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Penance Service
We will be holding our annual Penance Service on Wednesday March 29th at 7:00 pm in our parish church. We will have several priests available for those who would like to make an individual private confession and we will be also offering general absolution. Lent is a time for us to identify areas in life where we are in need of God’s healing love and forgiveness.
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Collection of Food Items and Toiletries
Throughout Lent, we will be collecting nonperishable food items and toiletries for people in need. Please bring food and toiletries each week during Lent and place them in the baskets near the Holy Family statues. The doing of good works, also known as almsgiving, is an important part of our Lenten journey.
At the end of Lent, the collected items will be provided to CrossRoads for distribution to people in need. Please be generous.
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Lenten Fasting
Traditionally, Catholics refrain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent and commit themselves to offering something up or doing something special throughout the Lenten season. An alternative to refraining from the eating of meat during Lent is to eat more simply, not just on Friday’s but everyday during Lent. That could include skipping a meal, not dining out, avoiding sweets or alcohol, or having simple dinners or lunches. These simple acts of penance are meant to focus our hearts and minds on God by offering up simple things we enjoy.
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Stations of the Cross
On Friday’s during Lent, you will find the Stations of the Cross on our YouTube page. The Stations of the Cross is an ancient prayer where we can spend a half hour in prayer, spiritually walking with Jesus as he made his way to the cross.
You can find our YouTube page by following this link:
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Gratitude Tree
What are you thankful to God for? Your life? Your family & friends? A roof over your head? Food on the table? The list is endless!! This Lent, the Worship Committee is asking you to reflect upon what you are grateful for. And as a way of acknowledging our gratefulness to God in a concrete way, we are asking everyone to write down something they are thankful for on the end of a brightly colored ribbon. You can even grab multiple ribbons to write down your multiple thankfulness’s, too! The more the better!
As you walk into the Social Hall after Mass for your cup of coffee, look for a basket of ribbons and markers on the sign-up ministry table. When Lent is over, these ribbons will be used to create our Easter Season Gratitude Tree. The more ribbons we have, the more beautiful our tree will be!! Thank you for your participation.
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Prayer List
Lamont Monet
Annie Parker
Leroy Coleman
Nick Lucas
Ross Turner
Christopher Stockert
George Stockert
Kristen Rader
Tom Draplin
Jason Kezelian
Michael Zaydel
James Hirsch
Patricia Trudeau
Nancy Bukowski
David Saad
Br. Xavier Pankovitch
Sr. Alice Kotwick
Jennifer Lidgard
Bishop Michael Goddard
Cindy Knox
Pamela Miller
Dave Signon
Hank Johnson
David Pembrooke
Jeffrey Hall
Sue Hall
Ellen Fedorczyk
Marion McBrien
Rose Marie Cookie
Ron Bukowski
Martha Fiore
Elizabeth Hutko
Jim Bachelor
Fr. Charles Blanchard
Vera Cadotte
Jim Stokes
Lois Spencer
Patsy Dockery
Kathleen Moylan Klosterman
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Mass Intentions
Because as Catholics we believe the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, Christ the Good Shepherd parish would be honored to remember your special intentions for the living or deceased at Mass. If you would like to have a Mass offered on a special day, please see Fr. Charles. A suggested donation of $20.00 for each Mass is requested.
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COVID-19 MASK GUIDANCE
At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates the community transmission level is Low.
Wearing a mask at mass
is optional.
People may choose to mask at any time.
People who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
If you have symptoms or have tested positive with COVID, please consider participating in mass on our Facebook or YouTube pages.
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Sunday
Mass; 10:30am
Monday
Worship Committee Meeting; 7:00pm
Zoom Platform
Shepherd’s Table Committee; 7:00pm
Parish Social Hall
Tuesday
Clergy Meeting; 6:00pm
Parish Office
Wednesday
Daily Mass; 7:00 pm
Saturday
Mass; 4:30pm
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Tuesday, March 28
Communication Committee Meeting; 6:00pm
Parish Office
Wednesday, March 29
Lenten Penance Service; 7:00pm
Saturday, April 1
Church Cleaning; 10:00am
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Spring Cleaning
Our church facility is in need of a deep cleaning. We are seeking volunteers to help clean, vacuum, wash floors, and finish incomplete projects. Can you help? Join us on Saturday April 1st at 10:00 am.
