May 11, 2025

Happy Mother’s Day to all our Moms!

This week Fr. Paul begins his time serving at St. Anthony’s. He will still regularly celebrate the Monday morning Mass at Sacred Heart, but I will be covering everything else. We

will not have the 8am Mass on Thursday at Sacred Heart for the next four months while Fr. Paul is away. We will not have Sunday morning confessions available at St. Mary on the Lake. This week I will also be gone Monday-Friday for the Spiritual Direction program. We will have Mass on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but not Tuesday or Thursday.

I am very glad to welcome seminarian Paul Keenan for a summer internship. He grew up in Ann Arbor at Christ the King parish. It will be great to have him serving with us. A few tidbits about him:

Who or what events influenced or inspired you in your discernment journey?

Growing up, I was inspired by my parish priest, who was joyful and said the Mass with great reverence. Throughout high school and college, I was supported by strong Catholic communities. But it was after college that I was especially impacted while traveling to far flung places by the

experience of always being able to find a Catholic church and the sacraments made available to me by the local priest. This made me want to provide the same service,

 especially for those who otherwise would not have access to the sacraments.

How did the Lord move you to become co-sponsored by AMS (Archdiocese of Military Services)?

I have always felt an attraction to serving in the armed

forces, yet joining never quite felt right. After I discerned my call to seminary, however, I discovered that my desire for priesthood and my desire to serve my country were not mutually exclusive. Rather, through the Co-Sponsorship

program, the Lord has shown me how I can best serve both Him and my country.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I’m not an adrenaline junkie, but I’ve been skydiving and bungee jumping in New Zealand.

What is your favorite scripture passage, why?

Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” This verse has always

reassured me when I have been uncertain about where I’m going and what I’m doing because it reminds me that God is leading me to good things.

How did you come to know Jesus Christ personally?

I came to know Jesus personally especially through the experience of charismatic prayer in high school, and through many hours in adoration since. It is above all in silence before the Eucharist that I encounter Jesus’ presence.

God Bless!

Fr. Todd