Capital Campaign: Last weekend we put an insert in our bulletin to discuss the surveys done for the capital campaign. (If you missed this, you can view it on our website under the “Resources & More” tab. Click on “Witness to Hope Campaign.”) The next step is to lay out what exactly the campaign is for both for the diocese and our parish. That should be out within the next few weeks.
St. Maximilian Kolbe: This Sunday, August 14, is the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ordinary Time is either 33 or 34 weeks and then Advent starts). August 14 is also the feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the saint whom Saint John Paul II described as the patron “saint of a very difficult century.” St. Maximilian was arrested by the Nazis during World War II and sent to Auschwitz. As a priest, Kolbe was subjected to violent harassment, including beatings and lashings. When three prisoners escaped from the camp, the deputy camp commander picked ten men to be starved to death in an underground bunker to deter further escape attempts. When one of the selected men cried out, “My wife! My children!,” Kolbe volunteered to take his place. Kolbe led the prisoners in prayer to Our Lady. After two weeks of dehydration and starvation, only Kolbe remained alive. They eventually gave Kolbe a lethal injection of carbolic acid. His remains were cremated on August 15, the day of the Assumption of Mary and a special day of devotion for St. Maximilian.
Assumption: Monday, August 15, is the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother into heaven. It’s not a holy day of obligation this year because it falls on a Monday. However, we join the whole Church in rejoicing for where Mary has gone we hope to follow. The prayer for the feast reads: “All-powerful and ever-living God: You raised the sinless Virgin Mary, mother of your Son, body and soul, to the glory of heaven. May we see heaven as our final goal and come to share her glory.”
School news: After celebrating 8 a.m. Mass at our parish on Monday, August 15, I plan on going to Lansing to join our teachers and staff for Mass at Lansing Catholic Central with our bishop presiding. All the teachers and staff from our diocesan schools will be present.
Reminders: Speaking of the school, the Athletic Boosters are having their annual golf outing on Saturday, September 10, at the Atlas Valley Country Club. Also, we are having an informational meeting to learn more about the annulment process on Tuesday, September 27, at 7 p.m. in the FBPC small hall.
Gathering of Priests: Fr. Andy Czajkowski from St. John’s in Davison invited all the priests in the Genesee County region to come to his place for a barbecue on Monday evening, August 15. More hot dogs and hamburgers!
Hope you are enjoying the Olympics! Have a blessed week walking with our Lord. Be assured of my love and prayers.
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote of the week: “If angels could be jealous of men, it would be for one reason: Holy Communion.” – St. Maximilian Kolbe