ST. GERALD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Transcription

1 ALL ARE WELCOME No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church; No matter what your current family or marital situation; No matter what your past or present religious affiliation; No matter what your personal history, age, background, race, or color; No matter what your self-image or esteem; You are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected at St. Gerald Catholic Church. ST. GERALD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH A Servant Church Of The Archdiocese of Detroit Farmington Road Farmington, Michigan Phone: Rectory Fax: Ministries Fax: Website: stgeraldparish.org OFFICE HOURS Monday thru Thursday 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m. 12:00 Noon WEEKDAYS Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, First Friday: 9:15 a.m. Thursday Evening: 7:00 p.m. RITE OF RECONCILIATION Saturdays: 3:30 4:30 p.m. TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 23, 2015 Seeing is believing is a popular phrase in the scientific age. While it is true, there are many areas of life where believing is seeing. For example, we have to believe in someone in order to find them trustworthy. We have to believe in ourselves if we are to accomplish certain goals. Just so, we must believe in God in order to see the providential unfolding of the divine will. First reading Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b Daily life confronts us all with fundamental choices. Will we live for the things we can see, touch, and possess, or will we live for the One who is beyond all things that comprise this world? Among the many ways and values that compete for our loyalty, will we anchor our lives in the visible or the invisible? Second reading Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2a, Faith is the basis of all our significant relationships, whether to other people or to God. Some relationships call for more significant acts of faith than others. The selfgiving love between husbands and wives that Paul describes in this passage is only possible if both persons are committed to a life of love and trust. Gospel John 6:60-69 In life, confirmation often comes only after a commitment. In matters of faith, this is always true. Our assurance that God loves and cares for us grows out of one s leap of faith rather than prompting one s leap of faith. We must come to believe before we can begin to be convinced and assured. People often see faith as a synonym for optimism or hope. Biblically, however, it is something entirely different. Optimism and hope may be nothing more than wishful thinking. Faith is not wishful thinking, but a chosen willingness to trust in some claim that has been presented to us. Marriage is a relevant analogy. Two people at the altar do not pledge their troth on the basis of feeling and optimism alone, but on their conscious and willing commitment to be faithful for life to one another, for better for worse. Faith isn t easy. A common experience for all of us is having some new wrinkle suddenly appear in the midst of our otherwise simple lives. It can be not only a major disruption in our thinking and our schedules, but can be of such magnitude as to trouble us and send us reeling. This is what happened to Jesus disciples. Many people had followed him enthusiastically, but suddenly he was talking about things they did not understand. Jesus referred to himself as the bread of life, the true bread from heaven, which they were to eat. He also spoke of his blood as something they should drink. He insisted that eating his body and drinking his blood was the only way of having eternal life. This was not only foolish and scandalous talk to the Jews, but was significantly troublesome to his disciples. How were they to understand this strange language? They still had much to learn. A part of what Jesus was saying was that they must take seriously his presence in their lives and his will for them. Otherwise they would not experience the abundant life he came to give them. At this point many of Jesus followers forsook him and would not remain in his company any longer. Christ may have failed to fulfill some of their expectations, but how did things go when they turned away from him? Avoiding his physical presence was one thing, but escaping his spiritual presence was another. Jesus was not just a physical companion, he was a continual source of meaning, of insight into truth, and of guidance for living. He taught them memorable lessons that must have been unforgettable. He said, Whoever would be the greatest among you must become the servant of the least. Such standards of true greatest must have haunted them for the rest of their lives. Have a Blessed Week! Fr. Festus

