Our Lady On The River Parish Holy Cross, St. Catherine, St. Mark
January 11, 2009		Baptism of the Lord
Sponsor of the Week	Wholesale Mortgage Lending

Please pray for our sick and suffering
St. Mark: Betty Baker, Jacob Bryson, Ken Cihon, Marge Hamlin, Shirley Hollowaty, Shirley Koster, Clark Odzark, Sally O'Neil,  Sophie Palmer,
Walter Sawkin,  Bob Soulliere, Patrick Tierney, Sheila Thompson, Tena Van Loon, JoAnn White, Paulette Wieczorek, Keith Wright
Holy Cross: Jill Block, Valerie Brettin, John Chadra III, Barbara Corn, Laura Goltz, Jim Gramer, Annette Griffith,
Dave Hull, Dolores Hauer, Betty Holtz,  Derek Jacobs, Jim Keelan, JoAnn Kramer, James KuyKendall,  Donald
Lipa, Rosanne Arnold Lozowski, Gerald Magnan, Jerry Malinowski, Ryan Markel, Jim McCalla, James McPhee,
Vergil & Marie McTevia, Lorraine Merglewski,  Josephine Michalski, Lisa Jones Nagy, Margery Osterland,
Barbara & Tony Pizzo, Eugene Pollock, Sharon Rao, Andrew Redlawski, Lorena Sadler, George Schafer, Helen
Schweihofer, Dee Dee Stockwell, Louise Streitz, Barbara Susan, Kris Taylor, Alice Trader, Ashleigh
Tranchemontagne, Tom VanSlambrouck, Kathy Vayko, Richard Wood, Dorothy Walters
St. Catherine: Hank Babisz, Angela Bills, Beverly Carr, Jynffer Biuscorner, Dean Bryeans, Darrell Doughtery,
Janice Doughtery, Dennis Gerow, Jay Gibson, Anne Guillery, Nancy Austin Halverson, Ellen Hatcher, Jim Knapp,
Richard Koss, James Mihalich, Theresa Pawlowski, Ted Pilawski, Carl Peterson, Judy Piotrowski,  Richard
Ross, Bill Sadecki, Joan Smith, Steven’s Family, John Vance, and Catherine Ziegler
Names will remain on the sick list for a length of four weeks.  Please contact the office to make other
arrangements.

Liturgical Schedule
Day/Time
Lectors
Altar Servers
Saturday
4:00 p.m.
St. Catherine
Ed Ptasnik
Aaron Milenbaugh
Alan Milenbaugh

5:30 p.m.
Holy Cross
Teresa Whitenight
Please Help
Sunday
7:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Don Smith
Please Help
8:00 a.m.
St. Catherine
Bob Pontseele
Jacob Nutter
Abigail Nutter
9:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Patty Nichols
Please Help
10:00 a.m.
St. Catherine
Diana Dill
Rachel Winquest
Maria Winquest
10:30 a.m.
St. Mark

Norbert Gorski

11:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Fred & Mary Ann
Osterbeck
Please Help
7:00 p.m.
St. Catherine
Celebrant
Celebrant
Sacrament of Baptism  12:45 p.m.

Holy Cross 		3rd Sunday
St. Catherine 	last Sunday
St. Mark 		by appointment


Membership & preparation required
Please call your Church Office to
register & verify dates

Mass Schedule

	St. Mark Chapel
	Sunday: 		10:30	a.m.
	Tuesday - Friday: 	9:00 	a.m.

(mass schedule continued)
	St. Catherine
	Saturday: 	4:00	p.m.
	Sunday: 		8:00 	a.m.
			10:00 	a.m.
			7:00 	p.m.
	Monday – Friday 	7:30 	a.m.

	Holy Cross
	Saturday: 	5:30 	p.m.
	Sunday: 		7:30 	a.m.
			9:30 	a.m.
			11:30 	a.m.
	Monday – Friday 	9:00 	a.m.
Parish Directory
www.OurLadyontheRiver.net

Fr. James Lopez, Pastor
Fr. Matt Ellis, Associate Pastor
Sr. Mary Ann Ankoviak, csj
Pastoral Associate

Fr. Sig Kowalczyk, Fr. Ron Kurzawa,
Fr. Fred Bodde, Fr. Leo Broderick & Msgr. George Browne, Senior Priests


***Holy Cross***
810-765-3568     FAX 810-765-2974
www.HolyCrossOnline.net
e-mail  church@holycrossonline.net
Office Hours:
Monday & Friday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
(closed 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. for lunch)
Saturday 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

***St. Catherine***
810-794-3301     FAX 810-794-1849
www.StCatherineOnline.net
e-mail  info@stcatherineonline.net
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday 8:30a.m.-1:00p.m.

