St Martin de Porres Church
31555 Hoover RD
Warren, MI 48093
Rev. Nicholas Zukowski, Pastor
Rev. Mr. Marion Jurewicz, Deacon
Tel: (586) 264-7515
Fax: (586) 264-4013
E-mail: parishoffice@smdeporres.com
HOLIDAY GIVING PROGRAM: IDEAS FOR CHANGE
Seventeen years ago we changed the way we implemented our Holiday Giving
Programs. We began to put up Giving Trees with tags stating specific needs of families. Families in need were able to identify the needs of their families. This process has served us well. In the last couple of years, though, we have come to our deadline and had many tags remaining on the tree. This was despite decreasing the number of families we served. Because of this, a few people had to do a lot of last minute shopping to meet the needs of families we had promised to help for the holidays.
These issues have caused the Christian Service Commission and me to re-examine
our program to see how we could continue to serve our community in light of
the changes occurring in our parish. We have brainstormed and come up with a couple ideas to share with you. We are hopeful that after getting input from you and reassessing the number of people we help, we will be able to facilitate a program that
continues to serve God’s people in a very special way. A couple of our ideas are:
MONETARY DONATIONS- Several of our elderly parishioners have informed me that they want to participate, but they really can’t do much shopping anymore. They
would like to donate money for gifts. I have also had a couple of younger people
volunteer to use money donated to shop for some of the people we have promised
to help. (They have assured me that they are bargain hunters and will get the best
bang for their buck!) If this idea was appealing to you, we would request the
monetary donations by the first week in November so we could estimate how many
families could be served in this way and eliminate the need to make tags for them
for the Giving Tree.
ADOPT A FAMILY- Another idea is to have families, church groups or work teams
adopt one of our families. I would provide the information needed for each of the
families and the ‘adopters’ would purchase and wrap the gifts, then bring them to
the Tree Trimming Service or to the parish office before the date of the service. The
group adopting the family could request the size of the family they would bless.
Food and household supplies would still be provided by the parish. We would also
need to know of your intention to adopt a family by the first week in November.
I would greatly appreciate your input on this program. Please let me know if you
have any other ideas or if you would like to donate money or adopt a family. For so
many years we have accomplished great things in God’s name and I am confident that with a little creativity and a little tweaking, we can continue to do so, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Blessings,
Renee’
Capuchin Soup Kitchen
25th Annual Benefit on the Bay
Friday, August 24, 5:30 p.m.
Support the Capuchin Soup Kitchen by attending the 25th Annual Benefit on the Bay at MacRay Harbor on Lake St. Clair. Music by Doug Simonsen, John Dickson and the C-Notes, The Key Suspects, and special musical guests, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen Choir! Visit this page for more information.
Novena for the Protection of Human Life
The U.S. bishops urge our participation each Friday in a nationwide Novena for the Legal Protection of Human Life, August 3–September 28. Participants will receive weekly email or text reminders to pray and fast, along with little-known facts about Roe v. Wade to share with others. Sign up at www.usccb.org/pray
Do you know someone who wants to become Catholic?
Or are you an adult who needs to be Baptized, Confirmed or Receive Communion for the first time? Are you a member of another Christian Church who might be called to become Catholic? THEN RCIA IS FOR YOU!
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is how the Church brings adults into full
communion. Whether a person has no experience in the Church, or was baptized but
never confirmed, the RCIA can help them become full Catholics in good standing. Adults
who were confirmed in the Catholic Church but have been away from the Church can
return to reception of the Eucharist by going to Confession. They are welcome to attend
the RCIA to see what they’ve been missing! Practicing Catholics may attend the RCIA
and possibly be available as a sponsor for our RCIA candidates.
The RCIA is a process of exploring your relationship with Jesus Christ, learning what the
Roman Catholic Church teaches and practices, and discerning (prayerfully deciding)
whether to join us as a fully initiated member. There is no pressure! The RCIA typically
starts in September and leads to the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism
or Profession of Faith, Confirmation, and First Eucharist) at the Great Easter Vigil, the
night before Easter Sunday in the spring.
If you or anyone you know could benefit from the RCIA, please call the Parish Office at
(586) 264-7515. We have a caring team of parish members to help you and them
through the process!
Mercy In Action Service Day
Live the Works of Mercy on October 20! All Catholics are called to live out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. These include:
Feed the Hungry Instruct the Ignorant
Give Drink to the Thirsty Admonish the Sinner
Clothe the Naked Bear Wrongs Patiently
Welcome the Stranger Counsel the Doubtful
Heal the Sick Comfort the Sorrowful
Visit the Imprisoned Forgive Injuries
Bury the Dead Pray for the Living and the Dead
You can answer this call by participating in Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan’s Mercy in Action Day October 20, 2018! Leaders in Archdiocese of Detroit Vicariates are planning service activities in their local communities for this annual event.
