NKCC

Baptism

Baptismal Preparation for January will be held on the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 16th or Sunday, Nov. 20th at 1PM.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development

Each year, every parish in the country has one collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.  CCHD is the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ educational arm on issues of poverty and justice.  Funds are used to support several initiatives, the greatest of which is awarding grants to low incomes groups to assist in raising people to a higher level self-worth and productivity in society.

Envelopes will be distributed on Nov. 13th.  The collection will be done on Nov. 20th.

One ‘Ohana

The next One ‘Ohana will be on November 13th.  Come for lunch, prayer and age-related activities.  Everything will be centered on the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance or Confession).  We will prepare for the Communal Penance Service on Nov. 23rd.  All parents and other adults will work together with Father Rufino, Sue Costa and Joan Parker, while the children will learn/review the form for Confession with Joanne Agdeppa and Cynthia Taylor.  Eloi Bellah will continue working with the middle and high school students.

National Hunger and Homeless Week

Every year, during National Hunger and Homeless Week, there is a community fair and big dinner for the homeless.  This year, it will be held on Thursday, November 17th at the Old Airport Pavilion.  Agencies in the community set up tables with helpful literature and representatives to assist the homeless.  There is a turkey dinner with everything one would ordinarily have at Thanksgiving.  All the food has been donated through the generosity of businesses in the community.  Entertainment will be provided and there will be door prizes.  What else is needed???  VOLUNTEERS are needed to do all kinds of things.  If you are willing to help for two or three hours, please contact Susan at 326-7771 or Bobbie Courtade.  Maureen Bagley is co-chairing this event, so you can offer your assistance to her.  Volunteering is all they are asking us at St. Michael’s to do, so let’s help where we can.

Dress a Girl Around the World

Imagine a world where every little girl owned a dress!  The St. Michael's Book Club initiated a program to help reduce human trafficking by providing dresses for girls in impoverished nations.  Since May, local volunteers have made over 300 dresses.  One shipment was already made to Cambodia and at least two more are planned for Africa.

Join us at our sewing day November 12th at Immaculate Conception Hall.  We can use help cutting, pinning and pressing even if you don't sew!  We will begin at 9 am and wrap up by 3pm.  Refreshments will be provided.  If you are able to bring a sewing machine, please contact Sue Costa by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone: (989) 859-2323.

Schedule for the Parish Mission

Saturday/Sunday, Nov. 19/20

• Fr. Cieslak will speak at all Masses at St. Michael’s

Monday, Nov. 21

• 10:30AM Mission talk at Immaculate Conception followed by noon Mass
• 6:30 PM Mission talk at St. Michael’s

Tuesday, Nov.22

• 10:30AM Mission talk at IC followed by noon Mass
• 6:30 PM Mission talk at St. Michael’s

Wednesday, Nov. 23

• 10:30 AM Question & Answer period followed by noon Mass
• 6:30PM Communal Penance Service

Matthew 25:1-13

Customs foreign to our own era and culture are often bewildering but are very familiar to those who see them lived out regularly. Parables are supposed to be taken from common, everyday events, so Jesus knew his audience would 'get it' when he told this story. Marriages in his Mediterranean world were frequently arranged by fathers when the bride and groom were mere children. At some point years later, the groom would claim his bride. The young women (not bridesmaids in the modern sense, but probably relatives of the groom) were waiting for him to return with his new wife so that the celebration could commence. That's about as much as we need to know about Near Eastern weddings for now.

The story is allegorical. It is his own comings that Jesus speaks of here. The noun is plural for Jesus came historically in Bethlehem and will come again at the end of human history. But our own greatest concern is that moment when Jesus comes to take us home when we die. Will we be found ready, or will we have dropped off to sleep at some point? Will our light shine brightly, or will it have fizzled and gone out? Shortly before he wove this tale, Jesus cautioned the same audience, "But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved." (Mt 24:13)

Therefore, stay awake," advises Jesus. None of us comes with a warranty attached, guaranteeing us a fixed number of years. Like the Boy Scouts, be prepared!  By Virginia Smith © 2004, OCP. All rights reserved.

Credit Cards Are Accepted

St. Michael the Archangel Church, as a convenience to our parishioners and visitors, now accepts credit card payments for donations or purchases at our Gift Shop.

Support Our Advertisers

Our Sunday bulletin is an important way for us to communicate with you.  Producing it every week could be very costly, but through the generosity of the businesses that you see advertised on the back cover, these ads support some of our weekly production costs.  Most of these advertisers are members of our local community, and many belong to our parish.

During these difficult economic times, we encourage you to support these advertisers with your patronage.  Tell the business owners that you appreciate their support of our parish through their advertisements in the bulletin.  This is one small way that we can work within our own community to weather the challenges that we face.  A strong and vibrant parish is good for our community and a thriving business community is good for our parish.

St. Michael’s PayPal Account

St. Michael the Archangel Church has established an account with PayPal to accept donations.  This account is accessible from our website: www.oncecatholicohana.org with a direct link to PayPal.  The Donation Button on our website allows for only one donation at a time.  Donations may not be set up for recurring donations.  You will need to select what type of donation you are making from the drop-down-menu prior to selecting “Donate.”  Receipts will be issued by PayPal and your donation will be recorded in our parish records for the annual giving report if you are a parishioner; or your donation will be acknowledged by a letter from the parish.

Stewardship Report - Oct. 29th-30th, 2011