Bishop Paul J. Bradley released the following statement in the wake of the tragic school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas: “As we learn of yet another senseless school shooting, this time in Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, the Diocese of Kalamazoo mourns the 18 children and three adults who were killed, and we extend our love and care to the countless more children, teachers, and the entire community who have been injured and traumatized by these horrific events. With broken hearts and in great sadness, we commend the children and adults whose lives have been taken from them to our loving God and Father of us all, knowing that He will welcome them into Eternal Life. We send our prayerful support to the families of those who have lost loved ones, and we pray for God’s healing graces for those who are suffering in any way. May we all pray for the conversion of the hearts of those who choose irrational hatred and heinous acts of violence instead of living together in harmony, peace and love; may we also recommit ourselves to the priority of re-discovering our society built on compassion, care, and respect for all human life.”
We invite men and women who are widowed, to join in conversation, prayerful support, and sharing of ideas to walk with one another in faith. We offer gatherings once a month - typically - on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
The Diocese of Kalamazoo - Secretariat for Parish Life & Lay Leadership, has been selected as a 2022 Catholic Marriage Initiative (CMI) Fund Grant Recipient! With a goal of "Investing in Marriage", the CMI Fund was established to dramatically increase the availability of and participation in high quality Catholic Marriage Ministries throughout the United States. The Grant proposal we submitted has been found to exemplify the sort of efforts these investors consider worthy of their funding.
In his April 4, 2022 "Letter to the Faithful" Bishop Bradley announces the lifting of most COVID-19 liturgical restrictions and encourages the Faithful to return to the regular practice of the Faith. He writes: "May we accept Jesus’ invitation with all our hearts and Come to Him Who promises to give us rest, refreshment, and Eternal Life. May our Loving God bless you abundantly during this Holy Week and may the Joy and Hope of Easter fill your hearts throughout all the seasons of the Church year to come."
Accepting Pope Francis' invitaion, Bishop Bradley will celebrate a Mass of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday, March 25th on the Feast of the Annunciation. The Mass will be held at St. Augustine Cathedral. The Mass will be live streamed on the diocesan website and simulcast to the Diocesan Facebook and YouTube Channels. "This will be a powerful, world-wide gathering in prayer, pleading for peace in Ukraine, and throughout the world, and a conversion of hearts and countries to the ways of God," said Bishop Bradley.
Reverend Lawrence Farrell, 77, Pastor, St. Monica Parish, Kalamazoo, entered into eternal life on March 20, 2022. Fr. Farrell had been challenged with declining health in recent months. FUNERAL SERVICES FOR REV. LAWRENCE FARRELL Sunday, March 27, 2022: The Rite of Reception of the Body will be held following the Noon Mass at St. Monica Parish, 534 W. Kilgore, Kalamazoo. Fr. Farrell’s body will lie in state at St Monica’s until 6 p.m. The Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2022: Reception and Visitation at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2022: Visitation at St. Augustine Cathedral, 542 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial – St. Augustine Cathedral A private burial will be held immediately following the Mass at Mt Everest Cemetery.
In a Letter to the Faithful entitled, Protecting the Fundamental Freedom to Live, Bishop Paul J. Bradley is urging the Faithful to be informed on the current petition drive for a proposed amendment to the State Constitution that would secure the legal pathway to abortion. This effort is being conducted in anticipation that the Supreme Court may overturn the Roe v. Wade decision. In his letter the bishop also affirms and applauds the many efforts within the Church to walk alongside mothers-in-need and efforts to protect the unborn.
The Lent/Easter edition of the quarterly diocesan magazine offers resources and inspiration for your Lenten journey. Cover person, Sandra Rayas, works to build a youth ministry at her parish while juggling a full-time job and coursework for her pastoral degree. Check out the digital issue.
Bishop Paul J. Bradley is calling upon all people to dedicate Ash Wednesday as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace. In a statement issued Thursday, February 24, 2022, Bishop Bradley said:
"Called to the Joy of Love" "Llamados a la Alegria del Amor" is the 2022 theme for celebrating National Marriage Week. The observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 13) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family.
En colaboración con varias oficinas de pastoral familiar en Michigan y Ohio, hemos creado estas herramientas para celebrar familias durante este tiempo dedicado a familias anticipando el Congreso Mundial de Familias en Junio 2022.
Due to the severe snowstorm in Southwest Michigan, the Diocesan Pastoral Center building is closed on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. Members of staff are working remotely and may be reached via email. Staff directory may be accessed here: www.diokzoo.org/diocesan-directory
Each year on the last week of January we celebrate the "Faith, Service and Excellence" of the 21 Catholic Schools in our diocese during the national celebration. In his letter to Educators/Staff, Bishop Paul J. Bradley applauded the heroic efforts of our Catholic school staff.
Bishop Bradley writes: "Every year on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd, our Holy Father asks each Diocese to observe the “World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life”, so that we can pray in a special way for the men and women whom the Lord has called to a special consecration within the Church, and who bring the unique and irreplaceable charisms from the Holy Spirit in helping to build up the Church and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On that Day, we give thanks to God for the Gift of Consecrated Life, and we pray for and promote vocations to Consecrated Life."
La Cuaresma de este año, nos ofrecerá otra gran oportunidad de tomarnos un tiempo para meditar las páginas del Evangelio y adentrarnos en los escenarios de la vida de Cristo, como un personaje más, y así nos ayudará a sentir y contemplar con amor, el verdadero sufrimiento.
