Week of February 25, 2024

1) Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops established the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe to help restore the Church in lands that survived decades of communist rule and to build a new, more hopeful future for the people living there. Although those communist regimes no longer rule, new challenges such as the ongoing catastrophic war in Ukraine reveal the great needs of countries throughout the region that continue today.

The work of restoring and building continues in the face of these new challenges today in Ukraine and more than 25 other countries, including Romania, where restoration is taking place at the Romanian Greek- Catholic Seminary of Blaj. With critical support from a grant received through the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, the seminary is renovating its historic, centuries-old buildings to make them suitable for use by a new generation of seminarians.

The Romanian Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Cluj-Gherla is also building a hopeful future by developing new Romanian and Hungarian translations of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. This resource will be invaluable to theologians, clergy, and laity. These new translations result from interethnic cooperation between the Romanian and Hungarian peoples and ecumenical cooperation among Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran scholars.

The Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe makes these examples of restoration and growth possible in Romania and more than 25 other countries.

See how Catholics in the United States help Catholic children and families in Georgia build the future through their prayers and their material support of the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe by watching the video below.

2) Cabrini - The Movie

3) Confession Opportunities During Lent

During the season of Lent, we have scheduled the following confession opportunities:

Tuesdays: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Wednesdays: 4:30 PM - 5:50 PM

Saturdays: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Sacrament is celebrated in the Sr. Carol Center; signs are posted in the Gathering Place with further directions.

There will also be two communal penance services in the SERF Vicariate. These are communal penance services with individual confession. These have been scheduled for:

Wednesday, March 20 at 1 pm at Our Lady of Hope

Monday, March 25 at 7 pm at St. Joan of Arc

As we have mentioned at the weekend masses, don't worry if you've forgotten the prayers or how to go to confession because we will guide you through it. And, it doesn't matter how long it has been since you've last gone to confession. Just come and experience the Lord's awesome gift of mercy!

From Ascension Presents: Confession is a place of never-ending mercy and forgiveness, and is one of the most beautiful parts of our Catholic faith. But for many, it can also be a very daunting experience, especially if it’s been a long time since your last confession. Whether it’s the first time you’ve gone in a year, or it’s the first time you’ve gone in your life, God is ready and willing to forgive your sins. All we have to do is let him into our hearts.

In the following video, Fr. Mike Schmitz explains how to approach going to confession for the first time in a long time.

4) Lenten Challenge

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS AT MASS?

There are things the priest does, the things each one of us does, and the things we do as a community. 

And then, there is what God does, what he really does… 

Starting on Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent, join us for a daily trivia game to dive deeper into the Mass — turning learning into an adventure!

Join the challenge, play the daily trivia, and explore the Mass together!

5) Six Lenten Reads to Transform Your 40 Days

By Jane Scharl of Unleash the Gospel

The holy season of Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until Maundy Thursday—40 days, or approximately six weeks, of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Lent is a time to meditate on the frailty of the human condition, on our sin and our need for redemption and on the incredible love God showed in sending his son Jesus to die for us.

Even though Lent begins with the words “dust you are and to dust you shall return,” it is a season of transformation, one in which we contemplate our own death—both the spiritual death of bondage to sin and the physical death awaiting us all—in preparation for the stunning reversal coming on Easter, when the death of Christ becomes the instrument of our eternal salvation.

Here are six readings—ranging from poems to fairy tales to devotional literature—to help guide you through the season. They are organized here to build on each other, but of course, feel free to choose one or two instead of tackling all six.

Click HERE to Read More

6) Ascension's Bible and Catechism App

7) Holy Hour on Thursdays

8) Stations of the Cross During Lent

Please join us every Friday during Lent at 7:00 PM in Church as we pray the Stations of the Cross.

In an online article by Caroline Harvey entitled, "Stations of the Cross: A Lenten Tradition of Love," she writes, "There are certain Lenten practices that are so customary or traditional that without them Lent would not be Lent. This is the same for most holidays and celebrations—what is Christmas without a Christmas tree or Nativity scene, or a birthday with a cake, candles and singing? With Lent, Catholics are used to the announcements after Mass about Friday fish fries, reconciliation services, and the praying of the Stations of the Cross.

