Off to School: On October 26 & 27 I attended a ‘new pastor’ conference at the St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. It was very informative. There were only three ‘new pastors’ there. We had meetings on legal issues, lay ministry, personnel, facilities, deacons, evangelization and the business
side of running a parish. Usually when a new pastor takes over a parish the diocese does an audit. The diocese mentioned that they plan on being here relatively soon to do an audit of our finances. It’s been a pleasure to work with our finance council. One of our goals is to continue to be transparent with our finances. We plan on handing out a “where we are” newsletter later this year.
Priest Assignments: I missed our priest convocation this year because I went to Rome for the diaconate ordinations. You know what happens when you miss a meeting? You get voted to be on a committee! That’s what happened to me. Last week I received a letter from Bishop Boyea stating that I was selected to serve on the priest assignment committee for a three-year term. The goal of the committee is to advise Bishop Boyea on priest assignments for our parishes in the diocese. Of course my selfish goal is to keep Fr. Gary here as long as possible!
Remembering our loved ones: November is the month that we especially remember our loved ones who have gone before us. On Monday evening, November 9, I am leading a discussion on the promises of Jesus in Scripture with our parish bereavement group. This group supports one another in their loss of a loved one.
How God speaks to us: Last Sunday I led a discussion on how God speaks to us through Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium to our men and women who are taking classes to enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. What a delightful group! I really enjoyed being with them. There are 19 adults and four youth who are in the process of becoming Catholic in our parish. Very exciting!
Heat/Cold: We had a nice warm spell this past week. However, last Saturday it was cold and rainy, and a bit chilly in the church so I asked our maintenance staff to turn the heat on for the church. On Sunday the church felt a little bit warm. Sorry about that. The maintenance staff told me that it’s a difficult decision every year as to when to turn the heat on and turn it off in the spring.
Tailgate Party: My first assignment as a priest was at St. Thomas the Apostle in Ann Arbor. It was there that I met Jerry Hanlon, who coached the offensive line at the University of Michigan for several decades during the “Bo” era. We have been friends since. Coach Hanlon is coming to speak in our parish hall on Tuesday, November 24 (happens to be the week of the OSU – UM game). It’s a benefit for our Fr. Bush Scholarship Fund and you can secure tickets online. Hope to see you there.
Annulments: This Thursday Fr. Gary and I are attending a meeting at St. Agnes Parish in Fowlerville to go over the new procedures for annulments set out by Pope Francis. These changes begin on December 8 when the Year of Mercy starts.
Veterans Day: The Frontline Project is encouraging all of us to a moment of silent prayer on November 11 at noon for the men and women of our armed forces, both living and dead.
Guests next weekend: Next weekend we will be hosting a couple priests from Minnesota: Fr. Spencer Howe from the Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul and Fr. Nick Nelson from the Diocese of Duluth. Both men studied at St. John Vianney seminary in Minnesota (where Fr. Gary went as well) and at the North American College in Rome (where I met them).
Congratulations: At last Sunday’s diocesan Youth Jamboree, our own Chelsea received the “youth leader” award. Well done, Chelsea!
Have a Blessed Week and please know of my prayers for you!
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote of the week:
“Carry your cross then but carry it joyfully. Think that Je- sus loves you very much. And in return for such love, don’t lose yourself in so many desires, but accept daily with serenity whatever comes your way.”
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, whose feast day is November 13