Our Lady On The River Parish of Holy Cross Church, St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, and St. Mark Chapel
December 30, 2007 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
Sponsor of the Week: Rivers Edge Assisted Living
I would like to extend a Happy New Year to all! I am still recovering from all the Christmas Eve and Day celebrations. My
parents came to Marine City and broke a family tradition by staying with me on Christmas Eve instead of spending it
with my brothers and sister and their families. It was the first time as a priest that I was able to spend Christmas Eve
with my folks. The past three years I had the Masses during the family gatherings so I missed the events. Even though I
was not able to spend a lot of time with my parents I took advantage of the time with them: listening to Christmas
music, watching movies and just talking. It was great! They made a wonderful chicken dinner for Fr. Koshy and me
before all our Masses on Christmas Eve, but it tasted even better the next day when I raided the kitchen with my dog,
Allie! Thankfully we left enough for Fr. Koshy when he returned from his other community celebration.
Speaking of Fr. Koshy, he will be leaving us and returning to his original assignment at St. Anne in Warren.
Even though he was with us for only a few short months, he left a very big impression on me and how I can strive to be a
better pastor and a holier priest. I will miss his laughter and his quick wit, but I will not forget his Christmas homily. A
homily that stressed how we are all called to Jesus’ table to share in the banquet of life. It is never too late to come to
the Lord’s Table, a good reminder to all of us that it is never too late to return to God and His Church through love and
reconciliation. Although I am sad in his departure, I am looking forward to his replacement Fr. Matt Ellis.
Fr. Matt Ellis will be the new Associate Pastor at Our Lady on the River. I will let Fr. Matt tell his own vocation
story when he settles in, but he has already visited the parish on a number of occasions and is happy with this
assignment. And if you are a car buff, you may want to talk to Fr. Matt because I understand that this is a hobby of his.
Please welcome Fr. Matt with open arms and open hearts!
My prayers to all here at Our Lady on the River Parish for a healthy and safe 2008! I pray that God will
continue to watch over and guide us as we continue our forward journey to the Kingdom of God.
Fr. Jim
Please pray for our sick and suffering
St. Mark: Betty Baker, Margaret Brosofski, Marie Burr, Ken Cihon, Marge Hamlin, 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, Lillian Downhauser, Ernest Craft, Anne Guillery, Vincent John, Barbara Malik,
Jackie McIntosh, Gerald “Drake” Meldrum, Aaron Milenbaugh, Amanda O’Regan, Bill Sadecki, Connie Spangler, David
Somervell, the Steven’s Family, MaryAnn Townsend and Catherine Ziegler
Holy Cross: Mary M. Achatz, Richard Anderson, David Arnold, Sue Ann Balaker, David Basney, Bernard Endres, Jill
(Postalka) Furtaw, Cindy Griffor, Evelyn Gutt, Debbie Higgins, Agnes Horn, Jim Keelan, Julia Lange, Robert & Helen
Leibold, Lisa Lubick, Gerald Magnan, Carrie Mayo, David McDowell, Josephine Michalski, Marty Osborne, Tony Pizzo,
Joann Rix, Laurie Rix, Nancy Rix, Larry & Barb Rutkowski, Stanley Rutkowski, Lorena Sadler, Barbara Shonk, Shirley
Steinmetz, Renee Thurlow, Alice Trader, Carol Uppleger, Kathy Vayko, Teresa Walsh
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
EME
Ushers
Sacristan/Greeters
Saturday
4:00 p.m.
St. Catherine
Fr. Lopez
Wanda Edie
Kim Busuttil
Aline Irvine
Carol Fett
Norval Weaver
Donna LaPorte
Aggie LaCombe
John McQuade
John Vance
Karl Malik
Harold Meldrum
Craig Neumann
S Malik/Sacristan
Cathy Cartwright
Sandy Malik
Eleanor Pilawski
Cheryl Tatro
5:30 p.m.
Holy Cross
Fr. Ellis
Bryan Shackett
Hannah Yadon
Ben Rickel
Brittany Rickel
Sunday
8:00 a.m.
