S T . A . A LPHONSUS LPHONSUS - S T . C . C LEMENT LEMENT P ARISH ARISH Dearborn, Michigan Dearborn, Michigan M ARCH 25, 2018 Fr. Linus Kinyua, Pastor Fr. Aaron DePeyster, Associate Pastor Mission Statement We, the family of St. Alphonsus - St. Clement, are called by Jesus Christ to know Him and celebrate His Word. Sustained by the sacramental life rooted in the Eucharist, we reach out in service to all through faith, love, and fellowship. Readings for the Week Readings for the Week Sunday: Mk 11:1-10 / Is 50:4-7 / Ps 22:8-9, 17-18 a , 19-20, 23-24 / Phil 2:6-11 / Mk 14:1—15:47 Monday: Is 42:1-7 / Ps 27:1-3, 13-14 / Jn 12:1-11 Tuesday: Is 49:1-6 /Ps 71:1-4 a , 5-6 ab , 15, 17 / Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Wednesday: Is 50:4-9 a / Ps 69:8-10, 21 bcd -22, 31, 33-34 Mt 26:14-25 Thursday: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14 / Ps 116:12-13, 15-16 c , 17-18 1 Cor 11:23-26 / Jn 13:1-15 Friday: Is 52:13—53:12 / Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25 Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9 / Jn 18:1—19:42 Saturday: Gn 1:1—2:2 / Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12-14, 24, 35 Gn 22:1-18 / Ps 16:5, 8-11 Ex 14:15—15:1 / Ex 15:1-6, 17-18 Is 54:5-14/Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13 Is 55:1-11 / Is 12:2-3-6 Bar 3:9-15, 32—4:4 / Ps 19:8-11 Ez 36:16-17 a , 18-28 / Pss 42:3, 5; 43:3-4 Rom 6:3-11 / Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Mk 16:1-7 Next Sunday: Acts 10:34 a , 37-43 / Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Col 3:1-4 Holy Saturday St. A-St. C Church Blessing of Baskets 11:00 @ am St. A-St. C Church Easter Vigil @ 7:30 pm. Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper HFV Chapel @ 2:30 pm; St. A-St. C Church @ 7:00 pm with Adoration till 10:00 pm. Good Friday Service St. A-St. C Church Stations at noon followed by Service @ 1:00 pm; HFV Stations at 2:30 pm, Service @ 3:00 pm. Easter Sunday ~ Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord HFV Chapel Mass @ 9:00 am; St. A-St. C Church @ 9:00 am & 11:00 am. Processional Gospel: Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" [Mk 11:9-10] First Reading: The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced. [Is 50:7 a ] Psalm: You, O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. [Ps 22] Second Reading: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness. [Phil 2:6-7 a ] Gospel: "Truly this man was the Son of God." [Mk 16:39 b ]
Transcript
SS TT . A. A LPHONSUSLPHONSUS --
SS TT . C. C LEMENTLEMENT PPARISHARISH Dearborn , MichiganDearborn , Michigan
MARCH 25 , 2018
Fr. Linus Kinyua, Pastor
Fr. Aaron DePeyster, Associate Pastor
Mission Statement We, the family of St. Alphonsus - St. Clement, are called by
Jesus Christ to know Him and celebrate His Word. Sustained by the sacramental life rooted in the Eucharist, we reach out in service to all through faith, love, and fellowship.
Readings for the WeekReadings for the Week Sunday:
Mk 11:1-10 / Is 50:4-7 / Ps 22:8-9, 17-18a, 19-20, 23-24 / Phil 2:6-11 / Mk 14:1—15:47
Monday:
Is 42:1-7 / Ps 27:1-3, 13-14 / Jn 12:1-11 Tuesday:
St. A-St. C Church @ 7:00 pm with Adoration till 10:00 pm.
Good Friday Service
St. A-St. C Church
Stations at noon followed by
Service @ 1:00 pm;
HFV Stations at 2:30 pm,
Service @ 3:00 pm.
Easter Sunday ~ Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord HFV Chapel Mass @ 9:00 am; St. A-St. C Church @ 9:00 am & 11:00 am.
