Reverend Fr. Bosco Padamattummal, Administrator Deacon Dennis Walters 210 West Main Street, Manchester, MI 48158 Phone: (734) 428-8811 Email: [email protected] Website: stmarymanchester.org WEEKEND MASSES: Sancta Maria, Saturday 5:00 pm, Sunday 8:30 am and 10:30 am Ora Pro Nobis

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER • MAY 7, 2017 What Is “Abundant Life”? DEACON DENNIS WALTERS Television teems with ads that promise to enhance portion God has given us? When we live like the thief the quality of my life. All I need for personal and the robber, taking everything for ourselves alone?” fulfillment are a new Lincoln, a smarter iPhone with Benedict quotes Psalm 23: “He makes me lie down unlimited data, and a waterproof Apple Series 2 in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters.” wristwatch that monitors my heart rate while I sleep on And the passage in Ezekiel, where God says, “I will my new iComfort mattress. Not to mention the medical feed them with good pasture, and upon the mountain breakthroughs that palliate my aches and pains and country of Israel shall be their pasture” (Ezek. 34:14). guarantee (disclaimers aside) to improve my bodily But (Benedict asks again) what does all this mean? dysfunctions and even offer me a chance to live longer. “We know what sheep live on, but what does man live Such is TV marketing’s offer of life in abundance. on?” Then he answers: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reflects on ’ “Man lives on truth and on being loved: on being offer of life in abundance in the first volume of Jesus loved by the truth. He needs God, the God who draws of Nazareth. He begins by pointing to a theme in close to him, interprets for him the , and Scripture about shepherds, especially the Divine thus points him toward the path of life. Of course, man Shepherd who provides good pasture for His sheep. also needs bread, he needs food for the body, but Jesus is that Divine Shepherd, who gives us what we ultimately what he needs most is the Word, Love, God need to live on, who has come to give His flock “life in Himself. Whoever gives him that, gives him ‘life in abundance.” Then Benedict asks: abundance,’ and also releases the energies man needs “Everyone wants life in abundance. But what is it? to shape the earth intelligently and to find for himself What does life consist in? Where do we find it? When and for others the goods that we can have only in and how do we have ‘life in abundance’? When we common with others.” live like the prodigal son, squandering the whole Continued on page 3

25th Anniversary of Fr. Bosco’s Ordination First Holy Communion p. 2 May 7, 2017  Fourth Sunday of Easter  St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Manchester, MI

PARISH CALENDAR P ARISH N E W S

Mass Intentions, [Requested by], and Parish Activities Confirmation SAT., MAY 6 EASTER WEEKDAY/FIRST SATURDAY Our Confirmation Candidates will be traveling to our Acts 9: 31-42/ Ps 116: 8:30 am First Saturday Mass: Richard Krzyzaniak 12-13. 14-15. 16-17/ [Pat and Joe Fitzgerald] Lansing Cathedral to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation Jn 6: 60-69 3:30-4:30 pm Confession from the Bishop today, Sunday, May 7th. Please keep 5:00 pm Vigil Mass: For the People Mikayla Ball, Garrett Carson, Luke Chisnell, Anthony 6:15-7:00 pm Confirmation Retreat—FFH

Davila, August Hutchison, Jacob Messman, Sarah O'Hotzke, SUN., MAY 7 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Acts 2: 14a. 36-41/ Ps 8:00-8:15 am Confession Alden Rohwer, and Mykaela Zink in your as they 23: 1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6 (1)/ 8:30 am Mass: Christine Marie Hessling make their final preparations to receive this holy sacrament. 1 Pt 2: 20b-25/ Jn 10: 1-10 [The Hessling Family] 10:00-10:15 am Confession The Month of Mary 10:30 am Mass: John August LaBeau

[Bill and Janet Shurtliff] In honor of our Holy Mother, 30 minutes before each

MON., MAY 8 EASTER WEEKDAY weekend Mass during the month of May, we will be praying Acts 11:1-18/Ps 42:2- 12:10 pm Mass: Larry Becktel the Rosary. Please try to arrive early enough to be part of 3; 43:3-4/ Jn 10: 11-18 [Jeff and Connie Schaffer]

1:00 pm Amazing Greys—FFH this beautiful .

