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St. Jude Catholic Church
Grand Rapids, MI
From the Director of Faith Formation
May 30, 2019 Vol. 6 Issue 22
Get this FREE newsletter e-mailed to
you...contact Mary Ellen at the Parish
Office by calling (616) 363-6897 or by
email to [email protected]
Attention Seventh Grade Parents This weekend your Confirmation candidate needs to make a decision which
Summer Confirmation Project he or she wants to choose. First of all, you need to
check out if your son or daughter will be able to participate the week of June 17-
21 as well as the June 14th
Friday evening orientation meeting. You need to be
present for the entire week. Many of the Confirmation candidates choose
Vacation Bible School because it is easier to do and get the project out of the
way rather than helping an individual or group three different times throughout
the summer. All helpers will receive a T-shirt to wear during the week and Janet
needs to place an order by June 1st. Don’t delay copy the Helper Form on page 8
in this week’s newsletter or pick up a copy from the table in the Brophy Center
Hallway. You can drop a completed form in the weekend collection basket or
contact Janet at [email protected] or phone the Parish Office, 363-6897 and
leave a message with Mary Ellen that you plan to come and the size of the T-
shirt you wear. Come and help the large group of preschool age children we are
expecting to come. Thanks.
What’s the message of this Sunday’s Gospel? The readings for this weekend are centered around what Jesus has done and is
about to do, what his good works have accomplished, and the continued effect
he will have upon the Apostles and us. The First Reading and the Gospel tell the
story of Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, while the Second Reading from Hebrews
recaps the intense theology of the one and final sacrifice Jesus made for our
salvation. As we approach the end of the Easter Time, these readings are
appropriate to continue reminding us of all that has been done to accomplish our
salvation. Today’s Gospel and First Reading tells the story of Jesus’ Ascension
into heaven forty days after he has risen from the dead. This story of great
triumph is also coupled with some confusion and trepidation on the part of the
Apostles. It is a story of promise, hope, and anticipation of greater things to
come. Our destiny to tied to something more than a good life on earth. We have
Jesus’ promise that we, too, will live with him in heaven forever. Amen.
The Apostles are witnesses to great things done by Jesus and are reminded of
what they have seen and how they should hold steadfast in their unwavering
faith because of what they have seen. The hope of the Apostles is founded in
Jesus’ promise which they can believe because they have been reassured of his
great power time and time again. It is this hope that grounds them, because hope
is only found ultimately in God.
The moment of the Ascension amplifies the joy of the
Resurrection as Jesus returns to the right hand of the
Father, and promises a helper so that all who believe
in him can one day do the same. We are meant to
confidently hold onto this teaching and steadfastly
Table of Contents
Living the Word 2
Gospel Summaries 9
Weekly Lesson Plans 10
Parish Calendar 12
Vatican News 13
CIC Schedule 15
This weekend we begin the
month of June. The weather
is getting warmer and our
minds are on planning a
summer vacation or a trip
to the lakeshore. We begin the month
June with the celebration of Jesus’
Ascension into Heaven. Of all the
teachings about Jesus this particular
one seems so far away from our
everyday life and experience.
So where do we go to find out the
connection between the Ascension and
what it means for us? Bishop Barron
has a couple of videos on YouTube
which may help make the celebration
of the Ascension of Jesus a little more
meaningful. The first video is entitled
“Why the Ascension of Jesus Matters.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px
DTY_9w6ws
If you want a little more on this topic
you might want to click on this link
where Bishop Barron talks about
heaven, and how we are “beings, ”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P
WocTJf9jQI
Seventh graders now is the time to join
others who are signing up for helping
out at Vacation Bible School. T-Shirts
need to be order this week!
Kindly e-mail your comments and
suggestions to [email protected]
Clem Schwartz
believe in what he has said on this day, that we will be clothed with power from on high, the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy
Spirit which the Apostles first received on Pentecost, next Sunday’s celebration of the birthday of the Church.
