SSTT. A. ALPHONSUSLPHONSUS -- SSTT. C. CLEMENTLEMENT PPARISHARISH

Dearborn, MichiganDearborn, Michigan

APRIL 15, 2018 Fr. Linus Kinyua, Pastor Fr. Aaron DePeyster, Associate Pastor

Mission Statement We, the family of St. Alphonsus - St. Clement, are called by Jesus Christ to know

Him and celebrate His Word. Sustained by the sacramental life rooted in the Eucharist, we reach out in service to all through faith, love, and fellowship.

Third Sunday of EasterThird Sunday of Easter "Why do questions arise in your hearts?"

After the Resurrection, the Apostles experienced their fair

share of incredulity. Jesus had died ~ John had been there ~

and now the tomb was empty. What should they believe? Was

the Jesus before them truly real? And who was Jesus really?

It's no surprise that the Apostles were initially "startled and

terrified" to the extent that they "thought that they were seeing

a ghost."

Jesus has compassion on his confused friends. Once he

affirms his non-ghostly identity ~ "look at my hands and my

feet, that it is I myself" ~ Jesus gets down to business. He has

risen from the dead, but life would not continue as normal.

Throughout Jesus' ministry, he spoke in parables and veiled

prophetic language. His followers likely thought much of his

words were metaphors, some symbolism for the person and

their relation to God. Now Jesus has something else in mind.

He "opened their minds to understand the scriptures," making

known the connections between his own words and deeds and

"everything written about [him] in the law of Moses and in the

prophets and psalms."

Why now? Why this increased depth of understanding? The

answer lies in the shifting role of the Apostles. "You are

witnesses of these things." The treasury of truth is no longer

Jesus' responsibility alone but our own. Then and there, the

Apostles are appointed to proclaim the death and resurrection

of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins and the mercy of God. This

message is no longer for only the Jewish people but "all the

nations."

This is our invitation! We have the rich heritage of the

Church's teaching. By sacramental grace, God's "peace" is

"with [us]." We, too, are sent to proclaim the Good News of

Jesus Christ and the hope that belongs to his call.

"WE ARE AN EASTER PEOPLE AND

ALLELUIA IS OUR SONG!" ~ St. John Paul II

Page 2 St. Alphonsus ~ St. Clement, Dearborn

The Sanctuary Lamp burns in memory of Joseph

Bartlett. Please remember him in your prayers.

Stewardship Report w/e 4-1-18 Year to Date

BUDGET $5,425.00 $ 217,000.00

ACTUAL 11,382.00 219,492.00

Bank Adjustment 2.000

VARIANCE + 5,957.00 + 2,494.00

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS $ 411.00

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES 245.00

FLOWER FUND 90.00

CHURCH IN C/E EUROPE 10.00

Pray for the Sick of the Parish Luigi Aronne, Libby Azzopardi, Kathleen Bitonti,

Rose Ann Buttigieg, Louis Cascardo, Maria Cercone,

Maureen Cooney, Evelyn Derengowski, Stella Derkins,

Betty Fischer, Mary Furioso, Jim Gerrity, Peggy Goodart,

Fred Hoffman, Jeranne Jackson, Virginia Karvelis, Paul

Kirkhart, Marie Kobane, Walter Kucel, Jan Lawrence,

Robert Ligaj, Joseph Litavec, Tony Mardarski, Mary

Mitchell, Stefanie Mullen, Maria Nino, Henry Perle,

Jennifer Przepiora, Robert Raymond, Serafina Romano,

Mary Senn, Dana Slepsky, Rosario Aleta So, Judith

Stafford, Martha Stott, Lila, Veronika & Henryk

Szymanski, Rosina Toccacelli, Joshua Yeager, Margaret

Zelanka, Christine Zemke and the Parishioners of HFV

Assisted Living and Health Care.

Everyday Stewardship If you ask me to tell you about one of my sons, my

daughter, or my wife, I could spend quite some time

elaborating on them as individuals and my

interactions with them throughout the years. An

authentic relationship leads each party into a rich

knowledge of the other. If I have little to say about

someone other than some incidental information or

gossip, I cannot claim to really know him or her.

Indeed, every relationship has expectations. If we

do not know the needs of the other or the responses

expected in living out the relationship, we easily

create division and separation. I do certain things for

my children because I am a parent. I respond in

certain ways to my wife based upon her needs. If I

am oblivious, or just don't care, the relationship will

move on a path toward hurt, pain, and in some

instances, permanent separation.

