Posts by author: bryan

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After a seven month absence, the Morning Star Catholic newspaper will, once again, be published.

With the transition of the Marian Center in full swing, we felt it important to resume publishing as soon as possisble.

Look for The Morning Star to be in your mail boxes the second week of March!

God willing, I might become a deacon by the summer of 2011 and possibly a priest for the diocese of Gaylord by the Advent/Christmas Season of 2011.

Over the past twenty-six years of my life, I have been blessed by the Catholic Church to learn about prayer, charity, and pastoral counseling through the Archdiocese of Chicago.  For the past seven years of my seminary training in Chicago, the Holy Spirit has challenged me to deny myself, pickup my cross, and to follow Jesus, who is the WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE.  Between educating young families about the importance of Catholic education and offering spiritual support to those who are seeking moral guidance from Jesus and His Church, the Holy Spirit has encouraged me to keep following my heart to the altar of Jesus as a future priest.  As I continue to discern the call to priesthood for the diocese of Gaylord, I hope and pray that my lay apostolic ministry at St. Francis Xavier in Petoskey will somehow inspire all ages of faith to grow deeper in holiness to always love and serve the Lord above and beyond our limited capacities.

Sincerely

Joseph T. Ortega

On January 27, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Marian Center enthusiastically voted to take the Marian Center off the real estate market!

With prayers answered and hopes for the Center running high, Josh, Lori, Bryan and Julie proposed that the Center be taken off the market. Our generous donors and volunteers now know that if we all work together, we can make the Marian Center a place for people to have their faith enriched for many years to come. Praise God!

Planning Continues for the 19th Annual Marian Conference October 15-17 at Boyne Mountain Resort

Bishop Alexander Sample Diocese of Marquette

Bishop Bernard Hebda Diocese of Gaylord

In addition to the already strong line up of speakers including Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Mark Shea and Fr. Ben Luedtke, we are privileged to have as the Main Celebrants of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: Fr. Dennis Stilwell from St. Francis Xavier in Petoskey (7:00 pm Friday, October 15th), His Excellency Bishop Alexander Sample, Bishop the Diocese of Marquette (2:00 pm, Saturday, October 16th) and the newly appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord, His Excellency Bernard Hebda will celebrate Holy Mass at 10:30 am, Sunday, October 17th.

We will be posting additional information on this website and at www.marianconference.org as it becomes available.

If you are not on our email newsletter and update list, please subscribe by clicking here.

Father Mitch Pacwa (EWTN)

Mark Shea

Father Ben Luedtke

During the Angelus on Sunday, January 24, 2010, Pope Benedict addressed the faithful from his study window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, and reflected on the various charisms in the Church. Before the Marian prayer, he quoted an excerpt of the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, from Sunday’s liturgy, in which the Apostle compares the Church to the human body.

“The Church,” the Holy Father explained, “is conceived like a body of which Christ is the Head, and it forms a united whole with Him. “However,” he added, “what the Apostle is seeking to communicate is the idea of unity in the multiplicity of charisms, which are gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thanks to these charisms the Church is a rich and living non-uniform organism, fruit of the one Spirit Who leads everyone to profound unity, absorbing diversities without eradicating them and creating a harmonious whole.” The Church, explained the Holy Father, “prolongs the presence of the risen Lord over history, especially through the Sacraments, the Word of God, the charisms and pastoral ministry in the community. Therefore, it is precisely in Christ and in the Spirit that the Church is one and holy; in other words, an intimate communion which transcends human capacities and supports them.”

Benedict XVI then turned to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which ends Monday, Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, when the Pope will preside at Vespers in the basilica of St. Paul’s Outside-the-Walls, with representatives of other Churches and Christian communities present in Rome. “We will,” said the Pope, “invoke from God the gift of the full unity of all Christ’s disciples” because “the communion of Christians … makes the announcement of the Gospel more credible and effective.”
He closed with words about St. Francis of Sales, patron of journalists, whose feast day was Sunday. St. Francis, he said, taught that “the call to sanctity is addressed to everyone, and that each has his or her place in the Church.”
(Source: Joan’s Rome; January 25, 2010)

Map & Directions

BENEDICT XVI TO PRESIDE AT VESPERS IN ST. PAUL’S BASILICA

VATICAN CITY, 19 JAN 2010 (VIS) – A communique released today by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff announces that in the Roman basilica of St. Paul’s Outside-the-Walls on Monday 25 January, the Holy Father will preside at the celebration of second Vespers of the Solemnity of the Conversion of St. Paul, for the closing of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the theme of which this year is: “You are witnesses of these things”.

The celebration will be attended by representatives from other Churches and Christian communities present in Rome.

OCL/VESPERS CHRISTIAN UNITY/…

Praise be to God! We had a wonderful turnout for Sister Gabriel’s talk on January 13. Approximately 50 people were in attendance! The Grotto to the Archangels was alight again to welcome them to the Marian Center!

It was a very informal evening which began with Sister Gabriel leading the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It was absolutely beautiful to hear the prayers rising up to God again in the chapel that has been much to quiet! I said that if I had died that night, I would have went in peace; it was that awesome.

Sister Gabriel went right into her vocation story telling us that her Aunt Barb (Smith) was one of her greatest inspirations in her path to the religious life. She said that she felt very called to come to the Marian Center. Sister encouraged everyone to keep Barb’s mission alive by sharing their gifts and talents for the glory of God. She said that “it is one thing to say you are Catholic and another thing to be Catholic”.

Josh Mercer (with a little help from tiny Charles Mercer) then encouraged everyone in attendance to pray and fast for the earthquake stricken people of Haiti.

Bryan and I spoke briefly, reiterating the fact that we do not know exactly why God sent us to the Marian Center, but we know He has a plan in mind. We have already seen wonderful things happening here at the Center, with this evenings event showing us that God is working, and He is generous!

The evening concluded with a fun reception! Thank you very much to all who attended! What a great start to what we are sure will be a great year here at the Marian Center.

Julie Tuck