Our Lady On The River Parish 	Holy Cross, Marine City; St. Catherine, Algonac; St. Mark, Harsens Island
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 20, 2009
Sponsor of the Week	 	Schweihofer Doors

Please pray for our sick and suffering
Arley Antoine
Hank Babisz
Betty Baker
Maggie Barnes
Joseph Bica
Angela Bills
Bill & Rita Boulier
Fr. Leo Broderick
Dean Bryeans
Jacob Bryson
Thomas Delor, Jr.
Andrea DeVolder
Rosemarie
Dinehart
Betty Flum
Wendy Furtah
Marge Hamlin
Tim Henshaw
Alvin Jones
Nina Johnson
Irene Kajder
Richard Koss
James Kuykendall
Julia Lange
Sam Leszczynski
Peter Licari
Joseph Lopez
Mary Lorkowski
Sally Lozen
Pat Macy
Marcella Markel
Paul Markle
Amanda McClenaghan
Josephine
Michalski
Sally O'Neil
Thomas Ostin
Sophia Palmer
Theresa
Pawlowski
Judy Piotrowski
Sandy Polomas
Cora Plummer
Rocko Prinzivilli
Peg Ralston
Bill Sadecki
Lorena Sadler
Walter Sawkin
Helen Schweihofer
Bill Scott
Laura Siecinski
Tommy
Skladerna
Evelyn Smith
Joan Smith
Bob Soulliere
Avi Ben Stella
Barbara Susan
Stevens Family
Jessica Thomas
Patrick Tierney
Alice Trader
Ashleigh Tranchemontagne
George and Tena VanLoon
Tracy Warner
Leona Weaver
JoAnn White Paulette
Wieczorek
Catherine Ziegler


Request to Add Name to Prayer List

Name to add to list: _____________________________

Description of ailment: ___________________________

Submitted by:__________________Phone: __________

____ Above person has agreed to have his/her name on the Prayer List of Our Lady on the River.
"One Sows, Another Reaps"


Pastor's Message

	It is difficult to hear news from a person when they are informing you that they are about to go through a medical procedure or endure an illness that could lead to a long recuperation or possibly death. That moment when the news is revealed, one's hearing becomes strained. You are trying desperately to listen what the person is saying to you but you are still focusing on the bad news delivered. We are no different than Christ's disciples because who likes hearing bad news. Together, Christ's disciples and all of us today, do not understand why bad things happen to such good people. And as St. Mark writes, we are afraid to question why or when we do question why, we do not like the response given to us.
	Jesus told his disciples that he was going to rise from the dead! They, however, still were concentrating on his suffering and impending death. They did not pay attention to the words of resurrection or did not understand what he meant by that and were afraid to ask. Are we not the same in our own lives? Think of how many times we have learned from the Church's teachings about the joy of the resurrection that is pending when Jesus himself will open the graves of all the fallen and awaken them with the sound of his voice. Yet, we are still focusing on the possibility of suffering or enduring pain; we are struggling with the impending death we must experience and ignoring eternal life with Christ.
	Jesus tries to ease our fears and anxieties with his loving embrace. That is why it so important to pay attention to the closing of St. Mark's Gospel because Jesus is embracing all of us as his children and reminds us that as he embraces us so too does his Father in Heaven. A child's innocence is a key to the passage because only a child, pure and simple, accepts the embrace and hold of Jesus Christ without question and without fear. As adults, we question, we place conditions, and we lose our innocence because we know better than the parent. Maybe that is why Jesus teaches about humility while serving God's people.
	In his love for us, Jesus is trying to tell us that with news, good or bad, we must place our trust in him and allow him to lead and guide us back to God. For if we receive Christ fully, we also receive the One who sent Christ.
	UPDATE: I have been reminded by the maintenance staff that cement work on the steps in Marine City will be underway over the next few weeks. Please be aware of the some of the main entrance doors that will be blocked off, but there will be at least one entrance way available for use. Sorry for the inconvenience.
	Finally, please remember to pray for all the priests of the Archdiocese as we meet with the Archbishop at Boyne for our convocation. Your prayers are what keep us strong and going as we learn to be shepherds for the Lord.
Have a blessed week,
Fr. Jim



