Getting to know our Twin-sister parish, St. Paul the Apostle in New Orleans   FR. BERNARD VISITS:  We are blessed to be a twin-parish with St. Paul the Apostle Church and to be a brother and sister to its pastor, Father Bernard Kwame Assenyoh, S.V.D. This relationship will last for years to come.  Photos here are from the weekend of February 5, 2006 when our honored guest, Fr. Bernard, visited St. Francis Parish. During his stay we had a reception with New Orleans style pastries and breakfast food. We listened to his powerful preaching at all of our Masses. We learned about his church and community and how they are coping with the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina.  He visited our school, our senior citizens,  our Peace & Justice Committee and he presented at Theology on Tap. Thanks to the work of our Katrina Solidarity Group.

Katrina Solidarity Group is

GOING SOUTH: 

You are invited to join our group members that are going to help with the clean-up from the hurricanes April 22-29 and/or April 25-30 under the auspices of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, "Operation Helping Hands" to assist the community in reoccupying their homes. We will be gutting houses. 

A  Special  Mass Celebrating Marriage

On Saturday, February 11th at 6:30 PM, there was a special mass for all engaged and married couples in the parish. In addition to the many couples that attended, we also recognized those couples that were celebrating a milestone anniversary this year. A Milestone Anniversary was any multiples of five years and we had a number of couples that were celebrating 15, 20 and even 50 years of marriage this year. The mass was followed by a light dessert reception in the church gathering room.

A Parish is a World

In earlier generations and centuries the local church was the center of life. Immigrant groups from Europe or Latin America coming to the "new world" promptly established churches here of their own language and culture--German, English, Irish, Italian, Mexican and others.

Times have changed.  But the local church remains important to millions, a kind of open world within the larger world, a center of life, service and devotion. Music, prayer, meals, education, socializing, worship, marriage, baptism, funerals--on and on.  A parish is a world.

St. Francis provides all of this, and more. The parish Counseling Assistance Program (CAP) provides a service at St. Francis, not found in most parishes. Licensed counselors, professionals in social work, offer assistance in a wide range of human pressures and concerns--from marriage and family, through personal problems connected with work, relationships and life's deeper purposes and frustrations. No one pretends that we have "answers" for all problems.  But two heads are usually better than one, especially when confusion and hurt are present. 

Yes, a parish is a world. To all St. Francis parishioners, CAP is part of your world and available to you.

John Schwarz, CAP therapist

Parish Common Conference a huge success!

On Saturday January 21^st the parish held the first annual Common Conference in the Parish Activity Center from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. From all reports the Conference was a huge success with almost three hundred people attending. They took part in over thirty workshops on topics that addressed many important areas relevant to understanding and living our Catholic faith. Presenters from the parish and across the diocese provided exciting and informative information and discussion in every workshop throughout the day. We are very fortunate too have such outstanding people available to us and we deeply appreciate all of them. Sandwiches, drinks and other food was provided free for lunch, while Frank- The Coffee Guy provided delicious flavored coffee, lattes, cappuccino and hot chocolate.

The Common Conference was the result of a year of planning and design by the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Council. We also owe a round of applause to Dick Gallant who handled the brochure design and all the operational aspects of the day.

Advent by Candlelight

On Saturday, December 10^th, over 60 parishioners enjoyed an evening of prayer, song and special holiday treats as we celebrated our second Advent by Candlelight to reflect on the true meaning of Advent and Christmas in our lives. We especially want to thank the musicians and the many people, including parishioners and RCIA candidates, that brought food, decorated and set up the Parish Activity Center, and all the others who helped to make this years event a great success.

Faith in Leadership

Catholic Business Professionals Meet

Under the leadership of our pastor, Fr. Jim McDougall, a small group of Catholic business leaders have met regularly during the past year. This group included parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi, as well as other surrounding Catholic parishes. The group's purpose was to discuss and better understand the responsibilities and challenges of living our faith, and running and making policy decisions in a modern organization. The group found these meetings to be very valuable, and decided to open the meetings to all Catholic business leaders in the area. 

• Do you often feel tension between your values as a Catholic business person and the decisions you must make at work? 

• Are you concerned about the economy and its effect on your employees? 

• Are you struggling with decisions related to health care and Catholic Social Teaching?

• Is there an ROI for Christian leadership? 

An initial meeting was held on Saturday, January 11 here at St. Francis, to explore the interest of others. The size of the group doubled and the consensus was to continue meeting on a monthly basis at St. Francis. The group meets in the parish activity center on the second Saturday of each month from 8:30 to 10:00AM. If you are interested in attending one of these sessions to see how they might be of assistance, please join us.  For more information, contact Deacon Michael Sullivan ( or 734-821-2122).

Religious Education 
December 2005-January 2006
 

STUDY

Under the guidance of parents, youth in seventh grade began to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation to be celebrated next year in 2007.

SERVICE

Also new this year, The Edge middle school youth focus on serving others in the community while having tons of fun themselves.

The Edge is a Middle School Youth Group open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Come and check us out!  For more info, please contact Victoria Emch at  .

Social Ministry
St. Francis Parish Helps the Poor!

Thank You, Thank You

The following quotes are from some of the "Thank You" notes received …

"Dear St. Francis Church Members,
Thank you and all the St. Francis families who donated gifts to the clients at Youth & Family Services.  Many of our clients' families have limited financial means.  It was wonderful for our therapists to be able to offer some of our families the opportunity to participate in your [St. Francis Parish Giving Tree] gift program.  I know that you limit your program to 15 agencies. Thank you so much for including Youth & Family Services. "   Youth & Family Services, Huron Valley Child Guidance Clinic

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We received many "Thank you" cards and notes from recipients of the Giving Tree gifts.  You're invited to stop in to see them all at the Parish Social Ministry Office (821-2121).

