Create Your Own Rosary Peace Pole: A Journey of Prayer and Art

Join Us for a Unique Spiritual Experience This October

Earlier this year, parish members took part in a special project by creating their own Peace Poles as a beautiful way to spread the message of peace. Now, in the Month of the Holy Rosary, we’re inviting you to join us for a four-week journey where prayer and creativity meet.

About the Class:

During this once-a-week class, you’ll focus on three essential prayers of the rosary: the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. After a brief reflection on each prayer, you’ll get hands-on, decorating one side of your very own Peace Pole using paint and stencils. While a sample will be provided, you’re encouraged to let your creativity shine and make your design uniquely yours. The fourth side of the pole will remain a blank canvas for you to complete during the final session, allowing you to express your personal connection to the prayers.

Details:

  • Dates: Mondays, October 7, 14, 21, and 28
  • Times: 1:30 PM or 6:30 PM
  • Cost: $25 (covers the 4-foot PVC post and vinyl lettering)

How to Register:

To ensure that we have enough materials for everyone, please register by September 30th. You can sign up by contacting Christy at Christyg@blessed-midland.org or below. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to deepen your faith and create something meaningful.

Why the Rosary?

The tradition of using prayer beads dates back to the early Church, where they were used to count Our Fathers and Hail Marys. By the Middle Ages, 150 Hail Marys were recited alongside verses of psalms or phrases reflecting on the lives of Jesus and Mary. In the 13th century, St. Dominic organized these prayers around the Mysteries we recognize today, giving us the Rosary—a “crown or garden of roses” dedicated to Our Lady.

Join us this October to celebrate this rich tradition and craft a symbol of peace and prayer that will serve as a reminder of the powerful intercession of the Holy Rosary in your life.

Laidback Book Club

Join our Casual Seasonal Book Club!

Dive into great reads with a community that loves literature as much as you do. We keep the conversation alive and engaging through our FACEBOOK group, where members can share their thoughts, insights, and questions while reading. This ongoing online discussion allows everyone to participate at their own pace, fostering a rich and interactive reading experience.

At the end of each book, we gather in person at the Parish Center for a lively group conversation. This final meeting is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers, delve deeper into the themes and characters, and enjoy the shared enthusiasm of finishing a great book together.

Whether you’re a voracious reader or someone who enjoys a good book now and then, our book club offers a welcoming and relaxed environment. Join us for a season of enriching reads and meaningful discussions!

Laidback Book Club: No Guilty Bystander

Join us in reading a book recommended by Fr. Rob: No Guilty Bystander, The Extraordinary Life of Bishop Thomas Gumbleton. The online book summary reads that Thomas Gumbleton, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, served as an outstanding voice and witness for peace and justice in the Catholic Church. From his early opposition to the Vietnam war, his work on the Bishops’ historic pastoral on nuclear weapons, to his peacemaking missions and solidarity with marginalized communities around the globe, and his promotion of reform and renewal in the church, he has offered a prophetic model of faithful discipleship.

He has visited as a speaker in the Midland area and recently passed away on April 4th of this year. His obituary stated that he was best remembered for touching lives through his homilies and pastoral care. He began as a parish priest, served as Assistant Chancellor and then Vice-Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and, in 1968, became the youngest bishop in the United States at age 38. Tom travelled throughout the world responding to requests to accompany people in crisis, especially in situations calling for human rights advocacy, nonviolence, and justice.

Tom inspired those around him to recognize their own call to love one another as God has first loved us. He challenged each person to build a world where all will feel at home. The legacy he leaves are the countless hearts he touched and the minds he encouraged to think deeply about faith, justice, and love. Bishop Gumbleton lived a life that responded to the Gospel call: to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

Royalties on sales of No Guilty Bystander will go to the Kay Lasante Health Clinic in Haiti.

Please purchase a paper or digital copy and join us on Facebook or read along with us and then join in for a community discussion on Thursday, November 7th at 7:00 in the parish library.

Contact Christy for more information about how to join the group.

Praying in Nature

All creation is a song of praise to God!
St. Hildegard of Bingen

On Thursday, September 26th at 10:00 am or 6:30pm at the Chippewa Nature Center for prayer before walking on the trails. We will meet in the parking lot in front of the Nature Center building. Please register with Christy to ensure she has enough prayer guides.

