Pastor’s Corner — January 26th, 2025
Contribution Statements: Thank You!
Parishioners will be receiving this week or next in the mail the annual contribution statements for tax purposes. I’ve looked over a significant portion of these statements and I am so humbled by your generosity. Thank you!
Ryan, our Director of Operations, told me of another great stat: 58.6% of registered parishioners give to the parish (at least in a trackable way). That might sound low, but that’s fantastic; it might be among the highest percentage in the Diocese. I am so proud to be part of a parish that takes giving to the parish aspect of discipleship so seriously. Thank you!
St Pat’s School Open House (Sunday at 1:00-3:00pm)
Our parish school exists to offer values-driven families an authentic Catholic education so that they can encounter God’s love and their children have a steady place to discover their God-given purpose. If you or someone you know is considering Catholic education, we are having an Open House from 1-3pm across town at our school (St Patrick Catholic School, 1001 Charles Orndorf Dr, Brighton, MI)
Vatican International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles (McCann Hall this Weekend)
Hosted by our homeschool families, we are having the Vatican International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles in McCann Hall this weekend on Saturday, January 25th and Sunday, January 26th after all Masses. The exhibition was created by the Vatican in the Year of the Eucharist. After being shown in more than 500 parishes in Italy, it is now traveling around the world and we are honored to host it in McCann Hall this weekend. Take advantage of this opportunity to deepen your faith and grow in a more intimate personal relationship with Jesus truly present in the Eucharist.
This is hosted by our homeschool families and their own posters will also be on display for the weekend exhibit. Special thanks to Isabella Loy and her family for leading our efforts. For more information, call the office, extension 218
More Explanation on the St Therese Guild Decision
For the most part, we’ve gotten very positive feedback on our pastoral decision to start the St Therese Guild for girls. If you haven’t read that announcement, I encourage you to read that here. But we’ve also received some concerned feedback about this decision, especially as it relates to separating girls and boys ministries. Since we understand that this transition might be hard for some families, especially in the cultural climate on gender issues, Fr Joshua and I decided to record a short YouTube video (10:14) that further explains our decision to start a girls ministry and limit altar serving to boys. In this video you’ll hear:
• Why looking at the decision to limit altar servers to boys from the frame of worth or ability of girls is inconsistent with the proper frame of reference of Catholic tradition
• Why the Church prefers the noble tradition of boy altar servers because of its intrinsic connection to the priesthood
• Why we believe altar serving for boys will help more boys get involved and eventually have them consider the priesthood
• That the Director of Worship at the Diocese supports this decision
• That solid parishes in our diocese with a lot of vocations only have boy servers
• That there is absolutely no plan to change any other liturgical ministries at St Pat’s
When talking to one concerned person about this situation (who happened to not be a parishioner) I found that he was sincerely unaware of the rich and strong tradition of boy altar serving in the Church. Moreover, he honestly didn’t seem to be aware of the intrinsic connection between strong altar boy programs and the Catholic priesthood.
As we say in the video, when parishes have ministries for boys and girls separately, they both love the ministries and many are involved. That’s what we’re after. If you have any further questions after watching the video, please let me or Fr Joshua know.
Thanks Noah Allen!
Below is a note from Noah Allen, our Maintenance Manager:
Parish Families,
After careful consideration, I have decided to resign from my position here at St. Pat’s.
I have absolutely loved my time here and have enjoyed meeting you all and serving the church as your Facilities Manager. I wish nothing but the best for my fellow staff and look forward to seeing you all around at various events at the parish as an ordinary parishioner. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
God bless,
Noah Allen
Your servant in the Lord,
Fr. Mathias