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Some viral musings during this time of self distancing:
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Father Phil to the Cluster
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Lent 2020
Dear Parishioners, Normally I give up sugar, meat and alcohol for Lent. I had no idea that this year I also would be giving up celebrating the Eucharist with you. That and the Triduum––the Great Three Day Prayer that includes The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Liturgy of Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. The isolation is especially disappointing because these last few weeks have deprived me of getting to know you and these parishes better and you me. Yet, I trust some good will come of this. After all, a great good came from Jesus’ horrific death that we commemorate next week. While we may not gather as a cluster community for the liturgies of Holy Week there are ways of acknowledging the sacredness of this time. First, the liturgies of Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday will be televised from St Andrew’s Cathedral at 10:00 am on those days via WXMI Fox17. In fact, the 10:00 am Sunday Mass is routinely televised at that time and channel. Masses are also televised on the EWTN network. Mass is streamed from the Basilica at the Notre Dame campus, St Patrick Cathedral in NY, and Old St Patrick Church in Chicago among others. In addition, the Diocese of Grand Rapids will stream live the other liturgies of Holy Week. There is the Chrism Mass when the Bishop blesses the Holy Oils that will be used throughout the year for Baptisms, Confirmations, Anointings of the Sick, and Holy Orders. That will be streamed on Holy Tuesday at 7:00 pm. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated and streamed on Holy Thursday at 7:00 pm, the Good Friday Liturgy at 3:00 pm, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday at 9:00 pm. These are opportunities to gather, albeit through social media, for the most important liturgies of the year. Hardly ideal, but it is something. Check the Diocesan website for details. There are still opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at our parishes before Easter. Live, no less! This Friday, April 3, I will be at Saint Catherine from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm. On Saturday, April 4, I will be at St Francis Xavier from 2:30-3:45 pm and on Sunday, April 5, at St Joseph from 12:15-1:15 pm. I will again be at St Francis Xavier on Monday, April 6 at 9:30 am and St Joseph on Tuesday, April 7, at 8:30 am. Even so, do consider staying home instead. Make an examination of conscience, pray a good act of contrition, and thank God for God’s love and mercy. Obviously, the Sacrament will be available after the spread of the coronavirus. St Joseph and St Catherine are regularly opened for private prayer during daylight hours on weekdays. They and St Francis Xavier will also be opened on Easter Sunday morning from 9:00-Noon. Again, staying home is probably a better idea. After all, God is everywhere. Neither Palms nor Water will be blessed or distributed until we can congregate. Please check our Facebook page for helpful links and ideas. Come the time when the spread of the coronavirus subsides and the apple blossoms are in bloom, we, too, can celebrate new life. Hopefully. Together. In church. Until then, most of my private Masses are for you and your loved ones. Sincerely, Father Phil |
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...and this from Fr. Phil
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Today I heard on the news that a pastor of a mega church near Tampa FL was arrested on a second degree misdemeanor charge. He ignored the State order of not congregating with more than 10 people. Hundreds showed up for his service last Sunday. He said the law was on his side. Peaceful assembly and the right to worship and all of that. He said he provided an essential service and his parishioners were not going to be deprived of it. He turned himself in, spent 40 minutes in a cell (alone I presume), and is out on bond. Likely, he will pay a fine.
