The SPA Weekly
Your Latest News From St. Paul the Apostle Parish
The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - January 30, 2022
Links to: YouTube Channel / Bulletin / Previous newsletters
This week:
- Notre Dame Professor to speak on the 10 Commandments
St. Paul’s Blessings II by Fr. Peter
A Message From Jacob Hahn
Saints! Popes! Prayer! History! Devotion! - Church Library Cart
Saint Cecilia Music Fund Update
Switch to Online Giving
Little Apostles' Service Project for February
- Knights of Columbus Winter Blood Drive Results
- SPAuction - February 4, 2022
- Sign up for Youth Group
A Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration Every Friday at 9am
Introducing the Ten Commandments- Leonard DeLorenzo
We live in an age where freedom is presented to us as permission to figure out for ourselves what is good and what it means to be human. Our primary responsibility, it seems, is to choose for ourselves: to craft our own identities, to create our ideal social order, to do whatever is necessary to fulfill the maxim that “you do you.”
The Christian life, however, is all about freedom and not at all about arbitrary choice. The freedom of the Christian life is in receiving and responding to the order God gives, and to live wholly and bountifully within that order.
The third pillar of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is dedicated to “Life in Christ,” and more than half the pages on that pillar focus on the Ten Commandments. We do not have much appetite for commandments in our modern world, because they feel like impositions and limits to the commonplace notion of freedom. But in Christ, these commandments guide us to true freedom, which is the freedom to love God and love our neighbor.
In this presentation, I will present short teachings and reflections on the Ten Commandments, drawing from the wisdom of the Catechism, so that we Christians might rediscover the dignity of the order God gives us.
St. Paul’s Blessings II
Dear St. Paul parishioners,
Over the last couple of weeks we were blessed with so many graces as a parish and school! This is why last week I wrote about some of these blessings. I would like to continue on that path as we look forward to what lies ahead in God’s providence for our parish.
This weekend we welcome at St. Paul the Apostle Jacob Hahn, seminarian intern, who will spend with us 6 months, as part of his priestly formation and discernment. It is a great blessing for our community to walk with a seminarian and a testimony to the good we are doing, a great sign of trust on our bishop's part and of Fr. Stephen Durkee, our diocesan vocations director. Jacob will be living with me and Fr. Michael at the rectory, closely witnessing our life as priests, learning and sharing his gifts with our parish and school community. Please see Jacob’s brief message to us below. Meet and greet Jacob after Masses: you really can’t miss him!
This weekend Deacon Michael will be preaching and it is the first time he preaches at Sunday Masses. I already had the chance to listen to his homily to our students during one of our school Masses a few weeks ago. He is a great blessing to our community and his words are an anointing to the soul and mind, coming from a deep and lived faith. Please know you are still in time if you haven’t reached out yet for a newly-ordained special blessing after Masses!
Last Tuesday, January 25, we celebrated the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, a special day for us as a parish dedicated to St. Paul. We intentionally solemnize this day every year and my goal is that we all look forward to it as a special parish feast day. We celebrated it with a solemn evening Mass, reflecting upon our patron saint, honoring him, drawing inspiration from his conversion and seeking the graces we need in living out the faith in the footsteps of St. Paul. An incredible grace was for our community to hear for the first time a special hymn for St. Paul’s conversion composed by our parishioner Doug-Taylor Weiss and set to music by our sacred music director Michael Miller. What a gift to the parish! In the weeks ahead we will be singing it and learning this new hymn. And hopefully for years to come.
With this Sunday we kick off Catholic Schools Week. We have so much to celebrate and give thanks to God for, as we continue to build upon foundations set by those who came before us. Please read the special insert with a message from Bishop Walkowiak and Mrs. Morrow, our school principal. Please keep our school community in your prayers, as we navigate challenging times with the Covid-19 pandemic, very stressful for all but blessed nonetheless as we continue to grow in beautiful ways. Look for some exciting announcements this week and at the end of it! Our school auction Friday this week may have something to do with it… surprises coming on the horizon! Mrs. Morrow and I, together with our school board led by Mr. Rabaut, can’t wait to share them with you!
Wednesday, February 2nd, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas. If you are able to attend the noon Mass, please note that we will begin in the Narthex with the Blessing of Candles before we proceed into the Church.
