Frequently Asked Questions

We've compiled some questions which are often the topic of discussion among parishioners. 

 OUR CATHOLIC FAITH

Why do we need to go to Mass?

Mass is our central form of worship, because it unites us to Jesus Christ through the Eucharist, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit draws all of us into deeper communion with Him and one another. Mass is valuable time with our loving God and with others.  At Mass, we begin to see that we are not alone and recognize we are part of the Body of Christ, and if one part of the body is missing, the whole body suffers.

Fr. Mike Schmitz speaks to this in his talk "Pray The Mass Like Never Before." If you've never seen Fr. Mike before, you're in for a treat. His talks are engaging and dynamic, and we encourage you to take the time to listen!

I have been away from practicing my faith regularly, why should I come back to Church?

There are many reasons to come back to the Church. While God is at the center of each person’s decision, the circumstances may vary. Return if you want more meaning in your life; if you feel you've made mistakes and feel the burden of guilt; if you carry spiritual wounds and want to be healed; if you want your children to have a faith foundation; if you want to be part of a faith community; if you want to help others; or because you hunger for spiritual nourishment through the Eucharist. For whatever your reason, you know you will be home again and begin to feel a sense of peace. Welcome home!

What does "Eucharist" mean?

The word “Eucharist” is from a Greek word that means “thanksgiving”. Another term used in conjunction with the Mass is "Holy Communion." When we celebrate and receive the Eucharist, we give thanks to God for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and He dwells within us. Think of it as Vitamin "C" (Communion) for the soul.
 
 Why do I need to go to Confession and confess my sins to a priest?
 
 Jesus gave his disciples (and by extension, priests) the power to forgive the sins of any or retain the sins of any (John 20:23). The priest serves as the representative of God and of His mercy.  Confession gives new courage, confidence, and a fresh start.  One learns humility by this practice and receives additional grace in order to avoid sin.
 
 What is Eucharistic Adoration?
 
 Eucharistic Adoration is the act of worshiping God, as He is present in the consecrated Eucharist. Since the Last Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and distributed the wine, saying, “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood”, the bread and wine are no longer bread and wine, but the actual living presence of the Second Person in the Holy Trinity. Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer and devotion is exactly the same as spending time before the living God.
  
 Why do we worship Mary?
 
 Catholics do NOT worship Mary; we venerate her because she is the mother of God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ and Savior. Veneration is different from the adoration of God. It is the honoring of a person, not the worship of Almighty God. We believe that God saved Mary by preserving her from the stain of original sin at the moment of her conception. Mary was a key person in His plan of salvation for humankind, and this is why Catholics honor her so highly.

PARISH FINANCES
 
Why do we have a Grand and a Semi Annual Collection?

Special Grand and Semi Annual collections take place to fund the deficit in weekly offertory giving. For instance, if it costs $8,000 per week for regular Church operations, and the weekly Mass offertory giving is at $6,000 per week, the special collections help fund the difference. If weekly offertory was sufficient to run parish operations, the special Grand and Semi-annual collections could be greatly reduced or even eliminated.

Why is the Church always asking for money?

Let’s be honest, no one is comfortable asking for money, but to run and sustain any non-profit organization, donations of currency is its main form of sustenance and growth; the other being gifts of time and talent. The Church is your spiritual home, and just like your residential dwelling, it has all of the same expenses but on a larger scale, plus those such as staff salaries, program costs, costs associated with the various Church seasons, and much more. Stewardship giving is the key to the financial stability and growth of St. Michael Parish, but also for strengthening His Church for future generations.

What is the difference between the Capital Collection and the Grand or Semi Annual?

The monies collected from the Capital Collections are designated funds to be used solely for the purpose of property maintenance, repair, replacement, etc. In addition, it is imperative to build a reserve fund for more catastrophe property issues that arise. The Grand and Semi Annual Collections are to fund the daily parish operating expenses that the weekly offertory does not cover.

If we are supporting our parish, why do we need to support the Catholic Appeal?

Money donated to the Catholic Appeal supplies the lifeblood to the ministries that positively impact parishes, Catholic schools, parishioners and programs throughout the Archdiocese.  The Catholic Appeal supports families who are strengthened in faith through the marriage ministry, youth ministry, Catholic school education and many other programs. Young adults grow in their faith through campus ministry, Life Teen Ministry and World Youth Day.  Elderly parishioners are supported through the Faith Community Nursing Program and Palliative Care ministry to receive the care they deserve for leading, as examples, of a faith-filled life.  Those struggling with addiction and their families in crisis receive support through the groundbreaking Pastoral Addiction Recovery Services.  Parishes grow through the Diaconate program, providing lay leadership to assist our pastors.  These are examples of what Catholic Appeal Funds assist.

MINISTRIES

What programs does St. Michael Parish offer for women?

Currently, the parish offers Women of Grace, Mom-to-Mom, Women’s Club, plus special programs such as women’s retreats. In addition, almost all of the parish ministries would be thrilled to have women join. Please take some time to reflect on how you could share your gifts with your Catholic community. 

What programs does St. Michael Parish offer for men?

At this time, the parish offers the Knights of Columbus for men.  However, most all of the parish ministries would be beyond happy to have men join.  There is so much that men can offer to our parish family.

Currently, the parish offers Bible Study, Book Club and Seasons of Hope. Please refer to the weekly Bulletin for more information.

Why is the parish always asking for volunteers?

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Volunteers are the example of servant-leadership and giving, faithfully administering God’s grace and making a difference in the lives of others. Regardless of your economic circumstances, serving as a volunteer in parish ministries is a way of being a good steward by giving one of your most precious resources – time. By donating your time and services on behalf of others, you demonstrate in a concrete way the importance of Christ in your life. Just think about it for a moment, without volunteers or committee members our parish would suffer greatly from the celebration of the Mass to every ministry and program that each of us has benefitted from at one time or another in our lives.

Why should I be a Catechist?

Jesus calls us, as members of the Body of Christ, to continue His mission which began 20 centuries ago.  Several reasons are - the best way to learn is to teach, your own faith will come alive, you become a participant in one of the essential responsibilities of the Church community, you assist in bringing Christ to others, you practice stewardship, and you show your own family that you value the faith.