ACTS: A CALL TO SERVE
ACTS is a program to train lay ministers for voluntary service.
Presentations include a strong foundation in good theology. Including the Who, What and How of Parish Ministry.

The What of Ministry traces our call to serve through both the Old and New Testaments, the signs and symbols of our Catholic heritage and Church documents.

Who is a Minister explores the various qualities of a minister—as a person of presence, listening and prayer. Practical communication skills are presented to enhance one’s ministry.

During the How of Ministry, participants are invited to focus on a particular kind of ministry (Pastoral Care, Worship and Leadership) and presented the tools for successful ministry.

The next ACTS training session will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010
at St. Irenaeus Parish in Rochester Hills. Details in flyer...

The Archdioceses of Detroit presents Protecting God’s Children in Spanish, March 16, 2010, 9 AM to noon at St. Damien of Molokai Parish. Class held at St. Michael’s Church, 120 Lewis Street, Pontiac. Coffee and refreshments available. Reserve your place calling Maria Charria at TEL: 248332-0283 FAX: 248-332-7041

ARQUIDIOCESIS DE DETROIT
OFRECERA
"PROTEGIENDO LOS NINOS DE DIOS"
EN ENSPANOL
MARZO 16, 2010 9 A 12 DEL DIA

PARROQUIA:
SAN DAMIAN DE MOLOKAI
PONTIAC, MI
EN LA
IGLESIA DE SAN MIGUEL
120 LEWIS STREET

CAFE Y REFRESCOS
SEPARE SU CUPO LLAMANDO A:
MARIA CHARRIA
TEL: 248332-0283 FAX: 248-332-7041

“Tickle the Ivories” Fundraiser In Tune with Elders’ Needs

Sanctuary at Bellbrook, located in Rochester Hills, is holding a “Tickle the Ivories” fundraising campaign to purchase a revitalized piano for its religious services.

“Music is such a vital part of life and religion,” says Sanctuary at Bellbrook’s Chaplain Mary Andrews. “Unfortunately, our current piano is striking its last chords…so we are trying to raise funds for a better piano. Our elders enjoy raising their voices in sacred prayer and we want them to have the best possible experience of worship, especially at this stage of life.”

Sanctuary at Bellbrook, a continuing care retirement community, offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation and long-term skilled nursing care to more than 270 seniors. Residents celebrate Catholic Mass on Wednesdays and Sundays. We also use the piano for Ecumenical Worship Services and many other events in any given week.

If you would like to donate to the “Tickle the Ivories” campaign, simply write a check to: “Sanctuary at Bellbrook” and write “piano fund” in the memo area. Donations can be dropped off at our business office, or mailed to:

Sanctuary at Bellbrook
873 W. Avon Rd
Rochester Hills, MI 48307

You can also make a donation online at www.sanctuaryatbellbrook.org

SCHOOL DAY OPEN HOUSE Notre Dame Marist Academy
An International Baccalaureate World School (Grades Jr.K-8)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Middle Division (6th - 8th grades) - Pontiac Campus
1300 Giddings Rd.
Lower Division (Jr.K - 5th grades) - Waterford Campus
60 South Lynn St.

The Notre Dame Marist Academy SCHOOL DAY OPEN HOUSE will give you the opportunity to see the exceptional programs at our lower and middle divisions. By attending this special event, you will be able to travel from classroom to classroom and experience our students and teachers during an actual school day.

• Middle Division is an International Baccalaureate World School
• Lower Division is an International Baccalaureate Candidate School
• Operated by the Marist Fathers and Brothers

For more information call 248-373-5300 or ndpma.org.

Are you, or someone you know, interested in a Bachelor of Religious Education degree? Courses for the C.O.R.E. Program of Cloverdale College will be offered at St. John Fisher Parish beginning in the fall of 2010. For information about the degree, please visit www.gtfeducation.org/Cloverdale_College/CORE.html. For a list of courses offered, click on C.O.R.E. faculty. If you would like further information about this program or the courses, contact Nancy Mason Bordley at Parishserv@aol.com.

The first class offered will be The Church and the Vision of Vatican II. If you would like further information about this program or the courses, contact Nancy Mason Bordley at Parishserv@aol.com. Details and registration form for Fall 2010 classes

St. Irenaeus Career Path Network

Mission: Formed by a group of St. Irenaeus volunteers, under the direction of the Christian Service Ministry, “we provide opportunities for local job seekers to come together for networking, support, and resources as they navigate their way through career transition.”

