Voted Ionia County’s #1 Tire & Exhaust Shop Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00-5:00 Saturday 8:00-Noon We Participate in the $CRIP Program! • We Sell & Service ALL Major Brand Tires •Auto, Farm, & Industrial Tires • Complete Under Car Care SS. Peter & Paul School “All Are Welcome” Preschool through Grade 8 317 Baldie St. Ionia 616-527-3561 Great Beginnings Preschool 616-527-3531 3-year-olds: Tuesday thru Thursday, AM program 4-year-olds: Tuesday thru Friday, AM program Young 5s: Monday thru Friday, PM program Panther Playhouse Daycare (After school to 5:30 p.m.) 616-527-3531 Michael A. Lehman Ellesse D. Lehman Ionia Chapel Portland Chapel 220 Rich St. 210 E. Bridge St. Ionia, MI 48846 Portland, MI 48875 www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com Phone: 616-527-2250 FRED HAIGHT INSURANCE AGENCY Dave O’Mara, Partner 989-855-3341 Clorwell Electrical Contractors LLC 11094 S. State Rd. Lake Odessa 616-374-0966 PLUMBING, HEATING & COOLING FREE ESTIMATES 24 Hr. Emergency Service 527—9368 JAMES S. KLEIN, DDS JESSICA FERRIS, RDH Family Denstry 502 Skyview Dr., Ionia 527-3866 CASWELL & COMPANY Complete RV Sales, Parts & Service 616-527-9050 1-800-435-0877 ROBERT M. PAYNE, DDS Family Dentistry 527-2220 412 Brown Blvd. Suite A, Ionia Catholic Charities West Michigan - Ionia 601 E. Washington St. Suite A 522-0836 Enrich 343 W. Main St. 522-1126 Ionia County Commission on Aging 115 Hudson St. 527-5365 This space sponsored by an Anonymous donor Serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence since 1979 1-800-720-7233 PSIC Positive Solutions Informed Choices A Family Resource 208 Main St., Ionia 527-4626 WALTER J. DOWNES Aorney At Law Parishioner 174 East Adams, Ionia 616-527-7777 Blundy-Hoppes Tire & Auto Clinic 3765 S. M66 in Ionia 616-527-0670 www.blundyhoppes.com DENTAL HEALTH CENTER, P.L.C. Chrisne Musco, D.D.S. P. O. Box 510 Douglas E. Musco, D.D.S. 2264 S. State Rd. Natasha Cusack, D.D.S. Ionia, MI 48846 (616) 527-6777 Fax (616) 527-4647 www.muscottandmuscott.com Wilson Heang, Cooling, and Plumbing Serving Ionia County Since 1965 24-Hour Service 616-527-0391 Lehman Funeral Homes Seymour Furniture Mattresses • Sofas Chairs • etc. 333 W. Main St., Ionia 616-527-0630 John R. & Marjorie Seymour Owners 434 High Street, Ionia, MI 48846 P: 616-527-3610 F: 616-527-3697 Website: www.saintspeterandpaulionia.org Email: [email protected]SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Ionia County Community Mental Health Open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays by Appointment 375 Apple Tree Drive, Ionia 616-527-1790 ~ www.ioniacmhs.org 24-hour Toll-free Crisis Line 1-888-527-1790 Pastor: Fr. Tom Brown 616-527-3610, ext. 12 616-755-1742 (evening) Associate Pastor: Fr. Oscar Londoño, mxy 616-527-3610, ext. 14 Seminarian Intern: Johnathan Johnson 616-527-3610, ext. 39 Parish Office Hours Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 8 & 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. (Spanish) Reconciliation Schedule Wednesday: 6:00-6:45 p.m. (Spanish) Saturday: 3:00–3:45 p.m. or by appointment Daily Mass Schedule (subject to change) Monday: 12:10 p.m. in the chapel Tuesday: Communion Service, 7:30 a.m. in the chapel Wednesday: 12:10 p.m. in the chapel 7:00 p.m. in the chapel (Spanish) Thursday: 8:00 a.m. in the school gymnasium Friday: 7:30 a.m. in the chapel Sacraments For questions regarding Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, or any other sacrament, please contact our parish office. Prayer Chain If you have a prayer request for immediate need, please call 616-522-0279, or 616-527-0438. Eight CAP, Inc. 5827 Orleans Rd. Orleans, MI 616-545-2093 ORGAN/TISSUE DONORS ROMAN & MARGARET STOJ June 10, 2018 Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Ionia & Portland www.divineautobody.com Ionia Theatre 205 W. Main Street, Ionia Movies ~ Rentals Live Entertainment Gary