st. clement of rome catholic church...st. clement parishioners page 4 st. clement church, romeo st....

St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church Christmas 2018

“For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is

Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant

wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there

was a multitude of the heavenly hosts with the angel, praising God and

saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on

whom his favor rests.” ~ Luke 2:11-14

St. Clement Church, Romeo Page 2

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the

government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.” ~ Isiah 9:6

May you have the gift of Faith,

the blessing of Hope,

and the peace of His Love

at Christmas and always! Father Steve Reckker, Pastor

Father Jerry Slowinski

Father Jerry Kessel, O.F.M., Cap

Father Jim Andres, O.F.M., Cap

Deacon Kurt Godfryd

Sister Valerie Knoche, I.H.M.

And the Staff of St. Clement of Rome

St. Clement Church, Romeo

Please Pray

for the Sick

New Year’s Day Mass

Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God

Holy Day of Obligation

Tuesday, January 1 at 11:00 a.m.

Healing Prayer

Remember, the pain will

pass. Your brokenness will

heal. The sun will rise

again in your soul. Peace will come.

You will survive. You are not

alone…. Ever. God walks with you.

God holds you tenderly and close.

God’s grace will sustain you. You

are loved. May you be blessed by

God, God’s Son, and the Holy

Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Page 3

The Parish Office

will be closed from

noon on December 24

through January 1st.

Merry Christmas and a

Blessed New Year!

Please Pray for the Members Serving Our

Country

Cpt. Nicole Adenomas

Sfc. Omar Ambriz

Pvt. Stephen Bennett

3rd Po. Brennan Bennett

Pvt. Dakota Burdo

Capt. John L. Fellows

Pfc. Brian Gaines

SSGT Adam S. Girardot

Sgt. James Griffie

Spec. Mark A. Lipinski

SSGT Ian McLaughlin

SSG. Brian Niebel

Maj. Catherine Peuterbaugh

Spc. Zacari Pytleski

MC1 Jeff Richardson

2nd Lt. Stephen Rutherford

E5 Rebecca Sovereign

Spc. Michael Stobak

Maj. David Stys

Pfc. Bill Thompson

Pfc. Evan Vanouver

Sgt. Bradley Wing

L/Cpl. Robert Wing

Lord, hold our troops in Your

loving hands. Protect them as they

protect us. Bless them and their

families for the selfless acts they

perform for us in our time of need.

We ask this in the name of Jesus

Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen

T h e r e w i l l b e N O

Communion Services or daily

Masses from Wednesday,

December 26 through Friday,

December 28.

Blood Drive Sunday, December 30

Start off the New Year

right by donating blood! St.

Clement will be hosting a Blood Drive

on Sunday, December 30 from 7:30

a.m. - 1:00 p.m. You will receive a free

long sleeve “Red Cross” t-shirt when

you donate, while supplies last. You

can schedule your appointment today

online at www.redcrossblood.org.

Volunteers needed. Please contact

the Parish Office at 752-9611 if you

will be able to help that day.

Bob Agius

Mary Agius

MaryAnn B

Eric Babe

Minnie Bacon

Florence Bauer

Mark Bejnar

Gary Bianchi

Jerry Bode

Richard Borowski

Jonathan Braun

Larry Briskey

Rozanne

Buhagiar

Donald Campbell

Georgina Campbell

Giuseppi Cavaliere

Scott Chevalier

Adam Cole

Elexie Delaney

Maurice D’Hondt

Rosanna

DiMaggio

Jake Flint

Thomas Gamrat

Christine Gamrat

Jacob Gordon

Martha Gutowski

Joachim Hagedorn

Jerry Hawker

Hennie

Jeff High

Vic Hosfeld

Gregory Knoche

Roger Komlen

Edward Koralewski

Sharon Koralewski

Karen Krumbach

Bob Krumbach

Betty Lara

Thersa LaSollette

Dorothy LePage

Nancy Lukowski

Lawrence Mahaffy

Domenico Maletti

Margaret McIntyre

Ashleigh

Motoligin

Ellen Myers

Bruce Northey

Diane O

Rocky O’Berry

Andre Platevoet

Judy Polakowski

Tom Radzitowski

David Reed

Glenda Roberts

Richard Rock

Glenn Rounding

Claudio Selva

Shannon Shaieb

Raymond Smith

Mark Smogor

Patricia Stacer

Jason Stys

Robert Szuba

Sam West

Ella Widdows

Bubba Dan Wirick

Dana Wynn

Luke Vires

Christine Yonkos

Francis Zajch

Cheryl Zuehlk And those who

care for them...

