ENCOUNTERING THE SAINTS OF DIVINE MERCY IN POLAND
November 3 – 11, 2025
Join Father Lam Le, pastor of St. John Paul II in Cedar Springs and Mary Queen of Apostles in Sand Lake, and Catholics from the Diocese of Grand Rapids as they embark on a special pilgrimage during this Jubilee Year to the homeland of Saint John Paul II.
Highlights include:
• Mass celebrated by Fr. Lam Le at St. James Church in Warsaw
• Explore Old Town in the center of Warsaw City.
• Visit the beautiful hilltop Jasna Gora Monastery, where Saint John Paul II made frequent visits throughout his life.
• Take a cable car ride to the breathtaking village of Zakopane and then head to the Jaszczurówka
• Chapel, which was visited many times by the young Karol Wojtyla (St. John Paul II).
• Explore Wawel Hill in Krakow. This hill is home to the Cathedral and Coronation Chapel, one of the most the most important sites in Poland.
• Spend time in prayer and reflection at the Auschwitz concentration camp. Visit the cell of St. Maximillian Kolbe.
• Visits to many other popular and devotional sites
For more information and to register contact Pattie Reynolds at preynolds@grdiocese.org or https://www.206tours.com/cms/grdiocese/poland/.
Don’t delay, seats are limited!
Is God calling you to consider the permanent diaconate?
Has the Vocations Prayer moved you to question if God is calling you to become a deacon? The Office of Diaconate Formation invites men with interest or questions about discernment and formation to a Discerning the Diaconate information session.
Monday, May 5
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cathedral Square Center, 360 Division Ave. S. Grand Rapids.
To RSVP or learn more, contact Deacon Jerry Roersma, director of Deacon Formation, at 616-288-0913 or jroersma@grdiocese.org
24 Hours for the Lord
An opportunity for prayer, forgiveness, and silence this Lent
Join us in this Jubilee Year for a special opportunity to spend time with the Lord in adoration and silent prayer along with the ability to receive the sacrament of confession before Easter.
The event begins at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 28 with Mass and ends with the Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. It will be held at St. John Paul II Parish, 3110 17 Mile Rd NE, Cedar Springs, 49319.
If you would like to sign up for a specific adoration time slot, you can do so here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JN_ddYh3W7rGMCvVIRZ1Naj7qHpT1vhe...
The Light is ON for You
Weekend of March 29/30
Spend Time with God this Week!
Here’s your last-minute reminder that our parish is participating in “The Light is On for You: An Evening of Penance” THIS THURSDAY (April 3). Join Father [xx] from 5 - 8 p.m. in the confessional as we prepare for the Lord’s resurrection.
Visit GRdiocese.org/penance for details
Weekend of March 29/30
¡Pasa Tiempo Con Dios Durante Esta Semana!
Aquí está su recordatorio de última hora de que nuestra parroquia está participando en “La Luz Está Encendida Para Ti: Una Noche de Penitencia" este jueves 3 de abril. Únete al Padre [xxx] de 5 a 8 PM en el confesionario mientras nos preparamos para el Señor en la Pascua.
Para más información visite GRdiocese.org/penance.
Pilgrimage for the Hispanic Community
Sunday, April 6
1 p.m. – Procession leaves St. Francis Xavier & Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Brown St.
3 p.m. – Procession arrives and Mass begins at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew
Pilgrimage is an essential element of every jubilee. During the Jubilee Year, the Diocese of Grand Rapids is hosting several local pilgrimages. Join the Hispanic community in West Michigan for a lively procession to the Cathedral of Saint Andrew or join us for Mass at the cathedral beginning at 3 p.m. Although local pilgrimages, like this one, seek to draw together certain groups of pilgrims under a theme, all are welcome!
Note: A flyer in English and Spanish was attached to the March 17 email to help you promote the event.
“Despair or Confidence? Christ’s Cry of Abandonment from the Cross”
Thursday, April 24
7-9 p.m.
Donnelly Center at Aquinas College, 157 Woodward Ln. SE, Grand Rapids.
At first glance, Christ’s cry of dereliction from the cross – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – would seem the ultimate validation of all despair and hopelessness. After all, if the Son of God himself, faced with the full power of evil, is driven to despair, how could we possibly cling to hope? Yet by exploring the interpretation of the cry offered by St. Hilary of Poitiers, a fourth-century doctor and Father of the Church, this talk by Father Vincent Dávila, OP, will show that the cry is a revelation not only of Christ’s complete solidarity with our suffering but of his remaining utterly confident in the Father all the while, offering us a model for hope.
Turn your faith into action this Jubilee Year by serving your community alongside Catholic Charities West Michigan (CCWM)!
