All are Welcome: I have been promoting the All-Commission meeting on Wednesday, January 25. I have been praying about this and want to invite all our parish members that evening. We’ll start with 5:30 p.m. Mass (optional), followed by a chili dinner at 6 p.m. and then at 6:30 p.m. I plan to give a “state-of-the-parish” address. I hope to discuss where we are and where we are going. After the talk, the commissions will meet.
Witness to Hope: Thank you again to all who have participated in this campaign. Our next step is sending a letter (from Fr. Gary and me) to any parishioner who hasn’t pledged thus far. We are trying to reach the participation of 700 parishioners.
Mercy Talk: This evening (Jan.15) I am heading to St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in North Branch to give a talk on Mercy. The priest there, Fr. Richie Treml, is a classmate of mine from the seminary. Fr. Richie was considered a “late vocation.” He was 56 years old when he was ordained a priest in 1999. I know we often look for young people as vocations to the priesthood, but is there anyone out there who might be a “late vocation?”
Martin Luther King: Tomorrow (Jan. 16) is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in America. There is no school, but our parish office will be open. We remember the words spoken by Pope Francis to Congress in September of 2015: “I think of the march which Martin Luther King led from Selma to Montgomery 50 years ago as part of the campaign to fulfill his ‘dream’ of full civil and political rights for African Americans. That dream continues to inspire us all. I am happy that America continues to be, for many, a land of ‘dreams.’ Dreams which lead to action, to participation, to commitment. Dreams which awaken what is deepest and truest in the life of a people.” Pope Francis used that point, and talk of MLK’s “dream,” to discuss immigration. He remarked, “We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us were once foreigners.”
Spaghetti Dinner: Hope to see you at the monthly spaghetti dinner this Wednesday, January 18, put on by our Knights of Columbus. Besides the pasta, they have a wonderful salad bar.
Winterfest: This Saturday, Jan. 21, Fr. Gary, Alberto and I will be attending Winterfest 2017 at Powers High School. It should be a fun evening. The event is from 7 –11 p.m. and anyone 21 and over is welcome to attend. Tickets are $30 for food and drink. Call the Powers advancement office at 810.591.0100 for more information. And wear your favorite college gear if you attend!
School News: First of all, we encourage you to dine in or eat out at Italia Gardens this Thursday, January 19, from 11 am – 9 pm. Part of the proceeds will go to the Parent Teacher Organization. Secondly, our school enrollment has gone up the last two years. This is encouraging. The school is having an open house for interested families on Sunday, January 29, from 11 am – 2 pm. Please encourage others to attend.
Please attend: Our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), led by Maddie White, is going strong. Occasionally Fr. Gary and I give presentations and anyone from the parish is welcome to attend. Next Sunday, January 22, I am giving a talk on the Eucharist. And then, on Sunday, January 29, Fr. Gary is talking about the Sacrament of Marriage. Classes run from 6:30 – 8 pm in the St. Joseph Center. Hope to see you there.
Called and Gifted: Have you ever wondered where God may be leading you to serve? Called and Gifted is a great way to find out. St. John the Evangelist is having a workshop on Friday, January 20, from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm and on Saturday, January 21, from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Important events: I want to highlight a couple of important events that I really encourage you to attend. The first is our parish mission from February 13 – 15. Butch Murphy will be our presenter. He is known as a wonderful story-teller and has spoken all over the world. We are encouraging you, as part of our evangelization efforts, to invite someone to at least one of the talks. Secondly, I want to encourage men from our parish to attend the diocesan men’s conference on February 25 at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Michigan Center. It’s from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. A lot of great speakers are lined up. Hoping many of you can attend. Wives, please encourage your husbands to attend. It’s a powerful day.
Brothers: On Friday, January 6, four of my six brothers came to visit me. We enjoyed a nice dinner at Little’s Joe’s and then I gave them a tour of our facilities. My brothers sure enjoyed people asking them who was the oldest in the family (I am the youngest of the seven boys). One person even thought I was older than my oldest brother who was born twelve years before me! I did not have happy thoughts toward that person ☺.
Have a Blessed week staying warm.
Love and prayers,
Msgr. Jerry
Saint Mother Teresa: “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”