Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Podcast: Recent Episodes
Catholic Diocese of Saginaw
Talks and presentations to help you in your Catholic faith. We participate in activities of social justice, support the good works of persons locally and in other countries, prepare our children and young people to be faith-filled, responsible members of the community — and we do all this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw includes 56 parishes in 11 counties of Mid-Michigan.Our Mission Statement: Trusting in the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Eucharist, we, the faithful of the Diocese of Saginaw, are companions on the journey to share the love of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Robert Gruss reminds us that the first place a vocation is nurtured is in the home. Watch his message on how every family can help create a culture of vocations and encourage the next generation to follow God's call.
In his Homily on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 12, 2026), Bishop Robert Gruss said the sacred heart of Jesus isn’t just a symbol — it’s a window into God’s boundless love and mercy for you. But in a world filled with division, fear, and chaos, how can you truly experience this divine compassion?
He said the feast day is a call not only to reflection but to deep, personal transformation.God's love actively pursues us, he said. It transforms us, and calls us to respond. He reveals that the sacred heart is more than an image; it’s a divine invitation to enter into a relationship with a loving God whose mercy knows no limits.
During the Mass, Bishop Gruss also consecrated the Diocese of Saginaw to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Learn more about the Consecration at saginaw.org.
Bishop Gruss explains devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and connects the upcoming consecration of the U.S. and the Diocese of Saginaw to the Sacred Heart with the nation’s need for healing. Bishop Gruss emphasizes how Christ’s love is the antidote for wounds, division and anxiety.
Bishop Gruss announced a major moment for our local Church: a Year of the Holy Spirit beginning on the Solemnity of Pentecost, May 24, 2026, through Pentecost 2027.
Earlier this year, Bishop Robert Gruss shared a talk about purgatory at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Saginaw. He invited those gathered to reflect deeply on God’s mercy, holiness and eternal life promised through Jesus.
"You never know the day nor the time," Bishop Gruss told those in attendance. "We always have to be prepared."
The evening began with prayer as Bishop Gruss asked the Holy Spirit to open hearts and minds to receive what God wanted to reveal through the discussion.
Understanding purgatory
Throughout the presentation, Bishop Gruss emphasized that purgatory is often misunderstood. While many people think of purgatory as a physical place, he explained that the Church teaches it is better understood as a process of purification.
"Purgatory is not a place," Bishop Gruss said. "It is a condition of existence."
Quoting St. John Paul II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Bishop Gruss explained that purgatory comes from the Latin word purgare, meaning "to make clean" or "to purify."
He pointed to paragraphs 1030 and 1031 of the Catechism, which describe purgatory as the purification of souls who die in God’s grace and friendship but are still imperfectly purified before entering heaven.
"Nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven," Bishop Gruss said, referencing the Book of Revelation (Chapter 21, Verse 27).
Because of this, every soul must be fully purified before experiencing what the Church calls the beatific vision — seeing God face-to-face in His glory.
God’s mercy and purification
Bishop Gruss explained that after death, every person undergoes what the Church calls a particular judgment, where the soul immediately understands its eternal destiny.
"There are only two choices," he said. "Heaven and hell."
However, Bishop Gruss reminded those gathered that purgatory is not separate from salvation. Rather, it is part of God’s mercy for souls destined for heaven.
"If you’re experiencing purgatory, you’re in [going to Heaven]," he said. "There’s no turning back the other way."
The bishop emphasized that most people die in what he called an "imperfect state of grace," still carrying attachments to sin, selfishness or worldly desires.
He encouraged frequent confession and honest examination of conscience, asking participants to reflect on the areas of their lives that still need healing and conversion.
"People die with unforgiveness in their soul," he said. "People die with attachment to jealousy or envy or lust or hatred."
Yet the message of the evening was ultimately one of hope.
"The beautiful thing about purgatory," Bishop Gruss said, "is that it exists as a result of God’s mercy and His love and His desire for you and for me to be with Him for all eternity."
Created for love
At several points during the talk, Bishop Gruss reminded listeners that the Christian life is deeply personal because every person was created intentionally by God.
He encouraged those present to prepare their hearts for eternal life through prayer, repentance and trust in God’s mercy.
The evening concluded with a renewed invitation to holiness and deeper conversion, reminding the faithful that God’s desire is always to bring His people into the fullness of His presence.
"Purgatory is meant to purify us so that we can love as completely as God," Bishop Gruss said.
During the First Friday gathering in Saginaw on May 1, Bishop Gruss quoted Pope Francis and reminded listeners that every baptized person is called to be a missionary disciple.
“A missionary disciple is someone who knows Jesus personally, loves Him deeply, follows Him faithfully, and shares Him boldly,” he said in his talk. (View the video below or watch it HERE.)
He stressed that evangelization is not about having all the answers, but about sharing one’s encounter with Christ.
“A witness is someone who says, ‘I have met the Lord and He has changed my life,’” Bishop Gruss said.
Bishop Gruss reflected on the Sacrament of Confirmation and missionary discipleship, and encouraged Catholics to rediscover the power of the Holy Spirit already at work within them through the Sacraments. He emphasized that Confirmation is inseparable from missionary discipleship. “The Spirit was poured upon the Church for one reason,” he said. “To evangelize.”
“Wake Up the Sleeping Giant”
Bishop Gruss encouraged Catholics to develop a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit and rely less on self-sufficiency. “The Holy Spirit is already in you,” he said. “But perhaps He’s dormant. Wake up the sleeping giant in your life. You have everything you need to live as a disciple of Jesus in the world today.”
First Friday attendees were encouraged to pray simple prayers each day asking the Holy Spirit to become more active in their lives.
He also encouraged young people preparing for Confirmation to approach the Sacrament with openness and courage. The Sacrament of Confirmation is meant to be a life-changing moment in one's life and call to discipleship, as it was for the disciples of the early church."
“Don’t be afraid to live an extraordinary life in Christ,” he said. “Christ is calling all of us to be saints.”
Speaking during the Diocese’s confirmation season, Bishop Gruss reflected on visiting parishes across the Diocese to celebrate Confirmation with young people.
“Confirmation is not an ending. It doesn’t complete anything. It’s a beginning,” Bishop Gruss said.
He explained that Catholics often reduce the Sacraments to events they attend rather than encounters with Jesus Christ himself. “When we look at the Sacramental life merely as events, then we have diminished them by 99.9%,” he said.
Instead of saying, “I’m going to Mass,” Bishop Gruss suggested Catholics think differently: “I’m going for an encounter with the risen Lord Jesus.”
Jesus Is the One Who Confirms
Bishop Gruss reminded attendees that Jesus himself is the minister of every Sacrament. “Jesus baptized you. He confirmed you. He gave himself to you in Holy Communion,” he said. “In the Sacrament of Confirmation, he uses my thumb.”
Reflecting on his own Confirmation and Baptism dates, Bishop Gruss encouraged Catholics to learn and celebrate those dates as important milestones in their lives of faith. “These are two of the most important dates,” he said, “more important than your birthday.”
He urged Catholics to contact the parish where they were baptized to obtain their Sacramental records and reflect more intentionally on those moments of grace.
Confirmation and the Holy Spirit
Drawing from the Acts of the Apostles, Bishop Gruss compared Confirmation to the transformation experienced by the apostles at Pentecost. Before receiving the Holy Spirit, the apostles hid in fear. Afterward, they boldly proclaimed the Gospel.
“Peter went from fear and denial of Jesus to being a strong, faithful witness of the Gospel,” Bishop Gruss said. “Everything changed.”
"That same Holy Spirit is given to the disciples is given to each person in the Sacrament of Confirmation, not diminished in any way. This is why it should be a profound life-changing experience."
Bishop Gruss encouraged Catholics to ask the Lord to “bring alive the grace” of Confirmation again in their lives.
“The Spirit is never dead,” he said. “Ask the Holy Spirit to ignite your faith.”
Holy Week is here—and this message will change how you enter it.
After six weeks of Lenten reflections, Bishop Gruss shares a powerful invitation: don’t rush past this week. Stay with Jesus. This is the heart of everything—why He came, why He suffered, and what it means for you right now.
If you’ve been busy, distracted, or unsure how to approach Holy Week, start here.
Watch now and take a few minutes to enter into the most important week of the year.
Watch more Lenten reflections here:
https://saginaw.org/bishop-gruss-lenten-messages
Bravery or conformity...which way do you live your Christian life?
In this powerful Lenten reflection, you’ll hear a challenge most Christians avoid:
-It’s not enough to be kind
-It’s not enough to believe
-The mission isn’t complete until we ask: Do you believe?
What’s really holding us back?
-Conformity to culture
-Staying in our comfort zones
-Hiding our faith
-Keeping the Gospel to ourselves
And one line you won’t forget:
“The opposite of bravery is not cowardice… but conformity.”
Watch this before Holy Week begins.
It might change how you live your faith.
Watch now
After you watch, continue the journey:
Watch more Lenten reflections by Bishop Gruss here: https://saginaw.org/bishop-gruss-lenten-messages
We often talk about our faith in general terms, but when someone asks how Jesus has personally changed your life, do you have an answer ready?
In this week’s Lenten Reflection, we move from serving others to sharing our story. It is not a self-help program—it is a mission for the world. Watch as we discuss:
-Overcoming the fear of rejection
-Why you were born for this (featuring the courage of St. Joan of Arc)
-Three questions to transform your prayer life this week
Watch the full video and tell us in the comments: What is one word that describes what Jesus has done for you?
Bishop Robert Gruss is inviting Catholics to reflect on one of the most challenging — and transformative — parts of the Christian life: surrendering completely to God.
Speaking at the First Friday gathering at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, Bishop Gruss shared a reflection inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s message about Lent.
“Lent is not about spiritual self-optimization”
“True conversion begins when we allow Christ to act within us.”
READ THE FULL ARTICLE.
In this week’s Lenten reflection, Bishop Gruss focuses on the significance of prayer in understanding and fulfilling God's will in our lives, particularly in the context of the mission of Jesus. Bishop Gruss asks, “How often do you pray seeking God's will for your life?”
Do you believe that God has created you and put you on this earth for a specific purpose with a specific mission for him?
In this week’s Lenten reflection, Bishop Gruss discusses what is necessary to embrace the mission God has given you…
As we begin 2026 Lenten season, Bishop Robert Gruss invites us to hear Jesus’ call anew: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
To believe in the Gospel means more than words — it means embracing the mission of Christ and carrying it into our families, parishes, and communities through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This Lent, he encourages us to ask Jesus to set our hearts on fire for mission, deepen our conversion, and live out the Gospel through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. May this season be one of grace, renewal, and courageous discipleship as we share Christ’s love with the world.
"Wherever the Lord leads you on this Lenten journey, I wish you many graces and blessings," Bishop Gruss says in his annual Ash Wednesday message.
✝️Ash Wednesday Mass Times throughout the Diocese: https://saginaw.org/ash-wednesday-message-parish-schedules
Bishop Gruss explores the significance of Lent, emphasizing the importance of preparation, desire, and the practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. In this talk, he encourages the faithful to prepare for Lent intentionally and highlights the transformative power of fasting as a spiritual discipline that fosters a closer relationship with God.
A few takeways:
- Fasting is a biblical practice that draws us closer to God.
- Fasting is not just about abstaining from food, but seeking God.
- Fasting is a biblical practice that draws us closer to God.
- Fasting is not just about abstaining from food, but seeking God and can lead to transformation.
Bishop Robert Gruss, known for his insightful and compassionate leadership in the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, recently appeared on WSGW for a Christmas Eve interview. He shared his thoughts and reflections on the holiday season while talking to longtime friend and host, Art Lewis.
Bishop Gruss emphasized the importance of unity and love, encouraging listeners to embrace the spirit of Christmas by reaching out to those in need and fostering a sense of community.
He also discussed the resurgence of faith in the Catholic Church, and the personal nature of Christmas. He reflects on the challenges faced by the church in a secular world, the importance of vocations, and his experience meeting the Pope. The discussion emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of faith and the transformative power of Jesus' message during the holiday season.
Bishop Gruss: When we wait on God, we open ourselves up to a deeper intimacy with Him, even in the midst of uncertainty.
You can view previous reflections here: https://saginaw.org/advent
Bishop Gruss: In this season of Advent, have you been waiting for Christmas or longing for Jesus?
This week we will reflect upon Mary’s posture of waiting. The length of an average pregnancy is forty weeks. After Mary gave her fiat – her surrender – to bearing the Son of God, she still had to wait nine long months before she could finally cradle him in her arms. One can just imagine Mary’s excitement and anticipation during those months of pregnancy. But we know that she didn’t passively sit around waiting for the days pass by.
In any given week, how many anonymous Catholics are in the pews at the Mass in which you attend? When was the last time you went up to someone you did not know and introduced yourself to that person?
As I mentioned last week, during this season of Advent, our reflections will look at four postures of our Blessed Mother. It is my hope that Mary will lead us into her heart, and guide us into a deeper experience of the Christmas mystery.
This week we will look at Mary’s posture of hospitality. It might even be seen as radical hospitality.
Bishop Robert Gruss: Our reflections will look at four postures of our Blessed Mother. It is my hope that during this season of Advent, Mary will lead us into her heart, a heart that longed with hopeful expectation of the Lord’s coming. As the mother of our Savior, she will guide our hearts to a deeper experience of the Christmas mystery.
On Oct. 23, Deacon Larry Gayton discussed the upcoming march for migrants and refugees and Hispanic Mass on the Art Lewis Show.
At 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, faithful will gather for a solemn March for migrants and refugees. The march will begin at Great Lakes Bay Health Center parking lot at 501 Lapeer Ave., Saginaw and conclude at St. Joseph Church, 910 N 6th Ave., Saginaw.
After the March, a Misa Hispana (Hispanic Mass) will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church at 4 p.m. The Misa Hispana Mass celebrates the rich traditions of the Hispanic Catholic community particularly through music and language in the bilingual liturgy.
“We will march as an expression of faith in Jesus, who stands with the vulnerable, the poor and immigrants,” said Bishop Robert Gruss, Bishop of Saginaw. “Migrants and refugees often find themselves alone, separated from family and lacking basic needs. Jesus calls us to welcome the stranger, clothe the naked and feed the hungry. As a local Church, we must be of ‘one heart and mind’ and uphold the dignity of all people.”