***St. Mark***
810-748-3828     FAX 810-748-9148
www.StMarkOnline.net
e-mail  info@stmarkonline.net
Office Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

***Holy Cross
Catholic School***
(810) 765-3591 FAX:  (810) 765-9074
www.HolyCrossOnline.net
e-mail  school@holycrossonline.net
Amanda Lund, Principal


Bulletin Info
bulletin e-mail:
bulletin@OurLadyontheRiver.net
(deadline 12 noon Monday)

Marriages:
Membership & six month preparation
period required.

Sacrament of Reconciliation  3:00 p.m.

Holy Cross  	1st & 3rd Saturdays
St. Catherine  2nd & 4th Saturdays
St. Mark	1st Fridays before Mass


Mass Schedule

	St. Mark Chapel
	Saturday:	4:30 	p.m.
	(May to September)
	Sunday: 		10:30	a.m.
	Tuesday - Friday: 	9:00 	a.m.
	(mass schedule continued)
	St. Catherine
	Saturday: 	4:00	p.m.
	Sunday: 		8:00 	a.m.
			10:00 	a.m.
			7:00 	p.m.
	Monday – Friday 	7:30 	a.m.

	Holy Cross
	Saturday: 	5:30 	p.m.
	Sunday: 		7:30 	a.m.
			9:30 	a.m.
			11:30 	a.m.
	Monday – Friday 	9:00 	a.m.

Our Lady on the River Calendar of Events
Monday, January 12
		For the People of Our Lady on the River
	7:30 a.m. Mass	St. Catherine
		V Phyllis Schaeffer by Sister Geraldine
	9:00 a.m. Mass 	Holy Cross
Tuesday, January 13
	7:30 a.m. Mass	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. Mass	 Holy Cross
		V Rosemary Wetzel-Springer by Daughter
	9:00 a.m. Mass	St. Mark
Wednesday, January 14	New Year Eve
	7:30 a.m. Mass	St. Catherine
		V Leo Marchwinski by Family
	9:00 a.m. Mass	Holy Cross
	 	V Helen Laesch by Family
			(13th Anniversary Remembrance)
	9:00 a.m. Mass	St. Mark
Thursday, January 15
	7:30 a.m. Mass	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. Mass	Holy Cross
		V Helen Schulz by Family
	9:00 a.m. Mass	St. Mark
		V Bernice Kaszubski by Family
		V Andy Lopata by Family
Friday, January 16
	7:30 a.m. Mass	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. Mass	Holy Cross
	9:00 a.m. Mass	St. Mark
Saturday, January 10
	4:00 p.m. Mass	St. Catherine
		V Robert Eichberger by Wife
		V Anthony Greech by Wife
			(Birthday Remembrance)
	5:30 p.m. Mass	Holy Cross
		V Chester Zebrowski by Family
			(Birthday Remembrance)
Sunday, January 17
	7:30 a.m. Mass 	Holy Cross
		V Andrew & Clara McTevia by Vergil & Marie McTevia
	8:00 a.m. Mass	    St. Catherine
		V Marie Eva Shock by Family
	9:30 a.m. Mass	       Holy Cross
		V Theresa Pollock by Page Family
		V Ottilie Zimmerman by
			           Daughters of Isabella, St. Agatha Circle #419
10:00 a.m. Mass 	    St. Catherine
		V Michael Lubinski by Diane Babij
		V Earl Lines by Jackie & Bob Pontseele
10:30 a.m. Mass	             St. Mark
		V Irene Werth by Norma Sonagere
		V Bernice Kaszubski by Vic & Cathy Fontana
11:30 a.m. Mass	        Holy Cross
  7:00 p.m. Mass 	St. Catherine
		V Valerie McKoan by Furtah & Sadecki Families

Sharing the Gospel

	"Keep trying. You're doing great. I'm so proud of you." Every child should hear words like that. Every

child wants to feel God's love. As Jesus grew from a boy to a man, he showed he was ready to live for God. At

Jesus' baptism, God told Jesus, "You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you." God loves you as his

child, too.

