Pastor’s Corner — November 19th, 2023
One Mass on Thanksgiving Day (Confessions Canceled)
There will be one Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday at 9am. Per usual on Thanksgiving, there will be no Thursday 12:10pm Mass and the confessions at 4:30pm are canceled.
More Catholics Joining the Parish Next Weekend
I’ll say more about this next weekend, but we’ll have 9 more people joining the Catholic Church next weekend at St Pat’s. Please pray for these people: John Thomas Doudna II, Samantha Francis, Ethan Lange, Lisa Rimanelli, Kylee Savage, Eric Yunker, Jason Coleman, Amanda Henderson & Jeanne Strickland.
Outpouring Event at St Pat’s: Saturday November 25 at 7:30pm
A reminder about the “Outpouring” in the Church that I wrote about last week is next Saturday. One of the single greatest factors of people coming alive in Christ is their relationship with the Holy Spirit, who is the Lord and Giver of Life. We’ll be praying for a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit for those who want more of what Jesus promised. This has always been a parish event that is open to everyone, especially friends and family who wish to pray for more of the Holy Spirit. People’s lives can be changed by an event like this. Plan on bringing your friends whom you want to know the love of God. I hope to see you there!
Outstanding Pastoral Letter on Recreational Marijuana Use
Earlier this week I came across one best cases against recreational use of marijuana I’m aware of: “That They Might Have Life | Pastoral Letter” by Archbishop Samual Aquila of Denver, Colorado. If you don’t have time to read the whole thing here is a good short article about it. We fought valiantly as Catholics to oppose the proposal to add more marijuana shops in Brighton. Archbishop’s excellent moral analysis is important for believers and unbelievers alike. I’m sincerely hoping that parents and grandparents would be willing to read his letter to help them defend and explain why recreational pot is not a good thing for their children and grandchildren.
Two More Opportunities to Give This Week
During this time of the year, many service organizations are raising money for the good work they do all year round. In addition to the Livingston Catholic Charities appeal highlighted last week, this week I highlight two additional opportunities:
1) The Diocesan Catholic Social Teaching Collection: Each year on Solemnity of Christ the King, the parishes take up a collection for the Diocesan Commission on Catholic Social Teaching. (We have two parishioners who serve on this Diocesan Commission) According to the Commission’s website:
“To equip the faithful to understand and put into practice Catholic teaching in light of the challenges of important social issues including the sanctity of human life, the dignity of the person, religious liberty, marriage and family, poverty, solidarity, and care for creation, Bishop Boyea has inaugurated a diocesan collection that will support small grants to applying parishes and Catholic entities within the Diocese of Lansing. This grant is designed to fund programs that combine catechesis with hands-on endeavors to advance Catholic social teaching within the diocese. Grant recipients will be selected by the Diocesan Commission on Catholic Social Teaching. The Diocesan Catholic Social Teaching Collection supports catechetical projects which inform and inspire our practice of the Church’s teaching in the world. This is distinct from the mission of Catholic Charities, which provides direct assistance to people in need.”
In light of the unfortunate politicization of Catholic Social Teaching, I am glad the Diocese is doing what it can to help us think as Catholics and thus serve the needy in a Christian way. Envelopes will be available in the gathering space next weekend if you would like to give to this collection.
2) Annual St Vincent de Paul Society Collection: During the 9am Thanksgiving Mass, our St Vincent de Paul Society will take up a collection for their great work of helping individuals in need who approach the Society throughout the year. This ministry is on the front lines of those who are need of basic necessities in our area. I’m proud of the men and women of the parish who serve in this beautiful ministry. If you want to give please use the St Vincent envelope or give during Mass on Thanksgiving.
Your servant in the Lord,
Fr. Mathias