Divine Mercy Events!

Dear Village Family,

I hope this finds you well and refreshed after a beautiful Holy Week! Our Lord has risen from the grave, and conquered death. This is so exciting! I imagine your excitement is amplified by a week off of school- woot! Vacation is always wonderful. :)

Thank you, thank you to the 10+ teens who came out to help with Stations of the Cross at Glacier Hills last week, it was really special. Everything went smoothly, and many of those who attended said it had been years since they had been able to participate in the Stations! Some people arrived a half an hour early just to make sure they got a good seat. We also got to meet and encourage St Thomas' oldest Parishioner, Katherine Cole who is 103 years old! She said she didn't want to wrestle Chris Silva, she thought she might get hurt. :)

This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, which means there is cool stuff happening here at St Thomas with our entire Parish Family! The Divine Mercy Events are such a big deal that this year we're not having our regular meeting, so that we can all go to this together instead! In the year 2000 Pope John Paul II gave this feast day to the Church- a day to remember God's incredible mercy and pray for all sinners. Read this for more on Divine Mercy Sunday.

This Sunday instead of our regular Village Meeting we'll join our Parish Family from 2-4pm in the Church for:

* Eucharistic Adoration
* Personal Reflections
* Quiet Prayer
* Recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet
* Opportunities for Confession


Saint Aloysius Gonzaga @ the Dead Theologians Society

Come out this week to discover this holy man, the patron saint of youth and purity!

· 6:30pm: socializing in the Parish Offices

· 7-8pm: gather in the Church choir loft for prayer with the Saints! (Elizabeth St door is always open)

· 8-8:30pm: snacks in the Parish Offices

Retreat @ Franciscan University of Steubenville!

Spaces and partial scholarships are still available! Cost for participation is $235, all-inclusive. Registration is due ASAP with a $70 deposit. The remaining $135 is not due until April 18th.

This July 9th-11th, join The Village @ St Thomas for our annual roadtrip to the Franciscan University of Steubenville High School Youth Conference!

The Village has been attending these Youth Conferences since 2008, and our teens have unanimously found them to be challenging, inspiring, and lots of fun. This Youth Conference will feature at least one powerful hour of Eucharistic Adoration, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each day, nationally-renowned Catholic speakers, men’s and women’s time discussing the call to chastity, and two workshop sessions addressing a broad spectrum of topics.

Spring Retreat FAQ's

Dear Villagers,

Great having so many of us together last night for some epic debating, and building towers with just newspaper and tape! Who knew earning Klondike bars could be so much fun?! Don't miss the pic of one of our winning teams...We did a few skits too, to show what *not* to do when having interfaith dialogues with your friends- because failure is a *great* teacher.

This coming Sunday is our monthly night of Eucharistic Adoration! Instead of our usual time and format, Father Bill has invited us to join the entire parish for a time of Eucharistic Adoration in the Church starting at 7pm. Coming to lead us in worship is Jim Cowan, a nationally known singer and songwriter. He's written so many of the songs we sing at Village (This is Jesus, for one!).

And now, a few FAQ's About Spring Retreat, 3/19-3/21:

--I have too much homework, how could I possibly go?

Our Spring Retreat begins Friday March 19th at 6:45pm, and ends Sunday March 21st at 12noon. Even if you've got loads of homework, you will have all day on Sunday to get it done! Besides, we'll have a couple hours of free time on Saturday. Bring some busy work along with you and you can get it done then.

--I don't know if we can afford it- are there scholarships?

Absolutely! The total cost is $60/person, but if you register today you pay just $50. Also, if your parents can help out over the weekend, you save more money! We can definitely do partial scholarships. No one will be turned away due to lack of money- we want you with us!

--I have something else going on that weekend, so I can't go, right?

Not necessarily! Our Spring Retreat is at St Thomas this year. We know that there are a few conflicts- a karate belt promotion, a water polo tournament, etc. If you want to come, email Beth Spizarny and we can chat to see if it can work! We're trying to get everyone in, no matter what their conflict. We're a family, and we want everyone to be there!

--Who else is going?

We often have teens come on Retreat who haven't ever come to any other Village stuff, so don't worry if you haven't been before. We're a super friendly group! If you're on Facebook, look for 'The Village @ St Thomas', we have a page, and an event for "Salt and Light, The Village Spring Retreat." You can see others who are coming! So far there's 13 people on board- from Richard, Huron, Skyline, and Pioneer.

