March 11, 2012 - St. Mary Catholic Church

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Preschool Open House
Please join us for an information
Open House on Thursday, March
22nd from 5:00-6:30 PM in the
preschool classrooms of St. Mary
School.
St. Mary Development Center is
open to all children ages 2 1/2 to 5
years.
Early childhood development program provides building blocks in
language, literacy, numbers and
motor development within a small,
loving, faith-filled community.
For more information, please call
517-655-4038 or email:
[email protected]
ST. MARY CHURCH
WILLIAMSTON, MICHIGAN
March 11, 2012
LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE
Monday, March 12th
8:05 a.m.
Members of the Parish
Tuesday, March 13th
6:30 p.m.
+Yolanda Kavanaugh-Req. Mary Jane Fox
Wednesday, March 14th
9:00 a.m.
+Richard & Rick Zalewski-Req. Morrison Family
Thursday, March 15th
6:30 a.m.
+Members of the Parish
Friday, March 16th
8:05 a.m.
Special Intentions Rudy Kruppa-Req. Jim &
Eva Puppan
Saturday, March 17th
4:30 p.m.
+Hebert & Anna Klausing-Req. Klausing Family
Sunday, March 18th
9:00 a.m.
Members of the Parish
11:00 a.m.
+Philip Hill-Req. Mary Zalewski
Saturday, March 17th, 4:30 PM
Reader Celeste Sura
Servers Vincent Subrizi, Nicholas Sura & Gabreille Berger
E.M.
Sheila Salisbury**, Barb Catton**, Larry Tharnish,
Betsy Greene & Marie Welling
Sunday, March 18th, 9:00 AM
Reader Bernie Kazyak
Servers Jack Bellinger, Kathryn Mueller & Will Bellinger
E.M.
Dorothy O’Connor**, Patty Baldwin**, A. J. Murray,
Steve Kennedy, Susan Tinney, Prox Kazyak & Mary Benjamin
Sunday, March 18th, 11:00 AM
Reader Ardith Lee
Servers Owen Tuckey, Sofie Mirate & Nicholas Dailey
E.M.
Becky Muzer**, Mary Lou Pillips**, Dan Dailey,
Ann Noelle Schuler & Jeanette Lake
Dear St. Mary parishioners,
The March 7th memorial to the North African martyrs, Perpetua and Felicity in 203 A.D. allowed for a
homily about the martyrs at Wednesday's 9:00 AM School Mass. Some striking lessons for believers, applicable to
our time, came out as went through the account of the Saints' martyrdom during the reign of Roman Emperor, Septimius Severus.
Severus continued the enforcement of Roman policies already established, which meant that local authorities did not intentionally seek out Christians, but when people were accused of being Christians they could be impelled to either curse
Jesus and make an offering to Roman gods, or be executed. Furthermore, in order to strengthen the peace through enforcing religious
harmony through syncretism, Severus attempted to limit the spread of the two groups who refused to yield to compromise their religious beliefs by outlawing conversions to Christianity or Judaism. There were local variations in the enforcement by officials against
the Christians.
Thus, in Carthage, Perpetua, age 22 who was nursing her first child, and Felicity, a slave pregnant with her first child, became
catechumens studying the Faith under the catechist, Saturus. He was arrested first. Perpetua and Felicity receive baptism just prior to
and just after their imprisonment. Perpetua's father opposed her conversion and along with the Roman Judge tried to use the custody of
her child to force her to curse Jesus and make offerings to the pagan gods. When allowed to have her child stay with her in the dark,
hot and cruel prison, Perpetua remarked, "my prison suddenly became a palace for me." The officers of the prison began to recognize
the power of the Christians and the strength and leadership of Perpetua.
The pregnant Felicity could not be executed with her friends in the arena as even the Roman authorities believed at the time
that to kill as child in the womb was the shedding of innocent and sacred blood. Two days before the scheduled execution by wild
beasts, Felicity gave birth to her child in prison. (Providentially, the little one was adopted by a local Christian family.)
Perpetua, Felicity, Saturus and others, demonstrating joy and calm, were then led out into the arena to taunts by the crowd.
