|

Things to Do – September 2023

This fall, St. Patrick Parish in Brighton will offer Catholic in Recovery, which supports people who have an interest in recovering from addiction and deepening their relationships with Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. Contact Kim Kaye at 810.229.9863, ext. 218 for more information. 

St. Mary Catholic School in Pinckney will host its back-to-school night on Sept. 5, beginning at 7 p.m. Interested families are welcome.

The Catholic Biblical School will host an online open house on Sept. 5, 8-9 p.m. Meet Catholic Biblical School teachers from the Diocese of Lansing and learn about joining 2023-24 classes in the diocese or online. Learn more at cbsmich.org/infonights.

On Sept. 7, the Altar Society at St. Mary, Morrice will host a Designer Bag Bingo. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by contacting the parish office at 517.625.4260.

St. Mary, Morrice will be having its Fall Festival Sept. 8-10.

On Sept. 8, St. Mary Star of the Sea of the School and Parish will be celebrating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which also happens to be the parish feast day. The church will be offering a special Mass, followed by adoration and benediction. The school will be hosting an open house from 5-7 p.m. There will be hot dogs, popcorn, drinks and live music. Cake will be served after benediction.


ASL and special needs ministries 

The ASL Interpreted Mass at St. Gerard Parish, located at 4437 W. Willow in Lansing, is at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 23. No RSVP is required. If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Blatnik, coordinator of the Special Needs Ministry, at blatsie63@yahoo.com

Our next Special Needs Mass is Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. in the St. Francis Retreat Center Chapel located at 703 E. Main in DeWitt, followed by light refreshments in the dining room. Please RSVP by Sept. 3 to Cathy Blatnik, coordinator of the Special Needs Ministry of the Diocese of Lansing, at blatsie63@yahoo.com or at 517.381.1410 if you would like to attend. 

The first, second and third Sundays of the month, Masses are ASL Interpreted at 9:30 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Ann Arbor.

Every Sunday, the 11 a.m. Mass is ASL Interpreted at Holy Redeemer Church in Burton. 

We have FREE monthly Mass Propers for those that have low vision or blindness. Please contact Cathy Blatnik, coordinator of the Special Needs Ministry of the Diocese of Lansing, at blatsie63@yahoo.com or at 517.381.1410 to find out how to receive a copy.


The Church of the Resurrection hosts its 88th Ox Roast Festival Sept. 8-10. The event features the original Ox Roast sandwich, delicious homemade soup and baked goods, along with children's games, pub, DJ entertainment, hourly 50/50 drawings and raffles. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/resurrectionoxroast/, or see the display ad in this section.

The Lansing Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will host its annual meeting and retreat on Sept. 9. The event begins at 8 a.m. at St. Patrick's in Brighton and includes a Mass and two speakers. Cost is $25 and includes lunch. Send payment to Nancy Babin, 4336 Cinnamon Lane, Leslie, MI 49251, along with attendee(s) name, address, phone number, email and preference for chicken or vegetarian meal. 

Holy Family Parish in Adrian will host its annual parish picnic on Sunday, Sept.10 at the Adrian Knights of Columbus Hall at 3375 Treat Highway. Join us for an outdoor Mass at the hall at 10 a.m., followed by our parish picnic and fun, including adult and children’s games, trivia and prizes. For more information, contact Rocio at 517.263.4681, ext. 203 or office@holyfamily.org.

St. Mary, Pinckney will host its monthly breakfast Sept. 10 from 8:30-11 a.m. A free will donation is all that’s asked.

Help support St. Louis Center by participating in the Kevin George Memorial Outing on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Lakeland Hills Golf Course in Jackson. There is a 9 a.m. shotgun start for this four-person scramble. To register, visit stlouiscenter.org/event/kevin-george-memorial-golf/ or contact Gail and Jack George at 517.262.2757.

St. Mary, Pinckney will host a Shindig Music Ministry fundraiser on Sept. 16. Join in some family-friendly fun with an evening of musical performances and skits. We are striving to share in the joy of the Lord through the sharing of our gifts and talents.  Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family.

St. John the Evangelist in Fenton hosts its 51st annual Applefest Sept. 14-17. A car raffle, rides, apple pie, Padre's chili, games, road race, dinners, fireworks and other attractions will highlight the event. Visit stjohnfenton.org/applefest for a complete schedule. 

St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt will host a series of retreats for men and women, entitled Retreat for Revival. Please see the display ad in this section. 

The Swartz Creek Knights of Columbus will sponsor a euchre tournament fundraiser on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. The event is hosted by St. Mary Queen of Angels in their parish hall at 4413 Morrish Road in Swartz Creek.  For more information, call 810.635.3684.

On Sept. 15, Bishop Boyea will celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. John School in Jackson with a 9 a.m. Mass. On Sept. 16, the school will host an open house celebrating 150 years of Catholic education in Jackson. Visit the school’s website or check out its Facebook page for details.

St. Mary, Pinckney will host its Fall Family Festival on Sept. 23 from 1-7 p.m.

Interested in learning about the Catholic Faith? RCIA begins Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. at St. Gerard. Contact mpeacock@stgerard.org or check out https://www.stgerard.org/rcia2 for more information.

Catholic Biblical School will host in-person course kick-offs on Sept. 18 at the times and locations below. Begin a journey through the Old Testament with engaging, live talks and discussion. Learn more at cbsmich.org or call/text 586.438.3085.

