Join us Sunday morning at 10:00 am for the livestream of Palm Sunday Mass at St. Charles. (If you do not see the video at 10:00 am please use this link to view it on our parish Facebook page Link to the live stream of Palm Sunday Mass )

While we are unable to experience the solemnity and beauty of Holy Week through public worship this year, we can, in other ways, bring the celebrations of these holiest days of the year into being in our homes, including through livestreaming of the liturgies.

Please join us for the live broadcasts of the liturgies of Holy Week with Fr. Jim Wyse presiding.  These will not be open to the public.

Watch on Facebook, or on our website(link to be shared soon). View a detailed schedule here:

Please read through the update from the Diocese for complete information regarding closings and cancellations due to coronavirus. As of today The Light is ON for You will still take place on Thursday from 5:00-6:30 pm at St. Joseph and 6:30-8 pm at St. Charles.  Reconciliation will also still take place at the regularly scheduled time at St. Charles and St. Joseph.

All Masses through Easter Monday, April 13th, have been cancelled.

Parish offices will be closed through April 13th. Messages will be checked regularly at both parish offices. Call and leave a message to reach any of the staff members.

As people of faith, let us pray for all affected by this virus, especially those who are sick or who have died as well as for all health care workers who are working diligently to protect us in this time.

March 23 Update from the Diocese of Grand Rapids

Fr. Jim will be posting daily reflections for parishioners to keep their spiritual muscles strong. To view the daily reflections click this link or access it under the “About” tab then “A letter from our Pastor” where you will find “Daily Reflections from Fr. Jim”. Once you click on the reflections tab you will be instructed to follow the link for Fr. Jim’s blog.

Reflections from Fr. Jim

Happy Feast of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary!

Vespers for the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary

Governor Whitmer’s most recent executive order became effective today, March 17; it prohibits all gatherings of more than 50 people in a shared indoor space. Therefore, the Diocese of Grand Rapids has decided to temporarily suspend ALL public Masses and all other liturgical and devotional services, effective immediately, through Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020. With this suspension, all Catholics within the territory of the Diocese of Grand Rapids are granted a dispensation from their obligation of attending Sunday Mass through April 5. Baptisms, weddings, and funerals may continue to be celebrated outside of Mass with no more than 50 people in attendance. Our March 26^th evening of penance, “The Light is ON for You” as well as individual confession times may continue as scheduled.

These have been difficult, but necessary decisions to make. The diocesan leadership team has been thoughtful and prudent in providing assistance to me. Science and recent experience have proven that participation in public gatherings significantly increases the risk of spreading this virus. As Catholics we must stand in solidarity with others and work together for the common good. We must recognize the value of every life and work together to protect all life.

The online sign up for Holy week is now available. Liturgical Ministers will be needed for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Easter Sunday will follow the weekly Liturgical Minister schedule. Please take a look at the online sign up to see where you are able to help. Call either parish office with any questions. St. Charles 616-754-4194 or St. Joseph 616-794-2145.

Online Sign Up for Holy Week

Tuesday we start our Novena to St. Joseph, from March 10 to March 18th. Join us for the Feast Day of St. Joseph on March 19th for 9 am Mass at St. Joseph with Hospitality following, and/or for an Italian Dinner at 5:30 with Vespers following at 6:30 pm.

O glorious St. Joseph, to you God committed the care of His only begotten Son amid the many dangers of this world. We come to you and ask you to take under your special protection the children God has given us. Through holy baptism they became children of God and members of His holy Church. We consecrate them to you today, that through this consecration they may become your foster children. Guard them, guide their steps in life, form their hearts after the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

St. Joseph, who felt the tribulation and worry of a parent when the child Jesus was lost, protect our dear children for time and eternity. May you be their father and counselor. Let them, like Jesus, grow in age as well as in wisdom and grace before God and men. Preserve them from the corruption of his world, and give us the grace one day to be united with them in Heaven forever. Amen.

As we prepare for our upcoming Our Shepherds Our Future Diocesan Capital Campaign for the support of our seminarians we would like to invite you to an informational meeting on:

Wednesday, March 11th at St. Joseph at 6:30 pm

A representative will be presenting information about the Our Shepherds Our Future capital campaign and will answer questions that parishioners may have. We encourage you to visit the diocesan website (GRdiocese.org) as it provides ongoing detailed information about the campaign.

With so many concerns about the cold and flu season and the coronavirus, for the rest of Lent Communion will be under one species. We know our faith tells us that if we receive Communion only under the form of bread we receive the whole Jesus- Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. We will be monitoring the need for this change going forward and will keep you updated.