All creation is a song of praise to God! St. Hildegard of Bingen
On Wednesday, May 8 at 10:00 am and 6:30 pm, join Christy Granda at the Chippewa Nature Center for prayer and a song before heading out to the trails. Please registerto 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!
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
Blessed Sacrament Parish is seeking a full-time Business Manager.
Blessed Sacrament Parish is currently accepting resumes for a Business Manager. This full-time position will be responsible for the management of the financial and human resources of the parish as well as the strategic planning of parish buildings. The Business Manager oversees general accounting activities including payroll and is responsible for human resources planning, facility management, and month-end reporting.
Requirements
General accounting and evaluating internal control experience
Strong analytic and problem-solving skills
Effective written and verbal communication
Ability to collaborate with staff personnel
Commits to continuing his/her own professional development through reading, workshops etc.
Education and Qualification
An active member of a Catholic parish faith community
Holds a degree or higher in Business Administration and Accounting or equivalent
Demonstrates competence in writing, speaking, communication, and technology skills
If interested, send a letter of interest and resume, by May 15, 2024 electronically to Fr. Rob Howe, Pastor robh@blessed-midland.org or by mail to Blessed Sacrament Parish, 3109 Swede Avenue, Midland, MI 48642
Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves… What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment’s hesitation. ~Catherine Doherty
Please consider joining us for prayer this season of Lent. Below you will find a list of prayer opportunities at the parish.
Mass:
Wednesday & Thursday: 8:30 am Saturday: 4:00 pm Sunday: 8:30 am (livestreamed) Sunday: 11:00 am
Evening Prayer:
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Stations of the Cross:
Friday, February 16 at 7:00 pm Fridays beginning February 23 at Noon
Reconciliation
Communal Reconciliation
March 10 | 2:00 pm | Blessed Sacrament
Individual Reconciliation
First Saturday of the month at 2:30 pm.
Taize Prayer
Wednesday, March 13 Prayer at 6:30 pm
Holy Hour with Bishop Gruss
Wednesday, March 20 7:00 – 8:00 pm
2nd Stations of the Cross, Jesus is given his cross, Church of the Holy Trinity in Gemunden am Main, Bavaria, Germany
I try to make sense of life. I try to keep myself open to people and to laughter and to love and to have faith. – Sr. Thea Bowman-
At long last, Anne Boyd is back with another opportunity for us to tap into our creativity and faith.
On February 29, each participant will create an inspirational box decorated with paper, die-cut words, and a cross with thorns and roses. Please register below. All supplies are provided and there is a free-will offering to help to offset the cost of materials. The session will run from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.
There he hangs—pale figure pinned against the wood. God grant that I may love Him as a I really know I should.
I draw a little closer to share that love Divine And almost hear Him whisper, “Ah, foolish child of Mine!
If I should now embrace you My hands would stain you red.
And if I leaned to whisper, the thorns would pierce your head.”
And then I knew in silence that love demands a price, ’twas then I learned that suffering is but the kiss of Christ.
Embrace the opportunity! This is an opportunity to disconnect from your phone or computer and reconnect with the world. Enjoy nature. Focus on your prayer life. Enter into the silence. Practice mindfulness. Learn something new. There are many ways to fill your time where you might have been scrolling. See what Lent opportunities we have at Blessed Sacrament, and here are some other suggestions.
1. Focus on building positive habits
If you had to estimate – how much time do you spend scrolling on social media? 30 minutes a day? 1-2 hours a day? More? Did you know that it takes about 30 days to build a habit? If you give up social media for Lent, you can focus on cultivating positive habits like reading (or listening to) books for fun, going for walks, or practicing mindfulness. Lent is 40 days, so you could have a new habit or two by the end!
2. Connect with people in person
Do you know the names of your neighbors? Or what about the people who sit behind or in front of you at Mass? When was the last time you called a long-distance family member or friend? Take this time to reconnect with friends and family in person. Take time for face-to-face meetings or phone calls to strengthen those relationships. Introduce yourself to your neighbors at home or at Mass and ask them how they are doing.
3. Volunteer and give back
Find ways to give your time to worthy causes. Have you always wanted to volunteer at the Open Door? Now’s the time (Blessed Sacrament has a group that works at the Open Door regularly)! Find a cause you’re passionate about and give your time this Lent.
4. Journaling
Start a Lenten journal to document your 40 days without social media. Or record your thoughts, experiences, and reflections during this period. If you’re interested in going deeper, check out the guided autobiography program, Everybody has a Story, with Ansley Dauenhauer beginning on February 21!
5. Read spiritual or inspirational books
Choose books that align with your spiritual or personal development goals. Do you want to learn more about spirituality, the saints, living your faith, or maybe you’re struggling with your faith, there are books out there that can help you with that doubt and insecurity. Check below for recommendations from Fr. Rob and staff.
