We wish to extend a warm welcome to our Parish family to those baptized in the month of December. Please click on the article title to see the list of December 2020 Baptisms.

Our virtual Bible Study on the Gospel of John continues tonight, Friday, January 8th, at 6 pm via Google Meet. We have just two weeks left in this study - January 8th and January 15th. If you would like to join our Bible Study, please register online (https://www.stcatherinesiena.org/biblestudyform) to receive the Google Calendar invitation with the Google Meet link and log in information and the weekly email with reading assignments. Please watch Facebook, the website, and the bulletin for information on Father Ben's next Bible Study.

As a Church, we pray for one another that the Lord continue to bless, guide, strengthen, and console us. One incredibly beautiful and ancient way we can pray for someone is to have a Mass offered for that person. It is a holy and devout practice to have Masses offered for a loved one, living or deceased. Masses may be offered on any day, but many offer them on a birthday, anniversary, or for a special need. To learn more about Mass Intentions, or to schedule a Mass Intention online, visit our website at https://stcatherinesiena.org/massintentions. Here are the Mass Intentions for January 9-17, 2021.

Looking for help and encouragement after the death of a loved one? GriefShare is a special biblically-based weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life. We know it hurts, and we want to help. St Catherine of Siena Parish is sponsoring GriefShare with virtual meetings on Zoom beginning Thursdays, January 14th thru April 15th from 12:30 -2:30 pm. For information & to register go to https://www.griefshare.org/groups/128757. The cost is $20 for the workbook. Questions? Contact Paula White at 269 330 3762 or pwhitentc@mac.com.

Previously Printed in our December 20, 2020 Bulletin, we missed a few Parishioners’ contributions, in honor of, and memorials. We apologize for the oversight and hope we have included all in this list. Please click on the article title to see the newly-revised list.

Alpha is beginning soon! Come and explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly and informal online environment. Register online at https://www.stcatherinesiena.org/alpha. For more information, please visit the Alpha page of our website (click on the article title) or email alpha@stcatherinesiena.org with any questions.

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on our local blood supply as many blood drives have been canceled during the pandemic. We will host a Versiti Blood Drive on Tuesday, January 12 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm in the Stanley Centre. Sign up online at https://bit.ly/SCSBloodDriveJan12. Contact Deb Dozeman at ddozeman@stcatherinesiena.org with any questions.

If you are looking for a connection with other women and a deeper relationship with Christ, then Women of the Word would like to invite you to join our current study, 'Touching the Divine: A Study of the Gospel of John by Walking with Purpose'. “If you have ever wondered what Jesus was really like, Touching the Divine will help you find the answer. John will teach us how much Christ loves us and how His love is the true satisfaction of our souls.” This study started in September and runs through the end of April, but is open to new ladies joining us in January. Weekly virtual classes on Zoom start Sunday, January 10 from 6-8 pm or Thursday, January 14 from 10 am-Noon (Young Mom Group is offered Thursdays). Cost is $46.68 for the book from http://www.walkingwithpurpose.com or $52 at Amazon. Book to be individually ordered. Financial Assistance is available. For questions or to register contact: Janet Wheeler at rwhee28934@aol.com or Katie Packard at km_packard@hotmail.com.

The live-stream of the Mass of Christian Burial for Sophie Varney will begin at 10:55 am this morning here on our website (click on the article title to go directly to our "Mass" page to watch the funeral Mass live), on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stcatherinesiena/), and on our YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/stcatherinesienaYouTube). The funeral Mass will be recorded and the video will be available to view in all three locations following the Mass. The funeral Mass will begin at approximately 11 am with a video slideshow prepared by the family. While we will focus the video camera on one of the screens in the church to show the video over the live-stream, you can also view the video directly here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/177nz9I93gDcEnTKVwZUG1jDDX2-fXKcn/view?usp=drivesdk. In addition, Sophie's family has provided a link to Sophie's 2020 video montage from the 1 second a day app. You can view that video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Aqyesd4DFLFjloK9wzjx65LLqZXJSjy6/view?usp=drivesdk. You can find Sophie's obituary here: https://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/kalamazoo/obituary.aspx?n=sophie-varney&pid=197353346. Please continue to keep Sophie, her family, her friends, and all who loved Sophie in your thoughts and prayers! Eternal Rest Grant Unto Sophie, O Lord, and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her. May She Rest in Peace.

Grieving the death of a spouse? Or do you know someone who is? Your life has changed forever. The daily emotions and challenges can seem so hard to bear. Find help at a Loss of a Spouse seminar sponsored by St Catherine of Siena Parish. For more information or to register, go to https://www.griefshare.org/loss/events/3287. This 2-hour seminar will take place on Thursday, January 7th from 6:30 -8:30 virtually on Zoom. There is a $5.00 cost for the book which may be ordered online. Questions?? Contact Paula White at 269 330 3762 or pwhitentc@mac.com.

All 2020 tax statements with contributions totaling more than $500 will be mailed by January 25. Tax statements with less than $500 in contributions can be mailed or emailed upon request. Email Al DeMars at ademars@stcatherinesiena.org with any questions.

