News from Fr. Vyverman 

Dear Parishioners, 

Could a Saint inspire an app? I don’t think that I imagined that I would ever be writing or talking about such a topic. But it’s true: The Vatican Governorate have released a new app dedicated to our newly canonized youth: St. Carlo Acutis! What does this mean? A new app has been released for your devices so that one can quickly access news, videos, Vatican City information, announcements, and official communications from the Vatican. With an American Pope, we can keep track of Pope Leo even faster! One can find this on the app store on your phones/tablets or go to www.vaticanstate.va/en/. How is this linked to our new saint? This app was inspired by St. Carlo and his IT skills used to promote the faith during his lifetime, especially to the youth. Who would have guessed that this would be a step towards sainthood!  

As we talk and think about people who inspire others to learn more about the faith, this is the time of year where all of us can start to pray for those who have been studying and learning more about our Catholic faith and especially those in the OCIA program. For those who are wondering, there was a new edition of the book that priests and bishops use for those who are entering the Catholic faith. This new updated edition was used for the first time last year and replaces the older RCIA (or Rite of Christian Initiation) book that has been used in parishes since the 1980’s. As we get closer to this celebration of the Sacraments at Easter (hint, hint: just ten weeks away from the Easter Vigil), please start praying for those who will be receiving the Sacraments this year. I’ll have more on this in the coming weeks.  

In this year of 2026, you have probably heard the news that our Country is celebrating our 250th anniversary! But this isn’t the only celebration that is on the calendar for this year: Our parish of St. Catherine is also celebrating! However, it’s only our 60th anniversary. We were the last parish built in the Kalamazoo area and Kalamazoo County. Our staff has started planning some things to celebrate this anniversary. May the Lord continue to bless our parish (and nation) with many more years to come! 

Thanks for reading!  

Fr Mark