacher R.E.D. Rural Education Day Preparing God s little ones for the sacraments are just some of the fringe benefits I enjoy amidst the turmoil in the world today. The Lord makes it possible for us to witness the wonder of it all in their faces. The focus of innocent children who somehow call us back again to better days and to what is really important. Maybe this is what following HIM is really supposed to be. This afternoon was a great opportunity to redevelop the appreciation for simple and wonderful things that we often lose sight of when we are busy. This year there are 35 of God s children receiving Jesus for the first time at the altar of St. Augustine Church. Please keep them in your prayers. I Mastered the Facts. God Bless Them All! Linda Viviano Second Grade Teacher

11 LINCOLN GRANITE COMPANY of Macomb County Buy Direct and Save Cemetery Monuments Cremation Urns Free Local Delivery Bring this ad for a discount at time of purchase Leisure Manor Residence for Seniors Assisted Living Stoecker Ln. Richmond S of 32 Mile, W of Main St MEDILODGE OF RICHMOND Skilled Nursing Rehab Facility Division Rd., Richmond, MI (586) SCHWEIHOFER SEED SALES LLC Seed - Corn, Soybean, Forages Crop Protection Products Ryan & Jeannine Schweihofer FAMILY RESTAURANT TED S SOUTH th St. Port Huron TED S NORTH th Ave. Port Huron TED S CONEY Gratiot Richmond LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES Brick Pavers Mulch Boulders Gratiot Avenue, Casco, MI Fax: bouldercity@comcast.net FRED GRANDE FORD SALES SERVICE FULL BODY SHOP RICHMOND, MI (586) ORTHODONTICS We Create Beautiful Smiles for the whole family! DR. CHRISTOPHER BRIEDEN Orthodontic Specialist St. Clair New Baltimore The ability to hear is NOT always the ability to understand... We have the solution. HIGHEST QUALITY HEARING AIDS AT THE VERY BEST PRICES YOU WILL FIND! 40 Hearing Aid Batteries for only $10 (with this ad) Main St, Richmond SAM'S HAIRCARE Full Service Walk-ins welcome Hours: Tues & Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 9-6, Sat Mary St., Emmett Contact Judee Nelson jnelson@4lpi.com or (800) x6319 Gary Bertossi Bulldozing Site Clearing, Ponds, Basements, Septic Fields Installation and Repairs, Water and Sewer Lines, Rough and Finish Grades, Demolition Jefferson Richmond, MI Phone/Fax Mobile INSURED Commercial and Residential LET US PLACE YOUR AD HERE. HEINZ CHIROPRACTIC Steven Heinz, D.C Mile Rd. Richmond G-5-3 For ad info. call

12 CREMATION: $945 complete * call for details NORTHERN AIR HEATING & COOLING OVER 25+ YEARS EXPERIENCE Parish Member Discounts TIM RYAN, Parish Member or Bailey Dental Group Quality Family Dental Care Have Healthy Teeth and Gums For A Lifetime Style Your Smile Cynthia E. Bailey, D.D.S Main Street Richmond, MI W. Main St. Armada Colleen Scott, D.O Family Practice/Pediatrics to Geriatrics MICHIGAN FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1937 BLOCK, BRICK, CONCRETE & LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES RICHMOND (586) ROMEO (586) CROSWELL (810) MARYSVILLE (810) CHESTERFIELD (586) MARINE CITY (810) JAMES V. DUBAY Attorney at Law PARISH MEMBER & LIFETIME AREA RESIDENT Main St., Richmond (586) FAMILY DENTISTRY Julie Cichoracki, D.D.S Division Rd., Ste. 4 Richmond (586) Bringing Comfort Into Your Home Parish Member Discounts Available St. John Plumbing Over 18 Years Experience Discounts Available Veteran Owned Parish Members Amee & Daniel St. John LET US PLACE YOUR AD HERE. Jason Brickel REALTOR Main St Richmond, MI Top Selling Agent - Richmond Office, 2017 Preferred Seamless Gutters New Installation Existing Homes Custom Miters Work Guaranteed Family Owned & Operated GABRIEL KOSTIUK Sacred Heart Parish Member Yale, MI -FREE ESTIMATES- Residential Commercial Experienced Insured Sales & Service Since 1946 Richmond, MI (586) Trent C. Peshek, Owner - Director Cemetery Markers Pre-Arrangements Serving Families With Integrity and Compassion Expert McLaren Macomb cardiologists are in Richmond-Lenox Gratiot Ave. (South of 31 Mile Rd. in Lenox Twp.) To make an appointment, please call McLaren Macomb Cardiovascular Institute (586) Main St. Richmond Eric Groeneveld, DDS Parishioner Hygienists: Julie Swantek, RDH, Parishioner Cathy Sopha, RDH, Parishioner Accepting New Patients (586) We Service All Makes & Models Diesel Repair Bodyshop Parts Sales Downtown Richmond FREE ESTIMATES Any Slab at a fraction of replacement costs: Driveways Sidewalks Patio Garage Floors Pool decks, etc. Concrete Crack Caulking JASON RACICOT, Owner Jack Jerzewski jack.jerzewski@kofc.org Life Insurance Long-Term Care Retirement Annuities Disability Insurance J&J Tech CELL PHONE AND COMPUTER REPAIR Same day phone screen repair on popular models WE FIX I.T Division Richmond, MI wefixit@jandjtech.org Website: jandjtech.org RICHMOND FOOT & ANKLE CLINIC DR. HENGELBERTH MONTUFAR (586) Heritage Drive, Richmond J. Peter Severini Computer Technician The guy with the hat Parish Member Jacob Beeler Phone Technician 4-G-5-3 For ad info. call