Dear Sacred Heart and St. Mary on the Lake,
On behalf of the many, many people who are supported by this year’s Diocesan Service Appeal, thank you. As one who directly benefited from your generosity as a seminarian for eight years, thank you. On behalf of the many seminarians we have been blessed to host at our parishes, and whom are directly supported right now by your generosity, thank you.
We have envelopes in the pews and entrances of the Church. I personally like to give online. (Not only is it very simple, but in all honesty as an added bonus of getting money back on my card. My frugality always rejoices!) Here is the link for being able to give online. There are a number of options for how to give. One time, recurring, or via shares of stock.https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/appeal
I am grateful for the consistent and generous response our parishes have provided for DSA. If you have not given before I encourage you to do so. The size of the gift isn’t the point and generosity is not measured by the amount one can give. I borrow here the words of Pope Leo the Great:
“There is no more profitable practice as a companion to holy and spiritual fasting than that of almsgiving. This embraces under the single name of mercy many excellent works of devotion, so that the good intentions of all the faithful may be of equal value, even where their means are not. The love that we owe both God and man is always free from any obstacle that would prevent us from having a good intention. The angels sang: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.’ The person who shows love and compassion to those in any kind of affliction is blessed, not only with the virtue of good will but also with the gift of peace.
The works of mercy are innumerable. Their very variety brings this advantage to thosewho are true Christians, that in the matter of almsgiving not only the rich and affluent but also those of average means and the poor are able to play their part. Those who are unequal in their capacity to give can be equal in the love within their hearts.”
For a number of years at Sacred Heart we have been praying the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel in the opening introduction before Mass begins. Some parishioners have asked about praying it at St. Mary on the Lake. After some figuring out the best placement, we will begin praying the prayer to St. Michael in the opening introduction at St. Mary on the Lake like we have been doing at Sacred Heart. At Daily Masses we will pray it directly following Mass.
This important prayer reminds us that we don’t just live in a material world. We are body and soul, with the spiritual realm just as real as the material one. The devil and evil spirits are real and we need recognize and resist them. Secondly, we remember we are not alone in this life, but St. Michael and others are our divine reinforcements. Lastly, we humbly don’t try to fight our life’s battles alone, but put ourselves under the authority of God and St. Michael’s intercession.
God Bless,