“A public gathering like this can motivate all of us to put our faith into action,” said Deacon Larry Gayton, who serves in the Office of Multicultural Ministry at the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw. “We want to let migrants and refugees in our community know that we care about them and that their voices are heard.”
Deacon Larry Gayton’s family migrated from Killeen, Texas to Berrien Springs, Mich. in 1968 and worked on farms. “We didn’t have much when we moved to Michigan. One of our vehicles broke down on the drive to Michigan and our family of seven had to pile into a crowded car. We worked on farms picking fruits and vegetables and lived in migrant camps. Generous members of the Catholic community helped me with my education and eventually I was able to attend law school. I want to serve migrants and refugees just as I was helped by so many generous people.”
All are invited to join in the prayerful and solemn march. Afterwards, Bishop Robert Gruss will celebrate the Hispanic Mass (Misa Hispana) at St. Joseph Church.
“The Misa Hispana is a joyous and diverse celebration,” said Deacon Larry Gayton. “Daughters who have recently celebrated their quinceañera have been invited to attend wearing their quinceañera dresses. The Knights of Columbus will also be joining us for Mass and the Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil Mariachis will perform music at a reception after Mass.”
This is Bishop Gruss' homily during staff Mass at the Diocesan Center for Ministry on Sept. 25, 2025.
John Gonzalez was interviewed by Vanessa Denha Garmo on Ave Maria Radio's "Epiphany" program. During the interview, John shares about evangelization, Rescue Michigan and more.
Father Richard John shares about his journey to the priesthood, the importance of hope and our call to serve and evangelize.
Parish of the Week: St. Dominic Parish in Saginaw is our Parish of the Week. Their Parochial Administrator, Fr. Richard John, joins us today!
Message from Fr. Richard John – Ordained in 2009, I have now journeyed 16 years as a priest, and I share this reflection as a thanksgiving to the Lord who called me. I come from the Archdiocese of Hyderabad, Telangana, in southern India, and currently serve as the Parochial Administrator at St. Dominic Parish since 2023.
Three early influences shaped my vocation: my grandmother Margaret John, whose daily Rosary and devotion to St. Anthony inspired a prayer movement in our neighborhood; my father Aron John, a daily communicant who introduced me to the beauty of the Eucharist; and my first encounter with the story of Mother Teresa, whose radical commitment deeply moved me as a child. These seeds of faith were nurtured by my parish priest, and I joined the seminary in 1998 after 10th grade.
Growing up in a joint family of modest means, financial struggles were common. I often joined sports camps at school just for the meals. Yet, through God’s providence and support like CFCA sponsorship from Sr. Shirley Ruder, a Dominican nun from Michigan, I could continue my education.
Despite health challenges during formation, I experienced healing that confirmed my call. Over the years, I’ve served in various ministries — from being assistant to the archbishop, to working at St. Anthony’s Shrine, teaching, radio ministry, and youth outreach.
My path to Saginaw in 2022 was guided by God’s providence, facilitated by friends, Fr. Raj, Fr. Bill and Bishop Gruss. I remain grateful to the Lord, the bishop, fellow clergy, and parishioners whose support makes this mission meaningful. Thank you
Bishop Gruss' presentation emphasizes preparing the heart for genuine encounters with God, highlighting the difference between viewing sacraments as mere events and experiencing them as personal encounters. Bishop Gruss addresses misconceptions about Christianity, focusing on the relational aspect of faith. He also encourages seeing confession as a loving encounter with Jesus, overcoming fear and shame, and approaching Mass with a desire for transformation.
“When I was growing up, my family was never really much involved in parish life other than attending Mass on Sunday and Holy Days. As kids, we attended Religious Ed – back then it was called CCD.
“As far as living out a life of faith in the context of service, I don’t recall doing much of that. Things were different back in the 60s and 70s. It was only after I had a re-conversion to my faith in the early 1980s, did I come to the realization that service was at the heart of my baptismal call.”
This video is part of Bishop Robert Gruss' Lenten series on six spiritual practices that will deepen our relationship with the Lord, helping us to live more fully the life the Lord seeks to give us – as a way of personal encounter. Watch more: https://saginaw.org/bishop-gruss-lenten-messages
A number of years ago, I was on a retreat with the other bishops of the United States and the retreat director posed a question to us – and perhaps it is a good question for everyone today. “Where is my heart directed?”
It is a question that needs to be asked daily. Where is your heart directed? Let me rephrase this. What relationship in your life is most on your mind and heart?
Through his words in Sacred Scriptures, the Lord reveals his hopes and dreams for us, each of us, as well as for your family and your faith community. How many of you want to know God’s hopes, dreams and plans for you, for your life?
This video is part of Bishop's Lenten series on six Spiritual Practices that will deepen our relationship with the Lord, helping us to live more fully the life the Lord seeks to give us – as a way of personal encounter.
This episode is part of Bishop's Lenten series on six Spiritual Practices that will deepen our relationship with the Lord, helping us to live more fully the life the Lord seeks to give us – as a way of personal encounter.
Father Andy LaFramboise discusses his new podcast "Finding and Burying Again", vocations to the priesthood and more on WSGW's Art Lewis Show
Bishop Gruss discusses listening to God's voice during his homily from Sunday, March 16.
Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal our true spiritual condition, our brokenness, leading to repentance and a transformed life – conversion.
This video is part of Bishop's Lenten series on six Spiritual Practices that will deepen our relationship with the Lord, helping us to live more fully the life the Lord seeks to give us – as a way of personal encounter.
During First Friday on March 7, Bishop Gruss discussed what happens when the Pope dies, including details about how the Conclave works, who participates and more.
This is part of Bishop Gruss' six part Lenten series on spiritual practices that will deepen our relationship with the Lord, helping us to live more fully the life the Lord seeks to give us – as a way of personal encounter.
This homily was given by Bishop Gruss on Feb. 2, 2025 at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption.
Bishop Gruss was interviewed by Vanessa Denha Garmo on Ave Maria Radio's "Epiphany" program.
During the interview, Bishop Gruss discussed the upcoming Come and See Dinner, the importance of family support in discernment, obstacles in the discernment process and more.
The invasion of one kingdom by another kingdom is complete. As C.S. Lewis said, the rightful king has landed in disguise.
Yes, the Gospel is not just the Good News. It is Great News! Spectacular news! God has rescued me. Now, what will be my response?
'If we have been captured by the Enemy, what has God done about it?' What He has done is extraordinary - unbelievable Good News!
This video is part of Bishop Gruss' Advent retreat. The purpose of this retreat is to lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and to introduce to you what the Lord has shared with the Mission Leadership Team regarding our future – what he is asking of us. Watch additional videos from this retreat here: https://saginaw.org/advent-2024#video
Look around at what has happened and is happening in our world today. Wouldn’t you agree that the world is a bit messed up today? Why is that? This is an important question to answer.
Again, the purpose of this retreat is to lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and to introduce to you what the Lord has shared with my Mission Leadership Team regarding our future – what he is asking of us.
"Dr. Dan Osborn from the Diocese of Saginaw explains his groundbreaking research project to gather data regarding Mary’s influence as Mother of the Church."- Ave Maria Radio
So many people today live as if there is nothing – nothing beyond this world. So many people today live as if there is no hope. The world is dire, and there is nothing anybody can do about it. Are you one of them? Well, the Lord God has the answer!
Again, the purpose of this retreat is to lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and to introduce to you what the Lord has shared with my Mission Leadership Team regarding our future – what he is asking of us.
Bishop Gruss: Thank you for joining me as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King and begin this six week retreat together all across the diocese.
Again, the purpose of this retreat is to lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and to introduce to you what the Lord has shared with my Mission Leadership Team regarding our future – what he is asking of us.
Have you ever been overwhelmed by the Gospel? Secondly, what is the lens in which you view your life and our world? In other words, what is the lens of your personal reality?
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, Father Andy LaFramboise was interviewed on Ave Maria Radio's "Epiphany" program.
During the interview, Father Andy discussed the three-point plan guiding vocation efforts in the Diocese of Saginaw. He also discussed prayer amidst a culture of anxiety.
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, Bishop Robert Gruss was interviewed on Ave Maria Radio's "Catholic Connection" program. During the interview, Bishop Gruss discussed the three-point plan guiding vocation efforts in the Diocese of Saginaw.
Bishop discussed the National Eucharistic Congress on Aug. 2 during the monthly First Friday gathering at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption.
It was an extremely difficult letter to write.
Bishop Robert Gruss recently shared a story about forgiveness and the letter he wrote to his father decades ago. He told the story after First Friday Mass at the Cathedral on April 5.
"It all surfaced on a five day retreat while in the seminary in Rome," said Bishop Gruss. "To make a long story short, I wrote a letter to my father sharing with him my feelings, my hurts, my anger, all the while reaffirming my love for him in spite of the disease of alcoholism.
"I told him that I forgave him and in turn, I asked him for forgiveness for any time I failed to love him resulting from my anger and resentment toward him.
"Writing this letter was very difficult. I agonized over it, not only from the standpoint of writing it, but from the standpoint of putting it in the mail, always wondering what would be his reaction. Because this came through prayer, I put my trust in God that I was doing the right thing...Read more
On Friday, March 1, faithful gathered at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption for the monthly First Friday gathering. Don Buchalski, coordinator of evangelization for the Diocese of Saginaw gave a presentation about the Synod of Bishops, focusing on findings from local listening sessions, writings from Pope Francis and more.
“Perhaps my main takeaway from leading the Synod effort in our Diocese is how important listening is,” said Buchalski.
“People want to share their story and tell us what their concerns are. In his writings related to the Synod, Pope Francis wants us to understand that this commitment to listening to the Holy Spirit and to one another is a way of being Church.”
Buchalski shared that Pope Francis is calling members of the Church to listen to one another and bring questions to the Holy Spirit in prayer, sharing with one other what we believe God is saying to us.
“I’ve been blessed to be a part of Bishop’s leadership team, Buchalski said. “I’m thankful to Bishop Gruss that this is what we do when we meet. A question is brought forth, and then we go to the chapel to pray and afterwards discuss what we believe God’s message is. This is the foundation of our discernment and decision making.”
During the First Friday gathering at the Cathedral, attendees shared about their experiences at parish listening sessions.
“Our parish advertised that they were having listening sessions and we wanted to be heard,” said Brett Burke, a parishioner of Holy Family Parish. “Father Tipton (who served as pastor at the time of the sessions) was very gracious in listening to us. He understood where we were coming from.”
Part five of six mission values that send us out carrying the Gospel into the worldBeing docile to the Holy Spirit is the only way we can accomplish the works of God and the mission of Jesus. We are to use His grace and do His works for His glory, no matter what the world may think or say about us. This is the work of a true disciple of Jesus.
Bishop Gruss: We must be authentically human (Week 4)
Bishop Gruss: Do you have unshakeable confidence in the Lordship of Jesus? (Week 3)
Bishop Gruss: God has set us apart for his work (Week 2)
Bishop Gruss: Be ambitious for God and his kingdom! (Week 1)
Bishop Gruss: We must become a Church with the same apostolic zeal as the disciples of the first century! (Ash Wednesday)
To be authentically human means we are not afraid to be vulnerable.
We are in touch with our humanity and are honest about who we are and what we stand for. We are vulnerable when we put ourselves out there beyond what is safe, familiar, and comfortable.
In doing so, we open ourselves up to the possibility of being wounded. Wasn’t this the way of Jesus?
This is part four of six mission values that send us out carrying the Gospel into the world
On Friday, March 1, faithful gathered at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption for the monthly First Friday gathering. Don Buchalski, Coordinator of Evangelization for the Diocese of Saginaw gave a presentation about the Synod of Bishops, focusing on findings from local listening sessions, writings from Pope Francis and more.
“Perhaps my main takeaway from leading the Synod effort in our Diocese is how important listening is,” said Buchalski.
“People want to share their story and tell us what their concerns are. In his writings related to the Synod, Pope Francis wants us to understand that this commitment to listening to the Holy Spirit and to one another is a way of being Church.”
Buchalski shared that Pope Francis is calling members of the Church to listen to one another and bring questions to the Holy Spirit in prayer, sharing with one other what we believe God is saying to us.
“I’ve been blessed to be a part of Bishop’s leadership team, Buchalski said. “I’m thankful to Bishop Gruss that this is what we do when we meet. A question is brought forth, and then we go to the chapel to pray and afterwards discuss what we believe God’s message is. This is the foundation of our discernment and decision making.”
During the First Friday gathering at the Cathedral, attendees shared about their experiences at parish listening sessions.
“Our parish advertised that they were having listening sessions and we wanted to be heard,” said Brett Burke, a parishioner of Holy Family Parish. “Father Tipton (who served as pastor at the time of the sessions) was very gracious in listening to us. He understood where we were coming from.”
Buchalski also shared common themes from the Diocesan listening sessions as well as efforts undertaken in response. These themes and next steps can be found in the Synod Summary Report.
Ultimately, Buchalski hopes that what is learned from the Synod will continue to be put into practice by local parishes and the overall Church.
“Considering the lack of civil discourse in our current culture, this emphasis on listening to God and to each other, is a great gift to our Church and our society,” said Buchalski. “My hope is that we continue to embrace it and in doing so, bring Christ and his mercy to others.”
Do you have unshakeable confidence in the Lordship of Jesus?
Do we have unshakeable confidence in the person who desires to bring healing, love and mercy to the world and who came to earth to rescue us from sin and death, the Evil One and his minions? Is this our experience?
Perhaps some might begin with the question, “Who is Jesus?” Or, I might ask you the question, “Who is Jesus for you?”
This is part three of six mission values that send us out carrying the Gospel into the world
God wants his world back. In light of this, let me share with you three fundamental convictions – the world is crying, the Church is crying, and you are not alive by chance, you were born for this time.
Let me ask you. Do you believe that God has created you and put you on this earth for a specific purpose, with a specific mission for Him? And, if so, are you and I living as if this is the case?
You and I have been born for this time in history, as were the apostles and disciples of the early church born for their time in history. . .
This is part two of six in which Bishop Gruss shares mission values that send us out carrying the Gospel into the world.