4th Sunday of Advent

The birth of the Messiah

gives the church great hope.

Although secular celebra-

tions of Christmas ignore

the significance of the holy

day, the church gives us

Advent to help us keep our

focus. We reorient our

hearts and minds to recall, once again,

the mysterious glory of the

Incarnation. In these weeks of

yuletide preparation, we stop to

remind ourselves what it means to be

Christian, in case we have begun

taking it for granted. To be Christian

is to believe that God is truly with us,

in the most personal, intimate way

imaginable; he is one of us! "They

shall name him Emmanuel, which

means 'God is with us.'" Through the

Incarnation, God became human and

lived among us to love us, to guide us,

to heal us, and to strengthen us. It is

the promise of a savior given through

the early prophets, a promise that the

faithful held dear as they waited. As

t h a t mo s t be a u t i fu l o f a l l

anniversaries approaches, celebrate

this season remembering the greatest

gift ever given to every person--the

gift of a Savior.

WEEKLY EVENTS FOR

December 24 - 30 Monday, December 24

(Christmas Eve)

4:00 p.m. - MASS - Int. Agnes &

Stephen J. Reckker req by

family

Int. Elizabeth Ropposch req by

family

Int. Ed Polakowski req by Judy

6:00 p.m. - Family MASS - Int.

Gerald & Marion Kwiatkowski

req by Dennis & Nancy

8:00 p.m. - Hispanic MASS - Int.

St. Clement Parishioners

10:00 p.m. - MASS - Int. Ward &

Elizabeth Stewart req by George

Goike

Tuesday, December 25

(Christmas Day)

9:00 a.m. - MASS - Int. Patricia

Krimmel req by her husband

Int. Amelia & Eugene Makuch

and Charlotte & Walter

Zamojski and Eugenia & Alfons

Inson req by Ted & Dianne

Zamojski

11:00 a.m. - MASS - Int. Leonard,

Rose & Cheryl Szwejk req by

Leonard Szwejk

Int. Giuseppe Angeli req by the

Angeli family

Wednesday, December 26

Parish Office Closed

No Daily Mass

Thursday, December 27


No Daily Mass Friday, December 28


No Daily Mass Saturday, December 29

3:30 p.m. - Confessions

Vigil Lights

Special Intentions

~ Family Blessings

~ Safe travels

~ Michigan and Utah

~ Family Prayers and Blessings

5:00 p.m. - MASS - Int. AnnMarie

Badke req by Dan & Silvana

Becker

Int. Agnes & Michael Dolecki req

by family

Sunday, December 30

(Feast of the Holy Family)

Blood Drive 7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

7:00 a.m. - MASS - Int. Pat

Krimmel req by her husband

Int. Margie Rhein req by

children & grandchildren

9:00 a.m. - MASS - Int. Diane

Laurain req by Margaret

McIntyre

Int. Sandra Hamlin req by

Darlene & family

11:00 a.m.-MASS - Int. Int. Gerald

Phaneuf req by Maxine

Int. Mary Keliher req by Jim

Keliher

7:00 p.m.-MASS (Spanish) Int.

St. Clement Parishioners


St. Clement of Rome 343 S. Main Street

Romeo, Michigan 48065 Phone: 586-752-9611

Fax 586-752-1601 Website: www.stclementromeo.org

PASTOR Rev. Stephen C. Reckker

Weekend Assistant Fr. Jim Andres, OFM CAP

Fr. Jerry Slowinski

Deacon Rev. Mr. Kurt J. Godfryd

Mass in Spanish

Rev. Jerry Kessel, OFM CAP

Vicariate Hispanic Pastoral Minister

(North Macomb Vicariate) Sr. Valerie Knoche, I.H.M.

