Some Characters on a Mission
 

Each so much like us.
All portrayed by  roving religious educator,  actor and comedian,  Doug Brummel.

St. Francis of Assisi "Lighten Up!" Parish Mission - Lent 2005 Brought laughter Touched hearts Celebrated Faith Taught Lessons Left a lasting  impression

Bishop Mengeling came to St. Francis on April 17 to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on 136 of our candidates. He asked them to spend the rest of their lives working as a partner with Christ in His mission to serve others and spread the faith.

In preparing for this important day, the students spent the past year contributing 30 hours of service. Their work helped them understand the importance of that mission. They raked leaves, helped elderly neighbors and grandparents, worked as camp assistants and swimming teachers, dug and planted in community gardens, and made tags for the parish Giving Tree and baked a lot of cookies.

Most of them said they discovered something surprising at the end of their preparation: Service work was fun and rewarding! Many of them said their service projects were the most memorable part of the year.

"The most unexpected thing I learned was that I felt really good about doing things selflessly for others," one student wrote. Another said that "helping others wasn't hard at all, and I want to do a lot more of it in the future.

Seventh graders will begin their service work this summer, as they prepare to receive the sacrament next spring 2006.
 

The most unexpected thing I learned was that I felt really good about doing things selflessly for others

Eighth graders assemble Epiphany chalk packets earlier this year during the Y.E.S. "Service Saturday" event.

"We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation,
  our life and our resurrection; through him we are saved and made free."

 

"God our Father, we are gathered here to share in the supper which your Son left to His Church to reveal his love.  He gave it to us when He was about to die and commanded us to celebrate it as a new and eternal sacrifice."   "May these oils be for us a sign of the Holy Spirit sent by our Risen Lord Jesus to strengthen and refresh and heal all who are called to be God's holy and priestly people."   "If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet" (John 13:14)

 

Lord, by the suffering of Christ, Your Son, You have saved us all from the death we inherited from sinful Adam.  By the law of nature we have born the likeness of his humanity.  May the sanctifying power of grace help us to put on the likeness of our Lord in Heaven, who lives and reigns forever and ever.  Amen".
	This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the Savior of the world.  Come, let us worship."

 
 

"Dear friends in Christ, on this most holy night, when our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life, the church invites her children throughout the world to come together in vigil and prayer. This is the Passover of the Lord: If we honor the memory of His death and resurrection by hearing His word and celebrating His mysteries, then we may be confident that we shall share His victory over death and live with Him forever."

"I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!" "You have been enlightened by Christ.  Walk always as children of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts.  When the Lord comes, may you go out to meet Him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom." "Lord, You have nourished us with your Easter Sacraments.  Fill us with your Spirit and make us one in peace and love." "Father, we share in the light of your glory through your Son, the light of the world.  Make this new fire holy, and inflame us with new hope."

"We thank God always for you, because your faith flourishes ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater."--2 Thes 1:3 Several family events marked the Lenten and Easter seasons of St. Francis Religious Education.  A Mardi Gras partyattended by 200 adults and children ended ordinary time and knocked on the door of Lent.  A Lenten Family Penance Service on March 14 drew almost 400 participants and included skits dramatizing some of the choices our youth are challenged with in today's world. The Family Religious Education Program offers Faith formation for children in grades preK--8, within a family context.  Family activities for Lent included a re-enactment of the Last Supper. Families extended a warm welcome to new parish members living in their neighborhoods, by delivering homemade cookies.  Kathy Burdick writes of visiting one new member of our Church:  "Recently our Sunday Family Religious Education Session assembled cookie dough mix. We were to bake the cookies at home and then deliver them to families that were newly registered to St. Francis. Our family was happy to be assigned to bake and deliver cookies to a family that lived nearby. It was a fun way to extend a welcome to a new family that had moved here recently from out of state. I think they really appreciated that someone took the time to deliver fresh home-baked cookies to their home. It was a personal welcome to St. Francis that we were happy to be a part of!" Easter activities included the making of icons of the resurrection and the splashing of one another with the waters of baptism.  The year ended with an Emmaus celebration, deepening understanding of the Eucharistic celebration, "where Christ is recognized in the breaking of the bread." The family is the first and foremost community of the Church, where the faith is taught and passed on to children.  St. Francis offers educational, worship, and service opportunities designed especially for families with children. For more information on our Religious Education classes and events, please contact Ellen Ward at ward@rc.net or 821-2132.

