Our Lady of the Lake 

We have been having for several weeks now our regular schedule for weekend Masses. As a parish staff, we have been doing everything possible to create a safe environment for our Eucharistic Celebrations. We are faithfully following CDC guidelines and our own directives from the Diocese of Kalamazoo. We are requiring all parishioners to wear masks, to use hand sanitizer upon entering and we are providing safe social distancing in our seating arrangements. Out of an abundance of caution we are not singing or having processions during the liturgy. At Our Lady parishioners are remaining in their pews for Communion and at St. Ann, coming up by way of the side aisles to avoid any unnecessary grouping while in church.
We welcome all our parishioners to return to weekend Masses or daily Mass. The only reason not to come would be if you are sick, have had signs or symptoms of the virus, or have been in close contact with someone who has the virus. There are no restrictions on age, as long as you are feeling well and able to meet our guidelines. We miss all of you and hope that you stay well and that soon we can all come together again as a family. I can assure you that your health and safety while here at church is our number one priority.
God bless you and stay safe,
Padre 
 
Recap of Mass Procedures

Printout of Mass Prayers

AUGUST 9, 2020
The Gospel for the 19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time relates the event of Jesus walking on a wind-driven body of water in the midst of a storm. There is great symbolism in the description of the angry sea. In Old Testament times the sea was commonly regarded as the dwelling place of the devil and evil spirits. In the understanding of those early times, God dwelt in and inhabited the heavens, human beings inhabited the earth and the devil and his minions inhabited the waters.
The sea can, without much warning, rise up and flood towns and villages, creating storms that in an instant can send ships to a watery grave. In the midst of angry seas humans were helpless against the winds and waves and suffered greatly from storms. In the 65^th Psalm we are told only God can control the sea. The event in the Gospel for this Sunday clearly shows the Apostles that Jesus is God as he calms the sea and rescues Peter and the disciples in the boat.
Just like Peter and the other apostles, we too have been tossed around by the inevitable and sometimes surprising storms of life. These storms and trials sometimes come without warning. Just think of all that has happened since the beginning of the Pandemic. It is as if we have been hit by a gigantic wave crashing over us and making us feel out of control. We want to reach out and extend a hand so that we can be pulled out of these raging waters.
Jesus is the hand that is always extended to pull us back into the security of the boat. At the same time, we are called to also extend our hand to help others in need. In the midst of this storm of Coronavirus, God is calling us to become the instruments of God through our acts of concern and kindness to all who are experiencing this angry sea. Through our prayer and acts of kindness, may others hear the gentle voice of Jesus telling us: “Get hold of yourselves. It is I. Do not be afraid. Take my hand.”