2 ST. GERALD PARISH, FARMINGTON, MI WEEKDAY MASS INTENTIONS AUGUST 24 - AUGUST 27 Monday 9:15 AM For All Our Parishioners Tuesday 9:15 AM Alzada Dolencic Requested by Fr. Festus and St. Gerald Staff Wednesday 9:15 AM For All Our Parishioners Thursday 7:00 PM Jean Lopus Requested by Friends READINGS FOR THE WEEK MONDAY: RV 21:9B-14/JN 1:45-51 TUESDAY: 1 THES 2:1-8/MT 23:23-26 WEDNESDAY: 1 THES 2:9-13/MT 23:27-32 THURSDAY: 1 THES 3:7-13/MT 24:42-51 FRIDAY: 1 THES 4:1-8/MT 25:1-13 SATURDAY: 1 THES 4:9-11/MK 6:17-29 NEXT SUNDAY: DT 4:1-2, 6-8/JAS 1:17-18, 21B-22, 27/ MK 7:1-8, 14-15, Liturgical Publications Inc (For a list of daily readings: go to AUGUST 30, 2015 TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 5:00 PM August 29 Fr. Festus For Joann Pavco Requested by Joe Pavco Servers Lector/ Ushers Emily Chojnacki Lyda DelRosario 5:00B 8:30 AM August 30 Fr. Roodbeen For Donald Freiburger Requested by Sharon & Jim Zann Servers Lector/ Ushers Paul Borchert 8:30A 10:15 AM August 30 Fr. Festus For Walter & Jennie Chlastawa Requested by Joan & Ken Galica Servers Lector/ Ushers Luke Horsburgh Caron Kott 10:15B 12:00 Noon August 30 Fr. Festus Special Reception for Peggy Backus For William Rushford Requested by Wife Servers Lectors/ Ushers Paul Radzilowski 12:00B Please join us after the 12 noon Mass next weekend, August 30th, for a Special Reception for Peggy Backus who is retiring after 30 years of service at St. Gerald Parish. Let us all wish her the best!! PLEASE RETURN YOUR PLEDGE CARD TODAY! If you have not already turned in your pledge card, please consider making a donation. If you are unable to make a donation at this time, simply return your CSA card and indicate this on the front of the card. Thank you for your generosity in helping our parish meets its goal for programs we all benefit from through the Archdiocese of Detroit. Sacristan Schedule for Next Two Weeks August 28 and August 29 September 4 and September 5 Team #2 Team #4 Msgr. Baldwin Alex Smith Aaron Kosmowski Erin Malloy-Sidaway Rita Knight Joan Margarite Preston Joseph Vandervennet Jim Malloy Elmer Diehr Nadeen Ouellette Sandy Hayman Suzanne Kroll Pat Sockow Robert Duemler Susan Robinson Monica Noch Nancy Kolliker Carol Diehr Jerry Kopasz Ella Mae Konitsney Shirley Murray Debby Marsh Douglas Allen Bob Johnston Joan Goniea Andre Foster

3 AUGUST 23, W O R S H I P THE PARISH LIBRARY NEWS EVANGELIZATION BOOK LIST FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER The St. Gerald Parish Browsing and Borrowing Library has been kept up-to-date with current authors and historical books, videos and DVD s about the Catholic Faith. Some authors are Matthew Kelly, Scott Hahn, Mother Teresa and Henri Nouwen. We even have books for teens and children. It is just like a municipal library with a real librarian who keeps the books in order and prepares new books to put in circulation. Thank you to Geri Adams and Claudette Calka for all your work during the past few years in keeping the library inventory fresh and in order. Hello to Agnes Bongero who is the new librarian. She will continue to be assisted by Claudette Calka. Agnes periodically places books on a display cabinet as suggestions to read. There is a wooden book cart with DVD s and videos. Mary Yageman, of the Evangelization Committee, has taken on a project of reading as many books as she can in order to recommend them to you to read. This month s recommendations are: Amazing Grace for the Catholic Heart by Cavins, Pinto and Armstrong The Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis (a recommended read from our current Pope) Any Friend of God s Is a Friend of Mine by Patrick Madrid Praying with Therese of Lisieux Pope John XXIII by Thomas Cahill (a local author) The Best Catholic Writing (2004) by Brian Doyle The Mystery of the Transfiguration by Raniero Cantalamersa Jesus and You (Discovering the Real Christ) by James Finley and Michael Pennock The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel The Mother of God by Slaves of the Immaculate Herat of Mary I am adding books about theology (knowledge of God): The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. A short summary in Q and A form about the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In the same style as the old Baltimore Catechism The Catholic Source Book Everything little detail about the Catholic Faith and Culture. If ever ask yourself or others: Why do Catholics genuflect?, What s a holy day of obligation?, Why is there a purple altar cloth on the altar today?, then this book will make you an expert in these things. Enjoy our library!!! Peggy Have you considered putting St. Gerald Church in your Will? Please call Fr. Festus at He would be happy to discuss this with you. ELECTRONIC DEPOSIT OF DONATIONS IS AVAILABLE AT ST. GERALD. FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE BOOKSHELF IN THE GATHERING SPACE OF THE CHURCH OR ON OUR WEBSITE AT STGERALDPARISH.ORG FALL SCRIPTURE STUDY THE GOSPELS OF LUKE AND MATTHEW Father David Santoro, O.P., Chaplin at the Blessed Sacrament Monastery in Farmington Hills will lead the study using the Ignatius Bible Study Guide. The study will continue with Luke moving into