ST. GERALD EASTER SUNDAY THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH A Servant Church Of The Archdiocese of Detroit

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. EASTER SUNDAY THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD March 27, 2016 Ours is a changing world. In fact, our world is changing more rapidly than ever before. We will completely miss the meaning of Easter if we think of it as happening two thousand years ago. The event and the holy day have no meaning unless we are experiencing God s power to bring life out of death in the hereand-now as well as in the here-after. First reading Acts 10:34a, Of course Jesus was raised from the dead! How could God not see to the resurrection of his Incarnate Son? His life was filled with love, sacrifice, and good works. Such a life would have no meaning if it simply ended in death. God raised Jesus from the dead as a pledge that good will always ultimately triumph over evil. Second reading Colossians 3:1-4 There is a marvelous message in these words from Paul to the Colossians. He tells us that we have already died and our lives have already been raised in Christ. In other words, God s resurrecting power brings life out of death here and now, as well as in the past and in the future. 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. Gospel Luke 24:1-12 The message of the angels to the women on that first Easter morning is amazing. It is like a shaft of light suddenly appearing in a darkened room. People of faith will not be found among the dead. The cemetery is not where our loved ones have gone. The faithful already share in the eternal life of the resurrected Christ. After Jesus death his followers experienced just such hopelessness. They were not merely grieved, they were devastated. Their hopes vanished into thin air. Their faith in the future evaporated. We cannot imagine the impact the death of Jesus had on his followers. Not only were they common people who lived in relatively primitive times, but they had little or no social status prior to meeting Jesus. Furthermore, they lived in a world where death was commonplace, where life expectancy was two-thirds of what it is today. So primitive were their conditions that they could not have understood, much less imagined, the world of medicine and health that we enjoy today. As recently as the 17 th century Thomas Hobbes could characterize life as solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. The disciples had entrusted everything to Jesus, including their physical and spiritual destinies. To understand the depth of their despair, we must recall the height of their earlier expectations. These people were convinced that Jesus was the longawaited Messiah. From the day he first appeared in Galilee, word had spread that he was the one who would deliver Israel. Everywhere he went, crowds gathered just to hear him, to experience his strength, and to witness his miraculous power. Then the tide turned against him. Almost before they knew what was happening, he was nailed to a cross, just like the two thieves who were crucified on either side of him. Perhaps they expected some miraculous intervention. But all Jesus did was hang there, and bleed, and suffer, and die. His followers were devastated. At the very point where they had come to expect so much, suddenly it was all over. Jesus was dead. For his followers there appeared to be nothing left, nothing to anticipate, nothing to live for. The disciples were suddenly living on the wrong side of Easter, where death rules everything, and where so many people live today. Easter Blessings! Fr. Festus Ejimadu

2 ST. GERALD PARISH, FARMINGTON, MI WEEKDAY MASS INTENTIONS MARCH 28 - APRIL 2 Monday 9:15 AM NO MASS Tuesday 9:15 AM Adams Family Requested by Bill and Joanne Croitori Wednesday 9:15 AM Marino and Rosa Benedettini Requested by Graziano Canini Thursday 7:00 PM Dennis Paslawski Requested by Christine Paslawski Friday 9:15 AM Marino and Rosa Benedettini Requested by Graziano Canini Saturday 9:15 AM Dobbs, Kemp, Trayer, Robrecht, and Donarman Families Requested by C. Kemp READINGS FOR THE WEEK MONDAY: ACTS 2:14, 22-33/PS 16:1-2, 5, 7-11/ MT 28:8-15 TUESDAY: ACTS 2:36-41/PS 33:4-5, 18-20, 22/ JN 20:11-18 WEDNESDAY: ACTS 3:1-10/PS 105:1-4, 6-9/LK 24:13-35 THURSDAY: ACTS 3:11-26/PS 8:2, 5-9/LK 24:35-48 FRIDAY: ACTS 4:1-12/PS 118:1-2, 4, 22-27/JN 21:1-14 SATURDAY: ACTS 4:13-21/PS 118:1, 14-21/MK 16:9-15 NEXT SUNDAY: ACTS 5:12-16/PS 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24/ RV 1:9-11A, 12-13, 17-19/ JN 20:19-31 Liturgical Publications Inc (For a list of daily readings: go to April 3, 2016 SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER OR DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY 8:30 PM April 2 Fr. Kaiser For Joaquin Dsa Requested by Blen Servers Lector/ Ushers Servers Needed 8:30 AM April 3 Fr. Festus For Harold Barr Requested by Marjorie Barr Servers Lector/ Ushers Lyda Del Rosario 5:00B Clarisa Russenberger Candy Rosowski 8:30B 10:15 AM April 3 Fr. Festus For Elisabeth Hollinger Requested by Josephine Rotondo and Family Servers Lector/ Ushers Sarah Weber Carter Canon Nancy Stone 10:15B 12:00 Noon April 3 Fr. Festus For All Our Parishioners Servers Lectors/ Ushers Fernando Guerra Angie Guerra Christine Greig 12:00A Sacristan Schedule April 2 and April 3 Team #6 Offertory Snapshot Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Wishing you the joy of Easter every day of the year from Fr. Festus and the St. Gerald Staff Alleluia! Alleluia! Actual Offertory for Weekend of March 13 $ 8, Budget Offertory for Weekend of March 13 $ 9, Actual Offertory July 1 - March 13 $315, Budget Offertory July 1 - March 13 $345, First Friday, April 1st Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10 AM - 9 AM Saturday Scheduled Adorers Needed Sign-up sheets in gathering space Have you considered putting St. Gerald Church in your Will? Please call Fr. Festus at He would be happy to discuss this with you.

