Category: Parish News

Please see this year’s Holy Week schedule below. All events are at St. John unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, April 12th – Palm Sunday Vigil
4:30 p.m. Mass
6:00 p.m. Mass (Blessed Sacrament)

Sunday, April 13th – Palm Sunday
7:30 a.m. Mass
9:00 a.m. Mass (Blessed Sacrament)
10:00 a.m. Mass
12:00 p.m. Mass
5:00 p.m. Mass

Thursday, April 17th – Holy Thursday
6:30 p.m. Solemn Liturgy
8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. Adoration (Chapel)
8:00 p.m. Reconciliation
11:00 p.m. Holy Hour of Prayer (Chapel)

Friday, April 18th – Good Friday
12:00 p.m. Private Prayer (until 1:00 p.m.)
1:00 p.m. Solemn Liturgy
3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Reconciliation
7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross

April 19th – Holy Saturday
2:00 p.m. Blessing of Food, Swieconka
8:30 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass

April 20th – Easter Sunday
7:30 a.m. Mass
9:00 a.m. Mass (Blessed Sacrament)
10:00 a.m. Mass
12:00 p.m. Mass (Liturgy with Children)
NO 5:00 p.m. Mass!

It is time to update the landscaping at Blessed Sacrament – the area on either side of the
entry doors to the Church as well as the area in front of the St. Joseph Hall. The landscaping will be low maintenance and visually appealing year-round. We are seeking donations in memory of your loved ones. A donation of $150 will memorialize your loved one’s name on a framed plaque that will be displayed in the hallway of the Church. If you would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one please complete the form and return along with your $150 donation. Please don’t delay! We would like to be able to complete this project before June 1, 2025.

The Red Cross will be holding a Blood Drive in the Family Center on Friday, April 11 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. For more information, or to sign up for a donation time, please visit the Red Cross website: http://www.redcrossblood.org/rcbmobile/drive/chooseDonationTime.jsp

The sacrament of Reconciliation is a wonderful way to help with our journey through the Lenten season. St. John will be holding two communal penance services during Lent: Sunday, March 30 at 6:15 p.m. and Tuesday, April 8th at 10:45 a.m.

Join the Knights of Columbus every Friday from March 7 – April 18 for a Family Fish Fry!

The Diocesan Services Appeal (DSA) is an annual appeal, meaning gifts are used to sustain the ongoing, day-to-day work of the Church in our Diocese. Our contributions are put to work, right away, in a multitude of ministries and activities. The dollars are not invested or reserved for future use. DSA gifts support the efforts of the many ongoing ministries across the diocese. Stewardship for Saints and Scholars gifts are a long-term investment in the future of Catholic Schools and the education and formation of our children. Both types of gifts are necessary and responsible uses of the financial gifts with which God has graced us as the stewards of His Holy Catholic Church. Contributions are restricted to fund the ministries, programs, and services that offer direct assistance to individuals and families and to our parishes, schools, and affiliated Catholic organizations.

This year, our goal is $126,790.00.

Gather in fellowship with hundreds of other men ages 14 and above to hear from dynamic speakers about How the Lord wants to IGNITE your spirit to live as a faithful Catholic in our post-Christian world.

This conference is not meant to simply ignite your Faith for a day, but to invite men across the diocese to build strong Christian communities in their homes, parishes, and workplaces that burn with zeal for the Lord.

Join us to connect with other Catholic men from around the state, hear from nationally renowned speakers, spend time in prayer and adoration, engage with exciting Catholic ministries, and celebrate Mass with Bishop Boyea!

Seasons of Hope: coping with our losses is a support group for the bereaved that is held in the St. John Family Center.

The group will meet for 6 weeks beginning Wednesday February 26, 2025.
Mornings: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Evenings: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Attendance is limited, so register early. Anyone grieving the loss of a loved one is encouraged to attend and bring a friend. All are welcome! Register by calling Judy Plamondon at (810) 653-1706 or use the registration form below.

Join Fr. Andrew as he travels the National Parks of America October 2-13, 2025! Highlights include Scottsdale, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks, Old Faithful, Sheridan, Bighorn Mountains, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Mount Rushmore. Click here to view the trip brochure!

To sign up for the trip, or for more information, please click here. 

You can view the Zoom meeting that was held here: https://collette.zoom.us/rec/share/BfLdE3gauBe0LQddg9UumHgDW5osV2mHb78Etk66t_4RdszdNbDS5NRelMf1uJZD.SVFzO18XDKdCWnLk

Website · Text · Scan · App

We have exciting news! The Catholic Community of St. John and Blessed Sacrament is now offering online giving services through ParishSoft Giving to better serve our parishioners. We are providing this option in addition to cash or check donations. You can still give through traditional methods, but now you can make recurring or one-time gifts online with a credit/debit card or electronic check.

