Mary Shaughnessy invites us to pause amid the holiday rush and rediscover the true meaning of Advent. While the season often feels consumed by shopping lists, decorations, and deadlines, Advent calls us to something deeper—preparing not only for the celebration of Christ’s birth but for His coming again. Through personal stories and powerful imagery, Mary reminds us that life’s most significant moments—birth, death, and meeting Jesus face-to-face—are known only to God.

This reflection challenges us to put as much energy into preparing our hearts for eternal life as we do for Christmas Day. With practical encouragement and a prayerful spirit, Mary inspires us to let Christ’s light guide our lives and shine through all we do this season.

---

Mary and husband Kevin have been members of Blessed Sacrament for 45 years where they raised their children. Their family now consists of 4 children, each of their spouses and 10 grandchildren! Mary has been involved in Faith Formation, Christ Renews and Small Faith groups for several years. She is a commissioned Lay Eccesial Minister and is currently involved in the Hospital Ministry and other Liturgical ministries. She has been volunteering at the Toni and Trish Home for the terminally ill for the last 17 years as well as serves on the Board of Directors there. She graduated from MSU with a BSN and worked in several areas of nursing. Go Green! She and Kevin enjoy traveling at home and abroad in their spare time.

In this powerful reflection for the Feast of Christ the King, Stacey Trapani reads one of Bishop Ken Untener's homilies where he explores how Jesus redefined kingship—not through thrones and triumph, but through humility, suffering, and love. Though instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, this feast invites us to look beyond worldly images of royalty and embrace Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the New Adam, and the one who leads us not by force, but by example.

Through vivid contrasts—crowns of thorns, a cross as a throne, and oil instead of swords—we’re reminded that following Christ means walking in his way of life. Every “Amen” we say is a commitment to live with love, even in the face of suffering. On this final Sunday of the Church year, we’re invited to look at the sweep of history and recommit ourselves to Christ at the center of it all.

---

Stacey has been a Blessed Sacrament parishioner for more than 35 years. She grew up in Lansing and attended Central Michigan University where she earned a degree in journalism. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from CMU and a master’s in Communications from MSU. For most of her career, Stacey owned Trapani Communications, Inc., in Midland. She recently “retired” to become executive director of Little Books, creators of the Little Black Book and other daily reflections. Stacey is also a commissioned Lay Minister and is in her final year of a three-year Spiritual Director training program. She has been married to Chuck for 39 years and has two daughters both with awesome spouses. She is overjoyed to soon welcome their first grandbaby.

---

Kenneth Edward Untener was born in Detroit on Aug. 3, 1937 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1963 for the Archdiocese of Detroit. He served as rector of St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth from 1977 until he was ordained as the fourth bishop of Saginaw in November 1980.

Described as a “Hungarian Gypsy” by his predecessor, Bishop Untener made headlines when he sold the bishop’s residence shortly after coming to the diocese and moved 69 times from parish rectory to parish rectory, living as a roommate with his diocesan priests and somewhat from the trunk of his car.

He took the Diocese of Saginaw global with his legacy of seasonal "Little Books" of prayer for Lent, Easter and Advent/Christmas. First released in 2000, more than 3 million copies are sold annually worldwide, with books making their way into the hands of Catholics as far away as Australia.

In addition to the ministry of his vocation – and despite his need for a prosthetic leg after losing part of his leg to a birth deformity – Bishop Untener also had a love for hockey. He was known to sometimes show up at the Nouvel Catholic Central High School team’s early morning practices and challenge goalies.

Saginaw’s spiritual leader for more than 23 years, Bishop Untener died March 27, 2004 from leukemia.

Corinne Cathcart invites us into a joyful and imaginative reflection on Psalm 98, weaving together scripture, childhood memories, and a call to live out God’s justice in the present moment. From reading her children’s Bible in the front yard to picturing King David dancing before the Ark, Corinne shares how sacred imagination can help us envision God's kingdom on earth.

As the liturgical year draws to a close and Advent approaches, this episode challenges us to consider what it means for the Lord to rule the earth with justice—not just in the future, but here and now. Through music, mercy, and movement, we’re called to be instruments of God’s grace and to let our joy shine like rivers clapping and mountains shouting.

Let this reflection inspire you to dance like no one’s watching, live with compassion, and dream boldly of heaven on earth.

---

Corinne was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, but has been a member of the Blessed Sacrament community for 14 years. She earned a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University, where she met her husband of over 25 years, and a Master's in Education from the University of Cincinnati. She was a second grade Catholic school teacher in Cincinnati before moving here when her husband started working for Dow Chemical. She loves working with the littles of the Blessed Sacrament family as the Children's Faith Formation Coordinator. When she's not at work, you'll find her with her nose in a book or learning something new!