St. Joseph Church, St. Johns, Michigan

05/01/2026

"The first time I heard about the Cristeros was perhaps 10 years ago, but I did not pay much attention to their story at the time. It is difficult to imagine the circumstances in which they had to defend their faith, and for three long years.

As I learned more, someone from our Hispanic community shared images of the caves where priests and faithful gathered clandestinely to receive the Eucharist during the war. These were caves that could make even someone without claustrophobia uneasy. The immediate question that crossed my mind was: would I be able to enter one of them, given the circumstances?

I believe that in moments like these, the Holy Spirit strengthens the hearts of the faithful and gives courage, because He knows their immense desire to continue receiving Christ. The courage and conviction of some become an encouragement to those who hesitate.” - Monica H., parishioner

Join us Friday, May 8, as Catholic history author Phillip Campbell shares the story of the Cristeros and what their witness means for Catholics today. 100 years later, they aren't as removed from us as they might seem!

Potluck at 5:30 PM
Presentation at 6:30 PM
Children's Program available.
Registration link in the comments.

04/29/2026

Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Bernard Tyler, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

DEATH NOTICE: FATHER BERNARD LYMAN TYLER (1934 - 2026) RIP: Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Bernard Lyman Tyler who died yesterday, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. He was 91-years-old. May he rest in peace.

Father Tyler was ordained to the sacred priesthood in 1961 for the Augustinian Order. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Lansing in 1994 and received senior priest status in 2001. Thus far, the exequies for Father Tyler are as follows: Mass of Christian Burial, Monday, May 4, at 11 AM at Holy Redeemer, 1227 E Bristol Rd, Burton, MI 48529. A fuller obituary of Father Tyler reads thus:

The Reverend Bernard L. Tyler was born on August 31, 1934, to Nelson S. Tyler and Katherine (née Thomas) Tyler in Flint, Michigan, the fourth of eight children. Bernard was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ for the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel Friars on June 7, 1961, by the Most Reverend Raymond Hillinger, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Fr. Tyler’s first assignments were in parishes of the Augustinian community both in Chicago and in Flint. From 1968 to 1971, Father Bernard Tyler served as a seminary formator in Holland, Michigan, where Robert Francis Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV) was one of his students. Father Tyler served as Chaplain to the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Community in the Archdiocese of Chicago from 1971–1978, and then at several parishes and Augustinian apostolates from Missouri to Oklahoma.

In 1994, Father Tyler was incardinated into the Diocese of Lansing. Over many years, he served in several parishes in the Diocese of Lansing. See below for a full list of assignments. Upon entering Senior Priest status in 2001, Father Tyler spent many years supplying at parishes throughout the Diocese of Ga***rd.

1961–66 Parochial Vicar, Saint Rita, Chicago, IL
1966–68 Parochial Vicar, Saint Matthew, Flint
1968–71 Formation Faculty, Saint Augustine Seminary, Holland
1971–78 Chaplain, Deaf Community, Archdiocese of Chicago
1978–82 Pastor, Saint Mary, Independence, Missouri
1982–83 Prior, Saint Clare Montefalco, Chicago, IL
1983–86 Campus Minister, Cascia Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma
1986–89 Parochial Vicar, Saint Matthew, Flint
1989–91 Administrator, Saint Matthew, Flint
1991–93 Parochial Vicar, Saint Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing
1993–96 Parochial Vicar, Holy Redeemer, Burton
1994 Incardinated, Diocese of Lansing
1996–98 Pastor, Saint Joseph, Dexter
1998–2001 Parochial Vicar, Saint John the Evangelist, Fenton
2001 Senior Priest Status

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

04/27/2026

Eternal rest grant unto Donna, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

View Donna Mae Kuripla's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/21/2026

DEATH NOTICE: FATHER DENNIS JOHN HOWARD (1961 – 2026) RIP: Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Dennis John Howard, priest of the Diocese of Lansing, who died today, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. He was 65-years-old. May he rest in peace.

A native of Chatham in Ontario, Canada, Dennis Howard was ordained to the sacred priesthood on April 28, 1990, by Bishop John Sherlock for Diocese of London, Ontario. Father Howard was incardinated into the Diocese of Lansing in 2001. He served for 15 years as pastor of Most Holy Trinity in Fowler until his retirement from active ministry in 2022. The exequies for Father Howard are as follows:

Visitation from 9.30am on Monday, April 27, at Most Holy Trinity Church, 545 N Maple St, Fowler, MI 48835, followed by Requiem Mass at 11am. The principal celebrant will be Bishop Earl Boyea. The homilist will be Father James Conlon. A private burial will take place at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Lansing. Presiding at the interment will be Bishop Boyea.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

04/17/2026

Moments before his death, Fr. Miguel Pro stood with his arms outstretched in the shape of a cross, facing a firing squad. The Mexican government published this photo on the front page of the newspapers, hoping it would frighten Catholics into submission. It didn't work.

Join us on Friday, May 8 in the St. Joseph School Gym for a presentation, The Cristero War: Faith Under Fire with Phillip Campbell, Author-Teacher. A children's program is available. Please use the link in the comments to register for this FREE event or see the signup sheet in the gathering space.

04/09/2026

Eternal rest grant unto Rachelle, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

View Rachelle Suzan Burk's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/08/2026

Eternal rest grant unto Donald, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

View Donald Paul Roesner's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/01/2026

04/01/2026

Blessing of the Easter Baskets
April 4th (Holy Saturday), 10:30 am in the church

This is a great opportunity for families to prepare for their Easter celebration. Holy Week is long with waiting and watching. Putting together this basket gives kids (of all ages) a wonder way to spend some time on Saturday morning preparing for our Easter celebration. See the March 29 bulletin for more details.

03/30/2026

LAST CHANCE: The Disciple Maker Index Survey closes tomorrow, March 31, at 11:59 PM. If you haven't already, please take some time to help us understand how we are growing as disciples of Jesus Christ — and where we are called to grow. Your feedback will help shape the future of our parish and the Diocese of Lansing. Responses are confidential and shared only in summary form. Your voice matters.

03/24/2026

The Knights of Columbus would like to extend a Thank You to all who supported our recent Paper Product and Personal Hygiene collection. It was a huge success. The recipients at The Basic Needs Center, The Beacon of Hope, and The Safe Center were very appreciative of your generosity. The donated items are critical to their ministries as these items cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits. Please know that these types of products can also regularly be donated in the collection box in the rear of the church.