To get involved, or for more information about activities in the Northeast Region,
contact Debbie Mazur at St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Sterling Heights at 586-977-8080 ext. 107 or dmazursjfparish@gmail.com. At Catholic Charities contact Joyce Hyttinen at CCSEM at 568-416-2300 ext. 4032 or hyttinenj@ccsem.org.
For Widowed Men and Women
For further information about Widowed Friends and upcoming events, visit our website at www.widowedfriends.org
Police, Fire and EMT Appreciation Mass
All First Responders, their families and friends qre invited to join us in fellowship at the
Police, Fire and EMT Appreciation Mass Sunday, September 9, 2018 2:00 p.m.
Celebrant is Fr. Michael Cooney at St. Peter Catholic Church, 95 Market Street Mount Clemens, MI.
Members of all Faiths are welcome. Immediately following the Mass, we wish to extend an invitation to join us for dinner in the Parish Hall. RSVP (586) 468-4578 or via email at stpbluemass@gmail.com, requested by Monday, September 3, 2018
Right To Life
While many today readily acknowledge the dignity and value of human life after
birth, they seem to think that giving dignity and value to lives before birth is a
throwback to outmoded religious beliefs that have no place in our modern scientific world. Yet science is proving them wrong. Science shows us the humanity and personhood of children in the womb who, far from being just a blob of tissue, actively direct their own development.
Shouldn’t we all be praying for an end to abortion?
Regina Falkowski
Parish rep for Right to Life
News from St. Martin de Porres
Parish Ministries and Groups
Religious Assistance to Poland and Polonia
This annual collection will be taken up next weekend, August 18-19. Your donation will assist the education of Polish priests, Polish-American students and the missionary work of Polish religious across the world. Envelopes are in the back of Church, please give
generously.
Have fun on your summer vacations! We know you’ll be out of town for a few Sundays this summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t participate through your regular tithes. With ParishSOFT Giving you can contribute from wherever you are… you can even set up payments in advance if you like! And when you give online, it helps us make our budget, even when attendance is low. For more information...
Sign up or see your giving history at anytime, just by logging in at our Parish's web page at Connect Now.
Unleashing The Gospel Sessions
The reflection sessions will be on MONDAY, AUGUST 20TH AND MONDAY, AUGUST 27TH at 7:00 p.m. in the parish center hall. In anticipation, please register beforehand at the table near the Holy Family shrine in church, and be sure to take a copy of the document home with you to read, to study and to pray over. This study program will continue throughout the year.
A Matter Of Balance Program
This fall, our Parish Nurse Program will again partner with St. John Providence
to bring the “A Matter of Balance” program to our parish. This is a free eight session
series to learn strategies to improve strength, coordination and balance with gentle
exercise and to lower your risk for falls. It will take place in the Parish Center on
Tuesdays, September 25-November 13, 2018 from 10:30am-12:30pm.
This class is recommended for anyone interested in improving balance, flexibility
and strength; anyone concerned about falls or who has fallen in the past; or anyone who has restricted activities because of falling.
You must register to attend this class as class size is limited. To register visit healthcare.ascension.org/events or call 1-866-501-3627.
Do not call the parish to register. You may contact Renee’, in the parish office with questions about the program.
Music Ministry Openings
St. Martin’s music ministries will begin rehearsing soon. New singers and instrumentalists are always welcome. Below are the first rehearsal dates for the choirs. Consider and pray about joining!
Contemporary Choir: Tuesday, September 4, 7:30 p.m. in Church. They will alternate
ministering between the 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. masses on a monthly basis.
Hand bell Choir: Monday, September 10, 6:30 p.m. in Church. They minister at various
masses throughout the year.
Adult Choir: Wednesday, September 5, 8:00 p.m. in Church. They will alternate
ministering between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. masses on a monthly basis.
Children’s Choir: This choir ministers on a seasonal basis due to the lack of participants.
They sing on Christmas Eve at the 5:00 p.m. Mass and on the last Sunday of April for the
11:00 a.m. First Eucharist Mass. December and April rehearsal dates will be announced.
Anyone interested in joining the Funeral Choir or Cantor program may leave a message
for me at the parish office (586) 264-7515.
John McGovern
Director of Music
Join the Pius X Council
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus and dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity,
Fraternity and Patriotism.
Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of the month in the Parish Center, Room 1
We invite you to visit the Council's Website
SM 101 Part 2 - What is included in Stephen Ministry Training?
The Stephen Ministry initial training course has been designed to help Stephen Ministers
address the needs of care receivers who are experiencing a difficult time in their lives.