Temporary Mass Change
Week of September 20th

	The week of September 20th most of the priests in the Archdiocese will be away at the Priestly Convocation.  	Monday the 21st through Thursday the 24th Sr. Mary Ann Ankoviak will offer a Communion Service at 7:30 a.m. at St. Catherine and Deacon Bob McLeod will offer a Communion Service at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Cross.
	As of this writing, Fr. Sig plans to be available for Mass at St. Mark next week.
Mass and Special Communion Services
Monday, September 21
	For the People of Our Lady on the River Parish
	7:30 a.m. 	Communion Service	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m.	Communion Service	Holy Cross
Tuesday,  September 22
	7:30 a.m. 	Communion Service	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. 	Mass	St. Mark
	9:00 a.m. 	Communion Service	Holy Cross
Wednesday, September  23
	7:30 a.m. 	Communion Service	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. 	Mass	St. Mark
	9:00 a.m. 	Communion Service	Holy Cross
Thursday, September 24
	7:30 a.m.	Communion Service	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m. 	Mass	St. Mark
	9:00 a.m.	Communion Service	Holy Cross
Friday, September 25
	7:30 a.m.		Mass	St. Catherine
	9:00 a.m.   	Mass	St. Mark
	9:00 a.m. 	Mass	Holy Cross
Saturday, September 19
4:00 p.m.	St. Catherine

Mass Intentions
		V Joseph Check by Family
		V Virginia Sanders by Linda Abraam
		V Stephen Sarzynski III by Linda Abraam
	4:30 p.m.	St. Mark
		? Health of Tim Henshaw by Beau Seeman
		V Keith Wright by Diane Biskner
	5:30 p.m. 	Holy Cross
		V Jeanette McTevia by Dennis & Linda McTevia
			(6th Anniversary Remembrance)
		V Margarete Czerniawski by Linda Lavely
		V Andrew & Clara McTevia by Vergil & Marie McTevia
Sunday, September 20
	7:30 a.m.	Holy Cross
		V Sr. Conrad by Gary  Sue Kreusel
	8:00 a.m. 	St. Catherine
		V John & Marcella Darga by Rosemarie Dinehart
	9:30 a.m. 	Holy Cross
		V Stanley Walendowski by Family
			(2nd Anniversary Remembrance)
		V Charles Kloka by Family
			(Birthday Remembrance)
		V LeRoy Zweng by Dovis, Jerry & Loretta
 		V Alex Halatsis by Jeanne Markel
10:00 a.m.  	St. Catherine
		V Maggie Duke by Frank & Susan Fakult
 10:30 a.m. 	St. Mark
		? Health of Lehman Brothers by Fr. Sig Kowalczyk
11:30 a.m.	Holy Cross
		V Tony Pizzo by Anna, Linda, Midge & Kate
7:00 p.m. 	St. Catherine
		V Stella Sadecki by Family
			(10th Anniversary Remembrance)
		V Agnes Manczyk by Sadecki family
			(21st Anniversary Remembrance)


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

Gary Krueger, Bob McLeod, Deacons

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

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.

