The Canticle of St. Francis P u b l i s h e d q u a r t e r l y b y S t . F r a n c i s o f A s s i s i C a t h o l i c C h u r c h 2 1 5 0 F r i e z e A v e A n n A r b o r , M I 4 8 1 0 4 - 4 7 9 9 ( 7 3 4 ) 7 6 9 - 2 5 5 0 F a x : ( 7 3 4 ) 8 2 1 - 2 1 0 2 www.stfrancisa2.com

Parish Newsletter: Volume 18, Issue 4 Winter 2013-2014

Sustainable Garden Project Feed Hungry Neighbors The first and longest serving initiative of nearly 13 years which provides a wide variety of fresh organic produce and herbs to Perry Nursery School, a child care center for at-risk children and their families, was very successful this year. Ms Sandy Williams, Development Directory at Perry Nursery School of Ann Arbor recently best summarized this garden initiative. “THANK YOU to everyone who was involved in the harvest project! The families at Perry Nursery School literally ate it up this year :-) Everything was snatched up and used. Here is a great story about how your garden

affects our families: One afternoon a young mom came to pick up her daughter. The girl went to the counter and

pointed to the rhubarb and asked her mom if they could take some home to eat. The mom picked it up, turned it over and over and looked very perplexed. I asked, "Can I help you?" She said, "What is this?" I explained what it was and ; how it could be cooked and used. She said she did have internet at home and I suggested that she look up some sample recipes and to have fun with it. Here is why this story touches me. A mom and daughter learned something new. The daughter was excited over being able to take something home - something she had never seen before. The mom gets to be a hero - she didn't just say "no" to her daughter, but explored the possibilities and was willing to try. I never did found out the results, but that memory will stick with me forever. Thank you!” The total harvest for 2013 was 212 pounds! This is the largest harvest to date! This amount is significantly up from last year's 98 pounds (when we had a drought) and almost twice the 2011 harvest of 125 pounds. The increase was partly due to the addition of a rescued garden bed south of the school where we planted potatoes, freeing up the main

garden space near the rectory for more of the other crops. Fifth graders from St Francis School planted the seed potatoes in the spring and returned as sixth graders to harvest nearly 36 pounds of 2 kinds of potatoes in the fall. We truly thank God for this bountiful harvest and for all volunteers this year in the planning, fund raising, sales, preparation, planting, maintenance (e.g., watering and weeding), harvest and cleanup for the gardens. We also thank the local merchants who donated supplies for these gardens. It could not have been accomplished without all these persons and their stewardship done well. Embrace Michigan Native Plants. A second new initiative, Michigan Native Plants, was added this year with the spring seedling sale as well as summer planting to a part of the garden south of the school. Goals for Michigan Native Plants will hopefully include naturalized beautification and increased plantings on the church grounds that may attract butterflies and birds as well as provide seeds and/or seedlings at our sales, and subsequently educate the school children and encourage awareness of parish members on native plants use, in particular, in their own landscapes. These gardens will be an expansion of God’s creation, too!

Winter 2013-2014 Page 2 Canticle of St. Francis

Mark Your Calendar : Winter 2013-2014

Advent Communal Penance Service Thursday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m. in church

CHRISTMAS 2013 MASSES Christmas Eve-Tuesday, December 24

5:00 p.m. (Children’s Liturgy) 5:15 p.m. (in PAC) 7:00 p.m. 10:30 p.m. (caroling at 10 pm)

Christmas Day-Wednesday, December 25 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

NEW YEAR MASSES

Mary, The Holy Mother of God Tuesday, December 31 at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Now through December 15: Giving Tree Gifts. Help move gifts after weekend mass, call Scott Wright (821-2121)

December 3, 10, 17: Advent Series begins-Young Adults (20-30’s single or married) 7 pm, youth room, Jen Delvaux 821.2126

December 7: Catholicism Adult Formation Program/ Marty 821-2125 or mlucas@stfrancisa2.org

