This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae. Deacon Dennis will be preaching on this topic throughout the month of July.

This week is the Peter's Pence Collection which provides Pope Francis with the funds he distributes around the world to benefit our brothers and sisters on the margins of society. Please be generous. For more information, visit www.usccb.org/peters-pence.

Parish Shirts will be available for pick up during the Masses on Saturday, June 16th and Sunday, June 17th. The Evangelization Team extends its gratitude to everyone who helped to make this first shirt sale such a huge success

Please take note of the schedule of ICS meetings before the event. All meetings are on Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm in the Fr. Fisher Hall. We are still in need of committee leaders. The next meeting is June 14th. Then....June 21st, 28th, July 12th, 19th. God bless you all for your undeniable support in making our ICS a great success as usual.

We have not yet reached our parish goal. If you have not yet made a gift or a pledge, please use the gift envelopes available in church or the parish office. You may submit your gift online at www.dioceseoflansing.org/dsa.

Thank you to everyone who has made a gift or pledge commitment to our Diocesan Services Appeal. Our gifts to DSA enable our diocese to provide services crucial to our parish. The programs and services funded by DSA offer direct assistance to individuals and families and to parishes, schools, and Catholic Charities agencies. Evangelization occurs through dozens of ongoing ministries made possible by our contributions to DSA. If you have not yet made a gift or a pledge, I invite you to do so today. Gift envelopes are available in church or the parish office. Or you may submit your gift online at www.dioceseoflansing.org/dsa. Your DSA gift will support the vital services and ministries that help bring the love of Christ to all we encounter.

A reminder that we have the opportunity each weekend to sponsor the flowers on the Altar. 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. A sign-up sheet is in the main vestibule with dates available in May. Or contact the parish office for more information.

This Friday is the first Friday of the month and the opportunity to spend time with the Lord exposed in the Blessed Sacrament on the altar. Please take this opportunity to spend an hour or half an hour with Him. Let Him speak to you in the silence of your heart. Adoration begins following 8:30 am Mass and continues until Benediction at 10:00 pm.

For years, the Knights of Columbus have been successfully helping homeowners spread Christianity in the Manchester and Saline areas, by placing simple white crosses on their lawns and in their gardens. These simple crosses are visible signs, to everyone who passes our way, of our faith in Jesus. The Knights are continuing to make these crosses. Crosses can be purchased at the Flower Garden in Manchester for a donation of $5.00.

Monday, April 9th, is also commemorated this year as the Solemnity of the Annunciation. This solemn feast is usually celebrated on March 25th, but it was moved this year because it fell on Palm Sunday. It is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but please attend Mass if you are able.

The Church is the place where our parish family comes together to worship the Lord and to connect with one another both young and old alike. The Lord is in the Tabernacle at all times so that we can be in His presence and worship Him. Let us be aware of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are there to pray. Before, during and after Mass please maintain a holy silence for those who have come to pray. The entryway is an appropriate place to visit with friends or to quiet a spirited child.

The annual church cleaning for Christmas will be held on Saturday, December 23rd at 10:00am. Please come with a clean rag & bucket to help prepare our church for Christmas! Many hands make light work! We will also need your help to decorate the church on December 22nd and 23rd Sign up sheets will be in the vestibule.

Starting the month of December, there are ONLY 8 Altar Servers in rotation. We have just had 2 of the senior boys drop out of serving. If Mass preferences are followed, there is 1 server to do Saturdays, 4 to do 8:30 Sundays and 2 to do 10:30 Sundays. I don't have any answers as to why we have this issue, but we do. So, parents of these young men, thank you for having them at Mass. Christmas will be the VERY difficult time because from Dec. 23 thru Dec. 25, there will be 6 Masses to be covered.

The month of November is when we remember and honor the faithful departed. To give honor to our deceased relatives, the ‘Book of Eternal Life’ will be placed at the front of the Church for each parishioner to inscribe the names of their loved ones on its pages.

Advent is just around the corner. It is the season of preparation of our hearts and homes for the Birth of the Savior. Magnificat Advent Companions will be made available to help prepare you spiritually for the journey. Also note that Friday, December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and a Holy Day of Obligation. Check upcoming bulletins for more details.

Throughout the month of October, we will gather 30 minutes before each of the weekend Masses to pray the Rosary as a community. Please join us in this beautiful devotion to our Blessed Mother.

On September 25th, 5:00-8:00pm the Knights of Columbus are preparing a spaghetti dinner at St. Mary's Parish Center to raise funds for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The KofC is donating all proceeds to the victims. A free will offering for the meal is appreciated.

All Religious Education programming will begin September 10, 2017 with an orientation meeting at noon in the Parish Center for all families with children who will be receiving First Holy Communion and Reconciliation.

The St. Mary Religious Education Program is searching for a Grade 1 and 2 teacher. Materials and curriculum are supplied and your support will make the difference in the lives of our young students. Classes are on Mondays from 3:30-5:00pm. Please contact Karin Villarreal at stmarymanchester.dre@gmail.com or call the Parish Center office at 734-428-7211 with questions or interest.

You are invited to attend the Lay Convocation for Lay Ministry Leaders October 10-11th. We have a two-day event planned for you at Faholo Retreat Center in Grass Lake. Registration deadline is September 12th. dioceseoflansing.org/events