Our Lady On The River Parish Holy Cross, Marine City; St. Catherine, Algonac; St. Mark, Harsens Island
February 1, 2009 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sponsor of the Week     D & D Hair Studio, Algonac

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, William Hubbarth, Derek Jacobs, Jim Keelan, JoAnn
Kramer, Meredith Kramer, James KuyKendall, Donald Lipa, 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 Biscorner, Dean Bryeans, Fr. Gregory
Deters, Darrell Doughtery, Janice Doughtery, Ruby Gerow, Jay Gibson, Anne Guillery, Nancy Austin
Halverson, Ellen Hatcher, Jim Knapp, Richard Koss, Zitta Marconi, James Mihalich, Theresa
Pawlowski, Ted Pilawski, Judy Piotrowski,  Richard Ross, Bill Sadecki, Joan Smith, Steven’s Family,
John Vance, 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
Ed Trudell
Please Help
Sunday
7:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Marilynn Dunn
Please Help
8:00 a.m.
St. Catherine
Retta Kosciolek
Jacob Nutter
Abigail Nutter
9:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Kathy LaLonde
Please Help
10:00 a.m.
St. Catherine
Bob Pontseele
Alex May
Christopher Demorest
Nicholas Todino
10:30 a.m.
St. Mark

Pat Travis

11:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Theresa Whitenight
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, February 2
		For the People of Our Lady on the River
	7:30 a.m. Mass	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. Mass 	Holy Cross
Tuesday, February 3	Feast of St. Blase
	7:30 a.m. Mass	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. Mass	 Holy Cross
		V Helen Schulz by Marc & Martha Andren
	9:00 a.m. Mass	St. Mark
		V Bernice Kaszubski by Mary Mazzetti
Wednesday, February 4
	7:30 a.m. Mass	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. Mass	Holy Cross
	9:00 a.m. Mass	St. Mark
Thursday, February 5
	7:30 a.m. Mass	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. Mass			         Holy Cross
		V Mary Bieszczad by Family
	9:00 a.m. Mass	St. Mark
Friday, February 6
	7:30 a.m. Mass	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. Mass	 Holy Cross
		V Helen J. Goch by Ralph Ossanna
	9:00 a.m. Mass				 St. Mark
Saturday, February 7
	4:00 p.m. Mass	St. Catherine
		V Mary Check by Family
			(7th Anniversary Remembrance)
		V John Avers by Wife, Suzanne
	5:30 p.m. Mass	Holy Cross
		V David J. Arnold by Lois & melvin Osterland
		V Mary Anne Markel by Holy Cross Altar Society
Sunday, February 8
	7:30 a.m. Mass 	Holy Cross
		V Rosanne Arnold by Margie Smith & Family
	8:00 a.m. Mass	    St. Catherine
		V Joan Davis by Cheryl Tatro
		V Eugene Kosecki by George & Mary Ann Neumann
		V Brian Neuman & Cecilia Badowski
				by Rosemarie Dinehart
9:30 a.m. Mass	       Holy Cross
		V Edward Thomas by Mother & Family
			(Birthday Remembrance)
10:00 a.m. Mass 	    St. Catherine
		V Joan Prudhomme by Richard
			(Birthday Remembrance)
		V Victor Plummer by Andrew Markel
		V Arleta Pontseele by Bob & Jackie Pontseele
10:30 a.m. Mass	             St. Mark
		V Marie Burr by John & Midgie Fannon
11:30 a.m. Mass	        Holy Cross
		V Esther Gilbert by Charlene & Bill Recor
  7:00 p.m. Mass 	St. Catherine

Sharing the Gospel

	Even the evil spirits obey Jesus. When you are tempted to do wrong, say, "Jesus, fill me with

the spirit of God." He will make the evil spirits leave you. The Holy Spirit will show you step by step how

to live today. And he will lead you to live forever in heaven. The Holy Spirit will give you wisdom and

courage to do what is right. The Spirit will show you how to love, honor, and worship God.

Prayer
Lord, keep the evil ones away from me.

Mission for the Week
I will ask Jesus to help my family and friends do good and not evil.
- LPiResourceCenter.com


Thoughts from your Pastoral Associate
“Jesus speaks with authority;
Let us listen and rejoice!”