December 8 & 15: - High School Youth Group this month/ 7PM /youth room / Jen Delvaux (821-2126)

December 10: Christmas Dinner Party for Perry Nursery School of Ann Arbor/ 4:00 – 9PM /PAC/Scott Wright (821-2121)

December 15: Living Nativity Procession / 6:30 PM /church/ then Children's Christmas Festival / Ellen Ward ward@stfrancisa2.org (821-2132)

December 16: Meditation Group every Monday at 7-8 PM / chapel / Paul Thompson (734-646-5591)

December 16: Weekly Divorced/Separated Group /7:00 – 8:30pm / School Library / Jeff 734-678-0995

December 17: Men’s Group/ 7:00 – 8:30pm / POMR / Kevin 734-972-6878

December 20: M.O.M.S. Group 1st & 3rd Fridays at 10AM-noon / chapel. Childcare too. Megan 734-646-9034

December 20: Serve A Meal for the Hungry (3rd Fridays) 3PM or 5PM shift/Delonis Center Shelter/ volunteers call Bridget McGillicuddy (665-9549)

December 24 to January 5: ReGift BOX / St. Francis Church main entrance / Scott Wright / 821-2121.

January 5: - High School Youth Group on most Sundays at 7PM /youth room / Jen Delvaux (821-2126)

January 7: Young Adult Ministry-most Tuesdays @ 7-9 PM, for location call Jen Delvaux (821-2126)

January 10: Mother & Child Network playgroup 2nd & 4th Fridays at 10AM-noon in nursery, Carol (734-769-1659)

January 10 & 11: Catholicism mini-Retreat/ Marty 821-2125 or mlucas@stfrancisa2.org

January 11: Catholic Business Professionals Connection @ 9:00-11 AM monthly, school library, Tom (734-649-2655)

January 13: Knitting - Shawl Ministry monthly / 7PM church library / Kathleen (717-0685)

January 14: Senior Citizens Go Out to Breakfast @ 10:00 A.M. For location, call Scott Wright (821-2121).

January 17: ALPHA for Catholics-Why & How Should I tell others?/ Marty 821-2125 or mlucas@stfrancisa2.org

January 18: Middle Singles Potluck dinner, 6:30 pm PAC, Jen Delvaux 821.2126

January 24&25: “Grieving with Great Hope” Bereavement Workshop / Fri 7:00 – 9 pm in church and Sat 10:00 am – 4:30 pm in PAC / Janene 821-2122

January 26: St. Francis School PreK-8 OPEN HOUSE and New Student Registration, 1:30-4 PM stop in anytime. Mrs. Pritzel, principal (Office: 821-2200)

January 28: Small Group Facilitator Training / 7:00 – 9pm/ POMR /Janene 821-2122

February 1 & 2: High School Youth Retreat/ register with Jen Delvaux 821.2126 jen@stfrancisa2.org

February 1 - April 12: Tax Assistance Program Saturdays from 10:30AM to 12:30PM, Parish Office– by appointment only. Not Holy Sat, March 30. (Volunteer to prepare a tax return for a low income person, call Julie Soyer 734-821-2121) .

February 10: Lent Small Groups begin / Various days, times, locations / Janene Ternes 821-2122

February 21: ALPHA for Catholics-Is there more to Life than this?/ Marty 821-2125 or mlucas@stfrancisa2.org

February 22: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School 13th Annual Educational Trust Fund Benefit Evening/ 6:00 P.M. / Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel / Colleen Pierce 734.821.2208 or cpierce@stfrancisa2.org

February 23: Small Faith Sharing Groups begin / Various days, times and locations / Janene 821-2122

March 4: Senior Citizens’ Mardi Gras Party/ 10AM / PAC / Scott Wright / 821-2121.

