JULY 4, 2021 • FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME CATHOLIC CHURCH
S T . M ICHAEL
THE A RCHANGEL
Consecrated to the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Today we celebrate the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time and we also celebrate 244th Anniversary of Independence of our country, the United States of America. It is also known as the birthday of our country USA. It’s a day where we remember our country gained independence from Great Britain.
On this day, we remember and honor all those who have offered their lives for the liberties we are afforded. Let us thank God for the brave people who fought for our freedom. In a special way, let us pray for our country that the Lord may continue to bless our country with freedom and peace.
Wish you all Happy 4th of July.
God bless America!
Fr. Kishore Babu Battu SAC
OUR PRAYER FOR AMERICA
God our Father, Giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.
Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation´s leaders.
Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking and doing Your will.
Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of our land, grant us the courage to reject the "culture of death." Lead us into a new millennium of life. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=800
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP
WHY DO WE DO THAT?
Our Catholic grade school is doing a penance service this Lent. Do young children really need to go to Confession? How much sin can they really have?
Ask any mom about her children and see how many would say she has a brood of perfect angels! Parents know that kids do things that are wrong … and they often know they’re doing it!
Even toddlers have a sense of right and wrong. The Church recognizes that their minds and consciences are not yet fully developed, however, and typically waits until age seven to offer the sacrament of Confession. Around that age and beyond, most young people, when asked, can easily explain why something is wrong.
Confession for children is an excellent way to help them reflect on their actions and accept responsibility for their behavior. It helps them to grow in their understanding of sin and how it affects others. This helps them to form their consciences and make better choices in the future. Most importantly, they learn the value of forgiveness, both given and received.
Rather than singling out what’s wrong, Confession offers hope and a new start! Children can grow in understanding God’s unconditional love and develop a sense of inner dignity that transcends their failings.
Not bad for five minutes and an “Our Father” or two!
©LPi
CATHOLIC LIFE EXPLAINED
The Prophecy of You and Me
Prophet. There’s a heaviness to this word. It’s weighted down with meaning. We think of prophets and we think of Charlton Heston with wild hair and a booming voice, reaching out his hand to work wonders of nature by the grace of God. We think of prophets and we think of ancient Biblical history - someone far away, someone so removed from our everyday life. A prophet is someone who knows something we don’t.
When I let you in on this secret, it might scare you at first: in a way, God is calling you to be a prophet. He is calling me. He is calling anyone who hears the truth of the Gospel. However, there is no need for the megaphone and the wild locusts. This prophet gig might not be what you’re thinking.
What does a prophet do? He hears and testifies to the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s unpopular, even when it results in, as Paul says, “weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and constraints.” A prophet doesn’t have to be smart or rich or ordained;
heck, he doesn’t even have to be particularly willing.
All a prophet has to do is listen to the truth. The truth we receive from Christ, through the Gospel and the sacraments, is a mighty gift. But it is a gift that we are not meant to simply keep for ourselves. In possessing it, we are compelled to also pass it on, to share it, to let the Spirit set us on our feet.
— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
©LPi
It’s all so ordinary that we can easily miss it. The seagulls hunting and diving for mollusks at the beach offer a display of determination and precision as they gather their food for the day. It’s simply what these creatures do. Yet, there’s a magical artfulness and skill to their work that speaks volumes about the One who breathed life into their being. This is pretty much the way it is with God’s presence. God comes in common ways through common things and ordinary people.
Sadly, we are so engulfed in our little worlds of order and ideas to notice the beauty and wonder of it all.
Many have numbed themselves to the Divine spark at the essence of all life because that’s just the way it is.
What’s so special about it? A sunset is a sunset and a seagull is a seagull. That’s precisely what they thought about Jesus too. After all, isn’t he just the carpenter’s son? What merit can his words possibly have?
