Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis chose Jeremiah 29:11 as there scriptural theme to begin their school year:

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.

How ironic and tragic that hope and welfare was shattered at a school Mass, injuring 19 and claiming the lives of Fletcher Merkel (8) and Harper Moyski (10). 

Above the doors of that church, it says:  “This is the house of God and the gate of Heaven.”  I am sure on Wednesday August 27th it seemed like the children and those attending that Mass were instead at the Gate of Hell.  

The killer, a former student of that school and member of that parish, was mentally ill, greatly confused and radicalized online.  We think of online radicalization as something that turns foreigners into terrorists, but the social contagions of today’s internet and smartphone apps can greatly and gravely effect the mental health and minds of average Americans, especially young people who feel different or unaccepted by their peers.  Mental health is health.  Hopefully parents, teachers, doctors, pastors and coaches can all work together on keeping a close watch on our youth and trying to safeguard them from the darkness online that can unleash such untold anguish.  

This is the prayer I said for that grieving community at Mass Wednesday evening:

Lord, God of Mercy and love, be with the children, parents, teachers and parishioners of Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis and for all the first responders who rushed to their aid. 

We pray for the deceased victims, the wounded in hospital, and all those struggling to heal from this tragedy.  Your son said, ‘let the children come to me.’  Grant hope to the grieving, healing for those who hurt, and protection for all innocent children and people who never know when they might find themselves in danger. 

Bind up the wounds of our nation and the countless communities that comprise it, so broken by crime and these all too frequent acts of senseless violence that attack the innocent. 

May our faith, hope and trust in You bring us together at the foot of the cross, and one day, into the peace of your kingdom.  All this we pray in the holy name of your only son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns, God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Churches are considered ‘soft targets’ when law enforcement performs threat assessments.  Queens School is as secure as we can make it and the children are never alone outside without adult supervision.  The Church is a challenge not only for school Masses but for every event that happens there.  We have upgraded our camera surveillance and security system and improved lighting to keep people safe at night.  The chapel is secure. 

I am always looking for new and better ways to ensure the safety of everyone who comes here.  I am not going to share with you all the measures we have taken because it is better for us to have the element of surprise if someone seeks to do us harm, but suffice it to say that you are as safe here as you would be in any other public place, and likely safer.

Everyone has a role to play in maintaining a safe environment at Queens.  Our ushers do an excellent job of keeping an eye on the perimeter.  Parishioners in the military and local law enforcement help us to be vigilant.  The same rule always applies – if you see something, say something.  It is often obvious if someone has come here for a purpose other than prayer.  You can always come and get me if someone or something is making you uncomfortable or seems a bit off.

As recently as yesterday we were having more meetings and consultations on what we can do to better ensure the safety of our parishioners, school students, employees and guests.  I will update you if there is any new policy we will be adopting or enacting. 

I am working to confirm that the GQT Jackson 10 Cinema will have three showings of Triumph of the Heart:

Friday September 12, 7pm

Saturday September 13, 7pm

Sunday September 14, 4pm

I have one of the three confirmed as of late yesterday and hope to successfully lock down the other two on Tuesday.  This process is slowed by the production company having to work with the film’s distributor to book each individual showing, and this has been anything but a streamlined process. 

My plan is this – once all the showings are officially booked, people who purchased tickets will be invited to come to the Queens Parish Office to pick them up before the day of your showing.  I hope to be able to make them available for pickup after weekend Masses also.  We will have a list of the names of all those who made a purchase.  I will likely still have some tickets available for Saturday and Sunday who still wish to attend. 

To be clear – I DO NOT YET HAVE ANY TICKETS SO PLEASE DO NOT COME YET TO PICK THEM UP.  WE WILL SEND OUT A PARISH EMAIL WHEN WE ARE READY TO BEGIN THIS PROCESS.   

Thank you for being patient as I work through this process which so far has involved many calls, emails and even speaking with people in other countries!

I had to set the DVR as I could not watch it live, but I enjoyed very much EWTN’s presentation of ‘The Knight’ last Saturday and I learned a lot.  Maximilian’s Poland was under assault from both the Nazis and the Soviets and he was using devotion to the Blessed Mother and the mass media of his time to fight against both.  Fr. Maximilian also had a great devotion to the Queen of the Miraculous Medal and he and his fellow Franciscans distributed thousands of these during his brief life.  Learn more about it here:

There is one Labor Day Mass at Queens on Monday September 1st at 9am.  The parish office and school will be closed and there will be no Open Doors Disciples that day. The adoration chapel WILL be in operation.

Let us pray in thanks to God who gives us work to increase our human dignity and to help us provide for our families and our future.  Pray also for those who struggle to find suitable employment. 

May God bless these great United States, our leaders, our armed forces and our work force!

Even though it is a holiday weekend there will still be youth group over at St Joe.  There are big increases in numbers for both groups this year and if your son or daughter hasn’t tried it out, send them on over!

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. 

There are hundreds of school age children at Queens who are not attending Catholic school or a religious home school program.  Yet there are very few enrolled for Sunday morning faith formation.  It is time to enlist the grandparents to recruit for us.  Grandma and Grandpa – if the situation warrants it, ask your kids why their public school children are missing from Mass and not enrolled in this important program. 

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 NEXT SUNDAY 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 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 happens on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:15pm 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. 

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.  We still have plenty of openings for Tuesday thru Saturday of this week.  Weekday appts go from 2 –  9pm.  Saturday is 10 – 4. Pictures are taken in Vincentian Hall, NOT the parish office.  Join the 465 families who have already signed up! 

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