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Faith Grand
Rapids
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December 2007 Issue
Bishop's column
| My
dear friends in Christ, Advent is a special time of
joyful celebration, waiting and preparation. During
this liturgical season, we celebrate Christ's presence
with us and we wait and prepare for his majestic return
at the end of time. Advent presents us
with opportunities to reflect on the many ways we experience
Christ's blessings in our daily lives. |
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Examples of his ever-present love in our
lives, which I have been privileged to witness during my parish
visits this year, are evident in our vibrant and faith-filled
parishes. As a diocese, we have much for which to be grateful.
As 2007 draws to an end, we mark the first anniversary of
FAITH Grand Rapids. Thank you for the many kind remarks of
appreciation about our diocesan magazine. I trust that you
have found the magazine interesting and of benefit as we seek
to grow in faith. I encourage you to share your copies with
others so FAITH GR may reach the broadest possible audience.
In previous issues of FAITH GR, I have shared information
about activities occurring in the diocese. I would like to
update you on some of them:
- St. Luke University Parish in Allendale,
our newest parish, continues to grow with 200 attending
weekend Masses. On October 28, Father Brad Schoeberle CSP,
pastor, presided at the parish's first infant baptism. As
you may recall, the first parish Mass was celebrated on
Sunday, September 23 and the Mass for GVSU students was
celebrated Sunday, August 26 at GVSU's Cook-Dewitt Center.
- Currently we have 10 seminarians in various
stages of formation. We look to one ordination to the priesthood
and two to the transitional diaconate this spring.
- Over 600 Catholic school teachers and personnel
began the school year in September with Mass at the Cathedral
of Saint Andrew. Enrollment is up in our high schools, but
down in our elementary schools which follows a national
trend.
- Lawyers and health care workers from parishes
throughout the diocese gathered in October at the Cathedral
for the Red Mass and the Saint Luke Mass to prayerfully
celebrate the work they do, ask for God's blessings and
recommit to their professions.
- Parish musicians gathered on November 6
for the first annual Evening Prayer and Blessing at the
Cathedral. It was a celebration filled with songs of praise
to our Lord and his people. I was able to update musicians
on recent developments in music and liturgy from the national
bishops.
- Plans for Cathedral Square are moving forward.
Many of you have come forward in support of this project
- financially and philosophically. For this I am most grateful.
Opportunities for people to participate in Cathedral Square
efforts will be available soon.
- Construction of the exterior façade for
the Cathedral Square diocesan center building is well underway,
allowing for interior work to occur during the winter months.
Occupancy is planned for late spring.
- The diocese has accepted a purchase offer
from Lighthouse Full Life Center Church for the 660 Burton
St. property. Possession is scheduled for February 2008;
the purchase agreement allows for diocesan offices to remain
there until early summer.
- The Paulist Fathers, who over 60 years
ago established the Catholic Information Center in downtown
Grand Rapids, are assuming leadership of diocesan evangelization
efforts. This will bring together the Catholic Information
Center community and the Cathedral of Saint Andrew Parish
to form one faith community at the Cathedral. The decision
was made following two years of discussions between the
Paulist Fathers and the diocese, and in light of the Paulist
Fathers' expertise in ministering to those in urban and
campus environments. The partnership will expand evangelization
efforts diocesan-wide, concentrating on reconciliation,
ecumenical dialogue and interfaith relations. Father Mark-David
Janus, CSP, director of the Catholic Information Center
for the past four years, will be appointed rector/pastor
of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew with responsibility for
Saint Andrew School in July 2008. Father Steven D. Cron,
current rector/pastor of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew,
has agreed to remain at the Cathedral to lead the transition.
Two additional Paulist Fathers will take on new assignments
at the Cathedral in July.
- Following months of meetings and negotiations,
members from the parish and school communities of St. Alphonsus,
St. Jude, St. Isidore and Blessed Sacrament agreed to form
one school named All Saints Academy. Mrs. Christine Burns
has been appointed principal of All Saints Academy. The
new school will open in fall 2008 and will be located at
2233 Diamond Ave, NE. If there are more students than can
be accommodated at that site, a middle school will open
at the St. Jude facility. I commend the four communities
for coming together and keeping the educational interests
of their young people at the forefront of their decision
making. Students and staff of the four schools gathered
for Mass at St. Alphonsus Church on All Saints Day during
which I presided and the pastors of the four parishes concelebrated.
Thank you for all you do for Our Lord's Church. May God's
blessings and peace be with you and your families during
the coming Advent and Christmas seasons and throughout the
New Year.
- Bishop Walter A. Hurley is the
11th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
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