Sept. 9 declared Day of Prayer and Fasting for racial healing
In the midst of our country’s ongoing racial unrest, we come together as Catholics to pray for healing, atone for the Church’s and our personal past sins of racism and seek forgiveness, and call on the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us in continuing to work for peace and racial justice.
To focus on these actions, Bishop Walkowiak has declared Sept. 9, the feast of St. Peter Claver, as a Day of Prayer and Fasting in the diocese for racial healing. St. Peter Claver is the patron of missionary work among black slaves.
Catholics of the diocese are encouraged to take the following actions:
-Read the U.S. Bishops Pastoral Letter speaking out against racism Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love.
-Pray the rosary or attend Mass
-Bishop Walkowiak will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew at 7 p.m. that evening. Mass will be livestreamed on the diocesan website, grdiocese.org, and diocesan Facebook page.
-Learn more about the life of St. Peter Claver and the work of the Church in fighting racism:
https://www.usccb.org/committees/ad-hoc-committee-against-racism
Have you been experiencing infertility? Have you had difficulty getting pregnant or repeated miscarriages? The Franciscan Life Process Center invites you to In the midst Infertility Support Series starting Oct. 5 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Grand Rapids Campus, 654 Davis Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Join us for our professionally facilitated 3-part series designed specifically for couples struggling with the effects of both primary and secondary infertility. Cost: $85. Go to https://inthemidst2020.eventbrite.com to learn more.
The Franciscan Rhythms Trail Run & Walk has gone VIRTUAL! This 5K run, walk or ride supports our Music Therapy Program. Our fundraising target for this year is $30,000. These proceeds ensure that we can provide Music Therapy services for all those needing assistance. This Virtual Race option will include a t-shirt, a finisher medal, and fun for the whole family! Registration: $30. Please go to https://trailrun2020.eventbrite.com to register.
The Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE Lowell, MI invites you to Once a Month Kitchen: Chapati and Kenyan Stew with Sister Collette Martim, FSE. Make chapati, a Kenyan bread similar to naan, and a delicious Kenyan stew to take home and share. Go to oamkglutenfree.eventbrite.com to register.
Are you preparing for marriage or looking into Natural Family Planning (NFP) options? The Franciscan LIfe Process Center invites you to Introduction to Natural Family Planning (NFP) on September 24 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Grand Rapids campus, 654 Davis Ave., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. This one-time session covers the basics of how NFP works and highlights the differences between methods. Cost: $25/individual and $40/couple Go to https://introtonfp.eventbrite.com to register.