March 5: Ash Wednesday Masses 7:00 am, 9:15 am, 5:15 pm & 7:00 pm

March 7: Lent Fish Dinners on Fridays thru April 11 / 5:00-7:30PM / PAC

Winter 2013-2014 Page 3 Canticle of St. Francis

Sustainability Efforts

The St. Francis of Assisi community has continued to make changes toward more sustainable practices. In August our parish enjoyed receiving a grant for a Rebuild Michigan Introductory Energy Evaluation. A walk-through was conducted for the St. Francis of Assisi sanctuary, school

and office. The goal of this Introductory Energy Evaluation (IEE) was to identify energy- and cost-saving opportunities for the facility. The walk-through consisted of a visual inspection of electrical, mechanical, and HVAC equipment; controls; lighting; occupant behavior; and maintenance protocols. A basic analysis of the facility’s energy use was calculated to determine an overall savings potential as compared to similar buildings in the same geographical region. The report based on the information gathered is available at: stfrancisa2.com/sustainability We are learning ways to better care for God’s

creation through the use of the list - summary of recommendations and Energy Saving Measures prepared by: Joel Baetens of Clean Energy Coalition & Michigan Energy Office, Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Congratulations to everyone at St. Francis. Thank you to all for joining in this effort by seeking out more sustainable practices in our own homes too. What does Sustainability mean for You?

What connections do you see between energy use in your home and your relationship with God? How can we, as a Parish, be better stewards of the creation God has given us? As people of Faith, we have a moral imperative to care for God’s creation and its deep distresses. Pope Benedict XVI tells us: “Preservation of the environment, promotion of sustainable development and particular attention to climate change are matters of grave concern for the entire human family.”

School roof top view

Winter 2013-2014 Page 4 Canticle of St. Francis

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Teeing It Up for Tuition Golf Outing

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is a family-centered ministry of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish community where each student is valued, respected and nurtured as a unique creation of God. We challenge our preschool through eighth grade students spiritually, academically and physically to learn, care and lead as they work to discover the plan that God intends for them. As followers of Christ, we strive always to instill in our students the words of Saint Francis of Assisi … “Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words.” The need for tuition assistance at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is ever present. During the 2012-2013 school year, 17 families received $52,760 in assistance. This year, we anticipate awarding a comparable amount.

To ensure that families continue to have access to affordable Catholic education, the Development Office held its third Golf Outing – Teeing It Up for Tuition – at the Polo Fields Golf and Country Clubs on Friday, September 20, 2013. The event, chaired by school parents (right) Cokey Huffman and Trish Edwards, raised nearly $7,000 in projected net proceeds. Eleven teams participated in the fun, and rain-free afternoon. In addition to having forty-four players, the Outing received support from many sponsors, including:

Hole In One Sponsor

Gene Butman Ford

Gold Sponsor Tim & Shann Patton

Silver Sponsor Pietrasiuk Family Foundation

Hole Sponsors Jose De La Iglesia

Ron Eppler The Huffman Family

St. Francis Knights of Columbus – Council 8989

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School extends sincere thanks to these generous sponsors for contributing to the Golf Outing’s success!

Proceeds from the Teeing It Up for Tuition Golf Outing will help us continue to provide families who have a financial need the Catholic education they seek at our school. Thank you to everyone who supported this important event! To view more photographs of the 2013 Golf Outing, visit: www.stfrancisa2.com/school-community/giving-alumni/annual-golf-outing

Winter 2013-2014 Page 5 Canticle of St. Francis

First Annual St. Francis School Jog-a-thon!

A GREAT big thank you to all of our sponsors!! St. Francis School PTG

Dunbar Family Lena

Peck Family Coach Me Fit

LaMarca Family Garrett Landscaping

Fitzpatrick Family Watermark

Deininger Family Two Tri Coaches Hermann Family

Underground Printing Coffman Family

Flatout Flatbread Finn Family Running Fit

Kowal Family Enspire Dental Wassef Family

Busch’s Fresh Food Market Stoy Family

Ottenwess Family Hughes Family Huffman Family Miesel Family

Hinshaw Family Edward & Schaefer Orthodontics

The first annual St. Francis Jog-a-thon held on October 4, 2013, was a huge success! We raised over $23,000 towards our goal of advancing technology in the classrooms. A big part of our success was due to the organization of the event by the St. Francis PTG group. What a great group of parent volunteers! Father James joined us that day to cheer on the whole school as they ran, walked, skipped, danced or jogged around the parking lot. We look forward to another fantastic event next year!