To know Jesus is to love Jesus. The key is you

actually have to know him. Knowing him is listening

to his words and keeping his commands. Just like in

all relationships, we will fall short at times.

However, because we know the expectations we can

then make amends and continue to grow together. So

if I asked you to tell me about this friend of yours

named Jesus, what would you say?

~ Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

Sick / Unable to Attend Mass? Fr. Aaron or Fr. Linus will visit and bring Holy

Communion to you or your relative. Call the parish office

and let us know. (313) 581-5218 or 581-7495.

Readings for the Week Sunday:

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 / Ps 4:2, 4, 7-9 / 1 Jn 2:1-5a

Lk 24:35-48

Monday:

Acts 6:8-15 / Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30 / Jn 6:22-29

Tuesday:

Acts 7:51 — 8:1a / Ps 31:3cd-4, 6ab, 7b, 8a, 17, 21ab

Jn 6:30-35

Wednesday:

Acts 8:1b-8 / Ps 66:1-3a, 4-7a / Jn 6:35-40

Thursday:

Acts 8:26-40 / Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20 / Jn 6:44-51

Friday:

Acts 9:1-20 / Ps 117:1-2 / Jn 6:52-59

Saturday:

Acts 9:31-42 / Ps 116:12-17 / Jn 6:60-69

Next Sunday:

Acts 4:8-12 / Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 29 / 1 Jn 3:1-2

Jn 10:11-18 Stewardship Thoughts

The themes linked in today’s Scripture readings

call for us to avoid sin by following the Lord’s

directives, to repent, and to seek forgiveness.

St. Peter, in the Acts of the Apostles, relates the evil

of Christ’s passion and death, and that through

repentance and conversion, our sins be wiped away.

St. John, in his First Letter, reminds us that Jesus is

an offering for our sins. In St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus

appears to His disciples after His Resurrection while

two of them recount their encounter with Jesus on

the road to Emmaus. They finally recognize Him in

the breaking of the bread. The Church has long

taught that partaking of the Eucharist forgives

lesser sins. Likewise, participating in the sacrament

of Reconciliation for the forgiveness of sins opens us

to Christ’s grace, bringing us closer to Him, giving us

peace in our lives. This week, go to confession and

receive Holy Communion to draw into union with

Christ.

Check Out Our New Website

Our new and improved parish website contains current parish information. Please visit us at www.stals-stclem.org for the latest details.

Page 3 St. Alphonsus ~ St. Clement, Dearborn

My friend has never heard of Christ and I want to share the Gospel with her but I'm afraid to. How do I share my faith?

There are a lot of ways to bring up the topic of religion, without being judgmental or pushy. Begin by asking what

her thoughts are about religion, or what her experience was growing up. Finding common ground is often easier

than you think, because the questions and problems we have about God, the presence of evil, our purpose in life,

and our relationship with God are universal concerns.

Why are you afraid? If you do not want to insult or offend someone, don't be pushy or judgmental. If you are

uncertain about how to explain your own faith, do a little reading or practice with a friend. If you measure success

only by this person converting, focus your attention more on beginning the conversation, not on bringing it to a

perfect close! Faith is a journey of many acts of belief, many discussions about God, and many choices about how

we practice what we preach. In some we will have great success; in others we will need forgiveness and

perseverance. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the Holy Spirit is always at work and our most

humble efforts can bear great fruit. Have faith in God because he has faith in you!

Begin a New Life after Easter The promise of the Resurrection is that faithful followers of Jesus will have

new life. Whether we had a fruitful Lent or were lukewarm in our resolve, we

can begin now to become new creations.

Make an examination... Call on the Holy Spirit to reveal what is keeping you from becoming the

person God intends. Make an examination of your life as you live it. Look at

your prayer life, your sacramental life, your dedication to spiritual growth. Do

you share your faith? Do you serve others with love?

Face the truth with courage... It can be discouraging to look honestly at our many faults. Remember,

though, that God understands we aren’t perfect. He asks us to act with

integrity and relentlessly fight against sin. Being a sinner is not the worst

condition ~ remaining one is.

Devise a plan... Decide what needs to change and make a plan. Write it down and commit to

it. Sometimes making a brave life change entails leaving bad company behind.

Often it means changing entrenched habits. Change may be uncomfortable

but growth can’t happen without it.

