Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time • September 13, 2020 In recent weeks several dozen continue offering the Sacrament people have either emailed or of Reconciliation/Confession on spoken with me after weekend Mass Wednesdays. We have been offering stating that the time scheduled for Wednesday afternoon confessions the Sacrament of Reconciliation/ since the end of March, but my gut Confessions at St. Paul of Tarsus, is not feeling is that it will not impose a conducive to their work schedule. hardship on those who have been St. Paul of Tarsus is one of the few making use of the sacrament on parishes in the area which offers the Wednesdays to come on Tuesday Sacrament of Reconciliation on a day evening. other than Saturday. This led me to Listed below are the days and conclude that it would be in the best times of the three closest parishes in interest to return to the time that the Central Macomb Vicariate which confessions were held prior to the offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. pandemic. Effective this Tuesday, September 15, we will return to St. Thecla-Clinton Township offering confessions on Tuesday Saturday @ 3 pm evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Tuesday evening Mass will continue St. Peter-Mount Clemens to be offered at 7 pm. Confessions Saturday 2:30 to 3:30 pm will take place in the Reconciliation St. Michael-Sterling Heights Room in Church. At the present Saturday @ 3 pm time, and until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, the only way to offer St. Bonaventure Monastery – 1780 this sacrament is for the penitent to Mount Elliott in Detroit (between confess sins behind the screen. We Lafayette and Gratiot) offers the ask that you wear a mask (just as the Sacrament of Reconciliation six days priest does) when you receive this a week – Monday through Saturday. sacrament. You can call them at 313-579-2100 for I will, for the next three weeks, further information regarding their September 16, 23, and 30, schedule. Page 2 St. Paul of Tarsus Catholic Church, Clinton Township, MI Hi-eeeeeee Welcome to Youth Ministry! Youth/Parent Meeting: Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 6:30 pm in the St. Paul of Tarsus Parish Hall. Bye-eeeeeee Fun Worship Fun Socialize Fun Service Fun Faith Fun Hundreds of children will be registered for religious formation here at St. Paul of Tarsus Parish this fall to learn more about Jesus and our Catholic faith. You can help them learn and grow by becoming a CATECHIST! Are you looking for a way Author Jeff Cavins will be leading this 8-week to share your faith, time and talents with others? Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible study live You don’t have to have a child in the program to on Facebook and on Ascension Press’ website, volunteer. Adults are encouraged to prayerfully www.ascensionpress.com, starting September consider this rewarding ministry. Please contact 16, at 8 PM eastern time. This is an opportunity Peggy DeClercq, Director of Religious Education, at to participate in a study led by the author 586-228-6651, ext. 4, to learn more. himself. If you would like to participate but are not free at that time, the videos will be recorded and posted on Ascension’s website and on Facebook for viewing after. As the event gets closer, we will be sending more specific instructions on how to join the live study and how to view the videos after. The live Bible study sessions are free and open to anyone who wants to view them. Workbooks are highly recommended for participants to gain the most from each session but are not required. (https:// ascensionpress.com/products/unlocking-the- mystery-of-the-bible-workbook.) St. Paul of Tarsus Catholic Church, Clinton Township, MI Page 3 IT’S TIME TO PREPARE FOR FLU SEASON St. Paul of Tarsus Parish Nurses are hosting a Flu Shot Clinic in conjunction with Walgreens! The Walgreens located at Garfield and Canal will be here after all Sunday Masses on September 27 and WEEKLY SCHEDULE October 11. The vaccination is covered by most insurances so MONDAY 8:30 am ..........Church open for private please bring your insurance card. Low cost shots may September 14 prayer until 4:30 pm be available. 