The Christians responded by laughing at the crowd for not being Christians and exhorting them to follow their example. When authorities in the arena tried to force Perpetua and the rest to dress in robes dedicated to their false gods, Perpetua challenged the executioners. "We came to die out of our own free will so that we would not lose out freedom to worship our God. We gave you our lives so that
we wouldn't have to worship your gods." She and the others were allowed to keep their own clothes.
The men were attacked by bears. leopards and wild boars. The women were stripped to be mauled by a rabid heifer. Bloodied
Saturus gave his ring to one of the prison officials who converted to Christianity. Though confused, distracted and wounded, Perpetua
continued to encourage and help the others. The five stood together as their throats were cut. Perpetua's last words to her brother were,
"Stand fast in the Faith and love one another."
Today in the U.S. there has been a major shift of public policy by executive fiat changing our long freedom of religion to
"freedom of worship" where we are required to deny long established beliefs and practices to bow down to a perverted desire of the
state. The current regime's desire is to compress our Catholicism into what happens within our church buildings and deny our consciences and right to speak to and help form public policy. This is seen most clearly the Health and Human Services mandate for the
implementation of and funding for abortion causing drugs in every person's health plan. This is both a violation of many American's
consciences and a violation, by the executive branch, of the Constitution. Like Perpetua, Felicity and their companions, we are in a
position to witness openly to the freedom of religion and the sanctity of life in the public arena, independent of the illegal and punitive
consequences to our faithful proclamation and practice of the truth.
Under the direction of the bishops, inform yourself on these important issues and find the suitable arena to make a difference
in turning around this destructive and tyrannical policy.
In communion with all the Saints, I remain your local shepherd,
Fr. Peter J. Clark
3rd Sunday in Lent
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Sunday Offertory Budget July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012
Year to Date Budget Goal—Week 36
Year to Date Income
Year to Date OVER/UNDER Budget Goal
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Donations (Envelopes Not Used)
176 Adult Envelopes Used Sunday
4 Children’s Envelopes Used
Weekly Total
Weekly Operating Expenses Goal
Weekly Over/Under Goal
465,220.00
322,075.44
316,143.34
-5,932.10
983.00
6,336.00
5.15
7,324.15
8,946.54
-1,622.39
Third Sunday of Lent
“You shall not covet” is perhaps a difficult commandment to keep in our
consumer-oriented society. But as Christian stewards, we know that we
are the recipients and caretakers of God’s many gifts. May this
understanding that all his gifts help us be less resentful of the gifts of
others.
CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDIES
Tuesdays 9:30 AM
St. Mary Room
Continuing
Church
Studying the Gospel of Matthew
Adelita Theis
655-9632
Wednesdays 10:00 AM
St. Joseph Hall
Mary Zalewski
Church
655-2016
Began November 30th
Watching CATHOLICISM series followed by discussion.
Wednesday 6:45 PM
St. Mary Room
John McAuliffe
Began February
1st
Church
655-2016
Watching the video series "A.D." followed by discussion
Saturdays 7:30 AM
St. Joseph Hall
Fr. Clark
Began January 7th
Church
665-2620
Watching CATHOLICISM series followed by discussion
Sharon Rupp, Phyllis Lankford, Stephanie DunckelHarrist, Marilee Miller, Chris Blaxton, Dan Brannan,
Cameron Lewis, Ed Tuckey, Joe Drumm, Michael Dyer,
Kyle O’Connor, Martin Ford, Karen Diehl, Nora Bradshaw, Mary Elam, Eileen Strahan, Cecile Butler, Diane
Klausing, Janice Klanecky, Andrea Robinson, Mark Robinson, Diane Monroe, Tom Pitlanish, Tracy Pitlanish,
Megan Spaller, Katie Schoen, Derik Jorgenson, Jim
Bohnett, Mary Hrostoski, Hilary Tuttila, Ann O’Connor, Cindy Balfour,
Penny (Maki) Denczek, Lois Broderick, Richard Robinson, Matt Davis.
Mark Fisher, Mike Brannan, Mark Pischea & June Fellows.
Lenten Fasting Regulations
Abstinence on all the Fridays of Lent, and on Ash Wednesday
No meat may be eaten on days of abstinence. Catholics 14 years and
older are bound to abstain from meat. Invalids, pregnant and nursing
mothers are exempt.
Fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Fasting means having only one full meal to maintain one's strength. Two
smaller, meatless and penitential meals are permitted according to one's
needs, but they should not together equal the one full meal. Eating solid
foods between meals is not permitted. Catholics over 18 but not yet 60
years are bound to fast. Again, invalids, pregnant and nursing mothers
are exempt.
The Divine Mercy Devotion on April 15 includes:
The Divine Mercy Devotion in the church at 3:00 PM on Sunday,
April 15, 2012 which is the 2nd Sunday of Easter.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (individual confessions) will be offered by a number of visiting priests after the devotion (about 3:45
pm).
A Polish Dinner prepared and sponsored by the Knights of Columbus
will be offered after the Divine Mercy devotion at 4:00 PM. Watch
the Bulletin for details.
Would you like to start your own Bible group? Training is provided.
Please call Fr. Clark
PERSONAL STUDY – CD’s Books and Pamphlets on Catholic topics
are available through Lighthouse Catholic Media and the Catholic Truth
Society. Please check out the display in the Narthex.
The CATHOLICISM series hosted by Fr. Robert Barron is being shown
Fridays 7:00 PM in St. Joseph Hall after the Fish Fry. Fr. Clark will lead
the following discussion.
7 Deadly Sins and 7 Lively Virtues series by Fr. Robert Barron will be
shown on Lenten Saturdays at 6:30 PM.
Pray for our Confirmation Candidates
Welcome the Bishop at the March 19th Mass
Our Bishop Earl Boyea comes to St. Mary's on Monday, March 19, 2012
at 7:00 PM to confirm our candidates. Catechists Nick and Laura Hahnenberg, under the direction of our DRE, Adam Janke have been preparing these young people to receive a fuller measure of the Holy Spirit.
Please pray that the candidates will complete their preparation and be
able to yield to all the graces of the sacrament which include:
- Rooting them more fully as sons and daughters of our heavenly Father,
"Abba."
- Uniting them more firmly to Christ.
- Increasing their gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- Rendering a firmer bond to the Church.
- Giving them a special strength of the Holy Spirit to defend the Faith.
Please join us and concelebrating priest, Fr. Anthony Strouse, in welcoming the Bishop and praying for our 43 candidates.
School Roof Update - Good Progress!
Generous parishioners have contributed $45,817.78 since our
Appeal which began in December 2011. Praise the Lord! We are now
$9,382.22 from our goal of $55,200.00 Thank you for seeking the Lord
and setting priorities to see that our parish facilities are well maintained.
Further contributions will be coming in over the winter months from
memorial gifts, tax returns and parishioners "catching-up" with their
commitments.
ST. MARY CHURCH
WILLIAMSTON, MICHIGAN
March 11, 2012
7 Deadly Sins, 7 Lively Virtues (DVD)
Join Father Robert Barron for this engaging presentation
concerning the Seven Deadly Sins, those great spiritual blocks
that inhibit our flourishing in relationship with God and one another. Based on Dante’s writings, the seven deadly sins correspond to the seven stories of Dante’s Mt. Purgatory. Pride, envy,
anger, sloth, gluttony, avarice and lust are all presented as patterns of dysfunction within us
that lead to unhappiness.
But that's not all! Father Barron shows us how to counteract these seven sinful patterns through a conscious process of
opposition, which are the Seven Lively Virtues. The Seven
Lively Virtues offer antidotes to each sin and help set us on the
right path to healing and happiness.
This Adult Education series will be offered on Saturdays at 6:30 PM in St. Joseph Hall during Lent. Fr. Peter
Clark will lead the discussions after each video. Free admission.
Altar Servers, please sign up to serve at the Friday, 5:15 PM
Stations of the Cross in Lent. The list is available in the Sacristy!
Thank you.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR
The St. Mary Children's Choir is accepting new members! Children in second through sixth grade are very welcome to come and
sing with us. Participating in leading the music is a wonderful
way to help your child connect with the worship and build friendships with other kids in the parish. We practice in the music
room every Monday that school is in session from 3:20 to 4:05
PM, and will sing for the vigil Masses on March 24th, April 28th,
and May 19th. If you have any questions, or for more information, please contact Ruthie Munk at [email protected].
