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May 22, 2022
Link to Third Quarter Update
May 22, 2022
Dear Parishioners:
During this Jubilee Year of the Holy Spirit, it’s a chance for us to look back at where we’ve been as a Diocese and a chance for us to look forward to where we’re going to go.
You may have noticed in this past year we introduced a new mission statement to the parish: We are called to honor the Lord by serving each other in hope. Last April, I attended the Convocation for the Diocese of Kalamazoo. While there, I was inspired by a program discussed at the event, launched by Fr. John Riccardo (formally the Pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, MI), called Acts XXIX (29). For those of you who are very familiar with your bible books, you’re probably wondering if I typed that wrong. But no, while there are only twenty-eight chapters in Acts, the program Acts XXIX is purposely labeled that way to help lead us into living the next chapter. You may read more about the entire program anytime on their website at: https://www.actsxxix.org.
As I reflect on this, I think of what Archbishop Fulton Sheen said in 1974, we are at the end of Christendom. This doesn’t mean the church is dead, but rather, we must start to think of the way we are doing things very differently. We are no longer trying to convert pagans to Christianity. As of 2020, Christianity was the largest religious group in the world. We already have “believers.” For the first time in history, we are dealing with a culture that was once deeply Christian, but it’s slowly ridding itself of its Christian basis. Therefore, I will need your help to start thinking of how we can bring back those who have abandoned their faith. Certainly, this is NOT an easy challenge.
As a staff, we have been looking at these things for the past year. The pandemic has changed everything. We are still working on the specifics of implementing these changes, and I ask you to pray for guidance and wisdom for us. I know there are a lot of changes happening around the parish today. I want to assure you that your priests and staff are working hard to bring about this new vision and I hope you will want to be a part of it. We are encouraged by the positive changes we’ve seen with the new programs we’ve started (P3 – Prayer, Penance & Pub, Pizza and Prayer, Bishop Barron Video Study, etc.), and the returning programs we’ve welcomed back (Donuts, Knights of Columbus Meals, Women of the Word, Catholic Men’s Fellowship, etc.). We will need the Holy Spirit to help us see opportunities allowed by God to retool our parish to be stronger so we may unleash the gospel.
On the back of this letter is the summary of the first nine months of the fiscal year. We’ve received many special donations in the past year that allowed us to complete many projects, including the renovation of Marian Hall. We appreciate all the financial support from our parishioners that has made this possible.
Sincerely,
Rev. Mark J. Vyverman
Pastor