If you have never had the opportunity to hear a handbell choir, you need to do so. Yes, it may sound quaint or old-fashioned to some of you, but believe me, you will be enchanted by the sounds from these instruments.

A handbell is just what it sounds like, bell that can be rung using one hand. Handbell choirs normally perform (or ring) music that has been composed with these instruments in mind. They have a unique sound, so the music needs to be formatted in a  certain way. It is written an octave lower than the bells’ actual sound.

This Sunday you will be able to hear a handbell choir perform at no cost to you, so take advantage of this opportunity. The Gosbell Handbell Choir will perform on Sunday, June 1 at 7pm at the Utica United Methodist Church. In addition to musical selections performed by the handbell choir, the program includes duets for organ and piano, an organ solo and a vocal solo that will be accompanied by the handbell choir.

Utica United Methodist Church 8650 Canal Road Sterling Heights, MI 48314

This weekend people all over the country will be participating in Easter Egg Hunts. Some will be looking for real boiled eggs, while others, like those who participate at the Dodge Park Church’s hunt, will be looking for plastic eggs filled with candy and prizes.

Easter Egg Hunts and Egg Rolling are activities that have been associated with the holiday for many years. In the U.S., Dolley Madison organized an egg roll on the grounds of what was then the new Capitol building. After complaints that the egg roll was damaging the lawn at the Capitol, they moved the fun to the White House, where it has been ever since.

When an egg hunt is designed specifically for young children, eggs are hidden, but not so that they can’t ever be found. When older children, teens or adults are involved, the prizes in the eggs sometimes get costlier and the eggs get harder and harder to find.

Some towns have even made the Guinness Book of World Records for hiding tens or thousands of eggs.

The Dodge Park Church promises more than 1500 eggs. It may not break a world record, but it is sure to be a world of fun.

Dodge Park Church
161/2 Mile and Dodge Park Road
586-979-3138

Just the other day, someone called me and said they were “thinking” about having people over for Easter dinner. It is great to be spontaneous, but sometimes these things take a little planning…so Macomb County, if you have not yet decided to cook, or you want to cook, but don’t know what you are going to make, here is one opportunity to get your Easter menu in order.

If you want to get a beautifully prepared ham or turkey for your Easter dinner, you can place orders to get one from St. Sylvester Church. Orders must be placed TODAY BY NOON. The price you pay will depend on the weight and the size of your order.

On the topic of size and weight…that queen of quips, Dorothy Parker once defined eternity as “two people and a ham.” So make sure you consider not only the number of guests you have, but also their eating habits when placing your order.

The St. Sylvester Church is located at 11200 E. 12 Mile Road, Warren. You can call (586) 751-3636 ext. 10 or 11 for more information.

St. Sylvester Church, located at 11200 E. 12 Mile Road, will be having a Fish Fry this Friday from Noon to 7 pm. Diners will have their choice of Fried or Baked Fish and Fried Shrimp. The Ladies Guild will also be holding a Bake Sale and selling pierogis to go.
For general inquiries, call 586-751-3636, ext. 10 or 11. To inquire specifically about carry-out orders, call 586-751-9122.

In talking to people from various parts of the country, especially the Midwest and Northeast, you’ll find that many of them have Friday Fish Frys and that many think it is somehow unique to their region. What is unique to each region may be different ways of preparing the fish and the different accompaniments. If you live in an area with a German influence, your fish fry may come with potato pancakes or caraway rye bread. Some people get cole slaw or French fries and still others have their fried fish with hush puppies.

For the most part, the Friday fish fry came out of A Catholic tradition of giving up meat on Fridays. For some people that means meatless Fridays during lent. For others, it means giving up meat on Fridays throughout the entire year.

In many areas the Friday fish fry has become an institution and people of all faiths participate.

"I'll Be Home for Christmas" is a much-loved holiday song that we hear often this time of year. This song gained popularity in the 1940'S after Bing Crosby's recording made it a favorite. In December 1965, astronauts asked to have this song piped to them as they traveled back to earth. The song certainly fit the occasion.

Not only is "I'll Be Home for Christmas" a popular song from the 1940s, it is also the name of a musical set in the 1940s. Macomb Christian church will proudly perform this musical this weekend. The musical is reminiscent of one you would see on Broadway. In this production a family in the U.S. is getting ready for Christmas. This is no easy task with the tensions of living in a country that is also preparing to go to war. Even if were not around in the 1940s, you will probably be able to relate since it is once again Christmastime and our nation is at war.

The play will be presented on December 15 and 6pm and on December 16 at 3 pm.

Macomb Christian Church is at 13845 22 Mile Road in Shelby Township. This is just east of Schoenherr.

There is no charge for admission. This family entertainment is not only fun, it is also free!

Lent is the season which runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord's Supper exclusive. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of total fast and abstinence. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. In keeping with the spirit and meaning of the Lenten fast, Catholics are encouraged to observe the Good Friday fast through Holy Saturday and until the celebration of the Easter Vigil.

Ash Wednesday February 21st, 2007

9:30 am - Mass

12:00 noon - Scripture Service

7:00 pm – Mass

Distribution of Ashes on Ash Wednesday

All women are invited and encouraged to come and hear our guest speaker, Geri Razkowski, who will share her own faith and knowledge on the topic, "Women in the Bible Have a Message For Today." After retiring from a professional career in education, she pursued and earned a Master of Theology degree, Summa Cum Laude from Sacred Heart Major Seminary. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss, so come and bring a friend.

Saint Paul of Tarsus Catholic Church

41300 Romeo Plank Rd.

(across from the Clinton-Macomb Public Library)

Clinton Township, MI 48038

The Holidays have passed and the winter drudge is upon us. Take some time away from it all and bring your family and friends to the K of C Winter Pancake Breakfast. Our second annual winter Pancake breakfast will be held on Sunday, February 18th. Serving begins after the 7:45 a.m. Mass and continues until 11:30 a.m. The meal includes sausage, all the pancakes you can eat, coffee, milk, and orange juice. The donation is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12. The proceeds from the breakfast will help support the charitable works of the Knights of Columbus.