Winter 2013-2014 Page 6 Canticle of St. Francis

From High School to Young Adults

Young Adult Retreat The Young Adult ministry spent a wonderful weekend this past October n retreat. We headed to the Colombiere Center where we were able to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and the company of friends old and new. The weekend offered a chance to learn more

a b o u t t h e spiritualities different traditions within the Church offer to help us grow in our own prayer lives. We heard speakers from the Dominicans, Jesuits, Benedictines, and Franciscans. In addition we were joined by Dawn Hausmann from the diocese and thoroughly enjoyed her Sunday morning session. We are all looking forward to future retreats!

High School Youth!!! The youth ministry has had a busy fall as always. We have enjoyed kick-starting the year with Sunday night youth groups. In addition we have journeyed to the Diocesan Jamboree on November 3 (photos on right). We spent the day with hundreds of other Catholic teens from throughout our diocese. We heard Valimar Jansen give a great keynote, and then headed to the workshops of our choice. Many enjoyed the chance to get ready for the National Catholic Youth Conference through the special workshop. Everyone had fun throughout the day, but especially in the evening when the inflatables arrived and the dance got started. We have also started monthly service projects. In November we joined with volunteers from throughout Washtenaw Country to work with Catholic Social Services on their fall clean up day. Despite some rain, the teens (below) worked hard to do quite a bit of yard work on two homes of senior citizens. The youth have a full calendar of events coming up. We are preparing for and taking registrations for our service trip to the Menominee

Reservation this June. Additionally, the retreat plans are in full swing for our February 1-2 Retreat. As always, the teen leaders are hard at work planning and leading each youth group! Hopefully you can join us if you have not already!

Winter 2013-2014 Page 7 Canticle of St. Francis

A New School Year in Religious Education

Youth Confirmation process Confirmation candidates (above left) participate in one of the small groups while on retreat. A special thanks to our parent chaperones (above right) for helping during the retreats! Altogether, 152 youth candidates are in the process of preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, April 6, 2014.

Our youth serve others

Middle school and High school youth (above and left) help out in many of our parish events! From the appreciation breakfast, to the bible social, to raking our church neighbor lawns, we are deeply grateful for the service our young people offer to us! St. Francis Religious Education offers activities and classes for Toddlers through 8th grade all year round! For more information on how to get involved, see our webpage at stfrancisa2.com (click on Religious Education).

Winter 2013-2014 Page 8 Canticle of St. Francis

Life, Service + Justice

ProLife: 40 Days for Life

These pictures are from the mid point rally for the 40 Days For Life movement in Ann Arbor which ended on November 3rd. This is a real ecumenical movement involving parishes and denominations from throughout the area, to pray and offer alternatives and support to women who have an unplanned pregnancy. Prayer is also offered for those lives that have been lost, their families, as well as for all the employees and supporters of Planned Parenthood. For more information or to get involved contact our parish ProLife group or contact Deacon Rich in the parish office.

Elizabeth Ministry Over 100 women in St. Francis make themselves available to assist families in the parish community who need short term help. The Elizabeth Ministry brings meals to parishioners who are welcoming a new baby or who are recovering from an illness or an accident. In some cases, we help with light housekeeping or household chores. We visit and respond lovingly and gently following the example of Elizabeth and Mary. Here is an excerpt from a recent note from one of our recipients: “Thank you so much for helping us by bringing meals the week after our son was born. We have never appreciated warm, home-cooked meals so much, and it was so helpful as we experienced the transition to parenthood. We hope that we will be able to give back to the community of St. Francis as our son continues to grow.” We invite you to join us in this heart-warming ministry. Please sign up at the parish website or call Scott Wright at 734-821-2121. As the hymn says: “All are welcome.”

