Monday, March 5, 2012

Justice Prayer Partners March 2012


Dear Justice Prayer Partners:

Each month on the day just after our St. Francis' Monday evening Peace and Justice Committee meeting we make this special prayer request.   St. Francis Peace and Justice Committee meets next on Monday evening, of Holy Week, April 2nd at 7:30 pm in the St. Francis School Library.

Thanks for your continued prayer... especially for the success of our Lenten efforts to serve the poor and the vulnerable in our community, and pray that we will all be motivated to live the gospel by caring for and advocating for those in need, our "Neighbors in Need"   http://www.stfrancisa2.com/church-community/outreach/lenten-efforts/almsgiving


Please pray for these, our efforts in the next month(s):

We are seeking ideas for assisting tornado victims in Illinois.


Thursday, April 5th, 2012, Special Collection Holy Thursday - Donations during the Mass of the Last Supper will go to support the work of LifeStraw. Visit http://www.rotarywaterprojects.org/ for more information and to watch videos about LifeStraw.  You can also search on “LifeStraw” at YouTube for additional informational videos.
              Most of us barely give clean drinking water any thought at all.  We simply go to the nearest faucet or drinking fountain and presto:  clear, clean drinking water.  Unfortunately, for millions of people around the world, mostly in developing nations, it is far from this simple. 


Thursday, April 12th, 2012, Homelessness Highlight Event:  at St. Francis Parish Activities Center, Ann Arbor, representatives from organizations serving people who are homeless in Washtenaw County. 





Sunday, April 15th, 2012, Big House Big Heart Run:   Mary Wakefield is soliciting sponsors; the money will support RAAH in their efforts to fight homelessness locally.  If you are interested in sponsoring Mary, please email her at mwakefeld140796mi@comcast.net or call her at 973-6113.  For information on the Run, visit: www.thebighousebigheart.com




In the past month:
Our Peacemakers Peace Training was attended by about 25 people.   See photos!


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If you have time for additional prayers, please remember to pray for these additional St. Francis Parish Social Service efforts:





March 12 - March 19, 2012, Shelter at St. Francis Gym: help with hosting approximately 25-35 homeless men from our community. Help as a host one night, or, provide snacks, or, be a driver one evening or one morning.  Please sign-up by Mar 6, 2012. Or, Contact: Stephen Lavender slavende@att.net (734-973-2564)   Please sign-up to help!



Sat & Sunday, March 10th & 11th, 2012, help (at the end of a Mass) to distribute the empty grocery bags and shopping lists on the weekend prior to the  Food-Drive-Delivery to our grocery and food pantries in Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti for the needy in our area.    

Sunday, March 18th, 2012, return the groceries in the bag at Masses, and, help deliver and move the grocery bags in  the gym.  Contact: the Parish Social Ministry Office, (734-821-2121) justice@stfrancisa2.org .  Please sign-up to help!

Saturdays, February to April, For 12 weeks each year, parishioners volunteer their time to assist individuals in need with filing their Income Tax Return Forms, if they have limited income and simple tax returns. Sign-up here.

Friday, March 16th, 2012, and, every third Friday evening of the month, Prepare and Serve a Meal with a crew from St. Francis at the Ann Arbor Food Gatherers' Community Kitchen, located in the Delonis Center, Shelter, 312 W. Huron, Ann Arbor, MI.   To Serve Supper for the Hungry Twelve (12) volunteers (6 per shift) are needed for each meal.  To volunteer: Fill Out and Submit the volunteer form at   https://stfrancisa2.wufoo.com/forms/serve-meal-for-the-hungry/   
 If you have any questions our St. Francis Parish contact person is: Bridget McGillicuddy (734-883-9112) abcuddy@gmail.com . 

Saturday, March 24th, 2012, Jail Volunteers’ Orientation.  Scott Wright  swright@stfrancisa2.org    (734-821-2121).  


