Mass Schedule: Reconcilia�on: Eucharis�c Adora�on:

Saturday 4:30 pm Saturday 3:00 pm Monday, Noon—5:00 pm

Sunday 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am or by appointment Wednesday, Noon—7:00 pm &

Weekdays: Tuesday 6:00 pm 9:00 pm-12:00 am

Wednesday 7:30 am Parish Office Hours

Thursday 9:30 am Mon.-Fri.: 8:00 am-4:30 pm

Friday 7:30 am Closed 12:30 pm-1:00 pm for lunch

Wed. evening: 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

“TheMissionofSt.PatrickParishis:†TocelebratetheEucharist,

†ToproclaimtheGoodNews,

†ToencourageStewardshipasawayoflifeand

†TogrowinFaith,Justice,LoveandServicetoall.”

St.PatrickCatholicChurch140ChurchSt.,Portland,MI48875

Phone:517-647-6505†Fax:517-647-7807

Parishof"ice@portlandstpats.com†www.stpatrickportland.com

Rev.LarryJ.King,PastorDcn.DonSobolewski,PastoralAssociate

January 17, 2016

ST. PATRICK CHURCH Page 2 PORTLAND, MICHIGAN

Sponsor of the Week: D&E Electric

Masses for the Week of January 17, 2016

Mon. 01/18 Weekday

1 Sm 15:16-23; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, and 23;

Mk 2:18-22

Tue. 01/19 Weekday

1 Sm 16:1-13; Ps 89:20, 21-22, 27-28;

Mk 2:23-28

6:00 PM †Raymond Chartrand– 1 year Anniv. †Charles VanDerWoude– 1 year Anniv. Wed. 01/20 Weekday

1 Sm 17:32-33, 37, 40-51; Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10;

Mk 3:1-6

7:30 AM For the People of St. Patrick Parish

Thu. 01/21 Weekday

1 Sm 18:6-9, 19:1-7; Ps 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11,

12-13; Mk 3:7-12

9:30 AM †For all deceased members of the parish

Weekday

1 Sm 24:3-21; Ps 57:2, 3-4, 6, and 11; Mk 3:13-19 7:30 AM For an End to Abortion Sat. 01/23 Weekday

2 Sm 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27; Ps 80:2-3, 5-7;

Mk 3:20-21

Sun. 01/24 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10; Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15;

1 Cor 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 27; Lk 1:1-4, 4:14-21

For the People of St Patrick Parish

THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH…

January 17, 2016-January 24, 2016

SUN Knights of Columbus Pregnancy Services of Ionia collection– before/after Masses

Family Fun & Games, 1:00 PM, Parish Hall High School Youth Ministry, 6:00 PM, CIA HQ

MON No School-Martin Luther King JR. Day Church Cleaning 10:00 AM

Eucharistic Adoration, 12:00 PM, Chapel Children's Faith Formation Classes, 6:30 PM TUE Church Cleaning, 10:00 AM

Blood Drive, 10:00 AM, Parish Hall Gathering of Widow/Widower and those suffering a loss, 11:30 AM, Wagon Wheel Prayer Shawl Ministry, 1:00 PM, 116 Blossom Drive

School Mass Song Practice, 1:15 PM, Church

School Psalmist Choir, 2:30 PM, Church

Hall Walking, 4:00 PM, Hallways/stairwells

Pastoral Council Meeting, 7:00 PM, LLCR

WED Eucharistic Adoration, 12:00 PM, Chapel Hall Walking, 4:00 PM, Hallways/stairwells Devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, 7:00 PM, Church

Room Reserved, 7:00 PM, LLCR

THUR Church Reserved, 2:30 PM, Church

Hall Walking, 4:00 PM, Hallways/stairwell FRI Reconciliation for 4th Grade, 9:00 AM, Church Church Cleaning, 10:00 AM

