During the month of May, Sacred Heart will be graced with a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. This statue comes from Fatima, Portugal. It is hand carved from one piece of cedar wood from Brazil. Before leaving Portugal in 1977, it was brought to the shrine of Fatima by the Bishop of Fatima and blessed at the original apparition site. He prayed that she would be received with great love here in the U.S. and that the message she gave us at Fatima would be honored. She comes with a message of love and hope, especially in these times when it is so easy to feel hopeless. Our Lord shares his Mother with us and knows that the love she felt when she held Him in her arms as an infant will be the same motherly love she will hold you with in all your concerns and troubles.

There will be a gathering of young Catholics (18-33) to discuss opportunities for fellowship over the summer on Sunday, May 16th from 6pm to 10pm.  We will be sharing a potluck meal and gathering around a campfire for fellowship.  For more information, directions, and to sign up contact Fr. Ron or the parish office.

If you currently have a subscription to the Magnificat magazine or would like to have a subscription, now is the time to renew or sign-up. We place a bulk order which gives us a 50% discount off the newsstand price. Delivery is to the academy and pickup is every month from the narthex of the church. These are not delivered to your home. You will be notified each month when your Magnificat is ready for pick up. If you would like to renew or subscribe for the first time, please send a check made out to Sacred Heart Church for $26.00 per subscription and mail to the church office at 156 Valley Ave. SW 49504 or drop it in the offering basket at Mass on Sunday by May 22. Make sure to write “Magnificat” in the memo line. Please include your phone number and email address.

New subscriptions start with the September issue.

If you have questions, please email Noelle at ndivozzo@sacredheartgr.org or call 459-8362. To visit their website and see sample issues go to www.magnificat.com.

Last weekend it was announced that Bishop Walkowiak accepted Father Sirico’s retirement as pastor.  After consultation with Father Sirico, Bishop Walkowiak has decided to name Father Ron Floyd as Canonical Administrator when Father Sirico retires at the end of June. It is our hope that both Fathers Sirico and Lomasiewicz will stay on with us as retired priests for many years to come. Please keep both Fathers Sirico and Floyd in your prayers as they make this transition

This summer, the Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE Lowell, MI, will offer Nature experiences for children ages 8 – 12 led by Sister Mary Paul Moller, FSE. Topics include:

• Nature Crafts for Kids, June 7 – 9
• Earthmovers: Black Gold (Worms), June 10 -11
• Pioneer Days, June 14 – 17
• Bubbles and Water, August 9 – 12

Please go to www.lifeprocesscenter.org  for more information.

Did you know that each First Wednesday is dedicated to the Most Chaste Heart of St Joseph, just like First Fridays are dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and First Saturday’s dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary?

Join us at Sacred Heart of Jesus parish for a monthly  parish-wide novena celebrating the Year of Saint Joseph every first Wednesday beginning on April 7th until December 1st from 6:30pm – 8:00pm

• Praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary And Litany To St. Joseph
• Listening to spiritual talks on the Life and Calling of St. Joseph
• Adoring Christ in the Eucharist

Questions? Contact the parish office at 616-459-8362.

Sacred Heart Parish
151 Garfield Ave SW
Grand Rapids, Michigan