Last but not least, I want to invite you this Tuesday night, February 1st, to a special event. A lecture by Dr. Leonard DeLorenzo from Notre Dame's McGrath Institute for Church Life. He comes to speak to the middle school students in the afternoon about the 10 Commandments as part of our Catholic Schools Week celebrations and in the evening he will speak to the whole parish. Everyone is encouraged to attend what is sure to be a spiritually enriching presentation.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Peter Damian
A Message From Jacob Hahn
This is Jacob Hahn and I am very excited to be doing my Internship here at St Paul the Apostle Church. I am looking forward to getting to know more about the families here at this church as well as the greater family of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. I am greatly appreciative of Fr. Peter Damian and his willingness to mentor me during these six months. I look forward to serving you in various ministries throughout these six months of Internship. Please know of my prayers for the entire community of St Paul the Apostle, both the church and the school. I pray that this internship will be fruitful for all and that it will provide me with a better appreciation of my call to the Priesthood as well as plenty of tools to succeed in my future ministries.
Peace!
Jacob R Hahn
Read more about Jacob, here: grvocations.org/seminarian/jacob-r-hahn
Is Your Online Giving Up To Date?
With the new year, we want to remind parishioners to check that your billing information is current for your online giving. We are finding many credit cards that have expired, resulting in missed weekly giving.
Sign in to your account today! Don’t have online giving set up and want to? Log into your Realm account to set up or contact the Parish Office.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SIGN UP FOR ONLINE GIVING: spagr.org/church/giving/
Saints! Popes! Prayer! History! Devotion!
Do you love to read? Do you love to learn about the Catholic faith, cool Catholic people, how to be a better Catholic?
Next weekend, the SPA Library Cart will be available during coffee and donuts after both the 9 and 11 o'clock Masses. The books are to be borrowed on the honors system and returned in a timely manner, so that others can enjoy them as well.
Saint Cecilia Music Fund Update
On November 22, the Feast of St. Cecilia, Patron of Musicians, we launched the St. Cecilia Music Fund. A matching challenge was created by several generous parishioners with the hope of raising $8000 to expand and enrich our music ministry.
We are delighted to report that 47 families contributed and a total of $9315 was raised! Praise God for this outpouring of generosity! Already we have enjoyed the fruits of this fund with the guest musicians employed at Christmas. We will continue to utilize these funds to expand and embellish our music outreach at St. Paul the Apostle.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this project. In addition to your financial support, the various notes and cards with words of encouragement are beyond value. To hear how the music at our church has drawn you closer to the Lord, deeping your engagement with the Mass, is truly a reward for all of the hard work that goes into making our musical offering beautiful.
(Note: The fund is now closed to contributions. Thank you again for your generosity!)
Little Apostles' Service Project for February
January 30 - February 6
Your family is invited to participate in a parish service project by making Valentine cards for the homebound!
Please pick up the Valentine Kit packages in the Little Apostles' Alcove the weekend of January 30 through February 6.
- Inside each Valentine Kit are the supplies needed for the cards.
- Please do NOT have your child sign his/her name on the card. Instead apply the provided stickers. (This is a request from the resident facilities.)
- Return cards to the Alcove or Parish Office by Wednesday February 9th.
Do You Use Our Hearing Loop?
If so, how is it working for you? We are looking for feedback so please let us know.
Email Michael with any feedback at mmiller@spagr.org.
Youth Group
Register for Youth Group Today!
Don’t miss out on on upcoming events. Register today to be a member of the Middle School or High School Youth Group. The cost is $25 for the year.
Homebound?
If you have become homebound or know someone who has become homebound, please call the Parish Office to sign up for home communion.
Community Bulletin Board
Our Community Boards are located in the Narthex. We invite you to take a look at what is going on in the community or to place your own ad. If you’d like to place an ad, take a blank sheet and write your need or service and hang it up or email mkreuger@spagr.org for the template.
Join the Knights of Columbus
All men of the Parish are invited to join the Knights Of Columbus here at St Paul's.
Please contact Charlie Jilek 616-299-6364 for more information.
Knights of Columbus Winter Blood Drive Results
A warm thanks to all our donors and volunteers for a very successful Winter Blood Drive on January 23!
- 39 people registered to donate, resulting in 40 pints collected (including double red). Lives saved: 120!
- First-Time Donors: Nicholas Augustyn, Tom Korte, Leah Lambertson.
- Gallon Milestones: Greg Zervoudakis (12), Allison Dible (3), Andrew Houser (2), Scott Vicari (2), Jeff Hage (1).
The Knights of Columbus Council #8291 is truly grateful to the staff of St. Paul's for their continuous support.
Please consider donating at the next blood drive on July 17.
Register Today to Become a St. Paul Parishioner!
