Catholic Community of St. Jude at 801 North Bridge Street, DeWitt, MI 48820 US

Please take a moment to visit the Events box to the left, which contains a full calendar of this week's events, other upcoming events, plus a downloadable monthly calendar.

The Catholicism Series

Catholicism is the groundbreaking new documentary series hosted by Fr. Bob Barron of Word on Fire Ministries.

Catholicism illustrates the truth, goodness, and beauty of our Catholic faith in an epic media experience. Participants will witness a vision of our Catholic faith that has never before been seen.

Catholicism was filmed in over 50 locations in 15 different countries and is stunningly filmed in high-definition. It takes participants from the lands of the Bible to the great shrines of Europe; from the heartland of America to the mysteries of Asia and the heart of Africa. It is a stunning view of the passion and glory of a faith that claims over 1.1 billion of the earth’s people. To see a preview of the series click here.

Catholicism is a 10-part series. Each part of the series begins with a 50-minute DVD episode led by Fr. Bob Barron, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Fr. Barron is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at Mundelein Seminary and is the moving force behind Word on Fire Ministries (www.wordonfire.org), which seeks to use the variety of modern media to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Catholicism is also a discussion series, designed to help each participant to understand more clearly what we as Catholics believe and why.

Following each DVD episode there will be time for small group and large group discussion, led by Fr. Dwight. Topics for the ten sessions of Catholicism will include:

The Life of Jesus

The Teachings of Jesus

The Mystery of God

Mary, the Mother of God

Sts. Peter and Paul

The Church as the Body of Christ

The Sacraments and Worship

The Communion of Saints

Prayer and the Life of the Spirit

The Last Things: Heaven and Hell

Who should attend Catholicism? Anyone who is interested in learning more about what Catholics believe and why. Parents, catechists, teens, adults, confirmation sponsors and candidates, family members and friends who are Catholic, family members and friends who aren’t Catholic, those who are searching for a life faith, those who are searching to deepen their understanding of their Catholic faith—anyone!

A Special Invitation: Are you a baptized Catholic 18 years of age or older who has never received the sacrament of Confirmation? If so, join us for the Catholicism Series. It will serve as your preparation for the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation of adult candidates will be celebrated in early June at a regular Sunday Mass.

When will the Catholicism series be hosted? Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings during the seasons of Lent and Easter 2012:

Tuesdays, 7:00 to 8:30 PM

February 28

March 6, 13, 20, 27

April 10, 17, 24

May 1, 8

Wednesdays, 8:45 AM to 10:15 AM
February 29
March 7, 14, 21, 28
April 11, 18, 25
May 2, 9

Where will the Catholicism series be hosted? The series will be hosted in the Community Center (parish hall) of the Catholic Community of St. Jude in order to take advantage of the projection system.

How much does it cost to take part in the Catholicism series?

It’s free! Advance registration will be necessary to plan for adequate materials.
Register On Line here

Annual Giving Statements Have Been Mailed

2011 annual giving statements were mailed last week. If you don’t receive your giving statement, please contact Rob Strouse (our parish operations manager) or Rosie Starn (our parish bookkeeper) in order to request a replacement statement.

No 6:00 PM Mass Super Bowl Sunday

As we did last year, there will be no 6:00 PM Mass on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5. We have learned from prior years’ experience that Mass that evening is very lightly attended. Don’t worry, though, the 6:00 PM Sunday evening Mass will return the following Sunday, February 12.

DIOCESE OF LANSING RESPONDS TO HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES MANDATE

These past days have seen a grave error on the part of the federal government, as well as a blessed response from Catholics all across this great state and nation.

By now, all men and women of faith know that the United States Department of Health and Human Services has declared that health benefit plans must include coverage for sterilization, contraception, and abortion-inducing drugs. This unconstitutional and unconscionable mandate is to take effect in stages during 2012 and 2013.

The Catholic Church in the United States will never comply with this mandate. Told that the federal government has allowed a one-year grace period during which the Church can adjust itself to this mandate, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York responded that the Church does not need a year to determine whether it would comply. He is right. In offering this supposed mandate, the federal government misreads the Constitution of the United States. It equally misreads the determination of Catholics.

