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Letter to the St Parishioners Dear Parishioners, Spring As we began , we know we are also rapidly approaching the one year anniversary of temporarily closing St. Ambrose for Covid-19. We thank all parishioners 2021 for your patience and your steadfast support during these challenging times. This Lenten Season has been more typical, and hopefully for you and your family a fruitful and Newsletter grace-filled season in preparation for the Celebration. As a welcoming family we invite you to participate in all parish activities that meet your comfort level. We continue to follow recommended Covid-19 safety Schedule precautions, and encourage everyone to accept any opportunity that comes your way. - March 27 & 28, 2021

Several important parish update projects have recently Saturday 5:00 p.m. (Live-Streamed) been completed. You may have noticed the new sanctuary Sunday 9:00 a.m. (Live-Streamed) lamp. The former lamp now hangs in the renovated St. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Augustine Cathedral with a new globe. We kept the stained Mass glass globe made by parishioner Anne Anson and chose a Blessing of the Palms replacement lamp which accommodates the globe. If you come to the Rectory Offices, you may notice that new Holy Thursday - April 1, 2021 carpeting has been installed. When weather permits later in (Live-Streamed) spring, we will be repairing or replacing portions of Thursday 7:00 p.m. sidewalks and curbing around the Church and Rectory. Mass

Bishop Paul Bradley has announced that this year’s Bishop’s Accepting the Holy Oils Annual Appeal will take place as traditionally in April and Garden of Repose May. St. Ambrose Parish’s 2021 goal will be $60,947, a in Rectory Chapel until 10:00 p.m. reduction of more than $4,000 from last year. - April 2, 2021 After missing Palm Sunday and Holy Week services last (Live-Streamed) year, we look forward to again celebrating these rich and Good Friday Service 1:00 p.m. meaningful liturgies. Yes, palms will be distributed. Yes, Readings Holy Thursday will celebrate the Mass of ’s Supper Intercessions followed by Adoration in the Rectory Chapel until 10:00 p.m. The Liturgy of Good Friday will take place as in of the Cross previous years at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. The will Communion begin at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday. There is no 5:00 p.m. Mass that day. For safety reasons, we will ask for reservations Easter Vigil - April 3, 2021 Saturday 9:00 p.m. (Live-Streamed) for the two Masses on Easter Sunday.

May this Lenten season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving NO 5:00 P.M. MASS culminating in celebrating ’ death and resurrection Lighting of the Easter Fire lead to renewed faith and trust in God’s ever-loving care for Lighting of the Easter Candle us. Blessing of the Holy Water

Sincerely yours in Christ, Easter Sunday - April 4 , 2021 Rev. Albert Kemboi Sunday 9:00a.m. (Live-Streamed) Parochial Vicar Sunday 11:00a.m.

***For safety reasons, reservations required on Easter Sunday. Seats will be assigned. Leave Mass time preferred, full name and number of persons in the group attending.*** Email [email protected]; Call or text 269-806-0568. Sanctuary Lamp Journeys

The General Instruction of the , a guide for how to celebrate Liturgy, states, “In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honor the presence of Christ.” When St. Ambrose Church was dedicated in 1955, one of our founding families was able to access an unused sanctuary lamp from the original St. Augustine Church.

Father Robert Creagan shares that the original St. Augustine Church at Park Street and Kalamazoo Avenue was built in 1869. It served the Faithful for 81 years. However, it was adjacent to the railroad tracks , which caused structural insecurities. In 1950, the cornerstone of the new St. Augustine Church was laid. The new church was dedicated on December 4, 1951 with a new sanctuary lamp and the old one remained in storage.

For over 65 years, the sanctuary lamp from the original St. Augustine Church honored the presence of Christ here at St. Ambrose Church. With the newest renovations at the Cathedral, Father Creagan asked that the original sanctuary lamp, one of the few items surviving from the 1869 church, be returned for use at the renovated Cathedral. With support of the Parish Council and the promise of a new lamp for St. Ambrose Church, the old lamp (see adjacent picture) now hangs in the Cathedral Sanctuary.

The replacement sanctuary lamp has a traditional modern character to blend with the design and décor of St Ambrose Church. The selected finish is satin bronze to match the Church’s Tabernacle finish. One additional selection criterion was the ability to accommodate the glass holder. Many years ago ,Inher stained glass art studio, parishioner Anne Anson made that glass holder many years ago for the candle sleeve that fits inside. In that sense, the new lamp preserves the light color and appearance to which parishioners are accustomed. Fittingly, the new lamp continues to honor the presence of Christ.