Adult Education Coordinator

Mr. Russ Morgan 752-6984

Building Manager

Mr. Peter Bernadich 752-9611

Minister of Music

Mr. Bert Lord 752-9611

Religious Education Director

Mrs. Debbie Knoblock 752-6591

Youth Groups

Middle School 752-9611

Gabriel Project

Carol 752-9611

Agape Center 336-6842

Pregnancy, Counseling and Adoption

Catholic Family Services 416-2300

Knights of Columbus

Joe Suminski 586-337-5776

Weekend Masses

Saturday - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday - 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00 a.m.

Spanish - 7:00 p.m.

Holyday and Weekday Masses

As announced

Reconciliation (Confession)

Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Baptism: Prior arrangements must be made.

Call the parish office.

Marriage: Arrangements must be made at

least six months in advance of the marriage

date.

Care of the Sick: Call the parish office at

any time to make arrangements for

Anointing, Communion calls or Visitations.

Funeral Luncheon Ministry: Please call

the parish office.

Registrations: New parishioners should

register at the parish office. Those moving

should notify the parish office.

Parish Council

Administration Commission

Charles Anglewicz... . . . . . . . . . . . ...752-9435

Christian Service Commission

Denise Kehren. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 752-9611

Social Commission

Dorothy Kida ……………………….752-9611

Rev. 7-31-17

A Blessed and

Merry Christmas to

All from the

Funeral Luncheon

Committee

Save the Date Friday, February 8, 2019

Women’s Night Out

Dinner, Wine and Movie

(I Can Only Imagine)

R.S.V.P. to Debbie Knoblock

752-6591

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

to you and your family from the

Knights of Columbus

ANGELS

The word “angel” comes from

the Greek word meaning

“messenger.” Like the bell, an

angel communicates news from God to the

people. Angels appeared both to Mary

and Joseph, bringing news that Mary

would give birth to Jesus. Angels also

appeared to the shepherds in the fields to

announce Jesus’ birth.

Merry Christmas from

the Comfort Makers

We would like to wish all the members of St. Clement

a very Merry Christmas and

a safe and Blessed New Year

and also for your continuous support of

our ministry to our veterans! God Bless

you all ~ The Comfort Makers

Dates for our meetings in 2019:

Jan 8 Feb 12

Mar 12 April 9

May 14 June 11

July 9 Aug 13

Sept 10 Oct 8

Nov 12 Dec 10

There will be NO walking in the gym December 24th through January 1st.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

On December 12th our Hispanic Community celebrated the Feast

of Our Lady of Guadalupe with deep joy which was expressed in

their participation in Music, Mass and Fiesta.

A Family Perspective

Today’s gospel reminds us God chose to

enter human history in a family. By

Divine design the salvation of the world

began in a family. Family was the best

God the Creator could do for his Beloved

Son. Jesus was our first Christmas gift.

~ Bud Ozar

Candy Canes

Some scholars

believe a confection-

er developed candy canes to

represent Jesus. The shape

of the "J" was for Jesus, or

the shepherd's staff. The

white color symbolized puri-

ty, while the red stripes

indicated blood. Peppermint

is similar to hyssop, the

Middle Eastern mint

mentioned in the Bible.


Merry Christmas and Thank You from CYO

St. Clement CYO would like to wish everyone a very

Merry Christmas. Also, a special thank you to all the

families that have joined the Bobcat family. Thank

you to all the parents, children and the volunteer

coaches. Your generous sharing of time and talents make this

program possible!

Hat and Mitten Tree Thank You

Thank you to all who donated to the

Religious Education Hat and Mitten tree

this year! These donations will keep

many warm this season in our communi-

ty. Thank you for your generosity!

Fr. Thumma’s Divine Melody CD

Over the summer Fr. Thumma

was the visiting missionary who

spoke of his work in his native land in

South India. Fr. Thumma left some of his

music CD’s for parishioners to purchase

for a minimum donation of $5. CD’s can

be picked up in the parish office.

Praying the Rosary

On the 3rd Saturday and

Sunday of every month in the

Chapel starting at 4:30 p.m. on Satur-

day and 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on

Sunday.

