Father Michael's Column

Pastor’s Column for February 23rd, 2025

If you’ve been coming to Mass at this parish for any length of time, you have heard again and again the call to be a disciple, to grow as a disciple, and then to share Christ with others—to “Unleash the Gospel”! In fact, our official parish goal is: “To become an Amazing Parish that fosters discipleship, and equips disciples to share the Good News.”

An especially good time to examine your own personal response to the Lord’s invitation to follow him as a disciple is throughout the season of Lent—which is just around the corner! It might seem incredible, but in just a week-and-a-half from now, it’s Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. 

Rather than waiting until Lent has begun, however, now is a good time to start thinking about what sort of Lenten practices you will want to undertake. I haven't completely decided yet for myself (though I have a couple of good ideas), but I have already begun praying that I might have a "great" Lent this year. This season can be a very intense, grace-filled time. Even if you, too, aren't quite decided yet on your Lenten practices, you can certainly join me in praying for a blessed grace-filled season for yourself and for the whole Parish. 

The special Lenten issues of "The Word Among Us" should be available in the Tower Entrances of the church by next weekend. Many people have found these booklets to be very helpful. Once again, our Knights of Columbus are going to cover the cost, as they have for years now. (This is a tremendous blessing that we should not take for granted! Be sure to thank a Knight, maybe at next week’s breakfast.) And our Dads’ Club have purchased a fairly large number of copies of the daily Lenten reflection booklet, “My Little Black Book”, published by the diocese of Lansing, and they would like you to have a copy, with their compliments. (Isn’t it great to belong to St. William?) Thank one of the dads when you come to the Fish Fry dinners during Lent.

Another activity that is very popular during Lent is the devotion known as the Stations of the Cross. A good number of years ago now, we installed the dramatic lighting for the Stations that are displayed in our church, and I have personally found it a moving experience just to stop at each station and reflect on what I was seeing. It’s almost like seeing them for the first time. Public recitation of the Stations is at 7:00 PM on the Fridays of Lent. BUT, on Friday, April 11th, our Parish Director of Music, Bill Richart, will once again present a special experience of the Stations. That particular event, also at 7 PM, lasts a little over an hour-and-a half, will give you great insight into this devotion, and got rave reviews every year. Mark your calendars now. 

Also, the Liturgy of the Hours (Morning Prayer, with Communion distributed) will be on all the Mondays and Fridays of Lent. If you’ve never participated in the Liturgy of the Hours, which is the common prayer of the Church, you ought to give it a try! It takes about fifteen to twenty minutes. 

Another great idea for your spiritual growth is to come to daily Mass during Lent. These Masses are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8 AM. Wednesdays are a special treat, because that’s the Mass with our school children, and it’s such a delight to see their enthusiasm! 

In Jesus,
Fr. Michael

P.S. In case you haven't heard, Pope Francis has recently accepted the resignation of our archbishop. As required by Canon Law, Archbishop Vigneron submitted his resignation upon his 75th birthday, which was over a year ago. Pope Francis has appointed a new archbishop, Edward Joseph Weisenburger, who will be installed on March 18th, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at 2 PM. And yes, the event is open to all parishioners, if you wish to attend! Meanwhile, Archbishop Vigneron will continue to oversee the diocese as “Apostolic Administrator”. Let us pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we mark these historic developments. 



Watch for more information in the bulletins as we prepare to welcome our new archbishop!