When I got married, nearly three decades ago, I sensed I was doing something big. The planning was big, the party was big and the dress was big (it was the late 80’s). However, I had no idea how big it really was. You see, I wasn’t very well formed in my faith and the preparation we received was lacking. I had a very ordinary understanding of marriage. Marriage meant having someone to share life with and a for-sure date on Saturday night. I understood marriage the way most of our culture understands marriage. Thankfully, God was faithful and merciful during the times when Gary and I knew little of what we were doing. He led us to learn and grow in our faith and subsequently gain a full understanding of marriage the way God intends it. We now understand marriage as a sacrament. As you know, a sacrament is the tangible way God reaches down to us and gives us grace. The sacraments were given to us by Jesus Himself. So, marriage is a divine institution given to us to impart grace and help us reach heaven. That means my husband is my means to heaven! What a sense of humor God has. First, He took two ordinary people, attracted them to each other and bound them together in an inseparable way to create a family and reach our heavenly home. I can assure you that on most days we do not mediate on these Divine realities. Instead, we’re living out our married days, probably like most of you, in the business of working, raising our children and taking care of our home. It is an ordinary life. Perhaps we should spend a few moments reflecting on marriage and what a gift it is to the Church and our communities. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Marriage is the intimate, exclusive, indissoluble communion of life and love entered by man and woman at the design of the Creator for the purpose of their own good and the procreation and education of children; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” CCC 1603. This means marriage is the closest and most intimate of human friendships. It involves the sharing of the whole of a person’s life with his/her spouse. Marriage calls for a mutual self -surrender so intimate and complete that spouses – without losing their individuality – become one in a super- natural way. It is here, in marriage, that I experience the most beautiful and real love. The love that rejoices with me in life’s ups and the love that cries with me in life’s downs. It is the place where I can be the most authentic version of myself and reflect that love back to my spouse. NOTES FROM PARISHIONER MARY PERRYDORE Wife of Diaconate Candidate Marriage: An Ordinary Means to an Extraordinary Life Continued on inside page AUGUST 6, 2017 18 TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ Today, on Mt. Tabor, Jesus reveals to us a ‘spark of eternal glory’. He does this to strengthen the faith of his disciples: Peter, James, and John, before his suffering on the cross. Let’s gaze with them, on the transfigured Jesus, let’s catch a glimpse of His glory in our Liturgy, Eucharist, private prayer, and apostolic works. He wants to reveal Himself to us and strengthen us in our trials and struggles just as he did with his closest apostles. ~Fr Tom
Transcript
When I got married, nearly three decades ago, I sensed I was doing something big. The planning was big, the party was big and the dress was big (it was the late 80’s). However, I had no idea how big it really was. You see, I wasn’t very well formed in my faith and the preparation we received was lacking. I had a very ordinary understanding of marriage. Marriage meant having someone to share life with and a for-sure date on Saturday night. I understood marriage the way most of our culture understands marriage. Thankfully, God was faithful and merciful during the times when Gary and I knew little of what we were doing. He led us to learn and grow in our faith and subsequently gain a full understanding of marriage the way God intends it. We now understand marriage as a sacrament. As you know, a sacrament is the tangible way God reaches down to us and gives us grace. The sacraments were given to us by Jesus Himself. So, marriage is a divine institution given to us to impart grace and help us reach heaven. That means my husband is my means to heaven! What a sense of humor God has. First, He took two ordinary people, attracted them to each other and bound them together in an inseparable way to create a family and reach our heavenly home. I can assure you that on most
days we do not mediate on these Divine realities. Instead, we’re living out our married days, probably like most of you, in the business of working, raising our children and taking care of our home. It is an ordinary life. Perhaps we should spend a few moments reflecting on marriage and what a gift it is to the Church and our communities. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Marriage is the intimate, exclusive, indissoluble communion of life and love entered by man and woman at the design of the Creator for the purpose of their own good and the procreation and education of children; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” CCC 1603. This means marriage is the closest and most intimate of human friendships. It involves the sharing of the whole of a person’s life with his/her spouse. Marriage calls for a mutual self-surrender so intimate and complete that spouses – without losing their individuality – become one in a super-natural way. It is here, in marriage, that I experience the most beautiful and real love. The love that rejoices with me in life’s ups and the love that cries with me in life’s downs. It is the place where I can be the most authentic version of myself and reflect that love back to my spouse.