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Saturday, March 18
4:30pm
Mass is offered for the intention of the parishioners of Christ the Good Shepherd.
Altar Server: Volunteer Needed
1st Reading: Kevin C
Second Reading: Barbara D
Sunday, March 19
10:30am
Mass is offered for the intention of the parishioners of Christ the Good Shepherd.
Altar Server: Michael E
1st Reading: Anne V
Second Reading: Tim D
Eucharistic Minister: Barbara S
Greeters: Donna P
Mass will be live-streamed on our Parish Facebook page
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If you are a Lector, Altar Server, or Eucharistic Minister, please take a moment and sign up for the various ministries based on your availability.
We will post the sign up sheets for a month at a time and include a reminder in the bulletin.
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Eucharistic Ministers
We are in need of Eucharistic Ministers. This is an important ministry that is open to all members of our parish. We will hold a brief training next weekend immediately after both of our liturgies, March 25 and 26th. If you are or would like to become a Eucharistic Minister, please sign up on the volunteer list near the entrance to our social hall.
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If you are sick, unable to attend Mass, or would like someone to visit you at home or in the hospital, please contact Deacon Ross at (248)701-1949 or deaconross5769@yahoo.com.
If you are hospitalized, sick, or recovering from surgery or an illness, please let the parish know.
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Easter Flowers
As Easter is quickly approaching, we will need flowers to decorate our worship space. There will be a backet by the Blessed Solanus Casey statue for Easter flowers. We will use the money collected to purchase flowers from Eastern Market on Holy Saturday morning. If you would like to join us as we purchase flowers, please see Joe Fedorczyk.
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The older I get and the more I study spirituality, the more I am convinced that no one is born spiritually blind. Children have the most wonder spirituality. They are totally open to hearing about God and Jesus and have wonderfully deep insights when asked about them.
When our boys were younger, we participated in or parish’s Children’s Liturgy of The Word during mass. As ministers of this powerful program, we heard untold numbers of stories and insights from the children. And these were 3, 4 and 5 year olds! So many times, our mouths would drop open at the comments of the kids. Their knowledge and understanding of God was real and deep. They could clearly see the love of God.
But then something happens. These cute little kids grow up. They become know-it-all teenagers and young adults. They begin to question and doubt, which is normal. But slowly, the eyesight begins to fail. They can no longer see God at work in their world (even though God most assuredly is!). They continue to age and some even begin to mature. Those who mature, very often start to regain some of their vison.
Many times, it has taken a God-slap for me to clear my vision. You know what a God-slap is, don’t you? There I am, minding my own business, when WAP! – all of a sudden I’m looking at someone or something that was right in front of me and I had never really seen it before. Working at a soup kitchen can do that – WAP! Walking to a hockey game at the old Joe Louis Arena could do that – WAP! Walking in any major city will do that – WAP! And walking in thru a large department store will do that – WAP! All of sudden, I can see much more clearly that I did just a moment before.
Unlike the man in today’s Gospel, I don’t wonder who it was who helped me see. I know it was Jesus. I have experienced these moments enough times that I know not to question them. I simply say “thank you Lord”, and get to work. Maybe it’s opening my wallet. Maybe it’s lending a hand. Maybe it’s just listening. But when I can see clearly, I know there is the Lord’s work to be done.
In my life, I have never been cross examined by any Pharisee types about why I do what I do. There’s a part of me that wishes I would. I’d love to tell the sceptics that it is God who helps me see and helps me do what needs to be done. But it really doesn’t matter what the sceptics think. I can only hope that those I encounter – those whom I truly see – will know and feel the power of the love and mercy of God through me.
Every Day.
If you missed any of the Everyday Evangelist articles, you can read them on the parish web site www.cgs-occ.org.
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Photos and Stories Needed
As we prepare to celebrate our 10th anniversary as a parish community, we are in need of photos and stories. Marcy Maierle has graciously agreed to create a photo book detailing some of the highlights of our history. She needs your help. Please share any stories and photos as soon as possible. You can bring the photos and stories to Mass over the next two weekends.