Monday, March 12th
3:30-4:05 p.m.
Junior Choir Practice
7:00 p.m.
RCIA
Music
St. Mary
Tuesday, March 13th
9:30 a.m.
St. Mary Quilters
7:00 p.m.
Rosary & Novena
7:15 p.m.
Worship Commission Mtg.
7:15 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Mtg.
St. Joseph
Chapel
St. Mary
St. Joseph
Wednesday, March 14th
8:30 a.m.
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
REP
6:3 p.m.
Euchre Party
Church
School
St. Joseph
Thursday, March 15th
7:00 p.m.
Adult Choir Practice
7:30 p.m.
Charismatic Prayer Group
Music
Chapel
Friday, March 16th
2:15 p.m.
School Students’ Stations of the Cross
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Fish Fry
5:15 p.m.
Stations of the Cross
Church
Activity Cntr.
Church
Saturday, March 17th
3:30 p.m.
Reconciliation
4:30 p.m.
Mass
Chapel
Church
Sunday, March 18th
9:00 a.m.
Mass
9:00 a.m.
REP
10:15 a.m.
REP
11:00 a.m.
Mass
12:30 p.m.
Adult Volleyball
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Confirmation Rehearsal
Church
School
School
Church
Activity Cntr.
Church
SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
BROOKSHIRE INN
RELIGIOUS ARTICLES
Religious articles will be offered for Confirmation and First Holy
Communion. A table will be set up in the Narthex on March 10th
& 11th after all the Masses. During the week of March 12th the
table will be moved to the hallway leading to St. Joseph Hall.
WOMEN OF ST. MARY
The women of St. Mary will be meeting for coffee on Tuesday,
March 13th at 10:00 AM. We will be meeting at the Webberville
McDonalds (M-52 and I-96). We have been averaging ten
women at these gatherings. Many stories are shared and a good
fellowship is experienced. Won’t you consider joining us?
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FISH FRY
The Knights all-you-can eat Lenten fish fries began on Friday,
February 17th through and including Good Friday, April 6th.
Dinners will be served in the Activity Center from 5:00-7:00 PM.
Any questions call Bob Gillespie 655-1159 or Tom Laforge 6559151. Take out orders available.
Our sponsors bring us this bulletin cost-free each week. Please consider them
when in need of goods and services. Tell them you saw their ad at St. Mary
Church.
EASTER DINNER is being sponsored by St. Gerard Social
Ministry Commission for people who will be alone on Easter.
The dinner is a sit down, family style dinner in a friendly atmosphere, served on Easter Sunday, April 8th, at 12:30 PM in Fr.
Weber Hall. Fr. Weber Hall is located behind the school at 4433
W. Willow Hwy. Transportation will be provided if needed. For
further information or transportations, please call the Parish
Office at 323-2379.
St. Gerard Easter Community Dinner needs volunteers
to help with the se-up, cooking, transportation, serving and
cleanup on Easter Sunday. The shifts are 9:30 AM-12:00 Noon,
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM or 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Please call Mike
and Carolyn Hudson, at 321-4297 or email [email protected].
Thank you.
ST. MARY CHURCH
WILLIAMSTON, MICHIGAN
Showing on Fridays at 7:00 PM after the Fish Fry
CATHOLICISM is a groundbreaking Documentary Film Series and
multi-media Study Program released by Word On Fire (September
2011). The ten, 60-minute DVD episodes take viewers around the world
and deep into the Faith, spanning over 50 locations in 15 countries –
stunningly filmed in high-definition.
CATHOLICISM illustrates the truth, goodness, and beauty of the
Catholic Faith in an epic media experience. Viewers will witness a vision of the Catholic Faith that has never before been seen. From the
lands of the Bible to the great shrines of Europe, from the heartland of
America to the mysteries of Asia and the beating heart of Africa, see the
passion and glory of the Faith that claim over 1.1 billion of the earth’s
people. This magnificent television event is created and hosted by Father Robert Barron. Fr. Barron is the founder of Word on Fire
Catholic Ministries and is recognized as “one of the Church’s best messengers.” See wordonfire.org or CatholicismProject.org.
