2016
Campus Connection – Spring 2016
The spring 2016 edition of Campus Connection is out! Click to read stories of faith in action, what the year of mercy means to our parishioners, alumni updates, and more! We’ve also included a link to order our Michigan Catholics t-shirt and Susan’s cook book – they are both listed on our online giving webpage.
2016
2016 Diocesan Services Appeal
Thank you to everyone who has shared the many blessings they have received, with your generous gift to our Diocesan Services Appeal. As of today, we’ve raised just over 12% of our $73,468 goal. We invite you to watch the 2016 DSA video below, and “see that you also excel in this grace of gliving.”
Our gifts to DSA will support adoption services, counseling services, services for the aging and the blind and sight impaired… programs for those who are deaf and hard of hearing… programs for those who are struggling in their marriage – as well as exciting programs like our Diocesan Youth Leadership Camp, training teens in our diocese to serve as Disciples of Christ. These are but a few of the more than 100 ministries in our diocese that are made possible by our contributions to DSA.
If you have not yet made a gift or a pledge, we invite you to join the faithful of our parish community who have taken an active role in the mission of the Church. Your gift to our Diocesan Services Appeal will enable our diocese to continue providing the vital services and ministries that help bring the love of God to those who face hardships.
To give online, click here and select Diocesan Services Appeal as the fund you are supporting. You may also contribute by picking up a donation card or dropping off a donation at the parish office.
2016
Michigan Water Crisis: A Town Hall Meeting
Jesus calls us to give drink to the thirsty. Water is life; water is a necessity; water is sacred. All too often our sacred right to clean, safe water is denied as we tragically see happen to our neighbors in Flint and Detroit.
On Thursday, May 26th from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm in Donnelly Hall, we will gather as a community to listen to the stories of those intimately affected by the water crises in Michigan. Featured speakers will include Father Tom Firestone, pastor of St. John Vianney Catholic Church and Sister Carol Weber, founder of St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center. Both are dedicated advocates for the people of Flint. Participants of our Flint ASB trip will also share their experiences and there will be opportunity for questions and conversation.
We will be collecting hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes at this event to donate to the community in Flint.
Come and be inspired to give drink to the thirsty and to advocate for justice. All are welcome.
View our calendar event and contact Bill Alt, Campus Minister for Social Justice, for more information.
2016
Bulletin for May 15 & 22, 2016
Sunday May 15th is Pentecost. Join us for one of our 5 Sunday masses and a reminder for Anita Bohn’s appreciation reception at 6 PM. Grad/YPs, Soul Food is back Monday at Arbor Brewing. Also May marks the start of our DSA campaign. See page 4 for details on how our diocese supports Flint.
2016
Bulletin for May 1 & May 8, 2016
May is here and the summer schedule has officially begun. Please note these important changes: no 9 PM Sunday mass and no Sunday evening confessions. Check the bulletin for more information. The Grad/YP mass & dinner is back tomorrow, May 2nd at 7 PM. See page 2 for a reflection on Alpha House and an invitation to sign up to help May 16-22.
2016
Bulletin for April 24, 2016
This weekend we are celebrating our final masses of the 2015-2016 academic year. Take a look back at this past year on page 2, and we’d like to remind graduating seniors our Baccalaureate Mass is Friday, April 29 at 5:10. We are also hosting a farewell to Fr. Eric during the coffee and donuts following the 10 AM mass in Newman Hall. Lastly, we will begin our summer schedule next weekend – see page 7 for more information.
2016
Too Good to be True
Written by Brittany Tobias on Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
This past January I purchased a couple of designer scarves online through a site offering a steep discount. I was thrilled with my find, selecting a scarf for my husband and one for myself. Since they were still quite expensive, even with the steep discount, we planned to give the scarves to each other on Valentine’s Day. Much to my dismay one scarf finally arrived last week, almost a month following Valentine’s Day, and the other failed to ship altogether. Yet I eagerly opened the package – and found the scarf had a giant snag through the middle and was certainly a designer knockoff. After multiple emails to the seller with photos waging arguments of non-authenticity, I find myself debating my return strategy while chastising myself for buying into their promises…
We’ve all heard promises that are too good to be true. And after a while, we learn to catch them in action and avoid them altogether. My days of chasing designer scarf discounts online are surely over, just like nobody saves 15% in 15 minutes by switching to Geico for their car insurance.
Did the scribes and Pharisees think that Jesus was too good to be true? Surely they’d heard every sort of promise and begun to tune them out. But in today’s Gospel, Jesus presses on. He cites John the Baptist as a witness. He cites the signs he has performed. And lastly, he simply cites God. How exasperating it must have been to know you are the Son of God and to have to prove it repeatedly. Only to be continually challenged and ultimately condemned to death.
It’s not easy to sort through the lines we are fed on a daily basis. But we trust that God reveals himself to those who have confidence not in themselves, but in Him. When it comes to faith, we must accept that it isn’t too good to be true. Jesus does love us although we are sinners. And He does welcome us home.
Questions for Reflection / Suggestion for Prayer:
Do you listen to God’s word with faith and trust?
Have you ever felt like Jesus’ love is too good to be true?
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Brittany Tobias
Brittany Tobias joined SMSP in September 2014 and enjoys living in Burns Park and exploring Ann Arbor. Recently married, Brittany and her husband Ryan relocated to Ann Arbor from Chicago. Brittany brings eight years of marketing experience in commercial real estate and advertising to SMSP and is excited to enhance our communications and stewardship platforms.
Email: btobias@smspnewman.org
2016
Bulletin for March 6, 2016
Welcome back students, staff, and faculty! We hope you had an enjoyable spring break and look forward to the remainder of the semester. We are excited to welcome back our students from Alternative Spring Break, serving at 13 sites here in the US and Latin America. Students will host an ASB thank you dinner Friday, March 18 at 6 PM before Silhouette Stations of the Cross.
2016
2016 Lenten Resources
Cast into the Story: SMSP Lent 2016
This Lent you have been cast into the story. The roles will not always be easy; you may find yourself tempted by the devil, as Jesus was for 40 days in the wilderness. Or you may find you’ve turned away from Jesus, as Peter did on the eve of the crucifixion. We are all cast into different roles, at different times, but during these times we must remember we are all one cast: children of God. Open your heart this Lent and let the drama prepare you for the risen Lord.
Lenten Programs
PRAYING THROUGH THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES
Wednesday Evenings 7:00 PM-8:00 PM; February 3, 17, 24, March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6 & 13
Fr. John Ferone, SJ will guide us as companions of Jesus, bringing us new life and hope through Jesus’ great baptism.
INTO THE LIGHT
Saturday Mornings at 7:45 AM; February 13, 20 & March 12, 19
Reflect on Lenten scriptures and share a potluck breakfast.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Wednesdays 6:00-10:00 PM; Holy Thursday, March 24 9:00 PM-Midnight; Good Friday, March 25 9:00 AM-Noon
BIBLE STUDY
7:00 PM Monday nights
CENTERING PRAYER
Monday nights at 6:15 PM
Silent, contemplative prayer in which thoughts and feelings are stilled as we simply seek to be with God.
PRAY THE ROSARY
Tuesday nights at 5:45 PM in English; Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM in Spanish
WOMEN OF THE HEART
Thursday, February 11 & March 10 at 10:15 AM
CROSSROADS EASTER MEAL IN DETROIT
Volunteers prepare & serve at Crossroads Soup Kitchen. Contact Laura Padalino at laura.padalino@gmail.com
Worship Opportunities
ASH WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 10
Mass and Distribution of Ashes
12:10 PM, 5:00 PM, 5:10 PM, 7:00 PM, 7:10 PM (Spanish) & 9:00 PM
ASB MISSIONING MASS & RECEPTION FEBRUARY 26
5:10 PM-Liturgy to support and pray for the Alternative Spring Break participants followed by a reception in Newman Hall
STATIONS OF THE CROSS MARCH 25
Bilingual Stations of the Cross at 7:30 PM on March 25
RECONCILIATION SERVICES
All services begin at 7:00 PM
Feb 23 – Student Reconciliation Services at SMSP
Mar 14 – St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
Mar 15 – St. Mary Student Parish
Mar 16 – Old St. Patrick Parish
Mar 17 – St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Lenten Blog
Our Lenten blog is back! Throughout Lent we will feature daily reflections from students, resident parishioners, and parish staff on our website. Here are 4 easy ways to follow the blog:
- Click here to sign up to receive a daily email with blog post
- Download the myParish App and click on SMSP NEWS
- Go directly to our website (or bookmark it in your browser!) https://michigancatholics.org/category/lenten-blog/
- Follow us on social media: facebook & twitter
2016
Rotating Men’s Shelter Sign Up
Each winter, St. Mary Student Parish hosts an overnight shelter for men experiencing homelessness.
This year we will host men from Monday, February 15 through Monday morning, February 22. We are in need of a hospitality team to welcome guests and an overnight staff to spend the night. If you would like to donate snacks for the shelter, please contact Bill Alt. This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the Year of Mercy.