The Knights of Columbus Men’s Cor Group is presenting “Theology on Tap” beginning on Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus Hall. All men and women of the parish are invited to attend. There will be six sessions meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Hope to see you there!
Rachel Jean Hillard, a lector and youth group member at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, and a soon-to-be senior at Montrose Hill-McCloy High School is always aware of how her Guardian Angel works on her behalf. As a believer she’s not shy in consulting her angel when it comes to asking for guidance, protection, and courage. “I know my Guardian Angel is always watching over me,” said the 17-year old daughter of Jessica Hillard, and the late Lloyd Hillard, who was named the number one high school sideline reporter by the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association last year. This year, she earned the number two title – and that is an accomplishment she credits her faith in God helping her in the area of being spontaneous, thinking on her feet, and being creative.
As a high school media broadcasting student, she is often conducting interviews. Whether she’s talking to students, staff, or athletes, she relies on her faith for assistance. “Before I interview anyone, I usually say a quick prayer. I say, Lord, help this interview go well or Lord, help this person relax and speak to me in this interview.” Recently, Rachel thanked God for help in her newest title as a first runner-up Montrose Blueberry Queen. “When I was little I looked up to the prestigious Blueberry Queens who seemed so kind, sweet, and loving. They influenced me to become better and now, being a part of the court, I hope to be someone other young girls could look up to,” she explained.
Having a role on the Montrose Blueberry Queen’s court is offering her multiple benefits. “I will get to be part of 20 parades around Michigan, meet new people, work on community building projects, and hopefully influence a new generation of young girls. In addition, there is a $1,000 scholarship earned at the end of her reign. “This will go toward my studies in the broadcasting program at Central Michigan University,” she said. As a current Mid-Michigan School of Cosmetology student she will graduate high school next year as a licensed cosmetologist and hopes to have side gigs of cutting hair or doing nails for future college dorm mates.
All of this is leading Rachel to her ultimate goal of becoming a professional sports sideline reporter for teams such as the Detroit Lions. “I had the chance to meet Daniella Bruce, an on-air announcer for Detroit sports teams, and she is amazing. She was kind enough to let me text her to ask questions – she’s like a mentor to me.”
Being an announcer in the sports world is a future goal for this energetic and motivated young woman, but her spiritual world is alive and increasingly shaping her through her service as reader of God’s Word. “God gave me the gift of creativity to express my love for all things,” she said. “Reading Holy Scripture is a form of broadcasting that is helping me to prepare for a future career. Whatever I am doing whether it is proclaiming at church, volunteering at a food drive, or being kind to young girls admiring the Queen’s Court – I know I am giving glory to God.”
Rachel will be present at many of the Montrose Blueberry Festival events in August, such as the Princess Tea Party, the Hall of Fame inductions, the parade, and a movie night held on the football field.
Good Shepherd Catholic Church congratulates this young woman on her many achievements, and thanks her for her fidelity and service as a lector during the Sunday Mass.
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2025-2026 Religious Education Calendar
I am not entirely sure when this became true for me in my life, but I absolutely love the mystery of our Lord’s Ascension — both because of what this mystery signifies and because of the reality God communicates to us through Jesus’ bodily Ascension to the right hand of the Father.
If we have any understanding of God’s holiness and our own sinfulness, then we can begin to recognize that this moment should not be happening. How in the world could our human nature stand in the midst of God’s presence? Not only in God’s presence, but seated at His right hand — such a prominent seat, given to one who executes the King’s commands for His Kingdom. A seat of such prominence that it is above all nine choirs of angels. This position is given to Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, who shares in our humanity.
Who are we to deserve something so powerful and amazing as this? The truth is that we have done absolutely nothing to deserve it, nor will we ever do anything that could amount to deserving such a great honor as God has in store for us. He freely offers it to us through His Son, Jesus.
Our human nature — which has turned its back on God since the beginning, which is always inclined toward lower and earthly goods instead of the true spiritual good, which has always been subjected to decay, destruction, and death — now sits glorified next to the Heavenly Father above all creation. If we truly understood this mystery, we would never want anything else except this: to always be with the One who has gifted us with immortality.
Another reason why the Ascension is one of my favorite mysteries is because, at this moment, our Lord commissioned His Apostles to proclaim the Good News, the Gospel. Our Lord instructed His eleven Apostles to go forth, make disciples of all nations, and teach them to observe everything He commanded.
The work of evangelization is essential to our lives as Christians. If we only come to Mass and pray but do not partake in evangelization, we are essentially living only half of the faith. All the graces we receive at Mass, in prayer, and in the other sacraments are given so that we may continue Christ’s saving mission.
