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"Thankfulness is much more than saying 'Thank you' because we have to. Thankfulness is a way to experience the world, a way to be surprised. Thankfulness is having open eyes and a short distance
between the eyes and the heart."
Fr. Thomas Rosica CSB
It was November 14
th
2014. After almost 15 hours of travel from Poland I arrived at St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park. After 14 years of my priesthood, I moved to a foreign country, with a different culture, with a language that I learned in high school in Poland over 22 years earlier and never used, with people who looked like ...Americans ;-) and loved baseball, football, basketball, and even golf! Everything was new for me.
What am I doing here Lord? Is this the place you want me to be?
Today is June 24/25
th
2017, over two and a half years later. Knowing that next Sunday I will be at St. Andrew's, my new parish in Rochester, I'm writing this thankful note, not because Fr. Andrew asked me to do this, but because I want to, because my heart is surprised and very thankful for everything that I have received here at St. Clare, in Detroit, and in the U.S.
Dear God, through Jesus your Son you told me the other day:
"...everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life."
I know that these words are true. At St. Clare Parish, I found a family and a home. I met wonderful people and I experienced their love, hospitality, friendship, support, and patience.
I'm thankful for every sacrament we celebrated together, for their testimony of faith, for their prayers, devotions, and for every joy and sorrow we went through together. Thank You Lord that I could share with them Your word even if sometimes I did this with a lot of language difficulties. Lord, only you and my heart know how grateful I am for my English teachers: Patricia, Sr. Valerie, Liz, Corrine, and others who often after celebrations came to the sacristy with a small piece of paper with the words written on them, saying:
"Father, you need to work on the pronunciation of this word".
I am thankful for each and every one of you from this parish community, for every group, every ministry, volunteer, every gathering, and celebration. I am grateful for every minute I spent with our Youth Group, for Thursday breakfasts, First Tuesday dinners and conversation, Thursday evening Faith Formation and much, much more...
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Fr. Tom Farewell
Fr. Tom, How can we say "thank you"? Thank you for all the drop-ins during our Sunday meetings to eat with us and share stories, jokes, and Polish candy! Thank you for our first retreat Up North -especially when we were eating dinner and you kept throwing balls of tin foil at us and we played pterodactyl...and the food fight on the ride home. Thank you for all the times you brought Jesus to us in Eucharistic Adoration at crazy times so we could spend time with Him. Thank you for the time you called your toes your feet fingers. Thank you for hearing our Confessions even when we all came in wearing the same coat. Thank you for the soccer games even though your glasses suffered a casualty. Thank you for always making time to be with us-it showed us you cared about us. Thank you for showing us that the path to holiness is fully human, exciting, and possible through your example and friendship. Thank you for everything; you will always be a part of our Youth Group here at St. Clare. We love you and we will miss you, Fr. Tom!!
To teach is to learn" is one of my favorite expressions. I have been blessed to be part of the team that has helped to guide Father Tom toward his mastery of English. Yet I think I have learned more from Father Tom than he has learned from me! I have learned that someone who is profoundly intelligent can also be a humble, patient, and dedicated student who genuinely welcomes feedback. Father Tom's example shows that the love of Jesus and our faith can be contagious. I have also learned that sometimes "less is more" and greater meaning can often be conveyed with fewer words. Along the way, I have learned a little more about golf and football (a.k.a soccer) and I even picked up his mother's recipes for pickles and potato pancakes! At St. Clare we have learned that a prayerful, friendly, yet quiet man can send a very loud and indelible message. Liz Zatina.
It is with a heavy heart that the Intercessory Prayer Team must say goodbye to our much loved spiritual adviser. We will miss your wise counsel, prayerful guidance and friendly conversation. Thank you for taking the time to be with us in prayer. Your example of leading a prayerful life has inspired all of us. Please know that while we will miss your presence you will always be in our prayers. We wish you a smooth transition to your new parish, with much happiness and many blessings. Thank you Fr. Tom
June 24th & 25th
Join us after all Masses
(4pm, 9am and 11am)
for a reception honoring
Fr. Tom Wilisowski, CSMA
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Thursday Faith Formation-Small Groups
The next two Thursday Faith Formation Small Group gatherings are listed below.
Each evening begins at 6:45
. Refreshments will be provided (no dinner!) and feel free to bring a snack to share.
June 29 - Popieluszko 2 hrs 30 min In Polish with English Subtitles
The stirring, powerful true story of Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko, the courageous young priest and martyr who became the chaplain and spiritual leader of the large trade union in Poland, Solidarity, in the 1980s.