Are you seeking a service project or opportunity?  Go to the "Sign-up Forms" at:  stfrancisa2.com/sign-up-forms 


Posted by at 8:12 PM 0 comments

Sustainable Garden Project: Seed Sale Sunday April 15th

Sustainable Garden Project:  Seed Sale Sunday April 15th
Click Here to visit our blog page for St. Francis Sustainable Garden Project, which supports the hungry, struggling single parent families of our area. We use a garden plot in front of the St. Francis rectory where we grow and harvest herbs, vegetables and flowers. In past years each harvest has produced over 180 lbs. of produce- all delivered to the pantry at Perry Nursery School of Ann Arbor, - child care center for single-parent low-income families. Questions? Contact: Erich Jensen (734-996-1439)
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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Young Adult Scripture Reflection February 19 (the Sunday just before Lent)

Young Adult Scripture Reflection February 19, 2012, (the Sunday just before Lent) Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Hello Friends of St. Francis,

Who are your neighbors? Friends? 
Would you carry a paralyzed neighbor to the Lord?
When you are paralyzed can you still name four people who might carry you to the Lord?   

Ash Wednesday is this week.  During this Lenten Season at St. Francis we will learn more about our Neighbors in Need and how we can help our local neighbors who are struggling for food, housing, and care of poverty stricken elderly, by participating in our Neighbors in Need Sack and Activities Calendar.   Join us. Our direct service partnership is with Washtenaw Catholic Social Services.

Enjoy the following reading and reflection.

Scott


A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"Child, your sins are forgiven."
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind
what they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk?'
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
-he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."


REFLECTION:

Today, we are invited to glorify God by trying something brand new, certainly something that requires us to move outside of the ordinary comfort level we have become accustomed to.   "Thus says the LORD ... see, I am doing something new!"  (Isaiah 43:18-25)

Love implores us to rejoice.  "Rise, pick up your mat and walk." (Mark 2:1-12)  It's irrational, uncomfortable, freeing, novel, and yet also the most constructive use of our energy.  "Your sins are forgiven."  Move on!!!   Live a little!!

We have heard many times that "God is faithful."  (2 Cor 1:18-22)  And, then many times in sin we begin to feel like a paralytic, we grew weary of the so-called "faithful" routines, and uninspiring obligations or expectations which we felt were like burdens placed upon us.   At a time like this we can ask:  "Where is God?"  "Where is St. Francis?"  "Where are my friends?"   "Who are my neighbors?"

Fortunately, our faith community offers us opportunities to be carried by a small group of friends, to arise from "the crowd" and to get near Jesus.  In the day of misfortune the LORD will deliver the lowly and the poor . (Psalm 41:2-14)   Together with the Lord we are astounded, "We have never seen anything like this."   (Mark 2:1-12)

Every year we again journey through the Lenten Season (spring training in preparation for Easter Time Resurrection joy).  We may recall some years when our Lenten practices, of alms giving, fasting, and prayer, by the grace of God, actually enriched our lives more than in other years.  I invite you, because the Lord invites us, to make this Lent one of those most significant years which really will change our life for the better... that we may enjoy the special grace for years to come along with our family and neighbors.

"Lord, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you."   Renew the joy in my soul which you intended to be there from the beginning of creation.

Who are my neighbors? Friends? 
Would I carry a paralyzed neighbor to the Lord?
When I am paralyzed can I still name four people who might carry me to the Lord?   

Read More  about our, St. Francis, 2012, Lenten Season Neighbors in Need Sack and how we can help our local neighbors who are struggling for food, housing, and care of poverty stricken elderly. 


Posted by at 12:36 PM 0 comments

Justice Prayer Partners February 2012

Hello Justice Prayer Partners:

Each month on the day just after our St. Francis' Monday evening Peace and Justice Committee meeting we make this special prayer request.

St. Francis Peace and Justice Committee meets next on Monday evening, March 5th at 7:30 pm in the St. Francis School Library.

Thank you for your continued prays.  We are experiencing many blessings due to God's abundant mercy and the effectiveness of your prayers.

In the past month we have enjoyed these successful events:

          -- Our Martin Luther King Jr. - MLK supper was attended by 65-70 people. See photos!
          -- Our Peacemakers Peace Training was attended by about 25 people.   See photos!



For the next couple months (the Lenten season) please pray for the success of our Lenten efforts to serve the poor and the vulnerable in our community, and pray that we will all be motivated to live the gospel by caring for and advocating for those in need.   

