Our Lady On The River Parish
Holy Cross, St. Catherine, St. Mark
November 25, 2007 Christ The King
Sponsor of the Week Sans Souci Market
Pastor's Page
Advent Blue Books
The little blue books, originally inspired and composed by the late
Bishop Kenneth Untener of the Saginaw Diocese, hold daily six-minute
reflections on the Advent and Christmas-time scriptures with practical
suggestions. These books are once again available for parishioners near
the entrances of the Church. You are invited to take one home with you to
help in your spiritual preparation for Christmas.
We are blessed this weekend because we have celebrated the
Thanksgiving feast and ate until we were content. We also had an opportunity
to share the meal with family and friends to show thanks for the blessings
we have received in our lives. These are all important because we today
celebrate Christ the King. The readings for this weekend are a reminder of
the sacrifice our Savior made for each and every one of us. What better way
to welcome our King then by having festive gatherings, reunions of family
and friends, quiet moments to reflect on what we have been blessed with in
our lives.
Although the Gospel may not seem very uplifting because it is the
crucifixion of our Lord, but it is the ending that captures the moment of
our faith: “You will be with me in paradise.” This proclamation by Christ is
our constant reminder that we will be with him in paradise. This is our hope
and our desire. The temptation that we must not fall into is the sin of
despair. This time of the year can be sad for some people because they have
suffered the loss of a family member or friend. Their reflections can be
that of loss or separation but it should not be something to dwell on or
continuously holding onto because they can not move forward to the Kingdom
of God by gripping onto the past. But, we will not experience our heavenly
inheritance if we cannot let go of our earthly dwelling.
Jesus has reminded us that there will be trappings out there that
can cause us to lose focus on the bigger picture which is our salvation.
There will be moments of loss that can lead to despair and there will be
moments of separation that can cause great anxiety. Take heart, Jesus knows
this and wants us to understand that he is with us forever and will not
leave us no matter how bad the situation may seem. Jesus is asking us though
that during these moments we must persevere. Our salvation must be worked
for and is not going to be handed to us on a silver platter.
How do we work for our salvation then? Very simply, we must continue
to work on learning how to love our neighbor unconditionally. We must learn
how to sacrifice for the good of our family and our neighbor. We must learn
to treat others as we would like to be treated. Just something to ponder as
we close Ordinary Time and prepare for the upcoming Advent Season.
My prayers to all,
Fr. Jim
pastor@ourladyontheriver.net
Thoughts From Your Pastoral Associate
“The Lord, Jesus Christ, is our King!
Let us always praise Him”
We come today to the end of another Church year. It is also the
34th and last Sunday of Cycle C in the Church calendar, and we complete the
three-year-cycle of readings from the Old and New Testaments. Next Sunday,
we will go back to the beginning of Cycle A.
As we gather this weekend to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King,
we are called to continue to pray “for the coming of God’s kingdom”, and
also to commit ourselves to welcoming God’s reign to become more present
within us and through us to the world in which we live. Today’s feast is a
challenge and an opportunity for us to become more aware of our call. We
welcome our King to find a home within us when we take the Gospel to heart
in our lives as it becomes enfleshed in our actions in striving to live the
moral teaching of the Church regarding our personal relationships and social
responsibilities. God’s kingdom reigns when we strive to nurture a
faith-filled parish community that gives witness to the presence of Jesus.
During this past liturgical year, we have listened to many readings
from Scripture and heard many homilies on them. Through it all, there
remains one constant, Jesus, our Lord, and King, through His saving death
and victorious resurrection is the ultimate source of our hope and life. If
you think in straight lines, Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and
the end of our lives. If you think in circles, Jesus is the center of our
lives.
This week, through the strength we receive in the Eucharist, may our
prayer and our service bring the reign of Jesus a little more present in our
world so that all may come to know the truth revealed by Jesus. To Him be
glory and power forever and ever!
Children’s Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word
As Advent welcomes us to prepare for the feast of Christmas, we
welcome the children to a time of sharing God’s Word on their level of
understanding. This can be a very valuable time for prayer and simple
instruction. We thank those prepared to provide children with this
opportunity. After the opening prayer of the Mass, the children will be
invited to come forward to participate with others under the direction of a
catechist. The Sunday scriptures will be shared with them as the adults
listen to the homily in Church. Children will return to the Church to
rejoin their families at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Trivia Time….The area that is today designated as Mt. Zion is outside the
walls, beyond the Zion Gate. Here we discover the actual Cenacle or Upper
Room. Since ancient times, Christians have venerated this spot as the site
of the institution of the Eucharist. It is reminiscent of the basilica
built in the 5th century and covered much of Mt. Zion. New question….What
are the two places in the Old Testament where the 10 Commandments are
listed?
Sister Mary Ann Ankoviak, csj
pastoralminister@ourladyontheriver.net
A Note From The Principal
I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! It is wonderful to
be able to spend time with family and friends, gathered together for a meal.
