Are you a caregiver for someone with a disability? Do you sometimes feel alone or overwhelmed? You are invited to a "Caregivers Connection" virtual gathering sponsored by the Diocese of Kalamazoo from 1:00 – 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 7th. The focus is to build relationships, share faith and experiences, and create a supportive community. To learn more or to register go to https://diokzoo.org/caregivers or contact Lisa Irwin at the Diocese of Kalamazoo 269-903-0177 or by email at lirwin@diokzoo.org. Zoom link will be sent to those who register by March 4th.

Dear Parishioners, Have you read a good book lately? A great suggestion from St. Benedict to his monks, that we may also benefit from, is to enjoy some spiritual reading during Lent. This is a way for us to draw closer to Christ during Lent, especially when so many of the activities we do during Lent are virtual. This could be the Bible, the Lives of the Saints, or other spiritual writing. Reading a good book causes us to ponder our spiritual lives and our relationship with Christ. We also know that prayer is an important part of Lent. I ask for your prayers for all of our RCIA Catechumens and Candidates who continue to move closer each day to the Sacraments at Easter. Of course, last year, this didn’t get to happen in the way we normally do. That makes this year’s celebration even more special! Last week, we made a “field trip” to the Cathedral with our Catechumens and Candidates to present them to the Bishop for the Rite of Election. This helps all those who are preparing for the Sacraments to realize how they are part of a universal Church community, and not just our local parish of St. Catherine’s. As we inch closer to Easter each day, please add this intention to your prayers. If you haven’t checked out our Lenten Resources page on the parish website at https://stcatherinesiena.org/lentenresources, please do so for additional Lenten resources and the links to our Lenten videos. Thanks for reading! Fr Mark

Pray the Rosary In-Person with our Knights of Columbus today, Saturday, February 27th, and every Saturday, at 3:30 pm in the Church, prior to the 4:00 pm Mass. Join our Knights of Columbus in the church for this prayer led by one of the knights. When you come in, be sure to tell the ushers that you are there for the rosary so they will seat you with the group praying the rosary. If you are unable to make praying the rosary in person, our Knights of Columbus group also offers an online rosary via Zoom on Sundays at 9:00 am. To join, go to http://bit.ly/KOCRosary to get to Zoom. Meeting ID: 931 1348 9747 Password: 157576 Note - the Zoom software/application is free. If you have any questions about the rosary meetings, please contact the Front Office at 327-5165 or frontdesk@stcatherinesiena.org.

Join us tonight, Friday, February 26, 2021, and each Friday in Lent, at 7 pm in the Church for Stations of the Cross. If you are unable to join us in person, please check out the multiple online/virtual Stations of the Cross options on our Lenten Resources page (https://stcatherinesiena.org/lentenresources) under General Resources for Lent->Stations of the Cross. We still need a few Ushers for Stations of the Cross each week to help guide participants to their seats and make sure all COVID protocols are followed. If you would be willing to help us, please contact Alana Murray (frontdesk@stcatherinesiena.org or 327-5165).

As a Church, we pray for one another that the Lord continues 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 to view the Mass Intentions for February 27-March 7, 2021.

We are very grateful for the members of our Pastoral Council who serve the parish by consulting our Pastor in the development of goals and objectives for the parish, and in the assigning of priorities for the current and future spiritual needs of the parish. You may view the meeting notes from prior meetings on our website at https://stcatherinesiena.org/parish-pastoral-council. If you have any suggestions or comments regarding the parish’s spiritual life, please email PastoralCouncil@stcatherinesiena.org. Next Scheduled Parish Pastoral Council Meeting:  April 13, 2021, via Zoom President: Nathan Whitford Finance Council Representative: (Available) Members:     Scott Betzler Nancy Dudasko Paula Hudson Gracie Kayany Tammy Lefaive Paula Mathieu Gretchen Merkel John Munnelly Colleen Semler Barbara Walters

As the Anniversary of Pope John Paul II's Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life) approaches on March 25, please pray for those who walk in the path of adoption. You can guide your prayers with the St. Joseph Adoption Novena during March 10—18 by signing up on the USCCB website at http://bit.ly/novena2021. Invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, we pray that the Lord will bless all who travel upon the path of adoption. And, recalling the mercy which God our Father has shown to us, we also ask that, through our words and actions, they may encounter the outstretched hands of His mercy.