Take the first steps... New life comes through God. Entrust your plan for change to him. Spend at least 15 minutes a day in prayer,

asking for inspiration and strength. Then take the first steps toward new life.

Catholic Disciples Are Called To More Daily prayer, weekly Mass attendance, and regular Confession form the foundation for a solid Catholic life. Yet,

discipleship calls us to more. Discipleship moves us to make a “conscious, firm decision, carried out in action, to be

followers of Jesus Christ no matter the cost” to ourselves (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops).

A conscious decision. Disciples consciously resolve to follow Jesus with our whole heart, soul,

mind, and strength. This governing resolution ~ renewed every day ~

controls all other decisions in a disciple’s life.

Demonstrated by action. Our discipleship is visible to others by our devotion to the Church and

by the good works we perform. Our charitable actions are offered in

obedience to Jesus’ example ~ and instructions ~ in the New Testament.

The Church suggests the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy as

guidelines.

Despite the cost. “So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be

my disciple” (Luke 14:33). To be Christian isn’t always comfortable. Yet,

disciples persist out of love, no matter the cost.

Page 4 St. Alphonsus ~ St. Clement, Dearborn

Camp Ozaman Openings Our parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Conference is blessed to share an opportunity with families struggling

financially or suffering some other hardship, with children between the age of 8 and 14. If this applies, we’d like to

offer your child(ren) the opportunity to attend Camp Ozanam this summer for free. Camp Ozanam provides

children the chance to experience a free week of summer residential camping, while enjoying the great outdoors.

We look forward to being On Fire for Jesus, our theme for 2018, this summer with your children!

Please contact Grace Ruffin at (313) 491-5649 for more information.

Catholic Women Biennial Assembly The Catholic Women Biennial Assembly will be held on Saturday, April 21st. It begins with Mass at 10:00 am at

St. Cyprian Parish, 13249 Pennsylvania Road in Riverview with Archbishop Vigneron as the celebrant. The topic

for the morning is: Women of Faith, Women of Action. For more info please contact Beverly at (734) 654-3353.

CSA

Parish Nursing | Enfermería Parroquial Parish nurses and those who minister in healthcare across the Archdiocese of Detroit gathered this week for a

retreat focusing on how to “Be the Visible Sign of Jesus.”

The retreat included a presentation by Karen Moore, CEO of Sanctum House, on understanding human

trafficking and identifying and interacting respectfully with victims. The program, “We are the visible sign of

Jesus,” featured Dr. Patricia McDonald, OP, talking about creating our reality with the choices we make, and how

our actions create our destiny.

Your gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal support parish nursing in our Archdiocese. Parish nurses, who

encourage the faithful to care for themselves and others as an expression of God’s love, serve as pastoral staff

members, as well as spiritual caregivers, health counselors, and educators, and health resources and advocates.

For more information about CSA-funded ministries, programs, and services, please go to www.aod.org.

2018 Natural Family Planning Support & Education Series: Deeper Reflections April 24th at Sacred Heart Major Seminary – NFP, Subfertility and Infertility

April 22 – 28, 2018 is National Infertility Awareness Week. Approximately 1 in 8 couples will struggle to build

their family. At this meeting we’ll explore NFP in relation to subfertility and infertility. Couples have found help

from NFP to identify and treat a variety of fertility concerns. The Church recognizes the pain of infertility and

offers her love and support to couples dealing with this unique cross. We will come together to offer prayer, comfort

and understanding for all those affected by infertility.

RSVP to nfp@aod.org and visit www.aod.org/nfp for upcoming dates and more information!

Welcome New Parishioners

We welcome to our fai th community this winter ’ s newly regis tered members :

Richard & Dolores Czarnecki Andrew & Jamie deHaan

Chris topher & Minta deHaan

Katelyn Dit tes Tom & Marlene Garrett

Samuel Gomez Helen Gorski

Conrad Gusfa Jamie Hunter

Martin & Mary Mical lef

John Ochmanek Richard & Helen Ziel inski

We appreciate you worshiping with us.

For those of you who are not on our roster, registration forms are located at the exits of the Church.

Simply fill one out, drop it in the collection basket or mail to the Parish Office. We’d love to have you join us!

Page 5 St. Alphonsus ~ St. Clement, Dearborn

St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish

Church: 13540 Gould St., Dearborn, MI 48126

Office: 7469 Calhoun St., Dearborn, MI 48126

Office Phones: (313) 581-5218 ~ 581-7495

Fax: (313) 581-4233

Parish Website: stals-stclem.org

Email: info@sta-stc.comcastbiz.net

Henry Ford Village Chapel

15101 Ford Rd., Dearborn, MI 48126

Phone: (313) 846-7712 ext. 1121

Devotions ROSARY: Monday 6:30 pm (Father Yagley Hall).

