From the Desk of Fr. Andrew November 18, 2018 I hope you had a great week please call the parish office. It is a simple yet powerful witness to our faith. Just two more Sundays and we begin With heartfelt gratitude, thank you to the Knights of the season of Advent. During these final Columbus for the great Vocation Dinner they provided last weeks of Ordinary Time, we have an Saturday. Thanks to all who were able to join us in prayer and opportunity to reflect on the liturgical support of our Seminarians. Thank you to the Bereavement year coming to a close. Perhaps our Ministry for your Friday night’s celebration of memories, love reflection will encourage us to give and life with our bereaved families. Thank you to the thanks to God for all the graces and Hospitality Ministry for the welcome celebration of our new blessings we have received. This parishioners on Saturday. And finally, thank you in advance reflection could also invite us to ask God for forgiveness for for your support this weekend of the Michigan Charities times, talents, and treasures misused. May these two weeks Collection. lead us through our communal and personal prayer to trust and hope in God’s loving care. On a personal note, I will be celebrating this weekend’s Masses with special gratitude for each of you as this In that spirit, I invite you to come and join us for Adoration on weekend marks six years since my arrival to St. Clare. I hope Wednesday evening from 6 to 7 pm and to Thanksgiving Day and pray that we have grown in faith and become – at least Mass on Thursday morning at 9 am at St. Clare. Our School a bit – holier and joyful in our love for God and others. Mass will be held Tuesday morning November 20th. at 8:15 am due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Tuesday evening Mass Martynka will be held as scheduled. Wednesday Mass will be at This is the name of the little girl from Poland that is in need of 8:15am. The parish office will be closed Thursday and there help. Information is available in our bulletin, on tables around will be no evening Faith Formation. the church, our website and Facebook page explaining what is needed. This is true information not a scam. If you can An opportunity to serve - Bringing Holy Communion to those help please share the information, pass the flyer or invite who are unable to attend services in the church is a beautiful others to visit our website and Facebook page. Fr. Tom is ministry. It connects people to their faith in the most personal spearheading the project, if you have more questions, way by receiving the Eucharist and it gives them a sense of please send him a note at [email protected] belonging. If you would like to participate in this ministry Thank you for your support. Continued on page 2 BE BOLD, BE HOLY, BE CATHOLIC Our Parish Community Continued from page 1 Closing Protocol On November 6, 2018, Archbishop Allen Vigneron issued two decrees. The first decree brings about the cessation of Saint Philomena Parish, with St. Clare of Montefalco merging the Saint Philomena Parish territory into Saint Matthew, Saint Clare St. Vincent de Paul of Montefalco, and Saint Paul Parishes. The second decree relegates to Spirituality, Friendship, Service secular use Saint Philomena Church. Both decisions take effect on November 26, 2018. For two weekends, that is until November 18, the Service Saturday Schedule aforementioned decrees will be placed at the entrance of St. Philomena church. A certified copy of these decrees may be obtained from our An opportunity to put your faith into action parish offices upon request. For additional information and assistance in 10:00 a.m. - Noon Parish Social Hall understanding the details of this announcement, you may contact the Office of the Chancellor at [email protected]. November 17 December 1 , 15, 29 Because of the closure of St. Philomena parish, its geographical boundaries January 12, 26 had to be redrawn to ensure complete coverage of our eastside community. St. Clare will absorb 45 % of the current St. Philomena territory. Missed orientation? It’s not too late! St. Paul will absorb 30%, and St. Matthew 25%. Contact Diane at [email protected] or (313) 231-1108 St. Philomena parish leadership is working closely with the Archdiocese to ensure proper protocol is followed as we implement closure procedures of FOOD PANTRY WISH LIST the parish office and other buildings. All sacred and non-sacred objects in • Peanut Butter the parish’s possession will also follow AOD protocol for distribution. Parish • committees are working together preparing for the closing celebration, Jelly (plastic jar) scheduled for Sunday, November 25, at 10:00 a.m. • Snack and/or Saltine Crackers • Cereal, Breakfast Bars – Instant Breakfast The original sacramental records from St. Philomena Parish will be • Hot Cereal: Oatmeal or Grits permanently maintained by the Archdiocese of Detroit Archives. • Juices – Shelf Stable Milk Parishioners of St. Philomena may request their sacramental certificates • Spaghetti or Alfredo Sauce (plastic jar or can) from the Archives by mail using the request form available in the parish • Pizza Kits – Pepperoni – Pizza Crust Kits office or online via the AOD website; at http://www.tfaforms.com/223139. • Velveeta Cheese If you would like to have the form mailed or emailed to you, you may • Mexican Taco Kits – Tortilla Chips – Salsa contact the AOD Archives at 313-237-5846 or [email protected] and they • Italian Dressing - any Salad Dressing will be happy to assist you. • Mustard - Ketchup - Miracle Whip - Mayo • Facial Tissue - Bathroom Tissue - Paper Towels Advent St. Clare celebrations • Toothpaste - toothbrushes • Laundry Soap - Dish Soap - Hand Soap • Dec. 1/2 – First Sunday of Advent – light up for Christ and Rites of • Feminine Hygiene Products Enrollment for the confirmation students and RCIA candidates • Coffee – Tea – Hot Cocoa or Lemonade Mix • All Tuesday evening Masses in December at 6.30 pm – Rorate Mass • Tuna - Canned Meats • Dec. 12 – Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe School Mass and special • Canned Pasta Meals - Ravioli, Lasagna, etc. evening Adoration • Chunky Soups • Macaroni and Cheese • Dec. 16 – Breakfast with Santa by the Knights of Columbus • Canned Stew • Dec. 18 – SERF Vicariate Reconciliation opportunity • Paper grocery bags • Dec. 20 – Visit to St. Joseph Manor and School Christmas Concert • Dec.23 – no 5pm Mass School Donation Request Ms. Volz, our Music teacher, is in need of music Wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving, stands. If any parishioners have a music stand Fr. Andrew at home that is not being used, please consider donating it to the St. Clare Music and Band Program. Your support is greatly appreciated. hirty years ago, I was invited to attend St. Philomena by my late friend, Judy Miller. After just one or two visits for Mass, my teen aged son and Mom both let me know that they "really liked" this new church. T Their approval sealed the deal and we became members with my son, Jeremy, even getting involved in the youth group. A few years later, I was only too happy to introduce my fiance, Clement, to this special community. We set our wed- ding date based on Father Pete's availability to marry us and were happy that he was present to help us celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in 2016. Thanks to all for making this such a special part of our lives. Christine D’Angela 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 2 November 18, 2018 News and Events In Our Parish Community Stephen Ministry Events In and Around Our Parish Community (SCM= St. Clare Church | SPC=St. Philomena Church) I was initially drawn to Stephens Min- istry because as a Youth Minister I Monday, November 19 wanted to learn the skills to listen 8:00 AM Mass and Marian Devotion ................................................ SCM better to the high schoolers and parents I had 4:00 PM Religious Education .......................................................... School the privilege of being surrounded by. I certainly 6:30 PM Religious Education .......................................................... School learned that, but as I entered the training I also 7:00 PM Intercessory Prayer Group ............................... Rectory Chapel realized how important it was to me to be a caregiver. I didn't realize I would not only learn Tuesday, November 20 skills but find a soft spot in my heart that Christ 8:15 AM School Mass ..................................................................... Church wanted to fill. One thing our Church struggles 9:30 AM Legion of Mary Meeting ..................................... Whittier Room with sometimes is suffering together. Many times 9:30 AM Motor City Mitten Mission (MCMM) ................. Rooms 1 and 2 we hide it to keep up the appearance that 12:00 PM Parent/Teacher Conferences ........................................ School everything is great; especially at Church. I am a 4:00 PM Silent Meditation ............................................... Rectory Chapel young mom and I know how hard it can be 6:30 PM Tuesday Evening Mass ................................................... Church (and still is) to make the transition to mother- 7:00 PM SVDP Meeting....................................................... Whittier Room hood and how lonely parenting can feel. My 7:00 PM Faith Formation ......................................................... Rose Room husband and I struggled to have children for 7:30 PM Al-anon (Adult Children of Alcoholics) .............. Parish Offices three years and I know how much suffering and confusion infertility can cause when everyone is Wednesday, November 21 seemingly having no difficulty (not the case, by 8:15 AM Mass ........................................................................................ SCM the way)! I know how good intentioned com- 6:00 PM Exposition and Adoration ............................................... Church ments can really strike a chord. I know what it 7:00 PM RCIA ........................................................................ Faculty Room feels like to search for support in the Catholic 7:00 PM Legion of Mary Rosary ...................................................