St. Kateri Tekakwitha CATHOLIC CHURCH 16101 Rotunda Drive Dearborn, MI 48120 JANUARY 1, 2017 MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD STAFF Rev. Terrence D. Kerner, Pastor Rev. Gary Morelli, Weekend Associate Rev. Mr. Thomas Leonard, Deacon Grace Lakatos, Faith Director Kevin Jakubowicƶ, Organist Office Staff Mary Masley Vicki DeMarco Ellie Sajewski DIRECTORY PHONE: 3133363227 FAX: 3134416769 WEBSITE www.stkateridearborn.org EMAIL info@stkateridearborn.org OFFICE HOURS MondayFriday: 9:00 AMNoon and 1:004:30 PM LITURGIES Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 & 11:00 AM Tuesday: 6:40 PM WednesdayFriday: 9:00 AM CONFESSIONS Saturday: 3:00 PM ADORATION Tuesday: Noon6:30 PM PERPETUAL HELP DEVOTIONS Tuesday at 6:30 PM and Thursday at 9:00 AM For Marriage, Baptism and Confirmation information, please call the Parish Office. ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT www.aod.org BOOK & GIFT SHOP Open weekends before & after Masses FROM THE PASTOR S DESK By Fr. Terry Kerner Greetings for the New Year to all parishioners of St. Kateri and our guests. May all of us enjoy a peaceful and healthy New Year! We can all be grateful for the dedicated service given by our parish staff and many volunteers to make 2016 such a good year. THANK YOU to them all. One experience you will be invited to participate in is a parish mission which is scheduled for the end of February. You will be hearing much about it in the weeks ahead and the opportunities you will have to be involved. Stay tuned. I want to thank all who have so generously contributed to the weekly offertory giving the parish a comfortable cash flow. While it might look like the parish is flushed with cash, there is a serious need for funds in this New Year. Currently we are evaluating the efficiency of the six (6) furnaces located in the original parish hall (St. Francis Hall) and the parish offices and rectory. They all date back to the 50 s and 60 s and will need replacing in the very near future. Replacement with new units will save money in the long run with greater efficiency. Please note that any cash surpluses are banked in anticipation of some very costly expenses in the near future. (I overheard one parishioner say that he was not giving to the offertory since the parish doesn t need it. He is very, very wrong. If we cannot pay for improvements through the offertory we will need a special drive.) So far we are doing okay, but only because of YOUR generosity. For this I thank you. Enjoy your coming year and I am sure we will see you in church. - SUNDAY'S READINGS - First Reading: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! (Nm 6:24-26) Psalm: May God bless us in his mercy. (Ps 67) Second Reading: Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Gal 4:4-5) Gospel: When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Lk 2:21) Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass 2001, 1998, 1970 CCD. The English translation of Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass 1969,
Page 2 FAITH FORMATION By Grace Lakatos JUST A REMINDER: Faith Formation & Confirmation Prep will resume classes on Saturday, January 7th at 9 AM. Our first class for 1st Reconciliation is on Saturday, January 14th, at 9 AM. Dear Lord, as we begin this new year, may we each be ready to start fresh with love and forgiveness in our hearts, our actions and our words, for ourselves and one another. May we be reminded of the values and desires and goodness that you taught us to treasure. May we strive to live in peace with one another in this day and all the days to come. Amen. On behalf of the families and volunteers of the Faith Formation programs, we wish an abundance of blessings on all of our St. Kateri family and friends today and throughout the New Year. PARISH NEWS HOLIDAY HOURS Please note that the parish office will be closed January 2nd. We look forward to seeing you January 3rd. CHRISTMAS TRIBUTE NAMES CONTINUED DUE TO EARLY DEADLINE IN MEMORY OF: Peter Alfano Dave Boik Greg Boik Francis Camilleri Joe Camilleri Mary Camilleri Laura DeSantis John Dorogi Ron Dorogi Victoria Dorogi Maria Eusani Richard S. Eusani James Herring Jayne Herring Jim Herring Mark Herring William Karr