| MAY 23, 2023 (KALAMAZOO, MICH.): Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Paul J. Bradley, 77, and appointed Msgr. Edward M. Lohse, 61, as the fifth Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo. The resignation and appointment were announced today by the Holy See in Rome. Bishop-elect Lohse is currently the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Erie. Ordination of the new Bishop has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at St. Augustine Cathedral, Kalamazoo. As required by Church law, Bishop Bradley submitted his resignation to the Holy Father when he turned 75, on October 18, 2020. Bishop Bradley, who has served the Diocese since his installation on June 5, 2009, will continue as Apostolic Administrator until Bishop-elect Lohse’s ordination. “With thanksgiving to our Loving God and with deep gratitude to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, our Diocese’s wait for our new Shepherd has yielded a wonderful gift in the selection of Bishop-Elect Edward M. Lohse as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo,” said Bishop Bradley. “We welcome him with open arms and hearts filled with joy. May he walk with us, teaching us and leading us in the ways of hope-filled disciples of our Risen Lord.” Bishop-elect Lohse is the sixth of seven children born to his parents, the late Edward and Ida Lohse, who raised their family in their hometown of McKean, Pa. He graduated from Cathedral Preparatory School and continued his education at Gannon University, Erie, Pa., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He continued his seminary studies at St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pa., graduating with a Master of Divinity in 1987 and completing his requirements for ordination in 1988. More recently, Bishop-elect Lohse furthered his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University earning both a License (2002) and Doctorate in Canon Law (2016). He was ordained a priest by the late Bishop Michael J. Murphy on April 21, 1989, at St. Peter Cathedral, Erie, Pa. His first pastoral appointment was as a Parochial Vicar for St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Corry, Pa. He was recognized by Pope Francis in 2015 as a Chaplain to his Holiness with the title Monsignor. Throughout his thirty-four years as a priest, Bishop-elect Lohse has served in a number of pastoral, educational and diocesan assignments both for the Diocese of Erie as well as the Vatican. He has held administrative roles including Director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth, Chancellor and Vocation Director for the Diocese. Additionally, he served as an Official of the Congregation for the Clergy (a dicastery within the Vatican curia) from 2010-2015 and was an adjunct member of the faculty (from 2011-2015) for the Pontifical North American College, Vatican City. “I am both humbled and honored to be asked by the Holy Father to become the fifth Bishop of Kalamazoo, and I am grateful to Bishop Bradley for his support,” said Bishop-elect Lohse. “The task ahead is a daunting one, but none of us walks the path of faith alone. I know that I will need to count on the prayers of Bishop Bradley, the priests, religious and laity of the diocese, and I pledge my prayers for them in return. Together, we will go forward to proclaim Christ, and to meet him in the hearts of all God’s people in the Diocese of Kalamazoo.” As Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Bishop-elect Lohse will be the chief shepherd of the close to 80,000 Catholics who reside in the nine counties of Southwest Michigan that make up the Diocese: Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch. |
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Displays on Homepage (with photos)
2023 Bishop’s Annual Appeal
We will conduct the Bishop’s Annual Appeal in our parish over the next few weeks. All of our diocesan programs and ministries serve people in ways that we as a parish alone could never do. Please prayerfully consider what you as an individual and as a family can pledge to support the educational, pastoral and religious programs and services offered by our diocese. Our parish goal is 100% participation and with your gift we can do it. Remember, no gift is too large or too small.
Prayer Warriors Needed
Catholic Charities News to Know …
| We are God’s hands providing housing, health, and hope to His children. |
Catholic Charities….
During the months of July and August, volunteer(s) speaking Haitian Creole and/or the indigenous language from Mexico, Mixteco are needed to assist with the Hispanic/Migrant Affairs program. The volunteers would serve as interpreters, greeting/welcoming the seasonal agricultural workers in Allegan, Berrien, and Van Buren counties. Volunteers will work in a team setting with CCDOK staff. Interested? Please contact Veronica Rodriguez at 269-381-9800 EXT. 213 or by email: veronicarodriguez@ccdok.org
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
All Saints Superfest September 21, 22, 23
Join us for our annual fundraiser and enjoy good food, fun, and faith.
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
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.
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 p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo. Couples celebrating their 50th Anniversary any time in 2018 are asked to contact their parish office so that their names can be submitted for a personal invitation from Bishop Bradley to participate in this celebration. Invitations will be mailed beginning August 20th.
Eucharistic Adoration Fellowship & Information Potluck
SAVE THE DATE!
Eucharistic Adoration Fellowship & Information Potluck
Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Place: St. Philip Parish Center
Calling all past, present, and future Adorers! We are having a celebration. Bring a dish to pass and your stories to tell for an evening of fellowship and information.
More information to come! STAY TUNED…
Purse Bingo
The Eighth Annual St. Jerome’s Council of
Catholic Women Purse Bingo will be held on
Saturday, May 19th. Doors will open at 5:30
p.m. The cost is $12.00 per person and includes
homemade desserts, 20 games for purses valued
over 50-100 dollars. The cover all purse is
worth over $300! 50/50 tickets will be sold.
Contact Pat Smith for more information at: 269-317-8514.
Friends of St. John the Caregiver Meeting
Are you a caregiver for a parent, relative, or friend? The Friends
of St. John the Caregiver will meet at 6pm on Wednesday, Feb. 7
in the St. Philip parish center. For more information contact John
Grap at 269-213-7604, johnnygrap@gmail.com, or on Facebook.
But you, O LORD, are my shield; my glory, you lift up my
head! When I call out to the LORD, he answers me from his holy
mountain. – from Psalm 3