News from Diocese of Saginaw, MI

[lrs]

When considering the origins of the Seminarians, find peace in the assurance of Providential Grace.
A worthy note: World Youth Day/Saginaw Pilgrims were deeply moved, made immediately aware of the universal church. Young men and women moved by the Holy Spirit. I have a feeling that the good people in this dioceses will feel the ripple affects of Hope that these young people bring back with them. A call to Holiness.
We are grateful for the beautiful Gifts Christ has given us, and in our blessings and our sufferings we have learned to love one another more completely.
Paz,lis.

 

[spanky]

Also, by St. Thomas do you mean St. Thomas a’ Becket or Thomas the Apostle parish? Where was the priest’s chair until now?

Aquinas. The chair was previously in the front row with the rest of the congregation.

 

[spanky]

At St. Thomas in Saginaw, changes were apparent the first week. Father report that several member of the diocese liturgy office arrived on the 1st and instructed him to get things in line with the GIRM asap. The presidential chair was moved back to the altar, wine was consecrated in the glass chalices, rather than in the flagon, etc. Sacred vessels were also ordered to replace the glass.

Did anyone else notice any significant changes with the new pastors?

Also at St. Thomas Aquinas - no more commentator. This person stood at a podium, welcomed parishioners before mass, introduced each reading, and made announcements before the final blessing. For those used to the commentator, it will take time for them to become adjusted to the “sacred silence”.

It sounds like there will be some short catechisis talks before the start of each mass for a few weeks.

 

[Andrewcarey]

I was at that ordaination, that was awesome, the music was the best.
Is anyone here going to the deaconate ordination next Friday at the Cathedral?

I was at the ordination and I have to say it was a wonderful experience. Very moving and very inspiring. And the weather was beautiful as well. Although the church is air conditioned, I have to say that there were a lot of people there, and if the ordination had been in August, it might not have been so pleasant.

Anyway, I’m so very glad I went-and I even ran into my uncle, the owner of one of my favorite restaurants, and (at least I think it was) Al Kresta-but I didn’t get a chance to talk to him.

At any rate, here are two pictures.

One is the laying on of hands, which after the Bishop, was done by every priest in the Diocese, including all of the senior priests (that were there).

The other is the newly ordained priests being vested.

 

[lrs]

We are riding the wave of Hope.
David Jenuwine and Thai Nguyen will be ordained as Deacons. I cannot attend, but I pray that the fruits of the Spirit be upon them and in Faith, Hope, and Love they are immersed in wisdom, fortitude, and right judgment, as they serve the Lord and the good people of this diocese.
They count on our prayers and good will.
God Bless, lis

 

[Andrewcarey]

What Church do you go to? I orginally go to St. Agnes Church in Sanford because that’s where I was baptized at by Fr. Keho.

We are riding the wave of Hope.
David Jenuwine and Thai Nguyen will be ordained as Deacons. I cannot attend, but I pray that the fruits of the Spirit be upon them and in Faith, Hope, and Love they are immersed in wisdom, fortitude, and right judgment, as they serve the Lord and the good people of this diocese.
They count on our prayers and good will.
God Bless, lis

 

[Crumpy]

I’ve checked the recent posts and no one has commented on this very radical move by Bishop Carlson. According to the Bay City Times, he has endorsed the Bay County-wide millage to raise $2 million + per year to run the Helen Nickless free medical clinic.

I think it’s pretty radical to jump so deeply into the partisan politics of bay county. It’s pretty bold for the bishop to come out and say that he feels that everyone’s taxes in Bay County should be raised to support this effort to fund the expenses of people who have no health care.

I think I’ve paid close attention to the newspaper’s sympathetic articles demonstrating the need for services. I’m not at all convinced that the clinic isn’t going to offer contraceptive and abortion services. It’s not clear to me how Carlson is so sure that such is not going to happen. After all, if the millage passes, there will be $2 million of public funds going there, and I don’t know how the clinic can refuse to provide those services. And, the State legislature also has kicked in a $75,000 grant. So, I really don’t know how the clinic could possibly refuse to offer those services. The issue has not been fully explained in the Times to my satisfaction.

