April 29, 2018

Transcription

1 St. Thomas Aquinas Parish & School 955 Alton Road East Lansing, MI Office Phone: School Phone: April 29, 2018 St. John Church & Student Center 327 MAC Avenue East Lansing, MI Office Phone: ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Weekend Mass Times Saturday 4:30pm Sunday 9:00am & 11:00am Weekday Mass Times Monday - Friday 6:30am Wednesday and Friday at 9:00am Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday 3:00-4:00pm & following the 4:30pm Mass 1 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST Weekend Mass Times Sunday 8:00am, 10:00am Noon, 5:00pm & 7:00pm Weekday Mass Times Monday & Wednesday 12:15pm Tuesday and Thursday at 9:15pm Sacrament of Reconciliation Monday & Wednesday 11:00am - Noon Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00pm

2 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER April 29, 2018 Fr. Mark s Remarks God calls all Christians to be saints -- not plastic statues of saints, but real people who make time for prayer and who show loving care for others in the simplest gestures, Pope Francis said in his new document on holiness in today s world, "Gaudete et Exsultate" ("Rejoice and Be Glad"). He focused mainly on how the call to holiness is a personal call. "We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. But that is not the case." "We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves." He wrote about "the saints next door" and likes "to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God's people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who never lose their smile." The path to holiness is almost always gradual, made up of small steps in prayer, in sacrifice, and in service to others. Being part of a parish community and receiving the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and reconciliation, are essential supports for living a holy life. And so is finding time for silent prayer. "I do not believe in holiness without prayer even though that prayer need not be lengthy or involve intense emotion." "The holiness to which the Lord calls you will grow through small gestures," citing the example of a woman who refuses to gossip with a neighbor, returns home and listens patiently to her child even though she is tired, prays the rosary, and later meets a poor person and offers him a kind word. "Jesus explained with great simplicity what it means to be holy" - living simply, putting God first, trusting Him and not earthly wealth or power, being humble, mourning with and consoling others, being merciful and forgiving, working for justice, and seeking peace with all. He also included a list of cautions. For example, holiness involves finding balance in prayer time, time spent enjoying others' company, and time dedicated to serving others in ways large or small. And, "needless to say, anything done out of anxiety, pride 2 or the need to impress others will not lead to holiness." Being holy is not easy, but if the attempt makes a person judgmental, always frustrated, and surly, something is not right. "Christian joy is usually accompanied by a sense of humor." Holiness is about recognizing and serving the Lord in the hungry, the stranger, the naked, the poor, and the sick. Holiness is holistic and while each person has a special mission, no one should claim that their particular call or path is the only worthy one. "Our defense of the innocent unborn, for example, needs to be clear, firm and passionate for at stake is the dignity of a human life, which is always sacred." "Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned and the underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia..." One cannot claim that defending the life of a migrant is a "secondary issue" when compared to abortion or other bioethical questions. "That a politician looking for votes might say such a thing is understandable, but not a Christian." He also included warnings about a clear lack of holiness demonstrated by some Catholics on Twitter or other social media, especially when commenting anonymously. "It is striking at times, that in claiming to uphold the other commandments, they completely ignore the eighth, which forbids bearing false witness or lying." Saints, on the other hand, "do not waste energy complaining about the failings of others; they can hold their tongue before the faults of their brothers and sisters, and avoid the verbal violence that demeans and mistreats others." Get online and read the entire 104 page pastoral letter! In the next few weeks 65 children will receive First Holy Communion at both our Parish sites. Thank you to the teachers and parents who have helped with their faith forming this year at RE classes and STA school. While praying for them, please remember what it was like for you to receive the precious body and blood of our Savior the first time. You were joyful at finally being able to participate fully. May you always remember that feeling each time you receive our Lord at Mass. Have a blessed week!