If we’re looking for God to come in an event that is so dramatic and intense that it knocks our socks off, then think again. When pondering God’s relationship with His people and God’s action in our lives, we have to go back to the stable and the recurring, creative, unending power of God’s presence. It was a quiet, run of the mill kind of night. There was nothing spectacular or
extraordinary. To the naked eye, a woman gave birth to a child and there wasn’t anything extraordinary to see.
We have a hard time understanding God’s ordinary-ness. Jesus grew up in an ordinary town, had neighbors and did normal human things. Perhaps that’s why we don’t always like the Gospel. It doesn’t dazzle us with extraordinary things but simply challenges us to take a different look at our ordinary stuff. That makes us uncomfortable. We prefer things as they are. Our lack of faith can even cause us to take offense at what Jesus says and does, dismissing it as folly.
God’s life-giving presence continues to sustain that seagull in flight and keep all things in being regardless of whether we have the faith to see and understand this. Our personal agendas, preconceived ideas, misconceptions, and expectations can often cause us to be hardened and blinded to what God is doing or desiring to do. While God continues to do what he has done for all eternity, faith is needed for God’s presence to bear fruit. The blinders we wear and the
expectations we bring to life can often prevent us from seeing graced moments that radiate with God’s graceful presence. They also prevent God’s transforming, healing, and hope filled vision for our world from being realized. Without faith, God won’t be able to do much for us either.
©LPi
Schedule your appointment NOW!
Live the Gospel!
St. Mary Christian service commission has organized a Habitat for Humanity volunteer opportunity open to all members of parishes in our family. The construction site is 3462 Lawndale St. in Woodland Beach. The rescheduled date is Saturday, July 17th. The workday runs from 8 am to 3:30 pm.
Lunch, hard hats, and safety glasses will be provided.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. If under 18, a waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian. If interested, please contact Fred Fedorowicz 734-755-4705 or [email protected].
Visit Aquinas College this summer!
Aquinas College welcomes high school students to our campus this summer to experience firsthand what it means to be a Saint! Visit opportunities include Personal Visits, Information Sessions and Twilight Tours. Come dis- cover why small is mighty! Details and registration can be found at aquinas.edu/visit.
GOSPEL MEDITATION
REFLECT AND RESPOND
First Reading:
Today’s reading is an excerpt from the prophetic call Ezekiel received while in exile in Babylon (Ez 1:1-3:27).
The Lord commissioned Ezekiel
to go and confront the “rebellious house” of Israel. How do you imagine the Israelites received Ezekiel’s message?
Second Reading:
Paul learned that the “thorn in his flesh” taught him to be humble and dependent upon God’s grace alone.
Where do you see God’s grace most present in your life?
Gospel:
Jesus was “amazed” at the lack of faith his fellow Nazareans had in him, suggesting Jesus expected a different response. Why do you think the villagers of Nazareth “took offense” at Jesus?
©LPi
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast Day Visit to Notre Dame University
On Friday, July 16, you are welcome to join Prayer Pilgrimages as we are planning a full day visit to Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. Visit highlights include the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Reliquary Chapel, Outdoor Grotto, Log Chapel, Hesburgh Library, & free time on your own to explore scenic campus.
Scheduled deluxe motorcoach local pickups from Ss.
Cyril & Methodius Parish Center in Sterling Heights (7 am departure, 11 pm return), Levagood Park in Dear- born (7 am departure, 11 pm return), & St. Joseph Shrine in Detroit (9 am departure following 8 am Holy Mass, 10:30 pm return). Total cost per person is $65 (with several meal options on campus).
To reserve and/or more information: Michael Semaan at 248-250-6005 or www.prayerpilgrimages.com.
S AINT G ABRIEL P ARISH F UNDRAISER
Saturday, July 24 th 3 - 10 pm
Entertainment Night!
PLEASE JOIN US FOR LOTS OF FUN, GREAT FOOD, and ENTERTAINMENT!
