st. jude catholic church grand rapids, mi
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St. Jude Catholic Church
Grand Rapids, MI
From the Director of Faith Formation
November 23 2017 Vol. 4 Issue 47
To get this FREE newsletter e-mailed to
you, contact Mary Ellen at the Parish
Office by calling (616) 363-6897 or by
email to [email protected]
Thanksgiving Day Prayer
Lord, we thank you for the goodness of
our people and for the spirit of justice
that fills this nation. We thank you for
the beauty and fullness of the land and
the challenge of the cities. We thank
you for our work and our rest, for one
another, and for our homes. We thank
you, Lord: accept our thanksgiving on
this day. We pray and give thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From Catholic Household Blessings and
Prayers
No Classes next Sunday, Nov. 26th
There is no Lord’s Lambs or
Children’s Liturgy of the Word or
classes next Sunday, November 26.
We always take the Sunday after
Thanksgiving off to give our
volunteers a weekend with their
families. Classes resume on Dec. 3.
November 26, 2017
Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Read Matthew 25: 31-45 (You might want to listen to Bishop Barron’s radio homily at this time.)
https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/peter-maurin-and-matthew-
25/695/
Pray with the Word (Pray with this text before and after attending Mass.)
How wonderful a King, Lord God, you have given us in Jesus your Son: not
a monarch enthroned in splendor, but a shepherd who seeks and recues the
flock. Prepare us for the day of Christ’s coming in glory by shaping our lives
according to his teaching, that what we have done for the least of his
brothers and sisters we have done for him. Through Christ our Lord Amen.
Prepare for the Word (Before attending Mass, reflect on these questions to
help prepare to hear the readings.)
What royalty are you familiar with? The current Prince of Wales or Duke of
Cambridge? Or, through television, movies or books: King Arthur or others
in the medieval times?
What does it mean to you to have Christ as your Lord and King? Do you
think of him as royalty in a celebrity sense, or as the Rule of all?
Reflect on the Word (After attending Mass, reflect on these questions.)
How do you help the less fortunate in your community, such as the hungry
or sick or strangers?
Act on the Word (Use these ideas to act on the readings during the week.)
Learn about kings and queens this week by reading a book, such as one of
the Chronicles of Narnia, or watching a movie, such as the Sword and the
Stone. If you prefer nonfiction, choose a period of Roman or Egyptian
history and learn about one of its kings. As you enjoy the story, think about
Christ as your King. How is royalty portrayed in the story? Can those
characteristics also describe Jesus? Pay attention to
how the king is treated by others and the respect he
is due. How does the king treats others, especially
those who need something? Look at the difference
between that and the Gospel. Think about how
learning about other kings helps you understand
Christ as King of the Universe.
Table of Contents Living the Word 1
55+ Activities 2
Home Lesson Plans 3/4
Calendar of Events 5
Catholic Info. Ctr. 6
Gospel Summaries 7
Vatican News 8
ADVENT BEGINS ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 3 - Make it the Best Advent Ever
This Advent will be one of shortest Advents we can have. The fourth Sunday of Advent is
December 24 which is also Christmas Eve. Therefore, Advent will last only 25 days. The fourth
week of Advent will not happen with Christmas occurring on the Monday of the fourth week.
So what can you do to make the 2017 Best Advent Ever? Many participated in Matthew Kelly’s
The Best Lent Ever earlier this year. Dynamic Catholic is offering a 2017 version of the Best
Advent Ever. There will be no cost to the parish or to you to bring into your home what Matthew Kelly and the folks at
Dynamic Catholic are offering. All you need to do is to go to www.dynamiccatholic.com/best-advent-ever and sign up.
Go to the link above and listen to a one minute overview, sign up by completing your name and e-mail address and
starting December 3rd
, the first Sunday of Advent, you’ll receive daily e-mails with short inspirational videos from
Matthew Kelly and Dr. Allen Hunt, practical tips to incorporate into your everyday life, and personal stories from
Dynamic Catholic team members. You’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of Christmas because you’ve prepared for
it in a unique way.
Saint Alphonsus On-going Programs for Seniors 55+
St. Alphonsus provides activities on Mondays and Wednesdays each week.