Scott Kempa Mary Kester Ken LaFrance Grace Napolitan Ronald Parana Henry E. Poindexter Olive Pulgino Frank Suter Filomena Williams IN HONOR OF: Pam Berry Maryann Cerda Jackie Herring Kevin Herring Mary Rose Kempa Bert Kerring Vivian Lughermo Mona Tonna RCIA The Archdiocesan Worship Office is offering nine RCIA topics on four Saturdays, January 14, 21, 28,and February 4 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the program that brings new members into the Church. The Worship Office uses CSA funds to develop certification programs for RCIA ministers and formation for RCIA teams, as well as for RCIA consultation to parishes. Because of CSA gifts, tops are only $5 each and will include an overview of the RCIA, the pre-catechumenate and catechumenate, presiding at minor rites, purification and enlightenment, and Canon Law for RCIA teams. Tuesday, January 3rd Most Holy Name of Jesus 6:40 PM Josephine DeFilippi (by Family) Wednesday, January 4th St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious 9:00 AM Mass Donald Pizzimenti (by Koss) Thursday, January 5th St. John Neumann, Bishop 9:00 AM Pat Major (by Michael Biggs) Friday, January 6th St. Andrë Bessette, Religious 9:00 AM Special Intentions for the Caregivers of Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital (by Granch Family) Saturday, January 7th St. Raymond of Penyafort, Priest 4:00 PM Marjorie & Joseph Gilboe (by Family) Mark Herring (by Lena Herring) Philip Guerreso (by Sanson Family) Sunday, January 8th 9:00 AM Sara Stuk (by Family) Alma & John Koroly (by Family) Paul Sullivan (by Kathy) 11:00 AM Robert Schneider (by Family) Maria Medrano (by Family) Greg Dreyer (by Barb Hartman) - Readings for the Week of January 1, 2017 Monday: 1 Jn 2:22-28/Ps 98/Jn 1:19-28 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:29--3:6/Ps 98/Jn 1:29-34 Wednesday: 1 Jn 3:7-10/Ps 98/Jn 1:35-42 Thursday: 1 Jn 3:11-21/Ps 100/Jn 1:43-51 Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13/Ps 147/Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-28 or 3:23, 31-34, 36, 38 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21/Ps 149/Jn 2:1-11 Next Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Ps 72/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12
Page 3 (Continued from page 2) ST. PAUL II GIFT AND BOOK STORE by Pat Urban The shop has received a selection of rosaries made of beads from Marian apparition sites around the world. The rosaries have been restrung by a local woman who creates each decade made up of beads from a different site. The rosaries are quite unique. A new shipment of small Native American baskets and ornament bells has arrived. The woman in New York who makes these items is from the same area and tribe as St. Kateri. The items are woven from black ash (which she shaves from the trees herself) and sweet grass. The baskets and bells make very nice gifts. The shop will be closed during the Christmas and New Year s weekends. Thank you to all our customers and volunteers who have supported us throughout the year! FOOD COLLECTION FOR JANUARY Items needed for the month of January will be listed in next week s bulletin. Again, due to early publication, the information is not available at this time. OVER 70 1/2? What you need to know about the IRA charitable gift rollover. In the last extension of the favorable IRA charitable rollover tax provisions for individuals age 70 1/2 and older, there is no expiration date. So the law is in effect now and for future years. What should a donor over 70 1/2 do in order to get the benefit that IRA distributions will not be included in taxable income? Donors should follow the same general procedures for IRA charitable distributions as in the past- To qualify as a 2016 transaction, the IRA distribution to the Church or other charity should be made on or before December 31, 2016. Only direct distributions to charity up to $100,000 qualify as tax-free. Distributions in exchange for a charitable gift annuity or to a donor-advised fund do not qualify. It is especially important that the IRA distribution be made payable to the charity, not to you as the IRA owner and beneficiary. Otherwise, the distribution would not qualify for the favorable tax