Blessing of new, original St. Joseph Statue
At St. Joseph Parish, St. Joseph, Fr. John Fleckenstein (along with Fr. Jack Pfeiffer and Deacon Jason Schmidt) recently unveiled and blessed a statue of their parish's patron saint. This new statue, depicting Saint Joseph and Jesus as a child, was crafted from bronze in Italy, and was specifically commissioned for the parish.
Come & See Praise and Worship Night - May 24, 2026
St. Monica Parish, Kalamazoo, will host another Come & See Praise and Worship evening for teen & adult musicians/vocalists interested in learning more about how to use their gifts to praise & adore the Lord reverently in a band on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 4-5 p.m.. The evening will include short discussion and adoration with music. Advanced registration is required; please RSVP via the QR code or online here.
Annual Kermes - June 14, 2026
San Felipe de Jesus Parish, Fennville, will hold their Annual Kermes on Sunday, June 14, 2026, starting at 10 a.m. This family-friendly event is open to all and will include food, fun and music. Please bring lawn chairs or other seating.
Hackett Catholic Prep Baccalaureate Mass with Bishop Lohse
Bishop Lohse celebrated a Baccalaureate Mass with graduating seniors from Hackett Catholic Prep at St. Augustine Cathedral last Thursday, April 30, 2026. See below for some additional photos from the Mass.
Photography by Rachel Ogrin
St. Charles Borromeo School moves forward with trial 9th grade offering for 2026-2027 school year
May 4, 2026 (Coldwater, MI): Officials at St. Charles Borromeo School have announced expansion plans for the 2026-2027 school year which include offering 9th grade (on a trial basis), a second kindergarten classroom and additional staff positions. The additional offerings are due to growing enrollment and an increased demand for Catholic education in the Branch County and surrounding areas.“We are ending this school year with 221 enrolled students in preschool through eighth grade, an increase from the fall,” notes Brenda Mescher, principal. “We have 230 anticipated students enrolled for the 2026-27 school year, which will continue to increase with open enrollment through August. Our school community welcomes families from Coldwater as well as multiple parishes and communities across lower Southwest Michigan counties.”
Last November the school announced the creation of an Expansion and Retention Committee to explore expansion feasibility and sustainability. According to Principal Mescher the expansion committee findings illustrate the growth in Catholic education needs reflects both rising population trends and the increasing desire among all families for a holistic Catholic education.
Bishop Edward. M. Lohse has granted permission for a trial 9th grade for 2026–2027 only, with any continuation beyond that year requiring additional permission and not extending to future grade expansions. The school must submit progress and financial impact reports, including enrollment sustainability and staffing updates, by December 1 and March 1, 2027.
“The Expansion and Retention Committee will continue to finalize a proposal for a new Catholic High School option for our area and it expects to submit that proposal in the fall of 2026,” says Principal Mescher. “Parish and school committees are working collaboratively on building expansion and additional opportunities to fulfill our growing needs while being focused on growth that is prudent, sustainable, and aligned with our mission.”
Additional expansions to the school include a second kindergarten classroom and the creation of the position of Catechist and Assistant Principal.
“Our commitment and success in growing Catholic education is made possible through the unwavering support of our St. Charles School and parish community including our former pastor, Reverend Daniel Hyman, our current pastor, Reverend James Adams, our School Board President, Mr. Paul Lang and Dr. Jillian Kellough, Superintendent for the Office of Schools,” says Principal Mescher. “Our school family is excited and blessed to prepare for the upcoming school year, as we look forward to growing together in faith, knowledge, and community.”
Rising from the Ashes Revival - July 22, 2026
This summer a major revival is planned, seeking to bring together Catholics from throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit and the surrounding region together to grow in their faith and understanding of the presence of Christ among us in the Eucharist.Along with four internationally known speakers, Bishop Daniel Flores, Sr. Mary Grave, S.V., Jeff Cavins and Fr. John Riccardo, the event will also feature a concert with Matt Maher, Sarah Kroger, Steve Agrisano and Sarah Hart. The name for this event is drawn from the motto of the City of Detroit, “Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus,” which translates to, “We hope for better things; it shall arise from the ashes.” The motto was authored by Father Gabriel Richard after the devastating fire of 1805 that nearly destroyed the city. It reflects the city’s resilience and hope for a brighter future, even in the face of adversity.
The revival will also feature a ministry fair that will allow Catholics to experience the various ways that the Catholic Church is active beyond their parishes through schools, hospital, various ministries, religious communities and charities present in Southeast Michigan.
The highlight will be a Eucharistic Procession along Jefferson Ave and up Woodward Ave. It would be the largest such procession in the history of the Archdiocese of Detroit. One other special feature of the revival is its outreach. The proceeds from the ticket sales will be designated by the person purchasing the ticket to one of five charities serving different populations in the Metro area.
During a time of restructuring in the Archdiocese of Detroit, this revival offers hope as we reclaim the fundamental truth and mission of the Catholic Church and bring it to the region as did the first missionaries who came to our shores off the Detroit River.
Additional details and registration information can be found here.