Friday, November 14, 2025

Friday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

“I plead with you — never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, 

and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” 

Pope Saint John Paul II, 

Homily, Baltimore, October 8, 1995

My sisters and brothers in the Lord, 

Welcome to week forty-six of BMW, Be My Witnesses. This week we will have a bit of learning by focusing on some texts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church which deal with being missionaries.   

Learn: Catechism on Mission    

One of my favorite Scripture texts is from Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ and its spreading has always relied on a cloud of witnesses. We are each to be a member of that group. 

There are three sections of the Catechism which speak about our mission work.  The first is found in articles #849-856.  Just as the Father’s love sent us his Son as the Witness to the Divine Life, so Jesus has sent his Church. God really wants everyone and he has given us the power of the Holy Spirit to achieve that goal.  We are to be Catholic, embracing the whole world with the victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death.

The second section, articles #897-913, deals specifically with the role of the laity in this process.  The world is yours.  The gift of your Baptism and Confirmation has armed you for this mission to the world.  Certainly, all Christians have heard countless times that we are a priestly, prophetic, and kingly people. There are enough sacrifices in every life; all these need to be offered to the Father as our part in carrying out Christ’s sacred work. As prophets, we need to be witnesses, especially by demonstrating that what the world proposes for goodness and truth are often false ideals. We have Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life and he is the one we present to that world.  As a kingly people, we show the world that Jesus Christ is Lord and King and that apart from him all exercises of power in our world will not bring us true freedom.

The third section, articles #2044-2046, reminds us that it is by the holiness of our lives that we are true witnesses.  Here we are called to conform our moral behavior to the true love of God, even if our society spurns that truth.  Deep down, that world we seek to bring to the Kingdom of God knows it is lacking what is truly for the dignity of every human person as well as for the common good.

My Weekly Challenge 

 
My sisters and brothers, this week spend some time reading and reflecting on these three sections of the Catechism. Do so with your small group or with your mission partner. These are our marching orders.

 Until next week, may God Bless you.

+ Earl Boyea

Bishop of Lansing

P.S. Here is a video version of this week's Be My Witnesses. Please do share with friends and family. Thank you. 

Read: What if Saint Teresa of Calcutta had been called to Lansing, Michigan, to care for the dying and destitute right here in our diocese? What might her mission have looked like? For Bianca Murray, pictured above, executive director of the nonprofit Mother Teresa House, that mission looks like overseeing two quiet, unassuming homes for the terminally ill. Nestled in or near Lansing, each home continually welcomes up to three guests in their final days.

“To be known by name, made comfortable in clean sheets, and surrounded by love and prayer, these are the gifts we give to our guests in hospice care at Mother Teresa House,” shares Murray.

“We are Christ in the greater Lansing area for those at the end of life who have nowhere else to go. Some have loved ones who are not able to care for them; others face these days without family or home. Sometimes they share our Catholic faith, sometimes not. God is the one who brings them to us,” Murray emphasizes. 

“We are his caring words to them, his loving glance. He entrusts them to us, and we do our best to give our guests the opportunity to feel his grace and to accept it at the end of their life.”

Above: Images of life at Mother Teresa House in Williamston 

including, bottom, Alexis Talamantez-Almanzar, lead care coordinator.

Murray, a cradle Catholic, has directed Mother Teresa House since August 31, 2024. She shares that she stepped away from actively practicing her faith for about 10 years while building a successful communications career in Los Angeles, California. She recalls, “The Lord wants everyone to know him, but even while I was away, he patiently waited for me to return and say, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ That experience shapes my approach to the people I work with at Mother Teresa House. I am all about mercy and second chances, and not just given to our hospice guests, but also to their family members and visiting friends, as well as to my paid staff and my volunteers.

“In the last days of our life, God gives us so many unique opportunities to encounter him,” continues Murray, “to embrace forgiveness and reconciliation with people or past events. With true compassion, some people ask, ‘Why must this person continue to live with so much suffering?’ As an observer of people at the end of life, however, I have seen the mercy and patience of God during this season. Guests who come to us hardened by life have the time to feel his grace and invitation. Even over the short time we have together, our guests often change. A face softens. A look of peace replaces one of distrust.”

Mother Teresa House is a “Social Model Care Home,” offering free care for the terminally ill who cannot access the Medicare Hospice Benefit due to housing, caregiver, or financial insecurities. The first Mother Teresa House opened its doors in Lansing in 1997. The second house, located in nearby Williamston, welcomed its first guest on June 4th of this year. The mission of round-the-clock care at both homes is carried out by a combination of paid staff, hospice personnel, committed volunteers, and family members of the guests. 

“We are well-known at the local hospitals and within the hospice community,” explains Murray. “Last year we cared for about 20 guests at our Lansing location, and we are now seeking volunteers to fully staff our Williamston House. We offer internships with regional colleges, and interest spreads quickly by word of mouth, too.”