Parish and Family Life Ministry wish you a very Merry Christmas and New Year filled

with joy and blessings!

The Agape Center

The Agape Center is your North Macomb Vicariate resource center for those living

within our boundaries who seek emergency food and financial assistance. We are

located at 347 S. Main Street in Romeo. Our mission is to help the Church share our

love and resources with our most vulnerable neighbors.

Helping us to achieve this mission are our many dedicated volunteers and partner

North Macomb Vicariate churches: St. Clement of Rome (Romeo), St. Isidore

(Macomb), SS. John and Paul (Washington), St. John Vianney (Shelby Twp.), St. Kieran (Shelby Twp.), St.

Lawrence (Utica), St. Mary Mystical Rose (Armada), St. Francis/St. Maximilian (Ray) and St. Therese of Lisieux

(Shelby Twp.). We are also partnered with several St. Vincent de Paul conferences, private donors, Romeo

Goodfellows, Romeo Lions Club, the Macomb Food Program, Forgotten Harvest, United States Postal Service –

Romeo and other community groups.

Our eligible food pantry clients receive Easter and Thanksgiving dinners. In addition, our annual Sharing Tree

program assists those who need help with providing gifts for their families at Christmas. Gift tags with needed

items are distributed throughout the community and gifts are returned to the Agape Center for clients to pick up

in time for Christmas.

Basic services offered at Agape Center are:

Food Pantry – Open Monday and Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

and 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Forgotten Harvest – Rescues surplus food from stores and donates it to emergency food pantries. Each

Tuesday afternoon eligible individuals/families are provided with food from the items delivered. Hours are

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Commodity Program– Provides monthly emergency food through the Macomb Food Program to all

Pantry and Forgotten Harvest clients and supplements regular food orders.

Financial assistance - Given to persons/families referred to the center by a vicariate parish or St. Vincent

DePaul conference.

Community First Health Center WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Services – Medical professionals

give tips on shopping, cooking and eating well and connects moms with children 5 and under with other health

and wellness services. The WIC clinic will be open Mondays from 9:30 am- 12:30 pm in the pantry area.

Community First Homeless Healthcare - A representative will provide access to primary health care

services, preventive and emergency dental care and health education and behavioral health services. The

representative will be in the pantry area once a month on Mondays from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.

The Agape Center depends upon the generosity of volunteers and donors to fulfill our mission of sharing our love

and resources with those in need. We are a 501 (c) (3) organization and all donations are tax deductible. Your

donation can be made in memory of or in honor of a family member, friend or special person or group. The Agape

Center gladly accepts non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, paper products, etc. The

Agape Center does not accept furniture, clothing or household items. All donations can be made anytime during

pantry hours.

The Agape Center is an agency of the United Way 211 emergency system for client referral and is an equal

opportunity provider. Any questions regarding Agape Center can be directed to Kathy Mollon, Coordinator of

Programs and Volunteers, at 586-336-6842 or visit our website at www.agapenorthmacomb.org.


Wishing You the Love of the Holy Family during 2019 from the Gabriel Project

The Gabriel Project at St Clement is a ministry which supports pregnant or new moms and

their children. We are present to offer friendship and support to any person who is struggling to

take care of children.

Do you or someone you know need help during pregnancy or the challenges of mother-

hood? Please share or call our toll free number: 1-800-224-1567. Or feel free to take one of our

cards from the table in the Gathering Area. Moms who need assistance do not have to be pa-

rishioners. All calls and assistance are confidential.

Poinsettia... Poinsettias are associated with Christmas as the lily is with Easter. In Mexico it blooms at Christmas time and is called the “Flower of the Holy Night.” Its name is from the first U.S.

ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Poinsett.


Top 12 Accomplishments from our Parishioners/Volunteers through Christian Services

1. Began the SOS Ministry serving approximately 15 homebound clients with the donated soup

from the Romeo Family Restaurant on a weekly basis.

2. Hosted HIS Table at the Romeo Methodist church 4 times within the year (fed approximately

60 people each time).

3. Assisted 16 clients with financial support to allow them to move forward within their lives while supporting

their families.

4. Assisted 3 clients with the transition from being homeless to being settled into their own home with

furnishings.