	It’s Sunday again.  The Lord’s Day. The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  This is also Super

Bowl Sunday.  In sunny Tampa, Florida, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburg Steelers come

together for the championship event, running, passing, catching, tackling, punting, and perhaps even

praising God.  Some of the players on the winning team in today’s Super Bowl XLIII will no doubt give

thanks to God.
	In today’s scripture from Mark, which follows upon last week’s Gospel reading, Jesus teaches

with authority.  The Greek word for “authority” in the “choric ending” of the exorcism story is exousia.

This word also has the connotation of power, particularly in this context of miracle.  The primary

emphasis for Mark is that Jesus “taught as one who had authority (exousia), and not as the scribes.

Clearly, Jesus is the “Holy one of God” and his power is stronger than that of the spirit possessing the

man.  Jesus possesses powers stronger than those of ordinary human beings.
	The people in the synagogue at Capernaum are astonished and amazed.  Jesus’ reputation

began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.  What happened in this event affects the

honor of both Jesus and the healed man.  The gossip network proclaims a new honor status for Jesus –

one who teaches with authority and has power over unclean spirits.  Honor is restored to the man now

released from the power of unclean spirits.  He can reclaim his rightful place in the community.
	What has happened is that Jesus takes control of the chaos. Jesus speaks a rebuke and

reprimand, saying: “Be silent, Come out of him.”  Healing takes place, conversion takes place.  A

conversion is a life-changing event – one which calls for a reordering of priorities.
Psalm 95 today bids us:
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
	When we follow the command of Jesus to be silent, be quiet within, we open our heart’s

hearing to the light of God’s love, forgiveness and peace.  When we tune out the chaos and noise, when

we hear God’s still, gentle voice, we can listen for the guidance of the Lord – really listen.  Then,

something can indeed “come out of us” – we can remove whatever is an obstacle to allowing Jesus to

take control of the chaos we may experience and  fill us with his peace.  Maybe we can let go of a

competitive spirit that makes people either winners or losers, and come together in collaborative

cooperation, welcoming the Holy Spirit’s empowerment within and among us.  The Spirit of God wants

everyone to win by discovering the giftedness and graced blessings in our midst as a unified people of

God.  Jesus speaks with authority, we can speak with authenticity.  Someone once said: “The place to

improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands.” May we be astonished and even

awestruck by Jesus’ power and presence in our lives, and enter ever more deeply into on-going

conversion.
	May this first week in February, 2009, be for you and your family one of blessings, good

health and safety.  Let us pray for one another and do all we can to help one another grow in faith.

Love, support, and prayer,
Sister Mary Ann Ankoviak, csj
pastoralassociate@ourladyontheriver.net

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament

	Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be held for one hour as follows:

every Sunday at 6:00 p.m. before the
7:00 p.m. Mass at St. Catherine

the first Tuesday following the
7:30 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine
and
the first Friday following the
9:00 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross

	Benediction and closing will follow after one hour of adoration.  Support of this devotion is vital.

Men’s Fellowship and Ministry

	This Saturday, the Detroit Catholic Men’s Fellowship will host “The Sacraments of Initiation:

Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.” Held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Plymouth, the

gathering is part of a three-conference series on the sacraments.
	Across the Archdiocese of Detroit and the world, men are coming together in parish and other

local groups to grow deeper in their fellowship with God and each other. In these faith-filled Men's

Fellowship Groups, young men and old are being restored in new and powerful ways to God, to their

own personal holiness and well-being, to their wives, children and families, to their parishes, their

Church, and their place as sons of God in the community at large.
	Your gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal allow the archdiocesan Office for Evangelization to

encourage and support Men’s Fellowships in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
	For more information about Men’s Fellowship and Ministry or other CSA-funded programs and

ministries, go to www.aodonline.org.

A Note From The Principal

   I would like to thank the many people who made Catholic Schools Week 2009 possible for us.  Our

families work hard to make a faith-based education a priority for their children.  We are honored to be

chosen as their partner in education.  We are grateful to our parish community for their prayers and

support of our endeavors.  We are grateful for our parish leadership because they truly value the mission

of Catholic education.  I am also very blessed to work with a dedicated faculty and staff who make

educating the whole child a reality for the students at Holy Cross. It is wonderful to be able to support

each other through prayer and to build upon the values that our church and our families instill in their

children.
    Right now, our fifth through eighth grade students and their families are busy packing for our week at

Camp Wolverine.  Camp is a truly wonderful team building experience.  Many people are surprised to

learn that our staff and students look forward to spending a week in Wolverine, Michigan.  As we look at

the snow here in Marine City and Algonac, we can only imagine what is in store for us at camp.

