For Father Jim Bessert, director of the diocesan department of liturgy and sacramental minister at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Bay City, the goal for the diocesan phase of the revival is to offer Catholics the means to better understand the Mass and eucharistic adoration. This phase began with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ on June 19 and will run through June 11, 2023.

The Eucharist Revival originated with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops setting a framework and every (arch)diocese in the United States was then tasked with presenting and implementing plans and programs as they see best for people in their diocese, Father Jim said.

The bishops identified a need for such a call to action when a national survey revealed that a large percentage of practicing Catholics stated that they did not believe or understand the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

As the Eucharistic Revival states on its website:  “The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery here in the United States.”

Supported by funds from Christ’s Mission Appeal, the Diocese of Saginaw is dedicated to ensuring that the faithful understand the beauty and rich theological meaning of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

That means starting with a deep dive into how priests and deacons preside and preach at Mass, Father Jim said. Other parts of the revival will be drawn from the results of that exploration.

“We have 56 parishes celebrating Mass 56 different ways,” said Bessert, who is leading the Diocese of Saginaw’s Eucharist Revival initiatives. “We need to take a look at how we preside and preach. All pastoral leaders need to be on the same page and have the same materials.”

To that end, the revival in the Diocese of Saginaw has begun with a “Teaching Mass” series for pastoral leadership of the diocese including priests, deacons, directors of parish life, pastoral associates/ministers, faith formation leaders, parish musicians, Catholic school administrators and teachers.

The series includes half-day sessions on each distinct part of the Mass:  the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites. Father Jim, Father Bert Gohm, sacramental minister of St. John Vianney Parish in Saginaw; Father José María Cabrera, pastor of All Saints Parish in Bay City; and Father Andy Booms, pastor of St. Brigid of Kildare Parish in Midland are identified as session leaders.

Additional enrichment sessions on the “Art of Celebrating and Presiding” will be held for priests and deacons and will feature guest presenters.

Christ’s Mission Appeal funds the organization of the “Teaching Mass” sessions and the enrichment sessions and the other parts of the Eucharist Revival.

Christ’s Mission Appeal...Trains Those Who Teach the Faith

At every parish, there are people who help children and adults learn about the Catholic Church and prepare them for receiving the sacraments. To best minister to others, they must be well-formed and firmly rooted in their own faith.

Those parish staff members and volunteers get support from the diocesan Office of Parish Life and Evangelization, which is significantly funded through Christ’s Mission Appeal. In addition to receiving materials and teaching aids from the Diocese, there are opportunities to gather and learn from one another, said Peg McEvoy, coordinator of faith formation.

Each year begins with an orientation kickoff for recently hired parish staff members, including faith formation leaders, who work with children through fifth grade, and youth ministers, who work with young people through high school.

In addition to learning about Church teachings and the sacraments, faith formation leaders and youth ministers are informed about current topics that impact Catholics, Peg said. For example, this year faith formation leaders were prepared to discuss Proposal 3 for abortion access and the National Eucharist Revival, among other topics. This helps to ensure that young people are aware of issues, projects and ministries being discussed in the Church and educates young people about the Church’s stance on moral issues.

Kickoff participants are then charged with sharing what they have learned with others in their parishes. Peg also provides bi-weekly newsletters to faith formation and youth ministers so that they are always connected to the Diocese.

“We want catechists and leaders to see their connection to the Bishop and the larger Church,” she said.

At the end of the teaching year, the Office of Parish Life and Evangelization hosts a Day of Grace and Gratitude for those who help teach and guide young Catholics. Here, as well as at other times during the year, those who work with young people can evaluate programs that have taken place.

“It is always good to look back and see what has been successful and strategize on how we can improve,” Peg said.

Through your generous support of Christ’s Mission Appeal, the Office of Parish Life and Evangelization can best serve those entrusted with bringing children and youth into the life of the Church.

Christ’s Mission Appeal...Helps Keep Our Parishes and Schools Safe

A tragic situation can happen anywhere – even at places where everyone should feel safe, like schools and churches. With support from Christ’s Mission Appeal, staff from across the Diocese of Saginaw have received the appropriate training that can save lives if the unthinkable happens.

In September, dozens of representatives from parishes and Catholic schools from throughout the Diocese of Saginaw participated in ALICE Training. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evaluate) focuses on teaching proactive strategies to avoid, react and respond to active shooter situations. Professional law enforcement and emergency response personnel conduct the sessions and present real-life scenarios.

