Visit the Christian Service page to see additional giving opportunities.
Children's Winter Boot Drive
Christian Service Commission is organizing a collection of new winter boots for children at North and West Midland Family Centers. Keep an eye out for our donation board beginning Oct. 7–8 in the gathering space and take a donation slip (or two) requesting certain sizes. Return your slips along with the new winter boots Oct. 14–22 in the gathering space.
Can't get to the store but would like to donate? Cash donations are also accepted in the collection container provided in the gathering space near the donation board. Christian Service will purchase boots still needed with your monetary donation.
Thank you for helping us ensure every child in Midland County has warm boots for the winter.
We're throwing a party, and we need your help!
PolishFEST is coming up fast and volunteers are needed to prepare for the parish’s anniversary bash on October 14!
Help is needed with
preparing food the week before,
setting up for dining, dancing, and games & family fun,
and cleaning up afterward.
Please sign up using the volunteer sheets in the gathering space or contact the parish office.
Many hands make light work and it’s a great way to meet new people or reconnect with old friends. It's also a great time for fellowship and fun!
Thank you!
Knights of Columbus
Exemplification October 18
Join your fellow parishioners in the Knights of Columbus and keep our parish strong!
Did you know that joining the world’s largest Catholic fraternity is simpler than ever to do? The next exemplification ceremony, which lasts 35–40 minutes, is on Wednesday, October 18 at 7:30pm in DuRussel Halland is open to guests including family and friends.
Contact Matt Glaccum 989-430-8622 or gk2141midland@gmail.com, or approach any member of the Knights if you or someone you know is interested in joining our brotherhood.
Membership forms and info can be found in the gathering space. Help us help others.
Fr. Henry P. DuRussel Council 2141—Over One Hundred Years of Service
Fauré Requiem
November 5, 7:00pm
In honor of the feast of All Souls' Day, Assumption Parish is proud to present Fauré's Requiem, a timeless musical setting of the ancient prayers of the Mass for the Dead. This performance will feature choir, organ, and chamber orchestra together.
A free will offering will be taken.
Anyone is welcome to join! Interested musicians can reach out to Jim Renfer at jim@assumptionmidland.org.
Blood Drive
November 20, 1:30–6:00pm
Knights of Columbus Council 2141 will host its next drive on July 10 in the Multipurpose Room. Drop-ins are welcome, or you can make an appointment.
Help Wanted
Full-time Maintenance Coordinator
Assumption Parish has an open full-time Maintenance Coordinator position for the church and parish grounds. Includes some weekend maintenance and janitorial responsibilities at second site.
Responsibilities include:
Routine cleaning and maintenance of the parish worship space, offices, multi-purpose room, parish hall and kitchen, classrooms, and meeting rooms at both sites.
Set-up for events and functions as required at both sites.
Minor maintenance and repair work, including the parish rectory.
Ensure snow removal and salting of sidewalks and entry ways, plowing of church parking lots and
rectory driveway; general groundskeeping (mulch, weeding, trimming, etc.).
Ensures the removal of trash and recycling.
Follow established security procedures to close and lock parish facilities.
Qualifications / Requirements:
Seek and organize bids for contracted work, make reports, collaborate on projects, and identify equipment stress or malfunction.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to operate pick-up truck with salt spreader unit, snow blower, lawn mower, and other similar maintenance equipment.
Ability to work safely as outlined by MI-OSHA and supervisor.
Willingness to work weekends and availability to assist with on-call emergencies.
Physical ability to perform the duties of the position – lift up to 50 lbs., stretch, walk, kneel and stand for extended periods of time.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
All interested applicants please send your resume to John Graveline (john@assumptionmidland.org) or drop it off at the Parish Office during business hours.
Guatemalan Stove Team 2024
The Midland-based Guatemalan Stove Team, with the support of our parishes, has served over 1000 Mayan families and several schools since forming in 2012. The water filters and stoves that we provide are truly life changing. The vented stoves replace a smoky fire pit on the floor of the homes, and run with 70% less wood, saving the family two hours of work a day or, if the wood is purchased, about 40% of their income. The water filters eliminate the risk of waterborne illnesses such as dysentery, a leading cause of death, especially in young children.
Our stove team is planning to travel in February 2024 to help at least 154 more families and a school. Please consider serving as a volunteer on a future team, praying for these efforts, or donating to maintain this work. Our goal is to raise $300 for each family that we serve.
If you are interested in volunteering on a future team, send information requests to: Stephanie.Williams511@gmail.com or Kevin Shaughnessy at kmshaug6@gmail.com.
Visit the Midland Area Community Foundation to contribute to this effort. Alternatively, you can send a check made out to Midland Area Community Foundation with the memo Midland-Based HELPS Fund to:
Stephanie Williams
2626 E Whippoorwill Hollow
Midland MI 48642
ABVM Parish Garden
Our garden is flourishing!
Here is just a sprinkling of vegetables that we have harvested from the parish community garden. What a blessing our faith community is to support this endeavor!
Thank you also to Bernie and Michele Link for heading up this group and spending their free time to help those in need.
We invite you to bring in vegetables and/or fruit on Tuesday or Thursday mornings before 9:30am. Please leave your donations outside by the office doors.
Coffee and Doughnuts
Help Needed!
We offer Coffee and Doughnuts on a regular basis on the 1st Sunday of the month. Mary Lou Leslie, a member of the Christian Service Commission, will serve as an organizer, and we are in need of helpers to set up 30 minutes before Mass, to help serve, and to clean up afterward.
