Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Emeritus Paul J. Bradley as Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Steubenville (Ohio). Additionally, the Holy Father has named Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton, Diocese of Steubenville, as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit. The appointments were announced today by the Holy See in Rome.
On the Feast of diocesan patron St. Augustine, Bishop Paul J. Bradley releases his latest pastoral letter, "Behold, I am making all things new": A Pastoral Letter on Priestly Spiritual Renewal and Prayer for Vocations. In his letter, the bishop announces a new diocesan year, beginning on the birthday of Our Blessed Mother, September 8, 2022, and outlines plans for priestly renewal and lay faithful participation.
August 3, 2020 (Kalamazoo, Mich.): The Most Rev. Paul J. Bradley has announced the following clergy appointments as well as the formation of a new Parish Collaborative. Changes are effective August 10, 2020 unless otherwise noted.
Bishop Bradley offers a video update on a number of diocesan initiatives including important changes to this year's Bishop's Annual Appeal and the reconvening of the diocesan Committee Against Racism.
My dear friends, as we all are painfully aware, we’re living in a very tumultuous, anxious, and greatly divided time in our country. Tensions are high, anger is great, peaceful protests against racism and social injustice are widespread, and sadly, some of those protests have turned violent, and destructive, including here in our own community. I’m reminded of St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians, and us, to “mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor. 13:11).
This Pentecost Sunday is an especially joyful day in our beloved Diocese. Today we begin the gradual return to full participation in the life of the Church through our first weekend in Level 1 for the public celebration of Masses in a very modified manner. Although we know we still have a long way to go, it’s a joy-filled experience to finally welcome people back to celebrate the Holy Mass together.
A special letter from Bishop Bradley: On this first Sunday of 2020, as we join with the Universal Church in celebrating the Solemnity of the Epiphany when Jesus was made manifest as Lord to all the world, I take this occasion to wish you all a very Blessed and Happy New Year!
Bishop Bradley has written a letter to the faithful encouraging all to participate in the historic Eucharistic Congress to be held October 19th at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo. The event is open to all in the Diocese and is free of charge. Read on for the full Letter.
In a letter to the Faithful, Bishop Bradley is calling for a diocesan-wide Day of Prayer for Peace and an End to Violence to be celebrated on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 2019. He writes, "Even in the face of these despicable acts, we must remain a prayerful, faithful and hope-filled people. Therefore, I ask that our entire Diocese designate next week’s Holy Day of Obligation’s celebration of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother into Heaven, as a Day of Prayer for Peace and an End to Violence. I am inviting all 59 of our Parishes to devote special prayers during their Holy Day Masses, as we all call upon the intercession of our Blessed Mother, and as we stand in solidarity for the protection of all human life. Next week, on August 15, 2019, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, body and soul, into her Heavenly Home. I feel this is a fitting time to once again turn to our Blessed Mother during these times of trouble to seek her protection, to ask for her intercession, and to know that she will stand with us and help us."
Bishop Bradley joins in the outcry of the tragic loss of life of a young father and his daughter and urges action by the federal government to protect all God's people, regardless of their origin or legal status. Click on title to read full statement.
Bishop Bradley offers his own reflections and insights on the recently concluded General Assembly meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Bishop Bradley was able to greet Pope Francis after the Holy Father's April 3rd General Audience. In his greeting, Bishop Bradley extended the wishes of everyone in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. Check out our Diocesan blog for more details. https://catholickalamazoo.blogspot.com
In his 2018 Christmas Message, Bishop Bradley invites us all to model our lives after Mary in this special year where the Diocese has been consecrated to her protection and intercession.
The Ordinary time of the year makes up the largest part of our liturgical calendar, and it represents our day-by-day life in this world, as we deal with our daily responsibilities to God, Church, family, friends, work, school and our community and nation; in other words, everything that we are “ordinarily” called to do in our daily lives. These summer months, during which we have more time to relax and catch up on what we find ourselves saying we have no time for due to our busy schedules, provide us with a great opportunity to remind ourselves of what is important in our lives, and to renew our commitments to all the ordinarily important relationships in our lives.
May is the month that is filled with memorable events and celebrations of all kinds, from sacramental moments of First Communions and Confirmations, to the beginning of the College and High School Graduation season. Of course, we cannot forget Mother’s Day (May 13th), the day we celebrate the heart of every family and the one who remains so important to each of us, whether our mother is already living in Heaven or is still here with us on earth. And as we celebrate our natural mothers in May, we also devote this entire month of May to special devotions to our Blessed Mother. Yes, May is memorable and filled with good reasons to celebrate.