Dear Friends in Christ,
Here are a few updates from the parish for the week of June 27, 2021.
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1) Farewell and THANKS Fr. Jim Grau |
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This weekend we bid farewell to Fr. Jim Grau who has helped us on the weekends (mostly at the Sunday Masses) since July 2017.
We are grateful for his ministry these past years not only as the priest secretary to Archbishop Vigneron but to us as a weekend assistant at St. Joan of Arc. As I mentioned at Mass this morning, how he interweaves his own (and often funny) family stories into his homilies is masterful because then his breaking open Christ's Words for us becomes real and practical!
Thank you Father Jim for sharing your great gifts. The people of St. John Vianney are certainly lucky to have you as their new shepherd.
As a parish, we have given Fr. Jim a chasuble and stole with an embroidered label as a remembrance of his time with us at SJA!
If you want to drop Fr. Jim a note of thanks, please do so:
Fr. James Grau
St. John Vianney Parish
54045 Schoenherr Road
Shelby Township, MI 48315
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2) Catholic Services Appeal 2021 |
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Dear Friends in Christ,
In St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians, he urges them, "Whatever you do, do from the heart (Col. 3:23)." These words are particularly meaningful since he wrote them from prison, facing persecution and hardship. The faith community at Colossae was facing its own hardships as they strove to live the life Christ called them to whatever the circumstances. Being rooted in the Lord would serve them well as they continued to grow as a faith community, and as the Church continued to grow throughout the world.
The theme of the 2021 CSA is FUEL THE MISSION. The mission is simple, to make Christ's kingdom present in our day to the many people of Southeast Michigan. That mission cannot be fully accomplished unless it is fueled with human and materially resources.
Our CSA goal this year is just slightly more than $217,000. Anything raised above the goal will return to the parish, while any shortfalls must be covered by the parish. Thus, your support is greatly needed and appreciated.
Your gift helps support men who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood. It impacts youth, family, and young adult ministries to help people at all stages of life grow in faith. It helps Catholic schools continue to form the next generation of leaders and disciples. It helps our food pantries and soup kitchens feed and clothe the poor. Your gift brings Jesus to Southeast Michigan in a very real and tangible way.
You may have already received a mailing from the Archdiocese of Detroit. If you did so, please make a contribution to the CSA as indicated in that mailing. You can also easily give by visiting: csa.stjoan.church or by clicking on the button below.
Also available at the Church exists, in the bins outside the Sr. Carol Center, and at the Parish Center are general CSA brochures and envelopes that can be used to make a contribution to the CSA.
I'm grateful to those who have already contributed to the CSA. We have raised a little more than $41,575 toward our $217,000 goal. I hope I can count on you to help FUEL the MISSION of all that the Archdiocese of Detroit is trying to accomplish in the name of Christ in Southeast Michigan.
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Archbishop Vigneron's 2021 CSA Message |
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3) SJA's CSA Update as of June 26, 2021 |
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I am grateful to those who have already contributed to CSA 2021. As of today, we have $92,884 in pledges and gifts toward our $217,002 goal. This amount represents gifts from 297 families (we have 3,232 families registered). We have thus achieved 43% of our goal!
Here is a breakdown by gift range:
$2,500+ (3)
$1,000+ (18)
$500+ (31)
$250+ (54)
$100+ (110)
$75+ (9)
$50+ (42)
$25+ (21)
$0+ (9)
As stated above, the easiest way to give is electronically by clicking on the button above. If you wish to give by check, feel free to contact the Parish Center and we will mail out an envelope and related material.
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4) Battling Dryness in Prayer |
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I often get questions about dryness in prayer or how to deal with distractions in prayer. These aspects of prayer are real and EVERYONE deals with them. I thought I would share a short 8-minute video from Fr. Mike Schmitz on dealing with dryness in prayer. |
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5) Farm-to-table soup kitchen: Capuchins’ Earthworks Farm in Detroit (VIDEO) |
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From the DETROIT CATHOLIC: DETROIT — In 1997, Capuchin Friar Brother Rick Samyn felt a calling to start a garden at his workplace, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
Inspired by his relationship with neighborhood youth (whom he witnessed getting their groceries from the gas station), he decided the youth of the neighborhood needed to understand what good food was, and where it came from. The garden was created to connect people to each other, the land, and their food.
Over time, this simple, humble garden greatly expanded. A large plot was added behind Gleaners Community Food Bank; an apiary; a greenhouse for transplant production; a hoop house for year-round production; a community orchard; and lots of community plots.
The garden now hosts at least 12 interns each growing season and countless volunteers. It provides tons of produce to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, hosts a weekly market stand, and grows transplants for thousands of community gardens throughout the city.
