Thoughts from Fr Albert: St Church Dear Parishioners,

First, let me thank you for your prayers and support during my recent family Winter visit to Kenya. It was great to see my family again, and to help my aging par- ents with health appointments. The return trip was initially delayed because 2021 of Covid19 restrictions in Europe, but I was able to make alternate flight Newsletter arrangements one day later via Qatar to Chicago then Kalamazoo. Your pray- ers are appreciated, and my family in Kenya sends their greetings and pray- ers in return. RCIA: When? What? Why? Now that the calendar has turned to 2021, we can reflect on 2020. In spite of this past year’s challenges, we are most grateful for your support and In the not-too-distant past, adults who wanted to become assistance in making the year successful for St. Ambrose. After having to Roman Catholic attended a few weeks of "convert instruc- close in March, we successfully resumed Masses in May on Memorial Day tion" and were quietly baptized in a private ceremony by weekend after implementing required safety protocols. We appreciate your the priest. It was a totally private process that in- patience and acceptance of these necessary safety changes. Whether you volved only a priest and the inquirer. have been able to return to attend Mass or not, we are also most grateful for your continued financial support. Thank you too for supporting the Bish- One of the great gifts of the Second Vatican Council in the op’s Annual Appeal. We are pleased with our parish pledge results, and look 1960s was a renewed process of forming and initiating forward to doing even better in the forthcoming 2021 appeal. adults called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The Vatican Council II, Dogmatic Constitution on What will 2021 bring? We look forward to a year of hope. Francis has the Church, states “…all the followers of Christ have the declared this year in honor of St. . As a parish, we wish to mark this obligation of spreading the faith according to their abili- year of St. Joseph in a special way. We will welcome your creative ideas for a ties.” The RCIA is not merely a way to prepare adults for parish plan in a communication soon to come. In the meantime, we trust Baptism; Baptism is only one step. The goal of the process that Joseph, as foster father to Jesus, will protect and guide our complex is “full, conscious and active participation in the Eucharist world to successfully overcome the global Covid19 pandemic. We are grate- and the whole life of the Catholic faith community.” In this ful for the discovery of vaccines and hope and trust that we will similarly process, inquirers meet weekly with a team of lay people learn how to plan and successfully implement vaccine distribution. and the pastor who teach the faith, share their own expe-

As 2021 progresses, we invite all parishioners to participate in parish Masses rience of Christ in their lives, and accompany inquirers on and activities to the extent that you feel safe. St. Ambrose will continue to their journey of faith. Through sharing the Sunday read- implement all essential safety protocols to protect each and every Mass ings, inquirers experience more fully the powerful word of participant. Fr. Mike and I remain very com- God reflected in Scripture and how to apply it in their daily mitted to meeting and serving the needs of the lives. The St. Ambrose faith community provides prayerful St. Ambrose parish family. Feel free to reach out support, the opportunity to share the story of God’s love to either of us whenever you have a need. when called upon, and a warm welcome by a community of believers who want to be closer to God. Sincerely yours in Christ Rev. Albert Kemboi RCIA is open to anyone, Christian or non-Christian, who Parochial Pastor genuinely seeks to explore the possibility of joining the Catholic Christian faith community. But first and foremost, RCIA is a process of conversion; it is about changing the heart and transforming the spirit. For more information, call the parish office (385-4152) or Eileen Rutten (323- 2372) and leave your name, phone number and message. Sister Parish Update Thanks to your generosity and much hard work by the members of our Sister Parish their new parish center is complete and scheduled for dedication in Events April. St Ambrose contributed $19,000 to this project during 2019 and 2020 February (matched by a small family foundation in New York) without which the new Caring Network Traveling Playpen center would not have been possible. Dedication of the new center will be 1 Bulletin Deadline for 2/7 celebrated in conjunction with the beatification of members of the Catholic 8 Bulletin Deadline for 2/14 community in the area martyred in the 1980s during Guatemala’s long civil 9 Parish Council Meeting war. One of those to be beatified, Rosalio, is from our Sister Parish. As an el- 17 Ash Wednesday derly parish volunteer, he traveled on foot to the small communities that com- 15 Bulletin Deadline for 2/21 prise the parish teaching Bible classes and those preparing for their first com- 21 Food Lift Delivery munion. Because the military considered the Church subversive, it ordered him 22 Bulletin Deadline for 2/28 to stop and when he refused murdered him. Father Jose Maria, a young priest March working in Chajul, formerly our Sister Parish, also murdered by the military 1 Bulletin Deadline for 3/7 during the 1980s, will also be beatified. A Vatican repre- 2 American Red Cross Blood Drive sentative will visit in April to celebrate the beatifications. 8 Bulletin Deadline for 3/14