As a Church, we pray for one another that the Lord continue to bless, guide, strengthen, and console us. One incredibly beautiful and ancient way we can pray for someone is to have a Mass offered for that person. It is a holy and devout practice to have Masses offered for a loved one, living or deceased. Masses may be offered on any day, but many offer them on a birthday, anniversary, or for a special need. To learn more about Mass Intentions, or to schedule a Mass Intention online, visit our website at https://stcatherinesiena.org/massintentions. Please click on the article title for the Mass Intentions for January 2-10, 2021.

Dear Parishioners, What will the new year bring? It’s a question we ask every year at this time. But this year, we really mean it! What will 2021 hold for us, our families, our work, our Church? Since we are still in the middle of a pandemic where the first vaccinations have just gone out, we all hope that 2021 holds a more normal life for all of us and an end to this pandemic. This is certainly the prayer that is in our hearts and minds as we begin this new year. We hope for the healing of all those who have had the virus and the comfort of all those who have lost a loved one during this past year. We all know that we don’t want another year like 2020 in our future. There is at least one thing to look forward to in 2021! The Diocese of Kalamazoo will be celebrating 50 years! The actual anniversary date is in July and because of the pandemic, not a lot of plans have been made yet. 2021 is also the 50th anniversary of priestly ordination for Bishop Bradley. There will definitely be more information on these events as we get closer to these dates. This 3rd of January is also the day that the Church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany. As we see these Three Kings come from afar to pay homage to the infant Jesus, the Star was what guided them. I hope some of you had an opportunity to see the Christmas Star back in December. It’s a reminder to all of us, especially during these difficult times, how Christ is always with us. During these winter months, we continue the course of our virtual parish activities (with the exceptions of the celebration of the Sacraments and such things as funerals) until it’s once again safe for us to gather in person for classes and other activities. Please check our website for more information on how to join these activities. Happy Epiphany! Fr. Mark

Grieving the death of a spouse? Or do you know someone who is? Your life has changed forever. The daily emotions and challenges can seem so hard to bear. Find help at a Loss of a Spouse seminar sponsored by St Catherine of Siena Parish. For more information or to register, go to https://www.griefshare.org/loss/events/3287. This 2-hour seminar will take place on Thursday, January 7th from 6:30 -8:30 virtually on Zoom. There is a $5.00 cost for the book which may be ordered online. Questions?? Contact Paula White at 269 330 3762 or pwhitentc@mac.com.

Due to the New Year holiday, there will NOT be Bible Study with Father Ben tonight, Friday, January 1st. Our virtual Bible Study on the Gospel of John will continue next Friday, January 8th, at 6 pm via Google Meet. We have just two weeks left in this study - January 8th and January 15th. If you would like to join our Bible Study, please register online (https://www.stcatherinesiena.org/biblestudyform) to receive the Google Calendar invitation with the Google Meet link and log in information and the weekly email with reading assignments. Please watch Facebook, the website, and the bulletin for information on Father Ben's next Bible Study.

Today, Friday, January 1, 2021, is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation. In honor of this Solemnity, we will celebrate Mass at 10 am* (*NOT 9:15 am as was incorrectly listed in our bulletin). Mass will take place in the main Church. We hope you will consider celebrating Mass with us for this beautiful Solemnity! Wishing everyone a blessed 2021!

This Friday, January 1, 2021, is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation. In honor of this Solemnity, we will celebrate a Vigil Mass at 4 pm tonight, Thursday, December 31st (also live-streamed on our website, our Facebook page, and our YouTube channel), and a morning Mass tomorrow, Friday, January 1, 2021, at 10 am* (*NOT 9:15 am as was incorrectly listed in our bulletin). Both Masses will take place in the main Church. We hope you will consider celebrating Mass with us for this beautiful Solemnity!

All Charitable donations must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2020, to be included on your 2020 tax statement. Any donations postmarked or received after December 31 will be credited to your 2021 tax statement. Due to the varied processing times of the credit card companies and banks, credit card and ACH check donations made at the end of the year may not be processed before December 31, 2020, and will be included in your 2021 tax statement.

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on our local blood supply as many blood drives have been canceled during the pandemic. We will host a Versiti Blood Drive on Tuesday, January 12 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm in the Stanley Centre. Sign up online at https://bit.ly/SCSBloodDriveJan12. Contact Deb Dozeman at ddozeman@stcatherinesiena.org with any questions.

During the holiday season, your donations to this congregation are needed and so appreciated. We offer many convenient ways to give whether you are giving in person, online, or via text. For more information on online giving, please visit our website for more information at http://www.stcatherinesiena.org/give. To use "Text-to-Give" simply text the amount of your gift to (844) 311-5105. For example, if you wanted to give $10, text the number 10 to 844-311-5105 and follow the instructions on the reply text. We hope you enjoy this new, easy-to-use service! Questions? Please contact Linda Reaume (lreaume@stcatherinesiena.org or (269) 978-2346).