stmaryjoy Announcements

Nativity Sets for a Display Walk Wanted

A vulnerable and innocent baby in the midst of an animal stable is a captivating image. When the baby in the middle of the scene is considered by millions and millions of people to be the very embodiment of God, this image becomes more telling. Christmas time in the Christians life should be a time to remember, receive and proclaim what God has done through a little baby named Jesus.

This year St. Mary, Cause of Our Joy would like to continue this tradition of the displays of different crèche or nativity scenes in our social hall. We have a diverse membership here at St. Mary’s and would like to view any and all, especially if you have one from foreign countries.

We want to see as many as we can, including more whimsical ones that children can relate to. We would like to highlight the cultural diversity of each crèche on display, while honoring and celebrating the common theme that runs throughout the birth of Jesus. Fr. Shafique will bless every nativity set brought in. We will have the display on the weekend of January 7th & 8th. If you would like to participate or have questions, please call the Parish Office at 7344254421 to reserve a space in our social hall.

stmaryjoy Announcements, Evangelization, Faith Formation

Formed

We are excited to announce that St. Mary, Cause of Our Joy now has a subscription to FORMED from the Augustine Institute. As a parishioner, you now have access to a premier online platform filled with over 6,000 Catholic studies, movies, audio dramas, talks, e-books, and even cartoons for our children. To join for FREE:

  1. Go to https://signup.formed.org/
  2. Enter our parish’s zip code – 48185
  3. Enter your name and your email address

You can enjoy FORMED on your computer, tablet, smart-television, or smartphone. Either by going to their website, or downloading the FORMED app.

stmaryjoy Announcements, Prayer

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent at 7:00 pm (In Church and Live Streamed) 

  • Friday, March 4 – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, March 11 – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, March 18 – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, March 25 – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, April 1 – 7:00 pm
  • Friday, April 8 – 7:00 pm – sponsored by our Faith Formation Classes
  • *Friday, April 15 – (Good Friday) – Noon – sponsored by our Youth Group*
  • Friday, April 22 – Stations of Light – 7:00 pm
stmaryjoy Announcements, From Aidan Rickel

Welcome our New Music Minister

Aidan Rickel is a teacher, composer, conductor, and instrumentalist currently enrolled at Wayne State University in the Masters of Music program. His musical education began on the piano twenty two years ago and it is still his primary instrument and first true love. Playing at many piano federation festivals, he received superior ratings for ten years. He is also an experienced organist, working freelance for social and religious services. He began studying the organ at age fourteen and was soon serving as a substitute organist for local parishes. While performing voluntarily at local senior care facilities he started to explore jazz and pop piano styles to entertain the residents, learning the value of a good Fake Book. Aidan graduated from Novi Highschool, he sang in their Concert Choral and performed in musical theater productions. He got his first position as Director of Music Ministries at eighteen serving at St. Peter and Pauls in downtown Detroit. He attended Wayne State University for his undergraduate studies receiving the Presidential Scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Singing for his Juries, he studied vocal performance privately as this was the primary instrument for his degree. He also sang in the choir under Dr. Duncan with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a number of their productions. He will be taking up the baton as Artistic Director of the Novi Choralaires for his first season this year, where he will direct the winter and spring concerts for the community. He is leaving his role as Director of Music Ministries at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Howell where he has conducted two choirs and a worship group of instrumentalists and soloists. He leads a resurrection choir for funerals and plays weddings for the local community. For the last twelve years he has taught a private studio of piano and organ students. When not directing or instructing he is composing and arranging his own music while pursuing his M. M. in Composition. He writes in a variety of styles, from sacred to jazz, composing a “Gloria” for his B.A. Thesis Project. He is thankful to God for faithfully leading his life at every step, and for the opportunity to begin serving at St. Mary this advent season.

stmaryjoy Announcements

Seeking New Pastoral Council Members

We are seeking two new members of the Parish Pastoral Council. New Council members will be selected during MASS on the weekend of September 11th and 12th.  The two member will serve in at-large positions for a three year term starting this September.

Please prayerfully consider nominating yourself for a Council Position. Application Forms are available in the Gathering Space and the Parish office.