March 11, 2012
Readings for the Week of March 11, 2012
Sunday
Third Sunday of Lent
Ex 20:1-17 or 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17; Ps 19;
1 Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25 or Ex 17:3-7;
Ps 19; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15,
19b-26, 39a, 40-42
Monday
2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Ps 42; Lk 4:24-30
Tuesday
Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25; Mt 18:21-35
Wednesday
Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147; Mt 5:17-19
Thursday
Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95; Lk 11:14-23
Friday
Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81; Mk 12:28-34
Saturday
Saint Patrick, Bishop
Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51; Lk 18:9-14
Sunday
Fourth Sunday of Lent
2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Ps 137; Eph 2:4-10;
Jn 3:14-21 or for Year A 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ps
42; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9; 13-17, 34-38
ST. JOSEPH HALL IS THE SITE FOR ALL EPISODES.
Episode Four: Our Tainted Nature’s Solitary Boast: Mary, the
Mother of God-Friday, March 16th.
Episode Five: The Indispensable Men: Peter, Paul and the Missionary Adventure-Friday March 23rd.
Episode Six: A Body Both Suffering and Glorious: The Mystical
Union of Christ and the Church-Friday, March 30th.
Episode Seven: Word Made Flesh, True Bread of Heaven: The Mystery of the Church’s Sacrament and Worship-Friday, April 13th.
Episode Eight: A Vast Company of Witnesses: The Communion of
Saints-Friday, April 20th.
Episode Nine: The Fire of His Love: Prayer and the Life of the
Spirit-Friday, April 27th.
Episode Ten: World Without End: The Last Things-Friday, May 4th.
Regional Reconciliation Services
Sponsored by the pastors of the Lansing Vicariate, the Penance
Services offer individual confession in Lent:
Sunday, March 18th at 2:00 PM at St. Casimir in Lansing and
St. Jude in DeWitt.
Sunday, March 25th at 2:00 PM, at St. Thomas Aquinas
Church, East Lansing, and St. Gerard Church, Lansing.
God is so good to us to offer these
opportunities for the forgiveness of
serious sin.
What about Lenten Sacrifices on Sunday?
Q. On Sundays during Lent are Catholics allowed to continue
their sacrifices or Lenten penances? For example, if someone
gave up desserts for Lent and he did not want to consume those
sweets on Sundays either, would it be canonically incorrect for
him to continue abstaining from this food? Or by the laws of the
Church, should he make a point of taking dessert in order to show
the observance of Sundays as not being days of fasting and penitence?"
A. An answer adapted from Father Edward McNamara: A
Catholic should consider both the fact that historically the Church
never classes Sunday as a penitential day. Also, there is the range
of healthy and wholesome voluntary sacrifices that many Catholics offer during Lent. Among other reasons, these sacrifices prepare for Easter, make reparation for failings and constitute an act
of inner freedom from the attachments toward worldly things.
Because of the voluntary nature of sacrifices, a Catholic is under
no obligation to leave them aside on Sunday and may freely observe them during the entire Lenten season.
Indeed, ascetically this is often the best thing to do, since interrupting these sacrifices can weaken the resolution to make it to
the end. Some people, however, especially those imbued with a
more liturgical spirituality, might find a Sunday interval to be
helpful in living the spirit of Lent. It very much boils down to
what each person considers as being most spiritually beneficial to
his soul and for the good of others.
EUCHRE NIGHT
We will be having a progressive euchre party on Wednesday, March 14th at 6:30 PM in St. Joseph Hall. Coffee &
water will be provided or bring your own drink. Snacks
are always welcome. Please join us for a fun evening and
fellowship
ST. MARY CHURCH
WILLIAMSTON, MICHIGAN
March 11, 2012
Lent 2012 Schedule of Services and Devotions
Stations of the Cross in the Church: Fridays 5:15 pm.
(Consider the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, 5:00 – 7:00 pm).
The School children pray this devotion at 2:15 PM on Fridays.
Rosary: Tuesdays 7:00 PM (chapel), Wednesdays 8:40 AM in
the Church.
Individual Confessions: Saturdays 3:30 – 4:00 PM
Tuesday, March 27 at 10:00-11:00 AM, 2:00-3:00 PM & 5:30 6:15 PM.
