Please help us keep our community safe by always wearing a mask when you are in church at Mass or in the Parish Center. Thank you for your cooperation!
Fr. Rob’s Scripture Challenge
At Mass on the weekend of October 3/4, Fr. Rob challenged us to read the second reading in the morning and at night for one week. He then asked those who accepted this challenge to let us know how it made their day/week better, or if it changed their outlook at all.
Brothers and sisters:
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me.
Then the God of peace will be with you.
If you would like to participate, please tell us your experience below.
LOVE WORKS when…
July 5—
Back in February, before there was Covid 19, and floods, and race riots, the Faith Formation Team had settled on the theme, LOVE WORKS for the 2020/2021 catechetical year. Who would have known how appropriate that theme would be?! During this time when EVERYTHING is different, it has become abundantly clear that LOVE still WORKS, even when nothing else seems to:
- When we wear masks in public spaces to protect the lives of the vulnerable, LOVE WORKS.
- When we carry the flooded lives of friends and strangers to the curb, LOVE WORKS.
- When we wash laundry and cook meals for people without appliances or power, LOVE WORKS.
- When we march in a Black Lives Matter demonstration, LOVE WORKS.
- When we examine our hearts and attitudes for traces of bias and prejudice, LOVE WORKS.
- When we pray for justice and healing, LOVE WORKS.
We aren’t certain what parish programming will look like when September rolls around because we can’t be certain that the old ways of doing things will be safe and appropriate. But maybe that’s OK. Maybe it’s time to once again examine who we want to be as Blessed Sacrament Parish and how we get there over the next few years. As of now we have all of our favorite traditional programs on the calendar and we are looking at adding some new opportunities as well: “Financial Peace” A program to help with money matters, “Cherish”: a marriage enrichment opportunity, “Love Does”: a study of what it would look like to boldly show love and grace to everyone.
July 12—
Another way that LOVE WORKS in our parish is when we are welcoming and inclusive. Sometimes this requires us to step out of our comfort zone. Sometimes it requires us to learn something new or to examine the unconscious biases that we have.
July 19—
In keeping with our theme, LOVE WORKS, I would like to continue talking about how LOVE WORKS in a parish. With everything happening in our world and community these days, it has been easy to showcase LOVE at WORK and invite you into that experience. So far we have highlighted 2 ways.
LOVE WORKS IN A PARISH WHEN:
- We serve others and share the stories
- We are welcoming and inclusive.
This week I would like to focus on a third way that LOVE WORKS in a parish and that is by celebrating Mass together EVERY Sunday unless we are sick or out of town. I saw this love at work on July 5 when we had Mass outdoors. People were so incredibly happy just to be together and catch up with each other face to face though of course it was “mask to mask.” I had the honor of being a Eucharistic Minister and people literally had tears in their eyes when they received. Some folks hadn’t had the opportunity to receive the Eucharist in 4 months and to see how moved they were brought me to tears. So many people said “thank you” after saying “Amen.” It truly felt like Thanksgiving dinner!!! After all, Eucharist means, “thanksgiving”. And if we approach every Sunday as an opportunity to gather with the family of faith that we love around the Thanksgiving table, where we also welcome the stranger and include the marginalized, think about the joy we will receive and be able to share in the world. We are filled with the love of Christ to be the love of Christ. That’s how LOVE WORKS when we gather each Sunday for Mass.
July 26—
In keeping with our theme, LOVE WORKS, let’s continue talking about how LOVE WORKS in a parish. With everything happening in our world and community these days, it has been easy to showcase LOVE at WORK and invite you into that experience. So far we have highlighted 3 ways.
LOVE WORKS IN A PARISH WHEN:
- We serve others and share the stories
- We are welcoming and inclusive
- When we celebrate Mass together every week
The fourth way that LOVE WORKS in a parish is when we embrace new opportunities to grow in our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ and to talk about those experiences with others. From 3 year olds to 103 year olds there are opportunities for everyone at Blessed Sacrament. These opportunities vary in length and content. They could be occasional like a Men’s Morning of Reflection or Theology by the Glass. They might look like a Scripture Study that lasts for 6 weeks or an on-line book club where you read and chime in when you have time. And just maybe it’s a small group where the relationships built last a life time. Check out our offerings for youth and adults on our website and in the bulletin. Jesus wants to be in a personal relationship with each and every one of us. How might Jesus be calling you to grow in your faith in him and your love for him?
