Honest Feedback:  A couple of months ago, I was invited by Bishop Paul Bradley, the Bishop of Kalamazoo, to be the speaker at a clergy enrichment day for his priests and deacons.  My name surfaced as a potential speaker through Monsignor Michael Osborn, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Kalamazoo; he and I were contemporaries at the North American College in Rome.  I was leery about saying yes but when I heard the topic it sounded fun and easy to do.  My talk was to focus on how St. Joan of Arc Parish was moving from maintenance to mission and how I am using technology to advance the cause of evangelization!  Of course, I was going to say “Yes.”
 
The talk took place a week ago this past Thursday.  It ended up being a welcomed break in the midst of all the other things going on right now.  I was able to discuss Archbishop Vigneron’s Pastoral Letter, Unleash the Gospel, and all the archdiocesan efforts we are boldly embarking upon to help people deepen their relationship with Jesus.  I spent time sharing what I called the top ten things Pope Francis wants us to know about evangelization.  I spent a good amount of time discussing our Amazing Parish efforts and how the Amazing Parish movement has enriched my ministry and priesthood.  I was able to share details about our Leadership Team and how we set our weekly agenda.  The priests were floored to hear our Leadership Team meets just about every week for several hours.  We start out with a meal, pray evening prayer and then begin our general meeting.  I told the group I was worried at first about giving up a day each week for these meetings but they have made all the difference in the world in being able to get things done.  I look forward to our Wednesday gatherings; the added bonus is that we get fed … it’s all about the food!
 
I then shared some of the ways we use technology at SJA.  I talked about our outdoor sound system (which came about because of the three police officer funerals we had at SJA) and how we play contemporary Christian music outside as the kids gather for school each morning.  I talked about our robo-calls as well as how I use Flocknote and Constant Contact for email and text messages.  I talked about the parish videos we’ve produced and how we re-designed our bulletin.  I also spent a bit of time on our Sunday Experience Survey and how those results helped us enhance the Sunday experience at our parish.
 
Now imagine you are giving this presentation to about 100 priests, deacons and diocesan personnel.  I had my PowerPoint jammed pack … complete with sound and videos.  It was all technology driven (after all, they were dealing with Father Gadget).  Because my PowerPoint had video embedded in it, I had my laptop plugged directly into their nice big booming sound system. Their system was nice and the audio was crystal clear.  Unfortunately, I forgot to shut off Cortana, Windows 10 personal assistance.  Cortana is the Siri, the Alexa of the Windows 10 operation system.  Towards the end of my second talk, Cortana abruptly decided she had something to say and it was loud and clear over the sound system: “I’m sorry, what did you say?”  At first I was confused why this voice was coming over the sound system.  I then realized it was Cortana.  I mumbled something to myself as I tried to turn her off but then she blurted out, “I’m sorry, I really don’t understand what you’re talking about.” Needless to say my audience burst into laughter and it took me a several minutes to recover.  I was expecting such a response from the senior priests in the crowd … not my computer!
 
AN UPDATE REGARDING DEACON MIKE:  As summer comes to a close and we return to our more normal routines, I wanted to inform you of the final resolution, both judicially and canonically, concerning Deacon Mike Barthel.
 
As announced at all the Masses during the weekend of April 7 and 8, earlier this year I became aware of suspicious activity concerning Deacon Mike.  Video surveillance footage revealed that Deacon Mike was taking money from the Sunday offertory collection.  He did so by removing money from collection bags, either after they had been secured in the safe by me, Father John and/or Deacon Tom or immediately before he himself secured the collection. In accordance with archdiocesan policies, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office was contacted. It began an investigation, and concluded there was sufficient evidence to arrest Deacon Mike. Per the police report, Deacon Mike admitted to taking money and gave Sheriff Deputies approximately $6,700, which has since been returned to the parish.
 
Deacon Mike pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of embezzlement by an agent or trustee, of less than $1,000 but more than $200.  He was sentenced to one year of reporting probation, 200 hours of community service, random drug and alcohol testing for one year, attend a class on impulse control, and pay costs for probation in the amount of approximately $3,900.  He can have no contact with St. Joan staff and he must write a letter of apology to the parish.
 
Deacon Mike’s employment with the parish was terminated the day he was confronted by authorities.  He also was suspended from diaconal ministry, and may not function or present himself as a deacon.
 
Our parish follows archdiocesan protocols in implementing safeguards to prevent people from taking money from the church or school.  In part, these safeguards led to the discovery of Deacon Mike’s activity.  We have since instituted even greater security measures to assure that this will not happen again.
 
This has been a difficult time for our parish.  I greatly appreciate all of the support you have given me and others in parish leadership.  I encourage you to continue to pray for Deacon Mike and his family, and also to pray for our amazing parish family.
 
Enjoy the week.  Know of my prayers.
 
In Christ,
 
gmb
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