Our support of the parish continues to help Father Santos 9 Parish Council Meeting make the parish thrive and our scholarship program con- 15 Bulletin Deadline for 3/21 tinues to grow despite the effects of the pandemic. Here is 21 Food Lift Delivery a photo of one of our 25 scholars. More photos are availa- 22 Bulletin Deadline for 3/28 ble on our website. 28 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 29 Bulletin Deadline for 4/4 ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES

Mass with Distribution of Ashes will be held February 17, 2021 in the Church at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Stations of the Cross Days of Fast and Abstinence On every Friday during Lent (except Good Friday), Sta- Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, along with all the other Fridays tions of the Cross (with Benediction - when priest or of Lent are days of abstinence from meat products for all Catho- is available) will be held in St Ambrose Church. lics 14 years of age and older. These services that begin at 7:00 p.m. Reflections on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast for all Catholics the Year of St Joseph will be offered. 18-60 years of age. Fasting is encouraged by the Gospel. One of the purposes for fasting is to help us grow in self-discipline, so we Lenten Soup Supper can be more attentive to the Gospel and the signs of the sacra- ments. Therefore, all parishioners, between the ages of 18-60, As of the printing of this newsletter, this type of activity is not are encouraged to choose additional days during Lent, excluding encouraged because of Covid 19. If things change and restrictions Sundays and Major Feast Days, as “self-imposed personal fast are lifted, efforts will be made to schedule this event. days.” However, those parishioners who are under age of 18 and over the age of 60 are exempt from participating in the discipline of fasting. Sacrament of Reconciliation

A priest will be available in the church from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45p.m. to hear confessions on Saturdays. Appointments may be made by calling the Rectory during the week at 269-385-4152. At this time, CRS’ Operation Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Ser- Communal Penance Services have not been scheduled because of vices’ Lenten program that began in 1975 in the social distancing restrictions. Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, as an ecumeni- cal response to the drought in the African Sahel. For more than 40 years, CRS’ Operation Rice Bowl American Red Cross Blood Drive has offered Catholics in the United States a way to connect with our brothers and sisters in need around the world through the We will be opening the Parish Activity Center on March 2, 2021 for traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiv- a American Red Cross Blood Drive. Donation time is 12 noon until ing. Nearly 13,000 faith communities across the United States 5:45 p.m. The Red Cross will run and staff this drive but donors are participate in the program each Lent to demonstrate solidarity needed. Go on-line to register. Give Blood and Save Lives. with the poor around the world. Caring Network Traveling Playpen

St. Ambrose Parish will be sponsoring Caring Network’s Parish The Hogoboom Annual Appeal Playpen during the month of February! Caring Network assists pregnant women of all ages, faiths, and marital status with life- The collection on Ash Wednesday will go to the Shepherd Center affirming decisions. The Caring Network needs new items for the in memory of David Hogoboom. Dave was very active at the Shep- women and children they serve. including: herd Center and in many services and social activities in our par- Receiving blankets and crib sheets ish. He could be counted on to raise funds for any legitimate need Preemie to sizes 4T clothing Hardcover children’s books especially for the needy in our local area. The Shepherd Center has Baby hygiene items, pacifiers, infant toys a Respite program for adults with limitations, can provide Trans- Baby towels, wash cloths and burp cloths portation to and from appointments, and a has Handy Hands The Playpen will be in the Church Vestibule. Thank you for being program in which volunteers make small home repairs. Contact so generous! Call 269-381-1234 or visit www.ccdok.org them on their website for services or to volunteer: www.shepherdscenterkalamazoo.com

Pray for Life from Wednesday, February 17 - Sunday March 28. Helping Others Join the Kalamazoo 40 Days for Life campaign – 40 days of prayer Our Food Lift Program- provides two bags of groceries monthly to and fasting for an end to abortion. or 40daysKALAM- families in our area. A list of needed items appears in the bulle- [email protected] tin. A labeled wicker basket is in the vestibule for these dona- tions. Donations may be left at the Rectory during the week. “Little Black Books” Refugee Support- Donations of toilet paper and unscented deter- gent are collected and distributed to refugee families living in the These popular adult Lenten Reflection books, published by the Kalamazoo area. Place these donations in the baskets in the Diocese of Saginaw, are available in the Church vestibule or the vestibule or leave them at the Rectory Office during the week. Rectory Office during the week.