Prayer
God, I am so glad you love me.

Mission for the Week
Be careful to use kind words with your family
and friends.

LPiResourceCenter.com
Online calendars are on the parish and location websites.

Thoughts from your Pastoral Associate
“Let us proclaim the greatness of God.

	Christmastide closes with the Baptism of Jesus. Tomorrow, a new period in our liturgical calendar,

“ordinary” time, begins. It is a holy time. A time when the special occasions of our lives might occur – weddings,

anniversaries, birthdays, baptismal days – days which all have something in common. The memory of them is

shaped by meaning. Meaning shapes memory! We often don’t remember days, but we do remember moments!
	On this Sunday after Epiphany, what do we choose to remember about ‘the Baptism of the Lord’? It is

an opportunity to remember the meaning of Baptism: Jesus is God’s Son, the Beloved. Reflect upon your own

Baptism, your own being  precious, accepted by a loving God. It might be a good day to bring out the baptism

photos, the baptismal candle, the baptismal gown, a symbol of our inner dignity; and be reminded of the new

relationship with God and others that took place in that moment, and of our unique vocation, our call, to continue

Jesus’ mission of bringing the Good News to others.
	Baptism is no mere formality. There is no magic in Baptism. Baptism is and will always be the greatest

moment in our lives. It is the moment in which God, our loving Father, makes us His beloved children, members

of His Church, and unites us to Jesus in the Holy Spirit, as we are freed from sin. One who is baptized, enters

the sacrament as an individual. Upon being baptized, that same person becomes part of God’s family, a

community of faith, a Church. Baptism is our rebirth. We are claimed for Jesus Christ forever. All the days of our

lives, we try to fulfill our baptismal promises, our vocational call.
	When Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, she said: “I’ve learned that people will forget

what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Today, let us

all remember that we are people deeply loved by God, and how that makes us feel; born of water and the Holy

Spirit. Let us all remember God’s mercy, God’s faithfulness, God’s grace.  Let us remember with thanks Jesus’

baptism in the River Jordan, remembering who we are and whose we are and celebrate our life in Christ, with

courage and trust in God to just be ourselves.
National Vocation Awareness Week
	There are many ways that we can support the awareness, development, and increase in vocations to

priesthood, consecrated religious life, marriage and generous single life.  Pray each day this week, individually

and/or as a family.  Pray for those in our parish and families who are discerning God’s call, those who have come

from our parish, from our families, who are now serving as priests, deacons, religious, lay ministers, mothers,

fathers, grandparents. Pray that God will give the grace to persevere in that call, and that people will give mutual

respect and support. Where do Church vocations come from??? The same place that those who enter the

vocation of marriage or generous single life come from.  Look around you, look in your family. We are each called

to seek a loving, lasting, genuine relationship with God and offer a total gift of ourselves in love and service.
God bless you throughout this week.
Sister Mary Ann Ankoviak, csj
pastoralassociate@ourladyontheriverparish.net

Readings for the Week of January 11, 2009

Sunday:	Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11/Acts 10:34-38 		or 1 Jn 5:1-9/Mk 1:7-11
Monday:	Heb 1:1-6/Mk 1:14-20
Tuesday:	Heb 2:5-12/Mk 1:21-28
Wednesday:	Heb 2:14-18/Mk 1:29-39
Thursday:	Heb 3:7-14/Mk 1:40-45
Friday:		Heb 4:1-5, 11/Mk 2:1-12
Saturday:	Heb 4:12-16/Mk 2:13-17
Next Sunday:	1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19/1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20/		Jn 1:35-42
©Liturgical Publications Inc


FR. MATT’S MATTERS

	Gratitude- I give an appreciative thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts, wishes, prayers and various

other gifts that came my way during the Advent/Christmas Seasons and upon the New Year. When I’ve partaken

in little wagers on the golf course I’ve sometimes found the mental sweat getting too intense over such monetary

trifles. Thus in a moment of word play, I started to call them ‘the ill will games’, therefore they are not consistently

what I’d call ‘fun’ (you may not find this pun fun, perhaps more like ‘punishment’). Anyway, my point being, I

thank you for sending your good will in my direction (and Fr. Jim says thanks again too).
     Paradoxical? – None of us could have individual/personal faith as Christians if it were not for ‘the Church’ as

the organized body (group) of believers who lived and died to pass it on. It may seem logically unacceptable or

self-contradictory (paradoxical), but any genuine Christian faith is both personal and communal. We are two

realities: individuals with Christian faith and we belong to (are joined to) the ‘Body of Christ’, the Church (as St.

