Grades 1-8 will begin religious education classes on Sunday, September 15, 2019. Classes begin at 9:30 am and meet in the Father Fisher Hall on the 1st; 3rd; and 4th Sundays of the month. On the second Sunday we will meet in the church or Parish Center. The second Sunday will be reserved for whole group lessons and service projects. First Communion and First Reconciliation will be a part of the 1st/2nd grade class sessions and candidates must attend weekly. Registration packets were mailed to families the week of August 5th. Extra copies of registration can be located in the church vestibule. We look forward to working with families as we try this format for a year. If you have a n y q u e s t i o n s p l e a s e e m a i l stmarymanchester.dre@gmail.com. series from Scott Hahn's St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology called From Genesis to Jesus. Join us to learn the basic Catholic principles for reading Scripture and to survey the broad outlines of the books of the Bible and their place in the story of salvation. The study consists of twelve lessons. A small fee will be charged for participant materials, so registration will be required so we can order them from the publisher. If you've never attended a Bible study, this one's for you! As we have in the past, the lessons will come on the third Monday of the month, beginning in September. More information about registration and fees to follow.

Grades 1-8 will begin religious education classes on Sunday, September 15, 2019. Classes begin at 9:30 am and meet in the Father Fisher Hall on the 1st; 3rd; and 4th Sundays of the month. On the second Sunday we will meet in the church or Parish Center. The second Sunday will be reserved for whole group lessons and service projects. First Communion and First Reconciliation will be a part of the 1st/2nd grade class sessions and candidates must attend weekly. Registration packets were mailed to families the week of August 5th. Extra copies of registration can be located in the church vestibule. We look forward to working with families as we try this format for a year. If you have a n y q u e s t i o n s p l e a s e e m a i l stmarymanchester.dre@gmail.com.

Calling all singers for the St. Mary Choir! New members welcome! Please join me for choir rehearsal on Wednesday, August 14th at 7:00 pm in the choir loft. We will be rehearsing music for our parish feast day, the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Glorious Assumption into Heaven. The choir will sing at the 7:00 pm Mass on August 15th. Call Benjamin at 428-0007 with any questions.

As if the emails weren’t bad enough, now thieves are using phone calls to try to trick you. There is an imposter using the number: 517-709-4004 calling parishioners pretending to be Fr. Bosco. Please be vigilant and pay attention to the phone number. If it isn’t a number you recognize, do not answer. If the call is important, they will leave you a message.

As you begin to prepare for the rummage sale in August, please follow these times. There was a misprint in the quarterly newsletter. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please stay tuned for details in the coming weeks! Drop Off Dates at the Parish Center Saturday, July 27th from 12-5pm Sunday, July 28th from 12-4pm Monday-Friday, July 29th-August 2nd from 4-7pm . Saturday, August 3rd from 12-5pm Sunday, August 4th from 12-4pm Pricing Dates at the Parish Center · Monday, August 5th-Wednesday, August 7th from 4-7pm Sales Dates at the Parish Center · Thursday, August 8th from 9am-6pm · Friday, August 9th from 9am-6pm · Saturday, August 10th from 9am-4pm Clean up follows the 4pm closing.

Now is the time to sign-up for the 127th Annual Ice Cream Social. Please see the volunteers after Mass to learn where your help is needed most. The next meeting will be held Thursday, July 11th in the Fr. Fisher Hall at 7:00 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Gina Jennings at gjenning@umich.edu.

Tickets are still available for our 2019 Ice Cream Social Fundraising Raffle. To obtain tickets, please call Tom Burch (734-260-0056) or stop in at the Parish Office. Fr. Bosco will announce when sellers will be present after Masses

Next week, we will take up the Peter’s Pence Collection which provides Pope Francis with the funds he needs to carry out his charitable works around the world. The proceeds benefit our brothers and sisters on the margins of society, including victims of war, oppression, and natural disasters. Please be generous. For more information, visit www.usccb.org/peters-pence.

May is traditionally celebrated as the month of Mary, our Blessed Mother. Please join us as we pray the Rosary 30 minutes before each weekend Mass. Please join us as we crown the statue of Mary during a special ceremony on Sunday, May 12th at the beginning of 10:30 am Mass. All children are encouraged to participate in the procession.

Stephanie needs a few more people on board to help with weekly cleaning. The 1st Monday of every month she needs 2 people at the Parish Center; on 4th Mondays 1 person to help Frank Cousino at the Parish Center; on 3rd Mondays 1 person to help Kathy Brogley at Father Fisher Hall. Please contact Stephanie at 734-368-8585 or by email sbeuerle@hotmail.com if you are able to help fill these spots. She will teach you what needs to be done.

We are more than half way to our $28,001 DSA goal. Please join the 65 households who have already made their pledges. Envelopes can be found in the pews and placed in the collection basket.

The St. Mary Adult Choir will be rehearsing on the following Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the choir loft: May 1st, 15th, and 29th; and June 5th. The Choir will be singing at 10:30 am Mass on May 5th for First Holy Communion, May 19th, June 2nd and June 9th.

Please join Fr. Bosco at 1:00 pm this Sunday, April 28th, for a Holy Hour of Adoration, praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, opportunities for Confession, and Benediction.

First Holy Communion will be celebrated for eight children next Sunday, May 5th at the 10:30 am Mass. Please pray for these children as they make final preparations to receive this sacrament

May is traditionally celebrated as the month of Mary, our Blessed Mother. Please join us as we pray the Rosary 30 minutes before each weekend Mass. We will also crown the statue of Mary during a special ceremony on Sunday, May 12th at the beginning of 10:30 am Mass. All children are encouraged to participate in the procession.

The Youth Group is selling Pizza Kits and more for their Spring Fundraiser. See a Youth Group member or contact Monica Kominars at 517-240-4092. Orders are due with payment by Friday, May 26th. Thank you for your continued support of our young people.

Spring cleaning at the parish cemetery, is underway. Please wait until May 6th before redecorating the graves.

Our Confirmation Candidates will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Boyea at the Cathedral in Lansing on Sunday, April 7th. Please keep Hannah Kominars, Megan Miller, Mary Sangster, and their Confirmation Sponsors in your prayers as they make their final preparations for reception of the sacrament.

Stations of the Cross are prayed each Friday during Lent beginning at 7:30 pm in the Church. This devotion will also be prayed 20 minutes prior to each of the weekend Masses.

Please take the opportunity to honor your loved ones by purchasing an Easter lily in their honor. These plants will be on the altar for Easter and you can take your plant home after the 10:30 Easter Sunday Mass. Cost is $16. Order forms are available in the vestibule and can be left in the vestibule basket or put in the collection basket. Please make checks out to “The Flower Garden”. Orders are due Monday, April 8th.