10/15/2023

Dear Sacred Heart and St. Mary on the Lake,

We have partnered with several other parishes in Jackson and Lenawee Counties

and the Diocese to hire two passionist Sisters to help us directly minister to our Hispanic brothers and sisters. Pictured here are Sr. Maria Antonia (on the left) and Sr. Dulce Maria (on the right). They are both from Mexico and have a real heart for reaching out and serving. I am very happy to have them help us better serve those in our own communities. I will have my first Spanish Baptism coming up for which I will need to do plenty of practice!

They are living in Jackson and will be splitting their time among the two counties. Tentatively they are looking at spending their Fridays in our area. If you have been at the 9am School Mass they have been there the past two weeks. Please introduce yourselves when you see them, it is a blessing to have them with us!

There are a few upcoming events. First is our Pray and Play event that will be following up on Safe Haven Sunday. It will be Tuesday, October 24th at 6:30 PM at Sacred Heart School with some light refreshments available. There will be the opportunity for kids to play in the gym or on the playground while we meet. I am looking forward to this evening as time to share practical tips and tools for handling the internet and social media. There is the importance of internal formation, helping kids know their intrinsic dignity and worth, so that when they see something that undercuts their worth, they can recognize it for what it is and better reject it. Then there are the external steps we take—accountability and filtering. It will be an evening for great conversations amongst families about how we can all create safe havens for ourselves and our families.

On November 4th the Diocese of Lansing is hosting a Liturgical Formation Conference at St. Patrick’s in Brighton, MI. Comprised of liturgies, presentations, and workshops, the day will enhance your ministry as priests, deacons, catechists, Catholic teachers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, readers, music ministers, ushers, people who work in “sacred art and environment,” sacristans, and any others who serve to make our liturgies reverent, worshipful, and worthy for the Lord, and accompany others in doing so as well. https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/3fcc8128-460f-4fee-aca4-10b380af7fce Registration is $20. If you would like to go, we will reimburse you—just drop off the receipt at the parish office.

God Bless,

Fr. Todd

Pastor