The Parish Life Commission and the Knights of Columbus invite you to the Annual Parish Picnic in Vincentian Hall after the 11am Mass on Sunday September 22nd.  The KofC will be grilling hotdogs and hamburgers and there will be baked beans, cole slaw and chocolate chip cookies.  There will be a bounce house and childrens games outside.  It’s all free and it is all fun!  Plan on being there.  

At Easter of 2024 we were pleased to welcome over 30 people into the Church thru the RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  The Bishops have changed the name from RCIA to OCIA:  The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.  A new OCIA program has just begun and we are looking to you – the people in the pew – to help identify who should be in it.

OCIA is intended for the unbaptized, Christians of other denominations who may wish to become Catholic, or those who were baptized Catholic but never received the other sacraments of initiation (Eucharist and Confirmation).

The OCIA meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:15pm in the lower level of the parish office.  If you know someone – invite them and come with them!  This could be a spouse, family member, relative, friend, coworker, neighbor, etc. 

All Catholics are Christian.  Not all Christians are Catholic, but many of our Christian siblings in other denominations do a much better job of evangelizing and witnessing to the faith than we do.  It is time to set fears aside and step out in faith.  It was in the deepest waters where the risks were greater that the apostles made the greatest catch of fish.   

OCIA has no strings attached.  Those who attend do not have to decide for many weeks that they definitely want to join the church.  It is a time to ask the cosmic questions:  where did all this come from?  Why am I here?  Where are we going?  

We are looking to recruit more helpers for weekend Masses:  lectors (readers), acolytes (altar servers), ushers and ministers of hospitality, and those willing to be trained to serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at weekend Masses.   Training is provided and you pick the Mass you want to help at.  

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.  

Next weekend, September 14-15, Bishop Emertius Antonisamy Francis will preach at our Masses, asking our help to support his Diocese of Kumbakonam at the very southern tip of the Indian subcontinent.    

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.  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.  

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.  

Use the link below to make an online gift.  Scroll down until you see ‘Mission Co-Op Appeal.’

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.  There is a modest fee, and financial aid is granted on a case-by-case basis.  Use the link below to register.  You can also sign up at the school door on the first day.  

There are still dozens of families with children in public school who have yet to sign up.  

Rehearsals begin this week for the Adult Choir, Bell Choir and ‘Let it Shine’ Children’s Choir. Those interested in singing in the new Requiem Funeral Choir should contact Carol Hatch for more information about setting a rehearsal schedule.  Please contact Carol if you would be willing be a cantor and lead the singing at weekend Masses.  Newcomers and people of all experience levels are welcome.  

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

chatch@queenschurch.com

Join the middle school and high school youth group on Sundays at St. Joseph’s Oratory. We meet in the youth room, which is next to the Church. Middle school meets from 3:15 to 4:45 and high school meets from 6-7:30. There is always food and plenty of snacks. Bring a friend!

The 5pm Youth Mass at St. Joe this Sunday will feature the debut of the new Youth Mass Music Ensemble!  The youth will sing and play instruments.  Come and join them in singing God’s praise! 

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.  

Attention all women of Queens:  If you’re interested in finding out what the Ladies Guild is all about, come to an informational meeting this Tuesday September 10th at 7:00pm in Seton Hall, the lower level of the parish office.  

We will be forming a new circle this fall and you are invited to come and see if the Ladies Guild is for you!  There is no obligation to join, just come by and meet some fellow parishioners and see it this is something you’d like to be part of.  Please come and bring a friend!  

“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