Video produced by Andrew Kleczek, Paul Duda and Emily McElhone; description courtesy of Earthworks Urban Farm’s website.
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6) This Sunday's Readings - June 27, 2021 |
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7) Grow+Go for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time |
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Grow+Go, content is designed to help you understand what it means to be an evangelizing disciple of Christ. Using the Sunday Scriptures as the basis for reflection, Grow+Go offers insight into how we can all more fully GROW as disciples and then GO evangelize, fulfilling Christ's Great Commission to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) The concept behind the weekly series is to make discipleship and evangelization simple, concrete, and relatable.
Click on the button or image below to download a PDF copy of this Sunday's Grow+Go.
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8) Sunday Reflection by Jeff Cavins |
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In this week’s Encountering the Word video for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jeff Cavins reflects upon the eternal aspects of our existence and that we are all creations of God. |
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9) Giving to SJA: I'm truly grateful for all of your support of SJA during this pandemic. Your support means so much. The increase in electronic giving has been tremendous. Giving electronically, whether on a one-time or recurring basis is pretty simple. For more information on online giving, please click on the following button.
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10) This Week's Edition of TALLer Tales |
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Weight Watchers, Here I Come: A couple of weeks ago, our family gathered at my sister Cindy’s house in Allenton. It was a picturesque afternoon; it was one of those days you wish you could have bottled up in a jar.
As with all family gatherings, there was plenty of food. Even when we plan ahead of time to determine who is bringing what so we don’t have too much food, we ALWAYS seem to have way too much. My issues aren’t necessarily with the dinner portion of our gatherings but with all the junk food available before and after dinner. As you know, I’m forever complaining I need to lose weight, but I rarely do much about it (like did I just have to go down the hall and get two snack-size Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups at this late hour of the day).
On my way up to my sisters, I stopped by a grocery store to pick up the tortilla chips to go with the salsa I was responsible for bringing. I saw a watermelon sitting there and some other fruit but I decided I would stick to my chips and salsa; “after all,” I thought to myself, “Cindy and the kids ALWAYS have fruit on hand.” It was a rare day in that I was looking forward to delving into some fruit before hitting all the cookies I was dreaming about that would undoubtedly be sitting on the kitchen counter when I arrived.
Once I got to the house, I was surprised to find that NO ONE brought any fruit. This was an oddity for our family gathering. After announcing my great disappointment that 1) I didn’t pick up any watermelon and 2) they didn’t have any watermelon or grapes, I would do what I always do, fill my plate with cookies, chocolate, and some chips and salsa. I figured it was God’s will to go this route since there wasn’t any fruit on hand. I tried!
After filling my plate with the usual pre-dinner feast, I worked my way out to the patio. By the time I got there, most of the chairs around the table were filled, so I grabbed a chair sitting off to the side. I got my chair into position and carefully balanced my plate and water bottle so I could plop down quickly and then dive into the delicacies on my plate.
Before I could realize what was happening (mostly because I was trying to save the food I was waiting to pig out on), I heard a loud rip, and then my rear was well beyond the seat of the chair. Suddenly all eyes were on me, and a few were doing more than snickering. “What just happened to Uncle Mike???” Well, Uncle Mike just ripped the woven fabric seat of the chair from one end to the other. The chair was now unusable … but I’m happy to announce that I saved the cookies, the chocolate, and chips and salsa. Yikes, I think I got the sign that I ought to start Weight Watchers … “tomorrow.” After all, I had to clean my plate before dinner; I certainly wasn’t going to ruin this picturesque day by going healthy now … broken chair or not.
The Sacrament of the Sick: For the next several weeks, I plan to write about the Sacrament of the Sick. I find that the Sacrament of the Sick is greatly misunderstood. I would be a millionaire if I got a $1 every time someone referred to it as “Last Rites.” Today, I’ll offer a bird’s eye view of the history of the sacrament. Then over the next few weeks, I’ll share some insights on the redemptive value of our sufferings and offer some practical insights and advice about receiving the sacrament or suggesting to others that they may want to consider receiving the sacrament.
Pope Saint Paul VI, in his Apostolic Constitution Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (Sacram unctionem infirmorum) states, “The Catholic Church professes and teaches that the anointing of the sick is one of the seven sacraments of the New Testament, that it was instituted by Christ our Lord, ‘intimated in Mark (6:13) and through James, the apostle and brother of the Lord, recommended to the faithful and made known: ‘Is there anyone sick among you? Let him send for the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, they will be forgiven him’ (James 5:14-15).’”