However, the snow makes the experience that much more fun!  Students will be engaged in numerous

indoor and outdoor activities, from orienteering and advanced survival, to making candles, bread, and

butter – the ‘really old fashioned way’ – camp has something for everyone.  I would like to thank Ms.

Robinson and Mrs. Wade for organizing this event and for truly being ‘on duty’ 24/7 for the week.  I

would also like to thank our parent chaperones who take a week away from work and home to join us.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel north!
     It is now time to consider the educational opportunities which await your child, grandchild, niece, or

nephew as a student at Holy Cross Catholic School.  At Holy Cross, we are able to offer small classes

for individualized academic instruction.  We are also able to provide a supportive and nurturing faith

environment, where daily lessons in faith, both in and out of ‘religion class,’ take place.  Have you been

considering a Holy Cross education, but aren’t sure you can afford it?  Please stop and see me or Mrs.

Smith to pick up a PSAS form.  The Private School Aid Service (PSAS) is the first step toward

financing your Holy Cross education.  The Archdiocese of Detroit offers scholarships through this

program.  All you need to do is apply!  This also opens the door to other scholarships in our school.

Please stop in and pick up an application today.  We have a place for YOUR child here at Holy Cross

Catholic School!
In His Service,
Mrs. Amanda Lund, Principal

	The Apostles’ Creed

    If you read last week’s RCIA box, you may have noticed that the last sentence was only half there.
To continue the thought given in The Faith We Profess, we’re reminded that Faith is necessary for our

salvation, and even though there is salvation outside the Catholic Church, it is through Christ’s Catholic

Church alone that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained.  Faith requires perseverance.

Faith grows in stages.  To live, to grow, to persevere in the faith, we must nourish our lives with the word

of God in Scripture, with the sacramental life within the Church, with the Holy Eucharist, and as St.

Mark tells us in Chapter 9, we must beg the Lord to increase our faith.
	Every aspect of our sacramental life and our prayer is influenced by the Trinitarian dimension

of our faith.  It begins at Baptism.  The life of the Trinity is alive in each of us.
	All are welcome at the RCIA gathering.  We begin with the Liturgy of the Word on Sunday

morning at 10:00 a.m. in Church at St. Catherine, followed by dismissal and a formation session.
	Last Sunday evening, two more of our parish inquirers, Linda Abraam and Karen Johns

participated, with their sponsors, Carol Sadecki and Rose Rzeppa, in the Rite of Welcome in

preparation for coming to full communion in the Catholic Church.  Please keep them in prayer and all in

the RCIA.
	We offer heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Ruth Rzeppa, who skillfully, generously and cheerfully,

designed and sewed a dozen RCIA garments for Our Lady on the River Parish to be used in the

reception of the sacraments at Easter.
	Many thanks to Sister Geraldine Arnold, csj, who also cheerfully, skillfully, and generously

sewed the Velcro on each garment, ironed them and made them ready for use.

God bless you both.  Thank you.

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
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 7:30a Mass
HC 3p 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
StC 8:15a Exposition / Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
HC 9:00a Mass
HC 9:00a Mass
StM 8:15a Reconciliation
StC 4:00p Mass
HC 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
StC Hospitality
StM 9:00a Mass
HC 9:00a Mass
KC MC 7p Bingo
HC 6:00p Marine City Maritime Days mtg
HC 9:00a Mass
HC 5:30p Mass
StC 10:00a RCIA Session
StC 10:00a MOMs
StC 9:00a Christian Service
Commission
StC 7:00p Ensemble Practice
StC 7:30p -9:00p Adult Choir Practice
HC 9:45a Exposition / Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Hospitality
HC 10:45a -11:45a 4th & 5th Grade Rosary
Marysville 10a Bingo
HC 7:00p Handbell Choir Rehearsal

OffSite 9:00a First Friday Club

HC 10:30a Usher Meeting
HC 5:30 Religious Education
HC 5:30 Religious Education




HC 1:00p -3:00p Daddy Daughter Dance
KC 7:00p -9:00p Euchre
StC 6:45p One in the Spirit Prayer Group