Ferguson, Manager INTERN’S INSIGHTS Choosing a life for God: This past week and a half has been seemingly nonstop for me, in a good way though. On Thursday, May 25 th , I attended the Diaconate Ordinations of five friends from Seminary for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa. The fol- lowing day I attended the ordination of one of my best friends at Seminary who lived on the same floor as I did for three years. After the ordination and watching him give first blessings for 3 hours straight, we traveled to his home and celebrated the newly ordained Father Andy. The next day we set up for his first Mass, got ready for another reception, and I was honored to be the first person to go to confession to Father Andy. Later that evening, Father Andy celebrated Mass for the first time, on Holy Trinity Sunday. It was a beautiful sight, especially seeing his Dad assist as the Deacon of the Mass. (His Dad was ordained to the perma- nent Deaconate last July). After Memorial Day, I spent the day with a very close friend of mine in Chicago, and then stayed with the Priest who most influenced me during my first two years of seminary. That next morning, I drove back to Ionia, unpacked quickly, and headed to Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility. There, with the Director of Prison/Jail Ministry for the diocese, we entered the prison and performed two Communion services for the men. I was able to preach and talk with them and share in the Eucharist with them. Again, another profound and moving experience. Seeing their faith, their participation, and their love for the Lord filled me with an overwhelming joy. Lastly, this past weekend I spent a good amount of time pre- paring for and celebrating the ordination of my best friend since 2 nd grade, now Father Michael Steffes. I witnessed him preach his final homily as a Deacon on Friday. On Saturday I lectored in Spanish at his ordination and was chosen by him to hold the book for the Bishop, which put me right side by side with him while he was ordained. That night we celebrated with family and friends, and I watched people coming up to him for 3 hours straight. Then on Sunday he celebrated his first Mass, and I was given the honor of serving at his first Mass. He did an amazing job celebrating this great sacrament, and there were many tears flowing. Hopefully you are still reading. But I wrote all this to remind us that we must look for God in all situations. Yes, God was present in these ordinations and it seemed easier to feel his pres- ence. Yet, he was also just as present and real in the prison. These men, locked up for months to decades, who lack physical freedom, are still freely choosing God. Just as Andy and Mi- chael have chosen a life of service to God. The men in the pris- on did not have to be at the Communion service; there were oth- er things they could have been doing. But they chose God, they chose a life with God. We too have that ability to choose to give our lives to God fully, or not. What will you choose? Johnathan, Pastoral Intern Tim Wall. Proud parishioner and local supporter of SS. Peter & Paul. Tim Wall VP, Financial Consultant (616) 464-1246 [email protected]
Transcript
Voted Ionia County’s #1 Tire & Exhaust Shop
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00-5:00
Saturday 8:00-Noon
We Participate
in the $CRIP Program!
• We Sell & Service ALL Major Brand Tires
•Auto, Farm, & Industrial Tires
• Complete Under Car Care
SS. Peter & Paul School
“All Are Welcome” Preschool through Grade 8
317 Baldie St. Ionia 616-527-3561
Great Beginnings Preschool 616-527-3531 3-year-olds: Tuesday thru Thursday, AM program
4-year-olds: Tuesday thru Friday, AM program
Young 5s: Monday thru Friday, PM program
Panther Playhouse Daycare (After school to 5:30 p.m.) 616-527-3531
Michael A. Lehman
Ellesse D. Lehman
Ionia Chapel Portland Chapel 220 Rich St. 210 E. Bridge St.