Getting Ready for the Weekend Celebration of Mass: Living the Word
June 2 The Ascension of the Lord
Our focus this week will be that Jesus continues to love us, even after his Death and Resurrection.
Read: Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11 ; Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 or Ephesians 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53
Pray with the Word (Pray with this text before and after attending Mass.)
Prayer for this week: God of our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son ascended and returned to you, not to distance himself
from us, but to help us believe that where he has gone we might follow. Fill us with your Sprit, so that every people
might exult in your name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gospel Prepare for Word (Before attending Mass, reflect on these questions to prepare to hear the readings.)
What do today’s readings teach you about the Christian life?
In what way does your faith inspire you to serve others?
How can you help the Church spread the Good News?
Reflect on the Word (After attending Mass, read this reflection.)
Rejoice! Jesus has ascended to heaven! The disciples have been embracing this reality during the whole Easter season
as we have read in the Acts of the Apostles and John’s account of the Gospel. Their belief that Jesus is the Messiah
becomes stronger throughout the time following Jesus’ death and Resurrection. As followers of Jesus, they are now
emboldened to live their faith out loud and Jesus’ Ascension is another sign that Jesus is truly the Son of God. And they
are not going to sit back; they “returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24;52) as Matthew reports in his Gospel
account. A more recent church document from Vatican II helps us laity, the people of the Church, remember that we are
also a part of this original discipleship and must act accordingly. One Vatican II document, Lumen Gentium, which
means “light of the nations” say, “all people” should be “drawn ever more closely together by social, technical, and
cultural bonds” in order to “:achiever full unity in Christ” (LG,1). May we all feel inspired to spread our faith with the
same fervor and joy that first disciples displayed on this holy day.
Act on the Word
Summer is about to start. Make a plan to participate in either a retreat or a service project this summer. See what the
local diocese offers in the way of leadership camp as this is wonderful way to develop leadership skills and be inspirited
to share your faith more fully. (Check out the opportunities offered at the Catholic Information Center. See the special
page dedicated to a listing of offerings from the Catholic Information Center in every weekly newsletter. ) Sign up to do
a service project such as God’s Kitchen where getting out to the community is intentionally to help others help during
la stress-free time. The summer months is a time when you can practice your faith and make a difference in our world.
The Living Word 2018-2019 Copyrighted 2018 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. All rights
reserved. Written by Jennifer Farrell. Used with permission. NABRE copyrighted 2010 CCD.
Bishop Barron’s Sunday Homily
Since there is no homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension in the word on fire achieves, here is a You
Tube presentation by Bishop Barron Bishop Barron on “Why the Ascension of Jesus Matters.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxDTY_9w6ws
The Catholic Faith on Demand...thousands of movies, books, audios and
more...
ALL FREE WHEN YOU REGISTER & LOGIN
Click on this Link: StJudes.Formed.org
You'll see this box
All you have to do now is click on REGISTER NOW and create a login ID
and Password (NO Parish Code Needed)
If you are already registered
Click Here..... and enter your Login
ID and Password to access the site.
The Ascension - June 2
https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-
faith/liturgical-year/sunday-
connection/ascension-of-the-lord-cycle-c
Today is our liturgical celebration of the
Ascension of the Lord, when Jesus was taken
to heaven on the 40th day after Easter. In
Cycle C, our Gospel is taken from the
conclusion of the Gospel of Luke.
There are similarities in the reports of Jesus'
Ascension found in the Synoptic Gospels—
Mark, Matthew, and Luke. In each account,
Jesus assigns his disciples the task of
proclaiming the Gospel to the entire world.
There are also notable distinctions. In the
Gospels of Mark and Matthew, the disciples
are sent by Jesus to baptize as well as to
preach. In Luke's Gospel, however, this
commission to baptize is absent. Instead,
Jesus directs the disciples to return to
Jerusalem to await the fulfillment of his
promise to send them the Holy Spirit.
