ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL 38750 RYAN ROAD, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48310 586-977-8080 SJFPARISH.ORG Fr. Tony Sulkowski I hope and pray that everyone is staying well. I remember all of you in my prayers and Pastor in daily Mass. What a difference a year makes. Last year, as you may recall, we were in [email protected] lockdown, and our Easter celebrations took on a different style. Yet, many countries Ext. 102 throughout the world are still experiencing lockdowns this year. May we be thankful that we were able to gather in Church to come together as a faith community and celebrate Easter joy. God is greater than we can ever imagine. As we enter into the Easter season, let us be open to God’s plan for us. It is not important that we understand His plan. What is important is that we surrender ourselves to it. As we celebrate this Easter season, I would like to share with you a prayer that is attributed to Oscar Arnulfo Romero, but was pronounced for the first time by Cardinal John Dearden. This prayer reminds us that God has a plan for each one of us, and that we are invited to participate in that plan: Every now and then it helps us to take a step back and to see from a distance. The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is also beyond our vision. In our lives, we manage only to achieve a small part of the marvelous plan that is God’s work. Nothing that we do is complete, which is to say that the Kingdom is greater than ourselves. No statement says everything that can be said. No prayer completely expresses the faith. No creed brings perfection. No pastoral visit solves every problem. No programs fully accomplish the mission of the Church. No goal or purpose ever reaches completion. This is what it is about. We plant seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that others will watch over them. We lay the foundation of something that will develop. We add the yeast which will multiply the possibilities. We cannot do everything, yet it is liberating to begin. This gives us strength to do something and do it well. It may remain incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way. It is an opportunity for the grace of God to enter and to do the rest. It may be that we will never see its completion, but that is the difference between the master and the laborer. We are laborers, not master builders; servants, not the Messiah. We are prophets of a future that does not belong to us. (Disciples Together on the Road, Words of Francis for Priests. 2016, Liberia Editrice Vaticana) Bon mot: “What God is to the world, parents are to their children.” —Philo Have a great week. See you soon. Carpe Diem, Fr. Tony

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APRIL 11, 2021 SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER Laurie Hall Today, the Sunday following Easter, is WORSHIP SCHEDULE Pastoral Associate designated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This is a Weekend Masses [email protected] relatively new remembrance, instituted by Saturday 4:00pm Ext. 104 Pope Saint John Paul II on May 5, 2000. Five Sunday 9:00am & 11:30am days after the of St. Faustina, Weekday Masses the Vatican decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter would henceforth be Tuesday 7:00pm known as Divine Mercy Sunday. Here is some information adapted from the Wednesday & Thursday 8:00am website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, usccb.org: Holy Day Masses As Announced Saint Faustina: Mankind’s need for the message of Divine Mercy took on dire Confession urgency in the 20th Century, when civilization began to experience an “eclipse Tuesday 5:30pm of the sense of God” and therefore to lose the understanding of the sanctity Rosary and inherent dignity of human life. In the 1930s, Jesus chose a humble Polish Tuesday 6:00pm , St. Maria , to receive private revelations concerning Divine Mercy that were recorded in her Diary. St. John Paul II explains: OFFICE HOURS This was precisely the time when those Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday ideologies of evil, Nazism and 9:00am—1:00pm & 4:30pm—8:00pm communism, were taking shape. Sister Tuesday Faustina became the herald of the one 2:00pm—8:00pm message capable of off-setting the evil of Saturday those ideologies, that fact that God is 3:00pm—5:00pm mercy—the truth of the merciful Christ. And for this reason, when I was called to Sunday the See of Peter, I felt impelled to pass 10:00am—12:30pm on those experiences of a fellow Pole that deserve a place in the treasury of PARISH HAPPENINGS the universal Church. Monday, April 12, 2021 —Pope Saint John Paul II, 9:00am Panera Memory and Identity (2005) Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Divine Mercy Sunday: St. Faustina’s Diary 1:00pm Adoration records 14 occasions when Jesus requested 5:30pm Confession that a Feast of Mercy (Divine Mercy Sunday) be observed. 6:00pm Rosary The Image: Jesus appeared to St. Faustina in a vision, with his right hand raised 6:30pm Recitation of Divine Praises in a blessing and his left touching his garment above his heart. Red and white 7:00pm Mass rays emanate from his heart, symbolizing the blood and water that was poured Wednesday, April 14, 2021 out for our salvation and our sanctification. The Lord requested that “Jesus, 8:00am Mass I trust in You” be inscribed under his image. Jesus asked that his image be 9:30am Needlecrafters painted and venerated throughout the world: Thursday, April 15, 2021 Encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given you. 8:00am Mass —Diary, no. 1541 9:00am Swiffers Team #1 Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. […] Friday, April 16, 2021 Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet Parish Office Closed only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire that the Saturday, April 17, 2021 whole world know My infinite mercy. 4:00pm Mass —Diary, no. 687 Sunday, April 18, 2021 The Chaplet of Divine Mercy: The Chaplet was also given to St. Faustina with 9:00am Mass this promise: 11:30am Mass I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. […] By means of this image I will grant many graces to souls. —Diary, no. 48 & 742 PAGE 2 APRIL 11, 2021

