August 19, 2025
Bishop Lohse Calls for Special Second Collection to Assist Gaza Relief - August 30-31, 2025
In light of the catastrophic conditions and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Bishop Edward M. Lohse, in accord with canon 1266 and along with The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has requested a second collection during the weekend of August 30/31st to assist with emergency humanitarian relief aid for the Gaza region. Monies collected will be divided equally to support the on-the-ground efforts of The Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
Checks should be made out to the parish with a notation written in the reference line for “Gaza Relief Fund”. Funds collected will be sent to the Diocese for forwarding to the USCCB. You may also give directly to Catholic Relief Services.
The situation in Gaza and across the Middle East cries out for the assistance of the Catholic community of the United States. To expedite this process, all funds from the collection are due to the Diocese of Kalamazoo September 12, so we can get funds quickly to Gaza relief and save lives.
To learn more about how the funds from this special second collection will be utilized, please see the fact sheet below.
The diocesan Office of Vocations hosted its annual "Quo Vadis" days for young men ages 14-19. The event was held at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt, Mich. Highlights of the days include talks by Bishop Lohse and other priests and seminarians as well as time for prayer, reflection and fun.
Deacon Carlos Alfaro: September 28, 1953 - August 15, 2025
Please join us in praying for Deacon Carlos Alfaro, his wife Maria, his children, and their extended family. Deacon Carlos, ordained in April 2024, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025 after a brief illness.
Bishop Bradley will preside over the funeral Mass on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Parish, Hartford.
A full obituary and funeral arrangements can be found below.
Back-to-School Professional Development Day Celebrates Educators and Technology
On August 13th the diocesan Office of Schools hosted its annual Back-to-School Professional Development Day for all teachers and administrators. The topic was Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to Nina Laney, Associate Superintendent, the goal for this professional development was to equip teachers with knowledge and tools around AI to enhance and support the classroom experience but also have a knowledge base to pass on appropriate skills and ethics to students surrounding this topic.
“We want students to know how to ask smart questions, think critically about what they read, and grow into people who use technology with wisdom and integrity,” she said. “At the end of the day, AI is simply another tool, and our teachers remain the true providers of learning, guiding every student’s growth in faith and knowledge with care and expertise.”
Bishop Lohse celebrated a Jubilee of Hope Mass at St. Mary Parish in Marshall on Friday, August 15th on the Holy Day of the Assumption of Our Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Mary has been designated as one of five local pilgrimage parishes to visit during the Holy Year. For more information visit our website: https://www.diokzoo.org/jubilee-2025
St. Augustine Cathedral is planning a full day of activities to commemorate the Jubilee Year of Hope on August 28th, the Feast of St. Augustine, patron saint of the diocese and a Doctor of the Church.
Euchre Tournament: August 24, 2025
SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Gun Lake (159 - 131st Avenue, Wayland, MI) will be raising funds to benefit St. Therese Catholic School on August 24, 2025. This tournament will take place during their church picnic, and advanced registration is required.
To sign up, please call 269-680-9132 or visit the church narthex. There is a $10 entry fee, and prizes for the top 3 winners. Future Euchre events may be found in the parish bulletin.
Parish Festival: St. Joseph, Kalamazoo - September 14, 2025
St. Joseph Parish, Kalamazoo will be hosting a parish festival on September 14, 2025 from 11:00 am - 8:00pm. This event will be cash only, and will feature food, games and music! All are welcome to attend and join the festivities.
40 Days for Life Campaign: September 24 - November 2, 2025
The next 40 Days for Life campaign will run from September 24 to November 2. You may sign up through your church coordinator, or on the 40 Days For Life Website. Additional questions can be directed to Joe Magalski.
There will be 2 rallies during the campaign:
- Candlelight Vigil - Sunday, September 21st - 6:00 pm
St Mary's Kalamazoo is again hosting a candlelight vigil on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood. All are welcome to attend. Candles will be provided. - Mid-Point Rally - Wednesday, October 22nd - 1:00 pm
Dr Haywood Robinson, the 40 Days for Life DIRECTOR of MEDICAL AFFAIRS & EDUCATION will be coming to Kalamazoo for a one hour rally on the sidewalk outside of Planned Parenthood. You can read his bio here.
"We are just trying to shine a light on what is happening in our local community. Be out there, be faithful, and let God do the rest".
MCC Testifies in Favor of Providing Material Support for Moms and Babies
A program providing direct assistance to expectant mothers during pregnancy and throughout their baby’s first year of life would officially become part of state law, under legislation supported by MCC.
Known as RxKids, MCC supports this program because of its direct assistance to mothers and children in need in lower-income communities across Michigan, which aligns with MCC’s advocacy principles to promote and protect human life as well as provide for the poor and vulnerable in society.
Read the full story here.
As Students Head Back to School, MCC Continues Advocacy for Nonpublic Schools
A newly published Word from Lansing column shares a summary of MCC’s recent advocacy for Catholic and nonpublic schools in the next state budget.
The opportunity to remind your lawmaker to support a budget that includes nonpublic school students remains available if you have not already done so. To send a message, visit our link here.
For more information on this news brief, read the full story here.
Ark Shelter Open House - Friday, August 22, 2025
Ark Services for Youth will have an open house on August 22, 2025 from 9:00am - 4:00pm as part of the 50th Anniversary of Catholic Charities celebration. These open houses provide donors, families and friends an opportunity to meet the staff and learn more about the programming offered at locations like the Ark Shelter, Outreach, and Youth Independent Living.