Week of March 3, 2024

1) Cabrini - The Movie

2) 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.

3) Can I Be Busy AND Pray?

You know that you should pray. You have every intention to stop and spend time with the Lord, but before you know it, the day is over. Is it truly possible to balance a busy life with prayer?

Today Nell O’Leary, wife and mother, shares some practical insights from her own life on how to make space for prayer in a hectic schedule. You don’t need a course, a book, or a program–you just need the simple habit of placing and keeping your heart before God all day, continually and constantly.

4) St. Matthew Parish on Detroit's east side receives national historical designation

From Detroit Catholic: Church built 1954 among newest entries to National Register of Historic Places, including famed mosaic of Christ the King

DETROIT — St. Matthew parishioners always knew their church was special.

The Tudor revival, early modern movement church has a sandstone façade and an imposing presence on Harper Avenue and Whittier Street, overlooking Interstate 94 at the crossroads of Detroit’s Morningside, East English and Yorkshire Woods neighborhoods.

For east-siders, St. Matthew Church stands as a marking point — where Detroit ends and the Grosse Pointes and St. Clair Shores begin.

Now, the parish is in the national spotlight.

In November 2023, St. Matthew Parish was placed on the National Park Services’ National Register of Historic Places, the 29th Catholic site in the city of Detroit to be listed on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s list, but the first to be classified in the early modern architectural period.

“It gives us national recognition for the history of the parish,” said Fr. Duane Novelly, who has served at St. Matthew Parish since 1989. “Being here in this location for almost 100 years now, and as we are preparing to celebrate that centennial, this is a real recognition of our church building as it stands now. It’s quite a nod to the way in which the complex has been maintained and is still a viable community of faith that lives in it.”

Read More by clicking HERE ...

5) 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!

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) Simple Soup Supper and Stations of the Cross - THIS Friday

10) This Sunday's Readings: March 3, 2024 - The Third 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.

11) Sunday Reflections by Jeff Cavins

In this week’s Encountering the Word video, Jeff Cavins reflects on the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent. The readings are:

First Reading: Exodus 17:3-7

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

Verse before the Gospel: John 4:42, 15

Gospel: John 4:5-42 or John 4:5-15, 19B-26, 39A, 40-42

12) Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

The Thirsty Soul



Friends, on this Third Sunday of Lent, we are again getting back to spiritual basics, and the first reading from Exodus and the Gospel from John both focus on the symbol of water. Water in the Bible can be a negative symbol of destruction, but it can also be a positive symbol of life—not just physical life but the divine life of grace. Water for thirsty bodies symbolizes the water of grace for thirsty souls.

13) Grow+Go

14) 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.

15) This Week's Edition of TALLER Tales

Master of the Obvious: Have you ever dealt with a problem or issue and racked your brain for solutions to the point you don’t think there are any real solutions? One of those moments hit me square in the face this week. But the solution was so obvious!

Many years ago, when it became evident we would not use the old baptismal font area in the back of the Church as a place to do baptisms, we decided to move the baptismal font to its current location in the Sr. Carol Center just before you enter the middle set of doors leading into the Church. The old baptismal font area was never conducive to celebrating baptisms because it was so small. That’s why we have the “portable” baptismal font up front near the St. Joseph Statue. That’s where we do all of our baptisms now.

We then converted the old baptismal font area into a place for candles and private prayer. I acquired the Pieta statue from a closed Church (I can’t even remember where it came from) and placed it back there. We then renamed that area The Pieta Chapel. Most, however, refer to it simply as the “Candle Chapel.” Although Father Rich, who often sits back there when we have more significant communal celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, refers to it as “The Sauna.” If you’ve ever been there when all the candles are lit, you know it can have that sauna-like feel from all the heat generated by the candles. Even though we have plenty of ventilation in that space, it still gets pretty hot with all those burning candles.

I enjoy seeing that chapel as I celebrate Mass. We have a camera back there for streaming purposes to cut to a scene in that chapel as we wait for Mass to start or as a scene to use as a transition during Mass or an event. We just haven’t finished all the wiring yet to make that project a reality. It’s on “THE LIST.”

