St. Mary & St. Joseph Parish One Holy Family Together In Christ Official correspondence should be sent to: 700 Columbia Dr., Durand, MI 48429. 1-855-288-6704 Pastor: Rev. Jonathan Perrotta Email: frjonathanp@gmail.com Deacon: Wayne Corrion Email: Deaconwaynecorrion@gmail.com 989-271-8434 Deacon: Greg Middleton 1-855-288-6704 Ext. 7014 Secretary/Business Manager: Paul Williamson Email: stmarydurand@gmail.com Secretary: Sandy Bensinger Email: stjosephgaines@gmail.com Lifeteen Coordinator: Sara Folsom Email: stmjlifeteen@gmail.com Director of Religious Education (DRE): Robin Doyle Email: smsjdre@gmail.com St. Mary Church 700 Columbia Dr., Durand, MI 48429 1-855-288-6704 Mass Times: Sat.: 5:00pm - Sun.: 11:30am Weekday Masses - See Bulletin Office hours: Mon., Thurs., Fri., 8:30am to 2:30pm. Tues. 8:30am to Noon Website: stmarystjoseph.org Myparishapp.com St. Joseph Church 9450 Duffield Rd., Gaines, MI 48436 1-989-271-8434 Mass Time: Sun.: 8:30am Weekday Masses - See Bulletin Office hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs., 9:00am to 3:00pm. Website: stmarystjoseph.org Myparishapp.com ~Sacraments~ Baptism: You must be a registered active member of either Parish for three months prior to the baptism. Parents are expected to attend a baptismal preparation class before baptism. Marriage: Arrangements should be made at least 12 months before the date of the marriage to take marriage preparation courses. Anointing of Sick: Upon request, contact the Durand office, 1-855-288-6704. RCIA: Starts in the fall. Contact your respective parish office for times and dates. Reconciliation: St. Joseph on Wednesday 9:00am to 9:30am. St. Mary on Saturday 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Special request, contact the Durand office. Check the bulletin for special times.
ST. MARY & ST. JOSEPH PARISH PAGE 2 Grow - Pray..every day Important Financial Update Over the past year and a half, our Sunday offertory has decreased significantly. This is partly due to having one less Mass on Sunday. There are fewer parishioners giving every week. In our current fiscal year, which started July 1, 2018, we are averaging about $600 less per week than we need to pay our regular bills. While we are financially sound over all, much of the money we have in the bank can only be used for the upkeep of our buildings, not for salaries, utilities, etc. Long term, a parish must be able to have a balanced budget, paying for its usual expenses from its weekly offertory. With limited staff and no costly parish activities, we have already trimmed the budget as far as possible without taking more significant steps. So while there are significant reasons to give thanks to God for the financial situation at our parish, and to see that God is with us and to know that if we are faithful to Him, He will provide for us, I also see, especially as I listen to the leaders of our parish, that we need to take new action now. I wanted to bring this to everyone s attention because this is your parish. I know that you have a great love of it, for our Catholic faith and for our merciful God. I am constantly grateful for the boundless generosity on the part of so many of you. One suggestion I will offer: If you are not currently tithing 5% of your income to the parish (and 10% over all), please consider increasing your offertory. If you are already giving at this level, please prayerfully consider if God is inviting you to give a little more. May God bless you and our parish abundantly this week. Fr. Jon Grow - Serve.others needs On behalf of the Curtis Rivard family, a special THANKS to all the members of the St Joseph funeral luncheon team. A wonderful meal was presented for the family. This ministry is a wonderful gift to those from our parish family who suffer a grieving loss of a loved one. If you, any one (both men and women) who would like to be part of this marvelous ministry, please call Sandy Bensinger, the St Joseph church secretary at 989-271-8434 Tuesday thru Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm. Knights of Columbus Gaines Council 12186 Knight of the Month SK John Mc Callum Family of the Month SK John Mc Callum and Lady Barbara Mc Callum Serving Durand, Gaines & Surrounding Communities St. Mary & St Joseph Parish Mass Schedule Monday, November 12 - No Mass Tuesday, November 13 - St. Mary Mass - 8:30am - Bob Tillson by John & Pat Arvoy Wednesday, November 14- St. Joseph Mass - 8:30am - Gary and Kathy Beiser by Cindy Gilbert Sacrament of Reconciliation - 9:00am to 9:30am Thursday, November 15- St. Mary Mass - 8:30am - Anne & Donald Drake by family Friday, November 16 - St. Mary Mass - 8:30am - Chester (Chet) Grifka by James & Barbara Krull Saturday, November 17 - St. Mary Sacrament of Reconciliation - 3:30pm to 4:30pm Mass - 5:00pm - Chris Coady by family Sunday, November 18 St. Joseph Mass - 8:30am - St. Mary and St. Joseph Parishioners St. Mary Mass - 11:30am - Mitchell Wilcox by family We pray for Curt Rivard Husband to Elaine, father to Mark, Kurt, Kathryn, Kevin, Corey & Keith....that he may now enjoy the great blessings of eternal life. We pray also for his family and friends that they may find peace in the promises of Christ. Grow - Pray...for others PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SUFFERING