St. Joseph Catholic Church - Bluffton

09/09/2026

09/04/2026

In April 2024, 16-year-old Mary Bartold of DeWitt, a sophomore at Lansing Catholic High School, was struck with severe abdominal pain at school. Scans at University of Michigan Health found two tumors on her ovaries — one about 7.3 cm, the other about 1.5 cm.

Doctors diagnosed them as teratomas and scheduled surgery for August 2, 2024.

While preparing for the operation, her parents, Susan and Rick Bartold, made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Blessed Solanus Casey in Detroit and asked family, friends, and their parish to join a novena for his intercession. Mary also received the Anointing of the Sick.

On July 30 — Blessed Solanus Casey’s feast day — Mary had a pre-surgery MRI. The next day, July 31, the anniversary of the Capuchin’s death in 1957, her surgeon called.

“She told me she had looked at the MRI images with multiple radiologists and everything was gone. Both tumors were gone,” Susan said. The surgery was canceled.

A six-month follow-up scan in February 2025 still showed no tumors. The family has submitted Mary’s medical records to the Solanus Casey Center so the Church can study whether this healing may serve as a miracle in the Capuchin’s cause for canonization. One miracle has already been recognized for his beatification.

Blessed Solanus Casey (1870–1957) was the humble doorkeeper at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit. He is remembered for listening to the poor and the sick and telling them, “Thank God ahead of time.”

The Church will decide if this case meets the strict standard for a miracle. Until then, the Bartolds simply give thanks.

Blessed Solanus Casey, pray for us. Amen! 🙏

09/02/2026

Join us tomorrow (Thursday, September 3rd) at 6:30 PM for the start of our Discover Catholicism Series.

This series is open to all who want to learn more about the Catholic Faith, a faith rooted in Christ and handed down by His Church over the past 2,000 years.

It is this Faith that "has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.” (St. Vincent of Lérins, AD 434)

08/31/2026

Join us this Thursday, September 3rd, at 6:30 PM for the start of our Discover Catholicism Series.

This series is open to all who want to learn more about the Catholic Faith, a faith rooted in Christ and handed down by His Church over the past 2,000 years.

It is this Faith that "has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.” (St. Vincent of Lérins, AD 434)

08/20/2026

08/18/2026

Don't forget to join us next Saturday (August 22nd) for a free workshop and lunch from Saint Paul Street Evangelization.

08/15/2026

**** Special Announcement ****

Attention Wells County Residents,

With the possibility of local flooding, I am asking for volunteers to assist with sand bagging efforts at Wells County Highway Department of Indiana at 1:00p.m. today
My plan is to have sandbags filled and ready for residents in their time of need.
If you are able and willing to assist please bring with you, for you, the following items, Shovel, gloves, drinking water and rain gear, as we will be outside. There is no immediate danger at this time, we are just wanting to be prepared If the situation and need arises. If anyone has any questions please contact the EMA at 260-820-0376

Bluffton Dispatch Town of Markle, Indiana Wells County Sheriff's Office Wells County Government Town of Ossian, Indiana Wells County Chamber of Commerce Weather NOW Indiana Liberty Center Fire Department Ossian Police Department Nottingham Township Volunteer Fire Dept. Chester Township Fire Department Markle Fire Department & Rescue Bluffton Fire Territory Bluffton Police Department, IN Bluffton Indiana Mayor's Office Ossian Fire Dept