Carol Fedewa leads a reflection on bread, using the same instruction as St. Augustine gave to the neophytes in the fifth century.  "By bread, you are instructed as to how you ought to cherish unity.  In baptism of water, you were joined together and by the warmth of community and the fire of the Holy Spirit, you became bread."  Now let us be bread for one another! Easter breads, scones, coffee cakes, and all types of sweet rolls were shared at an Emmaus celebration during the Family Religious Education session. It's all about families!  From the family of the home to the family of God!  "As you see the bread is one, so you too are one, loving one another, keeping the same faith, the same hope, and undivided charity." ~St. Augustine

A new tradition has begun for the young adults of  St. Francis--Dodge ball.  Yes, that age old grade school game is now a favorite with our 20- & 30- somethings.  Even Fr. Kusi joined in at one of our game nights.

We've also headed out to dinner, discussed the papal election, and waded through some ethical dilemmas.  But we always manage to have at least a bit of fun ... okay, we actually tend to have a blast and be a bit rowdy when we go out, but we're young adults!  So come and join us for some of our summer Ya²acht Club events.

Keep your eyes open for information coming soon about the summer Theology on Tap Series starting in mid-July at Arbor Brewing Co.
 
 

"Dear St. Francis Church Members,"

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

Thanks for Groceries received from the Food Drive

"Thank you for your Lenten gift of nonperishable foods and paper products.  Your partnership keeps high quality early childhood education programs accessible to our community's most vulnerable families.  Through your generosity, we have been able to reach 160 families with extra grocery support.  …  We were totally overwhelmed by your generosity!" Perry Nursery School - Child Care for Single Parent Families on Packard Rd. in Ann Arbor.

"Please accept our sincere thank you for the thoughtful donation of groceries to Hope Clinic during the past several months.  The itmes are a real blessings for the many individuals using the Care & Share Closet and the Food Bank."  Hope Clinic

Thanks for the Donations on Holy Thursday

What wonderful news!  Thanks to everyone for this loving gift.  It comes as we face another plumbing issue in one of our aging houses.  More than that, it lifts our spirits to know that we have true friends out there who share our values and act truth to power.  Peace and blessings!  HIV / AIDS Wellness House in Detroit,  Michigan

Thanks For Charity Special Collections

We are grateful for your continued assistance. The generous support from St. Francis Parish enables us to provide emergency assistance to families so they can move beyond a crisis to fulfill God's plan for their lives.   Thank you on behalf of those whose lives you touched.   Friends In Deed

Thanks For Donations to the Michigan Peace Team

We appreciate your generosity! Michigan Peace Team

TAX PROGRAM SERVES ...

TAX program assisted 84 persons.  We thank Julie Soyer for coordinating this effort!

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
4^th Annual Educational Trust Fund Benefit

 
Almost 300 guests enjoyed the 4^th Annual Educational Trust Fund Benefit on Friday, April 22^nd, held at Kensington Court in Ann Arbor.  Record attendance helped St. Francis School raise over $55,000 for Catholic education!
 
 

The Educational Trust Fund was established in 1987 to help ensure the future of St. Francis School, as well as to ensure affordable, Catholic education.  Now, each year St. Francis School receives an award from the Educational Trust Fund to help meet current, specific needs.  The award is linked to the annual interest from the invested endowment; this year, St. Francis School received $34,000.  Since its inception, the corpus of the fund has been retained in investments to provide for the future. Several generous individuals sponsored tables to enable teachers and school staff to attend the event.  As Mrs. Diane Keyes, 5th grade teacher at St. Francis School said, "I sincerely appreciated receiving an invitation to attend the benefit as the guest of a thoughtful donor; the St. Francis community is so kind and caring.  The benefit displayed how much people value and cherish our school!"  Many other individuals within the parish community also sponsored tables and hosted friends and family. Guests enjoyed a festive evening that included live musical entertainment, tasty food and drink, a motivational message by keynote speaker Bob Sornson of the Love and Logic Institute and tons of fun!  Bob shared his insights on "Parenting in the 21st Century" by emphasizing the need to establish firm guidelines and behavioral parameters while maintaining a sense of humor and loving manner. "One-of-a-Kind Treasures" delighted guests during the silent and live auctions (bidding for a special item climbed to $2,600!), and an exciting "Click to Win" activity motivated people to contribute $100 for a chance to win a sleek new plasma T.V.! Lucy Ann Lance, Morning Show host for Talk Radio 1600 WAAM, entertained guests as Master of Ceremonies.  Lucy Ann is a St. Francis parishioner who contributed her time and talent to support the benefit and St. Francis School.  Her enthusiasm and engaging personality created countless happy moments for everyone present. After months of preparation from a team of dedicated volunteers, the benefit ended successfully.  Mrs. Linda Miller, Principal of St. Francis School, stated, "The 4th Annual Educational Trust Fund Benefit was a wonderful evening because hundreds of people joined together on behalf of St. Francis School.  I'm sincerely grateful for the community's commitment to Catholic education, and wholeheartedly thank those involved for their contributions, their presence and their prayers." To view photographs from the Educational Trust Fund Benefit, visit www.stfrancisa2.com/etf.

