What’s a Confraternity?
May 18, 2025
“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” –Psalm 133:1
As we continue the Jubilee Year of Hope, this weekend we celebrate the Jubilee of Confraternities. I must admit that my first thought upon hearing this was, “What’s a confraternity?” According to the United States Bishops’ website, “Confraternities are Christian voluntary associations, often coordinated by lay women or lay men to promote charitable works, devotional life, or a particular mission in the Church.” In other words, they are groups of Christians doing vital ministries that would not necessarily be labeled as “official” parish ministries.
Two examples of confraternities would be the Knights of Columbus and Stitch and Prayer. Both ministries are hosted here at Assumption Parish, and both have many parishioners involved, but they govern themselves and have their own mission.
The Knights of Columbus are a brotherhood of “practical Catholic gentlemen” who come together to support the parish, the diocese, the universal Church, and local charities. Our council, Fr. Henry P. DuRussel Council #2141, assists the parish in numerous ways. They volunteer many hours in the kitchen for parish events such as Polish Fest. They support vocations through strong participation in our parish Vocations Committee and sponsoring pasty or egg roll sales to support seminarian education. They support men deepening and living the Catholic faith through Saturday morning Mass, Rosary, and faith building groups. They support local organizations, charities and, events such as LifeClinic, Tall in the Saddle, Special Olympics, Coats for Kids, and many more. They also organize blood drives every other month at Assumption. The DuRussel Council was named a Star Council in 2023-2024, a recognition of excellence in council activities and operations. May God continue to bless the great work of the Knights of Columbus in our parish and throughout the entire Church! Please contact me if you would like to learn more about getting involved and putting your faith into action with this wonderful group of men.
Stitch and Prayer is a Christian ecumenical group that meets at Assumption who sew, knit, and crochet in service to those in need. These generous crafters use their gifts to bless others. They make items such as afghans, hats, scarves, bibs, wash cloths, chemo hats, fidget blankets, and prayer shawls (and much more) to distribute free of charge to the sick, hospitalized, homebound, veterans, pregnant moms, children, prisoners, the lonely, those with disabilities (and many more). In 2024, 2,974 items were distributed to those in need. Each item is prayed over to bless the recipient and the crafter. Please contact the parish office if you would like to donate your time, skills, or financial support to this ministry.
We give thanks for our confraternities that benefit our parish and local community. May God continue to bless their witness to generous, fruitful service to God and neighbor!
“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.” –John 6:54-55
This Sunday we celebrate the reception of First Communion for our young disciples who have been preparing diligently for this sacrament. We offer them and their families our sincere congratulations! May their First Communions be exactly that: the first of many Holy Communions throughout their lifetimes. The gift of the Eucharist is Jesus’ great treasure left to us to nourish and empower us for his mission in the world. The Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church has the following message from the first ever Pope Leo in the early 5th century, “‘Our participation in the Body and Blood of Christ aspires to nothing other than to become what we receive.’ That is why the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.” (YOUCAT for Kids, p. 119) As we begin the summer months, my heartfelt encouragement for each of you is to make participating in the Eucharist on Saturday night or Sunday the non-negotiable priority of your Christian disciple ship as a household. Of course, sick ness, caregiving, and certain jobs can keep us from Mass some weekends; however, let’s not let vacation, travel, family gatherings, sporting events, etc. keep us from our deepest spiritual need: Holy Communion with God. Wherever you are this summer, make the Eucharist a priority. This habitual commitment will transform your household!
“In the One, we are one.” –Motto of Pope Leo XIV, taken from St. Augustine
Also today, Pope Leo XIV will be formally inaugurated as the Successor of St. Peter as Bishop of Rome and 267th pope. As you have heard in the news and in Fr. Rick’s homily last weekend, Pope Leo is an American from Chicago, serving much of his ministry as a priest and bishop in Peru. He has some Michigan ties. He studied at an Augustinian seminary near Holland and has briefly served as a “substitute” priest at an Augustinian parish in Flint. He seems to be a very thoughtful and wise man. Let us receive him as our Universal Shep herd, open our ears and hearts to his message of unity and peace and his example of singlehearted devotion to following the way of Jesus. Let us keep him in our prayers in his new calling as our Holy Father, the Servant of the Servants of God.