3:30 pm Religious Education—PC

7:00 pm Knights of Columbus Meeting—PC Volunteer Opportunity

7:00 pm Evangelization Team Meeting—FFH

The Parish Office is in need of a volunteer on Wednesdays TUES., MAY 9 EASTER WEEKDAY Acts 11:19-26/Ps 87: 8:30 am Mass: Joseph and Helen Germek from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. The former Wednesday worker is 1b-3. 4-5. 6-7/Jn 10: [Martin and Kathy Brogley] now the office manager. There is also a need for volunteers 22-30

WED., MAY 10 EASTER WEEKDAY/St. Damien of Molokai to substitute if a regular staff member is unavailable.

Acts 12: 24 -- 13: 5a/ 8:30 am Mass: Mary Zavicar Substitutes are needed soon as there are some planned Ps 67: 2-3. 5. 6 and 8/ [Greg and Laurie Sanders] absences on the near horizon. If you are interested in Jn 12: 44-50 7:00 pm Finance Council Meeting—Rectory working in the office please call 428-8811. THUR., MAY 11 EASTER WEEKDAY Acts 13: 13-25/ Ps 8:30 am Mass: INT: Al Kwolek, Happy 96th Birthday Altar Flowers 89: 2-3. 21-22. 25 and [Bill and Sandi Kwolek] 27/ Jn 13: 16-20 7:00 pm RCIA—FFH A sign up sheet is available in the entryway of the Church

FRI., MAY 12 EASTER WEEKDAY/Sts. Nereus, Achilleus & Pancras for those interested in sponsoring flowers to be placed on Acts 9: 1-20/ Ps 117: 8:30 am Mass: Irvin Michalak the Altar. Fill out the form with your intention and place 1bc. 2/ Jn 6: 52-59 [John and Tina Doyle and Family]

your check made out to “St. Mary Church” in the collection SAT., MAY 13 EASTER WEEKDAY/Our Lady of Fatima Acts 13: 44-52/ Ps 98: 3:30-4:30 pm Confession basket. The usual donation is $30, your intention will also 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4/ Jn 14: 5:00 pm Vigil Mass: Florence Hnizdor 7-14 appear in the bulletin. [Donna Hnizdor]

SUN., MAY 14 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Upcoming Choir Rehearsals

Acts 6: 1-7/ Ps 33: 1-2. 8:00-8:15 am Confession 4-5. 18-19 (22)/ 1 Pt 2: 8:30 am Mass: Ed Haller Adult choir rehearsals in preparation for Pentecost are on 4-9/ Jn 14: 1-12 [Ray and Karen Berg] Wednesday evenings May 17th, 24th, 31st at 7 pm in the 10:00-10:15 am Confession choir loft. The choir will sing at the 10:30 am Mass on 10:30 am Mass: For the People 11:30 am Mother’s Day Breakfast—FFH Pentecost Sunday, June 4th. 11:30 am Youth Group—PC

AREA NEWS The True Story of the Pied Piper at Kreft Center for the Arts on Have Hope. Get Help Campaign - Catholic Charities is spreading the Concordia University campus. Performances - May 19th at 7pm, May word about their counseling program for persons with 20th at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets $10 adults/$8 students/$35 family. depression, anxiety, anger or addiction. If you or someone you love Homeschool show- May 18th 10am. Tickets $3. For reservations: could benefit from counseling, visit HaveHopeGetHelp.com for more [email protected]. 734-604-1545 information. Community Meeting - The next regular meeting of the Manchester Campus Visit - The Admissions Office at Aquinas College is hosting Area Nonprofit Roundtable is scheduled for Tuesday May 16th. We a campus visit day on Friday, May 12th for high school students will assist the150th Planning Committee to make this a spectacular interested in studying environmental issues, sustainability and celebration of our Village. Economicology. Visit aquinas.edu/bethechange to register. Divorce Survival Guide - For anyone who has suffered the Catholic Men’s Night - Martin Doman will be the speaker on breakdown of marriage and family, or is struggling now, The Church is Thursday, May 18th. The title of his talk will be "Praying Twice: The HERE to help. St. Andrew is again offering this 12 week program Power of Music to Open the Heart in Prayer". The meeting, starting beginning Wednesday, May 31st.The cost of the program is $20 for with Mass, will be at Christ the King, 4000 Ave Maria Drive, Ann the provided materials please register in advance. Contact Irene Arbor, MI 48105 at 7:30 pm. Myers (734) 972-8049 or David Miller (734) 944-2101.