--What is the point of a Retreat?

In a teen's own words, "This Village Retreat was a great way for me to return to God in the midst of a hectic world." It's all about reconnecting ourselves to Christ- really experiencing His love, and reconnecting ourselves to His Church. Our theme for this Retreat comes from Matthew chapter 5, when Jesus calls us to be the “salt of the earth...the light of the world!” Over the course of the weekend we'll experience real community like the early Church- we'll laugh together, pray together, share together, and run around playing ridiculous games. Together we will encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be blessed by God’s Real Presence in Eucharistic Adoration and the Holy Mass.
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Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati @ The Dead Theologians Society this Thursday
Come out this week to meet the mountain-climbing adventure-seeker from our own times who saw being Jesus’ disciple as the greatest adventure! At the Dead Theologians Society, we gather in the Church choir loft to listen to the life of a saint, and accept the challenge to be saints ourselves!

--6:30pm: Socializing in Parish Offices!
--7-8pm: Prayer in the Church choir loft
--8-8:30pm: Socializing & Snacks!

This Sunday 3/14: Eucharistic Adoration @ 7pm with Entire Parish!
This month we’re having our regular night of Eucharistic Adoration with the entire Saint Thomas Parish! The Village will be gathering in the Church at 7pm along with Generation Christ, and the entire Parish, for a powerful time of adoring Our Lord. Jim Cowan, a worship leader from Steubenville will be joining us for praise and worship!

Salt and Light ~ The Village Spring Retreat ~ March 19th-21st
Checkout registration forms at www.findthevillage.com for more info, or shoot me an email with any questions.

Your Question of the Week: Is there temptation in heaven? Why did the angels only get one chance?

The good news is, no! We will not have to endure temptation any longer when we are in heaven. Scripture tells us, “blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) Scipture tells us that when depart from this world in a state of grace after enduring many temptations, we will be rewarded with God’s presence in heaven!



However, Satan was in heaven when he chose sin and was cast out to hell. Angels (like Satan) are very different from us. Angels are spiritual beings without bodies, who have a free will and an intellect that is far superior to ours. God created them in a state of holiness. He enabled them to make a free choice for or against him.



Angels exercise this free choice only once, because their intellect is so much higher than ours. As Jesus said, “those to whom much has been given, much will be expected.” (Luke 12:48) This is why they only get one choice! Those that made the choice for him were confirmed in their holiness. Those that chose against him lost their holiness.



Because we’re so weak, it’s easy to feel compassion or even a sense of injustice in this. Afterall, we all make mistakes now and then. Remember- angels were created with a stronger intellect and will than men are given. Also, keep in mind that the angels who were cast out of heaven used their free will to radically and irrevocably reject God and His sovereignty. This is no small matter!



Many theologians believe that in their pre-fallen state the angels were given a foreknowledge of humans (who would be inferior to them), as well as a foreknowledge that God himself (the second Person of the Trinity) would be incarnated as a man and redeem the universe through his death on the cross. This revelation angered Lucifer because it meant he and the other angels would have to worship God incarnate. Lucifer and the other angels who fell were so proud of being superior to men that their arrogance wouldn't allow them to worship Jesus Christ the God-Man. This refusal stemmed from pride. That is the theologian's theory.

Spring Retreat!

Dear Villagers,

We had an intense game of Catch Phrase at Village this past Sunday, so much running and laughing. A big thank you to the Volunteers for doing such an awesome job in my absence! From what I hear there was some great dialogue about how to answer questions from non-Catholic Christians, fallen-away Catholics, and agnostics. We'll continue this focus on Interfaith Dialogues at Village this Sunday, 5-6:30pm.

So you may know already- Spring Retreat is coming up March 19th-March 21st! If you've been on a Village Retreat before, this one is going to be even better. Never been on one? Now is your chance! Our Spring Retreat is hosted in town at St Thomas, and if you sign up by Monday it's only $50! When your parents help out for just an hour and a half over the course of the weekend, you pay even less. Even if you have a schedule conflict over the weekend, you may still be able to come!