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

Thoughts from your Pastoral Associate
	Bruce Springsteen has a song titled “Glory Days,” in which he talks about meeting up with old acquaintances and reminiscing about the fleeting memories of past fame. Toward the end of the song, he makes this reflection: Glory days.  Well, they'll pass you by, Glory days.  In the wink of a young girl's eye, Glory days.
	In today's Gospel, the disciples are sparring with one another about who was the greatest, who'll get the glory. They are interested in winning and losing, who's the greatest and who is the least?  Who's more important?  Who's of more value?  Then Jesus sits down to teach an important lesson in reversing their thinking.  Put yourself first and you might become a star.  Put yourself last, and you'll be first in the kingdom of God.  To illustrate this even more clearly, Jesus places a little child in their midst and calls us to flip our usual attitudes toward greatness and honor and glory and change our perspective.  “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me, but the one who sent me.”
	Jesus teaches how God views greatness. It's about service, Jesus reminds us. People who serve God and neighbor without drawing attention to themselves are the truly faithful servants of the world.  There is some of what Jesus' disciples are not getting in all of us, when we compare ourselves with others and desire the glory others seem to garner, ambitious perhaps, to be “somebody”.
	Dave Barry in his book writes: “The key thing, even among young people,  is your position on the great … totem pole of success.  Everybody in Washington always seems to know exactly how much status everybody else has.”
	What can a child teach us about greatness?  Jesus' gesture in today's scripture is significant, placing a child in a privileged position of honor.  True greatness lies with the one who is humble and serves as Jesus, our model, did.  He came not to be served, but to serve. Jesus emptied Himself and took the form of a servant.(Phil 2:7.) There can be no share in God's glory without the cross.  The disciples didn't understand this - it didn't make any sense to them.  Does it make sense to us?  True greatness results not from how far we rise above others, but in how far we are willing to go to include and care for the least in Jesus' name.  We do this whenever we treat people with the dignity they deserve.  Discipleship is a challenge - Those who are selfless rather than full of self, those who serve before they are served are great in God's view.  Jesus doesn't promise that it is easy.  Whose glory do you seek?
	In “True Greatness”, Carl Schultz, Jr. wrote:  “If you want to be happy for an hour, take a nap.  If you want to be happy for a day, go fishing.  If you want to be happy for eternity, help others”  Humility, simplicity. love, and service can accomplish great things.
Corrie ten Boom says it this way:
	“You just collect roses, the praise and compliments, during the day; you hold them, put them together in a bouquet, then at the end of the day, you get on your knees and say, “Here, God, these were yours all along.  I just held them for you.”
	Our genuineness as disciples is centered in our hearts, in the spirit of humble gratitude that we lift up to the praise of our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Saints in every vocation quest ….
	Brings kudos again to an amazing group of people who keep on solving each week's quest:  Yes, St. Peter Chanal was discovered by Mary Minnich, John & Joann Vance, Patrick & Regina Lomasney, Dolores Stone, Patricia Johnston, Spencer & Mary Margaret Adkins!
	The life of this week's saint is a beautiful example of all the Gospel calls us to be: loving, caring, & forgiving.  She is the patroness of bakers, and is often pictured with red roses filling her cape.  Born in 1207, she died in 1231 and canonized a saint only four years later.

God's blessings of peace to all,
Sister Mary Ann Ankoviak, csj
pastoralassociate@ourladyontheriver.net

Our Lady on the River Parish
Calendar of Events
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
StC 7:30a Comm Svc
StC 7:30a Comm Svc
StC 7:30a Comm Svc
StC 7:30a Comm Svc
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 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
StM 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
StC 4:00p Mass
HC 8:15a Rosary
HC 9:00a Comm Svc
HC 9:00a Comm Svc
HC 9:00a Comm Svc
HC 9:00a Comm Svc
StM 4:30p Mass
HC 9:00a Mass
Marysville 10a Bingo StC 6:45p Prayer Grp
STC 10:30 Flu Shot Clinic Trng


HC 5:30p Mass
StC 6:00p Exposition and Adoration
StM 7:30p Mens Club
MC 9a-3p Farmers Mkt
KC MC 7p Bingo



StC 7:00p

Liturgical Schedule
Day/Time
Lectors
Altar Servers
Saturday
4:00 p.m.
St. Catherine
Linda Abraam
Sal Ponessa
Nicholas Todino
5:30 p.m.
Holy Cross
Shelee Schweihofer
Emily Bryer
Veronica DeLaHarpe
Katlyn Pokorny
Sunday
7:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Bob Zweng
Gabby Alarie
Brad Butros
Owen Rogus
8:00 a.m.
St. Catherine
Judy Wallis
Jacob Nutter
Abigail Nutter
9:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Marilynn Dunn
Joshua Zichi
Jason Zichi
Abby Obrzut
10:00 a.m.
St. Catherine
Don Zamborowski
Skye Jarskey
Alexis Semaan
10:30 a.m.
St. Mark

Mike Weber

11:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Kathy LaLonde
Holly Redlawski
Luke Redlawski
Jacob Redlawski
7:00 p.m.
St. Catherine
Celebrant
Celebrant
4:30 p.m.
St. Mark
Midgie Fannon

Readings for the Week of September 20, 2009
Sunday:	Wis 2:12, 17-20/Jas 3:16---4:3/Mk 9:30-37
Monday:	Eph 4:1-7, 11-13/Mt 9:9-13
Tuesday:	Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20/Lk 8:19-21
Wednesday:	Ezr 9:5-9/Lk 9:1-6
Thursday:	Hg 1:1-8/Lk 9:7-9
Friday:		Hg 2:1-9/Lk 9:18-22
Saturday:	Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a/Lk 9:43b-45
Next Sunday:	Nm 11:25-29/Jas 5:1-6/Mk 9:38-43, 45,47-48

©Liturgical Publications Inc

September 20, 2009  •  Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CHANGE OF SCHEDULE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21
Mass Schedule

Holy Cross, Marine City Site
	Saturday: 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30; 9:30 & 11:30 	a.m.
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m.

