July 4th Weekend - some people call it the middle of summer. To me, it feels like summer is just beginning. We just completed 4 weeks (12 nights from 9:00 - 10 pm) meeting incoming freshmen during Western's freshmen orientation days. What a great group of new students coming to Kalamazoo this fall!
Now, July brings some quieter days for me. I'm heading to the east coast for an 8 day retreat and a few days of vacation. When I get back, the fall planning will begin in earnest.
Hope summer is good for you. Enjoy God's beautiful creation - fresh fruits, vegetables, beaches, everything that makes Michigan such a great place to live.
Be safe on the roads and in the water!
God bless you!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Pentecost, K's Graduation, and Freshmen Orientation
The Easter Season draws to a close this week as we celebrate Pentecost this weekend, and Confirmation with our young people this Monday evening.
Kalamazoo College students move closer to the end of their spring quarter - with exams close behind - and graduation for those lucky seniors! It's always such a bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to those who have completed their college degrees and move on to grad school or the work force.
But before K's quarter is even completed, freshmen orientation begins at Western and runs through all of June. Lots of new, young faces - excited and scared about going off to college. Orientation is a good time to meet the parents, too - and let them know about St. Tom's.
In the meantime, at the request of the K students, we continue the Sunday Suppers before the 7:30 pm Mass - serving about 30 people, and Wednesday's More at MIdweek from now through June 9th.
While it's a little quieter time in the parish, it's a great time to begin planning for next fall's programming. There's never a dull moment - and that's a good thing.
Enough for now.
Kalamazoo College students move closer to the end of their spring quarter - with exams close behind - and graduation for those lucky seniors! It's always such a bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to those who have completed their college degrees and move on to grad school or the work force.
But before K's quarter is even completed, freshmen orientation begins at Western and runs through all of June. Lots of new, young faces - excited and scared about going off to college. Orientation is a good time to meet the parents, too - and let them know about St. Tom's.
In the meantime, at the request of the K students, we continue the Sunday Suppers before the 7:30 pm Mass - serving about 30 people, and Wednesday's More at MIdweek from now through June 9th.
While it's a little quieter time in the parish, it's a great time to begin planning for next fall's programming. There's never a dull moment - and that's a good thing.
Enough for now.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Triduum
Wow! March flew by with many things happening. The retreats were all well attended and prayerfully inspiring; the Passion Play provided a wonderful start to Holy Week; music rehearsal for the Easter Vigil are well underway. The church has been spruced up, cleaned and made ready for the Triduum liturgies.
April begins with unseasonally warm weather, the daffodils are blooming. K College students are back for their new quarter. Western students are moving into the last few weeks of classes. Plans for Easter dinner are in place.
St. Tom's Relay for Life team, the Fighting Doves, is holding first place among WMU's 46 teams. The relay is set for April 9-10 - lots of excitement as it comes closer.
During April, we'll be inviting high school seniors to meet with college students - to talk about the transition from high school to college life. We'll also be inviting parents of high school seniors to meet with parents who have experience with sending kids off to college - to share their experience, answer questions, and offer advice.
College seniors will be invited to an evening of reflection - to talk about the college experience and "what next." They'll also have the opportunity to fill out a Catholic resume, to take with them to their next parish - explaining how they have been involved in their student parish.
finally, we'll have the exam week support at the end of the month - providing food and space for WMU students to study, sleep, take a break during their exams.
Lots going on - but nothing trumps the celebration of EASTER, the focal point of our faith.
May this Easter Season hold many blessings for you - may your faith be strengthened through the celebration of the Paschal Mystery.
God bless you,
Sister Sue
April begins with unseasonally warm weather, the daffodils are blooming. K College students are back for their new quarter. Western students are moving into the last few weeks of classes. Plans for Easter dinner are in place.
St. Tom's Relay for Life team, the Fighting Doves, is holding first place among WMU's 46 teams. The relay is set for April 9-10 - lots of excitement as it comes closer.
During April, we'll be inviting high school seniors to meet with college students - to talk about the transition from high school to college life. We'll also be inviting parents of high school seniors to meet with parents who have experience with sending kids off to college - to share their experience, answer questions, and offer advice.