Ionia, MI 48846 Portland, MI 48875
www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com
Phone: 616-527-2250
FRED HAIGHT INSURANCE AGENCY
Dave O’Mara, Partner
989-855-3341
Clorwell
Electrical
Contractors LLC
11094 S. State Rd.
Lake Odessa
616-374-0966
PLUMBING, HEATING
& COOLING
FREE ESTIMATES
24 Hr. Emergency Service
527—9368
JAMES S. KLEIN, DDS
JESSICA FERRIS, RDH
Family Dentistry
502 Skyview Dr., Ionia
527-3866
CASWELL & COMPANY
Complete RV Sales, Parts & Service
616-527-9050
1-800-435-0877
ROBERT M. PAYNE, DDS
Family Dentistry
527-2220
412 Brown Blvd.
Suite A, Ionia
Catholic Charities West Michigan - Ionia
601 E. Washington St. Suite A
522-0836
Enrich
343 W. Main St.
522-1126
Ionia County Commission
on Aging
115 Hudson St.
527-5365
This space sponsored by an
Anonymous donor
Serving survivors of domestic and
sexual violence since 1979
1-800-720-7233 PSIC Positive Solutions Informed Choices A Family Resource
208 Main St., Ionia
527-4626
WALTER J. DOWNES
Attorney At Law Parishioner
174 East Adams, Ionia 616-527-7777
Blundy-Hoppes
Tire & Auto
Clinic
3765 S. M66 in Ionia
616-527-0670
www.blundyhoppes.com
DENTAL HEALTH CENTER, P.L.C.
Christine Muscott, D.D.S. P. O. Box 510
Douglas E. Muscott, D.D.S. 2264 S. State Rd.
Natasha Cusack, D.D.S. Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-6777 Fax (616) 527-4647
www.muscottandmuscott.com
Wilson Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing
Serving Ionia County Since 1965
24-Hour Service
616-527-0391
Lehman Funeral Homes
Seymour Furniture
Mattresses • Sofas Chairs • etc.
333 W. Main St., Ionia
616-527-0630
John R. & Marjorie Seymour Owners
434 High Street, Ionia, MI 48846 P: 616-527-3610 F: 616-527-3697
GK Ron Speckin 616-527-9247 FS Phill Wizorek 616-550-3911
Lake Funeral Homes, Inc. A Second Generation Funeral Home
Robert B. Lake, II - Director - Manager
Robert B. Lake - Director
www.lakefuneralhomes.com
3521 South State Rd. 527-0099
SAINTS PETER AND PAUL june 10, 2018 Tenth Sunday in ordinary time
RDF Rental Properties
122 N. Depot Ionia
527-4360
Ionia Lock-Up Storage
3006 N. State Rd., Ionia
Call Duey Flinn: 527-5900
This Space Sponsored
by an Anonymous
Parish Family
AH = Apostles’ Hall CH = Church
CR = Cornerstone Room PO = Parish Office
SC = School VR = Veritas Room
BC = Basement Chapel UP = Upper Room
Please note that “Our Parish Offering” reflects the income from Sunday and Holy Day offertory only.
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gn 3:9-15/Ps 130:1-8/2 Cor 4:13-5:1/Mk 3:20-35 Saturday, June 9 4:00 p.m. Zachary Charles (Jack and Carole Hausserman)
Sunday, June 10 8:00 a.m. Norman Bakken (Mike and Carol Gallagher) 11:30 a.m. Stephen Bollinger (Julie Bennett) 1:00 p.m. Misa en español
Monday, June 11 - Saint Barnabas, Apostle Acts 11:21-26;13:1-3/Ps 98:1-6/Mt 5:1-12 12:10 p.m. Susan K. Montgomery (Julie Bennett)
Tuesday, June 12 - Weekday 1 Kgs 17:7-16/Ps 4:2-5,7-8/Mt 5:13-16 7:30 a.m. Communion Service
Wednesday, June 13 - Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church 1 Kgs 18:20-39/Ps 16:1-2,4-5,8,11/Mt 5:17-19 12:10 p.m. People of Saints Peter and Paul Parish 6:00 p.m. Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 7:00 p.m. Misa en español
Thursday, June 14 - Weekday 1 Kgs 18:41-46/Ps 65:10-13/Mt 5:20-26 7:30 a.m. Mary Kozicki (Father Tom Brown)
Friday, June 15 - Weekday 1 Kgs 19:9,11-16/Ps 27:7-9,13-14/Mt 5:27-32 7:30 a.m. Souls in Purgatory 2:15 p.m. Heartland Health Care Center Communion Service
2:15 p.m. Heartland Health Care Center Communion Service Saturday, June 16
th
8:30 a.m. Scriptural Rosary (CH) Sunday, June 17
th
9:00 a.m. Coffee and Rolls (AH) 9:15 a.m. Decision Point (VR)
SS. Peter & Paul Parish Staff (616) 527-3610 Permanent Deacon Zenon Cardenas 527-8942 Secretary Cecilia Luke ext. 10 Office Manager Adam Rewa ext. 11 Pastoral Services Toni McKay ext. 13 Music Director Whitney Crooks ext. 30 Faith Formation Vanessa Booth ext. 21 Maintenance Dan Schmitz 527-3610 Cemetery Sexton Mike Bledsoe 527-3610
SS. Peter and Paul School www.ssppcatholic.com (616) 527-3561 Principal Julie Baty ext. 18 Secretary Diane Grummet ext. 23 Pre-School Audra Searfoss ext. 20 Daycare Audra Searfoss ext. 19
SS. Peter & Paul Parish - Pastoral Council David Fitzpatrick, Chairman Patricia Klein Deb Trierweiler Chris Brown Yolanda Preston Tony Velasco Deb Campbell Karen Thelen
SS. Peter & Paul Parish - Finance Council Deb Conrad Jane Hemenway Dave O’Mara Ron Drysdale John Klein Denise Peabody Jason Eppler
SS. Peter & Paul School - Board of Education Nick Cusack Kevin Heinlein Brian Siemen Troy Droste Matt Johnson Kristi Wizorek Jessica Drown Laurie Palmer
616.527.3500 www.livelocal-realty.com
3% of Commissions Can Go Back to SSPP!