Programs take place in the Parish Center. Everyone 55+ is welcome including
non-parishioners. For more information or to RSVP contact the Senior Program
Voicemail at 616-913-4419 or e-mail [email protected] Phone this
number to obtain the October Calendar of Events.
Monday November 27 Wednesday November 29
Lounge Open- Games, Socializing 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Lounge Open- Games, Socializing 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Ask the Expert - Bryan Reeder 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Tai Chi Class 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Tai Chi Class 11:45 am – 12:45 pm Woodcarving 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Lunch - Sponsored by YAH 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm Book Club 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Detroit: An American Autopsy
Team Trivia 1:30 pm – 3:00 Lunch - Outing to Big E's 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Upcoming Parish Activities at Blessed Sacrament Parish
Bible Study on Mark’s Gospel continues on Tuesday’s at 9:15 am immediately
after the 8:30 am Mass. Come join the many people who are spending several
weeks studying Mark’s Gospel which will be the gospel we will use beginning in
ADVENT. Many of the ladies go out for an early lunch as soon as the session
ends. Everyone is welcome!!
For schedule information, please contact; Marie LaMire at [email protected] for additional information or
telephone the parish office 616-361-7339 and ask for Lori Borek.
JAIL & PRISON MINISTRY CHRISTMAS DRIVE
Your support is urgently needed to help those imprisoned in area jails, prisons and juvenile detention centers. You can
help by purchasing the following items and bringing them to Cathedral Square downtown by Monday December 11...
NEW WHITE TUBE SOCKS
NEW READING GLASSES - PLASTIC Frames only +1.0, +1.25 & +3.0 powers
TRAVEL SIZES ONLY of SHAMPOO CONDITIONER BODY WASH
MOISTURIZING LOTION DEODORANT LIP BALM M
Home Lesson Plans for November 26, 2017
Solemnity of Jesus Christ the King
Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3) - Young children use simple logic to view
the world: good actions ought to have good rewards; bad actions ought to be punished. However,
this is not always the way of the world. We can reassure them that in God’s plan all will be judged
rightly in the end.
Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings
Say: Sometimes people escape punishment for their bad behavior, and sometimes good actions are not rewarded. This
doesn’t seem fair to us. Jesus teaches us in today’s Gospel that we don’t have to worry about this because God will judge
all behavior when Jesus returns. Let’s listen to what Jesus says.
Read the Gospel, Matthew 25:31-46. Then watch this video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sDWuzUe78Y
Say: In the Gospel this week, Jesus tells us that life may seem unfair at times; the consequences of good behavior and
bad behavior get mixed up. But Jesus says that we should not worry about this because someday he will return to
separate the good from the bad. God can tell the difference between those who serve him and others and those who reject
him by not caring for others. Those who follow him will live with him forever. Those who do not have chosen not to live
with him. This will be a lonely choice for them. What do you think Jesus wants us to do? (He wants us to be doing good
things for others, especially those who are hungry, ill, naked, or imprisoned.) Jesus says that when we do these things for
anyone, we are doing them for him.
Conclude in prayer together, asking God to help us serve others.
Pray together the Act of Love. (Click on this link.)
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6) - Older children may be developing the habit of judging others, as
evidenced by their identification with a particular group of friends and the formation of cliques. We can help counter this
tendency by offering to them Jesus’ criterion for judgment—our acts of mercy toward the least ones among us.
Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings
Invite your family to consider some of the traits and characteristics they use to describe people. (Some possible traits
might be good-looking, smart, funny, friendly, kind, and helpful.)
Say: Very often, we use these kinds of characteristics to describe, and even judge other people.
Ask: What else might you need to know about these people in order to characterize them? (We might need to meet them,
get to know them, know how they behave with other people, and so on.)
Say: Jesus knows us very well and will use this knowledge and understanding about us when he returns to judge all
peoples. However, in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us that his judgment of us will be based on one thing. Let’s listen to
see how Jesus will judge us.
Invite one of your children to read aloud Matthew 25:31-46.
And then view this video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=851T6PxI3iM
Ask: What characteristic will Jesus use to judge us? (He will judge us based on how we treat the least ones among
us.) Jesus takes this one step further. He says that whenever we show mercy to one of the least ones among us, we show
mercy to Jesus himself.
