Catholic Community of St. Jude at 409 Wilson St., DeWitt, MI 48820 US - Home
WELCOME! We hope you find here valuable News and Information about our Parish.
Please take a moment to visit the EVENTS tab to the left which contains a full calendar of events this week, those coming up and a printable copy of this months calendar.
We hope you enjoy your visit and check back often to stay up to date on the life of our parish.
Articles featured this week:
Some Things to do for the Fourth Week of Lent
As We Celebrate the Second Scrutiny
Additional Time of Reconciliation
Fast and Feast
Parish Communal Reconciliation Service
Upcoming Events to Keep in Mind
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Some Things to do for the Fourth Week of Lent
· If you love someone, say so
· Advocate on behalf of the gift of life
· Advocate on behalf of social issues such as affordable housing
· Pray for a friend
· Pray for an enemy
· Find out what a dollar will buy in Peru or Zambia
· Visit a shut-in
As We Celebrate the Second Scrutiny
A major focus during Lent are the final preparations of our Elect (catechumens, who will be baptized, and candidates, who will make their profession of faith) for the celebration of the Easter Vigil, when they will be received into the Church. This ever-deepening time of preparation continues this weekend, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, as we participate in the Second Scrutiny with them.
The Second Scrutiny, which we celebrated at the 8:30 AM Mass on Sunday, centers around the story of Jesus healing the man born blind. This gospel and its accompanying readings were proclaimed at the 8:30 AM Mass. The other “non-scrutiny” Masses will continue to hear the cycle C gospel readings from Luke and their accompanying readings.
The Second Scrutiny focuses not just on physical blindness but also on the spiritual blindness that can afflict each of us. In each scrutiny, we pray for and with our catechumens and our candidates, asking God to help them to uncover and heal whatever is sinful and weak within them, and we ask God to bring out and strengthen what is good, upright, strong and holy. What we pray for them, we also pray for ourselves: may we have our eyes and hearts opened to the reality of sin in our lives and the tremendous healing mercy that God shares with us as he forgives us.
Each scrutiny is a challenge to our entire parish community to embrace the spirit of self-searching and conversion. The scrutinies remind us of the seriousness of the Christian life and inspire us to turn from evil and pursue good.
Additional Time for Individual Reconciliation
With everybody’s busy schedules, I know coming to reconciliation on a Saturday afternoon can be a challenge. That’s why, as in years past, I’ve scheduled additional time for individual reconciliation (confession) on Tuesday evenings for Lent, beginning Tuesday, February 23, 7:00 to 8:30 PM. This is in addition to the usual time for individual reconciliation (confession) on Saturday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.
Lent is a perfect time to make the time to receive this sacrament of God’s mercy and healing. Please note that this additional time for reconciliation is for the season of Lent only.
Fast and Feast
Lent is a time to fast and feast. This week:
Fast from thoughts of illness
Feast on the healing power of God
Parish Communal Reconciliation Service, March 25
Our parish’s communal Lenten reconciliation service will be celebrated on Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 PM in the church. Our Lenten journey encourages us to focus on those areas of our lives that need God’s grace to change. The sacrament of reconciliation (confession) is one way we can respond to God’s call to conversion of mind and heart.
As Holy Week Draws Near...
Parish Paschal Dinner
This annual event is for parishioners new and old alike. It’s our annual welcome to those who have joined the parish since last Easter. Everyone is invited!
Celebrated as a seder meal, the Paschal Dinner gives us a deep insight into the events of Holy Thursday and the Last Supper, and the other events that surround Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. It also provides a beautiful insight into the Eucharist that we celebrate each Sunday.
New families should have received an invitation in the mail. Families old or new can RSVP to the parish offices (669-8335) or at the Parish Information center in the gathering space at church. See the insert in this bulletin for even more information.
Food for the Poor Collection
This has been a very successful effort in our parish for many years. It’s a long-standing tradition to collect food for the poor on Holy Thursday. Families are encouraged to provide food for another family of similar size for one day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack). The food we gather is distributed to a variety of social service agencies. For those who may be traveling for Spring Break you may still participate by bringing your food donations to church with you on March 27 and 28 and placing them in the north end of the community center on the tables provided.