5. Provided MCREST dinners & lunches for local parishes hosting guests at their location.

6. Made Easter baskets for the children of Agape Center clients.

7. Provided school shoes and book bags for children in need within our Romeo/Washington community.

8. Together as a community we participated in the “Day of Mercy” completing over 300+ blankets that were

given to various organizations within our community.

9. Assisted the Trinity Lutheran church with their SSS (shower, smorgasbord, and shower) ministry by making

100 sandwiches monthly for the Homeless/Needy neighbors.

10. Hosted food drives for the Agape Center.

11. Hosted MCREST at our parish providing a temporary home for 60 individuals while providing meals, laundry

service, transportation, and support for the homeless.

12. Provided local families and organizations with Christmas gifts from our Sharing Tree.

A heartfelt “Thank You” to all the volunteers and to everyone who has contributed financially who made these

accomplishments possible... Job Well done St. Clement!! This is something to be truly proud of!!

St. Clement Hosting MCREST

St. Clement will be hosting the homeless January 20- 27, 2019 as part of the MCREST

program. We provide meals, transportation, companionship, laundry and shelter for 60

men, women and children 24 hours a day for a week.

We can use your help in a variety of ways. If you are interested in helping go to the St.

Clement webpage and find the MCREST 2019 button. By clicking the button you will be

taken to a listing of all the volunteer opportunities available. They are listed by day and time. There is also a brief

description of the position. Then click the Sign-Up button for the position you want and then click the blue

Submit and Sign-Up button found at the bottom of the page. After that, enter your information and then click

the Sign-Up Now button.

Some of the positions that we need help with are - staffing the guest or volunteer desk, staffing the guest desk

(from 11:45 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. while the guests sleep), helping in the kitchen, helping with driving guests, doing

laundry and many more. If you are a baker and would like to make desserts, you can sign up there as well.

If you want to help but can’t commit to a schedule we really need your help on Sunday (January 20) the day

guests arrive beginning at 10:00 a.m. for set up. We can also use your help on the Sunday guests leave (January

27) beginning at 8:00 a.m. to noon. You can sign up for these spots on the online sign up pages.

Please consider taking a MCREST tags from the Sharing Tree. The items purchased help provide some

basics to help get us through the week. We are requesting items such as coffee, individual lunch snacks, juice

boxes, granola/breakfast bars, large brown lunch bags and other similar items. All returned items should be placed

under the tree.

Our transportation team does a lot of driving during the week and we are asking for gas cards to help defray

these costs. Please return gift cards, cash or checks to the church office. Checks should be made payable to St.

Clement MCREST. If you have any questions please call Jeanne Lerchen at 586-219-1150. Again, thank you for

all your help.

CHRISTMAS BALLS

Balls are round, a shape that

reminds us that God’s love has no

end. The balls also represent the

world into which Jesus came as

Emmanuel - “God with us.”

Do We Know How To Seek Him?

The season is supposed to be one of the happiest in the year, but for some,

this may not be the case because of the realization that the goals they set for

themselves will not be met.

Perhaps with the awareness that the wise men themselves had to allow

themselves to be led by the star and that they had to learn as they went

along, we can cut ourselves some slack. To help us even more, we may want

to reflect on the fact that in some ways even Jesus Himself had to allow

Himself to be led so as to fulfill God’s plan.

Merry Christmas from the Rosary Makers

Wishing you and your family a Very Merry Christmas and God’s Blessings in the New Year !

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." - Lk 2:10-12

Merry Christmas and Blessed

New Year from Religious Education Christmas Break is December 16 - January 5

Classes resume January 6

Thanks to all your donations and hard work by our students we were able

to be very generous this year.

With your help, we were able to send several college care packages to

college students filled with candy. Helped with Thanksgiving food baskets

for the Agape Center. Collected 4 bags of socks and mittens to pass out

with sharing tree gifts.

Thanks for all your support. We appreciate your generosity.