Volunteer knitters from St. Catherine’s have gone above and beyond to help us provide hats and gloves for local charities in need. Recently, we donated hats to Radiant Church’s “Power Up” Backpack Program that provides backpacks filled with food every week to children who otherwise would have no access to food on the weekends. They were extremely happy to be able to put a few knitted hats and gloves into the bags for children who also need to keep warm during these colder days. Our recent donation of about 30 hats was gifted to students at Haverhill Elementary. Thank you to all who have donated knitted items for charity! If you are interested in helping our knitters make hats for children and infants, baby blankets, neck scarves, or gloves, please contact Marianne at mverner@stcatherinesiena.org.

February is Black History Month, and the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States designated November as Black Catholic History Month in 1990. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the history and incredible heritage of Black Catholics. Catholic history in the United States dates back to the 1500s when blacks were baptized at St. Augustine Church, Fla., America’s first Catholic parish. Black Catholic history has continued and thrived in the United States through the powerful and instrumental work of many Black men and women. Read more here: https://swmcatholic.org/news/celebrating-black-catholic-history-month or click on the article title.

Please join the St. Catherine Respect Life Ministry team in peaceful prayer and fasting to end abortion. The current 40 Days for Life campaign lasts through March 28. We pray in front of Planned Parenthood, 4201 W. Michigan Ave., on the public sidewalk. Join with our brothers and sisters from area parishes to help to end abortion in Kalamazoo. Our prayers and fasting make a difference. Please consider signing up for one hour a week. St Catherine's main day is Wednesday. You can sign up by registering online at https://www.40daysforlife.com/kalamazoo, emailing respectlife@stcatherine.org, or calling Joe Magalski at 989-992-6085.

Our Front Office is now open for in-person business from 10 am until 12 pm, Monday through Friday. Please be sure to wear a mask if you visit the office to help keep everyone safe! Also, during the season of Lent, we will offer daily private prayer Monday through Friday from 10 am until 12 pm in Trinity Chapel. Come bring your bible, your rosary, or just yourself and spend some time in the presence of Our Lord. Physical distancing will be in place and you must wear a face mask. Please stop by the office to let us know that you are heading into the chapel.

Today, Monday, February 22, 2021, beginning at approximately 10:55 am, we will stream the Mass of Christian Burial for Deacon Ed Feltes live on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stcatherinesiena/), on our website (https://https://www.stcatherinesiena.org/funeralmasses), on our YouTube channel (https://bit.ly/stcatherinesienaYouTube), and on the Diocese of Kalamazoo Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/catholicdioceseofkalamazoo). The funeral Mass will be recorded and the video will be available to view in all four locations following the Mass. You can find Deacon Ed's obituary here: https://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/kalamazoo/obituary.aspx?n=edward-feltes&pid=197795816&fhid=16489. Please continue to keep Deacon Ed, his family, his friends, and all who loved Ed in your thoughts and prayers! Eternal Rest Grant Unto Ed, O Lord, and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. May He Rest in Peace.

Forgotten Man Ministries at the Kalamazoo County Jail has an urgent need at the jail for men’s sweat pants, sweatshirts, or hoodies (pullover or full-zip) in sizes L, XL, and 2XL. Note: New (preferred) and used (in good condition) sweat clothes are accepted. If you are able to donate, you may drop off donations in the vestibule of the main church or contact Chaplain Mark Herberger at kalamazocounty@forgottenman.org. Thank you for your generosity! In December, St. Catherine parishioners donated approximately 50 of the over 350 Christmas Gift Bags the jail inmates received. The men were extremely grateful. Not only did the gift bags include a Gospel message, but they were a tangible reminder to each of the inmates that they are not forgotten, but rather valued by Christians who still care and pray for them during this time when personal contact is not possible. We are praying that Kalamazoo area Christians come together and give sweats (pants, shirts/hoodies). Please pray for the inmate's spiritual and physical needs, and give as the Lord leads you. For more information about Forgotten Man Ministries, please click on the article title.

Just a reminder that due to the visitation for Deacon Ed Feltes, our 5 pm Sunday Mass will take place in the GYM at the Stanley Centre TODAY ONLY. Signs will be posted on the church doors as well. Thank you for your understanding! A visitation for Deacon Ed Feltes will take place beginning at 2 pm today, Sunday, February 21st, in the main church. This will be followed by a Rosary at 5 pm. To see the complete arrangements for Deacon Ed, please click on the article title. To view Deacon Ed's obituary, please go to https://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/kalamazoo/obituary.aspx?n=edward-feltes&pid=197795816&fhid=16489.

