October 20, 2026
Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass - October 11, 2026
On Sunday, October 11, 2026, Bishop Edward M. Lohse celebrated Mass in recognition of couples celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries, ranging from 25 - 70 years. During Mass, couples renewed their marital promises to each other and later knelt for a special blessing from Bishop Lohse. See below for photos from the Mass.
Diocesan Pastoral Center Closure - October 27, 2026
On Tuesday, October 27th, the Diocesan Pastoral Center will be closed for the day. The diocese is hosting a “Connecting with our Parishes” event off-site for all diocesan and parish staff members. You may reach diocesan staff members via email but please note there may be a delay in a response.
Diocesan Mass for Deceased Clergy and Religious - November 10, 2026
Bishop Edward M. Lohse will celebrate a Diocesan Mass for Deceased Clergy and Religious on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 4 p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral.
Advent Mass and Gathering - December 5, 2026
Bishop Edward M. Lohse, with Fr. Paul Redmond, will celebrate an Advent Mass and Gathering for all persons with disabilities, their caregivers and families on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. at St. Thomas More Student Parish, Kalamazoo. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided. Food and fellowship will follow Mass from 11:15 a.m. - 2 p.m. Please RSVP to Veronica Rodriguez via email or at (269) 349-8714 ext. 1240 by Friday, November 27, 2026, for food purposes. Please see the attached flyers for more information.
Diocesan group trip to SEEK 2027 - Registration Open
Registration for the Office of Mission and Ministry's group trip for young adults (18-35 & out of high school) to attend SEEK January 1-5, 2027, in Columbus, Ohio is now open.
SEEK is a five-day experience where thousands of Catholics come together to encounter Christ through prayer, Adoration, the sacraments, and inspiring speakers, including Fr. Mike Schmitz, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Gregory Pine and Paul J. Kim. It’s a chance to focus on what matters most, grow in authentic community, and be transformed in your faith. To see a full schedule of events and learn more about the SEEK experience, visit this link.
Included in the registration price is the conference ticket for SEEK, transportation to and from Columbus, lodging during the conference and a conference t-shirt. Please contact Jen Metzger with questions.
Registration for the Office of Mission and Ministry's group trip for young adults (18-35 & out of high school) to attend SEEK January 1-5, 2027, in Columbus, Ohio is now open.
SEEK is a five-day experience where thousands of Catholics come together to encounter Christ through prayer, Adoration, the sacraments, and inspiring speakers, including Fr. Mike Schmitz, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Gregory Pine and Paul J. Kim. It’s a chance to focus on what matters most, grow in authentic community, and be transformed in your faith. To see a full schedule of events and learn more about the SEEK experience, visit this link.
Included in the registration price is the conference ticket for SEEK, transportation to and from Columbus, lodging during the conference and a conference t-shirt. Please contact Jen Metzger with questions.
Senior Deacon Frank Wesolowski, 1947 - 2026
Senior Deacon Frank Wesolowski passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. A visitation was held at Sacred Heart of Mary Parish, Silver Creek, on Sunday, October 18th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial taking place yesterday, Monday, October 19, at 11 a.m. with Bishop Edward Lohse presiding. Please keep Deacon Frank, his wife Marcella and all their family and friends in your prayers during this time. Deacon Frank's obituary may be accessed here.Eternal rest grant unto Deacon Frank, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Ann Bowman, 1938 - 2026
Ann Bowman, former diocesan employee, passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Ann worked for the first three Bishops of the Diocese of Kalamazoo; Bishop Paul V. Donovan, Bishop Alfred J. Markiewicz and Bishop James A. Murray. Please keep Ann and her family and friends in your prayers during this time. A Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Portage this Friday, October 23, 2026. Additional details to come. Please use this link to access Ann's obituary and find additional details as they are released.Eternal rest grant unto Ann, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
St. Augustine Cathedral receives inaugural Bernini Award for Interior Design
During a September 19th awards ceremony, St. Augustine Cathedral and Duncan G. Stroik Architects received the inaugural 2026 Bernini Award for Interior Design.The Bernini Awards, presented by the Catholic Art Institute, honor outstanding achievement in sacred architecture, art, craftsmanship, and stewardship in service to the Catholic Church. Named for Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680) — whose genius shaped the visual language of the Counter-Reformation and whose works continue to form the Church’s imagination — the Bernini Awards affirm the enduring role of beauty in the life of faith.
Throughout history, the Church has called forth artists, architects, patrons, and stewards to create works that reflect divine order, theological truth, and the dignity of the human person. The Bernini Awards seek to recognize those who continue this sacred vocation in our own time.
These awards are not granted for novelty, but for excellence rooted in tradition, fidelity to Catholic teaching, and the pursuit of beauty ordered toward worship, evangelization, and the sanctification of culture. Recipients of the Bernini Awards join a living tradition of those who understand that sacred art and architecture are not merely functional, but sacramental — visible signs pointing toward invisible realities.