StC 1:00p -4:00p Conkerr Cancer Sewing

HC 7p Choir Rehearsal




Concert 4pm Novi Choralaires Farmington Hills

Blessing of the Throats HC 5:30p
StC 7p




StC 6 p Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Fellowship Luncheon
St. Mark Activity Center

3rd Sunday in February
After 10:30 a.m. Mass

Menu for February 15th:
Turkey Breast
Mashed Potatoes/Gravy
Vegetable/Salad
Bread Rolls
Dessert/Coffee/Tea
$7.00

	Profit to be used for fresh flowers for the Lord in Church. Make your reservations by  the

Sunday before  no later than 6:00 p.m. on February 8th. Hope you can join us.

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

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 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.

A Season For Nonviolence
An Educational Community Action Campaign
January 30 - April 4

A Season for Nonviolence is a national 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign, inspired

by the memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A Season honors their

vision for a nonviolent world that honors the dignity and worth of every human being.
www.unitybluewater.com/snv

	Beginning January 30th, hear a recorded message of Daily Meditations and Practices: 64

Day/64 Ways to Practice Nonviolence. Dial 810-985-1923.

Bible Study To Be Offered

	We would like to offer to all parishioners of Our Lady on the River Parish a weekly Bible

Study, which would be facilitated by Deacon Gary Krueger.
	To help us schedule the Bible Study, we would like to evaluate the interest.  Please complete

this form and return to the office or call if you would be interested.

	______  yes I would be interested in Bible Study

	______  3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursdays    OR

	______  6:00-7:00 p.m. Thursdays

Christian Service Commission

	Thank you to all who were involved with the spaghetti dinner. We served 93 dinners. All

proceeds will go to the St. Vincent dePaul Society.

Senior Bingo
	Mark your calendars for February 11th, for our next Senior Bingo day. Bingo will begin at

12:00 p.m. and run until 3:00 p.m.. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided at no cost to our

players, so come and enjoy an afternoon of fun.

Next Meeting
	Our next meeting is February 3rd @ 9:00 a.m. in the St. Catherine Activity Center. All are

invited.
Our Lady on the River Business Directory

	Attention Business Directory Patrons of Our Lady on the River Parish. If you are presently in

our directory and wish to make changes or if you wish to have your home business listed in the

directory, please contact Joy @ 810-794-3266. The directory is in the vestibule of each site.

Conkerr Cancer Pillowcases Update

	To date, we have donated 1354 pillowcases. Our next “sewing bee” will be this Sunday,

February 8th at the St. Catherine Activity Center starting at 1:00 p.m. So bring your sewing machine or

ironing board and iron and enjoy a fun afternoon making pillowcases for children with caner. Anyone

wanting to donate money or Joann Fabric Scrip can place it in an envelope and mark it Conkerr Cancer

and place it in the collection basket. We are also in need of 100% cotton material or flannel

(Appropriate for children) and quart size Ziploc bags. Those items can be dropped off at the church or at

the Algonac Water Lily. We look forward to seeing you there.
Pancake Breakfast
Bake Sale
Immaculate Conception
7043 Church Rd.
Ira Township
Sunday, February 8th
8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Breakfast is a free
will donation.

Proceeds will benefit the 8th grade class trip to Chicago. For more information , please call

810-794-3442 or the church office @ 586-725-0078.

Spring is Coming and so is Maritime Days

	There will be a Maritime Days Meeting on Thursday, February 5th in the Holy Cross Rectory

at 6:00 p.m. This meeting is for anyone interested in taking part in the Maritime Days festivities.
	This year, Maritime Days will be Friday, May 22 - Monday, May 25. Please contact Don

Smith at 810-765-5542 with any questions.

Words to Live By

	Faith not only helps people to find solutions, it makes even situations of suffering humanly

bearable, so that in these situations people will not become lost or forget their dignity and vocation..
                            -Pope John Paul II

Feast of St. Blaise
Tuesday, February 3rd

	Many Catholics might remember Saint Blaise's feast day because of the Blessing of the

Throats that took place on this day. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against

the throat as the blessing is said. Saint Blaise's protection of those with throat troubles apparently

comes from a legend that a boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat. The boy

was about to die when Saint Blaise healed him.



