Now is the Time

Welcome!  The time is here – the St. Mary Student Parish blog is back for the season of Lent with daily reflections from a wide variety of voices including students, SMSP staff, UM faculty, young professionals and resident parishioners.

As we journey with Jesus and one another through the desert this Lent, let our hearts be open so that we may be ready to receive the joy and new life that Jesus promises to each one of us through his Easter resurrection.

Come back tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, to hear from Fr. Eric Sundrup, SJ or sign up to receive our blog updates via email on the menu to the right.  Until then, check out this video from Busted Halo to learn all about Ash Wednesday and Lent in 2 minutes.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3L3c23MfC0]

Weekly Bulletin for February 15, 2015

Ash Wednesday is upon us! Check our bulletin for Mass times, which range from 12:10 PM to 9:00 PM. This week’s bulletin also featured a Lenten flyer highlighting our programs and opportunities for worship. New to SMSP this year, we will host a Lenten blog right here on the NEWS page!

Flint Family Service Trip

Sunday, July 12 – Wednesday, July 15, 2015

A group of families from St. Mary Student Parish will travel to St. John Vianney Parish in Flint, Michigan to work on a variety of community projects appropriate for folks of all ages. Learn, work, pray, reflect and relax with other families from our parish community.

Work sites may include St. Luke’s NEW Life Center, North End Soup kitchen, Boys and Girls Club, Shelter of Flint, Carriage Town Mission and Habitat for Humanity. Children as young as 5 have participated in the past. Please consider joining us for a fun week of making a difference!

Application materials can be picked up in the St. Mary office. Application Deadline is March 16th, 2015.

For more information, contact Lisa Hirsch or Tom McDonough 734.741.1235 [email protected].

Weekly Bulletin for February 8, 2015

Our annual ASB bucket drive fundraiser is back this weekend after all masses! Be sure to read the guest pastoral perspective by Julia Kehoe on page 2. We’re also still seeking volunteers for our rotating overnight shelter for the week of 2/16-2/23. And lastly, we’re recruiting for 2015-2016 student interns! We have 2 information sessions this week: Sunday at 8:00 PM or Thursday at 7:00 PM.

The Rotating Overnight Shelter is Back!

rotating-shelter

If you are looking for a chance to volunteer your time, consider signing up for a shift with the Rotating Shelter February 16 – February 23. Sign up to join the hospitality team at the beginning of the night, or for an overnight shift.

Rotating Shelter Sign Up

We are also accepting food and snack donations! Please contact Lisa Hirsch or Rachel Conner.

Volunteer for a Year of Service in South Africa!

open-arms-children

WHAT Open Arms provides housing, education, and love for 57 children in the poorest province of South Africa.

WHO We need you! Open Arms is now recruiting Michigan students for a full-year commitment starting July 2015 to teach in the home school, organize children’s activities, and assist the directors with management.

WHEN Join us for an info session Thursday, Feb 26th at 7 PM in Donnelly Hall as part of the Gabriel Richard Lecture Series.

APPLY NOW Email Open Arms or visit our Long Term Service page for more info. The deadline to apply is Monday, Feb 23. Interviews for July 2015 positions will be scheduled the week of Feb 23 in Ann Arbor.

Weekly Bulletin for February 1, 2015

We’re looking for liturgical ministers! If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved with Mass at SMSP, we have a ministry for you… from readers to greeters and even musicians! We’re also wrapping up our registration for SCCs and the Busy Student Retreat.

Blood Drive – Feb 1st

blood-drive

Put the power of faith into action and help save a life!

SMSP will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive this Sunday, February 1st from 9:00 AM – 2:45 PM in Newman Hall. The need for blood is especially critical because of decreased donations due to the cold and inclement weather.

Walk-ins are welcome, or go online today to redcrossblood.org and enter our sponsor code goblue to schedule your appointment today!

Join an SCC and Meet New People!

scc

Last year, as a freshman, the University of Michigan quickly became by far the largest stage I had ever been on and the fact that I didn’t know a lot of people made it a little scary. I was excited to get to know people at school and quickly learned that the best way to do so was to get involved in groups of people with similar interests. Once I found St. Mary’s I began searching for specific ways to grow in my faith while continuing to make friendships and get to know my peers. Quickly it became apparent that I needed to join an SCC. I joined the Undergraduate Men’s SCC and got to know some really great guys. Aside from getting a head start on the weekly readings each Wednesday night, we were able to talk openly about our faith lives. Every week it was a time that I could go and know that I was in a safe place with people who respected how I felt and accepted everything I was saying. I have had a great experience with SCC’s and know it will continue in the future.

Jon Perry is a sophomore in the College of Literature, Sciences and the Arts at the University of Michigan.

SCC Reflection & Sign Up Link

scc

Freshman year was difficult. Nothing can compare to it: leaving home, the only life I had known up to that point, and moving to a huge university where I could be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. I was told that it takes time to make friends, which is true, but the waiting was excruciating.

I came to mass by myself one Sunday, and prayed that God would help me get through the next few weeks until I could go home again. At the end of mass, I heard an announcement for the Small Church Communities. I cannot describe what I felt, but something in me moved and I felt an urge to join an SCC. I hoped that I would make some friends and maybe learn a little more about my faith.

When our first meeting rolled around, I was a nervous wreck. I have always been shy and really didn’t know what an SCC would be like. Even so, I went and was amazed by the community created in this group. I made some of my best friends here in Ann Arbor, one of which is now my roommate. Now, almost 3 years later, we still meet as a group and my SCC helps me to bring God into my daily life. I have grown tremendously in my faith, and I can honestly say that my Small Church Community has changed my life.

Elise Huber is junior studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan

Interested in joining an SCC? Please visit our SCC Registration Form.

 

Bulletin Sign Up




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