Objectives: To meet, network, and support others who are facing similar challenges and to give and receive networking tips, job search advice, job leads, contact names, resume feedback, and other valuable career transition information

Events: The St. Irenaeus Career Path Network is located at 771 Old Perch Road in Rochester Hills and regularly hosts networking meetings and presentations on the first Tuesday of each month from 10AM to 12 noon and the third Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM at the St. Irenaeus Parish Hall.

St. Irenaeus Church
771 Old Perch Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48309

Contact Dave Teeter for more information
teeterda@gmail.com
www.MarketingMgt.com
www.linkedin.com/in/daveteeter

DIVORCE RECOVERY AND SUPPORT GROUP
FOR SINGLE PARENTS OF ALL AGES

When you are a member of this group you will find a place where you may express your anger and frustration while in the company of understanding and sympathetic people who are also experiencing the terrible trauma of divorce. From group discussions, speakers, videos and a workbook relating to the stages of recovery for yourself and your children, you will learn how to go beyond the pain and anger, regain your self-esteem and eventually see the road to recovery and a new life before you.

Meetings are held at St. Mary of the Hills, 2575 John R Rd. on the 2nd and 4th Sat. of each month at 1:30 PM. Child care is provided. Open to all faiths. Call Shirley at 248-651-2824 to register.

Manresa Jesuit Retreat House

You can make reservations or get more information by calling 877-manresa or our website at www.manresa-sj.org. 

Individually Directed Retreats
Directors: Individually Assigned
Each summer we set certain dates aside in for individually directed retreats. We invite experienced men and women, Jesuits and others, to form a team so that amid this variety of directors each retreatant may have some compatible person to walk with them through the Spiritual Exercises.

What Are Individually Directed Retreats?
There's a special atmosphere in the house when significant numbers of people are engaged in their own silent retreats surrounded by others who are giving themselves to the Lord in the same way, joining together for Mass and other prayer. One grows close to people in this silent communion even in the absence of conversation. Manresa's special gift is prayerful solitude and peaceful openness to the Spirit. Our thirty-nine wooded and landscaped acres with stream, nature trail, and four “cottages” separate from the main house add to the prayerful atmosphere.

Reading Seminar –Teilhard de Chardin, St. John of the Cross and two Essays
Director: Fr. Bernie Owens, S.J.
Dates: Tuesday Evenings once or twice a month as scheduled
Feb.2, 23; Mar. 9, 30; Apr. 20; May 4, 18
Time: 7:00 PM till 9:30 PM
Sources to be read and discussed: Teilhard de Chardin's The Divine Milieu; Louis Savary's Teilhard de Chardin: The Divine Milieu Explained--A Spirituality for the 21st Century; The Living Flame of Love by St. John of the Cross; and two essays on American Spirituality-one on Abraham Lincoln and one on today's search in America for God.

The Book of Glory Workshop: The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus according to John.
Begins January 19
The Book of Glory, the 2nd half of John's Gospel, begins with Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and ends with the Risen Christ preparing breakfast for them.
Who is this Jesus who is both king and servant? What kind of glory is his? What kind of discipleship is he calling us to? Come and join us!
Presenter: Janis Fletcher, PhD
Dates: Tuesdays, Jan. 19; Feb. 2 & 16; March 2, 16, & 30; Apr. 13.
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $75 per person [$40 for second family member]. Cost includes a $20 nonrefundable registration fee.
To register: Mail deposit to Janis Fletcher, 28511 Lathrup Blvd, Lathrup Village MI 48076. Please include your address, email address, and phone number. Space is limited. For more information: Call Jan at 248-569-2802 or 248-224-0886.

Learning How to Pray with the Bible
Begins - MARCH 1
A Way To Prepare for Lent and Easter, 2010 - An 8-Week Program that teaches you how to meditate and contemplate the great themes and stories of the Bible by using the methods of prayer drawn from St. Ignatius
of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises (Note: this is not Bible Study but Bible-based Prayer)
Dates/Time: Mondays: March 1- April 19, 2010; 7:00 -9:30 PM
Materials Needed: A contemporary translation of the Bible and a notebook with pen
Program Leaders: Members of the Second Year of Manresa's Internship in Ignatian Spirituality Cost: $50.00 per person
To register: Send $20 non-refundable deposit, ($30 balance at beginning of program)

