ST. MARY HURH...2020/05/24  · Ascension of hrist and in his exaltation over all angelic forces. He remains accessible to us now in the life-giving Holy Spirit. Today’s Gospel tells

ST. MARY CHURCH PAW PAW, MICHIGAN

Monday May 25 - Memorial Day Pro Populo 11:00 a.m. Blessing at the cemetery Tuesday May 26—St. Philip Neri †Ray & Helen Scotese (Anniversary Remembrance) req. family Wednesday May 27—St. Augustine of Canterbury 8:00 a.m. †Maryellen Smith req. family Thursday May 28 8:00 a.m. Pro Populo Friday May 29 8:00 a.m. Pro Populo

Dear friends in Christ, We are glad to know that we will be reopening our churches May 27th onwards. So, we will be having masses regularly on weekends and week days. As you already knew the mass timings: week days, Monday to Friday at 8.00am and weekends: Saturdays 4.30pm; Sundays 8.00am & 11.00am. As we all know that we need to protect ourselves and others, especially in this pandemic time, let us follow the direction given by our diocese and our parish which is already published on the websites, bulletins and emails. Let us try to help each other in our worship, at the same time while trying to protect each other by observing social distancing. The General dispensation as given by our bishop remains in place for all the faithful through September 6, 2020 from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. So, if you are not feeling comfortable to come to church, you can be at home, but you will be able to participate in the Sunday 11.00am livestream mass. As we all of us are trying to learn to go through this pandemic time, let us carefully follow the instructions given in our church. Therefore, when we come to our church, please take the seats as directed by our ushers, come with our own masks and our own small bottle of hand sanitizer to keep clean our hands before Holy Communion. Today’s readings describe the Ascension of the Lord Jesus into his heavenly glory after promising his disciples the Holy Spirit as their Source of heavenly power, and after commanding them to bear witness to him by their lives and preaching throughout the world. But, the ascended Jesus is still with us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and of the Father, and Jesus as he has promised, "I am with you always. Therefore, today’s feast is a celebration of Jesus’ glory after his suffering and death – a glory in which we also hope to share. The first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, describes the scene of Jesus’ Ascension, his promise of the Holy Spirit, his instruction to the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the power from above and the missionary command to his apostles to bear witness to him. In the second reading, St. Paul amplifies this message, saying, "May God enlighten the eyes of our heart so that we may know the great hope to which we have been called." St Paul teaches us that God revealed His might in the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ and in his exaltation over all angelic forces. He remains accessible to us now in the life-giving Holy Spirit. Today’s Gospel tells us that, with his return to the Father, Jesus completed his mission on earth. But just before his Ascension, he entrusted to his disciples, the mission of preaching and teaching the Good News and evangelizing the whole world by bearing witness to him through their lives. So, after the resurrection of Jesus, we are given a hint of what life will be like, in Heaven. But it is in his Ascension that we see him entering fully into the Life and Glory of God. The prospect of sharing in that glory should be the driving force of our lives. Therefore, first to be a Christian is to be a proclaimer and an evangelizer. There is a difference between preaching and proclaiming. We preach with words, but we proclaim with our lives. Let us ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Jesus by our transparent Christian lives. Second, Jesus taught us lessons of Faith, Hope, Love, forgiveness, mercy and salvation by his life and preaching and gave us the mission to teach these to others. Hence, let us learn about Jesus and his teachings by our daily study of the Bible and the teachings of the Church, experience him in personal prayer, reception of the sacraments and works of charity, and convey Jesus whom we have experienced to others with the help of the Holy Spirit. Thus, we will be able to overcome all our doubts about our Faith and baseless fears, anxieties and worries by meditating on Jesus’ Ascension and the lesson it teaches us– that we, too, are called to share his glory in Heaven. Sincerely, Fr Joseph

No Catholic child will be denied the opportunity of a Catholic education at Saint Mary School due to financial need. Contact the Pastor at 269-657-4459.

Area Agency on Aging Launches Friendly Caller Program for Isolated Seniors - We have launched the Area Agency on Aging Friendly Caller Program. This program is open to any senior who would like to connect with a friendly person to talk to while sheltering in place during the COVID 19 pandemic. During these calls we can provide reassurance, help connect seniors to information regarding services they may need, and mostly, make sure they are not feeling lonely or isolated. Seniors are encouraged to call (269) 408-4332 to speak to an Area Agency on Aging staff member.