Pope Saint Paul VI goes on to say there is evidence that the anointing of the sick has been a part of the Church’s liturgical tradition from ancient times. The Church’s actual teaching on the anointing of the sick can be seen primarily in the ecumenical councils of Florence (1438-1445), Trent (1545-1563), and especially Vatican II (1962-1965). The Council of Florence described the essential elements of the sacrament while the Council of Trent declared it was of divine institution and offered a thorough teaching on the scriptural reference from the letter of St. James. The same Council, according to Pope Saint Paul VI, “also declared that these words of the apostle state with sufficient clarity that ‘this anointing is to be given to the sick, especially those who are in such serious condition as to appear to have reached the end of their life. For this reason it is also called the sacrament of the dying.’” Hence we have the foundation for the sacrament of the anointing of the sick also being known as the “last rites” or “extreme unction.”
Vatican II, in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctus Concilium, (no. 73-75), indicated that “anointing of the sick” is the more proper name for this sacrament. It further indicated that the sacrament is not only for those who are at the point of death (this is still a point most people don’t realize). The Council called for the number of anointings to be adapted to the occasion and that the prayers which belong to the rite of anointing were to be revised. Pope Saint Paul VI established that the following was to be observed in the Roman Rite: “The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil – pressed from olives or from other plants – saying, only once: ‘Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.’”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers some great insights into the sacrament’s foundation in the economy of salvation. It states that illness and suffering have always been one of the great problems which confront human life. In our illness and sufferings, we experience powerlessness, limitation, and our finitude. Illness can lead to anguish, despair, and sometimes anger toward God. Amazingly though, an illness can provoke a search for God (as one tries to figure out why God would bring about an illness) and ultimately a return to him (as one turns to him for strength and consolation in the midst of the illness). In the Old Testament, we find that illness often becomes a way to conversion. The Old Testament person often laments the illness before God but also turns to God for healing. The prophet Isaiah suggests (and this becomes important for the New Testament’s understanding of illness) that suffering can have a redemptive value. The redemptive value of illness and suffering is something I will reflect on next week.
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Enjoy the week. Know of my prayers!
In Christ,
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11) Tire Tracks in the d’Arc |
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The Restoration of All Things: I was a little nervous this Spring as to what I would find when I fired-up my tractor after a long winter in storage. She wasn't sounding quite right last fall. But happily, a few weeks ago, she fired right up, and though I think she’s in need of a little attention, she continues to run just fine. Sure there was a decent amount of oil that had leaked through what decades ago used to be gaskets, but that’s not surprising—I figure if she wasn't leaking when I bought her it was because of how little oil I discovered was left inside. Once the oil was replenished and circulating, it stands to reason that it’s now reaching all the right places it can leak out from. And as a percentage of just how much went in, it’s not that much.
I’m not in favor of cutting corners and not doing the job properly, but I do call on a medium degree of reason in these things, and often tell myself, “It’s a tractor!” It’s not a Porsche. Actually, Porsche made tractors too… but it’s not one of those. So the fifth gear jumps out…. so hold the lever in place. So the oil leaks…. so top it up again. Problem solved!
But I have been pondering one aspect of the restoration for the 3 years since I bought the tractor. The astute will notice the issue. Spot the difference, left to right:
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Just before I found the tractor in the U.P., the previous owner had replaced one of the rear tires and for some reason, while he had the tire off the rim, he decided to paint the rim red. While I kind of like it, it’s not original to Farmall tractors. I’ve spent 3 years trying to decide do I re-paint it silver, or do I paint the other rim red to match it? The dilemma was heightened by the amount of surface rust on the silver rim. I finally bit the bullet and decided to restore to them to the original silver. The best solution would be to remove the rims. But it’s more work than I ever have time for in one day. And it’s not my barn. I’m reluctant to leave the tractor in an unmovable state for a week or two in a well-used barn that’s not mine especially on a jack with young kids around. And this isn’t a simple job. No tractor job is ever the simple job I think it’s going to be—Just ask me about replacing the light bulb…. And 75 years of rust can stand between me and the removal of one bolt for many hours at a time. Plus 3,800 lbs of tractor doesn't lift easily. |
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And so to the corner cutting. It’s not ideal, but I am embarking on a massive painter’s tape project. It’s a tedious and painstaking process of covering every part of both rear wheels and tires, after the rust is removed and re-painting with small brushes. It’s a labor of love.
Restored to Life, Restored to Faith: The story in Mark’s gospel today is reminiscent of Jesus healing the 10 lepers in Luke’s gospel. On that occasion, Jesus tells the lepers to present themselves to the priest to be pronounced clean, in order to re-enter society. Only one returns to thank Jesus, recognizing Him as the one true priest. “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you,” Jesus tells the man.
