The 4th Sunday of Easter is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. There is an obvious need for priestly vocations, but these only develop when others answer their calling to become God-fearing parents who marry in the Church and raise their children in the faith. Marriage and family are in crisis in America and under constant attack from the culture of death and the powers of darkness. Fewer marriages and smaller families mean fewer children are brought into this world, and the fewer kids there are, the less likely it is and more difficult it becomes to identify and nurture a calling to the priesthood.

All of us have a vocation, and is the same for all of us – to grow in holiness and become saints. How we earn money and whether we raise a family should not depart from that overall goal.

The number of Catholics in America is growing. The number of priests is not. Quite the opposite. 400 men will be ordained priests in the United States this year (four of them for the Diocese of Lansing). The number of priests serving far past retirement age greatly overwhelms the number of those coming in to replace them.

Can you imagine a church without priests? Who will give your loved one last rites? Who will hear that much needed, long awaited confession? Who will bring us the Eucharist and the sacraments of salvation? Join us right here at Queens every Wednesday evening at 5pm for the Eucharistic Holy Hour for Vocations before the 6pm Mass.

Most priests admit they first considered a vocation because someone suggested it to them and told them they would make a good one. Have you ever said this to someone?

I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently (Jeremiah 3:15).

I am a proud member of the Order of the Alhambra, a fraternal organization open to both men and women.  Besides patriotically honoring historical sites, their main focus is to support those with special needs.  The Jackson group or ‘Caravan’ raises money to support Camp St. Francis on the Lake in nearby Jerome, a summer camp exclusively for the developmentally disabled.  Located on Goose Lake, camp St Francis has existed for over 40 years, providing week long summer camp experience for those with special needs. 

The Order of the Alhambra was founded in New York in 1904.  It draws its unique name from the Palace of the same name in Granada, Spain seen above. Muslim Moors from Africa came ashore in spain in the 9th century and built this fortress in attempt to gain a foothold for Islam on continent of Europe. They held it for over 500 years.

The Alhambra which means ‘red fort’ in Arabic that was captured by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492, casting out the Moors and reclaiming Spain for the Catholic Church leading to a great revival of faith in that land.  It was from the Alhambra that the king and queen funded Christopher Columbus’ journey to the New World. 

Adult Catholic men and women are eligible for membership in the Jackson Caravan of the Order of the Alhambra.  They meet regularly to plan and promote social and fundraising events to support the camp in Jerome and for the benefit of the St. Louis Center in Chelsea. The Order is a close associate of the Knights of Columbus and many Alhambrans are also Knights. 

I was once a camp counselor for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and I helped to lead a retreat for those with special needs while in seminary.  These efforts to support them touch my heart.  I can’t say enough good things about what they do and how necessary it is to highlight the needs of those all around us who often end up on the margins of society.  Please consider joining and supporting the fine work of the Order of the Alhambra.  Learn more at www.orderalhambra.org and www.saintfranciscamp.org.

I am very appreciative of all those volunteers who came this morning to rake, weed and clean up the grounds of the parish office, rectory, church and school. There are so many generous and talented unsung heroes working behind the scenes to make everything happen around here.

At yesterday’s school Mass, Queens School was proud to welcome 33 members of the Lumen Christi senior Class of 2026, many of whom are alumni. They are now less than a month from graduation. Pray for them. We will welcome them back soon in their cap and gown for the annual graduation Mass and breakfast.

Queens Parish now features AuraCast, new state-of-the art technology for the heaing impaired. For years, we have been relying on the T-Coil system which depends on wires buried in the floor to pick up our audio signal and broadcast it into some hearing aids. For those who rely on this to hear the Mass, the best T-Coil coverage is by the baptismal font.

AuraCast is for hearing aids equipped with bluetooth technology. We had a parishioner successfully test it with his hearing aids this afternoon. If you are among the hearing impaired, we recommend you seek the advice of your audiologist to see whether your hearing aids will support this new technology and they can also advise you on how best to make use of it.

For those who don’t have hearing aids and can’t hear, ask an usher. We have some handsets and headphones available that may be able to help.

The St. Joseph Shrine, a Catholic historic landmark in the Irish Hills is seeking to raise significant funds to repair and restore their beautiful outdoor stations of the cross that wind down behind the church toward Iron Lake. Fr. Zac Mabee, their pastor, and the tallest priest of the diocese has come up with a unique way to raise this money. You will have to come and see it for yourself. Fr. Joe Krupp will call the game with me at his side providing color commentary. That alone should be worth the price of admission! Use the link below to reserve your seats:

QUEENS PLEDGE TOTALS AS OF 4/24/26:

2026 QMM DSA PLEDGES: $233,910

110% OF GOAL, OVER BY $22.054

NUMBER OF DONORS: 448 (28% OF 1,603 FAMILIES)

AVERAGE GIFT: $522

If you are a previous DSA supporter who has yet to record a gift for 2026 please get on board today using the link below or one of the envelopes at the church doors.

A recurring gift option is available to make things simpler for those who are regular supporters of DSA. Checks should be made payable to ‘Queens/DSA’ and put in the offertory or dropped off/sent to the parish office. Please do not send them directly to the Diocese. Every gift is tax deductible.

To those who have already made their gift to the DSA, please take a minute to watch the Bishop’s message of gratitude by clicking below . . .

“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