Traditions can become so commonplace, so normal, that we may not even know why we are doing them. Why do we have a Christmas tree? Why do we use candles to show how old someone is on their birthday? Or, why do we watch the priest or deacon walk around the church as we kneel and stand during the Stations of the Cross? There is nothing wrong with upholding traditions for the sake of tradition; there is something dignified about respecting the actions and words that have been handed down to the current generations from generations past. However, with every tradition, there comes a moment when the person partaking in it recognizes the importance of the actions and the words, more than just for the sake of ancient repetition. This “coming of age”, so to speak, allows the person to enter into the mystery of the tradition and participate in it in a way that transcends time and space."

Read More by Clicking HERE

9) This Sunday's Readings: February 25, 2024 - The Second Sunday of Lent

10) Sunday Reflections by Jeff Cavins

In this week's Encountering the Word video for the Second Sunday of Lent, Jeff Cavins focuses on the profound connections between the sacrifice of Isaac and the Transfiguration. 

First Reading: Genesis 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19

Second Reading: Romans 8:31B-34

Verse Before the Gospel: cf. Matthew 17:5

Gospel: Mark 9:2-10

11) Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

When Your Faith Is Put to the Test



Friends, we come now to the Second Sunday of Lent, and we’re on both dangerous and very holy ground with the first reading from the twenty-second chapter of Genesis. The ancient Israelites referred to it as the “Akedah,” which means the “binding”: Abraham binds and is ready to sacrifice Isaac at God’s command. It’s hard to imagine another text in the Old Testament that has stirred up more puzzlement and opposition. I am with Søren Kierkegaard: if you don’t experience “fear and trembling” having read this text, you have not been paying attention. And it’s naming something of absolute centrality in the spiritual life.

12) Grow+Go

13) Giving to SJA:

I'm truly grateful for all of your support of SJA. Your support means so much. The increase in electronic giving has been tremendous. Giving electronically, whether on a one-time or recurring basis is pretty simple. For more information on online giving, please click on the following button.

14) This Week's Edition of TALLER Tales

The Ribbon Made Me Do It: The Saturday 6:00 p.m. Mass is one of my favorite times to celebrate Mass. I’ve always enjoyed evening liturgies as they tend to be more prayerful and spiritually uplifting for me. It’s not that I don’t find the others prayerful; there’s just something about that Mass that spiritually “fuels me.”If I’m going to have any powerful experiences during a Mass, like a profound encounter with Christ or some deep thought or inspiration, it’s usually during those 6:00 p.m. Masses. As a result, I like to be “on top of my game” with every aspect of that liturgy.

My 6:00 p.m. Mass game plan got foiled a few weeks ago because I got distracted. Various “things” happened at this liturgy, but I had something occur that has only happened to me a few times in my 33 years as a priest!

As our first lector got up to read the first reading (and let’s say his name is Kevin for the sake of this article), I was confused. At first, I thought, “Did I prepare the wrong readings for my homily? This certainly wasn’t the reading I remember.” But then, with the busyness of life, it wouldn’t surprise me if I messed up. But as he continued, I was more convinced he was reading the wrong reading because it didn’t match up with the Gospel. And, for all weekends for this to happen, I planned on relying on aspects of that reading for my homily. I usually only rely on the Gospel, but the first reading for this particular weekend tied things together pretty well.

After he finished and went down to his chair, I turned toward the lectors and tried to mouth, “Those were the wrong readings.” I knew I was too far away for them to understand, but I felt better trying to correct the issue. The second lector (and let’s say her name is Mary for the sake of this article) saw I was trying to say something. Mary looked at me and just smiled. I wasn’t sure what that smile meant, but I thought she understood what I was trying to say. But the smile also told me she had no clue what I was saying. I should have stood up and walked over there, but didn’t. The smile was akin to the smile our grandmother used to give us when she wasn’t using her hearing aids and was pretending to understand our conversation.