Over time, the number of people who light candles has increased. Seeing so many people praying back there and lighting a candle is powerful. Yet, a recurring problem has developed in that most, if not all, of the candles are always lit. There are a number of us who keep watch over that area and replace candles as we can. For some of the more significant celebrations during the year (Advent, Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter, etc.), I’ve been known to move some of the candles that are just about finished to the floor so we can put new candles in their place. Lately, however, more and more people have reported that no candles are available to light. I knew it was a problem but didn’t have a solution. One solution was purchasing 4- or 5-day candles rather than the 6-day ones we currently use. But I wasn’t too fond of that solution, so I pushed the problem to the back of my little brain and figured we would tackle it some other day.

Well, the other day, one of our parishioners who is on our Leadership Team (and let’s say for the sake of this article her name is Rosemary) approached me after Mass. She was sharing how we ran out of available candles again. I shared with her some of the solutions I dreamt up not too long ago but never reached a solid conclusion about them. She listened intently to me and had somewhat of a dazed look on her face, like I was missing the obvious. She waited for me to take a breath and then said, “Have you ever thought about getting two extra candle racks? There is space for them, and that would solve our problem.” There was dead silence on my part. I’m sure I looked like a deer in headlights. “UGH, I never thought of that,” I sheepishly said as I started to laugh. I wanted to reach around and hit the big red “THAT WAS EASY” button from the Staples commercials years ago. How could I have missed something so obvious?

So, I’m happy to say two new candle racks are coming soon. Father Rich better prepare for the extra heat! 

Now, I wonder how many of my other big problems are waiting to be solved with the most obvious solution!

The Spiritual Consequences of Living a Hurried, Busy Life (Part FOUR): This is a continuation of my reflection on and quoting from an article written by Frank Powell, a young adult minister, entitled, “7 Spiritual Consequences of Living a Hurried, Busy Life.” The full article can be found at http://bit.ly/SpiritualConsequences.

Last week, I reflected on the second of the seven spiritual consequences mentioned in the article: A hurried life feeds ‘approval addiction.’ The third spiritual consequence is: A hurried life decreases your capacity to love others.

I found this spiritual consequence to be the most fascinating of them all and one I would not have thought of had I not read the article. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how true it is that a hurried, busy life decreases your capacity to love others. Frank Powell begins this section of the article by discussing St. Paul’s famous passage on love found in 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” Mr. Powell notes, “Love and hurry can’t co-exist. In The Rhythm of Life, Matthew Kelly says relationships can only thrive under ‘carefree timelessness.’ And this is something hurried people don’t have. The more you increase the speed of your life, the less carefree timelessness you have.

“Considering the two greatest commandments are to love God and love others, you need to consider whether your hurried life is costing you more than you realize. It saddens me to think about the failed marriages that are the product of an impatient culture. I think about the prodigal Christians that have been abandoned because we have no capacity to wait. Love is patient. Are you?”

It would be an excellent exercise for us to sit down and reflect upon the personal costs of living a hurried and busy life. Then, armed with such a list of real-life “costs,” we must find ways to slow down or work more efficiently to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. As I like to remind people, we may not always have an hour to give to prayer each day, but that shouldn’t stop us from offering a half hour of prayer. If we don’t have a half hour to spare for God and/or prayer each day, we are too busy and need to change our hurried and busy lives! The same is true with relationships. We may not always have an hour to spend with people, but we should be able to find a half hour for those we love. If we don’t have even a half hour to spare for someone we love, we are too busy and need to change our hurried and busy lives!

Enjoy the week. Know of my prayers!

In Christ,

16) Along the Way with Father Adam

We Are Family

As you have heard and read by now, the Archbishop has asked me to take on a different role beginning this summer. He has named me a member of the In Solidum team of priests for the Central Macomb 3 Family of Parishes. The parishes in the Family are St. Anne, St. Faustina, St. Louise de Marillac, St. Mark, and St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families. I will have primary pastoral responsibility at St. Anne Catholic Church and School in Warren. Additionally, he has asked me to be the Moderator of the Family.