Our Spring Retreat Theme comes from Matthew chapter 5, when Jesus calls us to be the “salt of the earth...the light of the world!” Over the course of the weekend we'll experience real community like the early Church- we'll laugh together, pray together, share together, and run around playing ridiculous games. Retreats take friendships to the next level through explosive games, skits, small group bonding, and copious amounts of food. Together we will encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be blessed by God’s Real Presence in Eucharistic Adoration and the Holy Mass.

All high school students are welcome, bring your friends. Most importantly, we want *you* to join us!


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Blessed Kateri @ The Dead Theologians Society this Thursday
Come out this week to meet the courageous woman who declared that the cross was the source of all her happiness during her life, and who calls us to make it our source of happiness as well.

-6:30pm: Socializing in Parish Offices!
-7-8pm: Prayer in the Church choir loft
-8-8:30pm: Socializing & Snacks!

This Sunday's Village, 3/7: Interfaith Dialogues, Knowing Your Stuff
Join us this Sunday to learn ways to nurture relationships to make Interfaith Dialogues possible. Interfaith Dialogues are about building relationships! Sharing our faith with others isn’t just about having all the answers; it’s also about listening to others with compassion, asking questions, and building rapport. Strong relationships were a key element in the ministry of Jesus, and should therefore be integral to any form of evangelism today.

Salt and light ~ The Village Spring Retreat ~ March 19th-21st
Checkout www.findthevillage.com for more info!

Got loads of homework??
-Our Spring Retreat begins Friday March 19th at 6:45pm, and ends Sunday March 21st at 12noon. So even if you've got loads of homework, you will have all day on Sunday to get it done!

Don't know anyone who's coming??
-We often have teens come on Retreat who haven't ever come to any other Village stuff. We're a super friendly group!
-If you're on Facebook, look for 'The Village @ St Thomas', we have a page, and an event for Spring Retreat. You can see others who are coming!
-Stop on by our regular meeting this Sunday and meet a few friends!
-Checkout our group pic from Fall Retreat- know these ppl??

Been there, done that?
-If you've been on a Village retreat before, keep in mind that this one is going to be a little different!
-Our emphasis for this Retreat is on relationships, community, and finding the strength to answer Jesus' call to be "salt and light" in the world around us.
-Girls, some of you had to share showers on Fall Retreat- but you'll each get your own every morning!

Your Questions of the Week: Is divorce a sin?
The Catechism states that a valid marriage in the Catholic Church cannot be dissolved in any way besides death (#2382). Jesus said as much of marriage saying “'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate."-Matthew 19:5-6

Therefore, the Church does not recognize civil divorces- a couple that was once validly married in the Catholic Church is still married in the eyes of the Church. A civil divorce does not dissolve the marriage bond before God.

Obtaining a legal civil divorce, therefore, certainly does not free the spouses to marry again. If a couple is validly married in the Catholic Church, and one of them divorces their spouse legally and remarries another, that person commits the sin of adultery. As Jesus Himself said "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."-Mark 10:11-12

Receiving an anullment from the Catholic Church is something quite different from a legal divorce, although annulments are sometimes mistakenly called "Catholic divorces." In reality, annulments do not presume to end marriages at all but simply recognize and declare, after sufficient investigation, that a marriage never existed in the first place. If a marriage never really existed, then there is nothing to dissolve. Such situations can come about for one (or more) of three reasons: lack of sufficient capacity, failure to adequately consent, or violation of canonical form. Capacity involves a party’s ability to contract marriage. For example, a person who is currently married is incapable of attempting another marriage. Consent involves a party’s commitment to the marriage as the Church understands it. Form is the actual process of entering into marriage (i.e., the wedding). Those who were married in the Church and had their marriage anulled are free to marry.

Although civil divorce is not recognized by the Church, the Church recognizes the need for civil divorce in some circumstances. “If civil divorce is the only way to ensure certain legal rights, the care of the children, or the protection of inheritance, it can be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offense.” (Catechism #2383) Nonetheless, a civil divorce does not free the spouses to remarry.

That said, obtaining a civil divorce and remarrying “is a grave offense against the natural law…it claims to break the contract to which the spouses freely consented, to live with each other until death.” (Catechism #2384)

Interfaith Dialogues

Dear Villagers,

Hope all is well with you! We had a massive game of Hide and Seek this past Sunday at Village, using the whole building! At your request we talked about Satan- who he is and how/why he tries to influence us for evil. We wrapped up the evening with a powerful time of Eucharistic Adoration followed by pizza and social time.

