Displays on Homepage (with photos)
The annual National March for Life Rally and march to the Supreme Court on January 29th will take place virtually this year for the safety of all. You can join the March by RSVPing for the broadcast at https://marchforlife.org/2021-virtual-events/. On January 29th, you will receive a link in your email inbox containing the link to watch the March for Life Rally and march.
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December 18, 2020
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Peace be with you!
In these Advent days of preparation for the coming of our Lord, we hope and pray that the Prince of Peace may console you and draw you to himself. Over this past year the struggles with the global COVID-19 pandemic have weighed heavily on our hearts, yet our Lord has been with us to deepen our faith and trust in him. Know of our prayers for you and for all health care workers who are so diligently caring for those who are ill.
As vaccines for COVID-19 are now becoming available, we wish to address the moral questions that have arisen, insofar as some vaccines are developed using cells lines that have originated from the tissue taken from babies who were aborted decades ago.1 Abortion is a grave evil, and we must avoid complicity in abortion. Let us also pray for God’s peace, healing, and mercy for all those who have had abortions.
At the time of this writing, the Food and Drug Administration has given approval for the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer. Two other vaccines, one developed by Moderna and the other developed by AstraZeneca, might also gain FDA approval.2
It is morally permissible to receive the vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna. Neither of these vaccines have used cell lines originating in tissue taken from aborted babies in their design, development, and production. However, both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccine did use such a cell line in the confirmatory testing. This connection to the abortion is very remote, however, and it is important to keep in mind that there are varying levels of responsibility. Greater moral responsibility lies with the researchers than with those who receive the vaccine. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has indicated that it is morally permissible to be vaccinated if there are no alternatives and there are serious health risks.3 Such serious health risks are present due to the current pandemic.
The vaccine developed by AstraZeneca is more morally problematic, however. It did utilize in the design, production, development, and confirmatory testing a cell line that originated from tissue taken from an aborted baby. This vaccine may be received only if there are no other alternatives. If one does not have a choice of vaccine and a delay in immunization may bring about serious consequences for one’s health and the health of others, it would be permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine. It is somewhat similar in production to the Rubella vaccine, which the Pontifical Academy of Life indicated could be received for grave reasons and if there are no other alternatives.4
1 For more on the morality of COVID-19 vaccines, see the joint statement of the chairmen of the USCCB Committee on Doctrine and Pro-Life Activities on which our statement is based: moral-considerations-covid-vaccines (usccb.org)
2 For more information about specific vaccines being developed for COVID-19 see this reference chart from the Charlotte Lozier Institute: COVID-19-Vaccine-Candidates-and-Abortion-Derived-Cell-Lines.pdf (lozierinstitute.org)
3 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on Certain Bioethical Questions (Dignitas Humanae) (2008), nos. 35-36: Instruction Dignitas Personae on Certain Bioethical Questions, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (vatican.va)
4 Pontifical Academy for Life, “”Moral Reflections on Vaccines Prepared from Cells Derived from Aborted Human Foetuses,” (9 June 2005) in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 6:3 (2006): 541-49
If one were to choose not to be vaccinated, one would have a moral responsibility to embrace the necessary precautions to avoid spreading the disease to others.
At this same time, we join our voices to call for the development of vaccines that have no connection to abortion. Our consciences must not be dulled, nor may we imply in any way that abortion is acceptable.
Let us implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that God may bring an end to the pandemic and that all esteem and respect the dignity of human life.
Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron Most Reverend Paul J. Bradley
Archbishop of Detroit Bishop of Kalamazoo
Most Reverend Earl A. Boyea Most Reverend John F. Doerfler
Bishop of Lansing Bishop of Marquette
Most Reverend Robert D. Gruss Most Reverend Walter A. Hurley
Bishop of Saginaw Apostolic Administrator
Diocese of Gaylord
Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak
Bishop of Grand Rapids
Creative Connections: Persons with Disabilities are invited to a virtual gathering from 1:00 – 2:00p.m. on Sunday Jan. 24th. The focus is to build fellowship and have fun. We’ll spend some time getting to know each other and catching up, have a brief reflection on Sunday’s scripture passage and end with prayer. To learn more or to register go to https://www.diokzoo.org/personswithdisabilities or contact Lisa Irwin at 269-903-0177 or lirwin@diokzoo.org by Jan. 20th. Zoom link will be sent to those who register.
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On October, 19, 2019 the Diocese of Kalamazoo is hosting a Eucharistic Congress to Ignite the Faith in Southwest Michigan. This congress will bring together about 1000 of the faithful of the Diocese of Kalamazoo to unite in prayer and dialogue to inspire more faith in Southwest Michigan.