Spend time with God in nature by praying with your senses!

The prayer guide has recommended trails at the Chippewa Nature Center, but the guide can be used on any walk or trail!

Nature Walk Prayer Guide

Dear Mother earth,
Who day by day unfolds rich blessing on our way,
O Praise God! Alleluia!
The fruits and flowers that verdant grow,
Let them his praise abundant show.
O praise God, O praise God, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
– St. Francis

Cemetery Pilgrimage

It is a loving act to show sadness when our dear ones are torn from us, but it is a holy act to be joyful through hope and trust in the promises of God…
–Saint Paulinus of Nola (c. 354-431)

Beauty Unexpected in the Cemetery

Are you looking for a calming retreat/prayer experience in an unexpected location? If so, you will want to join Angela Pasek on September 19 (6:00 pm) at the Midland Cemetery as she leads us through her experience of finding God, community, and peace amidst the beauty of this site. Please RSVP to Christy so we know how many pilgrims to expect.

The Mass with Bishop Ken Untener

These recordings are from a presentation given at a local parish in January 2001. The audio has been edited in order to enhance the quality, but there are some sections that could not be recovered. Particularly, in the Question & Answer section.

We hope you enjoy this presentation and come away appreciating Mass and participating more fully.

Sacred in the Secular: Rosary on the Go

If you enjoy walking or jogging by yourself or with others why not turn it into a time of prayer so that you can exercise your body and your soul at the same time?!

In Mark 16:15 Jesus said, “GO into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature…” On your mark, get set, GO!!!!

Pope’s Prayer Intentions for August: For Political Leaders 

August 4 We pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and the common good, taking care of those who have lost their jobs and giving priority to the poor. 

August 11 We pray that political leaders cultivate empathy and compassion, considering the needs and struggles of all people, especially the most vulnerable in society. 

August 18 We pray for humility and openness in political leaders, that they may listen attentively to diverse perspectives and be willing to admit mistakes and learn from others. 

August 25 We pray for political leaders to prioritize efforts to promote peace, stability, and reconciliation both domestically and internationally, fostering harmony and understanding among nations and communities. 

August 31/ Sept 1 We pray for political leaders to be responsible stewards of the environment, making decisions that preserve and protect the natural world for current and future generations. 

Pope Francis Prayer Intention for the Month of September:  For The Cry Of The Earth 

September 7/8  Let us pray that each of us listens with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and the climate crisis, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit. 

September 14/15 We pray for all those affected by environmental disasters, including natural and man-made crises. May they find comfort, healing, and support in their time of need. Lord, help us to offer practical assistance and solidarity to those who are suffering. 

September 21/22 We ask for divine guidance in healing the damage done to our environment. May efforts to restore and preserve the Earth be blessed, and may we work together to renew the beauty and balance of creation. 

September 28/29 We pray for greater awareness and education about environmental issues. May people of all ages understand the importance of caring for the Earth and be motivated to act in ways that support a sustainable future. 

CARE (Catholic Adult Religious Experience)

Let Your Light Shine!

CARE is a vibrant Christian community of faith at Blessed Sacrament, dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities in their spiritual journey. Our mission is to create an inclusive and nurturing environment where every individual can deepen their faith, experience the love of Christ, and grow in their relationship with God.

At CARE, we believe that everyone has unique gifts to offer, and we strive to provide opportunities for all members to participate fully in the life of our community. Our activities include faith-sharing sessions, prayer groups, sacramental preparation, and social events designed to foster fellowship and spiritual growth.

We meet from 7:00pm – 8:30pm the 2nd Thursday of each month, September – May

We warmly welcome people to join us as mentors, offering their support, companionship, and encouragement to our members. Mentors play a crucial role in our community, helping to facilitate meaningful experiences and ensuring that everyone feels valued and included.

Whether you are an adult with a disability looking for a supportive faith community or someone who feels called to serve as a mentor, CARE invites you to be part of our family. Together, we can build a community rooted in faith, love, and mutual respect. Join us on this journey of faith and friendship!