APRIL 16, 2021 SCRIPTURE READINGS IS NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DECISION DAY! WEEK OF APRIL 11, 2021 Written by our Parish Nurses. Sunday nd We make plans for just about everything in our lives. Some are small—what to 2 Sunday of Easter Sunday of Divine Mercy wear and what to eat—and some big—who to marry and which to take. Acts 4:32-35 But we often wait until we are sick to make decisions about our own Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 healthcare. Modern medical technology offers many treatment options when 1 Jn 5:1-6 we have a serious illness, and it is our right and responsibility to make informed Jn 20:19-31 decisions about which course of action is best for us. However, there may come Monday a time when we are unable to make medical decisions for ourselves. Acts 4:23 -31 It is important to think about this when we are able to, and to make decisions Ps 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9 and plans about what we would want others to do for us. Jn 3:1-8 Advanced Medical Directives ensure that your intentions for healthcare are Tuesday followed if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. In Michigan, this is St. Martin I, Pope and Martyr done with the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare. This is a legal Acts 4:32-37 document completed after reflecting on what is important to you. What are Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5 Jn 3:7b-15 your most important values and beliefs? What past experiences have you had? Who do you wish to speak on your behalf? As Catholics, it is important to make Wednesday Acts 5:17-26 these decisions after prayer and reflection on the teachings of the Catholic Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Church. This is a form that you complete and have witnessed yourself. It is not Jn 3:16-21 necessary to consult a lawyer. Thursday There are resources available to guide you through this process. The Ascension Acts 5:27-33 Health Advanced Directive for Healthcare document guides you through the Ps 34:2 & 9, 17-18, 19-20 process and includes instructions and all the forms you need to complete your Jn 3:31-36 plan. The Guidelines for End-of-Life Decisions: Patient, Physician and Family Friday from the Michigan Catholic Conference provides additional information based Acts 5:34-42 on teachings of the . Both of these documents are available on Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 the table beneath the Health Ministry bulletin board in the hallway outside the Jn 6:1-15 Parish Office. Saturday Acts 6:1-7 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 WITH RECITATION OF DIVINE PRAISES Jn 6:16-21 Please join us in the worship space on Tuesday, April 13th, Sunday rd anytime from 1:00pm until 6:30pm for Eucharistic Adoration, 3 Sunday of Easter Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 ending with recitation of the Divine Praises at 6:30pm. Ps 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9 We ask that you please wear a face mask and practice social 1 Jn 2:1-5a distancing if you choose to attend. Lk 24:35-48 LECTOR SCHEDULE JOIN US ONLINE! Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday Apr. 13, 2021 Apr. 14, 2021 Apr. 15, 2021 Apr. 17, 2021 Apr. 18, 2021 SJFPARISH.ORG 7:00pm 8:00am 8:00am 4:00pm 9:00am John Martin Annette Mobley Barb Milczynski Phil Mina Julius D’Ambrosio 11:30am Barb Milczynski SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER PAGE 3