3 SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR ST. JOHN SATUR DAY May 19 Grand Rapids Exam week and the end of term for MSU is quickly approaching which mean schedule changes at SJSC. April 29 is the last 5:00pm Mass until next fall. Thursday, May 3 is the final 9:15pm Mass. Do you want to become a-better-version-of-yourself? Re-energize your life? Gain personal clarity? Live every day with Passion & Purpose? On Friday, May 4, there will be NO 12:15pm Mass or confessions. There will be a special 10:00am Mass for our graduates and their families. Join fellow parishioners to see Catholic speaker and author Matthew Kelly! Go the EASY WAY on a bus trip departing from St. Thomas at 4:30pm. Prayers for Priests Tickets are $60 and include transportation, parking, entrance to the event, and a box meal. Call either office to reserve your seat or go online to elcatholics.org/event to register and pay by credit card. Financial assistance is available. Please pick up a copy of the May Prayers for Priests calendar available in the back of both churches. Strengthen our Parishes by praying for a priest each day. Go and Announce Thank you to everyone who has made a gift or pledge commitment to our Diocesan Services Appeal. Our gifts to DSA enable our diocese to provide services crucial to our parish. The programs and services funded by DSA offer direct assistance to individuals and families, and to parishes, schools, and Catholic Charities agencies. Evangelization occurs through dozens of ongoing ministries made possible by our contributions to DSA. If you have not yet made a gift or pledge, we invite you to do so today. Gift envelopes are available in church or the parish offices. Or you may submit your gift online at lansing.org/dsa. Your DSA gift will support the vital services and ministries that help bring the love of Christ to all we encounter. Jean Rambo Scholarship You are cordially invited to attend the presentation of the 1st annual Fourth Grade Student Jean Rambo Scholarship To a current St. Thomas Aquinas School Third grader on Friday, May 4, Following the 9:00am Mass At St. Thomas Aquinas Church We are grateful for the many generous donations totaling $20,000 to date! Thank you for your tremendous support! Contributions are accepted year round so you are invited to honor Mrs. Rambo with a contribution to the scholarship fund. Please make checks payable to St. Thomas Aquinas with the notation Jean Rambo Scholarship on the memo line. Contributions may be mailed to St. Thomas Aquinas at 955 Alton Rd, East Lansing, MI

4 St. John Student Center - Home of the Catholic Spartans Calling all Tired & Stressed Students! Katie Diller - kdiller@elcatholics.org Director of Campus Ministry Joe Reis - jreis@elcatholics.org Campus Minister Catholic Spartan Summer Spirituality St. John Student Center is open to you throughout exam week as a quiet study space. We will offer coffee and snacks throughout the day and dinner on Monday through Wednesday. Dinner is served from 5:00-6:00pm. God bless your studies! Fr. Gary s Late Knight Breakfast! 0:00pm, Tuesday, May join Fr. Gary and our parish Knights of Columbus for a study break after the 9:15pm Mass. Pancakes and sausage will be provided. Congrats to our Catholic Spartan Graduates! All students and parishioners are welcome to join MSU grads and their families at the Grad Mass on Friday, May 4 at 0:00am. Come and pray in thanksgiving for the gift of a Spartan education, friendships, and years of intellectual and spiritual growth during time spent at MSU. Faculty / Community Book Discussion Group During May, we will be reading and discussing the book, Dorothy Day: The World Will Be Saved by Beauty; An Intimate Portrait of My Grandmother, written by her granddaughter, Kate Hennessy. We meet May 3 & 17, the first and third Thursdays of each month at St. John from 5:30-7:00pm in the Library. Questions, please contact Al Weilbaecher at or al@elcatholics.org. All are welcomed to participate! 4 Staying around for the summer? jreis@elcatholics.org to get connected with a summer Bible Study or Faith sharing group! Undergrads or grad students aged welcome. Opportunities for Catholics over age 26 are available through Graduate Student & Young Professional Group and Adult Faith Formation. Grad Student & Young Professional Group Join us for the: i.d. 916 Disciples Night Mary s Words at Fatima Live streaming Ralph Martin, President of Renewal Ministries Thursday. May 3 at 7:15pm Resurrection Church, Lansing To join our Facebook Group & list, contact us at stjohnsgroupgmail.com. Back Pack Donations One of our parishioners is filling backpacks for men and women who are homeless. She packs them with essentials such as socks, hats, gloves, peanut butter, tuna, crackers, and re-usable water bottles. They are distributed through recognized agencies that serve the homeless. The most expensive item is the backpack. Gently used adult sized backpacks are needed for this effort. We will have blue buckets at both St. John and St. Thomas if you have one you could donate. We will also accept new ones if someone cares to donate one! Collection dates: April 22 & 29. Thank you for your support and for all you do to help our homeless neighbors!