 Council members will be available to answer any questions before and after Mass on:

  • Aug. 14/15
  • Aug. 21/22
  • Aug. 28/29 
  • Sept. 5/6

The Parish Pastoral Council Operational Procedures are available here:

Revised Operational Procedures – Final Draft (1)Download
stmaryjoy Announcements, Faith Formation

Catholic Biblical School of Michigan

This Weekend we will have representatives from the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan after each Mass.

CBSM (Catholic Biblical School of Michigan) is a lay apostolate incorporated as an independent non-profit organization [501 (c) 3 status] listed in the Official Catholic Directory, with a Board of Directors approved by the Archdiocese of Detroit. 

CBSM exists to invite Catholics to encounter Jesus in and through the inspired Word of God and grow as missionary disciples, fueled by daily connection to God in His Word.

CBSM will be hosting new classes start the week of Sept 20th at St. Sabina in Dearborn Heights on Thursdays from 7-9 pm (25555 Ann Arbor Trail, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127)

stmaryjoy Announcements

Updated COVID-19 Guidelines 5/19/2021

Hello Everyone, The Archdiocese has just announced that they are changing the requirements for people coming to Mass. I am sure there are people who are happy about this, and others who are not. 

I am sure your question is how does this effect St. Mary, COOJ.

If you read just one thing: Fr. Shafique has decided that we will continue to ask everyone to mask, and social distance for the next two or three weeks. 

While the Archbishop and the Archdiocese have given us the option of designating one section for people who are vaccinated to sit without masks, and another for people who have not been vaccinated to sit with masks we know there are parishioners who will stop attending if this happens. So we are asking for you to keep in mind the need to care for the common good and to exercise care and love for those who are most vulnerable among us and continue with what we have been doing for a few more weeks. It will not be forever. We will send out a message in a few weeks to update everyone when we change this decision.

We are sorry if this upsets some of you, but our goal is to support all of our Parishioners the best we can.

http://aod.org/emergencyresponse

 

stmaryjoy Announcements, Christian Service

Blood Drive – May 19, 2021

The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. Please Join us in giving the Gift of Life,

Wednesday, May 19, 2021
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
In the Large Social Hall

Drive Details:

St. Mary Cause of Our Joy Catholic Church
8200 N. Wayne Rd,
Westland, MI, 48185

Register for a time at:
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=stmarywestland

Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program!

Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App on the App Store, Google Play or text BLOODAPP to 90999. Schedule appointments, get rewards and invite friends to join you on a lifesaving team.

stmaryjoy Announcements, Family of Parishes

Family of Parishes

Why Attend a Family Gathering?

Families of Parishes evolved with the lay faithful in mind. 

  1. Families of Parishes are for the benefit of lay faithful. 
    • We are the Body of Christ.
    • We are meant to worship as community.
    • We need the Sacraments to sanctify and build up the Body of Christ and to give worship to God. CCC 1122
    • If there are not enough priests to minister to each individual parish, the grace of the sacraments will not be available to us.
    • We need to come together as one Body.
    • Come and meet the other parishes in your family, learn about their unique characteristics. Participate in discussions with other members of your family.
  2. Hear stories from lay persons in dioceses that have already participated in such a transition. 
    • We learn through the experiences of others.
  3. Begin the chapter of journeying in faith with many other Catholics in your community.
    • You may see them every day but have never met.
  4. This is what being a joyful missionary disciple is about.
    • Be a witness to your faith.

Family Gathering #3, Witness, Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 6PM.
This third gathering will encourage Family members to celebrate together as a Family, receiving the grace that comes with confidently witnessing to the Gospel.
St. Thomas the Apostle, 31530 Beechwood St, Garden City, MI 48135

ReGister for Family Gatherings

Playbook – Families of Parishes

stmaryjoy Announcements, Prayer

Happy Parish Feast Day!

“The Parish of St. Mary, Cause of Our Joy, inspired by Mary’s “Yes” and led by the Holy Spirit, strives to be a faith-filled community, joyfully welcoming all to witness and to celebrate the Gospel.”

Parish Mission Statement

A Prayer on The Solemnity of Annunciation

Lord Jesus Christ,
Eternal Word,
You became Incarnate as man
in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
You, through whom the universe was created,
began your earthly course,
in the womb of a humble and chaste Virgin.
At the annunciation of this miracle,
Mary responded in faith:
“let it be done to me
according to your word.”
May we who are made new creatures
by your grace,
respond with such faith,
when you call us to your service.
Amen

  • The Annunciation By Carlo Crivelli