Curiously, only Mark and Luke actually
report Jesus' Ascension into heaven.
Matthew's Gospel concludes with Jesus'
promise to remain with his disciples forever.
Only the Gospel of Mark notes that Jesus
ascended to sit at the right hand of God. In
noting this, Mark teaches that Jesus'
Ascension affirms the glory Jesus received
from God after his death and Resurrection.
Those who believe in Jesus will be
empowered to do what Jesus himself has
done. Already in Mark's Gospel, during his
ministry, Jesus sent his disciples out to
preach, to heal, and to drive out unclean
spirits. Now, they are sent again to do these
things and more. From his place with God in
heaven, Jesus helped his disciples, and he
continues to help us as we try to live as his
followers.
Read the Gospel…
Read the Gospel from your Bible, or go to USCCB.org for the readings:
Luke 24:46-53 http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060219.cfm
Read the Gospels
Jesus is taken to heaven and the disciples remain in Jerusalem awaiting his sending of the Spirit.
What is the message and how can you respond to it?
Any family that has tried to sit down to a family dinner or packed the car
for a trip has heard children argue at least once about who should sit
where. To sit next to someone, especially if that person is important, is
to have a place of honor. Jesus has this place of honor, seated now at the
right hand of the Father (as we say in the Nicene Creed and the Apostles'
Creed), but there's more to this metaphor than where Jesus sits in
relation to God. To be in the place of honor is also to be in a place of
power. Knowing people in powerful places can be very helpful. Children
remind us of this each time we are called upon to referee a conflict.
Jesus, honored now at God's right hand, is a powerful ally for us.
Apply that message to change your attitude or behavior.
As you gather as a family, recall a time when there was a discussion, or
perhaps even an argument, about where people were going to sit. Talk
about why it might be important to a person to sit in a particular place.
Mention that in this Sunday's Gospel we learn about Jesus' place in
heaven. Read together Luke 24:46-53. Talk about how in the Creed we
describe Jesus' place in heaven as “seated at the right hand of the Father.”
Discuss what we might learn about the relationship between God and
Jesus from today's Gospel and from the Creed and what we can learn
about Jesus' relationship to us. Observe that one of the things we learn is
that Jesus continues to help us from this place of honor in heaven. Pray
together the Apostles' Creed.
https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/sunday-
connection/ascension-of-the-lord-cycle-c
Did You Know…
... that Jesus remains with us through the Holy
Spirit, who teaches us everything we need to
know, reminds us of all that Jesus taught, and
brings us peace? Those who believe in Jesus will
be empowered to do what Jesus himself has done.
Already in Mark's Gospel, during his ministry,
Jesus sent his disciples out to preach, to heal,
and to drive out unclean spirits. Now, they are
sent again to do these things and more. From his
place with God in heaven, Jesus helped his
disciples, and he continues to help us as we try to
live as his followers.
We would like to acknowledge the following publisher we have used with permission sections from its publication:
Celebrating the Liturgy for Junior High Copyright, 2017 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. All
rights reserved. Orders 1-800-933-1800. Permission to publish granted by the Most Reverend Francis J. Kane, DD,
Vicar General Archdiocese of Chicago, on February 6, 2017
Weekly Lesson Plans for June 2, 2019 The Ascension of Jesus
Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3)
Begin with Song: Make me A Channel of your Peace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE9std-lwXQ
Disciples throughout the centuries have followed Jesus’ instruction to preach his Gospel to all nations. We can lead
younger children to understand that their own knowledge of Jesus’ life and teachings is a result of the disciples’ faithful
commitment to continue Jesus’ mission.
Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings
Invite your children to name or briefly describe an event that happened before they were born.
Say: We learn about these events because the people who were there remembered them and talked about them. Jesus’
ministry, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension happened many years ago.