I am thankful for the confidence and trust that Abp. Vigneron has placed in me through this new assignment. At the same time, I am sad to be leaving you all after such a short period of time. Thank you for your kindness and your welcoming attitudes. You have truly made me feel a part of the SJA family. This change does not take effect until July 01 so we still have some time together.

Many have asked “So, are you a pastor now? What does all this mean?”

Families of Parishes was announced on Pentecost of 2020 and, as Archbishop Vigneron stated in his pastoral note Sent on Mission, “Our new model of Families of Parishes… is a continuation of the fruits of Synod ’16 and Unleash the Gospel… Our focus is on the renewal of our parishes and schools to align all resources to our mission of sharing Christ.”

We keep hearing that the number of priests is decreasing. In fact, the latest numbers show that in 5-10 years we will have roughly 100 priests. There are currently just over 200 parishes. That means, in not so short of a time, we will have roughly 1 priest ministering for every two parishes. Furthermore, while the number of priests continues to decrease, so does the number of parishioners. There has been a 40% drop in the number of Catholics in the Archdiocese of Detroit in the last 20 years. Between 2000 and 2018, the number of weddings has decreased by 54%. Established in 1833, the Catholic Church in Detroit is rapidly shifting.

I say all of this, not to cause us to despair, but to show the gravity of the situation and the need for change in our current age. That is, in part, why the Archbishop has renewed our mission and initiated Families of Parishes. 

A Family of Parishes is a grouping of three or more parishes that collaborate in deeper and more intentional ways than parishes have ever done before. Each parish in a Family retains its own unique identity, similar to how each sibling has his or her own unique role in the family. This is not a parish cluster or merger as we have done in the past.

There comes, with Families of Parishes, a change in the language we have used for nearly 200 years here in Detroit. While the title “Pastor” is no longer used in the Family, all of the priests in the Family have pastoral responsibility at all parishes. So, we might say, in a sense, every priest of the Family pastors each parish in the Family. At the same time, in most Families, there is one priest who lives and serves primarily at one particular parish. For me, this will be St. Anne, Warren.

Previously, my role at St. Joan of Arc would have been considered “Associate Pastor” or “Parochial Vicar” and Msgr. Mike would have been “Pastor”. But, if you read the official announcement from the Archdiocese about my new appointment, it read that I am currently a Priest In Solidum at St. Joan of Arc, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, St. Basil the Great, St. Lucy, and St. Veronica, that form the SERF Vicariate Family 2.

All of the priests who minister in the Family are a Priest In Solidum. This is a Canon Law (Church Law) term meaning “as a whole”. Again, this reinforces the point that all of the priests in the Family belong to all of the parishes and parishioners of the Family.

Alright, so what is a Moderator? This is a new term that hasn’t been widely used in parishes before. The Moderator of the Family of Parishes is meant to act as a sort of “first among equals” who is tasked with resolving difference and speaking on behalf of the Family. The role of the Moderator continues to evolve. Technically, the Moderator has financial and administrative oversight of all of the parishes of his Family. However, that is not quite how we are operating yet. Currently, the role of the Moderator in most Families is the bring the priests together for fraternity and to work towards a shared schedule of Masses and shared resources.

I know, it’s probably a bit confusing. It’s something all of priests too are still getting accustomed to. It does not, however, change our mission. Rather it reinforces our goal to serve and to form our parishes and Families of Parishes into a band of joyful missionary disciples.

Again, I’m still here until the end of June as my new appointment does not begin until July 01. In the meantime, please pray for me and know of my prayers for you!

Blessings!

Fr. Adam

anowak@sjascs.org

17) Ascension Presents: Father Mike Schmitz

What’s Inside a Humble Heart?

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” – 1 Samuel 16:7

What does God see when he looks into our hearts? Does he see a humble, contrite and broken heart, that he will not spurn?

Today Fr. Mike Schmitz shares a word of encouragement from the book of 1 Samuel for how to shape our hearts so that the Lord can be present to them and abide in them.

18) Words on the Word: March 4, 2024 - At the Well

Water is the source of so much life, and, sometimes, so many mysteries, as well.

