Holy Trinity Student Parish

Haiti Disaster Relief: Hear the Cry of the Poor

 Thank you for your generosity; you gave more than $2000 to our special collection.  The people of Haiti are still suffering and their need is great.  Disaster relief continues but it will be a long time before their country is restored.  Please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers and go to Catholic Relief Services to follow the on-going relief effort and to learn about ways you can continue to help.

Busy Person's Lenten Retreat

Holy Trinity Student Parish

February 17-April 8

This Lent you can make a retreat without packing a suitcase!

 

 Each week during Lent you would meet with a spiritual companion who would help you discern where God is moving in your life. You would then commit to 15 minutes of daily prayer; your spiritual companion would give you readings to help guide you. The retreat would end with a closing Mass and reception.

 

Please take advantage of this opportunity to grow closer to God this Lent. Space is limited. Contact Bill at balt@htspemu.org to register or for more information.

1Cup (Catholic Urban Project)

Wednesday, February 3^rd

Newman Lounge

8:30 pm

Rachel Thelen, the director of 1Cup, will share how you can put your faith into action this summer right here in Ypsilanti through this new and exciting volunteer program.

Beyond Ramen: home-cooking for today's college student

Wednesday, February 3^rd

social hall, John XXIII Campus Center

8:00 pm

We will be making our own sushi (Don't worry, no raw fish!) as we enjoy asian cuisine.

MOCHA

Tuesday, February 2^nd

lower level, John XXIII Campus Center

8:00 pm

Share how Sunday's gospel is alive in your heart with other college students at our faith-sharing group.

Being Catholic Speaker Series

Wednesday, 8:00-9:00 pm

Newman Lounge

lower level, John XXIII Campus Center

Listen to a diverse group of speakers share why they are Catholic and how they live their faith in the relaxed setting of our student lounge.  We hope that this will be an ongoing series which will bring a wide variety of people to campus and offer you unique perspectives on being Catholic.

 

Schedule of speakers

• January 27: TBA
• February 24: Most Rev. Earl Boyea, the fifth bishop of Lansing
• March 31: Sr. Sarah Burdick, a sister of the Servant's of God's love
• April 7: Joan Smith, a Jesuit Volunteer in Detroit

After Five

Sunday, January 24^th

6:00pm

John XXIII Campus Center

Meet and relax with other students after the 5:00pm liturgy.  There will be free pizza and refreshments available in the Newman Lounge in the lower level.  The Campus Center will remain open late for studying and relaxing.

 

Beyond Ramen: home cooking for today's college student

Wednesday, January 20^th

8:00pm-10:00pm

social hall, John XXIII Campus Center

Our popular cooking series returns this semester with international cuisine.  Tonight's cuisine is Latin American.  Join us for fun, fellowship, and good food in the Holy Trinity kitchen.  If you are a resident parishioner who would like to lead one of our evenings, please contact Bill at balt@htspemu.org to volunteer.

Adoration

Tuesday, January 19^th

8:00pm

Holy Trinity Chapel

MOCHA will have its monthly evening of adoration and praise.  Join with us for a prayer and song before the Eucharist.

Rotating Homeless Shelter

...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me . . . Mt 25:35

Monday, February 8-Monday, February 15

lower level, John XXIII Campus Center

Working with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, Holy Trinity will once again host an emergency winter shelter for homeless men of our community.  We will welcome twenty men each night and provide them fellowship, hot coffee and something to eat, and a warm place to sleep.  Without this assistance, these men would have no where to escape the dangerously frigid temperature.  Volunteers are needed each morning and evening to drive our guests to and from Ann Arbor.  In addition, we need volunteers to provide hospitality while they are here as well as overnight hosts.  If you are interested in volunteering, please sign-up in the atrium or contact the office.

Conventional wisdom says that people are homeless because they are either lazy and don't want to work, they are all addicted to drugs and alcohol, or they are mentally ill.  These falsehoods and half-truths blame the homeless person for their predicament rather than exposing the real causes for these problem.  The reasons and causes for homelessness are as varied as the people who experience it for each homeless person is unique and valued and has their own story to tell but there are some common causes. 

The lack of job opportunities and affordable housing, the lack of affordable health care, limited social services and poor access to help, domestic violence for women and children are all causes of homelessness but the number one reason for homelessness in America is poverty.  There are homeless people who have jobs but find that their source of income is not adequate to provide for all the necessities of life (food, clothing, child care, health care, transportation, and housing).  Something has to give and with the high cost of housing, it is often a home.  An accident, an illness, or a lay-off can be a catastrophe for someone living at the poverty line.

To be sure, many homeless people do suffer from addictions and/or mental illness but there is no correlation that their addictions or illness caused their homelessness.  There are also many people who suffer with addictions and/or mental illness that do not find themselves living on the street.  Addiction and mental illness coupled with poverty will increase one's risk of becoming homeless.  And homelessness will exacerbate the problems associated with addictions and/or mental illness.  It is a vicious cycle.

Contact the National Coalition for the Homeless to learn more about homelessness and poverty in America as well as find out ways you can help.

Justice Cafe

Monday, January 18^th

8:00pm-10:00pm

Newman Lounge, John XXIII Campus Center

The Holy Father in his World Day of Peace address this year highlighted our responsibility to care for creation as necessary to ensure justice and peace.  Meet other people committed to justice in a relaxed coffehouse setting and engage in conversation on issues of global concern.  Visit www.ipjcjusticecafe.ning.combefore and after the event to explore this issue and join a growing national network of committed people working for justice.  Contact Bill at balt@htspemu.orgfor more information.