We often forget that we do this each time we celebrate the Mass! I
especially enjoy being a part of a parish school because of the parishioners
that join us for Mass. This is a shining example of what faith really
means, and a testament to what we teach here at Holy Cross Catholic School.
You are always welcome to join us for the 9:00 Mass each Friday morning.
After a restful vacation, it will be wonderful to get back into the
swing of things on our campus. On Monday, our students have a full day of
school. There are no East China busses because their students will not be
attending classes. Monday evening, we play our first boys’ basketball game
of the season at McCormick Catholic Academy. Their games are held in the
gymnasium at St. Edward’s in Lakeport. On Wednesday we will host St.
Augustine. With it getting dark so early, and starting to get cold, it’s a
fun way to spend the evening!
Did you know that your parish has a preschool? Holy Cross Catholic
School offers a variety of preschool options for your three and
four-year-old children and grandchildren. We also offer extended day care
for students enrolled in our program. Please contact the school office
810-765-3591 or you may always email me at principal@holycrossonline.net
for more information.
As you braved the stores this week, were you able to find a gift for
everyone on your list? If not, we can help! Holy Cross Catholic School
offers Scrip, which is a gift certificate service helping you, not only at
the holidays, but EVERY DAY! As you make your holiday shopping plans, please
consider using Scrip. Scrip is truly a service: We save you the hassle of
running out to the various stores to buy your gift certificates. It is also
a great way to budget so that you don’t overspend during the holiday season!
You can give the gift certificates as gifts, or purchase the certificates
and use them while you shop. Perhaps you’ll even find some sales and have a
little extra left on your gift card to spend on yourself! Our Boosters Club
also sponsors a magazine sale each year. While the main sale has passed,
you can still order magazines. Subscriptions and renewals make great gifts!
Please call the school office (810)765-3591 for more information
Are you looking for the perfect gift for your child or grandchild? Would
you like it to be something life-changing, with a lasting influence? Would
you like it to be useful, not only today, but always? A Catholic education
is truly a gift! The quality Catholic education offered at Holy Cross
Catholic School lays a religious foundation on which strong academics are
built. To find out more about this gift for your child or grandchild,
please contact the school office for a personal appointment.
In His Service,
Mrs. Amanda Lund, Principal
principal@ourladyontheriver.net
Please pray for our sick and suffering
St. Mark: Betty Baker, Margaret Brosofski, Marie Burr, Ken Cihon, Marge
Hamlin, Paul and Shirley Hollowaty, Angie Kronner, Sally O’Neil, Sophie
Palmer, Barbara Persyn, Bob Soulliere, Donna Thomas, Patrick Tierney, Stella
Tomaszycki, JoAnn White, Paulette Wieczorek, Keith Wright
St. Catherine Church: Hank Babisz, Christine Chominski, Lillian Downhauser,
Ernest Craft, Anne Guillery, Vincent John, Barbara Malik, Jackie McIntosh,
Gerald “Drake” Meldrum, Aaron Milenbaugh, Amanda O’Regan, Connie Spangler,
David Somervell, the Steven’s Family, MaryAnn Townsend and Catherine Ziegler
Holy Cross: Richard Anderson, David Arnold, Sue Ann Balaker, David Basney,
Marcia Boyd, Wendy Furtah, Jill (Postalka) Furtaw, Cindy Griffor, Della
(Lee) Harrick, Debbie Higgins, Agnes Horn, James Keelan, Jim Kuykendall,
Helen Leibold, David McDowell, Josephine Michalski, Marty Osborne, Tony
Pizzo, Joann Rix, Laurie Rix, Nancy Rix, Larry & Barbara Rutkowski, Lorena
Sadler, Barbara Shonk, Kori Sirochman, Emily J. Smith, Shirley Steinmetz,
Renee Thurlow, Alice Trader, Kathy Vayko, John Weisend
Day/Time
Ministers
of the Word
Altar Servers
EME
Usher
Sacristan/Greeters
Saturday
4:00 p.m.
St. Catherine
Fr. Broderick
(will be
contacted)
(will be
contacted)
Peg Barnett
Jeanne Crowl
Wanda Edie
JoAnne Vance
Norval Weaver
Robert Nadrowski
Gayle Spinazze
Bill Rumenapp
Harold Meldrum
John Niebieszczanski
S Malik/Sacristan
Cathy Cartwright
May Granica
Jan Long
Lynn Brickman
5:30 p.m.
Holy Cross
Msgr. Browne
Richard Bober
Brandon Downey
Kenton Rivard
Hannah Yadon
Sunday
8:00 a.m.
Holy Cross
Fr. Lopez
Brian Shackett
Joshua Zichi
Jason Zichi
Kelsey Hagle
9:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Fr. Bodde
Don Smith
Brittany Rickel
Caleb Herbert
Benjamin Rickel
Outreach:
Mary Jane Haener
10:00 a.m.
St. Mark
Fr. Kowalczyk
Midgie Fannon
Please help if needed
Nancy Streit
John Streit
Sunday
11:30 a.m.
