Truth! What does that mean?”
—Pontius Pilate
Pilate was a first century politician. I suspect he was a cynical and hardened politician who knew that the rich and powerful could decide what was truth, but who at one point was confronted with the truth of Jesus. That encounter left him troubled, but he nonetheless acted according to the political pressures of his time. He had Jesus crucified.
As we engage in the election process this year, I note that not much has changed in 2000 years. Some politicians are still driven by the winds of political change and are essentially rudderless. Others, I’m sure, are good and wise people who are trying to serve the common good. Some others, who may be sincere (although perhaps shallow in their thinking), and might actually believe some theoretical but unattainable goal, and are determined to maintain that belief even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, and no matter what negative consequences may occur. (Their motto seems to be: “Just ignore the truth…hold onto the ideal!”)
More problematic, in my opinion, are those who seem to treat truth as malleable. In any case, our nation, whether led by politicians who are all too human, or driven by larger social forces, is in a crisis of truth.
Hurricane Relief Efforts
I just want to remind you of the message from the Archdiocese regarding hurricane Helene relief efforts.
Catholic Charities USA, the official disaster relief agency of the Church in the United States, has an online donation mechanism at https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/?form=helene.
Please note, 100% of donations made via the link above go to support recovery efforts. Catholic Charities USA works directly with local Catholic Charities agencies in the affected areas to provide humanitarian relief.
I encourage you to share this link with your friends and to donate yourself should you be so inclined. We included those impacted by the hurricane and the relief workers, in the prayers of the faithful over the weekend. They need our prayers.
In Jesus,
Rev. Michael G. Savickas Pastor
Over $400,000! Thank you to all 463 contrbutors.
At little over $50K needed to reach out minimum target! WE ARE SO CLOSE!
Please consider if you can do anything more before the end of October.
While we are so blessed by the generosity of the 463 families who have contributed, remember that we have nearly 1800 families in our parish. Please continue to pray that those who are "yet to give" join with us in our effor to "repair and rebuild."
Watch this Sunday's Mass
October 27th, 2024
Confessions this week will be
Tuesday, October 29th, 4:30 PM
That evening beginning at 7, there will be a time of prayer for our country as we approiach the elections. There will be music, a Rosary of Light, and a time of adoration.
ST. WILLIAM CRUSADER CYO BASKETBALL REGISTRATION!
St. William Dads’ Club would like to extend an invitation to young athletes (BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS) to join the fun and excitement of the game of basketball.
We plan to start a basketball camp on November 5th with the season starting November 11th. Practice times will depend on our Coaches' availability.
You can also register on the St. William Dad's Club webite by CLICKING HERE.
We are also looking for volunteers interested in helping to coach (or assist) our athletes. If you are interested, contact our athletic director at ad@saintwilliam.net.
TEAMS/PLAYER REQUIREMENTS:
CYO allows basketball programs to have both boys and girls, 2nd - 4th grade, Junior Varsity (JV - 5th/6th grade), and Varsity (7th/8th grade). St. William offers boys and girls teams at these levels based on interest. For 2nd - 4th graders, we run an Intramural program; we may evaluate some of the 4th graders during Intramural practice and if skilled enough, elevate them to the JV team.
Each player must be baptized Catholic or attend a Catholic school. Players from the following surrounding area of St. William Parish can be accepted to our teams: Holy Family Novi, Prince of Peace West Bloomfield, St. Mary Milford, St. Thomas West Bloomfield, and Holy Spirit Highland. If you have a question or need clarification contact our athletic director at ad@saintwilliam.net. For registration please go to the basketball page under the Athletics & Club tab at the St. William Dads' Club website, www.saintwilliam.net.
The Knights of Columbus are starting a new program to support our brothers and sisters who experience homelessness. We will be holding collections the 3rd weekend of each month after all masses. Baskets will be in the tower entrances and members of the KofC will be there after all the masses. Please bring only specific items requested for the month.
Items will be distributed in Detroit through the following ministries:
Items to be collected on October 20th: WINTER HATS
Thank you for your support
CLICK HERE for information on activities in our Family of Parishes.
SUMMER '24: REPAIR & REBUILD
Summer ‘24: Our campaign to Repair and Rebuild … can only succeed if we do this together!
Every family is being asked to make a gift at a sacrificial level that reflects their commitment to the Parish and its Mission. So far 448 families have responded. If you’ve already pledged, THANK YOU! And please PRAY for those who have yet to give. If you have not yet pledged, know that you are being prayed for!
Periodic (quarterly, monthly) payments are almost always easier for most people. Even people who have already made a “one-time” gift might consider whether the Lord is asking them supplement their gift with periodic contributions, which are easy to set up on our secure website. Our office staff can help.
We've found an even easier way to make a pledge, especially if you are not comfortable with navigating the online giving platform. CALL 1 888-331-8695 and “friendly operators will be happy to take your pledge”. (I just made up that last quote.)