This nation is built upon the three-legged stool of the First Amendment. Our precious freedoms of religion, speech, and assembly underlie everything this nation is, and everything this nation has ever accomplished. Religious liberty gives the freedom to preach the Truth. And the truth is that pregnancy is not a disease. Nor is the natural fertility of a woman a disease.

Through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Michigan Catholic Conference, we are exploring a number of options, including litigation and Congressional reform. As these efforts move forward, Catholics should make clear to their elected officials the crucial importance of religious liberty, and they should pray daily for those who have the responsibility for making these decisions.

Support "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act" - Contact your legislators!
To correct the threats to religious liberty and rights of conscience posed by PPACA and the recent HHS ruling, the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act has been introduced in Congress (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) to ensure that those who participate in the health care system "retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions." Be a part of the Michigan Catholic Conference Legislative Advocacy Network and urge your Representatives to co-sponsor and support this measure

by logging on at http://www.micatholicconference.org/public-policy/ or contact your representatives directly using the information below:

DeWitt Area Representatives

Rep. Mike Rogers: 8^th Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE

133 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC20515

Phone:(202) 225-4872

Toll-free:(877) 333-MIKE

Rep. Tim Walberg: 7^th Congressional District

WashingtonDC Office
418 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC20515
Phone: (202) 225-6276

Michigan Senators

Senator Carl Levin

269 Russell Office Building
U.S. Senate,

Washington, DC 20510-2202
Phone (202) 224-6221

His Michigan address:

Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building
477 Michigan Avenue, Ste 1860, Detroit, MI 48226-2576
Phone (313) 226-6020 www.levin.senate.gov

Senator Debbie Stabenow

133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Phone (202) 224-4822
Her Michigan address: 3280 E. Beltline Court NE, Suite 400
Grand Rapids, MI49525
Phone: (616) 975-0052 Www.stabenow.senate.gov

To view the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Vow to Fight Coercive HHS Mandate faqs sheet.

New to DeWitt? New to our Parish Community?

This time of year normally sees a number of new families move into the DeWitt area. I’d like to offer my own personal welcome if you are new to our parish community or to DeWitt. I’m glad that you are here with us and hope that you find a welcome home here within our parish community.

In order to take advantage of many of the programs and ministries our parish offers and in order for those ministries to best serve you, please take a moment to register with the parish.

Parish registration is a simple process: you can see me after any of the Masses and I will be most happy to assist you. You can call our parish offices (517-669-8335). Or you can stop by the parish offices, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed at noon for lunch) to register in person. You can also register by filling out the form electronically here and returning it via internet or you may download the Parish Registration Form PDF and complete it and bring it or mail it to the parish office. Also, don’t forget that our parish offices are located at 409 Wilson St., just a block south of Scott School, about 3/4 of a mile away from the church.

We are ready to help you and to answer any questions you may have. We also look forward to and encourage your involvement in the parish. That’s what helps to make our parish into the community that it seeks to be.

Thanks again for being a part of our parish community, and welcome!
Fr. Dwight

If you cannot find the information you are seeking or have suggestions on how we can make our web page more user friendly, we would love your feedback.

Click here to give us your comments.

On Line Giving

The online giving program continues to grow as families discover how easy and convenient it is for making your parish contributions. The process is very flexible and allows you complete control of your contributions while providing you the ability for immediate reporting of all your parish donations.

(more . . .)

A vision of Heaven
As Dale McKay was facing death, he spoke to writer Nancy Schertzing about his feelings and his hopes for heaven. Later, Nancy spoke with Dale's widow, Ellen, who shared the joy of their marriage and the moving experience of Dale's death. Their story is filled with love and hope that speaks to all of us.

(see full story)

Part 4: How to Be a Dynamic and Evangelizing Parish
Two very different parishes show what it takes to be both energetic and spiritual.

(see full story)

Catholic Community of St. Jude at 801 North Bridge Street, DeWitt, MI 48820 US - Home

Please take a moment to visit the Events box to the left, which contains a full calendar of this week's events, other upcoming events, plus a downloadable monthly calendar.

To view the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Vow to Fight Coercive HHS Mandate faqs sheet.

On Line Giving

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