Author: Kathy

First Sunday of Advent

Kathy Uncategorized, Weekly message

A quiz for you. You are sleeping. You are dreaming. A big lion is chasing you. You try to run away and you see a tiger coming in front of you. You turn sideways, but every side you turn to, you find a ferocious animal coming after you. How can you escape? The answer is: Wake up. By waking up one enters a whole new world of reality, different from that of the dream world. What was a huge problem in the dream state becomes a non-issue in the waking state.

Today is the First Sunday of Advent. The word advent is coming from the Latin word, “Adventum”, meaning, “coming”, but who will come? Many of us would answer that it is the coming of the birth of Jesus on Christmas day. But Jesus had already been born two thousand years ago in Bethlehem. This advent is not only the coming of Jesus during Christmas day but also his coming at the last day, we call it Parousia or His second coming by which He will no longer save us but judge us.

When we are expecting a very important person to come, a particular reality called waiting is very imminent. When we wait, we feel anxious, uneasy, impatient and unsure if that person will come. Waiting is one of the large realities of life. And there are so many waiting in life. 

The gospel of the day says, “Stay awake….You do not know when the appointed time will come.” In other words, be prepared always and to stay awake while waiting for His coming at an unknown time.

So, while waiting, let us prepare ourselves for His coming. How?

First, let us renew the way we speak, by using our God given tongue to uplift those people in distress.

Second, let us renew the way we act. A saying goes: “Action speaks louder than words”. Actions are very much important. Pope Paul VI, in his encyclical letter, said that “today we don’t need good teachers, what we need are witnessing teachers.”

Third, let us renew our attitude. We have so many attitudes that need to be renewed.

Lastly, let us renew our deeds.

 

Immaculate Conception

 

December 8th we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a Holy Day of Obligation and Masses will take place at 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the church.

Stewardship Thoughts

Today’s Scripture readings express the Advent themes of hope, vigilance, and repentance. The Prophet Isaiah desires his people to atone for their sinful ways and turn their hardened hearts back to the Lord, who has done great deeds for them. In St. Mark’s Gospel, Jesus urges us to be watchful and alert, for we do not know when He will return. St. Paul reminds the Corinthian community, and us, that fellowship with our Lord strengthens us with many spiritual gifts — a timely reminder as we begin our journey into this Advent season. May we, as faithful stewards, put our hope in the Lord, acknowledge our sins, and seek with contrite hearts, His mercy and forgiveness. Advent is an excellent time to confess our sins by participating in the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Thanksgiving Day Blessing

Kathy Uncategorized

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

Kathy Upcoming Event

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

Kathy Weekly message

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.