August 2—
keeping with our theme, LOVE WORKS, let’s continue talking about how LOVE WORKS in a parish. With everything happening in our world and community these days, it has been easy to showcase LOVE at WORK and invite you into that experience. So far we have highlighted 4 ways.
LOVE WORKS IN A PARISH WHEN:
- We serve others and share the stories
- We are welcoming and inclusive
- We celebrate Mass together every week
- We grow in our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ and share our faith with others
The final way we want to look at how LOVE WORKS in a parish is when we support the mission of Jesus Christ through the generosity of our time, talent, and treasure. When we spend time in prayer or participate in liturgical ministries (hospitality, lector, homebound…) or lead a small group or become a catechist or give of our financial resources, we are living out our special role in building the Kingdom of God right here, right now. We are so grateful to the members of our Blessed Sacrament community who have continuously supported the work of Jesus Christ with their generosity. A heart felt “thank you” to each of you.
For the past several weeks we have looked at our theme LOVE WORKS in relation to how love works in a parish setting. Here is the list we came up:
LOVE WORKS IN A PARISH WHEN…
- We celebrate Mass together every week
- We are welcoming and inclusive
- We serve others and share the stories
- We grow in our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ and share our faith with others
- We are generous with our time, talent, and treasure to help in building the Kingdom of God?
We want to hear from YOU! We want to know how you think LOVE WORKS in a parish. How can our parish family help to support the mission of Jesus Christ in our little corner of God’s vineyard and in the world? How can we be more inviting and inclusive? How can we better support one another on our faith journeys? How would YOU like to see LOVE WORKING at Blessed Sacrament Parish?
Share your thoughts now!
Anti-Racism Resources
Anti-Racism Resources
Prayer for an End to Racism Prayer Service Outline
US Conference of Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letters/ Documents
All of these documents and more resources are available on the web or at the USCCB website: www.usccb.org
- Racism: Confronting the Poison in Our Common Home, USCCB: Dept. of Justice, Peace and Human Development, January, 2016
- The Racial Divide in the United State: A Reflection for the World Day of Peace 2015, A Pastoral Letter, Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Ph.D., S.T.D., Bishop of Belleville, IL, January 1, 2015
- Statement of Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, of Louisville, KY, President of the USCCB to the Spring General Assembly, June 10,2015
- 25th Anniversary: U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Racism, October, 2004
- In God’s Image: Pastoral Letter on Racism, Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, MN, September 12, 2003
- Created in God’s Image: A Pastoral Letter on the Sin of Racism and a Call to Conversion, Most Rev. Dale J. Melczek, Bishop of the Diocese of Gary, IN, Aug. 6, 2003
- Dwell in My Love: A Pastoral Letter on Racism, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago,IL, April 4, 2001 (33rd Anniv. of the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.)
- On Racial Harmony, A Statement Approved by the Administrative Board, National Catholic Welfare Conference, Aug. 23, 1963
- Brothers and Sisters to US, US Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter on Racism, 1979
- The Ghost of the Legacy of Racial Inequity Continues to Haunt Us, Bishop Michael Pfeifer, O.M.J.
- Diversity and Racial Justice Resources, www.wearesaltandlight.org
- Resources on Racism for Youth Ministry Leaders, http://www.nfcym.org/racism.htm
Books
- Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, Bryan Massingale, S.T.D. (a must read!)
