- A Reflection on World Day of the Sick
- Diocesan Synod Phase Moves to Individually Hosted Gatherings
- International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking
- National Marriage Week
- ICYMI
- A Message of Hope from Pope Francis
- My Prayer for You
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February 2022
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Friday, February 11 is the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes and the thirtieth World Day of the Sick. Given what we have all witnessed during the past two years of global pandemic, it is especially appropriate that we pause and reflect on how we as Christians are called to care for those who are suffering from any kind of physical, mental or emotional illness.
In his 2022 World Day of the Sick Message, Pope Francis said:
I would like to remind everyone that closeness to the sick and their pastoral care is not only the task of certain specifically designated ministers; visiting the sick is an invitation that Christ addresses to all his disciples. How many sick and elderly people are living at home and waiting for a visit! The ministry of consolation is a task for every baptized person, mindful of the word of Jesus: “I was sick and you visited me” (Mt 25:36).
All of us bear responsibility for caring for the sick. This essential ministry begins with prayer. How often do we set aside quality time to pray for sick family members, friends, neighbors, and even for strangers? As Christians, we believe in the power of prayer. We turn to our Blessed Mother Mary, Health of the Sick, and implore her intercession, confident that she will help us obtain the healing power of her Divine Son for those who are ill.
In addition to our prayers, we are called to act. What Pope Francis calls “the ministry of consolation” is something every baptized person can provide for those who need our help. As the Holy Father observes:
The supreme witness of the Father’s merciful love for the sick is his only-begotten Son. How often do the Gospels relate Jesus’ encounters with people suffering from various diseases! He “went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people” (Mt 4:23). We do well to ask ourselves why Jesus showed such great concern for the sick, so much so that he made it paramount in the mission of the apostles, who were sent by the Master to proclaim the Gospel and to heal the sick (cf. Lk 9:2).
Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 25:10–37) illustrates in a powerful way what is demanded of those of us who have been called to follow Jesus. We are admonished to reject the callous indifference of the priest and Levite in the parable, and to follow the example of the despised foreigner who went out of his way to help someone who was in desperate need of assistance.
On this World Day of the Sick, we naturally think of all the people here in southwest Michigan and throughout the world who have contracted COVID-19 or one of its variants. How many have died! How many others have suffered from emotional or economic distress as a result of this pandemic. We dare not turn a blind eye to these individuals or their families. Like the Good Samaritan, we must do whatever we can to help.
Pope Francis also reminds to pray for all the healthcare professionals who have so generously offered their experience, skill and compassion to the millions of people in our communities and throughout the world who are suffering.
I think of all those physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, the support staff and the caretakers of the sick, as well as the numerous volunteers who donate their precious time to assist those who suffer. Dear healthcare workers, your service alongside the sick, carried out with love and competence, transcends the bounds of your profession and becomes a mission. Your hands, which touch the suffering flesh of Christ, can be a sign of the merciful hands of the Father. Be mindful of the great dignity of your profession, as well as the responsibility that it entails.
When inspired by the healing power of Jesus, healthcare workers can truly become Angels of Mercy, messengers of compassion and hope, who represent in concrete ways the love and mercy of the Divine Physician.
While the past two years have understandably caused us to concentrate our attention on the victims of the coronavirus and its variants, we should also pray for, and assist, all our sisters and brothers who suffer from many other physical, mental and emotional illnesses. Let’s entrust all who are sick—regardless of their maladies—to the tender care of our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, to St. Bernadette, and to all the saints who are associated with the healing power of God. May their intercession bring the consolation and hope of our Lord Jesus Christ to all who suffer from any illness or disability.
Finally, as we observe this special day in our Beloved Diocese, during this Year of the Holy Spirit, let’s ask for the Spirit’s gifts of compassion, courage and wisdom so that we too can be “a sign of the merciful hands of the Father.” And as we journey together, preparing for the Synod of 2023, let’s pray that we will respond generously when confronted with those who are sick and dying in our homes, our communities and our world.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Paul J. Bradley
Bishop of Kalamazoo
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Diocesan synod phase moves to individually hosted gatherings
All parishes, organizations, and self-formed small groups are invited to participate in the Synodal Gatherings preceding the Synod of Bishops in 2023. The purpose is to listen together to what the Holy Spirit is saying as it guides the Church forward. Materials are now available for people to lead their own Gatherings. The written conclusions from those consultations should be sent to the Synod Coordinating Team (synod@diokzoo.org) which will synthesize them into a final report.