Ask: How do we know about them? (We read about them in the Bible; we hear about them at Mass; our parents, priests,
or teachers tell us about them.)
Say: Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, the day when Jesus was raised up to heaven by God. Let’s listen
carefully to hear what Jesus asked of his disciples before he was taken up to heaven.
Read today’s Gospel, Luke 24:46–53. Then watch this video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5XpC_0BeoQ
Say: Before Jesus ascended into heaven to be with God the Father, he gave the disciples important instructions. They
were to tell people all over the world about Jesus’ life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. They were to preach
repentance—or turning our hearts away from sin and back to God—and forgiveness of sins.
Say: Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ followers have followed these instructions for all this time.
Ask: Who are some people who have taught you about Jesus? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Say: Let’s pray for all those who share God’s Word as Jesus taught us to do.
Conclude by praying that God watch over all those who share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Conclude by listening to this song and singing along with the lyrics: You Are Mine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14pPevY5sd8
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6)
Begin with Song: Make me A Channel of your Peace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE9std-lwXQ
The Ascension of Jesus marks the definitive entrance of Jesus' humanity into God's presence, where he sits at God's right
hand. From there he will come to judge us all at the end of time.
Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings
Ask your children to think about a time when they called upon another person who they believed had more knowledge
and/or power to help them. Perhaps they have asked a parent to help resolve a conflict with a sibling or asked a teacher
for help to resolve a classroom matter.
Say: As we mature, we are able to do many more things on our own. But each of us, every now and then, requires a little
extra assistance from someone who has more knowledge and power than we have. In some ways, we can think about the
assistance that we receive from Jesus in this way. This is one of the things we remember as we celebrate the Feast of the
Ascension.
Say: In this Sunday's Gospel, we hear the instructions that Jesus gave to his disciples before he was taken up to heaven.
Let's listen carefully to this Gospel.
Invite one of your children to read Luke 24:46-53. Then watch this video clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5XpC_0BeoQ
Ask: What instructions does Jesus give to his disciples? (Preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all nations, be
witnesses, and remain in the city until they are clothed with power from on high.)
Ask: What do you think Jesus was talking about when he told the disciples that they would be clothed with power from
on high? (They will be filled with the Holy Spirit.)
Say: Forty days after his Resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven. We certainly have a very powerful ally in Jesus. If we
ask him, he will help us to follow his example.
Conclude by praying that we will remember to call upon Jesus to help us as we try to follow his example.
Pray together the Apostles' Creed.
Conclude by listening to this song and singing along with the lyrics: You Are Mine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14pPevY5sd8
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8)
Begin with Song: Make me A Channel of your Peace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE9std-lwXQ
The Ascension of Jesus marks the definitive entrance of Jesus' humanity into God's presence, where he sits at God's right
hand. From there he will come to judge us all at the end of time.
Preparation for Sunday Scripture Reading
Ask the your children to indicate whether they are right- or left-handed.
Point out that approximately 10% of the population is left-handed and that, years ago, it was considered abnormal to be
left-handed.
Tell the your children that the Latin word for “left” is sinister, which means “evil.” Explain that today we know that
being left-handed is comparable to being brown-eyed—it is simply a trait you are born with.
Mention that, since the right hand was traditionally considered the proper hand, it became customary to refer to sitting at
someone's right hand as a symbol of approval and as a place of honor.
Ask the your children to complete the following line from the Nicene Creed that speaks about Jesus: “He ascended into
heaven and is seated at the ____________ hand of the Father.” (right)
Explain that, when we say Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, we are not speaking of a physical place but of the
honor that Jesus is owed because of the Father's love and approval for him.
Explain that this Sunday's Gospel tells us the story of Jesus ascending into heaven.
Invite one of your children to read aloud Luke 24:46-53. Then watch this video clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5XpC_0BeoQ
Mention that Mark's version of the Ascension of Jesus (Mark 16:19-20) actually mentions Jesus taking his place at the
right hand of the Father.
