The Diocese of Grand Rapids’ Office of Communications relays the following statement from
Bishop David J. Walkowiak marking the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States on
Monday:

The anger and violence that is rippling across our country is a direct result of a lack of justice, love and peace. Sadly, once again and far too often, racism: institutional racism, cultural racism, personal racism is why this deficiency exists. Following a year where we have become more aware of the mark racism has left on our society, we reflect on the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who encouraged Americans to stand up for equality, justice, and peace – the message of the Gospel. He showed us that it is possible to fight for what we believe in, in a non-violent way. Almost 60 years later, Dr. King’s words still remind us of where we are as a country, “Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time (Yes) (Now) to make justice a reality for all of God’s children. It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment.” (Dr. King, I Have a Dream speech, Aug. 1963)

We are disciples of Christ. We are citizens of God's kingdom of justice, love and peace. Those are not mere words. We cannot remain silent and indifferent to injustice, hatred and violence directed at any member of our human family. Acts and attitudes of racism are sinful. They reveal a failure, a failure to acknowledge the value and dignity of the persons who are subjected to this evil; failure to see in each one of them the brother or sister that Christ calls us to love.
Let us use this day to pray for a genuine conversion of heart, to complete an act of kindness for a stranger, or to say an extra prayer for peace in our world as we commemorate the life of Dr. King.

The Diocese of Grand Rapids serves 175,114 Catholics, 80 parishes and 31 schools in an 11-county area of West Michigan. For
additional information visit our website www.grdiocese.org. Connect with the diocese on Facebook (Diocese of Grand Rapids),
Twitter (@GRDiocese), and Instagram (@GRDiocese).

December 25, 2020
 
Dear Friends in Christ,
 
Rejoice! Our Savior is born! I wish you glad tidings on this holiest and exultant day. While our Christmas celebration looks very different this year, Christmas is not canceled. No pandemic can cancel the light, hope, and salvation that our Savior brings.
 
“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the
world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 9-14)
 
That light reveals Good News. The birth of Jesus is God’s gift to us. We do not earn or deserve such a Savior, but we can accept this sheer gift of divine love with joy! The gift of salvation, the gift of faith, is not an inactive or passive thing. Faith is above all a relationship with a personal God, one that is meant to be both treasured and shared. Every relationship calls for a response, for an exchange of attentiveness and ongoing interest, and even love.
 
The first response we can make to God’s gift of Himself is authentic gratitude. From gratitude can arise the conviction that we want to live in harmony with the wisdom of God and Jesus’ example of selfless love. No better commandment can be found than the Great Commandment that Jesus taught: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and our neighbor as ourselves. This time of pandemic has brought us examples of this selfless love. We have witnessed how lovingly our doctors, nurses, and health care workers have cared for the sick and dying; people have increased their donations to food pantries and other charities to help those in need; people have run errands for their neighbors who may not safely leave the house. There are also the many acts that go unnoticed day to day.
 
Christmas is about who makes these acts of love possible: Jesus Christ. He has redeemed us from the self-centeredness that pulls us toward sin. He enables us to live his life in the world, making the gift of his love present to our time and place.
 
I encourage you to view the diocesan website (grdiocese.org) and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for Christmas resources and to stay connected to your faith and what is happening in the diocese. During this Christmas season, let us reflect on God’s unsurpassable love, and through our actions share our joy that Jesus, the Savior of the world, is born.
 
Sincerely yours in Christ,
 Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak
Bishop of Grand Rapids

Our next Blood Drive will be on January 3, 2021. At this time all appointment times for this drive are filled.  As a reminder you must sign up for the drives, there are no standing reservations. If you haven’t signed up yet for March 7, 2021 drive please contact Chris Jarvis at 616 402-1598 or you may do so on line at www.redcrossblood.org.

Please mark your calendars for the following Blood Drives for 2021: Sunday, January 3, March 7, May 16, July 11, September 12, and November 7, 2021.

2020 Christmas Food Drive
Weekend of December 5 & 6
Food Gift Boxes will be given to families in need.
We are planning on 100+
Please help us fill the boxes
Bring your donated items directly to the pantry before Mass.
Dorothy will be there to assist you. Be sure to use the door on Prospect Street.
 
Here are the items needed to fill the gift boxes:
 
Hams (not frozen) between 6 & 9 pounds. Please do not cut them in half.
If you are able to donate a ham call Dorothy @842-2062.
Hams are needed no later than Tuesday, December 15,
and can be placed in the Pantry or Activity Center Kitchen
 
Large Instant Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing Mix (2), Gravy (1),
Canned Fruit (2), Chicken Broth (1), Jello (2), Green Beans (2),
Cream of Mushroom Soup (2), White Rice, Canned Milk and Cranberries
 
Baking Items: Any kind of Pie Filling, Pie Crust, Cookie & Cake Mix
(We will put a variety in the gift boxes)
 
Fresh Potatoes, Oranges & Apples may be brought to the pantry the mornings of:
December 14 & 15. Treats are appreciated.
 
Gift Boxes will be given out December 16 & 17.
 
If you are a parishioner and are in need of a Gift Box please call Dorothy at her office
no later than Friday, December 11, 616-842-2602.
 
Volunteers are needed to sort donated items after all Masses December 5 & 6.
Taping & packing gift boxes will be Monday, December 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Please call Dorothy if you are able to help, 616-842-2602.
 

November 16, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

This year has been one full of darkness and anxiety for many of us. However, as we turn our liturgical calendar to this season of Advent, we remember our reason to hope. Jesus became one like us to show us, “the light shines in the darkness.” Nothing can outmatch our Savior and His unabiding hope, love, and grace –even if we do not immediately recognize it given our current reality.
 
Public health officials continue to remind us that where we are in the fight against COVID-19 is a much different place than where we hoped it would be at this time. We have continued to see an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. West Michigan now has one of the highest case rates in the State.
 
My desire was to be able to reinstate the obligation to attend Sunday Mass by this time; however, it is evident that is not a prudent decision at this point. Given the current situation and our restricted capacities for Mass, I am extending the dispensation for all Catholics within the territory of the Diocese of Grand Rapids from their obligation of attending Sunday Mass through January 4.
 
Public Masses and the celebration of the sacraments will continue with the appropriate COVID-19 mitigation strategies in place. Those who are able to attend Mass should return, remembering that our physical presence at the Eucharistic table is irreplaceable. These mitigation strategies need to be followed to ensure public Masses remain available. Your pastor will be making decisions about parish programming in accordance with State epidemic orders issued November 15.
 
I grant this dispensation to ensure that anyone who needs to stay home can do so in good conscience. If you are homebound, please contact your parish to inquire about the ability to have Communion brought to you. Mass will continue to be televised at 10 a.m. Sunday on FOX 17 and livestreamed on the diocesan website (grdiocese.org) and Facebook page (Diocese of Grand Rapids). While this dispensation is in effect, all baptized Catholics are reminded of their obligation to keep the Lord’s Day holy.
 
As we look forward to the day when we can all gather again, we remember, “May your mercy, Lord, be upon us; as we put our hope in you.” (Psalm 33:22)

We entrust our prayers to the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, patroness of those who suffer illness. Please continue to check the diocesan website: http://bit.ly/GRdioceseCOVID19Updates and social media for the latest information on our COVID-19 response.
 
Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak
Bishop of Grand Rapids