Paul writes from the earliest Christian Tradition, the New Testament). Something which is a paradox (or is

paradoxical) can often be a very good thing. If we bother to get to know and experience, to the best of our ability,

all the content of the Christian faith we will find it full of the paradoxical.
	A prime example is: we know from the New Testament that Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Savior and

Messiah is true God and true man. He has a true nature as God and a true nature that is human, and this is

united in His one divine Person, ‘the Son’ of the Trinity of three Persons in one God (Father, Son and Holy

Spirit)—and that the one divine Person of the Son is perfectly unified with His human nature in Jesus Christ

without confusion, change, division or separation. In other words, God, who in a real manner is completely Other

than us, is one with us, is fully one of us and is fully Himself in the one we encounter when we meet Jesus

Christ. This is basic and essential to Christianity and without it there is no genuine Christianity. This weekend we

celebrate the Biblical Jesus who knew no sin showing His identification with us through submitting Himself to

John’s Jordan River baptism of repentance. Do each of us want to hold close in our hearts the dynamic tensions

created by the paradoxical mysteries of our faith, without giving in to the natural temptation to dump one side of

the mysteries and fixate on one aspect of a mystery, and thus risk being ‘way off’ like some Christians are?
	Other basic examples include: the Bible is the Word of God and is also the product of human effort;

Christians are sinners and Christians are redeemed and graced by God in Christ; the death of a human being is

sad and bad, yet is also good because of new life in Christ. All the benefits of these beliefs come to us because

in our Church (Catholic) we have Scripture, Tradition and teaching authority. More on that and where our loyalties

should reside next time, until then, may God grace you in your unique needs.
Fr. Matt Ellis, Associate Pastor

One in The Spirit Prayer Group
Winter 2009: Faith, Trust and the Desire to be Holy

January 13	Introduction into Faith, Trust 	and the Desire to be Holy
January 20	Mary, Our Mother in Heaven, DCCR collection
January 27	Job
February 3	St. Veronica
February 10	Padre Pio, DCCR collection
February 17	St. John Bosco a.k.a. Don Bosco
February 24	St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
March 3		St. Paul
March 10		Mother Teresa of Calcutta, DCCR collection
March 17		St. Patrick
March 24		No meeting
March 26		Family Healing Mass,
		Father Art Cooney
March 31		St. Catherine of Alexandria
April 7		No meeting

	Our meetings are held on Tuesday evenings @ 6:45 p.m. in St. Catherine Chapel. All Our Lady on the

River parishioners are welcome to join us to sing praises to the Lord, listen to His Word, pray and share

fellowship. If you are in need of prayer for yourself or someone else, write your requests in the Prayer Petition

Books located by each exit of St. Catherine Church, the Prayer Group prays over them weekly-year round.
	To be placed on the prayer chain or for further information, please contact Eloise @ 810-794-9975.

Our Lady on the River Parish
January 11, 2009
Prayer For The Military
“Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.  Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.  I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.
2nd LT Mario Barrett	US Army
William Bayones	US Air Force
Ret LTC Greg Brenda	US Army
Rec Michael Benda	USMC
Genny Benda	USAF
Dan Benda	USAF
Matthew Benda	USAF
Erich Benda	US Army
Kenneth J. Biland	US Army
CMDR Paula Dunn	US Navy
Shawn Gillon
Jason Gillespie	US Air Force
Spc. William Goldenbogen	US Army Reserve
Jason Gillespie	US Air Force
S Sgt Roy Heron III	US Air Force
LTC Stephen Knotts	US Army
Joseph Ryan Kowalski  	US Air Force
James LaParl
Patrick Loudy	US Army
T-Sgt Robert Mitchell	USAF Reserve
Sgt David Moran	USMC
Maj. Christopher Neiman	USAF
LTJG Jason Neiman	USCG
Cpo Ryan O’Hara	US Marine Corp
Sr. Michael Paducha	US Navy
Kerry Rickert	US Navy
Klinton Rickert	US Marine Corp
Arthur Rochon	US Army
Jason Rumenapp	US Army
Philip Schmitz	US Army
Robert Schmitz	US Army
SGM Michael Trombley	US Army
Sgt Michael Vining	US Army
Andrew Warchol	US Navy
Christopher Warchol	US Air Force
1st LT Bryan Weber	US Army
1st LT Paul Wilson	UA Air Force

