Diocese of Saginaw

Without the fire of the Spirit, the Church remains a prisoner of fear, timid in the face of the world’s challenges, closed in on itself, and thus also incapable of entering into dialogue with changing times. #Pentecost

Pope Leo XIV recalls that Laudato Si’ Week runs from May 17 to 24, which celebrates the anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for our common home. vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2…

From today until next Sunday, Laudato Si’ Week is taking place, dedicated to the care of creation and inspired by Pope Francis’ Encyclical. In this jubilee year of Saint Francis of Assisi, we recall his message of peace with God, with our brothers and sisters, and with all creatures. Sadly, in recent years, due to wars, progress in this direction has been greatly impeded. Therefore, I encourage the members of the Laudato Si’ Movement and all who promote an integral ecology to renew their commitment. Indeed, caring for peace is caring for life!

In many countries, World Communications Day is being marked today, whose theme this year I have chosen as “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.” In this era of artificial intelligence, I encourage everyone to commit themselves to promoting forms of communication that always respect the truth of the human person, on which every technological innovation should be focused. vatican.va/content/leo-xi…

Today on Mother’s Day, we pray for all mothers: those who are expecting, grieving, or longing to adopt. We also pray for married couples who suffer infertility, that all may be strengthened in their vocation to love. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

I have learned with deep concern of the reports regarding the growing violence in the Sahel region, particularly in #Chad and #Mali, which have recently suffered terrorist attacks. I offer the assurance of my heartfelt prayers for the victims and my spiritual closeness to all those who are suffering as a result of the tragic events. I fervently hope that every form of violence may cease, and I encourage all efforts aimed at fostering #peace and development in that beloved land.

Pope Leo XIV ordains ten new priests at Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday, as the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2…

The Diocese of Rome shared the testimonies of eight seminarians who, on April 26, Good Shepherd Sunday, will be ordained priests by Pope Leo XIV. Among them is Christian Sguazzino, who as a child was once kicked out of Mass by a priest because he was causing "chaos.” Sguazzino, together with Deacon Danilo Defant and Sister Ester Maddalena Iapenna, will share their testimonies on Friday, April 24, at St. John Lateran Basilica, the cathedral church of Rome, during the prayer vigil for vocations. Sguazzino discovered his vocation at St. John of the Cross Parish. “When I was a child — after having made my first Communion — I would go play soccer and then attend Mass every day, always bringing a friend along,” the future priest recounted. “At that time, there wasn’t even a proper church building; instead, services were held in tents. My friends and I, naturally, caused a bit of chaos. So, one day the assistant pastor kicked us out and told us we would be excommunicated!” he shared with a smile. Recalling that time of mischief, Sguazzino said that “even then — despite everything — I felt the joy of being in church; I loved looking at the altar and the tabernacle.” Along his journey, he emphasized, it was crucial to meet “so many priests who were happy to be priests. Their witness was fundamental.” ✍️ Walter Sánchez Silva Read full story at: ow.ly/MmIT50YPszT

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. #DivineMercySunday #DivineMercy

Just before the prayer vigil for peace and the recitation of the Holy Rosary began in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV made a surprise appearance in St. Peter’s Square to greet and bless the faithful who were unable to enter the Basilica. He thanked them for their presence, called on everyone to become “bearers of peace,” and said that, in the light of the Risen Christ, a new peace is possible — one that unites all peoples as brothers and sisters. Entrusting the crowd and their loved ones to God’s care, he concluded by invoking Mary, Queen of Peace.

On Easter Monday, the Catholic Church celebrates what’s called “Monday of the Angel.” In many countries in Europe and South America, this day, also known as “Little Easter,” is a national holiday. In a Vatican Radio recording in 1994, Pope John Paul II gave an explanation for Monday of the Angel: “Why is it called that?” the pope asked, highlighting the need for an angel to call out from the depths of the grave: “He is risen.” These words “were very difficult to proclaim, to express, for a person,” John Paul II said. “Also, the women that were at the tomb encountered it empty but couldn’t tell ‘he had risen’; they only affirmed that the tomb was empty. The angel said more: “He is not here, he has risen.” The Gospel of St. Matthew puts it this way: “Then the angel said to the women in reply, ‘Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you” (Mt 28:5-7).

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Titular Archbishop of Sepino, as the new Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Caccia, 68, has served as Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations since 2019, and succeeds Cardinal Christophe Pierre, 80, who has held the post since 2016. Read the full statement at: ow.ly/bOl350Yqz8O

As we enter March, we celebrate International Women’s Month with gratitude, honoring women saints and holy witnesses whose faithful lives continue to build up the Body of Christ.

As we begin 2026 Lenten season, @BishopGruss invites us to hear Jesus’ call anew: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Plus, Mass times for Ash Wednesday. buzzsprout.com/729974/episode…

This month, spend some time intentionally listening for God’s call for your life – in both big and small matters. Read more: greatlakesbaycatholic.com/grow-januaryfe…

What do you get when approximately 16,000 teenagers descend on Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference? That’s what happened at the Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium as youth from all over the country participated in the conference. greatlakesbaycatholic.com/diocesan-youth…

In 1675, a French missionary priest celebrated the first recorded Catholic Mass in the interior of Michigan in what is now Saginaw. On Dec. 3, 2025, students and staff gathered for Mass, just a few miles away. greatlakesbaycatholic.com/commemorating-…

Bishop Robert Gruss celebrated the Red Mass with members of the legal profession and their families on Oct. 16, at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw. Read more: greatlakesbaycatholic.com/john-d-l-humph…

LIVE NOW! 11 am-Noon. facebook.com/share/v/1HAnvu…

February: For children with incurable diseases Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope: greatlakesbaycatholic.com/pope-leo-xivs-…