7th & 8th Grade Youth Ministry, 2:30 PM, CIA HQ Hall Walking, 4:00 PM, Hallways/Stairwells SAT Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest Set UP, St Pats Gym

Men’s Faith Support Group, 6:30 AM, CIA HQ

Rosary, 7:30 AM, Chapel Women’s Faith Sharing Group, 9:00 AM, LLCR

Reconciliation, 3:00 PM, Church

SUN Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest, 9:00 AM, Gym

Small Prayer Group, 1:30 PM, LLCR

Sanctity of Life Service-St Andrew Lutheran Church, 3:00 PM, St Andrew Lutheran Church High School Youth Ministry, 6:00 PM, CIA HQ

Deadline for submission in the bulletin for January 24th

is Monday at 10:00 AM

Congratulations to the following who were Congratulations to the following who were Congratulations to the following who were Congratulations to the following who were baptized recently at St. Patrick Church baptized recently at St. Patrick Church baptized recently at St. Patrick Church baptized recently at St. Patrick Church

♥♥♥♥Dallas Ryan ClarkDallas Ryan ClarkDallas Ryan ClarkDallas Ryan Clark Son of Cody & Daralyn Clark

Baptized by Father Larry

♥♥♥♥Hailey Jo SchroederHailey Jo SchroederHailey Jo SchroederHailey Jo Schroeder Daughter of Ted & Jessica Schroeder

Babtized by Father Larry

♥♥♥♥Lena Rae WambaughLena Rae WambaughLena Rae WambaughLena Rae Wambaugh Daughter of Joshua & Stephanie Wambaugh

Baptized by Father Larry

ST. PATRICK CHURCH Page 3 PORTLAND, MICHIGAN

ALTAR APPOINTMENTS – Jan 23rd & 24th

4:30 PM Joyce Kransz Fr. Larry King

7:30 AM Chuck Dibean Fr. Charlon Mason 9:30 AM Elizabeth Chislea Fr. Charlon Mason 11:30 AM Carol Gunderman

4:30 PM Brandon Scheurer, Carly Scheurer, Emma Scheurer, Mallory Scheurer 7:30 AM Brett Price, Linda Price

11:30AM Zakary Arwood, Dalton Becker, Lauren Bengel, Brice Cook

God's Beloved, God's Delight Isaiah 62:1-5

How do you describe your relationship to God? Do you con-sider God a Father? Do you think primarily of Jesus when you pray? Is God a friend? A judge? Some people feel as though God is their authority figure. Others imagine they have a very close friendship with God.

But people rarely think of God as their spouse. God thinks differently. In the prophecy of Isaiah, we hear that God’s relationship to us is like groom to bride. God’s love for us is so intense, God’s delight in us is so complete, that the only metaphor the prophet can find is that of a newly married couple. Who would dare speak of the relationship between God and humanity this way? Well, God would.

Our experience of God changes. As we grow, we come to understand God better through the events of our lives. Some of those events challenge our perceptions of God. Others affirm them.

Everyone goes through a spiritual desert from time to time. We feel as though God is far away. We imagine that God has forsaken us and left us desolate. These feelings are normal.

But God never abandons us. Sometimes we simply cannot feel the warmth of God’s love. Isaiah says God calls us “My delight” and “Espoused.” If you have ever felt compassion toward someone who felt alone, you know how God feels toward us.

Family Perspective

By Bud Ozar

At Cana we get a good insight into Mary’s parenting style. She did not plead, argue, demand or manipulate. She merely pointed out the situation and trusted her son would make the best decision.

Caring for our Global Family

Inspiring Quotes by Pope Francis from Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

We are responsible for our family in lossJ

”May we, with Christ-like tenderness and compassion, know how to be close and offer consolation to families suf-fering the loss of a loved one.”

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTIONS

“To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” 1 CORINTHIANS 12:7 St. Paul tells us that God has blessed each of us for a rea-son. How has God blessed you? Are you using your gifts according to God’s plan; helping to do His work here on earth? Remember that if you don’t do the work God planned for you, no one else can do it.