A recent piece in The Detroit News described a new documentary film that explores the disappearance, almost 175 years ago, of a village and a church into Lake St. Clair. Adding to the intrigue and local interest is that the village, called Belvidere, stood very near where Harrison Township is now. And the church, St. Felicity, was established by Fr. Gabriel Richard as the first Catholic parish in Macomb County, shortly after he founded Detroit’s St. Anne.

According to the story in The News, the film relies on historical data and includes both aerial and underwater photography. The filmmakers conclude the disappearance can primarily be attributed to “industrialization and the ‘unintended consequences’ of altering the landscape.”

What a fascinating bit of history. What a great reminder of the realities that can be hidden, sometimes, in the depths of rivers, lakes and oceans.

And, ultimately, what a great frame of reference when considering one of the options for today’s gospel passage. It’s the much-loved account from St. John of Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well.

After initiating a conversation by asking the woman for a drink, and engaging in some preliminary dialogue, Jesus offers profound wisdom.

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst,” Jesus says. “The water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

It’s a response the woman needed additional conversation to understand. But once she did … oh, what a difference it made in her life!

It’s the same for us. Once we understand the life-giving water offered by Jesus, things become clear, and there are few mysteries left. 

© 2024 Words on the Word

19) This WEEK on FORMED:

20) 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!

A Missionary Journey to London

In February 2023, Bishop Robert Barron visited London where he had the opportunity to visit key places of Catholic heritage in the city, including the cell where Saint Thomas More was kept as a prisoner. In this beautiful and captivating video, the highlights of the trip are revealed together with reflections and thoughts given by Bishop Barron on the life of More and the role of the Catholic laity today.

21) Hallow App:

22) Holy Trinity Apostolate Lenten Symposium

23) SJA's Garden Angels are looking for Volunteers

24) Trivia Night to Benefit Blessings in a Backpack

25) Mass Intentions for the Week:

Monday, March 4, 2024, Lenten Weekday, Saint Casimir (Purple)

7:00 am, Marlin Stewart

Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am, A Special Intention for the Family of Tina Calisi

Wednesday, March 6, 2024, Lenten Weekday (Purple)

7:00 am, Robert Bidigare

6:00 pm, A Special Intention for Maria Krzesowski

Thursday, March 7, 2024, Lenten Weekday, Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs (Purple)

7:00 am, Antonietta Mazzella

Friday, March 8, 2024, Lenten Weekday, Saint John of God, Religious (Purple)

7:00 am, Marie Champine

Saturday, March 9, 2024, Vigil for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Purple)

4:00 pm, Irene Catalano, Joseph Poirier, Bonnie Batche, George J. Bugarin, Allen Hayosh, Hugh & Virginia Curran, the deceased members of the Huvaere and Kerby Families, Special Intentions for the J. Champine Family, the Thomas Family, for Alison Reslow, Pam Haisenleder, Lorraine Jonas, and Linda Frank

6:00 pm, Ray Campau

Sunday, March 10, 2024, The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Purple)

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

10:00 am, Joseph and Anna Niemczyk

12:00 pm, Marguerite Krapp, Irene Troia, George J. Bugarin, Barbara Nell Robinson, Harriette Klukowski, and Special Intentions for Alison Reslow, Pam Haisenleder, Lorraine Jonas, and Linda Frank.

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

This week's LIVE Stream

Schedule at St. Joan of Arc:

Monday (March 4)

7:00 AM - Mass

Tuesday (March 5):

7:00 AM - Mass

8:30 AM - School Mass

Wednesday (March 6):

7:00 AM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

Thursday (March 7):

7:00 AM - Mass

7:00 PM - Holy Hour

Friday (March 8):

7:00 AM - Mass

7:00 PM - Stations of the Cross

Saturday (March 9):

4:00 PM - Mass

6:00 PM - Mass

Sunday (March 10):

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.

27) SJA's Latest Parish Bulletin

Click on the image below

to download a copy of the bulletin

for March 4, 2024

28) Weekly Bulletin Mailing List

29) Detroit Catholic