Discussion at the parish “town hall” meeting on April 24 focused primarily on what we wished to communicate to our Bishop, and through him to Pope Francis for the Synod in 2023, about issues of concern and importance in the greater Church. However, some local matters also came up. One was utilizing the bulletin to communicate more information about Diocesan and nearby parish activities. Sometimes we have more parish news than will fit, and with 1½ pages of our 3 allowable pages being used to print the text of the homily, there is often no room for anything else. (Of course, sometimes there is plenty of room!) So the consensus was to make the homily text available in the vestibule as a handout for those who wish to pick it up when leaving, thus encouraging folks to listen to the homily and use the bulletin for news. Let’s see how it works!

…to meeting our parish DSA goal! With just 60 of our parish families contributing, we are at 99% of the goal the Diocese set for our parish to support the good work of the Diocesan Services Appeal (DSA). We need just $336 to be at 100%. And if we go above our goal, then half of that above goal amount is returned to the parish (the rest going to DSA to help when some parishes, not as strong as ours, cannot meet their goal). Please consider giving generously to DSA. If you have misplaced your DSA pledge envelope, there are extras in the main vestibule. Let us meet the modest goal set for us. Thank you to all who have already given and to those who are planning to give.

…and when our family of faith comes together to worship, we become one Body in Christ. Please join us on Sun., May 22 at 11:30am at St. Andrew, Saline, for Mass – with some additions to highlight the special gifts that God gives to us in those living with “disabilities.” The Mass will be appropriate for those with sensory difficulties: an ASL interpreter will be present, worship aids will be available for those needing large print and braille, there will be quiet spaces for individuals needing a break, and extra ushers to assist with mobility and other needs. Immediately following the Mass, please join us in the St. Andrew’s parish hall for fellowship and food. Delicious appetizers and snacks will be provided by the Knights of Columbus, Saline Council 6674 and the disAbilities team. Questions: Contact Karen Berg at karenberg@mahsmi.org

The St. Andrew, Saline, Divorce Ministry Team will be hosting an exciting program that will bring hope and healing to those who have experienced the pain and loneliness of a broken marriage (dates and times to be announced). Please call David Miller at 734-944-2101 or email him at djmiller57@aol.com to let them know you plan to attend or if you have questions.

Register now for the Memorial Mass on Sat., May 21 at St. Thomas in Ann Arbor, at 9am in honor of our lost little ones. This event is for you no matter what the circumstances of your loss, no matter how long ago, no matter what your relationship to the child, no matter whether you’ve done something like this every year for decades or have never done it at all. Go to rememberingourlittleones2022.eventbrite.com. Questions? Difficulty with registration? Call Michelle Kazanjian, Director of Pastoral Ministry, St. Thomas Apostle, 734.761.8606 X 1008 any time (forwards to cell).

We invite you to join us for our 3rd annual monthly Rosary Rally Campaign at our Lansing State Capitol. This has been organized by a group of Catholics committed to praying publicly for our state and nation on the 13th of each month, May through October, the dates of Our Lady’s Fatima Apparitions. Please join us this coming Fri., May 13, at 3:00pm in front of the steps at the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing where we will be led in prayer for our state and nation. It will last about an hour. A public square rosary rally is a time to give witness to people of all races and beliefs, keep polarizing politics out, and focus on prayer to unite our nation. If you are interested in helping with this campaign or have any questions, please reach out to Sandra Sherwood at ejsherwood@charter.net.

“Forged” is a 3-day/2-night outdoor adventure retreat for young men of the Diocese. It will be held June 13-15 at the St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. On this retreat participants will gain important outdoor skills such as plant identification, how to pitch a tent, and how to start a proper campfire. We will chop our own firewood, prepare our own meals, and cook over a fire. Participants will be taught knife skills, how to start and operate a tractor, and will participate in an Orienteering event. Mass will be celebrated daily with the opportunity for Adoration. The Retreat Team has been hand-selected based on outdoor skill knowledge. Challenging and entertaining talks will center around the importance of creating genuine friendships between guys, the need for authentic Catholic gentlemen in our society, and how respect for women is a central attribute of a truly Catholic man. For more info please visit www.stfrancis.ws/forged

The St. Louis Center, a faith based organization, is looking for a bookkeeper. If you have good organizational skills, computer literate, knowledgeable in accounting, are quick to learn, and a desire to help others please send your resume to: Thomas Arbanas at the St. Louis Center (16195 Old US 12, Chelsea, MI 48118) or thomasa@stlouiscenter.org. If you have any questions you can call Tom at 734-475-8430.

If you missed the first sessions – no problem. You can come in-person for any of the sessions. And you always have the option to view the session videos online through the parish website https://stmarymanchester.org In addition to the six session videos, there are many more bonus videos, handouts available for download, viewing and printing. If Holy Communion has become routine, you will discover that the Eucharist has infinite power to change your life – perhaps even your eternal destiny. Do not pass this up.

When our brothers and sisters in Christ celebrate a birthday, we rejoice with them — and we are grateful that God has blessed us by having them as part of our parish family! Please click here to see the Parish Family Birthdays for this week…

Each week the flowers on the altar at St. Mary's are sponsored by someone from the parish. Usually it is to mark a special event, to honor someone, to remember the date of a special occasion, or in memory of a loved one. Click this title for information about the altar flowers for this week…

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

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

FORMED, an online service for accessing 1000s of Catholic videos, audios and eBooks on demand anytime, anywhere is available again to all parishioners. Please see the sheets in the vestibule with directions on how to access this wonderful service.

For those of you awaiting a document concerning your donation to the Diocesan campaign Witness to Hope, the letters were mailed last week. If you have questions contact John Madigan directly 517-290-8660 or jmadigan@dioceseoflansing.org

Sanctuary Lamps are the special candles which burn in every Roman Catholic Church to remind us of the Real Presence of Jesus present in the Tabernacle on the Altar. Your prayer intentions can be added to the light of the candle to be brought to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. The prayer intentions for the Sanctuary Lamps are for one week, from Saturday to Saturday. Cards to send are also available. Contact the parish office if you are interested. The customary donation is $12.

The “Year of Mercy” is an opportune time for a House Blessing. Fr. Bosco has visited many families already and would like to bring this beautiful blessing to your home too. Please contact Fr. Bosco on his cell phone (734-707-3657) to make an appointment.

The Parish Bulletin Team is seeking new members to assist with this important ministry. Send an email to stmarymanchester2@gmail.com for more information.