The course includes topics such as: recognizing and accepting feelings, the art of
listening, distinctively Christian Caring, process versus results in caregiving, assertiveness, maintaining boundaries in caregiving, addressing crises, ministering to
those experiencing grief and depression and more. While each Stephen Minister may
not need to address all of these topics with their care receiver, he/she is prepared to
deal with a variety of situations.
The classes require the participants to be involved in readings, discussions, role playing
and asking questions. These exercises provide the new Stephen Ministers with the best
available “toolkit” for helping their care receivers. Later on, additional training on specific topics of interest is provided to all Stephen Ministers in the peer group supervision sessions.
Our new training class is beginning in September. Please call Florence Murphy at 586-264-7515 for more information about the Stephen Ministry training.
Next week: SM Part 3 What Do Stephen Ministers Do?
Susan Madro
Active Christian Women's Club
Upcoming:
- Aug 17th – Deadline for membership enrollment and dinner reservation for September 13th catered dinner and General Meeting.
- Aug 19th - Memorial mass for deceased member Ann Raney at the 11:00 a.m. liturgy.
- Aug 24th – Board Meeting at 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Center Teen Room.
- Aug 28th – Birthday Breakfast at Ram’s Horn following 9:30 am Liturgy. Happy birthday to Deacon Marion, Sr. Pat, club member Gloria, and to all who celebrate birthdays in August.
- September 27 - Women’s annual Day of Reflection Retreat will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Capuchin Retreat Center, Washington, MI.
- October 11 - Fall Harvest Card Party: The correct date for the Fall Harvest Card Party is Thursday, October 11.
- On Going – Craft Group meets Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Center, Room 6. New crafters are always welcome.
Please note: We continue to need items for gift baskets for our annual Fall Card Party. Your contributions can be brought on Tuesdays, Craft Room 6 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
CRAFT FAIR, November 3, 2018 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The St. Martin de Porres annual fall Craft Fair needs crafters!
Tables are available to display your crafts. Cost is $30 each. See the August 12 parish bulletin for contact information or to reserve your table.
Volunteer for the Liturgical Ministries
As we are about to begin a new program year, please prayerfully consider how you might serve as a liturgical minister. Volunteers are needed as Altar Servers, Lectors, extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers/Hospitality Greeters, Cantors, Choir Members and Hand bell Choir Members. Training sessions will be provided. If you don’t feel you can volunteer at this time, please consider how you can more actively participate in the celebration of the Mass by your responses and participation in the singing. The Mass is Jesus’ beautiful gift to us and how we participate in it is our way of showing thanks for the gift of Himself in Holy Communion.
Women's Day of Reflection Retreat
The ACWC Women’s annual Day of Reflection Retreat will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Capuchin Retreat Center, Washington, MI. We will be leaving from the Parish Center at 8:15 AM promptly and returning to the Center at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Early reservations are encouraged. The cost is $25. A $10 deposit, (submitted with your Membership Renewal packet due by September 13, 2018) reserves your seat.
Should you have a special need (walker, cane, wheelchair, etc.) please indicate such when making your reservation. Please see the July 29 Parish Bulletin for contact information.
Other Upcoming Local Events
St. Martin de Porres Church News
News from F.A.M.
Our Lock-out was a lot of fun! The evening started at St. Malachy for Holy Hour Adoration. That prepared our hearts for the evening ahead. There is no better way to start an evening than with awesome music and Jesus! At the Lock-out we had some healthy competition along with team-building skills. Our theme was Legends of the Hidden Temple. The weather was a bit chilly; however, the bonfire was very warm. Took our annual walk to Leasons and had a great time with friends.
Steubie Snacks: (Our teen’s experiences at Steubenville)
John
“When the weekend started, I wasn’t as excited as the previous years. But as the weekend went on, God spoke to me in so many ways that I didn’t expect. Saturday night Adoration was when I felt the closest to God. Although he wasn’t speaking to me necessarily, I could just feel his presence in the field house, more so than previous years.”
Natalie
“I felt closest to God during the presentations. I felt inspired by many of the speakers insights and their experiences with Christ. Their words of wisdom have revealed to
me even more of who God is and His purpose for all of us, and I now see and understand God in new ways.“
Upcoming events:
Wow! It is hard to believe that the summer is almost over. We have some great news though! Friday, August 24: End of the Year Pool party at the Lallman’s! from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The FAM would like to thank the Lallman’s for hosting our end of year event once again! Please contact Stephanie or Nick for additional information.
Attention all Students 8th - 12th grade! If you would like to join F.A.M. or have any questions regarding F.A.M. please feel free to call, text or email:
Nick Mercier at mercieryouthministry@gmail.com and/or
Stephanie Guzak at sguzak@smdeporres.com.