COMMUNITY NEWS
We have arrived in this late summer time at the midpoint in a series of five Sunday Gospel readings from the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, exploring Jesus’s message about the Bread of Life. While that leads me to some elevated spiritual reflections, there is also plenty of down-to-earth community news to share here.
Last night we had our first major event with TENN (Titan Equity Nourish Network), our new community service partner. Parishioners who attended got to see the urban garden up close, meet the student staff, and get acquainted with some of the neighbors who receive food through the project. All are looking forward to how this partnership will unfold. Since we came to this project through a path of parish-wide spiritual discernment, I can only trust that the Lord of our lives will lead us to give and receive much through this effort.
We will begin a religious and spiritual formation program in October for our children 3 to 7 years old. Parents should have received a letter in the mail that will guide you to a short online survey to gauge your interest and commitment. Please complete the survey as soon as possible. If you have children that age, but didn’t receive the letter, please email me. The popular and successful “Catechesis of the Good Shepherd” brings a Montessori-style approach to the development of the spiritual and religious potential of each child under the guidance of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Speaking of parents… a new online support for Catholic parents called “Just Parenting” was recently announced by the Ignatian Solidarity Network. Find more information elsewhere in this eNews about how to sign up for the August 21 session.
Religious and spiritual formation is not just for little ones. We will begin another cycle of Christian Initiation in the fall for adults who would like to learn more about the life of the Catholic Church, or prepare for the sacraments of Baptism or Confirmation. Do you know anyone who might be a candidate?—please take the step of letting them know about this option and email Fr. Gary.
This Thursday, August 15, the Church keeps a Holy Day, the Assumption of Mary. You can celebrate Mass here at 12 noon. This feast is a great “icon” of the ultimate destiny of our human lives: to so live in the kingdom of Love that we live in the heart of the Creator forever. If you’re feeling discouraged about the apparently sorry fate of the human race, come and renew your acquaintance with God’s promise of glory for the human being.
It’s not too soon to mark your calendars for our 8th annual Jazz Mass in harmony with Detroit’s International Jazz Festival on Sunday, September 1. That Sunday also kicks off the “Season of Creation” established by Pope Francis to invite the whole church to a month-long reflection on our call to care for the environment.