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Jolene’s Jottings

5/29/2016

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This weekend has two special events. As Church, we celebrate Corpus Christi or the Body and Blood of Christ. As a nation we celebrate Memorial Day. To me they fit together so well.

The Body and Blood of Christ reminds us that Jesus, at the Last Supper, took the bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to the disciples, telling them, “Take and eat. This is my body.” Then he took the cup of wine, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, “This is my blood, the blood of the covenant to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.“ Matthew, Mark and Luke each tell us the same. John tells us that Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”


Each time we participate in the Mass and receive the body and blood of Jesus, we are reminded that Jesus remains in us and we in Him. What a privilege! How often do we think about this as we receive communion? Each of us is a part of Jesus and part of a community of this followers who are called to live in love, to spread love, to be on with God.


Today we also celebrate Memorial Day, a day when we thank God for the freedoms we have in our country and remember those who gave and still give their lives that we might enjoy these freedoms.


​As I think about these two reasons to celebrate this weekend, I need to ask myself, what am I doing today to give love and life to others? Am I being part of that community that lives as Jesus did, gives as Jesus did, and loves as Jesus loves? Do I give of myself as the veterans have given so that life can be better for others? When I think about our community here at Nativity, I think we do that well most of the time. I see how well we respond to one another at times of need. We also celebrate with each other the joys of our lives. When something needs to be done for the parish, the response is always great, but are there areas where we could do better? Do I reach out to others that are not yet part of our community? Do I invite others to become part of our community, to celebrate with us each weekend? How do I respond to those who are not like me?

It is my hope that each of us will see being part of this Nativity community important enough to participate in the retreat June 11th, at Sacred Heart Church. During that day, together, we can celebrate what has been good from the past, and share our dreams for the future that could make us better. If you cannot make the day of retreat because of other commitments, share your ideas and dreams with someone who is coming, so they can share them with those there.

Nativity is special today because we worked together in the past. We say “We are here to stay.” That can only happen if each one of us listens to those around us, works together for the common good, and willingly does our part to spread love and live to others.
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Council Comments

5/23/2016

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You never know what the future holds. We have all heard that saving our whole life, but have we really thought about it?

Sure we all have made plans for the future, maybe a vacation later this summer. So we plan, budget, reserve a hotel or cottage and at some point the countdown begins to when we leave. And maybe long term future plans, like when we retire. Once again plans are made, budgeting is done, and then it is decided when we can retire.
We don’t know what the future holds for us. We don’t know what God’s plan for us is, but we do know that as long as we trust God and keep the faith, the future will work itself out.

At this time last year, we were planning our future trips to Florida and planning our daughter’s wedding. Trying to figure out how often we could get away for long weekends to visit our new grandson and his parents and also what needs to be done for this wedding.

Today, our future looks quite different; they say life can change in an instant. Our instant came last December, with a phone call from our son, telling us they believe the cancer is back. We are now planning our future to include helping our son raise our grandson here in Michigan. And finalizing plans for the wedding in October. My near future must include finding the perfect Mother of the Bride dress.

The last five months that I have been gone from the office, I have been working as much as possible from Florida, still trying to stay in the loop of what is going on at Nativity. We have known for a while that Sister Jolene had her own plans for the future, that she wanted to retire as Pastoral Minister. I’ll be honest, before, I never really thought about her retiring, never thought about the day when I couldn’t ask her opinion on something that needed to be done in the office, never thought there wouldn’t be a day when things just were done because Sister handled it, usually before anyone knew it needed to be Church done.
​

Well, the future is here now for Sister, not that she won’t be around still, but in all fairness to her, the time has come, someone else will be here to ask an opinion on something, and someone else will be to here to get the things done, that need to be done. It won’t be easy for me and it won’t be easy for the parish to turn to someone else, but we will.
We were taught by the best how to be a strong, vibrant, loving parish family. It is time for us to come together as a family, to trust God, trust Brother Ray, keep the faith and plan our future. Please do whatever you can to clear your schedule and plan on attend the parish retreat June 11th at Sacred Heart Church.

Anne
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Joni's Relection

5/15/2016

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Veni Sancte Spiritus, sometimes called the “Golden Sequence,” is a sequence prescribed in the Roman Liturgy for the Masses of Pentecost.