Over 70 persons participated in the 8-hour training on April 30 .  We learned about the POWER of NONVIOLENT LOVE that Fr. Peter Dougherty spoke so eloquently about at the St. Francis Masses on April 2 & 3, 2005.  We improved our communication skills, especially for times when conflict arises in family, work, & neighborhood environments.

One participant said, "The most important piece of info I got out of the day was the knowledge that I can make a difference by being aware of the 'violence' in the everyday situations around me.  We role-played situations like seeing a mother use emotional violence on a child at the grocery store and found how we can make that situation non-violent.  It was very empowering!"

Patti Yonka wrote: "The day was filled with a variety of activities that focused on individual / community / global awareness of violence."

Watch the FORUM for future training dates.  We are planning June 4, 2005 as the next training date here at St. Francis. Learn more at www.stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/peaceteam.htm
 

Fr. Peter Dougherty
 

Since my last report to you in November, 2004, very few additional projects have been undertaken, a direct result of our difficult financial situation.  Perhaps most significant was the replacement of the computerized control system for the Church's heating and air conditioning system, which had to be done following the original system's breakdown in December.  Another improvement to the Church was the addition of new vertical blinds for the exterior windows in the Brides' Room and in the Ushers' Room.

Improvements completed in the School included the installation of replacement insulated windows in the School Office, the construction in the PAC of new, larger cabinets for storage of band instruments, and the replacement of old carpet and asbestos tile in the upstairs Computer Lab with new vinyl floor tile.  Replacement of some valves and steam traps in the steam heat system (servicing the K/3 School building) was also necessary.

You will also see this year the continuation of the program to remove dead trees, mostly of the ash variety, around the grounds.  Trees located on City property will be removed by the City at no additional cost to us, but those on our grounds are our responsibility.  We will be better able to identify problem trees once the leaves re-appear this spring.

Potential projects which remain on hold include the replacement of our back-up hot water boiler (servicing the Church and the 4/8 School building), and the replacement of remaining non-insulated glass and doors in the Fishbowl, 6^th grade, K/1, and 2/3 entry areas of the School.  At some point, the parking lots and the Bell Tower will also need remedial work, as will the large roofs covering the PAC, the Middle School, and the Gym.

You recently received a letter from Fr. Jim and Dave O'Brien, Chairman of our Parish Finance Council, requesting increased financial support from parishioners.  Perhaps an explanation of our needs is in order.  Through the end of April (as this is written), Sunday collections are running about $64,000 behind the amount budgeted.  This is on top of an even larger shortfall in school tuition revenues, which was the result of lower enrollment than had been anticipated.  At the same time, we have experienced significant increases in expenses out of our control, beyond levels that were budgeted.  Examples of these types of costs would be the severe winter's snow removal expense, including all the overtime hours payable to maintenance workers to clear snow, the cost of natural gas used for heating, and the cost of repairs and maintenance of our aging buildings.

We are like most Catholic parishes, and very much unlike many Protestant congregations, in that we have no funds to be speak of set aside in savings.  When funds are received, they are immediately utilized to support the many ministries and programs offered by the Parish, including our School and Religious Education programs, and what is left is frequently used for facility improvements or other necessities.  Dealing with emergency financial needs is often stressful and difficult.

