As we announced at masses a few weeks ago, I wanted to remind people here that we will continue our Wednesday evening confessions and Mass.

Confessions will be heard from 5:00 until 5:45 PM in the Sr. Carol Center, and then Mass will be celebrated at 6:00 PM. For those who may be interested in knowing, the Wednesday evening Mass is in the daily mass format, that is, with no music. So, it is usually only about 30 minutes in length.

The turnout has been phenomenal. We hear confessions the entire time most days, and we usually get anywhere from 60 to 100 people for Mass. And it's really nice to see families attend that liturgy. Know you are always welcome!

From Detroit Catholic: Archbishop thanks priests celebrating 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 years and greater for 'your service to the death and rising of Jesus'

DETROIT — Forty-four priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit (list below) celebrated a combined 1,971 years of priestly service during a Mass with Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron at Sacred Heart Major Seminary on Tuesday, June 20.

In his homily, the archbishop thanked his brother priests for their sacrifice on behalf of God's people, their imitation of the sacrifice of Christ and sharing it with his people, acknowledging “the price (paid) in order to be faithful to the pascal mystery.”

“We thank you for it, for having — as the bishop said to you on the day you were ordained — ‘imitated the mystery of the paschal blood and body of Jesus,’“ Archbishop Vigneron said. “And we give thanks with you for your service to the death and rising of Jesus in the lives of the people of Jesus. We give thanks for the fruit it has borne in them, and we join with you in giving thanks for the fruit it has borne in your life. For the fruit of the Paschal mystery is an indestructible and immortal and eternal fruit.”

SJA is moderating a Facebook group for our parishioners and friends embarking on the Catechism in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz and Ascension Press.

You can find the link to join on the SJA Facebook page or click the button below. We already have 90+ participants!

Jeff Cavins discusses lessons we can learn from the readings for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, including why we should not fear spreading the gospel in even the darkest of places. The readings are:

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35

Second Reading: Romans 5:12-15

Alleluia: John 15:26B, 27A

Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33

Friends, the readings for today are really magnificent, and they are all about something central to the spiritual life—namely, fear. Years ago, I was on a retreat, and the retreat director said that there are two basic questions always to ask. First; Deep down, what do you want? Second: Ultimately, what are you afraid of? In a way, answering those two questions will tell you everything you need to know about yourself, spiritually speaking.

Multitasking Gone WRONG! I can usually multitask with ease. Sometimes it gets me in trouble, like during our family Zoom calls when my mom or one of my sisters will call me out for not paying attention because I’m looking at something else on my computer. While most times it works, I have noted that my multitasking skills have become a bit rusty as I age. It used to be easier years ago; now, it takes more effort and brain power now.

Speaking of getting older, I had the AGE thing hit me square in the face the other day. I happened to be on the phone with Father Adam Nowak, our new associate, last Sunday afternoon. He and I were discussing the details of his move. He asked me what I was doing that afternoon, and I mentioned that many in our immediate family still gather for dinner on Sunday afternoons. I also shared that we had a huge family wedding the night before up in Richmond. He then started talking about his dad and mentioned that his dad’s birthday was during the coming week. So, I asked the dumb question, “So, how old will your dad be this week?” I wasn’t prepared for his answer. “He will be 60 this week,” Father Adam said. “SIXTY,” I shouted to the rooftops in my head. “SIXTY,” I’ll be 59. I took a deep breath and thought, “Well, at least his dad wasn’t younger than me!”

Back to multitasking. I’ve learned the hard way that last few months that you shouldn’t work on two medical issues simultaneously unless you have to. My mom warned me, but I didn’t listen!

In December, when it became evident I was having issues walking, my mom and sisters were on me to work on my right foot issue. You might remember that a few years ago, I broke my foot and was on a knee scooter for about three months during that winter. My leg fell asleep, and without knowing it, when I got up out of a chair after meeting with a school parent, I fell flat on my face and broke my foot in multiple locations. Over time, that foot started to give me some trouble. I was dealing with it and never took the time to call the orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot surgery my podiatrist wanted me to call. Well, I delayed and delayed until one day, my mom decided to see what openings this surgeon had. “Well, if you do not make your appointment, I will! Everyone can see you can’t walk but you! You need to take care of that issue because it will only worsen… you’re not getting any younger.” Well, there was no greater motivation to make that call than having your mom check appointment times for her 58-year-old son! “OKAY. OKAY. I’ll do it.”

I ended up getting an appointment in early January. Ultimately, the surgeon felt we should try some special orthotics (UCBL orthotics) to help re-train my foot with the hopes of avoiding surgery. I was game. I got the script for the orthotics, but it landed on my desk.

Months went by; my family would repeatedly ask if I was doing anything with the foot issue. In the meantime, my knee continued to give me problems to the point I had to have the knee replacement surgery. Knowing that I would be needled to high heaven about the orthotics while recovering with my family at my side 24x7 for a few weeks, I decided days before the surgery to get the mold taken for these special orthotics. I then had surgery. Two weeks later, I returned to the clinic to finish the fitting for these orthotics. The first thing I noticed was that they were HUGE! I was amazed. But Brian, who was helping me with the orthotics, laughed when he heard my comments about how big these orthotics were and said, “But you’ve got big feet too!”