My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas Trees around the world below,

with tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear for I am

spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I hear the

many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, but the sounds

of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here. I have no words

to tell you, the joy their voices bring, for it is beyond description, to hear the

angels sing. I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your

heart, but I am not so far away. We really aren’t apart. So be happy for me

dear ones. You know I hold you dear, and be glad I’m spending Christmas,

with Jesus Christ this year. I send you each a special gift, from my heav-

enly home above. I send you each a memory of, my undying love. After all

“LOVE” is the gift, more precious than pure gold. It was always most im-

portant in the stories Jesus told. Please love and keep each other, as my

Father said to do, for I can’t count the blessing or love he has for each of

you. So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear. Remember, I’m

spending Christmas with Jesus Christ the year.


Family Soup and Game Night

Parish and Family

Life Ministry would

like to invite you to a night of a

variety of delicious soups and fun

games. Friday, January 11 at 6:30

p.m. in the social hall. The

Ministry will provide soups, dinner

rolls, drinks, dessert and games to

play. You are welcome to bring

your own favorite soup and games

if you would like to share. Also

bring your friends!!

Nakash Dental Group

(586)752-4560

Readings for the Week of

December 24, 2019

Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12,

14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 [2]/Lk

1:67-79

Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-

17, 27, 29 [2a]/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt

1:1-25 or 1:18-25

Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12,

13 [Lk 2:11]/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14

Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12/Ti

3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20

Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

[3c]/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or Jn 1:1-5, 9-14

Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Ps

31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 [6]/Mt

10:17-22

Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-

12 [12]/Jn 20:1a, 2-8

Friday: 1 Jn 1:5—2:2/Ps 124:2-3, 4-5,

7cd-8 [7]/Mt 2:13-18

Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11/Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3,

5b-6 [11a]/Lk 2:22-35

Sunday, December 30: 1 Sm 1:20-22,

24-28/Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 [cf. 5a]/1 Jn 3:1

-2, 21-24/Lk 2:41-52

HOLY FAMILY... Joseph's obedience to God was not a one time thing. His attention to the angel’s warning kept

Jesus from being murdered by Herod and led to the

fulfillment of the prophecy that the Messiah would be a

Nazorean. Fidelity to God’s will assures the best use

of my talents, too!

The Right to Life of North

Macomb County wishes you a

very Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year. Thank you

for your support throughout the year.

Merry Christmas from the Ministry to the Sick

The St. Clement Ministry to the Sick members wish a

Merry Christmas filled with the Joy to all in our parish.

We are inspired by the great Faith of those we

visit, homebound, in nursing homes and assisted living

parishioners. Please consider joining this group. Some members spend

winter months in a warmer climate, some have health issues resulting

in a need for new members now. We visit in pairs of two, one being an

experienced member and provide training. If you have any questions

call the parish office 586-752-9611.

Wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS

and a safe and blessed NEW YEAR from

the R.C.I.A. and Adult Faith Enrichment


Sharing Tree Thank You from

Christian Service

Thank to you everyone who has

contributed to our sharing tree. It has

been another successful year thanks to

our parishioners! The gifts are

abundant along with the love that is

being shared through these efforts.

Also, thank you to all the volunteers

who dedicated their time in assisting

with all the tedious tasks in making the

sharing tree a complete success!!!

Blessings... Christian Services

Prayer before Christmas Dinner

God of all gifts, we thank you for the many ways you have

blessed us this day. We are grateful each of those who are

gathered around this table. We ask you to bless us and our food

and to bless those we love who are not with us today. In our

gratitude and love, we remember Your humble birth into our

lives and pray for those who are without enough to eat. We

remember the stable in which You were born and pray for those

who have no place to live. We remember Your challenging

message of caring and giving and we pray for peace in families

and nations throughout the world. We bless You and give You

thanks in Your spirit who brings our hearts to live this

Christmas day and forever. Amen

Receive My Healing Love

Amidst these days of

abundant grace in the Church of

Detroit, the Lord is pouring out His

Spirit in amazing ways, healing

included! Come and enjoy a night of the

Healing love of Jesus and please, bring

a friend in need of healing of heart,

mind, soul or body. North Macomb

Vicariate Healing Service with Fr.

Patrick Gonyeau at St. Isidore Catholic

Church, 18201 23 Mile Rd., Macomb on

Friday, January 11th at 6:30 p.m.