Thanks to the generous participation of 55 volunteers we contributed more than 230 hours, in the efforts of St. Francis of Assisi Church helping homeless families at Alpha House in October 2013. Our work included one very large shopping trip, nine meals, seven days of playing with children, and seven days of sleeping at Alpha House. A big thanks to our coordinator Vicki Hatch, and all: Catherine Anderson, Moni Barera, Herb Black, Katie Colella, Kevin Colella, Barb Dankert, Ehren Dirksen, Isabelle Dirksen, Patti Dobbs, Lisa Filipe, David Filipe, Lydia Filipe, Sophia Filipe, Mia Filipe, Mike Gatti, Vicki Hatch, Mary Hayden, Crystal Heft, Ms Johnston’s 1st grade class, Delta Kimmel, Rosaleen Kirk, Steve Lavender, Jane Levy, Emilie Lin, Mary Lowe, Rosemary Markel, Ms Martin’s 1st grade class, Linda Matton, Greg McConville, Peter McConville, Ethan

McConville, Susie McDevitt, Anna McDevitt, Cicie Miller, David Miller, Chris Mollo, Lynette Mollo, Anthony Mollo, Lisa Murray, Chris Noble, Riley Noble, Brady Noble, Antoinette Olshefsky, Maya Savarino, Janet Starr, Mary Ellen White, Oscar White, and second grade class at Ann Arbor Open School.

Thanks for the Shelter at Alpha House!

Winter 2013-2014 Page 9 Canticle of St. Francis

SAVE THE DATE:

Sunday, January 26th St. Francis of Assisi Catholic

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

PreK—8 grades Stop in any time

Questions, call 821-2200

LIVING NATIVITY Mark your calendar for the Living Nativity Procession and Children's Festival on Sunday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. beginning in church. Come re-live the birth of Christ in spoken word, song, live animals, light acting and images of wonder and joy! On Sunday, December 15 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in church, The Living Nativity Procession will tell the story of the birth of Christ through narration and song, live animals and a candlelit walk through scenes of wonder and joy!

We Welcome Our New Pastor Signed, sealed, and delivered, Fr. James Conlon is formally installed as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish by Bishop Earl Boyea on October 5, 2013. We warmly welcome Fr. James to St. Francis!

Thank You to Our VOLUNTEERS!!!

Volunteers enjoyed breakfast together at Appreciation Sunday last September! Thank you to all the many wonderful and faith-filled volunteers who make all that we do at St. Francis parish possible!

God bless you!

Winter 2013-2014 Page 10 Canticle of St. Francis

THANK YOU! This quarterly newsletter was printed as a courtesy by J.S. Paluch Company, Inc – our weekly bulletin publisher (800-621-5197 or www.jspaluch.com)

Business Manager’s Report to the Parish

Since my last report to you in December 2012, we have undertaken several capital projects, some large, some small, to improve our facilities for many years to come. The most significant of these was the demolition and removal in early summer of a 50-year-old boiler, and its replacement with two new high-efficiency (96%) sequenced boilers as our primary heating source for the Church and much of the School. The boiler we have been using since 1997, an 88% efficient unit manufactured by the same company as our newest boilers, has served us well, and will be retained as a back-up in the event of unforeseen problems with the new units or except ional ly cold weather conditions. New controls were added as well, and everything was up and running for our first weekend of operation on October 19-20.

In last year’s report, I made

reference to an engineering project to address drainage concerns on the South hill of our property (between Winchell Avenue and the Music Room, Art Room, and Parish Office). Construction began on the proposed plan immediately after Vacation Bible School concluded in July, and was completed in August. Although we have not had any of those 50- or 100-year rainstorms (that seem to be happening every year or two now) since its completion, the rains that we have experienced have been easily handled by the new system, with no water entering the lower level of the School.

