A minute and a half video message from Fr. Matt:
From Colleen -- Parish Missionary -- and the School of Sainthood:
School of Sainthood for Families with children in Grades K-6 and/or 7-12
Information on registration steps and starts to our year-round School of Sainthood program and pathways will be sent out via flocknote next week! Please make sure your email is updated and share this information with other family or friends who might be looking to jump on board!
All participating families will continue to schedule an annual "Parent Chat" with Colleen/Team.
All participating families will continue to schedule an annual "Parent Chat" with Colleen/Team.
All families new to our Family Formation experience will participate in the 4 session-onboarding SEEK nights (if your family completed this last year, you do not need to do it again).
All these details and more will be included! Watch your email next week!
LABOR DAY
With Monday being Labor Day, we have our usual changes to parish operations.
The only Mass on Monday will be at 9a. There will be no 8:15a or 12:15p Mass.
Additionally, the Ministry Center will be closed. As always, you can get in touch with a priest if someone is in danger of death and needs emergency sacraments.
CHRISTIAN INITIATION
If you or someone you know is an adult over 18 who has never been baptized or was baptized in another faith but is interested in discovering more about the Catholic faith, please contact Parish Missionary, Colleen O'Dowd, at colleen@olransom.org.
This could be one conversation over coffee to answer your questions/get some more information, or more formal if you’re ready to take the next steps. Wherever you are on your journey, OLR would like to accompany you.
SEMINARIANS AT OUR LADY OF RANSOM
Our Lady of Ransom continues to be part of the Teaching Parish Program of Mundelein Seminary. The seminary chooses certain parishes throughout the Archdiocese that provide strong experiences for the men discerning the call to become a priest. This year we have three seminarians that will be ministering in our community. Hopefully, you remember Deacon Jake. Deacon Christopher will also be joining our community this year. The two of them introduce themselves below. I also just received word that we will be receiving another seminarian, Logan McGahan. I'll have him introduce himself in the next Ransomed newsletter.
I have returned! Hi everyone, I’m sure many of you remember me from last year, but my name is Deacon Jake. That’s right, I was ordained a deacon in my home diocese of Grand Rapids this past May 21st! This summer, I helped at a nursing home along with Deacon Christopher, preached Masses, and even traveled to Ireland. I’m from a farming community not far from Grand Rapids and I enjoy being outside, woodworking, and hiking. I’m excited to return to Our Lady of Ransom during this final year of seminary! Please keep me in prayer as I prepare to be ordained a priest this June.
Deacon Christopher Epplett grew up in Grand Haven, MI as the youngest of 10 children. After graduating from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, he spent a year and a half as a newspaper reporter before working at three parishes, mostly in youth ministry. His most recent position was at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, MI, which included work in media and college ministry. Deacon Christopher's hobbies include watching football, playing Ultimate Frisbee, running, writing, and board games. He is looking forward to ministry at Our Lady of Ransom as he finishes his final year at Mundelein Seminary before ordination to the priesthood in June 2023 for the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
ADULT CONFIRMATION
If you or someone you know is an adult over 18 who was baptized Catholic but never celebrated Confirmation or is missing other sacraments, contact Colleen O’Dowd at colleen@olransom.org.
Our parish and archdiocese have some options for taking the next steps whenever you’re ready. Jesus is calling you. And OLR wants to walk with you!
THE EMBERS ACADEMY
On Tuesday, The Embers Academy begins its academic year. We especially welcome all new families to the Our Lady of Ransom campus. Our relationship with Embers is truly a blessing; the families bring life and joy to our campus and our Masses.
With the new school year, morning Mass goers will see differences in the traffic situation on campus. With the new entrance of Embers, traffic patterns will differ slightly from prior years. We appreciate your patience as we work out this new system that will be better for both Embers and Our Lady of Ransom.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HELPING COUPLES WHO ARE GETTING MARRIED?
The Our Lady of Ransom wedding ministry is an excellent opportunity to assist couples on their big day. You will work closely with the priest and the couple during the rehearsal and wedding ceremony, ensuring that all the "behind-the-scenes" details are attended to. We don’t have a high volume of weddings, so you would only need to serve a couple of times per year. Interested in helping or learning more? Please contact Fr. John at frjohn@olransom.org or by calling (847) 823-2550.
DO YOU LIKE COOKING?
The new signups to cook a meal for our clergy Saturday Night Dinners are open! Please consider cooking a meal for six and dropping it off at the Ministry Center during the week before 4 pm Saturday. Contact Colleen with any questions at colleen@olransom.org or 847-823-2550. There is one shellfish allergy. Everything else is awesome and welcome! We’ll send a reminder the week you are cooking. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Simply click here to sign-up.