THANK YOU AGAIN to our “advance donors” who have covered the required target. All subsequent donations will go entirely to our “Repair and Rebuild” campaign.
Still, we need everyone to do what they can and make a sacrificial gift, if we are to be successful. We’re in this together. It’s our parish. Remember, every dollar now stays with the parish! To DONATE online to this effort, please follow this link.
God bless you!
Beginning September 15th, 2024, St William Parish will be having Eucharistic Adoration from 2 to 4PM every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. The Adoration will close with Benediction. The 1st half hour will be reserved for young children called “Restless Adoration.” We all know children are “ restless” and this gives children an opportunity to be “ restless “ with Jesus, doing little activities focused on Jesus in the Eucharist. The adoration time is intended to be a time for all St William parish members to spend additional time with the Lord.
St. Monica Club @ St. WilliamDo you have a child, sibling, parent, or spouse that has left the faith or refuses to enter it? Do you feel hopeless in the battle to save your loved one’s soul?
Join us once a month on Monday evenings from 6:30-7:30PM in the church. We will gather as a faith community to call on the intercession of saints that have gone before us.
For more information CLICK HERE.
Becoming Catholic
OCIA New classes begin in September; classes are forming now. If you are interested in becoming Catholic, or have not completed all your sacraments of initiation, (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) or are just interested in learning more about your Catholic faith, please contact Deacon Mike at the Rectory, 248-624-1421.
I Want to Become Catholic! The Inquiry Stage of OCIA
OCIA stands for the Order of the Christian Initiation of Adults. This the process in which one is guided and cared for as they awaken in faith and are brought to the Catholic Faith. Begins Sunday, Oct 6 For 16 weeks. 7 PM Location- St. Paul RM
For more on Becoming Catholic CLICK HERE.
For so many working Christians, it’s too easy to get overwhelmed by the distractions of daily living.
The 3-Minute Reset is a simple, daily discipline focused on spending a moment in thought and prayer, and rediscovering the peace that is always available to us. Hosted by Pat Lencioni and Chris Stefanick.
We cannot escape the love of God! We also cannot escape grief. So many people are suffering from the loss of a loved one, loss of job, or the loss of a relationship. Grief takes many forms. One thing we know for sure about grief is that love is healing.
Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for
they will be comforted.”
Would you please consider joining us in Grief Ministry at St. William Parish? The only thing you need to be part of this ministry is to love our Lord. READ MORE HERE. Please reach out to me with any questions.
Lisa Powaser
lpowaser@stwilliam.com
cell number @313-623-8149
Adult Education Formation Cooridinator
Regular Mass Schedule:
For another great source of inspiration, watch this VIDEO
Fall Altar Server Schedule
Click here to sign up at SignUpGenius.
In a recent Homily, Father expounded on the concept of the Kerygma. To learn more, follow this LINK.
FORMED is here at St. William Parish!
What is FORMED? It’s the Catholic “NETFLIX” and more, and we have made it FREE to all parishioners!
Explore and Enjoy!
Watch and see what's on this week!
Sign up for daily reflections here.
Sunday October 27th, 2024
As disciples of the Lord, we place our petitions before our God with confidence.
To read more, follow THIS LINK.
"Father, you call me to serve, and I know that Christian service means givng of my time and my talents - both gifts from you Lord. Give me the grace to collaborate with Christ your Son in the salvation of souls by offering others what you have given so gratiously to me. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Out of love for Christ and because we are all "called to serve," please examine these opportunities to serve Him and our Parish.
CSA 2024-2025 HAS BEGUN...
BUT THIS YEAR IT'S ALL ABOUT "REPAIR & REBUILD" ST. WILLIAM
To donate to "Repair & Rebuild" through CSA 2024, please click BELOW.
We've contacted some advance donors who are excited and engaged with our repair and rebuild efforts—WE HAVE COVERED OUR CSA REQUIRED DONATION! THANK YOU ALL.
That means that EVERYTHING ELSE will go to "Repair & Rebuild" St. William Parish.
The link will take you directly to our CSA donation page at the Archdiocese of Detroit where you can either set up a pledge. Again, to pledge on-line just follow this LINK.
Jesus instructs us in Matthew 18: 19-20, “Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
LEARN MORE about the St. William Intercessory Prayer Team.
Directily submit prayer requests here:
Prayerrequests@stwilliam.com
As we continue a new year of missionary discipleship, we hope that you prayerfully consider a deeper committment to stewardship and all the mission work we need to do.
Your generosity overfunded our CSA target so we will be receiving a nice refund, but we need each of you to consider if you can do a bit more to financially support our good works. Just $5 per week from each of you could add nearly $200,000 to our budget.
God bless you all.
Click here or on the logo above to make a one-time or monthly gift now!
