There is a beautiful hymn that is sung in churches back home. The song goes like this: "Udo, udo ga di--, ebe ihunanya di, ebe ahu ka udo ga adi--!" Literally it means, Peace—peace will only prevail in an environment of love. What a truth! One of the main reasons why peace continues to elude our world today is precisely because love—genuine love—is lacking. People say, "I love you," when they really mean, "I lust for you!" In other words, exploitation or grabbing has replaced Christian love for many followers of the Man of Nazareth. How sad!
With the Lenten season a few days away, the Church focuses our attention this Sunday on the reconciliating love of Jesus that led Him to die on the cross for us. Consequently, we are challenged today to embrace the will of our Heavenly Father in imitation of the Lord Jesus.
Our Gospel reminds us today that, it is not those who say, "Lord, Lord!" that will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but rather those who do the will of the Father in Heaven. As we all know, the central will of God for us is to love and care for one another. Unless we embrace this call and live it out in our daily lives, we are deceiving ourselves when we call ourselves God's children.
Repeatedly in our first reading this Sunday—the Book of Deuteronomy— we hear Moses telling the Israelites to keep God's commandments with all their hearts and being. They are not to toy with God in their lives. What an advice! What Moses is saying in effect to his people is to rid their lives of selfishness which can impede their observance of God's laws. I agree. Selfishness is not the way of a child of God. Love and selfishness are never compatible.
My fellow reflectors, and friends, if we are serious about our discipleship, we must consistently strive to rid our lives of the cancer of selfishness. Like most cancers, it can be very deadly if not checked and uprooted. Selfishness can prevent us from saying, "yes" to the call of Jesus to serve Him in His Church. It can make us continue to say, "No" to His invitation to serve Him in His people, especially the poor and the needy.
Today, one of the questions each of us must ask is, "Am I a selfish Christian?" Our sincere answer will enable us to chart our course on the path of discipleship. An African adage says that illness well diagnosed, is illness already half-cured. I concur. When we honestly admit to ourselves that pockets of selfishness may be found in us in one form or another, then we will be in a better position to do something meaningful about it. Otherwise, we may be carrying this deadly cancer around, oblivious of the risk.
As spiritual writers have consistently advised, one of the best cures of selfishness is to risk doing for others, and for the sake of Christ, what may inconvenience us in the short or long-run. For instance, it is not easy to give ourselves to serve others. In fact, it is more convenient to say, "No" to service of any sort, than to actually bend down to serve others, with all the complaints and set-backs involved. Simply put, selfless service is not easy. It demands some sacrifice. And, no sacrifice may occur where love is not enthroned. This is one of the central lessons this Sunday.
Think about it, and have a wonderful Lenten season!
FR. MICHAEL CHIDI NKACHUKWU, Pastor
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, March 6, 2011
1. PARISH COUNCIL MEETS MONDAY, MARCH 14: Our next parish Council meeting will take place on Monday, March 14. Time remains 6:30pm, at the rectory. Please, members be on time to avoid having to get up from the meeting to open the parish gate for late-comers. Endeavor to arrive at least five minutes before 6:30pm.
2. THANK YOU! We again thank all those whose names appeared last week in our annual "Christmas Appeal Fund" listing. May God's smile continue to rest upon you and your families and loved ones! It is hoped that we will continue to lend our support to this important annual fundraiser—the biggest one of the year. Let us always remember that both our regular Christmas offerings and the "Christmas Appeal" are all tax exempt from the Archdiocese, for they all account for Christmas gifts. And, Christmas gifts are not taxed by the Archdiocese. In the future, however, clearly designate your gift wherever you wish it to go. Don't give it without designation. If you do, the choice will be left to the parish office to decide where to put your gift, especially if you opt to give only to the Christmas offering, and not to the Christmas Appeal. If you use the designated envelopes, there shouldn't be any room for confusion in the future, come December period.