It’s a relevant matter to discuss the millage that was passed on Aug 4 for the benefit of the Bay Medical Care Facility, which provides skilled nursing home care, the largest nursing home in the county. There is no question that the millage passed, but my concern is that the Board of Commissioners formulated a millage referendum to fund a selected nursing home, to the exclusion of the private nursing homes in the area. That seems to be a tremendous discrimination against the aged and infirm, not to mention a betrayal of the county taxpayers who have to have care in the other instutions. It’s quite a case of discrimination, if you ask me. This is relevant to illustrate the deep partisanship in the millage referenda that make it on the election ballot.

Carlson’s support of the Nickless millage is blatantly support for socialized medicine, and that, selectively in just one county in the diocese.

To put these two millage referenda into proper focus, the County Board supported the millage for the county-owned Medical Facility, because the Board is almost totally Democrats, whose support of the millage is support for the labor union that works there. So, this millage which passed, was a union protectionist millage.

In contrast, the Board’s distancing of itself from the Nickless millage referendum is also a union-protectionist posture, because the Board did not want to commit any general funds to the clinic, which would possibly require belt-tightening that would hurt the county unions.

It is the axis of the Democratic politicians and unions which is controlling the destiny of politics in the county. And, it is into this heavy-handed swamp of politics that Carlson has jumped, siding with their position. It is nowhere as simply as an altruistic support to help the poor.

Now, with the Democrats traditionally the party of sympathy for contraceptive and abortion rights, it makes Carlson a strange bedfellow, indeed. I don’t know if he realizes what side of the issues that he has come down on. His support has been simply stated as an unqualified endorsement of the free clinc millage proposal.

This is a big splash into the politics of a small community. There’s a lot of potential exposure for his action. I don’t know that there is any other agency which is an alternate for provision of those contraceptive and abortion (including “morning after”) services.

So far, I’ve seen no public explanation or justfication for Carlson’s actions. If he’s blundered here, he’s taking a lot of Catholics down with him.

 

[thomasf]

Maybe you should ask him?

 

[Crumpy]

In fact, I sent him a letter yesterday. He’s traveling around quite a bit, so I just sent him a letter.

I posted this here as a trial balloon, to see if anybody knew anything better than me on this matter.

Bishop Carlson’s name just doesn’t come up very often in the pages of the liberal, anti-religion Bay City Times. The Times is the kind of newspaper that would be happy if the churches in town all burned to the ground. All they’d be interested in the ‘hot’ story.

There’s people here with a lot of knowledge and opinions and I wanted to throw this in as legitimate local diocese news.

 

[Brendan]

He can be pretty certain that the tax money will not be used for abortion. Engler was able to put a law on the books outlawing the use of tax money to fund abortions.

On contraception, I’m not too sure.

As far as being ‘socialized medicine’, unless this tax money is intented to force all persons into this program, it really isn’t ‘socialized medicine’.

Rather, it seems to fit pretty well in the the Catholic principle of Subsidiary.

Those with money, and the State, are obligated to provide the requisite needs of the poor, but are prohibited from assisting those who can provide for themselves. And this should be done at the most local level possible.

Basically, we as persons, and the State, together have an obligation to provide the basic necssities to those who cannot provide for them on their own. But those who can are to provide for it themselves. This is where the so called 'Universal Health Care" fails. The government, least of the the Federal government, has no business providing health care for those who can afford it themselves.

None of the above seems to apply to an inner-city free clinic. And it is provided for locally.

Of course, care needs to be taken so that those who do have insurance, or could obtain it, are not using resources that are being provided for those who are actually unable.

 

[lrs]

Dear Crumpy,
WOW! Do you realize that we already have “socialized” medicine in this country: we don’t acknowledge it, because we tend to stigmatize those who use it. This socialized medicine comes in the form of medicaid, medicare, and the uninsured. We do have socialized medicine in this country, but it is so mismanaged, and lawsuits dictate its services, its effectiveness, and its out of control costs. It is filled with corruption. SO, if Bishop Carlson gets to the HEART of the matter, and wants to help the UNIINSURED, first hand and immediately, truly, how can you argue with that. Think of those who die every single solitary day because they do not have health insurance. Contrary to popular belief, not every sick person goes and gets care who do not have insurance (not everyone qualifies for medicaid, medicare). Many many die each and every day simply because they are uninsured.

