Page 1 Church of St. Matthias, Sterling Heights

June 19, 2016�

St. Ma�hias Messenger�

St. Matthias Catholic Community�

Fr. Francisco Restrepo, Pastor�12311 Nineteen Mile Road, Sterling Heights MI 48313�

(586) 731�1300�

Mission Statement

St. Matthias Parish is committed to becoming a prayerful community by celebrating the Sacraments together, and supporting the parish and one another

by sharing the time, talents and treasures God has given us. Through prayer and good works we will strive to grow in peace and unity with God and our community.

St. Ma�hias Messenger ~ December 17, 2017�

����

Saturday, December 23�3:00 p.m. Confessions

4:30 p.m. Mass

�Sunday, December 24 �

8:30 a.m. Mass 11 a.m. Mass

Christmas Eve Masses�4 p.m. Children’s Mass

10 p.m. Mass

�Christmas Day Masses�

Monday, December 25 8:30 a.m. Mass 11 a.m. Mass

�Tuesday, December 26�

Church & Offices Closed

Saturday, December 30�

3:00 p.m. Confessions 4:30 p.m. Mass

�New Year’s Eve�

Sunday, December 31 8:30 a.m. Mass 11 a.m. Mass

�New Year’s Day

Monday, January 1, 2017 9:00 a.m. Mass

Calling ALL Christmas

Decorators

Your help is needed today Sunday,

December 17, after the 11 a.m. Mass.

We will be decorating our Church

for Christmas.

Come one, come all!

Many hands make light the tasks.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

4:30 p.m. ~

†Florence & Henry Jakubowski– by Jakubowski Family

†Richard Duzykowski– by Connie Roll

†Remo & Joesphine Orsini– by Mary Giannetti SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

8:30 a.m. ~

†Elmer Theisen– by Family

†William Ruszczycki-by Family

†Diane Franklin- by Family

11:00 a.m. ~

†James Carter– by Alice & Family

†D.J. Anhorn– by Family

†Russell, Julia, Margaret & John Eccleston– by Family

†Larry Meek, Phyllis Risher & Janet Buscemi– by Family

†Giuseppina Sclafani– by Family

†Bruno & Maria Pellegrini- by Family

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19

♥ Parishioners of St. Matthias WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20

†John Kapeluch– by Family THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21

†Ken & Donna McGuire– by Family SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23

4:30 p.m. ~

♥ Jackie & Frank Orsini & Family—by Andy & Antoinette Ceccacci

†Timothy Kirouac– by Susan Kirouac

†Warren & Dolores Rice– by Rice Family

†Albert Pulgini– by Rice Family

†Marilyn Gerbino– by Rice Family

†Frank Noce– by Rice Family SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24

8:30 a.m. ~

†Elmer Theisen– by Family

11:00 a.m. ~

†Bruno & Maria Pellegrini- by Family 4:00 p.m. ~

†Lottie & Walter Watchowski– by Daughters & Grandchildren

†Mike Piotrowski– by Wife & Children

†Bill Lang– by Wife Mary & Children

10:00 p.m. ~

†Philip Carollo– by Jack & Jeanne Mc Glinchey

†Barbara Devos– by Husband Mark

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 6:00 P.M. CHRISTMAS JUBILEE CELEBRATION

3:00 p.m. Confessions 4:30 p.m. Mass

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

8:30 a.m. Mass 8:30 a.m. RCIA 11:00 a.m. Mass

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18

Grades K-5 ~ 6:15 p.m.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 9:00 a.m. Mass

10:00 a.m. Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Jr High/ Confirmation

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20

9:00 a.m. Mass 9:00 a.m. SVDP

8 p.m. AA/Al-Anon Meetings - Teens Welcome

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21 9:00 a.m. Mass

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22

Church & Parish Offices Closed

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23 3:00 p.m. Confessions

4:30 p.m. Mass

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

8:30 a.m. Mass 11:00 a.m. Mass

Christmas Eve Masses 4:00 p.m. Children’s Mass

10:00 p.m. Mass

MASS INTENTIONS

�Please remember �

the families of�

†Joan Rucinski�

� who entered eternal life . �

May She Forever Rest in Peace.�

�

Page 3 Church of St. Matthias, Sterling Heights

Sunday, December 24 - 11:00 a.m.

