Fr. Todd Bulletin Article 8/9/26

Dear Sacred Heart and St. Mary on the Lake,

After Masses this weekend I will be finishing my summer vacation time this week (Mon-half of Wednesday) with a sibling’s camping trip.  This is our third year making it happen with all ten of us siblings and all the nieces and nephews (now 18 strong).  We will be at a family campground on the westside of Michigan where I will be happily staying in an air-conditioned cabin!        

Now that we are in August, I am really looking forward to the upcoming school year again.  It is always too quiet around here when school is out and I am looking forward to having everyone back and being able to say hi in the mornings at drop offs. 

            Sacred Heart School: We are wrapping up the final pieces of the window replacement project.  As soon as that is done we will have an open house weekend where anyone can come over after our weekend Masses to see the renovations.  We will have our regular school open houses the end of the month:

·         Pre-school info night and BBQ will be Wednesday, August 26th. 

·         K-6th Back to school BBQ will be Thursday, August 27th. 

Both start at 5pm.  I look forward to seeing all our families, both those returning and new. 

            Sunday Faith Formation: Be looking for these starting dates to be released soon for both Sacred Heart and St. Mary on the Lake.  Sunday Faith formation at Sacred Heart meets between the 8 and 11 Masses at Sacred Heart and following the 9:30am Mass at St. Mary on the Lake.  I always enjoy visiting our classrooms and all the great questions that come up.

OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults):  Our team is preparing for the upcoming year to walk with those who want to inquire about becoming Catholic.  Dates are to be released soon. This is a great opportunity to come to learn more about the faith.

Parish to Parish walking pilgrimage: Saturday, August 15^th  I am getting excited for the walking pilgrimage between Sacred Heart and St. Mary on the Lake that will be on August 15th.  We will leave Sacred Heart at 8am to walk the 11 miles between our parishes.  We will have a parishioner shadowing us along the way with water and Gatorade along with providing a ride if needed.  They will also be towing a trailer with a porta-potty if a bathroom break is needed.   There will be hot dogs for lunch at St. Mary’s. 

This pilgrimage is an especially great opportunity to pray.  We all have people and situations that can weigh heavily on us.  As we walk and pray, we are walking with the Lord interceding for those people and situations.  I know many people will bring Rosaries and pray either the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet, or both, as they walk for various intentions. 

I love the fact that August 15^th is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary and we are walking to St. Mary on the Lake.  She is a great intercessor for us from Heaven.  Like her time on earth, she simply loves bringing us to her son.

God Bless, Fr. Todd