Dear Parishioners, Lent has begun! Now what? It can be a little challenging to get started in our Lenten practices (and a pandemic makes it even more challenging). If you remember Lent last year, everything started to fall apart after the first week. It looks like we will have a better and more consistent Lent this year. One of the things that continues to make Lent (and life) challenging is the fact that vaccinations are still ongoing. Our St. Catherine priests were all blessed to be vaccinated in the past few weeks. This will certainly help us as we continue to minister during these difficult times. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to pray for all of you! We will have a few Lenten activities in person, but not as many as in years past. Daily and weekend Masses will still be celebrated and the Stations of the Cross will be in person on Friday nights. We will continue to follow all our normal safety protocols for in-person activities. Please join us if you are able. We will continue to have virtual options for those who are unable to make it in person (Livestream Mass, Pre-Recorded Stations of the Cross, Pre-Recorded Lenten talks by your priests). Additional information about these opportunities will be published in our bulletin, on our website, and on our Facebook page. In fact, my Lenten talk on “The Saints and Lent” has been released for viewing (please click on the article title to view the video or visit https://youtu.be/RsopWKSlAG0). I urge you to make the most of Lent this year, as it will help to strengthen you during these most difficult times. Thanks for reading! Fr. Mark

As a Church, we pray for one another that the Lord continues 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 February 20-28, 2021.

Our clergy will be recording three talks for Lent this year. Each of these talks will be released on Friday afternoons. Once the video is posted, it will be available for future watching. Today, we've posted Father Mark Vyverman's Lenten Talk, "The Saints and Lent". You can watch the video on our website (https://stcatherinesiena.org/videos), on our Facebook page, or on our YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/RsopWKSlAG0). For some additional information and reminders for this coming weekend, please click on the article title.

Now that Lent is underway, we have a few reminders for you about Lenten Events. First, beginning tonight, Friday, February 19th, join us in the Church at 7 pm for Stations of the Cross. We still need a few Ushers each week to help guide participants to their seats and make sure all COVID protocols are followed. If you would be willing to help us, please contact Alana Murray (frontdesk@stcatherinesiena.org or 327-5165). If you are unable to join us in person, please check out the multiple online/virtual Stations of the Cross options on our Lenten Resources page (https://stcatherinesiena.org/lentenresources) under General Resources for Lent->Stations of the Cross. Lent is a time of repentance and of uniting ourselves to Christ during his 40 days in the desert. During this sacred season, CRS Rice Bowl—Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten faith-in-action program—invites us to reflect on how caring for our neighbor is caring for Christ. For I was hungry, and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink (Matthew 25:35). Visit www.crsricebowl.org for resources for families and parishes. Pick up your family’s CRS Rice Bowl anytime in our main entrance vestibule or Marian Hall vestibule. If you have any questions regarding the Rice Bowl program, please contact Marianne at mverner@stcatherinesiena.org. Looking for more ways to observe Lent? Join Parishioner, Katie Fisher, and her Lenten Group, “Living Faithfully and Fruitfully,” who support each other during Lent with fasting and abstinence goals. Men and women of all ages are invited to share encouragement, sermons, prayer requests, and their fasting and abstinence goals. Join this judgment-free zone for support on your Lenten journey or to learn more about how other St. Catherine’s parishioners are fasting and abstaining this Lent. Request to join this private group through Katie’s group Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/633106954114447 or email Katie with any questions at katiefisherot@hotmail.com. Please continue to check our bulletin (https://stcatherinesiena.org/bulletins), our website news & announcements page (https://stcatherinesiena.org/news), our parish Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stcatherinesiena/), and our Lenten Resources page on our website (https://stcatherinesiena.org/lentenresources) for more Lenten events, resources, and tools. Wishing everyone a blessed and holy Lent!

Our RCIA Participants will be at the Cathedral this Sunday, February 21 at 3:30 pm for the Rite of Election. Please pray for them during their final steps of the RCIA process. The Rite of Election will be streamed live on the Diocese of Kalamazoo website (https://diokzoo.org/live) and the Diocese of Kalamazoo Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/catholicdioceseofkalamazoo). Please consider watching the live stream to "join" and support our candidates virtually!

Are you a caregiver for someone with a disability? Do you sometimes feel alone or overwhelmed? You are invited to a "Caregivers Connection" virtual gathering sponsored by the Diocese of Kalamazoo on Sunday, February 21st, from 1 pm until 2 pm. The focus is to build relationships, share faith and experiences, and create a supportive community. To learn more or to register go to https://diokzoo.org/caregivers or contact Lisa Irwin at the Diocese of Kalamazoo 269-903-0177 or by email at lirwin@diokzoo.org. Zoom link will be sent to those who register by today, February 18th.