Families and individuals are encouraged to consider this ministry of hospitality that serves us all. Sign-up is available at the welcome circle in the gathering space or contact the parish office.
Hidden Harvest
Hidden Harvest is a non-profit organization that collects food from organizations, churches, and individuals and then distributes it to various food pantries, organizations, and soup kitchens that reach out to those in need.
You are invited to participate in this worthwhile project of providing food for people in need. During the summer, bring in vegetables and/or fruit from your garden on Tuesday or Thursday morning before 9:30am. Please do not leave it outside the night before.
Produce can be dropped off by the office door. Thank you for your support.
For more information visit Hidden Harvest.
Opportunity To Serve
Would you be willing to begin a wonderfully rewarding experience twice a month taking Eucharist to Catholics residing at Bickford Cottage and Storypoint at Independence Village?
This is a twice-monthly commitment to visit individual residents, or at times the group to recite the rosary, converse, and share prayer requests. It’s a most rewarding ministry to lift the spirits of those who can no longer live independently at home or attend Mass.
Please contact Carol Landis at calandis54@gmail.com.
Media Outreach Ministry Needs You!
Masses are livestreamed each week for those who are unable to join the Assumption faith community in person. This technology also provides us the ability to livestream other events that occur throughout the church year.
There is a need for Media Outreach Ministers. This invitation is open to anyone from middle school to adult. No previous knowledge and skills are required; training will be provided.
If you are interested in this ministry or have any questions, please contact Max Schneider by stopping by the Media Outreach Ministry room (the former cry room) any Sunday before or after Mass, or by email at maxschneider@att.net.
Making Health Our Priority
Please join us for gentle yoga for health…
Gentle yoga on mats Tuesdays 3:00–4:00pm.
Chair yoga Mondays 3:00–4:00 pm in the multi-purpose room.
Note: there will be no yoga during July and August.
Any questions, call Indira at 989-835-1127.
Wanted: Missing Bags
Have you found one of these bags lying in your home? If so, please return it to the church, preferably filled with the items specified on the attached tag.
If you have considered donating to the monthly Food Pantry, please pick up one (or more) of these bags in the Gathering Space, fill it and return it with your donated items—there’s even an attached card suggesting needed items. Using the teal bags helps reduce the accumulation of plastic bags.
Thank you!
Healing After Abortion
Are you or someone you know suffering from the pain of an abortion and seeking healing and forgiveness? Support is available by specially trained ministers through the Diocese of Saginaw’s Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats and Project Rachel Ministry.
For more information, visit Healing after Abortion - You are not Alone or contact Lori Becker at 989-797-6652 or lbecker@dioceseofsaginaw.org for a private and confidential consultation.
Open Door Update
About Open Door
Midland’s Open Door operates a community soup kitchen from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm, Monday through Saturday. The soup kitchen provides a hot wholesome meal for our shelter guests and is also open to the public. In addition to the noon meal, soup and sandwiches are available for takeout for the guests evening meal. There are no formal qualifications for someone to benefit from the soup kitchen meals and all meals are provided at no cost to our guests.
Get Help
If you or someone you know is in need of help, Midland’s Open Door is always open. For shelter, please call 989-835-2291 and ask to speak with a community life advisor.
Founded in 1992, Caregiving Network cares for the people of Midland County and surrounding areas who are struggling and unable to meet their basic needs, due to short term emergency or long-term life crisis circumstances. As an organization ministering for Jesus Christ, we offer resources to all who are in need at no cost. We can respond quickly to help in the areas outlined below. We also are able to offer referrals to a wide range of other area resources and organizations.
Our ministries include:
Food pantry: wide selection of nutritious grocery items and fresh seasonal items when available
Home Essentials: small appliances, bedding, kitchen, bath items to set up a home after disaster or personal crisis
Transportation Assistance: gas card for work or doctor appointment, local transportation such as County Connection or Dial-A-Ride
Carefund Assistance: water, electricity, natural gas, propane and wood
Winter Wear: coats, scarves, hats, gloves, for the family
Health Care Assistance: aid for the uninsured or those in hardship for dental procedures or medical equipment rental
Please help us help! Tell others about us. We are passionate about reaching the hurting and helpless with Christ’s love as we minister to their physical needs.
Caregiving Network · 607 Gordon Street · Midland MI 48640
To learn more call 989-837-9757 or visit www.caregiving.network.
2-1-1: public service number for non-emergency needs
These are difficult times for Michiganders. More and more, families that have never faced financial struggles are finding themselves in need of help. 2-1-1 is available to connect those in need to local resources. Agents are standing by 24/7 to connect people with help of all kinds, like where the closest COVID-19 testing location is, which shelters are open, where to find free meals, and other essential needs. 2-1-1 is a public service number for non-emergency needs.
If you need information or want to join the Knights of Columbus, please contact Jim Hitchcock at 989-954-3930. Visit our web site today.
Do you crochet, knit, quilt, or sew? Want to use your talent to serve others? Stitch and Prayer Group invites you to join us. We are a group of faithful people who enjoy using our craft to create handmade items to warm the hearts of community members, in the local Midland area and beyond. Using the group's materials, we create beautiful items at home and bring them to monthly meetings to donate. Meetings are 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, 10am. Beginners are welcome! We love to help others learn to craft! For more information, contact Julie Maurer 989-689-0480 or Laura Ornelas 989-506-2278.
