Parish Activities

Welcome Fr. Caetano Crasto!

Kathy Parish Activities

Dear Friends,

I am Fr. Caetano Crasto born and baptized in the small tiny state of Goa which is famous for its beaches and places of worship. I grew up in a beautiful state called Goa, located on the west coast of India. Goa is known for its international and domestic tourism. Tourism is its primary industry, and is generally focused  on the coastal area of Goa. People from different nationalities love Goa for its local culture and friendly nature; beachside cafes and shacks make Goa the perfect destination for the tourists.

 My father’s name is the late Mr. John Crasto and my mother’s name is Mrs. Maria Fernandes. I am the second of three children. I have one older brother and one younger brother. God calls us by name and we are invited to respond uniquely by the way we live our lives. God calls us for a purpose and the Lord called me as a young boy to the priesthood. I was just 16 years old and I joined the Religious order called the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (popularly known as Pallottines). I finished my Novitiate, and received Degrees in Philosophy and Theology. I was ordained a priest on May 1, 2006. I have completed 17 years in the priesthood and worked in different parishes in the Archdiocese of Goa (India). In the early stages of my priestly life, I was Associate Pastor for four years and the Pastor for ten years in different parishes. I served three years as a prefect and Administrator of a Pallottine Minor Seminary where I assisted the young seminarians to take deep spiritual roots in their priestly vocation.

After agreeing to minister in the United States, my Provincial asked me to go to the Archdiocese of Detroit, as Fr. Socorro had asked for an Associate. Knowing that Fr. Hendrico Rebello is also in the same Archdiocese. I was very excited as Fr. Hendrico is my classmate. After a long wait of several months, here I am to begin my new assignment as an Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Loretto and St. Valentine Parishes, and to be of service to the Mother of Divine Love Family. After being introduced at both parishes last weekend and by seeing your kindness and love shown towards me I look forward to my ministry and to serve you in whatever way I can. I am thankful to God for the opportunity to do Christ’s work under Fr. Socorro at both parishes and I look forward to serving you and the Family of Parishes to the best of my ability in the years to come. I have known Fr. Socorro for many years as we are members of the same Pallottine Congregation. Fr. Socorro will be my mentor at Our Lady of Loretto and St. Valentine Parishes. To work with Fr. Socorro is a great joy and to be with him is fun. He is a priest with simplicity, spirituality and a great heart for the poor. I have no hesitation to say that I will have a great and fruitful ministry under his guidance.

 In Christ,

Fr. Caetano Crasto

Commissioning Mass – October 10th, 7 pm

Kathy Parish Activities, Prayer Opportunities

This is an invitation for you to join us at St. Genevieve/Maurice Church on October 10th at 7 pm for the commissioning Mass, for the “Mother of Divine Love” Family of Parishes. Bishop Gerard Battersby will be the main celebrant and will celebrate the Rite of Commissioning for our Family of Parishes. This public recognition is a significant event in the Archdiocese of Detroit’s transition to Families of Parishes to become a more missionary archdiocese.

During this Mass, after the homily, Bishop Battersby will present the Deacons who serve in the Family of Parishes to the Priests, followed by presentation of the parish representatives to the Priests in Solidum. Then the Priests in Solidum will be making a Profession of Faith and an Oath of Fidelity to serve our Lord, the Church, and each member of this Family of Parishes. It is a responsibility that we as priests will be commissioned to do. Your prayers and your presence to support your priest in this endeavor is very much appreciated. So don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to come together under one roof as a Family for this beautiful celebration.

So, see you there on October 10th, 7 pm @ St. Genevieve/Maurice Church.

 

October: Our Lady of the Rosary

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. This is primarily due to the fact that the liturgical Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated annually on October 7th. It was instituted to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary in gratitude for the protection that she gives the Church in answer to the praying of the Rosary by the faithful.

The development of the rosary has a long history. First, a practice developed of praying 150 Our Fathers in imitation of the 150 Psalms. Then there was a parallel practice of praying 150 Hail Mary’s. Soon a mystery of Jesus’ life was attached to each Hail Mary. Though Mary’s giving the rosary to St. Dominic is recognized as a legend, the development of this prayer form owes much to the followers of St. Dominic. One of them, Alan de la Roche, was known as “the apostle of the rosary.” He founded the first Confraternity of the Rosary in the 15th century. In the 16th century the rosary was developed to its present form—with the 15 mysteries (joyful, sorrowful and glorious). In 2002, Pope St. John Paul II added five Mysteries of Light to this devotion.

In this month of October, let us consider this beautiful prayer of the Rosary as a means that we too can use in order to draw closer to Jesus and Mary by meditating on the great mysteries of our salvation.

Friday, October 13, Evening Mass

October 13th is annually celebrated as the date of our Blessed Mother’s final public appearance to the shepherd children of Fatima and the occurrence of the “Miracle of the Sun” (October 13, 1918).

In honor of Our Lady of Fatima we will have Mass in the evening on Friday, October 13 at St. Valentine Church. There will be No Mass in the morning. We will begin at 6 pm by saying the rosary, followed by a short procession and Mass. Please plan on joining us. We need to have more devotions like these to receive more graces for us, our families and for our world.