NATIVITY of OUR LORD
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Council Comments

7/30/2017

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Pastor’s Pen On Vacation!
The first reading for this Sunday is from the 1st Book of Kings.  In it we hear about a dream that Solomon has in which the Lord appears to him and tells him to “ask something of me and I will give it to you.”  I suspect that the writer of this passage was very aware that he could capture our attention as he told the story by beginning with the notion of the Lord promising to give a faithful servant anything he might ask.  After all, wouldn’t any of us be enticed by hearing that same message from someone who had the ability to grant a wish, let alone an offer like this from the Lord.  So, we are anxious to know what Solomon asks for and, at the same time, many of us hearing this reading might also daydream a bit about what we would ask for.  We would surely have not trouble coming up with a laundry list of requests that would make us or our loved ones happier or healthier or in some way more successful.

Solomon, who was a young King at the time, asks for and understanding heart so that he can know right from wrong and make good judgements on behalf of his people.  This request pleases the Lord.  He tells Solomon that he could have asked for long life or riches or even vengeance against his enemies, but instead he thought of his calling as the son of David to be a good King.  The Lord says, “I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

Solomon got his wish and to this day we hear references to the ‘wisdom of Solomon.’  Having a wise and understanding heart in 2017 is just as important a request as it was in the days of Solomon.  Although he was a very young and inexperienced ruler, he had a keen sense of what he was called to do and he wanted to be faithful to that calling.  Last weekend, Brother Ray along with eight other Brothers celebrated jubilees in the Capuchin Community.  Their wise and understanding hearts have enable them to discern their callings to be faithful to a life of service as Capuchins and to be blessed with the example of St. Francis of Assisi who said, “We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”
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We are all called to listen to God’s messages for our lives and, like Solomon, to pray for wise and understanding hearts.  The author Joseph Campbell writes that, “We must be willing to get rid of the life we planned so as to make room for the life that is waiting for us.”  That is very often very difficult to do because our vision for the life we planned has been a part of us for a very long time, sometimes from childhood.  Giving up that vision involves the choice to live in the present rather than the past or a hoped-for future.  Asking the Lord to give us the gift of a wise and understanding heart can allow us to find what we are called to do in the present and to do it with joy and the faith that it is God’s work we do and not our own.
By: Frances Carnaghi
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Council Comments

3/26/2017

2 Comments

 
As I write this, all I can think is “this has been a really tough week for all of us.”  Sr. Jolene’s stroke on March 16 certainly was unexpected.  She seemed in good health, except for her platelet issues of course, and had just driven back from Wisconsin four days before.  It really reminds me how fragile life is and how little we know what any day will bring.

As I write this, there is some good news, at least in the sense of hope.  She has been moved out ICU, understands what people say to her, shakes her head to yes and no questions, moves her left arm and leg as therapists request, and smiles.  Part of me compares that to March 15 when she was tutoring as usual, but I have decided not to go there and to look ahead and to prayer, a positive attitude, and hope for Sr. Jolene’s future.  As you read this, I hope she will have made even greater strides forward.

That, said, I want to reflect on some of life’s lessons she has taught me and I suspect many of you.  By no means can any words encompass who St. Jolene is to us and others, but it certainly reminds me to emulate her wonderful qualities.  A few:

Be there for others:  she was always there for all of us but I think of the many times, I know she answered the phone and then spent hours helping someone homeless or in need find the right help, not because she knew them but because they needed someone.  My lesson learned: take time to listen to and reach out to those I meet and make that person feel they are an important human being.

Work hard: what can I say? Not many people work as hard as Sr. Jolene, day after day, year after year and she liked it!  My lesson learned: work hard and take time to enjoy what you are doing and the people you are doing it with.

Believe in the power of prayer:  she believes in the power or prayer and I know prays daily for us, the world, the poor and the many, many needs of so many others.  My lesson learned: continue to pray!

See God’s beauty in the world: the farm girl from Wisconsin who loved wide open spaces also fell in love with Detroit and all our diversity of people.  My lesson learned: see God’s beauty wherever you are and in whoever you meet in this world every day.

There’s lots more I could say but I will close and speaking for all of us (hope you don’t mind): Thanks, Sr. Jolene, for being who you are!  We’re lifting you in prayer and will be there for you in whatever you need for your recovery!

Chris McLaughlin
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Council Comments

3/12/2017

1 Comment

 
2017 Father Singer Nativity Scholarship Program
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Last year we granted 10 scholarships under the Father Singer Nativity Scholarship program. This year in addition to the primary funding, there were also funds available from the final year of Changing Lives Together activity.  As a result, the minimum award amounts have been increased for this year only by $250. For this year, minimum award amounts are at least $1,250 for Higher Education, at least $750 for Parochial Secondary Education, and at least $500 for Parochial Primary Education.

The proposed changes have been reviewed and approved by the Parish Council.  All three categories are limited to active members of Nativity. The applications are to be received not later than June 1st to be considered.  Awards will be chosen from qualified applicants in the order they are received.

Application forms are color coded with the application on the front and guidelines on the back. The submission period is April 1st thru June 1st. Forms are available in the back of church through May.  The application forms for Higher Education are green.  The application forms for Parochial Secondary Education are yellow.  The application forms for Parochial Primary Education are lavender.  If someone wants to have an electronic version of a form, they can email a request to me at wimble85@comcast.net, and I will send them one.