5 Alpha Celebration Dinner Monday, April 30, 6:30-8:00pm All are Welcome! Our winter season of Alpha has concluded! To celebrate, we are hosting an open celebration dinner on Monday, April 30, at 6:30pm, in Fr. Mac Hall at St. Thomas Aquinas. We invite anyone who might be interested in learning more about Alpha or would like to attend Alpha next year to join us for this informal and informative celebration. There will be dinner, a short DVD, and some brief testimonies about Alpha. There is no cost or expectations, but we do ask that you RSVP to the Catholic Formation Office, if possible, at or al@elcatholics.org. Alpha is an introduction to the Christian faith that gives guests a relaxed and informal opportunity to explore the meaning of life. Alpha has something for everyone! Know someone who might benefit from Alpha? Please invite them & come with them! Albert Avenue CLOSURE Starts Monday, May 7 Albert Avenue will be completely closed beginning Monday, May 7. The closure is expected to last six weeks. The only way to access the Grove St. Ramp will be from Linden Avenue. Rite of Christian Initiation Of Adults Update This Sunday, the neophytes and the newly received had their final mystagogy session. They heard how every Christian has received a call to holiness. They were given information about ongoing adult faith formation opportunities. They discussed how they would stay connected and live their faith within the wider Catholic parish community now that the RCIA process has concluded for them. The catechumens, candidates, and their sponsors considered the topic, "Peace". The Catholic understanding of peace begins with Jesus' farewell to his disciples on the night before he died (John 14: 27). Peace flows out of the covenant between God and all people. This peace frees us for authentic, holistic living. The United States Bishops state, "peacemaking is not an optional commitment. It is a requirement of our faith. We are called to be peacemakers, not by some movement of the moment, but by our Lord Jesus. The content and context of our peacemaking is set not by some political agenda or ideological program but by the teaching of his Church." (pg. 9, The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response) If you have any questions about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or would like to discuss the possibility of joining the next group of inquirers, call Pete Ries at , ext or him at pries@elcatholics.org. This past Sunday 11 inquirers celebrated the Rite of Acceptance/Rite of Welcome at the 5:00pm Mass at St. John Church and Student Center. Through this ritual they were formally introduced to the faith community, welcome in a specific way, and presented with the crucifix which is the primary symbol of the Christian faith. Pictured left to right in the first row are candidates Gary Woodbury, Erinika Taliaferro, Wendy Nichols, Michael Nichols, David Byrnes, Ronald Johnson, and catechumens Ethan Jackson, Taylor Carter, Angela Manjichi, and Jackie Dean. Pictured left to right in the second row are sponsors Sr. Mary Epple, Sr. Rita Epple, John Hoehn, Elizabeth Tobias, Michael Mackin, Aleksandra Carpio, Fr. Ryan, Ethan Neiman, Patrick Morgan, Evan Common (proxy), and Gina Klco. 5

6 Religious Education First Communion News The next two Saturday afternoon 4:30pm Masses (May 5 & May 12) will be First Holy Communion Masses for children of our Parish. There will be more people attending these Masses than normal due to families coming together for these celebrations. The same will hold true for Sunday 12:00 noon Mass at St. John Church on May 13. Gift items received for First Communion (Bibles, Rosaries, etc.) can be blessed after any Mass if you ask the presider. Did You Know? Our parish has a visiting ministry to the sick and homebound called Compassionate Visitors. Volunteers will visit with a person who has requested that they come. If you or someone you know would like to be visited, please contact Linda McDonald by at linda.mcdonald@comcast.net or If you would like to volunteer as a visitor, please contact Angie Liberato at or her at retiredang11@gmail.com. Faith Sharing Questions for Next Sunday s Gospel We invite you to prepare for next Sunday s liturgy, the Sixth Sunday of Easter, by reflecting on the Gospel reading for that Sunday: John 15:9 17 [Jesus said,] No one has greater love than this, to lay down one s life for one s friends. How often do I help or love someone who disagrees with me or doesn t believe what I believe? What do I do when I catch myself being prejudiced? For Further Reflection... Opening the Word is a video program offering prayer and insights on the Sunday Scriptures. You can watch videos and download study materials at FORMED.org. If this will be your first time, you can access the Parish subscription by registering at FORMED.org and using our parish access code: 07838b. 6 Final Youth Ministry Meetings Today is the last youth ministry meeting of the school year! Stay tuned for information on our summer youth group that will start in May or June! Steubenville Registration Registration for our Steubenville Retreat, June 29 - July 1 this summer is open for all high school age students, including 8th graders who will be going into high school next year! We will take a group of buses with other Lansing youth groups to Steubenville, Ohio for a weekend filled with amazing talks, music, small group time, and a lot of fun. There will be around 2,500 teens at the conference! If you are interested in attending, please jhamilton@elcatholics.org Diocesan Assembly Saturday, September 22 Breslin Center, MSU We really are made for happiness! It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise... ~ St. John Paul the Great Plan now to be part of this historic event for the Diocese of Lansing! The day will include a Eucharistic Procession from St. Mary Cathedral to Breslin. The Assembly Gathering will feature inspiring and uplifting talks from Fr. Mike Schmitz and Jennifer Fulwiler. Diocesan Mass to close offered by Bishop Boyea and concelebrated by nearly all the priests of the Diocese. Since this is happening in our backyard, at Breslin Center, we are the hosts! Many volunteers are needed to make this day run smoothly! If you would like to be involved, contact Denise Zakerski at St. John, or sjsecretary@elcatholics.org.