 -Please let us know of any updates to this list


St. Mark

160 Families
  31 Envelopes:	        $687.00
Loose Cash:	          $48.00
Total:		        $735.00


Holy Cross

1024 Families
264 Envelopes	    $6,969.00
Loose Cash        	       $516.68
Children           		     $15.60
Total  		    $7,503.28
St. Catherine Church

564 Families
220 Envelopes:	 	    $5,672.00
Loose:		  	       $293.97
Children:		         $18.40
Total			    $5,984.37
St. Mark
CSA
Target  (160 families)      $12,800.00
Pledged (82 families)       $12,800.00
Balance Needed               $00

St. Catherine
CSA
Target	(564 families)	$38,200.00
Pledged (268 families)	$32,806.00
Balance Needed	  $5,394.00

Holy Cross
CSA
Target	(1024 families)	$52,800.00
Pledged (370 families)	$44,773.00
Balance Needed	  $8,027.00
Collection of Sunday, January 4, 2009

Vocations Office

National Vocations Awareness Week begins this Sunday with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which marks

Jesus’ initiation into public ministry. From the universal call to holiness at baptism, each one of us receives a

special vocational calling from God.
Your gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal allow the archdiocesan Vocations Office to strengthen vocations for

men to serve as priests, deacons and brothers and for women to serve as religious sisters. Later this month, from

January 22 to 25, the office is sponsoring a discernment weekend to allow men aged 16 or older considering

diocesan priesthood to experience Sacred Heart Major Seminary firsthand. Throughout the year, the office works

as a liaison to Consecrated Communities in the Archdiocese and plans events to promote vocations.
Please take a moment to pray for the renewal and strengthening of vocations during National Vocations

Awareness Week.  For more information about discernment weekends, vocation-related events or other

CSA-funded programs and ministries, go to www.aodonline.org.

Project Rachel Healing Mass

Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
Sunday, January 18th
	Project Rachel is a healing and reconciliation ministry for those who are suffering from abortion.

Annually, we gather to pray for all of us affected by the decision to abort. Parents, grandparents, sisters,

brothers, aunts, uncles and friends are invited to a healing Mass to be celebrated by Msgr. Michael LeFevre on

Sunday, January 18th, at 11 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament, Cathedral, 9844 Woodward, Detroit. Join us as we offer

prayer and petition for those who are hurt from the decision to abort. For confidential referrals, call 888–722–4355.

Died in Christ

Please remember in your prayers:

		V Victor Plummer
		V Valerie McKoan
		V Marie Burr
		V Joan Davis

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
Let the Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
God Bless All who donate to the
Algonac Food Pantry

	The Food Pantry is located at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Algonac. In the year 2007, we

served 2076 people 33,378 pounds of food. In the year 2008, we served 3,039 people 39,397 pounds of food. God

bless everyone who is involved in any way in this great work of mercy. Keep on caring!
New Fellowship Luncheon
St. Mark Activity Center

	Beginning on Sunday, January 18th, a special luncheon will be available in the Activity Center at St.

Mark following the 10:30 a.m. Mass on the 3rd Sunday of each month. The menu for January 18th, consists of

meat loaf, mashed potatoes, salad, cake and coffee or tea. The price is: $7.00 a person. Reservations are

required. Deadline for reservations this month is no later than Sunday, January 11th, by 6:00 p.m. Call in your

reservations to the St. Mark Office at 810-748-3828 and leave your name, telephone number, and the number of

reservations you are making. We hope to see you there.
Flowers for the Lord

	If you would like to personally provide fresh flowers for the tabernacle altar in St. Mark Church for a

particular Sunday or occasion, please call the St. Mark Office at 810-748-3828 with your offer no later than

Wednesday of the week before.

