This is an invitation for you to join us at St. Genevieve/Maurice Church on October 10^th 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 10^th, 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.