Fr. Todd 10/5/25

Dear Saint Mary on the Lake and Sacred Heart,

            Thank you for your prayers for us this past week at our priest convocation.  It is truly so good to be with my brother priests, both younger and older, for these days.  We are very blessed in our Diocese to have this gathering be an annual one (many dioceses only meet every few years) so we can be together to build a strong presbyterate.  Seminarians in their last two years of Theology are able to attend so they are able to get to know the priests before ordination.

            I will bring back our new seminarian posters that will be posted in both parishes.    This year we have 29 seminarians from 14 different parishes (I would love to have some from our parishes!).  They will be studying in three seminaries; four at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, 13 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, and 12 at Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Minnesota.  I am so grateful for your prayers for priestly vocations- keep them up!  Please consider looking the poster over and picking one that you want to offer prayer and penance for over the coming year.

            Many thanks to our catechists at both parishes who lead our Sunday morning faith formation at both parishes.  They are a great blessing as they walk with our kids and families to come to know not just about the Lord but to know Him.  This can be a great volunteer opportunity if you would like to help.

            This year we have a large group in OCIA learning more about the faith.  Please keep them and our OCIA team in your prayers as we walk together with the Lord.  As I have been announcing at Mass a great way to welcome and accompany them is with food.  Each night we meet we like to have a time for snacks.  If you are able to help with that it would be great.  There is a signup at Sacred Heart or you can reach out to Linda Higgins to sign up an evening.

            We are also very blessed to have a lot of couples preparing for marriage.  This coming May and June are particularly getting filled up.  Please be interceding for these couples as they prepare for this great Sacrament.  One the direct ways you may be asked to help is through being a mentor couple.  The Diocese uses Witness to Love (you can find more information here: https://witnesstolove.org/).  You might be asked by an engaged couple to help them in this capacity- know it would be a great gift for them if you are able to walk with them.

            There are so many good and beautiful ways the Lord is moving in people’s lives.  I know this flows above from prayer.  Keep on interceding for our parishes and communities and know the Lord is answering your prayers!

God Bless,   

Fr. Todd