OF ST. MARY & ST. JOSEPH For those who are ill at home, in the hospital or in the nursing home. Gaines K of C council 12186 will be selling Keep Christ in Christmas signs and Catholic Christmas cards after the 8:30 am Mass the next few weeks. Please support our Knights of Columbus who do great charitable work for our community. The October 21, Pig/sheep Scholarship Raffle winners were: ½ sheep Danielle Hawkins, ½ pig Norma Reimel, ½ pig Richard Tullar, A big Thank You to all who bought tickets. The St. Mary Knights of Columbus Grow - Engage..in parish life Volunteers needed for decorating for Advent at St Joseph Church on Thursday, Nov 29, at 10:00am in the gathering space. This week s prayer to carry in your hearts and your prayer time: Holy Mother Mary, mother of God, Pray for us. Jessica Yanta, Louise Jarrad, Toby Versola, Roy Beville, Janette Borke, Samantha Allen, Brandon Rios, and Alex Proulx. Please note: Individual names will remain on the prayer list for four (4) weekends, before being removed. If your illness is long term, your name should be put on the prayer board in the back of your church. St. Mary s parish office 1-855-288-6704 or the St. Joseph s office at 989-2718434. Pray for all men and women in the armed services. Grow - Serve..others needs Heartbeat of Greater Flint is an organization that was created after Roe versus Wade. If we are going to promote Women respecting life, we must be available to assist them. At heartbeat, we provide diapers, formula, clothing, car seats, and furniture (new and gently used). There is a great need for all these items as we work strictly off donations. There is a donation box provided in both gathering areas. If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact Mary Deering 810-513-7399 or Karrie Johnston 810-735-1827.
From the Pen of the Pastor Dear brothers and sisters, We ve arrived; my final weekend as your pastor. A bitter-sweet goodbye, at least for me. The shortness of my time here is a part of the bitter, I think, as I do wish that we could have more time together. Part of the sweetness for me, of this changing of pastors, is a sense that Fr. Dan will be able to bring to our parish Spirit led leadership that will open up new opportunities to announce the Gospel, and God willing bring many to a new faith. I was deeply grateful for the affection and gratitude you showed me at the Masses last weekend when Dcn. Wayne asked you all to give me a round of applause. He is an amazing man, as I m sure many of you know personally. But don t you forget it! He is a great example of what we are all called to be: if our parish was made up completely of men and women like Dcn. Wayne it would be filled to the rafters. He has been a shining example to me of a person who loves God, makes the time for daily prayer, and gives of himself to all in the community. I mention this moment at Mass also, because Dcn. Wayne brought it up in connection to the two great commandments: loving God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength, and loving our neighbor as our self. It is encouraging to know that you have experienced God s love and concern for you through my priesthood and efforts. It is also humbling because I am aware of all the ways I could have loved you better, could have loved you more according to Jesus love for you. So, for all the ways that I have not been the best pastor, for all the ways my witness of God s love and mercy has fallen short, I am sorry and ask your forgiveness. For any times that I have been a hindrance to your receiving God s mercy instead of a bridge, I am sorry and ask your forgiveness. God writes straight with crooked lines, a saint once said, and I know that s true. But I am still sorry for those times I have fallen short, being less than a good shepherd after Jesus own heart. As I was telling a parishioner in connection to this week s moves: Well, I m handing over the parish to Fr. Dan Westermann with more money in the bank than when I arrived, but fewer people in the pews. I wish it could be the opposite. There are so many factors that have gone into the decline of the practice of the Catholic faith among our brothers and sisters, here at our parish and throughout the USA. Please don t let your hope and faith in God be weakened. He is still God. Jesus is still the redeemer of the world, the victor over sin and death, and the Catholic Church is still the Church He founded so that He could be with us always and give us a share in His Spirit, ministry and abundant life. Jesus is still the one who reveals to us who we are, how we are to live and the path to eternal happiness. This is the message that our world today needs so desperately, the truth that sets us free, that brings hope and light into a world in the midst of darkness and despair. Your faith matters. Your witness matters. If we allow God to set us on fire with His love, we will set the world on fire too. I look forward to the times we will have together in the future. I m only a few minutes up the road, so don t be a stranger but please stop on by occasionally. I know that you will welcome Fr. Dan warmly as you did me. I look forward to hearing about the good things that will be going on here, and the ways God is at work in your lives. May God bless you abundantly.