Thanks to Christ’s Mission Appeal, the training, supplies and meals for all participants were provided, allowing many representatives to have the opportunity to learn about this preparedness training.

“The training was amazing. It was two very well-spent days. It was very practical, but so intense and focused,” said participant Father José María Cabrera, pastor of All Saints Parish in Bay City. Father José is also the chaplain for All Saints Catholic Elementary and Middle and High Schools.

“I learned so much; it’s something that you never want to need but it is so important to know. It made me remember to be more aware of my surroundings – and what to notice and when to act.”

All of those who completed the training were charged with going back to their facilities and focus on situational awareness – being aware of one’s surrounding, recognizing threats and developing response plans, said Jane Sills, director of the Diocese of Saginaw Office of Administrative Services.

As a follow-up, Jane said that “training teams” will be created within the Diocese. Those teams will then present the curriculum to parishes and schools.

While we hope and pray that no one will need to use the strategies learned in ALICE Training, it is critically important that parish and school leaders are prepared to take the necessary steps to keep others safe.

Christ’s Mission Appeal...Brings Christ to Area Migrant Farmworkers

While they help people all over the country have access to food, faithful migrant farmworkers are not always able to have access to the sacraments, and often need assistance with food and necessities. Through the Office of Multicultural Ministry, which is funded by Christ’s Mission Appeal, the Diocese brings Christ to migrant workers and assists them with material and spiritual needs.

Deacon Librado “Larry” Gayton, director of the Office of Multicultural Ministry, understands firsthand the importance of this ministry.

“As a former migrant farmworker, I remember vividly how the Catholic Church reached out to us in 1968,” he said. “They welcomed us. They were nice to us. They helped plan fiestas (parties) and bailes (dances) that took our minds off the backbreaking work and harsh conditions. Some became lifelong friends, too.”

On July 19, migrant farmworkers and their families joined Bishop Gruss, Father Craig Carolan and the Office of Multicultural Ministry at the annual Migrant Mass, which took place this year at St. Agatha Church, Our Lady Consolata Parish, in Gagetown. Bishop Gruss then toured the food pantry, which provides clothing and food for migrant families.

Later, the faithful gathered for a generous meal provided by the parish. Members of the migrant worker community presented a plaque to Our Lady Consolata Parish in honor of Edna Kujawski, a faithful parishioner who served the underprivileged for years and ministered to migrant workers at the parish food pantry.

"It was an incredible celebration," said Deacon Larry. "Many families joined us. It was the largest number of people at a Migrant Mass in years. There were countless smiles and so much joy."

Migrant workers also had the opportunity to gather for Mass on Aug. 14, when Father José María Cabrera celebrated Mass at a migrant camp in a rural area north of Caro. Deacon Larry also served during the Mass, which is also known as la Misa con las Campesinos. The Office of Multicultural Ministry also helps coordinate additional sacraments.

“As Catholics, we are all called to recognize that we all are brothers and sisters in Christ,” Deacon Larry said. “Somos hermanos entre hermanos. When migrants or refugees come to us, like Pope Francis reminds us, we need to be welcoming. We need to support our new friends, to feed the hungry among us and lead them closer to Christ. We are a Eucharistic Church. We are called to bring the sacraments to those in most need, especially the migrant workers, who also are very important to our Michigan economy, and the refugees who seek peace and asylum within our borders. Like Auxiliary Bishop Marc Bartosic of the Archdiocese of Chicago once said, our treatment of our brothers and sisters in this life, is practice for our time face to face with Jesus Christ in Heaven.”

Christ’s Mission Appeal...Comforts Mourning Parents

For parents, the unthinkable pain seems insurmountable. Parents are not supposed to bury their children.

When mothers and fathers lose a child – no matter how old or from what circumstances – in their grief, they may also lose their faith.

A new ministry offered by the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw aims to help mourn the death of their children and share with others who can relate to their emotions. The Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents brings much-needed peace and comfort by focusing on the rich teachings of the Catholic Church during weekend retreats.

“These retreats are for parents, by parents. They are for anyone who has experienced the death of their child – no matter the cause or the amount of time that has passed since their child died,” said Beth Bauer, coordinator of marriage and family life ministry in the Diocesan Office of Parish Life and Evangelization.

