Next weekend February 1st and 2nd is Name Tag Sunday. We do this quarterly, to provide an opportunity to step out of your pews and say hello to someone new. It’s always nice to put a name with a face, we often sit in the same area for Mass and recognize the faces but don’t know the name. Don’t be shy, just a smile and hello can go a long way to feeling like we are all part of the St. Clare family.
A favorite tradition we started a few years ago continues today on the Feast of the Epiphany. We take home chalk that has been blessed and mark our doors with this inscription: 20+C+M+B+20. The number of the New Year is split at the beginning and end. The initials C, M, and B represent Casper, Melchior and Balthasar and the three crosses stand for "saint." The letters also abbreviate the prayer: "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" which means May Christ Bless this House. So today after dinner, gather around the inside of your front door, and use the chalk to inscribe the numbers and letters on the frame or on the door while saying: "May Christ bless this house". Throughout the year those who come and go through that door will enjoy the blessing of Christ. Chalk is available by the Christmas manger at the front of the church. Be Bold!
I hope your New Year’s celebrations were fantastic, that you were able to take some time to relax and visit with family. I take this opportunity to thank all of you for the many kindnesses shown to me over this Christmas season. Your many cards, gifts, and verbal best wishes are most appreciated and gratefully accepted. The Parish Staff wishes to extend their thanks for your kindnesses.
My Dear St. Clare Family, as we come together on this Holy Day, the day of our Savior’s birth I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt wish to each and every one of you for a very Merry Christmas.
On December 3, 2019, St. Clare received a $3,000 grant from the Catholic Foundation of Michigan’s Social Outreach fund. St Clare helped rebuild a house in our parish boundaries that was devastated by a fire. The family is now able to move back into their home. This project was part of St Clare’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative, which is an actionable and measurable effort of Unleashing the Gospel and fortifies the mission of our parish.
Lighting the last candle on the Advent wreath today indicates the fulfillment of the season. We have heard the meaning of Advent and we have heard many prophecies that proclaim the coming of the Messiah, not only at Bethlehem but also at the end of time. Today for the first time the Sunday Advent Gospel tells of events that led to the birth of Christ. As many parish groups and ministries take Christmas time off from their usual activities there will be just one page of our bulletin this...
Each year the work of our conference is supported entirely by donations from our parish community (excluding our energy assistance work funded by the State of Michigan). Included in your regular parish envelope packet is a Thanksgiving offering envelope. The proceeds from this collection support our work. Please consider making a donation this Thanksgiving and join our conference at Thanksgiving Mass. You can turn your envelope in at any time through the regular weekly collection. Here is how we were able to use our funds this past fiscal year (does not include store vouchers or energy assistance):
Following the celebration of two great feasts on our liturgical calendar, All Saints and All Souls day, we enter the month of November. Much of it is dedicated to remembering those that have gone before us. In a special way, this Sunday we remember our loved ones and friends who passed away since last November of 2018. Recalling their names, we bring their memory and commit them to the love and mercy of God. Please also, remember the priests and religious sisters who worked here at St. Clare who have died. We also remember with gratitude our veterans, for their sacrifice, who gave their lives in service for our freedom.
Helpers of God’s Precious Infants Prayer Vigil Saturday, October 19, 2019: St. Basil (22860 Schroeder, Eastpointe – Behind McDonalds north of 9 Mile) will host Mass at 7:30 AM. At 8:30 AM we will meet at St. Veronica (21440 Universal, Eastpointe) to begin a Rosary procession, on foot, to 2 abortion mills. The total walking distance is about 6 blocks. If you have never participated in one of these vigils I encourage you to attend. Witness the power of prayer and the affect it has on changing the hearts of women considering abortion. A few years ago Archbishop Vigneron...