Welcome to our new Pastor Fr. Dan Westermann was born in Platteville, Wisconsin, and his family moved to Michigan when he was about 3 years old. He attended St. Mary's Grade School in Pinckney and then Fr. Gabriel Richard Catholic High School in Ann Arbor. Immediately after high school, he attended St. John Vianney College Seminary at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota for four years. Then, he attended the North American College in Rome, Italy. He was ordained a priest on June 14, 2014. His first two years were spent in East Lansing at St. Thomas Aquinas and St. John Parish, which also serves Michigan State University. His third year was spent in Rome to complete a license in Moral Theology. He has spent the last year in Grand Blanc at the Church of the Holy Family, and the last four months serving both Holy Family, as well as St. Mark's in Goodrich.
Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ B PAGE 3 November 11, 2018 St. Joseph Advent by Candlelight, is being held on Sunday, November 18, starting at 5:00pm in the St. Joseph gathering space. Signup sheets are in the gathering space. Marie Dyer, Cheryl Quinn and Melanie Rea will be our program providers. Come say thank you and good bye to Fr. Jon after all weekend Masses of Nov. 10 and 11, in the gathering spaces of both churches. Grow - Serve.others needs The tags for the Giving Tree... will be on the tree and available to be picked up starting Sunday, Nov 18, along with the Hat and Mitten tree at St Joseph church. For 2019, the combined Knights of Columbus Councils are offering three scholarships through Shiawassee Community Foundation. These scholarship applications are available now through February 1, 2019. These are Faith based scholarships open to graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled college students of St. Mary/St. Joseph families in good standing and are available online at: www.shiacf.org/ scholarships/ Scroll down to and click on Online Scholarship Application. If needed, there is a Scholarship Application Instructions pad to click on. Thank You, The Knights of Columbus Scholarship Committee The Knights of Columbus would like to invite everyone to a luncheon after the 11:30am Mass on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 at the St. Mary s downstairs. We will be serving and treating everyone to Koegel Coney Dogs, chips, and refreshments. Please bring a passing dish if you wish. The children will be singing before the 11:30am Mass and we would especially like them and their families to come down and enjoy the camaraderie and festivities. Thank you. Grow - Pray.every day The Gaines K of C will be selling Keep Christ in Christmas Cards and yard signs during the months of November and December. The cards will range from $5.00-$8.00 per box and the yard signs will be $5.00. They will be after Masses. For more information, call Rich Ockerman at 810-444-9454. PLEASE NOTE: Since we are in our nineteenth month since St. Mary and St. Joseph Parishes merged and changed our name to St. Mary and St. Joseph Parish, we are asking for those parishioners that make their donations by check, to please start writing their checks out to St. Mary and St. Joseph Parish if you haven t already. At some point, Sagelink Credit Union now called PFCU Portland Federal Credit Union (our banking institution) will be requiring that all checks be made out to our new name. Please keep this in mind when writing out your donation checks. Thank you so much. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Williamson at the office at 1-855-288-6704 Ext 7001 St. Mary Advent by Candlelight, Sunday, November 25, 5:00pm in the church basement. Please sign up to host a table or come as a guest. Sign up sheets are in the gathering space. For more info, call Pam Corwin 989-288-4009. 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Prayer......Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity, so that, unhindered in mind and body alike, we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Grow - Serve..others needs St. Vincent truck will be at St Mary the weekend of Nov 18. Knights of Columbus Chicken Dinner...is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 16, starting at 5:00pm at the St. Joseph Hall. All are welcome! Mozart Coronation Mass Nov. 24-25 In honor of Christ The King Feast Day, Sunday, Nov. 25, St. Robert Chorale and members of Lansing Diocese Festival Choir will sing Mozart s Coronation Mass at St. Robert s (Flushing) at the 10:30am Mass. This work will also be sung at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3139 Hogarth Ave, Flint on Saturday, Nov. 24 at the 4:30pm Mass. This Mass will be accompanied by MSU Chamber orchestra and organ. The music will be sung as part of the service, the liturgical parts of the Mass for which it was composed by Mozart in the Salzburg Cathedral. The Coronation Mass is a dancing, sparkling gem, one of the most beloved of Mozart s works. Parish Support for the weekend of Nov. 4 COLLECTION FOR WEEKEND Nov. 4, 2018 General Collection (Budgeted weekend Amount). $5,200.00 General Collection (Received)... $6,913.00 Overage. $1,713.00 All Saints.... $1,262.00 Outreach. $48.00 Building Debt. $618.00 World Mission... $10.00 Mother Teresa Group Bazaar Proceeds.. $1,023.95 Word Among Us donations. $20.00 Sponsor of the Week Marsh Monument Company See the full ad on the back page. Please patronize these sponsors, as they make our bulletin possible. Also, let them know where you saw it! Nov. 18 bulletin cut off is Mon., November 12 by 10:00am. bulletinmj@gmail.com Early Thanksgiving Holiday Bulletin Submission Schedule Announcement: The November 25 bulletin articles need to be submitted no later than Wednesday, November 14 at 2:00pm.