Pastor’s Corner — October 6th, 2024
Stewardship for Saints and Scholars Campaign Kick-Off
This weekend marks the official start of the Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign. Our parish target is $2.96 million. If you did not get a chance to see the campaign video, you can watch it here. In the next week or so, you will be receiving a letter from Bishop Boyea with more information about the campaign. The letter also includes a specific amount that I would like you to prayerfully consider. Please review the campaign material, pray about your response, and continue to spread the positive message about this historic effort.
Also, many of you will soon be receiving a phone call from one of our parish campaign volunteers. Our parishioner volunteer will be setting an appointment to visit with you to answer all of your questions about the campaign and to help complete your pledge card.
Please continue to pray for the campaign, its success at St Pat’s, and for all of our parish volunteers who are giving their time and effort to help all of us support Catholic education today and for the future.
Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss Healing Retreat
The Diocese of Lansing is offering a retreat for all mothers grieving from the loss of a child from pregnancy and infant loss. This retreat will be held at the DeSales Retreat Center (1198 DeSales Drive, Brooklyn, MI) from Saturday October 26th at 8am through Sunday, October 27th at 8pm.
There are scholarships available, and there is opportunity for generous supporters to donate to sponsor a mother. No one will be turned away due to cost. For more information or to register for this retreat, please click here, or contact Emma Rose Fisher at erfisher@dioceseoflansing.org or by phone at 517-342-2465.
Parish Oktoberfest, Sunday October 6th (2pm-6pm) at the School
Don’t forget about the parish Oktoberfest being held at St. Pat’s school across town (1001 Charles Orndorf Dr). The school St Pat’s Dad’s Club has once again planned an amazing, family-friendly event which includes bounce houses, obstacle courses, beer brewed by parishioner-owned Eternity Brewing, music by Tommy Schober and the Sound of Sorgenbrecher German band, and authentic German food.
We will also be drawing tickets at the end for our Annual Parish Raffle. (Don’t forget to turn in your tickets in the white barrels at the entrances in the Church, if you haven’t already). Thanks to all those who have already turned in your tickets for this big fundraiser.
Please plan on bringing the family for the event. I hope to see you there!
“Safe Haven Sunday” is Next Sunday
Father Joshua is the parish lead of the Safe Haven Sunday initiative which is conducted throughout the Diocese each year. Here is a note from Fr Joshua:
“The constant flood of influence that comes through the internet and social media in all of its various forms, along with social pressures from peers make it difficult for children to live virtuous and holy lives. In the digital age, it’s not a matter of if your child will see something inappropriate online. It’s only a matter of when. And regrettably, internet pornography is teaching our children how and what to think about sex and marriage.
Next weekend, October 12th-13th, the Diocese of Lansing will be celebrating our second annual Safe Haven Sunday. This weekend of awareness will provide free resources to give you confidence for how to talk to your children about internet dangers, as well as their personal online and offline choices.”
Please Pray for our Country and for the End of War in the Middle East
In addition to praying for and interceding for our country before the upcoming election, please continue to also pray for peace in the world, especially in the Middle East. I know that we know this, but we must not stop praying for peace. This afternoon (I’m writing this on Tuesday), I just saw that Iran launched a missile attack on Israel. I think it’s important to remember what the Church teaches about war that I referenced in the bulletin about the Hamas war last October. Please pray for peace.
Your servant in the Lord,
Fr. Mathias