Peg Kornacker and Tammi Wachterhauser have joined the Diocese of Kalamazoo as secretaries for the office of Evangelization, Catchesis and Initiation reporting to director D.J. Florian. Peg and Tammi will provide administrative assistance and planning and coordination for the many programs offered by the ECI office. Tammi was previously with Sienna Heights University, Adrian, Mich., and is a member of  St. Monica Parish in Kalamazoo. Peg was most recently with Pfizer and is a  member of St. Ann Parish in Augusta.

The Diocese of Kalamazoo will again sponsor and coordinate the Diocesan Heating Assistance Program (DHAP) for its twenty-fifth consecutive year. This program depends on funds contributed by parishioners in parishes and missions that choose to have this voluntary second collection held at the Sunday liturgies on November 17 and 18. In addition some parishioners devote their time as Heating Assistance Volunteers assisting in the submission of applications and in the distribution of these funds.

Families residing in the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren, are eligible to receive heating assistance if they cannot receive assistance from state and/or county agencies.

Last year's program involved the service of 55 Heating Assistance Volunteers which aided 410 families with more than $73,000 thousand dollars. Thanks to the generous support of pastors, parish administrators and parishioners, in twently five years the DHAP has assisted close to 9,000 families with more than $1.2 million in funding. For information about DHAP call Sr. Susan Ridley at (269) 349-8714 ext. 238.

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Faith-Filled Teens Kick Off Youth Rally in Dowagiac

"Jumpstartmyfaith" was the theme of the diocesan youth rally held on September 22 at Sacred Heart of Mary Parish in Dowagiac. One hundred and fifty middle and high school youth from throughout the Diocese spent a beautiful sunny Saturday together to kick off fall with faith. The day was filled with songs, skits, speakers and break-out activities that encouraged the students to 'rev' up their faith and Catholic pride. The keynote speaker was musician Augie Leal, founder of Shine Catholic Work Camp. Leal encouraged attendees to recognize and utilize the gifts given to them by God. During his talks and songs, Leal traced some of the steps in his life journey and shared how the gift of music always brought him back to the core of his Catholic faith. The rally theme song, composed by Adam Reifsteck of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, also proclaimed the message that the energy and strength of our lives is found in our relationship with God. Members of Sacred Heart Parish joined the rally participants for the closing mass celebrated by Bishop James Murray.

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Youth Ambassadors Help to Promote The Ark Services
By Susan Baker
Community Development Coordinator
Catholic Family Services

Teens and young adults are being recruited to participate in the Ark Ambassadors program through Catholic Family Services. What is an ARK Ambassador? They are young people who receive leadership training, participate in service learning projects and share with youth and adults about the free services available through The Ark and Community Services. The youth are usually between the ages of 14 – 21; may be a current or former client of Catholic Family Services; and should have a desire to develop new skills themselves and to reach out to others who are facing challenging circumstances.
     The new Ambassadors first project is to conduct two focus groups of young people in the Kalamazoo area. The goal of the focus group research is to uncover youth attitudes and knowledge of the services The Ark provides and to solicit ideas and suggestions for new programs. Future Ambassador projects will include learning how to write a grant and participating in positive youth development and service projects within the community.
      Currently, five youth shown below are participating in the program. Four of them are current clients of The Ark Community Services and live at the Portage House, a transitional living apartment:  James, 20, attends Old Central High School and is currently working at Woods Lake Elementary School; Nicole, who is 17 and pregnant, is a senior at Loy Norrix High; Janay, 18, is a senior at Loy Norrix; and Matt, 18. The fifth Ark Ambassador is Tara, a single mom of two small boys, who currently lives with a relative but is a client of our transitional living program.
      “I am looking forward to working with these young people and helping them develop their leadership potential, reach their goals and help other youth over come challenges,”
Says Ben Moe, Supervisor of The Ark Outreach program, is the facilitator of the Ark Ambassadors.
       For more information, or to participate in the Ark Ambassador program, call Ben Moe at (269) 381-9800.

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Boy Scouts from St. Augustine Troop 224 Receive Eagle Award

Michael Horvath, Bryan McGregor, Michael McGregor, and Eric Vennix of St. Augustine Troop 224 received their Eagle Award on October 22 at the St Augustine Cathedral Crowley Center.
      The Eagle award is the highest and most coveted rank in scouting; the last major step in the advancement program. Fewer then 4% of all scouts in the United States reach the Eagle Scout rank.
      The requirements for Eagle are: participate actively in his troop throughout his time as a scout; earn the minimum of twently one merit badges involving subjects such as citizenship, first aid, personal fitness, life saving, camping and many others; serve as an officer or lead role position within his troop; plan, develop, and provide leadership for a community service project that will benefit a religious institution, school, or community; and appear before a Board of Review at a Boy Scout of America District office for final approval of the Eagle Ranking.
      The scouts served under the guidance of Scoutmaster Edward Horvath who now has a total of seven scouts that have reached Eagle under his troop leadership.

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Local Catholic Women Participate in National Convention

Seven members of the Kalamazoo Diocesan Council of Catholic Women recently attended the National Convention of the Council held in Columbus, Ohio. The keynote speaker for the event was Matthew Kelly, author of The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose. Additional workshops covered topics such as the death penalty, domestic violence and global poverty.

Pictured in the front row are: Council President Joanne Craig, Allegan; Moderator Rev. Donald P. Klingler, pastor of St. Margaret parish, Otsego; and Vice President Carolyn Morrison of Coldwater. Pictured in the back room are: Anne Jakubowski, Richland; Irene Ruga, Allegan; Joan Walsh, Albion; Dorothy Donay, Coldwater; Rosene Marti, Battle Creek; and Mary Lipinski, Plainwell.