Matilyn Sarosi didn’t know what to expect when she decided to speak out on behalf of “juvenile lifers” – convicts who were sentenced while minors to life in prison without any possibility of parole.
She didn’t expect to make the national news. She didn’t know if she would hear from Pope Francis, to whom she had written for support. She couldn’t predict whether the voices of teens could influence a panel of judges.
University of Michigan students Lucie Fornasiero, Meg Riegel, Julia Kehoe, Danielle Bean and Julia Walsh can identify a singular episode that truly sparked their friendship.
It all started with a speeding ticket, which then led to a fish fry.
Pope Francis is an admitted thief and former bouncer, and the driver of an old used car. That is why he inspires me. He is really not that different from most of us, yet we just have a hard time realizing it because we naturally put the pope on an extremely high moral and social pedestal. Subconsciously, many of us probably imagine that the pope can do no wrong, or that the pope does not sin. Many also think that a man of such high standing and acclaim must be rich. The fact of the matter is that this famous and holy man is extremely humble and down to earth.
A busy working wife and mother, Karla Palmer has a strong faith that she nurtures by being active in her parish and searching out inspiration in different ways. Encouraged by her mother and accompanied by her sister, Karla spent an entire day in October with her Catholic sisters at the 2013 Women’s Conference in Lansing. Originally excited about the chance to listen to author Teresa Tomeo, Karla left Lansing feeling inspired and fulfilled beyond her expectations.
The Diocese of Lansing was blessed with five new priests on June 14. Bishop Earl Boyea ordained Daniel Westermann. James Rolph, Gary Koenigsknecht, Todd Koenigsknecht and Vince Richardson to the priesthood at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing. In the next few pages, meet the five newest priests for the Diocese of Lansing – and enjoy photos of their ordinations.
Things have changed a lot since I was ordained,” says Msgr. Vincent Howard, 96, the oldest priest in the Diocese of Lansing. “But the one thing I want people to know – especially young men who might be thinking about the priesthood – is that through all those years, I really enjoyed it. I had fun. There was never a day that I regretted being a priest.”