On Friday, April 25, join Catholic Charities West Michigan’s “Days of Hope” initiative, a special time set aside to serve those in need. Choose from a variety of unique opportunities to help those in your neighborhood thrive, including:
• Shopping alongside families at St. Gianna's No Cost Baby Boutique
• Building Gianna Boxes or "baby showers in a box" for expecting parents
• Creating self-care Kits to help families in need
• Packaging home-delivered meals to reach those who are homebound
The day is a chance for you to provide tangible signs of hope in the lives of those who need it most. Together, we can offer support, build relationships, and create a sense of community and belonging for all. Sign up today at rebrand.ly/CCWMJubileeDaysofHope
For more details and the full list of diocesan Jubilee Year events,
visit GRdiocese.org/jubilee-2025
Run through April 11
Discover resources to enhance your Lenten journey
Lent is a time of grace, renewal, and conversion. And in this Jubilee Year, these 40 days offer us a profound opportunity to reflect even more deeply. Find resources to enhance your Lenten journey at GRdiocese.org/lenten-resources/ and events at GRdiocese.org/events
Run through April 11
Join our parishes for food and fellowship on Lenten Fridays
Visit GRdiocese.org/fish-fry-lenten-meal-guide/ to view a list of soup suppers and fish fries happening around the diocese. Many of our parishes also offer the opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross before or after dinner.
Bulletin blurbs from the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan. Use them throughout March to encourage charitable giving to your parish through planned gifts, which will benefit your parish forever.
Questions? Learn more at https://cfwmlegacy.org/ or call us at (616) 295-4351
Teresa Reid
Executive Director
treid@cfwmi.org
March:
• Wine + Wills: An Introduction to Legacy Planning
Join the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan for an upcoming seminar dedicated to navigating end-of-life planning from a Catholic perspective. Planning for the future can be a challenging topic, but it is also an essential way to care for loved ones, uphold your faith values, and ensure your wishes are honored.
Enjoy light refreshments and a glass of wine in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere as you learn from legal and spiritual experts. Whether you're just starting to think about end-of-life decisions or looking to refine your plans, this event will equip you with the tools and peace of mind to move forward with confidence.
RSVP today to secure your spot! Let’s turn a difficult conversation into a meaningful journey that reflects faith, love, and stewardship. catholicfoundationwmi.org/wine-wills/
o Saturday, March 29, 1 pm at Cathedral Square Center
o Tuesday, April 29, 6 pm at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish
For more information, contact Teresa Reid at the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan at (616) 295-4351 or treid@cfwmi.org.
Additional Bulletin Note
Please consider promoting the Light of Christ Legacy Society in your bulletin a few times over the next few months. If you know someone from your parish who has named your parish in his or her will, please let us know so we can celebrate their commitment to the Catholic community and steward their generosity.
Light of Christ Legacy Society
Have you planned a gift in your will or estate plan to support our parish, a Catholic school, or your favorite ministry? Contact the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan to be included and honored as a founding member of the Light of Christ Legacy Society. Contact Teresa Reid at the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan at (616) 295-4351 or treid@cfwmi.org to learn more. More information is also available at www.cfwmlegacy.org
Run through the month of March
The March edition of Word of Life is available in English and Spanish. Word of Life is a monthly resource for dioceses and parishes that includes monthly features, intercessions, bulletin quotes, and graphics.
Run and remove dates as they occur – Updated text
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience Opportunities
This Valentine's Day, give your spouse the gift of time away together enriching your marriage and your faith at a Worldwide Marriage Encounter experience! Upcoming experiences are being held Apr. 4-6 at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt; June 16-18 at Center for Ministry in Saginaw; and Aug. 1-3 at Augustine Center in Petoskey. Apply today at wwme.org or contact Amy & Joe Kopacz at 517-667-0433 for more info.
Run through March 29/30
2025 Catholic Women's Convention
Michigan Catholic women are invited to a statewide triennial convention, Rejoicing in Glorious Hope, on Apr. 25-26 at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Grand Rapids.
The speakers are:
• Barbara Heil (missionary, teacher, & evangelist)
• Sean Breedon (Ave Maria Radio)
• Christy Buck (mental health expert)
A presentation on the parables is provided by The Magic Carpet Theatre Group. Bishop Walkowiak will preside at Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Grand Rapids.
The registration deadline is March 31. More information is available at grdccw.org or contact Janet Regan, at (616) 915-5930 or email janetregan0209@gmail.com.
This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your faith, connect with other Catholic women from across the State, and share in the liturgy with “sisters” that are also Rejoicing in Glorious Hope!
Note: The flyer/registration form was attached to the Jan. 13 email. Please place it on your bulletin board and have a few copies in the parish office for women to take.
Run as space allows
We’re Hiring!
We are looking for individuals who are passionate about sharing the Catholic faith to fill positions in our Catholic schools, parishes, and at the diocese.
Find openings at: grdiocese.org/employment/
Run and remove dates as they occur:
Final Exploring Priesthood
Discernment Opportunity for 2025
May 4
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Discernment is a time of obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding. If you are considering the priesthood, the Diocese of Grand Rapids invites you to the final meeting of the 2024-25 school year to gather and discern God’s will for your life. Feel free to just show up or email to let us know you are coming at preynolds@grdiocese.org. You may also contact the Director of Priestly Vocations Fr. Rob Mulderink at frrob@lukespot.com if you have questions.
St. Luke University Parish
10144 42nd Ave., Georgetown Twp. MI 49428
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