Dear Parishioners,

It’s been a very quick month of May. After Easter, the calendar was full and we have a new Pope as well! As we find ourselves at this final weekend of May, it’s also the time of year that we acknowledge all of the graduates in our parish. I know that we have many schools represented at our parish and each one has a different date for their graduation. Please know that we will keep you all in our prayers during this special time in your life and wish you well in the future!

We are now several weeks into our Bishop’s Annual Appeal for 2025. If you haven’t done so already, please prayerfully consider a pledge to this annual effort to support the many ministries that are sponsored by the Diocese of Kalamazoo. As always, we need your help and prayers to make this successful and thank you for all your support in the past. In a special way, we pray for our seminarians, especially for Paul Thuantho who will be ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Kalamazoo next week on Saturday, May 31st. The cost of educating a seminarian goes up every year and as we plan for the fall, this will not be an exception. Thank you for supporting the education of your priests and seminarians through the Bishop’s Appeal.

On Monday, we will remember those who have served our country. It is Memorial Day, a day to remember all those who have protected the freedom of our country. Since I have had several of my family members in the military, this day always has a special meaning for me. Thank you, Vets, for your service!

Please remember, in most of the dioceses of the United States, the Solemnity of the Ascension will be celebrated next Sunday, June 1st (as we will here in Kalamazoo/Portage). Only a few of the dioceses in the United States continue to celebrate the Ascension on Ascension Thursday, 40 days after our Lord’s Resurrection.

Thanks for reading!

Fr. Mark