The Bishop of Hinche has assigned Fr. Elizier to a new parish after 14 years of service at St. John the Baptist in Dos Palais

Tom Leonard's Farmer's Market in Glen Allen.Tom's generous donation for this Scrip card is 10%. Buy a $25 Scrip card at the church and St. Michael receives $2.50 for the mortgage reduction fund. See the Defender for more details. http://tomleonardsfarmersmarket.com

Sue Durlak offers 15% for every $10 or $20 Scrip card you purchase. Click the title for details and locations.

Join our new"St. Vincent DePaul" Conference Our new Ministry is beginning to grow at St. Michael's. In the last few months we have selected officers added members and are forming as "Vincentians". We meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday monthly at 7PM and are looking forward to soon fielding at least 8 teams of caseworkers in the vineyard of the Lord. Join us: Serve God, grow spiritually, help those in need, work with a dedicated group of Vincentians. For information call 630-606-8634

Join our new"St. Vincent DePaul" Conference Our new Ministry is beginning to grow at St. Michael's. In the last few months we have selected officers added members and are forming as "Vincentians". We meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday monthly at 7PM and are looking forward to soon fielding at least 8 teams of caseworkers in the vineyard of the Lord. Join us: Serve God, grow spiritually, help those in need, work with a dedicated group of Vincentians. For information call 630-606-8634

ATM’s Annual Food and RAM Support Drive will take place Sept. 17-18th after all Masses. This replaces our regular monthly food drive. We are requesting Wal-Mart SCRIP cards and monetary donations for Holy Family to replenish the pantries they support. In October volunteers will transform Riverview Elementary School into a health clinic called RAM (Remote Area Medical). RAM provides free medical and dental services for residents in the Grundy area. Over 1,000 people arrive 2-3 days before the clinic and spend the night in their cars or outside on the side walk. St. Michael supports RAM by collecting gently used or new blankets, and providing Wal-Mart cards and money for water and snacks. Boxes will be placed in the Commons for your donated blankets September 11-18th. Thank you, Michaelonians…this is truly a Work of Mercy!

Please join us this weekend after the Sunday morning masses for food and fellowship. The Baking Club members will be baking on Saturday morning and looking forward to serving you on Sunday. We'll also have a table of some items from our Celebrate Virginia Store - Bessie's Treats (gourmet dog treats made by Joy Elliott -only $2.00 each(or 3 for $5.00) and more. As indicated in April - we needed more volunteers in order to keep the store open. Without that help, we had to close at the end of June. We're hopeful that we can open again this fall. It was a great experience for our friends with disabilities (those training and those selling their work), but we need more help. Thank you!

Many, many thanks to Gen Cutchin and Mary Jane Hansen for 10 years of incredible leadership and service to Richmond Friends of the Hungry & Homeless. As many of you know, we have been serving lunch to people (lots of families) at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church on the 2nd Tuesday of every month and on the 5th Friday. Please consider being part of the team (vs. just 2 hard working charis) so we can continue this critically important ministry. Without your help, we will have to discontinue our support of the people served by Richmond Friends of the Hungry and Homeless. Please contact: Karen (khannon@saint-mikes.org), 527-1037 x 29 for more information. Thank you.

August 26-28th A unique shopping event created to support local fundraising efforts. You purchase a shopping pass for $5 in the parish office and receive 25% off all your in store purchases on Aug. 26-28. The Coal Pit Learning Center, one of our ministries which provides a nurturing environment for low-income preschoolers will receive 100% of every shopping pass sold.

This will be my 4th year being a catechist and sometimes I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing....but I keep coming back! The kids teach me more than I've ever known about 'being holy' and that being a 'regular person' is perfectly perfect! The time commitment is minimal and the sense of gratitude is astounding...especially when you catch the little light bulb moments on their faces! The teaching material does a great job to guide you so 'professional teaching experience' is not necessary...and there is always support from the staff and fellow teachers. You are never alone with the kids, you either have your teaching partner with you or a parent volunteer so no worries in being alone with a group of kids. I had all these hesitations when I started but I decided to give it a try anyways and I'm so glad I did, it has been an amazing journey! Please consider it, you will be so glad you did....these kids need our guidance and they love this program. If you are reading this, then you must be hearing the call.... - "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called" Tara Dira

SCRIP has set up our credit card terminals with the chip card reader. We will start processing transactions the weekend of July 2nd and 3rd. If your card has a chip then the reader must be used. Cards that do not have a chip will continue to have cards swiped as they have been.

We will meet on Monday, June 13, 7:00-8:30 pm in room 101 to discern establishing this ministry at St. Michael. This will be a time of prayer and fellowship. All are welcome!

Come join the fun at REAP's Celebrate Virginia store in the Regency Square Mall (2nd floor across from Bath & Body Works)! Meet Nutsy & some of our artisans...spin the Prize Wheel - Free prizes for everyone! Saturday, May 14, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. have your picture taken with Nutsy! From 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. enjoy the Prize Wheel & our Clearance Sale (final day)

“I always promised myself I would volunteer for one of the ministries at St. Mikes when I retired. I read Karen Hannon's plea for help and really felt like God was nudging me to respond to this need for the REAP ministry. The nudging was successful. When I finish my weekly time at the Celebrate Virginia store I walk away feeling like I have definitely received more than I gave. it is a blessing to me to be part of this valuable ministry”….Janet.

Volunteers Needed at Celebrate Virginia store at Regency Square. Thank you to everyone who responded to previous announcements. We're blessed to have you on the REAP Team. With your help, we have been able to make the commitment to stay open for the month of May. Obviously, we'd like to know that we can stay open permanently. But, we can't do this without more volunteers. Thanks very much for your consideration and support. Training is provided. You choose the hours you want to work. For more information call, Karen, 527-1037 x 29 (khannon@saint-mikes.org)