From the Pastor's Desk | March 23, 2025

Organ

The organ repair and restoration will begin sometime after Easter.  We wrote a check last week for approximately $114,000 when we signed the contract with Viscount.  The total repair will cost approximately $229,000.  The insurance company has agreed to reimburse us for approximately $179,000.  The Finance Council approved paying the difference to get the organ fixed, and we have already received a generous donation that covers a good portion of the difference.  

Consumers Energy

We have not had a voltage fluctuation since January 31, 2025.  Obviously, Consumers Energy has made a repair somewhere in the township.  We have not repaired anything electrical in the building because nothing warranted repair.  The attorneys continue their subrogation effort against Consumers Energy.  Surge protectors have been installed on both the church/school and rectory to protect the buildings from future damage should something like this happen again. 

Gospel Reflection

A couple of things to note in the Gospel this weekend: 
First, tragedies happen.  Perhaps some of us, or most of us, have experienced tragedy in our own lives or in the lives of those close to us.  Make no mistake, Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose from the dead to restore creation - to put as back into relationship with the Father.  Yet, we still suffer.  We still suffer the effects of the fall and of sin.  
God allows suffering.  The Son, Jesus Christ, through His own suffering gave our suffering meaning and redeemed it.  God allows suffering to occur to alert us to the ongoing need of conversion for we do not know the day or the hour when our life will be demanded of us.  God allows suffering to occur to remind ourselves of the effects of our own sinful behaviors and attitudes.  God allows suffering to occur to call us to ongoing repentance.  In Salvifici Doloris (On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering), Pope St. John Paul II writes, “Suffering must serve for conversion.”
Second, God is very patient with His people (with all of us).  In the parable of the fig tree, it is interesting that after three years the owner comes back to look for the fruit but finds none.  Those three years are a direct correlation to Jesus’ public ministry.  Jesus is the owner of the tree and we are the trees.  What kind of fruit are we bearing?  Those who have no fruit, or those who have bad fruit, He demands be cut down.  However, the gardener (the Church) says to Jesus, “Wait!  Let’s give the tree some time and perhaps it will eventually bear fruit.”  
As we pray into Mass today, let’s not take God’s patience for granted.  Let’s not fall into the sin of presumption, presuming that God will forgive anything we do.  Rather, let’s make a firm purpose to amend our lives - to repent from any sinful attitudes and behaviors that keep us from the fullness of relationship with God and the Body of Christ.  That being said, let us thank God for His patience with us!  He continues to walk with us.  He never stops pursuing us.  He never gives up on us.   
Know of my prayers for you all! 
Fr. Ryan