3 C H R I S T I A N S E R V I C E We are excited to provide funeral luncheons here at St. Gerald. However many hands are needed to provide these services to our parishioners. If you would like to volunteer a couple hours to help with serving and clean up when there are funeral luncheons please call Christian service at ext. 204 and leave a message with your name and phone number and I will return your call. Thank you. St. Gerald is forming a group to participate in the Crop Walk on April 1 st here in our area. The Crop Walk is an organization where different ages, races and faiths come together to walk and raise funds to help end world hunger. They have an impact locally and globally. Their website is crophungerwalk.org. RICE BOWLS ARE DUE! Thank you to all who have donated to Operation Rice Bowl so far. Donations may be placed in the box located in the gathering space of the church, or dropped off in the Christian Service Office. ATTENTION SENIORS OF ST. GERALD We will be hosting bingo along with sit and chat on April 12 th at 9:45 AM in the social hall. Spread the word and come have some fun and socialize. Prizes will be awarded. Canned Chicken, ham or beef Tuna or Chicken Helper Laundry Detergent Coffee 11 oz. For our annual PARISH PICNIC SUNDAY, JUNE 5 1-4:30 PM Mac and Cheese Canned Fruit Children s Snacks Dish Detergent F O R M AT I O N MARCH 27, 2016 SAVE THE DATE Celebration of the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation Saturday, April 16, 2016 During the 5:00 PM Mass Bishop Francis Reiss will be our celebrant at this Mass. All are welcome! SPRING clean-up at St. Gerald Your help is needed on Saturday, April 23rd at 9:00 AM Any help is appreciated. Bring your rake, gloves, garden tools and a willingness to work. Teens who need community service hours, gardeners who wish to lend a hand.. we need you ALL. Many hands make lighter the load. Thank you for those who donated yard waste bags for church use. We will need more through the seasons, so please drop all bag donations in the large box in the social hall. There are only a few garden areas that need to be adopted. Sign up on the garden plot board to claim your garden now. PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK... Wanda Reiner Bill Walker Daron Tilburt John MacDougall Corinne Wedge Ralph Wenski Sofia Weiland Margaret Joyal Lorrie Aldrich Joan M. Preston Stephen Cleary Beth McLaughlin Robin Kafcas Andy Mosher Emily Choike Wanda Johnson Erin Malloy-Sidaway Nancy Kolliker Mary Ann Alcalan Joan Miele Dennis Hill 3 BUNDLE DAYS Time to start your spring cleaning! On the weekend of May 7and 8 the St. Vincent de Paul truck will be here for your donations ST. GERALD CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT If you need a copy of your contribution statement, please send your request to stgeraldsecretary@yahoo.com or call Thank you!