Holy Cross
Fr. Ellis
Bill Zweng
Veronica Heitz
Caleb Herbert
Joshua Zichi
Jason Zichi
9:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Fr. Bodde
Paul Denean
Abigail Vernier
Mallory Kern
Melissa Krutsch
Outreach:
Fred & Mary Ann
Osterbeck
10:00 a.m.
St. Mark
Fr. Kowalczyk
Norbert Gorski
Please help if needed
Dick Kronner
Larry Miller
11:30 a.m.
St Catherine
Fr. Lopez
Diana Dill
Don
Zamborowski
Sister Geraldine
Judy Antkowiak
Tony Antkowiak
Rosetta Babisz
Mary Jo Bor
Gene Elrod
Ken Morgulec
Bill Oddo
Ken Radulski
Greg Walquist
P Johnston/Sacristan
Barbara Ptasnik
Maxine Zamborowski
Eric Morehead
Maureen Morehead
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
Holy Cross Choir
Leads worship at Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass,
other liturgies as scheduled.
Tuesday rehearsal 7-8:30 pm
8 O’Clock Choir
Leads worship at Sunday 8 a.m. Mass
Rehearsal Sunday 7:45 a.m.
Saturday Choir
Leads worship at Saturday Mass
Saturdays (except the 1st Sat): 5 p.m.
All Generations Choir
All ages welcome
ALL AGES - ALL SINGERS - FAMILIES
Rehearses and leads worship on the second Saturday of the month
(other liturgies as scheduled),
4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.,
Parents and Grandparents—please bring your child and stay and sing with them!
Cantors
Assists with congregational song
Resurrection Choir
Leads worship at funerals
Meets 15 Minutes before the Mass
Schola Cantorum
Small ensemble of mixed voices
Leads worship 1st Saturday of month
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
Tribunal
Each year, millions of Catholics suffer the pain and hurt of divorce. Many feel separated and alienated from the Church
and their parish community because of the experience. The annulment process brings these Catholics back into the
sacramental life of the Church.
The Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Detroit receives 1,500 formal annulment requests a year. Processing
such requests accounts for a major part of the Tribunal’s duties. The Metropolitan Tribunal also reaches out to those in
need through presentations by its judges at various archdiocesan parishes throughout the year.
Gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal help the staff of the Metropolitan Tribunal offer guidance and hope to divorced
Catholics seeking annulments.
For information on the Metropolitan Tribunal, call 313-237-5865.
Thank you to everyone that has responded to the appeal. We are still hoping to hear from many more, to
achieve our goals. Think about making your tax deductible donation to CSA before the end of the year. We are grateful
for every gift, from the smallest to the largest.
Congratulations to the parishioners at St. Mark,
for exceeding their goal!!!
CSA Minute
Thoughts From Your Pastoral Associate
“Christ is born for us, Alleluia!”
As we continue to celebrate Christmas, the focus in our liturgical readings turns to the reality of continuing to
bring the love and light of Christ into our daily lives. Once again, we are challenged to try to live the Gospel in the
present moment, with family, friends and faith community.
This likewise was a common theme during the Advent readings. It was a joy and privilege to gather for four weeks with
parishioners to share the scriptures during the Parish Advent Bible Study.
Many thanks to those who participated in one or more sessions offered during Advent:
Mary Jo Bor Bob Branch Jeanne & John Crowl
Tobi Couture Wanda Edie Carol & Matthew Fett, III
Matthew Fett, Jr. Ann Fox Mary Heintz
Barbara & Curtis Hensley Aline Irvine
Shirley Ivan Pat Johnston Bill & Pat Jenuwine
Jim Guyette Valerie Kulba Frank & Wendy Klik
Donna LaPorte Jan Long Kirsten & John Lents
Jean Moran Jan Roland Jackie McIntosh
Jill & John Niebieszczanski Catherine Nutter
Bob & Jackie Pontseele Beth Shelton
Arlene Smith Amy Greenia Joann & John Vance
Kathy Williams Jane Klik Sister Geraldine
Some comments from participants on the evaluation sheets at the conclusion of our time together included:
“It opened up the scriptures in a way I had not looked at before.” *** “Brought an openness to reading scripture on a
deeper level.” ***“Uplifting..great spiritual experience..It put Christ back into Christmas.” *** “Each session not only
delved deeply into that week’s readings, but it also pulled elements out of those readings that could be put into action in
our daily lives…and prepare to receive Christ in a new and more personal way.” ***“Brought forth a greater understanding
of the season of Advent.” *** “My spiritual growth has become deeper, and I’m leaving the sessions with more gratitude
from my faith and to our Lord.” *** “I look forward to the Lenten Bible Study.” *** “It is encouraging to gather with others
to further our knowledge of scripture.” *** “Most helpful was the explanations of the readings, insights and
encouragement for daily readings.” *** “It was motivating for a little extra spiritual preparation before Christmas.”