This week we're renewing our focus on being witnesses of God's love through Interfaith Dialogue. Join us this Sunday at our regular Village Meeting to get tips for discussing Catholicism with Protestant Christians, Agnostics, and fallen-away Catholics! The Catechism urges us to engage our contemporaries in meaningful dialogue about matters of faith saying, (#3) “Those who with God’s help have welcomed Christ’s call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the good news everywhere in the world.”

In other news, Spring Retreat is just around the corner, the weekend of March 19th-21st! Registration forms are attached and will be distributed at Village this Sunday. Sign-up by Monday, March 8th, and pay just $50 per person in addition to being entered into our Early Bird Drawing!

Our Spring Retreat theme is "Salt and Light" from Jesus' words, "You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:13-14) Jesus calls us to be different from those around us! He calls us to be witnesses of His love in the world. Join us as we discern His calling on our lives, and what it means to be His witnesses from day to day!

-No Dead Theologians Society this Thursday 2/25

-This Sunday @ Village 5-6:30pm: Interfaith Dialogues- Knowing Your Stuff

-Spring Retreat is coming soon, 3/19-3/21!

-Your Questions of the Week:
---- Is being physically attractive as bad as we say it is?
---- As a Republican I support the Death Penalty, but as a Catholic I oppose it. What should I vote for?
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The Village News

No Dead Theologians Society this Thursday
Pray for Beth, she will be away on at a Youth Ministry Conference! Join us next week for a night of prayer, we’ll discover Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

This Sunday, 2/28: Interfaith Dialogues, Knowing Your Stuff
Join us this Sunday to learn basic apologetics to equip you for dialogues with Protestant Christians, Agnostics, and other Catholics who have left the Church. The Catechism urges “those who with God’s help have welcomed Christ’s call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the good news everywhere in the world.” (#3) We are called to proclaim the good news by engaging our contemporaries in meaningful discussions about faith- so they can know Jesus!

Steubenville High School Youth Conference, July 9-11th
Spaces are still available, but going fast. Cost for participation is $235, all-inclusive. Registration is due ASAP with a $70 deposit. The remaining $135 is not due until April 18th.

Spring Retreat is Coming- March 19th-21st!!
Spring Retreat is just around the corner, the weekend of March 19th-21st! Registration forms are attached and will be distributed at Village this Sunday. Sign-up by Monday, March 8th, and pay just $50 per person in addition to being entered into our Early Bird Drawing!

Join the Village @ St Thomas for a Lenten Retreat discerning God’s calling on our lives! As Catholics, Jesus calls us to be different. He calls us to be the “salt of the earth...the light of the world!” Together, we’ll discover what it means to walk closely with Jesus; how the Saints lived such holy sacramental lives; and how we can be witnesses of God’s love in the world!

Your Questions of the Week: Is being physically attractive as bad as we say it is?
Who said being physically attractive is bad? Good heavens NO! Beauty, inside and out, in people and in nature, are little pieces of heaven on earth; glimpses of Christ among us. We are God's masterpieces, the culmination of his creations. The world glorifies particular qualities, and that can impact our opinion of ourselves and how we view others. God appreciates each of our qualities just as he intended them. The difficulty with outside beauty is that it's the first thing you notice, so it's commonly objectified. Meaning, it's the ONLY thing you notice and appreciate about a person. However, as Christians, we are called to see each other as God sees us; appreciating every quality in a person, not just their physical characteristics. We were all made in the image and likeness of God.

Here’s more scripture on the goodness of beauty: "And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good."(Genesis 1:26) "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."(Psalm 139:13) “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well"(Psalm 139:14) "Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made." (Romans 1:20)

Your Questions of the Week: As a Republican I support the Death Penalty, but as a Catholic I oppose it. What should I vote for?
What the Church teaches on the Death Penalty: The Church upholds its traditional teaching that the state has the right and duty to protect general society from violent offenders, including by means of the death penalty if non-lethal means are insufficient to protect lives in an individual case. Today it is quite rare to find cases in which it would be impossible to suppress the offender in a non-lethal way; therefore the Church generally opposes the Death Penalty. Non-lethal means of suppressing criminals are in better conformity to the human dignity of the offender and prevent the state from growing callous and imprudent in its application of the death penalty. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2267)

Voting: Catholics have a moral obligation to promote the common good through the exercise of voting (Catechism #2240). But the Church goes further, saying that "a well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political program or an individual law that contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals" (Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith 4).

The Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics lists 5 non-negotiables: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning, and homosexual marriage. Absent from the Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics is anything about capital punishment. That’s because the Church does not give a blanket condemnation of capital punishment. Whether capital punishment should be employed is a prudential determination. As Karl Keating says, “One can be a good Catholic and oppose all applications of capital punishment, and one can be a good Catholic and endorse the use of the penalty.”

Your Choice: So it seems that the Church leaves your decision up to you on this one. As with every decision, you are encouraged to practice prayerful discernment before you decide. Ask yourself, what is more important to you, being a Republican through-and-through, or being a Catholic faithful to the Lord’s revelations in Scripture and the Magisterium of the Church? As long as you can answer that one right, it doesn’t matter what you decide.

Lent is (almost) here!

Dear Villagers,

Twenty of us had a sweet time bowling this past Friday night, with Rob Peters putting the rest of us to shame with a 182! Checkout the attached pictures. More random Village hangouts to come in the near future!

Last night at Village we dug around in 20 pounds of dirt to discover rocks with crosses engraved on the side. It was dirty, wet, and squishy! Sometimes we need something sensational to bring us back to the basics of our faith. The Church needs Lent- each of us needs Lent to rediscover the Cross of Jesus!

As Pope John Paul once said, “Lent is a time of profound truth which brings conversion, restores hope and by putting everything in proper order brings peace and optimism.” We each need the reminder, that the self-denial that so often accompanies Lent brings peace and optimism. Our Lenten observances "put everything in proper order." When we thoughtfully increase our devotions to prayer, fasting and almsgiving- we are more closely united with Jesus and His Cross. Let us carry the Cross with Jesus this Lent!

In Deuteronomy we hear the promise, "It is the LORD who marches before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed." (31:8) Remember that Our Lord is with you! Let us to set out courageously on the journey towards Good Friday and Easter Sunday!

---St Paul Miki and Companions @ DTS this Thursday

---Next Sunday @ Village: Eucharistic Adoration, Short Talk on Satan

---A Few Spaces Remain for Steubenville; Spring Retreat is coming soon (3/19-3/21)

---Your Question of the Week: Is it a sin to listen to music pertaining to sex?

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“Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” -Joel 2: 12-13


The Village News 2/14

This Thursday, 7-8pm: St Paul Miki @ the Dead Theologians Society
Come out this week to meet the courageous man who as he was being martyred for the faith, looked to heaven and said “Lord into your hands I commend my spirit. Come to meet me, ye saints of God.”
--6:30pm: socializing in the Parish Offices
--7-8pm: gather in the Church choir loft for prayer (the Elizabeth St door is always open)
--8-8:30pm: return to Parish Offices for hot cocoa & snacks

Next Sunday, 2/21: Eucharistic Adoration Night
J R R Tolkien once said, "Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament...There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth.” The Village has a special devotion to the Eucharist– and we have a time of Eucharistic Adoration once each month! The topic you’ve selected for next week: What’s the story on Satan?

Steubenville High School Youth Conference, July 9-11th
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”(John 1:14) Join us this summer for a transformative weekend! Cost for participation is $235, all-inclusive. Registration is due ASAP with a $70 deposit. Spaces are still available, but going fast. The remaining $135 is not due until April 18th. Register soon!

Spring Retreat is Coming Soon- March 19th-21st, Save the Date!

Your Question of the Week: Is listening to music pertaining to sex a sin?
Great question! A sin is “an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience- it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1849) Listening to music with sexually explicit lyrics and themes may be a sin, but it is certainly an occasion to sin.

Fr. John A. Hardon writes in his Modern Catholic Dictionary, that an occasion to sin is "Any person, place, or thing that of its nature or because of human frailty can lead one to do wrong, thereby committing sin." Certain things, such as pornographic images, are always, by their nature, occasions of sin, while other things may only be an occasion of sin for some. Perhaps the best way to think of near occasions of sin is to treat them as the moral equivalent of physical dangers. Just as we know we should stay alert when we're walking through a bad part of town at night, we need to be aware of the moral threats around us. Repeatedly refusing to avoid the near occasion of sin can be a sin itself. We aren't allowed deliberately to put our soul in peril. If a parent forbids a child from walking on top of a high stone wall, for fear that he might hurt himself, yet the child does so anyway, the child has sinned, even if he doesn't hurt himself. We should treat near occasions of sin in the same way.