St Catherine
Fr. Lopez
(will be contacted)
Children Liturgy:
Mary Lorkowski
(will be contacted)
Sister Geraldine
Judy Antkowiak
Tony Antkowiak
Rosetta Babisz
Mary Jo Bor
Gene Elrod
Doug Bassil
Wally Burgess
Evert Eklund
Chuck Gerlando
C Smith/Sacristan
Arlene Moody
Mary Jo Bor
Marilyn Parker
Barbara Pilawski
Holy Cross
CSA
Target (1006 families) $54,000.00
Pledged (405 families) $46,021.00
Balance Needed $7,979.00
St. Catherine Church
CSA
Target (548 families) $41,000.00
Pledged (255 families) $29,200.00
Balance Needed $11,800.00
Parish Directory
www.OurLadyontheRiver.net
Fr. James Lopez, Pastor
Fr. Koshy Chirakkarottu, Associate Pastor
Fr. Sig Kowalczyk, 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 - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 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 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.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.
Bulletin Info
bulletin e-mail bulletin@OurLadyontheRiver.net
(deadline 12 noon Monday)
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.
Marriages:
Membership & six month preparation period required.
Mass Schedule
Saturday 4:00 p.m. St. Catherine
5:30 p.m. Holy Cross
Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 9:30 a.m. Holy Cross
10:00 a.m. St. Mark
11:30 a.m. St. Catherine
Monday 9:00 a.m. St. Catherine
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. St. Catherine & St. Mark
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Holy Cross & St. Mark
Thursday 9:00 a.m. St. Mark
Friday 9:00 a.m. Holy Cross & St. Mark
St. Mark
CSA
Target (140 families) $12,300.00
Pledged (83 families) 12,555.00
Over Goal $255.00
St. Mark
140 Families
50 Envelopes: $1,388.00
Loose Cash: $ 217.00
Children: $1.10
Total: $1,606.10
St. Catherine Church
548 Parish Families
221 Envelopes: $5879.10
Loose: $341.47
Children: $18.25
Total $6,228.82
Holy Cross
1015 Families
297 Envelopes $8,246.50
Loose Cash $420.00
Children $25.29
Total $8,691.79
Collection of Sunday, November 18, 2007
Readings for the Week of November 25, 2007
Sunday: 2 Sm 5:1-3/Col 1:12-20/Lk 23:35-43
Monday: Dn 1:1-6, 8-20/Lk 21:1-4
Tuesday: Dn 2:31-45/Lk 21:5-11
Wednesday: Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28/Lk 21:12-19
Thursday: Dn 6:12-28/Lk 21:20-28
Friday: Rom 10:9-18/Mt 4:18-22
Saturday: Dn 7:15-27/Lk 21:34-36
Next Sunday: Is 2:1-5/Rom 13:11-14/Mt 24:37-44
©2007 Liturgical Publications Inc
Names will remain on the sick list for a length of four weeks. Please
contact the office to make other arrangements.
Protecting God’s Children
Your gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal ensure parishes are safe
havens for our children through “Protecting God’s Children”, the child
sexual abuse prevention program.
All parishes are required to train their pastoral staff members, as
well as volunteers who work with children, through a Protecting God’s
Children workshop. Protecting God’s Children educates and trains adults
about the dangers of abuse, the warning signs of abuse and the ways to
prevent abuse. It also details the methods of properly reporting suspicions
of abuse and responding to allegations of abuse.
Because both Holy Cross and St. Catherine are seriously behind on our CSA
Goal, a reminder letter was sent to Holy Cross members - thank you to those
that have responded. This week we will send a letter for St. Catherine
members that have not pledged or contributed. If you have not responded to
the CSA as of yet, won’t you please take the time now to contribute and help
your parish and others.
Congratulations to the parishioners at St. Mark,
for exceeding their goal!!!
CSA Minute
Sweatshirt Time Again!
Everyone who received a new sweatshirt at Christmas time the last
two years were very pleased and the program very popular. Sweatshirts will
be accepted anytime for the Christmas season.
There is a box in the vestibule of Holy Cross Church or you may
bring them to Downriver Helping Hands or contact Mary Gave at 810-765-4494.
One In The Spirit Prayer Group
Tuesday @ 6:45 P.M.
November 27 - Adoration, prepare for birthday celebration of Jesus
December 5 - Advent/Christmas Healing Mass, Love offering
December 10 - Prayer Group Christmas party, DCCR collection
December 18 - No Prayer Group Meeting
Our meeting is held at 6:45 p.m. in St Catherine Chapel. All
parishioners are welcome to join us to sing praises to the Lord, listen to
His World, pray and fellowship. Questions call Jeanne 810-765-4688 or
Suzette 810-794-3769.
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 call Eloise at 810-794-9975.
The Book of Remembrance
will be on display for the
entire month of November.
Attention Holy Cross Members
Christmas Choir Wants You!