Financial Activities

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 4 January 17, 2016

Hope Begins With You! Donate Blood!

The St. Patrick Catholic High School chapter of the National Honor Society is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on January 19th from 10:00 am to 4:15 pm in the St. Patrick Parish Hall. To schedule an appointment to donate, please see an NHS member today or visit www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-Ins accepted. Appointments honored.

YOUTH CORNER

JUNIOR HIGH –

See you Friday after school!!!

Perhaps we can build a snowman outside this week!

HIGH SCHOOL – Portland Public School exam are ahead! Need a study break? Come and spend some time in reflection with Our Lord in Adora-tion followed by the some “chill out time” with friends. See you this Sunday at 6:00 pm. iChallenge : Take time to reflect on 1Cor 12:4-11 , what are your

gifts ?

In Christ’s Peace Mr. George

The K of C Free Throw Contest will be held on Sunday, January 24 at 1:00 PM for boys and girls ages 9 - 14. It is open to the public; spread the word. Contact me for more information. Thank you to Jon Weller for coordinating this event.

The family of Marla M. Thelen would like to express their heartfelt thanks to family, friends, and neighbors for your thoughtfulness and support during her illness and at the time of her passing. Your acts of kindness, prayers, visits, food, cards, and flowers are greatly appreciated. A special thanks to Father Eric, Deacon Bernie, and Dea-con Chuck for the Funeral Mass celebration. Thanks to Brian and Michaela Flynn for the beautiful music. Thank you to Chris, Alice, and everyone who assisted at the din-ner. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be offered in lieu of thank you cards. Brian Thelen and Family

Shamrock Auction

This year’s Shamrock Auction will be held on Saturday, April 23

rd at the KC Hall. The committee is currently seek-

ing donations for both the silent and live auctions. If you have items you wish to donate, or have questions, please contact Amber Fogarty at (517)243-1850 or amber-lfogarty@gmail.com. SAVE THAT DATE for a great even-ing!

Need Info for the Shamrock Newsletter

We're gathering information and articles for the spring issue of The Shamrock newsletter, and we need your help. If you have information on births, engagements, weddings, reun-ions, graduations, etc. please send them to us. Much of this information used to be announced in the R & O and we would reprint it. But, times have changed and the newspa-pers don't publish these local happenings any longer. Also, we're looking for ideas for articles, especially people to write stories about. If you know of any St. Pat's grads who are doing noteworthy things (and, these don't have to be big to be noteworthy) send them to us. Send any information or ideas to shamrockedi-tors@gmail.com; text them to 517-575-8000, or place them in an envelope clearly marked Shamrock News and drop them in the collection basket. Thank you!

Prison/Jail Ministry - CHRISTMAS DRIVE: Thanks to you and your generosity, our annual Christmas Drive was a HUGE success! We were able to give thousands of socks and hundreds of reading glasses to the inmates of the Diocese. Please continue to pray for these inmates and prisoners throughout the year! Donations are welcome all year long. For more information, contact Prison-Jail Minis-try of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Thank you!

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 5 January 17, 2016

St. Pat's Student Council Provides Leadership

This week’s column is written by Student Council President senior Emily Miros. Every high school has a Student Council and while it may vary from school to school, many people do not really know what the responsibilities are for this group. There are many responsibilities for the St. Patrick High School Student Council. One of the things that we try to do at St. Pat's is to help make the school year a little more enjoyable for all of the students. We plan a lot of events and activities for them. We planned all of the Homecoming Week activities, set the theme, and encouraged everyone to get involved. This year, under our leadership, the classes decorated the hall-ways, designed and decorated golf carts, attended the pep rally, and participated in a lot of fun games and activities. We designed the homecoming t-shirts and were very in-volved with the homecoming parade and the pre-game tail-gate party. Every fall, the Father Flohe Foundation hosts a special 50-

year reunion for graduating classes who have reached that milestone. As part of that celebration, the Student Council officers do a guided tour of the school for the former stu-dents who attend and talk about what is currently happen-ing at our school. As a group, we are dedicated to helping, and we take pride in spreading that help throughout the community. One of the events which helps us achieve this goal was our pre-

