Category: Parish News & Events

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 13:13-25

From Paphos, Paul and his companions
set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.
But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
After the reading of the law and the prophets,
the synagogue officials sent word to them,
“My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak.”

So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,
“Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out,
and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,
he gave them their land as an inheritance
at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.
After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.
Then they asked for a king.
God gave them Saul, son of Kish,
a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;
of him he testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’“

Responsorial Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27

R.    (2)  For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R.    For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
“I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong.”
R.    For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’”
R.    For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R.    Alleluia.

Alleluia Rv 1:5ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead,
you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

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Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

A Servant’s Heart

On May 13th, Nathalie and I celebrate the anniversary of when we got engaged, on the Feast of Fatima. For those who have followed our story, you know we got married on October 13th, the Feast of Fatima.

One of the reasons we stayed so close to Mary during these important moments is because of her example of service. When we got married we chose to wash each others feet instead of doing the typical garter and bouquet. We did this because we wanted to show the world that our marriage would be one of service, not only to each other but to the world.

It’s always great to be hit with this reading again where Jesus washes the disciple’s feet. It’s good because it makes me contemplate whether or not we have kept that mission as a couple. Have we served whenever we could? Have we served each other and God? Obviously that is a complicated question. I think we certainly have tried our best, with some great moments of service and moments when we can try harder.

This is a reminder for me and I hope it is to you as well. Sometimes we make the faith super complicated and heady. it doesn’t need to be. Are we serving? Jesus came and served. He was the master and put himself in the place of the servant. He gave us an example. Do we follow?

Especially in this world today, we need to serve. There is so much suffering, hurt, fear, anxiety, and worry. We can be the light to the world that goes out and serves without an expectation of getting anything back. All of us can grow in this area and that’s my prayer for myself today. That I grow even more in service during this month of Mary and try to do it in the way she did. God Bless!

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Tommy Shultz is Director of Evangelization for the North Allegan Catholic Collaborative and the founder of Rodzinka Ministries. In these roles, he is committed to bringing all those he meets into a deeper relationship with Christ. Tommy has a heart and a flair for inspiring people to live their faith every day. He has worked in various youth ministry, adult ministry, and diocesan roles. He has been a featured speaker at retreats and events across the country. His mission and drive have been especially inspired by St. John Paul II’s teachings. Tommy is blessed to be able to learn from the numerous parishes he visits and pass that experience on in his presentations. With a degree in Theology from Franciscan University, Tommy hopes to use his knowledge to help all people understand the beauty of The Faith.

St. Rose Venerini: Saint of the Day for Thursday, May 07, 2020

Blessed Rose was born at Viterbo in 1656, the daughter of Godfrey Venerini, a physician. Upon the death of a young man who had been paying court to her, she entered a convent, but after a few months had to return home to look after her widowed mother. Rose use to gather the women and girls of the neighborhood to say the rosary together in the evenings, and when she found how ignorant many of them were of their religion, she began to instruct them. She was directed by Father Ignatius Martinelli, …

Blessing of a New House: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, May 07, 2020

O heavenly Father, Almighty God, we humbly beseech Thee to bless and sanctify this house and all who dwell therein and everything else in it, and do Thou vouchsafe to fill it with all good things; grant to them, O Lord, the abundance of heavenly blessings and from the richness of the earth every substance necessary for life, and finally direct their desires to the fruits of Thy mercy. At our entrance, therefore, deign to bless and sanctify this house as Thou didst deign to bless the house of …

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 12:24—13:5a

The word of God continued to spread and grow.

After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission,
they returned to Jerusalem,
taking with them John, who is called Mark.

Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off.

So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit,
went down to Seleucia
and from there sailed to Cyprus.
When they arrived in Salamis,
they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.

Responsorial Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6 and 8

R.    (4)  O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R.    Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R.    O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R.    Alleluia.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R.    O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R.    Alleluia.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R.    O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R.    Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 8:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 12:44-50

Jesus cried out and said,
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

– – –
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Filling all of Time and Space with Love

In John’s Gospel, this is the final public teaching of Jesus; immediately, the narrative moves to the Last Supper and Passion. So it makes sense that this would be a summary of Jesus’ message. And what is it?

The whole passage points to the FATHER. If we want to understand who Jesus is and “what makes him tick,” we must understand him in relationship with the Father.

Who is Jesus? The one sent by the Father. Yet, though he has been sent by the Father, he is ONE WITH the Father (“whoever sees me sees the one who sent me”). The Father and the Son are one, yet distinct, and in his human nature, Jesus obeys the will of the Father perfectly.

Why did he come from Heaven into the world?  To be our light, so that we might not remain in darkness. He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. The word he speaks will condemn those who reject him. Why? Because Jesus’ words all come from the Father, “who sent me and commanded me what to say.” Jesus never speaks on his own, never does his own thing, never tells his own tale: “What I say, I say as the Father told me.”