The faithful will gather at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo. While at the congress they will pray, be encouraged by talks, and discuss in small groups how the Diocese of Kalamazoo can accompany families, foster more priests, and encourage the growth and sharing of the faith throughout their community.
We are currently looking for sponsors to assist with the approximate $50,000 cost of the event. Sponsors will be listed in the program and throughout the venue as well as on the diocesan webpage and social media. The higher level sponsors also include a specific room acknowledgement as indicated below.
The four levels of sponsorship are:
Tongues of Fire: $2,000 – includes digital acknowledgment on keynote room
Burning Bush: $1,000 – includes digital acknowledgement on a breakout room
Flaming torch: $500 – includes acknowledgement at lunch
Sanctuary Lamp – $250
If you would like to help sponsor this congress, you can sign up and make payment on our website at www.diokzoo.org/ecsponsorship. If you have any question or would like to speak to someone about sponsorship opportunities please contact Tom Dowdall at tdowdall@diokzoo.org, or 269-903-0145.
Thank you for your support of this initiative to transform the Church in Southwest Michigan.
With the Love of Christ,
Jamin Herold
Executive Director – Parish Life and Lay Leadership
Director of Eucharistic Congress
Diocese of Kalamazoo
269-903-0183
GREAT GIFT IDEA! BUY ANY RETREAT AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOUR LOVED ONE!
1. Young Adult Retreat 2019 – A Grown Up Look At the Virtues: Looking to get away to spend some time with the Lord during the season of Lent? Join us from Friday March 1st at 7 pm – Sunday March 3rd and take this time for prayer, presentations, recreation, reflection, and fellowship at Pretty Lake Camp (9123 West Q Ave., Mattawan, MI 49071). Cost is $50 per participant. Please register by contacting Tim McNamara (tmcnamara@diokzoo.org) and stay tuned for more information. God bless!
2. Diocesan Annual Lenten Retreat 2019 (Formally Diocesan Annual Open Retreat) – March 16-17, 2019 at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp (8258 Victory St., Vicksburg, MI 49097). Our facilitators are Madeline Haydon, Michelle Moynihan, and Nicole Kegley, all three who serve at their respective parish as Echo Apprentices. The retreat begins at 9:00 am on Saturday, March 16th and concludes at 11:30 am on Sunday, March 17th. There are two options available when you register – one is with an overnight stay and the second is for those who would like to commute. The cost structure is as follows (please note all rooms have two queen beds):
Single Occupancy: $120
Double Occupancy: $80
Triple Occupancy: $65
Quadruple Occupancy: $60
Commuter Rate: $40
Deadline for these prices is March 1st. After that there is an additional $20 added on and rooms will be given on a first come, first serve basis. All registrations are due by March 8th. To register, please visit https://imdisciple.com/lentenretreat For more information, please contact Tim McNamara attmcnamara@diokzoo.org.
3. Diocesan Women’s Retreat: Intended for any adult woman, this retreat is meant to provide intentional time for you to reconnect with the Lord Jesus Christ and to encounter other women from around the Diocese who desire to grow in their faith. This retreat will be held at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp (8258 Victory St., Vicksburg, MI 49097) on Saturday, November 2nd – Sunday, November 3rd. There are two options available when you register – one is with an overnight stay and the second is for those who would like to commute. The cost structure is as follows (please note all rooms have two queen beds):
Single Occupancy: $120
Double Occupancy: $80
Triple Occupancy: $65
Quadruple Occupancy: $60
Commuter Rate: $40
To register for the Women’s Retreat, please contact Tim McNamara at tmcnamara@diokzoo.org. Thank you and God bless!
DIOCESAN 50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: A special Mass for couples of the Diocese of Kalamazoo who are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversaries in 2018 will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2018, 3:00 pm at St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo. Couples celebrating their 50th Anniversary any time in 2018 are asked to contact their parish office rectory so that their names can be submitted for a personal invitation from Bishop Bradley to participate in this celebration.
There are activities for people of all ages. Bring the family, have a great time, and support your parishes!
The 32nd All Saints Superfest will be held September 21, 22, and 23 on the grounds of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Battle Creek.
September Good News & Brews
Married and single young adults from college through their 30s are welcome to come enjoy discussion, fellowship and music from (newly named) Jeremiah and the Hebrews and featured speaker Sr. Joseph Andrew on holiness/vocation at Arcadia Brewing Company in Kalamazoo on Sept. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. Future dates are: Oct. 11; Nov. 8; Dec. 13.