The Christmas Choir will take the place of All Generations Choir in
December, rehearsing in the choir loft on four Saturdays before Christmas,
December 1, 8, 15, 22, at 4.30 p.m. The Christmas Choir will sing at the
early Christmas Eve Mass, 3:30 p.m. on Monday, December 24. All ages are
welcome! All singers are encouraged to join! Parents and children together;
aunts and uncles; friends and neighbors. We were all given a voice that God
meant for us to use in his praise. This is an opportunity to start our young
people into a lifetime of joy in praise of our Redeemer by having them sing
with adults, not apart from them.
The Holy Cross Choir invites singers to consider joining the choir
for the holiday season, especially for the Christmas Eve "Midnight Mass." We
are presently working on Christmas music so now is the time to join us at
Tuesday 7:00 p.m. rehearsal in the choir loft.
"If you want to know what we believe, listen to our songs" ~St. Augustine
~Daniel John Susan,
Director of Music Ministries, Holy Cross Church
Harbor Health Corner
Treatments Available For IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition which causes abdominal
pain, bloating and either constipation or diarrhea. Here are some
treatments which may help alleviate the symptoms.
1. Laxatives for constipation, medications for diarrhea, or smooth muscle
relaxants for pain and bloating.
2. Antidepressants, may help to alter the nerve endings in the digestive
tract, reducing the pain.
3. Antibiotics may be prescribed when bacteria overgrowth is suspected.
If you suffer from IBS speak with your doctor before starting any
treatment options. For some individuals a change in eating habits may be
the answer.
Harbor Health Services
810-765-7144
Monday, November 26
9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine Church
V James Kuptz by Wife
Tuesday, November 27
9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine Church
V Albert “Doe” Meldrum by Family
(7th Anniversary Remembrance)
V Joseph Lafrimere by Bill & Barbara Birch
(Birthday Remembrance)
9:00 a.m. The People of St. Mark Chapel
Wednesday, November 28 9:00 a.m. The People of St. Mark Chapel
9:00 a.m. The People of Holy Cross Church
Thursday, November 29
9:00 a.m. The People of St. Mark Chapel
9:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Church
V All Deceased Religious from Archdiocese of Detroit
Friday, November 30
9:00 a.m. The People of St. Mark Chapel
9:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Church
V All Deceased Clergy from Archdiocese of Detroit
Saturday, December 1
4:00 p.m. at St. Catherine Church
V Helen Long by Greatgrandson-Liam T. Long
V Morrie Fovlon by Sr Geraldine & Sr Mary Ann
V Vern Davis & Lester Davis by Paula & Larry Scott
5:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Church
V Bernard DeLude by Florence Kaatz & Clifford Rood
(1st Anniversary Remembrance)
V Walter Sadlowski by Viola Endres
V Frank Chartier by Margaret & Daughters
Sunday, December 2
8:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Church V James Rose by Catholic Study
Club-Little Council #1
V Diane Burton by Family
9:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church
V Patrick L. Britz by Monica Arnold
V Catherine Burns by Mary Jo Malcolm & Family
(8th Anniversary Remembrance)
V Joan Meier by Bill & Joan Cullen
10:00 a.m. at St. Mark
V Sandy Kiepke by Dave and Celeste Salvador
11:30 a.m. at St. Catherine Church
V Richard Derra by Family & Friends
V Joseph Kerszykowski by Wife
(Continued on page #)
Collecting For Our Veterans
We are currently collecting for our veterans in VA Hospitals. Mr.
Bob Williams who is a Chaplin will be picking up the needed articles and
delivering them to the veterans hospitals in Battle Creek, Ann Arbor,
Detroit, and Saginaw. Mr. Williams also works out of the veterans shelter on
Brush Street in Detroit. Please deposit these items in the boxes in the
vestibule of Holy Cross and St. Catherine Churches.
Items Needed Include
Scuffies Ditty Bag (Shaving Bag) Hair Brushes Large Combs (no
rat tail combs) Shaving Cream
Toothpaste New Baseball caps Shaving Mirrors
Toothbrushes Denture Cleaner Deodorant
Shampoo Hand & Body Lotion Soap (liquid only)
Writing Paper Crossword Puzzles Jigsaw Puzzles
Magic Slates Word Search Books
Pillows Paperback Books New Playing Cards
Lap Robes (size 4ft. x 4ft.)
Trial & Travel size comfort items
They can use Computers (working or not), Printers, Scanners, Key
Boards & Misc. Computer Stuff which will be used to train and rehabilitate
the veterans with job skills. To donate these larger items, or for more
information please contact Dovis at 810-765-4610.
We Need Cards
Our Christian Service, Prison Ministry is in need of New, unused
Christmas cards. The cards are given to prisoners, to send to their loved
ones. There is a box at the back of church for Christmas Cards. Please do
not turn in cards which require Mass Offering Stipends to various religious
orders or cards with banana bark, the prisoners cannot have these.
St. Mark Men’s Club News
Annual Christmas Party
St. Mark Activity Center
Friday, December 7th
BYOB
Cocktails 6:30 p.m.
