Fr. Todd Bulletin Article 10/18/26

Dear Sacred Heart and St. Mary on the Lake,

Thank you, Fr. Kusi, for covering Masses this weekend. Currently I am up in St. Paul, MN visiting the seminary before heading back down to Mundelein seminary this Sunday afternoon to begin retreat. I finish retreat Friday morning and drive back that afternoon. Thank you again for your prayers for me and know of mine.

It is a blessing to return to my Alma Mater, St. John Vianney College Seminary. I haven’t been there since my brother, Fr. Randy, graduated back in 2021. I am so very grateful for the formative years that I spent there. With all this talk of vocations I want to include the two following prayers you may want to add to your repertoire.

Prayer of John Paul II for Vocations

Lord Jesus, as You once called the first disciples to make them fishers of men, let your sweet invitation continue to resound: Come follow Me!

Give young men and women the grace of responding quickly to your voice. Support our bishops, priests and consecrated people in their apostolic labor.

Grant perseverance to our seminarians and to all those who are carrying out the ideal of a life totally consecrated to your service.

Awaken in our community a missionary eagerness. Lord, SEND WORKERS TO YOUR HARVEST and do not allow humanity to be lost for the lack of pastors, missionaries and people dedicated to the cause of the Gospel.

Mary, Mother of the Church, the model of every vocation, help us to say “yes” to the Lord who calls us to cooperate in the divine plan of salvation.

Amen

Now that Bishop Boyea has reached retirement age, we want to continue praying this prayer for whomever the next Bishop will be for our Diocese to replace him.

Prayer for the Sixth Bishop of Lansing

Loving and faithful God, Shepherd of your people, we place our hope and trust in you as we await the one you are calling to serve as our next bishop.

-Give us a shepherd after your own heart to preach the Gospel, to lead your people in holiness, and to govern your flock with wisdom.

-May he be constant in charity, gentle in service, discerning in spirit, and a faithful steward of your mysteries.

-May he encourage the faithful to grow in holiness, defend the poor and vulnerable, and strengthen all who are consecrated to you.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God Bless,

Fr. Todd