While I miss celebrating the Eucharist on the weekend with you, I think the Florida pastor is misguided. I admire his tenacity and I agree that he does provide an essential service, but there is a greater one to be considered. The State mandate is not an attack against his Christian faith. It is not a matter of faith or refusing to allow people to pray. It is a matter of charity. And, as Saint Paul reminds us, while faith, hope and charity remain, the greatest of these is charity. The Christian response to the Coronavirus is: Stay Home! It is the most charitable thing we can do. We are Pro Life. We take care of each other. We protect life. We view life as sacred. And if self isolation can keep someone else, particularly someone with a compromised immune system, well and alive, it is well worth it. We can help slow the spread of the contagion so that our health system is not overwhelmed and more people can be treated effectively and in a timely way. Yes, staying at home can be boring and annoying. And, I know there is a limit to how much time one can spend with people, even the people one loves the most, but it is a small price to pay to save a life. The Florida pastor mistakenly told his congregants that they have no reason to fear Coved-19 because they are people of faith and God will protect them. A recent comic someone emailed me is based on the popular image of Jesus knocking on the door. In the cartoon, Jesus says, “Hey Debbie? It’s me, the Lord. Listen, you need to stop telling Facebook that your health is in my hands. You are going to have to wash your hands and quarantine with everyone else. OK?” The comic is in line with my own spirituality. We work together, God and we. A Saint Christopher Medal in the car is not going to protect a driver who drives drunk or hazardously. A scapular medal is not going to save a person who treats others with contempt. And neither is God going to miraculously save people from a virus when they ignore simple hygiene and put themselves in harm’s way. So do yourself a favor. Do God a favor. Do someone you love a favor. Do someone with an underlying health condition a favor. Stay home as much as you can. And when shopping for groceries or picking up a prescription try to stay 6 feet away from people around you. It is the charitable and Christian thing to do. |
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A message from Fr. Phil
about the Cluster financial position
about the Cluster financial position
The coronavirus has limited our opportunities to come together to pray, socialize and minister at our Cluster Parishes. It has also limited our income that we rely on to pay our employees and the bills. Already several of our employees have been laid off temporarily. Our sole source of income is from the goodwill and generosity of our parishioners. Please do not forget to contribute to the parishes. Your continued support during this uncertain time will sustain our parishes and their missions. Mail a check or give online. And pray.
Fr Phil
Fr Phil
Getting started is easy. This is for St Catherine and St Joseph Parishes.
ONLINE GIVING: Click on the link below. Once you are at the giving website, you need to select a FUND you want to contribute to and ENTER AN AMOUNT. The page will then allow you to fill in your name and payment information (Credit Card or Bank Account).
ONLINE GIVING: Click on the link below. Once you are at the giving website, you need to select a FUND you want to contribute to and ENTER AN AMOUNT. The page will then allow you to fill in your name and payment information (Credit Card or Bank Account).
TEXT GIVING: This only for St Joseph Parish at this time: text 616-377-2855 enter the dollar amount in the message and then simply follow the instructions to set your information and you will be ready to text and give!
Contact the Parish Office if you have any questions.
Contact the Parish Office if you have any questions.
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A message from Deacon Ed
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A couple weeks ago we saw how Jesus was transfigured by God on the mountain. The disciples wanted to stay there and enjoy the euphoria of the moment. But it was not to be. They had to come down from that mountain and continue on with their life in the valley. Each one of us should go up on our own mountain by reading and meditating on scripture and through quiet prayer. With diligence and perseverance we will experience a transfiguration of Jesus in our hearts. But, like the disciples we have to come down from our mountain, down to the valley. As Jesus is with us on the mountain, he is also with us in our valleys. It would appear that we are in a valley right now. A dark and scary valley. Let's stop and meditate on a psalm: Psalm 23
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The Lord is my Shepherd,
I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths For His Name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff They comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life. And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. See how our God loves us so completely, without reservation. Let us rest in that love. Let God take away the fear, let Jesus heal us from our illness and let the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with peace and hope. Amen. |
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If anyone knows of a parishioner in the Cluster who may not have internet or you think may not have heard that ALL public Masses and Liturgical Services are canceled, would you please give them a call and let them know. That would be a great help to getting the word out. Stay safe!
Peace and God bless, Deacon Ed |
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Upcoming opportunities for Confession
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All choir rehearsals have been
suspended until further notice.
suspended until further notice.
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Weekend Mass Times
Diocese of GR has suspended
ALL Masses through April 5, 2020
ALL Masses through April 5, 2020
Weekday Mass Times
Diocese of GR has suspended
ALL Masses through April 5, 2020
ALL Masses through April 5, 2020
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