Matthew. Location: St. Gerald s Church hall Time: Wednesday evenings 7:00 to 8:30 PM Dates: September 16 November 18, 2015 All are Welcome to this Inter-Parish Scripture Study. Bring your Bible and/or Ignatius Study guides. No need to register. Contact Diane Blankenship (dlb882@gmail.com), Sharon Weberlein (shrweber@aol.com) if you have questions or HEALING SERVICE Emmanuel Healing Ministry invites you to come to a Healing Service on Thursday, September 3 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower from 7-9 PM. Confessions will be available at 6:20 PM. Mass with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be offered followed by the opportunity to be prayed over for any intention. Fr. Alex Kratz will preside. Call Margaret Williams (248) for information. FOR WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN LOCAL BREAKFAST - Held every month September and October Please join us for good food, great conversation and to meet new friends Ladies Breakfast -- 1 st & 3 rd Monday of every month, Ladies only 9:00 AM Connor s Restaurant, Five Mile Road E. of Haggerty in Northville,. RSVP to Carol O. at Coming up in Sept: Coming up in October: & Coed Breakfast -- 1 st Thursday of every month 9:00 AM Richard s Restaurant, Plymouth Rd. at Eckles in Plymouth. RSVP to Jerry at Coming up in Sept: Coming up in October: Men s Breakfast -- 2 nd & 4 th Thursday of every month, Men only 9:00 AM Steve s Family Restaurant, Middlebelt Rd. in Livonia. No RSVP necessary. For further information call Dick at Coming up in Sept: & Coming up in October: & Coed Breakfast -- 3 rd Thursday of every month Annie s Restaurant, Plymouth Rd. W. of Farmington in Livonia, 9:00 AM. RSVP for Sept. to Elaine at RSVP for Oct. to Tom at Coming up in Sept: Coming up in October: 10-15

4 ST. GERALD PARISH, FARMINGTON, MI KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS Knights Host Donuts and Family Communion Mass Next Sunday While Seeking New Members The Council will close out the month with a busy day next Sunday, August 30. After the 8:30 and 10:15 masses we will provide donuts and coffee for mass-goers as part of a recruiting effort. Since it is a fifth Sunday of the month, the 10:15 mass will be a family communion mass for us. Please be a few minutes early and sit with your fellow knights and their families in the right side of center section in front of the lectern. A Fourth Degree Color Guard is expected at the mass. Led by Membership Director Shatomi Kerbawy, Council leaders also will be making a major effort to acquaint parish men and their wives of the advantages of being a Knight. You can help by chatting up men and wives you know about the charitable work done each year by our Council. Following the mass and donuts, come back to church for the reception after the Noon mass for long-time staff member Peggy Backus, a supporter of the Council since our founding 10 years ago. Peggy and her husband Chuck were the Council s family of the month in March. On Thursday, Larry Swanson and a squad of Knights and their spouses will be cooking dinner for the homeless people involved in the South Oakland Shelter at North Congregational Church in Farmington Hills. Larry reports he has enough help, but workers are needed for other help. See the big bulletin board in the Gathering Space for a task you can do. Congratulations to Deacon Mark Springer and Tom and Barbara Seabolt. Deacon Mark who joined our Council early this year was recognized as Knight of the Month for August. The Seabolts were cited as August s Family of the Month. If you are looking for a way to keep the late summer sun out your eyes, get one of the new Council caps from PGK Bruce Roberts next Sunday. The caps are made in the USA and are in the Council red and with our logo. A great buy at $20. Bruce also has the Council shirts available at $25 each. He is asking if there is any interest in a light jacket in Council colors suitable for spring and fall. Looking ahead: Officers meet Sept. 1; members meet Sept. 15 and we cook pancakes for the parish on Sept, 27. Stay in Touch With Your Council s Activities Read the Knights Corner in The Voice NORTHWEST SUBURBS FIRST FRIDAY, FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTION First Friday, is a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and First Saturday is a devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the northwest suburbs we have a 24 hour prayer Vigil, with 24 hours of Eucharistic Adoration. Adoration begins at 10 AM Friday after the 9:15 AM Mass. Evening Mass is at 7 PM with confessions before and after Mass; the Reparation Prayer Vigil begins after the 7 PM Mass. Saturday morning Benediction with Reposition 9 AM followed by Mass for Life at 9:15 AM. All are welcomed. This is every month at St. Gerald at Farmington Road, in Farmington, just north of 8 Mile. A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE BY BUD OZAR We are familiar with being narrow minded but are you aware of