April 15, 2025
Holy Week liturgies will be live streamed at diokzoo.org/live and simulcast on the diocesan Facebook and YouTube channels. Check the Cathedral website for additional Holy Week liturgy information (e.g. Good Friday liturgy begins at Noon with "The Seven Last Words" and additional Easter Sunday Masses.)
Pray and pilgrimage on Holy Thursday
This Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, Bishop Edward M. Lohse is inviting all the Faithful to participate in an age-old custom of prayer and adoration. The custom is similar to “The Seven Churches Visitation” and involves visiting various altars of repose. This prayerful practice may be done individually or with a group of family or friends. The number of churches visited is not as important as the emphasis on prayer and devotion time.
This tradition can be traced to St. Philip Neri in the 1500s, who is said to have started with visiting the seven basilicas in Rome. On Holy Thursday, after the conclusion of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist is processed to an altar of repose in every church for visitation and adoration on the night of his passion. Then those participating process from church to church to “remain” with Jesus, commemorating the beginning of his passion. A meditation on the journey of Jesus can be done at each of the churches.
H.M.S. Pinafore Production Directed by Local Seminarian
The Gilbert & Sullivan Musical H.M.S. Pinafore: The Lass that Loved A Sailor was recently staged at Sacred Heart Major Seminary on April 4 & 5 for their annual spring production. This operatic comedy was directed by Diocese of Kalamazoo Configuration I seminarian Logan Scott. The script was adapted to include nods to seminary life, with mentions of incense boats, study and discernment, confession, and the aptly nicknamed “S.H.M.S. Pinafore.” (Can you spot another diocesan seminarian in the photo above?) Answer provided at the end of this newsletter. To read more about this heartfelt production,click here.
Seeing Christ in the Immigrant
online resources from MCC
In addition to its FOCUS publication, Michigan Catholic Conference has created additional resources available online. The dedicated web resource on the topic provides additional resources beyond what is present in the print edition, including the perspective of immigration attorneys who speak to the difficulties of the country’s immigration system and their work to assist migrants with legal processes. One of those featured immigration attorneys in the expanded article is an interview with Samantha Lindberg from Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo on the challenges of the current immigration system.
Michigan Catholic Conference's additional online resources are intended to provide a broad perspective for Catholic readers who otherwise may not have access to or familiarity with the day-to-day struggles and experiences of those fleeing rampant poverty, war, crime, and hostile governments.
50th Anniversary of Ordination - Rev. Jesuraj Stephen Rodrigo - May 4, 2025
Please join St. Mary's Visitation Parish, Byron Center in celebration of Rev Jesuraj Stephen Rodrigo's 50th Anniversary as an ordained Priest. There will be a Holy Mass on Sunday, May 4th at 2pm, followed by a dinner reception at 3:30pm in the St. Mary's Visitation Community Center. Attendees are requested to RSVP by April 25th, by calling (616) 681-9701 or by filling out the online form at this link.
Congratulations Reverend Rodrigo!
Spring Clean Up - Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kalamazoo
The Knights of Columbus 1616 is seeking community members interested in assisting with a spring clean up on Block A of Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kalamazoo, MI, near the old entrance. They are looking to schedule this clean up on either Friday, May 2nd (from 10am-1pm) and/or Saturday, May 3rd (from 9am-Noon). Those who are interested are asked to please RSVP here so that they can plan accordingly. These dates are subject to weather conditions.
St Ann's Augusta hosts free financial literacy class
Young Adult Financial Literacy Class
Registration and Interest: https://forms.gle/uwJDt1CJJSarTvc9A
Classes begin April 22nd on Tuesdays 7:30pm - 8:30pm at St. Ann's Catholic Church for 6-weeks.
Topics Include:
Basics of Money - Vocabulary and concepts of the class, payroll and account types
Slavery of Debt - Understanding loan language and terms, implications of credit, strategies to tackle debt, how to avoid
Budgeting (2 classes) - How to make a budget, track, and revise
Investments, Big Goals, Retirement - House buying, pensions and 401ks
Financial Freedom and Generosity - Review of the class, contentment with enough
Basics of Money - Vocabulary and concepts of the class, payroll and account types
Slavery of Debt - Understanding loan language and terms, implications of credit, strategies to tackle debt, how to avoid
Budgeting (2 classes) - How to make a budget, track, and revise
Investments, Big Goals, Retirement - House buying, pensions and 401ks
Financial Freedom and Generosity - Review of the class, contentment with enough
Questions? Contact Ellen Nightingale at ellen.night@gmail.com.
Priests in the classroom - check out our Catholic schools!
Father Al Jorgensen, Pastor, St Mary Parish, Paw Paw, above, recently stopped by to teach the 4th and 5th grade a Theology lesson. Father Andrew Raczkowski stopped by St. Mary's Assumption School to help students with a puzzle.
It's registration time! Learn more about the Catholic Schools in the Diocese by visiting the Office of Schools website.
Holy Week in 3 Minutes from Busted Halo
Why do Catholics wave palms on Palm Sunday, wash each other’s feet on Holy Thursday, or kiss the cross on Good Friday? In an updated version of our classic video (with a bonus extra minute — because there’s a lot going on this week!), Busted Halo explains the significance of the final week we spend preparing for Easter.
USCCB Forced to Reconsider How to Serve the Needs of Those Seeking Safe Harbor
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has announced it will not renew its cooperative agreements with the federal government for children's services and refugee support, following the government's suspension of key refugee resettlement programs. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio emphasized that the decision was necessary as the Conference can no longer sustain these services without government support. The USCCB expressed sorrow over the end of a decades-long partnership but reaffirmed its commitment to serving displaced and vulnerable populations. Going forward, the organization will seek alternative ways to provide aid and will continue advocating for just and humane immigration policies.
National Eucharistic Revival - Carlo Acutis Film
The new film Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality, produced by Castletown Media in partnership with Jim Wahlberg and sponsored by the National Eucharistic Revival and the McGrath Institute, will premiere in over a thousand theaters nationwide on April 27—Carlo’s canonization date. The film highlights the struggles of young people in today’s digital world and presents Carlo Acutis as a modern role model of joyful, authentic faith. Supported by several bishops and accompanied by a forthcoming discussion guide from the McGrath Institute, the film is geared towards schools, parishes, and ministries. All ticket sale proceeds will go to charity, benefiting organizations that promote Saint Carlo’s message and support future National Eucharistic Congresses.
2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Registration Now Open!
Registration is officially open for the 2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.
From Indianapolis to Los Angeles, The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is carrying the light of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, igniting hearts and witnessing a Church alive.