I was told I wouldn’t like these things, but it was worth the try to avoid surgery. They weren’t kidding I wouldn’t like them. Imagine your feet nestled in a pair of ankle-high formed, super thick plastic. You can barely walk in these things; plus, it takes me about five minutes of fighting with them to get them into my shoes!

So for the last few weeks, I have been trying to do the balancing act of dealing with the knee and the feet simultaneously. Some have wondered why I appear to be limping a bit still. Well, it’s not the knee but the feet that are hurting me now. My knee feels great; now we must get the feet to cooperate! Yes, I should have listened to Mom, the sisters, the staff, and all the people of goodwill and taken care of this earlier! But for now, we’re working on a new pair of orthotics that will be kinder to my feet.

I know what’s next: People will start welcoming me to the aging process! I’m not even 60 yet!

CSA 2023: Go and Announce the Gospel of the Lord: This weekend marks the beginning of our parish’s annual Catholic Services Appeal. As the CSA website (aod.org/csa) notes, “The theme for this year’s Catholic Services Appeal is taken from the part of the liturgy we pray at the end of Mass: ‘Go and Announce the Gospel of the Lord.’ It reminds us that in the Eucharist, we are not only rejuvenated and nourished but also sent out into our communities, inviting all to ‘come and see the goodness of the Lord.’”

Each year, the Catholic Services Appeal provides us an opportunity to celebrate the ways our Church in Detroit responds to the material and spiritual needs of individuals and families. One parish alone could not meet these many needs. It is through the sharing of our gifts and our service that we, together, can be the Church Christ wants us to be.”

As we announced at the Masses a few weeks ago, our CSA material was not to be distributed until after our annual raffle. Unfortunately, that did not happen, and all households received the mailing the first week of May. This weekend will allow me to discuss the CSA and show the CSA videos during Mass.

Our goal for CSA 2023 is $208,946. So far, 235 families have responded to the AOD mailing in May. We already have $46,130 in pledges. I hope you take the time to consider prayerfully what you can give to this year’s CSA. While one-time gifts are rather popular, I encourage you to consider a ten-month pledge to the CSA.

Emails will go out this weekend encouraging you to give to this year’s CSA. The easiest way to give is online at sja.aodcsa.org. If you need a generic pledge card and material, don’t hesitate to contact the Parish Center, we’d be happy to mail the material to you or set it aside for you to pick up. We also have material readily available in the bookcase of the Gathering Space.

Father Andrew will be back next week with his final column!

adawson@sjascs.org 

"Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:22

Woah! Come again?

On the list of controversial and misunderstood Bible verses, this is near the top. When it swings through in the cycle of Mass readings, folks are often left in the pew looking at each other like, “Did anyone else just hear what St. Paul said?”

If you’ll let Fr. Mike explain this scripture passage, it will transform the way you understand Christian marriage (for the better).

Sometimes our anxieties can go up in direct correlation to the rising temperature outside.

We’re still in the opening days of summer, but already a few weeks ago the thermometer was starting to climb quickly. The rapidly rising temperatures, along with a prolonged period without rain, was triggering an emergency situation in which the risk of wildfire was growing and the risk of being overcome by heat, even in otherwise safe conditions, was growing.

People feeling threatened or panicked by the situation might cry out in a way similar to the lament in today’s psalm:

“I pray to you, O Lord, for the time of your favor, O God,” we hear in the psalm. “In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. Answer me, O Lord, for bounteous is your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me.”

The situation prompted Detroit to quick action, opening up recreation centers and library facilities as cooling centers for residents who lacked other places to go for relief. People accustomed to having air conditioning in their homes, schools, or workplaces, of course, might see this as a pretty small thing. Some might even argue that such emergency measures are an over-reaction to the seasonal fluctuations to which we are accustomed.

But, to be sure, for those who would otherwise have felt vulnerable, and who felt they had no other place to turn, the gesture most likely was greeted with a sense of relief. And perhaps even as a prayer answered. Which should be no surprise.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge,” Jesus says in today’s gospel passage from St. Matthew. “Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

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Monday, June 26, 2023, Weekday (Green) 

7:00 a.m., Suzanne Roland

7:00 a.m., Herbert Thelen

7:00 a.m., Hugo Calisi

6:00 p.m., A Special Intention for Monsignor Mike on his 29th birthday!

7:00 a.m., Kenneth A. Smith

7:00 a.m., Frank Mecha

4:00 p.m., Joseph Drouin, Bonnie Batche, the deceased members of the Batche Family, Wayne Smith, and Special Intentions for the J. Champine Family, the Thomas Family, for Alison Reslow, for Pam Haisenleder, for Monsignor Mike and Prayerful appreciation of the work of the Priests and Staff of St. Joan of Arc

6:00 p.m., Elizabeth Howard

8:00 a.m., For the Intentions for St. Joan of Arc Parishioners

10:00 a.m., Helmut Linden

12:00 p.m., Jerome & Geraldine Rogier, Mary J. Rademacher, Norman Fortunate, and Special Intentions for Alison Reslow and Pam Haisenleder.

Thursday (June 29):

Friday (June 30):