College seniors will be invited to an evening of reflection - to talk about the college experience and "what next." They'll also have the opportunity to fill out a Catholic resume, to take with them to their next parish - explaining how they have been involved in their student parish.
finally, we'll have the exam week support at the end of the month - providing food and space for WMU students to study, sleep, take a break during their exams.
Lots going on - but nothing trumps the celebration of EASTER, the focal point of our faith.
May this Easter Season hold many blessings for you - may your faith be strengthened through the celebration of the Paschal Mystery.
God bless you,
Sister Sue
Monday, February 22, 2010
Lenten Activitiers
We are moving quickly into the wonderful season of Lent. Many people came in during Ash Wednesday, to pray and sign themselves with ashes. Our 3 Masses were packed - many college students proud to wear the black smear identifying them as Catholics.
Our parish theme of cleansing and detoxifying our homes, bodies and spirits challenge us to learn more about the toxic cleaners we use, the chemicals we consume in our processed foods, and ways to be freed from negative thinking that keeps us from allowing God to touch and heal our spirits.
St. Tom's will again participate in Western's Relay for Life, to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The relay will take place April 9-10, the week after Easter. We have a whole list of fund raising events and activities - including pancake breakfasts on March 7, and a big cancer dance on March 26.
And of course, there are our Lenten retreats - for men (March 13), women (March 20) and college students/young adults (March 12-14). We are also happy to host the Kalamazoo Council of Catholic Women for their annual Lenten retreat on Wednesday, March 10. Information for all of these are on our home page.
There's no excuse to let Lent slip by without doing something GOOD for yourself - and for our environment. Hope you'll get on board with us!
Peace,
Sister Sue
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
February - Don't blink or you'll miss it!
It seems that the new year just started and already we are turning the calendar to the next page. January was full of events - students returning to both campuses, the visit with our El Salvador students, the student dance, which collected lots of food for Loaves and Fishes, cold weather and snow - lots of snow, and then a tease of spring.
We start February with our official visit from Bishop Bradley as he makes his rounds to all the parishes in the Kalamazoo Diocese. Both the students and the Women's Group will be celebrating Carnival/Mardi Gras with our students from the Dominican Republic on February 10.
Ash Wednesday gets ushered in the following week, February 17. Retreats for our men, women and college students are in the planning stages. And our RCIA catechumens and candidates anticipate the Rite of Sending on February 21, followed that day by the Rite of Election with the Bishop at the Cathedral. It may be a short month, but February is packed with happenings.
We start February with our official visit from Bishop Bradley as he makes his rounds to all the parishes in the Kalamazoo Diocese. Both the students and the Women's Group will be celebrating Carnival/Mardi Gras with our students from the Dominican Republic on February 10.
Ash Wednesday gets ushered in the following week, February 17. Retreats for our men, women and college students are in the planning stages. And our RCIA catechumens and candidates anticipate the Rite of Sending on February 21, followed that day by the Rite of Election with the Bishop at the Cathedral. It may be a short month, but February is packed with happenings.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
2010 is off and running!
The new school semester (quarter for Kalamazoo College) has begun. We are so ready for the college students to be back with us again. More at Midweek begins again this Wednesday, with a great line-up for this semester. The Sunday 5:30 pm Mass is back in our schedule, followed by the wonderful Sunday Supper.
Our Student Ministry Team has doubled in size from 7 members to 14 - with a lot of excitement about the student activities they are planning.
We welcome back students who have been on study abroad, and new students who perhaps have transferred to Western, KVCC, or Kalamazoo College. We hope you will join us for Mass on the weekend, and our student focused activities during the week.
The snow plowed up into mountain-high piles around the church makes for a beautiful winter scene, especially when the sun peeks out through the clouds, and through the south windows of the church. Can you tell that I like winter?
Blessings on your new year!
Our Student Ministry Team has doubled in size from 7 members to 14 - with a lot of excitement about the student activities they are planning.
We welcome back students who have been on study abroad, and new students who perhaps have transferred to Western, KVCC, or Kalamazoo College. We hope you will join us for Mass on the weekend, and our student focused activities during the week.
The snow plowed up into mountain-high piles around the church makes for a beautiful winter scene, especially when the sun peeks out through the clouds, and through the south windows of the church. Can you tell that I like winter?
Blessings on your new year!
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