"You are fellow citizens with God's people
and members of God's household."

~Ephesians 2:19

Cereal Sunday - Donation for Macomb Food Program

St. Blase sponsors a cereal collection on the second weekend of each month. Many hands are needed to sort and deliver the donated cereal to local charities on Tuesdays during the day. Daytime availability is a must. Contact Vince Schembri through the Parish Office at (586) 268-2244.

Meals on Wheels

Deliver meals each Wednesday in one month of the year to area seniors. Those interested must be available during the day and must attend a training session. Contact Mary Dumm through the Parish Office at (586) 268-2244.

"MEALS ON WHEELS" PROGRAM LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS: The Macomb County Community Services Agency (MCCSA), Senior Nutrition Program (Meals-on-Wheels) is in need of volunteer and substitute drivers to deliver meals in your community. Volunteers are asked to drive a lunch quote, approximately 1-hour, twice (2x) a month. Drivers will also need to use of a personal automobile. Mileage reimbursed. The meals are delivered 5 days a week, as well as holidays. For more information, call Macomb County Community Services Agency Senior Citizens Nutrition Program at (586) 469-5228. Please visit http://macombcountymi.gov/mccsa/mow.asp for further details.

Macomb Habitat for Humanity

Food, clothing, shelter. All basic needs. Are you comfortable that your basic needs are being met? Are you aware that there are others within 10 miles of St. Blase that have an uncertain future and a need for decent shelter?

"All Catholics are called to a common commitment to protect human life and stand with those who are poor and vulnerable. Each person has a right to the conditions for living a decent life i.e., food and shelter... healthcare and housing. We have a duty to secure and respect these rights not only for ourselves but for others."

This quote from the Catholic Bishops in their document "Faithful Citizenship" affirms the work done by Habitat for Humanity. Habitat was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller for the express purpose of providing decent, affordable housing for low-income families. Since that time over 150,000 homes have been built around the world.

Habitat for Humanity is always looking to register volunteers to help with this worthwhile endeavor. If you would like more information on Habitat for Humanity and future projects call (313) 521-6691 or access their website at http://www.macombhabitat.org/index.html. Rebuilding neighborhoods, rebuilding lives, one house at a time.

The Christian Service Commission is asking that you please take time this summer and plant "a row for the hungry." Please watch and listen for announcements about special "Harvest Sundays" throughout the summer and early fall. On those Sundays, Christian Service will be placing containers in church for all of the extra fruits and vegetables you have so generously taken the time to grow. They will be gathered and delivered to "forgotten harvest" to be shared by the many hungry for some of God's wonderful bounty. Oh how all those extra rows will mean so much to many!

It's that time of year again. The planting season. Time to get all those fruits and vegetable plants and seeds in the ground for our summer eating enjoyment. Tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, carrots, beans strawberries, raspberries and blueberries just to name a few. All the wonderful summer edibles that make summer meals so healthy and delicious.

With just a bit of extra effort, why not plant a few extra rows for "Forgotten Harvest?" Forgotten Harvest was formed in 1990 to fight two problems: hunger and waste. Forgotten Harvest currently rescues nearly 8 million pounds of food per year by collecting surplus prepared and perishable food from a variety of sources such as grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, dairies, farmers, wholesale food distributors, and other Health Department-approved sources. This donated food that would otherwise go to waste, is delivered free of charge to emergency food providers in the metro Detroit area. The individuals and families served are as diverse as the community's residents - young and old, from all races and faiths."Forgotten Harvest" feeds the hungry with already prepared foods from restaurants, caterers, dairies, and grocery stores and fresh fruits and vegetables from private gardens.

Just as you who plant do so to savor all that summer has to offer, so would the less fortunate who do not have the ability to plant appreciate the opportunity to enjoy all of God's bountiful summer gifts. Fresh fruits and vegetables to nourish the body and soul.

P.S. - If you are not into gardening or do not have room in your garden for a garden - purchased fruits and vegetables are also very welcome. Fruit markets and grocery stores are also full of many wonderful summer delights.

Holiday Baskets

Members of the parish donate food and gift baskets for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays. Areas of need include sorting and organizing the baskets and delivering the items to those in need during the day. Daytime availability is a must.

In Matthew 25, Jesus mandates us to "help feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless."In order to answer this call, we need everyone's help. We need your donations, but we ask that you please do not use this as an opportunity to clean out your cupboards. We cannot accept outdated items.

Listed below are some suggested food items for the canned food drive. Items that are underlined are always in short supply:

If you would like to make a monetary donation, please make the check out to St. Blase Parish, noting that it is for Christian Service.

If you would like more information regarding items to be donated, please contact Vince Schembri at (586) 268-2244. Thank you for your continued generosity.

Volunteer/Donation Opportunities

SECOND HAND ROSE (TURNING POINT): Call (586) 463-4430 or (586) 463-2990 one week in advance. Acceptable items include furniture in good condition, household goods and clothing that is not stained or in need of repair. Turning Point also helps to supply Compassion Pregnancy Center with clothing and furniture.