Ben Klassen OFFERTORY INFORMATION Youth Ministry Coordinator & These past couple of weeks were MARCH 28, 2021 Director of Faith Formation bittersweet for me, as they were for [email protected] many. Some are experiencing loss in Registered Families: 1,386 Ext. 108 this season for the first time. Others, Envelopes Returned: 245 like myself, get to celebrate loss for Amount Offered: $10,172.00 the first time in a “semi-normal” fashion. This week, my family marked the Loose Offering: $634.00 second year since my father passed, but it was the first time that we were able Online Giving Contributors: 106 to attend Mass with each other on the anniversary of his death. During Holy Contributions: $3,149.00 Week, I also celebrated the passing of a great mentor in faith to so many: Total Offerings: $13,955.00 Deacon Robert Ovies. Unabashed of his faith and seemingly tireless in his ministry, he brought the Gospel message to many and helped people find their 2020 Budgeted Offertory: $11,786.00 path. When visiting the funeral home, I was able to sneak in to see and speak Actual Offertory: $13,955.00 with his wife (with whom I ministered for a few years) and she was a testament Difference: +$2,169.00 to how she and her husband lived their lives—sad in the passing of Bob, Thank you to those who continue to but joyous nonetheless, the smile under her mask unmistakable. donate; your contributions help us Jesus’ disciples did not celebrate Lent. Sure, they were getting ready for one of continue operations during the their holiest of festivals, Passover, as was prescribed of them by the Mosaic pandemic. To sign up for online giving, Law, but I am sure to them (as sometimes happens with us), life carried on visit sjfparish.org/onlinegiving. around them. Sometimes the celebration of even the holiest days, while If you have any questions, contact important, simply took place along with many other things going on in the moment. They celebrated their Passover meal, as prescribed, and they took Jody at [email protected] or call their post-meal nap in the Garden of Olives while their teacher prayed. Then 586-977-8080, Ext. 112. came the Temple Guard to arrest the man they had been following for the past ST. JANE FRANCES de CHANTAL few years. (Jesus had tried to prepare his disciples, but even at the meal they PARISH COUNCIL had just eaten, they did not understand what it was that He was telling them about.) We know the story. We get 40 days to prepare for the story and to Pastor celebrate what comes afterward, but too often we do not really understand the Fr. Tony Sulkowski story and its implications for us. Jesus’ disciples were thrust headlong into this Chairman new reality and the death of their beloved teacher. A man who had convinced Craig Smith, [email protected] them to go against the establishment of the time and take their faith to a whole Vice Chairman & Member at Large other level had been taken from them. Jesus was crucified and gone; what were Bob Pawlik they to do now? Christian Service Each of the four Gospel accounts has Jesus appearing to the disciples on that Doreen Corby first Easter evening. Each of the four Gospels speaks of the struggle that the Secretary disciples had in believing that Jesus had conquered death. Doubt is not Nancy Dufoor necessarily bad so long as we seek out our answer and work toward a better Finance understanding. Doubt can be bad (and even a sin) if we allow it to encompass Ray Fortier us and rule our lives and how we live. The Apostles were emboldened by their Worship experience of the Risen Christ. Many people attempted to define the events John Martin after the fact, and many of these were deficient in their understandings. Our understanding comes from eyewitness accounts, teachings from scholars Member at Large Joe Nida (who are better-versed than ourselves in these matters), and traditions that we hold near to our hearts. All of these, with the grace of faith, help us to Stewardship overcome our doubts and witness the truth that was set out for us. Linda Smith I have sorrow in my heart from losing people who meant something for me. Worship & Ushers Leon Soltesz I know, however, with steadfast assurance and Joy, the Easter message: that Jesus came for every one of us. He suffered and died, but He rose again, Vicariate Reps conquering death and bridging the divide between our life on Earth and our Julie & Ray Sroka everlasting life, joined again with God in the hereafter. Happy Easter! Education He is Risen—for us! Eric Rzeppa PAGE 4 APRIL 11, 2021

HOW TO RECITE THE CHAPLET OF MERCY With The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary rosary beads of five decades. The Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Deepest Faustina and followed by a closing prayer. Sympathy 1. Make the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The community of St. Jane Frances de Chantal 2. Optional opening prayers. You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed extends support and prayers forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.

