Friday September 12 and Saturday September 13 are sold out.  I am adding a third and final option to see Triumph of the Heart on Sunday September 14 at 4pm. 

The same rule applies, 80 tickets must be pre-sold to book it, and apparently only 80 tickets will be made available, so let’s try this again using the link below . . .

I reached out to the production company because I find their process very confusing.  This was their response to me just now:

Tomorrow, Saturday August 23rd at 2pm, EWTN will air a one-hour program called ‘The Knight’ which is a documentary charting the timeline and events of St. Maximilian Kolbe’s life and the geopolitical events that shaped his worldview and challenged his strong faith.  Watch this first and then Triumph of the Heart will make a lot more sense. 

This is for the new confirmation students, not those who have started 9th grade and will be confirmed at Fatima this October.  This meeting is mandatory for ALL 8th graders seeking Confirmation in 2026, and that includes Lumen Christi, public school and home school.  Contact youth@queenschurch.com for more information. 

Jake Gerber, the Director of Youth Discipleship for the Jackson City parishes, wants everyone to know that the middle school and high school youth groups resume their weekly meetings this Sunday afternoon August 24th in the Youth Room at the St. Joseph Oratory. 

6-8 grade:  4:15 – 5:45pm

High school:  6pm – 7:30pm

Note the new time for junior high.  New youth are always welcome and there is always food!

We are a parish on the move!  In recent years, we have increased outreach to seniors, youth, young adults, women’s groups, men’s groups and families.  Now, we are celebrating the 1st anniversary of our Horizons group ministering to widows and widowers.  If you fall into this category but haven’t attended one of their events, you are welcome to their ice cream social in Vincentian Hall after the 6pm Mass next Wednesday August 27th.  Just contact the parish office to RSVP. 

In the past, the Annual Senior Appreciation Mass and Luncheon was sponsored by the Council on Aging, a part of Catholic Charities.  As the leaders of that group age out and pass on, it has shut down.  Thanks to the Queens Legends, the Mass and lunch will continue!  This year’s event is right here at Queens.  Sign up soon to get your place for the free, catered lunch. 

This Annual Mass and reception with the Bishop has been growing in popularity.  Anyone in our parish who is celebrating a milestone marriage anniversary is welcome to RSVP using the contact information or QR code in the ad above and be a part of this special celebration of love and marriage with couples from all over the diocese. 

At Baptism, parents and godparents make a solemn promise to raise the child in the faith.  This should include Mass as a family every Sunday and holy day, prayers before meal and bedtime, AND a program of religious instruction either in Catholic school or Faith Formation.

Queens offers Sunday morning Faith Formation for public school students (and home school) in Pre-K thru 8th grade.  These classes are required to receive 1st Communion in 2nd grade or to be Confirmed at the start of freshman year.  For anyone not enrolled in parochial school, Faith Formation should NOT be looked upon as optional. 

Classes begin September 7th.  Contact Betsy Koval at bkoval@queenschurch.com for more information or to volunteer.  There is a modest cost and financial aid is available.

Visit the link below to sign up for Sunday Faith Formation or scan the QR code:

The Bible has rightly been called the greatest story ever told.  There is a reason – it is HIStory, the story of a God who loves us so much he would give His only son to save us and set us free.  All of us have a story to tell that connects back to HIS.  At the Sunday August 24th Masses, we are going to hear one young man tell his own story of how God is moving in his life.  This is called witnessing to the faith, an essential ingredient in becoming an intentional missionary disciple who follows Jesus and leads other people to him. 

I hope hearing this witness talk will inspire more people to share the faith and others to consider becoming part of the OCIA and joining the Catholic Church.

The OCIA or Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is for the unbaptized, Christians who are thinking of becoming Catholic, or those adults who were baptized Catholic but never received their First Communion or Confirmation. Do you know a spouse, relative, friend, coworker or neighbor who might be open to learning more about the Catholic faith?  Have you ever tried discussing it with them? 

The OCIA This program starts Wednesday August 27^th at 6:30pm in the lower level of the Queens parish office.  To learn more, or to tell us about someone we should be talking to about this, contact OCIA Director Betsy Koval:  517.783.2748, bkoval@queenschurch.com.  Some of our greatest Catholics in history have been converts.  What a different world and church this would be if no one had approached them and invited them to become part of the mystical body of Christ that is the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church. 

The Coming Home Network tells the inspiring stories of conversion of those who have joined the Church from all walks of life.  If there is someone on your radar, why not share the link below with them so they can see what the OCIA journey was like for other people.  Everyone has a story.  We can help others find faith when we become comfortable sharing that story.

At the 9 and 11am Masses during the school year Queens is pleased to offer Children’s Liturgy of the Word for children ages 4 thru 4^th grade.  Children’s liturgy is an actual part of the Mass that fulfills the obligation for the children and the adult volunteers.  We always need more help with this.  I especially ask the parents of the children who attend children’s liturgy to consider taking turns leading it.  Training and lesson plans are provided.  See Betsy Koval for more details.   So far, the pickings are slim.  If we’re going to do this, people need to commit.  We have no takers for the the first two weekends we plan to have it! 

These appointments will not be available in perpetuity. If you have been waiting for a sunburn to fade or to shed a few pounds before you allow your picture to be taken, please know that we need to wrap this up!   The only way a directory helps us put names and faces together is if the people who show up at Mass also show up in the book!  Call the office during the week to make your appointment or follow these simple instructions.

To make your portrait appointment, visit: 

www.ucdir.com. 

Enter the church code mi1901

password:  photos 

“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