To become a registered member of St. Paul the Apostle Parish, fill out the form on our website.
Please contact us if you have questions.
Mass Intentions: January 31 - February 6, 2022
Larry Howard by His Family
Marilyn Elizabeth Gonser by John Gonser
Gino Lombardo by Pete, Jenny, and Kids
Deceased members of the Charles Rice Family by Charline Rice
Jim Fitzgerald by the Donatelli Family
Helen Korson by Ann Korson
Nathan Ross
Robert (Bob) Williams by SPA
Jim Rossi by Joe and Janmarie Rossi
Jim Fitzgerald by the St. Paul Knights of Columbus
Kitty Rauch by the Jon Rauch Family
Intentions of Christian, Nahed, Hannah, Krista, Micah and Josh Fernando & Intentions of Thacker, Hannah and Jeremiah Hisey by the Schumacher Family
Please Pray For
Erin, Ryan, and Brooks Abel, Donna Antzack, Marie Ault, Gerry Arthur, Jenine Bourdon, Arthur Brodie, Ed Budnick, Barbara Camenga, Don and Bobbie, Cericola, Paul Ceton, Fred and Mary Cheslek, Nancy Church, George Conrade, Mary Ann Datema, Martha Dunning, Jean and Jerry Elson, Frank Geluso, Elaine Grace, Barbara Hedrick, Jim Heyden, David Hoffer, Colleen Hollern, Dario Juric, Joan Kopka , Steve Kracik, Sandy Leach, Douglas Leete, Arlene Lillis, Davor Lucic, Mary McMahon , Mitzie Murphy, Pat Murphy, Thomas Pacic, Julia Panciera, Lee Perrin, Tom Perrin, Steve Perrin, Scotty Peterman, Margaret Pisciotta, Amelia Price, Page Rector, Judy Rice, Kathryn Rice, Emma Saccomani, Larry and Maryann Schafer, Stephanie Schafer, Val Schafer, Karen Shively, Joe Spielmaker, Carol Stewart, Nancy Stone, Quentin Taylor, Dan Thill, Barb Van Antwerp, Tony Vicari, Annette Weston
And all those we know and love who are ill.
This week, Kathy Lauria will pray for the needs of our Parish. Call with your intentions at 616-949-5473.
Next: Dick & Lois Wittkowski
Bulletin Deadlines & Contact
If your group has information or an event for the bulletin, please submit Friday by
5:00 PM to Merribeth at mkreuger@spagr.org. The article will go in the following
week’s bulletin. Submissions may be edited for content or space considerations.
Parish office hours
Please note that the Parish Office will be open Monday - Friday, 8am - 12pm and 1pm - 4pm.
The church will be available for private prayer by way of the Parish Office from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 10:30 am - 4:00 pm on Thursday.
Schedule for January 29 - February 6
- Saturday, January 29 • 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Reconciliation
5:00 pm Mass
6:00 pm Rites of Christian Initiation Gathering - Sunday, January 30 • 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Coffee and Donuts after 9 & 11 am Masses
9:00 am Mass
11:00 am Mass - New Parisioner Welcome
6:00 pm Mass
7:00 pm Youth Group Service Project - Monday, January 31
8:30 am Mass
9:30 am Bible Study - Lectio: Evangelization - Tuesday, February 1
1:00 pm Bible Study - Jesus: The Way, the Truth, the Life
6:30 pm The Ten Commandments with Dr. Leonard DeLorenzo
6:30 pm Children's Faith @ Home Virtual Gathering - Wednesday, February 2 • The Presentation of the Lord
12:00 pm Mass
6:15 pm Elementary Faith Formation - Thursday, February 3
6:20 am That Man Is You
9:00 am School Mass (Closed to the public)
6:30 pm Rites of Christian Initiation - Friday, February 4
8:30 am Mass
9:00 am Holy Hour of Adoration
10:00 am Fellowship Friday
6:00 pm SPAuction - Saturday, February 5 • 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
1:00 pm Confirmation Retreat
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Reconciliation
5:00 pm Mass - Sunday, February 6 • 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 am Mass
11:00 am Mass
6:00 pm Mass
7:00 pm Middle School Youth Group
7:00 pm Missionaries to the Family Date Night
Doors open 30 minutes before Mass.
Thank You Premier Event Sponsors
Contact Us!
Email: ebertacchi@spagr.org
Website: spagr.org/church
Location: 2750 Burton Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Phone: 616-949-4170
Facebook: facebook.com/stpaulapostlecatholic