My own comment is that it was a grace-filled time together to allow God’s Holy Spirit to open our minds and
hearts to God’s Word. Grace is everywhere you want it to be. It is the nature of God’s grace just to be. May we give
glory to God for the divine inspiration given as gift.
With the thought of gifts in mind, THANK YOU for the prayers, generous gifts and special treats offered to both
Sr. Geraldine and I at Christmas. We are grateful and appreciate your kindness.
Sister Mary Ann Ankoviak, csj
Intentions are lifted to the heart of God in prayer.
pastoralminister@ourladyontheriverparish.net
December 30, 2007
Died in Christ
Please remember in your prayers:
V Irene Kiss
V Clara Upwood
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
Let the Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
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: ____________
Our Lady on the River Parish
Readings for the Week of December 30, 2007
Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Mt
2:13-15, 19-23
Monday: 1 Jn 2:18-21/Jn 1:1-18
Tuesday: Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28
Thursday: 1 Jn 2:29-3:6/Jn 1:29-34
Friday: 1 Jn 3:7-10/Jn 1:35-42
Saturday: 1 Jn 3:11-21/Jn 1:43-51
Next Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12
©2007 Liturgical Publications Inc
The 2008 Parish calendars are Coming!!
There was a delay at the printer and we hope to be seeing the calendars any time now. As soon as they
arrive, they will be placed in church. Please look for your 2008 calendar in the next few weeks.
Maybe they will even be here by the time you read this. As of the time of this printing, I was told they would
ship Thursday, the 27th. Please be sure to look for them in the churches and take one home with you.
Fifth Sunday at Five
Vespers and Recital
Sunday, December 30th, 5:00 p.m.
Holy Cross Church
Daniel Susan, Harpsichord Recital.
The concert follows Vespers,
a short service of Psalms and prayers.
810-765-3568
www.holycrossonline.net
One In The Spirit Prayer Group
Will resume on January 15th
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.
K of C News
Algonac Council 7227
Euchre Club
The next meeting of the Euchre Club will be January 7. Information will be posted in upcoming bulletins.
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.
Ladies Auxiliary News
The next meeting will be Thursday, January 17th at 1:00 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus Hall. New members are
always welcome.
Rides Needed to Church
We have two very faithful female parishioners that are in need of our help.
One would like a ride to any Holy Cross Mass every week, the other needs a ride only during bad weather, she
would need room for her wheel chair. Please call Sr. Mary Ann or Holy Cross Rectory Office at 810-765-3568 if you can
help.
A Note From The Principal
Well, I might be a little early, but I would like to wish each of you a Happy New Year! This New Year’s celebration
really feels like a second “New Year” for me – my first being in late June when I entered Holy Cross Catholic School for
the first time as your principal. That was a wonderful “year” and I know that as we enter 2008 it will be even better!
As we prepare to ring in 2008, we continue to celebrate the Christmas season. Today we celebrate the feast
of the Holy Family. Today’s families are wonderfully diverse, made up of people who love and care for each other. I am
thankful for the families that I have, not only through birth and marriage, but through my life experiences as friend,
teacher, colleague, and principal. I am extremely grateful for the love and support that my Holy Cross Catholic School
and Our Lady on the River Parish families have given me. Please know that I love and appreciate each of you and all
that you do for OUR school and parish community.
Every vacation must come to an end. Holy Cross students in grades kindergarten through eight will return to
school on Thursday, January 3, 2008. Our preschool friends will join us on Monday, January 7, 2008. We are all
looking forward to a “new year” of learning and growing together. We have a short week of school to get us back into the
swing of things. We will be celebrating Mass on Friday, January 4th. It is wonderful to see how many parishioners are
able to come and join in our celebration. There is still room in the church for you! We welcome you to join us any time
that you are able. You are a shining example of what it means to live our faith.
