Author Archives: Tammy Houser
Fr. Charles Irvin Writing Scholarship
Applicants: Catholic high-school seniors who are students at a diocesan Catholic high school and/or who are active participants in their parish’s youth group/religious education program.
This year, we want you to tell us a story about How You Encounter Christ in the Sacraments.
Deadline is April 8, 2019
Click on the link for specific details!!
Fr. Todd Bulletin, February 17, 2019
Dear Sacred Heart Family,
This week I will be in Dewitt on Monday and Tuesday for the Diocesan New Pastor Institute. The training will focus more particularly on the business side of Parish Administration. There will be three of us new pastors going through it together.
When it comes to our spiritual lives, they should be a mix of the ordinary and extraordinary. The ordinary are the foundational pieces that are simply a part of our lives- think of taking time to pray each day, attending Mass on weekends, some sort of ongoing support of the poor, etc. The extraordinary moments are just that- special moments of encounter like going on a retreat, attending the life in the Spirit Seminar (which is being offered at both Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s), going on a pilgrimage etc. Every year it is a good rule of thumb to try and include one or two of these extraordinary moments in the midst of our ordinary living of our faith.
For the men of the parish one such extraordinary opportunity is coming up next weekend, the Diocesan Men’s conference. I hope to attend the latter part of the day and con-celebrate Mass with the Bishop. This one-day event is a great time to invite Jesus in more deeply into your life and to be encouraged and built up.
Here is the info for the conference- it would be great to see you there.
Men, come to grow in your faith at the annual Diocese of Lansing’s Catholic Men’s Conference. In carrying out the tradition of providing an atmosphere of support and helping the Catholic men among us to courageously live a Christ-centered life in today’s world, this year’s theme will focus on how to ‘wear the armor of God’. Ephesians 6:10-18
“In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:16-17
When: February 23, 2019
Where: Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church
913 Napoleon Road, Michigan Center, MI 49254
Time: 10 AM – 5 PM
What To Expect:
- Motivating messages from Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers and Fr. Tim MacDonald
- Adoration and confessions
- A mouth-watering pig roast BBQ lunch from Stick-A-Pig-In-It
- Music by Brian Flynn & Band
- Mass with Bishop Boyea (4 PM)
Individual Ticket Prices: Adults $40 / Students $30
Register/Purchase Tickets: http://www.themanevent.org/register
Deacon’s Corner, February 17 2019
Why do Catholics use the crucifix instead of a cross? After all, Jesus is not dead, He is alive. A crucifix is a cross with Jesus’ Corpus, a representation of his crucified body. A cross bears either no figure at all, or one like the Risen Jesus. There are a few ways to answer this question, so let’s start with the Mass.
Simply put, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal requires a crucifix be clearly visible either on or near the Altar for Mass. The crucifix is there to remind us of the sacrifice Jesus made which becomes present every time we celebrate Mass. Not that Jesus is sacrificed again at every Mass, but that we are REMINDED of the sacrifice he made for us. A plain cross just doesn’t have the same impact. The Crucifixion of Jesus is a one-time event that can never occur again in history. But it is an event which should never be forgotten.
We need to be reminded of what Jesus endured to prove to us that His way is the way into the Kingdom – that He IS GOD, not just someone telling us stories to make us feel good. Remembering Christ’s Passion, death and resurrection helps us get though our own daily sufferings and struggles – to spiritually grow from them. Because Jesus’ victory over death is not just physical death, but our road to victory over a spiritual death. “Spiritual death” can sound scary. But that’s what Jesus was talking about when He told Nicodemus “unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3.”) When we die to our old self, we rise to a level of spirituality, we are “born again” into a union with God.
Finally, St Paul said to “preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23.)” In fact, many of Paul’s scripture writings are based on the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross and His victory over death – physical death and spiritual death.
By reflecting on our daily struggles with Jesus hanging on the cross, we better understand what Jesus meant when he said to “deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). How can we be born again if we are constantly reminded of Jesus being dead instead of alive? The answer is found from what goes on inside our heart when we sit and reflect on Jesus hanging on the cross. When suffering comes our way, the image of the crucifix can give us spiritual strength and inspiration because of what Jesus did for us.
The image of the crucifix, is placed in our homes, our churches, our schools, or our hospitals, to make sure that this sacrifice of our Lord for us is not forgotten. It is a visual reminder of Christ’s battle over sin, the turning point in our spiritual battle, so we never forget God’s redeeming love for us.
May you have a Blessed week!
Deacon John
Principal Anne Atkin Bulletin, February 17, 2019
The Virtue of Hospitality and How It Open Our Hearts
When we think about hospitality, we think about opening our homes to friends and family. Maybe we host a book club or put a lot of effort into creating a home that is warm and welcoming. It is a lovely thing to be hospitable and to welcome people with kindness and affection. Last Friday, at the children’s Mass, Father Todd talked to the students about hospitality as a virtue. As a virtue hospitality means to open our hearts to others. It gives us the desire to be empathetic in the way listen and engage with the people we encounter throughout the day.
