Mass of Anointing – September 26th

St. Valentine will once again offer an opportunity for parishioners to receive the “Sacrament of Anointing” during our regular 5:00pm Mass on Saturday 9/26. Parishioners, whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or advanced age, are invited to attend this special Mass and receive an anointing. In the past, several people have been reluctant to attend because they have questions or concerns about whom this type Mass is for; and who may be anointed. To help alleviate those type concerns or questions, the following synopsis (taken from the church’s doctrine on “Pastoral Care for the Sick; Rite of Anointing and Viaticum”) is being provided. Hopefully, this information will clarify who is a good candidate; and motivate individuals to participate:

• The Sacrament of Anointing is appropriate for all whose health is seriously impaired by sickness, advanced age, or the danger of death.
• This includes persons who are seriously ill, whether at home, in hospitals or in nursing homes, as well as seriously sick children who are old enough to experience the sacramental benefits.
• It also includes individuals about to undergo surgery when a serious illness is the reason for the having the surgery.
• The elderly, those suffering the maladies of old age, usually those 70 years of age and older, may periodically receive the Sacrament of Anointing.
• Likewise, those who are chronically ill; and those who are permanently disabled are appropriate candidates for the sacrament.

Remember, part of the plan laid out by God’s providence is that we should fight strenuously against all sickness and carefully seek the blessings of good health. This special Mass and anointing provides an opportunity to do just that. In closing, if you see yourself or a family member in any of the above descriptions, we urge you to register and attend. All you need do is – “CALL THE PARISH OFFICE AT (313) 532-4394 TO REGISTER YOUR NAME BEFORE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd. This will help us plan the Mass; and reserve the proper number of pews for it.

 

 St. Valentine Worship Commission:   Priest Convocation The priests of the Archdiocese will be away this week on a Convocation at Boyne Mountain. Please keep them in your prayers. As a result there will be no daily Mass at St. Valentine Monday—Thursday. Our Lady of Loretto will have Mass on Tuesday.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at St. Valentine

The Catholic community at St. Valentine Parish is always ready to receive anyone truly seeking to find a Christian home to grow in their spiritual life. Jesus invites each of us into a relationship with himself. If you are truly knocking on his door seeking to respond to this invitation, we encourage you to read on and consider what your next step might be.

 As a person searching for spiritual renewal you may have asked yourself questions like:

What is it that is attracting me to the Catholic faith?

How will my life be different by becoming part of a Catholic community?

In what ways will the Catholic faith help me to strengthen my relationship with Jesus?

Is God really calling me to take this step at this point in my life?

If these, or questions like these have been on your mind then the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) at St. Valentine may help you find answers. On our journey of life one of the things God can use to draw us to him are our everyday experiences. The R.C.I.A. process is designed to be that part of our journey where we can begin to view our daily experiences and situations through the lens of the Catholic faith. It is a place in which we can pray and discern, learn about the faith, ask questions, and have a first hand experience of being part of a Catholic Christian community.

What Is R.C.I.A.?

 R.C.I.A. is an acronym for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a pastoral process by which a person explores faith and life in the Catholic tradition. The Rite is modeled after the initiation process used in the first centuries of the early Church. It includes a combination of study, prayer, and participation in the liturgy and certain rites at Mass.

 Participants, known as catechumens, undergo a process of conversion as they study the Gospel, profess their faith in Jesus Christ, and are brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through the reception of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. R.C.I. A.’s orientation is not just toward a onetime event, but is an ongoing interior change of life. While the process is directed toward adults, mature teenagers are also invited to participate.

 No matter where you are on your journey of faith there is a place for you at St. Valentine Catholic Church. To learn more about how you may participate in the R.C.I.A. process, contact me directly at 313-532-4394 x103. You can also e-mail me at [email protected]

 I would love to talk to you any time. No pressure, no commitment, no hype. Just honest answers to honest questions!

Fr. Henry Rebello SAC