Market Day orders are due on Monday, January 7th. Have you tried Market Day yet? It is so quick and easy!
From items for entertaining such as roasts and stuffed chicken to on-the-go breakfast items and speedy desserts,
Market Day has it all! It has certainly made my life easier. Please stop in the school or church office, or visit
marketday.com. You can order online and pay online or in person when you pick up your order.
I would like to thank everyone who purchased SCRIP this holiday. I hope that you will continue to do so for
your everyday needs. It is easy to budget for gas and groceries, and it might leave a little something in your budget for
YOU. I would also like to thank Mrs. Sharpe, Mrs. Glowski, Mrs. Zichi and all who help them make our SCRIP program
successful. These dedicated moms spent countless hours volunteering to sell and order SCRIP, putting our needs
before their own. Many thanks to you for your wonderful work!
May God bless each of you with a wonderful new year.
In His Service,
Mrs. Amanda Lund, Principal
principal@holycrossonline.net
Blue Water Vicariate
Directors of Religious Education
Invite You to
“In the Midst of Busyness…
A Lent That Comforts and Challenges”
Presented by
Sister Janet Schaeffler, O.P.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Immaculate Conception Parish Hall
Ira Township
This will be a free Faith Formation Day for all parishioners in the Blue Water Vicariate. A great way to prepare
for an early Lent in 2008. To register, please call: 586-725-1762.
January 1st, Holy Day of Obligation
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
January 1, 2008 is a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will be celebrated at all three sites at 9:00 a.m.
Monday, December 31
9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine Church
V Stanley Pawlowski by Family
Tuesday, January 1
Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine Church
V Joseph LaFrimere by Bill & Barbara Birch
9:00 a.m. The People of St. Mark Chapel
9:00 a.m. The People of Holy Cross Church
Wednesday, January 2 9:00 a.m. The People of St. Mark Chapel
9:00 a.m. The People of Holy Cross Church
Thursday, January 3
9:00 a.m. The People of St. Mark Chapel
9:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Church
V All Deceased Religious and Clergy
Friday, January 4
9:00 a.m. The People of St. Mark Chapel
9:00 a.m. The People of Holy Cross Church
4:00 p.m. Wedding at Holy Cross Church
? Diane Jovanovich & Patrick Fryer
Saturday, January 5
4:00 p.m. at St. Catherine Church
V Anthony Grech by Wife
(Birthday Remembrance)
V Louise Miller by Pat & Jeanine Craig
5:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Church
V Bill Jones by Family
(Anniversary Remembrance)
Sunday, January 6
8:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Church
V Robert & Violet Folker by
Donna Phalan & Nancy Browning
V Harry Lesko by Ron & Kathy Lisco
9:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church
V Sara Ippolito by Ida Basinski
10:00 a.m. at St. Mark Chapel
? Special Intentions of Fred & Carol Rose
by Lehman Family
11:30 a.m. at St. Catherine Church
V James Kuptz by Wife
V Joseph Kursakowski by Wife
V Florence Egli by Edward & Josephine Keller
Wedding Anniversaries
John & Denise Grabski December 3 30 years
Carl & Elizabeth Heath January 8 64 years
Patrick & Jeanine Craig January 14 52 years
Robert & Sharon Solomon January 18 39 years
May God’s grace sustain you in joyful love
and devotion to Him and to each other.