6. Learn a new skill
With your newfound free time, you could learn a new skill. It could be anything from learning an instrument, or a new language, or practicing new recipes. The sky is the limit on this one!
7. Physical activity
You could focus on your physical health through regular exercise (not just working your thumb by scrolling). Take a hike at City Forest, go for a bike ride down the rail trail, walk around your neighborhood or to the end of the driveway if you’re starting small, or any other form of physical activity that you enjoy.
8. Digital detox
The goal is not to replace one screen with another, so you might consider a broader digital detox. Limit your overall screen time and take breaks from other digital devices as well.
9. Practice gratitude
Develop a daily gratitude practice. This could be the foundation of your journaling practice. Reflect on the positive things in your life and express gratitude for them either in a journal or through an action that serves others. Here are some prompts to consider:
Morning Gratitude:
What are three things you’re grateful for as you start your day?
Daily Highlight:
Recall the best part of your day and express gratitude for that moment.
Small Pleasures:
Reflect on small, everyday pleasures that often go unnoticed. What are you thankful for today?
Challenges Turned Blessings:
Consider a recent challenge or obstacle. How did it turn into a blessing or an opportunity for growth?
Acts of Kindness:
Write about someone’s kindness that you experienced or witnessed. Express gratitude for that person’s actions.
10. Spend time in nature
Take advantage of the outdoors. Spend time in nature, whether it’s hiking, gardening, or simply enjoying a quiet moment in a park.
Ready, Set, Lent
Lent isn’t just about giving something up, but cultivating ways to grow closer to God, deepen your faith, and become a better version of yourself, so on Easter Sunday we truly feel newly alive, like we too, have risen from the grave with Christ!
The Blessed Sacrament Knights of Columbus council recently held their Anniversary dinner at the parish social hall. Knights from our council, Assumption, and St. Brigid enjoyed a potluck dinner of Italian dishes. During the dinner, presentations were made to honor the “Knight of the Year” and “Family of the Year”.
We are proud to announce that this year’s recipients are:
Knight of the Year: Tom Zajac. Tom is a founding member of our Council. He has been a hard-working and reliable member of the council for many years. Tom has been very involved in the “Wood for Warmth” program benefiting cancer patients and needy people who heat with wood. He’s always there when we are cutting, splitting, and delivering the wood. You can also count on Tom to help make the Knight’s soup suppers a success. Tom also coordinates our council blood drives with Versiti Blood Center. He is there at every drive making sure things run smoothly.
Family of the Year: John and Margie Hollingsworth. John coordinates putting up and taking down Christmas lights around the church. John and Margie provide soup for the Knight’s soup suppers and John is there to help with other projects that the Knights have. John and Margie also serve the parish at mass with Hospitality and being Eucharistic Ministers. For many years, John has been a member of the Men’s Christ Renews Team.
Please join the Knights in congratulating Tom, John, and Margie for their service in 2023!
Sometimes all you need is coffee with God and his people.
Come meet with fellow coffee and tea drinkers who want to talk about topics of faith while fueling our caffeine cravings on May 7th at 9:00 am at Cultivate Coffee and Tea in the Midland Mall. This month we will discuss the pope’s prayer for seminarians. What is your role and society’s role in support of seminarians? How does the world view this calling/ vocation?
Also at Stranded Yarn and Coffee on Wednesday, May 15th at 7 pm.
The Christ’s Mission Appeal allows Catholics within the Diocese of Saginaw to express gratitude to God for His insurmountable blessings. Your openness to contribute to this appeal enables the ongoing and broader reach of diverse ministries to the faithful, all while actively participating in the mission of spreading the Gospel.
Both your financial contributions and your prayers for the mission of our esteemed diocese, as well as for the upcoming 2023 Christ’s Mission Appeal, are vital. Through these, we can collectively engage in meaningful “Kingdom Work.”
At the heart of the Diocese of Saginaw is a commitment to embody the teachings of Christ. The diocese’s mission statement is
Trusting in the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Eucharist, we, the faithful of the Diocese of Saginaw, are companions on the journey to share the love of Jesus Christ.
Christ’s Mission Appeal is an initiative to reinforce this commitment by supporting various outreach programs, educational endeavors, and pastoral services. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families within our diocese.
How You Can Contribute
Your generosity can make a significant difference. Join us in supporting Christ’s Mission Appeal through your donations. Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in sustaining and expanding the mission.
By Mail: Please complete the pledge card that is included in your Christ’s Mission Appeal mailing and return it in the envelope provided. Please return the pledge card to the Diocese of Saginaw.
In-Person: Checks can be dropped off in the baskets at Mass or at the Parish Center.
