Our celebration of Easter continues with the beginning of the annual Catholic Services Appeal.  This yearly drive helps us to be mindful that we are not an isolated community.  Our parish is part of the wider Church of the Archdiocese of Detroit.  There are some ministries that go beyond the scope of what a parish can and should accomplish.  This is where the CSA and the Archdiocese come into the picture.  I realize the CSA is not popular, yet there are many things we do that, while we don’t like them, we recognize the need and importance of doing them.  CSA is one such event.  Please be as generous as you can and do your part to help our parish reach our target this year.  Thanks for your generosity.

Next Sunday we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at all of our liturgies.  This tends to make the mass slightly longer, though I promise a really short homily!  Most of all, pray for our sick and homebound members.  Use the listing in “The Flame” as part of your regular prayer and keep those who are ill in your mind and heart.  In one way or another we have all been there, or will be there someday.

With the celebration of First Eucharist and Confirmation behind us there is a tendency to relax as if the big events of the year are “done.”  Of course these events are never finished as their effects continue in our life each and every day.  Still in front of us are Summer Circle and McRest, together with the replacing of the tile in the social center and the replacing of our roof.  Regarding the latter, I was hopping to have news to share with you insofar as our proposal went before the appropriate Archdiocesan body last week for approval.  Hopefully I will hear something very soon so that work on this vital project can begin.

Pope Francis has released his letter summarizing the Synod on the Family.  The document is entitled Amoris Laetitia, (The Joy of Love).  I have not read the 260 page document but, from second hand reports, it appears Pope Francis, as has been his custom, has not changed any church teaching but asks that they be applied in a more pastoral and merciful way.  Regarding Catholics who are divorced and subsequently remarried outside of the Church, the Pope called for “responsible, personal and pastoral discernment of particular cases”.  This would appear to be similar to his comments regarding the use of artificial means of birth control, when he urged people to speak with their pastor.  The Pope, who has often described himself as a sinner, reminds us that, “No one can be condemned forever, because that is not the logic of the Gospel! Here I am not speaking only of the divorced and remarried, but of everyone, in whatever situation they find themselves.”

Related to this is an upcoming presentation to be held here at St. Blase.  On Friday, May 13th (who’s superstitious?) the Elephants in the Living Room present Dr. Stephen Pope as he address the topic, “Can Catholic Moral Teaching Develop?”  (The key word here is “develop.”  We don’t really speak of Church teaching changing, but rather, it “develops.”)  Mark your calendar and join us if you can at 1:00 P.M. in the social center.
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Fr. Randy Phillips

WELCOME BISHOP DON HANCHON!  Today we welcome Bishop Hanchon to St. Blase.  He will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our teens who have been preparing for the past two years.  CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CONFIRMANDI confirmed in their baptism and sealed with the Holy Spirit. I wish each and every one of you God’s blessing.  May the outpouring of the Holy Spirit deepen your faith and strengthen you to live lives worthy of the baptism you have received.  You are the future of the Church. You are our future pastoral associates, directors of faith formation, musicians, Christian service coordinators, lectors, communion ministers and parish pastoral council members, as well as our future priests and religious.  Even now, today, we celebrate the varied and diverse ways you build up our community and the entire Body of Christ, the Church, through your fidelity in worship and your service to others.

This week several of our staff members, myself included, will be attending THE “AMAZING PARISH” CONFERENCE.  Archbishop Vigneron has requested that all parishes in the Archdiocese bring a team, which includes the pastor, to this conference. This event, though not strictly speaking part of the upcoming Synod, is related to it.  By improving our parishes we would hope to see a positive effect in the area of evangelization, as well as a community’s worship spirituality, service, faith formation and so forth.  Being a tad prejudiced in this regard, I think we are pretty amazing already.  However, I am definitely open to any and all new ideas and concepts that will assist us in being even better, especially as we head toward our 50th anniversary.  At any rate, while amazing, we cannot bi-locate!  So please understand that some of our staff have a very limited availability most of this week. Thanks
           
Right around the corner is the start of the beautifying ministry of our Garden Club.  In just a few weeks they will be clearing away dead growth, preparing garden beds and planting flowers.  Many hands make light work and OUR GARDEN CLUB WOULD BE HAPPY TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS.  Gardening is a great way to get in a little exercise, re-discover God’s handiwork, be close to the earth, and meet a few more of your fellow parish members.  Why not consider giving it a try this spring?  Contact Cindy Aluia or the parish office for more information.

           
NEXT SUNDAY WILL BE THE START OF THE ANNUAL CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL.  St. Blase has been assessed a target of $137,894.00 (One hundred thirty-seven thousand and eight hundred and ninety-four dollars.) This is about a four thousand dollar decrease from last year. Any surplus over this amount will be returned to our parish.  If we do not meet our target, the shortfall must be taken from our operating budget. This is what we have done for many years. I am hoping that with the Changing Lives Together (CLT) campaign concluding you might consider adding all or part of those funds that you have been contributing to CLT into your CSA contribution.  That would give us a better chance at making our target and avoid dipping into our operating budget.  I know you will do your best to help us reach our CSA target and I thank you for your generous support.