Our Lady on the River Calendar of Events
Monday, December 31, New Years Eve
9:00 a.m. Mass at St Catherine
9:30 a.m. St Catherine St Vincent de Paul
Tuesday, January 1, New Years Day
Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
9:00 a.m. Mass at St Catherine, Adoration follows
Mass at St Mark
Mass at Holy Cross
Wednesday, January 2
9:00 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross
Mass at St Mark
6:30 p.m. Healing Mass at St Catherine
7:00 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal at Holy Cross
Bingo at Marine City K of C Hall
Thursday, January 3
8:30 a.m. Life Line Screening at St Catherine AC
9:00 a.m. Mass at St Mark
Mass at Holy Cross
7:30 p.m. Ensemble Practice at St Catherine
Friday, January 4
9:00 a.m. Mass at St Mark
Mass at Holy Cross, Adoration follows
4:00 p.m. Wedding at Holy Cross
Saturday, January 5
3:00 p.m. Confessions at Holy Cross
4:00 p.m. Mass at St Catherine, Hospitality
5:30 p.m. Mass at Holy Cross
Sunday, January 6
8:00 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross, Hospitality
9:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross, Hospitality
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, Hospitality
3:00 p.m. Marine City Interfaith Epiphany Concert St. Martin's Lutheran Church
5:00 p.m. Fifth Sunday at Five Vespers & Concert
Prayer for the New Year
Dear Lord, at the beginning of this New Year, I remember that you are a God of beginnings and endings. You
created the world, with all its eternal patterns. Winter begins in frost, and ends in Spring's thaw. Spring begins in new,
green life, ending in Summer's heat. Summer begins in sunshine, and ends in Autumn's breezes. And Autumn's color
leads to the white of Winter again.
As another year ends and begins in our lives, help us to remember that you have made a world of cycles.
When fortune turns to trials, or hardship turns to joy, help me take delight in the life I've received from you.
Remind me that I will one day pass from this world and enter a new life like those who've gone before me.
Amen.
The entire staff of
Our Lady on the River Parish
wish you & yours a Blessed, Peaceful & Safe New Year!!
St. Mark
130 Families
50 Envelopes: $1,837.00
Loose Cash: $209.00
Total: $2,046.00
Holy Cross
1015 Families
331 Envelopes $7,619.00
Loose Cash $623.52
Children $13.65
Total $8,256.17
St. Catherine Church
548 Parish Families
256 Envelopes: $5,637.00
Loose: $557.58
Children: $11.00
Total $6,205.58
Collection of Sunday, December 23, 2007
St. Mark
CSA
Target (130 families) $12,300.00
Pledged (83 families) $12,555.00
Over Goal $255.00
St. Catherine Church
CSA
Target (548 families) $41,000.00
Pledged (273 families) $30,015.00
Balance Needed $10,985.00
Holy Cross
CSA
Target (1015 families) $54,000.00
Pledged (409 families) $47,421.00
Balance Needed $6,579.00
Marine City Interfaith Choir
Epiphany Concert
Sunday, January 6th; 3:00 p.m.
*** Re-scheduled Date ***
St. Martin’s Lutheran Church
S. William Street, Marine City
Flutist: Michelle Schueneman
Organist: Daniel Susan
Accompanist: Karen Dunlap
Director: Carole Lohr
Narrator: Bill Stieler
Come Enjoy the Music of the Season
A free-will offering will be taken
Sharing the Gospel
Imagine Jesus goes to your church today. After church, Mary and Joseph find him on the altar telling stories
from the Old Testament to the priests and the Sunday School teachers. Mary and Joseph would be amazed. They would
want Jesus to come home. Jesus would love his parents so much that he would go home with them. He will stay with
them until he grows older, wiser, and stronger.
Prayer
Lord, teach me your Bible stories so that I can teach them to others.
Something to Draw
Draw yourself or Jesus talking to the teachers in your church.
Mission for the Week
I will always let my parents know where I am, so they won't worry.
All Parish Offices reopen on Wednesday, January 2nd at 9 a.m.
Free Ministry for traveling Catholics -Mass Times
800-627-7846
or
www.masstimes.org
Our Lady on the River Parish Calendar -
January 2008
Thursday Mass
As Fr. Matt Ellis joins us at Our Lady on the River Parish, he will continue the Thursday Mass schedule.
Mass will be celebrated each Thursday at 9:00 a.m. The location will rotate monthly beginning with Mass at Holy Cross
in the month of January and at St. Catherine in the month of February.
Fr. Sig will celebrate Mass each Thursday at St. Mark Chapel at 9:00 a.m.
Please join us as you are able.
Religious Education News
The Religious Education classes will resume on January 6, 2008.
The 8th graders will attend their Confirmation Retreat on Sunday, January 13th at Holy Cross from 9:15 a.m.
until 1:45 p.m. Letters were sent home to the parents with instructions for that day.
