God bless our First Communion Children on this Happy and Holy day!

Welcome our 120 First Communion children to the Table of our Lord on the weekend of May 17 & 18.

Pictured:  Fr. James Conlon sprinkles the children and congregation with the waters of baptism on First Communion Sunday (Fifth Sunday of Easter).

For the grace-filled homily on this happy and holy day, click here!

Pictured:  The children receive their first communion with their families surrounding them.

Thank you especially to the parents, grandparents, and godparents for their support and participation in their children’s lives, guiding and bringing them to this day.

The children were asked why they wanted to receive Holy Communion.  Some of the responses are included below:

I believe that I am receiving the body and blood of Christ and will be closer to God. I want to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us. I want to receive Holy Communion because I love Jesus and he is my savior.

I want to know the love of Christ in my life. I want to become more like Jesus. I want to give thanks and share in the life of God. I want to be holy with God.

Pictured:  The Alvarez family enjoys the reception following First Communion last Saturday.

Thank you to Joan Desjarlais who coordinated the reception and to all those who provided treats, assisted with the reception, greeted and ushered for the Masses.

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for providing the Sunday morning breakfast.

Pictured:  Fr. James Conlon teases, delights, and enlightens the children, families, and congregation participating in Mass this day.

Thank you to the catechists and school teachers, Jenni Alexander, Jack Bryan, Sandra Callahan, Michelle Corrunker, Carmela Cusumano, Catherine Farrell, Elizabeth Huff, Sylvia Otero, Matt Zawistowski, and Lisa Wehr who helped to prepare the children for this day.  

Pictured:  Sylvia and Anne help the children with the presentation of the gifts during first Communion. Thank you to those who assisted with the Masses and helped out at rehearsals and meetings.

Thank you to Sylvia Otero and Anne Stemmerich for the extra time and talent given to helping at the meetings, rehearsals, and Masses.

Thanks to Courtney Aymen and NuNu Lysloff for their work with the details accompanying the celebration.

Pictured:  Dcn. Rich Badics points out the children's banner squares in his homily.  "Be like Mary, Mother of God who is like a tabernacle for Jesus. and bring Christ to others," he explained.

Thank you for Fr. James Conlon, Fr. Bosco Padamattummal, Dcn. Rich Badics, Dcn. Patrick McDonald, Tom Kean, Carol Fedewa, Linda Opaleski, Julie Pritzel, Matt Schnaidt, and Paul Ward, and for all those who shared their gift of music, for all those who gave of themselves to provide for the liturgical roles, for those who ushered, and for all those who supported in word or deed the work that enabled this day’s celebration.

God bless you on this blessed day!--Ellen Ward, DRE

Are you interested in having your child prepare for the sacraments?  Deepen their relationship with God?  Explore and learn about our Catholic Faith?

Please watch the website and upcoming bulletins for enrollment in fall Religious Education classes!  Registrations are available in June for fall classes!  For questions, please contact the Religious Education Office at stfreled@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2130.

Congratulations to our 145 newly confirmed youth!

Congratulations to our 145 newly confirmed youth!  Bishop Boyea conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation last April 6.  Thank you to Tim Howley for taking the group photograph!

RE Changes, News, and Events

Dear parents,

I hope you and your family are enjoying spring break!

As we approach Easter, changes, news, and events call for our attention:

1.  Mass times change this Sunday, Palm Sunday, April 13.  The new Mass times are Saturday at 5 p.m.; Sunday at 7 a.m.; 8:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

2.  For Palm Sunday at the 8:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; and 12:30 p.m.  Masses, the children are invited to be in the entrance procession carrying palms. Parents, feel free to bring your children to the gathering space for the opening procession before Mass.  If you have collected money for the less fortunate in the Rice Bowls, please turn in your collections this weekend.

3.  Family Religious Education Session B is this Sunday, April 13 at 10:20 a.m.  (Family A meets again on April 27 and B on May 4).

4.  Middle School youth are invited to a time of faith and friendship this Sunday, Palm Sunday, April 13 at 6:15 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).

4.  Group 2014 Confirmation photos are in!  Feel free to stop in the Religious Education Office to pick up your photo.  Congratulations to the 145 newly confirmed youth!  Thank you to all those who helped either by kind word of encouragement or by mighty good deeds.

5.  The family penance service is this Monday, April 14 at 5 p.m. in the Church.

The annual Lenten Communal Family Penance (Reconciliation) Service is designed for families with children.  The readings are child-friendly, and the service includes prayers and an examination of conscience for children and adults.  Prayers and readings are prayed together as a group, with confessions heard individually. Several priests will be available to hear confessions. The entire service lasts about one hour. All are welcome!

6.  For Monday 4:30 p.m. Religious Education classes on April 14, parents are invited to bring their older children (2nd grade and up) to church shortly before 5 p.m.  The penance service takes the place of class.

See our website at http://www.stfrancisa2.com/ for Easter Mass times and more.


Questions:  Contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2132.

Treats & Volunteers Needed for Confirmation Reception

Treats Needed for Confirmation Reception:  Sunday, April 6

Finger foods, vegetables, fruits, cheese and crackers, and treats are needed for the Confirmation reception.   Drop off of foods is on Sunday, April 6 from 10 a.m.—2 p.m. in the kitchen of the Parish Activities Center (PAC).  Foods may also be dropped off early on Saturday, April 5 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)  in the Parish Office.

Also, adult volunteers and especially 7th grade youth are needed to help with the decorating and hosting of the Confirmation reception on April 6 from 1 p.m.-6 p.m.  (Volunteers are welcome to help for all or part of the time).

Sign up here or please contact Anne Stemmerich at annestemmerich@ameritech.net or 734-645-8428 or Courtney Aymen, RE secretary at 734-821-2130 or stfreled@stfrancisa2.org

Thank you!

Pray for our 2014 Candidates for Confirmation

Pray for our 2014 Confirmation Candidates

If you picked up a card with the name of one of the Confirmation candidates, 

then please pray for the youth listed on the card.

Please send a card, mentioning your prayer and encouragement in the weeks before Confirmation, by March 31, 2014.  Please send the card to:

(Name of Candidate)

c/o St. Francis of Assisi Parish Confirmation Prayer

2150 Frieze Ave.

Ann Arbor, MI   48104

Almighty God and Source of all Creation,

We ask you to look favorably

on these candidates for Confirmation;

Make them fervent in Spirit,

Joyful in Hope, and always ready to serve your name. 

Send your Spirit upon them to be their Helper and Guide. 

Give them the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding,

the Spirit of Right Judgment and Courage,

the Spirit of Knowledge and Reverence. 

Fill them with the Spirit of Wonder and Awe in your Presence.   

Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Forgot to pick up a card and desire to pray for a candidate?

  Please call 734-821-2130 for information.

The sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m.

No Classes Wednesday, March 12 Due to Weather Conditions

Religious Education classes for the evening of Wednesday, March 12 have been canceled due to weather conditions.

Ash Wednesday Mass: March 5 at 7 p.m.

Dear parents,
Please attend the Ash Wednesday Mass as a family at 7 p.m. in church on March 5.  Mass attendance takes the place of Religious Education classes this evening.

Religious Education teachers and aides will be greeting your children at Mass.

God bless you with a holy and blessed Lent!