July 6 - The 13th Day 1 hr 30 min
Parental Guidance is advised before watching with children.
In a world torn apart by persecution, war, and oppression, three children in Fatima, Portugal, were chosen by God to offer an urgent message of hope to the world. Based on the memoirs of the oldest seer, Lucia Santos, and many thousands of independent eye-witness accounts, The 13th Day dramatizes the true story of three young shepherds who experienced six apparitions of Our Lady between May and October 1917, which culminated in the final prophesied Miracle of the Sun on October 13th.
Please see our website for more information and a complete
description
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The theme of this year's Catholic Services Appeal is Opening Doors to Encounter Christ.
Youth Ministry
Your gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal are helping high school-age teens in the Archdiocese of Detroit learn how to become better Christian leaders, examples to their peers, and evangelizers through Youth Leadership and Evangelization Training.
"Chosen to Follow" covers topics like discipleship, communication, facilitation, prayer, and event planning, as well as sharing faith with other teens. Through the "Living Your Strengths" resource, teens will also learn to use their individual strengths in their daily lives.
Offered by archdiocesan Youth Ministry Office, Youth Leadership and Evangelization Training will be held overnight at St. Frances de Chantal Parish in Sterling Heights this July 21-22.
For information about CSA-funded ministries, programs, and services, please go to
www.aod.org
.
Many Thanks to those who have already responded with a gift or a pledge, we have exceeded our goal! Remember that any amount over our goal is returned to St. Clare 100%, with no assessment. Excess CSA funds are put into savings for future roof or parking lot repairs/replacement. To make your CSA gift online, please go to http://stclarem.aodcsa.org.
As of June 25, 2017
PLEDGED:
$
79,410
GOAL:
$73,681
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Parish, School and Community News
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Christian Service Corner
Mike McDevitt
mmcdevitt@stclarem.org
Summer Projects | Be Bold Be Holy Be Catholic
Summer is officially here and our "To Do" list for maintenance projects is getting checked off. We have a beautiful 90-year-old building that needs a lot of TLC. Our school roof is getting some repairs on the Charlevoix side to replace underlayment on the ridge and two hips. A few broken or missing tiles will also be replaced now that we can safely reach the roof.
Thank you to the Garden Club and School Staff who work hard to make sure the pots and beds have flowers and are well watered. We are very proud of our parish grounds and grateful to all who support their efforts. St. Clare is a beautiful space. Hats off to everyone who contributes to this effort to make our gardens shine and represent our love and concern for St. Clare Parish.
A special thank you to all those who donated blood for our June 16, 2017 blood drive last Friday. The generosity of both your time and blood is meaningful beyond words. While we marvel at the miracles of modern medicine, we still need the basic "gift of life" with blood donations. I especially wish to thank Tamara and her daughter for organizing and running this project.
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School News
Geoff Fisher | Principal
gfisher@stclarem.org
St. Clare School is now accepting registrations for the 2016-2017 school year. Please stop by the main office to register or if you have any questions. You may also contact Mrs. Ann Conlan, Administrative Assistant to the Principal at 313.647.5100 or
aconlan@stclarem.org.
The office hours for the summer are as follows:
June 26-29 9:00-1:00.
The office is closed in July. If you need assistance,
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Faith Formation
Sr. Kathy | 313-641-5110
skavery@stclarem.org
RCIA:
I am still looking for those who are interested in learning about the Catholic Faith. Perhaps you have a spouse or other relative that you might ask if they are interested in our Catholicism 101 (RCIA) program for this year. Let me know if there is someone you would like Fr. Andrew or myself to contact regarding this program. Formal classes will begin in the fall.
Prayers requested
: Sr. Mary Peter and I are leaving for Omaha next week for the celebration of our Jubilarians. Please pray for a safe and fun time with our Servite Community.
THURSDAY NIGHT:
Join us for movies on Thursday evenings beginning this week, June 29 at 6:45. Popieluszko will be shown this week. Bring a snack to share. No dinner will be served.
From Positively Catholic:
Chapter 15: We are the place where Jesus and the Father dwell. This is our purpose: to be what we already are.
