On this edition of Focal Point, we take a look at how the new epidemic order is affecting local businesses, what spring semester housing could look like, and the cancellation of Saturday’s football game. All those stories and more on Focal Point
Grand Ledge
Pet blessings continue despite COVID-19 restrictions
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Members of Trinity Episcopal Church gathered in a socially distanced parking lot to continue a more than 60-year tradition. Despite the fears of COVID-19, longtime churchgoers weren’t going to let a pandemic get in the way of the celebration.
Delta-Waverly
St. Gerard School brings students back amid pandemic
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Hundreds of children headed back to St. Gerard Catholic School in September under new circumstances with some students returning to classrooms while other learn online.
News
Grandville pastor uses video sermons, email Bible studies to keep congregation together
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Courtesy of Grandville United Methodist ChurchGrandville United Methodist Church in Grandville, Michigan. If Christian churches can be boiled down to one steadfast purpose, it’s keeping the faith and spreading the word of God. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted the world and life as we know it, keeping the faith became more difficult, as thousands died from the virus, and spreading the word simply became harder to do without face-to-face interaction. But one pastor, in a small church, in a small town in Michigan, wouldn’t take no for an answer in either facet.
“This is something that most people of any age have not faced in their lifetime,” said Rev. Ryan Wieland of Grandville United Methodist Church. “People are stressed and overwhelmed.
Coronavirus
Jews, Christians, Muslims adapt holy days to COVID-19
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As the COVID-19 pandemic forces people to social distance from one another, religious institutions are working creatively to adapt tradition to suit health needs. Jewish, Catholic and Muslim religious leaders explain how they are adjusting services for members.
absentee voting
Watch Focal Point: MSU Museum director suspended, 2020 election heats up, Lansing celebrates Fat Tuesday, and more
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In this edition of Focal Point, the director of MSU Museums is suspended for keeping his sources under wraps. Vice President MIke Pence visits Lansing and things are heating up in the Democrats. Michigan’s primary is on March 10, and we speak with Lansing’s city clerk to learn about voting in the primary.
Religion
Pope reaffirms ban on female ordination; Catholic women divided
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Debrah MiszakLansing Diocese director of consecrated vocations Dawn Hausmann with an image of Pope John Paul II. Considered a saint by the church, he established the “theology of the body,” which states that people have different roles to play in the world according to their biological sex. As American women grapple with their role in society during a Democratic primary which has featured a record number of female candidates, American Catholic women are struggling with their position in the church. In February, the Vatican released a document summarizing the 2019 Amazon synod — a meeting of bishops and stakeholders in that region. The document did not provide a final answer on the synod’s hottest topics: the ordination of women to serve as deacons and the ordination of mature, married men to the priesthood.
Diversity Issues
Women religious set 2020 social justice priorities
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LANSING — While the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops garners much attention as the leading voice of the church in the U.S., the Leadership Council of Women Religious — which represents 35,000 Catholic sisters — is also working on a number of social justice issues. The council holds political power, as sisters take part in legal advocacy and activism which can influence lay Catholics across the country. The council, which is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, is composed of leadership from 300 congregations. As such, it represents 80% of women religious, a term that refers to Catholic sisters, across the country. In the past 40 years, the Council has become much more active both on issues in the institutional Church and in American society.
Arts & Entertainment
Watch Focal Point: what cool things Spartans are doing this semester
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In this special episode of Focal Point News, we take a look at some of the cool things Spartan students, facility, staff and alumni are doing. From crazy sports to serious studies to interesting inventions, learn more about the work being done here at Michigan State and all around the country by those who bleed green.
News
Pace the Priest 5k unites community
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Runners gather for a pre-race prayer by Pastor Mark Rutherford. Photo by Eli Atzenhoffer. On a chilly morning on Oct. 12, participants in the Pace the Priest 5k gathered for a pre-race prayer before setting off on their run. As runners took their place at the starting line, a group of children lined the sidewalk cheering for friends and family members embarking on a scenic journey through Williamston.
Agriculture
Watch Focal Point: racist incidents at MSU, California passes progressive reproductive law and more.
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On this episode of Focal Point News, we bring you breaking news about racial and ethnic incidents challenging MSU’s inclusivity on campus. Meanwhile, California passed a new law requiring some universities to offer abortion pills, and Spartan students weigh-in with their thoughts. While men, women and children dressed up as Wonder Woman for a 5k last week to empower women and celebrate their accomplishments, Michigan State cautioned certain costume choices for Halloween this year to be as respectful as possible. Swinging over to sports, MSU’s Men’s Basketball team made history by snagging the number one slot in the preseason rankings. Plus, find out what makes running relaxing in the mind of a cross-country Spartan.