Dear Friends, 

November in Michigan brings a quiet beauty: crisp air, golden leaves, and the early hush of winter. It’s a season that invites reflection, gratitude, and remembrance. As Catholics, we reflect, give thanks and remember by celebrating the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls, honoring the men and women who have gone before us in faith. 

Annually, the Gospel reading for All Saints Day is the Sermon on the Mount – when Jesus proclaims the Beatitudes – outlining for everyone our path to sainthood. Inspired by this teaching of Jesus, we launched our newest program, the School of Beatitudes in September. We are grateful to welcome the new learning community who are committing to a journey of deepening their faith, cultivating interior freedom, and living the Beatitudes in daily life. Each month, there is time for prayer, teaching, and reflection and then the afternoon is spent in service at a local organization. Their witness is a gift to our community and a sign of hope in a world longing for healing and holiness. 

As a month of remembrance for those who have gone before us in death, November is a good reminder for us to reflect on our own end of life plans. As Catholics, the ordinary steps of writing a will, choosing a burial site, arranging a funeral, and planning legacy giving can become powerful testimonies of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us for a special panel presentation, “Circle of Life: A Conversation on Catholic Life Planning” on November 13 at 10 a.m. Whether you’re just beginning to think about these matters or updating existing plans, this event will help you approach them with peace, clarity, and hope.

Looking forward to next month, we will again host the ecumenical gathering, “Evening in December” – a community wide event for meaningful dialogue, prayer, and reflection at the start of the Advent season. This year’s theme, “A Weary World Rejoices,” speaks to the deep longing for hope and renewal in our lives – and in our world. Save the date – Dec. 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m.   

As this month of remembrance and thanksgiving begins, we are deeply grateful for your partnership. Your generosity in a monthly financial gift sustains our mission and allows us to offer programs that form, inspire, and support the people of West Michigan and beyond. Thank you for walking with us, for believing in this work, and for partnering with us in  sharing the light of Christ in every season. 

Peace and all good.