2020
January 2020 Warming Center
We are called to “love our neighbor,” but sometimes we don’t even know our neighbor or who they are. Start this new year by getting to know our community and the people in it.
Here’s how:
During the month of January in Newman Hall, our parish community provides a welcoming, safe, and warm environment where people experiencing homelessness can find companionship, food, and rest. We are inviting YOU to be a part of this incredible opportunity of solidarity at our warming center.
Please consider signing up for:
One of the many volunteer slots!
Our current needs (groceries, paper goods)
Thank you for your continued support of our warming center!
2019
Campus Connection – Fall 2019
Our Fall 2019 edition of the Campus Connection newsletter features our new mission statement, our new slate roof, and a handful of photos from the 1940s-50s as we prepare to celebrate our centennial in 2024.
2019
Annual Fund – 2019 Year-end Appeal
“We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Thessalonians 1:2-3
St. Paul and companions’ words of gratitude express my own as I think of this past year. As we move into this Christmas season, my heart is full of gratitude for all of you and the many ways you reveal Christ’s presence.
Before I arrived last fall, I couldn’t have imagined how much fun I would have as Pastor of St. Mary Student Parish. I smile and often think how blessed I am that God sent me here. This special community has embraced me from the very beginning, living out our mission of being a caring and supportive parish that welcomes everyone as Christ would. We are also a parish of missionaries, going to the peripheries to reveal God’s love and compassion to those most in need. Together we discover ways to bring Christ and His love and His mercy into our lives, our families, and our communities.
At St. Mary Student Parish, the future of the Catholic Church walks through our doors many times every day! I have seen many Campus Ministry Programs, but none can compare to our program here. Student-led Masses, retreats, Ig.nite, Small Church Communities, Alternative Spring Break service projects, St. Mary Internship and Mentorship Programs, Ignatian Spirituality offerings, and many more activities and programs exist because of your generosity.
The Annual Fund is our commitment to Campus Ministry and we need your help. St. Mary has not met its fundraising goals for the past few years. To help keep our Campus Ministry alive, I invite you to prayerfully consider what you and your family can offer this year to our Annual Fund. Know that we are deeply grateful for your support!
May this Christmas season fill you and your families with the peace, mercy, and love that Jesus offers all of us.
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
Sincerely in Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rev. James Gartland, S.J.
Pastor
2019
Parish Mission Statement
St. Mary Student Parish is a welcoming, inclusive, caring, and diverse Catholic community, uniting residents and students.
We are Christ-centered with the Eucharist as the source of holiness in our vibrant liturgical life.
Inspired by Ignatian spirituality, we live a faith that does justice, reaching out to the marginalized.
As an apostolic parish, we are committed to ongoing formation of Christian witness, discipleship, and leadership.
2019
Diocesan Services Appeal Update
We’re almost there! We have reached more than 85% of our DSA goal of $88,896. Some of you mentioned you still need to send in your contribution. Please do so and thank to those who have. If we reach our goal, about one third will come back to us to support our Latino Ministry and Campus Ministry efforts. Let’s reach our goal. Thank you for your generosity.
Thank you for your gifts to the Diocesan Services Appeal!
If you have not yet made a gift or a pledge, I invite you to do so today. Gift envelopes are available at both church entrances or the parish office. Or you may submit your gift online at www.dioceseoflansing.org/dsa.
2019
Graduate Students/Young Professionals
Welcome Mass & BBQ – Sun, Aug 25 from 5:00—8:00 PM. Mass at 5:10pm with Fr. Joe presiding followed by a delicious BBQ in our courtyard (or Newman Hall in case of rain).
Other upcoming events:
Monthly Mass & Summer Social on Mon, Aug 12 from 7:00-9:00 PM
Monthly Mass & Dinner on Mon, Sept 9 from 7:00-9:00 PM
Spiritual Directions on Mon, Sept 23 from 7:00-9:00 PM
For more information or to be added to our email list, contact the Grad/YP Lead Team at smsp.grads.lead@umich.edu or Fr. Joe at jwagner@smspnewman.org
2019
Catholic Day of Action for Immigrant Children Roundup
A few hundred Catholic activists, including dozens of women religious, gathered outside at the foot of the U.S. Capitol July 18 urging politicians to stop its “inhumane treatment” of immigrant children at the border and reminding people of faith to take a stronger stand against current U.S. border policies.
Approximately 70 people were arrested for civil disobedience at the U.S. Capitol. There was significant media coverage of the day. Here is a fraction of the coverage that featured many of those involved:
2019
2019 Ann Arbor Art Fair – Volunteers Needed!
Summer has arrived in Ann Arbor and we’re already talking about the biggest event of the summer – Art Fair! From Thursday, July 18 to Sunday, July 21, the streets of Ann Arbor will transform into an art lover’s paradise where you can experience and enjoy original works of art, street performances, culinary treats and a variety of sidewalk sales. From seasoned art enthusiasts to novice collectors, thousands will make the trip to discover something truly inspiring.
VOLUNTEER WITH ST. MARY!
We are looking for volunteers again this year to help with our tent on William Street (see photo). Shifts range 3-4 hours during the morning, mid-day, or early evening hours each day. We will be selling Michigan Catholics t-shirts, cookbooks, and water bottles, and we will also give out welcome guides and answer simple questions about our vibrant parish. This is a wonderful opportunity to represent our parish and meet new people!
We are also in need of volunteers to help with parking on Sunday, July 21st. Shifts this year are only 30 minutes – volunteers will wear a Michigan Catholics t-shirt and stand at the entrance to the Maynard Street and the university parking structures, welcoming parishioners and handing out free parking vouchers to those who don’t have them. If you’re planning to come to mass on Art Fair Sunday, consider coming 30 minutes early to help with parking! Individuals, couples, and families would all make great parking “greeters.”
Visit http://bit.ly/smsp-art-fair-2019 to sign-up to volunteer!
SUNDAY PARKING VOUCHERS – COMING SOON
If you are planning to attend ANY mass on Sunday, July 21, be sure to pick up a FREE parking voucher from our front office during July. Vouchers not yet available – we will announce when they are available. Parking during Art Fair can be as high as $20 per vehicle. Free Sunday parking is NOT in effect during Art Fair and does NOT apply to any metered or parking structure spaces. The city has mentioned cars will be ticketed and towed this year. Vouchers are valid for the Maynard Street and University parking structures only.
Contact the parish office 734.663.0557 with questions about volunteering and/or parking. Visit www.visitannarbor.org/artfair for more information on the Art Fair.
2019
Renewed Commitment of the Jesuit Refugee Service
CLICK HERE to read Father General’s letter to the Whole Society and Partners in Mission “Renewed commitment of the Jesuit Refugee Service” (2019/15).
Father General asks “members of the Society and its partners, especially those in leadership roles, to participate in the implementation of the JRS vision of inclusion and integration of refugees, and to engage in the JRS challenges of renewed governance and participation in the Ignatian heritage … Only if we work together will the world be able to address the causes of forced displacement at their roots, and end a phenomenon that produces so much suffering for so many people of all ages and situations.”
Let us remember Fr. General in our prayers as well as the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service.
2019
Campus Connection – Spring 2019
The May 2019 issue of our Campus Connection newsletter features Alternative Spring Break in El Paso, TX, Tattoos on the Heart, Fr. Dennis’ 50th anniversary of ordination, and more!