CRHP: Last weekend 21 women from our parish attend the Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) retreat in our St. Joseph Center. It was a wonderful weekend. One comment from a participant was, “I have never felt so loved before.” Another participant said that she was talking to a friend about the weekend and the friend said, “I need something like that in my life.” Hopefully, many of you will be able to attend a CRHP weekend in the future—both men and women. Many of us follow Jesus, but we can also keep Jesus at a distance. A CRHP weekend really allows Jesus to come close to us, something He really desires.
Getting lost: Led by our Director of Religious Education, Jan Gravel, last weekend also was a Confirmation retreat day of reflection, held at Camp Copneconic in Fenton. Fr. Gary was originally scheduled to have 1:00 p.m. Mass with them, but in a last-minute change I went to take the Mass. Unfortunately, I had in my mind that the Mass was at Camp Tamarack in Ortonville (I had Mass with our 7th grade school students there this past Thursday). I left at 12:15 p.m. and, after driving all the way to Ortonville with no one there, I finally arrived for Mass at Camp Copneconic at 1:20 p.m.! Everyone was very forgiving and understanding. Thanks!
Keeping your Children Catholic: This Tuesday evening, October 20th, there will be a presentation at 7:00 p.m. in the Fr. Bush Parish Center on tips to “keep your children Catholic.” An interesting topic indeed!
Blue Month: May and October are traditionally known as Mary’s months. I led the rosary with our religious education students and their families last Monday. The rosary is a tremendous blessing that God gives us as we pray for peace in the world and for our families.
Priesthood Vocations: Fr. Gary and I received the vocation to the priesthood poster from our diocese. It’s great to know that our diocese has 30 seminarians studying to be priests. That’s wonderful! What’s interesting is that seven of the 30 seminarians come from one parish in our diocese—Christ the King in Ann Arbor. We have been blessed with having many seminarians and deacons stay with us, but I asked Fr. Gary if he knew when was the last time our parish had a seminarian who became a priest. He didn’t know, and I’m not sure either. Perhaps someone could let us know. Hopefully one day our parish will have many seminarians who become priests!
Deacon Vocations: Speaking of vocations, on Saturday, October 17th, I will be driving to Saginaw to attend a Mass in which my brother-in-law will receive the ministry of Lector. He is studying to be a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Saginaw.
Marriage Vocations: Speaking of another very important vocation, Fr. Gary and I, along with Todd and Tanya Babiacz, will be hosting classes for couples preparing for marriage beginning next Saturday, October 24th. The overall theme is “What is Christian Marriage?” Todd and Tanya’s talk is titled, “God gave me you.” They have given that talk at our parish before with much approval.
Installation: This weekend at the noon Mass I will be installed as pastor of our parish by Bishop Boyea. I thank God every day that I am here and I am very grateful to Bishop Boyea for assigning me to this parish. Thank you for your support and prayers and please be assured of mine for you.
Saint quote of the week:
“My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings.”
St. Isaac Jogues—Feast day October 19
(St. Isaac Jogues, along with his companions, brought the faith to North America, specifically to the Indian tribes of that time in Quebec. He was captured and several fingers had been cut, chewed or burnt off. Pope Urban VIII gave him permission to offer Mass with his mutilated hands: “It would be shameful that a martyr of Christ not be allowed to drink the Blood of Christ.”)
Msgr. Jerry