"Prepare ye the way of the Lord"
Fr. Dwight will present a special evening of Reflection on the Sacrament of Reconciliaiton November 19th at 7PM.
Catholic Community of St. Jude at 409 Wilson St., DeWitt, MI 48820 US - Home
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Articles featured this week:
Parish Book of Names of the Dead
40th Anniversary Celebration Thanks
An Update on our Music Minister Search
An Evening of Reflection on the Sacrament of Reconciliation
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40th Anniversary Celebration Thanks
An Update on our Music Minister Search
Parish Book of Names of the Dead
As we did last year, I encourage you to write the names of deceased loved ones and friends in our parish Book of Names of the Dead, which is located at the baptismal font. The month of November is traditionally set aside as a time to prayerfully remember all those who have died. If there isanyone who has died whom you would like us to pray for (they need not be Catholic), please write their name in the Book of the Names of the Dead. They will be remembered at each Mass during November.
May They Rest in Peace...
* Joe Marrazza, who was a volunteer and mentor in our parish religious formation program, died September 14, 2009, at the age of 47. Joe’s funeral took place at his family’s parish, St. Ronald, in Shelby Township, with burial at Resurrection Cemetery. Because of Joe’s work here in our parish, we will be celebrating a memorial Mass for his family, friends, co-workers, and others next Saturday, November 14, at 11:00 AM, followed by luncheon. All are welcome to join us that day.
* Sr. Eileen Shaughnessy, IHM served our parish as coordinator of religious education from 1977 to 1982. Most recently, Sr. Eileen was serving as pastoral minister at St. John Vianney parish in Flint at the time of her death, August 14, 2009. Sr. Eileen was buried at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe, MI.
40th Anniversary Celebration Thanks
I wish to thank everyone who had a hand in making our celebration of our parish’s 40th anniversary such a great success. My appreciation goes to all the members of the planning committee, the Knights of Columbus, our parish Ushers’ Club, our parish musicians, the parish staff, and everyone else who helped in big or little ways. Special thanks go to those who helped to assemble, prepare and finalize the amazing video that documents so many key events over the past 40 years. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see that video, you can watch a shorter version of it on the parish YouTube website (www.youtube.com/stjudedewitt). If you’d like a copy of the entire half-hour video on DVD, please contact Tina in the parish offices.
Finally, my thanks go to the 224 families who were the founders of the parish. We all thank you for your vision for the loving, faith-filled parish community that we have become!
An Update on our Music Minister Search
This week, our search team, comprised of myself and members of the parish pastoral staff, as well as members of the vocal and handbell choirs, began the task of evaluating each of the four finalists through oral interviews and a demonstration of each candidate’s ability to play and sing a selected piece of church music. All the members of the search team are committed to finding the best possible candidate who will bring us the skills needed to continue our musical growth.
The next step will be to have each of the finalists lead a rehearsal with the vocal choir and handbell choir (if bells are a part of their experience). Finalists will also demonstrate their skills in teaching a new piece of church music to one of our parish cantors. As we enter into this phase of evaluation, I trust that the Spirit will offer guidance for all of us, as we discern how best to use God’s gift of music to serve our parish worship.
An Evening of Reflection on the Sacrament of Reconciliation
You may recall that two years ago, I wrote a letter to the entire parish community about the sacrament of reconciliation. In that letter, I shared my own reflections on why we need this sacrament, how it calls us to grow in our life of faith, and how it calls us into deeper relationship with God and one another. My letter also included several resources that can be used by adults or children to prepare for the celebration and reception of the sacrament.
This year, the Lansing region will trying something different with regard to our Advent communal reconciliation services. Rather than each parish hosting its own individual celebration, there will be two area-wide services celebrated on Sunday, December 13 for all people in the parishes of the greater Lansing area. I’ll share more information about those services in the near future.
In order for all of us to prepare for those services, I thought it would be good for us to have a parish-wide evening of reflection on the sacrament of reconciliation. I know—reconciliation is not everybody’s favorite sacrament, and there are some reasons for that. Some have to do with old, sometimes inaccurate understandings about the sacrament. Some have to do with not clearly understanding how the sacrament is celebrated today. Some have to do with not recognizing the sacrament’s value in our individual faith journey.
Join me on Thursday evening, November 19 at 7:00 PM in church for an evening during which I hope to be able to dispel some of the anxiety and bring some clarity in understanding this beautiful sacrament of God’s love and mercy. It will be a good way to prepare for the region-wide services on December 13 as well as a good way to get ready for the beautiful season of Advent that is just ahead.
On Line Giving
The online giving program continues to grow as families discover how easy and convenient it is for making your parish contributions. The process is very flexible and allows you complete control of your contributions while providing you the ability for immediate reporting of all your parish donations.
A vision of Heaven
As Dale McKay was facing death, he spoke to writer Nancy Schertzing about his feelings and his hopes for heaven. Later, Nancy spoke with Dale's widow, Ellen, who shared the joy of their marriage and the moving experience of Dale's death. Their story is filled with love and hope that speaks to all of us.
Part 4: How to Be a Dynamic and Evangelizing Parish
Two very different parishes show what it takes to be both energetic and spiritual.