Our faith is not our own. What we receive from God is not meant only for our personal well-being and sanctification. God expects each of us to utilize what He does within us so that all humanity might come to understand who He is and how He loves them.
The command given by the priest or deacon at the end of Mass is the clearest example of Holy Mother Church sending Her children out into the world: “Go in peace,” “Go forth, the Mass is ended,” “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord,” or “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” These dismissals demonstrate how we are sent into the world to proclaim what God has done for us and what He invites us to share in.
The mystery of the Ascension calls to mind how God has restored our human nature in Jesus Christ and elevated it to the most prominent seat in the universe. This is the work of God. This is the reality in which we are invited to partake. The more we come to understand these mysteries of our faith, the more we understand why God sends us, His Mystical Body, to carry out His mission.
Happy Fifth Sunday of Easter!
This past weekend, we celebrated First Holy Communion for thirteen of our youngsters here at St. Robert. And the Sunday before last, I celebrated the same up at Good Shepherd with five students receiving the Sacrament. Tomorrow evening, we’ll welcome our Bishop to West Genesee County for the annual regional Confirmation Mass, this year hosted by Good Shepherd. It’s an exciting time for sacraments these days! In my own family, my oldest nephew recently received Confirmation and my youngest niece her First Communion. Now that we’ve entered the month of May, it truly begins to feel like a mad dash to the finish line. At the school and parish, we turn our attention to events like May Crowning, Pentecost, the end of the school year, Corpus Christi, and VBS.
As you may remember, last year many of our parishes suspended their Corpus Christi processions in favor of the unified diocesan procession in Lansing. At St. Robert, we also paused our annual VBS program last summer, as many of our staff and volunteers were joyfully occupied with their own newborns. I’m happy to share that both of these beloved events will return this summer!
VBS at St. Robert is scheduled for Monday, June 15th through Friday, June 19th. I’m especially excited for this, as it will be my first time experiencing it here. Hannah Marconeri, our Director of Religious Education, will take her final bow after VBS, as she prepares to welcome her second child and transition into full-time motherhood. Hannah was among the first people I met from St. Robert before my arrival, and she has been a tremendous blessing to me and to our parish families. I’m grateful that she plans to remain involved through our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Beginning July 1st, one of our new school teachers, Ms. Sarah Voight, will step into the role of Director of Religious Education. Congratulations to both of them, and thanks be to God for His many blessings upon our parish.
We have been making great progress toward this year’s DSA goal. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the many families who have already contributed to this important annual appeal. If you have not yet had the opportunity to make your gift, I invite you to consider doing so in the weeks ahead. It is both our joy and our responsibility to support the wider work of healing and evangelization carried out across the Diocese of Lansing. May we continue to respond faithfully to this mission.
Many blessings upon your week, and may you enjoy each day in God’s presence!
Fr. Brian
There will be a Euchre Tournament on Wednesday, May 20 in the Good Shepherd Knights of Columbus Hall at 6:30 pm. Cost is $5.00 per person. All levels of experience. Bring your own snacks and beverages. Pizza is available for purchase. Friends and Family welcome!
Hope to see you there!!
*They will be held the first and third Wednesday of the month.
Thank you to everyone who has given a gift or made a pledge to the Diocesan Services Appeal this year. This week we surpassed our goal of $16,638.00. Now that we have reached our goal, one-half of all additional contributions received will be returned to our local parish for our use. If you have not yet made a pledge, please consider supporting our appeal with a gift that will benefit the work of Christ in our parish and through the wider church. You may submit your gift online at: www.dioceseoflansing.org/appeal or with a DSA envelope to the parish office.
On Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 11:15 a.m. we will have our Graduation Mass for High School Seniors. Graduates are invited to wear their cap and gown.
Please inform the youth or parish office if you plan to attend.
There will be cake and punch provided by Christian Service after Mass.
Blessing of the Bikes 2026 ~ Sponsored by K of C #8669
Saturday, May 30th (Rain or Shine) / Bikes and Cars Welcome
Blessing will be at 12:00 p.m. with ride to follow.
$25 Per Driver ~ $15 Per Passenger
(Includes Meal, Soft Drinks/Cash Prize Drawing at Last Stop)
Last Stop / After Party / 5:00 p.m. at the Knight’s Hall
Prizes / T-Shirts / Raffle / Live Music by Reziliance
100/% of Proceeds Support Local Veterans in Need.
On Sunday, June 7th the Feast of Corpus Christi Good Shepherd will have a Eucharistic procession following the 11:15 a.m. Mass.
Come and be a part of the sacred,visible display of our faith and public proclamation that Jesus is present in the Holy Eucharist. Join our joyful procession of praise singing hymns and bearing witness to the world that Jesus is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
All are Welcome!