This works especially well when dealing with children. When we take a deep breath and understand that our children are far from perfect; that they are developing. Every mistake is the opportunity to learn valuable lessons. But it is really hard to learn when we are not fully understood. We all want someone to take the time to open their heart and listen with empathy.
Is there a hospitable way to resolve conflict? Can I take a minute to look at the situation from a different angle? What is going on with you? To ask and really listen with your heart. To not immediately interject your own words. Maybe, not put yourself into the conversation at all. If we are truly hospitable, we are open and attentive. We listen with the goal to understand fully where the other person’s mind is. To try to understand before we become hostile; the opposite of hospitality. Really listen and then pass on some good advice that will help children to make better decisions now that they know better.
By practicing hospitality as a virtue, we are gaining God’s grace. Everyone we meet is God’s child and has a soul that is divine. We know they have a unique way of looking at everything that is built from their experiences. Not everyone will think the way we do. I think sometimes people forget that. Hospitality gives each of us the chance to grow and learn in ways we would never think of on our own. With hearts and minds open, we can all earn our spot in Heaven.
God Bless,
Anne Atkin, Principal
Life in the Spirit Seminar
“Send your Holy Spirit to form our parish as a community of missionary disciples…..guide me to deepen my commitment as a disciple of Jesus”.
Two opportunities are coming to attend the 7 week series; As By a New Pentecost designed to help us grow in our understanding of the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit acts in our lives and the life of the Church. All are welcome! It’s a great opportunity to meet fellow Catholics. Call the parish office to register.
Sacred Heart will be on Sundays from 1:00 to 3:oopm, beginning February 24.
St. Mary on the Lake will be on Saturdays from 10:00am – Noon, beginning March 2.
PARISH NEWS
During Cafe on February 24, we will be discussing the science of life, social and church issues surrounding abortion. All are welcome to join, 9:15am – 10:30am in the Parish Hall.
RCIA SNACK SCHEDULE
- February 19: Linda Komarynski
- February 26: Stephanie Bean
- March 5: Stacy Parker
UPCOMING BIBLE STUDY DATES:
Feb 20 – Sacred Heart 6:00 pm
Feb 21 – St. Mary on the Lake 10:00 am
*There will be No Bible Study during Lent
THE ALPHA OMEGA CARE CENTER
We will be participating in the Alpha Omega Care Center Annual Baby Bottle Drive fundraiser. Alpha Omega Care Center exists to empower men and women to may life affirming decisions regarding pregnancy through counseling and education and providing a safe and welcoming environment that projects the love of Christ.
You can help… simply pick up a bottle after Mass, fill it with loose money. If you would like to write a check, please make it out directly to Alpha Omega Care Center. Please drop off bottles to the Parish office by February 28.
For more information, please visit our website: www.alphaomegacc.org
Natural Family Planning builds strong families. It is medically safe, morally acceptable and highly effective.
A class to learn more about NFP and the Billing Ovulation Method will be offered at St. Mary Star of the Sea, Immaculata Hall On Monday, MARCH 4, 2019 from 7-9 pm. Pre-Registration is required. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.
Call the St Mary Parish Office 517-784-7284 or Maria Ansett at 517-974-2330. Info on the Billing method is available online at www.billingslife.org or www.boma-usa.org
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR–
Two opportunities are coming to attend a 7 week series: As By a New Pentecost, designed to help us grow in our under-standing of the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit acts in our lives and the life of the Church…Sacred Heart in Hudson (beginning Sunday February 24 from 1-3 pm) and St. Mary on the Lake, Manitou Beach (beginning Saturday, March 2 from 10 am-Noon). All are welcome! (Even if you attended a seminar in the past.) Great opportunity to meet fellow Catholics! To register please call Sacred Heart (517-448-3811) or St. Mary on the Lake (517-547-7496).
Online Giving
Have you considered using Online Giving? By creating a login and contributing online you’ll always have a report of your giving history available. You can access your giving report easily and securely via the web, and your information will always be up-to-date with your latest contributions.
ParishSoft is offering the Youth Scholarship Program. For every 25 NEW recurring givers, they will donate $200 to our Youth Program.
You can find the Online Giving link on our website: www.sacredhearthudson.org
Diocese of Lansing offers New Scholarship for Grades K-6
Thank you Bishop Boyea.
K-6th grade students are eligible for $750.00 in grant money.
Diocese of Lansing Grant Deadline for 2019-2020 is March 1st.
Please join us at Sacred Heart School for
Taco Dinner & Information Night
Thursday, February 14th 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Come for dinner and information about the state of the school and new scholarships. Be a part of our parent input session. Help us by giving your valuable input on how we can better serve your family!
Please see the attached documents to enroll in FACTS and the DOL application.
Witness The Difference – Diocesan Tuition Assistance Program
The Catholic Diocese of Lansing announces Tuition Assistance Program for Kindergarten to 12th grade.
Posted by Catholic Diocese of Lansing on Tuesday, February 12, 2019
