Fr. Todd Bulletin Article 10/4/26

Dear Sacred Heart and St. Mary on the Lake,

Thank you for the many volunteers that make the Roast Beef Dinner possible each year. It is taking place this weekend, Sunday, October 4th Noon-2pm. Come on by for a tasty take-out dinner.

I am looking forward to classroom visits this coming week. The kids have been saving up questions and I am always so edified by their sincere and growing faiths. I wish I would have been asking the questions they are asking about God when I was their age! Very soon our Sunday Faith formation will be starting and I look forward to visiting those classes as well for their questions. May each of us continue to grow in our faith.

Saturday, October 10 is the Michigan Catholic Women’s Conference. These are always excellent one day events to be filled up by the Lord. You can see their page here: https://michigancwc.org/

A reminder that Harrison is leading a Bible study that will continue through the next three upcoming weeks. It doesn’t matter if you can’t make every session- just come. They are Thursday mornings at St. Mary on the Lake at 10am and Thursday evenings at Sacred Heart at 6pm.

This Tuesday evening Harrison and I will be going to Gus Harrison Prison for Mass. At every jail or prison I have visited, I have been so moved by the lay volunteers that serve this often forgotten portion of our population. Because they are always able to go more often than I am I always experience so clearly the reality of walking on the bridges they have built. Over the years I have been able to celebrate a few Baptisms, Confirmations, and First Holy Communions. Every time, it is because lay volunteers have faithfully visited and worked with them to prepare them for the sacraments.

Of all the corporal works of mercy, visiting those in prison is probably the least practiced because it seems so far removed from us and rather intimidating. I know I was. I didn’t start until I was first invited by some lay volunteers and then later a family with a loved one in prison. Don’t be intimidated! There is simple paperwork to fill out followed by an orientation meeting with the prison chaplain to walk you through protocols to keep in mind. Our lay volunteers help lead communion services, guide bible studies, and at times help prepare an inmate for receiving a particular sacrament. You don’t have to be a theologian to minister to those in prison! Your presence itself will do wonders. If this is something you are interested in helping out with, let me know.

God Bless, Fr. Todd