Blind: This Sunday’s Gospel reading focuses on John 9: 1 -41–the man blind from birth. His disciples asked Jesus whose sin caused the blindness—the parents or him. Jesus said, “neither he nor his parents sinned, it so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” Jesus sent the man into the Pool of Siloam and he came back able to see. Physical blindness is a metaphor for spiritual blindness. Jesus is trying to get his disciples and us to see with the eyes of faith.
Halftime: We’ve reached the halfway point of our Lenten journey. How is it going for you? Perhaps like a basketball game, we need to make adjustments in order to win the game. Pope Benedict XVI offers us some halftime adjustments: “Lent is like a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience along-side Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism.”
Confirmation: So excited for our Confirmation students who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this Thursday, March 30. May they be open to God’s abundant grace He so desires to give each one of them.
Mary Coughlin: Many of you got to know Mary when she stayed on occasion at the rectory when Fr. Ken was assigned here. She was a wonderful woman! She was very instrumental with providing support to seminarians. Her family is special. Mary was surrounded by many of them when she died. When I visited her a few times these last few weeks, the family was fighting for who would stay with her during the night! How fitting that she died on March 19, the feast of St. Joseph. He is the patron saint of a peaceful death.
Lion King: Can’t tell you how much I enjoyed watching the Lion King at Powers High School, especially watching many of our youth parishioners take part. They sold out each night, and I can see why. The play was outstanding!
You’re a Good Man: Speaking of plays, our grade school is putting on the play, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!” The play is April 21 and 22. More details to follow.
Robotics: Speaking of Powers, the robotics team traveled to the Upper Peninsula and won the district championship and will soon travel to state competition. Some of our parishioners competed. We have a strong robotics program at our grade school too.
Fire and Wind: Fire and Wind seminar that has been taking place the last several Tuesdays will be meeting this Tuesday night. The topic will be Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It’s a special night and anyone is able to attend. Many priests will be there to pray with us.
Knights: I can’t make the Fire and Wind seminar this Tuesday because I will be a guest speaker for a Knights of Columbus gathering at their hall in Davison. I will be speaking on my experience in Rome.
Marriage Prep: This Saturday, April 1, we have 12 engaged couples coming for marriage preparation class. It’s always a good day to see this excitement.
Assignment Committee: I will be traveling to Lansing on Wednesday, March 29, for an Assignment Committee meeting. I think all the transfers of priests will hopefully be decided during this meeting.
Hope to see you Stations of the Cross at 7 pm on Friday, March 31.
Be assured of my prayers and love.
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote of the week:
“So if you pray, fast; if fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. When you fast, see the fasting of others. If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give.”
– St. Peter Chrysologus