We need a few reliable and organized people to serve as Mass Coordinators on a rotating basis. Ideally, three or four teams of people (2 on each team, or a family serving as a team) for each of the weekend Masses would make for a flexible rotating schedule with no one team - or person - being tied down each and every weekend.

Mass Coordinators have a checklist of things to prepare before Mass and to double check during Mass. For example, Mass Coordinators prepare the bread and wine, and the vessels that Fr. Joe and Eucharistic Ministers will use during Mass. They also assist in recruiting and preparing the Procession Ministers before Mass.

Training will be provided, and you’ll work with experienced Mass Coordinators while you learn to serve in your new ministry. Detailed instruction sheets are always available. You can select the Mass time you most often attend. If you have any questions, please take some time to talk with Fr. Joe or Mari Reyes after one of the weekend Masses, or call Sue in the parish office at 248-391-1621. We’d love to have more people respond to God’s call to serve by becoming actively involved in this vital Liturgical Ministry. We can’t do it without you!
 
 

The Service Commission is hosting our annual baby shower to benefit the Oxford Problem Pregnancy Center. The Center is a non profit educational and referral organization designed to help women make educated and moral decisions on sexuality, parenting, abortion and adoption. They provide spiritual and emotional support to women facing difficult decisions. Each year we collect gift cards and baby items for those in need. Please take a tag from the display board and return your baby items and gift cards to the white collection box by May 26.

"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap, for the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

On May 4th at the Saturday Vigil Mass we commissioned a new group of Stephen Ministers for our parish. I stared to write about this ministry in my column last week, but I only got as far as identifying how Lumen Gentium (The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church from Vatican II) opened the door for all the baptized, not just the clergy, to participate in the work of Christ as priest, prophet, and king. By identifying the common priesthood of all the baptized, Lumen Gentium ushered in a new Pentecost in the Church with an explosion of lay ministries, each animated by the same Spirit.

We started Stephen Ministry in my second year as pastor in the fall of 1990. It turned out that we had some parish members who had been trained as Stephen Ministers in another parish; they encouraged us to become a Stephen Ministry congregation. Although Stephen Ministry was organized in the Lutheran Church, it was clear to me that it could be a great blessing for our parish. As a new pastor, I realized there was no possible way that I could give quality time to many individuals, but a team of trained Stephen Ministers could in fact extend the caring ministry of the entire parish.

Stephen Ministers usually serve for two years, which includes an initial 50 hours of training followed by twice -monthly supervision and continuing education sessions. What I particularly liked about the Stephen Ministry training and follow up is that they are not “lone rangers.” They participate with their Stephen Leaders in twicemonthly supervision where they receive the guidance and support they need to provide high-quality care. They also participate regularly in continuing education to enhance their skills and help them keep growing as caregivers.

Stephen Leaders match each Stephen Minister to a person in need of care, in a confidential relationship.

Judy Bas is our current Stephen Ministry Leader, the fifth team leader in our 23 years of Stephen Ministry. She will be facilitating one more training session this fall/winter. If you, or someone you know might be interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, we would be happy to have someone get in touch with you to talk about it. If you might benefit from having a Stephen Minster, please give Judy or myself a call. If you think you might be called to leadership in Stephen Ministry, we definitely want to talk to you.

Here is a short piece I found on the Stephen Ministry web site that answers the question “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?”

One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People.

Stephen Ministers are there:

. . . after the phone call you hoped you’d never get.

. . . after the divorce papers are served and the bottom falls out of your life.

. . . after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.

. . . after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more we can do.”

. . . after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.”

. . . after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and the house suddenly seems empty.

. . . after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.

. . . after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.

. . . after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.

. . . after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to talk it out.

Stephen Ministers are the “After People.” They are ready to come alongside you—or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives - and provide comfort and support for as long after as needed.

The Change for Life Baby Bottle Campaign is a fun way for individuals and families to support the ministry of the Crossroads Pregnancy Center in Auburn Hills. This year’s Baby Bottle Campaign will take place now to May 26.

Baby bottles will be available after Masses this weekend. Individuals and families take home a bottle and fill it with loose pocket change.