I am PRO-LIFE, and will vote as such, but we need to value people at all income levels, we need to support families, we need to value mothers and children. GOD HELP US IF WE DO NOT.
YOU SEE, if you do not offer “free” medical services to those who do not have it, then you fail to recognize Christ in one another.

Jobs have left this state at an alarming rate, leaving destruction in its path. People are leaving with the jobs, therefore there is far less state income tax being paid, it is a vicious cycle. What are people to do. Our family of 5, with a huge deductible, costs15k a year for medical insurance, and that is under a group plan. WE must help those who are in need. IT IS SUCH A SIMPLE MESSAGE.

Look at Bishop Carlson’s motivation, care for the poor knows NO politics, knows no boundaries… And by the way, I am certain they will not provide abortions there.

Crumpy, my guess is: you have health insurance.

 

[Crumpy]

Dear Crumpy,
WOW! Do you realize that we already have “socialized” medicine in this country: we don’t acknowledge it, because we tend to stigmatize those who use it. This socialized medicine comes in the form of medicaid, medicare, and the uninsured. We do have socialized medicine in this country, but it is so mismanaged, and lawsuits dictate its services, its effectiveness, and its out of control costs. It is filled with corruption. SO, if Bishop Carlson gets to the HEART of the matter, and wants to help the UNIINSURED, first hand and immediately, truly, how can you argue with that. Think of those who die every single solitary day because they do not have health insurance. Contrary to popular belief, not every sick person goes and gets care who do not have insurance (not everyone qualifies for medicaid, medicare). Many many die each and every day simply because they are uninsured.

I am PRO-LIFE, and will vote as such, but we need to value people at all income levels, we need to support families, we need to value mothers and children. GOD HELP US IF WE DO NOT.
YOU SEE, if you do not offer “free” medical services to those who do not have it, then you fail to recognize Christ in one another.

Jobs have left this state at an alarming rate, leaving destruction in its path. People are leaving with the jobs, therefore there is far less state income tax being paid, it is a vicious cycle. What are people to do. Our family of 5, with a huge deductible, costs15k a year for medical insurance, and that is under a group plan. WE must help those who are in need. IT IS SUCH A SIMPLE MESSAGE.

Look at Bishop Carlson’s motivation, care for the poor knows NO politics, knows no boundaries… And by the way, I am certain they will not provide abortions there.

Crumpy, my guess is: you have health insurance.

Oh, so you’re ANOTHER do-gooder that wants to raise my taxes? My guess is that you’re a Democrat.

My point was, how can there be so much public money flowing into this clinic operation and NOT be funding contraception and abortion services. Last I heard, those were not popular Catholic practices. They may not be providing surgical abortions, but that doesn’t stop them from providing morning - after abortion pills.

Sorry, politics are relevent, why not? Did the Church drop the rule that the ‘end does not justify the means’? I don’t like this specific millage referendum. Why doesn’t the County Board of Commissioners just pay for the clinic by skimming off the top of general tax revenues? --Politics of course. The County doesn’t want to tighten its belt for these medical benefits, no,because that would injure all the vested interests in the county, like organized labor.

For the record, I’m right above the income level for eligibility in this program.Even this millage itself will push me further towards the poverty level. At least the people who want these free benefits have jobs. I haven’t worked in 8 years.

 

[Crumpy]

Dear irs,

My alternate proposal would help the uninsured people RIGHT NOW, not wait to see if a millage referendum would pass in Novermber.

I have no trouble recognizing Christ in these uninsured people. How dare you accuse me of failing that? I don’t think you are recognizing Christ IN ME.

 

[lrs]

Dear Crumpy
Politics aside
Morality aside
Catholic responsibility aside
Consider this:
I just researched this “free clinic”. Number one= it is open one day a week. There are over 11,0000 uninsured people in Bay County. UNINSURED. Not people on medicare, medicaid, but uninsured. What are they to do

If you own a 100k home, (which is not the average),the cost would be $33.50 per year. One dime a day per household, per 100k home.

I have one question to you: How much is a human life worth.
ie, you don’t get treatment for strepthroat, you die.

By the way, I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I happen to live under a Political system. I do not identify with either. I am a Catholic Christian, this is my identity. As stated before, I will vote on the pro life ticket. However, I have huge reservations about how people are treated from the womb to the tomb.