Bishop Gruss: Thanks for joining me on this journey through our “Mission Values.” As I mentioned in the last session, these mission values bring clarity to how we are to behave as Catholic individuals and as a Church sent on mission.
In these six reflections, we will be looking at one per week. Obviously much can be shared about each of them, but with the limited time for these reflections, I can only touch the surface. But hopefully we will all receive something from the Lord to think and pray about in our own lives.
Let’s begin with the first mission value – Be ambitious for God and his kingdom.
As Ash Wednesday approaches, Bishop Gruss will share with the people of the Diocese of Saginaw six mission values that send us out carrying the Gospel into the world.
"When these values come alive in us, they lead us to conversion and a deeper life in Christ," said Bishop Gruss. Below is an excerpt of Bishop Gruss' message:
*With God being pushed out of our culture and Catholics leaving the practice of their faith in record numbers, we cannot continue to do what we have always done in the same way that we have always done. We must become a Church with the same apostolic zeal as the disciples of the first century! And, like those first disciples, we too were born for this moment in history.
Over the next six weeks, in my Lenten reflections, I will be reflecting upon some of the convictions held by the apostles of the early church that we as the Diocese of Saginaw must embrace if we are to be a Diocese on mission.*
This podcast is part of a series, Hiding Place, produced for the 2024 March for Life trip to Washington DC. Anyone interested in pro-life ministry can learn from this series.
Taylor introduces Audrey, who shares her story of finding her passion in protecting the unborn.
Action: Discuss what you think about abortion with someone you know.
Discussion Questions:
- What stood out to you most from Audrey's story?
- What do you think about abortion? Why?
To learn how to get involved in the Pro-Life movement or seek support as a pregnant mother or someone affected by abortion, contact Lori Becker, our Coordinator for Outreach (lbecker@diosag.org).
Audrey Whipple (Host, @audreywhipple) is the Outreach Coordinator for Protect Life Michigan.
Taylor Piotrzkowski (Producer, tpiotrzkowski@diosag.org) is the Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
To follow the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Youth Ministry, search @saginawcatholicyouth on Tiktok and Instagram.
This podcast is part of a series, Hiding Place, produced for the 2024 March for Life trip to Washington DC. Anyone interested in pro-life ministry can learn from this series.
Audrey unpacks the issue of abortion and makes the case to be Pro-Life.
Action: Write your questions about abortion down and seek out answers.
Discussion Questions:
- What argument from Audrey was the most or least convincing?
- What questions do you still have about abortion or the Pro-Life cause?
To learn how to get involved in the Pro-Life movement or seek support as a pregnant mother or someone affected by abortion, contact Lori Becker, our Coordinator for Outreach (lbecker@diosag.org).
Audrey Whipple (Host, @audreywhipple) is the Outreach Coordinator for Protect Life Michigan.
Taylor Piotrzkowski (Producer, tpiotrzkowski@diosag.org)) is the Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
To follow the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Youth Ministry, search @saginawcatholicyouth on Tiktok and Instagram.
This podcast is part of a series, Hiding Place, produced for the 2024 March for Life trip to Washington DC. Anyone interested in pro-life ministry can learn from this series.
Audrey lays bare the horrifying reality of abortion.
Disclaimer This episode contains medical descriptions of abortion procedures and may be disturbing to some. Listener discretion advised. To seek support as someone affected by abortion, contact Lori Becker, our Coordinator for Outreach (lbecker@diosag.org).
Action: Sit in silence for a few moments and let abortion break your heart.
Audrey Whipple (Host, @audreywhipple) is the Outreach Coordinator for Protect Life Michigan.
Taylor Piotrzkowski (Producer, tpiotrzkowski@diosag.org)) is the Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
To follow the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Youth Ministry, search @saginawcatholicyouth on Tiktok and Instagram.
This podcast is part of a series, Hiding Place, produced for the 2024 March for Life trip to Washington DC. Anyone interested in pro-life ministry can learn from this series.
Audrey unpacks the issue of abortion and makes the case to be Pro-Life.
Action: Post on social media a picture, story, or your thoughts about the Pro-Life Movement
Discussion Questions:
- Which story of past social movements was the most inspiring?
- What are your thoughts about marching with the Pro-Life Movement in DC?
To learn how to get involved in the Pro-Life movement or seek support as a pregnant mother or someone affected by abortion, contact Lori Becker, our Coordinator for Outreach (lbecker@diosag.org).
Audrey Whipple (Host, @audreywhipple) is the Outreach Coordinator for Protect Life Michigan.
Taylor Piotrzkowski (Producer, tpiotrzkowski@diosag.org)) is the Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
To follow the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Youth Ministry, search @saginawcatholicyouth on Tiktok and Instagram.
This podcast is part of a series, Hiding Place, produced for the 2024 March for Life trip to Washington DC. Anyone interested in pro-life ministry can learn from this series.
Audrey unpacks the issue of abortion and makes the case to be Pro-Life.
Action: Decide on a course of action to support the unborn and the Pro-Life movement when you return home.
Discussion Questions:
- What was your favorite part of the March?
- What step are you going to take to support the unborn and the Pro-Life movement?
To learn how to get involved in the Pro-Life movement or seek support as a pregnant mother or someone affected by abortion, contact Lori Becker, our Coordinator for Outreach (lbecker@diosag.org).
Audrey Whipple (Host, @audreywhipple) is the Outreach Coordinator for Protect Life Michigan.
Taylor Piotrzkowski (Producer, tpiotrzkowski@diosag.org)) is the Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
To follow the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Youth Ministry, search @saginawcatholicyouth on Tiktok and Instagram.
On Tuesday, Oct. 31, Don Buchalski, vicariate liaison and coordinator of evangelization for the Diocese of Saginaw, was interviewed on Ave Maria Radio's "Epiphany" program. During the interview, Mr. Buchalski discussed the upcoming "Encountering Jesus through Praise & Worship" event, a unique experience he had at World Youth Day in Portugal, the importance of evangelization and more.
Greetings and blessings to all of you. In a few days, we celebrate Ash Wednesday, and begin a season in which you and I are called to repentance and conversion.
How a person goes about the journey of conversion may be different for each of us. Lent is not meant to be a solemn and gloomy season, but a season of grace. It should be a season we take seriously, but a joyful season, because it does lead to new life in Christ Jesus.
Can you believe Christmas is only one week away? Today, we light the last purple candle on our Advent wreaths. It’s known as the “Angel’s Candle,” and it symbolizes peace, reminding us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”
What a beautiful promise these angels revealed to the shepherds on that first Christmas night. Peace on earth! Are you feeling this peace in your heart right now? Or are you experiencing some form of fear, or frustration, or boredom or worry or anxiety? It is important to recognize what you are experiencing in your heart at this moment, or any moment for that matter.
The will of God for you is deep interior peace in your heart that can be experienced even when life isn’t going so well. Why is this so difficult to live with such a great gift?
What causes us to become agitated, disturbed, worried or irritated, etc.? Us – we cause it – by trying to control everything (even things out of our control), by trying to resolve everything by ourselves; by going life alone.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:26–27). This peace does not depend on circumstances. The peace of Christ is the interior feeling that comes from acknowledging Christ Jesus as your highest joy, and then trusting that He will do everything necessary to bring you even more of His joy.
A lack of peace comes from a lack of trust in God. The condition for peace is the desire to love God above all else and to trust him even in the smallest things. In other words, the peace of Christ is given to us when we trust — not our circumstances — but all that God promises us in Christ Jesus.
So how do we experience and even maintain this peace in our everyday lives?
Let me offer some suggestions for this season of Advent.
1. First of all, ask the Lord Jesus to deepen His gift of peace in our hearts. Yearn for it and seek it from him.
2. So often we live in the past with our regrets. You can’t take the past back and redo it. Place your past in God’s mercy through forgiveness. So often we live in the future – with all our great plans, worrying if they will come true. Place your future in Divine Providence through surrender.
What does this tell us? We don’t live in the present. Living only for today. The Lord is not in the past. The Lord is not in the future. The Lord is in the here and now, in the present. This is where he deeply desires to love us, to heal us, to console us, to be with us. Union with the Lord Jesus ONLY happens in the now, in the present moment.
During this season of Advent, what is Jesus asking you to surrender in your life right now so that you can live the present in His Peace?
The Lord’s peace often comes through his faithful instruments. To whom is He asking you to bring His Peace?
Perhaps even as you are listening to this message, the Holy Spirit has brought someone to your mind. Bring this gift of Advent to them.
And, don’t forgot to pray each day this week for the gift of Christ’s peace to come alive in you.
May God bless you!
Advent blessings to you! This week we light the pink candle on our Advent wreath.
Did you know this candle, also known as “the Shepherd’s Candle” symbolizes joy? It represents the joy of the shepherds, who were often the lowest class of people in society, and yet it was to them that the angels first announced the Good News, revealing that a Savior was born for them.
This third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word derived from the word GAUDERE, meaning “to rejoice, to feel joy, or to be glad.”
Have you ever been around people who seem grumpy all the time; or people who are negative or cynical; people who always see the glass half empty; people who never smile and always seem mad at the world; and they look sad all the time?
I think we all have run into people like this. And I think to myself, “Do they really know the love of Jesus? Do they not know how much God loves them? Do they really know how they look to others?”
The human heart desires joy. We all want joy – every family, every people aspires to happiness. But the joy this world offers is always fleeting. It seems to come and go as positive life experiences come and go.
But Christian joy money can’t buy, comfort can’t produce, and material security can’t create. Our society has succeeded in multiplying the opportunities for pleasure, but it has great difficulty in generating this type of joy. Why? Why is that?
Because it is spiritual. True joy or Christian joy only comes from the Lord. And we don’t have to wait for it until heaven. Christian joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is the joy that comes solely from the experience of God’s presence and it cannot be simulated or created by any other source or thing.
At the very heart of Christian joy is the deep and profound love of God for us, which naturally leads to a love for others. It is a joy deeply rooted in an intimate relationship with Jesus and sustained by his Holy Spirit. It is the light that can never be extinguished that burns within us because God is with us.
The closer the Lord is to us, the more joy we feel; the farther away he is, the more sadness we feel, any joy we have will be fleeting, often leading to sadness or some sort of unhappiness.
So how do we experience and even maintain this joy in our everyday lives?
Let me offer some suggestions for this season of Advent.
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First of all, we all want to experience the joy which Jesus had in his heart, even in the midst of suffering, don’t we? Our joy is Jesus – his faithful love is inexhaustible! “Where there is great joy, there is the presence of the Holy Spirit.” Ask the Holy Spirit for a deepening of this gift.
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There are many things in Advent and Christmas that can lead us to joy. The only true path to joy is in seeking the real presence of God, not in the manger, but in a lived relationship with Jesus – to connect each day with the God who “is rejoicing over us with gladness.” Take time daily in earnest prayer with the Lord.
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At the root of Christian joy is a life of charity. The Christian life is meant to serve God and our neighbor joyfully. The reason charity is at the root of Christian joy is because it mirrors God’s love for us. Take the time to live the virtue of generosity with others.
During this season of Advent, who is Jesus asking you to share your faith with through acts of charity? Who do you know who could use a helping hand? Take the time to bring your joy to someone else.
Perhaps even as you are listening to this message, the Holy Spirit has brought someone to your mind. Bring the gift of Advent to them.
And, don’t forgot to pray each day this week for the gift of joy to come alive in you.
May God bless you!
B
A blessed Advent to you all. We begin week two by lighting Bethlehem’s Candle, which symbolizes faith. Micah foretold that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, so this candle puts the focus on the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in anticipation of the birth of the Christ child.
Many people in our culture today live as if “this” is all there is, nothing more beyond this life. Others live as if faith is just a theory or a philosophy.
Frederick Nietzsche said that “faith is the path of least resistance.” Even Christians are challenged when it comes to living a life of faith. How many of us have doubts at times? How many of us lack in trusting the Lord with our lives?
Don’t we sometimes try to manage our lives on our own?
So how do we move beyond ourselves and truly surrender our lives to the Lord?
I offer a couple of suggestions for this season of Advent.
- First of all, faith is an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. Faith is what unites us with the living God who has revealed himself to us in his son Jesus.
In the words of our Holy Father, “Faith is to touch Jesus and to draw from him the grace which saves.” When we fix our gaze upon the loving eyes of Jesus, then our faith, as well as our hope, remain firmly rooted.
Faith is only deepened through a daily, prayerful relationship with Jesus. Take time daily in earnest prayer with the Lord. Ask Him for the grace of surrender. 2. St. James writes, “Faith without works is dead.” A faith without works, a faith that doesn’t engage us, that doesn’t lead us to witness, isn’t faith. As our faith in God grows and deepens, we cannot help ourselves from doing ‘good works’. It’s impossible!
Loving God and our neighbor is the Great commandment. When we are in love with the Lord, we will be in love with his people, and when we love someone, we want to help them.
During this season of Advent, who is Jesus asking you to share your faith with through acts of charity? Do you know anyone who is lonely and needs a helping hand? Take the time to share your faith with others. Many do not have faith and may never have faith for this simple reason: no one has been ready and willing to share their faith with them.
Perhaps even as you are listening to this message, the Holy Spirit has brought someone to your mind. Bring the gift of Advent to them.
And, don’t forgot to pray each day this week for the virtue of faith to come alive in you.
May God bless you!
Bishop Robert Gruss
“Be on guard, stand firm for the faith, be courageous, be strong. Your every act should be done with love.” (1 Cor. 16:13-14)
Friends, it is hard to believe that the Season of Advent is upon us. Speaking of Advent, did you know that each candle on the Advent wreath has a special meaning?
Ancient tradition reveals that the candles often represent hope, faith, joy and peace. How many of us could use a little more hope, faith, joy and peace in our lives?
That is my prayer for all of you this Advent season.
This week, we’ll begin by lighting the Prophet’s candle symbolizing hope. The Prophet Isaiah brought a message of hope in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah.
In our world today, it can be easy to get discouraged or overwhelmed. Sickness, death, division, violence … these are all difficult parts of the human experience.
So, what can we do to overcome the feelings that can so easily bring us down into the dumps and keep us from living the life we are called to?
I will suggest two things.