Thanksgiving Food Drive. Before Thanksgiving, we asked each student to bring at least one canned good or non-

perishable food item to school. These food items were then collected during our school Mass. Members of the Student Council sorted them and took them to the Congregational Church Food Pantry. In the spring, we plan to set up an Easter egg hunt for the younger children from our elementary school. Student Council members will prepare plastic eggs, fill them with candy, and then distribute them all around Alton Park for the kids to find. We cherish events like this, when we can help the younger students have fun and make memories. We also do some small fundraising activities that are more for fun for the students. These include selling “Spirit” items during homecoming week, “Candy Cane Grams,” at Christ-mas time and Orange Crush pop during Valentine’s Day. Finally, we participate in many of the regular school activi-ties, such as reading at Mass, assisting with the Veteran's Day ceremony, and reading Morning Prayer and announce-ments. The St. Patrick student council rises to the challenge of helping lead our school each year. We use our leadership and communication skill to make the school year events fun and successful.

NEW ALTAR SERVER TRAINING

The Church teaches that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the

prayer of the whole Catholic Community. God’s people gather

together at the Liturgy to hear God’s Word and reflect upon it, to

be fed by the Eucharist, and to be sent forth to live as disciples of

Jesus. Everyone has a part in this prayerful celebration.

One of the special ways that young Catholics are traditionally

invited to participate in the Mass is through service as an Altar

Server. This ministry allows them to have a very active role in

the Mass, our first and greatest prayer. The young people of our

parish are invited to serve when they are old enough and strong

enough to handle the book of prayers, the cross, and the sacred

vessels. For our parish, this is the second half of Fifth Grade.

Altar Servers are “Guardians of the Sacred.” They must commit

themselves to weekly attendance at Sunday Mass, to training, to

attendance at Continuing Formation meetings approximately 2

times a year on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and faithful ser-

vice whenever they are scheduled or volunteer.

Name: ____________________________________________

(Please print.)

Address: __________________________________________

Telephone: ________________________________________

Family e-mail: _____________________________________

School: _________________________ Grade: ___ Age: ____

Server’s Signature: __________________________________

PARENT: ________________________________________

LEGAL GUARDIAN (Signature REQUIRED)

Please circle at least TWO Masses you are able to serve:

Saturday: 4:30 Sunday: 7:30 9:30 11:30

Training for new Altar Servers, 5th Grade or older, will be held

on three SUNDAYS: January 31, and February 21 & 28 from

3:00pm until 5:30pm in the Church. Attendance at these

sessions is mandatory. Register for training by completing the

form and returning it to the Parish Office no later than Monday,

January 25. If there are any questions, please contact

Deacon Don @ 517-647-6505 x-409. Deacon Don F. Sobolewski

The Michigan Catholic Choir is beginning rehearsals for a special Patriotic Hymn Festival. The choir is current ac-cepting new members. For more information, please visit www.TheMichiganCatholicChoir.org OR call 810-820-6191 x/101

Portland Right to Life meets Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at the Portland District Library, Community Conference Room. We welcome people of all faiths to join us in our efforts to protect the rights of the unborn and most vulnerable members of our society.

ST. PATRICK CHURCH Page 6 PORTLAND, MICHIGAN

Faith Formation New News

Up-coming Dates February 8th- NO CLASSES February 29th- 4th Grade Reconciliation with Father at 6:30 pm. All other grades will begin in the classrooms. Up-coming Events February 8th- Catechists In-Service February 22nd- Mass with Father Larry at 6:00pm. Classes will follow.

February 26th (Friday)- Stations of the Cross & Soup Supper at 6:00pm.

