January 6, 2019 From the Desk of Fr. Andrew Happy New Year! I hope your New Year’s celebrations were fantastic, that you were able to take some time to relax and visit with family. This first Sunday of the Year is the celebration of the Epiphany, remembering that the child born in the dark of night in a lowly manger is revealed as the manifestation (epiphany) of God. Traditionally, three events in the life of Christ are remembered today as manifestations of God’s presence and action through Christ: the visit of the Magi, the wedding feast at Cana, and the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. All of these manifestations are “lights” that shine on Christ, revealing a deeper understanding of who he is. The bulletin insert this week tells the story in detail. Here is how you can honor this feast. Be Bold. Blessing of our homes A favorite tradition we started a few years ago continues today on the Feast of the Epiphany. We take home chalk that has been blessed and mark our doors with this inscription: 20+C+M+B+19. The number of the New Year is split at the beginning and end. The initials C, M, and B represent Casper, Melchior and Balthasar and the three crosses stand for "saint." The letters also abbreviate the prayer: "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" which means May Christ Bless this House. So today after dinner, gather around the inside of your front door, and use the chalk to inscribe the numbers and letters on the frame while saying: "May Christ bless this house". Throughout the year those who come and go through that door will enjoy the blessing of Christ. Chalk is available by the Christmas manger at the front of the church. Be Holy. Back to School This week we welcome back our students and staff as the school bells ring announcing another semester of hard work and study. May your new year be blessed. Adoration this week Next Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord which closes the season of Christmas. Join us Wednesday evening for an hour of Adoration beginning at 6pm. We will pray and sing Christmas Carols together in thanksgiving for the season as we bring it to a close. Continued on page 3 Our Parish Community January 15, 10:30 AM Events In and Around Our Parish Tuesday Musicale of Detroit St. Clare of Montefalco Church Monday, January 7 8:00 AM Mass ................................................................................... Church Featuring Poetry & Eurythmy. Eurythmy 4:00 PM Religious Education..................................................School Bldg is an expressive art of movement that 6:30 PM Religious Education..................................................School Bldg relates to the sounds and rhythms of 7:00 PM EEV Board Meeting ............................................Rooms 1 and 2 7:00 PM Intercessory Prayer Group .............................. Rectory Chapel speech, tones and rhythms of music 7:30 PM Christian Service Commission.............................Whittier Room and to soul experiences as joy and sor- row. Eurythmist Claudia Fontana is Tuesday, January 8 widely regarded as one of the finest of 9:30 AM Legion of Mary Meeting......................................Whittier Room 9:30 AM Motor City Mitten Mission (MCMM).................Rooms 1 and 2 today’s eurythmists and has performed 4:00 PM Christian Meditation......................................... Rectory Chapel extensively in the US, Europe and in 6:30 PM Tuesday Mass and St. Michael Devotion .................... Church China. 6:30 PM Stephen Ministry Continuing Education ...........School Library 6:30 PM Baptismal Prep. .....................................................Whittier Room 7:30 PM Finance Council Meeting ....................................... Rose Room Plus a poem by the highly-regarded 7:00 PM K of C Assembly Meeting..................................Rooms 1 and 2 poet Jose Marti, who was a supporter 7:00 PM Knights of Columbus - Council Meeting.........Rooms 1 and 2 of a Cuban insurrection in the late 19th 7:30 PM Al-anon (Adult Children of Alcoholics)..............Parish Offices century to achieve independence from Spain. A beautiful message of for- Wednesday, January 9 8:15 AM Wednesday Morning Mass ............................................ Church giveness and love. 9:00 AM Catholic to Catholic Phase 2 .............................Whittier Room 9:45 AM Pastoral Team Mtg. ...................................................Rose Room 6:00 PM Exposition and Adoration............................................... Church 7:00 PM RCIA ........................................................................ Faculty Room 7:00 PM Legion of Mary Rosary .................................................... Church 7:00 PM EEV General Meeting ..................................Church Social Hall 7:15 PM Hospitality Monthly Meeting....................................Rose Room Thursday, January 10 8:00 AM Thursday Morning Mass .................................................. Church 9:30 AM Motor City Mitten Mission (MCMM)................. Rooms 1 and 2 3:30 PM 2019 School Play Rehearsal................................... Mr. B. Room 6:30 PM Faith Formation .............................................Church Social Hall Friday, January 11 8:00 AM Friday Morning Mass ....................................................... Church 9:00 AM Friday Faith Formation .................................................... Church Saturday, January 12 8:00 AM SVdP Kroger Food Drive ..............................Church Social Hall 10:00 AM SVdP Service Saturdays & MEAP................Church Social Hall 2:30 PM Saturday Confessions...................................................... Church 4:00 PM Saturday Mass.................................................................. Church 5:00 PM Winterfest .......................................................Church Social Hall Sunday, January 13 9:00 AM Sunday Mass (Little Lambs I Sunday Family)............... Church 10:00 AM SVdP Food Drive ..........................................Church Social Hall 11:00 AM Sunday Mass..................................................................... Church 5:00 PM Mass ................................................................................... Church The Epiphany of the Lord Page 2 January 6, 2019 Our Parish Community Fr. Andrew continued from page 1 Faith Formation Our first Thursday Faith Formation session is scheduled for January 10 with Msgr. Ronald Brown, from the Marriage Tribunal. The topic of the meeting is Annulment – questions and clarification of what and who is involved in the process will be discussed. I highly recommend putting this date on your calendar. You may say – this is not for me or for us. But you may know someone who is in need and you may provide a good, sound and accurate information. Or just simply come to edify yourself on one of those topics of the church around which there is so much misunderstanding, myths, and legends. As always, we will gather at 6:30 pm for some fellowship with light refreshments and hot beverage. The presentation will begin at 7 pm. Invite friends, spread the news. Be Bold. Ireland 2019 Looking for something exciting in the New Year? Why not join us as we explore the Shades of Ireland October 2 – 11, 2019. We will visit Our Lady of Knock, Dublin, Cliffs of Moher, taste some of the best food and beverage of the Island, and much more. Information is posted on the website and available at the back of the church. Have a blessed New Year, Fr. Andrew Mercy Nights Jesus can do great things in your life. Don't believe us? Come to a Mercy Night. Let Him prove it. Let's be honest, life is full of baggage. So often we are expected to "go at it alone" or "tough it out". Doesn't that seem counterpro- ductive? What if, instead, we didn't "go at it alone" but instead we "go at it with Him"? Real peace and real joy are available and attainable. Similar to the Come Encounter Christ events, Mercy Nights are about laying down the things that drain us and hold us down, and Stay connected through- receiving freedom through the gentle mercy of Jesus. Come and out your week! St. Clare receive life and heal wounds through the power of scripture and has its very own app the presence of Jesus as we encounter him through adoration, reconciliation and music. called MyParish App. Through this application you can have access to daily readings, St. All are welcome to join the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit for Clare’s calendar so you never miss an event, an evening of life changing mercy and encounter with Jesus. the latest bulletin, News and the capability to give electronically so you never have to worry • January 11 St Anne Detroit 7:00- 9:00 Detroit about forgetting an envelope • January 25 St. Mary’s Monroe 7:00- 9:00 Monroe again. • February 8 St. Hugo of the Hills 7:00- 9:00 Bloomfield Hills Simply download the app and • February 15 St. Thecla 7:00- 9:00 Clinton Township search, “St. Clare of Montefal- • February 22 MBS Cathedral 7:00- 9:00 Detroit (Spanish) co”. St. Clare of Montefalco, Grosse Pointe Park, MI Page 3 The Congregation of Saint Michael Archangel Stewardship and Christian Service St. Clare of Montefalco Christian Service Corner St. Vincent de Paul Warm Hands, Warm Hearts Spirituality, Friendship, Service The St. Clare Warm Hands, Warm Hearts collection will take place on the weekend of January 19-20. This SAVE THE DATE annual collection at the doors after masses support January 12th and 13th the warming center programs for St. Aloysius Neighborhood Ser- Bringing Hope to the Table vices and