40 Days for Life Campaign Comes to Kalamazoo

The Catholic Information Center is leading the local effort of the national 40 Days for Life Campaign, a pro-life campaign created to unite a community through prayer, fasting and peaceful activism to end abortion in America. The campaign coincides will Lent from February 6 through March 16.
        According to Brian Trainor, Catholic Information Center, the campaign is made up of three key components; Prayer and Fasting; Peaceful Vigil; and Community Outreach. 40 Days for Life extends to all faiths and denominations. Since 2004 close to 90 cities in 33 states have participated in the campaign.
        Other Midwest communities that have been involved include:
Green Bay, Wisc.: the community rallied 700 people — only 2 percent of whom had ever been active in pro-life efforts before; and
Akron, Ohio: Organizers note: “40 Days for Life was the kick-start that our community needed to get motivated to pray at the abortion clinics. Many more people are now involved and do not want to stop with day 40! Attendees signed up to pray at least one hour per month.”
        For more information on specific events visit: www.40daysoflife.com/kalamazoo. To learn more about participating contact Brian Trainor, 269-553-0482; 40days@cicswm.com.

In Memoriam

Reverend Father Donn J. Taylor, age 82, died Friday, January 18, 2008 at M.J. Clark Retirement Community. He was born September 15, 1925 in Lansing, the son of Dr. F. Hoyt and Gladys Marie (Boos) Taylor. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Lansing, St. Joseph Seminary in Plymouth, and received his Masters Degree in Theology from St. John’s Seminary. Father Taylor was ordained in June 6, 1953 and served the parishes of St. Augustine in Kalamazoo, St. Thomas More Parish at Western Michigan University which he established, St. Charles in Coldwater, St. Mary’s in Paw Paw and St. Joseph in Battle Creek, where he served from 1984 until his retirement in 1993. Following his retirement he assisted at Holy Family Church in Decatur. Surviving are three nieces, Dianne Noelt, Dawn Brogan and Maren Taylor Herman, and nephew, David Kuchar. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, F. Hoyt Taylor, Jr.; and sister Gwen Kuchar; brother-in-law Mart Kuchar and sister-in-law Sheila Taylor; and caregivers Sister Cyrilla Jegla and Pat Peck.

Annual Seminarian Mass and Luncheon

On December 20th 16 seminarians, their families and 22 students celebrated Mass with celebrant Bishop James A. Murray at the Cathedral of St. Augustine in Kalamazoo. After Mass participants adjoined to The Crowley Center for a Christmas luncheon celebration hosted by the Diocesan Vocations Office.
        This year pastors around the parish submitted names of parishioners age 16 and above who may be open to a vocation in religious life. Twenty-two students attended and were urged by Father John Fleckenstein, director of the office of vocations, to be open to God’s presence and aware so they don’t miss out on His call.
        Additionally the luncheon program included a slide show of seminarian events throughout the year and a showing of the award-winning DVD feature, “Fishers of Men.”
        If you’re interested in learning more about vocations please contact the Diocesan Vocations Office,(269) 349-8714, ext. 242.