Week of March 10, 2024

1) I AM HERE Participants Share Powerful Testimonies of Eucharistic Encounter

From Detroit Catholic: Six I AM HERE testimonies shared with Disciples Unleashed Family of Parishes

MACOMB – Parishioners were invited to stay after the 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Isidore Parish in Macomb Township on March 3 to hear testimonies on the transformative power of Christ's presence in the Holy Eucharist.

Jordan Beachnau, Jon Zabick and Nick Switzer had previously shared their testimonies as part of the Archdiocese of Detroit’s ongoing I AM HERE campaign, an immersive initiative designed to encourage Catholics and others to discover Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist.

The campaign launched in June 2022 in response to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ three-year National Eucharistic Revival, which seeks to spark devotion to the Blessed Sacrament amid reports of waning belief among Catholics.

The I AM HERE campaign features hundreds of testimonials about the power of the Eucharist in people’s lives through written stories, photos, videos and podcasts, as well as guided reflections and meditations in partnership with the Hallow app. As of March 2024, the website has published 227 stories in English and 65 in Spanish.

Click HERE to read more.

2) Northeast Regional Eucharistic Congress - Saturday, April 6th

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) Cabrini - The Movie

5) Ascension's Bible and Catechism App

6) Holy Hour on Thursdays

7) This Sunday's Readings: March 10, 2024 - The Fourth Sunday of Lent

Please Note: For the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent, we have the option of using the CYCLE A Readings at Mass because of the rituals for the OCIA Candidates. At SJA, we will use the Cycle A readings.

8) Sunday Reflections by Jeff Cavins

Jeff Cavins reflects on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent:

First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23: 1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14

Gospel: John 9:1-41

9) Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

The Thirsty Soul



Friends, on this Fourth Sunday of Lent, our Gospel is one of the most magnificent stories in the Gospel of John: the healing of the man born blind. John is a theological master, of course, but also a literary master, and this story is beautifully crafted as a sort of icon of the spiritual life. This is not only a story about something that Jesus did; at a deeper level, this is a story about all of us.

10) Grow+Go

11) 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.

12) This Week's Edition of TALLER Tales

Outdone by a Centenarian: As many know, I’m still doing physical therapy at David Gilboe and Associates. I’m trying my best to get back on the road to walking without a limp or issue, but it’s been somewhat of a challenge lately. I know both knees are “struggling” because I haven’t yet fully dealt with the foot issue. As my mom likes to remind me, had I called the foot surgeon when we started talking about this last year, I would be approaching the “first anniversary” of that appointment today (okay, I was hoping things would just go away). The foot issue stems back from 10 years ago when I broke my foot in multiple locations. Avid readers of TALLer Tales will recall that my foot fell asleep during an appointment at the Parish Center. When I got up to walk the person to the door, I fell flat on my face; I had no idea my foot had “fallen asleep.” What followed was months on a knee scooter! Based on the fractures, my surgeon felt the foot would heal without surgery as long as I didn’t put weight on it for a few months! I was game for the old college try!

Fast forward to today, there is some speculation my foot structure has deteriorated a bit and is the cause of many of my “issues.” So, the goal of my physical therapy has been to strengthen my legs, hoping it would help both my knees and feet. Father “I’ll call them tomorrow,” here will be seeing the foot specialist this week. I don’t think I need surgery, but I’m hoping for some corrective measures to help get everything back into alignment. For now, the physical therapy has been essential.

A couple of weeks ago, I was having a bad knee/foot day and just completed physical therapy. As I was walking out of therapy and saying my round of goodbyes, I passed a “little ole lady” just walking in for therapy. For the sake of this article, let’s say her name is Rachelle (well, actually, her name IS Rachelle, and I have her permission to use her name). Because I was hurting a bit, I wasn’t paying much attention. But her daughter, who was three steps behind her, stopped me and told me her mom was 102! I did an immediate about-face and talked to the eager and happy centenarian! We exchanged a bit of talk, and then I blessed her on her forehead as she was about to go in for her round of physical therapy. As I got into my car, I thought there was a bit of irony here. What’s wrong with this picture: the 59-year-old is moaning and groaning while leaving therapy, and in walks a 102-year-old quite eager and anxious to start therapy! I wanted to put up my hand in the shape of an “L” on my forehead for LOSER.