- America’s Original Sin, Jim Wallis
- Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation, Jennifer Harvey
- Everyday White People Confront Racial and Social Justice: 15 Stories, Eddie Moore, Jr, Ali Michael, Marguerite W. Penick-Parks, Editors
- Understanding & Dismantling Racism, Joseph Barndt
- The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander
- Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson
- Between The World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Nobody, Marc Lamont Hill
- Why Race Matters, Cornel West
- The Cross and The Lynching Tree, James H. Cone
- White Like Me, Tim Wise
- Waking Up White, Debbie Irvin
- Witnessing Whiteness, Shelly Tochluk
- Race is a Nice Thing to Have, Janet Helms
- Lies My Teacher Told Me, James Loewen
- People’s History of the US, Howard Zinn
- Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice, Paul Kivel
Movies
- 13th XII (on Netflix)
- Loving
- 12 Years a Slave
- The Help
- Selma
- Birth of a Nation
- Hidden Figures
- Just Mercy (free on streaming platforms for the month of June)
- American Son (on Netflix)
Articles
- Still Separate, Still Unequal: White Catholics and the Perduring Sin of Racism, America Magazine Aug. 29-Sept. 6, 2016
- Breaking Silence on Racism, America Magazine Nov. 30, 2015
- Editorial: New Dialogue on the Old Problem of Racism, National Catholic Reporter March 24, 2016
- As Church Demographics Shift, Catholics Urged to Address the “Sin of Racism.” National Catholic Reporter Nov. 10, 2015
- Blind Spots: Reckoning with Racism, Commonweal Magazine Oct. 5, 2016
- Racism: Will We Ever Overcome?, U.S. Catholic Magazin, July 13, 2016
- Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (A classic in literature about race,) Peggy McIntosh, Ph.D. nationalseedproject.org/white-privilege-unpacking-the-invisible-knapsack
- Race/Related: New York Times – weekly email newsletter, NYTimes.com/race-related
- When Whites Just Don’t Get It: Parts 1 -7, Nicholas Kristof, New York Times Sunday Review, 8/30/14; 9/6.14; 10/11/14; 11/15/14; 11/29/14; 4/2/16; 10/1/16
- Is Everyone a Little Bit Racist?, Nicholas Kristof, New York Times Opinion Pages, Aug. 27, 2014
- Why Talk About Whiteness: We Can’t talk About Racism Without It, Emily Chiariello
- Teaching Tolerance: www.tolerance.org/whiteness, Summer 2016
- Confronting White Privilege, Katy Walwell, Teaching Tolerance Fall 2012
- Can We? A Brief History of American Racism, Melissa Harris-Perry, The Nation Sept. 1, 2009
- Black as We Wanna Be, Matthew McKnight, The Nation Sept. 15, 2016
- Embrace Race: Raising Kids in a World Where Race Matters, www.embracerace.org
Speeches
- YouTube: What I Didn’t Tell My White Friends Jim Crow Explained – Keith Hughes
- Ted Talks: Talks to Help You Understand Racism in America (9 talks)
- Ideas.Ted.Com: My Hopes, Dreams, Fears for My Future Son, Clint Smith May 1, 2015
- The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander speaking at Union Theological Seminary, www.utsnyc.edu
- Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University, www.ferris.edu/jimcrow
Resources courtesy of Pax Christi USA.
Public Masses at Blessed Sacrament Beginning May 30/31
Dear Blessed Sacrament Parish Community,
Our church will be open for public Masses beginning the weekend of May 30/31, the feast of Pentecost. We are still in the midst of a pandemic, so Mass will look and feel different than the last time we gathered in March. Below you will find the guidelines for Mass at Blessed Sacrament.
Mass Times
Saturday at 4:00pm
Sunday at 10:00am
Seating
- Certain sections and pews will be roped off
- Each person/family should maintain 6ft of social distance between the next person or household in the pews and at all times while in the building and on the grounds
- Please follow the instructions of the ushers for seating and recognize you may not be seated where you usually sit
To Combat the Spread of COVID-19
-
Everyone is required to wear a face mask while in the church
-
Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance, please use it to sanitize your hands before coming in
-
There will be no worship aids or hymnals, you are asked to sing softly or hum along
-
The font will remain drained
-
Pews and surfaces will be sanitized between Masses
-
Communion will be distributed at the end of Mass and you will leave the church immediately after you receive
Other notes
-
The max capacity per Mass will be 100 people
- Doors will open 30 minutes before Mass begins
- The chapel will be roped off and votive candles will not be available at this time
- The church building will remain closed in order to ensure clean and sanitized surfaces for Mass
- Bulletins will continue to be available electronically only
The Sunday obligation has been dispensed until August 30, 2020. We will continue to record Mass and make it available on our YouTube page. If you are at risk, immunocompromised, or feeling unwell in any capacity, please stay home. By stopping the spread of COVID-19, we will be able to worship together as a whole community sooner.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Earth Day
As the 50th celebration of Earth Day is upon us Lyn Pajk shares some excerpts from Pope Francis’s letter to the world, Laudato Si: on care for our common home, and what they mean for us as disciples of Jesus.