Presider: Fr. Essman Lector: Marguerite Teschke Servers: Casali Family &

Christel Palombit

[ �

Pfc Aaron C. Alley/Army Spc Melissa Alston/Army

Pvt Alexander Bayadich/Marines Sgt. Michael J Borg/ Air Force Sgt Andrew Chapoton/Army SMSgt Mark Darling/Air Force Pvt Brandon Dodson/Marines Capt David G. Fox/Army E3 Pvt Jeffrey FrameArmy

A/Sgt Brandon Gadde/Air Force Cpl Michael Gates/Marines Pvt Aaron B. Goebel/Army Sgt Andrew W. Goebel/Army

Thomas A. Goebel/Marines Recruit T/Sgt Glenn Harbaugh/Air Force AT1 Robert Hasenauer III/ Navy

Paul Koss/Marines Jack W. Manning, Jr./Navy Sgt Daniel Mills/Army

Teri Priebe/Navy Reserves Capt Christopher Ray/Marines Cpt. Jonathan Recor/ Air Force CW2 Joseph Recor/Army

E5S/Sgt Scott J. Resk/Air Force SSgt John Salvio/ Air Force Sgt. Kelly Schaefer/Marines Cpl Mitchell Schaefer/Marines Steven Schatzberg/Army

Gunnery S/Sgt Jonathan Stampor/Marines

Sgt Gerald (Jake) Stier/Army Reserves A,Spc Alan Studer/Army Capt John Szatkowski/Navy

CMSgt Gerald Szydloski/Air Force Spec Michael K. Weber/Army Pvt Douglas Wojtowicz/Army W4 Matthew Zelenak/Army Spc Peter Zelenak/Army

Saturday, December 23- 4:30 p.m. Presider: Fr. Francisco Lector: Grodon Lenz Servers: Adam Lathrop

Sunday, December 24 - 8:30 a.m. Presider: Fr. Francisco

Lector: Kurt Lang Servers: Guadaloupe &

Esmeralda

Jordan Agosta Adrienne Akers

John David Battani Brian Bowman

Connie Bowman Sue Clements

Margaret Conflitti Betty Corte

Tom Dembeck Billy Dombrowski

Garrett Fantin James Michael Goldwater

John M. Goldwater Sr.

Alison Greiwe Dorothy Grunwald

Mark Grunwald Loretta Hart

Glenn Henderson Decker James Hilbert

Daniel Himm Faustina Hudson

Benita Hynes Dan Kachadourian

Jon Kline Delphine Karpinski

Agnes Kosin Jerry Love

Brian Malarick Edward Malarick

Jeff Malarick Sharon Malarick

Ernie Mangiapane

Susan Mangiapane Suzette Marconi

Christine McCauly Kenneth McGuire

Thomas Mech Wanda Michalski Michael Misiewicz

Colette Mollise Wally Perry

Andrew Pyper Barbara Richards Ramona Romero

Angela Rivers Sue Rodzos

Robert Rudzki Wanda Rudzki

Kyle Scott Michael Serafino

Frank Singer Judy Smith

Larry Stevens Mac Sullivan Butch Suppe

Peter Timinsky Olivia Kelly Tsvetkoff

Mary Veen Vokes Family April Vokes Matt Vokes

Beverly Whitefoot Greg Wilk Mary Ziskie

Sunday, December 24 - 4:00 p.m.