Blessing of the Throats
Tuesday, February 3rd
at the St. Catherine 7:30 a.m. Mass
and the Holy Cross 9:00 a.m. Mass
also
5:30 p.m. at Holy Cross
7:00 p.m. at St. Catherine

Archbishop to Celebrate Series of Welcoming Masses

	Archbishop Allen Vigneron will celebrate a series of 10 welcoming Masses in February and

early March. The Masses are open to all who wish to attend, with some designated as special language

or cultural celebrations. A light reception will follow each Mass.
	For additional information, visit the Web at www.AODonline.org or call 313-237-5381. The

schedule of welcoming Masses is as follows:

	Monday, February 2, at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 1062 Church St., Plymouth, at 7 p.m.
	Tuesday, February 3, at St. Clement of Rome, 343 S. Main St., Romeo (a bilingual Mass in

English and Spanish), at 7 p.m.
	Wednesday, February 4, at the St. Stephen Site of Holy Trinity Parish, 325 Thirty-Second St.,

Port Huron, at 7 p.m.
	Monday, February 9, at St. Joan of Arc, 22412 Overlake St., St. Clair Shores, at 7 p.m.
	Wednesday, February 11, at Holy Redeemer, 1721 Junction St., Detroit (in Spanish for the

Hispanic community), at 7 p.m.
	Thursday, February 12, at St. Frances Cabrini, 9000 Laurence, Allen Park, at 7 p.m.
	Tuesday, February 17, at St. Cecilia, 10400 Stoepel St., Detroit (for the African American

com-munity), at 7 p.m.
	Thursday, February 19, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 8330 Lewis Ave., Temperance, at 7

p.m.
	Thursday, February 26, at St. Patrick, 9086 Hutchins St., White Lake, at 7 p.m.
	Saturday, March 7, at the National Shrine of the Little Flower, 2100 W. Twelve Mile Rd., Royal

Oak, at 11:30 a.m.
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.
1st 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
Paul Malinski, Jr.	US Navy
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
Profession of Faith
On Friday, January 9, 2009

Father Frederick Bodde welcomed into the
Our Lady on the River Parish Family
Calvin James Barr,
son of Gary and Kelly (Baty) Barr
and
Jessica Michele Barr,
daughter of Gary and Kelly (Baty)

as they professed their faith to the Catholic Church
at Mass in front of their school and parish.

Pray that, as they grow, Christ will always
Be shining a presence in their lives
Died in Christ

Please remember in your prayers:

	V Rosanne May Lozowski (Arnold)
	V Dillon Ulmer

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
Let the Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Readings for the Week of February 1, 2009

Sunday:	Dt 18:15-20/1 Cor 7:32-35/Mk 1:21-28
Monday:	Mal 3:1-4/Heb 2:14-18/Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
Tuesday:	Heb 12:1-4/Mk 5:21-43
Wednesday:	Heb 12:4-7, 11-15/Mk 6:1-6
Thursday:	Heb 12:18-19, 21-24/Mk 6:7-13
Friday:		Heb 13:1-8/Mk 6:14-29
Saturday:	Heb 13:15-17, 20-21/Mk 6:30-34
Next Sunday:	Jb 7:1-4, 6-7/1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23/Mk 1:29-39

©Liturgical Publications Inc
Wedding Anniversary
February, 2009

Ronald & Marie Riegel	February 20th	         49 years

May God keep you and continue to
Bless you for many years to come.
League of Catholic Women

	The League of Catholic Women will hold a noon luncheon meeting Wednesday, February 11th

at the Achatz Restaurant, 201 Riverside, St. Clair.  Bob Webber will make a presentation on Marian

Shrines. The meal buffet will have a choice of chicken or roast beef. The cost is $12.00. Please send

your reservation checks to Katie Ricketts, 906 Hollis St., Port Huron  48060
First Friday Club

	Our February meeting will be held on February 6th at 9:00 a.m. at the Achatz Riverview

Restaurant in St. Clair.  Breakfast may be ordered individually.
	Our featured speaker will be Marion Webber, who will share with us about the new Divine

Mercy Center in Memphis.  We have enjoyed Marion’s previous visit with us and look forward to her

presentation on this powerful devotion.  Please join us as we share in timely talk and discussion.
	Reservations may be made by contacting Rose Scheuer at 586-713-7860.
Hospitality Weekend

St. Catherine Vestibule
 January 31st & February 1st
Hosted by St. Catherine Eucharistic Ministers

Holy Cross Activity Center
Sunday, February 1st
following 7:30 & 9:30 a.m. Masses

	Please join us for refreshments & fellowship after Masses. This is a great time for everyone to

join in fellowship.  Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy!
Our Lady on the River Parish

Lenten All You Can Eat Fish Fry is Coming!

