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During the Christmas season, my office, a pregnancy resource center, was blessed to be a recipient of several Advent Giving Trees. One church gave us many Target gift cards, which I planned to use to purchase clothes and diapers/wipes for our clients. I went to Target, counted out my cards, and made my purchases. My cart was overflowing...[Click the title to read what happened next.]

It was Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at our home in Detroit, Michigan where it all began. As we had done every Tuesday for a very long time, I had prepared dinner to take to our daughter and her family in Ann Arbor. Jim was helping me carry the meal out to the car; he placed the food in the trunk of the car, backed up and tripped on a crack in the driveway, and fell. He looked up at me and said, “I can't move.” [Click the title to read what happened next.]

My name is Emily Armentrout. I am currently an Adapted Physical Education Teacher at Freedom Acres (Ionia ISD) in Ionia. I work with students ages 3-26 with a wide range of abilities including Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Emotional Impairments. I have a passion for inclusion and teach my students that they too can accomplish all things. [Click the title to read Emily's story.]

My Name is Steve Anthony; I am a husband and father of 2 little angels in Heaven and 1 soon to be on Earth. My Catholic life did not start for me until I met my Wife (dating at the time) Annie, who is a devout Catholic and comes from a family of devout Catholics. She made it clear to me that she would want to raise a family Catholic and because Catholicism is part of Christianity, I was ok with that concept. I did not know how important it would become in my life. [Click the title to read Steve's story.]

In September 2020, I received a random phone call from a special acquaintance, Kay. I was surprised to hear from Kay as we did not have regular contact. Plus, Kay works during the day, so I knew it was important. Kay had a request. A concern and difficulty had arisen in her life, and she asked me to pray. Of course, I said yes. She then went on in an apologetic tone indicating that she knew I was busy and for me to please not make a special trip but could I, if possible, light a candle the next time I was at my church for this special request? [Click the title to read what happened next.]

Approximately four years ago with the help of a spiritual advisor, I began to become aware of Mary and her gentle motherly presence in my life, as I was at that time experiencing trials in my personal life which pushed the cracks in my spiritual life up to the surface creating havoc. [Read Carol's full story by clicking the title.]

My Father’s name was Joseph and I attended St. Joseph elementary school, but it wasn’t until I experienced a “reversion” in the early 1990s that I developed a devotion to St. Joseph. I believe that I began receiving graces from Jesus and Mary that was awakening my dormant faith. [Read Tim's full story by clicking the title.]

My name is Markus Martin, I am new to Catholic faith. [Markus is a Catechumen who will receive Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil] I was drawn to the Catholic religion for the understanding of strong faith and living life through God's Word and teachings. I am looking forward to being baptized and becoming a member of Saint Andrew's church. Some of my hobbies are art, spending time with my kids and family. I also enjoy going to the gym and traveling. I am looking forward to meeting more people from the church.

After being a non-practicing Catholic for many years I responded to God’s grace as He drew me back to Himself. By His grace I became closely connected to Him and to the Church. I made friends who helped me grow in my faith. I was introduced to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and in 2016 I attended an abbreviated but intense three-day silent retreat.  Two days into almost total silence, continual prayer, spiritual talks, and meditation, I came face to face with my weakness and complete inability to help myself. [Click the title to read more.]

Hi, my name is Colton Mallouk. I’m currently a medical school applicant and am working at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor. I’m a pilot, scuba diver, hiker, and I pretty much love doing anything outdoors.  Religious studies has always been a huge interest to me. I grew up in a Christian home and attended a Presbyterian church on Sundays and went to a Baptist elementary school. [Click picture to read more.]

Hey there! My name is Michael Paruank and I am so thankful to become a part of the St. Andrew family. This past year has been a time of learning and growing for me. I went from believing Catholicism was a false religion to being received into the church this week. In October of 2019, my dad went to our local library and picked up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. [Click picture to read more.]

After being raised in a devout Catholic family, receiving the sacraments and a Catholic education, I quit. I still called myself Catholic but only practiced my faith occasionally. Over many years the Lord drew me back to His Church. But one thing I struggled with was the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.... In the fall of 2015, two years after joining St Andrew Parish, I sincerely brought this question to God during Sunday Mass. [Click the title to read the full story.]

Hi! My name is Carissa, and I am so, SO excited to be entering the Church! About a year and a half ago now, I started to feel like God wanted His Church to be unified, not only in heart but also in mind, in belief (Philippians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 1:10). But, I told Him that because we all have to read the Bible for ourselves, that was impossible, and I dared Him to show me how we were supposed to be one if that’s what He really wanted. [Click picture to read more.]

Celebrations will still occur to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus! In order to do so safely, a few things will be different. First, St. Andrew will offer more Masses, and second, you will need to sign up ahead of time. [Click for more information.}

All parishioners are invited to complete this survey from the Diocese of Lansing Realign Resources for Mission Committee. [Click to learn more about how to participate.]

Fr. John updates our parish on his health.

Join us for an in-person Open House Information Night at St. Andrew in Saline, on Thursday, July 23rd from 7-8 pm. Event will be held in the large, well ventilated Parish Hall and social distancing and mask wearing will be practiced. Start a journey through the entire Bible, guided by expert live teachers with the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan’s new classes starting this September at St. Andrew in Saline (Thursdays, 7-9 PM), Queen of the Miraculous Medal in Jackson (Mon Evenings), and online (any day/time). Through donations, CBSM is accessible to all with a 100% of requests for financial aid granted. Not able to attend? Visit cbsmich.org/join for an Info Night recording and register for the course by September 14th. For more information, contact [email protected] or 586-438-3085.

Are you tired of days-old information and want current, up-to-date parish information on programs, events and cancellation and last minute additions? Would you like it sent to your email or texted to your phone? If so, please join subscribe to Flocknote, our messaging service. It's easy and it's FREE!

Please open this newsletter title to read the latest letter from Fr. John LInden regarding our adjustments and responses to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). God Bless you & yours, Your St. Andrew Parish Staff

Online giving is here. So many parishioners have asked for this feature. It is now available via the navigation bar at the top of the home page. Please contact the office with questions.