7 Parents Baptism Seminar Our next baptism preparation session for parents (and godparents) of infants or young children to baptize will take place in Fr. Mac Hall at STA, Wednesday, May 2, 7:00-9:00pm. Please contact the Catholic Formation Office if you plan to attend ( or Baptism registration forms are available through the parish offices at both sites and online at our parish web site ( St. Vincent de Paul CANCER MINISTRY - Do you have cancer or do you know someone who does? - Are you going through treatment - chemo, radiation, or surgery - or do you know someone who is? We want to help people in their fight against cancer by visiting them and bringing communion, praying for them, sending out encouraging cards twice a month, and providing a St. Peregrine package (the patron saint of cancer patients). Depending on the needs of the person, we sometimes attend doctor appointments or treatment visits. We are here to help in any way that we can. Contact Loretta Subhi, a colon cancer survivor, at , or lorettasubhi@comcast.net with any questions you have. Or you can contact the parish offices and provide your name and information. Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you. Isaiah 41:10 In the Gospel today, Jesus says Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Indeed, by helping the poor we can bear much fruit and we find that with Jesus we can do everything. Your gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul showed that you are indeed disciples of Jesus as it brought your love by assisting families in providing food, and money for utility, rent, and other bills. God Bless you! 7 OFFERTORY Actual Offertory through April 15, 2018 $2,122,904 Budgeted Offertory through April 15, 2018 $2,147,344 Deficit: $ 24,440 Please Note: The fiscal year began 7/1/2017. Offertory consists of cash and checks given at Mass, electronic giving from parishioners, and stock gifts. Christian Service - Matthew 25 April 15: The Carter Center - For Guinea Worm Eradication will receive $2,092 to eradicate guinea worm, a parasitic infection caused by drinking water from contaminated sources. The organization is now working in the four remaining African countries: South Sudan, Mali, Chad, and Ethiopia. April 29: Friends Without a Border - Lao Children's Hospital for Children offers outpatient services and vaccinations. It is the only hospital in northern Laos with neonatal services. May 6: Salesian Missions provides aid to poor children in Bangladesh. Thank you for your generosity! Pray for the Sick & Deceased St. Veronica s Guild Wine & Cheese Mingle All women of the parish are invited to a Wine & Cheese Mingle on Tuesday, May 8, 7:00-9:00pm Bishop Baraga Room at St. Thomas Aquinas. Join us for this wonderful free event of fun and make new friends! Please pray that those who are ill or suffering in any way might receive the care that they need. We embrace in prayer: Patricia Erhardt, Jessika Wherry, Angelica Liu, Derick Nusbaum and those listed in our Book of Prayer. We embrace in prayer all of our departed brothers and sisters, especially: Rose Zack.

8 Congratulations to Fr. Gary, Fr. Ryan, and Josh Hamilton on becoming Fourth Degree members of the Knights of Columbus on Wednesday, April 18. Congratulations also go out to Fr. Mike (we still claim him as our own!) on becoming a Fourth Degree Knight. Special thanks to Sir Knights Bill Leveque, Deacon Ziggy, John Ingraham, Dave Meyers, and John Paul Stevens who came to the ceremony in Portland to support their Brother Sir Knights. Thanks also to Sir Knight Tom Fox, Faithful Navigator of the Lansing Assembly, and Sir Knight Dave Buick, District Master of Michigan District 2, Fr. Hennepin Province of the Fourth Degree for their support and encouragement. VISIT THE SICK: Eucharistic Ministers Needed for Hospital Ministry Eucharistic Ministers are needed to distribute Communion at Sparrow and McLaren Hospitals especially on the weekends. Contact Cassian Hardie at or cassian.hardie@sparrow.org for more information. Diocesan-wide Living Rosary You are invited to attend a Living Rosary on Saturday, May 12 at the State Capitol grounds in Lansing, sponsored by The Knights of Columbus. This year s theme will be Building the Domestic Church "the Family Fully Alive". This Living Rosary will begin at 11:00am and all are welcome; bring the Family. This beautiful Rosary features young children and the Knights of Columbus 4 th Degree Honor Guard releasing biodegradable balloons and all our prayers Up to the Heavens. A short program will precede the event. A light lunch will be available after. Upcoming Programs ROCK AND ROLL FOR REFUGEES Knights of Columbus Lansing Assembly #3334 presents Rock and Roll for Refugees Concert Friday, May 5 from 3:30-11:00pm St. Casimir Gym, 800 W. Barnes Ave, Lansing Tickets are $10; all proceeds benefit STVCC, Cristo Rey Community Center and St. Casimir. For more event information or to purchase tickets in advance, call Upcoming Retreats at St. Francis Retreat Center May 17, 9:00am-3:30pm "Living a Purpose Driven Life: Take firm hold on the everlasting life to which you were called." May 20, 9:30am-4:00pm "Marriage: Building Trust, Communication, and Intimacy with Each Other and the Lord." Retreats are at St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt. For more information and or to register: stfrancis.ws or