Adoration To continue with our regular hours of Eucharistic Adoration on Monday, noon to 5p.m. and Wednesday, noon to 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight, we are in need of more parishioners who will commit to covering one hour each week. We are required to have at least two committed adorers for each hour when the tabernacle is open and Blessed Sacrament is exposed. Of course, everyone is welcome and encour-aged to stop anytime during these hours. The hour we most need to cover now is 3-4 on Mondays, but any hour is great if you can help. Spending time in Jesus’ real pres-ence is life changing and world changing! Call Mike Cook at 517-242-1352

St. Patrick School Pancake Breakfast Our annual Catholic Schools Week Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday, January 31 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the St. Patrick School Cafeteria. Breakfast will be served by the St. Patrick teaching staff and school board as a thank you to the parents, grandpar-ents, supporters, and community for the support that they give our school. All are invited. There is no cost for the breakfast (goodwill donations accepted)!

Second Graders learning the Act of Contrition

in Sign Language.

King’s Korner Thank You… I’d like to publicly THANK all who gave or sent gifts of one kind or anoth-er to me over the Christmas season. All of them are much appreciated! Blessings throughout this New Year. A Reminder in Case You Missed It in the Bulletin Over the Christmas Holidays… I’m asking that everyone involved in Liturgical Ministries at weekend Masses dress in a manner that gives dignity to your particular Ministry. A good practice is to come prepared to assist in your ministry even if you are not scheduled. Thank you. Two New Ministries Have Begun Here at St. Patrick Parish…

• Social Justice Committee…One of the primary thrusts of this group will be to educate themselves and the parish about vital local, national, and international Social Justice Issues. There has been a core group of parishioners meeting for the past many months plan-ning and laying the foundation for this group. In the near future I’d like to establish a formal Christian Service Committee that would encompass all the great Christian Service works of mercy that many parishioners have been doing for a long time. Both of these Committees would work hand in hand – one educating and other doing hands-on ministry. If you would like to join the Social Justice Committee you may contact Mary Herblett (517-743-1099). If you would like to help establish the Christian Service Committee, you may contact myself.

• Sponsor Program for Engaged Couples…This is a program that I’ve been wanting to re-establish ever since I returned to St. Patrick Parish, but I needed to wait until the Lord put this important ministry on someone’s heart before it could be done. Well, I’m pleased to announce that the parish now has such a couple. They are Terry and Carmen Austen who have been parishioners for probably about 5-6 years now. When they approached me about doing some Mar-riage Enrichment opportunities for married couples, I readily agreed and also spoke to them about my dream to reestablish the Sponsor Couple Program. They both jumped at the opportunity offered them. To date, they have gathered six other couples in the parish to be Sponsors for Engaged Couples and two of the Sponsor Couples are already working with an Engaged Couple. So, now we have another option to offer Engaged Couples! The way the program works is that a Sponsor Couple would host an Engaged Couple in their home once a week for about seven weeks where they would discuss different aspect of married life. They have workbooks to guide them. The real advantage of this program is that the Sponsor Couple and the Engaged Couple really get to know each other and become comfortable openly discussing all the aspects of married life.

I would like to take this opportunity once again to THANK all those pa-rishioners who have been such good stewards and given so generously of their time and talents over the many years this parish has been in existence. “Your reward will be great in heaven!” (Mt. 5:12)

Knights News 1/17 2:00 P.M. Bingo

1/18 8:00 P.M. Social Meeting

1/20 1:00 P.M. Euchre Party

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE SUNDAY

Sunday, January 24, 2016 St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 3 p.m. The Portland Area Ministerial Association and Portland Right to Life are hosting a community prayer service to commemorate the 43nd anniver-sary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States. Please join us for this 1-hour non-denominational prayer service. Refreshments following in the church hall.

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 7 January 17, 2016

Parish Staff (517) 647-6505

School Website: www.portlandstpats.com

Ministries