Catholic Information Center - Grand Rapids, MI

08/25/2026

On this Testament Tuesday, Mark Mann, CIC Director of Programs & Institutes, explains how participants in the Leadership Formation Institute, develop purposeful projects with clear goals and meaningful outcomes. These projects do not have to make a big splash to make a lasting difference. When rooted in prayer and responsive to real needs, even a focused act of service can reveal Christ’s presence and remind people that the Church is here for them.

A successful parish project begins not simply with a good idea, but with listening to the needs of the community, to the priorities of the parish and, most importantly, to the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Through LFI, participants learn to transform discernment into action—bringing the hope of the Gospel beyond parish walls and into the lives of those they are called to serve.

08/21/2026

We do not have to travel far to be missionaries. The mission field is often right in front of us—in our families, workplaces, parishes, neighborhoods, and everyday encounters.

For this week’s Faith Focus Friday, Mary Martin, Program Coordinator of the Leadership Formation Institute, reflects on what it means to live as a missionary disciple in a culture where people may see the world very differently from one another.

Our confidence does not come from having all the answers. It comes from knowing whose we are. Rooted in Christ and secure in His love, we can meet others with compassion, listen with humility, and invite them toward the abundant life Jesus offers.

Wherever God has placed us, there is someone before us whom He is calling us to love.

08/20/2026

As we prepare for a new school year, let’s reflect on our spiritual growth and connections. The Catholic Information Center is here to support your journey, offering programs like the School of the Beatitudes starting October 1. Join us in exploring faith, serving others, and building community. Sign up before September 24!
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Email from Catholic Information Center Don't Miss Out! Sign Up for the School of Beatitudes Today. Dear Friends of the Center, Today is school orientation for our grandchildren who start school on Mon

08/19/2026

Are you seeking deeper meaning and purpose in your life? Do you want to move beyond simply hearing the Gospel to truly living it? Connect with a community of like-hearted people and discover the profound rewards of living a life rooted in the Beatitudes. Thursdays at the Catholic Information Center - Grand Rapids, MI. For more information and to register visit grcic.org/event/school-of-the-beatitudes/

08/18/2026

From discernment to mission.

Leadership Formation Institute participants from across the Diocese of Grand Rapids are now putting months of formation into action as they plan their final parish projects.

Since the beginning of the year, participants have been Formed as Disciples—deepening their understanding of God’s call, their spiritual gifts, and the needs they feel drawn to serve. They have been Equipped as Leaders—growing in pastoral knowledge, practicing leadership skills, and transforming discernment into practical project plans.

Now, they are preparing to be Sent as Missionaries—working together as parish teams to put those plans into action, learn from the experience, and share what God has done through their service.

These photos capture an important moment in that journey: prayerful discernment becoming concrete action for the good of their parishes and communities.

The mission of Christ continues through disciples willing to listen, lead, serve, and go where God sends them.

08/18/2026

For Doris, from the Cathedral of St. Andrew, the Leadership Formation Institute has helped expand what leadership in the Church can look like.

Leadership is not reserved for those who seem perfectly qualified or outwardly holy. It is found in the ordinary, faithful ways we serve one another and make space for others to encounter Christ.

Jesus reminds us that greatness is found in service. Sometimes leadership looks like teaching or guiding. Other times, it looks like preparing a meal, caring for a sacred space, offering a welcome, or quietly helping someone draw closer to God.

Through the Leadership Formation Institute, participants are invited to recognize the gifts God has already placed within them and to trust that He can use those gifts for the good of the Church.

08/14/2026

Joy is not an accessory to discipleship—it is part of our witness.

In this week’s Faith Focus Friday, we welcome back Fr. Dan Schumaker of St. Patrick’s Parish in Grand Haven, as he reminds us that following Christ is a lifelong journey of encounter, imitation, and formation. None of us has arrived. God is continually shaping us, deepening our faith, and teaching us how to reflect the joy of the Gospel more fully.

When our lives reveal the hope, peace, and joy we have found in Jesus, others can begin to see that faith is not simply something we profess—it is a life worth living.

May we remain open to Christ’s transforming grace and become joyful witnesses who invite others to encounter Him.

08/13/2026

As we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we invite you to reflect on her model of discipleship and faith. This week’s newsletter encourages you to explore how Mary's "yes" can guide your own journey of faith. Join us for upcoming programs like The Canticle of St. Francis and the School of Beatitudes, designed to deepen your understanding and practice of the Gospel. Let's carry Christ into the world together!

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Email from Catholic Information Center Dear Friends of the Center, As Catholics celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary this Saturday, I find myself looking forward to the day in a particu

08/11/2026

What does it mean to truly live the Beatitudes today?

For Nancy, a participant from the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, the School of the Beatitudes offered an opportunity to go deeper into Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew—not simply to understand them, but to put them into practice.

The Beatitudes call us beyond reflection and into a way of life shaped by mercy, humility, justice, compassion, and love. Through prayer, formation, community, and service, the School of the Beatitudes helps participants discover how Christ is inviting them to live the Gospel more fully in the world around them.

If you are looking for an opportunity to deepen your faith, grow in your understanding of the Beatitudes, and put what you learn into action, we invite you to learn more about the School of the Beatitudes.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4g2hfg1

08/07/2026

God does not wait for us to become perfectly prepared before calling us. He meets us where we are, invites us to follow, and gives us the grace we need for the mission ahead.

In this week’s Faith Focus Friday, Fr. Dan Schumaker of St. Patrick Parish, in Grand Haven, reminds us that Christian discipleship is not about relying solely on our own abilities. Our gifts and talents matter, but they bear lasting fruit only when they are surrendered to Christ.

When we lean on the Lord, trust His direction, and remain open to His grace, He can accomplish more through us than we could ever accomplish alone. Whatever God is inviting you to do, take the next step with hope. The One who calls you will remain with you.