MACOMB FOOD PROGRAM: The Macomb Food Program helps feed thousands of people in crisis each year. This is made possible through the combined efforts of volunteers, church groups, civic clubs, businesses, and concerned citizens. Call (586) 469-6004 to find out how you can help.

GIVE ME A BREAK! Many families in our community are struggling to take care of a loved one at home. For these full-time caregivers, a break to run errands, go to their own doctor appointments, or just relax for an hour is often impossible because their parent or spouse cannot be left alone. If you have a few hours, once or twice a month, to just sit with an older or disabled adult, your gift of time will make a huge difference for these families. No hands-on care or nursing experience is needed. For more information, call the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers at (586) 983-3633.

DRIVERS, HANDYPERSONS & CHORE-HELPERS NEEDED! Many fail, older, and disabled adults in our community are struggling to remain independent in their own homes. They need your help now! The Macomb County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers program is greatly in need of volunteers who can provide transportation, or help with minor home repairs and chores. You tell us when you are available and where you would like to help out. NO regular commitment is required. We simple call you with various assignments, and you let us know if you can fit them into your schedule. Even occasional assignments will help our struggling neighbors! If you can provide someone with a ride to their doctor's appointment, fix their leaky faucet or clean up a backyard, then please take this opportunity to share your special skills with someone in need. You will be making a very real difference in someone's life! For more information, call Connie at (586) 983-3633.

TEAM YOUTH TUTORS & MENTORS: TEAM Youth is seeking volunteers to be tutors and mentors to Lincoln Elementary School fifth grade children in the Van Dyke school district. Assistance is needed after school from 3:15 - 4:30 PM on Tuesday or Wednesday. Any assistance is appreciated. Contact the Parish Office for more details at (586) 268-2244.

ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY DONATIONS: Call one week in advance. Collections are scheduled between 8:00 am—5:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday & Fridays. Acceptable items include furniture in good condition, household goods, appliances and clothing that is not stained or in need of repair. Call Centerline SVdP at (586) 758-4444 or visit the St. Vincent de Paul website for a wish list of items. The St. Vincent de Paul Society has been providing the metro Detroit area with more goods and services than any other charity for the past 115 years. With help from people like you, we assist over 90,000 individuals every year. We need your donations, whether its appliances, clothes, or an old car. Some items have a waiting list, others we sell in our thrift shops. And 89% of those proceeds go back to the community to help people in need. We need volunteers. People have graciously volunteered at parishes across the city, camps and food depots. However, we still need more. Just a few hours of your time can make a difference.

More opportunities can be found in the back pages of The Flame...

Meijer Community Rewards

St. Blase has been re-enrolled into the Meijer Community Rewards Program. We are earning a percentage of all sales from registered members. Now members can use their debit card to earn rewards for St. Blase. As of this date we have collected over $2000.

Effective May 1, 2007, the following changes will occur. Rewards will be earned solely by using a Meijer Credit Card, Debit Card or cash at any Meijer store. Meijer Gas Station, Convenience Store, Car Wash and Meijer.com are now included in the Rewards Program. Rewards begin on your first dollar spent each month and there is now no more minimum or maximum spending limit. We now have unlimited earning potential.

How to Join?
It's easy to become a member.

• You can go to Meijer's and ask at the service desk
• Go to www.meijer.com/rewards
• By phone: 1-800-962-7011 and mention St. Blase code listed below.

Once you have filled out the application form - put it in the mail. You will receive a card in the mail a few weeks after you register. To use the card at the store - you swipe the card or give it to the cashier and St. Blase will earn a percentage of your purchase. It is good on all purchases paid with cash, check or credit card. St. Blase membership number is 707428.

Unnoticed Holy Ones

“I had a vision of a great multitude.” ~Revelation 7:2-4; 9-14

A lot of the good you do goes unnoticed. You care for family. You donate to charity. You pray for the needy. Perhaps you perform civic services that few people ever see. You might even do some things in secret precisely to avoid the attention that a reward would bring. Your satisfaction is often its own reward.

You believe that God sees, and that is enough.

You are not alone. The good that many people do can never be fully rewarded. Society owes a debt of gratitude to everyday heroes who improve life for the masses by performing the simplest of deeds for the sake of giving care.

Imagine that multitude of good people gathered together. Imagine them before the throne of the Lamb, worshiping God. Imagine them wearing as a reward the uniform of heaven — white garments washed in the blood of the Lamb.

That is the vision that John sees in the book of Revelation. The throng of the blessed gathers to give praise, only to be counted among those who survived the trials of life and persevered in their faith.

On All Saints Day we remember that numberless host. They inspire us to continue the good we do, even if no one notices.

Written by Paul Turner. © 2004, Archdiocese of Chicago,
Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org.