By Paul Seman
The Catholic Weekly
SAGINAW — When Mark Ivon entered the homes of Emmaus House during a recent inspection, he could see that the women were proud of their “castles.” Everything was neat and in its place.
However, Ivon noticed that the homes, all 40 to 116 years old, needed to be updated and remodeled. One home still has a square hot water heater (which still works). Another has yellow bathroom fixtures.
Even “Homes of Hope” show their age. (more…)
Containers of oil await to be blessed at the annual chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 19, at St. Mary Cathedral in Saginaw. Mark Haney/Catholic Weekly
Grand Ledge teens part of effort to reach out to Appalachia’s needy
During a 24-hour food fast at St. Michael Parish in Grand Ledge, teens collected donations of mugs and personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, disposable razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes and combs/brushes. The donations were turned over to God’s Mission Outreach, which serves primarily the rural areas of West Virginia. The mission works directly with local pastors to make sure that the items that are shipped are delivered directly to those who need them most.
By Mark Haney
The Catholic Times
GRAND LEDGE — What the young people of St. Michael Parish give is not big.
Neither is what Judie McGuire gives. Or her aunt, Katie Thelen. And yet it all makes a difference to people living some 12 hours away.
What they give are small gifts, small tokens that form a ministry that makes Christmas a little bit brighter in an otherwise bleak area of the nation. (more…)
Dear brothers and sisters:
On Oct. 22, 1978, Pope John Paul II began his papal ministry with a homily using the message of the angel which became a kind of slogan for him: (more…)
Mercy Sunday will be celebrated May 1 at St. Mary Cathedral, 606 N. Ohio St.
It begins with the 11 a.m. Mass, which will offered in thanksgiving for the example of Blessed John Paul II in union with the Church on the occasion of his beatification. The main celebrant will be Fr. James Bearss; the homilist will be Fr. Matthew Wigton, who was ordained by Pope John Paul II.
It will be followed at noon by the blessing of a portrait of Blessed John Paul II by Fr. Bearss; then a Polish lunch served in the parish hall and musical entertainment; a showing of “Nine Days that Changed the World,” the film about Pope John Paul II along with confessions, (from 1:15-3 p.m.) followed by the Divine Mercy celebration, including the chanting of the Divine Mercy chaplet, with Bishop Bernard A. Hebda celebrating.
A number of parishes in the diocese also are hosting Divine Mercy devotions including:
St. Michael, Suttons Bay and St. Gertrude, Northport: The Divine Mercy novena, which began Good Friday at St. Michael the Archangel will culminate at 3 p.m. at St. Michael.
St. Clement, Pellston: A Holy Hour will begin at 3 p.m.
St. John the Baptist, Alpena: Divine Mercy devotions will begin at 2 p.m. with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Scripture reading, rosary for peace, Divine Mercy chaplet, reposition of the Blessed Sacrament and veneration of the Divine Image. A potluck dinner and fellowship will follow.
St. Stephen, Lake City: Confession will be available from 2-3 p.m. followed by a holy hour for Divine Mercy.
St. Joseph, West Branch: The Divine Mercy novena was at 3 p.m. for the nine days through Saturday, April 30. A holy hour will begin in the church at 3 p.m.
May 1 also is the date for the beatification of Pope John Paul II. During his homily at the canonization ceremony of St. Faustina Kowalski, a country woman from his native Poland — on April 30, 2000 — Pope John Paul II highlighted the message of mercy manifested to that saint in the course of her short life. He declared that the Second Sunday of Easter would henceforth be known throughout the Church as Divine Mercy Sunday.
Eternal Word Television Network will be televising the vigil in honor of the beatification of Pope John Paul II, beatification of Pope John Paul II and the beatification Mass of Pope John Paul II, Saturday through Monday, April 30-May 2.
For specific broadcast times, visit www.ewtn.com. The Catholic radio stations of Baraga Broadcasting also will be carrying the ceremonies live. Log on to www.baragabroadcasting.com to find a station or listen from the Internet.†
SAGINAW — Bishop Joseph R. Cistone announces the following clerical and parish assignments, effective Friday, July 1:
Fr. Richard Bokinskie will become pastor of St. Cyril Parish in Bannister. He will remain pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Chesaning, and St. Michael Parish in Oakley.
Fr. Robert J. DeLand will go from pastor of St. James Parish in Bay City to pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Freeland. (more…)
This is the last in a series of Lenten reflections.
By John Paul S.
Special to The Catholic Weekly
Lent is a time of praying, fasting and almsgiving.
What does that mean to me? (more…)
Student-created CD helps All Saints raise funds for local rescue mission
By Mark Haney
The Catholic Weekly
BAY CITY – Some students from All Saints High School are giving a voice to the homeless.
Their own.
The students in the school’s music ministry club have put together a 30-minute CD of original music, poetry and the testimonials of the homeless in the hope “Finding Home” might raise awareness of homelessness in Bay City and money for the local Good Samaritan Rescue Mission. (more…)
Some of the Peace and Justice Committee members at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ann Arbor, which coordinated the “Sack Homelessness” Lenten program, are (from left) Charles Yonka, Jim Russo, Kelly Gauthier, Paul Schwankl, Dick Brown, Sam DeNicolo, Steve Lavender, Barbara Torretti, Mary Wakefield and Scott Wright, social ministry director. Courtesy photo
By Anne Seebaldt
The Catholic Times
ANN ARBOR — St. Francis of Assisi Parish is using a Lenten program to raise awareness of the issues of affordable housing and homelessness.
Each week, at the front of the parish bulletin, stories are told to help parishioners empathize with the plight of the homeless. During the prayers of the faithful each week during Lent, the issue of homelessness is addressed, “just to keep it in people’s minds,” said Kelly Gauthier, a resident of Ann Arbor who serves on St. Francis’ Peace and Justice Committee. (more…)
This is the last in a series of Lenten reflections.
By Zachary Fieroh
Special to The Catholic Times
Throughout the season of Lent, we are asked to identify our personal evils and shortcomings and make our best attempt to face them head on.
Some of us succeed in giving something up, or making a positive change in our lives; while others realize these evils are, in fact, more prevalent than we had thought. This facilitates a time of personal reflection and a new understanding of what it is that is distancing us from God. (more…)