Catered Dinner 7:00 p.m.
Exchange Gifts (optional)
Tickets $10, see Jim Miller
Christmas Giving Trees
“The Giving Trees” are decorated and ready for your generous
response. For those of you unfamiliar with our Giving Tree, you simply take
an ornament from the tree, purchase the item named on the ornament and
return it with the ornament/tag securely attached to the package.
At Holy Cross, please have the gifts wrapped, with the exception of
gifts for Compassion Pregnancy Center please place these items in a “baby”
gift bag rather than gift wrap it, this will help them in sorting the gifts.
At St Catherine there are two trees - One designated for children’s
hats, scarves, gloves and socks and the second for adult toiletries. The
children’s items will go to Our Lady of Guadalupe and adult items will be
distributed to several places.
At. St. Catherine and at St. Mark, please return the gifts
UNWRAPPED.
Please return all gifts by the weekend of
December 8th & 9th.
May the peace and blessings of the
Divine Child be yours this Christmas and always.
The Children’s Liturgy program will be starting on the first Sunday
of Advent; December 2, 2007. This program for the children will be offered
on four Sunday’s during Advent.
St. Catherine - 11:30 a.m. Mass
Holy Cross - 9:30 a.m. Mass
K of C News
Algonac Council 7227
2007 Gun Raffle
The gun raffle was held on November 8th and the winners are:
1st Place—Al Jankowski
2nd Place—John Peters
Euchre Club
The next meeting of the Euchre Club will be December 3. Play begins at 7:00
p.m. sharp. Men & women are welcome. Admission is $5.00.
Book Sale
The next book sale will be Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, January 15, 16 &
17 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thanks for your support.
Crusaders Against Cancer
Christmas Wreath Sale
The Holy Cross Crusaders Against Cancer Team participates in the
Relay For Life of East China. As a fundraiser we are offering beautiful
Christmas wreaths. Cancer is a serious problem, and our team of volunteers
have launched a crusade to end this disease. However we need your help!!!
Deadline for Orders is Monday November 26th with a delivery date on Sunday
December 9th. Pick up available after masses until 12:00 pm.
Wreath Size
Quantity Ordered
Unit Price
Extended Price
24” Balsam Fir Wreath
$20.00
36” Balsam Fir Wreath
$30.00
28" Balsam angel
$30.00
Wire Easel 30” tall
$5.00
Totals:
Note: Each wreath and angel comes in their own clear plastic bag to keep
them fresh and the vehicles "needle free". The 24” and 36” wreaths come
with the bow, cones and berries on wire, ready to be inserted into the
wreath where you would like them placed for your own personal taste. The
Angel is fully decorated and ready for display. All items come ready to
hang with a wire loop on the wreath/angel frame.
Please make checks payable to Crusaders Against Cancer or American Cancer
Society and submit with order form no later than Monday November 26, 2007.
Any questions, please contact Bill Stockwell @ 810-765-6997.
Name: _______________________________ Telephone #
______________________
Payment Method: Check # _______ or Cash _______.
Thank you in advance for your support of our Relay For Life Team!!
Wedding Anniversaries
If you would like your Wedding Anniversary published in the
bulletin, please submit your Anniversary info to your parish office at least
one month prior. Anniversaries will be published the last weekend of the
month.
Family Name: _______________________________
Husband: _______________ Wife: _______________
Date: ______________ Years Married: ____________
Holy Cross Usher Club
Christmas Party / Meeting
With Breakfast
December 16, 2007 @ 10:30
Holy Cross Activity Center
We will also be finalizing Elections.
RSVP to Dennis Fracassi or Tom Cook to ensure we have enough food to feed
everyone.
Holy Cross Altar Society
The regular meeting of Holy Cross Altar Society will be Monday,
November 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Activity Center. Committee is - Julia Lange
and Dorothy Stephenson. Members remember food for SVdP.
Theology of the Body
Restoring human intimacy as an
Icon of God’s Innermost Life
You will be awed and refreshed by what the Holy Father chose to say
about all things male and female, candidly comparing God’s original plan
with our current situation. Parents, teenagers, married couples, singles,
This is for you! Come expecting a truly amazing evening.
Thursday, Nov. 29th @ 7pm At the All Saints Site
Located: 79780 Main Street, Memphis, MI
For more info call Susan Finley 810-392-2056
Free Will Offering
There Is a Place in the Circle for YOU!
Did you know that Our Lady on the River Parish has a preschool for
three- and four-year-olds?
The preschool at Holy Cross Catholic School still has room for your
child, grandchild, niece, or nephew? Many different schedules are available
along with extended care before and after.
For a tour, more information or to answer all your questions, please
feel free to contact us anytime during the school day at 810-765-3591. Mrs.
Amanda Lund, our school principal, or Mrs. Carolyn Krum, our preschool
teacher, will be happy to tell you more about our programs. We are dedicated
to “Educating Tomorrow’s Christian Leaders!” We welcome children of all
faiths!
