News from Rome: As I write this from Rome on Tuesday morning, Feb. 9, please know of my prayers for you. I’ve thought of many of you as I pray in the different Churches in Rome. As mentioned in last week’s bulletin, I am here as part of the Missionaries of Mercy for the Jubilee […]
Forty Days: We have four Masses (6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.) on Ash Wednesday, which is this Wednesday, Feb. 10. Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent which runs until Holy Saturday, the day before Easter on March 27. When we exclude Sundays, that usually makes for a total of forty […]
Catholic Schools Week: All week long our Holy Family Catholic School is celebrating Catholic Schools Week. Both Fr. Gary and I are very happy to be at a parish with a school—and a very good one at that. Both of us enjoy visiting the school; there is lots of joy there! This Sunday, Jan. 31, […]
Rentals: A risk control representative of the Michigan Catholic Conference recently visited our parish to do a thorough inspection, not only of our facilities but how we manage them. The biggest change we have to make as a parish is to charge a $100 insurance fee (for 24 hours) for any non-parish or non-school-sponsored group […]
Welcome to our parish: This weekend we welcome Fr. Jim Quinlan of Cross International Catholic Outreach. He is preaching at all the weekend Masses. We are not taking a second collection— although our 5% tithing is going to their organization. The main purpose of Fr. Quinlan coming is to help us become aware of his […]
Baptism of the Lord: This weekend we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Christ continues to humble Himself to be one with us. And because of His baptism, “the heavens were opened” (thanks be to God) after being shut after the sin of Adam of Eve. At the baptism of Jesus, God the Father said, […]
Epiphany: Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, one of the oldest Christian feasts. Epiphany comes from a Greek verb meaning “to reveal.” All of the various events celebrated by the Feast of the Epiphany are of how Christ reveals himself to humanity. New Year: What will this year bring? No one knows. The […]
A Blessed Christmas: Fr. Gary and I want to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas. May the Christ child bring much peace and joy to you and your family. We are both very grateful to be assigned to Holy Family Parish. Thank you for your support, kindness, and generosity. Family Tradition: Most families have their […]
A beautiful gift from the past: Recently I received a nice note from Fr. Jim Swiat. Along with his card was the original crucifix in Holy Family’s first Church—the little white hall—dating back to 1946. The crucifix shows the “wear” of its age, but is still precious. I am not sure where to put the […]
Year of Mercy: This special year began on December 8, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Pope Francis has asked that this year be a year of tenderness. We, as a parish community, are hoping that all of us experience God’s amazing mercy and love for us and also be merciful to others. In […]