Thanksgiving Day Blessing

O God of all things in heaven and on earth, you give all your people in the world the gift of life,
the gift of family, the gift of work, and the gift of rest.

On this, our national day of Thanksgiving, we turn all our thoughts to you, from whom all blessings flow.

Bless all our work, our friends, and our families both near and far. We humbly ask for the ability to continue our work for your kingdom and the ability to gather freely to worship you without fear.

We ask you to give our years ahead your blessing and protection.

We ask all this through Christ the Lord, your Son and our brother. Amen.

 


Thanksgiving Day Mass

 

This Thursday, our nation will pause to celebrate Thanksgiving. As is our custom, we will offer an opportunity to come to mass and join fellow parishioners in gratitude to God for the blessings we so often take for granted. We will celebrate Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday, November 23rd at 9:00 in the morning in Church. Please make gratitude to God a priority, and make plans to join us.

 


Christ the King Celebration

At the end of each “liturgical year”, on the final Sunday in Ordinary time, Catholics celebrate “The Solemnity of Christ The King”, or as it’s known today – “The Feast Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe”.

This Feast day was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, in response to the growing “secularism” around the world, a condition that continues to exist and is even more prevalent today.

On Sunday, November 26, our parish will celebrate this Feast day with an adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 10:00am until 10:30am in church.

On behalf of Fr. Socorro, Fr. Henry and the parish Worship Commission, you and your family are invited to participate in this opportunity for a few minutes of quiet prayer and meditation. We encourage you to use the adoration as the start of your family’s preparation for the upcoming, Advent season.

 


  Thank You

I, along with Fr. Henry and the Staff, would like to take this opportunity to thank each one of you for what you have been to us and to the parish. May we continue to grow stronger and walk closely with the Lord. Let us be thankful every day, and especially this season of the year. When we gather as families on Thanksgiving Day, let us be truly thankful for His many blessings and love God has lavishly poured out on us. I do invite you to come and join us for Mass on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday at 9 am in the Church.  

Wishing you and every family member a Happy Thanksgiving. 

God Bless you all.

 Fr. Socorro

Volunteers Needed

Our parish needs volunteers to light candles on the Advent wreath at the start of all weekend Masses during Advent. We invite you and your family to help at one of the Masses. A “sign-up” poster is located in the main vestibule of the church.

 

Beatification Mass

If you are signed up to take the bus on November 18th to the Beatification Mass of Fr. Solanus Casey at Ford Field, please be at the St. Valentine Church Parking Lot no later than 1:45 pm. The bus will leave at 2 pm. You will get your ticket to the Mass when you board the bus. If you have any questions, please call me at 313-532-4394 x101.

Bonnie Danic


 

Important Notice: Mass Change on Saturday, November 18th

Please note: There will be no 5:00 p.m. Mass or confessions on Saturday, November 18th. Both Fr. Socorro and Fr. Henry will be at the Beatification Mass at Ford Field.

Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Loretto at 4:00 p.m.

 


Important News Regarding The Beatification Mass

Bus parking: Bus parking will be available at locations in and around the neighborhood of Ford Field. These locations will serve as drop-off and pick-up points for all Mass attendees on each bus. Buses will not be able to approach Ford Field for any drop-off or pick-up; this includes ADA-accessible drop-offs and pick-ups.
Bus parking locations will range in distance from Ford Field, with most buses dropping attendees less than one mile away. Some buses may be staged up to two miles from the venue.

ADA drop-off/pick-up: Private vehicles will be permitted close to Ford Field for ADA drop-off and pick-up. More details on the drop-off/pick-up location will be communicated when available. Individuals requiring ADA drop-off and pick-up are encouraged to seek private transportation to and from Ford Field.

Private vehicle parking: Attendees arriving in private vehicles may choose from a variety of city- and privately-owned surface lots, garages, or metered street parking. It is estimated that costs for parking will range from $10-$50.

Street/metered parking is enforced by the City of Detroit Municipal Parking Department. The rates and hours vary, so attendees are encouraged to follow all posted signs and notices.