Sunday May 24—The Ascension of the Lord 11:00 a.m. †Ernie Markovich req. Dan Ozanich & family

†Guy, Donna, Paul & Steve Jach & Genevieve Wesaw

req. Glenna Jach

The People of St. Mary Church & St. Jude Church

Saturday May 30—Vigil: Pentecost 4:30 p.m. †Catherine O’Brien req. Wally & Connie Hitchcock

Sunday May 31—Pentecost Sunday 8:00 a.m. Pro Populo

11:00 a.m. †Neal Piecyk

req. Mom & Dad

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Marian Bedell, who died on May 16th. May the angels lead her to paradise.

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD MAY 24, 2020

Prayer Requests Maxine Mosey, Janet Wartman, Jerry & Jane, Maria Pach, Ken Bare, Spencer Meyer, Mark Kovach, Joe Dick, Ryan Yaran, Larry Carpenter, CC, Janet Mosey, Catherine, Shannon, Cathy, Micah Thayer, Gayle Wiggins, Dale & Dorothy Kemp, Dr. Greg, Alek, Dennis & Grace, Marie Stanek Wyszynski, Gina Borrello, Janet Hamay, Jean Markovich, Todd Sikkema, William Rios, Virginia Stimac, Mary Nash, David Koppers, Tammy Hawes, Ellie D., Nicole Middaugh, Chris Nash, Florence Hunt, Theron Mosey and residents of Bronson Commons and White Oaks. Call the parish office if you are in special need of prayer help.

Scripture Readings for the Week of May 24, 2020 Sunday Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20 Monday Saint Bede the Venerable; Saint Gregory VII,

Pope; Saint Mary Magdalene de 'Pazzi Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33 Tuesday Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68:10-11, 20-21; Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop

Acts 20:28-38; Ps 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc- 36ab; Jn 17:11b-19

Thursday Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; Jn 17:20-26 Friday Saint Paul VI, Pope Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; Jn 21:15-19 Saturday Morning: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Ps 11:4, 5 and 7; Jn 21:20-25 Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or

Ez 37:1-14 or Jl 3:1-5; Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27- 28, 29, 30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39

Extended Vigil: Gn 11:1-9; Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b; Ez 37:1-14; Jl 3:1-5; Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29, 30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39 Sunday Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23

The Diocese of Kalamazoo has and will continue to cooperate with the Michigan Attorney General’s investigation and encourages anyone with information related to misconduct to call the reporting number set-up by the Michigan Attorney General’s office at: 844.324.3374.

Saint Mary School is enrolling for the 2020-2021 school year! If you, or someone you know, has a child starting school in the fall or an older child interested in Saint Mary School, call 657-3750.

Giving Made Easy Don’t have cash or a checkbook? With secure eGiving options, you can quickly and easily give using an ACH transfer from your bank account. • Give anytime, anywhere to your favorite funds • Schedule and manage recurring donations • Make one-time donations to special appeals • If you would like to give electronically, visit our website at www.stmarypawpaw.com.

Sunday Experience - The Diocesan Parish Life and Lay Leadership Secretariat has created a page of resources for your family to continue your prayer life at with home, you may find these resources at diokzoo.org/sundayexperience.

Adult Bible Study, Tuesdays, 7 p.m. - Join in every Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a weekly Bible study via Zoom. The study will be led by a Diocesan staff member and will discuss the coming Sunday’s Gospel reading. Learn more and register at diokzoo.org/diocesanofferings.

Teen Bible Study, Mondays, 7 p.m. - Every Monday a weekly high school teen Bible study will be hosted via Zoom. The Bible Study will discuss the coming Sunday’s Gospel readings and will be led by a local high school student. Learn more and register at diokzoo.org/diocesanofferings.

Public Masses may resume beginning May 27, 2020. Guidelines and FAQs for returning to public Mass may be found at diokzoo.org/public-return-to-mass. The dispensation from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass is granted to all the faithful through September 6, 2020. Many Masses will continue to be live streamed, you may find a list of local live stream Mass times at diokzoo.org/live.

Forward in Faith: Parish Support Fund - The Diocese of Kalamazoo established this special fund to generate immediate funding to provide financial relief for parishes during the Coronavirus pandemic crisis. All donations go straight to your parish. Learn more at diokzoo.org/parish-fund.

“From Darkness to Light: Hope for a New Pentecost” A Pastoral Reflection - Bishop Bradley has written a pastoral letter for all the Faithful in the Diocese, “From Darkness to Light: Hope for a New Pentecost” A Pastoral Reflection. His message aims to encourage us during these days of Easter, praying that “we will allow that same Holy Spirit, who filled the hearts of the first Apostles and turned them from fearful followers into fearless witnesses...”. You may read the pastoral reflection at diokzoo.org/bishop-bradley. Also available in Spanish.