Dad Talk - Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C)
By: John Bursch -
Sun, Sep 7, 2025 9:31 AM
Today’s first reading from Wisdom makes clear that God’s ways are not our ways. Jesus makes that abundantly clear in the Gospel reading from Luke, when he says we must hate our family and give up all we own to follow him. But don't Jesus's demands make us his slaves? Not at all! In today’s Dad Talk, we’ll explore how giving up earthly things makes us truly free - and why we must always love our parents:
Please share with a friend, and God bless! Dad
The Origin of Pews in the Catholic Church
By: Robert Bagley -
Thu, Sep 4, 2025 8:02 AM
My Brothers and Sisters
Have you ever attended a Mass where you did not sit, but stood the entire time?
I have attended only one like that and wondered why, when there was seating available. Below is a little fact I have found about the origins of the pew.
DISCOVER THE ORIGIN OF PEWS IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
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Have you ever wondered where the pews in our churches came from?
Today, we walk into church, find “our spot,” kneel, sit, and stand, all within the wooden embrace of a pew. But did you know, for centuries, there were no pews in Catholic churches at all?
Yes, early Christians stood during worship. The liturgy was seen as active participation, not passive sitting. Church was not a lecture hall but a heavenly banquet, a foretaste of the eternal liturgy. Standing was a sign of readiness, reverence, and resurrection.
Limited Seating: Some early churches, especially in the Roman and Byzantine world, had backless stone benches or sedilia built along the walls. But these were for the elderly and infirm. The vast majority of the faithful stood, attentive and alert, as the liturgy unfolded.
So where did pews come from? Here’s the surprise: pews were first introduced by Protestants. Why? Because preaching became the center of Protestant worship. Long sermons required long sitting, and pews provided comfort and order. Eventually, pews entered Catholic churches in the West, not because the Mass changed in essence, but because of cultural influence and practical need.
But here is the deeper lesson: the Church’s worship was never meant to be passive. In the early Church, you didn’t “sit back and watch.” You stood. You sang. You bowed. You responded. You were involved with your whole body.
Even today, notice that during the most sacred parts of the Mass, the Gospel, the Eucharistic Prayer, Communion, we do not sit. We stand or kneel, because these are moments of encounter.
So next time you sit in a pew, remember: it’s not an ancient Catholic invention, it’s a Protestant one. The Church simply baptized it, keeping the focus on active worship.
God bless you
#catholicsonlineclass
I pray you enjoyed this little fun fact.
PAX
Bob Bagley
State Faith Director
Holy Cross Calendar Winners - September 2025!
By: Matt Hoxsie -
Wed, Sep 3, 2025 10:29 AM
Here are this month's winners in the Holy Cross Services Calendar drawings!
October is Respect Life Month
By: Matt Hoxsie -
Wed, Sep 3, 2025 9:38 AM
October is Respect Life Month
Nationwide and throughout Michigan, the annual LIFE CHAIN will be held Sunday afternoon, October 5. It is a time of prayer and witness to the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. Local LIFE CHAINs of 5-50 people with signs silently praying along roadsides bring the truth and a message of hope as cars drive by. Find a LIFE CHAIN near you. Bring the family. Lifechain.org or call for help to start a new LIFE CHAIN: Debbie 734-934-2599.
Michigan March for Life at the Capitol in Lansing will be Thursday, November 6, at 11 a.m. for the Rally and the March at noon. It is the third anniversary of the unfortunate passage of Proposal 3 which made abortion legal anytime during pregnancy for any reason. Knights of Columbus join people of faith to influence the culture and recognize the dignity of every human person. Buses will be available in many places. Downriver residents may make a reservation at
DownrivertoMiMFL.eventbrite.com. For other buses and additional information see RTL.org.
Living Rosary is less than Two Weeks Away!
By: Robert Bagley -
Tue, Sep 2, 2025 8:16 AM
My Brothers and Sisters
The Living Rosary is now less than 2 weeks away.
Join us in this Evangelization and Salvation of Souls.
Included on the flyer is the guest speakers that will be in attendance; John J Bursch, Legal Council for the Michigan Knights of Columbus and Father Andrew LaFramboise, Michigan Knights of Columbus State Chaplain.
EWTN will also be at the Rosary, filming and interviews. Will appear on the EWTN program, Marion Fathers.
PAX
Bob Bagley
State Faith Director
Councils 10724 and 5981 hold joint Corporate Communion in Anchorville!
By: Matt Hoxsie -
Tue, Sep 2, 2025 7:57 AM
Brother Knights from the Au Lac 10724 and Anchor Bay 5981 Councils attended a Corporate Communion Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Anchorville on August 31st,
presided by Fr. Joseph Esper. Their family members attended and the Assembly Color Guard from St. Mary on the Lake Assembly 2804 was also present at Mass.
After Mass, they shared a social time in the parish hall. The next Corporate Communion Mass will be held on Sunday, November 30th.
Council 2667 fundraises for Catholic School Playground Equipment!
By: Matt Hoxsie -
Tue, Sep 2, 2025 7:42 AM
On Tuesday, August 26th, Richmond Council 2667 had its annual corn roast, benefiting St. Augustine Catholic School's playground equipment project.
Richmond Council 2667 help St. Augustine Parish celebrate Feast Day!
By: Matt Hoxsie -
Tue, Sep 2, 2025 6:52 AM
On Sunday, August 31st, Richmond Council 2667 served the parishioners of St. Augustine Parish in their celebration of the Feast of St. Augustine. The Council, along with the ladies of the St. Augustine Altar Sodality and Christian Services organization provided a pancake breakfast pastries and sweets for the celebration.
Dad Talk - Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C)
By: John Bursch -
Sun, Aug 31, 2025 9:05 AM
Pride is considered the first and worst of the deadly sins, and it's the subject of our first reading and Gospel this weekend. We'll discuss pride and its antidote, humility - and also unravel a very dense and confusing second reading - in today's Dad Talk:
Please share with a friend, and God bless! Dad
