Missions

Barb Coyle, a lifelong friend, volunteer and loyal supporter of Fr. Jim Bok and his ministries in Jamaica has written her second children’s book. Fr. Jim Bok with Barb and children from Get Kids to School A…

Fr. Colin King with the parishioners of St. Mary’s Church in Revival, Jamaica For years the Franciscans have worked to combat hunger, get kids to school, and bring the Gospel to people in Jamaica.  The busy St. Anthony Kitchen…

Thank you from Raymond and Marie Rose Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how financial contributions actually impact the lives of those less fortunate. Donations are sent off with thoughts, prayers, and knowledge that others are being helped, but it’s…

Fr. Alex Kratz outside the newly renovated St. Joseph Chapel and Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontiac, Michigan It’s taken work, prayers and the grace of God The statues are peeling. The parking lot is a…

They learned what it was like to live in poverty, says Fr. Clifford Hennings (top row center) Changing our perception of others Lent is a wonderful time to get our house in order, to ask more of ourselves, our…

“Lent is like a laboratory for us,” says Br. Al Mascia. Parents as pupils Twice a month when Sunday Mass ends, about 60 people follow Br. Al Mascia across the street from Our Lady of La Salette Church in…

Br. Tim Lamb, third from right, top row, with some of the young friars in East Africa Personal Giving Last year Br. Tim Lamb asked young African friars in Nairobi, Kenya, what they wanted to do for Lent. In…

Pastor Jim Bok at Mary, Gate of Heaven in Jamaica Mending society Since just 4% of Jamaicans are Catholic, “I am always baffled by the fact that Ash Wednesday is a national holiday,” says Pastor Jim Bok of Mary,…

Fr. Blane Grein with parishioners in Chinle, from 2012 The Navajo Way Aside from Christmas and Easter, “Ash Wednesday was always the best attended service of the year,” according to Fr. Blane Grein, former pastor of Our Lady of…

Fr. Roger Lopez teaches at Roger Bacon High School Teaching Lent This year, students in Theology classes at Roger Bacon will have a hard time escaping their Lenten resolutions. They’re as close as the screen on their iPad. They…