- First, ask the Lord to increase in you the Virtue of Hope. Christian hope is not magic; it is not wishful thinking. It is not simply optimism. It is a gift of God that can preserve us in the midst of those challenges in life that bring us down. It is rooted in the new life we have received in Jesus Christ. St. Paul tells us that hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love was poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit at our baptism (cf. Romans 5:5). Therefore, the virtue of hope is already in you. Ask the Holy Spirit to make it come alive.
This hope enables us to trust in Christ’s promises, to trust in the power of his love, to trust in his forgiveness, his friendship. This love opens the door to new life.
- The second thing to do is turn to your friends in your vulnerability. Allow them to accompany you in those moments. The grace of friendship envelops and sustains us, leaving us open to the gift of God’s hope. So, don’t be afraid to ask for help and support in life’s journey!
Pope Francis tells us that hope involves going forward with others in solidarity. During this season of Advent, this season of hopeful expectation, is Jesus asking you to extend friendship and love to anyone in particular? Do you know anyone who is lonely and needs someone to talk to? How can you reach out and help generate hope in other people? Perhaps even as you are listening to this message, the Holy Spirit has brought someone to your mind. Bring the gift of Advent to them.
And, don’t forgot to pray each day this week for the virtue of hope to come alive in you.
God bless you all!
On Thursday, September 15, members of the faith community from across the Diocese of Saginaw gathered in Bay City for the Bishop's Banquet for seminarian education and vocations.
During his address, Bishop Gruss challenged those in attendance to do two things to help promote vocations. “If everyone does this, I’m convinced the Lord will change things in this diocese,” Bishop Gruss said.
"In the next month, invite a young man or young woman who is in your circle of influence, whomever they might be, whom you think has qualities you’d like to see in a priest or religious. Take the time to speak with them and share that you see these qualities in them. Then ask them if they’ve ever thought about the priesthood or religious life.”
Bishop Gruss went on to suggest that in this invitation a seed is being planted. After confirming that there were approximately 250 people in the room, Bishop Gruss asked those present to think about what the Lord could do with 250 invitations. He then shared he believes the Lord will be astounding in his generosity.
The second challenge Bishop Gruss presented to the faithful was to pray with him during Holy Hours for vocations which take place twice every month at different parishes across the Diocese.
“Vocations come about through diligent prayer, through fasting [take one day a week and fast for vocations] or through our sacrifices offered for this intention."
Bishop Gruss encouraged the faithful to make a sacrifice and go on pilgrimage with him around the Diocese to make these various Holy Hours.
"There are vocations out there," Bishop Gruss said. "We only have to be a bit more diligent in working together in our vocation ministry and then ask your pastors how you can help in this endeavor in your own parishes.”
VIEW SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS FOR UPCOMING HOLY HOURS FOR VOCATIONS
Bishop Gruss gave a great homily about the Holy Name of Mary this morning including the story of how "In 1683, John Sobieski, king of Poland, brought an army to the outskirts of Vienna to stop the advance of Muslim armies loyal to Mohammed IV of Constantinople.
After Sobieski entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he and his soldiers thoroughly defeated the Muslims. Pope Innocent XI extended this feast to the entire Church."- text from this Franciscan Media article https://bit.ly/3U6Lfvt
Today is the feast of the Most Holy Name Mary.
"Do we come to Mass with a desire and expectation of a personal and intimate encounter with Jesus- an encounter that can be life changing and life transforming?
Bishop Gruss asked this during First Friday at the Cathedral on Friday, Sept. 2.
"As believers, we have an obligation to share this beautiful message with Catholics, especially those who don’t come to Mass.Bishop Gruss went on the say that all Catholics are evangelizers by virtue of their baptism.
At First Friday, local faithful gathered with Bishop Gruss at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw for Mass followed by lunch and an informal talk.
Bishop Gruss began his talk by reminding the faithtful that the Eucharist is the beating heart of the Church and it (the Eucharist) distinguishes the Catholic Church from other Christian denominations. Bishop Gruss also reminded the crowd that the Eucharist is a person (Jesus).
Pope Francis on Mass and the Eucharist
As he often does, Bishop Gruss shared quotes from Pope Francis, particularly from the Holy Father's recent Apostolic Letter titled “Desiderio Desideravi” (“I have earnestly desired”). The letter was released June 29.
Bishop Gruss discussed section 6 of Pope Francis' letter which says:
- Before our response to his invitation — well before! — there is his desire for us. We may not even be aware of it, but every time we go to Mass, the first reason is that we are drawn there by his desire for us. For our part, the possible response — which is also the most demanding asceticism — is, as always, that surrender to this love, that letting ourselves be drawn by him. Indeed, every reception of communion of the Body and Blood of Christ was already desired by him in the Last Supper."
Bishop Gruss recommended that everyone read Pope Francis' letter.
The Sacraments are encounters with Jesus
Bishop Gruss then alluded to a point of emphasis he has shared throughout his ministry in the Diocese of Saginaw, that the Sacraments are not events to attend, but rather personal and intimate encounters with Jesus.
"The problem with seeing the Sacraments as events, is that with events we are acting as spectators," said Bishop Gruss. "People who are bored at Mass stop going because they are not engaged. Being fully engaged is important.
"We must teach our kids that at Mass, we are going to encounter Jesus. The language we use to describe the Sacraments affects how people see the Sacraments. We must teach young people that the Sacraments are a personal encounter with Jesus."
Bishop Gruss went on to discuss the ideal disposition as we prepare for Mass asking, "Do we come to Mass with a desire and expectation of a personal and intimate encounter with Jesus- an encounter that can be life changing and life transforming? It matters where are hearts are when we come through the doors of the Church."
Entering the sacred
Bishop Gruss then said, "When we walk through the doors of church, we leave the secular space of the world behind and enter the sacred (spiritual). Therefore, we must have a transition in our hearts."
It's powerful, said Andrew Yaworski, a parishioner from All Saints Parish in Bay City. "[Bishop Gruss] started talking about attending Mass versus going to encounter Christ. It was a powerful message of that intimate relationship with us- that Christ desires and loves us.
"I feel like I have an improved understanding and better focus. Hopefully, it will help me to adore Jesus. This will hopefully help me treat the church as a sacred place...
Bishop Gruss discusses the Eucharist, catholic schools and more during an interview that aired on Sept. 4 on Ave Maria Radio. He was interviewed by Vanessa Denha-Garmo on the show "Epiphany".
During his homily last week at a Holy Hour for vocations, Bishop Robert Gruss reminded the faithful that vocations have always been a challenge for the Church.
"Jesus knew this reality during his earthly life and ministry, said Bishop Gruss. "So knowing this reality, Jesus has already given us the solution."
Bishop Gruss went on to share Jesus' words from the Gospel of Matthew: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
”So this is why we're here tonight," said Bishop Gruss. "To beg the master, here present in the Blessed Sacrament to open the hearts of men whom he is calling to the priesthood and the diaconate and the hearts of women whom he is calling to consecrated life."
Bishop Gruss and Catholics from across the Diocese of Saginaw gathered for this Holy Hour on June 14, at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw. For the next three years and perhaps beyond, Bishop Gruss will be leading two holy hours each month in parishes across the diocese.
The focus for these Holy Hours are for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life within our Diocese, while at the same time deepening our own love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Eucharistic revival
Celebrating the source and summit of our Catholic faith, the Eucharist, the Catholic Church in the United States is embarking on a three-year Eucharistic Revival, a grassroots initiative in response to the Holy Spirit’s invitation to renewal.
During a homily on June 23, which marked the beginning of the Eucharistic Revival, Bishop Gruss highlighted the Catholic Church’s doctrine that the Eucharist we receive at Mass is truly the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus himself. Bishop Gruss also noted that recent Pew Research Center and DiscipleMaker Index surveys reflect a sad decline in the belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
“If people really believed in the gift being offered, the Catholic churches throughout the world would be packed every week,” he said. “This Mass, this Eucharist is an intimate, personal, deep encounter with Love, Love Incarnate in Jesus – here given to you and to me. In the words of St. Mother Teresa, ‘Once you understand the Eucharist, you can never leave the Church. Not because the Church won’t let you but because your heart won’t let you.’ You will fall in love with the Lord in ways not thought possible.”
This is one of the goals of the Eucharistic Revival: to increase an understanding of the Mass and the Eucharist so as to foster greater devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament -- to help the faithful fall even more in love with the Lord through encountering him in the Eucharist.
An encounter with the Crucified and Risen Jesus
“Our communion in this Sacrament of Love is an encounter with the Crucified and Risen Jesus in a very intimate way,” Bishop Gruss said, adding that there is no greater union in life than that.
“My prayer is that each of you fully engage these next three years, making the most of all the opportunities available, and allow Jesus to draw you deeper into this great mystery of his love in ways never experienced before, whereby we are transformed by this union with him, which leads to eucharistic adoration. We not only receive his sacred Body and Blood, but we adore him in prayer. Kneel before Jesus to say, ‘You are my everything. You are my Lord. You are my deepest desire.’”
He went on to explain that Jesus seeks to call others back to the Church through each of us, the faithful.
“Our union with Christ in the Eucharist, both a gift and grace, makes it possible for us, in him, to embrace fully his mission of love and mercy. When w
Bishop Gruss recently taught on the Eucharist during an enrichment day at the Diocesan Center for Ministry June 4, 2022.
Prayer and the Sacrament of Penance are important parts of a loving relationship with the Lord.
As disciples of the Lord, we are called to evangelize. Bishop Gruss discussed the importance of these issues during his most recent First Friday presentation.
On Friday, local faithful gathered with Bishop Gruss at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw for the monthly First Friday gathering. The day began with Mass and was followed by lunch and an informal talk.
Rather than the focusing on a particular teaching, Bishop Gruss opened the floor to questions. Many questions were asked and several topics covered. One of the first questions was about prayer.
Prayer and silence
“The Lord speaks loudest to us in silence,” said Bishop Gruss. He then mentioned how we can be tempted to spend hours watching television and listening to the radio, while neglecting time for silence and prayer before the Lord.
Bishop Gruss also talked about how love should be our motivation for prayer.
“We should pray not out of obligation, but because we love the Lord,” said Bishop Gruss.
“I liked how Bishop Gruss talked about how prayer is about talking with the one you love,” said Amy Beckman, a parishioner of Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in St. Charles. Beckman also found it beneficial to listen to... READ MORE: https://saginaw.org/news/bishop-gruss-emphasizes-importance-prayer-confession-and-evangelization-during-most-recent#story
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FIRST FRIDAY IN JUNE
We won’t protect ourselves against an enemy we don’t believe exists. That’s why Bishop Gruss spent time in April and May discussing the reality of the Evil One, or who St. Ignatius called, “the enemy of human nature.”
“The Evil One assaults us with thoughts,” Bishop Gruss said. “Thoughts that are not of God. He assaults us with an image that may come to our mind, he assaults us with worry, fear and anxiety. He will tell you nothing is evil and encourage you to rationalize any behavior.”
When we surrender to the thoughts and temptations he sends our way, when we don’t make time for prayer, when we find ourselves attached to material things or convince ourselves that sinning is normal or that we are only doing what everyone else does, we give the Evil One power over us.
“Do not underestimate the sins you commit,” Bishop Gruss said. “They always render you weaker and deeper into the Evil One’s enslavement. No matter how “little” or venial it may be, venial sins compounded, collect interest, and not for our good.”
Protection
So how can we protect ourselves in this spiritual battle for our souls? Bishop Gruss has several suggestions, including:
- Daily prayer, we cannot live a life of holiness without daily prayer.
- Do an examination of conscience at the end of every day, calling to mind those encounters where we shared the love of Jesus, as well as those when we failed to love as Jesus calls us to (holy shame and holy sorrow can be a gift to turn us back toward the Lord).
- Go to confession at least once a month and pray for the grace of contrition. Before receiving the sacrament of penance, put yourself before the Lord and ask for the grace of contrition. Then, formulate a plan to never commit that sin again. When we approach the Lord with true contrition, the Lord will smother our sin with His grace.
- Mass, including daily Mass
- Eucharistic adoration
- Reading Scripture, the Living Word of God
- Fasting, making sacrifices
- Pray the rosary daily and consider one rosary a week in repentance for our sin
- Daily devotions
Sin
We must also know the areas in which we are prone to sin.
“If we are tepid in faith and live in sin, we are prey to an enemy we cannot see,” Bishop Gruss explained.
The seven deadly sins which lead us away from God are: pride, envy, gluttony, greed, lust, sloth and wrath.
“There is most likely a dominate one or two in each of us,” Bishop Gruss said. “Do you know what it is in you? They all play on our disordered passions and desires. If you don’t know what they are, pray and ask the Lord to reveal them to you. It is important for us to know ourselves at least as much as the Evil One does.”
Virtue
With knowledge of our areas of weakness, we can strive to grow in virtue. The counterparts for the seven deadly sins are the seven heavenly virtues: humility (opposed to pride), kindness and admiration (envy), temperance and self-control (gluttony), charity and generosity (greed), chastity and purity (lust), diligence and zeal (sloth), and patience and forgiveness (wrath).
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CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FIRST FRIDAY IN JUNE
“When is the last time you heard a homily on the power and influence of the Evil One?,” Bishop Gruss asked those gathered at the Cathedral on Friday, April 1.
The group, which included fifth grade students from Nouvel Catholic Central Elementary School, was there for the monthly First Friday gathering with Bishop Gruss. The day began with Mass at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw and was followed by lunch and an informal talk.
“It's almost like people believe the Evil One doesn’t exist,” said Bishop Gruss, acknowledging that the Devil prefers it that way. That way, he can tempt and seduce us toward sin without our ever thinking about it. “Some don’t believe he exists at all or has little influence on their lives. Many Catholics and Christians believe they’re automatically going to heaven.”
The Evil One is real
The Evil One is real, Bishop Gruss went on to say. He was real in Jesus’ day and he is real today.
“Nothing is more important to God than your soul … which is exactly why the Devil tries to compete for it,” Bishop Gruss said.
Protecting yourself and your family begins with knowing that there is an enemy and understanding his tactics.
“Friends, we are constantly in a spiritual battle with the Evil One … no one is exempt from this menace. He sugarcoats everything and makes it look like candy so you take it."