Other projects undertaken and completed in the

past year or so include the replacement of a 20-year-old heating and cooling system in the Rectory with a new, high-efficiency system, in late fall, 2012, just in time to realize significant savings on heating last winter and on cooling during the summer of 2013. Both the new Rectory system and the new system serving the Church and School are steps forward in support of the Parish’s Environmental Stewardship initiative. So, too, was the replacement of old-single-pane, uninsulated doors and windows in the 6th Grade entrance area of the School and the outside entrance to the Gym.

Visible to most parishioners was the work during the summer on our main and west parking lots and the driveways in front of the Church (re-surfacing in spots, then sealcoating and re-striping), and the work in October (at the direction of the City of Ann Arbor) on several sections of sidewalk around our property. Less visible was the re-roofing in September of the Gym, the only roof on our premises that had not been re-done since 1994. When the contractor and primary materials supplier came to us in August and offered us a significant

discount if we undertook this project in September, when they were trying to fill up their book of business, we simply could not pass it up, and fortunately, due to your continuing generosity, we had the financial resources to complete it. While the past year has seen more projects completed than usual, the “to do” list still exists, although at somewhat shorter length. Identified needs for future work, should our finances continue to remain healthy,

include, in no particular order, brick repair/tuckpointing on the Bell Tower, Parish Office, and PAC; addition of a supplemental HVAC system for the Gym; renovating/upgrading school restrooms on the Middle School level, adding a back-up steam boiler for the K-3 wing of the School, and replacing old windows in the Music and Art Rooms, Science Lab, and classroom 7A with modern energy-efficient windows with screens. We thank you for your continued support of the Parish and School which allows such improvements to occur. Please feel free to call or email me if you should have any questions or comments. Dave Barera, Parish Business Manager (734) 821-2111 dsbarera@stfrancisa2.org

Winter 2013-2014 Page 11 Canticle of St. Francis

Seniors @ St. Francis (55 & Faster)

In August, Fr. Terry Dumas celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination. The chapel was filled to capacity while he presided at morning mass, then everyone congratulated him while enjoying a light reception. In September, we hosted the Senior Recognition Mass and Luncheon for the Diocese of Lansing Washtenaw Catho l i c Council on Aging.

In October, we enjoyed the Chain of Lakes Boat Tour and lunch at Zukey Lake Tavern with Capt. Scotty on a 30-ft pontoon. The weather was unseasonably pleasant as an added bonus!

September 2013 Parish Picnic Fun!

Fr. James presides at outdoor mass, Mrs. Opaleski leads the children’s choir, and parish Boy Scouts usher.

Face painted & waiting a turn in

the bounce house.

Would you like a sno-cone?

BINGO!!! Happy raffle prize

winner

Winter 2013-2014 Page 12 Canticle of St. Francis

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Permit No. 723

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Thursday Holy Hour Added!

2150 Frieze Avenue Ann Arbor MI 48104-4799

Return Service Requested

On December 5, the first Thursday of the Advent Season, we inaugurated a new weekly Holy Hour beginning immediately after the 9:15a.m. morning Mass. Because of this change Thursday morning Mass is now celebrated upstairs in the main Church. Other week day Masses remain unchanged. The Holy Hour (from 9:45 to 10:45AM in the church)

Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament Sacrament of Reconciliation on the 1st Thursday of each month Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick on the 3rd Thursday of each month Rosary Prayers for our school children, our community and for the needs of the universal Church Silent Prayer time.

Eucharistic Adoration continues all day Thursday in the main church. We invite you, your family and your friends to join us for an hour of prayer in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, on Thursdays between 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM in the main church.

Come and join us each week, invite a friend!

“The Second Vatican Council rightly proclaimed that the Eucharistic sacrifice is “the source and summit of the Christian life”. “For the most holy Eucharist contains the Church's entire spiritual wealth: Christ himself, our passover and living bread.

Through his own flesh, now made living and life-giving by the Holy Spirit, he offers life to men”. Consequently the gaze of the Church is constantly turned to her Lord, present in the Sacrament of the Altar,

in which she discovers the full manifestation of his boundless love.” John Paul II