Parish Picnic: Next Sunday, July 24, is our annual parish picnic after the Noon Mass. We really hope to see you there. I really enjoyed last year’s parish picnic; it was a lot of fun. It was a great way to meet so many of you.
60th Anniversary: Next Saturday, July 23, is our 60th anniversary of our school celebration. We want to celebrate the blessing our school has been the last six decades…and we hope for many more. Our parish recently received a nice note from an alumni, stating “thank you, Holy Family and Father Bush, for instilling in me the basics of life. I took them and expanded my scope on life and the world. God bless Holy Family and all my fellow classmates at Holy Family (1956-64) and beyond.” Hope to see you on July 23!
John Vinton: We have enjoyed seminarian John Vinton being with us this past year. We are having a little good-bye gathering for him on Wednesday, July 20, after the 5:30 p.m. Mass in the school terrace. If you have a chance, please stop by and wish him well as he prepares to go back to the seminary.
Mission Makeover: The youth of our parish that volunteered their time with Mission Makeover have done a fantastic job—all in very hot weather. I hope you are able to see the new flower garden on the lower level parking lot next to the school. Not only have the youth helped with our parish grounds, but many other places in Genesee County. Thanks to Jan Gravel and the many volunteers who made it possible.
Violence in America: Following a week of violence across the United States, the Knights of Columbus has called for a novena of prayer to heal the wounds and divisions afflicting our country. All people are encouraged to join in the novena (nine days of prayer) that will run from July 14-22 by praying St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer for Peace:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Elie Wiesel: Speaking of violence, the recent death (July 2) of the famous author Elie Wiesel reminds us of our need to continually pray that our culture may be a culture of life rather than death. In the book “Night,” Wiesel sorrowfully retold the story of how as a twelve-year-old in 1944 he and his three sisters and parents were taken from their home in Romania to the concentration camps in Poland. The mom and the three girls were immediately separated from Elie and his dad. He never saw them again. His father died near the end of his time in the camp. After much internal struggle with God, Elie spoke and wrote for peace and a respect for humanity.
Community Garden: We’ve had a little problem with those pesky Japanese beetles eating the leaves of eggplants, but the garden is still flourishing. This past week some volunteers have been picking the vegetables from our community garden and giving them to our Outreach Center to distribute. Because there are so many herbs (basil, etc.), Maria Gonzalez, our 6th grade teacher whose idea it was to start the garden, will be distributing the herbs after Mass if anyone wants any.
Five percent thank you letters: When I was talking to a parishioner about the nice thank you letters we receive after giving organizations five percent of our weekend collection, he suggested that we put those thank you notes in the bulletin. Great idea! (see page 4 in bulletin) .
Outreach letter: Speaking of thank you letters, we were all surprised to receive a thank you letter and generous check of $955 from the Pahlimi family from Illinois. Fifteen years ago they were in dire need while living in Grand Blanc and our parish helped them with two rent payments. They struggled for quite some time, but have never forgotten our kindness. Now they are doing better financially and they paid back the amount for rent and added $185 for the Church Endowment Fund. What a kind gesture!
Birthday: Thank you to all of you for all your birthday greetings and for your singing Happy Birthday at a few of the Masses last weekend. I heard that Fr. Gary made a little fun of my age at the Masses he celebrated. I’m sure I will get even. ☺
Have a great week walking with our Lord and stay cool.
Love and prayers,
Msgr. Jerry
“Jesus said to her, ‘Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!”
The feast of St. Mary Magdalene is July 22.