Follow the K of C on Facebook

www.facebook.com/Knights7018


Thank You from Christian Service

As the year of 2018 comes to an end...I’d like to Thank all our parishioners for their continuous

support of Christian Services. Together, we have made a difference! May the lord bless you

abundantly with the best of health and happiness in the coming year! Wishing everyone a Merry

Christmas and a Happy, Healthy & Blessed New Year! ~ Denise Kehren, Christian Service Coordinator

THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF SLEEP By Deacon Kurt Godfryd

In the fifth century, St. Augustine of Hippo noted that there are two kinds of sleep: one that is proper to the body

and another that is proper to the soul. While recognizing the importance of bodily sleep, he always cautioned those

under his pastoral care regarding the sleep of their souls: “The sleep of the soul consists in forgetting about God

[…], whereas the soul who has stayed awake knows who its maker is […].” (St. Augustine, Enarrationes in

Psalmos, 62, 4)

Sacred Scripture (Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44) makes it clear that the Good News is not

really about whether we’ve experienced enough bodily sleep. Rather, it is focused upon our spiritual preparedness.

To paraphrase St. Augustine: “Have we fallen asleep in the things of God or have we continued our pursuit of

knowing, loving, and serving Him?”

In the Gospel of Matthew (24:37-44), Jesus teaches the disciples with parables. First, they are given the image of

those living in the time of Noah. Prior to the flood, all seemed well. The general atmosphere was “eat, drink, and

be merry.” But then came the flood and its utter destruction. Second, Jesus provided them with images of two men

and women: “Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding

at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.” Finally, Jesus reminds them that “had the master of the house

known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken

into.”

With these stories, Jesus seems to be saying to His disciples (and us): “Watch Out, something very big is happen-

ing around you. It requires not only your physical attention, but also your spiritual zeal.”

This instruction by Jesus requires intense focus and discipline. Today, it is made more difficult by the culture in

which we live. With “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday,” our culture teaches that the days of Advent are really

nothing more than the Christmas shopping season. By going along, we are somehow “preparing” ourselves for

Christmas. A quick surf of internet headlines related to these events are instructive: Shoplifter Shot after Drag-

ging Cop through Kohl’s Parking Lot; Woman Uses Stun Gun in Shopping Fight; and Shoppers Trampled in Race

for $49 Tablet.

Outside of these unfortunate occurrences, however, most people shop for gifts that will be given to others. At face

value, such activities uplift our culture and encourage us to step outside of ourselves. A good thing, don’t you

think? Although we might enjoy the television advertisements, lights, parties, and hoopla of the season, we might

ask: Is this what Jesus meant when He instructed us to stay awake? Is this the meaning of being watchful and

prepared? Is this the meaning of Advent and Christmas?

Blessed John Henry Newman once described the Advent season like this. “It [Advent] is a time of waiting, it is a

time of joy because the coming of Christ is not only a gift of grace and salvation but it is also a time of commitment

because it motivates us to live the present as a time of responsibility and vigilance.” The German Jesuit priest, Fr.

Alfred Delp, believed that Christians celebrate an Advent filled with multiple meanings. First, “Advent is…the

time of man’s original religious instinct. Never will we experience our primeval homesickness for God more active-

ly and alertly than in this season of…Advent wreaths.” Secondly, “Advent has a great historical meaning to the

believer, the grateful remembrance of the millennia of God’s gracious care that has led man to the fulfillment of

this longing for him.” Lastly, “the believing Christian celebrates Advent in the context of liturgy. By taking part in

the inner life of the Church, he lets himself be caught up in that ‘fullness of time,’ which is both actually present

and always returning, within the Church of Christ.”

During Advent, the Prophet Isaiah (2:1-5) beckons us to “…climb the Lord’s mountain…that he may instruct us

in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” Likewise, St. Paul (Romans 13:11-14) declares: “it is the hour now for

you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the

day is at hand.”

In our search for the Christ child, Wisdom calls us to be attentive. With our eyes wide open, we are challenged.

In regard to our faith life, are we truly awake? Or, are we merely sleeping and going through the motions?

st. clement of rome catholic church...st. clement parishioners page 4 st. clement church, romeo st....

Documents