Listening to sexually explicit music is an occasion to sin because it works against the normal formation of a healthy conscience. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “The education of the conscience is a lifelong task.” (#1784) While there are some circumstances in which one’s poorly formed conscience is not one’s own fault (Catechism #1792-1793), we also know that we are responsible for our own poorly formed conscience when we “take little trouble to find out what is true and good, or when our conscience is by degrees almost blinded through the habit of committing sin.” (#1791)

Sexually explicit music destroys a healthy conscience by glorifying pre-marital sex as well as the objectification of both men and women. We know that sexual love is the ultimate gift of self- the promise to love another person faithfully for life, fruitfully, freely, and totally. Sexual love is reserved for the consummation of the Sacrament of Marriage! Any other message presented through the media is the counterfeit of true love, based on use. The opposite of love is not hatred- but rather use (Theology of the Body, Pope John Paul II). As far as objectification goes, it is a way of looking at men or women as objects for one’s own sexual gratification (using others), instead of sons and daughters of God with innate dignity.

Personally, there are some songs that I definitely won’t listen to. There are others that I simply turn the volume down for most of the song and listen only to one part. There are so many legit songs and artists out there, you can be choosy! Choose to stand up for your faith and the dignity of men & women with what you listen to! As Saint Paul says, “do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” –Romans 12:2

The Village News

Dear Villagers,

Hope you are all doing well! This past Saturday a group of us went to St Andrew's Episcopal Church to help with their Breakfast Program. We served breakfast to nearly 200 disadvantaged men and women! Brian and Paul served the hot cereal, Clare served juice and milk, Erica and Ellen served rolls with ham and cheese- and Allison gave out the coffee. Renee and I helped where we were needed, and as a group we had an awesome time answering Jesus' call to "feed His sheep" (John 21:17) in a very literal way. Checkout the attached picture of Villagers Serving!

In other news, a bunch of us have decided it's high time we had a random Village hangout! The votes have been counted, and the result is a Bowling Social this Friday from 8-10pm. Come on out and join us at Colonial Lanes on South Industrial! We'll be bowling for a couple hours, and drinking unlimited pop. It only costs $6 to join the party, which includes shoes, pop and bowling. You absolutely must RSVP to me by this Wednesday 2/10 to ensure they reserve enough lanes for us. If at all possible, please submit your permission slip and money by then as well.
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The Village News 2/8


No Dead Theologians Society This Week
Read all about St Bernadette in her bio, and join us next Thursday from 7-8pm. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow!



Bowling Social This Friday, 8-10pm
A bunch of us have decided it’s high time for a Village hangout! Therefore, we’re headed to Colonial Lanes this Friday 2/12 for some bowling and pop. We’ll be meeting at Colonial Lanes (1950 S Industrial Ann Arbor, MI 48104) at 8pm. Pickup will be there as well, at 10pm. Cost for participation is $6, and covers 2 hours of bowling, shoe rental, and pop. You absolutely must RSVP to me by this Wednesday 2/10 to ensure they reserve enough lanes for us. If at all possible, please submit your permission slip and money by then as well.



Sunday’s Village, 2/14: Observing the Three Pillars of Lent
As Pope John Paul II once said, “Lent is a time of profound truth, which brings conversion, restores hope and, by putting everything back in its proper place, brings peace and optimism.” The Church needs the season of Lent to help us prepare for Good Friday and Easter Sunday! The Church has given us three pillars which we should use to guide our personal Lenten practices– Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Join us this Sunday to discover the Lenten call to holiness and how these three pillars can guide you on your path!



Steubenville High School Youth Conference, July 9-11th, Registration Due
Cost for participation is $235, all-inclusive. Registration is due this Sunday 2/14, with a $70 deposit. The remaining $135 is not due until April 18th. Spaces are still available, but going fast. Register soon!

The theme for the Youth Conference is, “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) We'll be focusing on the gift of the Incarnation of Jesus! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to grow in your faith and experience Our Lord in a powerful way! Harass Villagers who have gone before to find out what it's like.

Serving @ a Soup Kitchen!

The Village
Real Questions. Real Dialogue. Real Faith.