Our culture, the Bishop said, is in trouble.
“The way of living promoted by mass media … over time it begins to distort our thinking. We’re influenced by all of it: what we watch, what we read, by our neighbors and friends and co-workers … we are influenced far more than we are readily willing to admit.
“The life of a Christian is a hard way. If discipleship is easy, it’s a kind of discipleship we created for ourselves. The Gospel way of life is hard. As Jesus told us: ‘If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” Luke 9:23
Free will
Our free will allows us to make choices each day for the Kingdom of Light or the Kingdom of Darkness.
“He goes after us on a psychological level,” Bishop Gruss said. “If he weakens our faith, he stifles our spiritual growth.”
Satan’s goal is to get us to turn away from God by making us distrustful of God, doubting God’s goodness and leading us to believe that God’s plan for our lives isn’t as good as our own. The Evil One has no power over us unless we give it to him.
“But, he only needs a crack and we give him that crack frequently. The more we live in the light of Christ, the more subtle he has to be.”
Sin flows from our disordered passions and desires. Neglecting God daily in our prayer, attachment to material things instead of Godly things, pride, immodesty, lust, infidelity, passion for food or drink or power or glory, a spirit of fear (worry and anxiety), a heart unable to forgive, talking negatively about another, envy and on and on … all these things open a door.
The Good News
The Good News is that Christ’s victory over Satan has happened! So how can we defend ourselves from the influence of Satan and his minions? The Mass and receiving the Eucharist are great defenses. Bishop Gruss shared something else the Devil despises.
“Satan hates the penitent,” Bishop Gruss said. “His greatest day is if none of you ever went to confession. Why does he hate the penitent? He knows if sins are confessed … he has lost his grip.”
Bishop Gruss also encouraged us to heed these words from St. Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians (6: 10-20):
When we know whose we are, we know who we are.
Greetings and blessings to all of you.
We are coming to end of our journey through this Lenten season. Thanks for joining me over these past weeks.
We’ve spent the last five weeks dispelling these 5 lies that we often buy into.
1) I am what I have. 2) I am what I do.
3) I am what other people say or think of me. 4) I am nothing more than my worst moment.
5) I am nothing less than my best moment.
They can be powerful and convincing. They often get reinforced and affirmed by people around us without us realizing it. They can easily become our identity – how we define ourselves. But living by them, as we know, brings about stress, anxiety, pain, disappointments, regret and a whole lot of unnecessary sadness. This is not the Lord’s will for any of us.
The Lord’s will for each of us is that we live our true identity as beloved sons and daughters, created in God’s image and likeness.
We are defined by God’s grace. As I said last week, our truest identity isn’t something we create or build ourselves. It’s a gift we receive whereby we become adopted children of God – beloved sons and daughters, partakers of God’s divine nature.
The Sacrament of baptism
We are given a new life in Christ, becoming co-heirs with him and a temple of the Holy Spirit. This is what happens in the Sacrament of Baptism. This is what the catechumens are looking forward to in coming into the Church on Holy Saturday night. Please pray for them, that they will embrace their new identity.
Pope St. John 23 was once asked, “What was the most wonderful day of your life? When you were made priest, or a bishop? When you were elected Pope?” He answered without a pause, “The most wonderful day of my life was the day of my baptism, for on that day I belonged to Christ and his Church.”
Baptism is the great sacrament of belonging and of identity. When we know who we belong to, we know who we are.
For Jesus, his baptism was supremely the moment where he learned his deepest identity, when he learned to whom he belonged – when he heard the words “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
At Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit comes down upon Jesus, the Father expresses his delight in Jesus, but most importantly, Jesus’ essential identity is proclaimed – this is my Son. Remaining faithful to his identity as Son of God would ultimately lead Jesus to his death for us.
Your truest identity
Jesus’ baptism was about belonging and about identity. And that is true about our baptism. When we know whose we are, we know who we are. In that wonderful moment in the sacrament of Baptism, when the sign of the cross was marked on our forehead, we were marked as Christ’s own forever.” In that moment we belong to Christ. That is our truest identity – and it is your truest identity. You are Christ’s own forever! Your true identity is ONLY in him.
That has the power to set us free. No longer do we have to try to create an identity for ourselves. No longer do we have to live those lies. Nor do we need to look for our value in things or from others. Nor do we have to try to earn God’s love.
We belong to God, and God already loves us more than we can imagine. Our challenge is to become who we already are! So often we find it hard to accept and celebrate and truly embrace that unique person that God created us to be. So often we spend time wishing we were someone or something else.
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One moment of success or a season of success can never define who we are. It would be a false identity – one we have created ourselves.
Greetings and blessings to all of you. Here we are for our fifth reflection as we continue our journey through this season of Lent. Thanks for joining me.
Last week we spent time with the lie that “I am nothing more than my worst moment” and how we have all had bad moments in life. We have failed in some ways; we’ve made bad choices; we haven’t lived up to other peoples’ expectations. And how people often let these things define them. We have lived the lie, instead of living the truth that we are the “handiwork of God” – masterpieces of God, in fact.
This week I want to talk about the fifth lie – I am nothing less than my best moment.
Accomplishments in life are good things. They often times speak to the hard work and the dedication we have put in to some project, some venture, some mission. We all want to succeed at what we do, and perhaps get the accolades that come along with success – that pat on the back, that bonus in salary, or some other reward. It is only a natural human response to the efforts we put in to whatever it might be.
But where we get in trouble is when we allow our successes to define who we are; when we allow them to give us our identity. People often create their identity on their successes and their greatest moments. Equally as dangerous as being nothing more than our worst moment, is an identity based on success because it is both fragile and fleeting. A moment or an achievement of success does not fully define us, as it likely won’t endure and it can be eclipsed by the accomplishments of others.
While failure is an event, success is a process, not the end game. Anything you may have achieved can be lost. Again, others can exceed you.
Our doing does not equal our being
And even our best performances – as wonderful as they may be, are still external actions – even if they are done “in the name of Jesus.” Our doing does not equal our being. We are always more than any good we do, even on our best day. One moment of success or a season of success can never define who we are. It would be a false identity – one we have created ourselves.
I have accomplished many things both in my life and in my ministry. Imagine if I were to cling to them as if they were the most important things in my life, and I allowed them to define me. How could I then be open to any innovation of what the Lord wants to do through me? I would be trapped in the past, and not living in the hopeful expectation of a future that I cannot yet see that is in the mind of God. In other words, would I be open to God’s imagination, creativity, and most importantly to his grace?
We are defined by God’s grace. In other words, having been created in God’s image and likeness, out of love, reveals to the world that we are not the sum of our weakness, nor are we the sum of our successes. Both are fleeting, while our true identity can never be taken away, and can never be diminished.
Our truest identity isn’t something we create or build ourselves. It’s a gift we receive whereby we become adopted children of God, partakers of his divine nature, given a new life in Christ, becoming a co-heir with him and a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Friends, this is our true identity. Through this gift, we belong, no longer to ourselves, but to Christ who died and rose for us.
Your deepest identity is in him – in Christ Jesus
Take some time with the Lord in prayer over this next week and reflect upon how we may have bought into the lie that “I am nothing less than my best moment.” Ask Jesus to deepen in your heart the truth that your deepest identity is in him – in Christ Jesus.
Pray with John 1:11-13 – “But to all who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were bo
As you recall last week, we began reflecting upon our identity and the way we perceive our identity affects every choice we make, every thought we think, every stand we take, as well as our relationship with others. Who we believe we are colors everything we do.
I shared five statements from the late Father Henri Nouwen, who noted that all of them are lies and many of us believe or have believed them about ourselves. To briefly review these statements:
1) I am what I have. 2) I am what I do.
3) I am what other people say or think of me. 4) I am nothing more than my worst moment.
5) I am nothing less than my best moment.
Lie #2 I am what I do...
Bishop Gruss was interviewed by Vanessa Denha Garmo on Ave Maria Radio's program "Epiphany". During the interview, Bishop Gruss discussed the importance of the Eucharist, the increased secularization of our culture, the importance of a relationship with Jesus, placing our hope in the Lord and more. This interview originally aired on Oct. 24.
On Sept. 16, faithful from throughout the diocese of Saginaw gathered for a banquet and silent auction to benefit seminarian education and vocations.
During his address, Bishop Gruss encouraged those in attendance to support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He shared specifics on how to help promote vocations including, putting prayer and the Eucharist at the center of vocational work.
Bishop Gruss also discussed how powerful a personal invitation can be as he cited a USCCB study that showed that 78% of those to be ordained began to consider the priesthood after being invited to do so.
Bishop Gruss also discusses the important role that fathers have in the spiritual lives of their children and encourages all faithful whenever possible, to share their own faith story.
In her recent interview on Ave Maria Radio, Kellie Deming discusses the ministry and vision of the newly formed Office of Parish Life and Evangelization of the Diocese of Saginaw and her new role as Director.
She also shares the story of how prayers from lay ministers helped bring her peace even as she rushed her 15-year old son to the emergency room.
Bishop Gruss: We need Mary's assistance- message for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary
Bishop Gruss is interviewed by Vanessa Denha-Garmo on Ave Maria Radio's show, "Epiphany".
Interview of Lori Becker on Ave Maria Radio's Epiphany Program with host Vanessa Denha Garmo
Lori Becker serves as respect life coordinator for the Diocese of Saginaw. If you have further questions about respect life ministry in our diocese or want to know how to get involved, contact Lori Becker at lbecker@dioceseofsaginaw.org or (989) 797-6652.
"Is the Spirit personal to us? Or just some kind of nice concept or theological construct? Is the Spirit alive in them (Christians)? Do we really trust in the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
"If we did, we could go out and do the things that Peter and John did. Right? We could heal people. If you believed the power of the Holy Spirit was in you.
"When we look at the life of the early Church, it wasn’t the Apostles in and of themselves who healed peoples, but it was the Holy Spirit working through them. They have in them the Spirit’s power and then they acted in faith and then God did the rest.
You have been given the same Spirit
“...For those who have been confirmed, you have been given the same Spirit that was given to the apostles at Pentecost- at that Pentecost event! It’s not diminished in any fashion, shape or form.
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"Think about that. Think about that. The Spirit you have been given is the same Spirit given to Peter and to John and all the other apostles and Mary. Think about that. You have the same Holy Spirit, the fullness of it that Mary has. Wow!
"I don’t think we think about that much because the Spirit is a theological construct for many people.
Why isn’t it [the Spirit] alive in us in the same way?
"So, if that's the case, then why isn’t it [the Spirit] alive in us in the same way it was alive in the disciples?
"What are we doing to restrict the power of the Spirit in our own lives? It’s a faith issue I think. Right? If it’s not a faith issue, what is it?
Bishop Gruss continued, “...this is a faith issue. It means living life with an expectant faith. Do you have any expectant faith, expecting the Lord to use you as He desires?
As Bishop Gruss concluded, he said, “so, friends like the disciples of the early Church and beyond to this present day, you and I, we should pray daily for the boldness to step out in faith. We should pray with a deep expectant faith asking the Lord to use us and our prayers as he desires.”
In his Palm Sunday homily, Bishop Gruss discusses how we, like St. Peter, sometimes follow Jesus at a distance because of fear. Bishop Gruss also mentions ways to approach Holy Week, the symbolism and joy of Holy Week and more. Click below to listen.
Stations of the Cross for the pandemic (updated version produced 2021)
Download or View the Prayer Guide (can be printed): https://bit.ly/3cWx5Zm
You can watch now on any smart T.V. or using Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast or AppleTV, etc. by searching for the Diocese of Saginaw YouTube page on your smart T.V. or streaming device such as those devices listed above. Then click on the Stations of the Cross video.
The Stations of the Cross will air again on Saturday, March 27 at 11AM on WNEM's TV5 Plus (channel 5.2 on broadcast TV or on Charter channel 199)
Filmed in Saginaw and broadcast across North America, Europe, Asia, India and Africa last year on EWTN, the Stations of the Cross for the COVID pandemic connect the difficult months we've lived through with the Passion of Jesus Christ.
The inspired prayer, written locally, has offered healing and hope to thousands of people in our diocese, state, country and around the world.
The prayers were updated this year to reflect the experiences of loss and isolation we have encountered over the last 12 months.
Each week, Bishop Gruss will share a message related to the spirituality of St. Joseph as part of our Lenten journey. This message is the second of six in the series.
Each week during the Lenten season, Bishop Gruss will share a message related to the spirituality of St. Joseph as part of a Lenten journey with St. Joseph. This message is the first in the series.
More than 2,000 Catholic school students across the Diocese of Saginaw will celebrate Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6 along with nearly 2 million Catholic school students across the United States. A selection of events is available below:
SAGINAW — Catholic school students in all 12 schools across the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw are participating in the nationwide Catholic Schools Week celebration from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6.
Learn more about our local Catholic schools.
This series of Rosary recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
The Rosary prayers are led by local clergy and lay people such as seminarian Matthew Gembrowski and seminarian classmates, Sister Esther Mary Nickel, RSM and fellow religious sisters, Deacon Kevin Wojciechowski and many others.
Each rosary prayer is for a specific prayer intention such as for praying for an end to abortion or praying for an end to racism.
This series of Rosary recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
The Rosary prayers are led by local clergy and lay people such as seminarian Matthew Gembrowski and seminarian classmates, Sister Esther Mary Nickel, RSM and fellow religious sisters, Deacon Kevin Wojciechowski and many others.
Each rosary prayer is for a specific prayer intention such as for praying for an end to abortion or praying for an end to racism.
This series of Rosary recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
The Rosary prayers are led by local clergy and lay people such as seminarian Matthew Gembrowski and seminarian classmates, Sister Esther Mary Nickel, RSM and fellow religious sisters, Deacon Kevin Wojciechowski and many others.
Each rosary prayer is for a specific prayer intention such as for praying for an end to abortion or praying for an end to racism.
Summary: Human trafficking impacts millions around the world and sadly it happens in our own communities. This discussion will look at those who have been impacted by this modern day slavery.