3. MINISTERS OF SERVANTS ASSIGNMENTS: We are tentatively assigning our Ministers of Service for distribution of Holy Communion on a limited scale from June to December 2011. Those unable or unwilling to be part of this arrangements, to be bringing the Eucharist to our sick and shut-in sisters and brothers, are expected to let us know so that their names may be removed. It is hoped, however, that no Minister would decline this important part of their ministry. Each Minister is to choose the day(s) and time mutually suitable to bring Holy Communion to the sick or home-bound. This is how the tentative schedules stand at this time, effective from June till December 2011: Cal Bailey (Sr.) to Christie Bailey, and Edna Taylor;Rita Smith to Lucille Murphey, and Oveda Thomas; Calvert Bailey (Jr.) to Lawrence Cooper, and Clemencia Massey; Mary Sloan to Carrie Ridgeway, and Geraldine Dickerson; Michelle Bann to Peter Puma, and Noremethel Smith; Michael Willis to Alsa Willis, and Julia Dixon; Alton James to Joseph Mudd, and Benjamin Smith; Tia Davis to Teresa Fryer, and Mary Butler. Those who want to start immediately, may start straight away without waiting till June. But, June is chosen so that those who need further coaching or instructions may receive them before then. Those not assigned now will be assigned from January of 2012 to June of that year. Then this cycle will be repeated. Those to be assigned later are: Floyd Binns, Pascal Koyton, Peter Thiede, Teresa Fryer etc. Please, notify the parish office if any of people you give Communion to weekly or bi-weekly, is admitted to a hospital, or needs confession or anointing etc. But find out first if he or she hasn't been anointed before. Anointing cannot be administered during the same illness. Please, remember that you are to arrange with the people you will be visiting the best time that will be mutual suitable for all of you: It may be weekly, or every other week, but it shouldn't be more than every three weeks at the latest. Weekly remains the ideal, where possible. Thank you for saying, "yes" to the Lord to serve His people. This schedule will be among the issues we will be touching upon during our Worship Commission meetings in March and April to make sure everyone is on the same page on this important matter. So, those whose names are listed here, please, attend any of the Worship Commission meetings in any of these months, if you have any question or suggestions as to how best to ensure that our sick and shut-ins receive Holy Communion regularly. Look out for the notice in our bulletins or listen to pulpit announcements in this regard. Again, thank you for your cooperation.
4. LENT BEGINS: As we are aware, the Lenten season starts on Wednesday March 9—Ash Wednesday. On that day ashes will be sprinkled upon our foreheads as a sign of penance, repentance and renewal of spirit etc. Our Mass that special day will commence at 6:30pm. All are encouraged to attend. Let us start the Lenten season, putting God at the center of our lives. Let no personal schedules crowd out God from our lives on that day.
5. INFORMATION WEEKEND: Many thanks to all who graced our 'Information Weekend last week as we launched the information part of our "Changing Lives Together." Our parish leaders of this initiative have so far done very well. Let us continue to lend them our full support. By God's grace, our campaign will be a big success, for the Lord is truly good and great.
6. INSTRUCTION: Let us not forget that every 2nd and last Sunday throughout the Lenten season, there will be about 15 -20 minutes of catechetical instructions on some of our basic Catholic teaching, including the New Roman Missal. All are encouraged to arrive in good time at the church on these days to listen to these instructions. Knowledge is power.
7. HEALING MASS: 4 PM Saturday March 26 is our next Healing Mass. It will be preceded at 3pm by a Holy Hour and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Bring the sick and the elderly to this special Liturgy. Everyone is welcome.
8. CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER: Are you praying over your commitment for our Changing Lives Together initiative? Remember, it is only through sincere prayer and reflections that our hearts will be touched by the Lord to do great things for Him. Let us listen to the whisper of the Holy Spirit as we ponder on what to commit for this three-year special initiative.