St. Catherine, Algonac Site
Saturday: 4:00 p.m.
Sunday:  8:00; 10:00 a.m.&
7:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m.

St. Mark, Harsens Island Site
Saturday: 4:30 p.m.
(Memorial Day - end of September)
Sunday: 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday - Friday:  9:00 a.m.

Holy Days - as announced

Locations

Marine City Site
610 S. Water St. • Marine City, MI 48039
810-765-3568 • Fax: 810-765-2974
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(Closed 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.)

Algonac Site
1103 Washington St. • Algonac, MI 48001
810-794-3301 • Fax: 810-794-1849
Office Hours:
Monday - Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Harsens Island Site
4190 Green Drive • P.O. Box 70
Harsens Island, MI 48028
810-748-3828 • Fax: 810-748-9148
Office Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.


Our Lady On The River Parish Stewardship of Treasure Report
Weekend of September 12 & 13, 2009
Amount in Sunday envelopes

 $  15,174.50

Families with envelopes
1702
Gifts from visitors (loose collection)
 $    1,202.73

Envelopes received this week
596
Children's envelopes

 $         10.50

(% of all stewards)
35%
Total Sunday Collection

 $  16,387.73

YTD Collection
$187,305.13
Weekly amount for parish operations

 $  17,720.00

YTD Budgeted
$194,920.00
over/under amount

$  (1,332.27)

over/under amount
$(7,614.87)
Parish Target for 2009	   	     $99,000
Amount Pledged for 2009 	     $83,362
Amount needed to meet goal	     $15,638
Average Amount of Gift   	          $128
Number of Potential Donors 	          1765
Number of Replies (including “zeros”)    648
 % of Participation                                  37%

	We have reached 37% of registered parishioners and lowered the deficit to $15,638.  The total pledged amount includes 4 pledge increases totaling $1,250.00 a few more of those and we won't have to use money from savings to
reach our goal.
Faith Formation/Catechetics
	This Sunday is Catechetical Sunday, a day set aside to affirm and support the work of catechists - the men, women and young adults who teach our faith in parishes and Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit. It also marks the beginning of a new year of religious education classes in many parishes.
	This year's Catechetical Sunday theme is “Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word.” Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.
	Gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal support religious education directors and their staffs through the work of the archdiocesan Office for Faith Formation/Catechetics. The office provides consultation concerning policy, curriculum guidelines and text selection, as well as professional growth and formation opportunities and certification.
	For more information about Faith Formation and Catechetics, or other CSA-funded programs and ministries, go to www.AODonline.org.

A Note From The Principal

     “Give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love.” Psalms 107:15.  We have a lot to be thankful for, even though we don't always realize it.  It is easy to be brought down by those things that do not go as we thought they should.  Sometimes I am bothered by how the economy has affected our enrollment here at Holy Cross.  However, what is more important are the people who have chosen Holy Cross for their children's education.  Likewise, I continue to pray that those families who are considering coming to Holy Cross will find a way to join our school.
	This year, we are going to be turning over our prayers to God in a special way.  In the entryway of the school, just outside the office, is a beautiful statue of our Blessed Mother.  At her feet, we have placed a special box.  This box is decorated with the psalm at the beginning of this article.  In this box, our staff and students will place their prayers.  We will use this not only as a place for our petitions, but as a place to offer prayers of thanksgiving, adoration and penance. This box will be brought up during the offertory at each of our Friday liturgies, as we turn over our prayers to God.
	I would like to invite the members of our parish to include their prayers along with us each week.  Please pay a visit to the school to put your intention into our prayer box.  We are here each day from 7:00AM until 3:00PM.  The school is also open on Monday and Tuesday evenings for religious education classes.  Thank you for joining us in prayer.
	In sporting news, our boys will enjoy a break this weekend, but will be back in action on Saturday, September 26.  Our girls will be hosting OLIC on Monday and Trinity Lutheran on Wednesday.  Games begin at 6:30PM.  We hope to see you there!
	Have you bought SCRIP lately?  Did you know that SCRIP has numerous office hours?  You can also drop off an order and pick it up later if you can't make the office hours.  I hope you will take a few minutes to see how SCRIP can work for you and YOUR parish school.