Penance Services: Sunday, March 18 - 2:00 PM at St. Casimir
in Lansing and St. Jude in DeWitt.
Sunday, March 25 - 2:00 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas in E. Lansing and St. Gerard in Lansing.
Solemnity: St. Joseph the Husband Of Mary: Mass on Monday,
March 19th at 8:00 AM.
Confirmation 7:00 pm with Bishop Boyea!
Solemnity: The Annunciation: Mass on Monday, March 26th at
8:00 AM.
Holy Week Services - Mark your Calendars
Mass of the Lord's Supper, Thursday, April 5th - 7:00 PM
Passion of the Lord, Friday, April 6th - 3:00 PM
(Stations of the Cross - 5:15 PM)
The Solemn Easter Vigil, April 7th - 8:30 PM
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection, April 8th - Masses, 8:00 AM,
10:00 AM and 12 Noon
St. Patrick’ Day Celebration
Everyone is cordially invited to attend the Fifth Annual
Bill Reed Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Dinner party at
the Prairie Creek Banquet Center on Saturday, March 24th sponsored by the K of C Fourth Degree St. Francis Assembly 2982.
Bring along your family members and/or friends to enjoy a very exciting and fun evening celebrating St. Patty’s Day!
Green beer will be available to wet your whistle, along
with other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages of your choice.
At 6:00 PM a Buffet Dinner of Corned Beef & Cabbage, and
Irish Stew, with all the fixings, will be served. At 6:30 PM the
Lansing Irish Dancers will perform authentic Irish dances dressed
in genuine Irish attire. At 7:00 PM the Mellotones Dance Band
will play enjoyable dance music for your entertainment. There
will be a round and square dancing, along with an old fashioned
fun sign along session.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call our
party chairperson, John Quinnan at 517-256-1019. The cost of
attendance is $10.00 per person. Mail-in your reservations with
your name, address, phone number and money on or before Friday, March 16th to: Gene Russell, 110 Riverview Dr. DeWitt,
MI 48820-8786.
40 Days for Life Lansing Spring Campaign began Wednesday,
February 22nd with a daily 12 hour prayer vigil in front of
WomanCare abortion mill, 1601 E Grand River, Lansing. Over
5,000 abortion minded women have changed their minds because
of people participating in these peaceful and prayerful campaigns.
St. Mary Parish will provide volunteers to pray every Friday from
12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM during Lent. Please sign-up after Mass at
the table in the narthex or you may call Mary Zalewski at 6552016. www.40daysforlife.com/lansing
Latin Mass Responses in Lent
are found in the We Celebrate Hymnal:
#329 Kyrie, eleison = Lord have mercy.
Christe, eleison = Christ have mercy.
Kyrie, eleison = Lord have mercy.
#332 Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth… =
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are filled
with your glory…
#333 Memorial Acclamation # 1: = Mortem tuam annuntiamus Domine, et tuam resurrectionem confitemur, donec venias = We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection, until you come again.
# 337Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi = Lamb of God who
takes away the sins of the world
Miserere nobis = Have mercy on us.
Dona nobis pacem = Grant us your peace.
ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CEMETERY LANSING
Spring clean up is scheduled March 1st—March 20th at St. Joseph
Catholic Cemetery, weather and ground conditions permitting. We are
asking all families to please remove items that they wish to keep by
March 20th.
The Stations of the Cross on Fridays
When we walk Via Dolorosa, the 14 stations in the church, praying, our
purpose is to make a spiritual pilgrimage to the chief scenes of Christ's
sufferings and death in Jerusalem. We are considering God's love for us
in Christ that forgives our sins and sets us free to love Him (and others)
in return. All are welcome on Fridays at 5:15 PM in the Church for this
devotion during Lent. (The School children pray the stations on Friday at
2:15 pm.) Prayer booklets are available in the gathering area for your use
during other times. - Fr. Clark
St. Joseph, Husband of the Virgin Mary
Monday, March 19, 2011
A Mass on the solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19 will be offered
in the Church at 8:00 AM. Joseph was declared patron of the
Universal Church in 1870 by Pope Pius IX and Guardian of the
Redeemer by in 1989 by Pope John Paul II.