Lenten Project:  "Neighbors in Need" ,  consists of a calendar, a donation sack, weekly short articles inside the Forum, and a display in the main entrance of the church.  Also, 5 members of St. Francis Parish will write front-page Forum articles about their experience serving with Catholic Social Services – these will be tied to the overall parish theme of "Change of Heart".


Homelessness Highlight Event:  Thursday, April 12th, 2012, at St. Francis Parish Activities Center, Ann Arbor, representatives from organizations serving people who are homeless in Washtenaw County. 



Are you sSeeking a service project or opportunity?  Go to the "Sign-up Forms" at:  stfrancisa2.com/sign-up-forms 


Help With Tax Forms?  
We assist with filing Tax forms. For 12 weeks each year (beginning of February to April), parishioners volunteer their time to assist individuals in need on their Income Tax Return if they have limited income and simple tax returns. Sign-up here.



Shelter at St. Francis Gym:  March 12 - March 19, 2012, help with hosting approximately 25-35 homeless men from our community. Help as a host one night, or, provide snacks, or, be a driver one evening or one morning.  Please sign-up by Mar 6, 2012. Or, Contact: Stephen Lavender slavende@att.net (734-973-2564)





Food Drive:     March 10th & 11th, 2012, help (at the end of a Mass) to distribute the empty grocery bags and shopping lists on the weekend prior to the food-drive-delivery to our grocery and food pantries in Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti for the needy in our area.    Go shopping and purchase some of the items listed on the empty grocery bags distributed at all the Masses. Return the groceries in the bag at Masses.   On Sunday, March 18th, 2012, help deliver and move the grocery bags between 10:30am – 1:30pm come to the gym.  Please sign-up here below by March 12, 2012. Or, Contact: the Parish Social Ministry Office, (734-821-2121) justice@stfrancisa2.org .




Prepare and Serve a Meal with a crew from St. Francis, Friday, March 16th, 2012, and, every third Friday evening of the month, at the Ann Arbor Food Gatherers' Community Kitchen, located in the Delonis Center, Shelter, 312 W. Huron, Ann Arbor, MI.   To Serve Supper for the Hungry Twelve (12) volunteers (6 per shift) are needed for each meal.  To volunteer: Fill Out and Submit the volunteer form at   https://stfrancisa2.wufoo.com/forms/serve-meal-for-the-hungry/ 
 If you have any questions our St. Francis Parish contact person is: Bridget McGillicuddy (734-883-9112) abcuddy@gmail.com .



Jail Volunteers' Orientation on Saturday, March 24th, 2012, at 9am-12pm  @ LLRC Building - the Library for the Blind (across the parking lot from the jail - Washtenaw County Sheriff Office, 2201 Hogback Rd., Ann Arbor, MI  48107).
about "The Rules & Regulations of the Jail" presented by the Jail staff.
       RSVP to  Scott Wright  swright@stfrancisa2.org               (734-821-2121).  






See our St. Francis Life, Service + Justice NEWS BLOG:

See our St. Francis Peace and Justice web site page at:

Posted by at 12:26 PM 0 comments

Friday, February 10, 2012

Service Opportunities during LENT

  (Go to the "Sign-up Forms" at:  stfrancisa2.com/sign-up-forms )


March 12 - March 19, 2012, help with hosting approximately 25-35 homeless men from our community. Help as a host one night, or, provide snacks, or, be a driver one evening or one morning.  Please sign-up by Mar 6, 2012. Or, Contact: Stephen Lavender slavende@att.net (734-973-2564)


March 10th & 11th, 2012, help (at the end of a Mass) to distribute the empty grocery bags and shopping lists on the weekend prior to the food-drive-delivery to our grocery and food pantries in Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti for the needy in our area.    Go shopping and purchase some of the items listed on the empty grocery bags distributed at all the Masses. Return the groceries in the bag at Masses.   On Sunday, March 18th, 2012, help deliver and move the grocery bags between 10:30am – 1:30pm come to the gym.  Please sign-up here below by March 12, 2012. Or, Contact: the Parish Social Ministry Office, (734-821-2121) justice@stfrancisa2.org .