Processional Gospel: Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:
"Hosanna! B lessed i s he who comes in the name of the Lord!" [Mk 11:9-10] First Reading: The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced. [Is 50:7a] Psalm: You, O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. [Ps 22] Second Reading: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness. [Phil 2:6-7a]
Gospel: "Tru ly this man was the Son of God . " [Mk 16:39b]
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Mass Intentions Saturday, March 24 4:00 pm �Fr. Linus Guido Lucci (req) Sister Helen Misner (req) Bonanno Family Stanley Franczak (req) Family Vance Maliszewski (req) Friend
Jan Lawrence, special intention (req) Friend Sunday, March 25 9:00 am (HFV Chapel) �Fr. Linus
Angela Messisco (req) Family 9:00 am �Fr. Aaron Louis Tellish, Sr. (req) Family James & Margaret Blair (req) Family Norman DiDonato (req) Bechard Family
11:00 am �Fr. Aaron Nancy Kosko (req) Fraga Family
Monday, March 26 8:30 am �Fr. Linus Irene Kaminski (req) Family
Tuesday, March 27 8:30 am �Fr. Linus Brian Findley (req) Marilyn KD Koziel, health & healing (req) Doina
2:30 pm (HFV Chapel) �Fr. Aaron
For the Sou ls in Purgatory Holy Thursday, March 29 2:30 pm (HFV Chapel) �Fr. Aaron
For the Sick o f the Par ish 7:00 pm �Fr. Linus
Joan Koziel, health & healing (req) Doina Holy Saturday, March 30 7:30 pm �Frs. Aaron & Linus
Victor & Teresa Villella (req) Family Dr. Frank Prokop (req) John Witalic
Sunday, April 1 9:00 am (HFV Chapel) �Fr. Aaron
Betty Belisle (req) HFV Residents 9:00 am �Fr. Linus James & Margaret Blair (req) Family Edward Jarrell (req) Family Carmine & Elisabetta Stancato (req) Family Antonio & Elena DeGrazia Family
11:00 am �Fr. Linus Rick Anthony Ventura (req) Mom
Aldo Vacca (req) Family Nancy Kosko (req) LIFT Sodality
Rocco Roland, birthday blessings (req) Family
Rest in Peace E d na Jab bo u r ~ 3/16/18
The Sanctuary Lamp burns in memory of Laura
Satani. Please remember her in your prayers.
Everyday Stewardship I read a story recently about a teacher who donated to one of her former students a kidney. This tremendous act of selflessness came about because the young person had lost most of the function his kidneys due to an illness. Literally, that teacher gave the gift of life to someone who wasn't her own child or another family member. This is certainly radical stewardship. How far would you go to give of yourself so that another might live? Would you have to love him or her like your own child or parent? No one can deny it would be a difficult decision, especially if your giving put your own health at risk. Reflecting on these things helps to provide some perspective on the crucifixion of Jesus. Not only did he suffer tremendously at the hands of the Romans, he gave his life for us so we might live forever. What does true stewardship look like? The cross is a symbol to us of total surrender. When we are called to give of ourselves in ordinary ways in daily life we sometimes hesitate and think twice. Perhaps when we are unsure we should look to the cross and there we can find our strength. And then when the call comes to truly sacrifice and place our trust in God, we may have already developed a lifestyle that makes responding, "yes , " that much easier.
-Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
Stewardship Thoughts Today, in St. Mark’s processional Gospel passage, the evangelist retells of Jesus’ glorious and triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Christ’s travel on a colt signifies that He is a different leader, not a Roman conqueror or king, but a Messianic King. He is a humble, suffering servant Who, as portrayed in St. Mark’s Passion account, will sacrifice His life for all seeking eternal salvation. The prophet Isaiah professes how the Lord God leads and strengthens all those in difficult situations. St. Paul proclaims how Christ humbly emptied Himself, becoming human and dying for our salvation so God could exalt Him ~ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend…and every tongue confess that Jesus Chris t i s Lord! Do we, as faithful stewards, acknowledge God’s tremendous gift of His Son by opening our hearts to a personal relationship with Him? Following Palm Sunday Mass, make crosses or other religious symbols from your blessed palms. Throughout the year, these transformed palms will serve as a reminder of Jesus’ invitation to a life of peace and joy with our Lord and Savior.