In His Service,
Mrs. Amanda Lund, Principal
principal@holycrossonline.net

Ladies Auxiliary News

	It's your last chance to buy tickets for the sports Raffle we are having.  If you would like to buy tickets, please call Rose at 810-794-3187 or Jan at 810-794-7489.
	Our Baby Shower will be Sunday, October 4th after the 8:00 a.m. Mass at the K of C Hall in Algonac.  Please bring an unwrapped baby gift.  Brunch will be provided.  Please RSVP by September 29th by calling Rose or Jan.

R.C.I.A.
What's it all about????

	Is there a chance many of the families in our parish are “ecumenical” families?  Meaning some members of a household may be Catholic, others may be baptized in other Christian traditions, and still others may be unbaptized???
	The R.C.I.A. process welcomes anyone who desires to come into full communion with the Catholic faith.  If you or someone you know would be interested in learning more about the Catholic way of life or becoming Catholic, please plan to come Next Sunday at 11:00 a.m. to St. Catherine's Chapel meeting area for a 30 minute inquiry - question and answer session.  Come, if you have questions about the Catholic faith.  Come, if you are searching for a deeper relationship with God.  Come, if you are interested in becoming a member of our Catholic community.
	The R.C.I.A. is a “gradual” process unfolded in stages that provides an opportunity for individuals and families to decide whether becoming Catholic is the right choice.  Not everyone who inquires will decide to continue or choose to become Catholic.
No charge, no obligation!
	It is an opportunity to journey with others in faith through prayer, study of the Catholic Church, and reflection on the Scriptures.  We'll plan to meet weekly for Mass and formation sessions on Sunday mornings when we come to meet those who are interested. This may be the right time for you to make a courageous, hopeful choice.  May God's Holy Spirit direct your path.
Hope to see you next Sunday, September 27th,
 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel at St. Catherine's

Holy Cross School Sponsors Magazine Sale

	Are looking to begin or renew a magazine subscription?  You can do this while supporting Holy Cross athletics by visiting www.qsp.com, selecting "just shopping" in the middle of the screen, and entering our school code:
425006522.  40% of your order price goes to Holy Cross to support our young athletes. 
Thank you for your generosity!

OLR
Volunteer Lunch Helpers Needed

     We are in need of a few helpers during the school lunch period, 10:40 - 11:30 a.m.  You do not have to commit to every day, all help is appreciated.
     Any parent, grandparent, etc interested in helping please contact the school office at 810-765-3591.



Sharing the Gospel

	Even though they were friends, sometimes the disciples fought with each other. In today's Gospel reading, they were fighting over who was the most important. All twelve of them wanted to be number one-the best disciple. Then Jesus told them a secret. The best disciple is the one who helps other people.

Prayer
Dear God, when I am tempted to fight with my friends, show me ways to help them instead.                       Amen

Something to Draw
Draw a picture of yourself helping someone who is younger than you.

Mission for the Week
Ask your family members how you can help each of them this week. When you help them with a cheerful heart, God smiles.
	LPiResourceCenter.com

Our Lady on the River Parish Choir

	Attention all singers and instrumentalists!!  All former and new choir members from all three sites are invited to join the newly forming Our Lady on the River Parish Choir.  We will alternate rehearsal and Mass locations on a weekly basis.  Music is a vital part of our liturgies that needs many volunteers.  Come use your musical talents to praise the Lord!  For more information contact Bea Wassenberg at 810-794-0098.

Christ is our light and guide;
Come, give thanks and praise!
Whose glory do you seek?
Harvest Dinner Co-Chair Needed
Sunday, October 11th

     We need a new co-chair to be responsible for the vegetables including the farmers wagon.  We will tell you/show you everything you will need to know, and will continue to work with the new person for this year and possibly next year.  The ultimate goal is for someone else to learn the details of where & how it all comes together.
	If you would be interested in helping, please contact Mary Jane Basney at 810-765-4527.



Flu Shot Clinic Volunteers

	Liz Norris, Visiting Nurse Association, will be conducting a Flu & Pneumonia Clinic Meeting & Update:
Wednesday, September 23rd
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
St. Catherine Activity Center
	All who have helped in the past and any new helpers are invited.  Please bring your ID card, CPR card, etc if you have worked before.  Contact Liz at 810-984-4131 or 1-800-959-4131 with questions.
Hope to see you - returning & new faces.