Ask: What does this mean about whom we might choose to befriend or about how we ought to act toward other
people? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Conclude in prayer together asking Jesus for the help needed to serve him through the people around us, especially the
least ones among us.
Pray together the Lord’s Prayer.
Or sing the song: "Whatsoever you do" . Click on this video clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYozCOLUiFY
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8) Young people at this age are familiar with video games in which the
quest is for power and domination. The feast of Christ the King teaches us that Jesus rules with a very different kind of
power.
Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings
Ask the your children to think of examples of TV shows that have judges on them. (such as Judge Judy or Judge Mathis)
Point out that in many of these shows, the judges are responsible for making decisions that ensure that people get what
they deserve.
Say: In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us a story about a king who passes final judgment on people.
Have one of your children read aloud the Gospel, Matthew 25:31-46. Then view this video clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=851T6PxI3iM
Ask: What does the king base his judgments on? (whether or not people fed him when he was hungry, clothed him when
he was naked, and so on) How does the king respond when the people ask “When did we see you hungry?
Naked?” (“[Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”)
Say: This Sunday, we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. Jesus tells us the story of the final judgment to show us
what kind of a king he is. He is not a king interested in power and glory but in serving the needs of others. Since Jesus is
our king and we are his loyal subjects, we strive to imitate him and to live according to his will.
Conclude by praying the Lord’s Prayer, emphasizing that we pray for the coming of the kingdom and that we pray
that we may do the will of Christ the King.
Or sing the song: Whatsoever you do. Click on this video clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYozCOLUiFY
Bishop Barron’s weekly Homily - Solemnity of Christ the King - Nov. 26
Peter Maurin, the co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, took Jesus' words in our
Gospel for today with consummate seriousness. He felt that the corporal and spiritual
works of mercy constituted a sort of socio-economic program. Following the exhortation
of Jesus, Maurin wanted to create a society in which "it is easier for men to be good."
His example is still a challenging and compelling one today.
https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/peter-maurin-and-matthew-25/695/
Check out wordonfire.org for Bishop Barron’s radio message for 2017.
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November 23rd
Thursday Thanksgiving Day
10:00 am Mass in Church
November 24th
Friday
No School for ASA
Parish Office closed
November 25th
Saturday
3:00 pm Confessions 4:00 pm Mass
November 26th
Sunday
8:30 and 10:30 am Mass
No Lord’s Lambs and Children’s liturgy of the Word
during the 10:30 am Mass
No Classes for all children in grades 1-8 attending public
school
November 27th
Monday 8:30 am. Communion Service in chapel
7:30 pm Women’s Bible Study in Thaddeus Center
November 28th
Tuesday
8:30 am Mass in chapel
7:30 - 8:45 pm Men of Emmaus - Millennium Conf. Rm
8:00 to 10:00 pm Men’s Basketball in the ASA gym
November 29th
Wednesday
Mass 8:30 am. in chapel
9:00 am to noon Sr. Men’s Club-Thaddeus Ctr. Mtg. Room
6:00 to 8:45 pm Choristers and Adult Choir
6:30- 8:45 pm Support Croup - Thaddeus Ctr. Mtg. Room
Give a Millennium Center Walkway Brick
Give the gift that lasts...a brick on the Millennium
Center walkway customized with the individual or family
name. Contact Linda in the Parish Office at (616) 363-6885.
email to [email protected]
Sue Wuorinen,
Evangelization & Youth
Coordinator
(616) 363-6885
Cell: (616) 560-8107
Email to:
Go online to www.stjudes.net/thaddeus-society or contact Sue
Wuorinen at: (616) 363-6885, ext. 1166 or email
Go online to www.stjudes.net/mothers-of-grace-calendar to
view the calendar of events or contact Sue Wuorinen at:
(616) 363-6885, ext. 1166 or email [email protected]
.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
for
Nov. / Dec. 2017 Located inside Cathedral Square – Suite 2A
360 Division Ave South, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The following is a partial list of events scheduled for August and September, 2017 at the Catholic Information Center
located in Cathedral Square on Division at Wealthy in downtown Grand Rapids.
For information, phone the CIC at (616) 459-7267. Register online: http://www.catholicinformationcenter.org/course-
registration
"Divorce Recovery & Support Group"
Wednesday, November 29, 7:30 pm-8:45pm
With Jim Kline
CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267
For all those who are divorced or who are on the way to becoming divorced. This support group is led by those who have
been through divorce themselves and offers a pathway to personal growth. $15 cost for the series.