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion March 25 – 1
st Century
On Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we recall Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, when he was greeted by crowds waving palms and cheering. This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week.
LIFT Sodality News Our next Corporate Mass will be held on Easter Sunday at 11:00 am. Please note there is a change in date and time for our next meeting! We will meet on Tuesday, April 10th at 6:00 pm, followed by Bible Study at 7:00 pm in Fr. Yagley Hall.
Page 3 St. Alphonsus ~ St. Clement, Dearborn
Stewardship Report w/e 3-11-18 Year to Date
BUDGET $5,425.00 200,725.00
ACTUAL 6,683.00 197,582.00
VARIANCE + 1,258.00 - (3,143.00)
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES $ 1,235.00
FLOWER FUND 230.00
CHURCH IN C/E EUROPE 23.00
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 10.00
Pray for the Sick of the Parish Luigi Aronne, Libby Azzopardi, Kathleen Bitonti, Rose Ann Buttigieg, Louis Cascardo, Maria Cercone, Maureen Cooney, Evelyn Derengowski, Stella Derkins, Betty Fischer, Mary Furioso, Jim Gerrity, Peggy Goodart, Fred Hoffman, Jeranne Jackson, Virginia Karvelis, Paul Kirkhart, Marie Kobane, Walter Kucel, Jan Lawrence, Robert Ligaj, Joseph Litavec, Tony Mardarski, Mary Mitchell, Stefanie Mullen, Maria Nino, Henry Perle, Jennifer Przepiora, Robert Raymond, Serafina Romano, Mary Senn, Dana Slepsky, Rosario Aleta So, Judith Stafford, Martha Stott, Rosina Toccacelli, Joshua Yeager, Margaret Zelanka, Christine Zemke and the Parishioners of HFV Assisted Living and Health Care.
St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish Church : 13540 Gould St., Dearborn, MI 48126
BAPTISM: Registered Parishioners should call the Parish Office to schedule an appointment.
MARRIAGE: The couple must make arrangements at least 6 months prior to date of marriage.
WEDDINGS: Fridays preferred; Saturday, prior to 1 pm.
Parish Staff
Pastor: Rev. Linus Kinyua
Assoc ia te Pastor: Rev. Aaron DePeyster
Pastoral Minis ter: Sr. Mary Downey, IHM
Deacon Emeri tus: Steve Bussa (HFV Chapel)
Accountant : Dawn Peters
Housekeeper: Denise Paniccia
Maintenance: Frank Bechard
Off i ce Manager: Bernadette Fraga
Organis t : Lawrence Zelanka
Secretary: Marilyn Filip
Parish Council
John Savage, Chairperson
Annette Fiedor, Vice-Chairperson
Jennie Sinatra, Secre tary
~ Members ~
Barbara Bechard, Colleen Charara, Matthew Keller, Chester Lawrence, Debra Mroczka and Joseph Sullivan
Parish Office Hours Monday through Thursday: 9 am until 5 pm;
Friday: 9 am until Noon.
Sick and Unable to Attend Mass? Fr. Aaron or Fr. Linus will visit and bring Holy Communion to you or your relative. Call the parish office and let us know. (313) 581-5218 or 581-7495.
Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? “I f God is good , why does he a l low bad things to happen?” In our hearts, we may know that God is loving and doesn’t want us to suffer, but it can be difficult to see his plan when trouble strikes. The key is to stay close and trust his love.
Draw closer to him. Sometimes God allows bad things to happen because he knows that adversity can draw
us closer to him. Take the Old Testament hero, Joseph, for example [Genesis 37-50]. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused by his master’s wife, and unjustly imprisoned for years. Eventually he was released and became one of the most powerful men in Egypt.
Stay connected. Throughout his suffering, Joseph kept his friendship with God strong so he could see God’s hand in his life. When his brothers begged for forgiveness, Joseph was able to answer, “Even though you meant harm to me , God meant i t for good, to ach ieve his present end , the survival o f many people . ”
Page 4 St. Alphonsus ~ St. Clement, Dearborn
“Who, Then, Is My Neighbor?”