Easter-Card Project
Easter-Card Project
Wondering what you can do for others now that we’re all at home? The Blessed Sacrament community is coming together to reach out to those in our parish who may be most isolated at this time by making Easter cards for our parishioners who are 65 or over! There are a lot of them, but if every Faith Formation and School family committed to making 10 cards, we should be able to send a note to every single one of them!
Here’s how to participate:
- Contact Lyn Pajk at lynp@blessed-midland.org and tell her how many cards your family wants to make. If you have a family of 5, maybe each of you could commit to making two cards!
- Lyn will send you the names and addresses of your family’s pen pals.
- Make an Easter card or write a nice letter full of Easter joy to your pen pal. (Reminder: Wash your hands before writing your note or making your card! We don’t want to inadvertently spread germs through the mail!)
- Address your envelope and send it off! We recommend sending your letter by Tuesday, April 7 to ensure delivery before or by Easter Sunday!
- Or, if you’d like to drop it at the Parish Center, one of the Faith Formation staff will be happy to mail them for you. Last day for drop-off is Tuesday, April 7. The drop-off bin is by the Parish Center doors of the big parking lot.
Blessed Sacrament Is Now On Flocknote!
FINANCE AND ASSET COUNCIL MINUTES – October 16, 2019
Attendees: Fr. Rob Howe, Pat Regier, Pam Gandy, Judy Gross, Andy Pasztor, Bob Gamm, Kevin Spencer, Mike Ericson, Dan Kozakiewicz, Kathy Fothergill
Reported by: Fothergill
First Quarter Financial Results: Net Assets increased by $32K during the quarter. The Parish Fund increased by $14K, due to CSA rebate of $7K and lower than planned expenses in most categories. CSA excess contributions for the current year are expected to be approximately $40K, compared with $66K the prior year. CSA rebates of excess contributions are not included in the budget. Fr. Rob commented that CSA funding has challenges because of negative reports about the Church in general, not specific to Blessed Sacrament. Memorial Fund increased by $2K because of donations. Christian Service Fund activity reflects expenditures for emergency assistance payments. Payments this quarter have been lower than both budget and corresponding quarter last year. Reduction in Major Expenditure Fund reflects HVAC Control Upgrade of $36.3K net of a $25K donation. Weekend Collections for the first quarter fell $19K short of budget, but have picked up somewhat in October.
Fall Stewardship Campaign Update: Little Burgundy Book (four weeks of stewardship reflections) and letter were mailed this week. Mid-November we will send 2020 pledge card and Time & Talent survey via Flocknotes. Prior to that, Fr. Rob will send a video stewardship message. Fr. Rob told the Council that stewardship should address all three elements – time, talent and treasure. We need to take care of the parish, each other, and our community.
Facilities Update:
Church HVAC Upgrade was completed at a cost of $36.3K (partially offset by a $25K donation). We received a $9K rebate from Consumers Energy. We are having some reliability issues with the system, and JE Johnson has not been responsive. ControlNET of Grand Rapids will review the project (JE Johnson will cover these costs). Also, over the summer, repairs were made to the parking lot catch basins – concrete and new collars at a cost of $10.4K
Church Roof – We have hired Dave Tagget (architect and liturgical consultant). We have received approval from the Diocesan Building Commission to proceed with bid process. Drawings and specifications will be released for bids by January 9th. Project is for a 20 year roof under two alternative systems: Duro-Last and Firestone TPO. Target is to get the new roofing system in place next fall. Current roof is 18 – 19 years old (15 year warranty has expired), and has some areas of concern.
Two members of the Pastoral Council requested that we explore purchasing outdoor electronic displays for church and school. Patrick received a preliminary estimate of $30K for one sign, $50K for two signs. Given the decline in parish revenue over the last few years, the Finance and Asset Council felt that the signs were not a priority expenditure at this time, but we can add it to the Major Expenditures list for future consideration.
The Asset Team will do a parish walk-around next month. Mike mentioned that there may still be incentives available from Consumers Energy for efficient lighting projects.
Roundtable:
Patrick – There is a meeting scheduled with the Diocesan Superintendant of Schools on school tuition plans (he is already aware of the plans). School principal is preparing communication plans for both school and non-school families. Plans will likely include a couple of town hall meetings to provide the opportunity for parents and parishioners to get more information. We have entered into an agreement with FACTS to provide tuition billing/tracking and independent financial aid assessment.