"Isaiah: The Prophet of Hope"
Thursday, November 30, 7:00 pm-8:45pm
With Fr. Paulo Puccini, CSP
CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267
Prepare for Advent with this exploration of the prophecies of Isaiah. Fr. Puccini will review the tense political situation in
Israel and unpack the power of Isaiah's message. $10 donation is suggested.
"The Bible and the Virgin Mary: Always a Mother"
Monday, December 4, 7:00 pm-8:30pm
With Fr. Rene Constanza, CSP and Monika Dauksts
CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267
Mary of the Scriptures and of devotion comes alive in a whole new way in this powerful and inspiring series. $10
donation is suggested.
"Sin & Grace: Are they Relevant Terms for Today?"
Wednesday, December 6, 7:00 pm-8:45pm
With Fr. Joe Lally, CSP
CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267
Join Fr. Joe as he looks at Sin and Grace from a mystical viewpoint. Do they speak to our desire for oneness with
God??? $10 donation is suggested.
"Divorce Recovery & Support Group"
Wednesday, December 6, 7:30 pm-8:45pm
With Jim Kline
CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267
For all those who are divorced or who are on the way to becoming divorced, this support group is led by those who have
been through divorce themselves and offers a pathway to personal growth. $15 cost for the series.
Youth ministry must reflect young people’s
diversity, US cardinal says
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/youth-ministry-
must-reflect-young-peoples-diversity-us-cardinal-says-91782
Solemnity of Christ the King
November 26 https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-
faith/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/our-
lord-jesus-christ-the-king-a-sunday-connection
Today’s Gospel passage is the conclusion
of Jesus’ discourse with his disciples. It is
about the end of time, the coming of the
Son of Man, and the final judgment. We
hear this description of the final judgment
at the conclusion of our liturgical year, the
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the
King. In the context of Matthew’s Gospel,
this passage might also be read as a
conclusion of Matthew’s report on Jesus’
life and ministry; the remaining chapters
report the events of Jesus’ Passion and
Resurrection.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes to his
disciples the scene of the judgment of the
Son of Man. All the nations will be
assembled before him, and he will separate
them as a shepherd separates sheep and
goats upon their return from the pasture.
The judgments made by the Son of Man
will be based upon the acts of mercy shown
to the least ones—the hungry, the thirsty,
the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned.
Indeed, Jesus, who suffered on the Cross,
identifies himself with the least ones.
Recall that last week’s parable of the
talents taught us that the gifts that we have
been given are intended to be used for the
service of others, especially the least
among us. Our judgment before God will
be based not only on how we have used
these gifts and talents, but also on how we
have extended ourselves in service to these
least ones. Indeed, Jesus tells us that
whenever we have served these least ones,
we have served Christ himself.
When we read today’s Gospel in the
context of the chapters that follow in
Matthew’s Gospel, we learn the extent to
which Jesus identifies with the least ones.
In accepting death on the cross, Jesus
shows himself to be one of the hungry, the
naked, the ill, and imprisoned. To accept
Jesus is to accept him who suffered and
died on the Cross as one of the least ones.
Read the Sunday Gospel…
Read the Gospel from your Bible, or go to USCCB.org for the readings:
Matthew 25:31-46 http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112617.cfm
Read the Gospel
Jesus teaches that when the Son of Man comes in glory, he will judge the nations, separating the sheep from the goats.
What is the message and how can you respond to it?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us that we will be judged on only one
thing: the acts of mercy we have shown to the least among us. Jesus
identifies with the least ones; thus we serve Jesus whenever we serve
one of the least ones. The Church calls the actions that Jesus described
in today’s Gospel the Corporal Works of Mercy. These works are to
feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to bury the dead, to shelter the
homeless, to visit the sick and imprisoned, and to give alms to the poor.
In these actions we show God’s compassion and mercy to those in need.
Apply that message to change your attitude or behavior.
As you gather as a family, recall the list of the Corporal Works of Mercy.