3 – 8 pm - DINNER
$20 Cook your own steak dinner
$15 Chicken dinner (dine in or take out)
Dinners include baked beans, coleslaw, rolls & dessert
BAKE SALE
BEER TENT
50/50 RAFFLE 6 – 10 pm - MUSIC
Nasty Habits Classic Rock Band
Sponsored by Paul Gerweck, parish member
8295 Van Aiken St; Ida, MI 48140
Parking lot under a tent donated by Ida Party Tent
USHERS CORNER
We need ushers. Men and women are welcome.
If you are interested in serving in this ministry, please contact the parish office (734-241-8645) or Cliff Venier (734-735-5049). Thank you!
Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools
Now Enrolling for the 2021-2022 School Year!
Visit www.mcesmonroe.com to request more information or call 734-241-3923 and speak with Julie White, our Enrollment Manager!
www.mcesmonroe.com 734-241-6335
Congratulations, Mrs. Karol Applin on your Retirement!
Mrs. Applin has worked at MCES and St. Mary School for
26 years. We are incredibly grateful for her support and dedication. Mrs. Applin served
as classroom teacher, interventionist, interim principal, and most recently
as Assistant Principal/
Interventionist at St. John.
Congratulations to the 2021-22 recipients of the Friends of MCES Scholarship!
The following families will receive a $500 scholarship for the 2021-22 school year:
• The Donnelly Family
• The McLaughlin Family
• The Sloan Family
• The Southworth Family
• The Stibbe Family
• The Westerlund Family
The Friends of MCES Scholarship Fund was established in 2018 at the generosity of the Sunderland Family to provide scholarships for MCES Students. As the fund grows, MCES will be able to provide even more scholarships of varying amounts annually to both those who excel academically, those who work for MCES, and those who demonstrate financial need.
If you would like to support the Friends of MCES Scholarship Fund, you can donate using this form or by contacting our Finance Director, Courtney Phillips, at 734-241-6335 ext 1.
Friends of MCES Scholarship Support Please mail this form with check.
_____________________________________________
Name
_____________________________________________
Address
_____________________________________________
Phone
Amount: $________________
Please make check payable to “MCES” and mail to:
MCES 151 N. Monroe St. Monroe, MI 48162
MONDAY, JULY 5
St. Anthony Zaccaria, Priest; St. Elizabeth of Portugal PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
Mass 8:15 am - church Devotions 9 am - church TUESDAY, JULY 6
St. Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr WEDNESDAY, JULY 7
THURSDAY, JULY 8
FRIDAY, JULY 9
St. Augustine Zhao Rong, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs Mass 8:15 am - church
SATURDAY, JULY 10 BVM
Confession 3:30 pm - church Mass 5:00 pm - church SUNDAY, JULY 11 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass 8:30 am - church Mass 10:30 am - church
THIS WEEK ~ JULY 5 - 11
Pray for:
Rebecca Alexander Theresa Balk Javier Barrios James Barron Monica Beeson Carolyn Bellino Lynda Billock Philip Bloom Addie Bressler AJ Bressler Carol Carle Fr Daniel Complo Keith Dean
Kathy DeFigueiredo Bill Dempsey Rita Getchey Joseph J Giarmo Jr Veronica
Greenawalt Sean Griffin Kate Herr-Maletich Rose Kavanagh Edna Kinsey Lois Knegendorf Alice LaPrad Donna Leask Madeline Lemerand Dorothy Louwsma
Diane Mennell June Neph Pat Orr
Leigh Ann Parrack Donna Perez Mary Ray Parker Reau Mary Ann Soleau Betty Steffes Wilbur Stotz Bob Vajcner Alex Vanisacker Alice Villarreal Cody Wood Mary Zubkoff
PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY:
Major Matthew Aubry Brett Bennett
Tracy (Scobel) Bennett Pvt. Adrien Boudreault Major Zachery Briscoe CWO3 Ricky Brown Cpt. Kyle Burkardt, DDS Cpt. Patrick Burkardt, DDS 1st Sgt. Robert C. Cebina Cpl Chase E. Collingsworth Spc. Skylar Cooper SMS. Wayne Fetty Cpl Jacob Luthy Sgt. Michael Makela
Staff Sgt. Angelo Marino Staff Sgt. Emily Marino Airman 2 Drew McLaughlin Sgt. William McGowan S. Sgt. Jill (Hoffman) Miles AB Tannar Osborne Major Tim Payment Alan Scobel