O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and to the family and friends of: empty Yourself out upon us. (Repeat three times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! 3. Pray the Our Father. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 4. Pray the Hail Mary. Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our Conrad Modlinski death. Amen. Beloved husband of Alfreda. 5. Pray the Apostles’ Creed. I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Father of , Alan, and Julianne. heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was Brother of the late Shirley conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Mary, suffered under and the late Bernadine. Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of , the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. 6. Pray the Eternal Father. Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. 7. On the 10 Small Beads of Each Decade, pray: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. 8. Repeat for the remaining decades. Say the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then say ten "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads. 9. Conclude with the Holy God. (Repeat three times) Holy God, Holy Mighty Eternal rest grant unto them, One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. O Lord, 10. Optional Closing Prayer. Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the and let perpetual light treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase shine upon them. Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor May the souls of all become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your the faithful departed, holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. through the mercy of God, For an explanation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and its importance, see page two. rest in peace.

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER PAGE 5

ARMED SERVICES MASS INTENTIONS PRAYER LIST Monday, April 12, 2021 No Mass Robert Bain, Army Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Nicholas Brosowski, Army 7:00pm For the Parishioners Chris Burley, Navy Wednesday, April 14, 2021 Shaun Chaplin, Air Force 8:00am Dec. Marino & Guiseppe Gasperoni (Rosa Maiani) Winndie Darrow, Coast Guard Alexander J. Hendzell, Marines Thursday, April 15, 2021 Louis B. Kasper III, Coast Guard 8:00am Dec. Marsha Olson (Family) Kuefler, Navy Friday, April 16, 2021 No Mass Carmen LaForest, Navy Saturday, April 17, 2021 Matthew McDowell, Air Force 4:00pm For the Parishioners Cassidy Kicinski Rose, Air Force Dec. Ralph Beaufait (Robert & Frances Kraft) Jeremy Rzeppa, Navy Dec. Ron Suwinski (Bernie & Ann Cattivera) Scot D. Skoczylas, Navy Liv. Sarah Buhay (Mom & Dad) Anthony Trotta, Navy Sunday, April 18, 2021 Kyle Wiegand, Army 9:00am For the Parishioners 11:30am Dec. Betty Cianfarani (Family) PRAYER LIST Dahme Dec. John Benvenuti (Remo Benvenuti) Carolyn LaForest June Sadowski Theresa Young Christine Vertrees

Names added to the Prayer List remain for a period of four weeks. Please call the Parish Office to request additional prayers. Thank you!

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STAFF Rev. Anthony Sulkowski Ben Klassen Karen Graziano Pastor Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Evening Support Staff [email protected] // Ext. 102 [email protected] // Ext. 108 586-977-8080 Laurie Hall Lucas Jeffrey Maria Benvenuti Pastoral Associate Communications Facilitator Evening Support Staff [email protected] // Ext. 104 [email protected] // Ext. 101 586-977-8080 Jody Gazo Mary Ann Gleich Hosie King Business Manager Office Assistant Maintenance Staff [email protected] // Ext. 112 [email protected] // 586-977-8080 586-977-8080 Janina Jacobs Linda Smith Rich & Maurene Centalla Director of Music Stewardship & Evening Support Staff Maintenance Staff [email protected] // Ext. 103 [email protected] // Ext. 113 586-977-8080

SACRAMENTS CHILDREN’S BAPTISM Do you have a child you would like to have baptized? Please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. RECONCILIATION Available Tuesdays at 5:30pm. MARRIAGE Congratulations! Please contact our Parish Office at least six months prior to your desired wedding date to begin preparations. ANOINTING OF THE SICK Contact the Parish Office to schedule one-time or regular visits. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS Are you interested in joining the Catholic Church? Contact Laurie Hall to begin the process. Welcome home!

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