What was life like for a typical 25-year-old man in 1971? For those who weren’t drafted and serving in Vietnam, they were likely working a job, bringing home a respectable $10,000/year (average annual income), and saving for a house. For entertainment, they might catch the popular “Fiddler on the Roof,” splurging the $1.15 for the movie ticket. Or that year you may find them gathered around the television with family and friends, captivated by the Apollo 14 moon landing. And for Pittsburgh Pirates fans, they might be spending time cheering on their team during what would become their World Series winning season.

Camille DeLano’s day begins like so many educators. She’s up early and out the door by 6 a.m. to start her hour-long commute to Saint Basil Elementary School from her home in Dorr. She never tires of the view of Lake Michigan that greets her each day as Saint Basil sits just feet from the shoreline in South Haven. “I love the lake — it’s different each day.”

The Diocese of Kalamazoo expresses its gratitude to Sister Maryud Cortes, Religious Sister of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Divine Spirit (MSDE) for all her commitment and support during these last two and a half years she was in the Diocesan Secretariat for Parish Life and Lay Leadership. She was part of the Diocesan Team of the Office of Hispanic Ministry.

La Diócesis de Kalamazoo expresa su gratitud a la Hermana Maryud Cortes, Religiosa de las Hermanas Misioneras Siervas del Divino Espíritu (MSDE) por todo su compromiso y apoyo durante estos últimos dos años y medio que estuvo en el Secretariado Diocesano para la Vida Parroquial y Liderazgo Laical. Ella formo parte del Equipo de la Oficina Diocesana del Ministerio Hispano.

A mom with a traumatic past who never trusted a therapist. A couple who were close to divorce. A youth who felt they were to blame for all their trauma and pain. For Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo, these are the stories of just three patients who have been served by the counseling team at Bridges Mental Health Counseling Services.

In those weeks leading up to the announcement of our new bishop in 2009, I was one of only a few privy to who that was by nature of my position as director of communications. A few of us were charged with coordinating the logistics of this important moment in the Church, and, as such, I was on the phone quite a bit with my counterpart, Bob, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Make these special votives to blend atmosphere and faith -- In January, I attended a prayer service for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday at my church. The entire evening was quite beautiful. What really set the tone was what I saw driving up to the church before the service. In the darkness of the night were hundreds of luminaria lining the sidewalk and driveway going into the church. On each was written, “choose life.” They created such a beautiful and serene effect on such a cold January night. Like all of those who came that evening to pray for troubled mothers and their babies, these luminaria were warm beacons of hope in an otherwise dark landscape.

Patron Saint of Nurses -- Feast Day: June 24th