The Witness to Hope Campaign has two more years before the pledge period will be concluded. I need your help. If you have made a pledge to the Witness to Hope Campaign and for some reason will not be able to fulfill your pledge please contact the parish office and leave your name with Emily. This information will be forwarded to the Diocese of Lansing. The diocese will then stop sending you reminders of what is due towards your pledge. Every three months the parish receives money from the diocese that has been paid in pledges. I also receive a full print out of all those who have made a gift or a pledge, so I am able to follow how the pledge payments are going. It is understandable if your financial situation has changed since you made your pledge three years ago. But if you are able to fulfill your pledge it will allow us to make the needed repairs to our parish facilities. Thank you for your assistance. Fr. TimĀ
The Cupola...I spoke too soon! Last week I had given an update on the status of the cupola and plaster damage and that we had not had a leak for at least 9 months, then came the driving rain and wind from the southwest on December 30th and behold we had water leaking from the cupola. A new leak has also developed above the statue of St. Catherine Laboure. It seems that the only time that the leak appears is when there is a strong driving wind and rain coming from the southwest. As mentioned last week, we are unable to address the cupola leak until we have paid off the asphalt project and have accumulated enough funds from the Witness to Hope Capital fund drive to fund the cupola repair. Fr. Tim
The asphalt that was laid in the fall is not acceptable. There are pools of water that are collecting in many areas. Alan Olson, from the Diocese of Lansing has been our advocate on the project. He met with representatives of McKearney Asphalt of Lansing to find a solution to our problem. According to Mr. Olson, in the spring, a great deal of the current asphalt will be milled up and reinstalled. The work might also entail the removal and re-installation of the new curbing around the flag pole area. We paid half of the bill prior to the beginning of the project and will pay nothing further until the Diocese signs off on the work. This delay in paying the remaining portion of the bill will give us an opportunity to accrue more funds in our Witness to Hope pledge account., which will reduce the amount of our loan form the Diocese. I encourage you to keep up with your Witness to Hope pledges. I will keep you informed when I hear anything further.
Today our parish retreat culminates in our solemn consecration to Jesus through Mary. I pray that for those of you who have participated in this retreat that you have grown closer to Jesus through his holy mother, Mary. On this the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary we consecrate our lives to her. Mary always leads us to Jesus, the source of all grace and mercy. May the holy Mother of God remain in your hearts and souls. I encourage you to continue on in the habit of a daily prayer life to draw you closer to the hearts of Jesus and Mary. I encourage you to post your consecration prayer in an area where it is visible in your home and to renew your consecration often, everyday if you desire. I pray that this time of retreat has been a time of renewal for you and will be for our entire parish. Fr. Tim
2019 Angel Tree begins Saturday, November 2nd. The suggested gift amount is between $15 and $20. Each Angel includes gift ideas on the label, it is fine to substitute other items. Please sign your name and phone number on the sheet in front of the tree next to the Angel you have chosen. Please place the ANGEL on your wrapped gift and return it to the Church by Monday, December 2nd. The Stars on the tree are to send a Christmas Card to the sick and those in nursing homes.
Sunday, September 15, 2019 a report was given to the Parish at both the 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. Masses. A review of the fiscal year July 1st, 2018 - June 30, 2019 was reviewed as well as the budget for the current fiscal year.