The Year of St , 2020 to December 8, 2021

On the Solemnity of the on December 8, 2020, Francis announced the Year of St. Joseph to be celebrated from December 8th, 2020 to December, 8th 2021. In his announcement, released a letter, “Patris Corde” (“With a father's heart”), explain- ing that he wanted to share some “personal reflections” on the spouse of the Blessed Mary. “My desire to do so increased during these months of pandemic,” he said; noting that many people had made hidden sacrifices during the time of crisis to protect others. In line with this he further noted, that “Each of us can discover in Joseph - the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence - an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble; St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of .”

The Pope's announcement purposely coincided with the 150th anniversary of a December 8, 1870 proclamation by Blessed (Pope) Pius IX of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Since that time nearly every pope has taken steps to further devotion to St. Joseph in the Church, and to use the humble father and carpenter as a witness for the modern world. This year, dedi- cated to St. Joseph, offers us a wonderful opportunity to meditate deeply on the person and character of St. Joseph as we strive to imitate his virtues.

In his new Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis describes Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. These virtues speak to all of us and, particularly to men, because St. Joseph can be a spiritual father to them: virtues they can strive to emulate in their daily lives to become better fathers, husbands and workers themselves.

Let us ask for the intercession of St. Joseph throughout this year. Please watch the parish bulletin for suggested Monthly Reflections on the Virtues of St. Joseph.

Fr. Albert Kemboi Parochial Vicar Finance Council Parish Council News

Financial Statements were mailed at the end of Janu- Just as St. Ambrose Parish had to adjust to the realities of the ary 2021 to all registered members of St Ambrose. pandemic, our Parish Council had to do the same. We had to While income remains down, expenses are also low- find a safe meeting environment to replace our usual monthly er. Donations may be mailed to the Rectory Office or meetings in a Parish Activity Center classroom. After trying a through your bank issued checks. hybrid option with some members participating by ZOOM and Forward in Faith Parish Support Fund the remainder in person but socially distanced and masked, The Diocese of Kalamazoo established this special we settled on and have adjusted to monthly ZOOM meetings. fund to generate immediate funding to provide fi- We want you to know who continues to serve on Parish Coun- nancial relief for parishes during the Coronavirus cil since membership has changed. Current members who pandemic crisis. All donations go straight to your actively participate include the following: parish. Learn more at diokzoo.org/parish-fund. End Clergy Lay Members of year statements will be sent by the Diocese. Father Albert Kemboi Mary Hentschl-Early Monsignor Hazard Mike Hodgkinson Father Robert Creagan Judie Maliszewski Paul Rahn Dave Rutten Jackie Shirey Bishop’s Annual Appeal 2021 Alex Wydick We anticipate that Hal Bohan will return to active Shining Christ’s Light participation when his temporary leave of absence is finished.

Together as One Family In Faith The St. Ambrose Parish Mission Statement appears on the cover page of Sunday bulletins: Theme: We build the Kingdom of God Called by the Holy Spirit to develop a family of faith We serve and care for one another and in Christ, the people of St. Ambrose Parish embrace our communities. Christ’s call to know, love, and serve God within our We assure all ministries and programs of hearts, in our homes and in our world community.

the appeal are adequately funded. This Mission drives our Parish Council focus. We strive to en- Schedule: rich the faith community experience while assuring that our April 10/11 Announcement Weekend parish infrastructure, gifted to us by many of our past parish- Goals for Parish is Announced ioners, is well cared for and maintained.

In- Home Mailings are sent Please feel free to bring any questions, concerns or sugges- April 17/18 Education Weekend tions about parish items to any of our Council members. We Videos on the Diocesan Website are here to serve. We fully believe and accept the parish are available motto, “Love Grows Where People Serve.” April 24/25 Commitment Weekend Return Pledge Cards to the Parish Office Liturgical Celebrations