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"Friends at St. Francis Catholic Church, 
Thank you for your generous support of Friends in Deed (484-4357) and your partnership in our mission to serve the less fortunate in our community.  As we begin our 23rd. Year of being a bridge between congregations and people in need, we are mindful of supporters like you that have helped us reach this point.
In 2005, your contribution of $13,048.50 ($9,769 Direct Assistance + 3,279.50 General) helped make a real difference to the most vulnerable members of our community.  You helped to provide the following services:

• Information, referral and advocacy.
• Direct financial assistance of over 42,000 for unmet emergency needs such as rent, security deposits, utilities, car repairs, and health and employment related needs.
• Distribution of over 1,900 items of furniture or appliances.
• Volunteer help for transportation, furniture delivery, appliance and minor household repairs."

Jail Ministry

Bob & 4 year Celebration

Washtenaw County Sherriff, Daniel J. Minzey gave the "Corrections Volunteer of the Year Award 2005" to Mr. Bob Roleke, Administrator of Catholic Religious Services in the Jail. 

Bob Roleke

For many years of outstanding dedication and volunteer Service

Corrections Division 
Volunteer of the Year 
2005

St. Francis Parish & the Catholic Community in Washtenaw County is proud of this recognition and achievement.   CONGRATULATIONS!!!  This is a blessing on all of our volunteers serving in the jail ministry.

To celebrate four years of Catholic Services at the Jail, Bishop Carl Mengeling was with us on Saturday, December 17, 2005.

 

Stephen Ministry I Need To Talk!!! We know that there are times when you  could use a listening ear.

About 19 Stephen Ministers will be commissioned on June 4, 2006, and then we will be ready to meet with you.   The 50 hours of training for Stephen Ministers includes an intense emphasis on using the tools of our faith in caring for another.  734-821-2121 www.StFrancisA2.com/Stephen/

Pro Life events

Our Parish Pro-Life Committee is the part of the overall parish outreach effort for Peace & Justice that is focused especially on issues around the life of persons that are not yet born, developing ways to end the practice of abortion and to increase the use of natural family planning methods.

The photos here are some of our parish members using the Pro-LIFE-Candleson their porches on the evening before the January 22 anniversary of the U.S. Roe vs. Wade decision. This candle is a silent witness commemorating the persons whose lives have been lost during these unfortunate 33 years of legalized abortion in the U.S.A.  For information about our events, please contact St Francis Pro-LIFE chairperson, Sandie Weathers at (434-8447 or  ).

St. Francis of Assisi School
Celebrated Catholic Schools Week
January 29--February 3rd

"Character, Compassion, Values"

Catholic Schools throughout the United States enjoy a special tradition each year with the celebration of Catholic Schools Week.  This year's theme was "Catholic Schools:  Character, Compassion, Values."
 

Students brought breakfast treats for faculty and staff during Catholic Schools Week

St. Francis School participated in a variety of activities to help make the week extra special.   To kick-off the festivities, students participated in the 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Parish Masses on Sunday.  At the end of every Mass, parishioners watched a video that featured sincere and enthusiastic student testimonials. 

On Monday, the leadership class and members of the faculty attended Mass at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing, at which Bishop Mengeling presided along with 40 other priests.  The liturgy included choirs from several diocesan schools and the church was filled to capacity.
On Tuesday, students collected $1,300 for "Paws with a Cause" to help train dogs for people with disabilities.  On Wednesday students distributed breakfast treats to faculty and staff from a traveling cart in honor of "Teacher Appreciation Day."

Thursday included a "Dress Down Day" for students so uniforms were not required; they also received an extra recess and a school day without homework!  On the last day of Catholic Schools Week, Sr. Mary Ann Foggin and Fr. Jerry Vincke visited classrooms to talk about vocations.

Our parish community is fortunate to have such a vibrant Catholic school as one of its many ministries where children learn about character, compassion and values throughout the year.

St. Francis School Open House 
showcases NEW Full-Day Preschool 

The word is growing about our new Full-Day Preschool with childcare opening in the fall of 2006.  Ten families visited the new four-year-old preschool room at the Open House held on February 2^nd. 

Two play dates are scheduled for February 28^th or March 14^th.  These are an opportunity for you and your child to come and meet the lead teacher and center director, and to spend some time in the classroom.  To reserve a space for March 14 from 7:50 to 10:45 a.m., please call Diane Sheffrey in the school at 734-821-2290.

St. Francis of Assisi's Young Adults...
Quenched Their Thirst with "Theology on Tap"

In the midst of the winter cold and dreary skies, we brightened things up with a winter session of Theology on Tap.  Whether it was talking about our Call to Serve or our Call to Love, the young adults enjoyed good discussion, good food, and great company.  Keep your eyes open for our summer session! 

For more info or to get on St. Francis' Young Adult or Singles mailing list please call 821-2126, or email Jen at  .

This issue was mailed to all registered parishioners.

Those back issues marked as pdf files require the Acrobat Reader, available free from Adobe.

Back Issues

Fall  2005
Summer 2005
Spring 2005
Winter 2004
Fall 2004
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Winter 2003
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Winter 2002 (269kb pdf file)
Fall 2002
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Fall 2001 (671kb pdf file)