Did you know? Queens has the biggest group of converts coming into the church this year that I have ever experienced in my nearly 24 years of priesthood. All told, there will be 32 people coming into the Church at Queens this Easter! 15 of them are getting Baptized, the others are either completing their initiation into the Church or coming over to the Catholic Church from other Christian denominations.
The Third Sunday of Lent begins the first of three Scrutinies for the Elect seeking Baptism. This will take place at the 9:00am Mass this weekend. For that Mass only, we will listen to the readings from the Scrutiny Mass, Year A, while the other Masses will continue with Lectionary Cycle B. Both sets of readings appear in the Breaking Bread Hymnal. The Second and Third Scrutinies, (March 10 and 17) will happen at the Noon Mass, also with special readings unique to the rite. We will help you figure it out if you attend those Masses.
Pray for all of these folks as they complete their journey into the Church and take a giant leap along the path that leads them to Heaven and Happiness. Plan on coming to the Easter Vigil at 9pm on Saturday March 30th when they receive their sacraments and welcome them into our family of faith!
From www.catholic.com
Question:
What are scrutinies?
Answer:
The scrutinies are a series of rites for adults who wish to be baptized. They are celebrated in the third, fourth, and fifth weeks of the Lenten season.
This is considered a period of purification and enlightenment for the elect. There are prayers of exorcism which are intended to help purify the elect from sin and sinful desires. The overall prayers and laying on of hands are to help the elect be enlightened by the Word and grace of God.
The basic structure which takes place immediately following the homily:
- The elect (with sponsors) are invited forward
- Invitation for parish to silently pray for the elect
- Intercessions for the elect
- Prayer of exorcism
- Laying on of hands on the elect
- Prayer over the elect
- Dismissal of the elect
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THE 2024 DIOCESAN SERVICES APPEAL
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The DSA image featured above was painted by Jackson native Joe Macklin and the church he shows this Mass happening in is none other than our St. Mary Star of the Sea!
At Masses last weekend, I showed the Bishop’s DSA message. He explained in detail the striking image above and how it is so illustrative of the way that the DSA allows us to work together to build the Kingdom of God by building up the Church on earth. I included the link below to the Bishop’s message for those who missed it or who would like to take another look at it.
The Bishop and I invite you to make a pledge or one-time gift to support the 2024 Diocesan Services Appeal that helps to fund 100 vital programs and ministries. You will be helping to support the televised Outreach Mass, the care of our senior priests and training of future pastors, the many programs of Catholic Charities, the marriage Tribunal and so much more.
The Diocese seeks to raise $5,750,000. Queens goal is $220,214. While it’s always important to meet the goal, it’s even more important to bring more people onto the team that gets us across the finish line. I will be looking for all the donors to DSA 2023 to come back and I hope that those who can’t remember the last time you made a DSA pledge to please join us this year. And if you’ve never supported DSA ever, put a twenty in the envelopes at the doors of church and throw it in the collection.
In this season of almsgiving, don’t forget the Diocesan Services Appeal when planning your charitable giving.
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CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS
COMMUNITY WIDE EASTER DINNER
SUNDAY MARCH 31ST
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The Easter dinner is less than a month away! We need to recruit volunteers for the days before, during and after the dinner to help with set up, serving and clean up.
Considering that Holy Week falls during Spring Break and some of our regular helpers may not have returned from their travels in time, it is of vital importance that we find those who will be in town on Easter to fill the gap.
If you can be of assistance in the days leading up to Easter Sunday, or helping throughout Easter day, Sunday March 31st, please use the link below to access the Sign Up Genius and take a shift or two.
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DON’T COOK TONIGHT!
DINE WITH FRIENDS
KofC FRIDAY FISH DINNERS, 4:30 – 7PM
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Join us for the remaining Friday Lenten Fish Dinners in the Queens School Gym: 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22. The Knights offer dine-in, drive thru and takeout options. Please note: the fish dinners begin at 4:30pm and end at 7:00pm.
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SIMPLE SUPPERS ON WEDNESDAYS
QUEENS SCHOOL CAFETERIA
AFTER THE 6PM MASS
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Ms. Merrill makes the soup and the buttered rolls. I am presenting on Themes of the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival. This past Wednesday I spoke about the Eucharist according to the Catechism. This coming Wednesday we will look at the seeds of the Eucharist in the Old Testament.
The Simple Suppers are Wednesday evenings after the 6pm Mass in the Queens School Social Center/Cafeteria and they run through March 20th:
3/6 Lasagna Soup
The Eucharist in the New Testament
3/13 Gnocchi Soup
Eucharistic Miracles
3/20 Beach Bar Tomato Soup
Saints and the Eucharist
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LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE SCHEDULE
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Saturday March 9, 10am – St. Mary Star of the Sea
Tuesday March 12, 7pm – St. Rita, Clarklake
Thursday March 14, 7pm – Our Lady of Fatima – Michigan Center
Monday March 18, 6:30pm – St. Catherine Laboure – Concord
Tuesday March 19, 7pm – Queen of the Miraculous Medal
Thursday March 21, 7pm – St. John the Evangelist
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BIBLE SCHOLAR AND PROFESSOR
DR. MARY HEALY SPEAKS AT QUEENS
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
SUNDAY MARCH 17TH
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Dr. Mary Healy from the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit will give two talks at Queens in the Church beginning at 2pm on Sunday March 17th. This is free and open to the public with a free will offering and a reception to follow. Mary Healy is the author of several books and a highly sought after speaker. Talk 1: For Such a Time as This: Christian Witness in a Post-Christian World. Talk 2: Lost and Found: what the Gospel of Luke reveals about the heart of the Father. Dr. Healy will have her books for sale and there will be a book signing during the reception.
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ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON and
the OUR LADY OF VICTORY CIRCLES’
THINK SPRING
PLANT AND FLOWER SALE
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Prices are the same as last year!
Product is the same as last year!
PREPAID ORDERS ARE DUE WEDNESDAY 4/03/24
PICKUP IN THE PARKING LOT SUNDAY 5/18/24
Orders/Info (517) 784-5482
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LOOKING AHEAD TO HOLY WEEK
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An early Lent means an early Easter. Holy Week is less than a month away. On Palm Sunday (March 23-24) and Easter Sunday (March 31st) we have changed the Mass schedule to help with crowds and parking, and taking longer Masses into account.
PALM SUNDAY WEEKEND
Saturday March 23: 5pm Mass
Sunday March 24: 8am, 10am and 12pm
EASTER WEEKEND
Saturday March 30: NO 3:30 Confessions. NO 5pm Mass. Join us for the Vigil at 9pm
Sunday March 31st: 8am 10am and 12pm
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THE SHROUD OF TURIN
TRAVELING EXHIBIT
COMES TO QUEENS MARCH 23 – 24
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To help all of us enter into the spirit of this holiest week of the year and to give us a better idea of the suffering Jesus endured at the crucifixion, the traveling Shroud of Turin Exhibit sponsored by the Knights of Columbus will be on display in Vincentian Hall on Palm Sunday weekend, March 22-23rd. There will be some presentations for those who want to learn more about the Shroud or you can take a self-guided tour. I’ll give you more details in the weeks to come.
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“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
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Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church
606 S. Wisner St. Jackson, Michigan 49203
(517) 783-2748 www.queenschurch.com
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