4 ST. GERALD PARISH, FARMINGTON, MI E VA N G E L I Z AT I O N Are you working toward improving yourself? Have you spent time with God? Are you ready to be resurrected with Jesus Christ? Come to church and spend some time in His presence. Saturday, April 2nd at 7:30 PM Game Night Player s choice; bring your favorite. Euchre, Catch Phrase, R C, Pinochle, Taboo and more. So mark your calendars and plan to join us for fun, chat and laughs. (future dates June 4, Aug. 6, Oct. 1) Monday, April 25th at 7:00 PM ~ SYNOD is both an event and a process. The purpose is to focus on how we can make evangelization our most important pastoral activity Please plan to attend a dialogue meeting here at St. Gerald, to provide your feedback to the Archdiocese of Detroit as we work to evangelize about Jesus Christ and our Catholic faith. Dates and times to be posted soon. Volunteers interested in promoting St. Gerald Church at the Farmington Founder s Festival Thurs-Sat. July 14, 15, 16 are asked to call Gerryanna at EASTER SUNDAY: THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD Easter symbols are all about life. The lilies that bloom radiate living beauty. Easter eggs symbolize the life that breaks out of the tomb. The Easter candle burns brightly as a sign that light conquers darkness, a light that brings life to all. Water is needed by every living thing. Even secular symbols like rabbits and chicks point to abundant life-recall the phrase, "they multiply like rabbits," used to describe a proliferation of life. The cross that graces so many Easter cards as well as the Easter candle itself, also reminds us that Easter is about death-and transformation. The symbols of life have within themselves the power of death. The lily gives up its bloom and the plant dies back retreating into the bulb that nourished it. The egg pours out its life and the shell is left behind. The fire that is contained in the Easter candle can just as easily roar into a refining conflagration. Water, which all life needs, can also destroy. And the cross at its inception was an instrument of death and hardly a symbol of life. This is the hard truth of the Easter message. Life comes at a price, and eternal life at the costliest price of all: the death of the only-begotten Son. Christ's death brings life, and is so radically transformative that even the very instrument of his death is seen today as a sign of life for all. The newly baptized are sealed with a cross of chrism on their forehead, a fragrant transformation of the ashes that graced us all at the beginning of Lent. The newly baptized died to sin in the bath of water and rose to life in Christ, and the rest of us renewed our baptismal commitment to follow Christ faithfully through life. This Easter day is a celebration and a commitment, a promise to leave the past behind and to walk in the newness of life Liturgical Publications Inc DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY In 2001, Pope John Paul II announced that the Sunday after Easter would be Divine Mercy Sunday. This announcement was the culmination of Jesus appearing to St. Faustina and asking her to instill a day dedicated to His Mercy. On this Sunday, a Plenary Indulgence can be received. On April 3, 2016, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron will celebrate the Feast of Divine Mercy at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament where there will also be a procession of the Divine Mercy Image and veneration of a St. Faustina relic. Mass begins at 11:00 AM. After Mass there will be an opportunity to take the Holy Door of Mercy pilgrimage. All are welcome! A look ahead: MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 28 NO MASS 5:30 pm Elementary Religious Formation Classes 29 8:40 am Rosary 9:15 am Mass 9:45 am Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions 5:15 pm Elementary Religious Formation Classes 30 8:40 am Rosary 9:15 am Mass 7:00 pm Vicariate Bible Study 31 7:00 pm Mass 1 FIRST FRIDAY (24 hour Eucharistic Adoration following morning Mass ) 9:15 am Mass 8:00 pm AA Meeting 2 9:15 am Mass for Life 3:30 pm Confessions 5:00 pm Mass 3 2nd Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday Sunday Fellowship 8:30 am Mass 10:15 am Mass 10:15 am Children s Liturgy of the Word 12:00 pm Mass

