Queens bulletin editor Rose Mason always does a great job collating the many pictures from many sources that come in at Holy Week, giving those who weren’t there a glimpse of what went on, and for those who participated it is a happy reminder that recreates a wonderful memory.  Please take a few minutes and watch and listen to the slideshow below, as it captures the mystery and majesty of a Queens Holy Week Celebration.  Thank you Rose Mason!

The excitement is not over.  Though nearly 30 people were received into the Catholic Church during the Queens Easter Vigil on Saturday March 30, 4 people from the RCIA were missing for one reason or another.  They will be received into the Church at the Noon Mass on Sunday April 21st.  

All the Jackson city parishes are sharing the survey link today for your comments on possible consolidation of the weekend Mass schedule.  You can use the link below or scan the QR code.  It takes a very short amount of time to complete.  Paper copies will be available the parish office during the week or in the elevator entrance of Church after Mass.  Paper copies can be turned in at the parish office or placed in the collection basket.  I can’t emphasize enough how important it is that each person only fill out ONE (1) survey. Don’t try to stuff the ballot boxes!  Duplicate entries will be discarded.  The link will remain active until the close of business on Tuesday April 30th.  

Over the coming month we will also be doing a head count at every Mass at every Catholic church in the city to make sure we have the most up-to-date numbers to work with.  

The pastors hope to announce any revisions that will be made during the month of May, with a revised and reduced Jackson Grouping Mass schedule going into effect the weekend of July 6-7, 2024.  

Queens surpassed its $220,214 Diocesan Services Appeal goal this week!  It took us six weeks to do so, and gifts from far fewer than one third of our registered parishioners.  That is less than 500 gifts from a parish roster of more than 1,500 families.  There is still work to be done.  As any amount received in cash over goal is split 50/50 between the parish and diocese, I would still very much like to hear from some of the 1,000+ families who did not make a DSA contribution, especially those who gave to DSA in 2023 but haven’t in 2024.  

All DSA gifts should be sent to the parish office or placed in the offertory at Mass.  Please do not send them directly to Lansing.  We get credited with a gift much quicker when we process it here before sending it up.  Checks should be made payable to ‘Queens/DSA.’  Those who wish to pay by credit card can make a secure online donation in a variety of ways – go to the parish website (queenschurch.com), the diocesan website (dioceseoflansing.org/dsa), or follow the link below.  On pledge cards, if you identify a credit card gift, you will still be asked for your e-mail and the DSA office of the Catholic Foundation will send you a link to enter your credit card information securely online. 

For those who did give to the 2024 Diocesan Services Appeal, please watch the brief video below where Bishop Earl Boyea thanks you for your gift in support of the broader church.  

Join us in the Church at Queens at 7:00pm this Tuesday April 16^th as we host a Candlelight Vigil for the Victims of Violence sponsored by the Office of that Jackson County Prosecutor.  While not a Mass, there will be songs, prayers and meditations in the Church during the candlelight vigil, and then a reception in Vincentian Hall hosted by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Ladies of the Queens Women’s Guild.  Random and often criminal acts of violence are on the rise all across the country and our community is not immune to these misdeeds that make everyone feel less safe to move about freely.  This event is free and open to the public.  The candles will be provided. 

This is occurring in advance of National Victims’ Rights Awareness Week, coming up April 21-27.

Join us in the the Church here at Queens at 3pm on Sunday April 28th when the Let it Shine Children’s Choir performs “Life of the Party: The Story of Martha and Mary.”  There are sets, costumes and fun for the whole family. This is a free event, no tickets or reservations are needed.  a Free will offering will be collected at the door.  The kids have worked long and hard with Carol Hatch and Anne Fleming to prepare this for you and I hope that many will come and support them and enjoy the program they have prepared for us.  

“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