Holy Cross Choir
Leads worship at Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass,
other liturgies as scheduled.
Tuesday rehearsal, 7-8:30 pm

7:30 Choir
Leads worship at Sunday 7:30 a.m. Mass
Rehearsal Sunday 7:15 a.m.

Schola Cantorum
Small ensemble of mixed voices

Saturday  All Generation Choir
All ages welcome
ALL AGES - ALL SINGERS - FAMILIES
Parents and Grandparents—please bring your child and stay!
Leads worship at Saturday Mass
Saturdays:  5 p.m.

Cantors
Assists with congregational song

Resurrection Choir
Leads worship at funerals
Meets 15 Minutes before the Mass

Instrumentalists
Assist at Mass as scheduled

Handbell Choir
Plays at Mass as scheduled
Wednesday rehearsal 7-8:30 p.m.
Diane Bowden, Director - 810-765-4824
HOLY CROSS MUSIC MINISTRIES | Daniel J. Susan, Director | www.holycrossonline.net |

music@holycrossonline.net

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 7:30a Mass
HC3:00p Reconciliation
Sunday Masses
HC 7:30 a; 9:30a;
11:30 a
StC 8:00 a; 10:00 a;
7:00 p
StM 10:30 a
StC 8:15a St. Vincent de Paul
StM 9:00a Mass
HC 9:00a Mass
HC 9:00a Mass
HC 9:00a Mass
StC 4:00p Mass
HC 9:00a Mass
HC 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
HC 5:30p Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
Marysville 10a Bingo
KC MC 7p Bingo
KC 1:00p Ladies Auxiliary


StC 10:00a RCIA Session
StC 10:00a MOMs
Rectory 2:30p -4:00p Staff Mtg
StC 7p Ensemble Practice
HC 1:30p -2:15p 1st & 8th grade practice


StM 11:45 am Fellowship luncheon
HC 5:30 Religious Education
HC 5:30 Religious Education
HC 7:00p -8:30p Handbell Choir Rehearsal
StC 7:30p -9:00p Adult Choir Practice


StC 6 p Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
HC 6:30 Parish Council
StC 6:45p -8:30p One in the Spirit Prayer Group






HC 7p Choir Rehearsal






HC 8p
Organ Recital





Meeting Basic Needs  During An Economic Crisis: What Stands In Our Way?
Presented by:
Sharon Parks, President and CEO
Michigan League for  Human Services

Presented during

National Poverty Awareness Week for people in leadership in Catholic parishes and              organizations so

they can focus on the                          working poor and the new poor.

Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sacred

Heart Parish Hall
1000 Eliot, Detroit, Michigan
9:30 a.m. – Free Registration & Coffee
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

– Presentation

Donations will be accepted to cover costs.

SPONSORED BY:
The Society of St. Vincent

de Paul
and other Catholic groups

For more information:
Call (313) 393-2926
Catholic Caucus of
Southeast Michigan
www.catholiccaucus.org

A Note From The Principal

     Happy New Year! After a quiet vacation, our halls are again filled with the children that our Holy Cross parents

have entrusted to our care. After taking time off to celebrate the birth of Jesus, to visit our families and friends,

and to just relax, it is great for us to be back into the swing of things.
	Some people say that a new year gives the opportunity for a new start and a new outlook on life. We

are blessed to have a ‘new look’ to our school. Over the vacation, our hallways were painted in our school colors:

blue and white. It is simply amazing at what a change a fresh coat of paint can make. I would like to thank Ms.

Rachel Ward, Mr. Harvey Ward, Mrs. Ann Ward, Mrs. Marge Nicaise, Mr. Dave Shovan, Mrs. Anna Lavely, and

James Nicaise for making this project possible.
	With a new year comes a new perspective. I hope that as you start thinking about what this new year

means to you and your family, that you will consider choosing a Holy Cross Catholic education for your children.

