St. Mary Catholic Church, Morrice MI

04/12/2026

SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY (by Bishop Earl Boyea)⁣
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Poor Thomas—once doubtful, now a witness of mercy. From Christ’s pierced side flows grace and Spirit. Blessed are those who believe without seeing. Through faith, we proclaim: “My Lord and my God!”

04/11/2026

EASTER SATURDAY (by Bishop Earl Boyea)⁣
Despite doubt, Jesus does not abandon His apostles. He calls them—and us—to proclaim the Gospel. Sharing in His victory over evil, we go forth with faith, knowing our names are written in heaven.

04/09/2026

EASTER THURSDAY (by Bishop Earl Boyea)⁣
The Real Presence of Jesus! The Risen Lord stands among us: “Peace.” No longer as before, yet truly present—Body, Word, Soul, and Divinity. In fear or doubt, know He is with us, calling us to be His witnesses and bear His peace.

04/08/2026

EASTER WEDNESDAY-LUKE 24:13-35 (by Bishop Earl Boyea)⁣
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“Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). On this Wednesday of Easter Week, we hear the beautiful story of the two distraught disciples as they walk away from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. Not only did Jesus appear to them and not only were their eyes opened to his presence when he broke bread with them at table, but Jesus suddenly became the very key to all of the scriptures for them.⁣
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The scriptures at that time meant what we call the Old Testament. There was no New Testament as yet. And the Old Testament was in need of fulfillment. It yearned for a conclusion, an end to God’s desire to save his people and to have his people be faithful, a final satisfaction of their hunger for him. In Jesus, all is now clear. The Word of God who is Jesus reveals the full meaning of the written Word of God that has been handed on to us.⁣
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In one sense, the great marvel for the early Church was not the Resurrection from the dead, but why the Messiah had to suffer crucifixion and death in the first place. That horrible death, that cross, was a real scandal. Yet, that is precisely what Jesus tells Cleopas and his companion: “Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:26). Then Jesus interpreted the scriptures; he broke them open; he cracked the code, as it were. He did not wish to escape the human condition but to redeem it.⁣
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We have come to understand the cross and Christ’s death as signs of Jesus’ great love for us, of the Father’s plan of salvation. We have become, in many ways, inured to the barrier which the cross can be for some. Yet, it is Jesus’ full embrace of the human condition which unites us not only with all other humans but now also with the Son of God.⁣
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Sisters and brothers, as we celebrate this week of Easter, we really must let Jesus be the key to our understanding of everything. The cross and death obtain new meaning in Jesus. Resurrection and life become new avenues in Jesus. Even our day-to-day grind becomes a pilgrimage, a journey, in Jesus. Let us allow him to break open the story of our own lives to see God’s hand at work in us. And through the scriptures and the Eucharist may we find the very meaning of our existence in Jesus.

03/24/2026

Today is the feast of St. Catherine of Sweden (1331-1381). Married but vowed chastity with her husband, she joined her mother St. Brigid on pilgrimages, served the poor, & became abbess of the Brigittines at Vadstena. Patroness against miscarriages. 🙏