To learn more about CARE, click on the link below:

More information here.

Franciscan Reflections

Spirituality is about being ready. All the spiritual disciplines of your life – prayer, study, meditation or ritual, religious vows – are there so you can break through to the eternal.
Spirituality is about awakening the eyes, the ears, the heart so you can see what’s always happening right in front of you.
-Richard Rohr

Immerse yourself in the wisdom and insights of Franciscan Fr. Richard Rohr by joining our monthly evening meeting dedicated to discussing his daily reflections. These gatherings offer a unique opportunity to delve deeper into Fr. Rohr’s thought-provoking writings, which cover a wide range of spiritual and contemplative topics designed to inspire personal growth and spiritual development.

Each month, we come together in a welcoming and reflective environment to share our thoughts, experiences, and interpretations of the reflections. Through open dialogue and mutual support, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of Fr. Rohr’s teachings and how they can be applied to our daily lives. This is a chance to explore themes such as contemplation, compassion, and the transformative power of God’s love.

We meet monthly on the second Tuesday at 6:00pm in the Conference Room C. The focus will be on the daily reflections from Richard Rohr, but other resources will be drawn upon when appropriate. Sign up for Fr. Rohr’s emails at cac.org/category/daily-meditations. If you would like more information, please email either Sheryl Lane or Bob Lane.

Whether you are new to Fr. Rohr’s work or have been following his reflections for years, our group is open to everyone. Come and be part of a community that values spiritual exploration, meaningful conversation, and the pursuit of a richer, more contemplative life. Join us for an evening of insightful discussion and spiritual enrichment!

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

Becoming Catholic

If you are unbaptized and wish to become a member of the Catholic Church,

If you are a baptized Christian who would like to become a member of the Catholic Church,

If you are a baptized Catholic seeking to complete your Baptism through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, If you have been coming to church for years with your family and friends and just never made it official,

We invite you to the sacramental formation process that prepares adults through conversion for initiation into the Catholic community of faith.  

The OCIA experience is a period of discernment, searching, and discovery of the Catholic faith. Gaining some knowledge of who Jesus Christ is and what a personal relationship with Him might look like through a Catholic way of life. There will be opportunities to learn about the Catholic faith, read Scripture, and share in a relaxed environment.

The OCIA process has several distinct stages for this journey of faith development.

  • Inquiry: the initial period before you decide to enter the Catholic Church. You’re asking questions and checking it out, but aren’t yet ready to commit.
  • Catechumenate: those who decide to enter the Church and are being trained for a life in Christ are called catechumens, an ancient name from the early Church. In this stage, you’re developing your faith and are being “catechized” – learning catechism, or the basic points about Catholic faith and life.
  • Purification and preparation: The Church will help you focus and intensify your faith as you prepare to commit your life to Christ and be received into the Church at Easter.
  • Initiation itself, the culmination of the whole process! You’re received into the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass, where you’ll receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. (If you’ve already been baptized, you won’t be baptized again.)
  • Mystagogy: after reception into the Church at Easter, this period lets you reflect and learn more about the mysteries of the Mass and the Sacraments that you now participate in fully.

Please contact the Parish Office for more information at 835-6777.

Social Justice Team

If you want peace, work for justice.
– Pope Paul VI

The Social Justice Team meets on the first Thursday of each month (September-May) at 4:00 at the Parish Center.

Our group is dedicated to fostering awareness and understanding of Catholic Social Teaching through dynamic monthly meetings. We gather to discuss, plan, and take action on issues that align with our faith’s call to justice, dignity, and peace. Each meeting features thought-provoking events, presentations, and discussions with guest speakers who are experts in their fields, providing valuable insights and inspiring us to promote meaningful change in our communities.

Whether we’re exploring topics like poverty, migration, environmental stewardship, or human rights, our goal is to empower each other to make a difference. We believe that through informed action and collective effort, we can bring about positive change that reflects the values of our faith.

Join us to be part of a community of passionate individuals committed to living out the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Together, we can work towards a more just and compassionate world. Come and share your ideas, learn from others, and take action with us!

For more information, please contact Christy in the Faith Formation Office.

Resources

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