All are welcome to join Fr. Chuck Schwartz on Monday evenings during Lent in the Church Activity Center (lower level of the church) for a series of talks on prayer. Prayer is conversation is being with, is receiving from God, is worshipping God. (D) all of the above. And so, with plenty of ground to cover, over the weeks of Lent as we prepare for Easter to celebrate Christ’s conquering Resurrection, our Salvation, and renew our Promises of Baptism, we will begin the conversation with praying at Holy Mass, moving into personal prayer and praying with the Word of God.…

The daily examination of conscience is an ancient Catholic practice. It's very simple, and it's designed to help us identify our sins and weaknesses so that we can improve and grow stronger in the spiritual life. Basically, it consists in taking a few minutes at the end of the day to prayerfully review our actions in the light of God's commandments. The Act of Contrition is often said afterwards. The daily examination also serves as an excellent ongoing preparation for regular Confession. Reflect on the victories and losses actively reflecting on the high and low points of the day can…

The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord. With Simeon and Anna, all Israel awaits its encounter with the Savior – the name given to this event in the Byzantine tradition. Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the “light to the nations” and the “glory of Israel,” but also “a sign that is spoken against.” The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ’s perfect and unique oblation on the cross that will impart the salvation God had “prepared in the presence of all peoples.” - Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph…

O God, whose Only Begotten Sonhas appeared in our very flesh,grant, we pray, that we may be inwardly transformedthrough him whom we recognize as outwardly like us.The prayer’s meaning hinges on the effects of baptism.Through the words of the formula for baptism and the outward pouring of sensible, visible water, there is an invisible and inward effectof grace in the soul.By baptism we are inwardly conformed or “shaped” so that we can be a proper temple of the Holy Spirit and recipient of graces as holymember of the Body of Christ, the Church. By taking up our human nature, our…

Town Hall Meeting Sunday, January 5, after 11:00 am Mass Church Activity Center (church basement) As Bishop Walkowiak announced earlier this year, it has been more than a decade since the Diocese of Grand Rapids underwent a pastoral planning process. It is now time to create an updated plan to assess more intentionally the needs and resources of our local church, along with exploring opportunities for growth and evangelization. The process involves data collection, parish visits, and dialogue to identify challenges and opportunities facing our parishes, schools, and the diocese. On Sunday, January 5, after the 11:00 am Mass we will have a town…