July 2nd, 2020

Notes from Fr. Tim

Deacon Tom
On Tuesday June 30th Deacon Tom had a heart attack.  He happened to be working to get rid of the fallen trees on our property when he started experiencing some difficulties.  Fortunately he came into the office and Emily called the EMS and they arrived quickly and attended to Deacon Tom, who was in the process of having a heart attack.  Deacon was taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital in Jackson where they performed a heart catheterization finding a double blockage.  Two stints were inserted to open up the arteries.  There was no need for by-pass surgery.  There has been some heart damage.  Time will tell as if the damaged area of his heart will heal.  Deacon Tom will be released from the hospital on July 2nd.  Obviously Deacon Tom will not be with us  for a  period of time.  If you would like to send him a card or a note please call the parish office and we will give you his new address.  Deacon Tom and his wife Cathy have recently moved.  Please keep Deacon Tom in your prayers. 

Asphalt Work 
Within the next few weeks the corrections to the asphalt will be addressed.  The curbing will be taken out and replaced with curbing that does not have a lip at its base.  This is scheduled to be done on July 1st.  The following week, weather permitting, the asphalt will be milled down 2”.  New asphalt will then be laid in the milled areas.  The asphalt will be sloped so that any water will drain off to the areas on either side of the main entrance drive.  When this has been completed then the asphalt work, which began almost a year ago, will have been sufficiently corrected and the work completed.  A reminder that the funds for the asphalt project were collected through the Witness to Hope Campaign.  

Cupola Report
On Friday June 26th, Ron Turkus (recommended by Alan Olsen) carried out a water test on the cupola.  The test found water leakage coming from the top of the cupola windows in several places.  In conversation with Ron regarding how to move forward, he explained that the window problems could probably be fixed, but he could not guarantee that there would not appear further leaks in the future from another area.  His personal opinion is that there was too much wrong with the way that the structure had been constructed and that we might want to consider removing the cupola and replacing it with another system that would allow natural light to enter the church and would be a permanent fix to the leakage issue.  

The day previous to the water testing, Alan Olsen from the Diocese of Lansing, met with us and we discussed the possibility of removing and replacing the cupola.  Alan was supportive of the idea if that was the direction that we decided to go.  Deacon Tom and I  have decided that we are going to move in the direction of hiring an architect to come take a look at the church and make suggestions about how we can replace the cupola.  Mr. David Swanson from Swanson Design Studios of Lansing will be on-site on July 2nd for an initial meeting.  I will share more details as we  have them.   

A reminder of safe environment practices while attending Mass

• Everyone should wear a facial mask if possible.  You will need to provide your own facial mask.

• Everyone must maintain a social distance of 6'.

• Family units do not need to observe social distancing while in the pew, all others must.

• There is to be no congregating in the gathering space or church before or after Mass.  It is permissible to gather outdoors.

• The use of the bathroom facilities is for extreme need only.

• You should bring your own hand sanitizer.

Music to be added to the Mass
he weekend of July 4/5 Denise Powell will begin to play the piano at Mass.  We will begin with the re-introduction of the singing of the Responsorial Psalm and all the Acclamations.  An instrumental or vocal solo piece will be done during the distribution of Holy Communion.

Other News

Mass Attendance Numbers
June 20th:  47  
June 21st:  71

Mass Intentions 
Mass intentions for July, August, September have been filled. There are openings for October.   See Parish Website. stcatherinelaboureconcord.org 

Sacrament of Penance 
Fr. Tim is  hearing confessions at the regular scheduled time on Saturdays (3:00-4:30 p.m). If you are unable to make the Saturday time you may call Fr. Tim and set up a more convenient time.

Parish Office
Leave messages on the office phone for non emergency items or email stcatherine92@yahoo.com The rectory phone is 517-524-6261 if you are in need of speaking with Fr. Tim. 

Offertory Collection 
June 21st - $4,020($4,432 weekly goal)
31 envelopes and  17 online ($555 was loose cash) YTD Below Budget - $29,382

DSA 
2 more pledges received this week at a total of $140. We are $1,479.00  short in meeting our 2020 Goal.  Letters have been sent out to those who have yet to make a pledge to this year’s  DSA.   If you have not given, please consider a gift.  We are very close to making our goal!

Fiscal Year End 
We have completed our annual budget and sent it out to our Finance council members for review and approval.  It was approved by all members so our new weekly goal starting this upcoming weekend will be $4,325 ($106 less per week then this past year).  Once all fiscal year numbers are compiled - we will provide a report to all parishioners.  Look to see this in August.