The program, which is supported by Christ’s Mission Appeal, includes group activities, silent reflection, the sharing from mothers and fathers about their deceased children and addresses the huge question of “Why?,” Beth said.

The Diocese of Saginaw held its first Emmaus Retreat on Nov. 5. Participants from many age groups and walks of life gathered to support each other and mourn children lost at any age to a myriad of causes.

“It doesn’t matter a child’s age, they are always your child,” said Beth, herself a mother of adult children.

Some participants have compounded grief, she said. Parents who lost a child to suicide have guilt because they question why they did not recognize their son’s or daughter’s mental and emotional health. There is also added trauma for parents who personally found their sons or daughters following suicide. The global pandemic also complicated grief for many, such as those who were not able to be present when their children died from COVID, Beth said.

The Emmaus Ministry is named to reflect an account in the Gospel of Luke in which Jesus walks with two of his disciples, who did not recognize him, and the three discuss the crucifixion and resurrection.

Like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, those participating in an Emmaus Retreat are journeying after great loss— but they are not alone.

“Parents walk with one another as they are on their journey,” Beth said.

Although the retreats take place at parishes, anyone is welcome. Retreat teams always include previous participants as well as spiritual leaders, such as priests, deacons, pastoral associates, sisters or spiritual directors.

Parish volunteers provide hospitality, food and sometimes special gifts. Beth said she would like to see the ministry develop and expand so that those who have attended Diocese of Saginaw Emmaus Retreats become part of retreat teams.

Beth and others point out the importance of Catholic faith in the retreats. Faith tells us that for those children – and all who pass from human life – life has changed, not ended, and that they are eternal beings who will never die and that parents and their children will be together again someday.

Deacon Francis Roettinger from Williamsburg, Virginia who has been part of Emmaus Ministry retreat teams, offers this perspective:  “… the corpus [body] on the cross reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and God the Father. Our entire religion is based on the death of a child.

“Jesus is the son of God and the son of Mary. Both God the Father and Mary, our mother, know our pain and grieve with us,” Deacon Francis continues. “While we must go through the crucifixion, the result will be resurrection. Resurrection guarantees that our children are alive and well and one day we will all experience the ultimate joy.”

Christ’s Mission Appeal...Distributions

Major Areas of Ministry

EDUCATION, FAITH FORMATION, VOCATIONS

19.1%

COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

10.2%

SUPPORT FOR THE BROADER CHURCH

7.2%

PARISH SUPPORT

63.5%

2021-2022 CAMPAIGN TARGET $3.7 MILLION

Christ’s Mission Appeal funds approximately half of the total diocesan budget.

EDUCATION, FAITH FORMATION AND VOCATIONS

• Lay ministry formation
• Youth and young adult programs
• World Youth Day pilgrimage for students throughout the Diocese
• Training and development for parish youth ministry leaders
• Live and virtual large-scale youth events
• Education and formation for faith formation leaders in parishes
• Professional development for Catholic schools’ staff members
• Accreditation for Catholic schools
• Campus ministry at Saginaw Valley State University, Central Michigan University and Alma College
• Vocation recruitment
• Seminarian support
• Permanent deacon formation

COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

• FAITH Saginaw magazine
• Live streaming of daily Masses, First Fridays and other liturgies from the Cathedral
• Event photography and videography, email ministry, the diocesan website (Saginaw.org), promotion of ministires and events, social media outreach, diocesan directory, print shop and more.

SUPPORT FOR THE BROADER CHURCH

• Catholic Family Services – offering mental and emotional health services in Saginaw, Bay and Isabella counties
• Catholic University
• Catholic Relief Services
• Campaign for Human Development
• Mother Teresa Fund – providing financial assistance to individuals or couples experiencing limited financial resources while awaiting the birth of their child and/or during the initial period following birth.

PARISH SUPPORT

• Continuing education for priests
• Assistance and training for parish staff and volunteers in:
  • Finance and strategic planning
  • Christian service outreach
  • Parish buildings evaluations
• Coordination and staffing of all special Diocesan liturgies, such as the Chrism Mass, clergy funerals and ordinations
• Certification for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Assistance to parishes with construction or renovation projects
• Assistance to parishes in fundraising and communication for major projects
• Training of grief ministers
• Marriage preparation
• Hispanic and multicultural ministries
  • Special liturgies and cultural celebrations
  • Translations and special materials for liturgies and evangelization
  • Assistance to migrant laborer populations
• Safe environment training to protect the young and vulnerable