Did you know that there are tuition assistance programs available to help you make a Holy Cross education

possible for your children? There are diocesan, vicariate, and parish programs available to help make tuition more

affordable.  More information will be available regarding these programs in the coming weeks. If you would like to

learn more about these programs, please contact me for an appointment.  I am happy to help you learn more

about Holy Cross School.
	This week we recognize Vocation Awareness Week.  Students will learn more about the various

vocations.  Please pray for all those who have heard the call, especially those who are not sure how they should

answer it.
	Our athletes are back in action. On Monday, we will be hosting the boys from Trinity Lutheran and

McCormick Catholic Academy. On Wednesday, we will visit St. Augustine in Richmond. I would like to thank our

parents, coaches, and Booster Cub for their support of our athletic program. I hope you will be able to find the

time to join our cheerleaders in cheering on our teams.
	Looking down the calendar, we are gearing up for our celebration of Catholic Schools’ Week. This week

is a time for us to celebrate our uniqueness as faith-based schools.  It is more than just a ‘spirit’ week – it is a

Spirit week! We look forward to sharing our spirit with you!
	I hope that you had an opportunity to take advantage of our SCRIP program during this holiday season.

Please remember, that SCRIP is a year-round program. We appreciate your support!

In His Service,
Mrs. Amanda Lund, Principal

RCIA
     On Sunday mornings, during the 10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine, those present have noticed a group of

twelve people who are called forward after the homily and dismissed from the assembly to another place. These

men and women are the catechumens and candidates in the RCIA.
	The RCIA is a PROCESS through which adults are invited to grow in understanding, prayer and faith as

they come to accept membership in the Catholic Church. RCIA is for three particular groups of people: a) those

who have never been baptized in any faith – (catechumens), b) those who were baptized in another Christian

tradition, and c) baptized Catholics who have not received the sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist –

(candidates). RCIA has various aspects:
Spiritual – The RCIA attend the Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Mass as a group each week scheduled.
Formation – The RCIA comes to learn what the Catholic Church believes, professes and teaches.
Community – The RCIA are encouraged to become part of the parish community and parish outreach and events.

 For the most part, their sponsors are members and representatives of the parish.
Service – The RCIA becomes involved in aspects of service in the community in any way needed.

Christian Service Commission News

Blood Drive
January 11th
St. Catherine Activity Center
8:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
	The Red Cross is once again in desperate need of blood. Their supply is at an all time low. If you have

never donated, please come and give it a try. If you have tried, but had a “not so pleasant” experience, we urge

you to try again. We hope to see all who have donated regularly again. Please join us on January 11th. Your

donation will benefit so many.

Prince Spaghetti Day
Wednesday, January 14th

	CSC will be sponsoring the dinner and all proceeds will be given to St. Vincent dePaul. Dinner will start

at 4:00 p.m. and will be served until 7:00 p.m. in the St. Catherine Activity Center. Come and enjoy a night out

with a friend or two. $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 years and under.
	Ladies Auxiliary will also be offering baked goods for sale. Any baked donations are very much

appreciated and can be dropped off the morning of the dinner at the Activity Center.
	Thank you to all who helped make our Giving Trees a huge success. Over 700 toys and hats and mitten

sets were collected. The Algonac Good fellows and Our Lady of Guadalupe were overwhelmed with our generosity

and thoughtfulness. So once again, thank you for your continued support and we look forward to helping these

charities again next year.

Christian Service Committee

Holy Cross Organ Recital
by Patrick Kronner

Tuesday, January 13th @ 8:00 p.m.
No charge

	Brief Recital in preparation for auditions for graduate work, including the University of Michigan. Patrick

is a graduate of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School and a student of Fred DeHaven at Oakland University and

Daniel Susan of Holy Cross Church. He is currently the music director at St. Claudes Catholic Church in Clinton

Twp.

Beginning Experience Weekends

Beginning Experience Weekends are for persons who are widowed, separated or divorced. For up–coming dates

or for additional information, call Laura at
 586–247–5032, or visit our website at www.BeginningExperience.org.

Words To Live By

	By the practice of your religion you are called to give witness to your faith. Since actions speak louder

than words, you are called to proclaim, by the conduct of your daily lives, that you really do believe that Jesus

Christ is Lord!.
-Pope John Paul II
One-Liners

Why do some displays of “I love only you” Valentine cards sell them in multipacks?
A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business. (Henry Ford)

FLOWER: Families Live Out  the Word in Everyday Routines

You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased

The mission statement for all parents, grandparents, god parents, guardians and caring adults. Our role, our goal,

our mission is to help every child, every person hear and believe these words: “You are my beloved son/daughter,

in you I am well pleased.” How do we help our children hear these words, believe these words, and allow these

words to empower their lives? How do we ensure that they hear it from us so that they can hear it from God on

the day of their baptism and through–out their lives? How do we empower one another to hear these words and

embody them for others?
The 5 Pillars of the Spiritual Life

Dish TV, channel 261
January 12th @ 3:30 p.m.
January 16th @ 5:30 p.m.
Wedding Anniversary


Carl & Elizabeth Heath 	January 8        65 years
May God’s grace sustain you in joyful love
and devotion to Him and to each other.