Conclude by praying together the Nicene Creed.
Conclude by listening to this song and singing along with the lyrics: You Are Mine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14pPevY5sd8
Go online to www.stjudes.net/mothers-of-grace-calendar to
view the calendar of events or contact Sue Wuorinen at: (616)
363-6885, ext. 1166 or email [email protected]
Go online to www.stjudes.net/thaddeus-society or
contact Sue Wuorinen at: (616) 363-6885, ext. 1166 or
email [email protected]
Sue Wuorinen,
Evangelization & Youth
Coordinator
(616) 363-6885
Cell: (616) 560-8107
Email: [email protected]
May 30th
Thursday
* 8:30 am. School Mass in the church
May 31st Friday
* 8:30 am. Mass in the chapel
June 1st Saturday
* 3:00 pm Confessions
* 4:00 pm Mass
* Ship of Hope Collection at all Masses
June 2nd
Sunday
* Ship of Hope Collection at all Masses
* 8:30 am. and 10:30 am Masses
* 9:00 am Northview Community Church of Christ
Service in the ASA Gym/Family Center
* No Children’s Liturgy of the Word and the Lord’s
Lambs during the 10:30 am Mass
* St Jude Parish volunteers at God's Kitchen
June 3rd
Monday
* 8:30 am. Communion Service in the chapel
June 4th
Tuesday
* 8:30 am. Mass in the chapel
* 7:30 to 8:45 pm Men of Emmaus meets in the
Millennium Conference Room
June 5th
Wednesday
* 8:30 am. Mass in the chapel
* 9:00 am. Senior Men’s Club meets in the Thaddeus
Center
* 6:30 to 8:45 pm Support Group meets in the Thaddeus
Center
'/
Pope Francis: "Abortion is Never the Answer"
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-
abortion-is-never-the-answer-91636
Vatican City, May 25, 2019 / 06:25 am (CNA).- Pope
Francis said Saturday that abortion is never the answer to
difficult prenatal diagnoses, calling selective abortion of the
disabled the “expression of an inhuman eugenics mentality.”
“Fear and hostility towards disability often lead to the choice
of abortion, configuring it as a practice of ‘prevention,’”
Pope Francis said May 25.
“But the Church's teaching on this point is clear: human life
is sacred and inviolable and the use of prenatal diagnosis for
selective purposes must be strongly discouraged because it is
the expression of an inhuman eugenics mentality, which
removes the possibility for families to accept, embrace and
love their weakest children,” he said.
The pope addressed a Vatican conference on perinatal
hospice highlighting medical care and ministries that support
families who have received a prenatal diagnosis indicating
that their baby will likely die before or just after birth.
“Yes to Life: Caring for the precious gift of life in its
frailness,” a conference organized by the Vatican Dicastery
for Laity, Family, and Life May 23-25 brought together
medical professionals, bioethicists, ministry providers, and
families from 70 countries to discuss how best to provide
medical, psychological, and emotional support for parents
expecting a child with a life-limiting illness.
“Sometimes people ask me, what does perinatal hospice look
like? And I answer, ‘It looks like love,’” author and mother
Amy Kuebelbeck shared at the conference.
Kuelbeck was 25 weeks pregnant when she received the
diagnosis that her unborn son had an incurable heart defect.
She carried her pregnancy to term and had a little more than
2 hours with her son, Gabriel, before he died after birth.
Senators highlight pro-life protections ahead
of 2020 spending bills
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/senators-
highlight-pro-life-protections-ahead-of-2020-spending-
bills-35877
Washington D.C., May 24, 2019 / 01:35 pm (CNA).- A
quarter of the Senate signed a letter on Wednesday
seeking to keep pro-life and religious freedom
protections intact during the drafting of upcoming
appropriations bills. The bills will be for the upcoming
Fiscal Year 2020, which begins this fall.
