Living the Mission of the Eucharist This year a significant change has been authorized by Bishop Bradley in the allocation of funds contributed to this year’s Bishop’s Annual Appeal. After the Parish has hit 50 percent of its Parish goal, all gifts contributed beyond that will be returned to the Parish. This direction, which accounts for a 50 percent reduction in the diocesan operational budget for this fiscal year, is a sacrifice necessary to assist Parishes in securing financial stability. Strong Parishes equal a Strong Diocese.

St. Mary's Religious Education Update: The Covid-19 Pandemic has required us to make changes to our program for this new Religious Ed year, to start on October 4th. Watch for important information being mailed soon. These changes will offer choices for our families to decide which option will work best for their family during this time.

The Forward in Faith: Parish Support Fund offers financial relief for parishes during the Coronavirus pandemic. All donations go strait to your parish! Learn more at diokzoo.org/parish-fund.

Bishop Bradley said in his July 31st Letter to the Faithful, "During these past few weeks, I have prayerfully and carefully pondered what to do... I have decided to make available to each Pastor the possibility of requesting the extraordinary permission to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for those in their Parish who are prepared and eligible to receive this Sacrament. This permission, once granted, will be valid only from August 1, 2020 until November 28, 2020. After consultation and proper planning with his Parish leadership and the families of the Candidates for Confirmation, each Pastor will submit the information with a request for permission to me. Once I have reviewed the materials and determine that all is in order, I will grant the permission."

https://diokzoo.org/bishop-murray

We will continue to work in partnership with our 21 schools to ensure that our students, teachers, and staff can all return to school this year in a safe and secure environment. As always, we will keep you informed of any overarching decisions and you local school will update you on their individual plans. (click for the letter from Margaret Erich, Superintendent of Schools - Diocese of Kalamazoo)

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF KALAMAZOO OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS Bishop Bradley has written a Letter to the Faithful in response to the many acts of racism and violence that have led to a "tumultuous, anxious, and a greatly divided time in our country", calling us to seek God's grace to combat the sin of racism. We invite you to share this pastoral reflection with your Parish communities through your various communication channels. Thank you and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

The Most Rev. James A. Murray Biography would have celebrated the 62nd anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood this coming Sunday, June 7, 2020.

Wednesday, June 10, 2020: Reception of the Body of Bishop Emeritus James A. Murray, 10 a.m. Public Visitation: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m Evening Prayer for Priests and Deacons of the Diocese, 5 p.m. Praying of the Rosary, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2020: Visitation, 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial, 2 p.m. (seating is limited and preference seating for family and friends) Interment will be held immediately following the Mass at Mt. Olivet Cemetery

Congratulations to Mrs. Kudwa's kindergarten class who participated in a national competition for the Department of Statistics at Grand Valley State University. The project of collecting, analyzing, and graphing data for favorite cereals was chosen as a national qualifier for grades K-3. Wow!

As we now begin to return to some level of normalcy, we can only do so with a strong faith in Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And so we pray: “Come, Holy Spirit.” Let us adapt St. Francis’ Prayer to pray in our own uncertain times: “Where the is darkness, let there be light. Where there is sorrow bring joy. And where there is doubt and uncertainty, fill us with holy hope.”

Let us pray that deacons, faithful in their service to the Word and the poor, may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.

May is Teacher Appreciation Month

Bishop Bradley's Letter to the Faithful, May 1, 2020

Margaret Erich, Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Kalamazoo, praises Catholic school teachers for their "incredible job... making the change from face-to-face instruction in a brick and mortar school to virtual classes." The following will be in place for all schools within the Diocese of Kalamazoo:

The suspension of the public celebration of the Holy Mass extended to April 30, 2020 (read the letter)

Here are a couple of updates.

https://www.wsjm.com/2020/03/18/diocese-of-kalamazoo-suspends-public-masses-through-april-5-2020/