NOTES FROM PARISHIONER MARY PERRYDORE Wife of Diaconate Candidate
Marriage: An Ordinary Means to an Extraordinary Life
Continued on inside page
AUGUST 6, 2017 18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Feast of the
Transfiguration of Christ
Today, on Mt. Tabor, Jesus reveals to us a ‘spark of eternal glory’. He does this to strengthen the faith of his disciples: Peter, James, and John, before his suffering on the cross. Let’s gaze with them, on the transfigured Jesus, let’s catch a glimpse of His glory in our Liturgy, Eucharist, private prayer, and apostolic works. He wants to reveal Himself to us and strengthen us in our trials and struggles just as he did with his closest apostles. ~Fr Tom
• Please pray for the infirm, including: Dan Krebs, Patricia Fuller, Lisa Ann Kozakowski, John Marshall, John LaRock Sr., Michael Cooper, Phil Rutledge, Kathy Cooley, Robin Fahmie, Karen Prins, Sandra Adams, Richard Pelkey, Tom Dawson, Pete Siebertz, Nicole Brcic, Angela DiLaura, John Dziuban, Jim Stephensen, Mason Rutledge, Georgiana Bruen, Wayne DeForest, Floyd “Doc” Dreffs,
Ron Fuller, Tom Masterson, Noah Kranz, John & Gladys Kennedy, George Roth, Ann Mary “Nancy” Phillips, Jessica Cox, Virgil Dreffs, Katie Hutton, Nicholas Pikor, Roger Thomas, Wallyne Smail, Betsy & Charlie Rodgers
Please pray for those in the military, including: Adam Draves, Nathan Baker, Garette Moore, Larry Workman, Daniel Scott Brown, Mark
Richard, Philip Maxwell, Tony Phillips, Anthony Darket, Samuel Chase Johnson, William Godfrey, Bill Lott, Tony DeLellis, Mike Nelson, Frank Snaith, Allan Fletcher, Brandon Fletcher, Noah Kranz, Chas Carter
Pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. John Henry Keenan, Gabe McGill, Michael Kunitz, Mark Iadonisi, David Pellican
TO PRAY IS TO LOVE MASS INTENTIONS
TUE 700:
WED 830:
THU 830:
FRI 830:
SAT 400:
SUN 800:
1030:
Marie Golinis Martha Schloss Gust Wiitala Russell Family Ann Hauser Parishioners OSP Altar Servers
Bishop’s Golf Classic The annual Bishop's Golf Classic for Seminarian Education will be held Wednesday, August 30. To register, send an e-mail to Lisa Weber at
Job Opening Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor is accepting
applications for Substitute Teachers for the 2017/2018 school year. Apply by submitting resume to Mary Vangieson at [email protected]
Rachael’s Vineyard Retreat Receive God's mercy and healing. A Rachel's Vineyard weekend retreat is an opportunity for any man, woman, couple, grandparent,
or sibling who struggles with the emotional and spiritual pain of abortion. This powerful weekend allows the soul to speak its sorrow, August 11-13, 2017, in Lansing. (Location is kept confidential and is available to those who register). Begins Friday, August 11 at 1 pm through Sunday, August 13 until 2 pm. For those interested in registering, visit our website at newlifecenterlansing.org.
