SAGINAW — The new school year is now well underway across the Diocese of Saginaw and Catholic school students have been challenged by their bishop to imitate God's mercy. The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, is issuing the challenge while visiting Catholic schools and celebrating Masses with students, teachers, parents and grandparents. In a special way this year, as the global church prepares to celebrate an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, as declared by Pope Francis and set to take place from December 8, 2015 until November 20, 2016, Bishop Cistone is calling upon the schools to engage in both the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
"Together, we can bring the heart of Jesus into the lives of others," Bishop Cistone said.
The bishop is traveling with two large banners that highlight the spiritual works of mercy (counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish the sinner, comfort the sorrowful, forgive injuries, bear wrongs patiently and pray for the living and the dead) as well as the corporal works of mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick, visit the prisoners, bury the dead and give alms to the poor).
Praising the charitable outreach which happens through the schools each year, Bishop Cistone suggested each class dig even deeper, selecting one or two spiritual or corporal works of mercy to learn more about, and then carrying out these works in new and creative ways within their communities.
To date, Bishop Cistone has celebrated Mass with the school communities of Auburn Area Catholic School in Auburn; All Saints Central elementary, middle and high school in Bay City; St. Joseph the Worker School in Beal City; Blessed Sacrament and St. Brigid schools in Midland; Sacred Heart Academy in Mt. Pleasant and Nouvel Catholic Central elementary and high school in Saginaw. He looks forward to celebrating Masses with the following school communities this month:
- St. Michael School, Pinconning, Mass at 10 a.m., Oct. 13
- St. Mary School, Alma, Mass at 10 a.m., Oct. 14
- Our Lady of Lake Huron School, Harbor Beach, Mass at 10 a.m., Oct. 16
- St. Elizabeth School, Reese, Mass at 10:00 a.m., Oct. 28
The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is home to 13 Catholic schools. School leaders, teachers and staff are committed to excellence in faith formation, academics, athletics, the arts and community service. The legacy of Catholic school education in Saginaw began in 1868.