Mission: I really enjoyed the presentations by Jim “Butch” Murphy for our parish mission. He is a wise, peaceful and gentle soul. He talked about the importance of baptism in our life. I had a chance to share a few words. I mentioned to those gathered a story on Saint John Paul II. Someone asked him what his greatest accomplishment was. Here was a person who did so much, and he was the pope after all. JPII simply responded, “my baptism.” Wow! He went on to say that everything that he did couldn’t compare with simply being a child of God. That was the foundation of his life.
Continuing on: Our ministry of hope and healing continues this Thursday and Friday when the very popular Fr. Richard McAlear will be coming to our parish. On Feb. 23 he will lead a teaching on forgiveness and mercy and then on Feb. 24 there will be a 6 pm Mass followed by a healing service. The following week, beginning on Feb. 27, we will begin our “Fire and Wind” seminar. These are all opportunities to experience God’s love for us in a new way.
Witness to Hope: As of Feb. 14, we have received $3,552,880 in pledges from 624 gifts. That’s really encouraging! I am hoping we can reach our 4-million-dollar-goal soon. Thanks, as always, for those who have provided for this campaign. Speaking of the campaign, we received the following pledge but we cannot make out the handwriting. Please call me if you are the person who signed this pledge.
Silence: One of my favorite priests of the diocese, Fr. Phil Schmitter at Christ the King Parish in Flint, will be giving a talk on “Silence—the Language of God” in our parish hall on Feb. 22 from 7 – 9 pm. We could all probably use a little more silence in our lives!
Engaged Couples: We had 17 engaged couples attend our Faith Formation day at our parish on Feb. 11. It’s always a joy to be with them. Since October of 2015 our parish has hosted 65 couples for a marriage prep day held on a quarterly basis. Many thanks to our secretary, Theresa Dyer, who does all the organization for this event.
Deacons: On Monday, Deacon Randy Desrochers from the Diocese of Lansing will be visiting our parish to interview the staff regarding Larry Blondin’s suitability to become a permanent deacon in May. While he is here, two other men from our parish will be visiting with Deacon Randy to talk about their calling to the diaconate. How exciting! I want more deacons so it will be less work for me ☺.
Black History Month: During this month celebrating “black history,” our school classrooms have been busy doing projects on this topic.
Enrollment: Speaking of our school, I received word that our office is getting lots of inquiries for attending our school this coming fall. The school is hosting some information days and open houses in the coming weeks ahead. (Please see page 6 for more information.)
Changes in the bulletin: Someone on our staff thought of the brilliant idea to put the important highlights of the bulletin on the left side of the front cover. I noticed my column wasn’t one of the important pages listed!
Have a blessed week and know of my love and prayers.
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote of the week:
“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16: 18-19
Jesus’s words to St. Peter. The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is February 22.