St. Mark Women’s Guild
All Occasion Note Cards
with Envelopes on Sale
Beautiful Drawing of
St. Mark Church on the Cover
Available at Church Entrance
$1.50 for one; $5.00 a bundle
Thank You ! !
Special thanks to the Men’s Club of St. Mark for their generous
donation of money to purchase 50 hams for the needy through the Food Pantry
in Algonac.
Our Lady on the River
“One in the Spirit” Prayer Group
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 Mass at 7:00 p.m.
St Catherine Church
Celebrant-Father John Esper
Praise & Worship-Bea Wassenberg & St Catherine’s Choir
from 6:30-7:00 p.m.
Following Mass: Sacrament of Healing, Adoration,
Prayer Teams and Choir Ensemble
Aren’t we all in need of Jesus’ healing?
JESUS is the Master Healer!
If you are worrying about your future and need support and guidance come to
the healing Mass
sponsored by “One in the Spirit Prayer Group” at St Catherine Church of
Algonac.
Participating in a Healing Mass can give you new hope and
forgiveness. The support you’ll get from your prayers can help lift your
soul and fuel your mind to look at things differently. Rejuvenate your
outlook. Find out more by attending!
Suzette Lomasney 810-794-3769
Jeanne Crowl 810-765-4488
World Youth Day Pilgrims
Bottle Drive
November 25th at St. Catherine 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Look for the "Bottle Drive" sign in the parking lot. Please bring
all returnable bottles and cans to help offset the cost of our Youth
traveling to Australia in July 08.
Thank you for your support,
It means a lot to us~!!~
Advent Bible Study
No Registration Needed
Please join Sister Mary Ann and many Our Lady on the River Parish
members for the Advent Bible Study, from 7:00-8:15 p.m. at St Catherine
Church.
November 28
December 4, 12 & 18
Please join us. Everyone is welcome.
Our Lady on the River Calendar of Events
Monday, November 26
9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine
9:30 a.m. St. Catherine St Vincent de Paul
MOMS Group at St Catherine
No Religious Ed Tonight
7:00 p.m. Altar Society at Holy Cross
Tuesday, November 27
9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine
Mass at St. Mark
10:00 a.m. Holy Cross Bingo at Marysville K of C
5:30 p.m. Religious Education at Holy Cross
6:45 p.m. Prayer Group at St Catherine
7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal at Holy Cross
Wednesday, November 28
9:00 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross
Mass at St. Mark
7:00 p.m. RCIA at Holy Cross
Handbell Practice at Holy Cross
Bingo at Knights of Columbus, Marine City
Advent Bible Study at St Catherine
Thursday, November 29
9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Mark
Mass at Holy Cross
7:30 p.m. Ensemble Practice at St Catherine
Friday, November 30
9:00 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross
Mass at St. Mark
Saturday, December 1
3:00 p.m. Confessions at Holy Cross
4:00 p.m. Mass at St Catherine
Potluck at St Catherine (following Mass)
4:30 p.m. Christmas Choir Rehearsal at Holy Cross
5:30 p.m. Mass at Holy Cross
7:30 p.m. Late Nite Catechism at Holy Cross
Sunday, December 2
8:00 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross
9:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross, Children’s Liturgy
Religious Education Pre-K at Holy Cross
10:00 a.m. Mass at St Mark
Adult Choir Practice at St Catherine
11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine, Children’s Liturgy
Thank You From SVdP
Holy Cross
Thank you to everyone for your overwhelming caring!!! We received
more than 380 VG’s Turkey Bucks, which enabled us to purchase 20 turkeys and
fixins to feed needy families in our community.
You may never even know how much you have helped your brothers &
sisters in Christ!
Christmas Handbell Concert
The national acclaimed Handbell ensemble “The Classical Bells”, will
perform a Christmas program on Saturday, December 15th at 7:00 p.m. at St
Catherine’s Church. The Program will consist of festive holiday music in
various styles.
Classical Bells’ instrumentation consists of 68 bronze plus 6
aluminum English Handbells, along with a six octave set of hand chimes.
Noted for combining outstanding musicianship with an entertaining
presentation, Classical Bells is always as delightful to watch as it is to
hear. A perfect evening for the whole family!
Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $7.00 for children and seniors and
may be purchased now or at the door. Proceeds to benefit the Algonac Music
Club scholarship fund. For tickets and information, contact Bea Wassenberg
at 810-794-0098.
Marine City Old Newsboys
Annual Craft Show
The 15th annual craft show will be next Saturday, December 1st from
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Marine City Banquet Center on King Road. Free
admission - lots of treasures, raffles, bake sale, pictures with Santa (1-3
p.m.) and the day’s highlight: “Jo Dogs!”. Benefits the children served by
Marine City Old Newsboys.
Physical
Spiritual
Emotional
Unemployed?
Dealing with a
serious illness?
Just feeling down?