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Summer Offerings: Friday Faith Formation
Friday Faith Formation will continue throughout the summer after the Friday morning Mass (9 a.m.). We will begin the 10-week series "Divine Mercy: The 2nd Greatest Story Ever Told" on Friday, June 23, running through August 25. "Renowned speaker and author Fr. Michael Gaitley tells the dramatic history of God's love and mercy as interwoven through the transformative message of St. Faustina, the miraculous appearance of Mary at Fatima, the witness of Maximilian Kolbe, and the world-changing papacy of Pope St. John Paul II. Featuring the brilliant cinematic artistry of the Augustine Institute's film studio, the vast panorama of God's work of mercy in the world unfolds as a story to be experienced."
Many people travel during the summer, and committing to 10 weeks is seems impossible... BUT this series can be found on formed.org, so if you miss a session or two, you can watch it from any place with an internet connection!
If you are interested in attending, please send an email to stclarem5@gmail.com so that we will have enough materials.
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St. Clare Athletics
Annual Golf Outing
Please consider supporting St. Clare of Montefalco Athletics 8th Annual Golf Outing in it's largest fundraiser of the year! Proceeds go to upkeep on the gymnasium and baseball field, new uniforms, sports equipment and technological upgrades. St. Clare Athletics offers Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Track and Field, and Baseball for boys and girls, grades 3-8. Questions? Email Bob Conway at cmconway32@gmail.com OR call 313.882.6369
When: Friday, July 21st, 2017
Where: Chandler Park Golf Course, Detroit
Registration * 10:00 am - Shotgun Start * 11:00 am
After-Glow Party at Grosse Pointe Park Tompkins's Center * 5:30 pm
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Catholic Bible School of Michigan
Information nights on classes opening at St. Clare:
To learn more about this faith-filled study of Sacred Scripture, you are invited to attend
one
Information Night
. The next two
Information Nights
will be held
at St. Clare of Montefalco on Wednesday,
July 12
and
August 16
,
at 7:00 pm. Brochures for the Scripture study program are found at
www.cbsmich.org
.
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SVdP News
One of the treasures of scripture has to be Matthew 7:7 which says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." This has so many applications to our work for St. Vincent dePaul.
As Vincentians, we are often the "go to" organization for those in need. We don't have all the answers, and we don't have infinite resources, so we in turn also have to ask for assistance. This week we met single mom of 2 who does seasonal work for a tax office and other contract work as it is available. Currently she is unable to get to a job or even a job interview because her car is down. The team at Autozone has told her it needs a new fuel pump which will cost close to $300 and then labor will be at least $150, maybe more. Plus, the car will need to be towed to wherever she has the work done.
How do you pay for that if you don't have employment? Our conference would like to help her, so we too are requesting assistance. Is there someone willing to take a look at this car to offer a second opinion? Help with the cost of the fuel pump? Recommend a mechanic? If you can assist, please contact Barb at 313-303-1951 or barbarakoster@comcast.net.
And while we are asking for help, our food pantry would be delighted to recycle any grocery sized brown paper bags you may have stacking up in your kitchen. Please drop them off by our SVdP Food Pantry baskets at the church doors.
In this last week of June, we are still focusing on collecting breakfast foods. Thanks to all who have been dropping off cereal, oatmeal, breakfast bars, and even some Pop-Tarts!
Thanks for helping us help others,
Barbara Koster
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The Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary of St. Clare of Montefalco extends an invitation to any man or woman over the age of 18 years interested in joining the Legion of Mary. The meetings will take place every Tuesday morning starting at 9:30 am in the Whittier Room of the Parish Offices at 1401 Whittier Rd., Grosse Pointe Park. If you are interested in becoming a member, please conteact Jerome Krause at 586-757-0126. You may also visit our website at legionofmary.org. Join us in praying the Rosary every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Church.
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Events and Community Activities
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Holy Land Pilgrimage
October 18-27th
I am pleased to announce that in this special year of our 90th Anniversary, we are organizing a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It will take place October 18th-27th. The approximate cost is $3,490. Arrangements are being handled by Nobile Travel Tours, Inc.
www.nobiletraveltours.com
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Preview of Upcoming Events
Mass Mob is Coming to St. Clare!
Yes, it's true, St. Clare of Montefalco has been selected to host a "Mass Mob"
on Sunday, September 17, at the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Planning is underway.
Watch the bulletin for updates, and for opportunities to volunteer.
Holiday Office Hours and Bulletin
In observance of the
Fourth of July Holiday, the Parish Office will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. The office will reopen on Wednesday, July 5, at 8:30 a.m.
Bulletin: July 8-9. There will be a shortened bulletin the weekend of June 8-9 due to the July 4th holiday. No article submissions will be accepted for the July 9th issue. If you submit an article it will be considered for the July 16th issue. Thank you for your understanding.
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