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Today, Monsignor Michael Hazard resides peacefully at St. Ambrose Parish in Parchment when he isn’t caring for the needs of patients at Ascension Borgess Hospital, where he serves as hospital chaplain. But almost 50 years ago, he was the second priest ordained for the newly founded Diocese of Kalamazoo.

This prestigious award was inaugurated July 21, 2021, in observation of the Diocese of Kalamazoo’s 50th Anniversary of its establishment, along with the 50th Anniversary of the Episcopal Consecration of our first Bishop, the Most Reverend Paul Vincent Donovan (1924-2011). Bishop Donovan served as the first Shepherd of the Diocese from July 21, 1971 until his retirement in January, 1995. He chose as his Episcopal Motto: “To Serve rather than be served.” (Mt. 20:28)

The day started by being placed in Mary’s hands. We dedicated the diocese to Mary in 2017, and we dedicated the day to her guiding hand and entrusted our care to Jesus through Mary. A few joined together to process from the Cathedral to Arcadia Creek Festival Place, praying the rosary along the way.

The Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo was officially founded on July 21, 1971.

Hunger and thirst are powerful states. They are the concrete expressions of the body’s innate desire for life. They indicate a need that demands to be satisfied. They are incessant, calling out for our attention continuously and in ever greater intensity through discomfort and pain. Ultimately, the price for failing to satisfy our hunger and thirst is death from starvation or dehydration.

Catholic Charities expands services with transition of select Diocese of Kalamazoo pastoral ministry offices - Beginning July 1, 2021, several Diocese of Kalamazoo pastoral ministry outreach offices joined the Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo (CCDOK) agency. The transition allows for an expansion of resources for Catholic Charities in the areas of immigration assistance, outreach to the Hispanic/Latino and migrant population, social services to the Benton Harbor community, as well as advocacy and programs related to pro-life and persons with disabilities issues.

Feast Day - September 27th

Q: My friends argue that religion is just a bunch of “shall nots” and “don’ts” and should align more with the culture; how do I defend the Church?

I’ve always been one to make “to-do” lists for just about everything, from grocery needs to daily tasks, to upcoming events to be scheduled. There’s a great sense of accomplishment, not only when the groceries are bought, when the task is accomplished and when the event is past, but also, in checking off each of those from the “to-do” list.

On May 21, 2021, Pope Francis surprised the Church by announcing that the Synod of Bishops, postponed due to the pandemic, will be preceded by a synodal process that includes "listening to all of the baptized" in every local diocese before the bishops gather again in 2023.

“Know this my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.” – James 1:19

Once a month, we set aside a day to cook a multicourse meal as a family. But just as fun as making the meal is the research beforehand. We have the kids go through our collection of cookbooks the day before the big feast. Recently, we’ve explored Asian cuisine and enjoyed Korean Beef Bulgogi. It’s a recipe that has been around for centuries! And in reading up on Korean history, I came face-to-face with something I did not expect to discover — the rich and saintly lineage of Korean Catholic martyrs.

A recent Pew study* revealed nearly two-thirds of Catholics do not believe in transubstantiation — the changing of the wine and host to the true presence of Jesus’ Body and Blood. As Bishop Bradley wrote in his letter to the faithful last June, “It should amaze us every time we come before the Eucharist, how God desires so much to be intimate with us.”

This year 2021 we have two great moments of celebration and joy!

Este año 2021 tenemos dos grandes momentos de celebración y jubilo.

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.