Lt Col Marcus Sitterly Gregory Smith
M/Sgt. Marian Olmsted Smith Spc. Travis Weber
Cpt. Brian Worley, USMC LCPL Justin Zukowski
Readings for the Week of July 4, 2021
Sunday: Ez 2:2-5/Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4 [2cd]/2 Cor 12:7-10/Mk 6:1-6a Monday: Gn 28:10-22a/Ps 91:1-2, 3-4, 14-15 ab [cf. 2b]/Mt 9:18-26 Tuesday: Gn 32:23-33/Ps 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15 [15a]/Mt 9:32-38
Wednesday: Gn 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a/Ps 33:2-3, 10-11, 18- 19 [22]/Mt 10:1-7
Thursday: Gn 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5/Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20- 21 [5a]/Mt 10:7-15
Friday: Gn 46:1-7, 28-30/Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40 [39a]/Mt 10:16-23
Saturday: Gn 49:29-32; 50:15-26a/Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7 [cf. Ps 69:33]/Mt 10:24-33
Next Sunday: Am 7:12-15/Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 [8]/Eph 1:3-14 or 1:3-10/Mk 6:7-13
Marriage Banns
Mitchell Sulfaro & Paige Rachut (1)
LITURGY SCHEDULE JULY 5 - 11 DAY & TIME INTENTIONS Monday 8:15 am Maria Vitale
Intentions of Fr Phil Ching Friday 8:15 am Antonina Mignano
Intentions of Jerry & Peggy Iott Saturday 5:00 pm Evelyn & Lennis Savage
Mary Jane Van Belle Sunday 8:30 am
10:30 am The People of St Michael
Joseph Giarmo
John & Angela Terrasi
ST VINCENT DE PAUL TOP HAT COLLECTION
is next weekend.
As always, we thank you for your generosity!
Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time:
In today’s Gospel the people exclaim: “What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!” Because of your gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul many “mighty deeds” are accomplished for the
poor.
This week give to the St. Vincent de Paul, knowing that through your kindness someone who is suffering will be touched by God in a miraculous way.
LIVE THE LITURGY
God never ceases to proclaim His Word. His life-giving presence continues to sustain all things and keep them in being regardless of whether there is the faith to receive or perceive Him. Our personal agendas, preconceived ideas, misconceptions, and expectations can often cause us to be so hard of heart and obstinate that we fail to see what God is trying to do. While God remains ever present, faith is necessary for God’s power to bear fruit. As we celebrate our country’s independence, let us not forget the difference between liberties and freedom. While the liberties we have are most welcome treasures, only freedom from what blinds, deceives, and weighs us down can bring happiness. God is all about healing, transformation, and hope. In order for God to do what God does best, we have to invite Him in and see Him for who he is.
Otherwise, God’s will for humanity will be something at which we simply take offense, a common reaction when something challenges or unsettles us.
©LPi
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH ~ 734-241-8645 Jesus Christ, The Eternal High Priest
Fr. Kishore Battu x12 [email protected] DeeDee Perkins, Office Manager x14
Leslee Smith, Faith Formation Director 734-241-6097 Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools (MCES) Mr. Kyle Kubik, Executive Principal 734-241-6335
[email protected] St. Joseph Cemetery 734-241-1411 SMCC High School 734-241-7622 St. Vincent de Paul 734-241-8645 x42
Bulletin email:
[email protected] PARISH COUNCIL &
COMMISSION REPS
Kourtnie Boncher, Faith Formation Jean Brose, Worship/Christian Zachary Bruck, Chair
Gary Carter, Leadership Ignazio Cuccia, Finance LEADERSHIP TEAM
Gary Carter Lynn Fedewa Kyle Kubik Molly Roehrig FINANCE COUNCIL
Traci Calkins Ignazio Cuccia Jim DuBay Tela Geiger
2021 CSA STATUS - 122 %
130 families have pledged $82,770 of $67,793
Online giving is EASY! Make your CSA pledge now and set up automated payments on behalf of St Michael at sma.aodcsa.org.