9 Events In our Parish Monday, April 30, :00pm RAS Charity Quilt Group (STA) 5:30pm Centering Prayer (SJSC) 6:30pm Alpha Celebration Dinner (STA) 6:30pm Men of Orpheus Rehearsal (STA) Tuesday, May 1, :00pm Confirmation Scripture Sharing (STA) Wednesday, May 2, :00am Bible Study (STA) 3:45pm Cherub Choir (STA) 4:30pm Diversity Task Force (STA) 7:00pm Parents Baptism Seminar (STA) 7:00pm St. Vincent de Paul Meeting (STA) Thursday, May 3, :00am Faith-Sharing Group (STA) 3:00pm Seraph Choir (STA) 5:30pm Faculty/Community Book Discussion (SJSC) 7:15pm Grad Students & Young Professionals (Resurrection Church) 7:00pm SJSC Music Ensemble (SJSC) 7:00pm MSU Senior Recital (STA) Friday, May 4, :00am First Friday Coffee & Donuts (STA) 10:00am May Crowning (STA) 11:00am MSU Graduation Brunch (SJSC) 6:00pm Men of Orpheus Concert (STA) Saturday, May 5, :00am Food Cupboard (SJSC) Sunday, May 6, :00am & 11:00am Nursery (STA) 9:00am & 11:00am Children s Liturgy of the Word (STA) 10:00am Nursery (SJSC) 10:00am Adult Choir Practice (STA) 11:00am RCIA Mystagogy (SJSC) 2:00pm Confirmation Scripture Sharing (STA) 3:30pm African Mass (STA) 4:30pm Youth Group (STA) LANSING CATHOLIC SINGLES invite all single men & women (mid30 s & up) to join them for Dinner & a Movie on Saturday, May 5. Meet at 4:45pm at Charlie s Bar & Grill in Holt for dinner. Afterwards, we ll head to Celebration Cinema in Lansing for a movie; show and time TBD that night at dinner. For further information phone or lansingcatholicsingles@live.com. Mass Intentions Monday, April 30, :30am (St. Thomas Aquinas) John & Alice Anton req. by John & Jean Anton 12:15pm (St. John) Ginika Bonaventure Ucha req. by Chimobi Ucha Tuesday, May 1, :30am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Jerry Cole req. by Tom Rashid 9:15pm (St. John) Wednesday, May 2, :30am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Int. of the Harper Family req. by Tom Rashid 9:00am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Nancy McDaniel req. by the Family 12:15pm (St. John) Fr. Tom McDevitt req. by Friends of Fr. Tom Thursday, May 3, :30am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Marie Bower req. by George & Joan Whipple 9:15pm (St. John) Fr. Tom McDevitt req. by the People of the Parish Friday, May 4, :30am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Frank DeRose req. by the Friday Breakfast Group 9:00am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Margie McDaniel req. by the Family 10:00am (St. John) MSU Graduation Mass Int. of the MSU Graduates req. by the Parish Family There will not be Reconciliation or 12:15pm Mass this day at St. John. Saturday, May 5, :30pm (St. Thomas Aquinas) Holy Family First Saturday Memorial Mass & Intentions Sunday, May 6, :00am (St. John) People of the Parish 9:00am (St. Thomas Aquinas) James & Eva Siegrist req. by the Family 10:00am (St. John) In Thanksgiving for Margaret McCullough req. by her Quilting Students 11:00am (St. Thomas Aquinas) Ross Baldwin req. by Pat & Maureen Dillon 12:00pm (St. John) Don Maki req. by Steve & Janeen Cleland 7:00pm (St. John) Ginika Bonaventure Ucha req. by Chimobi Ucha New members always welcome! 9

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