Mary then got up and read the second reading. Again, it was a different reading than the one I prepared. “Am I going bonkers,” I thought. No matter what, I was going to find the Gospel and read the one that was the basis for my homily.

As the gospel acclamation was being sung, I walked over to the ambo and was determined to figure out what happened. Once I got up there, it all made sense. We are currently in “Year B” of the Sunday readings (the Sunday readings are on a Year A, B, and C cycle). Our lectors read Year C because the red ribbon was in that spot. The correct Gospel was on the left side of the lectionary, and the first reading Kevin read was on the right side. It just happened that the lectionary has two ribbons, a gold and a red one. The gold ribbon was in the right spot for the first reading, but someone moved the red one to the Gospel, which caused all the confusion. I just read the correct Gospel and referenced the readings quickly during my homily.

After Mass, I met Mary and Kevin in the sacristy; they were laughing because they knew what had happened. Mary said, “OKAY, what’s our penance?” I just laughed. They saw the red ribbon before Mass and thought I changed the readings, so they just read the readings where the red was located. 

Well, that ribbon has caused problems in the past! So, as we were laughing and talking about what had happened, I remained silent and walked over to the drawer where the scissors were located. I then walked over to the lectionary and cut off the red ribbon. THERE! Problem solved … at least this time!

Opportunities for Confession: Lent and Advent are both penitential seasons. They allow us to be more intentional about looking at our lives to determine where we have failed to be faithful and holy disciples and then resolve to seek the Lord’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a powerful encounter between you and Christ. Through the ministry of the priest, you encounter Jesus’ forgiveness as well as words of encouragement and counsel about how best to walk the path of virtue. You can’t help but be overwhelmed and uplifted after experiencing the incredible gift of the Lord’s forgiveness.

What saddens me is the number of people who stop going to confession because they forgot how to do so or they use the excuse they don’t remember the act of contrition. One shouldn’t be so concerned about knowing all the steps. The easiest thing to do is admit to the priest that you don’t remember what to do or don’t remember the act of contrition. We are here to help you through the entire process. Even if you haven’t gone for years or decades, don’t be afraid of approaching a priest to celebrate the sacrament. It truly is a beautiful sacrament and one that brings so much healing. You’ll be welcomed! You’ll be encouraged. And, most importantly, you’ll be forgiven!

When going to confession, you start by making the sign of the cross while saying, “Bless me, Father for I have sinned. My last confession was …” At this point, you should indicate your state in life (married, single, etc.) and then state your sins. After giving some counsel, the confessor will give you a penance and ask you to make an act of contrition. The act of contrition doesn’t have to be the one many of us memorized as a kid. The act of contrition can be as simple as, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The confessor will then pray the words of absolution.

During Lent, we have scheduled some additional confession opportunities. On Tuesday afternoons, Father Adam and I will be available from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., and then Fr. Rich, Fr. Adam, and I will be available on Wednesdays from 4:30 until 5:50 p.m. (Mass is then celebrated at 6:00 p.m.). Our regular Saturday confession schedule will remain the same at 11:00 a.m. The sacrament is celebrated in the Sr. Carol Center. You’ll see a series of numbered chairs near the bathrooms when you arrive at the Sr. Carol Center. Just take the next available chair, and the line will move as people celebrate the sacrament. If you want to go to a specific confessor, wait until that confessor is available. You can celebrate the sacrament face-to-face or behind a screen so you can have some anonymity if you wish.

Please don’t fret about all the particulars; we’ll guide you through it. Just come and experience the incredible gift of the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness!

Enjoy the week. Know of my prayers!

In Christ,

15) Along the Way with Father Adam

I Don’t Like Lent

Sorry, I’ll be honest… I don’t much like Lent. I have a love-hate relationship with these 40 days. Of course, I understand the spiritual nature of this season, and, in some ways, I do like it. But I have to admit that I am weak, and I struggle giving up things. That is why for as long as I can remember, what I sacrificed was often small compared to the spiritual disciplines that I added into my daily life.

