Mass from st. Mary's church Manchester will be available to watch from st. Mary's website and st. Mary's Facebook on Sunday. Due to state restrictions There will be no confession or communion until further notice.

Dr Virginia Johnson has generously offered to answer any questions you might have about the Coronavirus. Her email address is: vj370589@comcast.net

PER BISHOP BOYEA: All public Masses as well parish events and gatherings – here at St. Mary’s and throughout the Diocese – have been cancelled, now through Wednesday of Holy Week (April 8, 2020). However, the church will be open daily for private prayer. Also during this time, you can pick up a bulletin from the vestibule.

The following parish news items are ALL TENTATIVE until Bishop Boyea announces the resumption of parish Masses and activities…

Please note: Because of the restrictions on Masses and public gatherings, the parish will not be ordering memorial Easter lilies this year. If anyone still wants Easter lilies, please contact Sue at the Flower Garden directly (734-428-7422). The parish will not be ordering flowers.

Because we are not celebrating public Masses, there is no way to give our offertory gifts in person. Yet we all still want to contribute to the support of our parish. You may mail your envelopes to the parish office (PO Box 249, Manchester, MI 48158), use the drop-box on the front door of the rectory, or perhaps give online: Visit the parish website (stmarymanchester.org) where there is a button in the right column: “My E-Offering/Donate Now.” Click that and you can donate during this current time of no Masses or as frequently as desired. And while you are at the website, be sure to view the video of the Holy Mass celebrated Sunday by Fr. Bosco. The video is also posted to our parish Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/529067837222965/posts/2682481481881579?vh=e&d=n&sfns=mo (N.B. If you don’t have an account on Facebook, just click on the link, then choose “Not Now” if you are asked to log in or create an account.)

April 9, 2020 is Holy Thursday, and the 7:30pm “Mass of the Lord’s Supper” is an important and profound Mass, marking the beginning of the Sacred Triduum (the three days of solemn preparation for glory of Easter). At this Mass we also celebrate the institution of the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the sacrament of the priesthood. This Mass includes two special rituals, each needing parishioner volunteers: We are seeking 12 men to take part in the foot washing ritual and 14 ladies or teen age girls to be candle bearers for the procession to the Altar of Repose. Any parishioner is invited to volunteer by calling Marja Warner at 734-428-9506 as soon as at all possible.

This is a wonderful opportunity to evangelize, and you are encouraged to invite your friends from our parish and other churches in the community. All (ages) are welcome. See you Sun., March 22 at 7:00pm in the church. (After Lent, the meetings will return to 3rd Fridays at 7:00pm.)

On the Feast of St. Joseph, Thurs., March 19, you are invited to bring your struggles, troubles, and those parts of your life that you wish were unseen and certainly undone. Come and give them over to the Lord, who waits for you to offer forgiveness and healing. All day confessions are offered in the St. Francis Parish Activities Center (PAC), 2250 East Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor in an informal setting in conversation with the priest. No need to prepare anything. Just bring yourself and, if you think appropriate, tell a friend who may benefit from the day. God bless you.

Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge to the Diocesan Services Appeal this year. If you have not yet made your gift decision, please consider doing so today. Envelopes are available in the pews and may be placed in the collection basket or returned to the parish office. Those wishing to make their commitment online may do so at www.dioceseoflansing.org. Remember, 50% of all contributions, in excess of our parish goal, will come back to our parish for local use. “Happy the man who trusts in the Lord.”

Parish Family Birthdays for the Week of March 22

Altar Flowers for the week of Sunday, Feb. 16…

The SANCTUARY LAMPS are burning this week for the following intentions:

St. Mary would like to begin a monthly book club, tentatively planned to start in February. This will involve a new book each month from a variety of writing styles including spiritual, fiction, non-fiction, and others. One book will be assigned each month and will be discussed at length at the book club meeting. This is sure to be fun, interesting, and informative. Lynn Waldecker will spearhead the group. If you are interested, there will be a sign-up sheet in the church vestibule. More information will be forthcoming regarding actual dates and times.

If you have children in Catholic School or are considering this option, a reminder that the Diocese of Lansing has a scholarship program to assist with tuition costs. Information can be found at: https://dolcatholicschools.org/#catholic-schools-tuition-assistance

St. Mary would like to reinstitute a pro-life group. This is such an important mission for all Christians. We are looking for someone who may sense a calling to this ministry. It is amazing what even a small group of people can accomplish when motivated and filled with God’s grace. If you are interested in this apostolate please contact Kathy Sangster at 248-207-8226.

At each Mass throughout the year (except during Lent) the altar is adorned with beautiful flowers. We have the opportunity each weekend to sponsor these flowers and attach to them a special prayer intention. The intention is printed in the bulletin for all to join in your prayer. There is a minimum donation of $40, and the flowers can be in memory of a loved one, for the intentions of or to honor someone, or for a special occasion. There is a sign-up sheet in the vestibule with available dates. Contact the parish office for more information

Our families and our culture are under attack. As Catholic men, we are called to save souls. The Catholic Diocese of Lansing and Knights of Columbus invite all men to “Rise Up and Accept the Challenge!” Join other Catholic men for the Catholic Men’s Conference on Sat., Feb.22 from 9am–6pm at Ooserbaan Field House, 1202 S State St, Ann Arbor. Dynamic speakers, Mass, Adoration, great food and music! Cost: $29/youth $19. Register/more info at ACCEPTtheCHALLENGE.org.

Parishioners will be offered the first opportunity to advertise their businesses and organizations on the St. Mary Fish Fry placemats. Ads cost $200 and will appear on the placemats for all 2020 Fish Frys. If you are interested or would like more information, please call the parish office or email Tina Doyle at tmdmich@gmail.com. Advertising will open up to non-parishioners very soon, so don’t delay.

Just a reminder that we have organized the St. Mary Shuttle for those needing a ride to Mass or other parish activities. We will also try to offer rides to doctor appointments. Let us know if you need anything from the grocery store. Call 734-972-5652 or email: sfielder@umich.edu