Friday, May 7, 2021
Easter Weekday
"Motherhood is a woman’s vocation. It is an eternal vocation, and it is also a contemporary vocation… We must do everything in order that woman may merit love and veneration. We must do everything in order that children, the family and society may see in her that dignity that Christ saw. Mater genetrix, spes nostra!"
Pope Saint John Paul II, General Audience, January 10, 1979
Pope Saint John Paul II, General Audience, January 10, 1979
Dear Friend,
Writing about this is a bit unusual for me, but here goes. Back in April, I was able to be with my folks (Dad is 92 and Mom, 91) for my 70th birthday. During a period of three hours (drinks, dinner, walk, and cards), Mom initiated singing Happy Birthday to me about 12 times. She clearly was enjoying this more than me. And she got my name correct most of the times. She is suffering from dementia. It was the most delighted I have seen her in quite a while. She was especially taken with her own rendition of “How old are you?” I doubt she was remembering the birth of her first-born but was caught up, in a child-like way, in the moment.
(Pictured Above: Helen Boyea with her eldest son, Bishop Boyea, and her husband of 70 years, Earl Boyea)
This is now a cherished memory for me as we look forward to Mother’s Day. This slow fading of Mom has taken some adjustments on the part of us 10 kids. The biggest task has fallen to our father, who has nobly filled in with cooking and washing of clothes and seeing to Mom’s frequent use of the bathroom. Every day, he is becoming more of a hero for me. The real surprise came a couple of years ago when he answered the phone and carried on a conversation. I asked who he was and what he had done to my father. The phone was always Mom’s work!
It has obviously been a great blessing to have parents around for so many years. There are so many who have said goodbye to parents at very young ages. In addition, the problems with dementia are often much more difficult than our mother is experiencing. So, blessings simply abound!
This brief account is simply to give a context to my wishes to all the Moms – “Happy Mother’s Day!” – and to all the Dads, thanks for your love and care for your spouse.
Assuring you of my prayers, I am sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Earl
Bishop of Lansing
Watch: This week witnessed the Diocese of Lansing launch a new weekly e-mail update charting the progress of the Realign Resources for Mission process in order to keep the people of the diocese both informed and, hopefully, involved too. To receive the weekly e-mail just click here and sign-up.
But what is Realign Resources for Mission? Why is it necessary? What stage has the process now reached? Where does it go from here? They are just some of the questions asked in this Diocese of Lansing to Father Chas Canoy, Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist in Jackson and a member of the Realign Resources for Mission committee. Asking the questions is the diocesan Director of Communications, David Kerr.
Watch: This Easter saw Saint John the Evangelist in Fenton receive the most converts into the Catholic Church of any parish in the Diocese of Lansing. Why? We asked Pastor, Father Robert Copeland, and Sandy Shaker, Pastoral Associate in charge of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Meanwhile, next week we'll hear the testimony of some of the converts themselves.
Watch: Please pray for Diocese of Lansing seminarian Josh Luttig who is currently studying for the sacred priesthood at Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Minnesota. Josh grew up in Fowler and is a parishioner at Most Holy Trinity. His vocation story began at the age of just seven-years-old.
"I remember, very vividly, I was sitting in my living room playing with toys and I remember thinking 'what am I going to do when I get older?' and it just popped into my head: you can be a priest!" What happened next? Watch and find out:
"I remember, very vividly, I was sitting in my living room playing with toys and I remember thinking 'what am I going to do when I get older?' and it just popped into my head: you can be a priest!" What happened next? Watch and find out:
Watch: Here's a brief but heartfelt "thank you" from Bishop Boyea to all of you who have contributed so generously to this year's Diocesan Services Appeal.
"In this 'Year of the Bible' we are reminded that Jesus, the Word of God, is alive here and now. He and His Word are active in you and in the work of all who believe. With your support of DSA, you are putting God’s word into action! Thank you all for fueling our mission with your strong stewardship!"
Your gift to the Diocesan Services Appeal supports dozens of ministries and services that benefit from the annual appeal. If you are in a position to do so, please prayerfully consider a DSA gift today.
You make the many good works of our Catholic Church possible!
Thank you!
If you have not already done so, please use the link below to make your 2021 DSA gift commitment today. Thank you!
Watch: This week saw Bishop Boyea's Year of the Bible reach Chapter 5 of the Acts of the Apostles. In order to explain both the contents and the meaning of this chapter, here's a great explainer video by Craig Pohl, Director of New Evangelization for the Diocese of Lansing:
Read: The latest edition of FAITH Magazine, the official publication of the Diocese of Lansing, features the Catholic Community of St. Jude in DeWitt's Lenten project entitled, Food for the Poor, which is run by Kim Scherschligt (pictured) and Deacon Rob Strouse.
“Food for the Poor has taught me not to shy away from personal encounters with people in poverty," says Kim, "It’s one thing to give money, but entirely another to experience Jesus Christ when we can serve people in need. Seeing the joy of those in the shelters when we unload our gifts, we see Jesus.”
To read more about the wonderful apostolic work of Kim, Deacon Rob and Food for the Poor click here.