Continued from front cover
St. John Paul II tells us in his teachings on the Theology of the Body that marriage is woven into our very being by the fact that we were created as male and female. Marriage is, therefore, governed by Christ’s laws, faithfully trans-mitted by his Bride, the Church. For marriage to be what it is, it must conform to these laws. Man, therefore, is not free to change the meaning and purposes of marriage. However, we are living in difficult times right now and marriage is getting beat up in the process. We have an opportunity as Catholics to truly live out our marriages as Christ intended them, and in so doing, bring Christ to the world around us. There are a number of ways we
can visibly live out our marriages so as to reflect Christ for the good of our family and others. First, we must pray with our spouse. We are no different than others if we don’t do this daily. (Grace before meals is a good practice, but it’s not what I’m talking about.) Secondly, we are called to be open to life. God blesses us all differently in this area, but whatever our family size, we can order our marriage to be life-giving and thus reflect Christ in and through each other. Finally, every marriage needs a large dose of mercy. It is by giving and receiving mercy in marriage that we can transform ourselves and marriages into something bigger than ourselves. So, the day I got married was
big. Two ordinary people came together in the ordinary way. However, through the power of the sacrament, God has transformed the ordinary and given me a glance at the extraordinary. That is what marriage is – an ordinary means to reflect Christ to others making it something more extraordinary than you or I will ever know this side of Heaven. ~Mary Perrydore Resources available: usccb.org/issues-and-action/
marriage-and-family/index.cfm Formed.org Parish Code: W9M3Q6 If it is your first time you will need to create a free account with your email.
“...I shall rejoice. For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance… with full courage now
as always Christ will be honored in my body...” — Philippians 1:19, 20
Catechists Needed! Teach the faith to our fourth graders in the religious education program. You will be surprised at how much you learn about the faith through teaching it to our young people. Please contact the parish office if interested in serving in this way.
Religious Education begins Sept. 10th! Be sure to sign up your children for catechism class. Our religious education program incorporates classroom learning, beautiful textbooks, and materials for further study at home to help educate our young people in the faith. The program encourage parents to embrace their role as the primary educators of their children. Class times are Sunday from 9:15-10:15am beginning Sept. 10 and concluding April 22nd. Cost is $50 per student with a $150 max per family. You can find registration forms and more information on our website: http://stpatricka2.org/religious-education or you can stop by the parish office and register in person.
Volunteer Office Help Needed Do you have some spare time and would enjoy volunteering in the
parish office. We are currently looking for people to spend a few hours helping to answer phones, greet visitors, and some general office help. If you are interested please contact Debbie at 734-662-8141.
RCIA Sponsors We have a number of people interested in beginning the RCIA process. We need to support those who want to learn more about the Catholic faith. Consider being a sponsor at RCIA. You will have the joy of walking with someone through one of the most life-changing and impactful experiences of their lives as they discover the beauty of the Catholic faith. Sponsors should attend the weekly RCIA sessions on Mondays and support their catechumen or candidate through prayer, friendship, and helping them become acquainted with life within the Catholic community.
OSP Intercessory Prayer Group
Do you or your family need the support of prayer? Our parish has a group of parishioners devoted to praying for those in need. Any intentions you have will be lifted up in prayer by this faithful group. Please send any prayer requests to [email protected]
If you feel called to join the work of this ministry, please email [email protected]
Baptism Preparation Class If you intend to request Baptism for an infant or a child six years of age or younger, the Diocese of Lansing requires that parents complete a Baptism Preparation class before the Baptism can be scheduled. Godparents are very welcome and encouraged to attend the class. There is no fee for the class. Please contact Dcn. Papp by phone 734-426-1070 or email [email protected].
Fatima Indulgence In celebration of the 100th Anniversary, on the 13th of the Month, Bishop Boyea has asked each parish to pray a special Prayer of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary on
Sunday, August 13th at all Masses.
Extraordinary Form Every second Sunday at Old St. Patrick, we offer the Mass according to the 1962 Missal. Our next Latin Mass will be at 12:30pm next Sunday.
