24 Hours with the Lord: As was mentioned, based on Pope Francis’ initiative for the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we will have 24 hour exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after the 8 a.m. Mass on Friday, March 4, until the 8 a.m. Mass on Saturday, March 5. Additionally, Fr. Gary and I will take turns hearing confessions during these 24 hours. We’ll see who gets stuck with the midnight to 6 a.m. shift!
Parish App: Our parish is now blessed to have a parish app that is easily accessible and provides a wealth of information. Please see page 5 for more details.
Flint: On Saturday, March 5, a group from our parish will be visiting several of our Catholic Churches in Flint. Please call the parish office by March 1 if you can attend. It will be a great way to learn more about our neighbors, and especially know more about the difficulties they face.
Calling Men of our Parish: In October we had a wonderful Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) weekend for women of our parish. On April 16-17 we are having a similar CRHP for men of our parish. Please prayerfully consider attending. You won’t regret it. Contact Larry Blondin at the parish office for more information.
Discernment gathering: At my first assignment as a priest we hosted discernment dinners and discussion with men who were discerning whether God might be calling them to be a priest. We would like to start these gatherings at our parish. Our first one is on Thursday, March 3, at 6 p.m. in our parish rectory. Seminarian John Vinton, Fr. Gary and I will be there. Please contact Fr. Gary at the parish office if you are interested.
Diocesan Services Appeal: Many, many thanks for all of you who have contributed to the Diocesan Services Appeal (DSA) thus far and who will do so in the future. Now that I’m back from Rome and my retreat, I’m ready to contribute as well. One of the main causes of the DSA is providing financial aid for our seminarians who will become our priests one day.
The Middle East: As we know, Christians in the Middle East continue to suffer from persecution. Pope Francis has called what is happening to Christians in the Middle East “genocide.” The Knights of Columbus is taking an initiative to stop the genocide. Please take two minutes to join Supreme Knight Carl Anderson as well as Catholic bishops, Christian religious leaders and other advocates in signing a petition at StopTheChristianGenocide.org.
Retreat: I had a wonderful retreat from Feb. 15 -22. The weather was beautiful. In fact, it got a little too hot in the afternoon. I’m sure you love hearing that! A typical day consisted of four “holy hours,” meeting with my director once a day for an hour, and going for walks and reading a book on “mercy.” I had some great conversations with the Lord! Every priest is required to make a week-long retreat; it’s a great blessing to us. At the same time, it’s really great to be back at our parish! I thought of you and prayed for you often.
Msgr. Jerry
Quote of the week: “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7, from Jesus)