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Painting Project
Our church building needs some loving care. It is no secret that our building is showing its age from the parking lot entrance. In April and May, we hope to caulk and paint the southern entrance area of our church. We are looking for volunteers to assist with this project. If you are willing to help, please put your name and phone number on the volunteer list on the table at the entrance to the social hall. Many hands will make the project easier.
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Church Lease
We have negotiated a new three-year lease to continue in our current worship space through April 1, 2026. While the rent will not increase over the entire period of the lease, it continues to strain our budget. Our rent will remain $4,700.00 monthly. For a small parish community, rent will continue to be a steep hill for us to climb.
Over the next three years, it will be important for us to identify and purchase a permanent home for our parish. To accomplish this goal, we are forming a small committee that will help us identify current properties, secure funding, and plan for the eventual move.
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Emma Walter
March 5
Rafael Pachecco
March 7
Cindy Knox
March 9
Rikk Stockert
March 9
Al McBrien
March 15
Pat Moylan
March 17
Did we miss your birthday?
Please let us know and we'll add you to our list!
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Readings for Next Sunday
March 25-26, 2023
5th Sunday of Lent
Read, Reflect, Prepare
Click on the image above
to take in next week’s mass readings
and prepare your heart.
- First Reading: Ezekiel 37:12-14
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 130:1-8
- Second Reading: Romans 8:8-11
- Gospel Reading: John 11:1-45
Next Sunday's Gospel reading recounts another sign, or miracle, found in John’s Gospel, the raising of Lazarus. In raising Lazarus, Jesus shows his power over death so that when Jesus dies, those who believe in him might remember that and take hope.
As we prepare for Easter, the Gospel today calls us to reflect on Baptism as a dying and rising with Jesus. In Baptism we die to sin’s power over us, rising as children of God. In Baptism we join ourselves with Christ, who conquered death once and for all so that we who believe in him may have eternal life. With Martha and Mary, we are called to profess our belief that Jesus is indeed the Resurrection and the life.
Edited from Loyola Press; Sunday Connection |
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He smeared the clay on his eyes and he said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam.”
Jesus,
won’t you cleanse our
blind eyes?
Wash away the
Mud?
and move us from
unseeing souls to believers
from bystanders to disciples,
walkers in darkness
to lamps for
your
light.
O
let
our
souls
see!
- Ann Osdieck
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Prayer for Peace and Justice
Dear Lord,
We stand before you, a wounded people, hungering for peace and justice. Protect the people of Ukraine, Palestine, Africa, and other nations experiencing poverty, war, and destruction.
Protect all children, women, and men from further harm and may your Holy Spirit inspire people throughout the world to work for peace and justice.
Instill a desire for peace and justice in the minds and hearts of all people, especially world leaders.
May suffering, discrimination, armed conflict and all forms of violence come to an end and may your Holy Name be praised throughout the world forever and ever.
Amen
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Let us pray that we who are “Enduring Parishioners” and “New-Found Friends”
of Christ the Good Shepherd
may respond to God’s trust in us who possess any talents!
God of Peace and Love; You who are kind, loving and full of mercy,
You no longer call us servants, but friends!
There is so much You have entrusted to us, even the future of
Your kingdom of justice, peace and love.
Give us the grace to work with You today, tomorrow and beyond.
May this growth in mercy and goodness unite all people who seek
You with a sincere heart.
Striving to be reconciliation and joy to everyone, may
Christ the Good Shepherd
forever be “The Small Church With A Big Heart”
through our collective talents, time and treasures.
Let us go together the way to You,
our living and loving God
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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Parish Bulletin
The bulletin is a great way to communicate information with your fellow parishioners. Do you have something you would like to see appear in the bulletin? We are always looking for ideas and/or articles. Send suggestions or articles to editor@ferndalecgs.com
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Do you know someone who may enjoy reading this Newsletter? Why not forward it onto them with a little note explaining why you enjoy being a part of Christ the Good Shepherd. It might be just what they are looking for or waiting for. You might be God’s voice when they need it most.
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Did someone forward this email to you? We hope you enjoyed reading all that is going on at the Small Church With A Big Heart. Truly, all are welcome at Christ the Good Shepherd Old Catholic Church, without partiality. To learn more about our community, visit our web site or contact any of our clergy to discuss your needs and concerns.
(248) 439-0470
www.cgs-occ.org
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