Dear Parishioner,
I hope this note finds you safe and in good health! I just want to keep you updated on a few things:
CHURCH/OFFICE
Please know that the church and office are open regular hours, Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday during Mass times.
MASS
Masses have resumed at normal times as well, the only difference being the Wednesday Mass is now at 2:00 p.m. and is recorded for the upcoming weekend. The dispensation for not attending Mass is in effect until November 23, 2020, so if you do not feel well or are otherwise compromised, please stay at home. Your health and safety are our top priority. If, however, you are healthy and do not have any underlying conditions, please consider returning to Mass. Again, you must wear a mask and we do practice social distancing and sanitizing protocols inside the building.
ADDITION/ENTRANCE RENOVATION
I am very excited to tell you that the addition and canopy are almost complete. We are, of course, a little behind schedule. We still need to furnish the class/meeting rooms, but they look great.
CSA
Due to the pandemic, the Catholic Services Appeal will begin in September and will be handled much differently this year. The Archdiocese of Detroit will be contacting you directly and will process all donations. I encourage you to take advantage of this simplified system of donating by one of three ways:
1. You can call in your donation to the CSA drive using a credit card – 888-331-8695.
2. You can send/bring a check to the parish office, but please make the check out to Archdiocese
of Detroit and include on the memo line: St. Paul of Tarsus.
3. You can go online to donate: giveaod.org – again referencing St. Paul of Tarsus.
GARDEN GROUP
We need people who like to get their hands dirty and hate weeds. If you are interested, please contact Monica at the number below. This is strictly outside gardening.
Please know that the Parish Staff are here for you, praying for you, and we ask for your prayers in return.
Thank you.
Monica Thimm
Business Manager
586-228-1210 x116.
On this Memorial Day Weekend, I would like to express a special thank you to all veterans and those currently serving in the military. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the armed forces who have helped to make this country what it is.
I feel the same way about police officers, fire/rescue workers and first responders. Anyone who puts their life on the line for others, deserves to be called a hero.
There has been a lot of talk in the last few weeks about everyday heroes, those working in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Leaving their families for long stretches at a time to help those who are sick, alone, afraid, and dying.
All of you are truly doing the Lord’s work:
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
― Teresa of Avila
Monica Thimm, Business Manager
From Fr. Jerry, Monica, and Darlene about the Food Pantry
Our Pastor, Business Manager, and Pantry Coordinator
We would like to take this opportunity to shed some light on various aspects of the pantry. As you know, the pantry is staffed largely by volunteers. The volunteers are men and women who donate their time, talent, and treasure to help their brothers and sisters in a time of need. They also fall into the “most vulnerable” category when it comes to the coronavirus.
The pantry staff and leadership team agreed that it was not prudent to continue to expose the volunteers to the risk of infection. A decision was made. The food was boxed up by the volunteers and distributed by the St. Paul of Tarsus staff until it was gone. The pantry has been closed since March 30, 2020.
Let us assure you that the pantry is financially stable enough to weather this storm. In Darlene’s words, “The Pantry is doing great!” With your past donations and the generosity of Meijer, the pantry will be able to restock its shelves when it is time to reopen in their new space and continue to serve the needy of Macomb County. With that being said - until further notice, we ask that you not make donations directly to the pantry.
Please don’t misunderstand our point, your donations are always, always, always appreciated. We would just like to request that they be more open-ended so that Fr. Jerry and the Finance Council can determine where the most good can come from your monetary gifts as the parish fights to survive in these difficult times.
With heartfelt thanks -
Fr. Jerry Slowinski,
Pastor
Monica Thimm,
Business Manager
Darlene Seifert,
Pantry Coordinator