Confirmation of 43 candidates by Bishop Boyea will be celebrated the same day at 7:00 pm. All are welcome. - Fr. Clark
ST. MARY CHURCH
WILLIAMSTON, MICHIGAN
“We Learn to Love; We Love to Learn”
St. Mary School shares with the Church in
the mission of Jesus Christ. In a faith-filled
academic environment, children grow in their
relationship with God, the Catholic Church,
and the community
March 11, 2012
Vacation Bible School – It is time to sign up for the VBS leadership
team. We need a director, co-director, faith leader, games leader, food
leader, craft leader, and music leader. The team meets once a month until
summer when they meet more often. If you would like to join the team,
please contact Adam Janke at 655-2520.
Throughout the month of March students and teachers at St. Mary
School will be participating in activities designed to celebrate
Reading Month. Students will read for pleasure an age appropriate number of minutes per day, dress as their favorite book character, wear words, cocoon with a good book, listen to a guest read
aloud to them each week, and have their teachers exchange classrooms to read aloud. Students, teachers and staff thoroughly enjoy this month long celebration of reading.
Students and staff would like to thank Mrs. Marsha Swain and
the Wagner family for reviving and organizing the Spring Rummage Sale fund raiser to benefit St. Mary School. Please visit the
Spring Rummage Sale in St. Joseph Hall the weekend of March
23rd-25th.
Donations can be dropped off at St. Joseph Hall March 21st and
22nd from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
God bless you,
Sue Penn, Principal
St. Mary Child Development Center
Children 2 1/2 to 5 years
To register
Please call 517-655-4038.
State Licensed
Christ centered Preschool
Extended Daycare 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Flexible scheduling available
SPRING RUMMAGE SALE (a.k.a. Grandma’s s Attic)
The Holy Family Society needs your help. We are
sponsoring a Spring Rummage sale on Friday, March 23rd, Saturday, March 24th & Sunday, March 25th in St. Joseph Hall.
We are in need of donations of all kinds. Clean clothing, household items, jewelry, toys, books, linens, and any other clean,
useable items. Please drop these things off no earlier than
Wednesday, March 21st or Thursday, March 22nd from 9:00
AM to 6:30 PM.
Also, please remember to come shop at this sale on
Friday, March 23rd from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturday,
March 24th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (also after 4:30 PM Mass
for parishioners) and Sunday, March 25th from 10:00 AM to
2:00 PM. Everything will be priced and there will be bag prices
and mark downs starting Saturday, March 24th at 2:00 PM and
all day Sunday, March 25th. Don’t miss out on these great
FIRST of the season sale items!! Thank you for your support.
Any questions please call Marsha at 517-655-3716.
DSA Commitment Weekend this Week!
March 10th & 11th – Please listen to the bishop’s message
today. Review the DSA brochure and fill out a pledge envelope,
either the one received at home or found in your pew.
You Shall Open Your Hand to them in their need (Deut.
15:7-8). This is this year’s Diocesan Service Appeal motto.
Bishop Boyea has given our parish a goal of $40,294 for pledges
during Lent. Last year, St. Mary exceeded our goal. Recall that
50% of contributions over that goal were returned to our parish
coffers.
We are responding to the many needs and ministries
within our Diocese that cannot be funded or staffed by St. Mary
alone. We need to work together with other parishes under the
direction of the Bishop through the DSA. Thus, these opportunities for sharing the gospel and God’s gifts are fulfilled. Our common efforts through DSA benefit those in need and give glory to
God, from whom all good things come.
March 17th & 18th – Follow-up Weekend when more pledge
envelopes are accepted.
March 24th & 25th – Second follow-up Weekend allows more
time to consider your pledge.
This year’s parish DSA representatives are Steve Schuler, Donna
Crawford and Harry Smith. Thank you in advance for the financial support of our diocese. –Fr. Clark
2012 DSA Prayer
God, our creator
and giver of all good gifts,
We praise You and we thank You for the gifts
You have bestowed upon us.
May we reflect our love for You
by providing for the needs of our
sisters and brothers.
Nourish our hearts with the spirit of
Christian Stewardship so that we may share
generously and joyfully the gifts we have received
as we Open Our Hand to Them in Their Need.
Amen