treatment. Advise your IRA administrator to make the distribution check or other payment payable to the Church or other charity, not to you. Only distributions from IRAs are tax-free: the law does not apply to other qualified retirement plans. Consult with your IRA administrator and tax advisor on the proper procedures to make a direct distribution to your parish. AROUND TOWN SACRED HEART PARISH AND SCHOOL Join us at Sacred Heart Parish and School for an Open House on Sunday, January 29th, 2017, from 12:30 3:30 PM. Shamrock Shadow Day is Friday, January 27th, 2017, from 8 AM to 12:45 PM. Come and learn about our school by viewing classrooms and curriculum materials, meet teachers, and our principal, see the state-of-the art technology, the small class sizes, foreign languages, sports and latchkey program. To schedule your visit call 313.561.9192. JANUARY PRAYER REQUESTS Terry Abraham Ernie Adams Bob Alban Carliloso T. Anasco Frances Antonelli John Bachowski Theresa Bay Dawn Bilton Virginia Carroll Adele Czapski Elaine D Aguanno Cindy DeLorey Richard Demps JoAnn Di Gregorio Rick Di Gregorio Margaret Dubitsky Delphine Gray Linda Grey Andrew Hailo Dolores Hnot Annette Jossey Joann King Art Lewandowski Alana McCarthy Fran La Macchia Patricia Mazzola Anne Munir Emily Nalli Leonard Omichinski Dave Schmitz George Seminitis Bill Sikora Brother Jerry Smith Michelle Southwick Henry Staunton Helen Winnicker Ann Zombeck Jennie Zimnicki Thank you to all who submitted updates. Remember that if you wish to have someone placed on the sick list, call the office. ST. SEBASTIAN St. Sebastian Catholic School will have an Open House/Science Fair on Sunday, January 29, 2017. The time is 11:30 AM to 2 PM. All are welcome to come and visit the classrooms and well as meeting the teachers. See you there.
Page 4 THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE The use of evergreen trees, branches, wreaths, and garlands as decorations dates back to pre-christian times. People have forever been fascinated by this singular tree that stays green all year long despite the cold and snow of winter. The evergreen has been seen as a wonderful and comforting reminder of life, even in winter when life seems to have vanished. The German people are known to be the first to connect the evergreen with the celebration of Christmas. There are many legends of its first use in Germany, but one of the most charming is the story of Martin Luther. After taking a night time walk in the forest and observing starlight shining through the branches of a fir tree, he then brought a tree into the home and attached candles to it, to recreate that beautiful scene. Within two centuries of its event the use of Christmas Trees had become common place throughout all of Germany, though it was still rather unknown in the rest of Europe. All of this changed in the early 19th century after the marriage of Queen Victoria to the German Prince Albert. In 1848, the very popular royals set up a Christmas tree for the holidays at Windsor Castle. By means of the early press, this information spread quickly throughout Europe and even reached the United States. It soon became the fashionable thing to do! In our country the custom was practiced first by German immigrants in Pennsylvania. But after the Queen of England adopted this practice, its appeal spread quickly throughout the nation. Early decorations were of the homemade variety but by the height of the Victorian era in the 1890 s elegant blown glass ornaments from Germany were all the rage. To make the Christmas tree something truly American and to prevent the tragedy of house fires caused by lighted candles on trees, Thomas Edison invented the first Christmas tree lights. The popular Christmas carol O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) has become a beloved part of the American Christmas tradition. However Tannenbaum refers to the evergreen or fir tree, while a Christmas tree in German is actually known as Weihnachsbaum. CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL NATIONAL COLLECTIONS A number of national collections are included in the Catholic Services Appeal each year, such as the Black and Indian Missions Collection. Since 1884, the Black and Indian