Sharing the Gospel
When the soldiers hurt Jesus, they were only doing their job. They
did not understand that they were killing God's Son. Jesus saw into the
hearts of those soldiers, and he forgave them. A man next to Jesus on the
cross had done terrible things. He knew he deserved to die on a cross, and
he was truly sorry. This criminal believed that Jesus was God's Son. Jesus
saw into that criminal's heart, and Jesus forgave him, too.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to forgive my sins, too.
Mission for the Week
Jesus forgave the people who killed him. He expects you to forgive
people who hurt you, too. Think of one person with whom you have been angry.
Ask God to help you forgive that person, because Jesus forgives you.
©2007 - PO Box 510817, New Berlin, WI 53151-0817
1-800-950-9952 x2469 LPiResourceCenter.com
Wedding Anniversaries
December 2007
Craig & Michelle McKenzie December 9 7 years
Paul & Ann Billock December 26 48 years
May God’s grace sustain you in joyful love
and devotion to Him and to each other.
And the Winners Are . . .
The winners in this month’s Holy Cross Calendar Raffle are:
Carrie Todd of East China
Richard Curtis of Algonac
Don DeSnyder of China
Congratulations and
Thank You For Your Support!!
2008 Calendar Raffle
Are you wondering how to get your name in the winner’s block as
above? The Holy Cross School Calendar Raffle draws three names every month
for the $100 monthly prize and in December one name is drawn for the grand
prize of $1000!!
Calendar Raffle tickets are available in the school and in the
Rectory Office for $25 each. Just think, if your name was picked for every
drawing, you could win a total of $2100 ! ! !
AYCE Breakfast
Marine City K of C
6385 King Road
TODAY Sunday, August 26th
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Pancakes/sausage/eggs/potatoes/
juice/coffee/milk.
Adults $5.00
Kids ages 6 - 10 $3.00; Preschoolers free
Advent Blue Books
The little blue books, originally inspired and composed by the late
Bishop Kenneth Untener of the Saginaw Diocese, hold daily six-minute
reflections on the Advent and Christmas-time scriptures with practical
suggestions. These books are once again available for parishioners near
the entrances of the Church. You are invited to take one home with you to
help in your spiritual preparation for Christmas.
We are blessed this weekend because we have celebrated the
Thanksgiving feast and ate until we were content. We also had an opportunity
to share the meal with family and friends to show thanks for the blessings
we have received in our lives. These are all important because we today
celebrate Christ the King. The readings for this weekend are a reminder of
the sacrifice our Savior made for each and every one of us. What better way
to welcome our King then by having festive gatherings, reunions of family
and friends, quiet moments to reflect on what we have been blessed with in
our lives.
Although the Gospel may not seem very uplifting because it is the
crucifixion of our Lord, but it is the ending that captures the moment of
our faith: “You will be with me in paradise.” This proclamation by Christ is
our constant reminder that we will be with him in paradise. This is our hope
and our desire. The temptation that we must not fall into is the sin of
despair. This time of the year can be sad for some people because they have
suffered the loss of a family member or friend. Their reflections can be
that of loss or separation but it should not be something to dwell on or
continuously holding onto because they can not move forward to the Kingdom
of God by gripping onto the past. But, we will not experience our heavenly
inheritance if we cannot let go of our earthly dwelling.
Jesus has reminded us that there will be trappings out there that
can cause us to lose focus on the bigger picture which is our salvation.
There will be moments of loss that can lead to despair and there will be
moments of separation that can cause great anxiety. Take heart, Jesus knows
this and wants us to understand that he is with us forever and will not
leave us no matter how bad the situation may seem. Jesus is asking us though
that during these moments we must persevere. Our salvation must be worked
for and is not going to be handed to us on a silver platter.
How do we work for our salvation then? Very simply, we must continue
to work on learning how to love our neighbor unconditionally. We must learn
how to sacrifice for the good of our family and our neighbor. We must learn
to treat others as we would like to be treated. Just something to ponder as
we close Ordinary Time and prepare for the upcoming Advent Season.
My prayers to all,
Fr. Jim
pastor@ourladyontheriver.net
Please visit our new website:
www.OurLadyontheRiver.net
for information on our parish, on St. Mark Chapel, St. Catherine Church, and
Holy Cross Church, as well as Holy Cross School.
This is still a work in progress, so please email me with broken
links, typos, or other concerns. The website provides information for our
parish community and also presents us to the internet community, connecting
us to the world.
