That’s my dad and brother Sean celebrating with the ‘Fathers MacDonald’ this past Tuesday on the occasion of the 25th Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Ordination Class of 2000.  Someone thought that Sean, my much older brother, was my nephew!

It was a great series of celebrations and I give thanks to God, all those who planned and executed them, to all those in attendance and all who sent acknowledgements and prayers my way.  My brothers were impressed with the hospitality and organization of it all, as was I. 

Most of the cards and gifts have yet to be opened but I am thankful to all who sent them.  As soon as I sent my brothers packing I was back to work and need to devote some time to reading the words of encouragement and the prayers so many have sent my way.  

25 years a long time do anything, but I am fortunate that each day on this job presents new blessings and challenges.  Thanks again everyone!  This shepherd loves his sheep!  

Fr. Mike Petroski was ordained with us in 2000.  Queens was his second assignment if memory serves. I recall visiting him here.  He was remembered and prayed for during the Jubilee Mass, and he has passed into eternity this morning.  His funeral will be at St. Andrew in Saline (910 Austin Drive) at 11:00am on Tuesday June 24th.  I will be the preacher.  Fr. Tim Nelson and I went to Ann Arbor to give our classmate and brother the last rites and pray him to heaven the day before we celebrated our anniversary, a party he was invited to and would have loved. 

He is a priest forever.  May Fr. Mike and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.  Amen.

This weekend we wish a ‘Happy Father’s Day’ to the living and deceased dads, grandpas, stepdads, foster dads and Godfathers of Queens.  We thank them for the gift of life, for their guidance and firmness, protection and discipline, and for sacrificing so much for their children.  Masculinity and fatherhood seem to be frowned upon in the political correctness of 21st century America.  As Catholics, we want to be what Jesus called the ‘leaven for the dough’ that makes the culture rise, to appreciate once more the role that fathers play in the lives of children, at every age and stage of development.  It is my prayer that fathers will continue to play an active role in the upbringing of their children in the Catholic faith.  Studies consistently show that fathers who practice their faith are much more likely to raise children who practice theirs as adults. 

Dads are the unsung heroes who work late hours to provide for their families, and stay up late when they get home to help the kids with their homework and school projects.  Perhaps your dad was the one who took the training wheels off and later on the one who gave you your first driving lesson.  Maybe he walked you down the aisle at your wedding.  For all this and more, dads deserve our thanks, not only on Father’s Day, but every day.  May they enjoy the blessing of God the Father and St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, and the patron of all fathers.  Pray for us!   

DIOCESAN CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION:  The Diocese of Lansing is planning a diocesan-wide observance of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus, on Saturday June 21^st with an outdoor Mass in Lansing’s Jackson Field where the Lugnuts play.  Following Mass, there will be a half-mile Eucharistic procession from the ballpark to the Cathedral, followed by food trucks (bring money) and an outdoor party.

There will be limited seating on Lumen Christi buses for those who would rather ride than drive.  Queens will pay for the buses.  We ask you to tip your driver.  If you would like to reserve a spot on the bus, seats are first come, first serve.  Call the Queens Parish Office and leave your name and number.  Because I have now learned the Mass starts at 10am, not 10:30, the buses will depart the west lot of St. Johns Church at 8:00am, not 8:30 as was previously announced.  You will be dropped off in front of the ballpark for Mass.  Pick up will be near the Cathedral at the end of the procession, after you’ve had time to get the Jubilee Year Indulgence by visiting the Cathedral and perhaps patronizing some of the vendors on site. 

The diocesan Eucharistic procession route is just over a half mile in length.  Keep that in mind if you have mobility issues.  There are no tickets being issued for the Mass but they do want to keep track of what size crowd to plan for.  You are asked to let them know you’re coming to the Mass and procession.  RSVP at www.eucharisticjourney.org or scan the QR Code.   This website contains some parking options for those who will drive themselves.   

FORTY HOURS DEVOTION:  Every parish in the diocese is being asked to host a 40 Hours Devotion leading up to this diocesan wide Eucharistic Mass and procession.  All the parishes in the Jackson Deanery will be participating in the days between Pentecost (Sunday June 8) and Corpus Christi (Sunday June 22).

Queens’ 40 Hours will last from Wednesday evening June 18 after the 6pm Mass through Friday noon June 20^th.  I believe the simplest and safest way for us to handle the 40 Hours here at Queens is to have Open Doors Disciples adoring the Blessed Sacrament during the day in Church and in the evening and overnight hours the 40 Hours will continue in the adoration chapel, but I encourage anyone who is able to stop by and pray during this diocesan-wide Eucharistic Revival.  We can do this because we have people already assigned to cover the hours the church is open and throughout the overnight hours in the chapel. 

To be clear, adoration in the Divine Mercy Chapel will remain 24/7 and those who have daytime hours should keep those assigned hours in the chapel.  During the day, the Eucharist will also be exposed in the church. 

• On Thursday June 19^th, the Adoration in the Church will begin following the 6:45am Mass.
• There will be a communal rosary in the Church at 12:15pm that day for anyone who wishes to come and pray on their lunchbreak. 
• The chaplet of divine Mercy will be prayed at 3pm during the Great Hour of Mercy followed by some Eucharistic reflections. 
• Adoration will cease in the church and move back to the chapel at 5:30pm. 
• The Eucharist will be exposed again in the Church on Friday June 20 following the 9:00am Mass. 
• At 11:00am there will be a communal public holy hour with the rosary, chaplet, a litany and Benediction before the 40 Hours concludes at noon. 

Come and join us to pray for Eucharistic renewal and revival in the heart of every Catholic across our diocese and for the return of those who have wandered from the faith.   

THE SCHEDULE OF 40 HOURS EUCHARISTIC DEVOTIONS ACROSS THE JACKSON DEANERY:

PIOUS UNION OF ST. JOSEPH, GRASS LAKE
8a Sunday June 8 – Midnight Mon June 9

QUEEN OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL, JACKSON
8p Wednesday June 18 – Noon Friday June 20

All are invited to the Jackson Annual Regional Corpus Christi Procession at 2:30pm on Sunday June 22^nd.  We will be making our way from St. John Church to St. John School and ending at St. Joseph Oratory on Waterloo, stopping along the way to pray at elaborately decorated altars. A Lumen bus will take people from St. Joe back to their cars at St. John while the area K of C councils will provide hospitality during a ‘Block Party’ in the St. Joe parking lot when we arrive there and conclude our 1-mile procession.

2018 was the last Queens Parish Directory.  We are long overdue for a new one so we can get to know each other better and put names with faces. 

Portrait appointments start July 15.  Those who schedule theirs in July will get a 10% discount off of your portrait package. 

Whether you plan on buying a photo or not, please come and sit for a portrait so you will be included in the directory. 

To make your portrait appointment, visit: 

www.ucdir.com. 

Enter the church code mi1901

password:  photos 

This weekend, there will be volunteers present after all the Masses to get you signed up for your portrait appointment.  

“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