This past weekend, I had somewhat of a bad knee weekend. The knee with the bone spur and bone fragment locked on Sunday, which caused me a bit of an issue. So, when I walked into PT on Monday, I first declared to Sue that it was going to be a “wimpy executive spa day,” meaning that I would only do heat therapy and no work on any machines. I wasn’t in the mood to handle the bike, leg press, or other machines. When Julie, my physical therapist, came to me, she listened intently to my tales of woe from the weekend and was sympathetic to my “I didn’t want to do much” attitude. So we settled for 10 minutes with all the heat packs on my knees and legs, and then we would do some simple stretches on the table.

As I was lying on the table and being an absolute wimp and loser, out of the corner of my eye I see this lady quickly pass my area doing a lap with Josh, another physical therapist. A few seconds later, she quickly passes my table again. There was no stopping this spry little lady. Then it dawned on me that the spry little lady was Rachelle. I asked Julie if it was Rachelle, and she took a quick look and confirmed my hunch! There was something wrong with this picture; again the 59-year-old is being a wimp and loser lying on a table and the 102-year-old is outpacing everyone doing laps. I quickly got off my table and had to chat with dear little Rachelle! She is amazing. When I was recovering from my knee surgery, I had Rachel (another centenarian) outpacing me in the neighborhood, and now Rachelle is outpacing me at Gilboe’s. I have no reason to be a wimp! If they can do it at 100 and 102, I can certainly do it!

As I was leaving Gilboe’s, Rachelle and her daughter were already in their car and ready to go. I walked up to the car and started to chat with Rachelle again. She told me she had a good session but was hurting a bit. She then had this cute little smile and said, “I wonder if I can use my age as an excuse.” I laughed and said, “Dearie, YOU HAVE an excuse, I don’t!” Once again, I was outdone by a centenarian!

Halfway through Lent: Believe it or not, folks, but we’ve passed the halfway point of our Lenten Journey. If the realization that Lent is practically half over hasn’t jolted you, the thought we moved to Daylight Savings Time this weekend should bring it home too.

As we mark this halfway point on our Lenten journey, we need to ask ourselves the question: How are we doing with our Lenten retreat? What about all of those Lenten resolutions? I am sure many of you have faithfully fulfilled those resolutions. Others may be in my camp where you have fallen a little (or a lot). No matter what side you’re on, this is the time to start anew if needed.

A simple resolution could be to spend more time in prayer. Prayer is such an essential aspect of the Christian’s life. Yet, the busy lives so many of us lead can often pull us away from the good intentions to be people of prayer. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “Prayer in the events of each day and each moment is one of the secrets of the kingdom…. It is right and good to pray so that the coming of the kingdom of justice and peace may influence the march of history, but it is just as important to bring the help of prayer into humble, everyday situations; all forms of prayer can be the leaven to which the Lord compares the kingdom (CCC, 2659-2660).”

We need to follow the example of the Lord, who often went off to a deserted place to pray not only before significant decisions in his earthly life but also in the midst of his busy day. If you have 15 minutes, then give those 15 minutes to prayer. If you only have 5 minutes, then give those 5 minutes to prayer. Your day will be greatly blessed because of your commitment to prayer. Don’t let the activities of the day become an excuse for not spending SOME time … even 10 minutes … with the Lord!

Your prayer could be silent and just sitting in the presence of the Lord. Your prayer could be time spent reflecting on the readings of the day. Your prayer could be listening to something on Hallow or Formed. Prayer ultimately can take on many forms. It doesn’t have to be the same form each time you pray either. It’s just important that you pray!

Enjoy the week. Know of my prayers!