Talk about some concrete examples of how your family might do these
actions in your community and then discuss why it is important that we
do these things. Read Matthew 25:31-46. Ask: Why does Jesus say we
ought to do these works of mercy? (Because whenever we show mercy
to another person, we show mercy to Jesus himself.) Choose one
Corporal Work of Mercy that your family will act upon this week. Pray
together that your family will see and serve Jesus in the least ones among
us. Pray the Lord’s Prayer or an Act of Love.
https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/sunday-
connection/our-lord-jesus-christ-the-king-a-sunday-connection
Did You Know…
...when Pontius Pilate order the inscription
"This is the King of the Jews" placed on
the Cross, the Pharisees and Sadducees
protested? They thought it should have read
'This is the Man who Thought He was the
King of the Jews." Pilate did not change his
mind.
Examination of Conscience...
Of the thieves crucified with Jesus which one was I most like this week... the one who mocked Jesus or the one the one who asked Jesus to remember him?
Jesus wants us to be good subjects of the Kingdom of God? What actions will help me to be a good subject?
We would like to acknowledge the following publisher we have used with permission sections from its publication: Celebrating the Liturgy for Junior High Copyright, 2017 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. All rights reserved. Orders 1-800-933-1800. Permission to publish granted by the Most Reverend Francis J. Kane, DD, Vicar General Archdiocese of Chicago, on February 6, 2017
Climate change a problem we can't ignore,
Pope Francis says
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/climate-
change-a-problem-we-cant-ignore-pope-francis-says-
21977
Vatican City, Nov 16, 2017 / 12:08 pm (CNA/EWTN
News).- Pope Francis sent a message Thursday to a
conference on climate change, telling participants the
problem is something that can't be ignored, but must be
met with a proactive desire to develop effective solutions.
“I would like to reiterate my urgent invitation to renew
dialogue about the way in which we are building the future
of the planet,” the Pope said Nov. 16.
“We need a solution that unites everyone, because the
environmental challenge that we are living, and its human
roots, involves and touches us all,” he said, noting that
unfortunately many of the efforts to seek concrete
solutions “are often frustrated by various motives that
range from negating the problem to indifference,
comfortable resignation or blind trust in technical
solutions.”
Francis said we have to avoid falling into the “perverse
attitudes” of denial, indifference, resignation, and trust in
inadequate solutions, which “certainly do not help honest
research and sincere dialogue on building the future of our
planet.”
Pope Francis offered his words in a message to Frank
Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, for the U.N. COP-23
Climate Change conference taking place Nov. 6-17 in
Bonn, Germany, and which is being presided over by the
government of Fiji.
He noted how the gathering is taking place two years after
the Paris Climate Agreement was reached wherein it was
decided on the need to develop “a shared strategy to
counteract one of the most concerning phenomena that our
humanity is living: climate change.”
Pope Francis: The Mass needs silence, not 'chit-
chat' https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-the-
mass-needs-silence-not-chit-chat-76871
Vatican City, Nov 15, 2017 / 03:49 am (CNA/EWTN
News).- On Wednesday, Pope Francis called out the
common habit of chatting with people around you before
Mass, stressing that this is a time for silent prayer, when
we prepare our hearts for an encounter with the Lord.
“When we go to Mass, maybe we arrive five minutes
before, and we start to chit-chat with those in front of us,”
the Pope said Nov. 15. However, “it is not a moment for
chit-chat.”
“It is a moment of silence for preparing ourselves for
dialogue, a time for the heart to collect itself in order to
prepare for the encounter with Jesus,” he said, adding that
“silence is so important.”
Continuing his new catechesis on the Eucharist, the Pope
recalled his message the week prior, that the Mass is not a
show, but a place where we encounter the Lord. In this
encounter, he said, silence is what “prepares us and
accompanies us.”
But to really understand this, first we have to answer a
question, he said. And that is: What is prayer?
Prayer is, “first and foremost dialogue, personal
relationship with God,” he said. And in prayer, just like in
any dialogue, it needs moments of silence “together with
Jesus.” This, he said, is because it is only in the
“mysterious silence of God” that his Word can resound in
our heart.
Francis explained that to pray is not difficult, and is
something that Jesus himself taught us to do first of all by
example, when in the Gospels he withdraws to a secluded
place to pray. And second, he teaches us again when he
tells his disciples that the first word in knowing how to
pray is “Father.” This is “so simple,” the Pope said.