Missions Collections has provided grants to dioceses to operate schools, parishes, and other missionary services that build the Body of Christ in African American, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities. You can learn more about this important collection at www.blackandindianmission.org/nationalcollection. Other national collections benefiting from your gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal include those for the Catholic University of American, the Church in Latin America, Catholic Home Missions, the Holy Land and the Catholic Communication Campaign. For more information about CSA-funded programs, services and ministries, go to www.aod.org REMEMBERING FR. SOLANUS CASEY In honor of the upcoming 60th anniversary of Fr. Solanus death, join us at Noon the first Saturday of each month for a simple lunch and presentation. On January 7th, Fr. Solanus grandniece and grandnephew will be with us to share family stories and memories. Meet us at the Solanus Casey Center 1780 Mount Elliot in Detroit. RSVP at 313.579.2100 ext. 149. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Fish Fry will be back Friday, January 6. Look up while you are driving in the area. The Patrick O Kelley Council #3860 has placed Keep Christ in Christmas billboards on some of the areas busiest roads. The Holy Family "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt." What a dream! Or was it a nightmare? To be commanded to take flight like refugees in the night, to have a newborn baby and no time to pack or plan, all this must have been frightening to say the least. Joseph was no stranger to lifechanging dreams though. He had already been told in a dream to take Mary as his wife, even though she was with child. He had planned to divorce her, but the dream completely changed his course. And now God was asking him to change course again, to relocate his family and live as aliens in a foreign land, under the shadow of Herod's headhunt for their son. But Joseph accepted these trials, placing his trust in God. Although few of us have dreams like Joseph did, we do share with him the challenge of reconciling our plans with the hard facts of reality. When things don't go our way, we can respond with bitterness, or like the Holy Family, we can recognize an opportunity to deepen our faith in God's providence. The holiness of this family did not prevent them from suffering. Rather, their holiness kept the suffering from overwhelming them. Even with the twists and turns in their path, they never got lost. Their faith in God was like a spiritual compass that kept them oriented in the most unfamiliar circumstances. When we too are called to change course in life, may we remember to let God show us the way. 2013 Liturgical Publications Inc
Page 5 JANUARY 7TH & 8TH LITURGY SCHEDULE 4:00 PM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM Celebrant Fr. Morelli Fr. Kerner Fr. Kerner Reader Joan Baritche Carol Kulwicki Mike Martin Ciborium Cup 1Virginia Blow 2Gerald Goodrich 1Bob Bryer 2Lisa Herring 1 Mary Below 2Barbara Cataldo 1Kay Perry 2Barbara Schlaff 1Barbara Alban 2Lisa Le Page 1Neil Jain 2Elizabeth Jain Sara J. Paul J Isabel V. Diego V. Theresa S. EVENTS STEWARDSHIP Jan. 1 AA Jan. 3 Adoration & Mass Jan. 3 AA Jan. 5 Seniors Jan. 6 AA 2 PM 6:40 PM 7PM 11 AM 8 PM December 18, 2016 Week 26 Current Year to Date Budget $ 6,700.00 $ 160,800.00 Actual $ 5,045.00 $ 181,247.00 Variance $ (1,655.00) $ 20,447.00 Monies for December 25 will be inserted in next week s bulletin due to time restraint by Liturgical Press. Religious Retirement $2,558.00 - Heavenly Father, welcome Home those whom you have called from this world Especially MARYANN LAPHAM Aunt of Barb Hartman and all the souls of our faithful departed. May Maryann and all the souls of the faithful Rest In Peace Anthony P. Alfano U. S. Marines Louis J. Bardel U.S. Marines Brendan Burns U. S. Navy Conor Burns U. S. Navy Nicholas Carleton, Kari Crawford James R. Donahue Perry W. Edgell V. Ryan Gottwald Kathleen Lyons Teresa Lyons Timothy Lyons Raymond J. Pawlowski Garrett Quick Adam Schneider Christopher Shiner Haley Valentine U.S. Marines Joseph R. Walker U.S. Marines Please notify us if you wish to add someone to our list.