Because every guest receives care at no cost, Murray devotes part of her time to securing support through donations, grants, and fundraising events. Yet, like her patroness Saint Teresa, her true devotion is found in her daily spiritual practices: an hour of prayer, a visit with Jesus in the Eucharist, and a visit with each guest at the house she is overseeing that day.

“God,” exclaims Murray near the end of the interview, “is on the mountain! Daily he confirms and sustains this ministry. In the end, yes, there is often pain we cannot alleviate. Yet God remains merciful and patient, and we are honored to help our guests encounter him in their final days.”

Weekly Update: Building the Church Together: Why Your Gift Matters: The Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign is more than a fundraising effort—it is a commitment to the future of Catholic education and parish life across the Diocese of Lansing. Every gift, large or small, strengthens our parishes, supports our schools, and helps form the next generation of faithful leaders. 

Catholic education is at the heart of the campaign. Your participation ensures that students in diocesan schools have access to strong academics, vibrant faith formation, and opportunities to grow in virtue and leadership. By investing in these programs, you are helping young people develop both spiritually and intellectually, preparing them to serve the Church and the wider community. 

Supporting the campaign also strengthens our parishes. Gifts help maintain and enhance parish facilities, fund vital ministries, and create programs that engage families and youth in the life of the Church. When parishes thrive, the entire community benefits—from families attending Mass to children growing up in a faith-filled environment.

 
Participation is a shared expression of faith. More than 9,000 donors across the diocese have already joined this historic effort, showing the power of collective generosity. By turning in your pledge card, you help ensure Catholic education and parish life remain strong and vibrant for generations to come.

As the campaign continues on its final phase, we invite every parishioner to prayerfully consider joining in this effort. Together, we can ensure that Catholic schools remain a source of faith, formation, and hope for generations to come. 

To learn more about the Stewardship for Saints and Scholars and to make a pledge online, please visit our website by clicking on the link below. 

Click here for Stewardship for Saints & Scholars website

Watch: Watch as Diocese of Lansing seminarian, Thomas Crowley, sits down to discuss what it's like to study at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Thomas hails from the parish of Church of the Resurrection in Lansing. Please keep him and all 29 Diocese of Lansing seminarians in your prayers. Saint Charles Borromeo, patron of seminarians, pray for them! 

Do you feel called to the priesthood? Click here.

Read: This month inaugurates the new culture section of FAITH Magazine writes editor, Sean O'Neill, pictured above. Here, we explore how the arts, literature, movies, podcasts, music, and much more can enhance our spiritual life and draw us ever deeper in our relationship with God, through beauty, truth, goodness. We hope you enjoy these cultural offerings. Happy reading! Today: movies. 

Film | A Man for All Seasons | 1966

Few films can truly be called “Catholic,” and fewer still rise to the level of great cinema. “A Man for All Seasons” is one of those rare films. It not only won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1966, but also appears on the Vatican’s list of 45 films of outstanding importance.The story follows St. Thomas More, 1478–1535, (played by Paul Scofield) during his tenure as Chancellor under King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw). The king seeks an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, so that he can wed Anne Boleyn. More is summoned before the corpulent Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles), who asks More to help him pressure the pope into granting the divorce. When Thomas refuses, it sparks a chain of events where Thomas finds himself caught between faith and office.

Adapted from Robert Bolt’s play, the film unfolds largely through conversations in closed rooms rather than sweeping visuals. While the cinematography and direction are good, it is the writing and performances that shine. The dialogue carries an intellectual weight rare in modern cinema, yet remains accessible for contemporary audiences. Thomas may prefer a plodding pace, but the script does not plod, moving briskly from one conflict to the next.Contrary to what you might think, this story is not about following your conscience. The King’s own conscience compels him to seek an annulment. The difference is that Thomas understands conscience as the faculty that binds us to objective truth. As he explains to the Duke, “It is not that I believe it, but that I believe it.” His very identity is inseparable from God’s revealed truth.

When the king breaks from the Church, endangering the souls of a nation, Thomas holds his tongue. Even when he resigns his position, he gives no explanation; his silence protects his family. But when his enemies finally tear down the walls around him, More speaks openly, his stance moving from prudent silence to fearless witness.
The reckless actions of a few powerful men led generations into separation from the Church. But through this story of one steadfast saint, God has continued to strengthen and guide souls for centuries.Orson Welles once said, “Don’t be marinated, don’t soak yourself in films.… Now of course you must see films, and you must see great films.”We live in an age overflowing with viewing options, so we must be selective. “A Man for All Seasons” is one of those rare films truly worth watching and remembering.

• A Man for All Seasons
• Run Time: 2 hours
• 1966, color.
• Historical Drama, Rated G. Recommended age: 12+
• Parental advisory: Some mature topics, two “G.D.” blasphemies, and an off-screen execution

Want to read more from FAITH Magazine? Click here

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