For more news and events in area parishes, please visit our website: stmarymanchester.org St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Manchester, MI  Fourth Sunday of Easter  May 7, 2017 p. 3

Deacon Dennis’ article continued from page 1 So what does that “abundant life” look like for those who have it? Based on the experience of many people I know, it Sanctuary might look like this: Abundant life means that you’re consciously aware of God as a person. You know Him in some intimate degree, Lamps you love Him, and you long for Him. He attracts you to are burning this week for: Himself. You realize that He loves you in spite of your sins. 1) In Memory of In hindsight you can trace how that relationship has  Larry Rhodes developed, how you’ve grown, and how you want to grow. (Jim and Marja Warner) Abundant life means that you want to converse with God. True, sometimes prayer is a chore, sometimes even a battle, but

it’s mainly you talking with God and Him talking with you. Eucharistic prayer centers your personal prayer, including your rote devotions and spontaneous conversation. In time, prayer Pray the Rosary becomes a continual background of your work day. 30 minutes before each weekend Mass throughout the Abundant life means the is no longer a book you Month of May avoid because you can’t understand it. When you read it, it comes to life. Passages leap out at you with new meaning. There, God tells you about His loving concern for you, what He wants for you. As it feeds you on God’s word, Scripture even whets your appetite for more, including other kinds of spiritual reading. Abundant life means your relationship with God is personal but not private. You want to be around others who have a similar relationship with God. You can swap stories about St. Mary Roman what God is doing in your lives, conversations at least as stimulating as sports, politics, and

Catholic Church the stock market. By encouraging others in their Christian lives you build community. Stewardship Friendships form based not only on mutual attraction but on mutual love of God. WEEKLY COLLECTION Abundant life means that building a good character is paramount. You understand how Sunday, April 16, 2017 sin weakens you, whereas virtue — good habits — strengthen you. You recognize how your Sunday Envelopes...... $2,661.00 conduct teaches others, especially your children, how they should behave. Holiness Loose Cash & Checks..... $1,104.45 Welcome Envelopes...... $59.00 becomes a life goal, one you pray God to build in you. eGiving ...... $260.00 Abundant life means that your love of God begets love of neighbor. You want to build Kids Envelopes ...... $1.74 Easter ...... $2,588.60 the Church, not only by offering to work within it, but also by drawing everyone you know Weekly toward budget .... $6,674.79 into its orbit. Reaching out to others in acts of service and support becomes deeply Weekly goal ...... $5,300.00 satisfying, especially as you see God acting through you.

Amt. ABOVE goal...... $1,374.79 OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS: Abundant life is Jesus in you. He is the Shepherd who knows what His sheep need to Building and Maintenance. $423.60 live on. In John’s Gospel, Jesus calls Himself “the bread of life,” our food; “the way, the Raffle Tickets...... $25.00 truth, and the life,” our path and the way things are; the “resurrection and the life,” re- Poor Box...... $4.13 Votive Candle Receipts...... $74.75 creating us anew. That’s who Jesus is and that’s why he came, to give us Himself. He is also the Gate. It’s only through Him that we come in and go out and find pasture, both nourishment and safety. To obtain the life in abundance that Jesus offers, we have to Parish Family Birthdays May 6...... Mary Sandoval go through that Gate, Jesus Christ Himself. There is no other, not the economy, not politics, May 7...... Jessica Coltre not medicine, and certainly not the stuff the world sells that grows obsolete, breaks down, May 7...... Alden Rohwer and fails to satisfy. May 8...... Paige Bourland Please Pray for: May 9...... Jacob Miller If you are at the Gate and feel left May 11 ...... Patrick Wallace Bernita Aiuto May 12 ...... William Emmons out, simply ask the Shepherd to let you Linda Dyer May 12 ...... Joseph Fitzgerald in; and, if you need support, get Joe Fitzgerald May 13...... Vincent Ganzhorn May 13...... Karen Tobias someone to ask Him along with you. Linda Schutz-Hollerich May 14 ...... Brandon Davila It’s a request He can’t refuse.  Eddie Walz May 14 ...... David Roberts May 14 ...... Austin Sangster

NEED HELP? PROJECT RACHEL ALTERNATIVES TO NEED HELP? “AA” group meets ABORTION: NEED HELP? “COURAGE” is a Catholic (endorsed by (post-abortion reconciliation and Diocese) spiritual support group for those struggling with Friday & Sunday nights at 7:00 pm Right-to-Life MI Hotline healing) Call the confidential phone line: same sex attraction. “ENCOURAGE” is a separate in the Emanuel 1-800-57WOMAN 517-993-0291 or email support group for families and friends. Call 517-342-2596 church kitchen. Or visit www.optionline.org [email protected]