Our Lady of Fatima
Catholic Supplies
Tuesday-Friday • 10am - 4pm Saturday • 10am - 3pm
989-593-2609 108 Main Street, Fowler
Liturgical Ministers for Saturday & Sunday, June 16th/17th
4:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Lector: Cecilia Luke Johnathan Johnson Ryan Ford
Ministers of Johnathan Johnson, Sue Wizorek, Denise Peabody, Sue Huver, Ron Drysdale, Johnathan Johnson,
Communion: Phill Wizorek Marilyn Flanagan Evelyn Velasco
Altar Servers: Carmen Rewa, Elliot Rewa Carter Starks, Matthew Meyer Grace Droste, Rachel Siemen
Hospitality: Carol Cope, Mary Lou Mulick, Jim Huver, Donna Holberg, Roger & Karen Thelen Family
Garry Mulick Robert Holberg
Please Pray For . . .
We continue to pray for all who need healing in body, mind, or spirit. If you would like to add or remove a name, please call the parish office. Be sure you have the consent of the person or a family member. Names will remain on the prayer list for three months and then be removed. Requests may be renewed.
Abigail Ramirez Catherine Dusenbery Larry McKaig Pam Coggan Helen Schneider Steffani Robison Nichole Munsell Cindy Moon Pat McKinstry Brian Lyons Chad Wickerink Sandy Randall Steve Bailey Danna Dingman Sue Tucker Gary Glownia Sandra Weber Roy Cook Tom Renucci Lisa Tompkins Chuck Stevens Dalilah Tubergen Karen Perry Lorie Shaw
Patty Seif Frank Lattimore Carolyn Krycinski Jon Caswell Jack Clayton Jean Barker Karen Hoskins Mary Kimball Michele Cahoon Dominic Essich Susan Renee Montgomery Jane Emelander Georgia Sibert Traccie Lower The Unborn John McKay Ivan Stebbins Kim Mailand Jessica Drown Ian David Faist Michael Fowler Therese Perrien Kirsten Buys Johnson Suzanne Rosenburg
Joe & Sandy Meyers Deborah Kaminski Sue Swinehart Irene Kneale Annie Bales-Ludwick Ashley Sue Montgomery Maria Martinez Dorcas Spurlock Melissa McKinstry Mary Lou Greenhoe Mary Duncan Larry Lafler Cheryl Pinnow Larry Northrup Mchalie Walter Janet Beeman W. Patrick Burns Marcia Cook
CHRISTIAN SERVICE CENTER 301 W. Washington St., Box 396
Ionia 616-527-1530
OPEN Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED WHEN OPEN
Receive. Believe. Share.
Recibir. Creer. Compartir.
Tenth Sunday in ordinary time
REMINDER: Low-gluten Hosts Available
Low-gluten hosts are available for those who suffer with gluten sensitivity, as a means by which they can receive Communion at Mass. Anyone in need of this option should report to the sacristan 15 minutes before Mass begins. Distribution takes place from the center aisle.
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS!
Copies of the JUNE Prayer Calendar
are available on the table in the back of the church.
COME and ADORE! Adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m.,
in the CHAPEL
The Prayer of Faith “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the Church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord” – James 1: 14. On Tuesday, June 19
th, we will be offering an 11:00 a.m.
Mass with the Anointing of the Sick in the church. We will in-vite those facing illness or surgery and the elderly to receive the Sacrament of Anointing. If you know of anyone who would like to attend but needs transportation, please contact Vanessa Booth at 527-3610. We are looking for volunteers to make soup or bread, which will be served, after the Mass, in Apostles Hall. A sign-up sheet can be found on the table in the back of church.
