Dear Friends,

Yesterday was commencement for many of the high school’s in our parish boundaries. I was privileged enough to be part of the baccalaureate services in Sandusky this past Thursday evening. My original plan was to also have been part of the baccalaureate service in Marlette as well but since I was leading the our last meeting of the high school youth group I wasn’t able to attend. 

Let’s make sure to say a prayer for all of the graduates in our parish community. When I say all the graduates I mean ALL of them from the 6 different school districts our parish touches. May they be blessed and stay close to Jesus in their post-high school endeavors. 

It’s been a great privilege to get to know better 4 seniors who have been a great leadership core to the high school youth group: Amelia Huysentruyt, Kiera Waligorski, Hazen Nugent, and Aiden Dove. When I first started at Holy Family as a deacon 5 years ago these students were hardly in middle school, so it’s been such a joy to watch them grow up in our parish community and become great young men and women who love Jesus and the Church. 

After Sylvia left as the youth minister a large part of why I knew I needed to step in and see the youth group through to the end of the academia year was because of those 4 seniors. I can’t say enough about the faith leadership they demonstrated while helping me lead the teens through a series called The Rescue Project. It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to interact with them more personally and see first hand how God is working in their lives and hearts — and He is!

Please say a special prayer for these 4 seniors as they begin a new chapter of their lives!

______

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I will up on Mackinaw Island for the Knights of Columbus State Convention so there will be no daily Masses on those days this week. 

Have a blessed week preparing for the great solemnity of Pentecost next Sunday and the completion of our Easter liturgical season!

AMDG,

Fr. Stephen  

Pictures of Rural Life Mass at the Octagon Barn: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAEzhh