That’s us.  I am guessing the year to be the Bicentennial, 1976.  I am the one in my father’s brown leisure suit arms – the baby of the family.   I have so many memories of growing up with this family with him at the helm.  Some of them are actually good!  Just kidding.  

A lot has changed since 1976.  Three sons became priests.  Others left the faith.  Our mother has gone home to God.  Now, I am 50 and Dad is 83.  One thing never changes – a father’s love for his family.  I would like to think having a good dad has made be a better Father to all of you. 

Let us be thankful for whoever plays that role in your life.  At Mass this weekend, we give thanks for all of our living and deceased fathers. grandfathers, Godfathers, stepfathers and foster fathers.  

If your dad is alive, you’re alive because of him.  Tell him how much he means to you.  If your father has passed, he is alive because of Jesus.  You can say a prayer asking Jesus to give him the hug you wish you could give him yourself.    

Knights of Columbus Council 609 invite you to join us on Father’s Day, Sunday June 16th in Vincentian Hall for their Annual Strawberry Festival, from 11:30am to 1:30pm.  They will be serving up Fry Krisp Shortcake with plenty of ice vanilla cream and fresh berries from Kohler’s Berry Farm in Jerome!  Bring dad and grandpa to Mass and then come downstairs for a summertime treat!  This is free and open to everyone.  Donations are accepted!  

The school year may be over, but for two talented Titan teams, the battle goes on. 

CONGRATULATIONS to the Lumen Christi Girls Varsity Soccer Team for their State Championship 3-1 WIN this afternoon over Kalamazoo Christian!  Double Overtime?!  Great work Lady Titans!

If you’re an early riser, join me at the foot of the cross bright and early this Saturday morning June 15th at 5:45am to pray the rosary with the Boys Varsity Baseball Team before they board the buses up to MSU for their State Final Championship game against the Watervliet Panthers.  We will meet at the crucifix next to the athletic fields.

The Baseball State Final starts at 9am tomorrow and those wishing to attend  this game at McLane Baseball Stadium at Kobbs Field can park in Lot 62 off of Chestnut St on the MSU Campus in East Lansing.  

We are proud of these teams and their coaches.  How rewarding it is for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice to give them this opportunity to play for it all. 

The Youth Group will have its own dedicated space at the St. Joseph Oratory.  This is where the group will meet on Sundays after the 5pm Mass there starting later this summer.  Come check it out this Sunday afternoon starting at 3!

Parents of high schoolers, please encourage your kids to get involved in the new Jackson Catholic Youth Group.  ALL teens will be welcome and encouraged to participate in these youth events, including those at Lumen Christi AND all local public school districts, private schools and homeschoolers.

Come to the Youth Group Beach Party Kick Off event on the beach at Vandercook Lake at 1pm on Saturday June 22nd.  See the ad below.  The Knights will be grilling. There will be games, music, fun and making new friends.  It is all free and it will be fun!  Use the link here to get your 6th thru 12th grade kids signed up.  You can see whose coming and fill out the permission slip.  Those who have signed up, invite a friend!      

We are looking for volunteers to help pull up weeds and tree seedlings around the parish office and rectory grounds.  Grab your shovels, trowels, clippers and gardening gloves and join us in the parish office parking lot at 9:00am on Saturday June 22nd.  Lunch will be brought over at 11:30am to thank you for your labors!  No need to sign up, just show up! 

SCUBA – Queens Summer Vacation Bible School is three weeks away, coming up July 8 – 12.  This program is open to children in pre-school thru grade 6.  It runs Monday to Friday 9am – 12:15pm each day.  

At Mass this weekend, please stop by the display in the upper level of the elevator entrance and take one or more of the fish that detail the items we need donated for VBS.  Bring these items with you to Mass in the coming weeks or drop them at the parish office.  

Use the link below to register your children and take advantage of the early bird discount:

Our VBS program is in need of teen and adult volunteers. VBS will be held July 8-12 from 9:00AM-12:15PM in the school.  The last day there is a picnic following.

HERE IS THE MOST UP TO DATE TALLY OF HELP THAT IS STILL NEEDED FOR VBS: 

1.  EIGHT High school, college or adult Crew leaders, to be in charge of a group of elementary age children the whole week.  Crew Leaders lead the children through the different stations each day.

2. EIGHT Junior High or High School teens to assist adult Station Leaders (Stations are: Imagination Station, Sticky Scripture, Reef Rec Games, Deep Bible Adventures, Tidal Treats).

4. ONE adult to help with the preschool program

Adults over 18 must complete our Child Safety protocols (On-line Virtus training, a Background check and signing a Code of Conduct form)

Service Hour credit available for Confirmation or Lumen service hour requirements

Volunteers will receive a staff T Shirt to wear each day–please indicate your size in the comment section of the Sign Up.

Thank you to all who are willing to help–VBS is a lot of work, but a lot of fun and very rewarding!

USE THE SIGN UP GENIUS LINK HERE TO VOLUNTEER:

QUEENS NEW WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE . . .

Saturday …….3:30 Confessions, followed by 5pm Mass

Sunday………..7:30am, 9:00am and 11:00am*

*the new 11am Mass time replaces the 10:30 and Noon

The 11:00am Mass will be Livestreamed

So far, we have raised just over $3000 to buy Catholic Bibles for use in local prison ministry.  Thank you to those who have supported this important but often forgotten ministry.

We have added an online giving link for this purpose.  You can find it on our website or by using the link below.  Those writing checks, please make them payable to Queens and mark ‘Prison Bibles’ on the memo line or the envelope.  You can put in the collection at Mass or dropped off at the parish office.     

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching” (Heb 13:8-9).

Fr. Tim MacDonald

Pastor

Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church

606 S. Wisner St.  Jackson, Michigan 49203

(517) 783-2748  www.queenschurch.com