The process of prayer, reflective listening, dialogue, and reporting takes about two hours. The Leader's Manual is available for download [here] and the Gatherings can be in-person or virtual. You are encouraged to invite others to participate including inactive Catholics, other Christians, people of other faiths, and people not affiliated with any religious practice, because the Holy Spirit can speak through us all!
If you want your Gathering listed on the diocesan website (which means that it is open to the public), please provide the following information and submit to Synod Organizing synod@diokzoo.org as well as the diocesan Office of Communications (officeofcommunications@diokzoo.org).
PUBLIC SYNOD GATHERING INFORMATION:
Date, City, and Site of the Gathering (and address if it's a private home)
Time of the Gathering (beginning and ending, because some Gatherings are longer than others)
Do you want people to register? If so, provide the appropriate phone number or email address for registrants. NOTE: The synod office will not handle registrations for these gatherings.
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International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking and the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita
The International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking will be observed on February 8, the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita. The event is designated by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development as a time of remembrance for victims and survivors of labor and sex trafficking.
In observance of this day, Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville has released a statement regarding the Church’s ongoing work and steadfast commitment to eradicating human trafficking and alleviating its harm to survivors:
“The Holy Father has aptly described slavery as ‘a scourge that wounds the dignity of our weakest brothers and sisters.’ Often unseen, we know that human trafficking is pervasive throughout the world, including in the United States, and it is imperative that we take all necessary steps to address this injustice...we pledge our ongoing commitment to rid the world of this modern slavery.”
On February 8, USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services will participate in an international prayer service organized by Talitha Kum, a global network organization of women religious who advocate for and help victims of human trafficking that is endorsed by the Vatican, which will include a reflection by Bishop Dorsonville. The United States will be participating in the global “Marathon of Prayer and Awareness” service from 11:00 PM – 12:00 AM EST. The prayer service will be livestreamed on YouTube.
For help in raising awareness about human trafficking, please visit USCCB’s Become a SHEPHERD program for downloadable educational materials and resources and check out other anti-trafficking resources on the Justice for Immigrants website
Visit this link to read the full news release from USCCB, and find more information on St. Josephine Bakhita here.
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National Marriage Week - February 7-14, 2022
This Monday the Church observes National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and this Sunday is World Marriage Day (Sunday, Feb. 13).
This observance presents an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. The theme for 2022 is "Called to the Joy of Love."
For your consideration there are several resources developed by MCC (in collaboration with diocesan staff from across the state including our own Socorro Truchan, Associate Director, Domestic Church) available for celebrating National Marriage Week which are in ENGLISH and in SPANISH here: Michigan Celebra Matrimonio
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ICYMI:
Following are some highlights from January that you may have missed:
Jubilee Year of the Holy Spirit
- New resources posted each month. Check here for February.
Coming next month in March!
- Ash Wednesday – March 2, 2022
- Rite of Election – March 6, 2022 St. Augustine Cathedral -please pray for all our candidates and catechumens
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A Message from Pope Francis: Words of Challenge and Hope
When individuals experience frailty and suffering in their own flesh as a result of illness, their hearts become heavy, fear spreads, uncertainties multiply, and questions about the meaning of what is happening in their lives become all the more urgent. How can we forget, in this regard, all those patients who, during this time of pandemic spent the last part of their earthly life in solitude, in an intensive care unit, assisted by generous healthcare workers, yet far from their loved ones and the most important people in their lives? This helps us to see how important is the presence at our side of witnesses to God’s charity, who, following the example of Jesus, the very mercy of the Father, pour the balm of consolation and the wine of hope on the wounds of the sick.
Patients are always more important than their diseases, and for this reason, no therapeutic approach can prescind from listening to the patient, his or her history, anxieties and fears. Even when healing is not possible, care can always be given. It is always possible to console, it is always possible to make people sense a closeness that is more interested in the person than in his or her pathology.
(Selected from Pope Francis’s 2022 World Day of the Sick Message)
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My Prayer for You
Let’s join with Pope Francis in offering this prayer for all who are suffering from any illness:
Dear brothers and sisters, to the intercession of Mary, Health of the Infirm, I entrust all the sick and their families.
United with Christ, who bears the pain of the world, may they find meaning, consolation and trust.
I pray for healthcare workers everywhere, that, rich in mercy, they may offer patients, together with suitable care, their fraternal closeness.
+Paul J. Bradley
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