Summer Decision Point
Do you love learning about our Faith? Did you see Matthew Kelly and want to learn more? Did you miss the event and want to know what the excitement is about? Starting June 10
th, Chris Brown and Shana Herrman will be
offering the Decision Point Confirmation program as make-up sessions for those confirmands who missed classes dur-ing the year, as well as anyone who is interested in attend-ing. Our parish has been using Decision Point for the past 3 years as our Confirmation program, and it really is a world-class program. This is an opportunity to learn more about the faith, explore how the Holy Spirit is already working within you, and spend time with others with the same desire. Each session is 2 hours long, occurring between the Sunday morning Masses in the Veritas room. The six sessions in-clude 5-10 minute videos with discussion. The sessions are also independent, so you can show up to any session any time, and don't need to be at all of them.
Grief Support Group Sessions The Ministry of Consolation would like to invite anyone that has suffered the death of a loved one or a loss in their per-sonal life to join them at monthly Grief Support Group Ses-sions. The next session will be held in the SS. Peter & Paul Parish Office living room on Tuesday, June 19
th, at 6:30
p.m. Each of the sessions offers a topic of discussion as well as time to reflect, listen, and share if one chooses. If you are interested in learning more about the Ministry of Consolation and its benefits to you or a loved one, please contact Vanessa in the Faith Formation Office at 527-3610.
Blessings to our beautiful community! With summer here, there are so many needs at the Monas-tery of the Trinitarians of Mary. One such vital need is weeding out the grounds surround-ing the monastery. "What? Weeding?" You are probably thinking! Why not just spray round up? We have all heard recently about the loss of bees in Ameri-ca. Research is finding that the poison, when contacted by bees causes confusion to the bees, resulting in their not find-ing the way back to the hive. This is especially critical to the Sisters, as they rely on the honey from their beekeeping efforts, and have continued to lose their colonies. Could you please spare a couple of hours to help the sis-ters. Every hour we work allows the sisters precious time to pray and adore. Better yet, bring a friend... or your fami-ly! (Please bring your garden tool and gloves.) We appreciate your continued commitment to the commu-nity!
HYMNAL DRIVE! Our hymnal drive is off to a great start! We have just under 100 purchased! If you need an envelope, they are available on the back table of church, in the office or you can ask Whitney. Let’s keep up our rich tradition of singing with our new hymnals!
SAVE THE DATE!
FEAST OF SAINTS PETER & PAUL
Friday, June 29, 2018
Mass at 6:00 p.m., followed by an
ice cream social in
Apostles Hall! Bring your family
members and friends!
June 10, 2018
Search: Saints Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church
LIFE FIT for Women! Life Fit for Women meets on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Veritas Room. Walk and Talk is from 5 to 5:30 p.m. - all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes. Life Fit is free of charge to all participants. Kip
It’s time to start think-ing GARAGE SALE! Saints Peter & Paul Annual Garage Sale is right around the corner - Friday/Saturday, June 22/23! We invite you to consider donating your gently
used and no longer needed treasures to our sale. Donations can be dropped off at the parish office garage between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday NOTE: We cannot accept donations of older TVs. All pro-ceeds will go toward spiritual enrichment resources, program-ming, and guest speakers for the parish. Thank you for your donations!
St. Anthony’s Knights of Columbus Golf Outing June 23
rd - 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start
Morrison Lake Country Club $30 for 9 holes and a cart, with lunch afterward
50/50 Raffles and Door Prizes For more information and/or to register your team, contact
Doug Thelen at 616-437-6516
Catholic Services Appeal Update We now have 167 pledges for $58,748.70. We have just $5,239.30. to go to meet our goal. If you haven’t made your pledge yet, please do so. Thank you!
If you would like to inquire about becoming Catholic, please call Toni McKay at 527-3610, or email to [email protected].
Mrs. McGuire is Retiring! Our beloved Mrs. McGuire will be retiring at the end of this school year. A retirement party has been planned for her for Saturday, June 9
th.. We will begin with Mass at 4:00
p.m., and then the open-house -style party will continue un-til 7:00 p.m., in Apostles Hall. Mrs. McGuire wants every-one to know your good wishes and prayers are all she needs - gifts are not necessary.
