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Saturday, February 4

4:30 PM John Roney by Raymond & Katie Oates

Sunday, February 5

8:00 AM Clarence Wright by Barb & Bill Sprow

10:30 AM Madison VanderHoff by Opa & Oma VanderHoff

Wednesday, February 8

8:00 AM John Decker by Rosie Shaffer Family

Thursday, February 9

8:00 AM People of the Parish

Friday, February 10

9:00 AM Jack Shaffer by Phil & Linda Reuter

Saturday, February 11

4:30 PM Max & Etta Brooks by Family

Sunday, February 12

8:00 AM Runtie Camp by Betty Camp Family

10:30 AM Vincent Briskey - 30 day - Don & Helen Wines

ASSISTING WITH THE LITURGY

FEBRUARY 11-12

4:30 PM

Servers: Michael, Michelle & Gen Marry

Lector: Wilma Bade

Eucharist Min: Richard Bade

Min. of the Cup: Barbara Miller, Judy Schutte

East Door Greeter: Schutte Family

West Door Greeter: Bade Family

8:00 AM

Servers: Lauren Johnston, Brady Surque,. D Calvo

Lector: Becki Pogoreski

Eucharist Min: Betty Camp

Min. of the Cup: Sheri Walter, Jan Wilson

East Door Greeter: Camp Family

West Door Greeter: Johnston Family

10:30 AM

Servers: P Cuthbertson, Abbie & Anna Tomasello

Lector: Sarah Luma

Eucharist Min: Linda Higgins

Min. of the Cup: Teri Haber, Rosie Shaffer

East Door Greeter: Briskey Family

West Door Greeter: Shaffer Family

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK:

As you have heard by now, I am leaving Sacred Heart as Pastor at the end of June. I am working with the diocesan priests’ personnel board and the Oblates to find another placement. I will let you know as soon as something is definite. The process for selecting a new pastor is as follows: The out-going pastor writes a parish profile – all pertinent information about the parish, membership, state of the finances, buildings, etc. That is sent to the priests’ personnel board and the opening is listed on the diocese web page. Interested priests are invited to apply for the opening. Once they do, the bishop and the personnel board discuss and then make the decision.

Festival. All interested parishioners and committee chairs are invited to the kick off meeting for the Festival on February 9 at 6:30 PM in the hall. I will be the chairman again this year – but obviously, this will be my last. I would like someone to offer to be the co-chair – with a view to taking over this position next year.

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time. B

Discussion, Reflection Questions: “He cured many people and then went off to a deserted place where he prayed.”

1. How would I describe wholeness? What do I need to become whole and healthy?

2. How has my personal weakness been a blessing for myself or others?

3. If I were to come before Jesus, what would I ask him to heal?

4. If I were to bring someone to Jesus for healing, whom would it be?

Thoughts from St. Francis de Sales

Do not let anxiety sabotage your search for God. Anxiety is the enemy of a soul’s peace. It cannot come from God.

St. Blaisé Blessing. St. Blaise was believed martyred in the early 4th century and was bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and long been associated with the healing of throats. The blessing of St. Blaise may be given by a priest, deacon or lay minister. Throats will be blessed after each Mass this weekend.

Lent series. We will offer a Lenten series of discussions once again this year on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm in the rectory. We plan to use the very popular NOOMA series – dvds and then discussion. Please plan to attend – was very well received last year.

The Importance of Catholic Schools. A number of years ago, I was talking with a member of the parish who was Dean of Education at the University of Toledo. He mentioned that Catholic schools have come a long way in a short time. It used to be that graduates of Catholic colleges were almost never given tenure as professor at any major university. Credential committees at that time considered Catholic schools inferior. He asserted that in the last 20 years or so that has completely turned around. People have realized that Catholic colleges and high schools have done an excellent job in educating people. We have Catholics in many major roles in American life – medicine, sports, law, the arts and sciences, politics etc. In our own community, many of the graduates of Sacred Heart School have gone on to roles of leadership and excellence. Many graduates of Sacred Heart School have been in the “top 10” even in their high school. Many have been salutatorians and valedictorians.

Our immigrant ancestors who started the parish schools of our country at great sacrifice knew that their religion was of vital importance. They felt that the public schools of the time were teaching values and beliefs that were not quite in accord with Catholic teaching.Our own Sacred Heart School comes from such a great spirit of sacrifice. Please do not get me wrong. I am in favor of and support strong public schools. The competition for excellence helps both the Catholic school and the public school systems.

The main reason for the existence of Catholic schools continues to be teaching Catholic value systems and Catholic beliefs. The ministry of Catholic education is fundamental to the life and future of the Catholic Church. We are much more than a private school that teaches discipline and hard work. Everything we do must reflect the values of Jesus Christ. Because of this, we want to make it possible for any family who wishes a Catholic education for their children to attend Sacred Heart School. Of course, we have the endowment fund and a special scholarship fund to aid families. The work and generosity of the people of this parish have made this ministry a reality – a very successful ministry!