And today, the cured woman owns-up to what she has done in being so forward to approach and touch Jesus’ garment. As Jesus asks “who touched me,” she probably expects condemnation, but Jesus instead gives her a new identity, a new start, calling her “Daughter.” She’s no longer rejected by society, she’s a daughter of the Lord. She’s freed from spiritual death. “Your faith has saved you,” Jesus says. “Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” Let go of your old identity; let go of your shame; let go of your fear; let go of your isolation and distance; let go of everything that’s bringing death to your soul and be welcomed into the arms of Jesus; to the house of the Lord; to the community of faith; to the band of believers; to the beloved of God.
Jesus brings light and restores life to wherever the world has cast the shadow of death. He supplies faith, hope and love. He offers his hand in mercy. He shows us by example that we have no need to remain bound by this world and all its lies and prejudices. He shows us that freedom is found not in riches, in physical health or even in matching painted wheel rims. True Spiritual Freedom is found in charity and humility – in recognizing that whatever we have, it’s been given to us as a gift to be shared, to bring life. And we have everything to gain by giving some of it away to meet the needs of those less fortunate. Charity is repaid with great interest, which accrues in an “account” we get access to on the day of our judgment…. An eternal 401k.
Garden Update—What’s Up, Doc?!: Well, honestly, I hoped for more. The carrots clearly were bunched too tightly—they needed thinning, so I pulled about half. It might seem early , but I planted early. They had 70 days. The cucumber seems to be a non-starter, the cantaloupe continues to grow, guarded diligently by the plastic duck. But the carrots...well, they tasted good, but dinner they were not! One ounce of carrots anyone?
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You are in my prayers this week.
Fr. Andrew
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12) Words on the Word: June 27, 2021 - Can Anyone Help?
Navigating the challenges of day-to-day life sometimes requires more than we, alone, can manage.
“I get by with a little help from my friends,” the famous song intones.
But what happens when one doesn’t have friends, family, or a network of support on which to call? That could put obstacles around even otherwise simple tasks.
A recent story in the Associated Press reported that “millions of Americans are struggling through life with few people they can trust for personal and professional help, a disconnect that raises a key barrier to recovery from the social, emotional and economic fallout of the pandemic, according to a new poll.”
The story went on to discuss how a percentage of people “have just one person or nobody they can trust for help in their personal lives, such as emergency childcare needs, a ride to the airport or support when they fall sick,” among other types of things.
That feeling of helplessness, to be sure, would mostly affect those who are older, unhealthy, or geographically separated from other people. It is one thing to isolate from others by choice for a short time, but doing so as a way of life, with no other choice, would clearly be more challenging.
Some possible sources of support, the story notes, include churches, civic groups, and the workplace, but ties with even those lifelines were, in some cases, frayed during the pandemic.
All of which ultimately points to the only real place we can turn for transcendent peace and strength, our daily struggles notwithstanding. Today’s gospel passage from St. Mark relays the story of Jesus bringing back to life a synagogue official’s dead daughter.
“Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid; just have faith.’”
Ultimately, faith is the way forward.
© 2021, Words on the Word
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13) FORMED Pick of the Week: |
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14) This Week on St. Joan of Arc LIVE: |
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This week's LIVE Stream
Schedule at St. Joan of Arc:
Monday (June 28):
7:00 AM - Mass
Tuesday (June 29):
7:00 AM - Mass
Wednesday (June 30):
7:00 AM - Mass
Thursday (July 1):
7:00 AM - Mass
7:00 PM - Holy Hour (Praise and Worship Music)
Friday (July 2):
7:00 AM - Mass
12:00 PM - Funeral for George VanBecelaere
Saturday (July 3):
4:00 PM - Mass
6:00 PM - Mass
Sunday (July 4):
8:00 AM - Mass
10:00 AM - Mass
12:00 PM - Mass
Please note that all of our masses and events can be accessed through the ARCHIVE section of our Live stream page if you are not able to watch it live!
We also have our own ROKU Channel. Search for "CATHOLIC" in the ROKU channel store, and you will find SJA's channel. A Fire TV Channel is also available.
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15) SJA's Bulletin for June 27, 2021 |
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Click on the image below
to download a copy of our
Bulletin for June 27, 2021
The 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Weekly bulletin: Sending the bulletin has been greatly received by so many people. IF you are getting the bulletin online and would prefer that it not be mailed to your home, please click on the button below to be removed from the mailing list.
At the same time, if you are NOT getting the bulletin and would prefer to get it, click on the same button and ask to be ADDED to the list.
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Read the latest from the DETROIT CATHOLIC
Click on the image below.
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