Nonetheless, every Lent I experience tremendous grace. God constantly reminds me of my need for Him. He reminds me that I am weak, and I can do nothing apart from Him. Lent is not only supposed to challenge us, but change us. If we rely on His grace, instead of our own strengths, we realize that we can challenge ourselves much more than we ever thought possible.

As I was thinking about my complicated relationship with Lent, I actually typed into the Google search bar: “I don’t like Lent”. I came across this simple story gleaned from a small pamphlet written in 1937. Written by Fr. Daniel A. Lord, S.J., “I Don’t Like Lent” is a story about group of people gathered around a fireplace discussing Lent with a priest. Enjoy:

"Tell her, Father," said Bradley, taking a penultimate sip of his brandy.

"Only this, Mrs. Harrison: that during Lent we imitate the saints just a little. We train ourselves to give up the good things of the world just to prove that we can. Good things have a way of mastering us. Good living and good food and good drink, riches and comfort and amusements, have a way of making men slaves. God meant us to enjoy them. He never meant them to be a substitute for Himself. Nor did He mean them to make us so weakly greedy that we would do anything, even commit sin, rather than be without them.

"Lent comes, and we give up some of our good food, some of our good times, some of our leisure and recreation, just to prove that we can be trusted. We master them for a few brief weeks so that they may not master us for life. We give up voluntarily so that we may not be held slaves. We lay aside deliberately so that we may resume those lovely gifts of God, not as slaves of habit, but of our own free will. We give up our glass of brandy so that drink may never hold us captive. We give up the theatre so that we may not be slaves of a good time. We abstain from food, not merely because we want to prove that we are masters even of what we eat and drink, but because we want to test our wills.

"If we can't give up a beefsteak, are we sure we could give up some powerful temptation? If we can't conquer our appetite for a big luncheon, could we be trusted to conquer our appetite for some forbidden person? If we can't get along without an egg for breakfast, are we sure we could hold back our hand from a jewel which we could take with no one's be the wiser? Lent is a time when we prove ourselves trustworthy. More than that: if Lent is well carried through, it is a time when we make ourselves trustworthy."

A Lenten Prayer

Here is a simple, yet beautiful prayer to help you grow during Lent:

“God, may my sacrifice of today of (state your Lenten sacrifice) remind me of my dependence on You for all the blessings I enjoy. Amen.”

Blessings!

Fr. Adam

anowak@sjascs.org

16) Ascension Presents: Father Mike Schmitz

Comparison: The Great Distraction

St. Francis De Sales, often referred to as the “Saint-maker,” liked to say, “Be who you are, and be that well.”

Each of us is called to pursue a life of holiness, a journey that unfolds uniquely for every individual. But comparing ourselves to others and judging ourselves harshly can be tempting.

Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the harmful effects of comparison and invites us instead to focus on embracing our true identity and “paint our own sunrise.”

17) Words on the Word: February 25, 2024 - Lonely Horizon

Studies and political actions can sometimes verify things we already know intuitively. 

Consider the headlines a few weeks ago when a county in California recognized loneliness as a public health emergency and outlined suggestions for addressing it.

“Loneliness, isolation and lack of connection can lead to profound health impacts,” a county leader said in a story reported on the MSN news website, “sending many of our most vulnerable residents on a path to homelessness, as observed in the county’s … homeless count last week.”

The story said the county is considering “strengthening social infrastructure, implementing pro-connection public policies, mobilizing the health sector, conducting research to deepen knowledge, reforming online environments and fostering a sense of connection.”

One might argue, to be sure, the scope of the action plan is typical of California government, but the larger issue is still a reality – many people are indeed lonely and need somewhere to turn.

The good news is, regardless of government approaches or even the effectiveness of nonprofit groups and others in addressing such concerns, God most surely can be called upon to help the lonely in their times of most acute need.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” St. Paul asks the Romans in today’s second reading. “He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will being a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us, who will condemn? Christ Jesus it is who died – or, rather, was raised – who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.”