We hope that you agree that we have been good stewards of your financial resources in the past, and that the expenses incurred, whether visible or behind-the-scenes, have been necessary, and handled in an appropriate, cost-effective manner.  In order to continue to support the ministries that serve so many of us in the Parish, we again appeal to you to prayerfully consider increasing your support of the Parish.  Unless there is an improvement in our revenues, we shall likely be forced to eliminate some of our programs, and reduce support of others, in order to be able to cover the many expenses over which we have no control.  Please join me in increasing your support of our Parish in 2005 and the years to come.

As always, please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or comments.

Dave Barera, Parish Business Manager
821-2111  or 

See more photos on our Web page: www.stfrancisa2.com/seniors/

Here you see us pictured at our April event getting complimentary neck massages.  There really are surprising benefits of massage therapy to our health & general well being!

We also have spent some time envisioning the Concept of Age-ing to Sage-ing ® that gives life an affirming spark.

Most recently, we went on a pilgrimage trip to Pious Union -
St. Joseph Shrine in Grass Lake, MI.  The Mass, lunch, tour of the shrine and spirit of community gave us a beautiful country retreat day.    We really had a lot of fun!

ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

March 10th Open House A Success!

We're happy to report that fifty-six kindergarten families have enrolled for the 2005-06 school year.  Our kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Joan Zaleski (photo) and other staff members enjoyed welcoming the new kindergarten students at our orientation evening on April 21, 2005.  An additional 16 families have also registered for the new school year in grades 1-8.

Openings are still available for the 2005-06 school year.  Please contact the school office at (734) 821-2200 for more information, or visit the school's web site at: www.stfrancisa2.com/school

The movie "Ordinary People" (1980, Paramount) was a powerful drama of a family under the stress of losing a son to drowning. A surviving son (Timothy Hutton) struggles mightily to regain his equilibrium, and the parents (Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland) along with him.

An astute psychiatrist (Judd Hirsh) asks the son what he's seeking. Response, "More control." But the doctor replies, "Well, I'm not big on control." In other words, some things in life you accept rather than control.

The movie gives you a lot to ponder, even 25 years later--how youth and parents struggle to cope. As today I watch a dear friend dying with a brain tumor it is all very real.

At St. Francis, our counseling team offers careful assistance, a listening ear and a heart attuned to human stress, ordinary and extraordinary. Generally, we're not big on control--although, for sure, control has its place.

But often, it seems, God gives us challenges and opportunity more than control. Mary at the foot of the cross, was hardly in control.

Perhaps we can assist you. If so, we're here for parishioners--just call the parish office for a confidential appointment with a licensed therapist from our parish Counseling Assistance Program (C.A.P.).
- John Schwarz

C.A.P. Therapists: (l. to r.) Patricia Sullivan-director, Jan Kosta, Ruth Koelling, and John Schwarz
 

The 2nd annual St. Patrick's Day Baked Potato Dinner managed that feat again this year.

The Potato Dinner again benefited the World Youth Day Pilgrims that are heading to Italy and Germany in August.  This special event included a 'shamrock tree' where your luck was tested with each shamrock ornament you chose for each had a special prize.  Others tried their luck with the pot o' gold (or rather chocolate), as they guessed how many M&M's were in that rather large pot.

No matter if you had the luck of the Irish, everyone had a great time.  We hope you join us next year for the 3rd annual St. Patrick's Day Baked Potato Dinner to benefit the youth that head to leadership camps and service projects!
 
 
 

World Youth Day 2005
Cologne, Germany

 
High School Youth Ministry Happenings

The High School Youth Group was quite busy this spring.  We had the Spring Retreat: March 4-6th at FaHoLo Camp & Conference center.  It was a great weekend spent discussing sexuality and spirituality.  We also had plenty of time to enjoy the snow tubing, open gym, rock climbing, and excellent food.  Everyone is looking forward to our fall retreat

Many of you joined the Youth Group for the Living Way of the Cross on Good Friday.  (See photos on page 12.)  A special thanks goes out to all the youth who participated, our excellent musicians, and Fantasy Attic Costume for donating the costumes for our use.
 

While the school year is winding down, the youth ministry is still in full swing.  We've got summer plans for going to Cedar Point set for June 29th.  Frank's Place Bible studies will continue for the summer and a few other special events are still being planned.  Watch the bulletin and youth ministry website to stay up to date on all the High School Youth Ministry happenings.

The Living Way of the Cross

Our High School Youth Group re-enacted the Living Way of the Cross on Good Friday.
 
 
 
 

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