Take a rest from your labors and join us for our Labor Day Mass at 9:00am this Monday September 2nd.  The parish office will be closed and there is NO Open Door Disciple Ministry that day meaning we will lock the church shortly after Mass so our staff and volunteers may also enjoy a day of rest with their families.  The chapel will be open as usual.

 A LABOR DAY PRAYER

from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

As the sun rises to bring in the new day:

We remember those who descend into the earth, their work begins in darkness, pulling from the earth, the resources we steward.

We remember those who work inside a building away from the light and brightness of the day.

We remember those who work outside in the harsh elements of our world, the bitter cold and sweltering heat of extremes.

We remember those who do not have a job to go to, who are struggling to meet the needs of their daily living expenses, for whom the day becomes long and arduous.

As the sun sets to bring in the evening of rest:

We remember those who work in the night.

We remember those who are trying to recover from their labor and toils of the day.

We remember those who participate in unsafe and dangerous work.

We pray for a renewed sense of dignity in their lives and in their work.

God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the worker. Make a place in our hearts for compassion to the men and women who labor tirelessly for basic necessities.

Ensure a place for the men and women who are struggling to find work. Grant us your wisdom to greet and care for those who are unable to work due to illness or circumstances that prevent their participation.

Be with the children who are not able to run and play, but instead must put in a hard day’s work to help their family afford to eat, to live.

Be with us all, Christ Jesus, as we go about the busyness of our work. Hold us accountable not only for our actions, but most importantly to each of our neighbors. May we continue to work together to bring about your reign! We ask this in your holy name, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As fall approaches and people are settling back into their routines, I feel it is a good time for us to recruit some new volunteers for various roles at Mass.  While we are always on the lookout for lectors (readers) and acolytes (altar servers), we have a particular need right now for ushers and ministers of hospitality as well as those willing to be trained to serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at weekend Masses.  

Ushers and ministers of hospitality help greet people as they come in, help them find a seat when it is crowded, or a bathroom when nature is calling.  They assist with the mass count, the offertory collection, handing out bulletins, tidying the church after Mass and helping us be vigilant in keeping everyone safe.  We do this with cheerfulness and dignity, leading by example.  

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EME) are given the serious task of distributing the sacred body and blood of Jesus during Mass.  You need to be in a state of grace to receive Communion in order to distribute it, and all EME’s should already have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.  

We are looking for more EME’s especially because in October we are going to double the number of chalices offering the precious blood from two to four.  You don’t have to receive the blood to offer the chalice to someone else.

To make inquiry about any of these ministries or for more information, contact the parish office:  517.783.2748.  There will be training and support for anyone who comes forward.

The Diocese of Lansing asks each parish once a year to set aside a weekend for the Mission Cooperative Appeal in conjunction with the Diocese of Lansing Office of Missions and the Pontifical Mission Society for the Propagation of the Faith.  The diocese receives many requests from all over the world asking for our help.  Each charity is vetted to make sure that our donations make it to their intended destination.  

The weekend of September 14-15 has been designated for our 2024 Mission Appeal in support of the Diocese of Kumbakonam, at the very southern tip of the Indian subcontinent as seen in the map above.  Their Bishop emeritus Most Reverend Antonisamy Francis will preach at all the Masses.  

This diocese is extremely poor by American standards and they depend on the generosity of mission-minded Catholics in America for 80% of their operating budget.  This money is being well spent, helping to build 8 new parishes and rectories, supporting 136 Catholic schools, 22 orphanages, funding Catholic hospitals for those who cannot afford care and so many other worthy causes that are worlds away from our own Catholic experience in America.

The American dollar doesn’t stretch very far in America these days, but once it is exchanged into Indian rupees, great things can happen, things that will reshape the lives of those we help, creating hope and light where there was only despair and darkness before.  

Bishop Francis will not be asking for a second collection.  As is our custom, we warn you ahead of time so you can plan ahead and prepare your gift before you come to Mass on Mission Weekend, Sep. 14-15.  All checks can be made payable to Queens with ‘mission appeal’ written clearly on the memo line or the front of the envelope.  Next week, I will share with you the online giving link that will be up and running for all of September for those who prefer to give electronically.  

Most of us will never go on a mission trip.   Many may never visit a foreign country, but participating in these annual mission appeals year after year allow us to play a role in the spread of Jesus’ Gospel love all over the world.  

CURRENT OPEN HOURS THAT NEED FILLING:

Monday 1am

Queens Faith Formation Program is a Pre-K – 8th grade program of religious instruction for families with children in public school.  Classes meet Labor Day to Memorial Day with school breaks figured in, 10:15 – 11:30am on Sunday mornings in Queens School.  The first day is in one week, Sunday September 8th.  Help us plan ahead by getting your kids signed up now. There is a modest fee, and financial aid is granted on a case-by-case basis.  We also welcome registrations at the door on the first day.  Use the link here:

We are blessed with many who give of their time and talent to provide music for Masses here at Queens.  We accept people of all skill levels and even those with no prior experience.  If you can’t sing you could try the bell choir, all of whom started from scratch.

We have a new funeral choir taking shape.  This would be especially good for retirees who are available on weekday mornings.  

Contact Carol Hatch in the music office to make inquiries or sign up:

chatch@queenschurch.com

With next weekend being Labor Day, there will be the 5pm Mass but there will be NO youth meetings before or after since it is presumed the youth will be with their families for the holiday weekend. There will be no Monday music rehearsal for the youth Mass either.  

Use the link below to make a gift and help support this new program.  This link takes you to the online giving page of our website.  There are so many worthy causes to support and some are hard to find.  Scroll down until you see ‘Youth Ministry Donation.’  Thank you for your support!  Our kids deserve it.  

Earlier in August, Bishop Boyea took the 29 seminarians of the Diocese of Lansing on a pilgrimage.  The following video tells the story.  Please take five minutes to watch.  You won’t regret it!

Join us in the church to pray for vocations every Wednesday evening at 5pm and stick around for Mass at 6.  In next week’s message I will share with you how these prayers are being answered!  

“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

Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church

606 S. Wisner St.  Jackson, Michigan 49203

(517) 783-2748  www.queenschurch.com