Readings for the Week:
Sunday, March 6 Deuteronomy 11:18, 26-28,32 Psalm 31:2,3, 3-4,17,25 Romans 3:21-25,28 Matthew 7:21-27
Monday, March 7 Tobit 1:3, 2:1a8 Psalm 112:1b-2,3b-4,5-6 Mark 12:1-12
Tuesday, March 8 Psalm 112:17c; Psalm 112:1-2,7-8,9 Tobit 2:9-14 Mark 12:13-17
Wednesday, March 9 Joel 2: 12-18 Psalm 51: 3-4,5-6ab,12-13, 14 and 17 2 Corinthians 5:20-62 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Thursday, March 10 Psalm 40:5a; Psalm 1:1-2, 3,4 and 6 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Luke 9:22-25 Friday, March 11 Isaiah 58: 1-9a Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab,18-19 Matthew 9:14-15
Saturday, March 12 Psalm 86: 11ab; Psalm 86:1-2,3-4,5-6 Isaiah 58: 9b-14 Luke 5:27-32
Pray for Our Sick and Shut-ins:
Lawrence Cooper Elizabeth Miller Mary Longmire Butler Joseph Mudd Sr. Virginia Parker, IHM Betty Ford Myron Brown Clemencia Massey Diane Perkins Harvey Ramsey Alsa Willis Cathy Stecker Carrie Ridgeway Louis Canter Stanley Johnson Estelle Rebain Lillian Gessner Jean McKay Mary Byzewski Earlene Johnson Carey Smith Edna Taylor Julia Dixon Frances Smigielski Peter Puma Ellen Logan Sr. Joan Frances Giere, SSND Alison Regep Arthur Champeau Marilyn Champeau Benjamin Smith Kenneth Butler Lottie Claiborne Donald Stecker Noremethel Smith Geraldine Dickerson
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BIRTHDAYS
"Happy Birthday to ya, Happy Birthday to ya, Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!"
Peter Puma...February 20
Lisa Townsend...February 20
Cathy Stecker...February 24
National Marriage Encounter National Marriage Encounter is a weekend experience of re-discovery for couples who want to make their good marriages even better. For more information, call Rich and Fran at 586–838–4447 or go to the Web: www.national–marriage–encounter.org.
The Michigan Catholic The Michigan Catholic is the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Detroit. A subscription costs $24. You will receive 26 editions of the paper (bi–weekly) plus 12 free supplements. The Michigan Catholic brings you local, regional, national and international news from the Catholic perspective. The supplements cover topics of great interest: parish festivals, Catholic education, vocations, senior living, and more. To subscribe call 313–224–8002 or send your payment to The Michigan Catholic, 305 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48226
Word of Life Religious freedom expresses what is unique about the human person, for it allows us to direct our personal and social life to God, in whose light the identity, meaning and purpose of the person are fully understood. To deny or arbitrarily restrict this freedom is to foster a reductive vision of the human person; to eclipse the public role of religion is to create a society which is unjust, inasmuch as it fails to take account of the true nature of the human person; it is to stifle the growth of the authentic and lasting peace of the whole human family. ~Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the Word Day of Peace, January 1, 2011
How firm is your foundation of faith? Listen to Jesus’ words and use them as the solid rock on which to build your life (Matthew 7: 21–27). Consider ministry in the Church. If you think God is calling you to be a priest, call Fr. Tim Birney, Director of Priestly Vocations, at 313–237–5875 or visit www.vocationsdetroit.org.
A Family Perspective by Bud Ozar Today’s Gospel challenges you to build your home on the foundation of fidelity to God, your family, and yourself. Fidelity is the key to withstand the “rains, floods, and winds” of life.
CSA Minute Communications Evangelization and faith formation are only as far away as an iPod, an MP3 player or a Web browser. The Archdiocese of Detroit offers free podcasts through its Department of Communications, thanks to you gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal. A podcast is a feed of audio files on the Internet that anyone can subscribe to. Current podcasts available on the archdiocese of Detroit website (www.AODonline.org) include messages and homilies from Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, information on discerning a vocation, and Tuesday devotionals. Instructions for subscribing and listening to these podcasts can be found under the “News & Publications” tab. For more information about CSA-funded programs and ministries, go to www.AODonline.org.
LENTEN FISH FRY SWEETEST HEART OF MARY PARISH Every Friday of Lent 3 to 8 PM in the Parish Hall 4440 Russell, Detroit Info and Carry-outs 313-831-0533 Guarded Parking