This series of recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
Presented by Allie Martinez, Human Trafficking Task Force of Saginaw County and Hosted by Mark Graveline,Coordinator of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Saginaw. Please note: Due to technical difficulties, the audio quality is poor for Father Adam Maher's portions of the podcast. We wanted to share at least the audio from Allie Martinez and Mark Graveline. You are welcome to fast forward through any portions with poor audio quality.
Summary: How does the Gospel ask us to respond to the stranger among us? This discussion helps us to understand the situation of many people who are struggling to immigrate.
This series of recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
Presented by Father Christian Tabares, Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Reese and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Vassar and Deacon Librado Gayton, Vicar of Hispanic Ministry
This series of Rosary recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
The Rosary prayers are led by local clergy and lay people such as seminarian Matthew Gembrowski and seminarian classmates, Sister Esther Mary Nickel, RSM and fellow religious sisters, Deacon Kevin Wojciechowski and many others.
Each rosary prayer is for a specific prayer intention such as for praying for an end to abortion or praying for an end to racism.
This series of Rosary recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
The Rosary prayers are led by local clergy and lay people such as seminarian Matthew Gembrowski and seminarian classmates, Sister Esther Mary Nickel, RSM and fellow religious sisters, Deacon Kevin Wojciechowski and many others.
Each rosary prayer is for a specific prayer intention such as for praying for an end to abortion or praying for an end to racism.
Join us on a journey as we follow Mary through the Scriptures that tell of her life experiences and those of her son, Jesus.
In this podcast, we offer respect life issues that Mary may have experienced, a reflection of the tender way of Mary on how she may have reacted in each situation, and a connection of her tender way to the life issues of today.
- Narrated by Bishop Robert Gruss and Madison Valez
- Music/song by Pam Bourscheidt and Kim Keith
- Created by Lori Becker and Maribeth Hopps
This podcast is part of the 9-day virtual retreat known as "Witness to Life". Learn more and get the latest updates.
Bishop Gruss' homily during the Mass for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Today's Mass and this homily are part of a 9-day virtual retreat called "Witness to Life". Learn more about Witness to life, which takes place from Jan. 21-29:
Speakers: Lori Becker serves as Respect Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Saginaw. Mark Graveline serves as Coordinator of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Saginaw.
This recording is part of the Witness to Life series of podcasts and videos featuring local clergy and lay people. Learn more
Mental illness & suicide- God wants us to be fully healthy in mind, body & spirit- how we can help those who struggle with mental illnesses.
With Fr. Jose Maria Cabrera and Anthony Flores. Father Jose serves as pastor of All Saints Parish in Bay City. Anthony Flores serves as a Resident in Counseling who specializes in counseling trauma victims.
This video is part of the Witness to Life series of podcasts and videos featuring local clergy and lay people. Learn more
Deacon Larry Gayton, Fr. Christian Tabares and Mark Graveline discuss immigration. This podcast is part of the Witness to Life series of podcasts and videos featuring local clergy and lay people. Learn more: http://bit.ly/39Gqwbv
Fr. Christian Tabares is Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Reese and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Vassar. Deacon Librado "Larry" Gayton is Vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw. Mark Graveline serves as coordinator of youth ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
Summary: How do we see the dignity of those who have been convicted of a crime? What does the Church teach on the death penalty? This discussion is how we respond as people of faith to those who are incarcerated.
This series of recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
Speakers: Fr. Andy LaFramboise, Pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Freeland
Oscar Mendoza - Prison Ministry
Preaching on today's Gospel message, Bishop Gruss reminds us that God does not want us to be weighed down by worry and anxiety. Rather, we should go to Jesus with our concerns.
Preaching on today's Gospel message, about the call of the first apostles while they were fishing, Bishop Gruss reminds us that Jesus calls us, too, during the ordinary routines of our daily lives.
Led by Sister Esther Mary Nickel, RSM
This series of Rosary recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
The Rosary prayers are led by local clergy and lay people such as seminarian Matthew Gembrowski and seminarian classmates, Sister Esther Mary Nickel, RSM and fellow religious sisters, Deacon Kevin Wojciechowski and many others.
Each rosary prayer is for a specific prayer intention such as for praying for an end to abortion or praying for an end to racism.
Led by seminarian Matthew Gembrowski along with Jake Zemaitis - Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI; Jeremy Leganski - Diocese of Joliet, IL; Robert Lamorena - Diocese of San Jose, CA
This series of Rosary recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
The Rosary prayers are led by local clergy and lay people such as seminarian Matthew Gembrowski and seminarian classmates, Sister Esther Mary Nickel, RSM and fellow religious sisters, Deacon Kevin Wojciechowski and many others.
Each rosary prayer is for a specific prayer intention such as for praying for an end to abortion or praying for an end to racism.
Led by Fr. Stephen Blaxton, Pastor Holy Family Parish, Sandusky, with Suzanne Guttowsky, Jake and Liz Huysentruyt, Andrew and Sarah Waligorski, Joan Dwyer, and Fred Mroczek from Holy Family Parish
This series of Rosary recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
The Rosary prayers are led by local clergy and lay people such as seminarian Matthew Gembrowski and seminarian classmates, Sister Esther Mary Nickel, RSM and fellow religious sisters, Deacon Kevin Wojciechowski and many others.
Each rosary prayer is for a specific prayer intention such as for praying for an end to abortion or praying for an end to racism.
Led by Fr. Nate Harburg, Pastor Good Shepherd Parish of Ubly, with The Good Shepherd Rosary Group
This series of Rosary recordings is part of "Witness to Life", a 9-day virtual retreat from January 21-29. Learn more here.
The Rosary prayers are led by local clergy and lay people such as seminarian Matthew Gembrowski and seminarian classmates, Sister Esther Mary Nickel, RSM and fellow religious sisters, Deacon Kevin Wojciechowski and many others.
Each rosary prayer is for a specific prayer intention such as for praying for an end to abortion or praying for an end to racism.
Our response to the sick, the elderly and the dying is a witness to the world of their inherent dignity as persons created by God. How do we as a church value and respect their lives? How do we as a society care for and love those nearing the end of their life?
Speakers:
- Fr. Bill Rutkowski, Vicar General, Pastor of Christ the Good Shepherd in Saginaw and St. John Paul ll in Carrollton
- Hank Messing, Director of Administration and Parish Life at Christ the Good Shepherd in Saginaw and St. John Paul ll in Carrollton
This podcast is part of a 9-day virtual retreat for all to gather in prayer as we stand to protect the Sanctity of Life!
Summary: “We cannot love the child and not love the mother.” Do we see a difference in the dignity of life between the mother and child?
This podcast is part of a 9-day virtual retreat for all to gather in prayer as we stand to protect the Sanctity of Life!
Speakers:
- Fr. Peter Gaspeny, Pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Shields
- Lori Drake, Director of LifeClinic Community Resources, Midland, Saginaw, Bay City
Life Clinic Community Resources
Life Choices of Central Michigan
Rachel’s Vineyard Ministry
Project Rachel
Diocese of Saginaw Post Abortive Support
Jesus heard the cries for recognition from people with disabilities more than 2000 years ago and He calls to us today to embrace our responsibility to our own brothers and sisters with disabilities. How do we fall short in recognizing the dignity of the person with a disability? What can we do to intentionally open our eyes to see another person as a child of God?
Speakers:
- Fr. Marc Hopps, Parochial Vicar at St. Brigid of Kildare, Midland and Chaplain at St. Mary University, Mt. Pleasant
- Maribeth Hopps, Coordinator of Praying our Faith at All Saints, Bay City
- Michaela Davert, Disability Advocate, Internet Personality, Bay City
This podcast is part of a 9-day virtual retreat for all to gather in prayer as we stand to protect the Sanctity of Life!
Through stories and conversations, difficult questions and struggles that surface as we care for our loved ones during their suffering and at the end of life are addressed. What does compassionate care look like? What are the ethical questions of assisted suicide? How do we preserve the dignity of the person as they die?
Speakers:
- Fr. Bob Byrne, Senior Priest and Moral Theology Instructor, Diocese of Saginaw
- Dr. Cherie Sammis, Director of Ethics Integration for Ascension Healthcare
This podcast is part of a 9-day virtual retreat for all to gather in prayer as we stand to protect the Sanctity of Life!
In this message to the young people of our Diocese, Bishop Gruss shared about the call to holiness, about how the saints lived happy and holy lives despite their struggles and how their inspiration and prayers can help us today...
During his interview on Ave Maria Radio today, Father Adam Maher encouraged listeners to invite Jesus into the little and big things of life and to “sanctify the secular” by sharing Christ with others. Father Adam also shared his excitement about the upcoming online event “Witness,” and his hope that people who participate will be inspired by the Saints and understand how God calls each believer to greatness. Father Adam even mentioned the time when he knew he was called to the priesthood.
On Sunday, Nov. 1, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints followed by the Commemoration of All Souls on Nov. 2.
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Father Jose Cabrera, Father Andy Booms, Deacon Stanley Kuczynski, Larry Rodarte, Lori Becker, Peg McEvoy and Mark Graveline all took part in an online presentation entitled "Why do Catholics Celebrate All Souls' Day?"
The presenters discussed ways to honor deceased loved ones, the blessing of faith in times of grief and the meaning of All Souls’ Day. They also shared stories and experiences of All Souls’ Day in Mexico, Poland and Peru.
About the Presenters
Father José María Cabrera serves as Pastor of All Saints Parish in Bay City. Father Andy Booms serves as Pastor of St. Brigid of Kildare Parish in Midland. Larry Rodarte is a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Saginaw and serves as Executive Director of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Hispanic Business Association. Deacon Stanley Kuczynski serves as Deacon at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Bay City. Lori Becker serves as Respect Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Saginaw. Mark Graveline serves as Coordinator of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Saginaw. Peg McEvoy serves as Coordinator of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Saginaw.
Today, Sister Yvonne Mary Loucks, RSM, who serves as a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma Michigan, was interviewed on Ave Maria Radio. Sister Yvonne Mary shared how years ago, she received a call to inform her she would be assigned to Rome where she served in the Vatican Secretary of State during the pontificate of St. Pope John Paul II. Sister Yvonne describes her first meeting with St. John Paul II, her work at the Vatican, the funeral of St. John Paull II and more.
Bishop Gruss discusses stewardship. He and Diocese staff share how the appeal supports a wide variety of ministries to the faithful, while engaging in the work of evangelization.
Learn more or donate now
EXPERIENCE MORE HOMILIES AND PRESENTATIONS BY BISHOP ROBERT GRUSS at the Diocese of Saginaw's website.
In October, we celebrate Respect Life Month. In this message, Bishop Gruss calls the faithful to defend life, reflect on the dignity of the person and more. Below are a few excerpts from his reflection:
"As Catholics, we believe that every human person is made in the image and likeness of God. Every human life is therefore sacred and inviolable and should be protected and cherished from conception until natural death.
"Christ through His Church continues to urge us to be defenders of life in the midst of the culture of death."
The Dignity of the Person
"A person who is not deeply aware of their own dignity in God, will never be aware of the dignity of the child within the womb; will never be aware of the dignity of the person who is sick, the dignity of the person who is vulnerable, the dignity of the person who is handicapped, etc.
"Perhaps as we take this time to reflect upon what it means to be pro-life, we also take the time to reflect upon our own dignity in a deeper way.
"It will have an impact in two ways, I think. The first way: we will come to a deeper understanding of who we really are as individuals created in God’s image and likeness, as 'masterpieces of God’s creation'; secondly, in doing so, perhaps we will come to have a greater compassion for those who are suffering, for those who feel the need to choose the path of least resistance, and find ways to bring them hope in their difficult situation, whatever it might be."
In his homily during Holy Hour at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption on Thursday September 24 - which was a National Day of Prayer and Fasting for God’s mercy and healing - Bishop Gruss began by describing the current condition of the country.
“Our country is in chaos right now,” Bishop Gruss said. “Divisions run deep. Division is all across our lands. Very sadly, death and destruction have become the norm these days in this country. My dear friends, this is not what the Lord desires for us- death and destruction. This is not who we are as a country.”
Despite the current environment, Bishop Gruss reminded the faithful that “nothing is too difficult for us when the power of God is working in our lives. This is the Gospel we must preach everywhere we go.”
Bishop Gruss encouraged the faithful to not only pray for the nation, but for a personal conversion of the heart.
“We must ask God tonight to reveal what we need to change in ourselves. That’s at the heart of repentance, asking Jesus what we need to change in ourselves.”
“In a very beautiful way, I think, we've been called to conversion. Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, he came to save it.” [John 3:17]
“What a beautiful invitation to conversion, no? But it’s for all of us and it’s a lifelong process and you and I are called into this process every day. And the more we submit to God and ask for help in seeing what we need to change, the more he opens our minds to recognize our faults and our weaknesses, leading to true repentance and true conversion. The conversion of our country, I believe, happens one person at a time and it begins with each one of us.”
Bishop Gruss reminded the faithful of God’s grace saying, “Let us first of all thank him for the redemptive graces offered through his suffering, death and resurrection. They are infinite. These graces are infinite. And our merciful God desires to pour them out upon us anew, again, now, tonight. We must pray for them over the whole country because the Lord desires and he will use our prayers to pour them out all across our country ...”
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On Sunday Sept. 20, we celebrated Catechetical Sunday. In Bishop Gruss’ message to both Catechists and all of the faithful, Bishop Gruss addresses the role of parents, catechists, reflects on his own experiences and more. Below are few excerpts from his reflection:“In my own history, it was only when I began to take my faith seriously, and found myself in a parish bible study, did my relationship with Jesus really become a living reality. Prior to that time, it seemed like I was just going through the motions and my own knowledge of the faith remained that of a child.
Experience more homilies and presentations by Bishop Robert Gruss
It was when I became engaged in adult catechesis that I discovered who Jesus really was for me, which ultimately led me down the path to priesthood. Going from being a pilot to a priest would have never happened without engaging some personal form of catechesis in my own life. So it is clear that catechesis is for everyone…and it changes lives.
Parents- The First Catechists
While catechists are called to share the Catholic Faith in a systematic way, they are not the only ones who catechize. Parents, you too hold a special place in this mission of Jesus because you are truly the first catechists of your children. Parents, by your daily example of life, you have the most effective capacity to transmit the beauty of the Christian faith, your faith, to your children.”