Some Things to do for the Fourth Week of Lent
· If you love someone, say so
· Advocate on behalf of the gift of life
· Advocate on behalf of social issues such as affordable housing
· Pray for a friend
· Pray for an enemy
· Find out what a dollar will buy in Peru or Zambia
· Visit a shut-in
As We Celebrate the Second Scrutiny
A major focus during Lent are the final preparations of our Elect (catechumens, who will be baptized, and candidates, who will make their profession of faith) for the celebration of the Easter Vigil, when they will be received into the Church. This ever-deepening time of preparation continues this weekend, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, as we participate in the Second Scrutiny with them.
The Second Scrutiny, which we celebrated at the 8:30 AM Mass on Sunday, centers around the story of Jesus healing the man born blind. This gospel and its accompanying readings were proclaimed at the 8:30 AM Mass. The other “non-scrutiny” Masses will continue to hear the cycle C gospel readings from Luke and their accompanying readings.
The Second Scrutiny focuses not just on physical blindness but also on the spiritual blindness that can afflict each of us. In each scrutiny, we pray for and with our catechumens and our candidates, asking God to help them to uncover and heal whatever is sinful and weak within them, and we ask God to bring out and strengthen what is good, upright, strong and holy. What we pray for them, we also pray for ourselves: may we have our eyes and hearts opened to the reality of sin in our lives and the tremendous healing mercy that God shares with us as he forgives us.
Each scrutiny is a challenge to our entire parish community to embrace the spirit of self-searching and conversion. The scrutinies remind us of the seriousness of the Christian life and inspire us to turn from evil and pursue good.
Additional Time for Individual Reconciliation
With everybody’s busy schedules, I know coming to reconciliation on a Saturday afternoon can be a challenge. That’s why, as in years past, I’ve scheduled additional time for individual reconciliation (confession) on Tuesday evenings for Lent, beginning Tuesday, February 23, 7:00 to 8:30 PM. This is in addition to the usual time for individual reconciliation (confession) on Saturday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.
Lent is a perfect time to make the time to receive this sacrament of God’s mercy and healing. Please note that this additional time for reconciliation is for the season of Lent only.
Fast and Feast
Lent is a time to fast and feast. This week:
Fast from thoughts of illness
Feast on the healing power of God
Parish Communal Reconciliation Service, March 25
Our parish’s communal Lenten reconciliation service will be celebrated on Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 PM in the church. Our Lenten journey encourages us to focus on those areas of our lives that need God’s grace to change. The sacrament of reconciliation (confession) is one way we can respond to God’s call to conversion of mind and heart.
As Holy Week Draws Near...
Parish Paschal Dinner
This annual event is for parishioners new and old alike. It’s our annual welcome to those who have joined the parish since last Easter. Everyone is invited!
Celebrated as a seder meal, the Paschal Dinner gives us a deep insight into the events of Holy Thursday and the Last Supper, and the other events that surround Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. It also provides a beautiful insight into the Eucharist that we celebrate each Sunday.
New families should have received an invitation in the mail. Families old or new can RSVP to the parish offices (669-8335) or at the Parish Information center in the gathering space at church. See the insert in this bulletin for even more information.
Food for the Poor Collection
This has been a very successful effort in our parish for many years. It’s a long-standing tradition to collect food for the poor on Holy Thursday. Families are encouraged to provide food for another family of similar size for one day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack). The food we gather is distributed to a variety of social service agencies. For those who may be traveling for Spring Break you may still participate by bringing your food donations to church with you on March 27 and 28 and placing them in the north end of the community center on the tables provided.
Lenten Events
Check out the Lenten articles for details on the
Lenten Events happening at St. Jude. . .
Lenten Events happening at St. Jude. . .
On Line Giving
The online giving program continues to grow as families discover how easy and convenient it is for making your parish contributions. The process is very flexible and allows you complete control of your contributions while providing you the ability for immediate reporting of all your parish donations.
A vision of Heaven
As Dale McKay was facing death, he spoke to writer Nancy Schertzing about his feelings and his hopes for heaven. Later, Nancy spoke with Dale's widow, Ellen, who shared the joy of their marriage and the moving experience of Dale's death. Their story is filled with love and hope that speaks to all of us.
Part 4: How to Be a Dynamic and Evangelizing Parish
Two very different parishes show what it takes to be both energetic and spiritual.