Bishop's Priestly Discernment Dinner Ever wonder about Priesthood? Bishop Earl Boyea invites any man who is at least entering his junior year of high school to a Priestly Discernment Dinner with him and many of the priests and seminarians in the Diocese of Lansing at the Bethany House in Dewitt on Aug. 20th. The day begins with a 3:00pm welcome and concludes with a cookout that wraps up around
6:30pm. Questions can be directed to Fr. John Linden (Director of Seminarians) at (517) 342-2507 or [email protected] Please invite your pastor to join you!
2017 Nun Run Four-Day Run to the East Coast (Convent Visits) Thursday, August 17 – Sunday, August 20, 2017. Ages 18-35 can apply. Application required since space is limited. Orders that we will be visiting in the New York City borough of The Bronx are: Little Sisters of the Poor; Missionaries of Charity; Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal; Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara (Active & Cloistered branch); and, the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth (Contemplatives). For more information cantact Dawn Hausmann (Diocese of Lansing) at 517-342-2506 or visit www.dioceseoflansing.org/events
Reconciliation Tuesday 5:30PM - 6:40PM Saturday 2:30PM or by appointment; don’t hesitate to call for an appointment!
Weekend Schedule for Holy Mass Saturday 4:00PM Sunday 8:00AM & 10:30AM
Weekday Schedule for Holy Mass First Saturday of the month 9:00AM Tues. 7:00PM Wed. Thur. & Fri. 8:30AM
Eucharistic Adoration of Our Lord Tues. 5:30PM– 6:45PM First Friday 7:00PM– Saturday 8:00AM
Baptisms Baptism Preparation classes as required by the
tend. There is no fee for the class. Marriages Arrangements are to be made at least nine months prior to the wedding. Funerals Funeral arrangements are made by contacting the parish office. Parish Registration Contact the office for a registration form.
Bulletin announcements must be submitted in writing to [email protected] by Monday at noon and will be edited at the discretion of the editor or pastor.
Please patronize our sponsors and tell them you saw their ad in our bulletin!
ALTAR SERVERS SATURDAY 4:00/AUG 12 M. Lizzio M. Lizzio SUNDAY 8:00/AUG 13 T. Marshall T. Marshall SUNDAY 10:30/AUG 13 J.P. Boudreaux G. Carter B. Carter N. Perrydore T. Perrydore M. Rushing
Old St. Patrick Catholic Church seeks a full time Director of Religious Education/Youth Minister. Very strong communication and organiza-tional skills are critical. Candidates must have some theological training/degree. Responsibilities include: administering religious education program, teaching RCIA, directing H.S. youth group, overseeing young adults, supporting parish events, and updating website. Ease working with homeschool students is necessary. Submit resumes to [email protected]
Be Included!
Schedule your photo session today!
Sign up outside of Church!
August 28th, 29th, & 30th
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Tuesday, August 15th
Holy Day of Obligation
Mass will be celebrated at 8:00am and 7:00pm
“All-powerful and ever-living God: You raised the sinless Virgin Mary, mother of your Son, body
and soul, to the glory of heaven. May we see heaven as our final goal and come to share her glory."
The Deacons of the Diocese of Lansing are hosting a Day of Healing in Flint at St. Mary Church, 2500 N. Franklin Ave. on Saturday, August 26. All are welcome. Your help is needed! Each deacon of the diocese has been given a list of needed items to be collected prior to August 26. Old St. Patrick has been asked to donate school supplies (pens, pencils, crayons, markers, notebooks, backpacks), non-perishable food items, and toiletries. Please place your donations in the box by the Saint Joseph Altar. These items will be passed out to Flint residents who are in need. For more information contact Mary Dowsett at [email protected]
Schedule of the Day:
10:00am: Mass with Bishop Boyea 11am-4pm: Adoration 11am-2pm: BBQ Picnic; School Supply Give Away for local children 12pm-4pm: Healing Service with Rev Mark Rutherford 4pm: Benediction
