ABOVE: Students, faculty and family from St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School in Reese pose for a photo with Bishop Robert Gruss at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw on March 11, 2022.
"We can't convert ourselves," Bishop Gruss said. "Only the love and mercy of Jesus can change us."
That happens when we pray for a heart like the Lord's.
"I really liked how the homily was a new perspective on the Gospel," said Emma, an eighth grade student at St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School.
During his homily, Bishop Gruss discussed the difference between righteousness and self-righteousness.
Listen to Bishop Gruss' Homily
Bishop Gruss' First Friday presentation after Mass
Following Mass, during the informal gathering, Bishop Gruss walked from table to table, smiling and greeting guests, many of whom had traveled snow-covered country roads to be there.
"I liked how [Bishop Gruss]took the time to talk to us before his presentation," Emma said.
As he began his talk, Bishop Gruss asked which cities and towns everyone had traveled from. "Who drove the farthest?" he asked with a smile.
The answer, "Kinde!" appeared to settle the matter after a brief and lighthearted debate. It takes one hour and 38 minutes to drive from Kinde to Saginaw (in fair weather!).
The tone then grew more serious as Bishop Gruss posed a different question to those gathered, "Have you ever been in love? When you're in love you'd do anything for that person, right? The people in Ukraine are willing to lay their lives down. Why? Because of their love for their country."
Bishop Gruss then defined love according to St. Thomas Aquinas: love is willing the good of the other. Bishop Gruss also talked about "conversion." Watch the video below to hear Bishop Gruss define conversion.
Bishop Gruss on 'What is conversion?'
Pointing to Christ Crucified and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession)
Shortly thereafter, Bishop Gruss asked, "What does Jesus' love look like?"
He then pointed toward a crucifix on a nearby wall.
"That's what love looks like," he said.
The responsibility to love and to sacrifice in imitation of Jesus Christ has been and is central to Bishop Gruss' ministry. He has been sharing this message with the faithful since his arrival in the Diocese of Saginaw.
Bishop Gruss also continues to share the message of how essential a personal relationship with Jesus is and how important the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) is.
“Bishop Gruss talked about how we need to build relationships with people and we need to give more," said Quinn, an eighth grade student at St. Elizabeth Area Catholic School. She and classmates Maddie, Emma and Braylee enjoyed sharing their experience of the day.
Margaret Gonzales, a parishioner at St. John Paull II Parish in Carrollton, shared, as well: "I enjoyed the way the bishop talks to us (regular lay people). His speaking is down to earth and makes you think of your life ... like what we need to do to make life more fulfilling. We think we’re doing good, but it goes even deeper. Bishop talked about how we need to talk to God, change and experience conversion."
On Friday, March 11, over 150 people traveled from near and far to give thanks to God and spend time with their bishop and one another.
Regardless of age or which parish they called home, each Lenten pilgrim was reminded of God's love.
"The more God converts our heart, the more free we are to love," Bishop Gruss said. "Ultimately, it's all about love."
Stay tuned for video of Bishop Gruss' presentation
We will be adding the full video of Bishop Gruss' presentation soon. Please come back to this page to watch the video. Share the video with family and friends. If they are not coming to Mass, let them know how much they are loved and missed.