Calling All Marthas - March 23
Journey with Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Once again busy women (that's YOU!) are invited to spend a reflective, spiritually enriching evening. If you cannot, or perhaps are not ready, to get away for an entire weekend retreat, this is an opportunity to come together with other women to experience the serenity and beauty of Manresa. Come alone, or bring family and friends. Since this evening falls in the week prior to Holy Week, we will be praying with Mary as she journeys with her Son to the cross. We open with dinner and shared conversation, and then move to the Chapel to hear a brief presentation followed by praying together "The Stations with Mary, the Mother of Jesus". There will be time for quiet personal prayer and the evening will conclude with a candlelight prayer service. Don't miss this opportunity to begin your preparation for Holy Week with shared prayer at Manresa.
Facilitator: Mary McKeon
Date: Tuesday March 23, 2010
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:15 PM
Cost: $ 35 (includes $10 deposit and dinner)

Learning How to Pray with the Bible
Begins - MARCH 1
A Way To Prepare for Lent and Easter, 2010 - An 8-Week Program that teaches you how to meditate and contemplate the great themes and stories of the Bible by using the methods of prayer drawn from St. Ignatius
of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises (Note: this is not Bible Study but Bible-based Prayer)
Dates/Time: Mondays: March 1- April 19, 2010; 7:00 -9:30 PM
Materials Needed: A contemporary translation of the Bible and a notebook with pen
Program Leaders: Members of the Second Year of Manresa's Internship in Ignatian Spirituality Cost: $50.00 per person
To register: Send $20 non-refundable deposit, ($30 balance at beginning of program)

Manresa Retreats

Manresa Healing Retreat - March 12 – 14 Men and Women
There are quiet places in our hearts where we have placed doubts, memories, fears and hurts which need the loving hand of Jesus to heal. Receive His embrace during a precious few days of quiet and serenity. It is a place of peace where we can light a path which can lead to freedom, forgiveness, healing. God is waiting for you. Don't miss the invitation. Note: this retreat is limited to 25 persons.
Closure of Retreat: Sunday: 1:00 PM

Divine Mercy Retreat - April 9 - 11 Men and Women
Come spend a devotional weekend with Manresa following your Easter celebration and receive an in-depth immersion in the graces of Divine Mercy.

Retreats for Men:
March 5 – 7 (Fr. Babcock),  March 26 – 28 (Fr. Hawley, SJ), April 1 – 3 Holy Week Retreat (Fr. Ryan, SJ)
Retreats for Women: January 12 – 14; February 26 - 28

Catholic Singles’ Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes -- March 10-20, 2010

Join Anthony Buono, Fr. Peter Stravinskas & Ave Maria Singles, March 10-20, 2010, on an 11-day Marian pilgrimage to the shrines of Fatima & Lourdes. Pray at the Grotto of Lourdes and bath in the healing waters; celebrate Mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fatima; visit the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola; walk in the footsteps of pilgrims to the Cathedral of St James de Compostela; visit the stunning cathedrals of Leon, Burgos, Fatima, Lourdes, and Santiago de Compostela. Sample the extraordinary cuisine of France, Spain and Portugal!

Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to meet other Catholic Singles and to experience the spiritual wonders and graces of Fatima & Lourdes! Only $1,999 per person (air not included)! Call Corporate Travel, (313) 565-8888, extension 121, for more information.
More info in flyer...

Pilgrimage and Tour to the Holy Land

Fr. Bernie Owens, Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, will lead a 010 pilgrimage to the Holy Land from June 21 through July 4, 2010. Check out full details...

FOR WIDOWED MEN AND WOMEN

WIDOWED FRIENDS, a “peer” group in the AOD, are invited to join us for the following:

Dinner, Support, Social & Conversation

Join Widowed Friends, a peer group in the AOD, starting at 5:00pm for social time and “FAMILY STYLE” dinner at 6:00 on FRIDAY, MARCH 12TH at the American Polish Cultural Center, 2975 E. Maple (15 Mile & Dequindre) in Troy. Stay for conversation and cards until 9:00 pm. Cost is $15.00 cash only, payable at the door. Includes meal, coffee and tea (cash bar and deserts are extra). RSVP to Mary Ann (586) 939-5270 or Bonnie 586-786-6374 by March 9th.

INTERACTIVE WEEKEND RETREAT

Sponsored by Widowed Friends, a peer group in the AOD, “Who am I Now”, a 2-day Interactive weekend retreat, offers speakers giving helpful insights to a more meaningful life, group discussions, a healing service and an opportunity to meet new friends in a safe setting. It will be held Saturday & Sunday, April 17th & 18th, 9:00-5:30 each day at St. Kieran Parish Center, 53600 Mound Road, Shelby Twp., Mi. 48316. Cost is $32-35 per day, $60 for both days (includes meals). Lodgings additional. For information or to register by April 10th call Lynn 586-286-2935 Justine 734-455-6939 or Joan 248-478-1084.