being narrow hearted? This serious ailment is the inability to accept another person who doesn t measure up to our criteria. This ailment is fatal in a family because it prevents individual identity. PERMANENT DIACONATE Those discerning a call to the diaconate ministry are invited to attend an information night with their wives, if they are married at Livonia s St. Genevieve-St. Maurice Parish on Thursday, August 27. The evening will begin at 6:30 PM and will provide information on the application process and requirements for entering formation for the permanent diaconate. Gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal fund the work of the archdiocesan Office for Clergy and Consecrated Life and the Permanent Deacon Formation Team, which coordinate diaconal ministry and formation. In addition, the CSA supports men studying for the permanent diaconate at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. For more information on CSA-funded programs, ministries, and services, please go to Juice 64 oz. Laundry Detergent Dish Detergent Large Cans of Soup Toothpaste Please put donations in the wooden chest in gathering space of the church

5 AUGUST 23, A LOOK AHEAD: 23 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30 am Mass 10:15 am Mass 12:00 pm Mass 1:00 pm Facilitator Training :45 am Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions 26 7 pm 8th and 9th Grade Catechist Mtg pm Mass 7:30 pm Worship Meeting 28 7:30 pm Holy Hour 8:00 pm AA Mtg. 29 3:30 pm Conf. 5:00 pm Mass 30 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30 am Mass (Fellowship Following) 10:15 am Mass (K of C Family Communion Mass/ Fellowship following) :45 am Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions 7:00 pm K of C Officers Mtg :30 am St. Vincent De Paul Meeting 7 pm Mass 4 24 Hour Eucharistic Adoration Following morning Mass 8:00 pm AA Mtg. 5 for Life 3:30 pm Conf. 5:00 pm Mass 12:00 pm Mass 1:00 pm Reception for Peggy Backus

6 ST. GERALD PARISH, FARMINGTON, MI ST. GERALD CATHOLIC CHURCH Office Hours 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday thru Thursday. Closed Friday. (secretary at lunch Noon 12:30) STAFF Reverend Festus Ejimadu, Pastor.(248) Mary Hoots, Administrative Assistant x stgeraldsecretary@yahoo.com All other offices dial (248) Christian Services Laura Meier, Christian Service Coordinator.. x csstgerald@yahoo.com St. Vincent de Paul.. x 220 Education Mary Taylor: Director Religious Education x taylor.mary04@yahoo.com Peggy Backus: Coordinator of Worship/RCIA/Evangelization... x stgeraldworship@live.com Youth Ministry Theresa Smith. x stgeraldym@gmail.com Music Ministry Mary Zelinski, Director of Music Maintenance Mark Koss Accountant Kim Shepard Ministries Assistant - Purchaser Cathy Long..... X clong123@gmail.com Rite of Reconciliation: Saturdays from 3:30-4:30PM SACRAMENTS Sacrament of the Sick: Please call the office Baptism: Please be aware that first time parents must attend a short baptism prep class prior to the baptism of their child. Arrangements for baptism may be made by calling the Parish Office. Matrimony: St. Gerald Parish is pleased to marry registered parishioners and their children. Arrangements must be made at least six months in advance of the wedding date. Please call the Parish Office. Registration of new members: Please see Fr. Ejimadu after Mass or call the office. Registration forms are located on the shelf in the classroom hallway for your convenience. After you fill it out, just give it to Fr. Ejimadu or drop it off in the Parish Office. Thank you! RCIA: Would you or someone you know want to become a full member of the Catholic Church? The St. Gerald RCIA group meets each week on Thursdays. Please call Peggy Backus (248) x202 or Fr. Ejimadu (248) for more information. WE WELCOME YOU TO ST. GERALD CATHOLIC PARISH! If you are new to the area, we look forward to meeting you personally. If you have not been active in the practice of the Catholic faith, we encourage you to return. If a previous marriage has kept you from receiving the Sacraments, we invite you to call the rectory at In many cases, Fr. Ejimadu can work with you to find a favorable solution. St. Alexander Food Pantry Contact Information Phone: Calls taken Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 AM - to 11:00 AM ST. GERALD MISSION STATEMENT St. Gerald Roman Catholic Church is a welcoming, inclusive parish striving to be a reflection of Christ. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are dedicated to strengthening our faith through reverent and uplifting worship, serving those in need, and living the fullness of the Gospel with all God s people. BULLETIN REMINDER All organizations and individuals are reminded to submit articles and announcements for the parish bulletin by 12 noon on Mondays. We ask that you please computer generate your submissions and send them via to stgeraldsecretary@yahoo.com. All articles subject to approval and may be edited to create space. Thank you.