03/24/2026

St. Catherine of Sweden by Benjamin Stenlund⁣
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What would it be like to have saint for a mother? Well, for St. Catherine of Sweden, that’s how it was. Her mother, St. Bridget, is one of the most popular saints in Sweden – in fact, she is the patron saint of Sweden, as well as one of the six patron saints of all of Europe. St. Bridgete also is the foundress of the religious order the Bridgettines that St. Catherine later headed.⁣
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Yet for St. Catherine, it must have seemed normal to follow in her mother’s footsteps. In fact, the two women did nearly everything together for over 40 years, especially after the husbands of each died. They left Sweden when St. Catherine was only eighteen or nineteen years old to go to Rome, where they spent most of the rest of St. Bridget’s life, except for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land right at the end.⁣
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While in Rome, the women did what they could to help the poor who were sadly neglected by the elites, most of whom were spending their time fighting each other. The pope was living in Avignon, France, leaving a spiritual vacuum in the Eternal City. Both women were mystics and devoted hours each day to prayer, especially meditating on the Passion of Jesus. They lived deeply ascetical lives, fasting much, and giving away as much of their money as they could, even wearing their clothes until they were threadbare to save money for charity. They were not afraid to challenge authority, as the two (along with their friend St. Catherine of Siena) were vocal in urging the popes to return to their city.⁣
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After her mother’s death in 1374, St. Catherine became the abbess of the monastery St. Bridget had established at Vadstena in Sweden. She ran the establishment well and faithfully, making occasional trips to Rome to secure papal approval for the Bridgettine order and promote her mother’s canonization. The Great Western Schism was underway, however, with multiple claimants to the papal office, which made things rather difficult; tumultuous and confusing times in the Church are nothing new! And then she died.⁣
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St. Catherine’s legacy is very much bound up with her mother’s, yet she is rightly venerated on her own merits of holiness. She is a powerful intercessor for women who have experience miscarriage. Though she was married young, she and her husband agreed to live together as virgins, so she herself never experienced the loss of a pregnancy; but her years of selfless service to those who were suffering, combined with her deep meditation on Christ’s suffering and death, make her a most compassionate advocate for women and men in grief over the loss of an unborn child.⁣
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St. Catherine of Sweden, pray for us.⁣
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Benjamin Stenlund is a DeWitt‑based woodcarver and married Catholic father of five whose writing and craftsmanship explore faith, culture, and creativity in everyday life. His website is https://www.benjaminstenlund.com/.

03/19/2026

St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church by Dcn. Gary Perrydore⁣
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The Solemnity of Saint Joseph is an important day in the life of the Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church has continually reflected on his quiet strength, faithful obedience, and steadfast love, recognizing in him a powerful intercessor and model of holiness.Several Popes have fostered the Church’s devotion to St. Joseph.⁣
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In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the Patron and Protector of the Universal Church.⁣
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No one lives outside his patronage as fathers, families, workers, immigrants, expectant mothers, those seeking a happy death, those buying or selling homes, and others live under his fatherly care. Pope John XXIII added his name to the Roman Canon. Pope Benedict XVI approved, and Pope Francis formally authorized, the inclusion of his name in Eucharistic Prayers II–IV.⁣
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The Litany of Saint Joseph, approved for public use by Pope St Pius X, honors him with powerful and tender titles; Pure Guardian of the Virgin, Defender of Christ, Servant of Christ, Mirror of Patience, Lover of Poverty, Glory of Family Life, Patron of Exiles, Support in Difficulties, Hope of the Sick, Terror of Demons, and more. Through them, we are reminded that St. Joseph stands ready to intercede for us in every need.⁣
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All this beautifully underscores the Church’s growing awareness of the gift she has in St. Joseph.⁣
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We do well to seek his intercession—not only for the universal Church, but each of us personally. From family life, career issues, and diaconal ministry, I have benefited from his intercession for 36 years since entering the Church and am grateful for his fatherly care and to serve at a parish under his patronage.⁣
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The ancient prayer (below) is with his statue at St Joseph parish in Ypsilanti and serves as a reminder that the one who faithfully protected the Holy Family continues to watch over us today.⁣
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“Oh, Saint Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, Saint Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers. Oh, Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. Saint Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.”⁣
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Deacon Gary Perrydore serves at St Joseph parish in Ypsilanti as the Director of Liturgy and Pastoral Ministry and serves the diocese as Director of Diaconal Formation and Hospital Ministry.

03/19/2026

Today is the solemnity of St. Joseph, silent guardian of the Holy Family, earthly father to Jesus & chaste spouse of Mary. Carpenter, protector, model of humble obedience—Patron of the Universal Church & workers. His quiet strength leads us still. ❤️

03/08/2026

03/05/2026

Contact the Parish office at 517-625-4260 to place an order.