[Luke 10:29]
Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan [Luke 10:25-37] challenges our idea of who is a stranger. As followers of Jesus, we know that it is not acceptable to care only for people who are like ourselves. Our faith calls us to look beyond borders and see all people as neighbors. “ I f you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” [Luke 6:32].
Who is a neighbor? Jesus never directed us to like everyone, but he raised love of neighbor to the level of a Commandment. And he doesn’t allow us to be selective. The snarky coworker or unpleasant older person who lives next door? Both are neighbors we are asked to love. Customers who harp on the tiny mistakes we make, or relatives who love to point out our flaws? Neighbors. People from around the world whose values and behavior are foreign to us? Neighbors, all.
What is neighbor love? It starts by seeing those around us ~ truly looking past the outer appearance and learning names, personal stories, circumstances. Praying for others ~ whether we know them personally or not ~ is a powerful way to love them. Neighbor love isn’t blind to others’ sin but it requires focusing on our own first. We love neighbors best by letting them witness in us the fullness of a life in Christ.
CSA
Youth Ministry Your gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal will help high school-age teens in the Archdiocese of Detroit learn how to become better Christian leaders, examples to their peers, and evangelizers through Youth Leadership and Evangelization Training.
“Chosen to Fo l low” covers topics like digital discipleship, pastoral relatability, small group facilitation, planning programs and prayer experiences, and pastoral relatability, as well as sharing faith with other teens. Through the “ S t rengthsf inder” resource, teens will also learn how to develop their God-given talents into specific strengths and then contribute their gifts to ministry. Offered by archdiocesan Youth Ministry Office, Youth Leadership and Evangelization Training will be held overnight at St. Colette in Livonia on April 4 and 5. Registration is required, and CSA gifts help keep the cost to $55 a participant. For information about CSA-funded ministries, programs, and services, please go to www.aod.org.
Right to Life - LIFESPAN
Did You Try? Do you know? U.S. Representative Henry Hyde (1924-2007) was an early supporter of the Pro-Life Movement. The Hyde Amendment is a legislative provision barring the use of certain federal funds to pay for abortion. A message from Henry Hyde: "When the t ime comes , as i t sure ly wi l l , when we face that terr ible moment , the f inal judgment , I 've o f ten though , as Ful ton Sheen wrote , that i t i s a terrib le moment o f lonel iness . You have no advocates there , you are there alone s tanding before God and a terror wil l r ip your soul l ike nothing you can imagine . I th ink there ' l l be a chorus of vo ices that have never been heard in th is world , bu t are hear beauti ful ly and very loudly in the next wor ld and I th ink they wil l plead for everyone who has been in the movement . They wi l l say to God , "Spare them, because they loved us , " and God will look at us and say not, "D id you succeed?" but "Did you try? " For more info: LIFESPAN (734) 422-6230 ~ www.miLlFESPAN.org
What is the significance of foot washing on Holy Thursday? Foot washing is an ancient practice of hospitality. In Israel in Jesus' day, with its deserts and dusty roads, washing of feet was an act of honor on the part of the host. However, the host himself would not do the washing. That was the role of the servant. The Apostles would have been accustomed to this tradition. At the Last Supper, Jesus takes on the role of the servant, washing the feet of his followers and friends. He models the humble, loving service to which the Apostles would soon be called. Holy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper. We celebrate many things, including the institution of both the Eucharist and the priesthood ~ "This is my body, which wil l be given for you; do this in memory of me." [Luke 22:19b]. When the priest washes the feet of his parishioners, he is modeling the service of Christ. While foot washing is no longer a common practice in our society, we too are invited to imitate Christ's sacrificial service to others.
