All posts by jhudson

Closing Notice for Dec. 5

Due to inclement weather both parish offices will be closed today and all events are canceled. This includes the 9:00 am Mass scheduled for this morning at St. Joseph.

As a reminder of our closing policy, when Belding or Greenville schools are closed for inclement weather our offices will close and all events are canceled, including Mass.

Dcn. Jim Hessler’s Homily ~The Widows Mite A Holy Offering

The Widow’s Mite – A Holy Offering

We were blessed this fall to have Deacon Jim Hessler share an enlightening perspective on stewardship based on “the widow’s mite.” This is an interesting and well-founded perspective on how we are called to share our treasure to further God’s work.  If you missed his homily, we encourage you to click the link below. Some of his thoughts are summarized below.  

Deacon Jim shares that the widow’s gift was from her poverty, a sacrificial gift, which makes it holy! Jesus was not impressed by the larger gifts of other contributors but drew attention to the widow’s mighty gift of two coins. God blesses sacrificial gifts because we must rearrange our priorities and consciously choose to put God first. His graces then flow into our spiritual lives leaving us more grateful, joyfilled, with an improved spiritual life and feeling a sense of contentment only God can provide. God will not be outdone in his generosity! 

If your spiritual life doesn’t seem to be making progress or if your prayer life seems dry, perhaps the area of finances is the door you have left propped open in the fortress of your spiritual life. Leaving this door open keeps you from completely trusting in God and allows the cold draft of sin to separate us from His warm embrace. God doesn’t need our money but uses our money to prove we can trust him.    

Low volume. Please turn up your volume or use headphones to listen.

#GivingTuesday Dec. 2 & 3

Have you noticed some of the amazing youth we have in the parish? Those crazy kids you see racing for the donuts after Mass are the same kids learning, living, and standing up for their faith in our communities. They are studying the Gospel and what it means to be Catholic. They are sharing their faith with those they meet and inviting others to join them. They hosted a Pumpkin Rosary in October. They will be hosting Las Posadas with Hispanic Ministry in December. They have plans to host a life walk in January. During Lent they will be leading the Stations of the Cross.

Student Music Ministry has been sharing their talents with us at Mass and others in the community. They go to Mission Point and sing for the residents. They’ve sang the National Anthem at the White Caps game.

St. Charles School depends on the support, loyalty and generosity of our parents, alumni, faculty, grandparents, parents of alumni, as well as friends to provide the funds necessary to continue our mission of Faith, Academics, and Service. Each and every contribution makes a difference. Together, we turn generosity into action, ensuring that Catholic education continues to flourish in our community for generations to come. Your donations will help with the following: Student tuition assistance, teacher support and retention, and virtuous leadership opportunities for students.

Living their faith is important to our youth but they need your help!

Join us this #GivingTuesday to support our School, K-8 Faith Formation program, High School Youth Ministry and Student Music Ministry! New this year! We’re giving you 48 hours to donate. Give on Dec. 2 or 3 through the Diocese of Grand Rapids website to show your support! Your entire donation will go toward the earmarked parish, school, or ministry. No credit card fees will be charged.


Show your support of these wonderful youth ministries in our parish by clicking on the link below to donate online Monday, December 2nd – Tuesday December 3rd. https://community.dioceseofgrandrapids.org/Pages/GT

Not tech savvy, that’s ok! There are handy dandy flyers and envelopes in November 24’s bulletin or envelopes in the pews. Envelopes can be put in the boxes at the HUB, in the collection basket next week, or returned to the parish offices.

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Day ~ December 9th

This year the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is transferred to Monday, Dec. 9, so as to not conflict with the second Sunday of Advent. In prior years, when the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception was transferred to a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass was waived. The Vatican has since offered clarification to the U.S. Bishops that even when the Solemnity falls on a Monday the obligation to attend Mass remains. 

Evening Masses on Sunday, Dec. 8, may be used to fulfill the Dec. 9 holy day obligation provided that you also attend a separate Mass to fulfill your Sunday obligation.

We look forward to seeing you when we celebrate this holy day together on Monday, Dec. 9 this year!

The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ Eucharistic Procession on Sunday, June 2nd

The Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) is Sunday June 2nd. We will have a Eucharistic Procession, including Benediction, in church after the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Watch this beautiful video from 2017’s procession. Join us in this rich treasure of our faith and be a witness in our communities on Sunday June 2nd.

** Special thanks to Jake Schmiedicke and Ice Pictures Productions www.IcePicturesProductions.com for producing this beautiful video for us!

May Crowning May 11/12

Our Catholic faith has many wonderful, beautiful devotions.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops describes devotions as “‘expressions of love and fidelity that arise from the intersection of one’s own faith, culture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ’. Devotions are not considered part of liturgical worship, even if they are performed in a church or led by a priest, but rather they are paraliturgical.” Our faith also has rites that many participate in.  “A rite is a diverse liturgical tradition in which on catholic and apostolic faith has come to be expressed…” (Glossary of the CCC). 


May Crowning is a wonderful devotion that we as Catholics do every year.  May Crowning reflects the beauty of the mystery it evokes. Honoring Mary crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth as it is said in the fifth glorious mystery of the rosary. While May Crowning is a beautiful devotion, it is not a rite, and the Church has not provided us a rite approved for celebration during Mass for May Crowning. 


Since May Crowning is a devotion and not a rite it is performed outside of Mass.  This year we will be crowning Mary prior to Mass at all our worship sites. We are asking everyone to bring flowers on May 11th/12th and participate in this wonderful tradition. Father will say a short prayer, Mary will crowned and then the participants will come forward and place their flowers by Mary. 

Below is the schedule for each worship site: 


St. Joseph – May 11th starting at 4:15 p.m. 

• Please join us outside on Bridge St. by Mary (Front entrance of the church)

• Father will be outside and say a short prayer, Mary will be crowned, participants will then place their flowers by Mary.

• After you have placed flowers by Mary, we ask that you go into the church and find your seat for Mass. We will not be processing in. Mass will start shortly after everyone is inside. 

St. Mary – May 12th starting immediately after the rosary inside.

• Please join us inside the church for the crowning of Mary. 

• Participants will gather in the narthex area, Father will go forward and say a short prayer and Mary will be crowned, participants will then bring their flowers forward.

• After you have placed flowers by Mary, we ask that you go back to your seat. 

• Mass will start immediately after everyone is seated. 

St. Charles – May 12th starting at 10:35 a.m.

• Please join us inside the church for the crowning of Mary. 

• Children/participants are asked to be in the Narthex at 10:30 a.m. 

• At 10:35 we will process in, lining the aisle on the north side of the church by Mary. Father will say a short prayer, Mary will be crowned and then participants can bring their flowers forward.

• After Mary is crowned, we ask that everyone return to their seats and Mass will start at 11 a.m.