The bottles can be filled with coins, dollar bills, or a check made out to the “Crossroads Pregnancy Center”. The weekend of May 25/26, bring the bottles back to church and Crossroads picks them up. It’s that easy!

Since 1984, Crossroads Pregnancy Center has been assisting women, men, and children in the metro Detroit area. Their SHARE program (Sexual Health and Relationship Education) has been rapidly expanding, impacting over 8,000 students in the 2011/2012 school year. Through volunteer efforts, prayer, and financial support, Crossroads was able to extend a helping hand to over 200 clients a month in 2012. They open their hearts to all, regardless of marital status, religious beliefs, age or race.

Conversation With Clancy

The coming of the Spirit has been felt throughout history. The event we celebrate today changed lives. For me this year, the best way to describe what happened to the disciples in the upper room would be to compare it with the writings from the prophet Ezekiel. He describes an event where he was taken to a valley of dry bones. “He asked me: Son of man, can these bones come to life? ...Then God said: “Say to them, hear the Word of the Lord! I will put spirit in you so that you may come to life..I will breathe into you and you will come to life.” The story continues...the bones rose up and became a might army for the Lord. That's what happened at Pentecost...the dried out bones of the disciples became a mighty army for the Lord after the Spirit breathed into them. The disciples received the gift that Jesus promised...the Advocate, the Spirit. And they became mighty preachers. Everything in them that had been held back in fear could be proclaimed...every miracle they witnessed, every teaching they heard, every love action they were part of, they could now share freely. No wonder people thought they were drunk! They were totally free to tell of the wonders of God. That's quite a liberating experience.

There are times in my life when I feel laid out with the dry bones in the valley, locked in with the disciples in that upper room...in need of some spirit life. Perhaps I have spent my emotions. Perhaps I feel trapped. Perhaps I feel like I have nothing left to give. And the Good News is that the Lord will come and breathe on me... “Receive the Holy Spirit.” and I will come to life. I will be able to get up, to conquer my fears and my limitations...I will be able to recall again all that Jesus said and did. I will be able to witness to God's incredible love once again. It's a powerful prayer: “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; and kindle in them the fire of your love.” Let us pray it with and for one another.

Peace, Nancy

Richard Rohr – Adam's Return

At a recent meeting in the Vicariate, we were discussing the concept of Male Spirituality, and a book by Richard Rohr was recommended as a sort of jumping off point – Adam's Return. Just doing a little fishing here – just wondering if five or six men might like to gather around reading this book every other week...you might set your own time and place, this book would simply serve as a starting point for your discussion. (By the way, I am just serving as the point person for gathering the group and ordering the books, and one gentleman already trained as a Spiritual Director offered to facilitate...it will most certainly be your group...) If anyone is interested, just email ctrdirector@ameritech.net or call Nancy (248 391 4074) in the Office of Family Ministry.
 

If you enjoy being around children and sharing your faith, please consider joining us this summer for two weeks. Catechists are urgently needed for the success of this adventure. We provide faith formation for children in grades 1 – 5 for eight days. It's a blessing and a privilege to be able to minister in this way. If you have the interest, we urge you to take the time. Call the Office of Family Ministry for more details. (248 391 4074)

One more registration meeting for the Summer Program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 7:00. The Summer Program is scheduled to run Monday through Thursday the weeks of July 15 and 22 (9:00 – 12:00 and 5:30 – 8:30) and August 5 and 12 (9:00 – 12:00). As has been our policy, registration will take place at a parent meeting containing some adult formation about the upcoming theme the children will be studying. Start thinking now about being part of that program. We will need many faith filled adults as catechists, storytellers, craft folks and program aides. If you have the time and interest, and would like to give it a try, please contact the Office of Family Ministry. catechists, storytellers, craft folks and program aides. If you have the time and interest, and would like to give it a try, please contact the Office of Family Ministry.

Possible Book
Study? One
Group Formed

When Richard Gallairdetz was in town, I was reminded of an amazing book he wrote entitled A Daring Promise, about the sacredness of covenant and marriage. I'd love to gather 4-6 married couples to read and discuss this book, perhaps once a month around a simple dinner. Three couples are interested so far...any other takers???? Email (ctrdirector@ameritech.net) or call the Office of Family Ministry (248 391 4074).

