ST. JOHN DEAF CENTER

8245 Fisher

Warren, MI 48089

(586) 758-0714

FAX: (586) 758-0714

TTD: (586) 758-0710

MASS TIMES:

Sunday ~ 12:00 p.m.

St. JOSEPH MALANKARA CATHOLIC MISSION

8075 Ritter Avenue

Centerline, MI 48015-1449

(586) 757-3306 

FAX: (586) 757-5390

MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES

The De La Salle website had a great list of local

community resources which includes programs,

outreach centers, charities and much more.

Please click the link below to open the file

(You will need Adobe Acrobat© Reader to view the file)

~ COMMUNITY RESOURCES ~

FISHERMEN'S FUND

(313) 883-8779

www.fishermensfund.com

fishermensfund@shms.edu

Harry Kemp of Bodman Long, LLP gave an enlightening presentation about the “Fishermen’s Fund” that started formation in 2004 and was brought to the Vicars in October/November of 2006. It is a  lay-driven initiative and not a diocesan mandate.

Their mission is to ensure that no vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or lay ministry in the AOD

is hindered due to financial need. The fund provides financial assistance to seminarians and lay students for SHMS tuition, room and board, books and incidentals. Their first priority is taking care

of undergraduates’ needs. It also aims to inform Catholics throughout the archdiocese about the financial hurdles that students must overcome in their decision to pursue a Sacred Heart education and serve the archdiocese. Most people don’t realize the costs involved in going to seminary. The average cost per year is $16,000 and that many priests graduate with outstanding debt.

Mr. Richard Dugas, President of Pulte Homes, and Mrs. Kathleen B. McCann, Senior Vice President of Soave Enterprises, and a committee of nine community leaders have launched this scholarship initiative. The Fishermen’s Fund is an operating fund, not an endowment. Up to 50% of cash on hand may be distributed during each school year. There has been over $700,000 pledged

to-date with over $235,000 being cash pledges! The fund has distributed almost $35,000 already to 6 seminarians and 2 lay students.

To get the message out, they have established a website – www.fishermensfund.com; initiated a media campaign through print, television and radio; sent targeted mailings and met with the AOD Council of Vicars. Over half of the Vicariates have seen the presentation thus far. Their grassroots goals are to address parish councils, meet with their vocation committees, provide bulletin inserts, make school visits, have a short message during the weekly announcements and have a table in the back of the Church after masses.

They are also looking for volunteers at the parish level to help educated parishioners and the community of this wonderful fund. If you or someone you know would be interested in participating in this program, please contact the Fishermen’s Fund by calling

(313) 883-8779, visiting their website at www.fishermensfund.com or by emailing them at fishermensfund@shms.edu. Their tagline is “We’re not asking you to walk on water, just that you get in the boat!”.

DOMUS ROSA MYSTICA

Alejandro Torres-Antonio

Coordinator of the Ministry to Urban Youth

(313) 237-6071

urbanyouth@aod.org

Alejandro Torres-Antonio, Coordinator of the Ministry to Urban Youth gave a dynamic and informative presentation The Ministry is a section of the AOD Office For Youth Ministry, which has been dedicated to pay special attention to the urban youth and their needs as well as those who minister to them.

Their goals are to:

Ø     Empower the youth ministry of each urban parish

Ø     Create a core group of young leaders & offer leadership   training

Ø     Reach the youth who are not normally reached by the Church, especially the at-risk youth of the streets

Ø     Create a strong group network of support and fellowship for the urban youth

Ø     Close the gap between the urban and suburban youth by means of collaboration

They Ministry is divided into seven areas of service: Formation, Evangelization, Apostolate, Integration, Spirituality, Networking and Parish Assistance. They have many programs and opportunities, including their core group, Youth on a Mission. They and are a group of young African-American, European-Americans and English-speaking Hispanic Urban Youth Leaders that meet monthly to plan and lead the Urban Youth Development Series for other urban youth and young adults. The group also involves leadership and pastoral formation for the young leaders.

They are beginning the formation of the Youth Leadership Weekend named “Timothy”; an intense weekend retreat for young urban Catholics that trains them in youth ministry leadership and discipleship formation so that they can be ready to assist their parish youth ministries or to begin a youth ministry program. Their office can provide trained people to help parishes with the process of forming a program if there is not one already in place. “Timothy” is part of the Youth on a Mission program; however, any young person can participate in the retreat without committing to be part of the group. Any young Catholic ages 15-35 are welcomed to attend.

Their “School of Formation” is a 3-year bilingual program of weekly spiritual, theological and discipleship formation for young Catholics who want to effectively minister, from a Catholic perspective, within the diversity of the urban settings and needs of the current youth and young adult community. Any young Catholic between the ages of 15-35 are welcomed to apply to the School.

Other programs they provide are “Hispanic Formation Topics”, “Urban Youth Development Series”, “Pilot Process Encounters”, the “Musical Theater Company”, “St. Cecilia Festival of the Musical Arts”, “Young People Dealing with Addictions Group”.

Some of their upcoming events are the “Father Make Us One Concert”, an ecumenical, bilingual concert for young people done in collaboration with various Christian communities of greater Detroit in order to witness and proclaim Jesus’ lordship, evangelize youth, consecrate the youth as servants of Jesus, intercede for the Christian communities of greater Detroit, and learn and pray with other Chrisitian denominations.  “Buscando Tu Tesoro: Treasure Hunt” an annual 1-day conference for young Hispanics on discernment, listening to God’s voice, different vocations within the Church, celebration of Corpus Christi Mass and fellowship in the Treasure Hunt Rally. There is also “Marantha!” which is a bilingual annual multicultural advent celebration for urban youth in preparation for the Nativity of our Lord.

More information regarding the Ministry to Urban Youth, their programs and events are available by contacting Mr. Torres-Antonio at (313) 237-6071 or by emailing him at urbanyouth@aod.org.