The letter, sent to Senate Appropriations Chairman
Richard Shelby (R-AL) on Wednesday, requested that
the appropriations committee decline to advance any
bills with language that would weaken or remove pro-
life or pro-religious liberty measures out in place by the
Trump administration.
Sentor Marco Rubio (R-FL), who is a member of the
committee and a signatory of the letter, told CNA that he
was committed to preventing a single dollar of public
money being used to support abortion.
“Taxpayer dollars should not be used to end an innocent,
unborn life,” Rubio told CNA. “As a member of the
committee, I am committed to retaining long-standing
pro-life and religious freedom protections in all funding
bills.”
In addition to Rubio, the letter was signed by 24 other
Republican senators and cites specifically the Protecting
Life in Global Health Assistance policy, which blocks
funding to organizations that promote abortions; and the
updated Title X rule, which prohibits Title X money
from going to clinics that perform abortions.
Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion
provider, is set to lose about millions of dollars in federal
funding due to this new Title X rule.
“The unborn are the most vulnerable members of our
society, yet they are under attack. In 2015 alone, 638,169
unborn children lost their lives to abortion,” reads the
letter.
Saint Alphonsus Programs & Activities for Seniors 55 + St. Alphonsus Parish at 224 Carrier NE provides activities on Mondays and Wednesdays each
week. All programs take place in the Parish Center. Everyone 55+ is welcome including non-
parishioners. For more information or to RSVP contact the Senior Program Voicemail at
616-913-4419 or phone this number to obtain the Calendar of Events or e-mail
v
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
for
June, 2019 Located inside Cathedral Square – Suite 2A
360 Division Ave South, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The following is a partial list of events scheduled at the Catholic Information Center located in Cathedral Square on
Division at Wealthy in downtown Grand Rapids. For information, phone the CIC at (616) 459-7267. Register online:
http://www.catholicinformationcenter.org/course-registration
Biblical Training Institute for Michigan Catholics 2019: Old Testament
Saturday, June 1, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
With Dr. Steve Muller, CSP
CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267
Topics: Old Testament–The Law: Origins & Ancestors; Liberation & Land; Covenant Guidelines; Renewing the Covenant
Register at: catholicinformationcenter.org/bible
Diocesan Certification Hours: (5 hrs per conference attended) will be given to participants.
Divorce Support Group
Wednesday, June 5, 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm $15 Includes a copy of the book "Divorce & Beyond"
With Jim Kline
CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267
Advance Registration Required: Call 616-459-7267 or email [email protected]
A ten-week series offered for all who are divorced or are in the process of becoming divorced. Led by those who have
gone through the process themselves, these support groups provide a pathway to personal growth.
Dispelling Estate Planning Myths and Discussing Estate Plan Tools
Wednesday, June 5, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
With Nicholas Ryan, Attorney-at-Law
CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267
This session will explain estate and Medicaid planning, look at tools available to help with the process, and will explore
myths associated with the estate planning process. ($10 donation requested)
Cathedral of St. Andrew Parish Festival
Sunday, June 9, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
On the Piazza at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew
CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267
Kick off your summer fun and join us for our annual Parish Festival! This festival binds the communities of the Cathedral
of Saint Andrew, the Catholic Information Center and Heartside Neighborhood residents together for an afternoon of
delicious food, great music, and a special Bilingual Unity Mass at Noon. Mark your calendar now!
The Silver Age: What is God Calling Me to do Now?
Wednesday, June 12, 10:00 am - 11:30 am $15 Includes Lunch following the program
With Fred Johnson
CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267
Advance Registration Required: Call 616-459-7267 or email [email protected]
Fred will lead a discussion on life and discipleship after “work” for the faithful Christian in their silver years. We will be
drawing upon the wisdom of Joan Chittister, Ron Rolheiser, R. Paul Stevens, Mickey McGrath, David Richo, Thea
Bowman and a few of the saints. $15 Includes Lunch following the program
