To explore "The Real Presence" series, click HERE

Belief in the presence of Jesus in Holy Communion is critical for Catholics. It’s so important that Jesus told us in John 6:53, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.” Strong words that demand attention! Jesus didn’t say His flesh was symbolic – it is REAL. If you are not able to attend the “Real Presence” sessions in person, you can view the videos and access everything on your computer or smartphone. Use your browser to link to St. Mary's website: https://stmarymanchester.org/ Then look for the 2nd box down labeled ‘ST.MARY PARISH NEWS,’ then click the line: To explore “The Real Presence” series click HERE. That will take you to another page with a big HERE button – click it to bring up the folders containing all of the series information: the 6 session videos with descriptions, many additional videos to explore, handouts, study guide, and more. You will only miss the in-person session discussions.

Families can look forward to an exciting new year for Religious Ed classes and Youth Group. We are welcoming a new director of the program: Lori Feiler. A couple of weeks ago at the end of Mass, Fr. Bosco introduced Lori to the parish, and she spoke briefly. If you missed it, here are some excerpts from what she shared:...

The six sessions on “The Real Presence in the Eucharist” include a video and Q&A discussion. Snacks and drinks will be offered. Sessions are scheduled on Mondays after noon Mass (12:45pm) and repeated on Thursdays at 6:30pm beginning on Mon., Sept 13 and Thurs. Sept 16 ending on Oct 18 and 21. The location is in Fr. Fisher Hall. For several weeks beginning in August, there will be a note card in the pews for you to choose either Mondays or Thursdays so we can plan for food. Put a check mark on your preference and drop it in a basket as you exit the church. Learn why Catholics believe Jesus is actually present in Holy Communion and how to explain this reality to friends, family, co-workers and others.

Last weekend, the Diocesan RRM planning committee presented the fruit of their work: To create for Bishop Boyea’s approval a plan to “realign resources” in the Diocese. They described “grouping” parishes, that is, sharing staff including having priests “grouped” for the grouped parishes, perhaps residing together, while still assuring each parish has a “parish priest.” If you missed the presentation, you can watch it on the Diocese YouTube channel and learn about how St. Mary, Manchester will be affected. Go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVN3dzGXCbw

As you know, we have new hymnals. And our previous St. Michael Hymnals have been retired. Each of those hymnals was donated by someone in the parish. And with each, the donor was invited to have the prayer request of their choice printed on a bookplate and placed in the front of the hymnal. Perhaps One or More are Yours! You can pick up “your” hymnal from Fr. Fisher Hall (downstairs in the church). You might keep it at home for your family prayers. Or maybe give it to a family member – a young person away at school or an aging parent or friend – or give it to a friend who no longer attends Mass. The hymnals can be beautiful evangelization opportunities. But be advised: The final day for picking up hymnals is Mon., Sept. 6. Any hymnals not claimed by the end of that day will be donated to the Marian Center in Petoskey, MI. Please Note: 1) The church is open all day, and you can access Fr. Fisher Hall by the steps under the choir loft or by the elevator. 2) There are a number of hymnals without bookplates or given anonymously, so you are welcome also to take one of those.

As a result of your input, the days and times of the six September/October sessions on the Eucharist will be: ◆ The Monday sessions will be held after the Monday noon Mass, at about 12:45pm, and begin Sept. 13. ◆ The evening sessions will be Thursdays, beginning Sept. 16 at 6:15pm. Both Monday and Thursday sessions in the same week will run the same video and offer the same handouts and supplemental video internet links. And both the Monday and Thursday sessions will offer something to eat. These sessions are critically important for all Catholics. The Eucharist is the Source & Summit of our Faith. Jesus told us that “unless you eat My Body and drink My Blood, you have no life within you.” These words FORCE us to make a decision. Join fellow parishioners to discover evidence for The Real Presence.

“GOD’S LOVE HAS BEEN POURED INTO OUR HEARTS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN US.” - ROMANS 5:5 Save the Date: Women from five Dioceses – Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Saginaw – come together to focus on their faith and to experience the fellowship of sisterhood in Christ Jesus. Throughout the day, women will be encouraged and inspired to focus and grow their faith by hearing from Catholic speakers, engaging in praise and worship music, and celebrating holy Mass with our bishops. The conference will be held at the Lansing Center in Lansing on Sat., Oct. 16, 2021. Registration NOW OPEN! (Visit mcwc.ticketspice.com/cwc ) Also, Parish Captains are needed: We are in need of parish captains to help coordinate the promotion of this event within parishes. If you’d like to serve as a parish captain, or know someone who would, please contact Deanna McCrate at MichiganCWC@sbcglobal.net or by phone at 810-287-7272.

Parish Family Birthdays for the Week of September 5

Altar Flowers for the week of Sunday, September 5

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.

Do you know anyone who has been thinking of becoming Catholic, or a Catholic who never received the Sacrament of Confirmation? If so, they should pursue instruction through the process called Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Please contact Deacon Dennis for information 734-761-3163, or by email at waltersdennis3816@sbcglobal.net

Sanctuary lamps burn in Catholic churches to remind us of Jesus' Real Presence in the Tabernacle of our church. At St. Mary's, we also may request there be a special prayer intention associated with a sanctuary lamp. In the second chapter of Mark's Gospel we hear the story of the paralytic. It concludes: "[The friends of the paralytic] let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their [i.e. the friends] faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Child, your sins are forgiven.' Click here for the special intentions associated with the sanctuary lamps this week…