This is the 100th Anniversary of this feast day.  Come to Mass this weekend to find out what was going on in the world back in 1925 that compelled Pope Pius XI to proclaim this feast. 

He has a name written on his cloak and on his thigh, “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16).

They will fight with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and king of kings, and those with him are called, chosen, and faithful (Rev. 17:14)

Which he will display at the proper time – he who is the blessed and only sovereign, the king of kings and lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15)

If you took one or more empty baby bottles last weekend at Mass, please bring them back this weekend with your donations to benefit mothers in crisis pregnancies served by the Jackson Center for Women.  There are boxes at the doors to collect your bottle.  There are still more empties available for those who missed this last week. 

This weekend the Diocese conducts its annual Collection for Social Teaching.  This is an inter-diocesan fund that aids groups and parishes seeking to educate others in Catholic social teaching and to promote the works of social justice, feeding the poor, caring for the homeless and the least among us along with supporting programs that uphold and uplift the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of human life.  Parishes and groups are allowed to apply for diocesan grants using these funds to allow for educational programs and hands-on experiences that fall in the previously mentioned categories.

A mainstay of the Catholic Church’s social teaching is care for the poor.  This was the subject of Pope Leo XIV’s 1st encylical, Dilexo Ti, released on October 4th of the this year.  The title is taken from the Book of Revelation, “I have loved you” (3:9).  Many think Pope Francis began this document prior this death and Leo finished it.  If you would like to read this brief but compelling document showing the church’s love of the least among us, you can find the full English text here:

All of you are invited to attend one of our Thanksgiving Masses at 6:00pm this Wednesday November 26^th and 9am on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 27th.

During both of these Masses we invite those present to bring up non perishable food items during the offertory to place at the altar.  This food will be used to refill the pantries that are feeding the hungry of Jackson as we move into the holiday season.

We have been blessed and we have so much to be thankful for.  Every Eucharist is a Thanksgiving.  There is no better place to give thanks to God than during Mass, the Church’s perfect prayer.  Because life is fast, busy and messy, we don’t stop often enough to thank God for His bounty that He has given to us. 

The Queens Parish Office and the school will be closed Thursday and Friday.  There will be no Open Doors Disciples on those days.  The chapel remains open. There is one Mass on Friday at 9am after which the church will be locked. 

The Jackson Youth Group and Young Adult Group invite you to a free Christian Hip Hop concert in the Queens School Gym at 7pm on Sunday December 7th featuring Christian artist Connor Flanagan.

You can learn more about Connor and hear some of his original music on his website:

www.connorflanaganmusic.com

We had a great event with Franki Moscato last year at Lumen Christi and we hope for an even bigger crowd this year.

This concert is free and open to everyone.  Please spread the word and invite your friends.

Monday December 8^th is the Immaculate Conception, the patronal feast of the Catholic Church in the United States.  It is also a holy day of obligation.  Queens will have Masses at 6:45am 9am and 5:30pm.  The Immaculate Conception commemorates our belief that Mary was chosen from before her birth and conceived without sin in the womb of her mother St. Anne, all in preparation to be the first tabernacle where Jesus, the ‘Word Made Flesh’ could dwell among us.   

The Queens Online Giving Hub is a great way for you to channel your charitable giving to the place or cause you want your money to support.  By clicking the link below, you can see the various causes we support as a parish and partner with us to make a gift of your own.  You can donate toward St. Vincent de Paul or the Jackson Community Food Pantry, youth and young adult ministry (new link added), and even the prison bible fund. 200 bibles were distributed to Jackson inmates in 2025 thanks to your generosity and we just ordered 200 more so we need to replenish that fund also.  

Bishop Boyea and I were discussing high school football this week.  He noted that Lumen Christi is the last of our four diocesan high schools to have their football season extended.  He wanted me to pass along his well wishes to the Mighty Titans of Lumen Christi as they take on the Almont Raiders from Lapeer County in Novi at 1pm tomorrow in the MHSAA Division 6 State Semifinal.     

Coach Brogan, many of his assistant coaches and several players are Queens parishioners.  We are very proud of them and wish them well as they seek to return to Ford Field next week.

“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