From the Archbishop

Message from the Archdiocese Regarding Coronavirus

Kathy From the Archbishop

As a Church, one of our sacred duties is to look after the health and safety of the community in our parishes and schools. Part of that duty is to help prevent and respond to infectious diseases that may be in the community.

In light of growing concerns about the coronavirus and its effects on those who have contracted the disease, we ask each of our parishes and schools to implement the following precautionary measures to help prevent the transmission of any virus.

FOR PARISHES:
  • Urge the faithful to stay home from Mass if they are experiencing any signs of illness. Ensure your community that in this cold/flu season, and especially in light of concerns about coronavirus, an individual does not commit any sin by avoiding Mass to protect others from the potential spread of illness.
  • For those who do attend Mass, we recommend congregations suspend the practice of shaking hands during the Sign of Peace or elsewhere, and of holding hands during the Our Father.
  • We recommend emptying (and cleaning) all holy water fonts.
  • We recommend our parishes suspend offering parishioners the Cup of the Most Precious Blood during Holy Eucharist, out of an abundance of caution. If this is a regular practice at your parish, it may help to remind the faithful that the Consecrated Host is the full Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ, meaning an individual does not need to receive from the Cup in order to achieve full Communion with Christ.
  • The Office of Christian Worship has provided prayer resources including a prayer for the sick, a prayer for an end to the coronavirus and information on Acts of Spiritual Communion for those unable to attend Mass
FOR SCHOOLS:
  • Update emergency plans and ensure all contact lists are up to date. If you do not already have a Pandemic Plan, we encourage you to develop one. To initiate or build upon an all-hazards plan, visit the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools website.
  • Monitor daily attendance for flu-like illnesses and absences. Report to your local Health Department whenever you experience 10 percent or greater school absenteeism, including staff.
  • All sick employees and students should stay home. Plan ahead for extended school closures, staffing shortages, and the possibility of offering online school options.
  • Wipe down desks and surfaces daily.
  • Implement good hand hygiene practices. Instill handwashing importance. Place hand sanitizers in all classrooms and offices. Encourage children to bring in hand sanitizers.
  • Share information on your websites, social media, and newsletters. Suggestions include facts sheets and posters available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • Monitor your social media channels and let the Archdiocese of Detroit know of unusual or questionable dialogue, as controlling rumors and false information will help a great deal with an effective response

Click here for more suggestions and information about the coronavirus from the CDC.

Please know that Archdiocese of Detroit has been, and will continue to, monitor news concerning the coronavirus. We are preparing for any potential impact on our parishes, schools and other ministries, and will follow any recommendations from local, state and federal officials.

Archbishop Vigneron statement regarding pro-life petitions preparing to circulate in Michigan

Mary From the Archbishop, Parish Activities

     The Department of Communications of the Archdiocese of Detroit shares Archbishop Vigneron’s comments on two citizen initiative petition drives set to take place in Michigan that would have an impact on pro-life policy in the state. The drive announced Wednesday, June 26 in Lansing, organized by Right to Life of Michigan, would prohibit dilation and evacuation abortion procedures, also known as “dismemberment abortion.” A second proposal seeks to prohibit abortion after cardiac activity is detected in the developing child. The Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) Board of Directors, with Archbishop Vigneron as its chair, is in full support of the dismemberment abortion petition drive, and has expressed reservations about the heartbeat petition. Archbishop Vigneron’s comments are as follows:

“The Catholic Church in Michigan lends her support to sound and reasonable public policies, especially those which protect the most innocent among us. I invite all people of goodwill, regardless of religious or political affiliation, to join the citizen initiative effort to prohibit the heinous dilation and evacuation abortion procedure that requires the dismemberment of a human child in the womb. While the proposal advanced by the “heartbeat” coalition shares the goal of ending abortion, it appears to raise the possibility of negatively impacting existing law in Michigan that protects all unborn human life, which only lies dormant due to the Roe v. Wade decision. As these petition drives move forward, I applaud those who continue to change hearts and minds by invoking the humanity, dignity and rights of the unborn child while at the same time being close to and offering unyielding support for women who may find themselves in a challenging or crisis pregnancy.”

 

We Need Help with Baptism Prep

If you have been looking for a small but rewarding way to get involved in a ministry at St. Valentine, there are immediate openings on our Baptism prep team. The time commitment is not huge, about two hours once a month in the evening. Classes are held the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the rectory meeting room. If you prefer, you could approach this as a team of two persons leading the meeting. Depending on how many people volunteer to conduct these classes, you might be required to only volunteer every third or fourth month. You do not need any theology classes or special training. You will be given all the information you need and will observe some classes before you start. Most important, is a welcoming, friendly attitude and an ability to talk with the families. Basically, you will be informing the parents what to expect the day of Baptism, i.e. where to sit, what do godparents do, when to come up to the baptismal font, how long the celebration of this sacrament takes, prayers used during baptism, etc. In addition, a big part of your job is making the families feel welcome and comfortable at St. Valentine, and offering congratulations and encouragement to new parents!

 

If this sounds interesting to you, please call the Parish Office at 313-532-4394.

 

Fr. Socorro

Catholic Services Appeal

Kathy From the Archbishop

I am heartened at how the faithful of the Archdiocese embrace the spirit of unleashing the Gospel. Through our annual Catholic Services Appeal, we have opened doors to encounter Jesus as well as to grow with him. This year, our theme emboldens us to witness Christ through the ministries, programs, and services the CSA funds.

Fully living as a disciple of Jesus Christ requires following his commission to make disciples — Opening Doors to Witness Christ to others. We accomplish this when we allow his Good News to inspire joyful words and deeds each day. As we become conscious witnesses to God’s everlasting mercy, we unleash the Gospel to everyone we meet.

 Each year when we support the CSA, we renew this opportunity to witness Jesus. The CSA fuels the engine of the Gospel mission of our Archdiocese. Supporting our annual appeal unites us as a faith community in all of the good works we are able to provide together. The spirit of joining together to witness Christ in carrying out these works of mercy is what Pope Francis envisioned when he encouraged us to become a “joyful band” of missionary disciples.

 As you prayerfully consider your pledge to the 2019 CSA, please take a moment to reflect on the many ways your friends and neighbors are able to witness Christ because of the many doors we have opened through the CSA. I am sure you will be inspired to once again make the most generous gift possible.

The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit

“Everybody needs a little time away.”

 The above line is taken from the song Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago. Keeping that song in your mind now you can read the rest. I will be taking a little time away, if you think one month is little. I will be leaving on April 29 and return on May 29.  Not going for any sightseeing but going home to spend time with my mother and to visit my family and friends. With that said you can guess what comes next, the change in the daily Mass schedule – Beginning April 29th we will have our daily mass on Monday and Tuesday at Our Lady of Loretto and Thursday and Friday at St. Valentine. This schedule will continue throughout the summer and end on August 23rd.

 As I spend some time away from the regular schedule, I ask you to keep me in your prayers as I assure you the same from my part.

 Blessings,

Fr. Socorro