If you have any questions or need help, call DeeDee at the parish office: 734-241-8645.
3-D-4-2 For ad info. call 1-800-477-4574 • www.4lpi.com 14-0154
Contact Sherri Fischhaber to place an ad today!
[email protected] or (800) 477-4574 x6553
Wm. A. Bacarella, Owner/Manger Justin D. Miller, CFSP, CCO Jeffery C. Rupp, Funeral Director Deanna M. Maurice, Funeral Director Alayna M. Hensley, CCSP Funeral Director
734-241-4600 1201 South Telegraph Rd. • Monroe, MI
www.bacarellafuneralhome.com
B ACARELLA
FUNERAL HOME
Monroe Family Dentistry
Dr. Jeremy Dull, D.D.S., P.C.
Dr. Bradley Zemke, D.M.D.
876 Stewart Rd., Suite D Monroe, MI 48162
(734) 241-6550
YINGER PHARMACY
YINGER PHARMACY SHOPPESHOPPE
Jim Yinger, RPH • Eric Nagel, RPH Holly Mills, RPH • Melissa Massengill, RPH 1704 S. Custer 1036 N. Monroe
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Hours:
M-F 9-6 Sat 9-2
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2800 N. Telegraph Rd.
Monroe, MI 48162
734-243-6000
Selling, servicing and supporting our community for over 30 years
www.friendlyfordmonroe.com
A Family Tradition Since 1864
FUNERAL HOME, INC.
2345 South Custer Road • Monroe • 241-9300www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com
SCHAFER AGENCY INC.
Insurance & Financial Services Carleton, MI 48117 • 734-654-6269 5955 E. Dunbar Rd. • Monroe, MI 48161 734-242-5100 | www.schaferagency.com
Auto Body Plant
Complete Collision Service 1408 Custer Drive
242-3818
Monroe, Michigan 48162
“Buckle up for safety!
F.G. ANGELO & SONS F.G. ANGELO & SONS
Concrete Contractors 612 Kaye Lani • Monroe, MI 48161
www.fgangeloandsons.com 734-241-4735
734-241-4735 Family Owned Since 1956
SECURE SELF STORAGE 2
6231 North Monroe St.
Monroe, MI 48162
734-244-4094
Gary E. Nowitzke, EA, CTS
11 Scott St., Monroe, MI
734-457-3700
Investments • Income Tax Preparation • College Education Plans IRA’s • Annuities • Rollover IRA’s • Health • Life Offering Securities Through Sigma Financial Corp., Member FINRA/SIPC.
Lotus Financial Services is independent of Sigma Financial Corporation.
G.B. Construction Roofing & Siding
Free Estimates / Lic & Ins.
Call Greg 734-242-9201
Parish Member
734-241-8898
Plumbing • Heating • Air Conditioning
MESSINA
CONCRETE
READY MIXED CONCRETE AGGREGATE HAULING CONCRETE PUMPING FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
MONROE: 734.241.8380 FLAT ROCK: 734.783.1020 www.messinaconcrete.com
33 E Front St 734-242-9393 Monroe
www.HassettTitle.com
THIS SPACE IS
734-240-9732 | 610 W. Elm Ave. | Monroe, MI IHM Senior Living Community
• short-term rehab • skilled nursing
• post-hospital stay
Celebrate the life Cherish the memories.
• Maybee
• Trenton
• Rockwood
• Monroe (734) 671-5400
martenson.com
Caring people, caring for your pets Dr. Julie Bieszki & Dr. Arianne Baker 15555 S. Telegraph Rd. • 734-384-0812
suburbananimalclinicofmonroe.com