Welcome to our parish: This weekend we welcome Fr. Jim Quinlan of Cross International Catholic Outreach. He is preaching at all the weekend Masses. We are not taking a second collection— although our 5% tithing is going to their organization. The main purpose of Fr. Quinlan coming is to help us become aware of his organization and what they do for others. A little sidebar story: the founder of Cross International Catholic is Jim Cavnar. His sister, Becky, and her family are friends of mine. Our friendship started when we found out that my aunt, Sr. Josephine, taught Becky at a grade school in Texas many years ago.
Fr. Gary returns: Our beloved associate pastor returns on Tuesday after a week of retreat. It will be great to have him back!
“I have a dream”: Monday, January 18, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. When Pope Francis spoke to Congress during his visit to the United States, he gave a shout out to Martin Luther King saying his “dream continues to inspire us all.” The Pope added, “I am happy that America continues to be, for many, a land of ‘dreams.’”
Christian Unity Week: As we know from history, the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s led to other Christian denominations forming. Today there are now close to 40,000 Christian denominations. Christian Unity Week begins on Monday. May we all unite with Jesus in praying that “all may be one.”
Day of Prayer: This Friday, January 22, is day of prayer for the legal protection of unborn children. Hundreds of thousands of people will march in Washington D.C. in a peaceful protest against the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to legalize abortion. Since that time 56 million abortions have taken place in our country. One is too many. Our parish will have a holy hour after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Friday from 6 – 7 p.m. We are thankful for the impact ultrasounds have had in deterring women from having an abortion as they see a picture of their baby in the womb. We are also so thankful for God’s mercy! Many women have turned to the Lord after having an abortion, sought out confession and been forgiven.
Adoption: Speaking of babies, a great alternative to abortion is adoption. We have many parishioners whohave adopted children. Recently I shared a little poem (attributed to Fleur Heylinger) in one of my daily homilies about a woman writing about her adopted child:
“Not flesh of my flesh nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute you didn’t grow under my heart but in it.”
Theology on Tap: This event is a great way for young adults to get together. They are meeting on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at Luigi’s restaurant in Flint.
Sacred Heart Seminary: Last weekend I led a day of reflection for the seminarians at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit (the ride back on Sunday evening wasn’t fun!). It’s great to see so many young men in the seminary.
Have a blessed week walking with God and stay warm and safe.
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote of the week: “Give us the grace – When the sacredness of life before birth is attacked, to stand up and proclaim that no one ever has the authority to destroy unborn life.”
Saint Pope John Paul II