I hope you have a good day, truly.
God Bless, Lis

 

[MICATH]

Dear Crumpy
Politics aside
Morality aside
Catholic responsibility aside
Consider this:
I just researched this “free clinic”. Number one= it is open one day a week. There are over 11,0000 uninsured people in Bay County. UNINSURED. Not people on medicare, medicaid, but uninsured. What are they to do

If you own a 100k home, (which is not the average),the cost would be $33.50 per year. One dime a day per household, per 100k home.

I have one question to you: How much is a human life worth.
ie, you don’t get treatment for strepthroat, you die.

By the way, I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I happen to live under a Political system. I do not identify with either. I am a Catholic Christian, this is my identity. As stated before, I will vote on the pro life ticket. However, I have huge reservations about how people are treated from the womb to the tomb.

I hope you have a good day, truly.
God Bless, Lis

Saginaw County Board of Commissioners is going to decide tonight to put a similar millage request on the November ballot in Saginaw County. I understand Bishop Carlson has endorsed this as well. Additionally, the two acute-care hospitals in Saginaw have offered their support of putting the millage proposal on the ballot. One of those hospitals is a Catholic hospital.

These millages, if passed, will provide access to care to many on the uninsured in both Saginaw and Bay Counties. The millages would add to state and federal funds already in use in the counties, that are drying up. I don’t know if the programs supply contraception or other birth control, but I do know they provide access to care that saves lives, provide access to prescription drugs that save lives, and are a safety net to the uninsured in these counties. Genessee County has a similar program that was approved a few years back by the voters, passed by a high margin if I recall correctly.

These programs help keep the local emergency rooms from being clogged with those who don’t belong there, but have no where else to go to seek treatment. The ER’s are not set up to provide care for managing chronic disease (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.). If passed, these millages will save lives. I applaud Bishop Carlson for his support of these efforts.

 

[MICATH]

The Saginaw County Board of Commissioners approved putting the millage request, similar to the Bay County request on the November ballot. The director of the Saginaw program (also the director of the Bay County and Genesee County programs) that contraception and other family planning is NOT coveraged by the millage requests nor by the county health plans. There are state government programs that do cover these things, but not the programs covered by the millage requests. Looks like Bishop Carlson is in the clear.

 

[lrs]

The Saginaw County Board of Commissioners approved putting the millage request, similar to the Bay County request on the November ballot. The director of the Saginaw program (also the director of the Bay County and Genesee County programs) that contraception and other family planning is NOT coveraged by the millage requests nor by the county health plans. There are state government programs that do cover these things, but not the programs covered by the millage requests. Looks like Bishop Carlson is in the clear.

Dear MiCath,
We just don’t trust in the Holy Spirit as we should. Thank You for this update.
Blessings, Lisa

 

[bakhita]

I’ve checked the recent posts and no one has commented on this very radical move by Bishop Carlson.

and

Carlson’s support of the Nickless millage is blatantly support for socialized medicine…

I’m shocked too. A bishop advocating something that may help the least of those among us. Who’d have thunk it?

 

[bakhita]

Did anyone else notice any significant changes with the new pastors?

No new pastor there but one thing noticed at St. Stan’s in Bay City about 2 weeks ago—a Maryknoll missionary was there and gave a homily about how the miracle of the loaves and fishes wasn’t anything miraculous but that the true miracle was “the miracle of sharing.”

Also heard that St. Thomas Aquinas is buying a new house for a brand new rectory.

 

[MICATH]

Also heard that St. Thomas Aquinas is buying a new house for a brand new rectory.

St. Thomas is buying a new house for a new rectory. A very humble and generous parish family gave the parish the first option to buy their house, next door to the parish and next door to the convent, at a below market value price. The current rectory is the old friary, was built to house a multitude of friars, not one or two priests, and is upstairs from the parish offices. This gesture by this parish family was of great luck for the parish and will supply much needed room in the parish offices and free up some space in the school, that is also much needed. I believe this deal was in the works before the change in pastors. God bless families like the one selling their home to the parish. Not only will their generousilty save the parish many dollars, but they have been such good neighbors to the parish over the years, it is hard to describe. The parish will find out how much volunteer work they did around the parish once they are no longer next door. They may need to hire additional help to replace the work done by these people.