Financial Update Summary

Stewardship
Budgeted Weekly $ 4,620.80 Budgeted YTD $232,224.00
Received $ 5,059.00 Received $210,344.57
Overage/Deficit $ 438.20 Overage/Deficit ($21,879.43)

Loose Collection
Budgeted Weekly $340.00 Budgeted YTD $ 18,863.00
Received $260.14 Received $ 15,977.27
Overage/Deficit ($ 79.86) Overage/Deficit ($2,885.73)

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Children’s Corner
Here are just a few of the many offerings to God from the youth at St. Mary’s.

This week my prayers of Special Intention were for: Savannah & Polar Bears, Lily, The poor, People affected by the flood in N.D., Holy child association, kayla, my aunt and uncle and dog, Dads shoulder, Grandpa, Grandma, Peace on earth, All homeless animals.

This is how I used my Time & Talent: Reminded family to pray,Helped set up for bread feast, Put laundry away, Shared a snack with Sierra, I played the piano, helped mom with dishes, Helped mom make some soup, let Brook go in front of me, help nate, made my bed, I took the dog for a walk, Helped mom with laundry, Helped mom watch kids on Wednesday.

Gifts from the youth envelopes: $20.12

Happenings This Week:

Tuesday April 7, 2009
Bloodmobile - 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Algoma Youth Club.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Christian Passover Seder Meal at St. Mary Parish Cafeteria from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Registration is required to attend; deadline was Friday, March 27th

Thursday, April 9, 2009
Early Release for St. Mary School

Friday, April 10 - Tuesday April 14, 2009
School is not in session for St. Mary School

In Joy and Hope: JOURNEY TOGETHER ALONG THE LAKESHORE

As the Sunday Eucharist takes first place among the events which occur over the course of a week, the Sacred Triduum takes first place among the events that span the course of one liturgical year. Let’s begin with a review of sorts:

1. Triduum is a Latin word which means ____________.
2. Our Jewish sisters and brothers mark the beginning of the new day at _________.
3. The celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday are a __________ event.
4. The Easter Vigil includes the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation for those entering the church on this most holy night. The Sacraments of Initiation are ___________, ______________, and _______________. Put them in the proper order.
5. The best words to characterize the Sacred Triduum are “historical re-enactment” or “sacred mystery.”

Answers are at the bottom of the column. How did you do?

As a teenager, I had an innate sense about the importance of these holy liturgies marking the events of our salvation – the gift of the Eucharist and the living Eucharist in loving service, the depth of God’s love for us in the betrayal, passion and death of the Lord Jesus, and the victory of the risen Lord over sin and death. I remember riding my bicycle to church to celebrate Holy Week. As a new driver, I remember being encouraged by my parents to take the new family car to the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday because it was raining that year.

From sundown on Holy Thursday evening through sundown on Easter Sunday evening, the Church – the People of God – celebrate God’s great and constant love for us in the Passover of our Lord and Savior, Jesus – and the great hope that is ours in every circumstance. Jesus, passing over from death to a new, glorious, abundant risen life, holds on to us and promises to bring us through every hardship or disappointment or emotional breakdown out into the marvelous light of his wonderful love. Jesus is real and alive
now in our hearts, in the Church and especially in the gift of his Most Precious Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that the Resurrection of Jesus is monumental, huge beyond what we might ever be able to conceive, and life-changing. “…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.” (I Corinthians 15:17-19).

I strongly encourage you to participate in the celebrations of our salvation in the Risen Lord. Please, please do not absent yourself from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper or the Easter Vigil for the fact that they will not be celebrated in your church. Come to Algoma on Thursday night. Come to Kewaunee on Saturday night. What’s twelve miles when we are celebrating the events that are at the very heart of our lives – I dare say at the very heart of the entire cosmos!

I almost forgot. Here are the answers to the little quiz above. A. “Three Days” B. Sundown C. Single D. Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. E. Sacred Mystery.
Father Bill +