Patrick – October count is underway. First two weeks are relatively flat with last year.
Fr. Rob – We will need to change the summer collection estimates for next year’s budget – this year’s were not realistic.
Andy – We should look at installing screens or grates on the air intake vents located under the altar platform along the church floors. Sacramental ministers have occasionally dropped things that could fall into the vents.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Baptism of the Lord Icon Explained
What is the Baptism of the Lord or Theophany?
Theophany, or Baptism of the Lord, is upon us. The word Theophany means “Revelation of God;” Theophany therefore marks the revelation of the Trinitarian nature of God when Jesus was baptized. Those who witnessed heard the Father’s voice from Heaven, saw the Spirit descending upon Jesus, and could see Jesus in the flesh, whom God confirmed to be His Son with His voice.
Theophany Icon:
The symbolism of this icon is deep and rich. There is one particular part I want to focus on for this blog entry.
Jesus is naked, or nearly so.
Christ is purposely depicted with little or no clothing. But why is that significant?
All throughout the creation narrative in Genesis we see God creating and then saying it is “good.” Man and woman were created together in God’s image. They were both beautiful, and while they lacked physical garments, they were clothed in the glory of the “image” and “likeness” of God. However, when they fell into sin, they hid in shame until God brought them garments of skin to wear (which symbolizes the sinful tendency that now obscures our true nature). Their natural beauty was transformed into an object of shame. Adam and Eve fell, and with them fell creation.
Now, enter Jesus Christ: he represents the second Adam (1 Cor 15). In shame and nakedness, Adam hid. Yet Christ comes in his majesty, both as God and man, both in glory and nakedness completely unashamed, representing the beauty of the undefiled human made possible through Him (and in the subsequent centuries, Christians were often baptized without any clothing, shedding the garments of the “old man” to die in Christ and be resurrected in Him). But why was Christ baptized if He had no sin?
While Christ was baptized in the Jordan River, it was really the Jordan and all of creation that was baptized in Christ. As Canticle Four of Compline of Theophany states, At Thine appearing in the body, the earth was sanctified, the waters blessed, the heaven enlightened, and mankind was set loose from the bitter tyranny of the enemy.
We see the beginning of a new creation in Theophany. Things are being set right. Christ has come not only to cleanse and restore mankind, but to adopt us as heirs into his Kingdom. And when we receive His glory, not only are we redeemed, but we draw all of creation with us into the final restoration. That is why “creation groans” in eager expectation, awaiting the glorification of the children of God. (Rom 8)
A few other notes about the Icon:
- At the top the Holy Spirit is descending upon Jesus as a dove, the Holy Spirit is depicted in a Mandorla. In this manner, The Father, using His own pre-eternal and consubstantial and subracelestial Spirit as His finger, crying out and point from heaven, openly declared and proclaimed to all that the one then being baptized by John in the Jordan was His beloved Son, while at the same time manifesting His unity with Him.” (St. Gregory Palamas, Homily 60.15). St. John Chrysostom also emphasizes that the Gospels state the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descends upon us so that we can ascend with Christ and the Spirit to the Father in Heaven. For the first time since the fall of mankind, the Heavens were opened to us.
- The angels on the right side are waiting to attend and dress him after the baptism is over.
- John the Baptist, while baptizing Jesus is usually turned away or looking at the Spirit descending upon Christ. This signifies that Theophany is about elevating Jesus Christ. If this were an Olympic race, it would be as if the Old Testament (John the Baptist and all before him) were passing the baton to the New Testament (Jesus Christ and all of the saints).
- There is an axe near John the Baptist, which reflects his warning that our lives must bear the fruit of the Spirit or else we will be removed. We cannot get comfortable or spiritually lazy.
- Jesus is not submerged in the water, for creation was baptized in Him, not vice versa.
- Lastly, the strange little creatures riding fish at the bottom represent the Jordan River and the Sea, both fleeing at the sight of something much bigger and greater than themselves entering the water. As the Psalms say:
- Psalm 73:14 –Thou did establish the sea by Thy might, Thou did break the heads of the dragons in the water.
- Psalm 76:15 – The waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid; the abysses were troubled.
- Psalm 113:3 – The sea beheld and fled, [the River] Jordan turned back.
This explanation was taken from the website Orthodox Road. The full text can be found here.