One in The Spirit Prayer and Bible Study Group



	September 22	Psalms 91
	September 29	Holy Spirit Lead

	Our meetings are held on Tuesday evenings @ 6:45 p.m. in the St. Catherine Chapel. All parishioners are welcome to join us. If you are in need of prayer for yourself or someone else, write your requests in the Prayer Petition Books located at the exits.
	To be placed on the prayer chain or for further information, please contact Eloise @ 810-794-9975.
St. Mary's Fall Festival

	St. Mary's Church, St. Clair, will be having its annual fall festival on September 25-27.  Friday features an all-you-can-eat fish dinner, 4-7 p.m.  Sunday  there will be an all-you-can-eat chicken dinner, 4-7 p.m.  Dinners are served in the school activities room.  Music on Friday, 7:30-11:30 p.m. by the DT's; Saturday's music by Jimmy DeHano, 7:30-11:30 p.m.  Ride all day wrist bands are $20 for the carnival.

"Wisdom Years"
	Capuchin Retreat in Washington MI is offering a special program for senior citizens (60 and over) on  September 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  This day is a time to reflect on the gift of aging as we come to enjoy more internally free and wiser through our experiences of life.  Mr. Fred Cavaiani, a well known speaker in the area will help us come to a deeper appreciation of our past, present and future.   There will be an optional Mass at 1:00 p.m. for those who wish to participate. Cost is $35.00 per person, which includes a full dinner at noon.  Contact the office during business hours at 248-651-4826.  You can find more information on our website: capretreat.org
D of I News

	Our meeting will be on Monday, September 21st at the K of C Hall, dinner at 6:00 p.m. followed by our meeting.  Bring table service and remember food for SVdP which is badly needed.
	You may also make reservations for our day of Recollection at the meeting.

	St. Agatha Circle #419 annual Day of Recollection will be held at the Capuchin Retreat, Washington, Michigan, Thursday October 15th.  Members or guests may make reservations by October 10th to: 
	Doreatha Markel, Chancellor
	685 Francis St.
	East China, Mi.    or
	810-765-4447
	We will meet and leave from Holy Cross Parking Lot on that morning at 7:45  Car pooling will be available.
Altar Society

	Our Lady on the River, Holy Cross Altar Society, first fall meeting will be Monday, September 28th, Holy Cross Activity Center at 7:00 p.m.
	New Officers for the 2009-2011 term will be installed by retiring Vice President Mary Lou Peruski.
 Social Committee: New Officers
	Meeting is open for all women of Our Lady on the River Parish, everyone attending is asked to bring food or staples for the St. Vincent de Food Paul Pantry.   
International Day of Peace

	In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared September 21st as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.  By designating this day the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all people to work in cooperation for this goal.
Take time to ponder this from 'Gift of Peace” by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin.
What I would like to leave behind is a simple prayer that each of you may find what I have found - God's special gift to us all: the gift of peace.  When we are at peace, we find the freedom to be most fully who we are, even in the worst of times. We let go of what is nonessential and embrace what is essential.  We empty ourselves so that God may more fully work within us.  And we become instruments in the hands of the Lord.

Temporary Mass Change
Week of September 20th

	The week of September 20th most of the priests in the Archdiocese will be away at the Priestly Convocation.  	Monday the 21st through Thursday the 24th Sr. Mary Ann Ankoviak will offer a Communion Service at 7:30 a.m. at St. Catherine and Deacon Bob McLeod will offer a Communion Service at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Cross.
	As of this writing, Fr. Sig plans to be available for Mass at St. Mark next week.

Pray For Our Priests
What is Catechetical Sunday,
What Lessons Do We Learn From Mark's Gospel?

	Each year we designate the third Sunday in September as Catechetical Sunday. A theme is chosen to highlight an essential aspect of handing on the faith. This year's theme centers on "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church," echoing the theme from the 2008 Synod of Bishops.
	The Gospel for this Sunday offers insights about what following Jesus entails. Instead of understanding and accepting the challenge that following Jesus entails, the disciples argue about who is the greatest.  As we reflect on the theme for Catechetical Sunday, let us learn from Mark's Jesus the challenges of faithful discipleship.
©2009 Liturgical Publications Inc, New Berlin, WI 53151
Catechetical
Sunday

Vocation Family Prayer Comments

	Each Sunday, at the 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Mass, anyone is Invited to take home the parish crucifix and prayer manual to pray at home for vocations. Each week, those who have had this privilege, are invited to write comments on their experience.
Some of the comments received follow:

