My Dear People,
     Beginning tomorrow and through Wednesday, the priests of the Diocese will be meeting in Assembly with Bishop Gruss.  Typically, we have held these Assemblies every other year up in northern Michigan.  Bishop Gruss has asked that we hold these Assemblies yearly, as a time for spiritual and professional formation of the priests of the Diocese and to build up a spirit of confraternity amongst the priests.  Due to the Covid19 Pandemic, this year’s Assembly will take place at the Center for Ministry, Saginaw, where we will be following the protocols of social distancing.  The presenter is from the Spitzer Group, who will be working to form camaraderie in the presbyterate as we strive to work together more closely and consistently in policies and practices.  Priests will either commute from their rectories, stay at a local hotel, or attend via livestream so as to participate in this Assembly.  As in the past, priests are not to conduct parish liturgies, meetings, or appointments during these days, but give their full attention to this time of prayer and formation with their fellow priests and Bishop.
     I kindly ask for your prayers for Bishop Gruss and the priests of our Diocese over these next three days.  As priests, we do rely upon your prayers so that we can be the servants to you that Christ desires us to be.  There will not be Masses celebrated in either of our parishes from Monday – Wednesday, but there will be an opportunity to gather as a community to pray.  These days, times, and locations in our parishes are as follows: Monday, September 21, Noon, at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish; Tuesday, September 22, 6:30 p.m. at St. John Paul II Parish; Wednesday, September 23, 8:30 a.m. at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish.  These prayer services will not entail receiving Holy Communion.  I encourage you to please pray for Bishop Gruss and the priests of the Diocese, either at these prayer services or at home with your private prayers.  Masses will resume according to the normal schedule on Thursday and Friday.  Thank you for your loving support and prayers.  It means so much to all the priests and Bishop Gruss.
                                                  

     Fr. Bill

THE OBLIGATION TO ATTEND SUNDAY MASS HAS BEEN dispensed until the end of September 2020.  You are still strongly encouraged to attend one of the weekend Masses as a way of honoring the Lord’s Day, unless your health is compromised in some way.  Attending Mass in either of our Churches requires following the proper pandemic protocols: wearing a face covering, sanitizing one’s hands upon entering, and social distancing in the pews and when moving, entering or exiting the Church. Whether you attend or not, please keep the Lord’s day holy by prayer, restraining from unnecessary work, works of charity, visiting and resting.  Those not able to attend can view the livestreamed Masses from the Cathedral on the Diocesan website.