On behalf of the teachers and staff I would like to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful New Year.
Mrs. Margie Smith, DRE
Pope Benedict XVI
Urges Us to Care for Others
“Love of neighbor, grounded in the love of God, is first and foremost a responsibility for each individual member
of the faithful...As a community, the Church must practice love.” The Church is God’s family in the world. In this family
no one ought to go without the necessities of life.”
Archdiocesan Chorus Auditions
Auditions for the Archdiocesan Chorus will be held on Monday, February 4, and Monday, February 11, from 5:00 to 7:00
p.m. To schedule an audition time, you may contact Nancy Deacon, Director of Music, by email at
deacon.nancy@aod.org or call 313-865-6300 x 227.
World Day of Peace January 1, 2008
In 1968, Pope Paul VI called on all people of the world to together celebrate the “Day of Peace” on January 1.
Since 1968, each year that day has been celebrated by Catholics and non-Catholics alike and is marked by a special
annual peace message from the Holy Father.
According to Church teaching, peace is built on a commitment to love and justice flourishes when all realize
their responsibility for promoting it. True peace can only be attained when the dignity of each human being is respected.
The Church is called to be a sacrament and instrument of peace in the world and must work, along with it’s members, to
promote peace and it’s foundations: love, justice, development and reconciliation.
In this year’s message, “The Human Family: Community of Peace,” Pope Benedict XVI will focus on the one
human family, conceived of by God as a community of peace. Each individual, the Holy Father writes, is called to
recognize his or her place in the human family, and to work to bring about a world of peace.*
~U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
*The full text of this message is available on the home page of our website, www.ourladyontheriver.net, and upon request
in your church office.
Feast of the Holy Family
January Prayer Theme:
“Bridging the Generations: Our Missionary Origins”
Throughout the calendar year of 2008, as we celebrate the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese of
Detroit, we will reflect on our heritage of faith and how insights from our past can help us to understand and respond to
the challenge of our own life and times as we “bridge the generations.”
Heavenly Father, as we celebrate this special anniversary year of the Church of Detroit, we give thanks for the
witness of our ancestors in the faith and we ask for a fresh outpouring of their missionary zeal that we may work
together for a greater respect of all our ethnic and racial traditions and thereby proclaim the Good News with a
compelling, joyful, and unified voice. We ask this and all things through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Thank You Boys
Thank you to Josh Zichi and Zachary May, two of our Holy Cross 8th graders, who helped with cleaning the
holy water bowls throughout Holy Cross Church.
Josh and Zach cheerfully did all that was asked of them including other last minute things in preparation for
Christmas.
Holy Cross Altar Society
Holy Cross Altar Duty
January 2008
January 4 & 11
Eunice Dupuie
Delores Smith
January 18 & 25
Therese Kirkpatrick
Dorothy Stephenson
Hearts & Bodies Warmed
Thank you to everyone that helped support our Sweatshirt Drive this holiday Season. Thanks to your caring
and generosity, we were able to give away over 300 sweatshirts to help keep the needy of our community warm this
winter.
Downriver Helping Hands
How Can We Recapture the Holy Family as a Model For All Christian Families?
The Holy Family is held up as a model for all Christian families. However, because they are often perceived as
more than human, we find it difficult to imitate them. We feel so inadequate when we compare our families to the Holy
Family. How can we recapture them as a model for Christian families? Focusing on the meaning of human relationships
provides enlightening insights.
Genesis 2 clearly articulates the divine plan that "it is not good for the human being to be alone." We are
created for relationships leading to friendship and community. It is within the context of human relationships that
friendship, marriage and family have their basic roots.
Genesis 1 proclaims that we are "created in the image and likeness of God." How are humans the very image
of God? If God is imaged as life-giving, affirming, supportive, loving and always interested in developing and fostering love
relationships, then when humans act and live in similar fashion, we are the very image of God to self and others.
Mary, Joseph and Jesus were complete humans beings who had to struggle with the same intricacies of
relationships that confront us today. They had to overcome their own selfishness to be sources of life and love to one
another. In so doing, they become models for us.
How do you image God in the way you relate to yourself, your family, friends, and wider community?
©2007 Liturgical Publications Inc, New Berlin, WI 53151