	“I set aside time each evening to pray, using three prayers from the folder provided.  I felt centered, peaceful, and inspired each time I prayed the vocation prayers.  It is my sincerest hope that my participation in this parish prayer for vocations helps others answer the call of Christ, our Lord.  I especially liked the prayer for one's vocation in life on the second page.  I prayed this one each night of the week, and wrote a copy for myself to add to my daily prayer.
Onward & Upward -
Mrs. Karen Johns
	“Everyone in the parish has a role to take in vocations.  We need to be open to the vocation we can fulfill, i.e., priest, brother, sister, or marriage or single life.
This can also fit into family life and making sure we pass on our beliefs and the importance of the Church in our lives.”
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name,
receives me; and
whoever receives me,
receives not me but
the One who sent me.”

  Mk 9:36-37
With Thanks For Their Service in Christ
Priests' Retirement Fund

	The Archdiocese is blessed to have 129 senior priests who dedicated, in some cases, as many as 50 years or more of their lives to caring for and ministering to others.  Even in retirement, many continue to give of themselves in countless ways of service for which we are grateful.
	At age 70, priests in the Archdiocese of Detroit begin receiving a $1,500 monthly pension from the Priests' Retirement Fund as well as health and automobile insurance.  But due to longer life spans and the rise in health care costs, the Priests' Retirement Fund is underfunded by an estimated $24.9 million.  To remedy this shortfall, the Archdiocese has asked parishes to assume an annual assessment of $15,094 per priest.
	Next weekend, our parish will participate in the special collection to help defray the cost of this assessment and to increase the Priests' Retirement Fund.  Please prayerfully reflect on how you can best contribute to this collection and return your envelope next week.
AYCE Breakfast
Marine City K of C

 6385 King Road
Next Sunday, September 27th

8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Pancakes/sausage/eggs/potatoes/
juice/coffee/milk.
Adults $6.00
Kids ages 6 - 10 $3.00; Preschoolers free
Look for Christ Our Lord in everyone
and you will then have respect and reverence for all.                    ~St. Teresa of Avila

ST. MARK MEN'S CLUB
Meeting Monday, September 21
Activity Center
7:30 p.m.
we must place our trust in Him and allow Him to lead and guide us back to God



    The following children were recently baptized and welcomed into the Our Lady on the River  Parish Family:

On August 15, 2009 by Fr. James Lopez
	Aidan Allan McDonald, son of Allan & Jullian (Lada) McDonald.  Godparents are Jeff McDonald and Anastasia Corker.
On August 16, 2009 by Fr. Matthew Ellis
	Abigail Rose Grytzelius, daughter of Derek & Kathryn (Cass) Grytzelius.  Godparents are JB Henderson & Kristy Korte.
On August 16, 2009 by Fr. Sigismund Kowalczyk
	Quinn Robert Juif, son of Robert & Jennifer (Fey) Juif.  Godparents are Jeffrey & Kathleen Masserang.
On August 24, 2009 by Fr. James Lopez
	Sophia Grace Metheny, daughter of Matthew & Tara (Toles) Metheny.  Godparents are George & Dana Toles.

Pray that, as they grow, Christ will always
be shining a  presence in their lives
	Thank you for your food and cash donations to the Algonac Ecumenical Food Pantry, we served 267 individuals with 3595 pounds of food in August.  Your help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you and God bless,
Pantry Volunteers
Join us for an encore of our 1st Annual
Our Lady on the River Parish
ice cream social

** TODAY ** Sunday,
September 20th

Following the 10:00 a.m. Mass
in the St. Catherine Activity Center

Please bring the family or come alone enjoy a treat  and meet and socialize with members from
all three sites of
Our Lady on the River Parish

From the Archdiocesan
 Safe Environments Policy

	All adults who are paid or volunteer personnel shall have a criminal history background check and have been provided the Pastoral or Volunteer Code of Conduct before starting work in any capacity and Participate in a Protecting God's Children Workshop if the potential exists for contact with children or youth.  All chairpersons of any event are responsible to see to it that all the volunteers for their event conform to this policy.
	The background checks are completed in the parish office at no charge.  The forms can be obtained in the office or on line at aodonline.org.
	The next Protecting God's Children Workshop in our vicariate will be at St. Mary Queen of Creation, New Baltimore, on Saturday, September 26th.  You must register on line at virtus.org.  You will find a complete schedule there of other dates and locations, also.  A certificate of completion should be returned to the chairperson.
respect life