This is the lesson here: what moves and guides and energizes Jesus is his love for the Father. He is, in a sense, a reflection of the Father. Yet, as Son, he orders his whole life in loving obedience to the Father. This LOVE OF JESUS FOR HIS FATHER is the key to understanding Jesus’ mission and how we are to participate in it.

Jesus’ love for his Father is a desire to glorify Him in all things, to offer his entire self for love of the Father, and to draw each one of us into this love. This love for the Father is most clearly understood when we look on the Son offering himself completely to the Father on the Cross; and this same offering is made anew at each Mass so that we can each participate in this loving sacrifice. Jesus’ love for the Father is so strong, so deep, so overflowing, that he wanted to fill the whole earth and all of time and eternity with love. And the way he does that is by pouring himself out through time and space through each one of us, through his entire Mystical Body.

Like Jesus, we must love the Father with our whole heart and soul and being; his will must be our bread. We must love the Father on behalf of those who do not know or love him and invite them into his love. We must love the Father in union with Jesus so that he is glorified through us. We must love the Father to the point of sacrifice, and eventually to a complete outpouring of ourselves in love, so that we say with Jesus, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

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Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including newly ordained Father Rob and seminarian Luke ;-), and two grandchildren. She is a Secular Discalced Carmelite and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 25 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE. Currently, she serves the Church as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio, by publishing and speaking, and by collaborating with the diocesan Office of Catechesis, various parishes, and other ministries to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is https://www.kathryntherese.com/.

St. Dominic Savio: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, May 06, 2020

Dominic Savio was born on April 2, 1842 in the village of Riva in northern Italy. His father was a blacksmith and his mother a seamstress. He had nine brothers and sisters. His family was poor but hardworking. They were devout and pious Catholics.

When he was just two years old, Dominic’s family returned to their native village of Castlenuovo d’Asti, (Today, Castlenuovo Don Bosco) near the birthplace of John Bosco. Bosco would himself later be canonized as a Saint by the Church and became a …

Nurse’s Prayer: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, May 06, 2020

Dear Lord, please give me strength,
To face the day ahead.

Dear Lord, please give me courage,
As I approach each hurting bed.

Dear Lord, please give me wisdom
With every word I speak.

Dear Lord, please give me patience,
As I comfort the sick and weak.

Dear Lord, Please give me assurance,
As the day slips into night.

That I have done the best I can,
That I have done what’s right.

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 11:19-26

Those who had been scattered by the persecution
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.

Responsorial Psalm 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7

R.    (117:1a)  All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R.    All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
“This man was born there.”
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
R.    All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
R.    All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R.    Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”

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Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

In Antioch the Disciples Were First Called Christians

Christian (noun)
1. a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity
2. a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ (from Dictionary.com)

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees are once again asking Jesus for proof of who he is. The problem is, that if you have to ask for proof, you are most likely already missing the point. Faith is a theological virtue, meaning that it is infused in us by the grace of God. “Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and all that he has said and revealed to us…” (CCC 1814) We cannot make it happen on its own. To have faith is to be open to the gift of grace. While we can cultivate openness, we can’t acquire grace on our own. Grace is a free gift from God. 

We see an example of this grace in action, when Jesus asks the disciples who people say he is, “When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi* he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist,* others, Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood* has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 16:13-17)

We hear our time in history described as “post-Christian” meaning that Christianity is declining as a majority religion. It isn’t that people don’t believe in Jesus, rather they have lost the awareness of their need for faith in daily life. There is a “been there-done that” attitude towards Christianity. “I tried _________, but it isn’t for me.” (You can fill in the blank with whichever noun you choose; God, the Church, faith, religion. There are a host of options tossed about.) Our culture is pretty D-I-Y; if we can’t pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and make something happen by the force of our own will, then we simply aren’t interested.

Jesus speaks directly to this so-called modern attitude, “The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.” Listen to that again, “the works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.” It isn’t about claiming to be a Christian as a title, it is about letting the gift of faith seep down to our very toes and change who we are so that our very works, each of our smallest of actions testify to who God is and who we are in Him. 

“The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it…service and witness to the faith are necessary for salvation.” (CCC1816)

But to do that, the very first step is opening up our hearts and minds. It is letting go of our egos and pride and thinking we have all the answers and giving God space to fill us with faith. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own power. Your self-sufficiency, your selfishness, and your intellectual pride will inhibit His coming to live in your heart because God cannot fill what is already full. It is as simple as that.”

My prayer for us in this month of Mary is that we mimic Mary’s yes and open ourselves up to the faith God wants to instill in us. He is that ever-patient and tender lover waiting for us to make space for Him. Just like the farmers preparing the ground for spring crops, we can prepare the soil of our souls to be open and ready for God’s planting of the grace of faith. Then we can tend that garden and live into the fruits of what it means to be a disciple of Christ, and like those early believers in Antioch, truly be called a  Christian.

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Sheryl delights in being the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process whether it is studying for classes, deepening their prayer life or discovering new ways to serve together. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Brea, a Bernese Mountain dog and Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever.