September 29, 2026
Beatification of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen - September 24, 2026
Bishop Edward M. Lohse, along with priests and pilgrims from across the diocese, attended the Beatification Mass of now Blessed Fulton Sheen. What a sacred honor to be among more than 50,000 faithfuls, including 1,000 priests, 89 bishops, 260 deacons and hundreds of seminarians and religious. Blessed Fulton Sheen spoke with clarity and charity - may we follow his example.Diocesan Red Mass - September 28, 2026
Last night, Bishop Edward M. Lohse, J.C.D., celebrated a Diocesan Red Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral in honor of all legal professionals (judges, lawyers, law school professors & students, politicians and government officials).
REMINDER: World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass - Tonight - September 29, 2026
The Most Reverend Edward M. Lohse will commemorate National Migration Week in the United States (September 21st-27th) and the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (Sunday, September 27th) with a special Mass in Spanish on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Holy Angels Parish, Sturgis (402 S. Nottawa St, Sturgis, MI 49091).Su excelencia, Monseñor Edward M. Lohse, Obispo de Kalamazoo conmemorará la Semana Nacional de la Migración en los Estados Unidos (del 21 al 27 de septiembre) y la Jornada Mundial del Migrante y del Refugiado (domingo, 27 de septiembre) con una misa especial en español el martes 29 de septiembre de 2026, a las 6:00 p.m., en la Holy Angels Parish, Sturgis (402 S. Nottawa St, Sturgis, MI 49091).
Additionally, in honor of the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, meet three volunteers from our diocese (Maggie Ebrite, Sr. Yuliana Rua and Griselda Sanchez) and learn why they are actively involved in Migrant Ministry.
Submitted by Camila Holden
St. Francis of Assisi Anniversary Mass - October 3, 2026
To commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, Bishop Edward M. Lohse will celebrate Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 4 p.m. During Mass, he will bestow an apostolic blessing, which imparts a plenary indulgence during this Year of St. Francis. A Holy Hour will precede the Mass. Following the Mass, together with the SPCA of Southwest Michigan, Bishop Lohse will hold a pet blessing on the Cathedral grounds. Learn more here.
REMINDER: Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass - October 11, 2026
Couples celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries (decade and half-decade) of 25 years or more are invited to participate in the Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward M. Lohse on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral (542 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). There will be a reception at Fr. Crowley Center with a photo opportunity with Bishop Edward M. Lohse. Please contact Jen Metzger, jmetzger@diokzoo.org, with questions and RSVP using the button below or this link.
Blessing of the Pets - October 2, 2026
In honor of St. Francis of Assisi's feast day (October 4, 2026), St. Therese Parish, Wayland, will hold a Blessing of the Pets on Friday, October 2nd at 3:00 p.m. outside of the church by the parking lot. Please be sure to have all pets on a leash or in a cage/carrier.
REMINDER: Rosary Coast to Coast - October 4, 2026
On Sunday, October 4, 2025, there will be a Rosary Rally in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7th) taking place at 4pm EST across the United States. There will be a group praying in unison at the Knights of Columbus Parking Lot on Red Arrow Highway in Paw Paw, MI. Please see the attached flyer, contact Deborah Leath via email or text (574-210-1706) or visit Rosary Coast to Coast for more information.
Mass of Remembrance for Child Loss - October 5, 2026
There will be a Mass of Remembrance for Child Loss at St. Bernard Catholic Church (555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor, MI 49022) on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The Mass will recollect the loss of the child; extended family and friends are welcome to attend and join in prayerful support of those grieving. There will be a communal pizza and salad meal directly after the Mass; no RSVP required for the Mass or gathering. All are welcome to join. This Mass and gathering is sponsored by Walking with Moms in Need. Please contact here2helpmoms@gmail.com for more information.