Funds for the Father Singer Nativity Scholarship program are maintained by Archdiocese of Detroit. Donations to the Father Singer Nativity Scholarship fund are welcome and can be mailed to the church office, indicating their intention.  A summary of the program is available in the Our Work section of the Nativity website.

Scholarship committee members are Fran Carnaghi, Danny Wois, Chris McLaughlin, and Harry Wimble.  Questions about the scholarship program can be directed to any scholarship committee member.
And again remember, all applications must be received by June 1st to be considered.
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Council Comments

3/5/2017

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Finding Welcome and Comfort in our Communities

During this Lenten season, the Peace and Justice Committee is focused on the subject of Immigration.  Each weekend of Lent we will hear a Communion Reflection related to an immigration topic and we will also sing a new song called, “How Long, O Lord.”  

This Monday night, March 6th, at 6:00 pm, the Committee will welcome Diane Baird, an expert on the issues that affect refugees in our country.  She will talk with us at our Soup Supper and the Committee encourages and welcomes all parishioners and their friends and neighbors to come to this event to eat a simple dinner, pray together and learn about the plight of refugees and how we might respond.  We are all busy, so the Committee wants to assure you that you will be on your way by 8:00.

Last month Pope Francis made ‘Comfort for the Afflicted’ the theme of his prayer intention for the month.  He prayed:  “that all those who are afflicted, especially the poor, refugees, and marginalized, may find welcome and comfort in our communities.”   I would like to draw attention to an organization in our community that has consistently responded to this prayer.  The organization is Freedom House and you may remember that a representative from Freedom House came to a previous soup supper and brought several former residents of the program who are now successfully integrated into our country.  It was a wonderful evening and we responded by collecting supplies that are needed on a continuing basis and some members of the parish committed themselves to doing volunteer work there.  Freedom House is now facing a new challenge.  

Mark Miller, our Parish Council President, has had a continuing relationship with Freedom House and he has sent the following information so we can be informed about their situation:   

“Freedom House is a temporary home for indigent survivors of persecution from around the world who are seeking asylum in the United States and Canada.  The mission of Freedom House is to uphold a fundamental American principle, one inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty, providing safety for those “yearning to breathe free.”  Freedom House also provides temporary housing for victims of human trafficking.  Freedom House is located in the former convent at St. Anne’s parish in Southwest Detroit.

After providing housing and services to asylum seekers for over 30 years, Freedom House is in danger of closing.  The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development recently denied the request by Freedom House for renewal of its federal funding, which had been 60% of its annual budget.  The loss of this funding places the future of Freedom House in jeopardy. 
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If you would like to help or learn more about Freedom House, please check the Freedom House web site at freedomhousedetroit.org.”
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Council Coments

2/21/2017

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Our Church Steps Up

Unfortunately, there have been occasions in the history of the Catholic Church when the hierarchy has been silent on issues that cried out for the Church’s voice and moral leadership.  Two of those occasions that seem most relevant for the purpose of today’s column were the Church’s silence and on behalf of the Jews during the Holocaust and the detention of Japanese Americans during World War II.  The Church has since acknowledged its failure in both of these cases (as well as others) and has pledged to take seriously its responsibility to provide leadership and guidance in the face of injustice.

On January 27, 2017, President Trump issued an executive order which suspends the entry of refugees into the United States for 120 days.  The order also indefinitely stops the admission of Syrian refugees and, for 90 days, bands individuals from several predominantly Muslim countries.  True to its pledge, on January 28th, Archbishop Vigneron responded on behalf of the diocese with a letter to the Imams Council of Michigan.  You can read it at aodonline.org.  On January 30th, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued its own statement.  Here are highlights form the statement:

“Over the past several days, many brother bishops have spoken out in defense of God’s people.  We are grateful for their witness.  Now, we call upon all the Catholic faithful to join us as we unite our voices with all who speak in defense of human dignity.  The bond between Christians and Muslims is founded on the unbreakable strength of charity and justice.  The Church will not waiver in her defense of our sisters and brothers for all faiths who suffer at the hands of merciless persecutors.

The refugees fleeing from ISIS and other extremists are sacrificing all they have in the name of peace and freedom.  Often, they could have been spared if only they had surrendered to the violent vision of their tormentors.  They stand firm in their faith.  Many are families, not different from yours or mine, seeking safety and security for their children.  Our nation should welcome them as allies in a common fight against evil.  We must screen vigilantly for infiltrators who would do us harm, but we must always be equally vigilant in our welcome of friends.

The Lord Jesus fled the tyranny of Herod, was falsely accused and then deserted by his friends.  He had nowhere to lay His head (Luke 9:58).  Welcoming the stranger and those in flight is not one option among many in the Christian life.  It is the very form of Christianity itself.  Our actions must remind people of Jesus.  The actions our government must remind people of basic humanity.  Where our brothers and sisters suffer rejection and abandonment we will lift our voice on their behalf.  We will welcome them and receive them.  They are Jesus, and the Church will not run away from him.

Our desire is not to enter the political arena, but, rather, to proclaim Christ alive in the world today.  In the very moment a family abandons their home under the threat of death, Jesus is present.  And he says to each of us, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

(Matthew 25: 40 NIV)

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Fran, Pastoral Minister
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