Happy Third Week of Easter!  TODAY WE GIVE THANKS WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE OUR RISEN LORD IN THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST FOR THE FIRST TIME.  Congratulations to you and to your parents.  Today begins a new depth of worship for you.  From this day on and each and every Sunday and Holyday of Obligation you have the privilege of receiving and becoming one with our risen Lord. Parents, thank you for honoring your baptismal promise and raising your child in the practice of our faith.  I encourage you to keep sharing your faith with your child: pray with them, talk about why your Catholic faith is important to you, discuss the practices of our faith with your child, have some religious art in your home. You are not alone.  If you have questions, problems or when difficulties arise in living out this promise, do not hesitate for assistance.  We are here to help you be the best Catholic parents you can be.

Today I also express THANKS TO ANNE KRUS AND ALL OUR CATECHISTS THAT HELP TO PREPARE THESE CHILDREN FOR THEIR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION.  Your instruction, prayer, word and example supports the vocation of our parents in passing on the gift of faith to our next generation of disciples.  You also are to be congratulated on another wonderful year of service to your parish.
           
This Saturday, April 16th, from 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. there will be a TOWN HALL MEETING HERE AT ST. BLASE DIRECTED TOWARD THE UPCOMING ARCHDIOCESAN SYNOD ON EVANGELIZATION.  WE NEED TO HEAR FROM AS MANY PARISHIONERS AS POSSIBLE to subsequently relay that information to the Archdiocesan Synod.  A Synod is both an event and a process that sees people – clergy, religious, and laity – gather to discuss important matters of the faith. Synods are transformative events that lead to renewal in the Church's life. After a Synod takes place, the church emerges different, changed.  Archbishop Vigneron has noted a two-fold purpose to the upcoming Synod. The first is "missionaries." The focus of this Synod is evangelization. The second is, "DNA." The Archbishop hopes to transform the very culture of our Archdiocese—how we work, how we pray, how we minister, everything—so that in everything we do, we are more effective witnesses.  PLEASE JOIN US ON SATURDAY!

The active phase of the Changing Lives Together (CLT) campaign is winding down.  A very heartfelt “THANKS” to those who have fulfilled their pledge.  CLT has helped us to make some much need repairs and improvements to our facilities.  This will help ease budget restraints down the road and keeps our buildings functioning and looking their best.  If you fell behind on your pledge don’t feel bad - - that isn’t hard to do.  Please do your best to make-up or pay off your commitment as soon as you can as it would be a great help to us.
           
Here is a related financial stewardship thought.  Insofar as you have become accustomed to making your CLT contribution, why not roll all or part of that into your Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) donation?  That would go a long way toward achieving our goal - - something we rarely do.  Achieving our goal would also give relief to our budget insofar as we must make-up the CSA shortfall from our operating budget.  Please prayerfully consider this idea.  The annual CSA drive is literally right around the corner.
           
​Regina High School has informed me that two of our parish members, Samantha White and Victoria Jason have made the honor roll this past quarter.  Congratulations to Samantha and Victoria on your academic achievement.

​Fr. Randy Phillips

​Happy Second Week of Easter.  We continue celebrating this week with infant baptisms.  Baptism and Easter have been associated together from the beginning of our faith.  In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul explains that when we are baptized and are immersed into the water that we have died and are buried with Christ.  Then we rise from those waters to live a new life, the life of a follower of Christ, and receive the promise that we shall also share in his resurrection from the dead.

I extend thanks to all who made the celebration of the Sacred Triduum so prayerful and inspiring.  Our Liturgy Planning Committee begins to prepare for the great three days in August when we go on our retreat to make ready for the upcoming year.  Many ideas for the feel, décor, music and other elements that go into these liturgies are worked out in those intense four days.  Special thanks to our Pastoral Associate, Mary Dumm, who coordinates, direct, and does the ground work for the Sacred Triduum. Thanks and appreciation is also due to so many others: to Vince Schembri, the Art and Environment Committee and their host of helpers who almost move-in for the week; our Director of Music, Steve Petrunak, and our entire music ministry.  Thanks also to all those teens who led us in praying the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. For her first go round in directing this prayerful experience our Youth Coordinator, Ashley Hursin, handled it like a seasoned pro. Appreciation is due to all our liturgical ministers: lectors, ushers, greeters, altar servers, communion ministers, lectors, sacristans, mass coordinators, video ministry, banner wavers, those who launder the altar linens and YOU - - the active and participating assembly.  Behind the prayer, silence and joyful noise were our faithful and dedicated cleaning crew and our Director of Maintenance, Tom Haas, together with a small army of volunteers - - because it does take an entire community to move great liturgy from a plan to a reality.
           
A special word of THANKS and an acknowledgement of indebtedness is due DAVE AND CORY TRUMBULL for their leadership of our Fish Fry.  Thanks also to all our volunteer workers.  So many show up faithfully year after year together with some new helpers - - your commitment is greatly appreciated.  This was another successful year.
           
In addition to feeding ourselves at the Fish Fry, our EASTER BASKETS provided a Happy Easter celebration for needy families.  Thanks to Denise Porcasi for her leadership as well as all who packed and delivered the Easter Baskets in the name of our parish.  Of course, no one can pack and deliver what has not been turned in to us - - so a big “thank you” to all those who purchased items and donated food toward this great ministry.
           
​I’m sure that I missed some others who deserve words of thanks and appreciation.  These wonderful liturgies and ministries really require the assistance of many, many people for them to be as inspiring as they are.  As pastor I am grateful that we are able to so devoutly, reverently and prayerfully keep the Sacred Triduum.