The Diocese of Kalamazoo is offering the ability to register and complete free online training courses to strengthen and enhance the knowledge of your faith.   The Franciscan University Catechetical Institute for free online learning (both English and Spanish classes available) click here at: Franciscan at Home Sign-Up  Be sure to choose 'Kalamazoo' as your Diocese and then find our parish name in the drop-down list.  (St. Rose of Lima and St. Cyril of Nashville are listed together.)  Then, you need to create your own personal sign-in and password.

This was made available to us by the Bishop's Annual Appeal.  Thank you to all that have offered up your BAA pledges! 

Pray daily.  Say silent prayers for others and for yourself. We may not be able to give to every charity or every person; but we can pray for them. Just a minute or two to strengthen yourself or someone else. God is always there and listening.

Go to the Confession (Sacrament of Reconciliation).  It is a powerful way to ask God’s forgiveness for our sins and a powerful way to receive that mercy. It’s an invitation to start anew.  Don't allow the things you may have done to be a barrier between You and God. Don't let evil dwell within you, let it go. Confess to God (through the priest who is a representation of God) and let yourself be free from sin; which will bring you closer to God. Call the parish office for an appt or view the confession schedule.

Go to Mass...often.   In the Sacrament of the Eucharist we receive the Body and Blood of Christ.  When the bread and wine are consecrated by the priest at Mass, they cease to be bread and wine, and become instead the Most Precious Body and Blood of Christ. The empirical appearances and attributes are not changed, but the underlying reality is. You can receive His grace each day.

Be sure to attend all the Holy Days of Obligation. These are important, religiously sacred events that happened in our faith. 2018 Holy Days of Obligation are listed here.   Read up on each of the Holy Days here.

Attend Adoration service on each First Friday of the Month. At Adoration, the monstrance is placed on the altar and it holds a consecrated (sacred) host which is the body of Christ. Disregard your own thoughts and concerns for a while. (This takes a few minutes to allow your thoughts to quiet down.)  Allow God to just be in your mind and heart with no thoughts of anything but love and peace.  Being with God is a rewarding and transforming experience.

Meditate on God. Just like if you were in Adoration with His body right on the altar.  Get yourself away from any distractions and just be in silence with God where ever you are. What a wonderful way to stay grounded with God and to remember how loved you are by God.  Life is all the better.

Concentrate more on others' needs than your own. It is so easy to become self-absorbed. Our Blessed Mary is an amazing example of how NOT to be self-absorbed. Take in the gift from God, and then share it; don't just keep it for yourself.  Our blessed Mary goes by many names, one is 'A Spiritual Vessel'.  Try being a spiritual vessel for others. See a need, take your gift to help to fulfill another person's need.

Read books on catholicism, study the bible,  go to a retreat; or attend a seminar.  There are amazing resources that you can study to become more aware of God in our lives. If you can't attend mass, read from scripture each day.  The readings for each day on our Home page.

Learn how to say the rosary here. You only need a quiet place to reflect on God's love, and your rosary beads. There are many rosary apps on 'google play store' to follow along on your phone to help you get started. May God bless you!

Why recite the rosary you ask? Here are the 15 promises of the Blessed Virgin Mary gave us for reciting the rosary every day. 

An amazing apologetic reflection of the Holy Rosary: http://content.myparishapp.com/rosary-with-fr-john-riccardo/the-holy-rosary-an-apologetic-reflection/

Go to our ministries page and volunteer your time and talents for the benefit of the church and to strengthen your own spirituality. 

You can be spiritually active outside of church.  Be faithfully active in whatever you do. Even if it is praying for others, helping your neighbor, knitting hats for newborns at the hospitals. Donating your time and talents or resources to an organization or group like at a  library or school, scouts or little league; even donating blood. Be active in your community in whatever way God has given for you.   For spirtuality without works; in a dead faith. Go live your best life.