It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

December 6th, 2016

Greetings of the season! Advent is a wonderful time of the year and one that I value so much! While the rest of the culture has been celebrating Christmas since the day after Halloween, Advent makes us stop in our tracks and evaluate what we're all about as Catholic Christians preparing for the coming of Christ. And I know, at least for myself, Advent is a reminder that waiting and being patient is good for my soul, living in such a culture of instant gratification like we do. Recently I read a great article about why following the liturgical calendar more closely in my personal life is a good idea, check it out here. One of my favorite reasons is that it teaches me to organize and shape my life by the Christian story rather than by what the Kingdom of the World holds dear. On top of the reasons listed in this article, I'd add that, for those of us with small children, the liturgical seasons are ready made opportunities to catechize our children and hand on the faith! Check out this graphic for ways you can celebrate the season with your children, or encourage the families in your ministry to celebrate with their's. 

Amidst the joy of this season, we are often touched by the sorrows of life as well. Divisions in our families, the death of loved ones, financial difficulties, etc. The advent season reminds us that God himself does not overlook our sorrows but comes near to be with us, to be  Emmanuel (God with us) for us. Let us turn to him and hand over into his care the troubles that we bear. In the coming months, the Office of Marriage and Family Life will be hosting several events aimed at providing healing for these very moments of life. See below for more information and please help spread the word so that people can encounter the healing hand of God.

I love this time of year and the anticipation it brings with it. Let's all use this time to welcome the Lord's presence into our hearts and be reenergized by him for the mission he has prepared for us!
Upcoming Events
Ministry Training for those working with the divorced. 

This fall, across the diocese, over 50 men and women have been finding healing through the Catholic's Divorce Survival Guide Program at four of our parishes. I have personally encountered some of these individuals and have accompanied them on their journey to healing. This is a truly amazing ministry! 

With all the attention Pope Francis has been getting regarding our brothers and sisters in this difficult situation of divorce we want to capitalize on the publicity and reach out to even more individuals around our diocese. On February 8th, 2017 we will host nationally renowned speaker Rose Sweet for facilitator training so that more parishes would be able to host this amazing program. The next day, we will be hosting Rose again for an afternoon workshop for clergy on ministering to divorced individuals. I would encourage any of our priests, deacons, or annulment advocates to consider attending this important event. For more information click here. 
Retreat for Divorced 

This coming February 10th - 12th, St. Francis Retreat Center will be hosting a retreat titled: "AFTER DIVORCE - An Adventure into the Interior Life"

This warm and uplifting event is less about the daily details of your life - or the devastation of your divorce - than it is a special time to draw close to Our Lord. Drawing from the story of the Samaritan woman who encounters Christ at Jacob's well, this even recognizes that after divorce people are much more aware of the deep thirst that needs quenching...particularly in all their relationships. To get to core issues, the weekend helps you go deeper into the interior life by asking:

Will I ever fully heal from divorce? What makes me happy and why does it elude me at times? Who is Christ to me? What does he have to say to me? How does he love me? What does he offer me? Do I really believe him? What holds me back from receiving his living water in the daily details of my life? And, on a practical level, HOW DO I INCORPORATE ALL THIS INTO MY RELATIONSHIPS?

Included in the weekend is a fun welcome and introduction, talks, helpful exercises, small group breakouts, quiet time for reflection, meals, a full-length movie, and more. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available. 
 
For more information check out the events page of the Diocesan  Marriage and Family Life web page.
Mass for Families of Miscarriage and Child Loss

Mark your calendars for this coming Sunday, March 26th at 2:00 pm, for a Mass for Families of Miscarriage and Child Loss with Bishop Boyea at St. Patrick's Church in Brighton. Any family who has experienced the tragedy of miscarriage or the loss of a child are welcome to attend.

MARCH FOR LIFE

This year's March for Life will take place on January 27th, 2017. 

For information on joining the Diocesan trip to Washington D.C. contact:

Miriam Lynch 
Diocese of Lansing MFL Coordinator 
St. Michael Catholic Church 
345 Edwards Street, Grand Ledge, MI 48837 
(517) 627-8493 
miriamlynch@stmichaelgl.org

To view and download the flier, click here. 
Spotlight: Resource

You have probably heard of the Theology of the Body as taught by St. John Paul II at the beginning of his pontificate during the weekly Wednesday audiences. And you're aware of the great resource it has been for expounding and explaining the Church's teachings on marriage and family life. But did you know that the Theology of the Body isn't merely a theology of sexuality? It is actually a theology of what it means to be human! It's implications are thus pretty far reaching! This wonderful book entitled These Beautiful Bones is all about exploring those implications. The author Emily Stimpson talks about everything from food, to clothes, to our jobs! Check it out and get a fuller picture of what John Paul II's Theology of the body could mean for your life! 
Richard Budd | Diocese of Lansing | (517) 342-2471 | Email | Website
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