Experience more homilies and presentations by Bishop Robert Gruss
In his homily message, Thursday, August 20, Bishop Robert Gruss shared his insights regarding our society and world and how far we have strayed from God. He suggested that perhaps the chaos of our world today is because we have pushed God out.
“He has been rejected,” Bishop Gruss said. “We as a nation, by our words and actions, have been increasingly asking God to leave us alone so we can go our own way and do our own thing. Without the presence of God, chaos takes over; division becomes prominent; and God is silenced.”
Yet, in the midst of the darkness, there is always hope, he said. God desires to transform the hearts and spirits of His people.
“He will give them a new heart and place in them a new spirit, taking from them their stony hearts,” said Bishop Gruss quoting the prophet Ezekiel. “He will put His spirit within them and make them live a life of obedience.
“What is needed now in our own lives and in the life of this country is open heart surgery – the Lord giving us a new heart and place in us a new spirit, taking from us our stony hearts. We all have them in some way if we are honest with ourselves.
“God gave us a new heart and a new spirit when he poured out His Spirit upon us in baptism. But he is always seeking to renew and recreate us.”
In this extensive interview by WSGW's Art Lewis, Bishop Gruss discusses his first year as the Bishop of Saginaw, the state of the Catholic Church and much more.
This interview took place on Aug. 11.
BIshop Gruss discusses prayer, healing and the need for conversion amidst division and the influence of the Evil One.
This interview took place on Aug. 5 on Ave Maria Radio.
The Genesis Method is a simple, relational method for evangelizing. This workshop shares how to use the Genesis Method in daily life.
This episode is part of a workshop that took place on Feb. 15 in Saginaw.
The Genesis Mission is an effective approach to personal growth and sharing your faith in daily life. It works in a very simple and practical way that is uniquely adaptable to every baptized person; dismissing the myth that evangelizing is only for those with “the gift” and enabling each and every faithful Catholic to proactively share in the Great Commission.
The Genesis Method is a simple, relational method for evangelizing. This workshop shares how to use the Genesis Method in ministry and in daily life.
Fr. Jon Bielawski is a native of Plymouth, England and was ordained a priest in 1990 for the Diocese of Plymouth where he serves as Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation and Catechesis and pastor of St. Peter and St. Thomas More Parish.
Michele Thompson is Co-Founder of the Genesis Mission, Diocese of Plymouth, England
The Genesis Method is a simple, relational method for evangelizing. This workshop shares how to use the Genesis Method in daily life.
This episode is part of a workshop that took place on Feb. 15 in Saginaw.
The Genesis Mission is an effective approach to personal growth and sharing your faith in daily life. It works in a very simple and practical way that is uniquely adaptable to every baptized person; dismissing the myth that evangelizing is only for those with “the gift” and enabling each and every faithful Catholic to proactively share in the Great Commission.
Fr. Jon Bielawski is a native of Plymouth, England and was ordained a priest in 1990 for the Diocese of Plymouth where he serves as Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation and Catechesis and pastor of St. Peter and St. Thomas More Parish.
Michele Thompson is Co-Founder of the Genesis Mission, Diocese of Plymouth, England
Michael Dopp graduated from St Augustine’s at the University of Toronto with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) and earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL), with a concentration on the new evangelization, at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Michigan. Michael has been involved in a variety of ministries dedicated to evangelization and mission projects in Europe, Africa, and North America. He is founder and president of Mission of the Redeemer Ministries, founder of The New Evangelization Summit, and co-director of The Summer Institute in the New Evangelization.
Michael has presented for 18 diocese and over 50 parishes and apostolates, as well as Catholic ministries such as CCO, NET, and Cursillo. He has led presentations for priests, deacons, university students, prayer groups, RCIA, sacramental preparation groups, adult faith formation, and more.
The Genesis Method is a simple, relational method for evangelizing. This workshop shares how to use the Genesis Method in daily life.
This episode is part of a workshop that took place on Feb. 15 in Saginaw.
The Genesis Mission is an effective approach to personal growth and sharing your faith in daily life. It works in a very simple and practical way that is uniquely adaptable to every baptized person; dismissing the myth that evangelizing is only for those with “the gift” and enabling each and every faithful Catholic to proactively share in the Great Commission.
The Genesis Method is a simple, relational method for evangelizing. This workshop shares how to use the Genesis Method in ministry and in daily life.
Fr. Jon Bielawski is a native of Plymouth, England and was ordained a priest in 1990 for the Diocese of Plymouth where he serves as Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation and Catechesis and pastor of St. Peter and St. Thomas More Parish.
Michele Thompson is Co-Founder of the Genesis Mission, Diocese of Plymouth, England
The Genesis Method is a simple, relational method for evangelizing. This workshop shares how to use the Genesis Method in daily life.
This episode is part of a workshop that took place on Feb. 15 in Saginaw.
The Genesis Mission is an effective approach to personal growth and sharing your faith in daily life. It works in a very simple and practical way that is uniquely adaptable to every baptized person; dismissing the myth that evangelizing is only for those with “the gift” and enabling each and every faithful Catholic to proactively share in the Great Commission.
Michael Dopp graduated from St Augustine’s at the University of Toronto with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) and earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL), with a concentration on the new evangelization, at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Michigan. Michael has been involved in a variety of ministries dedicated to evangelization and mission projects in Europe, Africa, and North America. He is founder and president of Mission of the Redeemer Ministries, founder of The New Evangelization Summit, and co-director of The Summer Institute in the New Evangelization.
Michael has presented for 18 diocese and over 50 parishes and apostolates, as well as Catholic ministries such as CCO, NET, and Cursillo. He has led presentations for priests, deacons, university students, prayer groups, RCIA, sacramental preparation groups, adult faith formation, and more.
Fr. Adam Maher and Fr. Andy Booms share their stories of what was it like to contract and recover from coronavirus, including the impact on their faith lives.
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Bishop Gruss talks about the three qualities of friendship and about St. Isidore the farmer, who lived from 1070 to 1130 A.D. in Spain. This is Bishop Robert Gruss’ homily on May 15 at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw.
See videos and info about Bishop Robert Gruss, Bishop of Saginaw
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” In his homily today, Bishop Gruss echoed these words from Jesus. Bishop Gruss also talked about hope and resting in the heart of Jesus.
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Mark Graveline, coordinator of youth ministry for the Diocese of Saginaw talks about the upcoming youth event.
Visit the Witness youth event website
Today, Bishop Robert Gruss reminded the faithful that our lives are a pilgrimage (journey) to heaven. If we remember this, the Lord will transform our disappointment to faith and hope.
When our worries crowd in on us, we often feel alone. Today, Bishop Gruss explored these subjects and more during his homily. He reminded the faithful of how the Lord wants to take care of us. “This is why he sent Jesus,” Bishop Gruss said.
Bishop Gruss' homily- Tuesday, April 21. In today’s homily, Bishop Robert Gruss encourages us to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon each one of us.
Where is God in all this? Bishop Gruss compares the encounter at Emmaus with our journey today, how the Lord reveals himself and the importance of having faith in Christ- Homily, Wednesday, April 15
Read reflections by Bishop Robert Gruss and the latest news on the Diocese of Saginaw website
How humble is God? What three gifts did Jesus give us at the Last Supper? Bishop Gruss discusses this & more in his Holy Thursday homily…Click here for videos writings and more by Bishop Robert Gruss, Bishop of Saginaw
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Reflection on Palm Sunday and the Holiest Week of the Church Year
Holy Hour homily by Bishop Robert Gruss-Friday, April 3 in Saginaw at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption
Download the prayer guide here
Prayers written by Maribeth Hopps. Prayed by Bishop Robert Gruss
BAY CITY, MICH.- Maribeth Hopps heard the Lord telling her, “You did this once … you’ve got to do it for this.”
It was a nudge, she believes, from the Holy Spirit to compose a Stations of the Cross prayer for the current coronavirus situation.
With anxieties and dramatic changes facing people locally and around the globe each day, the mother of recently ordained diocesan priest, Father Marc Hopps, began to write a new set of stations.
Connecting the Passion with the Pandemic
Using a Stations of the Cross she and a friend had previously written as a template, Maribeth composed a set of prayers drawing connections between Christ’s Passion and the pandemic. For example, during the fifth station, “Simon helps carry the cross,” the prayer asks for guidance for the government leaders and medical teams seeking to contain and cure the virus.
Guidance from the Holy Spirit
“I prayed to the Holy Spirit for guidance before and during writing and gave thanks when it was completed,” Maribeth said. “It was pretty amazing, because I had a whole different viewpoint of the stations from the idea of this pandemic... it was just like a prayer … I absolutely don’t take any credit for it… I just felt that God wanted it.”
She said she wrote it intending to share with a few friends and colleagues, as well as the Praying Our Faith ministry, a ministry for and with adults and teens with developmental disabilities, which Maribeth helps lead.
Tears in the Adoration Chapel
Sunday night, Maribeth sent a copy to her pastor, Father José María Cabrera, pastor of All Saints Parish in Bay City, Mich. When he realized she had prayerfully written the Stations of the Cross, he decided to pray them at the Adoration Chapel.
“When I finished praying the stations, I was in tears,” he said. “I thought, ‘this is going to bring so much healing, consolation and hope to so many people.’”
Livestream
Father José worked with Maribeth to format and edit the stations before putting a PDF on the parish website. On Tuesday, since the parish’s usual Lenten activities were canceled, Father José decided to livestream the Stations of the Cross prayer that Maribeth had written.
About 50 people watched during the livestream, Father José said.
And then they began sharing. And commenting. Within 24 hours, more than 800 people had viewed the video.
Bishop Gruss: 'They're beautiful'
One of the people whom the stations were shared with was Bishop Robert Gruss, Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw. He was preparing to record a more traditional version of the Stations of the Cross for television when he read what Maribeth had written.
“They’re beautiful,” Bishop Gruss said. “They powerfully speak to the heart of what we are experiencing at this moment in salvation history and remind us that Jesus is always by our side walking with us. We are not alone.”
Bishop Gruss has encouraged the faithful to “intensify” their prayer during this time of crisis.
'Jesus is in Control of the Storm'
Father José agrees. From our prayers, he said, great blessings will come. “Christianity is a religion of hope. And so even though we are going through this crisis, we know that … Jesus is in control of the storm. And so these stations are a reminder for us that Jesus is still on the throne.”
Father José explained that the faithful can still be united with God through spiritual communion, as Bishop Gruss has taught, and other sacramentals and devotions, such as the Stations of the Cross.
Read more on our website
Overcoming our Self-Imposed Blindness to see What God Sees: a Reflection on the Sunday Gospel- Fourth Week of Lent
Get all of Bishop Gruss' Lenten writings/recordings including overcoming temptations, growing in our capacity to love, the meaning of Lent & more.
The Gospel of this 3rd Sunday of Lent is very familiar to most of us. This story of the “Woman at the Well” only appears in John’s Gospel.
It is beautiful story of redemption. Redemption – isn’t this what the season of Lent is all about?
Can you imagine doing something so ordinary as fetching water at a well and having it change your life forever?
Encounter with Jesus
Let’s take a look at this encounter with Jesus. It is not meant to be just a nice story, but Jesus is speaking to us through it. There is a lot of symbolism. The main character is a sinful, disreputable Samaritan woman.
She can be seen as a symbol of all of humanity......someone who would spend her life pursuing her own appetites and desires.
She is a Samaritan....already an outcast of the Jewish society. She finds herself at this well at midday.....highly unusual...because the well was a meeting place for women. Possibly everyone knew about her living arrangements – living with someone to whom she was not married.
Loneliness
Being alone at the well symbolically represented her own loneliness; her own questioning about what life was all about. She was looking for a life of value and meaning, yet she couldn’t break away from her past.
She was blinded by her own sinfulness. And she finds herself at the well with Jesus........a man who acknowledged her in a new way........a man who would go against the norms of Jewish law.
Encountering Jesus for the First Time
As she encountered Jesus for the first time, at this unexpected place, and listened to him and even questioned him, her hardened heart began to soften......and her deepest thirst began to surface.
In this encounter, as this Samaritan woman came face to face with the loving gaze of Jesus, she also came face to face with her own sin. She had her first real Christian experience.
Our Christian experience will often begin with a humiliating wave of self-disgust. It usually happens that the last thing a person sees is himself/herself. And it often happens that the first thing Christ does for us is to compel us to do what we have spent our life refusing to do – look at ourselves.
Christ's Power to See Into the Depths of the Human Heart
The Samaritan woman was staggered by Christ's ability to see into her inmost being. She was amazed at his intimate knowledge of the human heart, and of her heart in particular. It is his power to see into...
More than 100 men, women and children entering the ‘Mission Field’ at Easter
“You are being baptized for mission.”
That’s the message Bishop Gruss shared with more than 100 candidates and catechumens who are preparing to receive the Easter sacraments.
They gathered at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption on Sunday, March 8 during the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. This is the final period of spiritual formation before receiving the Easter sacraments.
Those who are non-baptized are referred to as “catechumens”, and those who are already baptized but are not yet in full-communion with the Catholic Church are called “candidates.”
In his homily, Bishop Gruss thanked the candidates and catechumens for their response to God’s call, drawing parallels to the day’s first reading from the Book of Genesis in which Abraham heard God’s call, stepped out of his comfort zone and put his faith and trust in the Lord to follow His call.
“Hearing and answering God’s invitation is not always comfortable. In many ways, it requires us to take a risk with God … a risk in leaving what is familiar and comfortable to us to chart new territory,” Bishop Gruss said. “Like Abraham and Sarah, each one of you has a unique story in this mystery of God’s call. Each one of you has a unique story in how your life story has brought you to faith. How your life story has brought you to this moment, to this very moment in your life.”
Bishop Gruss told the candidates and catechumens that they are not only joining a parish community, but also entering the mission field.
“You are being baptized for a mission, not for membership ... for a mission,” he said. “The sacraments of initiation which you will receive in a few short weeks are not just your entry into the very holiness of God … it’s not only your entry into the sacramental life of the Catholic Church, but it will be your commission to go and then live out the mission of Jesus Christ in the world today, not as a passive bystander but as an active, intentional disciple of Jesus in the world today …
“The demand that flows from the sacraments is not to be taken lightly. You are accepting not a life of mediocrity and shallow religiosity. You are accepting a personal call to a life of faith and hope and love that’s empowered by the Holy Spirit so that you can give your life away as Jesus did ... as his disciples did ... as all the saints did. He saved us and He has called us— you and me, all of us— to a holy life, and this is accomplished, dear friends, by surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ each and every day, seeking His will and His desire for you.”