Priesthood Sunday

Last Sunday we celebrated Priesthood Sunday and this weekend we celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week. I think the write up below will give some information to those wondering what it means to be a Religious or a Diocesan priest. I also take this opportunity to THANK each one of you for your prayers for us, your priests, every day and especially on Priesthood Sunday. Thanks also for the kindness you show towards us through your words and good deeds. May God Bless you all.

Fr. Socorro

 

In honor of Priesthood Sunday, the Faith Formation children honored both priests with a poster sending their thankfulness in messages written on their personalized lambs.

 


What are the differences between religious order priests and diocesan priests?

Religious Order Priests – Priests who are members of a religious order are community men. They choose to live out their lives within the structure of the vows and community life, while pursuing a ministry of loving service which flows out of the particular charism of their community (care for the poor, healing, education, media, foreign missions, etc.). As community members, they elect their superiors who then send them to missions where they are best suited and most needed. Many religious communities have an option for missions worldwide. Religious priests celebrate the Mass and administer the sacraments. Their daily Mass and prayer in community support their call to religious life and their total commitment to the service of the gospel.

 

Diocesan Priests – Diocesan priests are ordained for ministry in a particular diocese, with accountability to the Bishop of that diocese. They are men of prayer and are to be obedient to their bishop. Their ministries are dictated by the call of their bishop and the needs of their diocese. The vast majority of diocesan priests serve as parish priests, which encompasses hospital visitation, family counselling, youth activities, and parish organization. At the heart of their commitment to Christ is the celebration of daily Mass and administration of the sacraments. Diocesan priests do not ordinarily live in community situations and must be capable of living on their own. This vocation is demanding since there is no community with which to pray, outside the celebration of Mass and sacraments, unless the priests form one for this purpose. Often a priest will say, “My parish is my community.” Diocesan priests are encouraged by their bishops to form strong relationships with their brother priests for prayer, sharing, support, and relaxation.

 


Prayer for Vocations

Lord Jesus, grant our young people generosity to follow your call and courage to overcome all obstacles to their vocation. Give their parents the faith, love, and spirit of sacrifice to offer their children to God’s service and to rejoice when one of them is called to priesthood or religious life. Let the example of our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph encourage young people and parents, and let your grace sustain them. Amen.

 

Thank You!

 As a Parish we owe our thanks to the AOH (Ancient Order of Hibernians) for naming St. Valentine School and the Parish as the beneficiaries of the 54th Annual Charity Ball, held on October 14, 2017. After Mike and Maureen Kelly were awarded the 2017 Hibernians of the Year award the organizers called Fr. Henry and myself up and handed us the check in the amount of $6500.00. It was a pleasant surprise for all of us and we are so grateful to the organizers for their donations towards St. Valentine.

A number of St. Valentine parishioners, teachers and parents from the school were in attendance besides many others showing their support through advertisements and patrons. Thank you to all.

May God bless all their efforts and the charitable works the AOH does for the surrounding communities.


 

Rite of Candidacy

As it was mentioned in last weeks bulletin – Robert Calleja from St. Valentine and Joseph Colleran from St. Kenneth will be installed as Lector on Sunday, October 29th at the Noon Mass – the Mass will be celebrated by Most Rev. Bishop Gerard Battersby. Everyone is welcomed to be part of this celebration. We congratulate Bob and Joe in advance and pray that they may continue to journey with the Lord and serve Him in His vineyard.

 


Today Is Mission Sunday

Last weekend we heard the gospel account of Jesus speaking the parable of the king who invited his guests to the banquet. “Go out, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.” That mandate parallels Jesus’ command to his disciples, “Go to the ends of the earth and preach the gospel message to all peoples.” Mark 16:15.

That is what the Lord is asking us today as we reach out to those servant-missionaries who are giving their lives for the spread of the gospel and the support of the “Young Churches” they have established. They have truly gone to the main roads of the world and have invited so many to the Lord’s banquet.

We observe the annual day of prayer and sacrifice for the missions today. We unite ourselves also with our fellow Christians all over the world who with us attempt to share our faith with others, especially those who have not yet heard the name of Jesus. Today offers us the opportunity to join our missionaries in the “holiest and greatest work of the Church.”