Westy: This weekend we welcome Fr. Dan Westermann as our new associate pastor. His friends in the seminary liked to call him “Westy.” (So did I). I’ve known Fr. Dan since he was around 14 years old. He is a classmate of Fr. Gary. They were ordained together in 2014. Every time I talk to Fr. Dan he keeps repeating, “I can’t wait, I can’t wait.” We are super blessed to have him at our parish. Please welcome him.
East Lansing destination: I’ve almost forgotten his name already ☺, but thank you for turning out in abundance to say good-bye to Fr. Gary last Sunday. I know it meant a lot to him. He left on Wednesday after the 8 am Mass. He is going to a parish with a great pastor, Fr. Mark Inglot. The people will love him and he will love them.
Some of you have asked for his contact information.
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
Fr. Gary Koenigsknecht
955 Alton Road, East Lansing, MI 48823
frgary@elcatholics.org
517-351-7215
Ernie: I recently went to watch the play “Ernie” with a priest friend of mine at the Detroit City Theatre. It’s a play about former Detroit Tigers radio announcer Ernie Harwell that details his life through “nine innings.” If you are a fan of Ernie, it’s worth attending, although I think the play is done for the summer.
Safety and Security: There was quite the turnout of local pastors of Grand Blanc churches and other representatives from religious organizations at the Grand Blanc Township Hall to discuss safety and security in our worship spaces. One of the things that caught my attention is that they recommend only one entrance for the church (with several exits).
Building Committee: Speaking of Church worship spaces, we are making slow but steady progress regarding our Church renovation plans. We are finalizing hiring an architect. We are in constant contact with the Diocese of Lansing. They need to approve any amount we spend over $50,000. Thank you for your patience and generosity. By the fall we will have the renovation plans all spelled out and will display them to you. Construction on the Church won’t begin until June of 2018. That’s always been the plan. As my aunt used to tell me, “things that are worth-while are worth waiting for.”
Freedom: Hope you enjoy the weekend and July 4 on Tuesday. Just a reminder, we will have only one Mass on July 4 at 9 am.
Year 3: On July 1st I began my third year at our parish. How time flies! I feel blessed to be here! A lot of exciting things are happening in the parish. Thank you for your patience, kindness and mercy toward me.
Hope you enjoy the beautiful weather and flowers. With love and prayers,
Msgr. Jerry
He loves, He hopes, He waits. Our Lord prefers to wait Himself for the sinner for years rather than keep us waiting an instant. – St. Maria Goretti. Her feast day is July 6. She died at the age of 12 years old when she refused the advances of teenager Allessandro Serenilli. He was released from prison on good behavior. With Maria’s mother, he attended the canonization of Maria in 1950.
Meet Fr. Dan Westermann
I grew up in Pinckney, MI, attended Fr. Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor, and graduated in 2006 (with Fr. Jim Rolph, who is the new Chaplain at Powers High School). After high school, I attended St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul, MN (with Fr. Gary). From there I went to the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
I was ordained in 2014 and assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing. After two years there, I went back to Rome to finish my licentiate degree.
I am grateful to be assigned to Holy Family Parish. Fr. Gary told me it’s a wonderful place to be. I am looking forward to working with Msgr. Jerry and serving all of you.
Fr. Dan Westermann