Dear Villagers,

Hope all is well with you! Last night at Village we had an impressive game of dodge-ball that involved quite a bit of running, obstacles, and blindfolds. We talked about Marian Apparitions- moments in history where Mary appeared to people and gave them a special message for their time. Throughout the history of the Church, Mary continues to lead us to her son, Jesus!

As Pope John Paul II once said, “Mary was given to you to help you enter into a more authentic and more personal relationship with Jesus. Through her example, Mary teaches you to gaze on him with love, for He has loved us first. Through her intercession, she forms in you a disciple's heart able to listen to her Son.”

One aspect of being a disciple of Christ is service! As Christians we are Christ's body in the world- we are called to show His love for mankind through loving service. It is only when we give of ourselves that we discover the fullness of life that Jesus promised us (John 10:10). This Saturday The Village has been invited to serve at St Andrew's Episcopal Church's Breakfast Program- where for 25 years they have been providing a free meal to the poor and homeless of our society.

Jesus told us that what we do for the least of the brothers, we do for Him (Matthew 25:40). Won't you come out this Saturday from 7-10am to provide a warm breakfast to nearly 150 people? Of all the reasons to get up early- doesn't this top them all? Join me, Renee Sink, and a number of other Villagers as we answer Jesus' call to feed His sheep (John 21:17).

-RSVP to Serve this Saturday @ St Andrew's

-Meet St Blaise @ the Dead Theologians Society on Thursday

-No Regular Village Next Sunday- Enjoy the Superbowl!

-Your Question of the Week: One of my acquaintances needs help, but she won't talk to me. What can I do?

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This Thursday, 7-8pm: St Blaise @ the Dead Theologians Society
Join us as we discover St Blaise, a martyr for the faith who remained faithful until the end. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow!
---6:30pm: socializing in the Parish Offices
----8pm: gather in the Church choir loft for prayer (the Elizabeth St door is always open)
---8-8:30pm: return to Parish Offices for hot cocoa & snacks

RSVP to Serve at the St. Andrew’s Breakfast Program this Saturday 2/6 from 7-10am
Saturday, Feb 6th The Village be joining our Christian brothers and sisters to serve breakfast to 100-150 people in need! We’ll be meeting at St Thomas at 7am, serving until 9am, and catching the 9am Mass to finish! For over 25 years, men and women in need have made their way to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for a cup of coffee and a hot breakfast any day of the week. RSVP to Youth Minister Beth Spizarny as soon as you can!

Next Sunday, 2/7: No Regular Meeting, Enjoy the SuperBowl

Sign-up for the Steubenville High School Youth Conference
This July 9th-11th, join The Village @ St Thomas for our annual roadtrip to the Franciscan University of Steubenville High School Youth Conference! Submit registration forms and $70 deposit by February 14th to guarantee your spot, as space is limited. Total cost is $235, all-inclusive.The Village has been attending these Youth Conferences since 2008. This Conference will feature at least one powerful hour of Eucharistic Adoration, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each day, nationally-renowned Catholic speakers, men’s and women’s time discussing the call to chastity, and two workshop s essions addressing a broad spectrum of topics.


Your Question of the Week: One of my acquaintances needs help, but she won't talk to me. What can I do?
This question has varying answers depending on your friend's circumstance. However, in relationships, the most important thing to always remember is that you can't control another persons actions or make choices for them. You are NOT responsible for their actions. You are only responsible for your own actions. So, your first step to help anyone in need is always to pray for them. Pray that your friend will find the help they need, even if it's not through you. Even when they refuse your help Christ is still always with them.

Your next step, if your friend doesn't want your help, is to suggest other resources that could help them. Sometimes, even the best friends, can't help with certain problems. While it can be frustrating not being the one your friend turns to in their time of need, recommending other places for them to turn is a bigger help than you can imagine. There are so many free resources around Ann Arbor. For help finding the right resources to recommend ask a trusted adult, like your Youth Minister, Beth Spizarny.

Always remember that if your friend is ever a danger to themselves or someone else, it is extremely important not to try and handle the situation yourself. Always immediately seek help from a trained professional. Speaking from experience, a teenager is not always equipped to handle their friends' issues. Know you are not the first to go through this, and unfortunately not the last. Sometimes asking for help from trained professionals is the hardest, most brave and wise thing you can do. Remember that Christ never leaves your friends' side, and He will never leave yours either.