On Tuesday, as we usher in October, we also begin a month dedicated to Our Lady referred to as the month of the Holy Rosary. The memorial of this feast is celebrated on October 7, commemorating the victory in 1571 of the Christian army at the Battle of Lepanto attributed to the intercession of Our Lady. The Rosary is one of the most popular prayers and devotions among Catholics. Remembering the mysteries of Christ’s life and Our Lady’s life, we repeat Hail Mary after Hail Mary, thus we are invoking Our Lady to be with us in all stages of life. Indeed...
School is in full swing! Our Religious Ed. and RCIA programs began last week, and our Thursday Faith Formation gatherings will resume soon. I even saw a few snowflakes on Monday! Ok, just kidding, but before you know it… that is how quickly time passes. The work of our Parish Visioning Team (PVT) has concluded. The AOD has approved our plan and now we will move to the next phase of implementation with more information to follow.
As I listened to Fr. Andrew’s wonderful sermon today, I realized autumn will soon be here, and the morning Bible studies are starting up. If you are able, check one of these studies out. You will make new friends, come together with old friends, and hopefully gather a deeper understanding of your faith. There is no cost for any group, unless you chose to purchase the book that accompanies the course. The book also gives you access to the videos line. But you are always welcome to check us out, and you will not...
As the lazy days of summer come to a close, I hope you were able to enjoy moments when you disconnected from the everyday situations that drive your schedules. The tasks and the chores of life, jobs, family, and the commitments those demand. I hope you were able to breath deep — literally and metaphorically—maybe visit somewhere new, tackle that project, but also find a quiet moment to reflect, pray, give thanks, and extend love to those close to your heart. I hope it was a good summer.
As summer draws to a close, we are waiting for big things to happen at St. Clare! Our Missionary Strategic Plan, a way forward as we unleash the gospel, was submitted to the archdiocese and we are hoping for feedback soon. Once we have feedback, we will move into the planning phase for our strategic initiatives. Say a prayer for everyone involved—especially Fr. Andrew.
Life Remodeled will mobilize over 10,000 volunteers across 6 days from August 5-10, 2019! The project will continue to focus on the 30 blocks near the Durfee Innovation Society in Detroit. Join fellow St. Clare Parish members and Eastside church and community groups on Wednesday August 7. Sign-up for a half or full day. Go to their website to register: Liferemodeled.com/volunteer. When asked who...
If you would like your loved one who is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery remembered during our prayer service on August 11, 2019, please add their names to the lists located near the Family Room or at the back of the church. You may also call the parish office at 313 647-5000 to leave the information. We will be gathering at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Olivet to pray for them and all the deceased of our parish on our Cemetery Sunday celebration day. All are welcome to come. Please bring a lawn chair if attending.
Thank you for the continued support of the Knights of Columbus. By supporting us we are enabled to assist Fr. Andrew, the church and all its ministries as well as the school and community in enhancing our unleashing the gospel efforts. On July 27, the Knights will be hosting our only designated fundraiser likened to the Bonanza tickets sold by St. Clare. Monies collected will assist us in our continued efforts supporting our...
Parishes around the Archdiocese of Detroit have been a constant target of fraudulent requests for money from criminals posing as the pastor. Email addresses and phone numbers of staff and parishioners have been taken from online bulletins throughout the archdiocese. Fr. Andrew will NEVER call, text or email you asking for money, gift cards, or emergency funds. The criminals set up bogus email accounts in the name of the pastor through Google, AOL, etc. They can even make it look like it is from his @stclarem.org address. Please call the office if you have any concerns at 313-647-5000.
St. Clare Basketball Camp: St. Clare will host a 5th-8th grade basketball camp for boys and girls, July 22 - July 25 from 9:00-11:00 am. The camp will be run by Coach Steve Hammel and Coach Lance Jeffries. Cost will be $85, which includes a camp t-shirt. This camp is open...
As I write this, planning is still underway for the parish forums which were held Wednesday and Thursday. I hope you were able to attend, and if not, that you provide feedback to team members Fr. Andrew, Sr. Kathy. Sr. Rebecca, Bill Harrington, Marty McMillan, or Shannon Scanlon.