Barbara Susan
Webmaster@OurLadyontheRiver.net
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Giving Trees Gifts are to be returned by December 8 & 9
Parish Offices will be closed from December 21—January 2 (9 am)
1 3 p Confessions HC
4 p Mass StC
4:30 p Choir Rehearsal HC
5 p Parish Potluck StC
5:30 p Mass HC
7:30 p Late Nite Catechism
2 8 a Mass HC
9:30 a Mass HC Child Liturgy
10 a Mass St M
10 a Choir Practice St C
11:30 a Mass, Child Liturgy StC
3 9 a Mass St C
9:30 a St. Vincent de Paul
MOM’s Group St C
5:30 p Religious Ed HC
7 p K of C Euchre, Algonac
4 9 a Mass StC
9 a Mass St M
9:30 a Exposition StC
5:30 p Religious Ed HC
7p K of C Officers
Advent Bible Study StC
Choir Rehearsal HC
5 9 a Mass HC
9 a Mass St M
12p Ladies Guild Christmas
6:30 p Praise/Worship StC
7 p Healing Mass StC
7 p Handbell Rehearsal HC
69 a Mass St C
9 a Mass St
7 9 a Mass HC
9 a Mass St M
9:45 a Exposition HC
6:30 p Men’s Club
Christmas Party St M
8 Immaculate Conception
Holy Day of Obligation
9 a Mass St C, HC, St M
3 p Confessions St C
4 p Mass St C
4:30 p Choir Rehearsal HC
5:30 p Mass HC
9 8 a Mass HC
9:30 a Mass HC Child Liturgy
10 a Mass St M
10 a Choir Practice St C
11:30 a Mass, Child Liturgy StC
7 p Candlelight Vigil HC
10 9 a Mass St C
9:30 a MOM’s Group St C
5:30 p Religious Ed HC
6:30p Parish Council
Christmas at HC
6:45 p Pray Grp Christmas
11 9 a Mass St C
9 a Mass St M
5:30 p Religious Ed HC
7 p Choir Rehearsal HC
8p K of C Membership
129 a Mass HC
9 a Mass St M
7p Advent Bible Study StC
Handbell Rehearsal HC
13 9 a Mass St C
9 a Mass St
14 9 a Mass HC
9 a Mass St M
15 3 p Confessions HC
4 p Mass, Ladies Guild Corp Communion StC
4:30 p Choir Rehearsal HC
5:30 p Mass HC
7 p Hand Bell Concert StC
168 a Mass HC
9:30 a Mass HC Child Liturgy
10 a Mass St M
10 a Choir Practice St C
11:30 a Mass, Child Liturgy StC
10:30 a Ushers Mtg HC
17 9 a Mass St C
9:30 a St. Vincent de Paul
MOM’s Group St C
5:30 p Religious Ed HC
7p Advent Reconciliation HC
18 9 a Mass St C
9 a Mass St M
5:30 p Religious Ed HC
7p Advent Bible Study St C
Choir Rehearsal HC
199 a Mass HC
9 a Mass St M
7 p Handbell Rehearsal HC
209 a Mass St C
9 a Mass St
21 9 a Mass HC
9 a Mass St M
Parish Office close at noon
And reopen on Jan. 2
22
3 p Confessions StC
4 p Mass StC
4:30 p Choir Rehearsal HC
5:30 p Mass HC
238 a Mass HC
9:30 a Mass HC Child Liturgy
10 a Mass St M
10 a Choir Practice St C
11:30 a Mass, Child Liturgy StC
24 Christmas Eve
3:30 p Mass HC
5 p Mass St M
5:30 p Mass St C
10 p Mass St C
11:30 p Mass HC
25 Christmas
9:30 a Mass HC
10 a Mass St M
11:30 a Mass St C
269 a Mass HC
9 a Mass St M
27 9 a Mass St C
9 a Mass St
7:30p K of C 4th Degree
28 9 a Mass HC
9 a Mass St M
29
4 p Mass St C
5:30 p Mass HC
308 a Mass HC
9:30 a Mass HC Child Liturgy
10 a Mass St M
11:30 a.m. Mass St C
5 p Fifth Sunday at Five HC
New Years Eve
9 a Mass St C
9:30 a St. Vincent de Paul
1 New Years Day
Holy Day of Obligation
9 a Mass St C
9 a Mass St M
9 a Mass HC
Our Lady on the River Parish Calendar of Events December 2007
Join With Us As We Honor the
Memories of Our Children!
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting is held every
year on the second Sunday in December at 7:00 p.m. for one hour local time
around the globe - a 24 hour wave of light in memory of all children who
have died. Sunday, December 9th hundreds of community candle lighting
ceremonies will be held. Thousands more will be held informally at homes.
Join us here in Holy Cross Church at 7 p.m. please bring your own candle.
We will include a short prayer service, where you will be invited to speak
of or pray for the memory of a special child that was taken from us too
soon.
Contact Susan Tomlanovich for more information, at 810-765-3616.
… that their light may always SHINE ! ! !
Parish Pot Luck
St. Catherine Activity Center
Saturday, December 1st
Get your taste buds ready for the goodies prepared by our fellow
parishioners. We will provide chicken if you will please bring a dish to
share. Dinner will be served immediately following the 4:00 p.m. Mass.
Santa will visit the children so be sure they have their list ready.
Please join us for a great time!
“Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom.” Will you make Christ
the King and His merciful love remembered as a priest, deacon or in the
consecrated life? For more information, contact the Vocation Office at
313–237–5875 or email us. The address is vocations @aod.org.