Happy 80th
Birthday, Irene! Irene Kneale is celebrating her 80
th birth-
day on June 20th! Parishioners are invited
to celebrate with her by sending her a birthday card to: Green Acres of Lowell 11530 E. Fulton Lowell, MI 49331
Faith Formation Catechist Dinner On Wednesday, June 13
th, we will be hosting a special ap-
preciation dinner at 6:00 pm in Apostles Hall for our Faith Formation and Children’s Liturgy of the Word Catechists. This dinner is an opportunity for us to gather in appreciation and fellowship of one another in reflection of our year. After dinner, Johnathan Johnson will be sharing his thoughts with us on the importance of Discernment as part of our ongoing Catechetical Training. Please call/email Sandra or Vanessa to R.S.V.P. An Attitude of Gratitude You are generous and gracious, Lord, and for that, my soul and heart are grateful all the days of my life. Thank you for the grace to proclaim your ways. Thank you for the conviction to speak your Truth. Thank you for the love that steadies my heart. Thank you for the faith to walk in your ways. Thank you for the honor to know your presence. Thank you for the fortitude to call to others. Thank you for the hope that lights my path. Thank you for the joy that sparkles within. Thank you for the confidence to persevere. Thank you for the wonder that delights my days. Thank you for the humor that calls me to play. Thank you for the Eucharist that nurtures my life. Thank you for the wisdom, to guide my learners, that they, too may be grateful all the days of their lives. –from CATECHIST magazine’s Psalms for Catechists.
Our Parish Purpose Statement - Saints Peter & Paul Parish
Our Pastoral Council has been working intensely with Father Tom to develop a Pastoral Plan for our parish. Parish Pastoral Planning is a prayerful and participative process through which a parish characterizes itself as a particular community of faith by developing its own purpose statement, assessing its strengths and resources, as well as its limitations and needs. All of this leads to making recommendations to the pastor concerning establishment of priorities and goals, and devising ways to accomplish its mission. Parish Pastoral Planning helps to answer the questions: Who are we as a parish? What are we called to do? How are we best going to do it? All of us are called to participate fully in the life and mission of the Church. The mission of the Church is rooted in the mission of Christ who commanded everyone - clergy, religious, and laity - to "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15). From its earliest days the Church has responded to this mission in various ways depending upon the times and circumstances. Creating this statement of our parish’s purpose was a great challenge. The council could have simply quoted the parish purpose from the great commission of Matthew 28: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Jesus’ commission rings loud, yet there is great need in the world for the Catholic faithful to be moved to a renewed zest for the gospel, both personally and in sharing it with others. By establishing a purpose statement for our parish, the council hopes to eliminate any question as to our parish’s sacred purpose, and to ensure that the work of the parish, in all its forms, is directed toward this purpose. Our parish purpose statement: Our sacred purpose as Saints Peter and Paul Parish is to . . . use our God-given gifts . . .
Every parishioner is called upon to exercise the divinely-inspired calling and gifts conferred in Baptism for a particular function in carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ.
to awaken faith, inspire discipleship, and trust in God’s plan . . . Being a member of Saints Peter & Paul Parish is not only aimed at one’s personal sanctity. We are called to bring Christ out into the world, wherever our journey takes us, to affect the sanctity of all people. Each of us is to exude our Catholic faith as to rouse faith in others, to be an example of Christian discipleship, and to exemplify trust in God’s divine plan in all things.
so that all who enter our doors may receive, believe, and share God’s love. Whether one “enters our doors” by simply coming into contact with a parish member, or physically passes through the doors of our church building, our purpose is the same: To stir the hearts of people, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to become open to receive all the Lord unconditionally offers to every person, to attain certainty in the Gospel message, and to share in God’s love by embracing his love personally and becoming a vessel in bringing his love to others.
RECEIVE. BELIEVE. SHARE.
STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
CAMPAIGN PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank you for always being
present to us in the Church which you gave as the means
for our salvation and that of the whole world. A Church
through which life-giving and sustaining graces are
poured into and over us by the holy Sacraments. A
Church which is truly your “body” here on earth. We are
members of that body, filled with the Holy Spirit and
bountiful graces, and compelled to use the blessings,
gifts, and favors which have been given us to build up
that body.
Renew us with your grace and the gifts of the Holy
Spirit that we may give serious thought to how each of us
can better use our time, talent, and treasure to build up
your Church and to love better our brothers and sisters
who make up your holy Church.
May the Parish of SS. Peter and Paul continue to be a
community of believers who are willing to spend time
learning about God’s Word and will, about the words and
works of Holy men and women who have loved
Jesus and his Church, and may we then serve one another