In Christ,

13) Along the Way with Father Adam

A Little History Lesson on Lent

The word “Lent” has been in use in English since at least the 13th Century. It comes from the Middle English word lente, meaning “springtime.” In Latin, Lent is referred to as Quadragesima, meaning 40.

Historians generally agree that the 40-day period before Easter, known as Lent, emerged shortly following the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. (Perhaps you have never heard of the Council of Nicaea, but you do commemorate it every Sunday at Mass. This Council is where the Church solidified the Nicene Creed, which we proclaim together at each Mass.)

Earliest observances of Lent seem to have focused particularly on the practice of fasting. Council records suggest that the fast applied at first mainly to new converts as a period of repentance and reflection before baptism at Easter. In any case, Lent quickly became a general practice churchwide.

The actual 40-day period varied region-to-region, even church-to-church; some including weekends, some not; some fasting Sundays, others not. But in every case, the fast was strict: one meal a day after 3 p.m. with no meat, fish, or dairy. It was Pope Gregory I (590 - 604) who finally regularized the period of the fast churchwide, to begin on a Wednesday 46 days before Easter with a ceremony of ash, and not to include Sundays, which were perennial days of celebration.

Other historical records indicate that a pre-Easter season of fasting, had actually been in practice already, as far back as the second century, and perhaps even earlier. In “History of Lent,” Father William Saunders writes that early church father, St. Irenaeus (c. 130 - 202), in a letter to Pope St. Victor, mentioned a dispute about the number of days for the pre-Easter fast. St. Irenaeus noted that such “variation in observance did not originate in our own day, but very much earlier, in the time of our forefathers." St. Irenaeus himself was a third-generation disciple after the Apostles, so his dating of

Lenten fasting back to the time of his “forefathers” establishes it as a practice from the very earliest days of the church. St. Irenaeus’ letter references the idea of a fast lasting 40 days before Easter, strongly suggesting the concept predated St. Irenaeus’ own time. Jesus fasting 40 days and 40 nights in the desert to prepare for his public ministry is thought to be the primary inspiration for such a timeframe.



Nonetheless, following the Council Nicaea, Lenten practices remained essentially unchanged for centuries. However, by the 800s, the strictness of the fast began to relax. By the 1400s, Christians had begun eating the one meal earlier in the day, and later began to add a smaller meal to keep up their strength for work. Eventually, the one-meal restriction was lifted altogether, and new practices emerged, like the idea of giving up some luxury or need as a personal sacrifice for the season. Over time, “giving something up” or “sacrificing something” became the centerpiece of Lent.

How is My Sacrifice?

Sacrifice is an important part of what it means to be a Christian, especially during the Lenten season. Even though we are well into Lent at this point, we should ask ourselves, “Is the thing that I sacrificed brining me closer to Jesus? Is it helping me to unit my offering with His self-offering?”

As we heard a couple weeks ago in our first reading for Sunday Mass, Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac to show his love of God. Abraham said that he would, and God believed him, allowing him to sacrifice a sheep instead. God Himself sacrificed, giving His only Son to show us His love for us.

Is my sacrifice truly a sacrifice? Is it difficult? But most importantly, is it drawing me deeper into relationship with God? 

Blessings!

Fr. Adam

anowak@sjascs.org

14) Ascension Presents: Father Mike Schmitz

Fr. Mike Schmitz Reviews “Cabrini” Movie

Do you know the true story of America’s first canonized saint?

“Cabrini,” a movie from Angel Studios, tells the incredible true story of Mother Cabrini, the first American citizen to become a saint. It is a historical biopic showcasing her selfless service to the Italian immigrant population in the United States. Mother Cabrini’s unwavering dedication to the dignity and respect of those in need reminds us to always look out for the ones still seeking a place at the table.

Today, Fr. Mike shares his honest review of the film, “Cabrini.” The movie is in theaters this weekend. He encourages you to allow the story of this remarkable saint to touch your heart and inspire you to make a difference in the world.