5 In Memory of: Emily Abid Patricia Alspach Jorge Ivan Arango Harold Barr Harry Barr Charles Berend Glyda Berend Robert E. Blankenship Joseph Bongero Mary and Chet Bonkowski Leo and Despina Boudreau Ken Carroll Jack and Mary Cavellier Clyde and Edna Centers Anne and Joe Coils Fleurette Colwell Charles and Betty Conatser Mary Connor Mary and Stanly Czyzewski Deceased Family Members Louise DeMartini Jeffrey M. English Margaret L. Fay Irene Fiori Mary Friedman Lee and Pat Garbarino Evelyn and Reginald Gates Carmel R. Gauci Margaret and George Gero and Family Sunny and Charles Gomory Granata and Yarrow Families Joan Hoffman John Hoffman Elaine Horsburgh Gerald Ignash Frank Jacques John Jacques Bernice, Louis and Dennis Kaye and Family John Klem Family August Kott Remembered with Easter Flowers this Eastertide Remembered by: Mr. and Mrs. Abe Aon Catalina Arango Marjorie Barr Marjorie Barr Gloria and Bruce Berend Gloria and Bruce Berend Robert and Diane Blankenship Agnes Bongero Steve and Stephanie Conatser Nancy Carroll Family Joanne Dixon John and Angela McLoughlin Steve and Stephanie Conatser Dan and Sue Connor Gerald and Dolores Maxey John and Angela McLoughlin Mr. and Mrs. C. Minear Margaret Makowski Joan Fiori Dan and Sue Connor Art and Pam Mikkola Deb and Carmine Palombo and Family Loving Wife and Family Robert and Norma Bazzett Mary and Joseph Rytel Mary and Joseph Rytel Scott and Susan Horsburgh and Family Barbara Ignash Lynn Smith Lynn Smith Nancy Norton Caron Kott In Memory of: Frank Kriegler Carol Kronk Jean Legowicz Robert Lindenmuth Wilda McAskin Dave McFadden Paul McLoughlin Teresa McLoughlin Jim and Mary Lou Mehelas Agnes and Joseph Midura Edward Midura August and Annie Mikkola Ileene Mullane Edward Nowak Bernard O Brien Carl O Donohue Helen Ouellette William Ouellette Anna Palombo Joann Pavco Julia and Anthony Pavco and Family James Price Cecelia and Ernest Protzer Purchiaroni and Galassi Families Anne Marie Retelle Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Richard Giovanni Rotondo Rotondo and Morelli Families Mary and Julian Stachowski Barbara Stone Hali Stone Strode and Shockley Families Julia and Clarence Stutzner Bradley Teagan Marion Teagan Arnett Toran Eleonora Valente Helen and Buddy Winquest Mark White MARCH 27, 2016 Remembered by: Norma Kriegler Mark Kronk and Family Caron Kott Wife and Children Robert and Diane Blankenship Joyce McFadden John and Angela McLoughlin John and Angela McLoughlin Julie, Shel and David Levine Delphine Midura Delphine Midura Art and Pam Mikkola Tony Wadrick Katie O Brien Bill and MaryAnne O Donohur and sons Gloria and Bruce Berend Gloria and Bruce Berend Palombo Family Jean Price Family Mary Retelle Marie Josette Richard Bolivar Josephine Rotondo and Family Josephine Rotondo and Family Delphine Midura Daughter Wife and Daughter Cosimo Valente and Family Celeste White 5

6 ST. GERALD PARISH, FARMINGTON, MI KNIGHTS CORNER Parish Picnic June 5, Corn Toss Tourney Needs Manager Council member needed to become event manager for the corn toss tournament that is being planned as part of the parish picnic. The picnic is schedule for Sunday, June 5. Early discussions about the corn toss tournament focused on it being a team event open to men of the parish. More details from Program Director Tom McPhail ( ). Casino bus trip for June 8, 2016 is almost sold out. If you would like to go, contact Rich Smith at Anyone interested in going to a Tiger game this year call Rich Smith PGK at We have been thinking of going in smaller groups and also having dinner at one of the downtown restaurants. Some of the restaurants will shuttle us to and from the game to our car. With spring just arriving, the new, lightweight nylon Council jacket is the perfect fit at $25. It has a light fleece lining to ward off those night chills and a roomy inside pocket, perfect for your phone or wallet. See PGK Bruce Roberts to purchase yours. Also, hats are still available from Bruce. A major degree night is planned for Monday, May 9 at nearby Our Lady of Sorrows, home of the St. Francis Council. Our Council has 18 members who lack their second and third degrees, meaning that they have not reached full knighthood. There is no cost other than a couple hours of your time while you learn more about our order and what it means to be a Knight of Columbus. Membership Director Shatomi Kerbawy will arrange your participation. Call him at Next month is April, a time when the Council will be nominating officers who will lead us in the fraternal year. Under a schedule adopted last year, nominations will open at the April 19 membership meeting and the elections held at the May 17 meeting. To be eligible, you must be in good standing and hold a third degree. Candidates can nominate themselves or have a fellow member do it. All terms, except that of the single trustee position, are for one year starting July 1. Keep Aware of our Council s News, Read the Knights Corner in The Voice Sundays 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) Timothy Westfall: Pastoral Associate x timwestfall.sgp@gmail.com Mary Hoots, Administrative Assistant x stgeraldsecretary@yahoo.com All other offices dial (248) Christian Services Candy Desjarlais: Christian Service Coordinator.. x desjarlais.candy@gmail.com St. Vincent de Paul.. x 220 Education Mary Taylor: Director Religious Education x taylor.mary04@yahoo.com Youth Ministry Theresa Smith.... x stgeraldym@gmail.com Music Ministry Mary Zelinski, Director of Music Ministries Assistant - Purchaser Cathy Long..... x clong123@gmail.com Maintenance Mark Koss Accountant Kim Shepard 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 Tim Westfall (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.

7

8