“And when the days of Pentecost were drawing to a close, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as of fire, which settle upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign tongues, even as the Holy Spirit prompted them to speak.” (Acts 2: 1-4)

Pentecost with Christmas and Easter, ranks among the great feasts of Christianity. It commemorates not only the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Disciples, but also the fruits and effects of that event: the completion of the work of redemption, the fullness of grace for the Church and its children, and the gift of faith for all nations.

Ten days had passed, it was Sunday, the seventh Sunday after the resurrection. At about nine o’clock in the morning, as they were together praying fervently, the Holy Spirit descend upon them. Note how all great theophanies (Gk “appearance of God”), in Christ’s life occurred during the course of prayer. After his baptism, for instance, when Jesus was praying the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove; likewise it was during prayer at night the transfiguration took place on Tabor. Surely too it was while Mary was praying that Gabriel delivered his message, and the Holy Spirit overshowed her. Pentecost followed precedent. The small community of Christians had prepared themselves through prayer for the coming of the Paraclete. The same is true at Mass today, every day; through prayer we ready our souls for the advent of the Spirit. NBCC/Pentecost Sunday-May 15, 2016.

Today at Mass our choir may sing Veni Sancte Spiritus, but if it is not sung then sometime today or this week; “you tube” this beautiful chant. Veni Sacte Spiritus is one of only four medieval Sequences which were preserved in the Missale Romanum published 1570 following the Council of Trent (1545-63). “Come, Holy Spirit, send forth the heavenly radiance of your light. Come, father of the poor, come, giver of gifts, come, light of the heart. Greatest comforter, sweet guest of the soul, sweet consolation. In labor, rest, in heat, temperance, in tears, solace. O most blessed light, fill the inmost heart of your faithful. Without your grace, there is nothing in us, nothing that is not harmful. Cleanse that which is unclean, water that which is wounded. Bend that which is inflexible, fire that which is chilled, correct what goes astray. Give your faithful, those who trust in you, the sevenfold gifts. Grant the reward of virtue, grant the deliverance of salvation, grant eternal joy”. Amazing Peace! ​
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Council Comments

5/11/2016

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As it is Mother’s Day, and I can’t seem to get the words out for an article, we decided to use this prayer for all. Anne

Mother’s Day Prayer
God our Creator, we pray:
For new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;
For expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;
For those who are tired, stressed or depressed;
For those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;
For those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;
For those who have children they do not want;
For those who raise children on their own;
For those who have lost a child;
For those who care for the children of others;
For those whose children have left home;
And for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.
Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,
And that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,
living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.
Amen

And unfortunately we have business that needs our attention. The annual CSA collection begins today and runs through the month of May. This year’s theme is Celebrate the Joy of the Gospel. As you probably know, each parish is given a quota that must be raised each year by its members. Our quota this year is $17,875. Every registered parishioner has a card that must be completed and returned to the Archdiocese. You can either pay all when you complete the card or make a pledge and pay monthly or quarterly. If every household could give $100 we would adequately meet our quota, but we know that some of you cannot do that. Do what you can. We will trust that a few who can give more will do so. We have always met our quota in the past and trust we will do so this year as well.

Workers will be at the tables in the back of church each Sunday in May.
Please stop back there and complete your card as soon as possible.
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Pastor's Pen

5/1/2016

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Our blessings and prayers go out to our children receiving their First Communion today:

We are so proud of you on this special day as you come to receive Jesus at the altar. Receiving Communion will be a regular event for the rest of your life. Sometimes it will seem pretty ordinary and you will just come to communion, receive Jesus and go without really thinking of what just happened. There will be other times when you’ll be going through some difficult moment and you will need Jesus so much. He will be right there to help you. There will be other times when you will want Jesus there to celebrate with you (maybe on your birthday, graduation or a special event in your life) and Jesus will be right there with you to enjoy that moment. There will be other times when you will be confused and trying to make an important decision and Jesus will come to you in communion and help you solve your problem. What we are reminded of in the Eucharist, is that Jesus is always with us in the good times and in the difficult times. He is always ready to help us. He will be there when you’re frightened and need some courage. He will be there to wipe your tears when you’re sad and to laugh with you in happy times. The bottom line, children, is that Jesus will always be faithful and loving to you all your life. The only thing he asks of you is to be grateful for this wonderful gift of Himself and to try and love your parents, brothers and sisters, friends and classmates as much as He loves you.
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This is a special day for each of you and it has nothing to do with gifts, or parties or dressing up in special clothes. Today you have received the most precious gift of all, Jesus! Please always remember how much Jesus loves you and how much your family at Nativity loves you. God bless you on this special day!
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