The Augustine Institute is announcing a strategic, multi-year partnership with Church Life Africa (CLA), a nonprofit apostolate dedicated to forming lay Catholic leaders across Africa. This collaboration marks a significant expansion of the Augustine Institute’s worldwide efforts to help Catholics more deeply understand, live, and share their faith.

At a time when Christianity in Africa is often framed through the lens of persecution, the continent is also experiencing extraordinary growth and vitality. Nigeria alone is home to more than 35 million Catholics, with an estimated 94% attending Mass weekly. Yet this rapid growth has outpaced access to structured catechesis and ongoing theological formation for the laity, many of whom have long viewed theology as reserved exclusively for priests.

Fr. Ken Amadi is Director of Church Life Africa and Assistant Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute. A priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Nigeria, he is completing a Ph.D. in liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame. Fr. Amadi’s research focuses on sacramental theology, ritual studies, African Christian imagination, and global Catholicism, with particular attention to how local expressions of worship enrich the Church’s liturgical tradition. Through this work, he helps lead the Augustine Institute’s outreach for the New Evangelization in Africa. He is developing the Theology for Service Leadership program to equip lay leaders for mission and human development.

Loyola High School Detroit names new president

Loyola High School is a joint institution supported by the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Jesuits of the USA Midwest Province. Drawing from over 450 years of Jesuit educational tradition, Loyola offers a rich foundation in values, leadership and academic excellence.

Denise Bertin-Epp, a highly respected nonprofit CEO known for her institutional leadership and development expertise, was named as president of Loyola High School Detroit.

Bertin-Epp is the eighth president in the Jesuit Catholic high school’s 33-year-history. She succeeds interim Loyola president, Fr. Thomas McClain, SJ. Bertin-Epp was selected by the Loyola Board of Directors after an extensive national search.

Bertin-Epp brings more than four decades of executive leadership, including multiple president and CEO roles, leading complex Catholic and mission-based organizations through growth, renewal, and institutional transition. She brings to Loyola major fundraising success, a record of institutional transformation and a deep commitment to urban youth. Bertin-Epp formerly served as a member of the Catholic School Council (CSC) and was the advancement committee chair for the Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic School Council.

Today is the Feast of Saint Rita of Cascia. Vanessa previews today’s guests/topics and reflects on the Gospel reading of the day. What is God’s mission for you?

Since 2014, our community has helped raise over $1 million to support the education of future priests in the Chaldean community through the efforts of this walk. It costs roughly $45,000 annually for each seminarian to study and all the past support has helped tremendously.

Click here for more — Alex and Gabby Memorial Fund

The Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan (the Foundation) recently established three new funds with Knights of Columbus Council #1546 from Bad Axe, Michigan. From an initial donation of $475,000, the three funds will support both the immediate and long-term needs of the Council and their commitment to charitable work in the community.

Kristin Smith is the Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan.

The Catholic Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization financially supporting the spiritual, educational, and social needs of our Catholic community. Since 2006, the Catholic Community Foundation has been helping you help others by encouraging charitable giving. With your generosity, we support ministries throughout the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.

On behalf of our donors, the Catholic Community Foundation manages and invests funds through socially responsible investment principles according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Catholic Community Foundation serves the entire Diocese of Saginaw, including Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties.

The title of Fr. Jason’s talk is: “Give ‘em Heaven — Making the Kingdom of God Present in Your Everyday Life Through the Power of the Holy Spirit.”

Admission is free! The Rosary begins at 6:30 pm and Fr. Jason will start at 7:00.

St. John’s Resort44045 Five Mile RdPlymouth, MI 48170

Fr. Jason Brooks, LC, a Regnum Christi priest, currently leads a healing ministry in Metro Detroit and serves as a Chaplain for adult lay members of the Regnum Christi Federation. Ordained in 2004, he joined the Legionaries of Christ in 1994 after completing his junior year at Ripon College. Since 2017 in Michigan, Fr. Jason has been actively involved with Encounter Ministries, focusing on helping people experience the healing power of the Holy Spirit through services and personal prayer ministry.

Vanessa previews today’s guests/topics, shares some breaking news out of Detroit politics, and talks about the Gospel reading of the day.

Since 2014, our community has helped raise over $1 million to support the education of future priests in the Chaldean community through the efforts of this walk. It costs roughly $45,000 annually for each seminarian to study and all the past support has helped tremendously.

Click here — Alex and Gabby Memorial Fund

Joshua Kenny is the Director of Evangelization and Catechesis at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Brighton MI, he has worked there since 2020. Joshua has a Master's degree in Catechetics and Evangelization from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and has published articles in the journal Catechetical Review. He and his wife Tiffany are about to celebrate their fourth anniversary and welcome their first child in September.

Today is the Feast of Saint Bernardine of Siena. Vanessa previews today’s guests/topics and shares a reflection on the Gospel reading of the day.