     Every Friday in March we will be hosting a fish fry for the community at the St. Catherine Activity

Center. We need volunteers to help with alternating shifts through out the day. The sign up sheets are

in the vestibule at each site. Please consider joining us in servicing our community. Proceeds from the

Fish Fry will benefit our parish and Holy Cross School.  For more information, please call the parish

office.

Holy Cross Ushers Meeting

February 8th
Holy Cross Activity Center
10:30 a.m.
	We shall steer safely through every storm, as long as our heart is right, our intention fervent,

our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed in God.

-St. Francis de Sales
Daddy Daughter Dance

	Holy Cross PTO will sponsor a Daddy Daughter Dance on Sunday, February 8th from

1:00–3:00 p.m. in the Holy Cross Activity Center The cost is $10 per couple. This includes dancing, a

kid friendly lunch buffet and a souvenir photo. Everyone from our Parish and community are welcome to

join in the fun. All ages too! Advanced reservations and payment are required. Please call Jennifer

Laster @ 810-765-3510 to make your reservation. We are also looking fro mom volunteers an the day of

the dance, and to help with the baked goods.
All Daughters & Daddies Are Invited
Holy Cross Catholic School
20th Annual Irish Night Dinner & Auction

Saturday, March 14, 2009
Marine City Knights of Columbus Banquet Center

	This week’s featured item for the Auction is Camp Sancta Maria.  Camp Sancta Maria is one

of our LIVE auction items.  It is a beautiful, rolling and wooded 96 acre site bordering two inland lakes in

Gaylord.  It offer children ages 8-16 a happy, healthy summer set in a Catholic framework with a daily

Mass and prayer service.  The camp includes fun activities such as horseback riding, outdoor living

skills, Red cross swimming lessons, pine derby racing, field sports and day trip to Mackinac Island and

the Cross in the Woods.  High bidder receives choice of one-week mini camp for boys, Girls camp in

the summer, Mother/daughter or Father/Son weekend camping sessions in 2009.
	If this item interests you please plan on joining us March 14th at 5:30 p.m. at the Marine City

K of C Banquet Center for a night filled with good food, friends and lots of fun.
	For information please call Gretchen Rogus at 810-329-9649, Jennifer Laster at 810-765-3510

or the school office at 810-765-3591.
Training for Altar Servers
New and Current Server Invited

     All young men & young women that have completed the third grade are invited and encouraged to

join our team of Altar Servers.  This is a first time training for new servers as well as a refresher training

for any current servers and  is for servers from both Holy Cross and St. Catherine as follows:
Holy Cross Church, Saturday, February 7th
new servers meeting at 10:00 a.m.
current servers join us at 10:30 a.m.
	Please contact Don Smith at 810-765-5542 if you have any questions.
And the Winners Are . . .

	The winners in January’s Holy Cross School Calendar Raffle are:

			Jackie MacDonald of Algonac
			Gary Brown of Clinton Township
			Nina Fragola of Cottrellville

Congratulations and
Thank You For Your Support!!

Marine City Ecumenical Lenten Programs
Wednesdays During Lent
Soup Supper Served at 6:00 p.m. Service at 7:00 p.m.

March 4th 		St. Martins Lutheran, S. William Street

March 11th 		Holy Cross Catholic, S. Water Street
(notice date correction)

March 18th		United Methodist, N. Main Street

March 25th		St. Mark’s Episcopal, N. William

April 1st			St. John’s United Church of Christ, West Blvd

Themes from Gethsemane

Correction of Date
 	The date for the Ecumenical Lenten Service at Holy Cross was reported inaccurately in the

latest issue of The Drift.  Below is the corrected information.

February 1,  2009
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Online Edition | www.OurLadyontheRiver.net


Online calendars are on the parish and location websites.