Respect Life Month - October 2026
Every October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month to value the gift of human life and help build a culture that cherishes and protects it. The first Sunday of October (October 4, 2026) is designated as Respect Life Sunday. Please see below for related events throughout the diocese and visit this webpage for more resources.Life Chain Events - October 4, 2026
On Respect Life Sunday, October 4, 2026, there will be a Life Chain event along S. Westnedge Ave. and W. Milham Ave. (Portage, MI), from 2:30-3:30 p.m. to witness to the Sanctity of Life. For more information, contact your parish Respect Life representative, or Deena Anderson at (269) 303-8016
The Battle Creek Tri-Parish Pro-Life Ministry will also host a Life Chain event on Respect Life Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 2-3:30 p.m. on the corner of Riverside & Beckley Rd. in Battle Creek. Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public witness supporting the Sanctity of Human Life. Participants will stand for 60-90 minutes in silent prayer (please bring a chair if needed). See the attached flyer for more information.
Middle School Pro-Life Creative Works Contest - October 15, 2026, Deadline
Middle school students are invited to participate by writing an essay, short story or poem, or by creating a painting/drawing to do with the theme "offer it up". Entries are due by October 15, 2026, to the parish office. Awards will be given out during the Tri-Parish Pro-Life Ministry Brunch on October 25, 2025. Awards will include: First Place - $100, Second & Third Place - $50. Please contact prolifeministrybc@yahoo.com for more information and to obtain an entry form.Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day - October 15, 2026
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is an annual day of remembrance for those who have experienced a pregnancy loss or infant death, which includes miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, ectopic pregnancy and the death of a newborn. A candle will be lit by the Infant of Prague statue at all three Battle Creek parishes the week of October 11-17, 2026, to remember those babies who have been lost. Please join us in praying for the families and loved ones affected by these losses.KDCCW Dignity of Life Event - October 24, 2026
The Kalamazoo Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (KDCCW) will host a diocesan-wide Dignity of Life gathering on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral and Crowley Center, Kalamazoo. The day will include Holy Mass, guest speakers Dr. Robin Pierucci, Lisa Gigliotti and Fr. Jeffrey Hanley, as well as opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, Confession and more. Come deepen your commitment to protecting and cherishing life at every stage. Tickets cost $25 per person ($18 for students). A light breakfast and catered lunch will be provided. Please see the attached flyer for additional information. Register today at this link.
Tri-Parish Pro-Life Ministry Brunch Event - October 25, 2026
The Battle Creek Tri Parish Pro-Life Ministry will host a brunch event with guest speakers Sally Florian and Lisa Gigliotti, Esq. at St. Jerome Parish Hall (229 Collier Ave, Battle Creek) on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after the 10 a.m. Mass. This event is free, though donations will be accepted for Project Rachel Ministry. Reservations are required; RSVP by October 17, 2026, to Cathy Hirzel via emailor at 269-968-4639. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Liturgical Living - Feast Days:
September 30 - October 6
- Wednesday, September 30 - St. Jerome
- Priest and Doctor of the Church, Patron Saint of archaeologists, archivists, librarians, bible scholars and translators
- Thursday, October 1 - St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus
- Virgin and Doctor of the Church, Patron Saint of pilots, florists, gardeners, those suffering from illness, and Universal Patron of the Missions
- Friday, October 2 - The Holy Guardian Angels
- Patron Saints of heavenly protectors and companions of every human person
- Monday, October 5 - St. Faustina Kowalska & Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos
- St. Faustina Kowalska, Virgin, is the Patron Saint of Divine Mercy
- Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos, Priest, is the Patron Saint of immigrants to the United States
- Tuesday, October 6 - St. Bruno & Blessed Marie Rose Durocher
- St. Bruno, Priest, is the Patron Saint of exorcists and the Carthusian Order
- Bl. Marie Rose Durocher, Virgin, is the Patron Saint of those who are sick
Pray for Our Clergy - September 28 - October 2, 2026
This week, please join our Catholic school students and staff in praying for Deacon Walter Brockmeyer, Deacon Ron Brown, Deacon Ricardo Cardiel Pedraza and Deacon Mike Carl.
Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our Clergy.
Through them, we experience your strong presence in the sacraments.
Help our Clergy to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need
to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen.