This program is beneficial to you, in that you do not need to worry about having cash or check on hand at Mass, and it benefits our Parish by reducing the time needed to process donations and run financial reports.

To give online through our new platform, visit our giving page on our website https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/stj404263 or scan qrcode below.

You can also give through text message by texting “MyGift” to 810-652-5253.  Finally, you can stay engaged with our parish and give by downloading the myParish App to your phone.

Please contact Shelly Wallace at 810-653-2377 if you need assistance to make the switch from Eoffering to ParishSoft Giving.

Scan to give:

Nearly fifty years after the unjust decision in Roe v. Wade, our country draws closer to a society that recognizes the God-given right of life for all persons, at any stage or in any condition. While today’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturns Roe is a cause for joy, we must remember that life is and always will be a gift from our Creator; it cannot be given or taken by governmental structures, judges, or elected officials.

We are saddened by the fear and anger that has reverberated across our land since a draft of this opinion was leaked to the public. In light of these concerns, we wish to make clear that no woman should face pregnancy alone. With safe-delivery laws, adoption, pregnancy resource centers, and assistance from Catholic and other agencies that provide necessities for mom and baby, every pregnant woman should know there is a community of compassion and support waiting to help her and her unborn or infant child. We empathize with women who struggle with daily challenges that may affect their decision to carry their baby to term: financial insecurity, food insecurity, medical care, lack of relationship and/or family support, coercion, and homelessness, just to name a few.

The pro-life movement must redouble its efforts to ensure every woman has the support she needs throughout her pregnancy and beyond, whether she chooses to parent or create an adoption plan. We affirm that the Church must prioritize this work, through our Catholic Charities and parish-based support networks, to meet the physical needs of mothers and children as well as offer the emotional support and love new mothers need. We also implore men to be respectful of women and responsible when they father a child. We are all called to walk with moms in need, and we encourage all Michiganders to join us in this effort.

Today’s momentous decision would not have occurred without fifty years of prayer, action and witness from innumerable women and men who promote the sanctity of human life. These people of goodwill laid the foundation for a future of love, compassion, and support toward women and their unborn or newborn children. Though Roe is no longer relevant to abortion policy, we must remain vigilant against future attempts to promote abortion as help for women, which in reality are attacks on human life itself. Some of those attacks have already started here in Michigan through the legislative process, at the ballot box and in the court room, signaling that the work to build up a social order that respects human life is not finished.

Let us, as the Body of Christ here on Earth, pray for all pregnant women and continue to proclaim that human life is sacred from conception to natural death and at every point in between, and to commit ourselves to building a society grounded in that essential God-given right.

Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron Archbishop of Detroit

Most Reverend Earl A. Boyea Bishop of Lansing

Most Reverend Robert D. Gruss Bishop of Saginaw

Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak Bishop of Grand Rapids

Most Reverend Jose Arturo Cepeda Escobedo Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit

Most Reverend Donald F. Hanchon Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit

Most Reverend Paul J. Bradley Bishop of Kalamazoo

Most Reverend John F. Doerfler Bishop of Marquette

Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh Bishop of Gaylord

Most Reverend Gerard W. Battersby Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit

Most Reverend Robert J. Fisher Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit

We have two options available for viewing Mass during this time: via live video on Facebook or recorded later on Youtube.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make and Act of Spiritual Communion which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion means uniting one’s self in prayer with Christ’s sacrifice and worshipping him in his Body and Blood. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that
You are present in the
Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all
things, and I desire to
receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at
this moment receive You
sacramentally, come at
least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as
if You were already
there and unite myself
Wholly to you.
Never permit me to be
separated from You.
Amen.

FORMED is an exciting new gateway to the best Catholic teaching videos, books, and audio talks to deepen your parishioners’ relationship with Christ and his Church.  All in one place. Accessible on most smart phone, tablets and computers. Please view the video below for an overview on FORMED and click the link below the video to register for FREE now!

To register for FORMED follow this link and input the code 77XNVP to the ACCESS CODE box.  

If you have been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church –

Please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing.  We encourage you to come forward and speak out. Every diocese in the United States now has a victim assistance coordinator who is available to obtain support for your needs, to help make a formal complaint of abuse to the diocese and to arrange a personal meeting with the bishop or his representative if you desire.  The Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Lansing is:

Cheryl Williams-Hecksel, LMSW
1-888-308-6252, or via email:
cwilliamshecksel@dioceseoflansing.org

In addition, you may also report through the law enforcement toll-free reporting hotline at (844) 324-3374  (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or by email at aginvestigations@michigan.gov.

Did you know that we have a Parish App? If not, now’s the time to download it! The App includes Mass times, daily readings, bulletins, homilies, and more! Messages are sent out from Fr. Andrew and the Parish staff regarding important events or notices to help keep you informed of the goings-on at St. John and Blessed Sacrament.

To download the app search “myparish” in the App or Google Play store. Or, follow this link.