Help provide meals for the hungry with Food Gatherers' Community Kitchen, located in the Delonis Center, Shelter, 312 W. Huron, Ann Arbor, MI.  Traditionally a crew from St. Francis Parish has served every third Friday evening of the month.     On Friday, March 16th, the THIRD FRIDAY evening of the month, a crew from St. Francis will prepare and serve a meal at the Ann Arbor Community Kitchen.   To Serve Supper for the Hungry Twelve (12) volunteers (6 per shift) are needed for each meal.  To volunteer: Fill Out and Submit the Volunteer Form. If you have any questions our St. Francis Parish contact person is: Bridget McGillicuddy (734-883-9112) abcuddy@gmail.com . 


Jail Volunteers' Orientation on Saturday, March 24th, 2012, at 9am-12pm  @ LLRC Building - the Library for the Blind (across the parking lot from the jail - Washtenaw County Sheriff Office, 2201 Hogback Rd., Ann Arbor, MI  48107).

about "The Rules & Regulations of the Jail" presented by the Jail staff.

       RSVP to  Scott Wright  swright@stfrancisa2.org               (734-821-2121). 



Neighbors in Need - Lenten Sack 2012
Join us in support of our local neighbors who are struggling for food, housing, and care of poverty stricken elderly.Our direct service partnership is with Washtenaw Catholic Social Services. Read More

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Camp Take Notice - MISSION

(an article for St. Francis Canticle Newsletter)

In January, St. Francis held a special collection to benefit Camp Take Notice.  Your response was amazing – the collection raised nearly $5,000!

Camp Take Notice is a grassroots tent community of homeless people currently residing in Ann Arbor.  It works in partnership with MISSION: Michigan Itinerant Shelter System — Interdependent out of Necessity.  The self-governing tent community offers an alternative approach to the traditional government and private systems that provide shelter and basic resources for the homeless.  For more information, visit their website at:  http://tentcitymichigan.org.

Here is just one of the many "thank you's" that St. Francis received:

"That generosity is just amazing!  Thank you so, so much!  The primary purchase will be for propane, to keep campers' tents warmer on cold winter nights."

If you are interested in volunteering to help those who are homeless locally, including the residents of Camp Take Notice, St. Francis is hosting several speakers on April 12th from 7:00–8:30 in the PAC.   They will highlight the work of various local organizations that serve the homeless, including Camp Take Notice, and will discuss ways that you can help. 

Posted by at 3:56 PM 0 comments

Affordable Housing - PRAYER TIME AT “Friends of the Master HOUSE” Written by Mary and Tom Wakefield

Affordable Housing - PRAYER TIME AT "Friends of the Master HOUSE"   Written by Mary and Tom Wakefield

(The Friends of the Master House is a Catholic faith community for Washtenaw County residents who have recently been released from jail.)

Being welcomed guests at Morning Prayer the week before Christmas was a blessing in disguise for us.  "Friends of the Master House" starts each day with prayers and reflection.  Residence and managers of the houses were there.  We enjoyed readings from the 'Daily act of Surrender' pulled from principles and thoughts expressed in, the Catechism, Scripture and Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as, prayerful writings from Narcotics Anonymous, versus from the Bible and Imitation of Christ.

Here we were strangers welcomed and moved to speak.  My Mother had been assaulted on Dec. 19th, 3 days before our visit to "Friends of the Master House".  Tom and I were praying with folks who understood and maybe in their own pasts had resorted to assault for previous addictions, praying together.  I was able to express my anger at how in the world could a 6 ft. man, weighing over 250 pounds go after my 70 plus year old Mother and her purse?  She is on Social Security and had only $10 in the purse!  These men at "Friends of the Master House" helped me affirm that forgiveness is necessary for growth.

My Mother is healing.    This prayer experience was an opportunity for "Restorative Justice".  My husband and I could feel the Holy Spirit working thru the prayer time with the residents of "The House".  We thank you, gentlemen.

Affordable Housing such as "This House" offers folks that opportunity.  We need more housing like this in Washtenaw County.  We need more FAITH COMMUNITIES gathering to offer this sort of setting.

Thank you St. Francis of Assisi and spearheaded by Fr. Jim for making this sort of shelter grow from the Jail Ministry.

Written by: Mary and Tom Wakefield, St. Francis of Assisi Members, Since the early 1980's.
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