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DIOCESAN MEN’S CONFERENCE DRAWS 1,500
The 2020 men’s conference, “Accept the Challenge,” was held on Feb. 28 at the Oosterbaan Field House in Ann Arbor, with approximately 1,500 in attendance. The event, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, featured speakers Bart Schuchts of the John Paul II Healing Center; Father Larry Richards of The Reason for our Hope Foundation; Father Mathias Thelen of Encounter Ministries; and Dan DeMatte of Damascus Catholic Mission Campus. Bishop Boyea said: “There’s nothing like having a group to help you be who you know you are called to be. I am hoping that camaraderie, that fraternity, will really be a strength to all of them.”
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IF YOU HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR VICTIMIZED BY SOMEONE REPRESENTING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. We encourage you to come forward and speak out.
If I have been the victim of child sexual abuse by someone representing the Catholic Church, whom should I contact? Contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Lansing, Cheryl Williams-Hecksel, LMSW, 888.308.6252 or cwilliamshecksel@dioceseoflansing.org.
What if I am an adult victim of sexual harassment, abuse, or other types of harassment by someone who works for the Catholic Church? Contact the Lighthouse Incident Reporting service, 844.446.0009, or Lisa Kutas, Human Resources Director, 517.342.2511 or lkutas@dioceseoflansing.org.
RITE OF ELECTION
Hundreds gathered at St Martha Parish in Okemos on March 1 to celebrate the Rite of Election with Bishop Boyea. The Rite of Election welcomes those who are non-baptized and coming into the Church, called catechumens, and those who are baptized but not yet in full communion with the Church, called candidates. In his homily, Bishop Boyea encouraged all gathered to enter into the desert with Jesus, and to use Lent as a time to enter more fully into our relationship with Christ in preparation for the celebration of Easter and Pentecost. Churches throughout the diocese will welcome more than 400 new Catholics this year at the Easter Vigil. – PHOTOS AND STORY BY JOSH HAMILTON.