What is the Bishop’s Annual Appeal? April 4 Easter Why is it important for me to support the Bishop’s April 11 Annual Appeal? The Bishop’s Annual Appeal has Sunday of Divine been a unified effort in which all the faithful are asked by Bishop Bradley to provide critical financial April 18 Third to Sixth Sunday of Easter support to the Diocese of Kalamazoo. A faith re- April 25 sponse means that we heed the call that God makes to all of us to advance the work of the May 2 Church in our diocese. Our response serves people May 9 Sixth Sunday of Easter in ways we may not realize. Gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal serve as the primary funding source May 16 The Ascension of the Lord for the ministries, services and programs conduct- May 23 Sunday ed by the Diocesan ministry offices and also sup- ports the cost of seminarian tuition and formation May 30 The Most Holy for the future priests of the Diocese. (From the Bish- June 6 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ op’s Annual Appeal 2020 Q&A page) (Corpus Christi) Special Collections St Ambrose Religious Education

Good Friday - Holy Land Collection: April 2, 2021 Program Pope Francis has asked parishes to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Through the Pontifical Religious Education classes have resumed. We invite Good Friday Collection, we stand in solidarity with the Church in the Holy your children to join us from 10:00 -10:55 a.m. every Land as a witness of peace, supporting Catholics there in parishes and Sunday. We offer a safe and engaging experience for schools, maintaining Christian and caring for refugees in the Holy children to gain a deeper connection with God Land. Make Checks payable to St Ambrose Church through these challenging times. To view the most

Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl: Post Easter current information about classes or cancellations Operation Rice Bowl is the Lenten solidarity program of Catholic Relief visit stambroseparchment.com/bulletins for weekly Services. Through the Eucharist we have a Spiritual connection with all updates. New arrivals are still and always welcome, a humanity. Operation Rice Bowl connects our Lenten activities to our need for a religious community is greater now more brothers and sisters in need world wide. Make checks payable to St Am- than ever as we have all struggled with isolation this brose Church. past year. Our parish wishes to support our youth by

Sister Parish : April 2021 providing an outlet where they can share their feel- These monies are sent to our Sister Parish in to help Fr ings through prayer and reflection with their peers Santos and his parish. You may designate whether your money and catechists. goes to their general fund or for student scholarships. Contact Bruce Martin for more information about our Sister Parish. The Food Lift Program Catholic Relief Service - Help Jesus in Disguise: May 16, 2021 The St Ambrose Food Lift Program continues to provide Funds from this Collection provide food to the hungry, support two to three bags of basic groceries to twelve local displaced refugees, and bring Christ’s love and mercy to vulnera- families, once a month. For Easter, a ham and some ble people here and abroad. This collection helps six Catholic other holiday treats will be added. Thank you to every- agencies to provide relief and support for struggling communities one involved in the shopping, packing, and delivering, and to work for peace and reconciliation among our marginalized as well as those who contribute food and money. Our brothers and sisters here and around the world. Learn more families are most appreciative of the help that is pro- about the collection at www.usccb.org/catholic-relief. vided to them in feeding their families. A list of needed food items appears in the Sunday bulletin.

Staying in Touch

Sharing Our Spirituality (SOS) Over the past few months, St Ambrose has expanded

SOS is a gathering of people who desire to expand and walk their and enhanced its means of communication and helping spiritual journey in Christ with others. It is a sharing of our under- our parishioners return to our celebration of the Mass. standing and life experiences that leads us on to a deeper intima- The 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass and the 9:00 a.m. Sunday cy with and in God through readings, tapes, and discussion so Mass can now be viewed “live” on the internet. You can that we might come to an awareness of God always present in access the live streaming through Facebook (St. Am- our lives. brose Parish - Parchment - Home | Facebook), Parish Website ( St. Ambrose Parish - Parchment, MI All are welcome. If you are interesting in learning more about the (stambroseparchment.com), or the Diocesan Web-site program you may contact Sister Laura ([email protected] ). If (diokzoo.org). you are interested in joining this group by means of Zoom on Sun- days at 1:00 -2:00 p.m., please contact Paul Rahn ([email protected]). The Rectory Office Asks

 Do you enjoy getting these newsletters?

 Are there items for which you want more infor- The Prayer Line mation?

This past year has been a busy one for the members of the Pray-  Have you recently moved? er Line team. There has been an increase in number of calls for prayers. This ministry is a telephone chain of volunteers that are  Have you discontinued your land line in favor of a cell phone? contacted and asked to pray for the needs of any person re- questing this help. By contacting Marilyn Thornburg (343-2306,  Do you have an e-mail address? please leave a message if I can’t get to the phone) at home or If you have made these or other changes in your sta- through the Rectory Office (385-4152). If you would like to be- tus please call the office (385-4152 or 343-2306) or come a prayer team member please call Marilyn. All requests to just send an email to [email protected] the prayer line are confidential.