PERPETUAL HELP: Tuesday 9:00 am.

HOLY HOUR: 2nd Wednesday 7:00 pm (HFV Chapel)

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: 1st Friday 9:00 am.

RECONCILIATION: Saturday 3 pm, or by appointment.

BAPTISM: Registered Parishioners should call the Parish Office to schedule an appointment.

MARRIAGE: The couple must make arrangements at least 6 months prior to date of marriage.

WEDDINGS: Fridays preferred; Saturday, prior to 1 pm.

Parish Staff Pastor: Rev. Linus Kinyua

Associate Pastor: Rev. Aaron DePeyster

Pastoral Minister: Sr. Mary Downey, IHM

Deacon Emeritus: Steve Bussa (HFV Chapel)

Accountant: Dawn Peters

Housekeeper: Denise Paniccia

Maintenance: Frank Bechard

Office Manager: Bernadette Fraga

Organist: Lawrence Zelanka

Secretary: Marilyn Filip

Parish Council John Savage, Chairperson

Annette Fiedor, Vice-Chairperson

Jennie Sinatra, Secretary

~ Members ~ Barbara Bechard, Colleen Charara,

Matthew Keller, Chester Lawrence,

Debra Mroczka and Joseph Sullivan

Parish Office Hours Monday through Thursday: 9 am until 5 pm;

Friday: 9 am until Noon.

Mass Intentions Saturday, April 14 4:00 pm· Fr. Aaron

Richard Villeneuve (req) Pat Durham Patricia Genise (req) Family Dr. Frank Prokop (req) John Witalic Joseph Romeo, anniversary (req) Family Mary Salamon, health & healing (req) Family

Sunday, April 15 9:00 am (HFV Chapel) ·Fr. Aaron

For the Sick of the Parish

9:00 am Fr. Linus

James & Margaret Blair (req) Family Joseph J. Bobowski (req) Family Bruno Hudzinski (req) Family Larry Bobowski, special intention (req) Family

Joseph F. Bobowski, special intention (req) Family 11:00 am Fr. Linus

Rick Anthony Ventura, 12th anniversary (req) Mom Nancy Kosko (req) Grace Ruffin Mary Husson (req) Family & Friends Grandma Anna, 90th birthday blessings (req) Family

Monday, April 16 8:30 am Fr. Aaron

Edwin Gorski (req) Wife St. Bernadette, feast day blessing (req) Doina

Tuesday, April 17 8:30 am Fr. Aaron

Michael Fregonara (req) Vince & Sylvia Dorice Delgodo, health (req) Helen

2:30 pm (HFV Chapel) Fr. Linus For the Sick of the Parish

Thursday, April 19 8:30 am Fr. Linus

Joseph Wahlstrom, health & healing (req) Family Tina Rosik Meibers, 4th anniv. (req) Grace & Jan Majewski

Friday, April 20 8:30 am Fr. Linus

Aunt Kathy Sharkey, health & healing (req) Family

Saturday, April 21 4:00 pm Fr. Linus

Frank, Stella and Richard Rzepka (req) Family Dr. Frank & Eleanor Prokop (req) Family Elena Palazzi (req) Bonanno Family Brian Findley (req) Marilyn Olga Bombyk (req) Stawara Family

Tina Rosik Meibers, 4th anniv. (req) Grace & Jan Majewski Giovanni & Rosa Marrone (req) Sons

Sunday, April 22 9:00 am (HFV Chapel) Fr. Linus

Margaret Quinn (req) Husband, Jim Alex Dobbs (req) Joe & Gladys Kitz

Thomas Kitz (req) Joe & Gladys Kitz 9:00 am Fr. Aaron

James & Margaret Blair (req) Family Richard Rzepka (req) Rzepka Family Joseph A. Bobowski, special intention (req) Family Mikalya Zobeck, special intention (req) Family Nicholas Zundel, special intention (req) Family

11:00 am Fr. Aaron

Austin Augustine (req) Family

Nancy Kosko (req) Augustine Family Judy Homberg (req) Family Carol Kurowski (req) Family Estelle Wroblewski (req) Family Serafino Frattarelli (req) Son, Thomas & Family