Page 5 St. Alphonsus ~ St. Clement, Dearborn
Palm Sunday Our humanity bleeds through today's Gospel passages in more ways than one. We see both elation and fall, hope in the midst of the darker sides of our natures. If we allow it, these Gospels hold a mirror to our own fickle hearts. The crowds cry "Hosanna" and the Apostles profess allegiance unto death. In a manner of days ~ even hours ~ Jesus is betrayed, abandoned, denied, condemned, tortured, and executed. As God, he could have stopped this horrific narrative from unfolding, but he doesn't. He allows free will to play itself out. There are nearly two millennia between this spectacle and us. We can stand safely removed, if we choose. But Lent invites us to return to this story. Lent invites us to find ourselves in the people we encounter there. Are we the repentant woman at Bethany? Are we naysayers of such lavish piety? Have we acted in a way that betrays those we love or denies what we know to be good and true? Have we fallen asleep in our faith? Have we unfairly accused others of a crime or immorality we imagine, though perhaps they didn't commit? Do we help others carry their burdens? Do we stand in solidarity with those who suffer? Do we care for the dying? This week, take up today's Gospel again. Look carefully at the Passion narrative and sit with it in silence. Find yourself in the story and ponder its meaning for your own life. Journey with Jesus to the foot of the Cross so that you too may say, along with the faithful centurion, " t ru ly th is man was the Son o f God!"
Easter Pilgrimage of
Detroit Historic Churches On Easter Friday, April 6th, you are welcome to join
Prayer Pilgrimages as we are scheduled to visit, with informative talks: Assumption Grotto, St. Hedwig, St. Francis de Assisi, Most Holy Redeemer, Ste. Anne in Detroit, and St. Joseph Oratory with closing 7 pm High Mass. All of these churches will be specially decorated for Easter. Scheduled deluxe motorcoach local departures at 9 am from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Plymouth (west end of lot) & 10 am from Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish Center in Sterling Heights (west end of lot). Total cost per person is $40 (with lunch on your own in Mexicantown). To reserve and/or more information: Michael Semaan at (248) 250-6005 or www.prayerpilgrimages.com.
Prayer for Those Receiving the Easter Sacraments Le t us pray for our ca techumens and candidates .
God of the Samaritan Women, the Man Born Blind and Lazarus, you show yourself in many ways.
Most often in ways we cannot see until we look with eyes of faith.
Continue to bless these catechumens and candidates who will receive the Church's sacraments during the upcoming Season of Easter.
Fill their lives and hearts with your unending love and grace. Help us to continue to be models of living Christian lives and
grant them the endurance to continue to race to the resurrection.
We ask all this in the name of Jesus, your Son who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Where do Palm Sunday palms come from and where should they go? The Palm Sunday celebration has ancient origins. Beginning the liturgy " ou ts ide" the church, we symbolically reenact Christ's entry into Jerusalem. The crowds in ancient Israel waved palm branches ~ a symbol of royalty ~ to welcome Jesus. These days, obtaining palms takes a lot of planning and coordination, as hundreds of thousands of churches worldwide need them on the same day! Many in the United States order palms from Florida, California, Texas, or Central America. Many companies stress the sustainability of their production and the just wages paid to their workers. The palms used on Palm Sunday are blessed at Mass. This means they shouldn't end up in the trash! Many people weave palms into crosses or families display them in their homes. If you do not plan on displaying your palms throughout the year, they should be burned, buried, or left at the church. In the final case, the palms are burned to provide the ashes for next year's Ash Wednesday service.
From Scripture: Mark 14:1-15, 47 Waste or Worship? In this reading, we follow the march of events toward Jesus’ death. It begins in Bethany with a woman pouring a costly ointment over Jesus’ head and horrifying the disciples with a frivolous use of an expensive material. However, Jesus silenced them, pointing out that “she has anoin ted my body beforehand for burying . ” The ointment was costly ~ worth about one year’s wages. It was a significant sacrifice for the woman to make. Yet, unlike the disciples, the woman understood that Jesus was soon to die, and she meant to honor him with the gesture. What the disciples saw as waste, the Lord understood as worship. Jesus saw her material offering as “a beaut i ful th ing .” She took one of her most honored possessions and gave it to Jesus in an unusual act of devotion. Rather than consider it a loss, Jesus felt honored by it. We each have material goods and resources in our control. This story challenges us to ask,
“How may I honor the Lord wi th my resources?” “What ac t of worship may I offer wi th what I have?”