Learn more about the Bernini Awards and 2026 winners from all categories here.
Young Adult Movie Night - October 23, 2026
All young adults (ages 18-35) are invited to a Pope St. John Paul II themed movie night on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Youth Room at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Portage. There will be a showing of the film “Karol: A Man Who Became Pope". Refreshments will be provided. Feel free to bring any comfy chairs or blankets, and if you have any questions, reach out to Charley Truitt via email (ctruitt@stcatherinesiena.org), the Maranatha GroupMe, or at (269) 978-2347.
Holiday Arts & Crafts Bazaar - November 7, 2026
Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Edwardsburg, will hold a Holiday Bazaar/Arts & Crafts Show on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. The bazaar will include handmade goods, seasonal treats and holiday gifts from over 75 talented artisans and crafters. The first 250 visitors will be able to participate in a door prize drawing. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Please see the flyer below for more details.
Holiday Bazaar - November 14, 2026
St. Edward Parish, Mendon, will host a Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will be crafts, baked goods, luncheon specials and a raffle drawing at 2 p.m. Raffle tickets may be purchased at the door and you do not need to be present to win. For more information, please call 269-365-2250 or see the flyer below.
79th Annual Bazaar - November 14-15, 2026
St. Joseph Parish, Kalamazoo, will hold its 79th Annual Bazaar Saturday, November 14 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and Sunday, November 15, 2026 (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.). The bazaar will include a bake sale, artisan crafts, high-end white elephant gifts, raffle baskets and more. Raffle tickets may be purchased ahead of time before and after all Masses October 31st/November 1st and November 7th/8th. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
Liturgical Living: Feast Days - October 21 - 27
- Thursday, October 22 - Saint John Paul II, Pope
- Patron Saint of Poland, World Youth Day, young Catholics and families
- Friday, October 23 - Saint John of Capistrano, Priest
- Patron Saint of military chaplains and judges
- Saturday, October 24 - Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop
- Patron Saint of textile merchants, weavers, Catholic press and Claretians
Pray for Our Clergy - October 19 - 23, 2026
This week, please join our Catholic school students and staff in praying for Reverends Christopher Derda, Daniel Doctor, Lawrence Ejiofo and Charles Fischer.
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.
Knights of Columbus - Coats for Kids Program
For the second year in a row, the St. Catherine of Siena Parish (Portage) Knights of Columbus Council 6980 donated coats to Caring Network and The Ark; two of the programs run by Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo. The Knights of Columbus "Coats for Kids" program began in 2009 and provides approximately 200,000 coats each year across the U.S. and Canada. Learn more about the initiative at this link.St. Vincent de Paul 100th Anniversary Mass -
November 8, 2026
In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the St. Vincent de Paul Society's St. Augustine Conference, Bishop Edward M. Lohse will celebrate Mass on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral. A light reception will follow at the Crowley Center. All are welcome to attend, especially past and current volunteers whose work supports the mission of St. Vincent de Paul.
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible Sale
Ignatius Press is currently offering a special sale for parishes in the Diocese of Kalamazoo to save 40% on orders of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. Please see the attached flyer for more information and contact Brian Truckenbrod, Director of Ecclesial Outreach & Support Ignatius Press, via email or at (630) 640-9014 for more information.
Vote with Faith - Election Materials for Catholics
Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) has made available numerous election materials to assist Catholics. An overview of some of the resources include:- Form Your Conscience, Vote With Faith Focus: Available online here, it provides a basic overview of the U.S. bishops’ teachings regarding voting according to the Catholic faith.
- MCC Election Resources Website for Catholics. On this website, you can find:
- Conscience formation resources
- Information regarding voting logistics
- Tips for researching candidates
- Ideas for promoting faithful citizenship in family settings
- One-Page Handouts on Ballot Proposals: Each handout provides more details about the proposal and whether or not the U.S. Bishops have taken a position on the proposal.
U.S. Bishops' Task Force on Artificial Intelligence
The Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recently established the bishops’ Task Force on Preserving Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Bishop Oscar Cantù of San José was appointed as its chairman and is joined by seven bishop members and three consultants.Drawing on the emerging Catholic engagement with AI, both domestically and internationally, the task force will emphasize that AI must serve human dignity and the common good. The task force will maintain constructive and ongoing dialogues with the frontier labs, research organizations, academic centers and other stakeholders across the United States. The task force will also assist the Catholic Church in the United States in responding faithfully, prudently, and effectively to the opportunities and challenges presented by AI related emerging technologies. Special attention will be given to helping Church leaders understand both the opportunities and risks posed by AI in areas such as education, communications, employment, healthcare, evangelization, governance, and the protection of children and vulnerable persons.
Read the full press release here.