6:30 pm .........K of C General Meeting in the parking lot TUESDAY 8:30 am ..........Church open for private prayer until 4:30 pm September 15 5:30 pm .........Confession until 6:30 pm 7:00 pm .........Mass WEDNESDAY 8:30 am ..........Church open for private prayer until 4:30 pm September 16 2:00 pm .........Mass (this Mass is recorded for Sunday) 3:30 pm .........Confession in Church 6:30 pm .........Catechist Orientation THURSDAY 8:30 am ..........Mass 9:00 am ..........Church open for private September 17 prayer until 4:30 pm 7:00 pm .........Confirmation Rehearsal FRIDAY Church and Parish Office closed 7:00 pm .........AA Meeting (please September 18 note time change) SATURDAY 4:00 pm .........Mass 4:00 pm .........Online Mass from St. September 19 Paul of Tarsus Church at spotcatholic.org 5:00 pm .........Sandwich Saturday SUNDAY 7:45 am ..........Mass September 20 9:30 am ..........Mass - K of C Corporate Communion 1:30 pm ..........Confirmation All-Day ...........Online Mass from St. Paul of Tarsus Church at spotcatholic.org For a complete calendar of activities, events, funerals, etc. visit our parish calendar at spotcatholic. org and click on the Calendar link. Page 4 St. Paul of Tarsus Catholic Church, Clinton Township, MI GOSPEL MEDITATION with God. It is hypocritical to wrong has caused a hurt that must 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time want one thing for ourselves and be healed and squarely positions What right do we have to limit the something else for another. Yet, responsibility on the offender. The amount and degree of forgiveness many act in precisely this way. act of forgiveness recognizes our we show to others when we are so Perhaps we think that in offering sinfulness and brokenness. It also desperately in need of it ourselves? forgiveness, even for the most admits that the most saintly among In not wanting someone who grievous of wrongs, somehow us is capable of doing very grave hurt us to downplay or forget the excuses the person of their wrong and deep harm to another person. gravity of their wrong, we cling to and makes it almost acceptable. This It sees that we all can be victims of anger, resentment, and wrath as a is what makes revenge, retaliation, our passions and works in progress way of maintaining control. It is a and punishment so attractive. We that deserve unlimited chances way to acknowledge and express see forgiveness as being an eraser to get it right. With forgiveness, our deep hurt. We fail to realize that easily wipes away the offense I release myself from the bonds that in doing so we hold ourselves without consequence. Or, we may of negativity and pursue a path hostage to these destructive believe that in offering forgiveness of restoration, wholeness, and feelings and actually become mired I must somehow forget the wrong healing. I do not forget the wrong in the bondage of sin. All we gain and open myself as a victim of nor do I dismiss it. Sometimes, we is further alienation from ourselves, even greater possible hurts in the have to stay far away from the one others, and especially God. We are future. In fact, forgiving my sister who hurt us. But we can still heal no longer free but tethered to all or brother of their wrongful actions internally and be free. of this unresolved negativity. Don’t or attitudes involves none of this. It For the one who wants to be we really want to let it go? The fact does not erase anything or position forgiven and the one who needs is that we need to. me vulnerably as a doormat to be offer forgiveness, the journey can A good self-reflective posture walked on. be an adventure in learning what will quickly show us that when the Forgiveness is an act of freedom brought us to this place and what shoe is on the other foot and we are that restores honest dialogue, shares is needed to move forward. This the ones in need of forgiveness, we true, and heartfelt feelings and is exactly how God treats us. Why desire it above anything else. This is acknowledges the consequences would we not want to do the same especially true with our relationship of an action. It admits that the for others? St. Paul of Tarsus Catholic Church, Clinton Township, MI Page 5 R.C.I.A. – AN INVITATION TO FAITH “I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1) The St. Paul of Tarsus Catholic Community welcomes you as you seek to explore the possibility of becoming a Catholic Christian. Our community shares this journey with you through a process called: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). You are welcome to begin your journey at any time. The RCIA sessions on Monday evenings, beginning in October. This involves an ongoing period of study and reflection. When ready, the candidate celebrates the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. What is RCIA? Becoming Catholic is a journey in faith. Becoming Catholic involves entering into relationship with a community of God’s people. Our hope is that you will enjoy a deeper relationship with God as you also become acquainted with members of St. Paul of Tarsus Parish community, who will pray with you and for you throughout your journey.