From the Pastor — August 2nd, 2026
Fall Faith Formation Registration Now Open
Registration is open on August 1 for all Pre-K through 12th grade Faith Formation programs beginning this fall. This includes: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Ignite, Young Church, First Communion preparation and Confirmation preparation. Next week we’ll share more about our various youth formation programs, registration, and how you can get involved as a volunteer. For now, please see this week’s bulletin insert to get an early start on registering your children.
Sips and Salvation August 28th: “How to Handle Unbelief in Your Family”
A couple of weeks ago we had a huge turnout for our first “Sips and Salvation” event and I thought it went very well. The next one is Friday August 28th at 7pm in O’Kelly Hall (PLC). Our topic is a sensitive one for so many: how to handle unbelief, indifference, atheism in our families.
Join me for a relaxed evening of conversation, questions, and parish fellowship. No pressure. No lectures. Just real talk about faith and life. While I’ll be starting off with a few points on our topic, (5-10 mins), the rest is Q and A style on that topic or any other topic if you wish.
If you have any burning questions, come join us for some good catholic answers! Bring your own beverages (spiked and unspiked) and an appetizer to share.
Thank you, Heather Dent and Marriage Prep Coordinator Job Opening
Heather shared with the staff this week the news that she has discerned that she needs to step away from being the Marriage Prep Coordinator at St Pat’s. Her parents need care assistance in New Jersey and she rightfully and attentively is focusing her time to help care for them along with her siblings. Here is a note from Heather to the parish:
I have been so blessed to be at St. Patrick for these last three years as the marriage prep coordinator. It has been a privilege to minister to our engaged couples and help prepare them for the beautiful sacrament of marriage. I am so grateful to all of the staff and parish volunteers who have shared in this ministry with me–I have learned so much from all of you! After much prayer and discernment, I have decided to step down from my position as Marriage Preparation Coordinator to be able to have more flexibility to spend time with my ailing parents in New Jersey and help my siblings to care for them. This was not an easy decision, as I love being a part of the staff here, but I also know that time with my parents and family is finite and I don’t want to miss the opportunity to share this time with them. I have peace knowing that the Lord has a plan for it all and will provide the perfect person to fill the gap of my departure from marriage prep. I will remain here at the parish and on staff as Fr. Mathias’ assistant as we continue to discern what is best for my family and for the parish.
While I am sad that she’s leaving this role, there’s something very beautiful about what she’s doing in stepping away for her parents. Let’s please pray for her parents and the whole family in this time. If you or someone you know might want a part-time job helping to coordinate marriage preparation for our engaged couples, the position will be posted on the Diocese of Lansing website later this week with more information about how to apply for the position.
Parishioner Baby Blessed by Pope Leo XIV
St Pat’s Parishioners Rob and Celina Smith took their child to Rome. What happened next they didn’t expect. Click here to watch this touching video.
Parish Council Member Nominations Fall 2026
Our parish council is a consultative body of parishioners that provides critical input and feedback both on how we are fulfilling our mission and on other major projects and initiatives for our parish. In addition to the bi-monthly meetings each council member seeks input from the parish and brings that feedback to everyone on the council. Essentially, the parish council assists me in making good decisions for the good of the parish. The faithful input of the council is one of the key ways that I get the pulse of how things are going in the parish vis-a-vis our mission and helps shape direction to take the parish. Usually, parishioners are pretty good at giving input to me or my staff directly, but if you ever want to give input directly to the council chair, remember that the chair’s email is in the bulletin.
Because we have three council members who finished their terms in June, we are in need of three more parishioners willing to serve on the parish council for a three-year term. If you’re personally interested in serving on parish council, please fill out and submit the Parish Council Nomination Form found here. These nomination forms, which will also be available in the front office, need to be submitted to me by email or dropped off at office by August 14, 2026. After this deadline, I will, with the help of my leadership team, prayerfully select from the nominations those to serve these terms.
Your servant in the Lord,
Fr. Mathias