Holy Cross
$27,938.07

St. Catherine
$30,319.85

St. Mark
$18,777.30

Smoke Free Bingo

	Starting this Tuesday, January 13th, the Holy Cross Tuesday morning Bingo at the Marysville Knights

of Columbus will be Smoke Free!!  Three breaks will be allowed throughout the Bingo.
	If you are interested in working at this Smoke Free Bingo, please contact Bob Thompson at

810-765-8751.
Thank You,
Bob & Joyce Thompson & Staff
Pat & Larry Nichols
Bill & Betty Zweng
Dale & Cheryl Sherman
Delores Smith
Nancy Browning
The Redlawski Family
Lizzie, Noah & Levi Peters
Marilyn Westrick
Lois Moldenhauer
Lynne Moldenhauer
Ann Billock
Joyce McClarren
Chris, Pon, Julia & Larry Blicharz
Chelsea Vermiglio
Heather Raymond
Mark Beauvais
Jenny Street
Thank You

	Thank you to everyone that helped to decorate Holy Cross Church.  Everything looks so beautiful.
Your Thoughtfulness is Appreciated

	Thank you to the funeral luncheon committee at Holy Cross, the luncheon was wonderful.  Thank you

so very very much.  Your warm welcome and delicious food brought comfort to all.
Friends & Family of Helen Goch

D of I News

	Our January meeting will be held at the Marine City K of C Banquet Center on the 19th with lunch being

served at 12:00 followed by the meeting.  The next three monthly meetings will start at noon.  Please remember

SVdP.

We Need Your Help Once Again

	Holy Cross Christmas decorations will be taken down on Sunday, January 18th following the 11:30 a.m.

Mass.  If you can help us, please stop by after the 11:30 a.m. Mass to help.  Putting all the trees away is a very

big job and your help will be appreciated.

“Angel Food Ministries”

	Algonac Baptist Church is sponsoring a program called “Angel Food Ministries.” You can read more

about it by going to the following link: www.algonacbaptist.org/angelfoodministries.htm. The program allows a

family of four to purchase food at approximately $30 for a week's worth of groceries.
What Is a Vocation?
	The root word for vocation is vocare, which is Latin for "to call." God has created each one of us for a

particular calling or destiny in this life and the hereafter. Through the Sacrament of Baptism God calls each one of

us to live out that calling in love, holiness and service to God and one another. The path we choose to follow is

important, because by actively discerning God's call and responding, we will live our lives in true joy and

fulfillment.
	It is important to remember that a true vocation is an invitation from God to assume some responsibility

to share in the mission of the Church. God never forces Himself upon us. The Lord constantly encourages,

nurtures and pulls us in the direction we should be heading. If we truly listen with our hearts and not to our fears

and doubts, the authentic invitation from God will be easier to know.
	Some will live out their vocational calling in marriage and parenthood; some will remain single; others

will be called to serve as priests or consecrated. Each call is unique and we are totally free to respond.
	Learning what our specific vocation is requires a process we call discernment. It will be utilized at

various stages in our lives and God will use others to assist us in that process.
	What is most important is to actively seek from God what it is we are called to do.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For

everyone who asks, receives, and the one who seeks, finds; and the one who knocks the door
will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-8
January 11- 17, 2009
Vocation Discernment Weekends
For Men 17 Years Of Age And Older Who May
Be Considering The Priesthood

January 22-25, 2009
March 26-29. 2009
(Begins at 6:00 p.m. Thursday
concludes noon on Sunday)

Sacred Heart Major Seminary
2701 Chicago Blvd
Detroit, MI  48226
Pre-Registration Required
Call the Vocation Office to Register
313-237-5875
or visit the website for more information
www.vocationsdetroit.org