To give you a head start, and to let you see how easy the program really is, we are going to give you an extra 1% on all of your orders placed for the rest of April. That's three weeks worth of bonus! don't worry all of you regular customers. You'll get the extra 1% too. Spread the word on how easy this program really is, and how much it's benefited you.

P.S. Grandmas and Grandpas can also buy certificates and the savings will be credited towards your grandchildren. Don't have a child attending Sacred Heart School? Well, we've got you covered too. There is a general church fund, a general school fund, and a general scholarship fund that you can credit your savings to.

As Christians we are here to support one another. If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please call our prayer line. Linda Higgins 517-286-6426, Katie Oates 517-286-6872 or Cathy Sliker 517-547-7154

Thought for the week.

If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. I Cor. 13:3

Blood Pressure Clinics

Following all Masses

February 11-12, March 10-11, April 14-15, May 19-20

K of C

The Annual Knights of Columbus Reverse Money Raffle will be Saturday, February 18. Tickets are $100 each. Please contact Matt Monahan for tickets.

ROSARY REPAIR

Mary (Austin) Fether makes and repairs Rosaries. If you need a rosary repaired, Mary will be available downstairs between Masses on Sunday, February 5. If you would like to see her work, she will have samples of Rosaries as well. If you need to contact Mary, please call 517-523-3130.

Money Counters

We are looking for a few people to help with counting collections on Monday mornings. If you are interested, please contact the Rectory office at 448-3811.

EMMAUS GROUP

EMMAUS GROUP will be holding the Annual Valentines Party on Tuesday, February 14 at 6:30 PM at Leffingwell Estates Community Room. All ladies of the parish are invited. Please RSVP to Angela Czeiszperger at 523-3383.

There will be a second collection following all Masses this weekend for the Worldwide Evangelization Appeal.

Join us for coffee & donuts following Sunday Masses.

CCD NEWS

Congratulations to the following 2nd Graders who are enrolled for First Communion and will be celebrating their First Reconciliation on Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30 PM.

Alecia Carr, Brosnan Cattell, Emily Czeiszperger, Olivia Darnell, Ambrose Horwath, Zachary Houser, Arianna Janik, Elaina Kuenzer, Jackson Miller, Samantha Nichols, Rebecca Cuthbertson, Mary Catherine Halliwill, Payton Rogers, Libby Rorick, Bailey Surque and Robert Taylor

FESTIVAL MEETING

February 9 at 6:30 - Parish Hall

AMERICAN LEGION POST 180

Potato Supper ~ January 20 & February 17

5:30 PM til ??

Cost: $7.00 over 12 ~ $5.50 under 12

Proceeds to support The Fisher House Foundation, which provide “comfort homes” for families of our nations’ wounded soldiers. These comfort homes are on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers here and abroad. Each Fisher House offers a warm, compassionate environment where families can stay while their loved one is in the hospital and get support and encouragement from others in similar circumstances. Each home is custom built with 8 to 21 guest suites, beautifully decorated and furnished. They have stocked kitchens, complete libraries, toys for children and highly trained staff and caring volunteers. For more information on The Fisher House Foundation, please visit their website www.fisherhouse.org.

SACRED HEART SCHOOL NEWS

As a student at Sacred Heart, I know that this is a school where you can learn about God, and still get a fun and educational learning experience. My favorite subject is Science, which is very fun. We get to do reports using the internet and watch videos on our Smart Board.

The field trips are lots of fun too. This year the 5th and 6th grades are going to St. Mary’s Church in Lansing, an overnight Science camp and next year we are going to Washington DC.

At the end of every day my class gets 45 minutes of religion class to learn about God, Jesus, Bible stories, the 7 sacraments and much more! Going along with that, every Friday, we go to church across the street and learn even more about God.

I thank my parents for sending me to Sacred Heart School - I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.
Jill

Starting this weekend you will notice a new art exhibit from our parish youth. A poster festival with the parish children and youth has been conducted. Our young parishioners have expressed their thoughts and impressions about the “Heritage Preservation” campaign and what it means to them. The posters will be on display in the church entrances and in the parish hall starting next weekend. Different posters will be on display throughout the months of February and March to showcase the work of all our young artists who participated in making a poster.

Throughout the next couple of months, stop and take a look at the wonderful posters that were created. It’s amazing! Through the eyes of our youngest parishioners, they show us that God is at work in their lives and this parish.

Though it is perhaps hard for us to always know exactly how much youth can comprehend, it is very clear that they understand the need and vision of our parish. When you see the art and if you know the artists of any of the posters, share with them your appreciation for their contribution.