God, therefore, has the plan for making the lonely whole. We, for our part, are called to lend our hearts and hands to the effort.

© 2024 Words on the Word

18) This WEEK on FORMED:

19) 52 Stories: Good News from Spirit Juice Studios

Prepare to be Inspired

Spirit Juice Studios is blessed to work with countless Catholic organizations, dioceses, parishes, and schools. We get to help them tell their powerful stories about all the good stuff that is happening within the Church. Sign up for 52 Stories so we can share them with you! You’ll meet the unsung heroes of the Catholic Church, discover the stories of holy women and men around the world, and witness miraculous moments of God’s grace in everyday life.

In a world full of bad news, these stories will give you 52 reasons to believe that God is working through the Catholic faith to transform lives through His love and mercy. Sign up today!

Gina's Story

In this mini-documentary produced for Aid for Women, Gina tells her story of hope in overcoming drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, and prison—and how choosing life turned her life around and gave her purpose.

20) Hallow App:

21) Holy Trinity Apostolate Lenten Symposium

22) Trivia Night to Benefit Blessings in a Backpack

23) Mass Intentions for the Week:

Monday, February 26, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am, Sr. Carol Juhasz, IHM, 

Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Lenten Weekday, Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church (Purple)

7:00 am, Carlos Mallare

Wednesday, February 28, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am, Hugo Calisi

6:00 pm, A Special Intention for Gloria Strzelecki

Thursday, February 29, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am, Special Intention for James Reiz (Little James) 

Friday, March 1, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am, Giuseppina Ciccone

Saturday, March 2, 2024, Vigil for the Third Sunday of Lent (Purple)

4:00 pm, Ralph Marzolino, Jay Barker, Grace & Sam Valenti, Bonnie Batche, Gerald Ellar, Robert Palonis, Gertrude Shaw, Pat Ireland, Shirley Curcurru, Ambrose Orlando, the deceased members of the Orlando Family, and Special Intentions for the J. Champine Family, the Thomas Family, for Alison Reslow, Pam Haisenleder, Lorraine Jonas, and Linda Frank; and Prayerful Appreciation for the work of the Priests and Staff of St. Joan of Arc

6:00 pm, Sue Krolikowski

Sunday, March 3, 2024, The Third Sunday of Lent (Purple)

8:00 am, For the Intentions for St. Joan of Arc Parishioners

10:00 am, Kathryn Pierce-Kaspzyk

12:00 pm, Sister Silveria Conte, Sam Ciaramitaro, James Corbet, Jane Morningstar, and Special Intentions for Toni Collins, Sara Curcuru, Alison Reslow, Pam Haisenleder, Lorraine Jonas, and Linda Frank.

24) This Week on St. Joan of Arc LIVE:

This week's LIVE Stream

Schedule at St. Joan of Arc:

Monday (February 26)

7:00 AM - Mass

Tuesday (February 27):

7:00 AM - Mass

8:30 AM - School Mass

Wednesday (February 28):

7:00 AM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

Thursday (February 29):

7:00 AM - Mass

7:00 PM - Holy Hour

Friday (March 1):

7:00 AM - Mass

7:00 PM - Stations of the Cross

Saturday (March 2):

10:00 AM - Funeral for Patricia Zublin (Read Obituary HERE)

12:30 PM - Baptism of Bennett S. Eschenburg

1:30 PM - Baptism of Francesca Ruth Faba

4:00 PM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

Sunday (March 3):

8:00 AM - Mass

10:00 AM - Mass

12:00 PM - Mass

Please note that all of our masses and events can be accessed through the ARCHIVE section of our Live stream page if you cannot watch it live!

We also have our own ROKU Channel. Search for "CATHOLIC" in the ROKU channel store, and you will find SJA's channel. A Fire TV Channel is also available.

25) SJA's Latest Parish Bulletin

Click on the image below

to download a copy of the bulletin

for February 25, 2024

26) Weekly Bulletin Mailing List

27) Detroit Catholic