As he often does, Bishop Gruss encouraged those gathered to post a prayer on their mirror to see daily: “Lord Jesus, reveal your will for me today, so that I can say yes to that.”
See videos, writings and more by Bishop Robert Gruss
Bishop Robert Gruss is the Bishop of Saginaw (Michigan)
Click here to see our list of fish fries : sponsored by parishes, schools & Knights of Columbus councils in the 11 counties of the Diocese of Saginaw (Central Michigan and the Thumb)
“A heart that gazes on Pure Love, will overcome all temptations” (First Sunday of Lent Reflection)
"A time for turning away from our thirsts for the things of this world to what really matters in life." (Ash Wednesday Reflection)
On Feb. 5, Bishop Gruss met Al Kresta for the first time and did an interview which aired on Kresta in the Afternoon on Ave Maria radio.
Bishop Gruss shared the story of how he went from being a pilot to a priest, discussed his involvement with the canonization cause of Nicholas Black Elk and shared some of his early impressions of the Diocese of Saginaw and more.
SAGINAW- During his First Friday homily message today, Bishop Robert Gruss talked about what true love and true repentance are with more than 300 people gathered for Mass at the Cathedral.
"True repentance allows us to be carried by the Father," Bishop Gruss said. "Now, allow yourself to imagine this. True repentance allows us to be carried by the Father. It allows us to be possessed by the Father. What is being possessed by the Lord like? He can't let go of us. He can't let go of us! He can't give you up. He can't give you away. Why? 'Nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.' That's the promise."Jesus is the face of the Father's mercy. He came to lead you and me into the arms of His Father. That's what repentance is about. Allow yourself to be carried by the Father. Say 'yes' to that and be held by the Father. Say 'yes' to that, ask him for it. 'Father hold me as you desire. Possess me as you desire, Father. So I know what true love is ... perfect love.'
"Perfect love casts out all fear. It's always important to remember this: You and I, we are not the sum of our weakness; we are the sum of the Father's love for us."
On Jan. 3, at the monthly First Friday gathering at the Cathedral, Bishop Gruss shared an informal presentation to another packed room of faithful. He shared some of the thoughts below:
*"Whatever is my heart, for better or for worse, will come out in my actions- my thoughts, words and deeds....If envy/jealousy is there, it's gonna come out...
Don't you want the love of God in you to come out, the peace of God in you to come out, the joy of God in you to come out, the very presence of Jesus himself in you to come out?
Then invite him in so he can bring all of that love and peace and joy-all of it....and when those begin to rest in our hearts, then they will come out... people will be amazed [they will want to know] 'What happened to you?'"*
Bishop Gruss talked about the power of the name of Jesus in his homily today.
He also shared teachings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and from the writings of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Bishop Gruss: I would like to offer one resolution for everyone in the diocese:
Spend a half hour each day with the Lord Jesus in prayer – only one half hour of the twenty four hours allotted to us each day! When we think about the magnitude of God’s love for us, how are we not compelled to return daily to the Lord in gratitude?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to you all. I hope and pray that your Christmas celebrations were filled with great joy and happiness.
We are now embarking on a new year – 2020. I am confident that it will be a great year for the Diocese of Saginaw. We begin the New Year continuing to celebrate the beautiful message of Christmas in the heart of Mary, Mother of God.
God has kept His promise through Mary’s faith-filled “yes”. Through the birth of Jesus Christ, you and I have become adopted sons and daughters of God. We have been given the gift of eternal salvation. God’s love and goodness are now overflowing upon humankind – only to be received by us. We have been richly blessed.
But unlike Mary, you and I can be forgetful in coming to the Lord, with open hands and heart to receive the Father’s love and goodness. In a sense, it is like celebrating Christmas for one day and then life reverts to what is “normal” instead of “keeping all these things, reflecting on them in our heart.” The more we ponder, the more we realize the need in our own lives for a savior; and the more we realize that we are not the source and summit of our happiness.
The beginning of another year for many people also fosters New Year’s resolutions with the hope of making positive changes in their lives. This can be a wonderful thing if we are able to stick with it.
I would like to offer one resolution for everyone in the diocese. Spend a half hour each day with the Lord Jesus in prayer – only one half hour of the twenty four hours allotted to us each day! When we think about the magnitude of God’s love for us, how are we not compelled to return daily to the Lord in gratitude?
Yes, thirty minutes is a long time for many people to be in silence with the Lord. But spending time in silence with our hearts and minds gazing upon the Lord Jesus, either in Eucharistic Adoration or simply in private prayer, leads to intimate communion with the One who loves us more than we love ourselves.
I know that this is already part of everyday life for some of you, but my prayer is that it become a part of everyone’s lives. I guarantee that embracing this resolution will bring God’s abundant blessings upon us as individuals, upon your families, your parish community and upon our diocese. When practiced with desire, determination and discipline, lives will be changed and enriched in ways you cannot yet imagine. Guaranteed!
So as we begin this New Year, we ask Mary, Our Mother, to pray for us. We ask Our Lady to awaken in all of us a new desire for holiness. We ask her to help us to hear the Lord’s voice and respond, not with indifference, but with love and generosity.
You know, none of us knows what lies ahead for us in 2020. But we do know that it lies hidden in a God of infinite, consuming love for us. So as the New Year begins, may Christ’s love lead you to new heights in faith and may His peace reign in your hearts now and forever. Happy New Year!
Father Andy LaFramboise talks about prayer in the family. He discusses:
- What is prayer?
- How to foster prayer in the family
- Examples of ways to promote prayer in the family such as setting up a place for prayer
- Dealing with distractions in prayer
Father LaFramboise gave this talk on Nov. 7 at St. Agnes Parish, Freeland.
Father Andy LaFramboise is the pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Freeland. He is also the director of priesthood vocations for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
As we continue this journey into the season of Advent, recall that the true meaning of Advent, in the mind of Jesus, is other centered. The coming of Jesus was centered on us – a wayward, sinful people who had become lost and didn’t really know it. The advent of Jesus came with an invitation to a new life, a new relationship, a new reality, a new and deeper experience of love. Jesus used the voice of others to encourage us to prepare for this new relationship, to open our hearts to this new relationship of love.
And so, the readings for this second Sunday of Advent, a new character comes on the scene - John the Baptist. John was an odd sort of person, dressed a little different than everyone else. His diet was a little strange, but perhaps low in fat and carbohydrates. But somehow the people recognized him as a prophet. For so long the people of his day waited for another prophet. It was 400 years since Malachi, the last prophet who had come among them. So the voice of a prophet had been silent for a long time. And now John the Baptist appears on the scene proclaiming loud and clear - ADVENT IS HERE!!! It is here NOW!!!
He was 'A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.' In other words, 'ADVENT IS HERE! REFORM YOUR LIVES! THE REIGN OF GOD IS AT HAND.'
There was something compelling about John the Baptist’s message that drew the people to him, that compelled them to be “baptized as they acknowledged their sins.”
There was something PROMISED in his message. The message was not one of comfort; it was not an easy way out of their present turmoil. Not only did one have to confess their sins as a sign of repentance, but one had to change their life and produce "good fruit." A challenge! Yet even then, people came and were baptized. What attracted them to John? THE PROMISE.
What did he say? “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” The PROMISE was the gift and power of the Holy Spirit – a Spirit that brings new life, new hope, new faith, a deeper love.
For the people of John’s day, repentance was at the very center of the Jewish faith just as it is at the very center of the Christian faith. Repentance involves confessing sin, turning away from sin and completely toward God. Jesus proclaimed a message of repentance during his own public ministry as well. For the Hebrew people, with the promise of the reign of God comes the promise of the Holy Spirit, bringing them new life.
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The Hebrew word for spirit is “ruah’....the very breath which God breathed life into Adam. When this spirit of God enters us, the tired, lack-luster, weary, defeatedness of life is gone and a surge of new life enters us.
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The word ‘Ruah’ also means wind...which symbolizes power. When the Spirit of God enters us, we are enabled to do the undoable, and to face the unfaceable, and bear the unbearable.
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The Spirit of God is connected with the work of creation. The spirit of God creates, but also re-creates, taking our disorderly and frenzied lives and brings them into harmony with God.
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The Jews assigned special functions to the Spirit. The Spirit brings truth and enables us to recognize God’s truth when we see it. The Spirit enters into human minds and hearts and turns human guesses into divine certainty, and changes human ignorance into divine knowledge.
When the Spirit enters our hearts, our eyes are opened; prejudices which blind us are taken away; the self-will which has been darkened by sin is removed and we are able to see...see with God’s eyes…..and then we give our lives/will to God.
It is no wonder that so many pe
“As a person of faith, do you expect miracles in your life?” Bishop Robert Gruss posed the question to faithful gathered for Mass today on the Feast of Saint Nicholas at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw.
“There are those miracles awaiting us. Do we expect them? Do we ask for them?”
Both readings from today’s Mass mentioned the miraculous. In his homily, Bishop Gruss encouraged the faithful, particularly during this Advent season to be like the blind men in today’s Gospel reading who trusted that the Lord would come to their aid.
Bishop Gruss reminded the faithful that Advent is not about waiting in a passive way, rather, “to expect something is to hope with this great conviction for that which we believe will come true.
“Celebrating the season of Advent helps you and me to live deeply in hopeful expectation. It helps us to live with true, expectant faith- expecting new miracles like those blind men. Knowing that the miracles of Jesus haven’t ended for people who have this same faith.”
Speaking of God’s concern for his people, Bishop Gruss declared, “God has invested everything in you- everything! In taking on human flesh and coming among us. Jesus is our sign that God has not and will not give up on us. He has invested everything in us. Jesus is the first miracle for all of us.”
Bishop Gruss ended his homily with the following prayer: “Lord Jesus, even though I can see, we often feel spiritually blind. Open our eyes to your reality so that we may be humble disciples of your kingdom. Lord Jesus, increase our faith in you and in your power over all the events and activities of our lives. Gives us the grace to live this season of Advent with true joyful expectation knowing that you desire to make all things new in our lives.”
This is a two hour plus presentation given by Bishop Robert Gruss on Oct. 12 2019 at the Center for Ministry in Saginaw.
During the presentation Bishop Gruss says, "I've been sent here, I believe, to light a fire."
Bishop Gruss talks about the importance of knowing one's identity as a child of God.
Bishop Gruss explores numerous other topics including the challenges of faithful discipleship, such as materialism, relativism and more. He also comments on the dangers of today's culture and how to respond.
This episode starts with a 1-minute clip from Bishop Gruss' presentation.
10:48- Our true identity and original sin
34:43- Jesus came into the world to restore us to our original identity
44:30- What is the new religion of today?
01:04:17-The biggest threat to Christianity today?
News Story Below
SAGINAW- On Oct. 12 2019, as the sun shined on a fine autumn day in Michigan, hundreds of faithful gathered at the Center for Ministry in Saginaw Township.
Both young and old came to learn from and be encouraged by Bishop Robert Gruss.
Moments after emphatically encouraging attendees to ask for the Holy Spirit's help, Bishop Gruss calmly shared, "I've been sent here, I believe, to light a fire."
Attendees applauded enthusiastically in response, as Bishop Gruss paused.
Throughout the morning, the faithful reacted with smiles, nods of agreement and raised hands as feelings of excitement joined a sense of duty and mission as Bishop Gruss challenged the faithful.
Bishop Gruss began the morning explaining the importance of knowing one's identity as a child of God.
Citing the first book of the Bible, Genesis, Bishop Gruss reminded attendees that "the heart of discipleship is God's desire for us- for you. God wants to have an intimate relationship of love with you."
Bishop Gruss shared the story of how earlier in his life, he had heard that God loved him, but didn't know what it meant or what it felt like. Knowing this, Bishop Gruss prayed for a lived experience of God's love.
"I began to pray every day, 'Lord, give me a lived personal experience of your love for me- that became my prayer every day. I began to see my life, other people and the church in a different way. I began to experience things, spiritually, that were amazing."
Bishop Gruss then explained that it is through an encounter and relationship with God that we come to know who we are (our true identity). He then went on to describe what it is like to have a relationship with Christ.
"When you are in love, you go to bed thinking of a person. They're on your mind all day. You are claimed by them. You want to be with him or her. Your actions and behaviors change. You become someone new. That is what a lively relationship with Jesus Christ is like."
Bishop Gruss continued, "Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, falling in love with God in an absolute way. What you are in love with will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed, how you spend your weekends, what breaks your heart and what amazes you. If I have fallen in love with Him [God], I will do anything for Him. Nothing will stand in the way. Amen?"
Attendees responded loudly, "Amen!"
Bishop Gruss explored numerous other topics including the challenges of faithful discipleship, such as materialism, relativism and more. He also commented on the dangers of today's culture and how to respond.
Bishop Gruss shares his vocation story and talks about the power of an invitation during the dinner banquet to support seminarian education in the Diocese of Saginaw.
On Oct. 11, Bishop Gruss shared his priestly vocation story, including the history of his faith journey, and encouraged others to reflect on their own faith journeys, too.
At the heart of Bishop Robert Gruss’ ministry in the Diocese of Saginaw is leading others to a personal encounter with Jesus.
His homily messages and teachings continue to challenge those who hear him to reflect on the priority given in their own lives to growing in a deeper relationship with the Lord.
“How many of you woke up today thinking about Jesus?” Bishop Gruss asked. “I’m inviting you to think about your relationship with Jesus in a very serious way. Ask Jesus, ‘Lord Jesus, is my relationship with you what you want for me? Or, do you have something more?’ If you never ask the question, you will never get the answer.”
Learn more about First Fridays at the Cathedral with Bishop Gruss and see upcoming dates: http://bit.ly/2MwMi6a
Learn more about Bishop Gruss: http://bit.ly/2KFJrXF
Bishop Gruss explored this & more in his homily on Nov. 17 at St. Agnes Parish, Freeland.