15) Words on the Word: March 10, 2024 - Rest in a Chaotic World

As if life isn’t already complicated enough, along comes a new theory about people who thrive on making the world even more chaotic.

A recent story on a national news website explored what the authors described as a growing phenomenon of people seeking discord.

Researchers explored people’s responses to several statements, one of which was: “I need chaos around me; it is too boring if nothing is going on.”

Difficult as it may be to believe, nearly 33% of respondents concurred.

“The researchers came up with a term to describe the motivation behind these (people),” the story said. “They called it the ‘need for chaos,’ which they defined as ‘a mindset to gain status’ by destroying the established order.”

Not surprisingly, of course, much of this manifests itself on social media. As does the tendency to be cruel just for the sport of it. 

Another recent story pointed out the increase in what it called “modern outrage culture.” People who subscribe to this mindset create a spiral effect of angst and hatred. “People wanting clout compete to produce the meanest and most over-the-top commentary,” the story noted, “stifling open dialogue and demonizing those who make mistakes.”

It’s in this environment that we as Christians are called to work for change. It means taking precisely the opposite approach. An approach articulated in today’s psalm response:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” we pray. “In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.”

Repose. Rest. Refreshment. Peace. It may not be the trendy path these days, but it’s the right one.

© 2024 Words on the Word

16) This WEEK on FORMED:

17) 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!

From Pro Soccer To The Priesthood

Evolving from professional soccer player to Catholic Priest, Father Chase Hilgenbrinck is an extraordinary example of salvation, sacrifice, and hope. The charismatic man of faith sat down with Spirit Juice Studios to share how his understanding of true greatness was transformed by the Eucharist, and permanently altered the trajectory of his future.

18) Hallow App:

19) SJA's Garden Angels are looking for Volunteers

20) Trivia Night to Benefit Blessings in a Backpack

21) St Basil the Great Parish St. Patrick / St. Joseph Celebration Dinner - Next Sunday

22) Mass Intentions for the Week:

Monday, March 11, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple) 

7:00 am, Stephen & Nancy Fattore, 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am, Josephine Lucchese

Wednesday, March 13, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am, Leona Mecha, 

6:00 pm, Dorothy Shuder

Thursday, March 14, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am, Lorraine Wolanski 

Friday, March 15, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am, Robert Swalec

Saturday, March 16, 2024, Vigil for the Fifth Sunday in Lent (Purple)

4:00 pm, Bonnie Batche, Gerald Ellar, Edward, Helen and Henry Blind, Paula Nagel, Mary Lafata, and Special Intentions for Debbie Kunath, the J. Champine Family, the Thomas Family, for Alison Reslow, Pam Haisenleder, Lorraine Jonas, and Linda Frank

6:00 pm, Angeline Calus

Sunday, March 17, 2024, The Fifth Sunday of Lent (Purple)

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

10:00 am, Joseph and Sylvia Thomas

12:00 pm, Aniello Mazzella, Jose’ Silva, Louisa Sarra, Mary Ellen Blondin, Marie Shaheen, Mary & Leo Lamparski, Roger Rodlin, and Special Intentions for Alison Reslow, Pam Haisenleder, Lorraine Jonas, and Linda Frank.

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

This week's LIVE Stream

Schedule at St. Joan of Arc:

Monday (March 11)

7:00 AM - Mass

5:00 PM - Baptism of Amelia M. Celcev

Tuesday (March 12):

7:00 AM - Mass

8:30 AM - School Mass

Wednesday (March 13):

7:00 AM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

Thursday (March 14):

7:00 AM - Mass

7:00 PM - Holy Hour

Friday (March 15):

7:00 AM - Mass

7:00 PM - Stations of the Cross

Saturday (March 16):

12:30 PM - Baptism of Brayden William Jamieson

2:30 PM - Grant Ellis Decker

4:00 PM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

Sunday (March 17):

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.

24) SJA's Latest Parish Bulletin

Click on the image below

to download a copy of the bulletin

for March 10, 2024

25) Weekly Bulletin Mailing List

26) Detroit Catholic