Pastor’s Corner — August 10th, 2025
Supporting the 2025 Mission Cooperation Appeal for the Diocese of Mandeville
This weekend we are welcoming Fr. Glen Baptiste from the Diocese of Mandeville to share more about the work his Diocese is doing to spread the Gospel to its community.
The Diocese of Mandeville relies on the generosity of Catholics around the world to support its mission. Of the 20 parishes and 3 missions they have, their Sunday collections cover only about 10% of the cost to operate their parishes. Mission Appeals are essential to enable the Diocese to evangelize and provide basic dignity to the beloved poor in their communities.
These needs include assistance meeting the basic needs of its community, such as providing food, clothing, and housing for poor people throughout the Diocese. The Diocese operates medical clinics which provide basic health care for the sick, particularly those suffering from HIV/AIDS and other terminal illnesses. They also support a home for the destitute elderly who have reached their “golden years”--many of whom are sick and have been abandoned by their families.
There is also a great need for support of programs for abused, neglected, orphaned youth and youth who need a chance to learn a trade to support themselves in life. This helps the youth grow up in a safe, family environment, where they can receive care for their medical needs and education to help them break the cycle of poverty.
The Diocese of Mandeville also provides educational support at all levels, including university students, to assist with tuition needs, as well as provides a Diocesan youth director to create programs in parishes and at the diocesan level to welcome youth and to provide an environment for youth to know the Lord and become committed to the call to holiness.
How to Give? We are so blessed here at St. Patrick with the generosity of our parishioners, and I ask that you consider sharing that generosity in the 2025 Mission Cooperation Appeal. There are three ways to give:
1) At each of the entrances to Masses this weekend, there will be baskets available for you to make monetary donations to the Mission Appeal.
2) According to Diocesan Policy, all checks need to be made out to St Patrick Parish with “Missionary Appeal” in the Memo line.
3) Donations can also be made through the parish office, or using the QR found at each of the parish entrances this weekend. (If you are reading this on the Pastor’s Corner, click here to donate online)
Please prayerfully consider how you can help.
Welcome to Our Staff, Melissa Botford!
We are happy to welcome parishioner Melissa Botsford as our new front office secretary. We think she’ll be a great addition to our staff–please introduce yourself to her when you see her. Here is a little note from Melissa:
Hello! My name is Melissa Botsford, and I’m excited to serve St. Patrick Parish as the new Front Office Secretary. My family and I were longtime parishioners at Prince of Peace Parish in West Bloomfield for 35 years. A few years ago, we moved to this area and joyfully became members of St. Pat’s.
Over the years, I’ve been blessed to volunteer in many ministries, including Faith Formation, Youth Group, and Christian Service. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Oakland University and bring both professional experience and a heart for service to this new role.
In my free time, I love spending time with my husband, Jim, and our wonderful family and friends. We especially enjoy live music and spending time outdoors, appreciating the beauty of God’s creation.
I look forward to getting to know everyone here at St. Pat’s and serving our parish community with warmth and care.
Your servant in the Lord,
Fr. Mathias