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Bulletin for December 27, 2009 & January 3, 2010

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23 December 2009 - 3:14pm — joyce

 

Benefit for Seminarian Endowment Fund
On February 3 the Fifth Annual Dinner to benefit the Robert J. Carlson Seminarian Endowment Fund will be held at Swan Valley Banquet Center, Saginaw. Donation is $45 per person. A table for eight is $325. Checks (payable to Saginaw Serra Club-Seminarian Dinner) may be sent to Marian Moll at 3828 Fireside Lane, Freeland, MI 48623.   For information, call Marian at 989-642-2727.
 
Natural Family Planning Course
Mid-Michigan Center for Women's Health in Midland will host a course on the natural cycles of fertility to achieve or avoid pregnancy, morally accepted family planning. The class beings Saturday, January 9, 2010. $135 includes all materials. Register online at www.ccli.org or contact John or Julia Hoving at (989) 835-7691 for more information.

 

From Our Bishop:

 

 December, 2009
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
 With deep joy and gratitude, I extend to you my prayerful best wishes for a holy and blessed Christmas. As I prepare to celebrate my first Christmas as your bishop and shepherd, I am extremely grateful that God, in His loving providence, has given me a share in the life and faith of the Diocese of Saginaw.
 
 During this Advent Season, it has been my prayer that each of you would find opportunities to reflect on your own faith and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Whatever it is that our hearts and souls desire, whether we realize it or not, our ultimate desire is Jesus Himself. For this reason, we are filled with joy and consolation at Christmas to know that all that we hoped for has been fulfilled in the person of the Christ Child. Several years ago, I received a Christmas card with this message: “This Christmas, I wish you Jesus.” On the inside it read: “Isn’t it nice to have everything!”  
 
 In the midst of all our current challenges and concerns, the love of God the Father is made manifest to us in the wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus. With the angels in Bethlehem, our faith moves us to sing: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth!” We recognize that true peace on earth flows from our recognition and praise of God in our lives.
 
 Christmas has a way of bringing to Church individuals and families who, for various reasons, have not been to Mass or the Sacraments for months or years. What a wonderful and grace-filled opportunity to put aside past differences and old habits and begin anew that prayerful relationship with the Lord and His Church community. I extend to all of you an open, grateful heart of welcome. Together, may be grow in strength and grace to know and celebrate together God’s presence in our lives and His dominion over all things of this world.
 
 May our Lord Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, bless you, your families and loved ones at this blessed time of hope and grace. May Mary, the Mother of the Child Jesus and our Mother, watch over you and our beloved Diocese of Saginaw always.
 
 Sincerely yours in Christ,
 
 
 
 Most Reverend Joseph R. Cistone, D.D.
 Bishop of Saginaw