Moving forward: Thanks again for your generosity in supporting the Witness to Hope Campaign. Our parish building committee is now meeting every two weeks to discuss our plans. At our last meeting we approved hiring a company to do a topography of our property. Since we are working with the city and the diocese, a topography is necessary. We will be meeting again this week. We are trying our best to think not only short term, but what is best for the parish 20 years down the road.
Praying: If you are able, please join the Knights after 10 am Mass this Sunday to pray the Rosary.
The Worker: This Monday, May 1, is the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker. St. Joseph labored to support his family. We have a wonderful St. Joseph’s Guild at our parish. They do a lot of odd jobs for us and I am grateful to them. There is a Mass for them on Monday at St. Pius X Church. I hope to attend.
Regional gathering: The diocese asked us to host a regional gathering to discuss marriage preparation. It’s being held in the Fr. Bush Center this Tuesday, May 2, at 7 pm. I think it’s necessary that we try to improve our marriage prep.
National Day of Prayer: This Thursday, May 4, is a National Day of Prayer. Yes, so many things to pray for. At a recent meeting, Dr. Simon Lee mentioned the increased tension in Korea. Perhaps we can pray the rosary this day for peace in the Korean Peninsula.
Calendar Meeting: This Thursday is also the day when our staff gets together to finalize plans for the year (parishes operate on a July 1–June 30 schedule). We always have a lot going on in our parish, especially with our school.
First Communion Masses: So excited for our second graders receiving First Holy Communion. We have four First Communion Masses scheduled: Saturday, May 6, at 5 pm; Sunday, May 7 at Noon; Saturday May 13, at 5pm and Sunday, May 14 (Mother’s Day) at Noon.
Diaconate Retreat: Next weekend I am leading a retreat in Holly for the permanent deacon candidates for the Diocese of Saginaw. Eight candidates and their wives will be on retreat. I’ll be around for our First Communion Masses.
Lots of items: Our school auction is coming up on May 20. Anyone can attend. We have more than 120 silent auction items, as well as ten live auction items. Some of my family attended last year’s event. They enjoyed it so much that they want to come back this year! The main focus for this year’s auction is to supply funds for our new band program. Again, if anyone has any band equipment to donate to the school, please let the school know.
Fr. Swiat: I received an invitation to attend Fr. Jim Swiat’s and Fr. Charlie Irvin’s 50th anniversary to the priesthood on June 4 in DeWitt. They were ordained on June 3, 1967! Wow! I plan on attending not only for Fr. Swiat, but for Fr. Charlie, who was probably the most influential priest for my own vocation to the priesthood. Flint Powers has graduation that day also, so it’s a matter of juggling both events.
Fr. Dan: I’ve been corresponding with our new associate, Fr. Dan. He is in Rome working on finishing his license degree. One of our parishioners was recently in Rome and met up with Fr. Dan. The parishioner was quite happy to meet him and sent a note to me stating that “Father Dan is going to be fantastic for our church.” Fr. Dan will return home on June 20 and come to the parish on June 28. I know he is very excited and happy to be assigned to our parish.
Spring Sports: It’s that time of year for outdoor sporting events. I went for a walk the other night on one of our beautiful evenings. I heard the commotion at Grand Blanc’s football field. I ended up walking there to find a lacrosse match. That was the first time I’ve watched lacrosse live. I like the game, but I’ll have to learn the rules. A parent there described lacrosse as a mixture of soccer and hockey with some added rules. One parent kept shouting “over and back.” Still trying to figure that out.
Have a beautiful week enjoying God’s presence with us.
Msgr. Jerry