Presider: Fr. Essman Servers: Violet Chabot &

Nick Kehrig

Sunday, December 24 - 10:00 p.m. Presider: Fr. Francisco

Servers: Carney & Bommarito Family

Sunday, December 25 - 8:30 a.m. Presider: Fr. Francisco Servers: Guadaloupe &

Esmeralda

Sunday, December 25 - 11:00 a.m. Presider: Fr. O’Sullivan Servers: Dobry Family

Director: Teresa Fortuna 586-731-0650 ext.107

Faith Formation ∼ Donna Latimer, Director

586-731-0650

During Advent, as well as Lent, one Sunday’s Readings during these seasons present us with the theme of being joyful or glad. Today is such a celebration that calls to us. The prophet Isaiah announces a coming of One Who has

the mission of bringing release, healing, and the proclamation of good news. We hear John as the advance man of the One to come, in today’s Gospel. He is not the

“light”, but announces the presence of the “light”.

We pray for a personal increase in hope and joy with the

realization that we are not alone, personally nor

collectively. The Light is coming to dispel what is dark

within and around us.

2017 Giving Tree will benefit two organizations:

Gianna House is a 501C(3) organization that provides a tangible alternative to abortion. A patron of Gianna House

has offered to match all donations. The Macomb County Jail Chaplain Ministry is the second

beneficiary. The chaplain ministry of Steve Malek requests Sam’s Club gift card in any amount and plans to provide an identical gift bag of personal care items, small gifts and treats to the 1,200 men/women in their care.

If you are able to support one or both of these groups,

select an envelope from the Giving Tree located at church

entrances, place Sam’s Club gift card, cash donation or

check payable to St. Matthias Church, in envelope,

indicate the organization you desire to support, complete

the upper left corner of envelope to receive credit on your

end of year donation statement and place your gift in the

offertory basket during Mass or bring to parish office

Monday through Thursday, during business hours,

8 a.m. to12 Noon.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul: Joseph receives little attention these days, even in Advent, but Joseph stands right

beside Mary at the center of the stage. Joseph stands, with eager expectation, at the threshold of transcendence. From the darkness of his own limited understanding, he is continually peering into the mystery of God. Surely he does not understand how this child, who seems like any other, could be “God with us”, but he abandons himself, in faith, to the task of loving the child and

educating him. There is something very beautiful about Joseph’s contact with the transcendent mystery of God. In the midst of his daily manual labor and family life, Joseph was surrounded by the mystery of God and he penetrated it with faith. He trusted in God’s daily providence. (Maloney, Seasons of Spirituality) As we prepare for Christmas we pray for the grace to be like

Joseph, so that: For those who live in doubt, our lives will be a sign of faith. For those who live in fear and oppression, our lives will be a sign of hope. For those who do not experience God’s love,

our lives will be a sign of charity. Amen. Vincentians express their heartfelt appreciation to Christian

Women for the $500 donation to help make Christmas merrier for

neighbors/friends. We thank parishioners who donated gift cards

totaling $1,035. Thank you to a friend of our parish for the $200

in Target gift cards.

Reflection Questions How clearly do you see others? What blinds you to

seeing another person for who they are? Have you ever been judged by someone else’s

preconceived notions? How did it affect you? Will Jesus recognize you as a soldier of Christ?

Respond in Action Make Christmas cookies for your local police or fire

department. Get involved in the Youth for Christ Juvenile Jus-

tice program. Volunteer or donate time or resources at a location near you. Go to http://yfc,net/jjm for more information.

If you haven’t already, read Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). Choose one excerpt to focus on and try to utilize that teaching in your life this week.

Volunteer at a local convalescent home. Befriend an elderly occupant. Offer to play cards, read to them or sit with them and ask them about their life. Listen if they want to talk.

This is the last week of classes before Christmas. NO classes the weeks of December 24 and

December 31. Classes will resume on January 8, 2018.

Loving by learning Lighting birthday candles, Advent candles, Hanukkah candles and Kwanza candles are similar traditions with different meanings. Some we share, some we do not.

Jesus, our light, brought peace and justice to our world. He taught us to love our neighbor. One step to loving our neighbor is to learn about them. Visit the children’s section of the library. Look for a display of books that teach about various holiday traditions that are observed this time of year.

