If you’re not sitting up north by a lake this weekend, join us for Mass at Queens.  There is a Labor Day Mass here on Monday September 4th at 9:00am.  There will be no Open Doors Disciples on Monday, our offices will be closed along with the school to give our staff a rest from their labors.  The chapel will remain open.

Jesus said:  “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28).

Let us take this time to be thankful for the work given to us that allows us to provide for ourselves, for our families and for our future.  Let us be mindful of the plight of the poor and the unemployed. 

Once Labor Day is in the rear view mirror, our fall programs kick into high gear.  There is something for everyone and I hope every parishioner will get involved in something beyond just coming to Mass.  That is the entry level position.  Now, it’s time to graduate to the next level – active parish engagement.   I’ll walk you through them in chronological order . . .

Parents of K-12 children in public school should have their kids enrolled in Faith Formation if they are not enrolled in Catholic school.  Doing nothing is not an option.  Children are falling like autumn leaves out of the church because no one is teaching them the importance of the Catholic faith.  

If you home school your children, meaning they are not in a Catholic school or public school, it is assumed you also use an approved home school religion curriculum.  We would like to know what that is.  

Many families from last year’s Faith Formation roster have yet to get signed up for this year.  Classes start in a week so there is no time like the present to get registered.  

We have offerings for Pre-K through high school.  Classes take place in Queens School and start on Sunday September 10.  They run from 10:15 – 11:45 each week.

There is a modest cost but there are caps for families with multiple students and financial aid is available.  You can register online using this link: 

WHAT . . .

The Walking With Purpose Women’s Bible Study is hosting their annual . . .

Come As You Are Welcome Celebration

WHERE . . .

VINCENTIAN HALL (LOWER LEVER OF CHURCH)

WHEN . . . 

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 7PM

OR

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 10AM

WHO . . .

ALL THE LADIES OF THE PARISH AND YOUR FRIENDS FROM OTHER CHURCHES ARE WELCOME, INCLUDING THOSE NEW TO WWP AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BEFORE.

WHY . . .

The Walking With Purpose Bible studies combine personal study with small group discussion, linking everyday challenges given to us through the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church.  

Bishop Boyea will celebrate the Jackson Regional Catholic Council on Aging Senior Appreciation Mass at St. Rita in Clarklake at 11:00am on Tuesday September 19^th followed by a catered luncheon on the premises.  All the pastors will be there and we hope many of our seniors will attend also.  This is always a great event.  There is no cost.  Please contact the Queens parish office, NOT St. Rita, to RSVP and give us a head count for the lunch.  This is our chance to say ‘thanks’ to those who have been ‘in the trenches’ for so long and who have sacrificed so much for the parishes and schools of the Jackson Catholic Community.

More than 100 people are already signed up for The Rescue Project!  We have room for more.  

WHERE . . .

VINCENTIAN HALL (LOWER LEVEL OF CHURCH)

WHEN . . .

TUESDAYS SEP 19 – NOV 7

6PM – 8:15PM

WHAT . . .

DINNER (POTLUCK WEEKS 2-8)

VIDEO PRESENTATION

TABLE DISCUSSION

CHILDCARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

F R E E    A N D     O P E N     T O     A L L 

OPTIONAL RETREAT DAY ON NOVEMBER 4TH

It was my misprint to say this was optional.  Important content will be delivered throughout the retreat day.  

WHY . . .

The Rescue Project was developed by Detroit priest and Ave Maria Radio host Fr. John Riccardo. His book Rescued tells the story of salvation for a modern audience, helping us to see the world and ourselves as God does, where religion becomes more about a loving relationship with God and with each other, not just a set of rules, rubrics and regulations to live by.

WHO . . .

Everyone is welcome. You are the lifeguards who are going to help us throw the life preservers to those who need them most.  The Rescue Project can benefit:

• people who are not strong or passionate about their faith,
• those whose faith has been shaken by a crisis or trauma,
• those who have lost their faith,
• younger people who are disillusioned with God and religion,
• and even those who do not know God. 

Invite them and attend with them.  The Rescue Project can provide inspiration and motivation for everyone who attends.

There are QR codes on the posters at the doors of church or you can sign up right here in this e-mail!

WHY . . .

Please don’t sit this one out.  The world needs God.  We need God – now more than ever before.  And we need the church to gain access to the sacraments and the hope of salvation.  We need to be Rescued.  

Join us Tuesday evenings this fall starting September 19 for The Rescue Project.

Plan on joining us for the Annual Queens Parish Picnic on Sunday September 24th from 11:30am – 2:30pm in Vincentian Hall.  Sponsored by the Parish Life Commission, there will be free hot dogs and hamburgers, coleslaw, baked beans, chips and cookies.  For the kids, there is a bounce house, the bean bag toss and road rally games.  This is always a great event and a nice chance for us to reunite with old friends and make some new ones.  This event is free and open to the whole parish community.      

That takes you through September here in the parish.  For the ladies, we don’t want you to forget to register for the Michigan Catholic Women’s Conference coming up next month at the Lansing Center.  

Lastly, there is an ongoing need to fill the open hours on the schedule in the Divine Mercy Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.  We need some new adorers to come forward and make a commitment.  

Jesus longs for our faith.  He thirsts for it.  He misses us when we don’t spend time with him.  We miss out on a lot more when we fail to take that time to be in the presence of our king.  There are some hard to fill hours sitting open on the adoration chapel schedule.  I need two brave souls to step forward right away to get them filled and relieve the burden on those pulling double duty to cover them:

Monday 2 am

Tuesday 1pm (This shouldn’t be challenging to fill)

Please contact the office this week if you will make the long term commitment to cover one of these hours and thank you.  thank you.  thank you.  to all those who keep their weekly commitments in the chapel.  It doesn’t happen without you.  

Fr. Tim MacDonald

Pastor

Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church

606 S. Wisner St.  Jackson, Michigan 49203

(517) 783-2748  www.queenschurch.com