7 WIETECHA MONUMENT CO W. Warren W. 10 Mile Rd FURNACE INSPECTION HARRIMAN HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING FURNACE OR A/C TUNE UP $59.00 Jeffrey L. Zanetti, D.D.S. (248) Grand River Farmington, MI Member of Our Lady of Sorrows Denstistry you can depend on, from a doctor you can talk to FARMINGTON FAMILY DENTAL, PLLC Brian Carroll, DDS A. Deebajah, DDS, MS (248) Grand River Farmington, MI SATURDAY & EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE Between Farmington Road & Drake Road Member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Junk Hauling You call... we ll haul it all! We haul anything away! Clean Out Demolition Transporting FREE ESTIMATES (248) Low Rates and Personal Service Join your Catholic Credit Union Today! Conveniently Located: LIVONIA FIVE MILE RD PLYMOUTH 8817 SHELDON (734) Federally Insured by NCUA HARTFORD & RATLIFF CO. My Comfort Experts Since 1955 INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL West 8 Mile Rd. Farmington, MI (248) THIS SPACE IS CHARLES STEP FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES CHARLES R. STEP (2014) CHARLES J. STEP MONTY S. WULFF Beech Daly Road DRAKESHIRE DENTAL AND COWARD CARE CENTER FARMINGTON RD. SUITE 201 FARMINGTON HILLS, MI COMPLIMENTARY EXAM & X-RAYS FOR NEW PATIENTS 4-D-5-3 For Ad Information Call LPi Direct at Liturgical Publications Inc /o

8 Family Owned - A Trusted Name Since Grand River Ave., Novi RECEIVE 10% OFF THE TOTAL BILL Coupon Good at 8 Mile Location Only. Not Valid on breakfast specials or any other offer Eight Mile Livonia FARMINGTON HILLS (248) Complete commercial and residential year round property maintenance PARKVIEW MEMORIAL CEMETERY Serving the Community Since Mile Rd., Just West of Farmington Rd Fred Gerometta REALTOR LIBERTY REAL ESTATE (248) fgerometta@aol.com Parishioner VIKING PLUMBING, INC. SEWER CLEANING GARBAGE DISPOSALS DISHWASHERS & WATER HEATERS INSTALLED Call Ed Buckhave (248) Lic. Master Plumber C TS REE ERVICE CHRIS SHIREY Parish Member Free Estimates Insured ALL YOUR TREE CARE NEEDS DON S PLUMBING Expert Plumbing Sewer & Drain Cleaning LICENSED MASTER PLUMBER Donald J. Wood Landscapes & Maintenance Serving Oakland County Since 1958 lafontainelandscaping.com HEENEY-SUNDQUIST FUNERAL HOME Farmington s Catholic and Family Owned Funeral Home since Farmington Road Downtown Farmington Phillip P. Putney, CPA/PFS WEALTH MANAGEMENT YOU DESERVE BETTER - CONFIDENCE & PEACE OF MIND PROVIDING LOW RISK, LOW VOLATILITY SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Farmington Rd. Farmington Hills, MI P: (248) Investment Advice is offered by Horter Investment Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Insurance and annuity products are sold separately through AFS Wealth Management, LLC. Securities transactions for Installation Repair Emergency Services Commercial Residential Since MIKE S PLUMBING Complete Plumbing Sewer & Drain Cleaning Master Plumber Michael J. Wood Thayer-Rock Funeral Home Funeral Directors and Cremation Services since Beautifully remodeled for your family and guests The Quality Service You Expect For Advertising Information call Terry Sweeney today! ext tsweeney@4lpi.com 4-D-5-3 For Ad Information Call LPi Direct at Liturgical Publications Inc /i