Prayers during this time of crisis

Kathy Prayer Opportunities

A prayer for the sick especially those suffering from the coronavirus.

 Loving God, you sent your son Jesus Christ to heal the sick.  We ask you to come to our aid in the midst of the coronavirus crisis that we too may experience your healing love.  We ask you to heal those who are sick.  Calm those who are living in fear.  Be with those who have died and comfort their families.  Inspire health professionals to aid them in their healing work.  Guide national leaders to lead and make decisions with wisdom.  Help us to always be aware of your presence as we place our trust in you.  We ask this in Jesus name.  Amen.

Prayer for an end to the coronavirus crisis

 Loving God, we come before you in our time of need.  We lay before you our concerns and fears over the spread of the coronavirus.  We know that you are mightier than all our fears and that the name of Jesus is the name above all other names.  We ask, in the name of Jesus, that you stop the spread of the coronavirus.  In your mercy, heal those who are sick and lead those who have died into your heavenly kingdom.  We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus.  Amen.

Prayer of Pope Francis during the coronavirus crisis

 O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God.

Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin

 

Acts of Spiritual Communion

 It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion which is a source of grace.  Spiritual Communion means uniting one’s self in prayer with Christ’s sacrifice and worshipping him in his Body and Blood.

The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

 

A prayer for Spiritual Communion

 

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, Come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there And unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Important Message from Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron

Kathy From the Archbishop

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As citizens of Michigan, we join with our neighbors in observing measures to address the spread of COVID-19. As we continue to practice social distancing to limit the virus’ spread, our response as the Body of Christ must always begin in faith. We believe Jesus is still Lord. We believe that God can bring good from this time. We believe that we are not abandoned but remain – however mysteriously – in the loving hands of the Father.

It is with great sadness that I have to announce to you that Holy Week celebrations will not be offered publicly this year in the Archdiocese of Detroit…

While it is not possible for us to gather in our parishes during Holy Week and on Easter, it is possible for us to be connected in other ways. I ask you to remain attentive to aod.org and spiritualclosness.org for ways to be connected with each other during these days. I would also ask you to please continue your financial support to your parish. They rely entirely on your contributions and your generosity. I am very grateful for your support, especially during this time.

In addition, I ask all the faithful in the Archdiocese of Detroit to join me, the Holy Father and faithful around the world in these two times of prayer this week:

1.    Wednesday, March 25 – the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord – to pause at 12 noon to pray the Our Father.

2.    Friday, March 27 to pray at 1:00 p.m. (in union with the Holy Father in Rome) and, as you are able, to receive the Plenary Indulgence that will accompany the Eucharistic Benediction from the Holy Father on this occasion.

I know this is an unprecedented time in the life of our local Church. But unprecedented challenges bring unprecedented graces. If we unite ourselves to the Lord we will emerge from these days of trial and uncertainty more ready to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Please know of my prayers for you and our whole State of Michigan during these days. Asking the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, I remain

Fraternally yours in Christ,

The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit

Letter to Parish Members from Fr. Socorro

Kathy From our Pastor

St. Valentine Catholic Church

Dear parish member,

May the Lord be with you during this difficult time.

All of us are going through something no one has experienced before, and none of us know exactly how to handle the situation. I know there is lot of fear, anxiety. But that too shall pass. The best thing we can do now is pray a lot – several times in my homilies I have mentioned how as a family we need to spend time in prayer, how as a family we need to come together. And maybe that’s what the Lord is trying to tell us.

As I was praying, a thought came to me – now that we are not able to take part in Mass as a community, this will make us more aware of how important the Eucharist is to us. Missing this will make us more eager to come to Church and receive the Lord. So, as you spend more time at home, pray for a cure from this virus, remember those who are affected and those who lost their loved one to COVID-19, or any other issue. Let us also hold in our prayers those caring for the sick, for patience and for strong faith to move forward, placing our trust in the Lord.

If you wish, you can come to Church and pray – the Church will be kept open daily from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm as for now. This could change if there are further directives from the Archdiocese.

As we face the current crisis, please keep in mind that our parish has ongoing financial needs and responsibilities. Eliminating Masses until further notice will mean several Sundays without a collection. Please continue your regular financial support of your Parish as best you are able. Thank you in advance for this consideration. If your income has been adversely affected by the response to COVID-19, please contact our parish office to see if we can help you. We are here to serv e you. The parish office is open at regular hours if you need any further assistance.

In the words of Archbishop Allen H Vigneron, “Let us entrust ourselves to Our Lady of Lourdes, patron for those who suffer illness. Through her intercession, may God grant healing and protection to the people of southeast Michigan and beyond.” Here’s a prayer that was posted by the Archdiocese, as you and your families are encouraged to make a daily Spiritual Communion by praying:

“My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, Come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.”

Please know that you are continually in my prayers, and my blessings are upon you during this time. Let us walk this journey together holding one another in our prayers.

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy,

Fr Socorro Fernandes SAC

A paper copy of this letter was sent out in the mail on March 18 and you should all be receiving it shortly.