This year’s World Youth Day home event takes place in Chicago. We are looking to put together a group of high school teens interested in celebrating our faith with 2,000 other Catholic teens. We will be taking a bus to the Archdiocese of Chicago on the morning of Saturday, July 27 and returning the following night on Sunday, July 28. Cost of the trip is $95. If you would like more information, or to get registration packet, please contact Lisa Andridge at the Youth Ministry office at (248) 391-4074 ext 33, or send an email to ctryouth@ameritech.net. Registrations must be turned in by Friday, June 7. This event fills up quickly, so register soon!

This week we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost. Some consider this day the birth of the Church because this is the moment when Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples giving them the power to carry out Christ’s work on earth. You may not realize it, but you too have this same power today. As you celebrate Pentecost, consider the reasons why the disciples could not act on the mission given to them by Jesus until now. Anyone who was listening would have known that this was coming for a long time. Why couldn’t they go forth and evangelize until they were filled with the power of the Spirit? What essential abilities did the Spirit provide?

This act of Jesus breathing the Spirit into them reminds us of the story in Genesis when Jesus breathed life into Adam. This life came from God so now we see the new spiritual life of the apostles comes from Jesus. They now carry the Spirit in the core of their very beings. The same is true for you. You too were filled with the Spirit at your Baptism. Think about all the ways the Spirit enables you to live a different life and see the world through a different lens.

Jesus breathed the Spirit into the disciples and then sent them off to spread the Gospel. We have the same calling. How will you work with the Spirit this week to make a difference in the world?
 

If you’re sad or struggling inside, don’t suffer alone. Ask for help. We’ve got a team of Stephen Ministers who are ready to listen, care, encourage, pray, and help you through a tough time, and it’s all confidential!

If you or someone you love is in need of a Stephen Minister, contact Judy Bas at 248 693-3047 or jkbas99@yahoo.com

All participants must sign up for the program in order to continue earning funds for your group during 2013-2014. It’s easy for members to enroll or reenroll in Kroger Community Rewards by visiting:

www.krogercommunityrewards.com,

click on “Michigan” and click on “Enroll.” All participants must have a valid online account at Kroger.com and must sign up online to participate.

(Christ the Redeemer, Lake Orion)

The weekend of May 11/12 the following children were welcomed to the Lord’s table; Madeleine Croissant, Stella Downey, Kaitlyn Hoffman, Aubree Kuhn, Anna Mayernik and Allison Tong.

Love INC of North Oakland County
Fundraiser at
Buffalo Wild Wings
Wednesday, May 22
at 770 N. Lapeer, Lake Orion
 

Present a certificate to your server at the time of your order and 20% of your purchases will go to support Love INC of North Oakland County.

Valid only at the above location and good for lunch, dinner or a snack.

Certificates are available in the vestibule or on the Love INC website.

A North Oakland County healthcare facility is looking for a part-time worker for the Dietary Department. Every 3rd weekend of the month; Saturday hours 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Additional hours may be added as needed.

Duties include; table setting and clearing, serving of daily meals to clients, sanitary handling of dishes, equipment and food, and cleaning or maintenance duties within the Dietary Department.

Must be personable and courteous. High school diploma is required. Please email resume to cvario@guesthouse.org.

The month of April Christ the Redeemer Church donated $5,796.31 to the following appeals.

Catholic Relief Services

CWS/Crop Walk

International Child Care USA

Medical Mission Sisters

AmeriCares

Baldwin Center

Hope, Hospitality Warming Center, Inc.

Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan

Catholic Charities-Hispanic Outreach

St. Francis Camp on the Lake

Grace Centers of Hope

Mothers & Unborn Baby Care, Inc.

Green Place Detroit

Monthly Mission

Families in Crisis

Love INC
 
 
 

A few of the topics include Medicaid and estate planning, wills and trusts, anatomy of a law suit and guardianships/conservatorships.

Free lunch is provided by the Oakland County Bar Foundation if you attend one of the seminars.

Call the Oakland County Bar Association for reservations, 248-334-3400.