  • 9:15-10:45 a.m. at Old St. Patrick in Ann Arbor
  • 7-8:30 p.m. at St. Mary in Pinckney
  • 7-9 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing
  • Online (anytime)

Attention gentlemen! You are invited to the Randazzo Men’s Social on Sept. 21 at Randazzo Fresh Market in Macomb Township. An evening of friends, football and fine food begins at 5:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit St. Louis Center. For more information, visit stlouiscenter.org /event/2023-randazzo-mens-social-2/ or contact Alyssa at 586.566.8700.

Be a guardian angel for St. Louis Center. Attend the Fall Harvest Dinner on Sept. 24 at the Italian American Banquet Center in Livonia. The event begins with Mass at 12 p.m. To register, visit stlouiscenter.org/event/2023-guardian-angel-fall-harvest-festival/ or contact Michelle at slcdev@stlouiscenter.org or 734.475.8430.

Father Gabriel Richard (FGR) High School hosts its Homecoming Game on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium at Eastern Michigan University. Join us under the lights to cheer on the Irish! All FGR alums are invited to join us in the Eagle Suite for a complimentary reception. Contact jblausey@fgrhs.org with any questions.

Prayer and healing for post-abortive women — the Entering Canaan Brighton team meets with women in a confidential and prayerful setting, journeying from the pain of abortion to the freedom of God’s mercy, forgiveness and healing. Days of Prayer and Healing on Sept. 23, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16 include Mass, adoration, confession, witness talks, lunch and group sharing. The suggested donation of $20 should never be an obstacle; all are welcome to attend. For locations or questions, text or call Eileen Craig, MA, LPC at 810.373.2966 or email enteringcanaanbrighton@gmail.com.

The Owosso Knights of Columbus will host a golf outing on Sept. 24 at Twin Brooks Golf Course in Chesaning. The event, which is open to the public and has 32 teams available, has a 10 a.m. tee time. Proceeds benefit the Knights of Columbus and all their community support projects.

Family members of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities are invited to join Father Enzo Addari of St. Louis Center at the Beacon Conference on Sept. 27 at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. There will be Mass, inspirational talks, practical presentations and more. To register, visit stfrancis.ws/beacon.

St. Mary Catholic School in Pinckney will host a walk-a-thon on Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.


Post-abortion healing: Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreats are designed for women and/or men experiencing the emotional and spiritual pain of past abortions. A unique and creative process for psychological and spiritual healing, the weekend will help your soul find a voice, and transform the pain of the past into hope. Contacts and upcoming retreats include: 

  • • Ann Arbor/Detroit: Sept. 29–Oct. 1, 2023, as well as June 14-16 and Nov. 8-10, 2024. Contact Beth Bauer at 734.879.0427 or toheal4give@outlook.com.
  • • Detroit (in Spanish): Contact Maria Samano at 313.742.8690, Marine Frausto at 313.926.9334, Alejandra Medina at 248.840.3376 or elvinedoderaqueldetroit@gmail.com. 
  • • Lansing: March 1-3 and Aug. 9-11, 2024. Contact Della Seeley at 989.289.7872 or nlcrachelsvineyard@gmail.com.

All requests are strictly confidential.


Enjoy fall golf during the Memorial Outing Oct. 1 at Wheatfield Valley Golf in Williamston. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Shotgun start occurs at 9:30 a.m. and the event includes games, dinner and raffles. Proceeds benefit St. Louis Center. To register, contact Wheatfield Valley at wheatfieldvalley@yahoo.com or 517.655.6999.

The Lansing Area Life Chain occurs Oct. 1 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. The chain will extend along Grand River Avenue from East Lansing to Williamston. Meet at Abbot Road in downtown East Lansing, Brookfield Plaza in East Lansing, St. Martha Church in Okemos or Main Street in Williamston near St. Mary's. Signs will be available at all locations.

St. Gerard Parish in Lansing will host its annual Autumn Craft Show on Oct. 28 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Father Weber Hall (behind the school). You will find a wide range of home decor, blankets, jewelry, holiday gift items and much more. Tasty breakfast and lunch items will be offered all day. Door prizes too! Proceeds benefit the Women of St. Gerard. For more information on reserving a table or for the event in general, contact Pat Albright at 517.230.3245.


Catholic Charities

Elder Abuse Recovery Support Group. This is a group where seniors can see they are not alone; a safe haven where they can talk about their abuse and know they are not going to be judged or ridiculed. They will feel safe sharing their stories. The professionals facilitating this group help seniors find resources to help them continue on the path of healing and recovery. Now meeting in person. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month. Register today by contacting Beth Newman, prevention specialist, at 517.545.5944 or beth@livingstoncatholiccharities.org.

Caregiver Support Group. This group meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 5-6 p.m. at Be Our Guest at Livingston County Catholic Charities. Respite care provided with advance notice. Care-giver Support Groups are currently occurring via Zoom. Please call 517.546.9910 to reserve your spot. 

Drop-in Substance Engagement Group. Livingston County Catholic Charities (LCCC) offers Substance Abuse Engagement Groups three times per week. All persons with substance abuse issues, past and present, are welcome to attend these groups, free. All are welcome. Pre-registration is necessary. Call Jessica at 517.375.1652 to register. Mondays 5-6:30 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. in-person, Wednesdays 10-11:30 a.m. via Zoom and Fridays 10-11:30 a.m. via Zoom.