It is amazing that when we learn about others, we learn about ourselves.

Bless the Creche Have you set out your crèche? When you do, bless it. Family members can hold the figurines while someone else says this prayer. Afterwards,

put the figurines into the stable. Remember, wait until Christmas Eve to put Baby Jesus in the stable. Gentle God, we will use this stable to remind us of the place that Jesus was born. We ask you to bless it. Let it remind

us to be humble. Help us to make room for Jesus Inn-side our hearts. Amen.

Page 5 Church of St. Matthias, Sterling Heights

Page 6 Church of St. Matthias, Sterling Heights

�St. Matthias Catholic Community �

12311 Nineteen Mile Road �Sterling Heights, MI 48313 �

Parish Office: (586) 731�1300 �Fax: (586) 731�2576�

Email: parishoffice@stmatthiaschurch.net�Website: www.stmatthiaschurch.net�

Pastor: Fr. Francisco Restrepo Weekend Mass Times: Confessions: Saturdays: 3 p.m. until all heard or by appointment. Saturday 4:30pm— Sunday 8:30am & 11:00 am

Parish Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday: 8 am-12 pm Closed Fridays Parish Office & Bulletin Editor: Bulletin Material DEADLINE: Wednesday mornings Secretary: Cindy Hasenauer……………….731-1300 Bookkeeper: Jacki Lenard………….……...731-1300 Maintenance: ………………..……………....731-0654 Marsha Laurencelle - Jose Fuentes - Pauleta Pashki Director of Music Ministries:......................731-1300 Kristin Glasgow Faith Formation Office ……….…….....586- 731-0650 Director: Donna Latimer Adult Formation: Donna Latimer Email– latimer_stmatthias@yahoo.com Finance Council - 731-1300 Chairperson: Carmelita Badia Rosalie Chirco-Iwig Sue Kirouac Dave Barth Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson: Jan Siemen ………………....739-2050 Nick Bommarito ………………………….......226-3702 Tony & Veronica Giganti…………………. ...997-3692 Ron West…………………………………......254-9419 Melinda McNamara..................................................... Worship Commission Chairperson: Marie Bommarito………...586-524-1785 Lectors: Denise Zimkiewicz…………….…... 566-7546 Ushers: Tony & Veronica Giganti…………….997-3692 Altar Server Coordinator: Carrie Carney…..206-4783 Art & Environment: Margaret Peters .............731-1300 Christian Service Director: Teresa Fortuna……………...731-1300 X107 Baptism Preparation: Teresa Fortuna Christian Women : Catholic Services of Macomb ………...586-416-2300 Pregnant & in need? …………. .... ……...1-800-848-LOVE Project Rachel Post Abortion Ministry1-888-722-4355 Domestic Violence Hotline …………..1-800-799-7233 Protective Services (CHILD & ADULT)..1-877-412-6109 Homebound Ministry-Margaret Conflitti…....731-4435 Legion of Mary St. Matthias/St. Vincent de Paul …………....739-2922 Abigayle Ministries………………………….586-323-1411 Baptism: Contact Parish Office. Marriage: Arrangements are to be made six months prior to the wedding date.

Week of December 4, 2017

Week’s Deposit $ 7,788.00 Week’s Expenses $ 8,023.97 Week’s Cash Flow ($ 235.97)

Giving is not

about making a

donation.

It is about

making a

difference.

God is also making a list and checking it twice.

Kroger Rewards

For the Kroger Rewards St. Matthias received $280.74. Thank you to all the parishioners who have signed up for the Kroger Rewards where St. Matthias

reaps the benefits. Just a reminder, ALL participants must sign-up again

for the program in order for St. Matthias to continue receiving the benefits. At your earliest convenience please sign-up or re-sign-up again for the Kroger

Rewards at krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus card again and St. Matthias

Catholic Church. NPO #53699. Thank you for caring about your Church.